In taking a retrospective view of the services of the ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, its conduct cannot fail to excite admiration. The details given in the preceding pages afford numerous instances of determined bravery, steady discipline, and constant efficiency. These qualities were eminently displayed when charging the Moorish legions on the confines of _Africa_, and bearing away in triumph the Mahomedan colours in 1664 and 1680;--when routing the insurgent bands at _Sedgemoor_ in 1685;--forcing the passage of the Boyne in 1690;--on detached services in Ireland in 1691; and opposing the troops of Louis XIV. in the Netherlands from 1694 to 1697. Nor were they less conspicuously evinced when serving on the frontiers of Holland under the great Duke of Marlborough in 1702 and 1703;--skirmishing in the mountains of Catalonia and in the valleys of Valencia, under the Earl of Peterborough, in 1705 and 1706;--and charging the Spanish forces at _Almanara_, and at _Saragossa_ in 1710. The ROYAL DRAGOONS also distinguished themselves under the eye of their sovereign when fighting the French cuirassiers at the battle of _Dettingen_ in 1743, where they captured the standard of the _mousquetaires noirs_; they again displayed signal valour at _Warbourg_ in 1760; and under the Duke of York in _Flanders_ in 1794. In numerous fights with the legions of Napoleon in the _Peninsula_, from 1810 to 1814, they acquired new honours: they were also engaged at the glorious battle of _Waterloo_ on the 18th of June, 1815, where they captured one of the two French Eagles taken on that day. On all occasions the ROYAL DRAGOONS have evinced a dauntless bearing, united with steady valour, and unshaken firmness, the characteristics of a British corps. These qualities, as well as the temper, patience, and forbearance which have distinguished their conduct, when employed in aiding the civil power on duties at home, have rendered the regiment a valuable acquisition to the crown, and have afforded the strongest proofs of its usefulness to the country. [Illustration: First, or Royal Dragoons, 1839. [To face page 116. ] FOOTNOTES: [7] Bibl. Harl. No. 1595.--Mercurius Publicus.--Kingdom's Intelligencer.--War-Office Records.--History of Tangier, &c. [8] Bibl. Harl. 6844. [9] History of Tangier, 8vo., 1664. [10] Sir John Lanier was afterwards colonel of the Queen's horse, now first dragoon guards. [11] John Coy was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now fifth dragoon guards. [12] Thomas Langston was celebrated for taking the Princess Anne of Denmark's regiment of horse over to the Prince of Orange at the Revolution in 1688: he was appointed colonel of that regiment on the 31st of December, 1688, and died in Ireland in 1689: the regiment was disbanded in 1692. [13] Vide the Historical Record of the Life Guards. [14] Narrative of the great engagement at Tangier: Tangier's Rescue, by John Ross; London Gazettes, &c. &c.