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 frequently ſtains the whiteſt Finger, and Reading has a natural Tendency to cloud the Aſpect, and depreſs that airy and thoughtleſs Vivacity which is the diſtinguiſhing Characteriſtic of a modern Warrior; yet on this ſingle Occaſion I cannot but heartily wiſh, that by a ſtrict Search there may be diſcovered in the Army Fifteen Men who can write and read.

I know that the Knowledge of the Alphabet is ſo diſreputable among theſe Gentlemen, that thoſe who have by ill Fortune formerly been taught it, have partly forgot it by Diſuſe, and partly concealed it from the World, to avoid the Railleries and Inſults to which their Education might make them liable: I propoſe therefore, that all the Officers of the Army may be examined upon Oath One by One, and