I. Forty! Have you read Cæsar, Sir?--_Omnis Gallia divisa est in partes tres, &c._--_He_ was beyond that age, when his talents came into the field. Look at Washington, Sir, that “_patriæ Columen_”--_he_ was also beyond that age when he took up arms. Cromwell, too--see what a soldier he became. Pichegru, also, was at my age before he was made an officer. And let me tell you, Sir, that boys are _not_ fit to command--give me the man, whose sense and judgment are matured. I don’t mind two years as Ensign;--I get my Lieutenancy before I am forty-two: there are now many Lieutenants older than that, Sir.--Well--I know the use of tactics, and as to fighting--give me an opportunity. I wish I had been out time enough for the storming of San Sebastian! Let me have but an opportunity--I’ll die in the breach, or I’ll be promoted. I have entered the temple of Mars, Sir,--I have shaken the _Ancilia_--I have waved his sacred spear, and I have cried “_Mars, Vigilia!_” But, Sir, this is my motto:-- “ὁτι εν τῳ πολεμῳ αλλ’ εργων χρεία.” Do you understand that? II. I see you are very enthusiastic. I. And is there any thing to be done without it? II. You are right. Come fill your glass again, Sir. I. Oh, by George! I have filled too often: I have taken two glasses for your one; but pleasant company, and good wine, are persuasive arguments. Your very good health, Sir; and although you are not three-and-twenty, and I am forty, we shall see who will run up the hill fastest. Excuse me--“_Palmam qui meruit ferat._” Your health, Sir. II. I hope you will not be like Tantalus, in the waters of promotion. I. What!-- _Tantalus à labris sitiens fugientia captat_ _Flumina_. Give me your hand, Sir; you are a classical scholar,--Horace,--I can see that:--I respect you, Sir;--I re-_spect_ you, Sir. II. What do you think of an ensign, who passed from the age of seventeen to forty-seven without promotion? I. He must have had no education,--knew nothing,--nothing of tactics,--nothing of the art of war. I have made it my study; I am well acquainted with the best schools of warfare--the Grecian, the Roman, and the modern. Granicus, Marathon, and Pharsalia, are familiar to me. I have made myself acquainted with the characters of every great conqueror, from Charles the Twelfth, who was my favourite, down to Lord Wellington. The Duke of Marlborough’s campaigns I have deeply studied, and know every move in the battles of Fredlingen, Scardigen, Schwemmingen, Spinbach, Shellenberg, Blenheim, and Ramillies. In short, Sir, if I do not succeed, it will be my own fault. II. With those qualifications for the military profession, it is to be lamented that you did not embrace it earlier in life. I. If I had taken up the profession earlier, I should not have been so well qualified. A series of years devoted to the instruction of young gentlemen, in--not only military science--but of general learning, afforded me the very qualification by which I hope to rise in the army.