"The medal struck by Napoleon to commemorate the invasion of England, which has come into the sale-room again, would have fetched a far higher price when it was first cast could his contemporaries have had guarantee of the falseness of the prophecy which it expresses. Those were the days when the Volunteer movement was born; those the days when Pitt promised an importunate squad that they should not be sent out of the country--except in case of actual invasion. At about this time a notable prayer was published. It begins by invoking a blessing upon 'a' in this house, and a' within two miles ilka side this house, the cow, the kail-yard, and the muckle town o' Dumbarton.' The Scots Greys lying in Hamilton Barracks are commended to favour. 'They are braw chiels--they are not like the English whalps, that dash their foot against a stone, and damn the soul of the stone, as if a stone had a soul to be saved.'" The following, all kindly transcribed by Captain Lindsay from the originals still at Binns, by generous permission of the present owner:-- _Holograph._ Charles by the Grace of God etc. to the High & Mighty prince etc. Most high and most mighty prince our deare Brother Cousin and freind. Knowing the esteem your highness has of men of valour and being persuaded by the repeated assurances of your good will towards us, we have been induced to recommend to your Highness the bearer hereof our most faithfull and well beloved subject Thomas Dalyell Lieut:Generall of foot who now desires to go to Polland in order to dedicate himself to your highnesse's service in your armys, and seeing he has behaved himself with all the fidelity bravery and conduct in ye post of Lieutenant Generall in our armys we doubt not that by his good & faithfull service he shall deserve your highness's favour, Wherefor we earnestly intreat your highns you would receive him kindly into your service and allow him your favour and protection, and whatever advantage he shall receive from this our recommendation we shall entirely owe it to your highness and shall loose no ocasion or opportunity to aknowlege it and so we recomend your highness to ye care of the eternall and almighty God. Given at Colloign the seventeenth day of Aprile yeare of God 1656 and of our reign the seventh year Your highness Most dear brother & cousin Ch: R. _Holograph the 2nd._ Charles by the Grace of God etc. to ye Most illustrious & prince etc. Lord John Razivile prince of ye holy Roman Empire ... of ye great Dutchy of Lithuania and Great Generall of ye Armys of Polland our most dear frend and Cousin.