Colonel ZTbomas Tlbornton 75 



have delivered my sentence compels me in gratitude 

 to assure you that I have the highest sense of the 

 honour done me on this occasion : entertaining the 

 highest esteem and veneration for your professional 

 knowledge, permit me, Sir, to ask you what steps you 

 would advise me to take, should the soldiers of the 

 York regiment, or of any other, from their zeal, be 

 prompted at any future time to pay me a similar 

 compliment, by huzzaing and drawing me into camp 

 or elsewhere ? ' 



' Was it to happen to me, Sir,' replied General 

 Sloper, ' I would break my neck ! ' or (agreeable to 

 some present) the reply was, * I would break their 

 necks,' meaning the necks of the soldiers. 



' Excuse me, Sir/ replied Colonel Thornton, ' I 

 think that would be carrying the joke a little too far.' 



' Parturiunt Monies nascitur ridiculus Mus? 



Thus ended a process which afforded full proof that 

 men of illustrious birth, exalted stations, and splendid 

 fortunes are not the less subject to the rancorous 

 passions, the atrocious principles and vile subserviency 

 which induce the most heinous and detestable crimes, 

 than the lowest of mankind." 



It is not surprising to learn that the indignant Colonel 

 promptly sent in his resignation. 



Thenceforward Colonel Thornton devoted himself 

 solely to sport and conviviality. The new Thornville 

 Royal surpassed the old in the magnificence of its 

 sporting establishment. The Colonel's horses, hawks, 

 pointers, setters, and spaniels became celebrated as the 



