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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 371, 26 November 1863, Page 1

A REMINISCENCE OF FIELDMARSHAL LORD CLYDE. By a Play-Fellow. [From the Glasgow Herald, August 17.] During the summer evenings of the last year of last century, viz 1799, a number of little boys, after school hours, often met to play at “ soldiers ” in a court or area on the west side of the High Street, nearly opposite the University Buildings. Those youngsters were divided into two squads, | or regiments as they were called, of about la dozen each, one of them being commanded |by the writer of this, and the other by a smart comely boy named James Cumming, who was the only sou of his parents; he had only one sister, who was a few years older, and was a very pretty, handsome, and lively young lady, who became a playactress. One evening a trig-rosy-cheeked little boy, dressed in the Highland garb and named M’Livor appeared in Gumming’s squad.

At that period the war of the French . Revolution was progressing and young as we were, our juvenile minds were much excited by what, was seen and heard daily. The marching of soldiers through the streets —the sound of drums and trumpets—and enthusiastic ideas as to the valour of Highland soldiers, we thought that one of of them was a match for at least three Frenchmen. Therefore, I said to Curnmi: g that I wanted the Highland boy to be in my squad, but he replied that he would not give him to me, I must fight him for the Hielanman and win the battle. It was no sooner said than done, when the two Colonels fonght in the intervening space between the squads, they being in line fronting one another. After a few fisticuffs, Cumming said, “ Own beat,” when I, going to his line, said to the little Highlander, M’l/ivor come over to my squad” which he did without uttering a word, for he was a very .quiet and passive boy. The same Colin M’Livor entered the junior Latin class at the High, or, as it was then called, the Grammar School of Glasgow (which was founded in the 12th century), on the following 10th of October, 1800, he being 10 days less than 8 years old, having been born on 20th October, 1792, the writer of this reminiscence being a few months younger. James Cumming entered the 71 or Glasgow Highland Light Infantry Regiment as a bugler, fought under Wellington, and was killed in the breach at Badajos when it was captured by storm on 6th April, 1812. After Colin M’Livor had been some years at the Glasgow Grammar School, it is believed that he was removed by a maternal uncle to an academy in England. Clyde’s name as Colin M’Livor may be seen iu the class-roll which still exists. In the year 1808, Major Campbell, a brave and veteran officer, who had been with the Duke of York on the Continent, in the Campaign of 1793-4, called at the Horse Guards, when the Duke, “ the soldier's friend ” said to him, “ Major Campbell, can 1 oblige you iu any way ? ” “ Yes, your Uoyal Highness, I have a 'nephew, who, I think, might have a commission.” “ Let us see him,” said the Duke ; aud on seeing him, said to his secretary, “ enter Mr. Campbell for an ensigucy ; and on going out, the young Ensign said/ “ Uncle, they have entered the wrong mine.” “ Not at all,” said the Major, “you are booked as a Campbell, and a Campbell you shall be.” Lord Clyde’s father, Mr. John M’Livor, was a native of the Island of Mull, and died near Granton, aged 94, after hi* gallant son was raised to the Peerage, but prior to his return from India. His mother was a Miss Campbell, whose father was a farmer in the Island of Islay. The Field Marshall was an honoray burgess of his native city, and patron of the Glasgow Netive Benevolent Society. Requiescat in face. M.H.,M.D. Glasgow, 15th August, 1863.

High Connexions. —A. negro boy was driving a mule when the annimal suddenly stopped short and refused to move.— “ Won’t go, eh?” said the boy; “ feel grand, do you 1 I s’pose you forget your fader was a jackass.” French Living. —“ Pa,” said an interesting little Polygot, with his French rudi* iments before him, “ why should one egg be enough for a dozen men’s breakfast ?” “ Can’t say, child,” —“ Because un ceitf iu as good as a feast.” Blind. —Little Archie was cautioned about holding his fork, as it came in close proximity to his eye, his mother telling him that he might put his eye out and be blind. He gave it a three-year-old consideration, and a bright idea struck him.— “ Then, mamma,” said he, triumphantly, “ I could have a dog.” Only the Mind. —'* Wordsworth,” said Charles Lamb, “ one day told me that he considered Shakespere greatly over-rated. * There is an immensity of trick in all Shakespere wrote,’ he said, 8 and people are taken in by it. Now, if I had a mind, I could write exactly like Shakespere.’ So, you see,” proceeded Charles Lamb, qiretly, “ it was only the mind that was wanting.” The saying that “ there is more pleasure in giving than receiving,” is supposed to apply chiefly to kicks, medicine, aud advice.