pray join us in a glass of this racy wine. Come, gentlemen, fill your glasses.' By this time the dessert had made its entree in order, and the bottle had circulated freely round the board. With all my heart,' said general Lee, for as I am so soon to leave you and return to apple cider and hot toddy, a glass of this excellent Madeira will do no harm. Gentlemen, permit me to add my wishes for the speedy termination of hostilities, and a happy return of all present to their wives and sweethearts.' This sentiment was drank with general applause, save by one who sipped a drop only, and then set his glass down. A soldier of your experience,' said this gentleman to the American general, 'must have some philosophy to put up with the inconveniences of the continental service, be its remaining duties ever so brief.' The allusion in this remark was not lost upon the quick-sighted Lee. Oh! our fare is none of the best, colonel; but here's baron Reidesel can tell you how he lived while at Albany, and besides, the difference of our actual tastes may make apple toddy acceptable. You know it will improve with age, and we have a supply that will last us through a dozen campaigns.'

Apple toddy is goot,' said Reidesel, 'but general Schuyler's wine is petter. He is as liberal of his goot cheer, as he is gallant and prave. Pray, general, make my respects to dis prince of men, whom I never, never must forget; and if ever you come to Germany, you will find me at Eisinbach, and a glass of Tokay for you, which is pure as the pest plood in your veins.'Ah! that is a pleasure,' said Lee, 'which I shall never know. This is my adopted country, and I shall return to Lochaber no more. No, no, baron. I could not trust myself again, near those fields of glory, on which I have seen so many patriots expire.'

'Your life,' said general Robertson, 'must have been a very romantic one, and some parts of it already in possession of the historian, have excited our astonishment no less than our admiration.'

'Gentlemen,' replied general Lee, bowing to the person who last addressed him, and then to the other guests, giving a rapid glance at each, what public report has not already made known to you, my own lips shall communicate. Your hospitality deserves the return of my sincere thanks, and though at no long distance back, I fear my motives and principles were misunderstood, I consider the pres

ent opportunity of explanation too favorable to be omitted. This is the last time we may ever meet, at the social table. On the hostile field neith-er you would have time to hear, or I leisure to enact the tragi-comedy of my varying life.

'General Robertson, you must have known my family, and its respectability has ever been a source of honest pride. My father was the colonel commandant of general Barrell's regiment, for many years. From him I imbibed a love of the military

art.

'At eleven years of age, I had the honor of a commission, and, after completing my studies, I came to America with general Abercrombie, and was shot through the body at Ticonderoga. The wound, gentlemen, you perceive was not mortal. I returned home, and was honored with a colonel's commission, for I had friends at court, and we all know how often

6

kissing goes by favor;' this is my only apology for being made a colonel in 1762. My two epaulettes threw me into service at Portugal, and general Burgoyne, who was my friend and commander, gave me the unavoidable honor of capturing a few of the Dons at Villahella, in Alentejo. I was then the favorite of fortune. I found my game front and

rear completely enclosed, and I had nothing to do but drive my prisoners to camp. When I got back to England, with prospects which the Portuguese minister, Count La Lippe, by his personal kindness, made most agreeable, I must needs write a pamphlet on the Indian war, by which the cup of promotion was snatched from my lips. In despair I bade adieu to England, and embarked in the cause of Poland, and of man. His majesty, Heaven bless him, took me into his family. But as his cause declined, I still desired to be the champion of liberty. Besides, I disliked a ministry who involved my country, in a war disastrous to our commerce, and subversive of good old principles. I would have conciliated the Americans, and saved our brightest jewel. At Vienna, where I was then seeking employment, I lost my character with the English ambassador; political character, I mean. The man then was, and still is dear to me; and may I perish, if ever I forget a friend, however divided in principle, or different the cause we serve. I sailed for America, and the first thing of action in which I was concerned, and the first moment of constraint I ever knew-don't blush colonel Harcourt-was when you pulled me out of

bed, and carried me off, Gilpin like, without a hat or

wig.

'I little thought, when I set out,

Of running such a rig.'

'Nay, nay, general,' said Harcourt, 'you are too severe upon me for my accidental good fortune. Remember that it is some palliation of my conduct, to have been the cause of this festive meeting.'

'When do you set out,' said colonel Butler to Lee, who was smiling at the address of Harcourt's remark. 'As soon as Prescott arrives, who, I believe, was pulled out of bed very much as I was.' 'Quarter, quarter,' said colonel Harcourt. You are determined not to spare yourself for the first mistake of your life, or me for the only laurel that has bloomed in mine.' A loud knocking on the table, recalled the attention of the guests to their empty glasses, and general Robertson, who had overheard a sprightly conversation at the lower end of the table, between Belaguier and his young comrades, on the great peril of life, the witchery of woman, singled him out for a toast. The challenge was met with a steady voice, and he gave Miss Frances Eustace, a young lady of very uncommon merit, well known at that day, and not yet forgotten.