Le Fever got up to the Imperial army just time enough to try what metal his sword was made of, at the defeat of the _Turks_ before _Belgrade_; but a series of unmerited mischances had pursued him from that moment, and trod close upon his heels for four years together after; he had withstood these buffetings to the last, till sickness overtook him at _Marseilles_, from whence he wrote my uncle _Toby_ word, he had lost his time, his services, his health, and, in short, everything but his sword; ----and was waiting for the first ship to return back to him.
As this letter came to hand about six weeks before _Susannah's_ accident, _Le Fever_ was hourly expected; and was uppermost in my uncle _Toby's_ mind all the time my father was giving him and _Yorick_ a description of what kind of a person he would chuse for a preceptor to me: but as my uncle _Toby_ thought my father at first somewhat fanciful in the accomplishments he required, he forebore mentioning _Le Fever's_ name, ----till the character, by _Yorick's_ interposition, ending unexpectedly, in one, who should be gentle-tempered, and generous, and good, it impressed the image of _Le Fever_, and his interest, upon my uncle _Toby_ so forcibly, he rose instantly off his chair; and laying down his pipe, in order to take hold of both my father's hands ----I beg, brother _Shandy_, said my uncle _Toby_, I may recommend poor _Le Fever's_ son to you ----I beseech you do, added _Yorick_ ----He has a good heart, said my uncle _Toby_ ----And a brave one too, an' please your honour, said the corporal.
----The best hearts, _Trim_, are ever the bravest, replied my uncle _Toby_. ----And the greatest cowards, an' please your honour, in our regiment, were the greatest rascals in it. ----There was serjeant _Kumber_, and ensign------
----We'll talk of them, said my father, another time.
Le Fever reached the Imperial army in time to try his sword at the defeat of the Turks before Belgrade; but a series of undeserved accidents pursued him from that moment for four years after; he withstood these buffetings, till sickness overtook him at Marseilles.
From thence he wrote to my uncle Toby that he had lost his time, his services, his health, and, in short, everything but his sword; and was waiting for the first ship to return to him.
As this letter arrived about six weeks before Susannah's accident, Le Fever was hourly expected; and was uppermost in my uncle Toby's mind while my father was describing the person he would choose as a tutor for me. However, as my uncle Toby thought my father somewhat fanciful in the accomplishments he required, he did not mention Le Fever's name till Yorick suggested that the tutor should be gentle-tempered, generous, and good. This impressed the image of Le Fever upon my uncle Toby so forcibly, he rose instantly, and taking my father's hands, said:
'I beg, brother Shandy, I may recommend poor Le Fever's son to you. He has a good heart.'
'And a brave one too, your honour,' said the corporal.
'The best hearts, Trim, are ever the bravest,' replied my uncle Toby.
'And the greatest cowards, your honour, in our regiment, were the greatest rascals. There was sergeant Kumber, and ensign-'
'We'll talk of them,' said my father, 'another time.'
Book 6 - Chapter 13