Under the influence of his sister Augusta and of a 'very
religious captain of the name of Drew', he began to reflect upon
his sins, look up texts, and hope for salvation. Though he had
never been confirmed-- he never was confirmed-- he took the
sacrament every Sunday; and he eagerly perused the Priceless
Diamond, Scott's Commentaries, and The Remains of the Rev. R.
McCheyne. 'No novels or worldly books,' he wrote to his sister,
'come up to the Commentaries of Scott.... I, remember well when
you used to get them in numbers, and I used to laugh at them;
but, thank God, it is different with me now. I feel much happier
and more contented than I used to do. I did not like Pembroke,
but now I would not wish for any prettier place. I have got a
horse and gig, and Drew and myself drive all about the country. I
hope my dear father and mother think of eternal things...
Dearest Augusta, pray for me, I beg of you.'
He was twenty-one; the Crimean War broke out; and before the year
was over, he had managed to get himself transferred to Balaclava.
During the siege of Sebastopol he behaved with conspicuous
gallantry. Upon the declaration of peace, he was sent to
Bessarabia to assist in determining the frontier between Russia
and Turkey, in accordance with the Treaty of Paris; and upon this
duty he was occupied for nearly two years.
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