regiment of foot-guards, the emoluments of which did not then amount to four shillings per day; which daily pay would not have paid my tailor his charges of one single button and button-hole to my gala suit *. I was of opinion that I could not pay my sovereign greater respect than by appearing elegantly and expensively dressed at the birth-day; and I trust his Majesty thought well of it. As silence gives consent, I am entitled to put a favourable construction on it; for, from the very moment I came into the guards as ensign, to the day I went to the American war, and to this hour, after having served my king and country faithfully for seven

* Did I say a button and button-hole? The very stitching of a button-hole in those days cost me more: and the embroidered gold-clocks to my stockings, with which I never failed to appear at a ball or galaday, cost me a much larger sum.

long years, I never have been honoured with one word from his Majesty's lips.

I never was fond of cards or dice, nor ever played for any considerable sum of money; at least, no further than the fashion of the times compelled me. I claim, however, 'no merit whatever for abstaining from play, as it afforded me no pleasure if it had, I certainly should have gratified that passion, as I have done some others. But the turf I was passionately fond of, and indulged that pleasure I once stood to a very great extent.

*

three thousand guineas on one race, Shark against Leviathan, and won it; my confederate, Mr. Robert Pigott, stood five thousand on the event. I was a considerable gainer by the turf, notwithstanding the enornious expence of keeping running-horses in those days; as every

horse in training, at Newmarket, cost the owner between eighty and ninety pounds a-year, if not moved from that place; but if he travelled the country, it was computed, to clear himself, he must win three fifty-pound plates during the summer. To use the idea, but not the precise words, of Macheath, I can, with truth, say, the turf has done me justice: but the extravagance of the times, the delightful pleasures of that age, and the frailty of my own nature, were my ruin. I must have been more than man, or, more properly speaking, less than man, not to have indulged in the pleasures of the gay world, which I could not partake of without being at a very considerable expence; by far more than my income could afford. As my estate, together with a house furnished, which, with some acres of land, I let to the best of

tenants, Mrs. Crewe, the grandmother to my worthy friend Colonel Crewe, the young man, I mean, who was wounded in the expedition to the Helder, for two hundred a-year, did not exceed eleven hundred pounds. This was all I was possessed of, excepting about three thousand pounds in cash as a younger child's fortune.

Speaking of Captain Macheath, it reminds me of a story which has been told in various shapes, respecting an interview I once had in Newgate, with a very honourable and brave fellow, Hawkes, the flying highwayman. Honourable and brave did I say?—Yes; I repeat it; nay more, he was humane and charitable :

1

and the following circumstances will, in the mind of every liberal

prove him to have been so.

individual,

He had a

famous mare, which he had oftentimes

rode very long distances in a short space of time. I had oftentimes seen him at Newmarket, where he attended the races as a bettor. In those days I was so fond of riding my own hacknies on the road in a journey, that whenever I went any distance, I used to send my servant in my chaise with my clothes, and relay my own hacknies. I had four or five of the speediest and safest that I believe the country could produce. Accordingly, when Hawkes was committed to Newgate, I thought his mare would have been a great acquisition. Returning from Newmarket to London, after a very wet and dirty ride, very much in dishabille, being in dirty boots, surtout coat and round bat, which no gentleman in those days wore in London even in boots: In short, just as I was when I dismounted from my horse, I went to Newgate, and desired to see Mr. Hawkes,