JO THE LIFE OF 



few words to him in Ruflian, which I did not 

 then underftand ; the latter retired, ^nd in a few 

 minutes returned with my commiflion ready 

 made out, which he handed to the Prince, who 

 immediately prefented it to me, acquainting me 

 at the fame time, that he had done me the 

 honour to place me in his fuite, and that he 

 gave mc two months leave of abfence to pre- 

 pare myfclf for the enfuing campaign. 



I remained a.few days in town to be prefented 

 to her Majcfly the Emprcfs, and then returned 

 to the Duchefs of Kingfton to acquaint her with 

 my good fortune. I took with me Thomas 

 Mackenzie, Efq. Brigadier of Marines, and Cap- 

 tain of the RuHian navy, an officer who, both 

 as a private gentleman and a foldier, has ever 

 lield the highefl place in the efteem of all that 

 have the happinefs to know him; he had not 

 before been introduced to her Grace. 



I was a good deal furprifed, that the Duchefs 

 did not receive the news of my fudden and 

 honourable appointment with all the warmth 

 I cxpecled ; but, as I afterwards found, that 

 ilie wifhcd to retain me about her perfon, the 

 myftery was cleared up. The night of our 

 arrival at the Duchefs's feat was fortunate to 

 Mackenzie ; for as we were enjoying our bottle, 

 a meffenger brought him down a brevet of 

 Rear-Admiral, and the intelligence that he was 



appointed 



