Before the garrison of Alexandria were embarked for France, the men of the Gordons got on very friendly terms with the Frenchmen, some of whom could speak English. They shared their provisions and exchanged articles with each other, and both used to laugh heartily at the slovenly habits of the Turkish troops, who when on sentry would sit down and smoke their long pipes, giving themselves little trouble about their duty.

From the Regimental Orders of the 5th October, it appears that the men had generously expressed a wish that

the money due to them for providing themselves with fresh meat in lieu of salt pork, which they had not used, should be given to the widows and orphans of the regiment, who had been made so by the campaign. The lieut.-colonel informs them that it amounts to £150, which will be paid to them; that he will be happy to put himself at the head of any subscription for so charitable and proper a purpose; and that the men can subscribe what they wish individually, so that each shall be free to give or not as he likes.

G.O., Camp before Alexandria, October 5th, 1801.-The 23rd, 42nd, and 92nd Regiments, with detachment Royal Artillery, will march to-morrow morning at six o'clock to Aboukir for embarkation.

The regiment embarked on H.M.S. Renommée and Modeste Frigate on the 6th October. Since the landing on the 8th of March it had been engaged in three battles, had taken part in the investment of Cairo and the siege of Alexandria, besides several minor affairs and skirmishes.

The 92nd, in common with the other corps employed in the campaign, afterwards received the Royal authority to bear on their colours and appointments the Sphinx and the word Egypt. They had also won the exceptional honour Mandora,* now only possessed by the Scottish Rifles and the Gordon Highlanders.

*

They had, however, suffered much, and tales of the sore eyes, the flies, the thirst and the sand-storms of the deserts of Egypt are repeated to this day by their descendants on the banks of the Spey.

The Grand Seignior of Turkey presented gold medals to the officers, which varied in size according to rank.

R.O., H.M.S. Renommée, October 8th, 1801.-The lieut.colonel was happy to receive the following letter from Captain Probyn, one of the Commander-in-Chief's aide-de-camps.

HEADQUARTERS, 6th October 1801.

SIR,-As the guard of the 92nd who have been doing duty at headquarters are about to join their corps, the Commander-in-Chief

Egypt and the Sphinx were given June 12th, 1803, and Mandora on February 23rd, 1813. In the officers' mess there was, and probably still is, preserved the horn of an Egyptian ration ox, made into a snuff-mull.

has directed me to express to you his entire approbation of the exemplary conduct of the guard in general, and of Sergeant Mark in particular.*

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient and humble servant,
(Signed) J. PROBYN, A.D.C.

To the Commanding Officer

of the 92nd Regiment.

The ships arrived at Malta on the 19th October, and the regiment remained there till the 15th November, part only being landed.

The men's Highland clothing seems to have been entirely worn out, and no tartan being available to renew it, pantaloons of various sorts and colours were served out to them. The officers, who appear to have been in the habit of going ashore in the Highland dress, are desired in Orders not to do so till the men have it, "but they may wear their bonnets." While at Malta, Sergeants Allardyce and M'Arthur were suspended for four months respectively from " rank and pay " by sentence. of court-martial.

On December 25th Orders are dated "At sea off Carthagena," and on January 2nd Lieut.-Colonel Napier is sorry to have to acquaint them that he is informed by Captain McKellar (of the Renommée), that from the uncertainty of the wind, it is absolutely necessary to stop one-third of the allowance of bread and spirits, which they both lament extremely but hope in a few days communication may be had with the shore. They got supplies at Malaga on the 5th.

* Sir Ralph Abercromby had selected the regiment to furnish the guard at his headquarters from his first landing in Egypt, and at his death Lieut.General the Hon. J. H. Hutchinson had continued them. Sergeant Mark belonged to the parish of Glass.

CHAPTER VII I.

AFTER touching at Gibraltar, they arrived at the Cove of Cork on the 30th January, without further adventure, but remained in quarantine there till February 12th, when they marched for Kilkenny. The effective strength consisted of 1 lieut.colonel, 2 majors, 4 captains, 15 lieutenants, 5 ensigns, 6 staff, 42 sergeants, 22 drummers, and 559 rank and file.

Lieut.-Colonel Napier in Orders "trusts that the regiment will behave with the greatest order, whether on the march or in quarters," and that they will "remember that the credit they have already gained will make their conduct the more observed," and cautions them against the temptations of a garrison town. The Regimental Orders show that their conduct on the march to Kilkenny was excellent, but it is not surprising to find that after a year and eight months, spent almost entirely at sea or on active service, they should have celebrated their return to the land of fair women and poteen whisky by a carouse, which the commanding officer excuses under the circumstances, but "positively assures them" that he will not do so again.

Here they received their new clothing and the "plaid and hose tartan "* due to them. The bonnets, however, had stood the rough work, and only required to have the feathers taken down and washed, and new ribbons put on. The regiment was medically inspected by a staff surgeon on February 25th, when many of the sick and wounded were convalescent, but 4 sergeants, 2 corporals, 1 drummer, and 92 privates were discharged as unfit for service. There is also a list of 14 drummers and 37 privates "very stout men and fit for service, but under size," whom Major-General Sir Charles Ross, Bart.,

* The tartan was for many years called plaid tartan, though intended for kilts as well as plaids, owing to the two garments having been originally called a plaid.

The regiment received prize-money for Egypt, but the amount does not appear.

who inspected the regiment on the 25th, recommended to be kept.

R.O., Kilkenny, 5th April.-The following letter is published :

ROYAL HOSPItal, Dublin. SIR,—I am commanded by the Commander of the Forces to acquaint you that the definitive treaty of peace was signed at Amiens at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 27th ult. by the Plenipotentiary of His Majesty and the Plenipotentiaries of France, Spain, and the Batavian Republic, on which happy occasion the troops under your command will fire a feu-de-joie as usual.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed)

S. BECKWITH.

To M.-General Ross,

Clonmell.

The principal features of the Treaty of Amiens were, that Great Britain restored all her conquests during the war except Trinidad, which was ceded to her by Spain, and Ceylon by the Batavian Republic.* Portugal ceded some possessions in Guiana to France. The territories of the Ottoman Porte were maintained in their integrity. The Ionian Republic was recognised, and Malta was to be restored to the Knights of St John. The French agreed to evacuate the Neapolitan and Roman States, and Great Britain the ports she held in the Adriatic and Mediterranean.

In March a recruiting party † was sent to Athlone, probably to get volunteers from the Fencible Corps quartered there; it was at anyrate withdrawn soon after.

The men received an allowance in money in lieu of the clothing which they had not got at the proper time, which at this period was Christmas Day. Recruits had blue pantaloons for fatigue.

The regiment was ordered to Dublin, to march in three divisions, under command of Major Gordon.

R.O., Kilkenny, April 9th, 1802.-From the general good

* Holland.

+ Lieutenant Phipps, Sergeant MacLean, Corporal Walker, and John MacPherson, piper.

I