THE 78th HIGHLANDERS IN CANADA.

Southland Times, Issue 1153, 25 October 1869, Page 3

THE 78th HIGHLANDERS IN CANADA.

The departure of the 78th from Montreal on Saturday night was one of the most interesting events in the military history of Montreal. We have seldom witnessed a scene in which more genuine earnestness of feeling and general public interest were awakened than on that occasion. The wharves, vessels, and piers of the harbor were densely crowded. There could not have been less than ten thousand friends and spectators who had come to bid farewell and pay a parting tribute of respect to this gallant regiment. There was very little noisy demonstration — little of that cheering and riotous vociferation, which generally accompany the departure of an ordinarily popular regiment. We believe there was too deep a feeling of genuine regret and sorrow on the part of the citizens to permit of such demonstrations There were more tears than shouts when the steamers left the wharf. The very fact that this immense crowd waited 'patiently for more than three hours in order to see them finally off shows the high esteem and affection in which they held the regiment. And well they might. It is no small matter for us to have such a corps as the 78ih stationed in our garrison for nearly two years— a regiment that for historical prestige is second to none iv the British army, that tor honorable success in active service, and love and fealty to the crown, stands in the very foremost rank. But it is not merely this distinguished history which has made the regiment endeared and respected by the citizens of Montreal — it is their character while here which has had that effect. The 78th during their short stay have made their mark in Montreal. Their kind and obliging manners, their willing* ness to lend their influence and assistance to further the interests of public and charitable causes, have gained them universal affection. And they have proved themselves to be as temperate and orderly as they are brave and gallant. This is saying a great deal. Some regiments seem to fancy that their reputation gives them a licence to run riot in immoral excesses of every kind. But the conduct of the 78th while residing in Montreal has been of a most exemplary character. To this fact frequent testimony has been borne by our public authorities and officials. As a class the officers are men of the highest stamp. There are few or no puppies among them, and little of the " haw haw " style. Theydespise the Cockney accent and phrase ology which has become so rampant in some circles from the example set in the London centre. We nave been delighted among such speech to hear the strong clear enunciation of the 78th officer expressing himself in genuine Saxon English. It sounded in our ears like sweet and wholesome music ; and we believe they are men of such calibre that if they are again called on they will nobly maintain the past glory of their regiment. Of the non-commissioned officers we cannnot speak too highly. Physically they are men every inch of them. Where will you fiad broader shoulders, deeper cheats, or more stalwart and manly frames ? Among them, too, are many of superior education and the highest intelligence. Of the men as a whole it is surprising that, considering the temptations to drink and riot to which they are exposed in this city on account particularly of their nationality, that they are so generally temperate and moral. No better evidence of this can be given than the fact that those who remain in this city, of whom there are a large number both by purchase and dis. charge, have without difficulty obtained most excellent situations. And it also speaks well for them that on the night of their departure, when, during the day the usual liberty had been granted by the Colonel to settle their affairs and see their friends, there was not a single man drank or disorderly. We have good cause to regret the departure of the gallant 78th, for in all probability we shall never have another Highland regiment among us. We shall not soon again see the kilts — the most picturesque and manly of all costumes, and hear the pipes, the most martial of all music, iv ourstreets. Perhaps these things influence us unduly, but if so we cannot help it. They made our hearts warm towards the regiment — they called up sweet reraem-, brauces of the old hills. They made our Scottish blood which had become cold under the influences of this Western world to 8 ir and boil in our veins. They awakened once more within us a sad longing and a sweet affection for the dear old fatherland. They have come and gone like the things we hear and read of. We can hardly realise the fact that this regiment with all its national and historical interest have lived among us, and been part of us for so long a time. We shall not easily forget them nor do we believe that they will soon forget us. The regret at parting was mutual. The tears were in the eyes of many as they bade us farewell, and the general expression from the men was — " We are sorry to leave Montreal — it's the best place we have ever been stationed at." We shall never forget the deep feeling, with which, in that Gaelic accent which he has scorned to forget, the gallant Colonel bade farewell to the President of the St Andrew's Society and other Scotchmen around. As the vessel with the gallant regiment on board slowly left the wharf and steamed down the river, she was saluted with a discharge of cannon from the Gleniffer, and the last we saw of her were the manly figures of the officers standing on the hurricane deck waving the feathers in their bonnets and shouting farewells, in response to which, with all our hearts we cried, " God blese the 78th Highlanders!" — Montreal Herald.