Unhappily, it is not so, and perhaps, however beautiful the idea, it is better it should be otherwise. In 1702 the war of the Spanish Succession broke out, which was destined to witness the splendid successes of a renowned soldier—the Duke of Marlborough. Brigaded with the second battalion of the Royals, the Tenth, the Sixteenth, and the Twenty-sixth regiments, our Fusiliers were present at the siege of Huy, and, detached from the army, took part in the enterprise which resulted in the capture of Limburg. But these events, however glorious, sink into insignificance when compared with the marvellous achievements which shed a flood of glory upon our national history, as recorded in the memorable year of 1704. Then the plains of Germany for the first time owned the tread not of a mere band of island adventurers, as in the ancient days of our veteran Royals, but now these plains resounded with the martial tramp of a British army. In the attack upon the heights of Schellenberg our Fusiliers bore an honourable part, but that was but the prelude to the grander victory of Blenheim, wherein the confederate might of France and Bavaria succumbed before the allied arms of Britain and Germany. But this signal triumph was not accomplished save by the most desperate bravery. “Brigadier-General Row, (Colonel of the Royal North British Fusiliers,) who charged on foot at the head of his own regiment with unparalleled intrepidity, assaulted the village of Blenheim, advancing to the very muzzles of the enemy’s muskets, and some of the officers exchanged thrusts of swords through the palisades; but the avenues of the village were found strongly fortified, and defended by a force of superior numbers. Brigadier-General Row led the North British Fusiliers up to the palisades before he gave the word ‘Fire,’ and the next moment he fell mortally wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Dalyel and Major Campbell, being on the spot, stepped forward to raise their colonel, and were both instantly pierced by musket-balls; the soldiers, exasperated at seeing the three field-officers of the regiment fall, made a gallant effort to force their way into the village, but this was found impossible, and the regiment was ordered to retire. The moment the soldiers faced about, thirteen squadrons of French cavalry galloped forward to charge them, and one of the colours of the regiment was captured by the enemy; but the French horsemen were repulsed by the fire of a brigade of Hessians, and the colour was recovered.” A second assault failed likewise, so resolute was the defence of the enemy, but a third attempt, with additional forces, was crowned with success; the French being driven out of the village with great loss. There is no more treasured illustration of the worth of our British soldiers than is recorded in this famous battle, and no more distinguished honour than belongs to the regiments who have won a title, by their presence and brave deeds on the occasion,