ports of rioting and bloodshed. As voters were going to
and from the polling places the troops lined the streets all day long.
In one case a civilian threw a brick at a 6th Lancer, who made a thrust
with his lance at the thrower and killed him. The soldier was arrested
but subsequently released. The election over, the regiment returned to
quarters none the worse for its experience, especially when they had to
tackle the wild Irishmen. It was deemed expedient that four companies,
including the recruits, be sent to Mullingar. It was a day's journey
from Dublin, and we enjoyed the lovely country we passed through en
route. We found the barracks beautifully situated, lots of room, a
well-kept drill ground which always interested the writer, and a
garrison church within the precincts.

We had quite a number of the members of our literary society with us,
and we were able during the winter to give our usual entertainments,
to which we invited the citizens whenever they felt disposed. A
friendship between the soldiers and citizens was soon established,
which made our stay in Mullingar extremely pleasant and not easily
forgotten. In May we were placed under orders to move, but the section
was not mentioned. We embarked at Kingston and proceeded to Jersey
Island. It was a beautiful morning when we embarked on H.M.S.
_Crocodile_. We arrived after a pleasant run across the channel at St.
Heliers, which was to be our headquarters. Four companies were to stay
here, two at Guernsey, two at Alderney, and two at St. Peter's, which
was ten miles from St. Heliers.

In consequence of the hard and constant work on the drill ground, the
commanding officer, noticing that I had failed and was not looking as
well as he would like to see me, ordered me to proceed with two
companies to St. Peter's to recuperate, and also appointed me
schoolmaster of the detachment and my wife schoolmistress. I was not to
do any other duties till further orders. I soon had my school organized
and in working order. The schoolroom was large and well ventilated. It
stood on five acres of playground. My pupils consisted of about seventy
children of various ages belonging to our own men. There were some
thirty men who could not read or write. We had volunteer classes. I had
an assistant, while my wife attended to the industrial department.
School hours were from nine to twelve, and from one-thirty to four.
This was quite a change for the better. I remained in this of