of asking these sort of supplies from any foreign Purse, and therefore should have been distress'd without your assistance than can well be described: I wouldn't wish that anything should take off my attention from the most important parts of my duty, nor feel myself crampt and tied down by the narrowness of my circumstances at a time when the thoughts should be free & at large. If a man is ill-served, ill-mounted, or ill-arm'd in the field; he is deprived of the necessary aids to his welldoing; and that spirit will guide others but iudifferently which bends under its own wants. I shall husband your gifts with discretion, and be gratefully mindfull of your goodness. I wish you much health and happiness and am Dear Sir, Your most obedient & affectionate son

JAM. WOLFE."

Exeter 19 Feby. 1755. (to his mother) Extract.

"May I be permitted to say that my Father's apprehensions (& consequently your's) are not well founded; he was on board the fleet in the beginning of the war preceeded by a peace of thirty years, in which the sea officers, as well as our's, had almost forgot their Trade, matters are not so circumstanced now and there are many commanders in the fleet, who are men of high courage and spirit: let me add that things inconveniencies at his time of life, which are not so at mine. I please myself that we are at liberty to do our country good service by going on board the fleet; the sickness that we feel at first will soon be over, and I flatter myself, if occasion be, that we shall spur'em on to their duty. The success of our fleet in the beginning of the War (if there is a war) is of the utmost importance, and we shall have great merit in contributing ever so little towards it-it is not time to think of what is agreable; that service is certainly the best, in which we can be most useful; for my part I am determined never to give myself a moment's concern, about the nature of the duty which his Majesty is pleased to order us upon ; & whether it be by Sea or by Land, that we are to act in obedience to his Commands; I hope we shall conduct ourselves so as to deserve his approbation; it will be sufficient comfort to you two (as far as my person, is concerned) to reflect, that the power which has hitherto preserved me, may if it be his pleasure continue to do so; If not, it is but a few days or a few years

more or less-and that those who perish in their duty & in the service of their country, die honourably; I hope I shall have resolution & firmness enough to meet every appearance of danger, without great concern -& not be over solicitous about the event,''

Exeter 12 March 1755. (to his father) Extracts :

"I hope that a proper confidence will always subsist between us; I have no interest distinct from yours nor many passions to gratify; or if I have any they shall always be subservient to your pleasure; for now I think I have 'em under pretty good command. Whenever I may have occasion to desire the aid of your purse, it will generally be with a view to do you honour, & to enable me to serve his Majesty as you yourself would serve him. If there's a war, I must either rise or fall in either case, am provided for: but as I would willingly enjoy the society of my Friends without being troublesome to 'em, I should rather prefer the former; as the means of doing it & having as yet some little relish of life.... The promotions in your regiment & the removal of Wright, are marks of the Duke's goodness & great proofs of his excellent sense; it is a sound piece of politicks to put the Troops in good humour before a War & to keep 'em so afterwards by repeated acts of justice & kindness; the affections of military men are easily won and as easily kept; they only ask regular preferment & to be treated with common humanity. I have had a letter from Sir John Mordaunt very lately, in which he mentions his having seen you at Court-& I hope he'll see you there again before it be long. Admiral Meyston told me that Bocklands Regimt & ours were intended for the fleet, I had like intelligence from London, and till very lately was fully persuaded of the truth of it; musquets they must have, and till marines are raised, or the Irish Regts. augmented I shall think it very possible that they may make use of us."

Winchester, 26 March 1755. (to his mother) extracts.

"A little more stirring in fair weather, & in a light machine, if you had one, might help you" (in illness which she then laboured under) AP. III-3

........

"but the house & a great chair is death, or a life of misery.. The marines you speak of will be under the Lords of the Admiralty, & entirely out of our way. But do you imagine, if Regimts. were raised that I should have any the least chance to succeed" All my hope of success must be grounded upon right & just pretensions; I must serve & serve well, or I cant get forward. "

Lymington July 19.

Southampton, 28 Sept. 1755. (to his mother) Extracts.

