"It is considered highly desirable, however, that both officer and soldier should, under all circumstances, be taught to expect professional honours from the sovereign alone; and under this impression, Lord Hill has been induced to recommend to the king to give the royal authority for the confirmation and continuance of this regimental Badge of distinction, an arrangement, which, while it bestows upon it legitimate existence, will, at the same time, no doubt, enhance its value in the estimation of those on whom it is conferred. "You will, therefore, be pleased to communicate this decision to Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, and acquaint him, that he is at liberty to proceed in the distribution of the medals and badges as heretofore. "I have, &c. (Signed) "JOHN MACDONALD, "Adjutant-General. "Lieutenant-General "Sir William Houstoun, G.C.B., and G.C.H., &c. &c. &c., "Commanding at Gibraltar." The "Order of Merit," which has been so long held by the regiment, consecrated and enhanced by purity and justice of distribution, and the real worth of the meritorious though humble individuals who earn so honourable a mark of good conduct, and brightened by the numerous distinguished services of the FIFTH REGIMENT since its foundation, is thus confirmed by the sanction of the Sovereign, the legitimate fount of honour, distinction, and reward. [Sidenote: 1833] On the 27th of July, in this year (1832), the reserve companies of the regiment marched from Fermoy to Kilmallock, and in August to Bruff, where they continued until the 24th of January, 1833, when they proceeded to Nenagh: and from thence, in October to Templemore. On the night of the 24th of April, 1833, whilst at Gibraltar, the roof of the Line Wall House, in which were the mess-rooms and the quarters of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, suddenly burst out into an immense blaze of fire, in consequence of one of the wooden wall-plates, which had been carelessly built into the flue of a chimney, imperceptibly igniting the joists, lathing, couples, and lining of the roof over the ceiling: from the quantity of timber used in its construction, the house burnt with such fierceness and rapidity, that the ceilings of the rooms, almost instantly falling in, it was found impossible, notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the garrison, to save even the colours of the regiment, which were thus unfortunately, although accidentally, consumed. [Sidenote: 1834]