The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer | Page 7

each other. It was plain

that the corporation of Cork was committing more havoc among us
than Corunna or Waterloo, and that if we did not change our quarters,
there would be quick promotion in the corps for such as were
"seasoned gentlemen." After a day or two we met again together, and
then what adventures were told--each man had his own story to narrate;
and from the occurrences detailed, one would have supposed years had
been passing, instead of the short hours of an evening party. Mine were
indeed among the least remarkable; but I confess that the air of
vraisemblance produced by my production of the aldermanic gown
gave me the palm above all competitors.
Such was our life in Cork--dining, drinking, dancing, riding steeple
chases, pigeon shooting, and tandem driving--filling up any little
interval that was found to exist between a late breakfast, and the time
to dress for dinner; and here I hope I shall not be accused of a
tendency to boasting, while I add, that among all ranks and degrees of
men, and women too, there never was a regiment more highly in
estimation than the 4th. We felt the full value of all the attentions we
were receiving; and we endeavoured, as best we might, to repay them.
We got up Garrison Balls and Garrison Plays, and usually performed
one or twice a week during the winter. Here I shone conspicuously; in
the morning I was employed painting scenery and arranging the
properties; as it grew later, I regulated the lamps, and looked after the
foot-lights, mediating occasionally between angry litigants, whose
jealousies abound to the full as much, in private theatricals, as in the
regular corps dramatique. Then, I was also leader in the orchestra; and
had scarcely to speak the prologues. Such are the cares of greatness: to
do myself justice, I did not dislike them; though, to be sure, my taste
for the drama did cost me a little dear, as will be seen in the sequel.
We were then in the full career of popularity. Our balls pronounced the
very pleasantest; our plays far superior to any regular corps that had
ever honoured Cork with their talents; when an event occurred which
threw a gloom over all our proceedings, and finally put a stop to every
project for amusement, we had so completely given ourselves up to.
This was no less than the removal of our Lieutenant-Colonel. After
thirty years of active service in the regiment he then commanded, his

age and infirmities, increased by some severe wounds, demanded ease
and repose; he retired from us, bearing along with him the love and
regard of every man in the regiment. To the old officers he was
endeared by long companionship, and undeviating friendship; to the
young, he was in every respect as a father, assisting by his advice, and
guiding by his counsel; while to the men, the best estimate of his worth
appeared in the fact, that corporeal punishment was unknown in the
corps. Such was the man we lost; and it may well be supposed, that his
successor, who, or whatever he might be, came under circumstances of
no common difficulty amongst us; but, when I tell, that our new
Lieutenant-Colonel was in every respect his opposite, it may be
believed how little cordiality he met with.
Lieutenant-Colonel Carden--for so I shall call him, although not his
real name--had not been a month at quarters, when he proved himself a
regular martinet; everlasting drills, continual reports, fatigue parties,
and ball practice, and heaven knows what besides, superseded our
former morning's occupation; and, at the end of the time I have
metioned, we, who had fought our way from Albuera to Waterloo,
under some of the severest generals of division, were pronounced a
most disorderly and ill-disciplined regiment, by a Colonel, who had
never seen a shot fired but at a review in Hounslow, or a sham-battle in
the Fifteen Acres. The winter was now drawing to a close--already
some little touch of spring was appearing; as our last play for the
season was announced, every effort to close with some little additional
effort was made; and each performer in the expected piece was nerving
himself for an effort beyond his wont. The Colonel had most
unequivocally condemned these plays; but that mattered not; they came
not within his jurisdiction; and we took no notice of his displeasure,
further than sending him tickets, which were as immediately returned
as received. From being the chief offender, I had become particularly
obnoxious; and he had upon more than one occasion expressed his
desire for an opportunity to visit me with his vengeance; but being
aware of his kind intentions towards me, I took particular care to let no
such opportunity occur.
On