The war of pamphlets raged more fiercely than ever.

At the same time alarming symptoms began to appear among the men of the sword.

They saw themselves every day described in print as the scum of society, as mortal enemies of the liberties of their country.

Was it reasonable,--such was the language of some scribblers,--that an honest gentleman should pay a heavy land tax, in order to support in idleness and luxury a set of fellows who requited him by seducing his dairy maids and shooting his partridges?
Nor was it only in Grub Street tracts that such reflections were to be found.

It was known all over the town that uncivil things had been said of the military profession in the House of Commons, and that Jack Howe, in particular, had, on this subject, given the rein to his wit and to his ill nature.