The best a fellow can do, says Captain Plume, is concoct for himself "some pleasure amidst the pain". Writing The Recruiting Officer in 1706, George Farquhar had experience of Plume's tough profession. The dramatist had been on the recruiting circuit, trying to induce skint Shropshire lads to join the army " till debts forced him to sell his commission.
SOURCE: The Independent at 07:00PM on February 18, 2012