One Day, an old Colonel, who was very poor, accosted me in the Emperor’s Garden. My Lord, said he, I beg you will vouchsafe me an Audience of Quarter of an Hour; I shall look upon it as the greatest Condescension in you, and as the greatest Honour done me. I told him he mistook my Title, and gave me one I never did aspire to; but that I was very ready to hear and serve him, for I had seen him often at Court offering Petitions, which were always rejected, and I had a Compassion for him.

“Your Goodness, said he, can alone be equalled by your Modesty; give me Leave then to tell you, I have served long and faithfully in the late Wars against the Owls and Magpyes, but to my great Surprize, at my Return home; my Regiment, without any Fault alledg’d, was taken from me, and given to a Valet de Chambre who had never seen an Enemy; his Master was a Boutofallalian, had a Mind to reward his Pimp, and all that I cou’d say, might as well have been let alone.  I had no Estate but what I sold, and gave to a Courtier to get this Regiment, after I had served many Years as a Captain, without the least Blemish in my Character.  I have since been in almost a starving Condition, and have wearied my self out with Petitions to no Purpose; for if any, as very few, were received, they were never answered, and perhaps never read.  I have therefore no Hopes but what are founded on your Charity:  I see it vain to hope for Employment, and shall change my Suit to that of being put into the Hospital of the Meritorians (which in English_, signifies disabled and superannuated Soldiers_) I beg your Compassion for a most unfortunate and perishing Man, who has served his Prince and Country with Fidelity, and on several Occasions has distinguish’d himself, as Your Honour will be satisfied, if you will take the Pains to examine these Certificates.”

He put several into my Hands; one mentioned his being the first who broke Ranks, and put the right Wing of the Enemy in Disorder, which was followed by a signal Victory over the Magpyes and Owls:  Then another mentioned his taking the Royal Banner, in the Battle of Bellfugaro:  A third certify’d his surprizing a great Convoy of Provisions, carrying to the Enemy’s Camp, the Loss of which, made them break up the Siege of Barbaquero.  In short, he had about Twenty, signed by the General and chief Officers, which spoke him a Fool of singular Gallantry.  When I had return’d them, I ask’d, in what he thought I could serve him?

  “I beg, said he, you wou’d recommend me to the Minister to be
  provided for as a superannuated Officer; your Honour cannot do an
  Act of greater Charity.”