"I dare believe you were always concerned of my affection for you, & of my gratitude; it was not this melancholy occasion " (her illness) "that gave birth to it, tho' perhaps it brought it more to light.—I am unfortunate in this Respect that my nature requires some extraordinary events to produce it itself—I want that attention, & those assiduous cares that commonly go along with good-nature & humanity: in the common occurrences of life, I own I am not seen to advantage...... ....In the middle of the winter, if you stay so much at home, I will come and shut myself up with you for 3 weeks or a month, & play piquet from morning till night; & you shall laugh at my short red hair as much as you please; I am sure you would smile now, if you saw me as I am with the covering nature has given me. I intend to devote myself this winter to my profession & shall read without ceasing-if you wou'd have me with you for a short while, it must be upon condition that I never stirr out of the house after dinner, with that indulgence, I shall engage to be at home whenever you are in the evening, my mornings are always as you know divided between exercise & study. I have been very idle all this summer, if a man may venture to say so who has given up much of his time to the Ladies. "

Winchester, 19 Oct. 1755. (to his father) Extract.

(After recommending an investment of 3 or £4000 in landed property) "Excuse the liberty I have taken, I do not consider myself as any way concerned in it; but I cannot but be apprehensive that the destruction of the publick Credit, may be the consequence of an unlucky

War, that of course all those Persons whose property lies in the Funds, must be ruined, amongst the rest my mother-Your Rank in the Army preserves you from any danger of want, & my employment is always bread; but neither may outlive the struggle & then who will help the poor Lady?"

Canterbury 8 Nov. 1755. (to his mother) extracts.

"The officers of the Army in general are persons of so little application to business, & have been soo ill educated, that it must not surprise you to hear that a man of common industry should be in repute amongst 'em. I reckon it as a very great misfortune to this country that I your son, who have I know but a very moderate capacity, & a certain degree of diligence a little above the ordinary run, should be thought, as I generally am, one of the best officiers of my rank in the service; I am not at all vain of the distinction, the comparison would do a man of genius very little houour, & does not illustrate me by any means; and the consequence will be fatal to me in the end; for as I rise in Rank, People will expect some considerable performances; and I shall be induc'd in support of an illgot reputation, to be lavish of my life, & shall probably meet that Fate which is the ordinary effect of such a conduct. You have made yourself believe that you dont write well-but you shan't make me believe any such thing; or if it was so (which is not really the case) you should remember that you are writing to your son, who is your Friend, knows the many good qualities of your mind & loves you. The Duke of Malborough has been very civil to us all, and very particularly so to me; he goes to town to morrow for a short stay.. I have made some enquiry, for a little purchase for you—but can't hear of anything fit for the purpose; and they are particularly high in their demands in this Country, because of the extensive priviledges of a man of Kent; I wish it had been thought off two years ago—you may remember that I hinted it, & foretold that a War was not far off. The letter you sent me, came, as you guessed, from Goldsmith. I writ him by the Duke's order directions to enquire after an officer's widow in Ireland, who he was told had a son fit to serve, & H. R. H. Cumberland who is for ever doing noble and generous actions wanted to provide for that child-the Father was killed at Fontenoy. If I dont keep a good watch over myself

I must be a little vain, for the Duke has of late given me such particular marks of his esteem & confidence that I am ashamed not to deserve it better--I have not the good fortune to be known to Capt. Buckle, which is sufficiently demonstrated by the commendations with which he has honoured my name; if we knew one another better, he would like, be more sparing in his praise. We expect the Duke of Richmond next week, & L'Albermarle the Earl comes to introduce his cousin to the Regt., and the Duke to do Duty at Quarters. That young man will make a considerable figure in our way-because he loves it & has a strong understanding.”

Canterbury. 13 Nov. 1755 (to his father-Lieut. General Wolfe Blackheath, Knt.) Extract.

"I find that poor La fansille has been extremely out of order, nothing but the worst health, would, I am persuaded, have taken him away at this time: I mention this, because I remember that a sharp expression or two fell from me upon the score of my old acquaintance, and when one has done a man an injustice, but in thought, the quickest & best reparation should be made.”

Canterbury. 16 Nov. 1755. (to his mother) distrest for a Groom.

"Lord Albermarle who knew my distress, has, in his great goodness sent me a groom, who was well recommended to him; the early knowledge of this may save you some trouble, and therefore I mention it. Just so much of my letter was writ when the Drum Major brought me yours; if I was not already provided I should readily accept the services of your footman John; especially as I have no maids to make work for, and want no other Qualities than sobriety & care of my horses this includes a little honesty, which one can't well do without. I am highly obliged to you for the steps you have taken in this affair, they are of a piece with your constant practise in regard to me and I am sometimes glad that I have need of your assistance for the pleasure of receiving it. My duty to my Father.