“Oh, it is needless to ask; his Grace has kindly spoken in your behalf, but really I am sorry to say that we have bestowed so many commissions of late, that I think, after all, as you are rich, you had better purchase, and I will do all I can to remove any impediments in the way as to age, &c.” I was then twenty-four. This very kind proposal had such a supremely ridiculous effect on me, that notwithstanding all my efforts to contain myself before so dignified a person as the Military Secretary, I could not help laughing audibly. It did not even occur to me that I ought to make any attempt to conceal my amusement at this ridiculous proposal, so, bowing lowly, I rose and left the room, leaving the somewhat astonished Colonel alone in his doubts as to whether, after all, Viscount Forth or myself had the best claims to a commission in her Majesty’s service. This was the discouraging result of a military education, finished at the best Continental schools, with the further advantage of having accompanied European armies in the field for the sake of instruction; of having placed the modern rifle, at my own expense, in the hands of the British soldier; of showing the use of better accoutrements (my men wore the helmet in 1851); of having been mentioned many times in general orders for gallant conduct in the field, &c., &c. Well, I thought, the sooner this state of affairs is changed the sooner Old England will find better servants. In this mood I went to report progress in Downing Street. His Grace of Newcastle was kind and considerate as usual, and abused the Horse Guards as heartily as the British Radical, and finally left me to consult with Mr R----, his private secretary, as to what now remained to be done to meet the views of the colonists concerning a recognition of my services to them. In the present state of affairs nothing suitable seemed to present itself; a civil employment abroad--the only gift at the disposal of the Colonial Office--did not meet my views; so, after a lengthened confab, I returned to my _lares_ and _penates_, and awaited events. CHAPTER XV. START ON A MISSION TO THE EAST--VISIT GALLIPOLI, AND REPORT UPON IT TO LORD STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE--REPORT ON THE ENTIRE SEABOARD OF THE DARDANELLES--VISIT THE TURKISH ARMY ON THE DANUBE, AND REPORT ON ITS CONDITION--WINTER TRAVELLING IN BALL-ROOM DRESS--RETURN TO CONSTANTINOPLE--THE EMBASSY THERE--THE WAR MINISTRY AT HOME--ITS INCAPACITY--AM OFFERED A KNIGHTHOOD, BUT DECLINE THE HONOUR--THE EASTERN QUESTION--THE DIFFICULTY OF REGENERATING THE TURKS BY FOREIGN INTERFERENCE--THEIR MORAL DEGRADATION--MY KNIGHTHOOD IS DECIDED UPON--JOURNEY TO WINDSOR--LORDS PALMERSTON AND ABERDEEN--MONOLOGUES WITH PREDECESSORS IN ARMOUR--THE CEREMONY--CONCLUSION.