196 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the Etching was meant to contrast the athletic Scotsman and the fragile Frenchman,
then a youth of twenty-two, and of a somewhat feeble frame.
MAJOR-GENERAL ROGER AYTOUN was the eldest son of John
Aytoun of Inchdairney, in the county of Fife, and of Isabella, daughter of
Robert Lord Rollo. His family represent the ancient house of Aytoun of that
Ilk, in Berwickshire. Young Aytoun entered the army as a Cornet of
Dragoons. His regiment happened to be quartered in Manchester at the time
of the American war ; and so keenly were persons of all ranks infected with the
military contagion, that many individuals came forward with private contributions,
and offers of personal service, to assist in reducing the rebel colonists to
subjection. Amongst others, a regiment of infantry was offered to Government
by the city of illanchester ; and Cornet Aytoun, having married a lady of that
city, who possessed a coqsiderable property in its neighbourhood, eagerly entered
into the recruiting service.
He was, as may be seen by the prefixed Etching, a man of remarkable
stature, being upwards of six feet four inches in height, and broad and strong
in proportion. His winning address and familiar demeanour made him a great
favourite among the lower classes, and rendered him peculiarly useful in the service
in which he was engaged. Like Frederick of Prussia, he had a great
penchant for tall grenadier-looking soldiers; and, in the course of his duty,
spared no pains to induce such Anakim to join his standard. One day, having
observed a carman of uncommon. proportions, whose legs were at least as strong
as the celebrated Paddy Carey’s, Cornet Aytoun accosted him with the usual
recruiting phrase. The carman, however, was a very shy bird, and most cautiously
kept his hands concealed in his pockets, to avoid the fatal contact of the
bounty money. “ I’ll tell thee what it is, Captain,” said he at last, “ I’ze no
gurt objection to sarve his Majesty; but I’m dommed if ony man ’lists me,
unless he cun lick me first !” “And suppose you w e licked, and soundly
too,” asked Aytoun, “will you enlist then?” “That will I,” answered the
other ; ‘‘ but mind, he mun gie me a wolloping.” “ You shan’t want that long,
my fine fellow,” said Aytoun, peeling on the spot. The carman, though taken
considerably aback at this unexpected acceptance of the challenge, followed his
example. A ring was made ; and, in less than a quarter of an hour, the carman
gave in, owned the superior prowess of the Scot, and actually mounted the
cockade.
Another circumstance, which occurred about the same time, caused a considerable
sensation in Manchester. Cornet Aytoun had been paying a visit a
few miles from town, and was returning home alone in a post-chaise. At an
unfrequented part of the road, he was stopped by two footpads, who awakened
him from an agreeable slumber to the consciousness that a brace of pistols were
in dangerous vicinity to his head ; and that his purse, if not his life, was in exceeding
jeopardy. Most men would have been startled at this-not so Cornet
Aytoun, who, with a sudden sweep of his hand, struck down the pistols, leapt
