Crev. Dear sir, compose yourself, and hope human nature cannot be so depraved; it wrings my heart to see you in this distress. But who is this villain?

Col. His name is Wilkins. When I committed my child to his care, he lived at Henly: he pretends he lost him at twelve years old; and, O agony to think! if he indeed be living, he is at this moment a wandering outcast, and a beggar.

Crev. Merciful heaven! What do I hear? Can it be possible! Shall I, in my loved and honoured patron, find a fond and living father! Sir, did that man lose a son of yours at twelve years of age?

Col. Yes, Crevelt; I have no son but you now. Crev. I am your son, sir-your happy son! that son you lost.

Col. You! You, Crevelt !

Crev. Yes, sir, the veteran whose name I bear took me with him at the age you mention from Henly, where I lived with the man you have just named, whom I always thought my father; it was the pride of poor Crevelt's heart to have me believed his son: I bore his name, and publicly acknowledged him as my father; for you, sir, could not have loved me better; his dying request to me was, still to retain the name of Crevelt, and never forget the man who made me a soldier.

Char. O Harriet! there is a chord of delight in my heart never touched before: and sure, he who made that heart now moves its springs to ecstasy by the finger of an angel.

Col. He talked of your taking with you a picture of your mother had you ever any such thing?

Crev. I have it still, sir, and ever wore it next my heart. (Producing the picture from his bosom.) You see the frame is shattered;-it was by a mus ket-ball the day every body thought I was killed.

Col. It is indeed your mother; and see here those specks under the eye; are they my child's blood, or the tears of a fond parent?

Johnson to Caleb without. You must not come in: I have already explained every thing sufficiently.

Enter CALEB (very abruptly) and JOHNSON.

Ca. I tell you I will come in: Zounds! will nobody father me?

Col. Young man, you have been deceived; you are Wilkins's son, not mine.

Ca. Pho, pho! Father, do you think I know no better!

Johns. If you don't come out this moment, and no longer disturb my master, I'll take you by the shoulder.

Ca. Why, here's a fellow for you forgets he is talking to a captain!

Col. That is a rank you are so utterly unfit for, that it would only expose you to unhappiness and ridicule ; therefore your commission shall be sold; and for being one day my son, the purchase-money shall be appropriated to setting you up in business. Johns. Well, what keeps you now?

Ca. You are in a devil of a hurry, Mr Johnson : I find I must put up with old Jacob again; but let me ask you one question, an't I to be entitled to half-pay for my services.

Johns. You shall have about your business.

full-pay if you don't go [Shakes his cane at him. Ca. Well, if I can't be a half-pay captain, I'll be a no-pay captain-for, once a captain and always a captain. [Exit CALEB.

Sir Ol. Captain Crevelt-I beg your pardon, Captain Talbot, give me your hand; you want nothing now but a wife, and if my daughter Charlotte

Count. Eh bien! Monsieur Chevalier, you have forgot

Sir Ol. Why, no, Count, I have not forgot; but you must know, that whatever my respect for you may be, there is not that man living whose alliance I so much desire as Colonel Talbot's; besides, I understand there is another branch of the family of my mind.

Count. Chevalier, I love and I respect the English, and by gar, me will have a wife among you.

Mand. It is not in words to express my pleasure To make a bosom friend, and find a near relation, in less time than others form a common acquaintance, overflows my heart with transport.

Lady Olds. I could wish also to show how this affecting discovery touches me, if I was not apprehensive, Sir Oliver, of your unfortunate suspicious temper.

Sir Ol. Captain Talbot, be so good as to step this way-do give my wife a kiss; I know, my dear, your lips itch for it; and with all her faults, believe me, she has a heart that beats in unison to the feelings of all present, and a tear for misery and friendship.

Col. Miss Oldstock, it is your father's wish and mine to unite our families-now that I have a son I can propose to you, there is only your acceptance of him necessary to make me happy.

Char. Why, sir, if the gentleman has but courage to speak for himself

Sir Ol. As I don't expect the pleasure of contradiction from either party on this occasion, I'll join their hands, (joining their hands) without waiting for an answer-there-Colonel, you are now one of my family.

Col. That assurance, Sir Oliver, seals and com

pletes my happiness-You, Mandeville, shall share a portion of my fortune as a son; and may happiness still wait on you and your lovely Harriet And now (addressing the audience), if this court-martial, to whom we appeal, acquit us with honour, I shall bless the hour my boy said, He would be a Soldier.