He took occasion to converse at times on military
topicks, one in particular, that I see the mention of, in your Journal
of a Tour to the Hebrides, which lies open before me, as to gun-powder;
which he spoke of to the same effect, in part, that you relate.
'On one occasion, when the regiment were going through their exercise,
he went quite close to the men at one of the extremities of it, and
watched all their practices attentively; and, when he came away,
his remark was, "The men indeed do load their muskets and fire with
wonderful celerity." He was likewise particular in requiring to know
what was the weight of the musquet balls in use, and within what
distance they might be expected to take effect when fired off.
'In walking among the tents, and observing the difference between
those of the officers and private men, he said that the superiority of
accommodation of the better conditions of life, to that of the inferiour
ones, was never exhibited to him in so distinct a view.
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