In the year 1750, on the conclusion of the peace, his brother quitted the imperial service, and returned to London, whither Hume repaired, and was furnished by him with letters of recommendation to Marshal Konigsegg, a letter of credit on Baron Aguilar for a 1000l. and 300l. in money, with which, and a valet acquainted with the language, he set out on his journey to Vienna.
They were to go in the stage coach to Harwich, and the baggage having been sent to the inn the night before, they were to meet it the next morning. By some negligence or other, however, they did not arrive till-the coach had been gone at least half an hour. The servant proposed taking post horses, but Hume refused, saying, he was resolved that no new expense should accrue from his want of diligence or punctuality, aud insisted on their trying to overtake the coach on foot. They accordingly set out running until they were out of breath, and walking till they were able to run again; but with all their exertions they could not reach the coach till they came to the place where it stopped for the passengers to breakfast. They now calculated on a comfortable journey the rest of their way, but unfortunately, the places which had been taken for them, were filled by two women. Hume’s gallantry would not permit him to assert his right; he therefore complimented the females with the places, and went the rest of the journey with his attendant on the outside.
On his arrival at Vienna, he was received by Marshal Konigsegg and his lady, with marks of an almost parental affection, and they being persons of high distinction, he imagined that he also ought to support that character. For this purpose be took expensive lodgings, kept a chariot, a running footman, and a hussar, and was admitted into the highest circles; but at the close of about five weeks, finding his stock of cash much diminished, and having formed a resolution not to have recourse to the letter of credit which he possessed, he determined to repair immediately to the corps in which he was to serve; he,
