Note.—I expect the hairs were stolen for fishing purposes, silk-worm gut not yet having come into use.—S. M. Milne.

Note.—These caps had just superseded the tall cloth fronted old established Grenadier caps, fronted with blue cloth, displaying the "White Horse" and the Star of the Order of the Thistle.—S. M. Milne.

Note.—At this period all other heavy cavalry officers had only one epaulette!—S. M. Milne.

Note.—The regiment had been increased to eight, or perhaps ten, troops.—S. M. Milne.

"For Those in Peril.

"The medal struck by Napoleon to commemorate the invasion of England, which has come into the sale-room again, would have fetched a far higher price when it was first cast could his contemporaries have had guarantee of the falseness of the prophecy which it expresses. Those were the days when the Volunteer movement was born; those the days when Pitt promised an importunate squad that they should not be sent out of the country—except in case of actual invasion. At about this time a notable prayer was published. It begins by invoking a blessing upon 'a' in this house, and a' within two miles ilka side this house, the cow, the kail-yard, and the muckle town o' Dumbarton.' The Scots Greys lying in Hamilton Barracks are commended to favour. 'They are braw chiels—they are not like the English whalps, that dash their foot against a stone, and damn the soul of the stone, as if a stone had a soul to be saved.'"

Charles by the Grace of God etc. to ye Most illustrious &    prince etc. Lord John Razivile prince of ye holy Roman Empire ... of ye great Dutchy of Lithuania and Great Generall of ye Armys of Polland our most dear frend and Cousin.

Most illustrious and    prince our most dear cousin and freind. Seeing our most faithfull and well beloved subject ye noble and brave Lietenant Generall Tho: Dalyell resolves to go to Polland in order to serve in ye army of ye most high and mighty prince our dearest Brother the King of Polland and has behaved himself in ye post of Luetenant Genall in our army always undoubted fidelity conduct and courage we have thought fitt to recommend him who has served us so well to your Excellence that he may have your favour and protection and earnest entreat your excellence that you would so make use of your power and authority that he may not be disappointed in his design but by your interest may get such a post in your armys as one of his courage and conduct deserves, in doing of which your highness will not only intirely oblige him, but likewise do us such a favour as we shall take all occasions to acknowledge.—Given at Colloign the 17th day of August.

Your excellence's
Good Cousin
Ch: R.

(The date of this must be 1665.)

"By the Grace of God We the Great Sovereign Czar and Great Prince Alexis Michaelovitch, self-upholder of All the Russias, the great, the little and the white, of Muscovy, Kiovia, and Novo Grodia, Czar of Cazan, Czar of Astracan, Czar of Siberia; Lord of Pscovia and Great Prince of Litovia, of Smolensk, of Twerr Wolsynia, Podolia, Jugovia, Permia, of Wiatca, Bulgaria and of others; Lord and Great Prince of Novegorode, of the country of Nizovia, Chernigovia, Rezania, Polovia, Rostovia, Jaroslavia, Belozeria, Udovia, Obdovia, Condia, Witebia, Mstislavia and Ruler of all the Northern Countries; Lord of the Iberian Nation, which is under the Castalinian and Georgian Czars; and of the Cabardinian Country which is under the Chercassian and the Mountainious Princes; and of many other Kingdoms and Nations of the East, West and North, to our Forefathers belonging, Lord, possessor and Heir.—

"Declare by this patent of our Czarian Majesty to the Great Sovereign Kings, to the Ministers of State, Dukes, Counts, and to all free Gentlemen, whom it may concern

"That Thomas Daliel Leutenant Generall, formerly came over hither in order to serve our Great Czarian Majesty; and whilst he was with us in our Dominions, he did serve our Great Sovereign and Czarian Majesty: He stood against our Enemies and fought valiantly. The Military men that were under his command, he regulated, disciplined and led them to the Battle himself: and he did and performed everything Faithfully, and becoming a Noble Commander.

