kindly, and promised me his friendship. Nothing of moment occurred during the short time I was at this station.

Having refitted, we started on route to Meerutt (about three hundred miles by land), under the command of two officers, whose sole study was to promote our happiness and welfare. I do not know that I ever spent a happier time. Our march was always over by nine o'clock, and we encamped under the salubrious scent and pleasant shade of the lofty mango. After journeying in this pleasant manner, we reached Meerutt on the 9th day of November, 1809, having been eleven months and a day from England. Here I was welcomed by all my old comrades, and found myself full sergeant in Captain Beattie's troop.

On the evening of our arrival we were inspected by the commanding officer, now Major-General Need. I was well received by all the officers, and indeed by all the corps, save two or three corporals whom I had supplanted in their long-cherished hopes of promotion. This naturally placed me in no very enviable situation with these men, and

several attempts were made to try my courage, but I was too well versed with the rank I held to permit myself to be imposed on or annoyed. When they found this, their ire passed away and their grievances were forgotten. After the inspection, my commanding officer called me on one side, and said, "I am much grieved to see you in your present situation, after the many laurels you have gained in India, but I feel pleasure in having it in my power to promote you to the rank of sergeant, and if you conduct yourself well, be assured I shall not lose sight of your further promotion.' I was obliged once more to go through a regular and systematic course of drills, both on horseback and on foot; but, as I was already well acquainted with both, I was soon dismissed. As, however, the reader may not be so well versed in these exercises, perhaps he will find it an agreeable relaxation to bear me company for

TWO DAYS IN THE RIDING-SCHOOL.

THE first morning after a young officer has

joined his regiment, he finds himself exalted on a spirited steed, some sixteen hands high, from whose back he dares not cast the eye downward, to take even a glimpse of the immense space between him and the earth. His chin is so elevated by a leather stock, that he can just see the head and ears of the animal on which he sits; his heels are screwed out by the iron fist of the rough-rider; and the small of his back is well bent in. Having been knocked and hammered into this posture, the word "march" is given. This command the well-drilled animal obeys immediately, and the machine is suddenly set in motion, the result of which usually is, that the young gentleman speedily finds his way to the ground, with the loss of half a yard of skin from his shin, or with his nose grubbing in the earth.

“Well done, sir; Astley himself could not have done better. Mount again, sir; these things will happen in the best-regulated riding-academies ; and, in the army, sir, you will have many ups and downs. Come, sir, jump up, and don't be down-hearted because you are floored."

"Well, sergeant, but I am very seriously hurt."

66

Nay, nay, I hope not, sir; but you must be more cautious for the future."

The pupil mounts again, and the order is again given to march, and off goes the horse a second time, the sergeant roaring out, at intervals,-" Well done, sir! Head a little higher-toes in, sir-heels out-bend the small of the back a little more-that will do, sir-you look as majestic as the Black Prince in the Tower, or King Charles's statue, at Charing-Cross. Bravo, sir,-rode capitally! We will now try a little trot. Recollect, sir, to keep your nag well in hand,-trot."

"Well done, indeed, sir-knees a little lower down, if you please-that's higher, sir-no, no, sir, that's higher, I say—you look for all the world like a tailor on his shopboard. What are your elbows doing up there, sir? Elbows close to your body-you pay no attention to what I say, sirfaster, faster."

"Oh dear! oh dear! oh dear! Sergeant, halt, for God's sake! I shall be off! I shall be off! oh dear, oh dear!"

"Bravo, sir, that's better-faster."

66

Sergeant! I am sick, sergeant!"

Now,

"Never mind such trifles, sir; riding is an excellent remedy for all kinds of sickness. recollect, in changing from one to two, you round the horse's croup well, by applying your right leg to his flank, and take care he does not kick you off.-Change from one to two."

66

Halt, sir; halt! that won't do what the devil are you about? That's the wrong way; I told you from one to two: turn your horse about from one to two."

"I can only just see the top of the ridingschool-I can see no figures at all, sergeant."

sir.

"Well, sir, we'll dispense with this for the present; but soldiers should learn to turn their eyes every where. Suppose we have another march, March-trot-faster-faster; very well, indeed. Now, sir, you must recollect, when I say the word halt, that you pull your horse smartly up, by throwing your body well back, and pressing the calves (if any) of your legs to his side. If you don't keep your body upright, the horse's head will