THE SQUIRE AND HIS VOLUNTEERS. 161 



regularity as their commander required and ever 

 had cheerfully granted to him. A return of mutual 

 regard between the major and his late corps was all 

 he wished for, and he is now more fully convinced, 

 by this public mark of favour, of their real esteem 

 and steady friendship. He therefore hopes they 

 will (to a man) give him credit when he not only 

 assures them of his future constant sincerity and 

 unabated affection, but further take his word when 

 he likewise promises them that his gratitude and 

 faithful remembrance of the Wenlock Loyal Yolun- 

 teers shall never cease but with the last period of 

 his worldly existence. 



"WiLLET, 12th Jan., 1803." 



Soon after the first corps of volunteers was dis- 

 banded, the Squire was entertaining his guests with 

 the toast — 



" God save the king, and hless the land 

 In plenty, song, and peace ; 

 And grant henceforth that foul debates 

 'Twixt noblemen may cease " 



when he received a letter from London, stating 

 that at an audience given to Cornwallis, the 

 First Consul was very gracious ; that he inquired 



M 



