4.99 SWABEY DIARY. 
him young officers whom he conciliates by his attentions and takes pains 
to instruct. One of the remarkable parts of his character is the kind- 
ness and humanity he possesses.” What a humbug! I should like to 
place his Lordship one half-hour at my window. I may be wrong in 
imputing the miseries to be seen from it to Lord Wellington; he has 
not witnessed them as they necessarily take place out of his sight, the 
head-quarters of course being in advance of the hospitals. But for the 
medical department, odious and detestable may their memory and 
their fate become, in proportion to the want of feeling they possess! 
On these wretches I have even scen the public prints prostitute the 
supposed medium of truth, and this not from any party feeling but 
from the secret inspiration of that diabolical part of society called the 
medical staff of the army ; for from what other source can such frauds 
on the public mind have risen ? 
As to Lord Wellington’s condescension and kindness to officers, it 
requires only to ask to be satisfied as to its existence. On this point I 
do not blame him. I think those qualities would lead to endless inter- 
ruption and impertinent intrusion. I therefore think he judges wisely 
in not exhibiting them. People in general affect to be dissatisfied 
with the measure of his praise ; his despatches however have no right to 
be compared to those of our officers commanding what we term “an 
expedition,” who to make their own fame deal out encomiums to those 
under them. 
22nd December.—Major Downman and Harding! arrived, and dined 
and slept as our guests. J was very happy to meet the latter. 
23rd December.—As usual raining all day. Our visitors remained, 
but we had no amusement to offer them. The Major, who is not free 
from the imputation of being an epicure, did not fail to praise our cook. 
About this time the Horse Guards and Horse Guards Blue arrived at 
Thomar, six troops each. 
24th December.—The rain ceasing for a time, I was over-persuaded 
to join the Major and Harding and set out with them for Taboa. Owing 
to the guide’s and their obstinacy we made our journey which ought to 
have been 7 leagues into 9, and the Major being ill we went at a walk. 
We did not arrive at their abode till 8 o’clock at night, after travelling 2 
hours in the dark over such a rocky road that I was in momentary ex- 
pectation of breaking my neck. My horse fell twice, but “ up again ” 
said the spurs. 
25th December.—Having ridden thus far to spend Christmas day, I 
could not enjoy myself because I thought only of how it had been 
passed in the preceding years of my life; it was before always a time 
of pleasure. 
26th December.—Ramsay, with Bull’s troop, lying in the road home 
to San Payo, they prevailed on me to spend aday withthem. It com- 
menced by shooting on our way. In this operation I lost the party and 
1 Lieutenant R. Harding (Kane’s List No. 1322) was appointed adjutant R.H.A.in October 1812, 
and held that appointment until August 1813, when he rejoined and remained with “ EH” troop 
until the end of the war. He served with it in the campaign of 1815, in the retreat from Quatre 
Bras and at Waterloo. 2nd Captain Harding retired in 1825, and died in 1849. 
