Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XVII. CAMPAIGN TENTH. 403
of the French lines by stratagem, and the reduction
of Bouchain. This was his last campaign, for such is
the instability of human greatness, that on his return
to England, he was prosecuted by the Attorney-Gene-
ral for the dishonest application of the public money,
in consequence of a petition from the House of Com-
mons to the Queen, and was by her removed from the
command of the army, and from all his public offices.
This was also the last of Colonel Blackader's cam-
paigns, having quitted his regiment in the month of
October, during the siege of Bouchain ; and in course
of next year, disposed of his commission. He never
had any delight in the society of the army ; and now
that he was, from his office, unavoidably more exposed
to it than he could wish, he became anxious to resign
his post, and contemplated every new campaign with
terror and aversion. He had begun, while in garri-
son, to negotiate about this affair, but the early sum-
mons to take the field, prevented the matter from com-
ing to any conclusion.
January 6. I have this day been making a propo-
sal that may be a crisis of my life^ in quitting this
employment. I commit it to thee, O Lord. I have
only proposed, do thou dispose, and prosper it as far
as thou seest fit for thy glory and my good. Let me
have no wrong bias, or leaning to any selfish or
worldly interest, but have thy glory singly before my
eyes in every thing I do.
February 26. Got orders to be ready to march,
which is likely to make me begin my campaign very
early. Serious and thoughtful about it. I see that
most men of the world keep up their hearts by vain
imaginations, and make themselves easy and cheerful ;
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