camp, garrison, or quarters, assembled to witness their execution, the presence of the Sutherland Highlanders, either of the Fencibles or of the line, was often dispensed with, the effect of terror as a check to crime being in their case uncalled for,- as examples of that nature were not necessary for such honourable soldiers!" Such is the character of a national or district corps of the present day. What they have been in former days I have also endeavoured to show.

It has been said that our regiments ought to be mixed, as the good men would, by their example, improve the bad. Certainly the latter object is desirable; but the price, perhaps, would be too high, and the efficacy of the means uncertain. To degrade or lower the proper pride of a virtuous and honest soldier, by making him a companion to the dissolute and unprincipled, in the expectation that the latter will be improved, is rather a questionable measure. I have already noticed the change which took place in the habits and manners of the 42d by the great influx of indifferent subjects in 1795. Except when before an enemy, there was a visible alteration, particularly in their common conversation, which was previously so correct and so free from all indecency, that I do not recollect an instance of a man making use of improper language, without being reproved by his companions, and taxed with bringing disgrace upon himself and the corps.

But to return to the Sutherland regiment. Their conduct at the Cape did not proceed from any temporary cause. It was founded on principles uniform and permanent. When these men disembarked at Plymouth in August 1814, the inhabitants were both surprised and gratified. On such occasions it had been no uncommon thing for soldiers to spend in taverns and gin shops the money they had saved. In the present case the soldiers of Sutherland were seen in booksellers' shops, supplying themselves with Bibles, and such books and tracts as they required. Yet, as at the Cape, where their religious habits were so free of all fanatical

gloom, that they indulged in social meetings and dancing, so here, while expending their money on books, they did not neglect their personal appearance, and the haberdashers' shops had also their share of trade from the purchase of additional feathers to their bonnets, and such extra decorations as the correctness of military regulations allow to be introduced into the uniform.

"

While they were thus mindful of themselves, improving their minds and their personal appearance, such of them as had relations in Sutherland did not forget their destitute condition, occasioned by the loss of their lands, and the operation of the improved state of the country! During the short period that the regiment was quartered in Plymouth, upwards of L. 500 were lodged in one banking-house, to be remitted to Sutherland, exclusive of many sums sent home through the post-office, and by officers. Some of these sums exceeded L. 20 from an individual soldier.

There has been little change in the character of this respectable corps. Courts-martial have been very unfrequent. Twelve and fifteen months have intervened without the necessity of assembling one; and, in the words of a general officer who reviewed them in Ireland, they exhibited "a picture of military discipline and moral rectitude;" and, in the opinion of another eminent commander," although the junior regiment in his Majesty's service, they exhibit an honourable example, worthy the imitation of all."* On another occasion, the character, discipline, and interior economy of the 93d regiment were declared to be "altogether incomparable;" and in similar language have they been characterized by every general officer who commanded them. General Craddock, now Lord Howden, when this corps embarked from the Cape of Good Hope in 1814, expressed himself in the following terms: When describing "the respect and esteem of the inhabitants, with their regret at parting with men who will ever be borne in remembrance

* General Beckwith's General Orders.

as kind friends and honourable soldiers," he adds, “ The Commander of the Forces anxiously joins in the public voice, that so approved a corps, when called forth into the more active scenes that now await them in Europe, will confirm the well known maxim, that the most regular and best conducted troops in quarters are those who form the surest dependence, and will acquire the most renown in the field."

Such were these men in garrison, and such the expectation founded on their principles. How thoroughly they were guided by honour and loyalty in the field was shown at New Orleans. Although many of their countrymen, who had emigrated to America, were ready and anxious to receive them, there was not an instance of desertion; nor did one of those who were left behind, wounded or prisoners, forget their allegiance, and remain in that country, at the same time that desertions from the British army were but too frequent. Men like these do credit to the peasantry of their country, and contribute to raise the national character. If this conclusion is well founded, the removal of so many of the people from their ancient seats, where they acquired those habits and principles, may be considered a public loss of no common magnitude. It must appear strange and somewhat inconsistent, when persons who are loud in their professions of an eager desire to promote and preserve the religious and moral virtues of the people, should so frequently take the lead in approving of measures which, by removing them from where they imbibed principles which have attracted the notice of Europe, and place them in situations where poverty, and the too frequent attendants, vice and crime, will lay the foundation for a cha racter which will be the disgrace, as that already obtained has been an honour to this country. In the new stations, where so many Highlanders are now placed, and crowded in such numbers as to preserve the numerical population, while whole districts are left without inhabitants, can they resume their ancient character and principles, which, according to the reports of those employed by the proprietors,

have been so deplorably broken down and deteriorated; a deterioration which was entirely unknown till the recent change in the condition of the people, and the introduction of a new system, and every way opposite to the probity, religious and domestic habits of the same people, when placed in military stations and in societies where there was more danger of losing, than chance of acquiring, such valuable habits? It is only when parents and heads of families in the Highlands are moral, happy, and contented, that they can instil sound principles into their children, who, in their intercourse with the world, may once more become what the men of Sutherland have already been," an honourable example, worthy the imitation of all.”

SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT,

ок

ROSS-SHIRE HIGHLANDERS,

SECOND BATTALION.

1804.

WHILE the first battalion of the 78th was employed in India in the year 1804, under the Honourable Major-General Wellesley, orders were issued to add a second battalion of 800 men to the regiment. The officers were to raise men in certain proportions, according to the rank they were to hold, and to recruit them in Scotland, and, if possible, in the Highlands. * The latter injunction, however, was not

* The proportions, or quotas, for each rank, were 100 men for a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, 90 for a Majority, 50 for a Company, 25 for a Lieutenancy, and 20 for an Eusigncy; officers to take rank according to the dates of their former commissions.

strictly observed, as upwards of forty men were from Ireland, and from the south side of the border. Of these, twenty-two were old soldiers received from the veteran battalions, for the purpose, as was said, of laying the foundation of discipline in a regiment of very young soldiers, as this was expected to be.

The head-quarters were established at Fort George; this being the fourth battalion embodied in that garrison, under the influence of the family of Seaforth, in the course of thirty years. * But as Lord Seaforth was, at this time, in the West Indies, his influence was less exerted than on former occasions when he himself, like his predecessor, commanded in person. However, two hundred men were raised in the island of Lewis, part of the Seaforth estates; and several other detachments were brought from other parts of this extensive property.

In December 1804, a battalion of 850 men was assembled at Fort George, and inspected by Major-General the Marquis of Huntly in January 1805, when the following officers were appointed:

Colonel, Major-General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser of Castle Fraser, died Lieutenant-General 1809.

Lieutenant-Colonel, Patrick Macleod, (Geanies,) killed in 1807 at El Hamet.

Majors.

David Stewart, (Garth,) Colonel on half-pay.

James Macdonell, (Glengary,) Colonel, and Major Coldstream Guards.

Alexander Wishart, dead.

Captains.

Duncan Macpherson, Major 78th regiment.

James Macvean, do. do.

Charles William Maclean, retired.

Duncan Macgregor, Major on half-pay.

William Anderson, dead.

Robert Henry Dick, Lieutenant-Colonel 42d regiment.

The 78th regiment in the year 1779, the 78th in the year 1794,

a second battalion of 960 men in the same year, and this battalion in

1804.