"Mine is two inches too low but the colonel has passed him for a second charger. He has desired I will get one much stronger and higher immediately as a first charger, but where I am to find a horse of that description I am at a loss to know. "It is the general opinion there will be more hard fighting and more bloodshed than in any preceding war, as that arch fellow Bony (who has been too deep for all our wise heads) will dispute every inch of ground with the sword. * * * * * "Pray have you been to Easton lately? What does the old gent say of the present appearance of things? "If we go on service I shall be obliged to call on him for a further advance of cash, as I shall have to purchase many essential though expensive articles, such as tent and tent equipage, &c., and many other things necessary for service. "Our dress altogether is extremely rich and consequently costs lots of money. The Court dress coat alone is 40 guineas. It is covered with lace from head to foot. The jackets are handsome, but they only cost £15 15_s._ each. Every other part of the equipment is equally as expensive. "In fact we make a most dashing appearance. I should like much to meet the old Buck at Bath or Clifton. I do not think he would know his hopeful son.... "Believe me my dear John your sincerely attached friend "+F. C. Kinchant.+" "In great haste. Pray write soon and don't follow my example. Burn this scrawl when read!" (Thus ends the first letter, and let us rejoice that it was not burnt.) "+Bristol+, _April 6th, 1815_. "+My Dear John+, "I have only time to tell you that we received orders yesterday to hold ourselves in perfect readiness for foreign service. "To-day another order arrived for the regiment to proceed to North Fleet (about 30 miles below London) and there embark for the Continent. It will be about seven days' march from hence to North Fleet. The order and march came so near together that most of us are unprovided with tents, camp equipage, canteens, &c., all which necessaries I must order from London to meet me by the time I arrive at North Fleet. We have been long expecting this move. Since I joined I have not had a spare half hour. Three drills a day on horseback and on foot I assure you did not a little fatigue my bones. However, I trust I am now a tolerable good match for a Frenchman. "The Regiment is in the finest condition and in the highest spirits and most anxious for an opportunity to distinguish itself. "Believe me, &c., "+F. C. Kinchant+. "We shall have seven days' march--the first day from hence to Chippenham,