Then here's to the gallant R.I.R., those riflemen so brave, Who nobly did their duty and found a soldier's grave; So may their glory ever shine, for they have proved their worth, And laurels brought to Ireland for the honour of the North. "THE MAN OF SORROWS." God hath sent thee many trials, But strength is as thy day; Do not despair or say, my child, "I have no heart to pray." For God's ways are not your ways, And tho' thou art bereft Of all that's most endearing, There is one comfort left. When a dear one has departed To enter into rest, And you feel so broken-hearted That you cannot say "'Tis best"; There is One Who will always help you And bring you great relief: For He was a Man of Sorrows And acquainted sore with grief. When your dearest idol's taken And you are dumb with pain; When your faith in man is shaken And everything seems vain, There is One you can rely on, Tho' of sinners you are chief: For He was a Man of Sorrows And acquainted sore with grief. Oh! weary, wandering, wilful child, Think of that dying thief, Who sought his Saviour, e'en tho' late, In the bitterness of grief; And say no more you are alone, Bereft of every friend: The Man of Sorrows is your stay And comfort to the end. --DORCAS SKEFFINGTON. * * * * * FOOTNOTES: [1] Major Herbert Stepney, Irish Guards, was killed while commanding the Battalion in the first Battle of Ypres. [2] Major Osbert Clinton-Baker, of Bayfordbury, Hertfordshire, Second-in-Command 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, gazetted Colonel of the Regiment in May, about two months after Colonel Laurie fell. He was mortally wounded and missing at Fromelles on May 9th, 1915. [3] Capt. Haliburton Laurie fell in the South African War at Philippolis, on a kopje, while rescuing a wounded patrol. [4] Afterwards Brigadier-General Napier. Previous to the war he commanded the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Rifles in Aldershot and Dover. He was killed while landing troops in Gallipoli during the summer of 1915. [5] Sir Nevil Macready, at this time Adjutant-General of our Forces. [6] The number of killed amounted to 44 and 88 wounded. [7] Colonel Horsborgh was taken ill suddenly on the transport returning from Aden, and he was buried at sea by Colonel Laurie. [8] See page 119. [9] General Laurie and his brother. Colonel Dyson-Laurie, went to the Crimean War when quite young boys, aged respectively 18 and 15. Appended is an article written by the former, and is of interest in drawing a contrast between the conditions of war in 1854 and those of the late war. [10] Brigadier-Gen. Lowry Cole fell in action at the Battle of Fromelles, May 9th, 1915.