294 Dr. Tercival's 'Tribute to the Memory 
and being then inclined to a military life, he 
obtained a lieutenant’s commiflion in the Swifs 
regiment of D’Erlafr, in the French fervice. 
But he foon refigned his commiffion, and re¬ 
turned to Laufanne; where he had a command 
given him, in one of the Provincial regiments 
of dragoons. In this fituation, his connexion 
commenced with the Earl of Tyrone; who 
offered him the tuition of his eldeft fon, Lord 
le Poer, on terms equally honourable and ad¬ 
vantageous. But before the engagement was 
completed, propofals were made to him by the 
duke of Saxe Gotha, to become governor to the 
hereditary prince, with an annuity, for life, of 
twelve hundred, rixdollars; an apartment at 
court; and the pofl of chamberlain, or rank of 
colonel. Thefe propofals, however, he declined 
in favour of lord Tyrone. And he executed 
the important trull, affigned to him, with fuch 
judgment, tendernefs, and fidelity, as induced 
that refpe&able nobleman to commit three of his 
children to his foie direction. Thefe amiable 
youths he brought to England, in the fummer 
of 1779 > ar >d fettled them at the fchool of a 
clergyman in Manchefler, who is eminently dif_ 
tinguifhed by his virtues as a man, and abilities 
as a teacher. 
At this period, our firffc acquaintance with Mr. 
de Polier was formed. By the laws of hofpita- 
lity, he was entitled to our attention, as a 
ftranser: 
