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 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 13 from the absence of any attempt to mask the pro- cn A pensity, that it formed a distinctive peculiarity. l j_ When engaged in the task of self-assertion or self- advocacy, he adhered to his subject with the most curious rigour, never going the least bit astray from it, and separating from it all that concerned the rest of creation as matter altogether irrelevant and uninteresting. Others before him may have secretly concentrated upon self an equal amount of attention ; but in Lord Cardigan there was such an entire absence of guile, that exactly as he was, so he showed himself to the world. Of all false pretences contrived for the purpose of feigning an interest in others he was as innocent as a horse. Amongst his good qualities was love of order; but this with him was in such morbid excess, that it constituted a really dangerous foible, in- volving him from time to time in mischief. One of his quarrels was founded upon the colour of a bottle ; another upon the size of a tea-cup. In each case the grievance was want of uniformity. To his formulated mind the distinction between lawful and right was imperceptible. A thousand times over it might be suggested to him that he ought not to have been sleeping on board his yacht — a yacht with a French cook on board — when not only all the officers and men under him, but also his divisional chief, were cheerfully bear- ing the hardships and privations of camp life ; but a thousand times over he would answer that he indulged himself thus with the permission of Lord Raglan ; and the lawfulness of the practice