PIPECLAY.--I should object to old fellows as unfit for such sharp duties: active, intelligent young men would be better. OLDHAM.--Pshaw! what's theory against Frenchmen? give me the old second battalion of the 107th before all the boys in the service. PIPECLAY.--And give me smart youngsters, who would move. OLDHAM.--I'd like to see such Johnny Raws oppose a landing. PIPECLAY.--It stands to reason they must be better than a parcel of old worn-out sinners. O'SHEEVO.--Bravo! I'd like to hear this question fairly handled. You see, Lovell, that's the advantage of military breeding; we can discuss these topics without the rudenesses that you observe in civil life. Every man, young or old, may give his opinion, and be patiently listened to at a mess table. LOVELL.--It is certainly a great advantage. OLDHAM.--I must maintain the superiority of veteran troops for all important duties;--you see a parcel of recruits would play the devil,--it's all stuff! LOVELL.--But, if I may be allowed to remark-- OLDHAM.--You, sir! damme! what should you know about it? What are you, eh? A stripling, a mere stripling. By Jove, sir, if you had been in the 107th, you would have seen what they thought of such forwardness. LOVELL.--You really mistake me,--I had no intention-- O'SHEEVO.--Well, well; but you mustn't be obstinate you know, my boy, in matters that you can't possibly know much about; you can never learn any thing that way. PIPECLAY.--You should have a little modesty, Lovell. O'SHEEVO.--We're a liberal set of fellows here; but, by Jove, Lovell, I've known many a man that would have asked you to a leaden breakfast. Young Spanker of the 18th was called out by old Mullins for only asking him to repeat the number of oysters he said he ate in his great bet with M'Gobble. They fired six shots without effect, and Mullins was thought very lenient in not asking for an apology or the seventh. OLDHAM.--Oh! the service would go to the devil if youngsters were allowed to lay down the law. PIPECLAY.--That would never do. OLDHAM.--A strange file was that old Mullins you were talking of. Our second battalion was quartered with the 18th once, in Chatham barracks, when there were some memorable sittings. PIPECLAY.--I saw old Mullins once only, and then I could form little opinion of him, as he was half screwed. O'SHEEVO.--Half screwed! you must be mistaken. PIPECLAY.--I assure you I am rather under the mark in saying half screwed. O'SHEEVO.--Ah! I knew he never made so near an approach to sobriety as to be half screwed. OLDHAM.--_He_ would have been the fellow to receive the French! Come, now, Lovell, I'll show you, if you won't be obstinate and contradictory. LOVELL.--Upon my word, Oldham--