46 A KETIEED OFFICER. 



manded by the great Duke acting also 

 as master of a pack of hounds kept for 

 the amusement of the officers when the 

 army was enclosed within the lines of 

 Torres Vedras had purchased a small 

 property in the immediate neighbourhood 

 of the farm I occupied. As our dispo- 

 sitions were alike in regard to the plea- 

 sures of a country life, and our love 

 for the animal creation, we were on the 

 best of terms ; and though the irritabi- 

 lity of his temper, and his love of com- 

 mand, contracted in his long military 

 career, would sometimes cause me to sup- 

 press a laugh, when he came in contact 

 with the simple habits of the farmer, or 

 the rude manners of the labourer, his 

 conversation and general deportment had 

 a charm that chained me to his side. 

 He was highly connected, and had mar- 

 ried the sister of my landlord, the owner 

 of Southwick Park, and the more than 



