CHAPTER II.

THE FERMANAGH LINE,——CONTINUED.

General MERVYN ARCHDALL, the eldest son and heir of Colonel Archdall, was born on April 27th 1763.

As a baby, be is mentioned in a 1etter from Miss Hester Chetwood to the Hon. Mrs. Archdall. It may be noted that the writer (who was a daughter Of Crewe Chetwood, of Woodbrook, Queen’s County) afterwards married Robert Hamilton of Dublin, and had a son Robert, who married Sidney Archdall, a daughter of her old friend. The 1etter contains a reference to a tall youth, at that time a student of Trinity College, Dublin, who afterwards became Chancellor of tbe Exchequer in Ireland, namely, Sir John Parnell, 2nd Bart:

Chester. August ye 9th 1763.

Your welcome Epistle gave me much pleasure, and believe me, was not a Line too long, for I can never be tired of any thing you are so indulgent to say to me, as I can without the least Compliment assure you one of my greatest pleasures is hearing of your welfare and happiness ; so never more apologize for length of Letter.

Your Situation by Description Is Beautifull. I wlsh I could promlse myself tbe pleasure of ever waiting on you there. I assure you the Distance you say it is from Dublin would not be the least obstacle to me, but in all probability I shall never more visit poor Ireland. You say, my dear friend, I am soon to be my own Mistress; but I do not think I am going to marry a Mr. Archdale. No, no. I certainly shall not have to my share so much more than I merit. I have 1ately spent a week with a Couple who are so far from happy, that the matrimonial state to me at present appears rather Terific. I assure you my notions of it are really such, notwithstanding all the Comfortable things you say of it, that it Stagers me prodigiously.

I like your saying your Child is a fine one. It is so, I dare say, and much I would give to bebold its little person. I have no notion of not giving tbe praiee due to one’s own. A very good man has lately convinced me that it is grateful and right to do so, and if ever I should be blest with a 1ittle one, you may expect to receive a Sheet full from my Nursery allways. I often in imagination see them at Dawson Court, nursing and attending to little master. It is certainly lucky that it is not of an age to be Spoilt, as it would stand a very good Chance.

The other day, walking upon tbe Walls, who should I meet but your neighbour, Mr. Parnel, and his Son, who is grown very tall and I think greatly altered. However, I immediately knew tbem, and wished to have enquired after Mrs. Parnel, who I supposed of their Party; but was not in good Spirits, and my Courage failed me. . . . . . . . . . I have not one little to say, that would afford you the least entertainment, so will only add how much I am, my dear Mrs. Archdale’s

Affect. Friend and well Wisher,
H. Chetwood.

The young Mervyn Archdall entered the Army on June 29th 1782, as a Cornet in the 12th Dragoons, in whicb Regiment he obtained a Lieutenancy on August 31st 1787. He then had leave of absence for two years, to travel on the continent, where he acquired a knowledge of the French language, and visited Strasburg, Brunswick, and other places. He obtained his Captaincy on January 31st 1790, and his Majority on March 3lst 1793. In the 1atter year he went with his Regiment to tbe Mediterranean, and in 1794 he obtained a Lieutenant-Colonelcy in it. He wrote the following two letters to his parents:

At Sea—March 3rd 94. My dear Mother. I wrote to you from tbe Island of Elba a long letter, and about ten to oae if ever you receive it, as there ie no post to the continent. At that time it was imagined we were to go to Corsica, but they now most wisely and out, after we lie in harbour 18 days, that we shall not be wanted there. It is now determined we shall go to Civita Vechia in the Pope’s territories, there to be disembarked to refresh the horses, as the