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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 349 No. CCLXXXVI. LIEUT.-GENERAL VYSE, IN CONMAND OF THE FORCES IN SCOTLAND. RICHARDV YsE-son of Archdeacon Vyse, by his marriage with a daughter of Dr. Richard Smalbroke, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry-was born in 1747. He joined the army at an early period of life, and was for many years a Captain in the Royal Irish Dragoons. In 1784 he was promoted to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the 1st Dragoon Guards, of which regiment he became Colonel in 1790, and rose to the rank of Major-General in 1794. Under the Duke of York, he served against the Republican forces of France during the campaigns in Flanders, and was present at the affair of Nimeguen in Holland. In 1799 Major-General Vyse, then Colonel of the 29th Light Dragoons, was appointed one of the Major-Generals of the Staff in Scotland, under Sir Ralph Abercromby; on whose departure, in the expedition to Egypt, General Vyse succeeded, as Lieut.-General, to the command of the Forces. In this capacity he acquitted himself with much spirit-highly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, as a thorough gentleman, not more in manners than in high-minded principles and rectitude of conduct. He had the reputation of being an excellent cavalry officer, and was considered a proficient in military matters generally. To the discipline of the troops under his command he paid unremitting attention and was enthusiastic in the exercise of field-manoeuvres and mock- When the Lochiel Highlanders lay in Falkirk, immediately after being raised, they were inspected by General Vyse. Sir Ralph Abercromby being present, Cameron, the Chief of Lochiel, waa no doubt proud to show such a really h e body of men to his father-in-law. Although ostensibly composed of Camerons, there were enrolled in the ranks of the corps not merely Lowlanders, but English and Irish ; and some laughable attempts at fraud, in endeavouring to pass inspection, are remembered ; but, unless disabled, few objections mere made, although Scotsmen in general found a preference. “ From FaUrirk yir honour, this morning.” His brogue betraying him, the General demanded to know how he came over ? “Sure I didn’t come in a wheelbarrow ! ” The rising choler of the iuspecting officer was speedily soothed by the milder tact of Sir Ralph, who, seeing the man a fit recruit, laughed heartily and he rn passed.-It deserves to be mentioned that on this occasion, during his stay in Falkirk, the future hero of Aboukir took up his residence with the son of hia late father’s gardener at Tillibody, Mr. James Walker, a merchant in the town, and long known for hi agricultural skill, aa “ The Stirlingshire Farmer.” Sir Ralph delighted, after dinner, to recall the incidents of their boyhood, when he and Mr. Walker, with their brothers, were at school together. He had previously shown the attachment of former days to a younger brother of Mr,. Walker, during the struggle for liberty between America and the mother countiy. These kindly and benevolent traib easily explain why Sir Ralph Abercromby was persoually so dear to all who knew him. “ Where are yozl from P” said Vyse to an equivocal-looking fellow.
Volume 9 Page 464
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