When despot power in pride sent forth Her slaves from empire of the North, To crush in her gigantic fold The nation who its own would hold, And wad be free like Scotland. On leaving Plymouth _en route_ to embark for the seat of war, whilst other troops in like circumstances manifested a fearless indifference, striving to kill the thoughts of long farewells by marching to the tune of “Cheer, boys, cheer,” in keeping with their past history, the Sutherland Highlanders unostentatiously preferred to chant a hymn of praise to the God of battles. What a lovely and impressive sight!—lovely in the sight of God and man, to behold these brave men going forth as Christian British soldiers beneath the banner of their country, at the same time the banner of the Cross. Thence we learn the secret of that Samson strength, deep-rooted in the soul, which fixed them like a living rock of Gaelic valour at Balaklava. They feared not to die, for death to such was welcome, not to satisfy the cravings of a mere earthly heroism, but because in that grim messenger they could recognise the herald beckoning their immortal spirits on high, opening the portals of a bright hereafter to an emancipated soul. In our army, which after a variety of anterior and unimportant movements landed in the Crimea in September, 1854, with a view to the humbling of the aggressive might of Russia, the Ninety-third with the Forty-second and Seventy-ninth formed the original Highland Brigade, so justly celebrated. No higher compliment to its worth could have been accorded, than that of being associated in the same division with the brigade of Guards. Advancing towards Sebastopol, the enemy was discovered in a very strong position, prepared to dispute the passage of the river Alma. It needed all the skill of our officers, and a desperate exercise of bravery on the part of our troops, to drive the enemy from the position; and the occasion called forth the native energy of the Highlanders, led by their deservedly favourite chief, Major-General Sir Colin Campbell. [Illustration: THE CRIMEA.] “Balaklava,” than which no name is more expressive of glory dearly won, is commemorative of the triumphs of our cavalry—the irresistible charge of the Heavy Brigade, and the “death ride” of the dauntless Light Brigade. But another and, if possible, a grander event immortalises the scene. The story of “_the thin red line_” which the Sutherland Highlanders presented when, isolated from the army, alone and in line, they withstood the desperate charge of the Russian cavalry, is an exploit which must stir the soul of every Scotsman. The cool intrepidity of Sir Colin Campbell in such trying circumstances, and his unbounded confidence in the mettle of his Highlanders, most remarkably glorify the victors in the marvellous result.