yself in the Evenings, but on particular occasions or to be
Complaisant to Strangers. Nor [did I] ask Company to see me when on
Guard; nor show a Vanity to treat people. By which means I had a
great deal of quiet and sober time to myself, to read and to write,
&c., &c., especially as I always rose early in the Mornings. You
may believe also that I was always far from being concerned in any
sort of Gaming so as to risk losing any of my money or to have a
desire to gain any from others. By such a Conduct I received more
favour and regard sometimes from my Commanding officers even than I
thought I was entitled to.

These monitions to Jack were written while his father was in Scotland in
1795. There they separated, the father to return to Canada with
Christine whose schooldays were now ended, Jack to go with his regiment
to India. In parting from his son the father pronounced a solemn
benediction: "that God may preserve you and assist you in following
always that which is good and virtuous shall ever be my most earnest
prayer." They never met again. Jack continued to draw rather freely upon
his father for funds, and Nairne wrote to the Colonel of the regiment to
ask for information about the young man. Before an answer came Scottish
relatives learned in 1800 of Jack's fate and wrote of it to Murray Bay.
A friend of the family in India had noticed in the newspaper that some
one was promoted to John Nairne's place. This led to enquiry, when it
was found that he had died in August, 1799. Not until six months after
his death, and then only in reply to the enquiry as to Jack's demands
for money, did his commanding officer write the following letter to
Colonel Nairne:

_Colonel Dalrymple to Colonel Nairne_

_From Columbo [India], 1st Feb., 1800._

I received your letter dated October, 1798, but a short time ago
but too late, had there been any occasion to have spoken to your
son upon the subject it contained for, Poor fellow, it is with pain
I'm to inform you of his death. He died upon the 7th of August,
1799, in the Coimbalore country upon the return from the capture of
Seringapatam. Never did a young man die more regretted nor never
was an officer more beloved by his corps. He was an honour to his
profession. An involuntary tear starts in my eye on thus being
obliged to give you this painful information.

The cause of h