Chap. IV
made. Under these conditions, Mr Robert Dun- das contrived an expedient which, considering that on behalf of our country—then without one ally—(23)—he was preparing war—war to the knife — against Napoleon at the height of his power, may seem rather slight, rather simple, yet it happily produced good results. (24) He determined to find, if he could, some able young officer who would act as Under-Secretary in the compound Department, devoting himself exclusively to its military, as distinguished from its Colonial business ; and happily, the very man needed was then within reach, having newly come home on leave. Scarce more than thirty years old, Colonel Bunbury Colonel Bunbury had not only been acting for some years as Quartermaster-General in the held, but in that capacity, and indeed as chief officer of the Staff—for no Adjutant-General was present—had been so fortunate as to be able to take an effective, nay, commanding, part in the brilliant little action of Maida, and had since been engaged in field-service more harassing than battles, but also better fitted to practise him in the everyday business of war. He had studied his profession with care; and having intellect, energy, cultivation, and excellent sense, with, moreover, the fame of his victory at Maida, and a station in life which gave him independence and strength, he brought, on the whole, great advantages to the task awaiting his care; His office in some respects made to serve as a War Department. and it resulted that England, after having waged war at random for a period of nearly seventeen years, made shift at last,
