Sir Charles possessed, with elegance and ease, The power of pleasing, and the will to please. Our John was pleas’d--such offers don’t offend, A sumptuous Table, with a lively Friend. All this arranged, John thought it right he now Should on the General[33] wait, and make his Bow; A Guardsman too, and strictly to his tether, Adhered to the Old adage, ‘Birds of a Feather,’ John, as a Guardsman soon had his _entré_, Greeted, and closeted without delay. For Men in power great etiquette observe (A necessary caution, and reserve), Not that I would insinuate that here There was more exercised than should appear. The General was obliging, courteous, kind, A Man of much urbanity of Mind; But, Guardsman like, as I have said before, Felt, as a Guardsman, the _Esprit du corps_. One observation I must introduce By way of hint, it perhaps may be of use; A grateful system by the Duke[34] observ’d, That he who first arrives, the first is serv’d. An honour to his head and heart eternal, The Ensign’s often seen before the Colonel. I’m warranted in this my Postulatum, For it, by general sanction, _est Probatum_. John seated, now did Anecdotes relate Of Fashion, Gallantry, and of the Great; Who lost at Boodles--who supposed the winner-- The Whispers, Bagatelles, at the Guard Dinner; In Fashionable life, who went astray-- Whose Daughter slipped--whose Wife had ran away; Who was the reigning beauty--who the Toast-- Who at a certain House now ruled the Roast; Whose gay Barouche was sporting in the Park-- What was become of W----l and Ma’am C----k; What Wolf in patriot clothing went disguis’d-- What Machinations ’gainst the State devis’d; Who of our Army systems made a Route-- Who talked of Things, which they knew nought about. The General listen’d, and enjoy’d the jokes (He’d herded too with Fashionable Folks); Shook Johnny by the hand, express’d his sorrow ‘He was engaged to-day, but hoped to-morrow ‘The Captain would at half-past five repair ‘To meet some Friends, and take his homely Fare.’ ’Twas late, but Johnny nicked it to a T, The Envoy’s dinner hour was half-past Three. John heartily enjoy’d the good Repast, And Bumpers fill’d when e’er the Bottle pass’d. At Envoys’ Tables, and some others, I think They give full time to Eat, but not to Drink. I know not that to Wine they have a loathing, Perhaps ’tis a custom, something like their Clothing: For I’ve observ’d at all their Routes and Balls Legation Gentry put on Reg’mentals.[35]