AUTflOIi S ATTTHOBIOGRAPHY. 



Eowland (now a distinguished General) recommended 

 me to learn farriery, with which recommendation I of 

 course instantly complied. Accordingly I was placed 

 under the instructions of the Veterinary Surgeon, who 

 was directed to initiate me fully into the various bran- 

 ches of the art, which I subsequently studied under him 

 for a period of six years. In the meantime the Sergeant- 

 Major of the regiment, fearing, from the progress which 

 I was making, that at some future day I might become 

 PaiTier-Major, to which rank he was of opinion no 

 Irishman should be promoted, endeavoured by every 

 means in his power to injure my character, and depre- 

 ciate my capabilities, and brought several groundless 

 charges against me, all of which were dismissed; but, 

 notwithstanding his enmity, on completing the sixth 

 year, I was promoted to the rank of full farrier. In 

 this position I continued for two years, discharging my 

 duties to the satisfaction of the Veterinary Surgeon, but 

 still followed by the persecution of the Sergeant-Major, 

 who, on every opportunity, spoke disparagingly of me 

 to the officers, with whom he had more than ordinary 

 influence. About this time a change took place in the 

 regiment, which rendered my prospects, as I, at the 

 time, thought rather unfavourable — Colonel Kowland 

 and the Veterinary Surgeon both left the regiment. 

 Tlic latter was, however, succeeded by a gentleman 

 whom I found to be entirely free from those national 

 prejudices which too often retard the promotion of 

 Irishmen in the British service, and whose impartial 

 qualities soon merited my confidence, as the result slicws. 

 The Farrier-^lajor having been reduced, the other 

 farriers were ordered to prepare for examination, in 

 order that the one most competent to take his place might 

 be chosen, and al'ler a full examination, I was preferred 

 and pi omoted to the vacant rank, which I held until I 

 left the army. I believe I may safely say, that I nm 

 the first Irishman who ever held the position of 

 Tarrier-Major in the lioyal Horse Artillery. 



