his story; and being satisfied of its authenticity, I resolved to apply to the Duke of York to procure a commission for him. This request his Royal Highness immediately complied with; and I have since heard, with great satisfaction, that the promoted serjeant has done much credit to the high patronage he experienced on that occasion.

In the course of an excursion to the Continent, in the commencement of the year 1816, I accidentally met at Calais with the celebrated Serjeant Ewart, of the Scotch Greys, who had taken the eagle from the French at the battle of Waterloo. Being much pleased with the modesty, as well as the valour of this gallant soldier, I asked him what reward he was most anxious to obtain for his services on that occasion. He answered, that being a married man, and having been long in the service, he wished for retirement, and that an ensigncy in a veteran battalion would suit him best. I then gave him a letter to Sir Henry Torrens, to be delivered at the Horse Guards in person, when he returned to England; and I assured him, that he would soon find the Commander-in-Chief was a true friend to merit in the private as well as in the officer. He delivered the letter accordingly, and I had the satisfaction of receiving the following answer:

Horse Guards, 9th March 1816.

Major-General Sir Henry Torrens presents his compliments to Sir John Sinclair, ana nas the honour to acquaint him, by direction of the Commander-in-Chief, that his Royal Highness the Prince Regent has been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, to appoint Serjeant Ewart of the 2d Dragoons to an ensigncy in the 3d Royal Veteran Battalion.

Serjeant Ewart was the person usually employed to teach both recruits and young officers the management of the sword; and being remarkable for his dexterity in the use of that weapon, I recollect having asked him, whether he thought that the

cuirasses worn by the French cavalry ought to be introduced into our service? He said, it was a subject on which he had often meditated; that wearing armour certainly had an imposing appearance, and might occasionally be of use; but, on the whole, he was convinced, that in an actual engagement, if two corps of cavalry fought each other sword in hand, the corps without the cuirasses, every other circumstance being equal, would have the advantage. The cuirass, he added, greatly impeded the proper management of the sword, and, he had no doubt, that it was two to one in favour of those, whose freedom of action was unembarrassed by the incumbrance of armour. I was glad to learn the sentiments of so experienced a cavalry soldier, on a question that had been frequently discussed, and which, in a military point of view, was of much importance.

The Duke of York, though a soldier, did not restrict his attention to military matters, but also took a part in political discussions. Having written a paper on the Political State of Europe, I thought it right to send a copy of it to his Royal Highness, for which I received the following flattering acknowledgment:

Horse Guards, Aug. 3. 1804.

SIR,

I take the earliest opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 26th of December last, and returning you many thanks for the communication of the accompanying paper on the Political State of Europe, which appears to me highly deserving of attention, and I doubt not that, if it were translated into French, and circulated, it would answer the purpose which you seem to have in view. I am, Sir, yours, &c. FREDERICK.

Sir John Sinclair, Bart. &c.

XVIII.

THE DUKE OF KENT.

There is no correspondent whose communications were more gratifying to me, than those of his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent. He took a warm interest in every useful pursuit, and promoted it by every means in his power. He possessed very general knowledge, but was peculiarly conversant in military affairs. He would have made a distinguished figure at the head of an army, but unfortunately had imbibed ideas of discipline, which were inconsistent with the peculiar spirit of a British soldier.

The communications from his Royal Highness, in the order in which they were received, are subjoined.

Kensington Palace, July 27. 1806. The Duke of Kent does himself the pleasure to acknowledge Sir John Sinclair's note, accompanying a copy of his collection of papers on athletic exercises; for which mark of polite attention he begs to offer his best acknowledgments, assuring him, at the same time, that he looks forward, with infinite pleasure, to the prospect of perusing them, being well satisfied that, coming from the quarter they do, they cannot fail of being highly interesting, as well as instructive.

The Duke of Kent presents his best regards to Sir John Sinclair, and, in acknowledging his polite note of yesterday, begs to express how grateful he feels for the inclosure contained in it, and which affords him a fresh proof of Sir John's flattering attention. The work he has just published, in answer to the opinions set forth in the Report of the Bullion Committee, cannot fail of being highly interesting, both on account of the importance of the subject in itself, and of the

well-known talents, as well as the superior judgment of the writer. Sir J. Sinclair may therefore rest assured, that it will be read by the Duke of Kent with all the attention to which it is so justly entitled, the moment he can find leisure to sit down to it, without the chance of being exposed to interruption while engaged in reading it.

Kensington Palace, 16th September 1810.

Sir John Sinclair, Bart.

Kensington Palace, 13th August 1815. The Duke of Kent returns his kindest acknowledgments to Sir John Sinclair for his obliging favour of the 2d instant, and the interesting account it contained of the last Piping Competition, which could not fail of being highly interesting to one, who sets so high a value as he does, upon any thing that tends to preserve the military spirit of the brave Highlanders. The judicious suggestion of Sir John Sinclair, with respect to some of the arms, cuirasses, and helmets taken at the battle of Waterloo, being sent to some of the principal cities of Scotland, to be hung up in the Town-Halls, as trophies of their countrymen's valour, he submitted to the Commander-in-Chief, who (the Duke of Kent is confident,) will esteem himself most happy if, in his capacity as President of the Highland Society, he can, consistently with his duty as Commander-in-Chief, meet the wishes thus expressed by one who justly stands so high in the estimation of all his countrymen.

Sir John Sinclair, Bart. &c.

Kensington Palace, 3d July 1816. The Duke of Kent returns his best acknowledgment to Sir John Sinclair for his favour of the 30th ultimo from Edinburgh, and the very interesting inclosure it covered, of the hints contained in which he will most certainly take advan

tage, by making use of Sir John's name to the persons therein mentioned. At present he has no immediate intention of visiting either Ostend, Bruges, or Ghent, but proposes setting out for Brussels about the latter end of the second week in August, when he will be most happy to avail himself of Sir John's introduction to the four respectable individuals with whose names he has favoured him. Upon Sir John Sinclair's return to Ham Common, if he will afford the Duke an intimation of his being again at home, he will take the liberty of naming some morning for his coming over to Castle Hill, which, although a very small spot, he hopes he will not find unworthy of engaging his attention for half an hour, should he be able to devote that time from his more important avocations, to taking a look at it.

XIX.

HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, THE ARCHDUKE JOHN OF AUSTRIA.

Among the numerous diplomas transmitted to me from various public institutions on the Continent, there was none more gratifying than the one I received from the Agricultural Society of Vienna, which was accompanied by the following letter from its Secretary, written by command of the President, his Imperial Highness, John, Archduke of Austria.

To the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Bart. President of the British Board of Agriculture.

SIR

I have the honour to inclose you here, by his Imperial Highness the Archduke John's orders, the diploma, by which the Agricultural Society of Vienna, protected by his Imperial Highness, has named you her fellow.