possesssed of great revenues, and lead an easy life, than with a small 'patrimony, to risk the loss of a leg ' or an arm, and become the fructus 'belli of an ungrateful court, to arrive in your old age at the dignity of a 'Major General, with a glass eye and 'a wooden leg. I know, said I, that 'there is no comparison between these 'two situations, with regard to the 'conveniences of life; but, as a man ought to secure his future state in preference to all other considerations, 'I am resolved to renounce the church 'for the salvation of my soul, upon condition, however, that I keep my abbacy. Neither the remonstrances nor authority of my brother, could 'induce me to change my resolution; and he was forced to agree to this 'last article in order to keep me at the 'academy. You know that I am the

เ

most adroit man in France, so that I

'soon learned all that is taught at such 'places, and, at the same time, I made 'myself master of that which gives the 'finishing stroke to a young fellow's education,and makes him a gentleman, 'viz. all sorts of games, both at cards ' and dice; but the truth is, I thought, at first, that I had more skill in them than I really had, as experience ' proved. When my mother knew the choice I had made, she was inconsolable, for she believed, that had 'I entered into the church I should

have been a saint; but now she was 'certain that I should either be a 'devil in the world, or be killed in 6 the wars. Indeed I burned with 'impatience to be a soldier; but being ' yet too young, I was forced to make 'a campaign at Bidache before I made 'one in the army. When I returned 'to my mother's house, I had so much

'the air of a courtier, and a man of

• the world, that she began to respect

me, instead of chiding me for my ' infatuation towards the army. I be

came her favourite, and finding me inflexible, she only thought of keeping me with her as long as she could, while my little equipage was preparing. The faithful Brinon, who was to attend me as valet-de-cham'bre, was likewise to discharge the 'office of governor and equerry, being,

،

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perhaps, the only gascon who was ' ever possessed of so much gravity ' and ill-temper. He passed his word 'for my good conduct and morals, ' and promised my mother that he 'would give a good account of my

person in the dangers of the war.

'I trust he will keep his word better 'as to this last article, than he has ' yet done to the former.

My equipage was sent away a 'week before me. This was so much

6

time gained by my mother to give 'me good advice. At length, after having solemnly enjoined me to have 'the fear of God before my eyes, and 'to love my neighbour as myself, she 'suffered me to depart, under the pro'tection of the Lord and the sage 'Brinon. At the second stage we quarrelled. He had received four ' hundred louis d'ors for the expenses ' of the campaign: I wished to have the keeping of them myself, which he strenuously opposed. Thou old ' scoundrel, said I, is the money thine, ' or was it given thee for me? Thou supposest I must have a treasurer, and ' receive no money without his order. 'I know not whether it was from a 'presentiment of what afterwards hap'pened, that he grew melancholy;

6

however it was with the greatest re'luctance, and most poignant anguish, that he found himself obliged to yield. One would have thought 'that I had wrested his very soul from 'him. I found myself more light and 6 merry after I had eased him of his 'load; he, on the contrary, appeared 'so overwhelmed with grief, that it 'seemed as if I had laid four hun'dred pounds of lead upon his back, 'instead of taking away four hundred louis. He went on so hea'vily, that I was forced to whip his 'horse myself, and turning to me,

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now and then, Ah! Sir, said he, my 'Lady did not think it would be so. 'His reflections and sorrows were re'newed at every stage; for, instead 'of giving a shilling to the postillion, gave him half-a-crown.

'I