army could not be got to withstand the English when they came in close quarters! I have been long anxious to get the regiment to come to Scotland, that I might have an opportunity of uniting the bond of friendship and good understanding with myself and with the Officers more closely, and particularly as it is now ninety-eight years since it was in that country. In the year 1746, the regiment fought at the Battle of Culloden, and by a singular and rather extraordinary coincidence, my father fought with it in that action as _Aide-de-Camp_ to the Earl of Home. I felt exceedingly gratified in examining into the interior economy of the regiment, to find that it is perfect and complete, both as to barracks, hospitals, and school; and I regret that my right honourable friend, Sir Edward Blakeney, the Commander-in-Chief, is not here to receive the report, as also in reference to its movements in the field: It is impossible for me to express too high an opinion of Colonel Airey, and the hearty co-operation he must have received from his officers to have enabled him to have brought the regiment to its present state of perfection; he could only have accomplished it by establishing a chain of responsibility throughout all ranks, where every individual discharged his proper duty, and to which we may ascribe the brilliant victories we always obtained under our great and invincible leader, who strictly enforced this amongst all ranks of his army, and which enabled him to declare to me his conviction, after the battle of Toulouse, when the army was about to be broken up, that he had commanded the most perfect army that ever was in existence. In conclusion, I fear I have occupied a good deal of your time, but I was anxious that you should hear many of these important military facts, from an individual who has passed above fifty years in the service, and who, in following up his profession, has crossed the tropics twelve times, the equinoxial line twice, and circumnavigated the globe, besides having been in America and other parts of the world. “Quæque ipse miserrima vidi, Et quorum pars magna fui.” Colonel Airey, in reply to the toast, took occasion to remark, that it was owing entirely to the hearty co-operation and assistance he had derived from every officer in the regiment, he had been enabled to bring it to the state of perfection in which the gallant General, who was then Colonel, had found it. Many other toasts were afterwards given, and the meeting broke up at a late hour, but not before health and long life to Sir Thomas had been drunk with at least nine times nine in the most cordial manner. FOOTNOTES: