6 



commonly, fo vexatious and annoying to the 

 paflengers. To arrive at the end of the jour- 

 ney feemed alike the objedt of all. Within 

 the coach it was my lot, alone, to be fenfible 

 of time, or diftance. Our fleeping captains 

 might have fancied themfelves to have been 

 transferred by fome fudden or fylph-like aid ; 

 for, the curtains of their eyes but dropped 

 with the clofmg day of London, to be again 

 uplifted with the rifmg fun of Southampton. 



We arrived at an early hour, and after 

 taking the refrefhmcnt of a cold ablution, 

 and a plentiful breakfaft, I proceeded, with- 

 out delay, to head-quarters, to announce my 

 arrival, and to pay my refpeds to the com- 

 mander in chief. It happened that the in- 

 fpedor- general of hofpitals was with Sir 

 Ralph Abercromby, at the time I called, I,^ 

 therefore, reported my appointment to both— 

 and put myfelf under command. 



The efFed of this moment, upon my 

 mind, I had not fully anticipated. It was a 

 moment big with fenfation, but I cannot fay 

 •—with delight ! A fudden impulfc fluftied 



