"At the Roscommon Assizes, Lord Viscount Dillon was cast in a verdict of £60, for illegally confining a poor mechanic, a fortnight underground, with a view of _forcing_ him to enlist."--(_Times, Sept. 20, 1797._) * * * * * "On Saturday last, the sentence of a Regimental Court Martial was carried into execution, on a private soldier, belonging to the 2nd Battalion of the Breadalbane Fencibles, now in the Castle of Edinburgh. He received 1000 lashes, and was drummed out of the Battalion, for having, while on sentry at Leith, on the night of the 15th of September last, loaded his piece, and fired the same into the house of an inhabitant, the Civil Magistrates having delivered him over to the Military Law."--(_Times, Oct. 7, 1797._) The sale of Commissions is here openly acknowledged, although it was not allowed, _vide_ the two following advertisements in the same paper (1798, Jan. 15):-- "Militia.--Any young Gentleman wishing for an Ensignsy in a highly respectable Regiment of Militia, where he will have the opportunity of forming the very first connections, may, on certain conditions of honour, solely between the parties, be so respectably introduced. The Advertiser, who is of the Church, and of undoubted character, as will be known, means to apply this only to a young person of some income of his own; or whose friends would add an allowance to his pay, so as to place him upon a more equal footing with his brother Officers, and superior rank. On a proper behaviour, there is no doubt but that he would soon have a Lieutenant's Commission, and it is to be considered that at the end of the War, he will be entitled to half pay, the same as the line. It is apprehended, too, that it might still more peculiarly suit one who may mean to ultimately go into the regulars, and would prefer having his first steps in the Militia. The Advertiser, not residing in London, a letter at Messrs. Wilson and Wright's, Walker's Court, Soho, for A. P., will be duly honoured in the course of 2 or 3 days, provided it is signed with real name, and address, without which it cannot be noticed. "Marines.--A young man of respectable connections, and of the best morals, is very anxious to be in the service of his King, and Country, in these momentous times, and therefore ardently intreats the patronage of any Lady or Gentleman, who has the interest to procure him, or the power to bestow upon him, a Lieutenancy of Marines. He does not mean to offer the insult of any pecuniary recompence; but he will assure a greatly more pleasing return to a benevolent mind, that of everlasting gratitude, and the most unimpeachable conduct. The honor of a line to F. G.," &c.