of being parted because I could say but little
to you without my penman knowing all I
said. But I have attended school as regularly
as drill; and if you can read what I say, my
love, it will be a great recompense to me; and
what the pleasure is to me to be conversing
with you now, it would take more than this
sheet would hold to tell.

You know we have now had two
periods of drill, of twenty-eight days each,
since the first which gained us so much
credit to begin with. That credit was mainly
owing to the officers, we all know; but the
effect was astonishing—not only as to the
number of recruits, but as to their endeavours.
In April, there were no less than eleven
hundred and sixty-six under arms; and the
new fellows worked and worked, and tried
and tried, till, at the end of the time,
there was really scarcely any difference
between the new levy and the first. I
told you that no men could fag harder
than we did in those winter three weeks;
and when I said it I thought it: but in
April I saw ourselves outdone. This last
time, it has been finer than ever; and the
Commander himself said that the best of us
were nearly fit for the line. Don't be afraid
Nanny. We are not in the line yet; and
you know I volunteered to the militia, and I
must go through with it; and the militia
can't go out of the country. Well, this morning
there was news for us. There was to be a
selection made of six hundred and fifty of the
best of us to be embodied for lasting service—
in England, of course: and do you know, Nan,
they picked me out the very first; on account
of my size, no doubt. In the morning we are
off to Rampling, for garrison duty, I will
let you know when I know myself; and
meantime I will just tell you what
happened to-day.

I wonder whether my face looked as blank
as some I saw on the common. I don't deny
that it came like a weight upon my heart,
my going so far from you; and I have a fear
that this letter may have the same effect
upon you. But consider, my dear, how poor
our fortunes must have been if I had
continued always a mere labourer at Westerleigh,
with such wages as they give in our county.
I can but come back to that, if nothing better
offers; but now I have two trades instead of
one, with the chance of distinguishing
myself; and when I think of you at home, I feel
as if I should be able to do so. Seeing some
of my comrades look blank, our Commander
desired us to form in square, each company,
and hear what our captains had to say.
Our captain, Helsham, said to my company.
"My good lads," says he, " We are all in for
it now, and wherever you go, I'll go; but
I don't know where that will be, and it is no
use caring. You won't make your fortunes,"
says he, "for a soldier's pay is small enough.
I wish it was more, but they won't alter it by
what I wish. If you fancy I like to leave my
home, and take my family the Lord knows
where, you are much mistaken; but if I am
ordered to go, go I will: and so will you,
whether you like it or not. (By this we
suppose there is something in the wind, for a
further movement by and by; but at present
it is to Rampling.) I am ordered to keep you
in a good state of discipline; and you
may take your oaths I'll do it, fair or foul;
but never foul if I can do it by fair. Mind,
I shall often blow you up, skyhigh. You
often see me well blown up when I have
not deserved it; and you'll often see it again;
and when you see me give an answer, then
I'll give you leave to do the same to me,—
and not till then," says he. " Now, we've all
stuck together like bricks and mortar," says
he; "and you have earned an honourable
name for good conduct. Just take an old
soldier's advice. You can't be rich do-nothing
fellows; but if you march off this ground
tomorrow, determined to do your best and be
obedient, you may be a jolly, united, soldier-
like set of Rampshire lads, sure of a good bed,
a good dinner, and clothing; and now and
hereafter your officers will do their best to
reward your conduct. If any of you prefer
being miserable," says he, " you can be so, by
taking the trouble to kick out viciously;
and you will have the satisfaction of making
me," says he, "the most miserable dog among
you. But I know you too well, and I like you
too well," says he, " to think such a thing
possible. So, three cheers for the Queen and
the Royal Rampshire! " Such was what
our captain said, my Nan; and you may be
sure we all cheered, from the bottom of our
hearts.

The high sheriff and his lady, and the
young gentlemen, were on the common to-
day. I am sure they will bear witness, or
tell you anything I may have left out. I am
certain Mrs. Warner will not object to satisfy
you, under the circumstances. Till we meet,
my own Nan, I am your faithful

NED BARRY.

August 14th.

MY OWN NAN,—You could not think I
had forgotten to write—I trust you for that.
You will see how it is if I begin where I left
off in my last letter. I did not sleep very well
that night after finishing my letter—it was
such a thought that I was going to march
further away from you next morning.
And when we were to start, it was such
weather—hot, and foggy, and raining—
that not many of the Elwich people came
out to bid us good-bye. Four-and-twenty
miles had we to trudge in that weather, and
not a man straggled. If you call that a
good beginning, I'll tell you how it partly
was. Our officers are trumps, and not least
the colonel, Sir Henry Arundel. He said at
night he hoped to meet us all refreshed and
stout in the morning. And so he did—not a
man missing. If there had been any desertion