[15] The Subaltern Officers, in the Portuguese service, were taken from very humble situations, and of course are not treated by their countrymen with the distinction and respect which British Officers claim; consequently, where Quarters or Billets are disposed according to rank, the Portuguese Alfares, or Ensigns, are thrust into any wretched hovel, and, from the ignorance of the country magistrates, the British Subaltern Officers were not unfrequently treated with as little ceremony: many of them were billeted in the most wretched, filthy, miserable dwellings, which among a race of people so excessively nasty in themselves, rendered the officers particularly uncomfortable. [16] Immediately in the vicinity of Lisbon, a person may contrive at the inns, or rather wine houses, to be somewhat better accommodated than at a Subaltern’s billet. [17] No disrespect is intended, but until one can ‘make a Silk Purse of a Sow’s ear,’ we must be content to submit to the ‘insolence of Office.’ THE MILITARY ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY NEWCOME PART II THE MILITARY ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY NEWCOME PART II Now once on their Way we see the Pair, When John, as passing, did around him stare; Though flat the Country, oft he got a peep At the smooth Tagus in its mazy sweep; Whose Banks well covered by the richest soil, Yielding abundant Crops, with scanty Toil. ‘’Tis a fine Country, Teague, one needs must say, ‘But thousands should not tempt me here to stay.’ ‘I’d not live here,’ says Teague, ‘among the Craters; ‘Give me dear Ireland, Whiskey and Paraters.’ [Illustration: _Taking his Breakfast._]