It is related of this distinguished officer, that his death-wound was
not received by the common chance of war.
Wolfe perceived one of the sergeants of his regiment strike a man under
arms, (an act against which he had given particular orders,) and knowing
the man to be a good soldier, reprehended the aggressor with much
warmth, and threatened to reduce him to the ranks. This so far incensed
the sergeant, that he deserted to the enemy, where he meditated the
means of destroying the general. Being placed in the enemy’s left wing,
which was directly opposed to the right of the British line, where Wolfe
commanded in person, he aimed at his old commander with his rifle, and
effected his deadly purpose.
* * * * *
DR. KING--_His_ PUN.
The late Dr. King, of Oxford, by actively interfering in some measures
which materially affected the university at large, became very popular
with some individuals, and as obnoxious with others. The mode of
expressing disapprobation at either of the universities in the
senate-house, or schools, is by scraping with the feet: but deviating
from the usual custom, a party was made at Oxford to hiss the doctor at
the conclusion of a Latin oration he had to make in public. This was
accordingly done: the doctor, however, did not suffer himself to be
disconcerted, but turning round to the vice-chancellor, said, very
gravely, in an audible voice, “Laudatur ab _His_.”
* * * * *
~February.~
Conviviality and good cheer may convert the most dreary time of the year
into a season of pleasure; and association of ideas, that great source
of our keenest pleasures, may attach delightful images to the howling
wind of a bleak winter’s night, and the hoarse screeching and mystic
hooting of the ominous owl.[66]