“I have this moment been presented with your letter, written on the 5th of January. It has been to Gascony, and returned to me here. Be assured that I never for a moment considered that any neglect or want of cordiality on your part had been the cause of your silence. I knew that you were constantly engaged in some literary pursuits of difficulty in a public capacity, and to that score placed the discontinuance of your valuable and friendly correspondence. On my part I really did believe that the unmeaning tittle-tattle which I might be able to transmit to you, though received with indulgence and welcome, would too much occupy your time.
“It is rather extraordinary that neither Wade nor Travers informed you of my arrival in England, as I sailed long
before either of them. You know that I was wounded on the 2nd of August [he was
shot from one of the last muskets that were fired, and a fine, handsome
specimen of man made a suffering cripple for life], the last of those nine days
of carnage which took place in defending the blockade of Pamplona, and in
forcing the enemy to relinquish the territory of Navarre. Although I had good
advice, my wound, which was through the knee, and my bodily health and
strength, daily became worse and more alarming. I therefore embarked at
Passages on the 2nd, and arrived at Plymouth on the 13th of September, at which
place I was confined to my bed for four months, in the most deplorable state.
The joint was much shattered, and most excruciating agony was endured the whole
period.
| WARS AND JUBILEES. | 123 |
“I have become so much stronger, that I have determined to recommence my journey on Wednesday next; and spending a few days with a Mr. Methuen, near Devizes, hope to reach my old billet at Ibbotson’s by about the 10th of March. I will not fail to give you notice of my arrival, and hope to have an early opportunity of shaking my good friend by the hand.
“Much is said about pensions and pensioners by the Burdett party; but I have the hope of becoming a fat pensioner on account of the loss of my limb, which, though not in fact cut off, yet has been so much cut to pieces, that I fear I shall never regain the use of it.
“So—another recruit! By my soul, you are a plodding fellow! And this is the difference between us—you, my good friend, while you have been moving inhabitants into the world, to endure the calamities and vexations incident to nature, I have been as piously moving them out, and adding to the population of the New Jerusalem, and the strength of the holy army of martyrs. As I hope so soon to have parole intercourse with you, I shall defer making any observations on our late campaigns, till we get together over a bottle of old port, whose genial influence will open the magazines of my memory, and display its motley stores to your contemplation and use.
“MacGregor I have not seen since
we left Madrid: he was then just recovering of a wound he had received in the
| 124 | AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. |
