That Swinney had been chaplain to one of the British regiments serving in Germany is manifest from twenty different references in the poem and the notes. I lay no stress on his poetical flights about Euphorbus; but he speaks repeatedly from personal experience--specially refers to circumstances occurring when quartered at a farm-house near Embden--at the camp at Crossdorf--acknowledges personal favours received during the {239} campaign from General Harvey, and on another occasion attentions from Granby. Here, for example, is a poetical picture which brings Swinney vividly before us: "At Marienbourn, the vaunting army halts, ... _A pastor_ from the heav'n-devoted train, Brings hams and fowls, and spreads them on the plain: The jovial officers their bellies fill, _Rally their chaplain_, and applaud him still." Swinney must therefore have served under Sackville; for, as he tells us, Sackville "by George was made Good Marlbro's successor"-- and certainly the probabilities are that he must have been personally known to--had before spoken to him. Sackville must at this very time have been particularly anxious about Swinney and his doings, wise or unwise. That fatal battle of Minden had been the ruin of all his hopes--the overthrow of all his ambition. In my opinion, Sackville had been shamefully and shamelessly run down on that occasion; but whether justly or unjustly stripped of his honours and degraded for his conduct, here was a man about to write a poem on the battle, to immortalise those who fought in it; and Sackville must have been keenly alive to what he might say of him. Swinney foreshadowed what his opinion would be in the First Book, where he enumerates Sackville amongst his "choice leaders"-- "Good Marlbro', Sackville, Granby, Waldgrave bold, Brudenell and Kingsley." This was published early in 1769. In the Second Book Lord George is brought prominently forward. The "bewilder'd Ferdinand," "doubtful himself," summons a council of war, and calls first on Sackville for advice. "Sackville, disclose the secret of thy breast: Say, shall we linger in ignoble rest? Shall we retreat? advance, or perish here? Resolve our queries: state thy judgment clear." Sackville now plays the "high heroical," and talks through six pages; but to what purpose I am unable to conjecture. There _seems_ to be a great deal of angry remonstrance--of offensive remonstrance: