“And, first, the conduct of the regiment at the battle of _Fontenoy_ was great and glorious! As long as the bravery of the fifteen battalions in that conflict shall grace the historic page, and fill the breast of every Highlander with pleasure and admiration, so long will the superior gallantry of the Forty-second Regiment bear a conspicuous part in the well-fought action of that day, and be recorded in the annals of Fame to the latest posterity! “I am convinced that it will always be a point of honour with the corps, considered as a collective body, to support and maintain a _national_ character! “For this purpose you should ever remember that, being a national and reputable corps, your actions as citizens and civil subjects, as well as your conduct as soldiers, will be much observed—more than those of any other regiment in the service. Your good behaviour will be handed down with honour to posterity, and your faults, if you commit any, will not only be reported, but magnified, by other corps who are emulous of your _civil_ as well as of your _military_ character. Your decent, sober, and regular behaviour in the different quarters you have hitherto occupied, has rendered you the distinguished favourites of their respective inhabitants. For the sake, then, of your country—for the sake of your own established character, which must be dearer to you than every other consideration—do not tarnish your fame by a subsequent behaviour less manly! “Do not, I beseech you, my fellow-soldiers, allow your morals to be corrupted by associating with low, mean, or bad company. A man is always known by his companions; and if any one among you should at any time be seen spending his money in base, worthless company, he ought to be set up and exposed as an object of regimental contempt! “To conclude: As you have, as soldiers, displayed sufficient valour in the field by defeating the enemies of your country, suffer me to recommend to you, as Christians, to use your best endeavours, now in the time of peace, to overcome the enemies of your immortal souls! Believe me, my fellow-soldiers, and be assured, that the faith and virtues of a Christian add much to the valour, firmness, and fidelity of a soldier. He, beyond comparison, has the best reason, and the strongest motive, for doing his duty in scenes of danger, who has nothing to fear, but every thing to hope, in a future existence. “Ought you not, therefore, to be solicitous to adorn your minds with, at least, the principal and leading Christian virtues, so that if it should be your fate hereafter to fall in the field of battle, your acquaintances and friends will have the joyful consolation of hearing that you leave an unspotted name, and of being assured that you rose from a bed of honour to a crown of immortality.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXVIII.