About two years before the regiment had been ordered to America, so quickly that they had not time to revisit England, and embrace their children. Our colonel was actively engaged in the battles of Long Island, New York, and White-plains, and deemed them all, in decisive success, little adequate to British force, valour, and efforts. He accompanied lord Cornwallis in his victorious career through the Jerseys, and had no doubt of capturing Philadelphia, when the commander in chief, by recalling the victorious Britons, arrested the progress as it was about to be complete.--He saw and regretted the dissipated scenes of New York winter quarters, but fortified by principle, and confirmed by habit, remained uninfected by the destructive contagion. Disapproving of plans, he was intrepid and skilful in execution. Lamenting the late outset of military operations in the campaign of 1777, and the circuitous course of invasion, which postponed active warfare till the season for it was nearly expired. When the British army at length took the field, colonel Hamilton was one of its most valiant and skilful leaders. At Brandy Wine and German town, he was particularly distinguished; he now hoped that British achievements, though tardy in commencement, would be effectual in result. But premature departure from the field completed the inutility of British valour. Northern discomfiture combining with southern inefficiency, demonstrated the contest to be henceforth hopeless. Hamilton perceived, with sorrow, the debauchery that unnerved British prowess, and with mingled pity and contempt beheld the farcical pageantry of triumph without atchievement, which terminated inglorious command. The capture of Burgoyne, and the obstinacy which continued hostile contention, after its object was desperate, rendered large reinforcements of troops necessary. The levies of new regiments procured Hamilton promotion, which permitted him to return to Britain with his lady and his daughter. Our hero was about fourteen years of age when revisited by his parents; comely, healthy, active, and strong, and in his mental powers and acquirements far beyond most youths of sixteen. Both father and mother were proud of such a son, and anticipated future eminence from so promising talents and accomplishments. As their second son was now at the same seminary, a neighbouring boarding school was commodious for the daughter. The colonel and his lady fixed their abode in the same village. The venerable vicar of Brotherton having for upwards of forty years discharged, without assistance, the duties of his trust, was, after he had turned his seventieth year, prevailed on to delegate the most laborious part of his function to a curate, and was thus able to spend much of his time in the houses of his son or daughter.