| Citation |
NHG-P.771.058
25 Oct 1771:23 (784)
London, August 11. The wit of it in children often strikes
us with a deeper impression than that of a grown person; we
are agreeably surprized with natural sallies from so
unexpected a quarter, still the more pleasing as they appear
in a more simple and unaffected dress: some years since,
some boys equip'd in mock military accoutrements, such as
paper caps, paper belts, wooden swords, &c. were beating up
for recruits in Parliament-street; their Serjeant made a
stand at a corner, and a number of people soon collected
about it, among whom were some officers of the army, of the
modern delicate caste; young Kite then deliver'd his speech
at the drum head; after which many boys candidates for
military fame presented themselves to be enlisted, were
approved, and after having received dumps, in lieu of
entrance money, joined the party . . . [12 lines, describing
how a crippled little boy was judged not fit to be a
recruit, but would do for an officer.]
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