Lives of the Lindsays, or, A memoir of the House of Crawford and Balcarres > Volume 4

6 ANECDOTES OF
he fell a victim to that unhealthy climate. In the in-
terval he served at Gibraltar during the memorable
siege, and he has left behind him, as a proof of his
abilities, an approved work on military tactics. So
much for a favourite brother, whose memory I shall
ever respect.
I lived with my uncle very happily for some months,
when his affairs became involved in consequence of un-
successful speculation to South America, and I therefore
accepted my cousin Mr. James Duff's invitation to
occupy a room in his house until my uncle's affairs were
settled. The arrangement was soon made, and I took
possession of my room and seat at the desk, but my
good friend, Don Diego, was too kind a master, and,
instead of giving me a fixed task in the counting-house,
I did as I pleased, and learnt nothing, not even the lan-
guage of the country. In a few months it was found
advisable to send me to Xeres de la frontera, the place
where the Sherry wine is made. I was consigned to the
care of Don Juan Haurie, the correspondent of the
house, with directions to have me instructed in the
Spanish language without delay. Don Juan, on his part,
made me over to his father confessor, a friar of the
order of San Francisco, who gave me an apartment in
the convent. I had no reason whatever to complain of
my fare, and, having none to converse with but the
friars, my progress in the language was rapid. I was
regularly summoned to attend the morning prayers, and
evening vespers followed of course ; and before and