MAJOR TEMPLE LISLE. I35 



the Earl of Elgin ; fortunately for the author, 

 the blackguard, ftupidity of the performance 

 took away its fting '""^ 



His origin is not worth tracing, but he firft 

 ranked 2LS 3l Colonel in 1786, among the revol- 

 ters in Brabant ; whence after their defeat he 

 fled to Paris. He there became acquainted 

 with his wife, who ufed to vifit a family of re- , 

 fpedlability, with whom he was in fome degree 

 .of intimacy. The lady was not then quite fe- 

 venteen, and through his perfuafions, was in- 

 duced to confent to a private marriage. This 

 ilep, as might be expected, much offended her 

 father, who refufed to give any fortune to the 

 Colonel, but, confented to allow her a yearly 

 income for her own ufe ; which the Colonel 

 however turning to his purpofes, fhe became 

 obliged to fend her little bills for milinary and 

 fuch like to the old gentleman. Finding how 

 the money he allowed was employed, he with- 

 drew that fund, but continued to pay her 

 bills. 



This gallant Colonel next applied himfelf to 

 the Princes of France, who were jufl: then gone 

 to Coblentz, foliciting leave to raife a regi- 

 ment for them. As he knew the effects of beauty 

 on menofprofefled gallantry, he confcantly made 

 his wife the bearer of his mefTages ; thus at once 

 expoling her to every temptation, and plainly 



K 4 proving 



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