Page:Reminisences of Captain Gronow.djvu/19



.—After leaving Eton, I received an Ensign's commission in the First Guards, during the month of December, 1812. Though many years have elapsed, I still remember my boyish delight at being named to so distinguished a regiment, and at the prospect of soon taking a part in the glorious deeds of our army in Spain. I joined in February, 1813, and cannot but recollect with astonishment how limited and imperfect was the instruction which an officer received at that time: he absolutely entered the army without any milltary education whatever. We were so defective in our drill, even after we had passed out of the hands of the sergeant, 1