expectedly I burst into a flow of poetry, which suc cessfully came from my lips by no trouble. From thence I wrote during the following year, a lot o poems, some of which, it was given up, being the best composed in the same locality for the last forty years past. However I did no treason, but all for the amusement of the country. "My Lord I mean to shoe a little proof of it in the following lines: Once from at home, as I did roam my fortune for to try, I said sweet home, both friends and foes, I bid you all good-bye. This famous corps, which I adore, is brave and full of might, retire. Supplied are those with Irish Poet for to compose in rhyrme, to God his grace upon the flaming 99th. I pray "My Lord, to get an end to this rude letter, my request, and all that I want, is twelve months leave, for the mere purpose of learning both day and night, where I could accommodate myself according to my pay, at the end of which twelve months I might be fit for promotion in the protection of Her Majesty. "Your most obedient Servant, Another correspondent closes his application in these glowing terms : "Your Pet'. in closing his application humbly looks up to that kindest and best of Beings, Him who still covers y'. Grace with the sweet shadow of His wings, and he sincerely prays, that just as y'. Pet'. has heard his brave comrades in days of old cheer y'. Grace upon the Field of Victory, that even so, after yr. Grace has long enjoyed every earthly joy, he may from some sweet spot, yet once again listen in like manner to that cheer with which the Immortals above shall welcome y'. Grace into the joy of y'. Lord." The next extract is from an old soldier, a parish schoolmaster:: "I beg to state I am a sound Churchman and asking pardon for the liberty taken ever wishing and praying long life, prosperity, unity, peace, and concord to her most gracious Majesty, Prince Albert, and family, and to the most noble, most unequalled most brilliant, most victorious, words unspeakable, His Grace the Duke of Wellington, long life and good health, and his exit from his military career into that land of pure delight where saints immortal reign. To that King of kings and Lord of lords, who aided and protected your most noble person in all your victorious engagements while on earth; also the Master-General, the Army and Navy, Church and State, everlasting prosperity. "Most Noble Duke, I now am thus situated that neither the roll of a drum can I hear nor yet the sound of a bugle." Leaving then this worthy Pedagogue to hear his village students, the last selection is reached, the writer of which evidently attempts the poetical, having a contempt for humble prose : "December, 1819. "I have the Honour to ask of you Such concord his in heaven!! With every respect to Her Majesty In these selections the orthography of the writers has been adhered to, and it is creditable to them that the spelling is, generally, so correct; affording, in this respect, a favourable comparison with the examples published by the Civil Service Commissioners. |