He is a man for the office stool

TCD MS 10515 folio 113 verso

TCD MS 10515 folio 113 verso

and the Irish rebellion. The 18th brought us the Commander in Chief, Sir Percy Lake, on a tour of inspection. He visited our camp in the early morning, gave me the impression of a pale; sickly, harrassed old gentleman, whose constitution would be his worst enemy during the hot times to come. The general verdict seems to be that he is a man for the office stool; not for the army in the field. But I cannot very weel see the application of this, for the work of the CinC., at all events in this force, seems to be that of strenuous administration at the hard desk. But generals appear to be made only to be broken and common opinion would condemn all. I have heard it suggested in chaff that we might with advantage enter into negotiations