4 SOUTH AFRICA. 



was the French cavalry were able to force our 

 infantry into squares, when, of course, their 

 offensive powers were minimised and their losses 

 increased by artillery fire. 



I was a good horseman, a crack shot, and un- 

 usually strong and active for a man who never 

 weighed more than 164 Ib. in his best days. Coarse 

 dissipation was never a temptation to me, and 

 all kinds of gambling distasteful, nor were society's 

 frivolities much more attractive. 



Law I hated from my soul, and although I had 

 exceptional opportunities of a brilliant career by 

 following its thorny and miry ways, I threw away 

 the unwelcome chances, and hankered after a life 

 of adventure and more freedom than is consistent 

 with existence in civilised lands. 



In 1830 I went to Paris on a visit to Bishop 

 Luscombe, in company with my father and a Mr. 

 Kemble ; during our stay there the Revolution 

 by which Charles lost his crown occurred. 



On the first of the three days' battle we were 

 returning from a visit to a chateau some miles from 

 the city, and when near the Champs Elysees were 

 startled on hearing heavy firing in the direction 

 of the Place Vendome, near which was our hotel 



