I descended to the kitchen.

The breakfast-things stood upon the table--the kettles and spider upon the hearth--the fire was out--the kitchen empty.
Passing back into the hall, which extended the whole length of the house and opened in front upon the parade, I perceived a group collected in the area, of all shades and colors, and in the midst, one round, woolly head which I could not mistake, bobbing up and down, now on this side, now on that, while peals of laughter were issuing from the whole group.
"Louisa," I called, "come here.

What are you doing there ?" "Looking at inspection." "But why are not your breakfast-things washed, and your kitchen swept?
Did I not tell you I wished you to come up and learn your lessons ?" "Yes, ma'am; but I had to see inspection first.

Everybody looks at inspection on Sunday." I found it was in vain to expect to do more for Louisa than give her an afternoon's lesson, and with that I was obliged to content myself.
I felt that it would be very pleasant, and perhaps profitable, for all the inmates of the garrison to assemble on this day; one of our number might be found who would read a portion of the church-service, with a sermon from one of our different selections.
I approached the subject cautiously, with an inquiry to this effect: "Are there none among the officers who are religiously disposed ?" "Oh, yes," replied the one whom I addressed, "there is S----; when he is half tipsy, he takes his Bible and 'Newton's Works,' and goes to bed and cries over them; he thinks in this way he is excessively pious." S---- was among the officers who had never called upon us; it was fair to infer that if his religious principles did not correct his own evil habits they would not aid much in improving others; therefore it seemed useless to call in his co-operation in any scheme for a better observance of the Lord's day.
We had to content ourselves with writing to our friends at the East to interest themselves in getting a missionary sent to us, who should officiate as chaplain in the garrison--a plan that seemed to find favor with the officers.

The hope of any united religious services was, for the present, laid aside.
The post-surgeon having obtained a furlough, his place was supplied by Dr.Newhall, of Galena, and thus, by the addition of his gentle, quiet wife, our circle of ladies was now enlarged to three.