Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/35

 Being considered as military officers, we were allowed the privilege of going to the theatre upon paying four shillings and eight-pence per month; this was not only an agreeable, but a profitable lounge, and we seldom neglected to attend. On the arrival of the officers who had been taken in the Redbridge, several of them joined our table-d' hôte, and we mustered rather a large and merry party. With respect to society, I was more fortunate than my companions, as I frequently dined, and passed my evenings, at the Prevost's. In the beginning of October, I received a remittance from my father, by which our means were so materially increased, that we no longer confined ourselves to short commons, but indulged in comforts to which we had long been strangers.

During our stay in this once noble capital, we past some happy days, and being in continual expectation of an exchange of prisoners, were the more anxious to acquire the language, before orders arrived to march us to the coast. The seamen were not all so patient, for several of them