"And for those his faithful services, We the Great Lord and Czarian Majesty were pleased to order the said Leutenant General to be a General, he being worthy of that honour through his Merit: and he accordingly served our Czarian Majesty as General, and he stood against our Enemies and fought them courageously. In consequence of which, we our Czarian Majesty granted him a stipend according to his Dignity for his Table and for his pay. And now he the General has petitioned our Czarian Majesty that we would please to give him Leave to return in to his own country. Therefore we the Great Sovereign and Czarian Majesty were pleased to order that the said Noble General, who is worthy of all Honor, Thomas, the son of Thomas Dalyel should have leave to go in to his own country. And, by this patent of our Czarian Majesty, we do testify of him That he is a man of Virtue and Honor, and in the Military operations of great experience. And in case he should be willing again to serve our Czarian Majesty he is to let us know of it before hand; and he shall come in to the Russian Dominions of our Czarian Majesty with our safe passports. And in Testimony of his services, We ordered to give him this Patent of our Czarian Majesty, under our Great Seal of State.

"Given at our Court in the Mitropolis City of Moscow in the year from the Creation of the World 7173 Jany 6th. (A.D. 1665.)

"The foregoing Translation being entirely and truly conformed with the original Patent in Russian Dialect and Character, it is certified by the underwritten Counsellor of the Embassy and Chargé D'Affaires of His Imperial Majesty of all Russia in London

The following old papers and letters were given to me by Sir William Wallace, Bart., and with his permission I now present them to the Royal Scots Greys.—Geo. Cleghorn, Weens, Roxburghshire. Late a Captain in the regiment. April, 1870.

That our own Royall Regiment of Dragoons, and all other Regiments of Dragoons to be employed in our Service shall have precedency both as horse and Foot as well in Guarrison an in the Field as in all Counsells of Warr and other Military occasions; and the Colonells and Officers of the said Regiments of Dragoons shall command as Officers of Horse and Foot according to the nature of the place where they shall be (that is to say) that in the Field the said Regiments shall take place as Regiments of Horse, according to the date of their commissions; and that in Guarison they command as Foot Officers, and their Regiments take place amongst the Foot according to their respective seniorities from the time they were raised.

An Account of Moneys disburst for the Ld Tiviots Regt of Dragns on their March from Scotland to Deptford & Greenwich to embark for Flanders in March 1693/4 and on their March from Harwich where they landed again from Flanders in Decr 97, to Berwick upon Tweed in their way to Scotland.

Mustered in in Major Andrew Agnews Troop in her Majesties Royall Regiment of Scots Dragoons Commanded by the Right Honorable the Viscount of Teviott ye Capt, Lieut, Cornett and Qr Mr with their led horses two sarjants three Corplls two Hauttboyes two drummers with fifty four private dragoons Mounted. These comenceing the first of Decr to ye last of Janry both inclusive being sixty two daies.

G. Marshall

THE WATERLOO BALL

The Congress of Vienna was about to break up, not in the best possible humour, when the announcement fell like a thunderbolt that Napoleon had escaped from Elba, which had been assigned to him on his abdication in 1814, that he had landed in France, had entered Paris, and had re-ascended the throne. The Allied Sovereigns soon silenced their differences in a harmonious resolution to combine against the disturber of the peace. Napoleon was declared the common enemy of Europe, his sovereignty was ignored, and preparations for war at once entered upon. It is estimated that by June a million of men were ready to fall upon France.

The Duke of Wellington established his headquarters at Brussels, where he had with him in and about the city over 25,000 men. The city was filled with fashionable non-combatants of all nations, including numbers of British who had long been cut off from the Continent, and had been drawn thither by curiosity, or from having relations in the army. The whole place teemed with intrigue, for there were still a large number of officials who had served under Napoleon, and were ready to return to him. However, everything outwardly remained quiet, and there was no sense of immediate danger. Parties were common, "and all went merry as a marriage bell." Among the social entertainments none was so much talked about as the now historic ball which was given by Charlotte, Duchess of Richmond, wife of Charles, fourth Duke of Richmond and Lennox, K.G., who, with their family, had occupied a villa in Brussels since the Duke relinquished the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland in 1813. The Duchess was a daughter, by his beautiful wife, Jean, of the fourth Duke of Gordon, known by the Highlanders as the "Cock of the North." The daughter of a soldier, the wife of a soldier, and the mother of one, her Grace was in close touch with the army. In her youth there were few more attractive girls than Lady Charlotte Gordon when she used to appear in the feather bonnet and Gordon tartan plaid, in compliment to the 92nd Highlanders and Gordon Fencibles, which her father had raised.

