at Dover.

In a few years, however, I became tall enough to make one of a regiment of grenadiers; and it was in vain that my parent laboured to turn my thoughts to business. I sighed for fame: in comparison with the pursuit of that, a tranquil home had no charms for me.

'My regiment went to Spain. That was a proud day on which we started for the Peninsula. Several companies were forwarded by the diligences; and never shall I forget how joyously we passed along, pleased with our situation at the moment, and anticipating that we should soon feast our eyes on scenes of higher interest beyond the Pyrenees. I shared in several of the victories which threw new lustre on the French name. I will not go over the details of these, which are similar to many others of which you have read, but will offer some account of the far-famed siege of Badajos, where, though the result disappointed our just hopes, the daring and heroism of the French commanded universal admiration.

"Ciudad Rodrigo having fallen, the English general, Wellington, declared that Badajos should share the same fate. Now, our commander, Philippon, was determined to foil him. The English speedily commenced their work, and, to own the truth, with great spirit. We kept up a constant fire upon them in their trenches; and the weather so far favoured us, that, owing to the continual heavy rains, the besiegers were obliged to labour day and night, up to their knees in water. We made several sallies, and killed a good many, but still the works advanced. Batteries were established; and at length a practicable breach was made-that is, a portion of the wall was beaten down by the enemy's shot-and