The SIXTY-FIRST embarked from Naples in January, 1806; the King and Queen quitted their capital, and proceeded to the island of Sicily, which was preserved in their interest by the British; the SIXTY-FIRST were landed at the city of Messina, on the north-east side of Sicily, and were stationed there several weeks. The Neapolitans abandoned their royal family to its fate, and submitted to the dictates of Napoleon, who issued a decree conferring the crown of Naples on his brother Joseph: the city of Naples was illuminated, and the nobles were eager to shew their attachment to their new King. Insurrections occurred in several places; but the French arms were successful, and the provinces became tranquil. On the 26th of February the second battalion embarked from Guernsey for Ireland, and landed at Cork in March. It was important to England that Sicily should not fall under the dominion of France, and the restoration of Ferdinand IV. to the throne of Naples, was never lost sight of. Preparations being made on the opposite coast of Calabria, for the invasion of Sicily, Major-General Stuart, commanding the British troops in Sicily, formed the design of cutting off the French division under General Regnier: the flank companies of the SIXTY-FIRST[4] were formed in flank battalions, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel James Kempt and Lieut.-Colonel R. W. O’Callaghan, and being employed on this enterprise, they had the honor of distinguishing themselves at the battle of _Maida_, on the 4th of July. On this occasion the light battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel James Kempt, of which the light company of the SIXTY-FIRST formed part, was directly opposed to the celebrated French regiment, _Le 1^{er} Leger_; the two corps fired a few rounds at about a hundred yards’ distance, and then advancing simultaneously to the charge, both preserved great steadiness until the bayonets began to cross, when British prowess proved victorious; the French faced about and fled; they were pursued, and great slaughter made with the bayonet. British valour was triumphant at every part of the field, and the boasted invincible legions of Napoleon were proved to be inferior to the English in close combat with the bayonet.