The much-talked-of ball took place on the 15th June, 1815, ninety years ago yesterday. At three o'clock in the afternoon of that day a messenger arrived with important news for the Duke of Wellington that Napoleon at the head of his army had crossed the Sambre that morning, and had forced the Prussians to retire through Charleroi and Fleurus to a position near Ligny. The Duke immediately sent off orders for his troops to hold themselves in readiness to move, but not to advance. The latter he delayed until the evening, when reports from Mons had satisfied him that the attack was not a feint, and that Napoleon really had taken the Charleroi road. The critical state of affairs did not prevent the Iron Duke from attending the ball. On the contrary, he not only went himself, but he encouraged his officers to attend, thinking that their presence there would have a reassuring effect on the people of Brussels. In the room, the coachmaker's store improvised for the occasion, were assembled some two hundred guests, including ladies well known in English society, and most of the Duke of Wellington's staff—the Prince of Orange, the Duke of Brunswick, Lord Hill, Sir Thomas Picton, Sir Henry Clinton, the Earl of Uxbridge, Lord Edward Somerset, Sir Hussey Vivian, Sir William Ponsonby, Sir Denis Pack, and others. The news had spread that the French army was about to cross the frontier, and it caused a very natural sensation, but the dancing was not interrupted. Indeed, we are told that it was maintained with unusual spirit, as if to make the most of the enjoyment which was so soon to be interrupted. An interesting incident occurred which does not appear to have been recorded. During an interval in the dancing, a party of non-commissioned officers of the 92nd Highlanders, headed by their pipers, proudly marched into the room, having been specially invited to give an exhibition of the reel to her Grace's British and foreign guests; never did these Gay Gordons dance with greater grace, or to a more appreciative audience.

The imperturbable Duke of Wellington remained at the ball till past midnight, constantly receiving messages and giving orders privately to the staff. He then quietly withdrew for the desperate encounter which was destined to be the crowning scene in a military career of unequalled brilliancy. The other officers gradually left the room and joined their regiments, many in their dancing pumps. The Duchess of Richmond and her daughters took no further part in the ball; her husband and two of her sons had accompanied the troops. But the girls generally are said to have shown great heartlessness. After saying farewell to their partners, many of them for the last time, they continued dancing for some hours. Meanwhile, drums, bugles, and pipes sounded the assembly through the silent streets; the soldiers came swarming out like bees, and Brussels was soon astir at the unwonted bustle. What followed is well known. Two days later Napoleon's pride was crushed by the most glorious victory ever won by British arms; and, alas, the voice of many a gallant soldier who, but a few hours before, had been a welcome guest at the historic ball in Brussels, was silent in the grave.

The identity of the famous ball-room in Brussels has been the subject of much controversy. For many years it was assumed that the house had been pulled down and the ground built over. The villa occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Richmond has disappeared in the sense that it has been absorbed in the Hospital of the Augustinian Sisters; but it was established by the late Sir William Fraser to his own and the general satisfaction of the public, that the ball was never held in the villa. It took place in the store-room, hired for the occasion, of Mons. Simon, the coachmaker, he who built the famous carriage which Napoleon used in the campaign. It was separate from the villa, and still stands in the Rue de la Blanchisserie, in the lower part of the town, being part of the building which had returned a few years back to its original purpose of a coachmaker's factory and depôt. The room is a long barn-like one, with smooth, old-fashioned pillars, and a polished floor, and has been likened to the Lower School at Eton under Long Chamber—the same square, solid pillars, a low ceiling, and brick, whitewashed walls.

Dear Sir,—In looking through some family papers the other day I came across the enclosed letter written to an ancestor of mine, nearly 150 years ago, by a trooper in the North British Dragoons....

