Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/68

62 to meet her there. Tell Lord Rayleigh, with my love, that I sent my groom off this morning at six o'clock for the mare, and will write when she comes, to let him know how I like her.

"Ever, my darling little sister, "Your most attached brother, ""

Part of the months of July and August were passed in Camp at Chobham. He thus graphically described its scenes to his youngest sister:—

", August 17th.

" I think you would laugh if you saw me in my bell tent, sitting on a camp stool, at a box with four legs to represent a table. The furniture of my room consists of a camp bedstead, portmanteau, and tub.

"I have plenty of straw, but it is rather mouldy! My servant endeavoured to get up a small garden in front, but I fear the shrubs must have been minus roots, for they seem in a very sickly state, as if the soil of Chobham did not agree with them!

"I spent a very pleasant day on Thursday. Uncle Edward gave me a ticket for the Naval Review at Spithead. I went, with about two hundred officers from the Camp. We had a large steamer to ourselves, and consequently were able to see everything. It was a very grand and imposing spectacle; but you have seen the whole account in the papers, so I will not describe it.

"The Camp is to be broken up next Saturday, when we are to proceed to Canterbury. I should not be sorry to be once more settled in quarters, as I find it difficult in this place to obtain those seasons of retirement for holding communion with my heavenly