1 The practical joke of changing signs from one house to another, well nigh cost some officers of infantry their lives, some years ago, in the good city of Bath.

2 For a long time, the Author of this sketch has sought an opportunity of expressing his gratitude to the gallant General above alluded to; but has never had that opportunity, from having been always employed on a service different from that in which he commenced. The Author now avails himself of the present occasion, publicly to acknowledge his sense of the paternal kindness he received in the affair alluded to; and trusts, that should these pages meet the General's eye, he will consider this note as a token of the Author's gratitude.

3 This alludes to a case in which the magistrate censured a midshipman for appearing in uniform in the streets. His worship said, that if the officer had business at the Admiralty, he might have gone there in uniform; but it was proper on no other occasion.

4 Zehere.

5 The French in the Peninsula during the war, called the English, Crabs, in allusion to their red coats.

6 These surgeons were sent, after their duty, not to a French prison, but to Paris, where Napoleon complimented all, and presented them with money and a free passage to England, for the service they had done his soldiers, and allowed for the nature of their duty, which placed them in his power.

7 Vale of Avoca.

8 These verses are adapted to a Spanish glee, usually sung by the muleteers, and set for four voices. Those who have been in Spain during the British war there, will recollect the air by the following popular gingle, sung mostly by the muleteers while travelling.

9 Cooking-pots.

10 These were not, properly speaking, the true Spanish bull-fights, for there was not a convenient place for such an entertainment; but exhibitions much less harmless and more exhilarating. The four gates of the square were shut at twelve o'clock in the day, enclosing a vast concourse of people within an area of about the same extent as one of the smaller squares in London, on each side of which the houses were supported by piazzas. At a given signal, one of seven bulls was let in amongst the people, who fled, of course, at his approach, with the exception of two or three expert men, armed with a small dart and a red cloak; the latter to deceive the animal and cover his eyes, as he fiercely ran at it; while the former was to serve as an irritating instrument against him, in order to increase his fury. When the animal was quite wearied with running after the populace, he was withdrawn, and another bull, fresh and fierce, was let in. Thus they continued until six o'clock; and, considering the nature of the exhibition, it is astonishing that but few received any injury.

11 Several French prisoners of war (chiefly surgeons) appeared that night in the ball-room, and mingled as cordially with their enemies as if they had been their best friends.

12 The midshipmen who commanded these parties, were all steady officers of not less than four or five-and-twenty years of age.

13 Alas! Flushing.

14 On the night succeeding the surrender of Flushing, the most terrific thunder-storm raged for several hours.

15 Another case of rank cowardice, hooded with boasting and swaggering, will be found in the sketch entitled “A Rough Passage to Portugal,” at another part of this work.

16 This case occurred in Ireland about twenty years ago:—The Major followed a Lieutenant to his room, forced him to stand before him, and the latter fell. The Major was hanged. Both left wives and orphans!

17 Lieutenant Kenny and Dr. Chambers.

18 Oatmeal porridge.

19 An Irish appellation for sixpence.

20 Troops of very short stature and strong make, very much esteemed by Napoleon. They wore short breeches, and half gaiters. None of the men were more than five feet three inches high.

21 The lowest order of workmen employed in the manufacture of cutlery.

22 Both the officers were men of considerable private fortune. One was a captain, now retired from the army, and residing on his estate at Newcastle-on-Tyne.