The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-12
From Chambers Journa
The CnPtais's Story.
A PENISsULAR ADVENTURE.

PENIEsULAR ADVENTURE.
In the neighborhood Of the Haymarket,
London, there are several minor chess,
whist, and gossip clubs, held principally at
cafes. in an apartment which, for club eve-
nings, is sacred to the members, consisting
chiefly Of snperannuated clerks, actors and
other professional mediocrities, with a
sprinkling Of substantial, steady tradesmen.
In one OF these modest gatherings Captain
Smith, an extremely communicative and
anecdotical gentleman, may occasionally
be met with, surrounded by an attentive
circle Of sdmiring friends, listening, with
all their ears, TO one Of the many marvel
lous adventures il has been his lot to en-
counter during wandering and varied life.
De is not a frequent vister; his tastes in
Ginning him to scenes Of more boisterous
eonviviality than cigars and coffee, with a
seasoning OF theatrical and political gossip,
can afford or supply; and he accordingly
uses those, to him hum-drum assemblies,
only as resting or hating places between
more exciting orgies; valuable chiefly for
afiording him listeners, much more easily
amused and astonished than men Of larger
iie-adventure and experience. He is,
however. real captain, and fancy some
thing of hero too, in the conventional
use Of the term, as he seems 10 have very
different, and, believe. much truer notions
of war and glory, than gentlemen who
shout about alright swords" and diIate
with penphrasic JUNCTION Of s'red battle
helds." A little active man is he; and stiff
as ramrod withal. His harsh siubby hair
Is brushed in one particular direction with
parade precision and his high bald FORE
head. when in convivial mood, glistens as
brightly as his sharp gray eyes; which. one
can see with half eye, have been wide
open all his life. He rose, Il is understood.
though he never mentions il himself-per-
hsps from feeling Of modesty, a quality,
albeit, in which, like most field heroes, he
is somewhat de6cient-from the ranks
From his perfect knowledge OF the Spanish
tongue, (he passed his youth at Gibraltar.
with occasional trips to the Spanish coast
with his father, who turned an honest penny
in the smuggling line,) he was frequently
employed during the Peninsular war by the
British commanders in the very necessary,
but extremely ticklish duty Of making
himself personally acquainted with the
state Of the French camps and fortresses--
in other words as a spy; an exceedingly
uncomfortable Office for any gentleman
troubled with 'nerves." Captain Smith
frequently thanks God that he never had
any, to his knowledge, in his life; no more
he sometimes says, after reading the de-
bstes-no more than member of parlia-
ment. ra.4..l o..
Thus much promised, suppose we step
in for a minute, and make his acquaintance.
That is The captain with bis back to the
fire. The gentleman who has just handed
him cigar. and is addressing such martial
queries to the old campaigner, is neigh
boring haberdasher. Just before we enter
ed, he inquired. as is his nightly wont. If
the waiter was sure the clock was quite
right. He is always little nervous about
the time, as bis spouse is apt to be unpleas-
antly lively for a lady Of her colloquial
and other powers. if he is not at home at
halfpast ten precisely. He loves peace sat
home" as much as he seems to delight in
war ''abroad," and is consequently e1-
tremely punctual. Bot see, Tape lie tap.
ping the captain again. The veteran can
not fail to flow worth presently; at first,
perhaps, a little jerkingly-glug, giug,
glug-butt after little coaxing, in the
freest, easiest style imaginable.
"A splendid march, Captain Smith, that
Of Wellington upon Cindad Rodrigoi
SLOPPY, Mr.. Tape. sloppy; nothing but
mud, and snow. and slush. Winter-ume;
l remember il well, replied Captain Smith.
Beautiful account Napier gives of it,
reiOined the martial Tape. Wellington,
be says, jumped on the devoted fortress
with both his (eetl'
Does Napier say thatY demanded the |
veteran, knocking the consumed ashes off |
the end Of his cigar on the mantelpiece. |
Does Napier say THAR
Yes indeed be Does e4ss.
Then Napier tells what Is replied |
the mstter-oElaci captain. The lightest,
longestlegged Of the "Light Bobs" couldn't
have done il. much less the duke. The
duke 8 short in the legs--sets high in the
saddle, though-long body, dumpy legs.
Could no more do il than he could fiy;
didn't Try either All a FAM go"
MIR. Tape explained that the jumping
was metaphorical; and, after time, Can.
tain Smith seemed to have acquired misty
nonon Oh what was meant. Still il was,
he SAID. very bad wsy Of writing .histo.
~ which species Of composition should,
be empha,ically observed, be all facts, and
no mistakes. 6s 80 >
The retreat from Burgos was mastery /
shsir, persisted warrior Tape; mastery
indeed-uncommonp 80 -. =
4 dare say it was and as you seem to
admire It 50 much. 4 wish you had been
one Of the 'prentices under the master, Just