But alas! recollection at hand,
Soon hurries me back to despair;
“to despair” is too strong, but certainly to great Saudades. Pray remember me to all my friends also in the village, and believe me ever, Yr. most affectionate and dutiful Son,
Wm. Warre.
P.S.—Lane the tailor having sent me a coat I cannot wear, it is so tight, and with Buff lining, I have written to him for the last he shall ever make for me, though he alone has my measure, and I will thank you to send it to me to this place, as soon as possible, as I have not a coat to wear of an evening, owing to this disappointment. Pray direct your next to Porto, as I shall most probably be there for the next month or 6 weeks, unless something unexpected happens. We have sent 8000 men to Elvas and several Regiments into Cantonments at Abrantes, Santarem, Almeida, etc., etc., which does not look like the armies moving at present into Spain—to re-embark, there are but few Transports. 4000 Dons were to sail to-day for Barcelona.
[10] “Unsupported.”
1808-9
CHAPTER III
INTRODUCTION
Between the 29th of September and the 23rd of December 1808 no letters have been preserved in this collection. But in the interval much had happened.