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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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270 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. cattle. The ranks were filled by persons of the utmost respectability, and were open to all who chose to enrol themselves ; but the officers were selected from among those who were known or supposed to be zealous in favour of the Hanoverian succession. In 1’140 these bands were formed into a regular regiment of the line, with the addition of four new companies. The uniform at that period consisted of a scarlet jacket and vest, with “ buff facings and white lace, tartan plaid of twelve yards plaided round the body, the upper part being fixed on the left shoulder, ready to be thrown loose and wrapped over both shoulders and firelock in rainy weather. These were called belted plaids, from being kept tight to the body by a belt of strong thick leather.” The arms were a musket, a bayonet, and a large basket-hilted sword, which were furnished by Government ; but the men were at liberty to carry pistols and dirks, if they chose to provide them for themselves, In 1743 the regiment was ordered for England, a circumstance which excited considerable alarm in the minds of the men, who, notwithstanding the late change, still considered that their services were limited to Scotland ; but they were flattered by the assurance that they were merely to proceed to London, for the purpose of being reviewed by the King, who had never seen a Highland regiment. An interesting yet melancholy occurrence is connected with the history of the “Black Watch” at this period. Having reached London about the end of April, the regiment was at once an object of curiosity and of terror to the Cockneys. Immense crowds resorted to their quarters, and amongst others many individuals disaffected to the Government. The latter tampered with the feelings of the Highlanders, by representing the pretext of their having been ordered to London for the gratification of his Majesty as a mere hoax, as the King had actually set out for Hanover previous to their arrival;’ and that they were entrapped for the purpose of being sent out to the American plantations- the Botany Bay of that period. Indignant at the breach of faith and degradation which seemed intended for them, the Highlanders began to meditate escaping to their own country. Accordingly, the night immediately following the review which took place on the 14th of May, the men, unknown to their officers, assembled on a common near Highgate, and ccjmmenced their march for Scotland. No sooner had their flight been discovered than troops and messengers were despatched in all directions. Nothing but the desertion of the Highlanders was talked of in London ; but so rapid and secret had been their movements, that no trace of them could be discovered till the 19th of the month. They ’ This was true; but two of the Highlanders, despatched to London prior to the regiment leaving Scotland, had been introduced to the King ; and, in the great gallery of St. James’s performed the broadsword and other exercises before his Majesty, the Duke of Cumberland, Marshal Wade, and a number of general officers. The audience were highly gratified, and the Highlandem were rewarded with a gratuity of one guinea each, which they “presented to the popter at the Palace gate as they went out.”*
Volume 9 Page 360
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