Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1826. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CALVINISM. I Had been for some time recommended by my physician to pass a few weeks at Cheltenham, for the purpose of drinking the waters, in consequence of which I took my departure, with my portmanteau stored with some select works, and having found a small lodging in a pleasant situation, I considered myself, though a stranger among strangers, as well off for resources as any around me. Among the company I fell in with in my walks, I recognised many a gallant Commander under whom I had marched, and with whom I had fought; and though some of them I thought might have known me, there were none whose memories or whose eyes were sufficiently good for that purpose. This at first caused a slight return of my old distemper; but when I considered that my illness had made some alteration in my appearance, and that even a few years might have changed the features of our countenances, independently of the difference which a change from a regimental uniform to plain clothes makes in the person, and that this seeming neglect of a fellow soldier might be wholly unintentional, I ceased to put any harsh construction upon the matter, and quickly recovered from the little irritation thus occasioned. As my object was to seek health and not amusement, I did not fall into those numerous modes of idleness and dissipation in which the general run of visitors at the bathing-places and" spas of the kingdom too commonly pass their time, and, excepting a little occasional intercourse with some few old or infirm folks to whom the notion of pleasure was nausea, I found myself almost as much alone, and as free to indulge in my own contemplations as if I had been residing in the most sequestered spot. Sometimes, indeed, the attention was diverted by the noise and bustle around me; but as t...
