12 RETURNS TO SIST REGIMENT [MT. 27

the compliment of high appreciation of his speeches and action in the House.

In 1787 two battalions were added to the 6oth Regiment, by buying " recruits on the Continent of Europe at seven guineas a head."1 Moore was promoted Major, and assigned the work of organising one of the new battalions. In 1788, after he had been commended for his success in this work, he was, on these new battalions being disbanded, transferred as Major to his old regiment, the 5ist. It was at Cork. The Lieut.-Colonel was a man who exceedingly objected to the interference or suggestions of an energetic young Major, who had, since he was twelve years of age, been devoting himself to the study of his profession. The Lieut.-Colonel appears to have belonged! to the type of man, not unknown to the British army, who thanked God that his regiment never had been a good one, and might have added, "Please God, as long as I command it, it never shall be." Moore, after a few vain efforts, accepted the situation, and enjoyed himself much among the pleasant society of the lovely county. Fortunately, what is known to history as " the affair of Nootka Sound," which nearly led to a war with Spain, had at least the desirable result of causing the Lieut.-Colonel to send in his papers. The regiment had been warned for active service in May 1790, and active service did not suit a man " ignorant and," during peace time, " proud of his own ignorance." Moore purchased his Lieut.-Colonelcy.

It is the fate of all reformers that the things for which they have to struggle in the teeth of the public opinion around them, become such commonplaces for

1 Fortescue, "History of the British Army." vol. iii. p. 517, quoting from'" Secretary's Common Letter Book," 6th November 1787.