1829.] Memoirs of John Shipp. 257 
feelings?—No. In short, he has nothing but the gratification of a sensual 
appetite to set against all the misery which must inevitably be entailed on 
him by its indulgence. His moral principles become vitiated ; his prospects 
for the future cannot fail to be blighted ; and he has little but wretchedness 
to look forward to. I have myself known officers intimately who have formed 
these sad connexions, and who, although they certainly did not absolutely 
become Musselimen or Hindoos, yet have been so infatuated as to lose, to all 
appearance, every thought for the present, and all regard for the future. Let 
but the iron hand of poverty assail you, or sickness enter your doors, then 
shall you find that those whom you have for years fed, clothed, and cherished, 
will be the first to turn and sting you; all will then unite to benefit them- 
selves by your misfortunes; all your faithful lady’s soi-disant relations will 
conspire to plunder you ; and your charmer herself will soon take an oppor- 
tunity of wounding you in the tenderest point, by eloping with one of her 
long-supported brothers or cousins, leaving you in your poverty, or on the bed 
of sickness, to drink the bitter draught of repentance. Should any of your 
offspring by this heartless woman be boys, they would be left behind to 
assist in soothing your cares, as unsaleable commodities ; but for the girls, 
especially if they should have proved handsome, they would be carried off by 
the mother, for a purpose, the mere contemplation of which would, one would 
suppose, alone deter men from forming connexions so likely to entail misery 
both on themselves and the wretched offspring of their criminal indulgence.” 
No where have we seen so admirable a drill-scene as the following ; 
it is essentially of the finest comic effect :— 
“ Two Days in THE Ripine-ScHoo.. 
“ The first morning after a young officer has joined his regiment, he finds 
himself exalted ona spirited steed, some sixteen hands high, from whose 
back he dares not cast the eye downward, to take even a glimpse of the 
immense space between him and the earth. His chin is so elevated, by a 
leather stock, that he can just see the head and ears of the animal on which 
he sits ; his heels are screwed out by the iron fist of the rough rider ; and the 
small of his back is well bent in. Having been knocked and hammered into 
this posture, the word ‘march’ is given. This command the well-drilled 
animal obeys immediately, and the machine is suddenly set in motion, the 
result of which usually is, that the young gentleman speedily finds his way to 
the ground, with the loss of half a yard of skin from his shin, or with his nose 
grubbing in the earth. 
«« Well done, Sir; Astley himself could not have done better. Mount 
again, Sir; these things will happen in the best regulated riding-academies ; 
and, in the army, Sir, you will have many ups and downs. Come, Sir, jump 
up, and don’t be down-hearted because you are floored.’ 
“¢« Well, sergeant, but I am very seriously hurt.’ 
ie Nay, nay, I hope not, Sir; but you must be more cautious for the 
ture.’ 
“The pupil mounts again, and the order is again given to march, and off 
oes the horse a second time, the sergeant roaring out, at intervals—‘ Well 
one, Sir! Head a little higher—toes in, Sir—heels out—bend the small of 
the back a little more—that will do, Sir—you look as majestic as the Black 
Prince in the Tower, or King Charles’s statue at Charing Cross. Bravo, Sir 
—rode capitally! We will nowtry a little trot. Recollect, Sir, to keep your 
well in hand—trot.’ 
_**Wrell done, indeed, Sir—knees a little lower down, if you please—that’s 
higher, Sir—no, no, Sir, that’s higher, I say—you look for all the world like a 
tailor on his shopboard. What are your elbows doing up there, Sir? Elbows 
close to your body—you pay no attention to what I say, Sir—faster, faster.’ 
“ «Oh dear! oh dear! oh dear! Sergeant, halt, for God’s sake! I shall be 
off! I shall be off! oh dear, oh dear !’ 
M.M. New Series—Vou. VII. No. 39. 21 
