I think, when it is decided that the enemy do not mean to attack us, and that they retire from before us, that the Marshal will go to Lisbon, which I shall be most glad of for his sake, as I think he requires rest both of body and mind, though, thank God, he is much better than when I first arrived. I quite agree with all you say in his praise. He has indeed deserved all that can be said, and it has been truly gratifying to read the manner in which the thanks of the House were voted to him. He is of course much pleased and flattered by the approbation of his country, but he is as modest and diffident of what concerns himself as he is brave and clever in the field. We are on the very best terms, and I am as happy as I can be, notwithstanding the heat and turning out at 3 A.M. and then riding all day. We sleep the better for it, and in this respect I am in great luxury, as I have a little camp bed of Count D’Alva’s, with sheets, etc., etc., which I like so well, and so much better than my cloak and bearskin, since he went away, that I intend to buy a camp bed at Lisbon and always carry one in future.
Pray have my newspaper, The Day, sent regularly every day; it is a great comfort, and besides enables me to oblige a great many people. Though I sincerely rejoice when anything can be done for my cousins at Rugby, I am extremely sorry that anything should have been asked of Lord Mulgrave, however obligingly granted. I have good reasons for being decidedly against any application whatever being made to him on any account, and do intreat you that you will never allow any; not knowing him, you can have no idea what harm it does, though a very worthy old man, and though we should call and shew him every respect which is his due. I did wish to be under no obligation, and am much vexed that anything should have been asked. It was my intention to have tried by another channel, to have had the boy admitted, but would not have consented to this. It is, however, now too late, and he has behaved very kindly, but for the future pray never think of such a thing....
[MS. torn, part wanting.]
... it must have handsome round Staff “tawsels” and ribbons at the sides, but must not be gold laced, as the new regulation is, Deos nos livre. I suppose our good chiefs do not think our Generals or Staff get killed off fast enough that they order them cocked hats with gold binding. It must only be meant for Wimbledon. There are no Voltigeurs there, and a gold laced cocked hat, though very ugly, is a very harmless thing—not here.
Extract from Letters to his Sisters.
July 1, St. Olaia.
We move to-morrow to Lisbon for a few weeks, which I am not sorry for, as the French are not likely to disturb us, and this place is horribly dull unless we had something to do.
I daresay the whole army will go into Quarters during the hottest months....