landed late at night at New York, in a very melancholy mood, as I did not imagine that there was a single individual in that city who I went to a coffee-house to seek a bed for the night, where, to my astonishment, I found my beloved brother John.

knew me.

'O, qui complexus et gaudia quanta fuerunt!'

My vexations were now reversed. We lived together, first at New York, and after a few weeks at a Dutch farmer's house on Long Island, while eventful public occurrences were proceeding. For Lord Cornwallis's army,

which I had just left, was invested by the combined forces of France and America: every attempt to relieve him was frustrated; and the capitulation at York Town, in Virginia, put an end to the American contest,

That winter a large fleet being about to sail for England, my brother and I procured passages in a transport with invalid soldiers. We had scarcely sailed through Sandy Hook, when a hurricane arose and dispersed the fleet: some ships were blown to the West Indies, and a few were taken by the enemy, or lost at sea.

Our transport was a stout vessel, with a good crew which stood the tempest well. At the mouth of the British channel we were chased, early in the morning, by a privateer; which being ascertained by our glasses, the officers, among whom was my brother, prepared the ship for action. The British flag was displayed, the guns were loaded, and those invalids who were able to fight were arrayed with their firelocks on the deck. In the mean time, the privateer, without shewing colours, came dashing on under a cloud of canvass, and got into our wake. The crew were all kept concealed, the captain only appearing. I watched him from the poop, expecting every instant a broadside to be fired off. Instead of which, seeing our soldiers and preparations, he hailed us with his trumpet, put a few frivolous questions, and then dropping astern, sheered off. The military men might be vexed, but I was contented with this bloodless conclusion of the chase, contemning the glory of beating off a paltry privateer.

Next day we anchored in Falmouth har

bour, and

my

brother and I posted to London. Our father was then busily engaged in writing Zeluco, and our mother, who knew we were on the seas, was listening day and night to every gust of wind that blew. When she saw us both rush into the house, she could hardly trust to her dazzled sight. Except Graham, who was cruising on the Western Ocean, the family were all again assembled. The reunion of the dispersed members of an affectionate family creates heartfelt emotions never experienced by insulated individuals.

CHAPTER III.

PEACE.-MOORE IN PARLIAMENT.-PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF A FIELD OFFICER.-ORDERED TO IRELAND, AND AFTERWARDS TO GIBRALTAR.

In the year 1783 peace was proclaimed with France, Spain, Holland, and the United States of America. This event, beneficial to the nation, was regretted by those merchants, contractors, and artificers who were engaged in furnishing warlike stores, and by naval and military officers panting for promotion. The Hamilton regiment being disbanded, Captain Moore was reduced upon half-pay. This was a critical period; for idleness is often the cause of hapless propensities which debase the mind, and of slothful habits which hinder future exertions. But Moore lived with his family, and his time was not mispent. He resumed the studies of field-fortification and tactics; and he augmented his general know

ledge by reading the works of good authors. He was also introduced into society by his father, and his own manners were so prepossessing, that he easily extended his acquaintance, for his disposition tended to form friendships. In conversation he was neither voluble nor obtrusive, but unassuming and sensible; with his intimates open and cheerful, but in large companies rather reserved. He usually spent a couple of months in autumn with the Duke of Hamilton, in Scotland, and visited there his relatives and early friends, whom in his highest prosperity he never neglected.

The bad success of the American war occasioned the downfal of the ministry; and a violent contest occurred for the settlement of a new administration. After several changes, William Pitt obtained the ascendency; to overwhelm whom, Lord North and Charles Fox formed the notorious coalition, a political fault which blighted the fame of both: for both having long professed opposite political principles, their union proved that

D