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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 273 The same paragraph thus briefly relates the story of the standard, which had caused so much speculation :- “ On the celebrated 21st of March, when the French Invincibles found their retreat entirely cut off by the Highlanders, two French officers advanced to Major Stirling and delivered their standard into his hands, who immediately committed it to the charge of Sergeant Sinclair. Sinclair being afterwards wounded, it was picked up in the field by a private of the Minorca corps, who carried it to his own regiment. The standard was marked with the names of the different victories of the Hero of Italy, but considerably worn. The name of the battle of Lodi was scarcely visible.” The following short account of the third monthly meeting of the Highland Society of London, on the 23d of April 1802, is from a newspaper of that period, and may not be deemed unentertaining :- “ The meeting was held at the Shakspeare Tavern, Covent Garden, Lord Macdonald, president for the year, in the chair. The company was very numerous, among whom appeared Lieut.- Colonel Dickson, and thirteen officers of the 42d Regiment, in their uniforms, wearing the gold medals presented to them by the Grand Signior. An elegant dinner was served at half-past six o’clock, during which several national airs on the pipe were performed by the pipers of the Society ; and a few pibrochs, with wonderful skill and execution, by Biichsnan, Pipe-Major of the 42d Regiment. After dinner, severalloyal and appropriate toasts were given in the Gaelic language, and many plaintive and martial songs were sung ; and the greatest harmony and conviviality prevailed during the evening.‘ On the complimentary toast to the 42d Regiment, and the two other Highland corps on the Egyptian service, having bcen given, the following Stanza, the exemptore composition of a member present, was introduced by Digoum in the characteristic air of ‘ The Garb of Old Gaul :’- ‘ The Pillar of Pompey, and famed Pyramids, Have witnessed our valour and triumphant deeds ; Th‘ Invincible standard from Frenchmen we bore, In the land of the Reys, the laurels we wore ; For such the fire of Highlanders, when brought into the field, That Bonaparte’s Invincibles must perish, or must yield ; We’ll bravely fight, like heroes bold, for honour and applause, And we defy the Consul and the world to alter oiir laws.’ ” The “Royal Highlanders ” returned to Scotland h 1802, and experienced the most gratifying reception in all the towns as they marched from England towards the capital of their own country, where they were welcomed with excess of kindness and applause. During their stay in Edinburgh at this period the regiment was presented with a new set of colours, on which were the figure of a sphinx, and the word Egypt, as emblematic memorials of their gallant services in the campaign of 1801. The interesting ceremony took place on the Castle Hill, where, the regiment having been formed, the Rev. Principal Baird delivered an appropriate prayer ; after which the Commander-in-Chief, General Vyse, presented the colours to Colonel Dickson, and addressed his “ brother soldiers of the 42d Regiment ” in a very energetic harangue. A vast concourse of spectators were present on the occasion, amongst whom were the Duke of Buccleuch, General Don, Colonels Cameron, Scott, Eaillie, Graham, and several other military officers. Gow’s band of ins€rumental music, Murphy the Irish piper, together with the vocal strains of Dignum, and other public singers, added much to the general festivity. VOL. 11. 2 N
Volume 9 Page 363
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