The next day I may consider to have been my first appearance in public as a PROPERLY _authenticated_ officer in the army. I stood upon the parade fully equipped, and with my regiment. During all the time, I might as well have been in the pillory—nothing relieved me but pulling on and off my gloves, fixing my cravat, and playing with my sword-knot. I formed _one_ of those whom the admiring crowd gazed at. I was saluted every where by passing soldiers, and I gratified my vanity in this point, by repeatedly walking past the sentries on duty at the Palace, to hear them slap the butt-ends of their muskets, as they “carried arms” to compliment me. I was gazed at on the Steyne by the most captivating eyes—I was smiled at in the Library by the most fascinating faces—lovely lights gleamed on me from balconies, barouches, and donkeys' backs—pelisses flounced, and feathers waved for me—I was somebody, I was _everybody_—there was nobody in the world but _me—myself!_ at least I saw no one else worth a moment's consideration, except as far as their admiration of me was concerned. I never ate so many ices and jellies in my life; not for the love my appetite bore to such confections, but the lounge—the graceful halo which the discussion of an ice throws round the military figure in a pastry-cook's shop is every thing: It was delightful! and as to paying, I paid for all my friends; who, to say the truth of them, were obliging enough to assist in the ceremony as often as I pleased. Of course, many _agreeable_ ladies were present at these happy displays, who, with a _lee-tle_ persuasion (bless their modesty!) did their parts _remarkably_ well. The intervals of lounging thus about the town, the cliffs, &c. were filled up by billiards—at which game I delighted to play, merely because I could _not_ play, but fancied myself, like smatterers in all arts and sciences, a “pretty considerable” sort of performer. I, however, got a few good lessons, which, although I did not _profit_ by, yet they served the purpose of enabling me to pass an idle hour, and to set off my pecuniary advantages in a _proper_ manner. I lost some pounds at this “_amusement_” as it is called; but I had received a good stock of cash from my father on my appointment, for I believe the “old boy” was as much delighted with my ensigncy as I was myself, and would spare nothing to forward his son's interests in life, and enable him to support the dignity of his situation. Heaven help the worthy man! _interest_ and _dignity_ indeed! It would have been much better for me, and for himself, that he had confined his liberality to furnishing me with necessaries only, and obliged me to live on my pay.