and betrayed by Imas to the enemy-Skirmish at Pombal-Retreat of Massena-Obstinate affair at Page. Combat of Sabugal-Uncommon valour of Colonel Beck- with-The British gained a complete victory-Moun- tain adventure among the ladies-Singular escape of Colonel Waters-Stubborn conflict at Fuentes d'Ono- ro: both sides suffered dreadfully-Successful attempt of General Brennier to effect a passage through the British lines-Battle of Albuera-The day gained by the undaunted valour of the British-The author pro- ceeds on an expedition to Lisbon-Gets into difficul- ties, and surmounts them-A secret comes out- Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo commenced by the British -The redoubt of Francisco stormed-Had nearly tak en A sum of money paid into the author's hand; rather new to England-Proceeds to Ireland-Interview with re- lations-Great marvels among the Leinster men- Plenty of talk at Portarlington-Re-crosses the Chan- nel, and travels to Maidstone-New debts-Parcels should be examined-How Papists The author retires from the army-The question, Should a soldier be religious? answered-A line of poetry looked at-Military criticism thereon-List of religi- ous soldiers extracted from Scripture: Abram, Joshua, Deborah, Gilead, Jephthah, Samuel, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Saul, and David-List from profane history: The Theban and the Thundering Legion, Alfred the Great, General Dykern, Duke of Marlborough, Colo- Another pious soldier, John Haime-Strictures on the style of writing military and naval despatches-Al- leged cause of war-Fanciful theories concerning it -The advantages of war very ambiguous-Its moral results painful-Prodigious slaughter in the mode of ancient warfare-Popery on us again-Uselessness of confession to man-Indulgences-The prices of sins stated-Purgatory-Transubstantiation-Idolatry- Papal legends, all have an eye to the cash-Noted The doctrine of the infallibility of the Pope, exploded- Milton's sonnet-Mutability of all human things- The value and unchangeableness of religion-The au- thor obtains a situation in the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea-Is favoured with respectable testimonials of character-Attends divine service at Sloane-ter- race chapel-Overcome by temptation, and for a while discouraged-Is greatly instructed by reading the tract, James Covey-Methodist sermon de- The author joins the Methodist society in 1828-Nature and extensive usefulness of class-meetings; are in accordance with Scripture-The witness of the Spirit -Faith and its fruits-Thankful feelings for past de- liverances-Religious experience-Discoveries of in- bred sin-Dreadful internal conflict-The grace of perseverance-The work of God in the heart pro- gressive-Encouraging promises of holy writ- Brief sketch of the sickness and death of the author's son-His intense sufferings, signal patience, and triumphant end-Under the influence of gratitude, MEMOIRS. CHAPTER I. I HAVE the advantage of being an Irishman. My parents had also the felicity of first seeing the light of day as it shone upon the soil of the land which for ages has seemed to possess such passing interest in the eyes of Britain. Their family consisted of six children four boys, and two girls. I was the youngest of the whole, and, for reasons I do not profess to comprehend, was a special favourite. I was named Thomas; which, interpreted by parental love, was converted into Benjamin, with a double portion of all that substance so scanty as theirs could supply. I was born in the small townsland of Enneham, King's County, in the province of Leinster, about the year 1790, be the same a little earlier or later. The exact period I cannot specify; as at that time and place, and in consequence of the culpable negligence generally prevalent in parochial registration, very little thought or care was shown in recording such events. Those were the days of intestine broil and vengeance. The seeds of rebellion, which had been sown with an unsparing and remorseless hand, were just ready to produce their baneful first-fruit. Such was the jeopardy in which Protestants especially were placed, that no one who beheld the morning B sun arise, could safely calculate upon seeing it go down. "Domestic fury, and fierce civil strife," kindled and mainly maintained by Papal cupidity and violence, raged through the fairest portions of the country. No one had courage to trust his neighbours; for no one could tell who was worthy of trust. Mutual confi dence, based upon moral principle, which alone can cement society, was blotted from the list of social virtues. Not many dared depend even upon former friends. The ties of relationship, and those arising from nearness of kin, were frequently forgotten. Natural affection, usually invincible, was unheeded; and under cover of night, or even in open day, the unwary traveller became frequently a prey to instantaneous death from the bullet of some skulking assassin, concealed behind the road-side bush or brake. My parents, I regret to state, were Roman Catholics. They knew no better, for no other teaching had reached their minds. Their membership with that fallen community was their misfortune rather than their fault. I believe the profession they made was sincere; and that though mingled with the dross of Popish superstition, they were possessors of at least some few grains of sterling piety. My mother, in particular, was remarkably constant and fervid in her devotions; and the earnest manner in which her beads were counted, though I could never detect the meritorious points of calculation, is to be numbered among the earliest and most powerful impressions I ever received. My father had for several years acted as steward to Archibald Nevens, Esq., a gentleman, who, at that time, was the owner of considerable estates in the vicinity of Portarlington. Ours was a happy family. My father, though a plain man, was excelled by few in attachment to his wife and children. "Hope springs eternal in the human breast; |