"Revd. Sir—Experiencing your wellwishes for me when presant & Expecting A Continuance of the same emboldens me to send you word of my welfare being assured that it will be acceptable. I have long since Designed to do what I am now about, That I might be answered By the good account that you and all my acquaintances are well. I have the greatest reason to bless God that I am still Alive For truely Sir since we have been Abroad many have fallen By Death some by the fatigues of War & number in ye Field, yet to me has the Lord been Sufficient having as yet saved my health & covered me from all the Dangers Ive been exposed to. I might here tell you of our transactions During this Campaign but being persuaded you are no stranger to them I will only say that our Fatigue has been great, For ever since the 20th of last March that our Regiment left winter quarters we have moved up & down. First from Paderborn to Bergen where we fought the French & the Battle being as it were Drawn on both sides we could not live there being then no forage on the ground & what was in the houses the French had it forraged into their Maggazins so that for want of forrage we were forced to Leave the Frontiers of the enemy & march for Hess Castle where we abode 3 weeks, till the Forrage appear'd in the Field, the French came down after us with one Army & Formed another near Lipstadt where we open'd the Campaing. It is strange indeed to hear the various accounts of the enemy amongst us for the perhaps not 3 miles Distant from others their Number will by talk Increas or decreas 50000 in a Day, here they were given out for 190000 Men which I beleve Did not amount to more than 100000. Which was by far the supperior Number for ours was never 80000. So that at the eve of the Battle & for some weeks before All was Hush non knew aney thing till directly put in Execution. So great was the conduct of our Brave Prince Ferdinand, Orders for marching on the 1st of August was no sooner given than the French began to cannonade the Princes Quarters thinking to draw our army there when they would have flank'd us. But the Prince Left the Place, & March'd us to the Left. That with the Blessing of God altered the whole for they were briskly Repulsed & By the same means there great numbers was put to a Wofull Flight. It is true the sight and presence of the Field is terrable, But the Victory soon Dispell'd it. Altho many suffer'd on Both sides, Here the face of affairs were chang'd And we are almost so far advanc'd After them as where we fought at Bergen. There is scarce a Day but we gain some Advantage over them & with Little Loss on our side, so that if God continues his Favours on our army the enemy will soon Leave Germany. Marbourg surrendered the 1st Days Seige & Never a Man lost on our side. About 4 days ago we forc'd the out Posts of their flying Camp & got 800 prisoners. We Rejoiced here yesterday for the Good News from England & Saxony By fireing all the Cannon & small arms in the Field 3 times. The French Ly about 6 miles from us, we march foreward the morrow, so that if they dont Abandon their Campment we expect another engadgement soon. I have here Dear & Revd Sir I am afraid taken to much time in telling you the thing you have long since been acquaint with; But I hope you will excuse Me in so Doing and Remember me with my comerades at the Throne of Grace, Being confident of your care, I pray that God give your endevours the Blessing of Turning Many that Dwell in Darkness to Him, And that your Reward may be great, is the ernest Prayer Rev. Sir of your Most Obedient Servant—William Knox Dragoon.

"If you Please Turn oer

"I will be obliged greatly if you would Answer this soon Derecting to Wm Knox Dragoon in the Royl. North British Dragoons Col. Prestons Troop With the Grand Alied Army—Germany. And Remember me earnestly to all my Worthy Friends that are your Hearers.

"N.B.—I had this By me since the 17th and has had no opertune of sending it away before this Date. We are now just by the French and its Beleved that we wont seperate Before we engadge again, we having been close to them these 7 days. A small River only parts us. The French head quarters is at Geeshen and ours at Stroffsdorf. Their Campment is strong and ours is the same. We saddle every Night & doe not unsadle till we see the enemy's Camp when the fog is off in the morning. Our Piquets and advanc'd Posts Lys by theirs all night & Returns to Camp when assured they are still.

"Kroffsdorf Camp 25th Sept 1759."

Frampton, North Berwick,
25th November, 1906.

Dear Colonel Williams,

I do not know whether you ever heard of the following, or not—if not, then perhaps it may serve its purpose....

During a big day at Aldershot, "the Greys," one of the cavalry regiments engaged, was missed from the scene of action in the Long Valley. A.D.C.'s, gallopers, and mounted orderlies were sent all over the place to find them.

The commanding officer had simply dismounted his men, and got them into the "Cocked Hat" wood, and told them they might get their pipes out and take it easy. When at length found, an A.D.C. rode up to the colonel, and said that the general had missed the regiment, and was extremely put about in consequence, and told the commanding officer that he (the general) wished the regiment to retire behind the crest of some rising ground.

It is reported that the commanding officer at that time, not being very good at handling his regiment, thought he saw his way out of the difficulty, and with great dignity said, "Young man, go back to your general, and tell him that the Greys never retire." ...

Montague Johnstone.