, 1863-01-22
The Generals Nephet1.

| wen nAmmereu nlnt, was CONSIDERED tne nOSt
eiiieBt weapon Of the British soldier, the regi.
ment to which then belonged was stationed,
during the Indian tour Of service, In the Sultry.
pore division, commanded BY Major General Sir
Hannibal Peacokr. K. 9. B, one Of the best
whist players and worst general officers in the
service. He had entered the army young and
having both luck and interest," rose rapidly tn the
rank Of lieutenant colonel, when he was put on
half pay; and having served almost exclusively
on the staff, as ignorant Of regimental duty rs
man well could be. During the years which FOL-
lowed, he endcavored, by Assidunus attention 10
the duties oi o man about town, tn ct himself for
future command and on promotion to the rank
or general, ATTENDED every levee Of the comman.
der-in-chieL asking for employment, and became
Q regular hanger on at the Horse Guards, who,
either to get rid Of his mpnrtunites or to oblige
his broiherin law, Lord CawOOd, gave him di.
vision in India. Favored child Of inftune as he
was. the general wIs always gruInbling at bis
illluck, particularly at the card table, though he
could not bear to hear any one else do 40, and
would always demolish the cOmplainant's Rriev.
ance by quoting some greater misfortune which
had happened TO himself making the lesser mis-
chance appear contemplate and insignificant
| n Q defeated adversary male any remark on the
number Of rubbefS be had lost, the gener.l would
exclain: "YOu don't call that a run Of IN Luck,
do you, siri Why, I played whist regularly
every night for eight years, and never held q
trump the whole time" r
"But, Sir Hannibal, rashly suggests an in.
credu'ous sub. "you must have dealt every fourth
round, and taken the turn-up card into your
hand" ,.r.
"By no means sir; with my usual luck;
positively made misdeal every time" ..
The y0ungster Ia silenced; and the triumphant
general makes q mental mem, thNt 80 wide o.
wake young gentleman is just suited for the
agreeable task Of the next treasure escort, which
amiable intention he generally carried out with
praiseworthy fidelity.
The general had never been married; but he
brought ont nephew with him, who he fe.
QueSted might be gazettpd IN the first vacancy
occurring in any Of Her Majesty's regiments in
the Sultrvpore division. In those days commits
sions had not been thrown open "a public compe
titiOn; preparatory examination was undteamed
| Of and pnpulaF opinion unanimously pointed out
the greatest fool Of the family as the 6ttest for
the army.
| No doubt enuld be entertained that Lord Ca.
wOOds second son was perfectly eligible on this
score 70 wear Q red coat: he accompanied bis
uncle tn India and soon afier their arrival the
| GDsette informed US that the Honorable Pere-
grine Falcon Rookie had purchased an ensigncS
in our regiment
Young Rookie seemed an ungaiI.ly, rathef silly
lai, without much ham in his composition, or
anything aristocratic in his mantIets or appear.
ance, hut with an overweening sense Of his own
appearance At drill he was the most aEk.
ward fellow ever saw il required . couple Of
sergeants to put him in the proper position Of
soldier, and the moment their hands were with
drawn. he relapsed into his usual attitude. He
had habit Of knocking one foot against another,
like horse cutting, b. which he was always los.
| ing step and when he shouldered his musket,
il seemed an even chance whether he sent tie
hayOnet into his own cheek On hia neighbOFs
All rebukes and corrections he received with On
well satisfied an air, that his amendment seemed
hopeless; and Wright. our adjutant, was IN .
state of despair at having Such an unprnmisiHe
recruit to deal with, declaring his life would be
shortened by being daily compelled tO witness
40 melancholy sDectacIe. NV, next toa pretty
girl and well-drille companion, there was moth.
| ing Wright liked so much ~ joke, particularly
as practical one; indeed, he loved Il not wisely,
hut too well, and had often got into trouble by
indulging his iacrtiOuS prOpenSities.
He longed to play of some trick upon Rookie,
which might snOlhe his own feelings, and dimin.
sh the others selfimpOrtance, hut found Il din.
cult to get an opportunity for doing 50. as the
youngster seldnm came to mess or mixed with
his brother officers, being unwisely kept away
by his uncle, the general, which made him even
more unpopular than he would have been at any
rate. Accordingly, he gravely informed Rookie
that, an he had got on Tar IN his drill, Il was
time for him to proceed to more advanced exer
ciscs, and commence learning the drum, for which
purpose the drum.nIaior would provide him with
an instrument, nnd attend At his quarters lot an
hour daily, afler morning paradr--a private hint
being given to the instructor, that the lesson
should always be given In the verandah, which
was in full view Of the nIOss-roum. There We
| nd
hillinrIlS but hoth were neglected fJr the plea.
sure Of seeing Rookie pacing % and down with
q drum Suspenhed from his shoulders, practising
the iRitiatury exercise called "InAmmy daddy"
which iS, IN fact. tie do. vs, nj Of oil who learn
this sODurous instrument.
Sir Hannibal Peacoke, like most ignorant men,
was very fussy ABOUT trities and constantly get.
ting hold Of So,ns new hubby, which he rode
until he tired of Il, or some fresh one came in
his way. Having that morning mounted u new
one--a novel M thod Of putting on the knapsack
without straps which proved complete failure
-he came in 10 display his eQnitatiOn for the
coonel's benefit. Having taken as much exer.
else In that way a. he frlt disguised fhr the con.
ve-SHtiOn turned on his nephew, Who. the gen
eral remarked, he was glad 70 hear was getting
on 70 %e With his drill.
"faui sorrY cannot agree with you, general, T"
said the outspnkrn Colonel Hardy, . for really
never mt more stupid lad in my life; he seemed
To make no pr"g,esS Notwithstanding all the
trouble taken with hhn."
!I am afraid you do not take the trouble for
making yours u acquainted with what passes in
your regiment" rrplie,l Sir Hannibal, with some
aSperity; "idr can tell you the adjutant IN 10
I well satisfied with his proficiency, that He has
allowed him n cohnSenee learning che DRUM"
4 "The dlruu, general you cannot be serious
there must he sdme mistake. Surely no one
ever heard Of such thing as training On Odievr
70 Q bandsman's duties"
: my nephew never told me flsehnOd, even
iniesl, Cal0ncl IIar,ly; and you Will fiul wbai