the raising of those Highland regiments which have fought
so nobly in every British war since the mighty one in
which he fell.

During the next year and part of the year following,
1754-55, Wolfe was at Exeter, where the entertainments
seem to have been more to his taste than those at Glasgow.
A lady who knew him well at this time wrote: 'He was
generally ambitious to gain a tall, graceful woman to be
his partner, as well as a good dancer. He seemed emulous
to display every kind of virtue and gallantry that would
render him amiable.'

In 1755 the Seven Years' Peace was coming to an end in
Europe. The shadow of the Seven Years' War was already
falling darkly across the prospect in America. Though
Wolfe did not leave for the front till 1757, he was
constantly receiving orders to be ready, first for one
place and then for another. So early as February 18,
1755, he wrote to his mother what he then thought might
be a farewell letter. It is full of the great war; but
personal affairs of the deeper kind were by no means
forgotten. 'The success of our fleet in the beginning of
the war is of the utmost importance.' 'It will be sufficient
comfort to you both to reflect that the Power which has
hitherto preserved me may, if it be His pleasure, continue
to do so. If not, it is but a few days more or less, and
those who perish in their duty and the service of their
country die honourably.'