IS5 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

was appointed Church of England chaplain, and the Rev. C. F-Collingridge, chaplain of the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Rose Ijay, represented the Roman Catholics of the contingent.

On March ist, the Sunday before the embarkation of the troops, special services were "iield in most of the churches and other places of worship. At the cathedral (St. Andrew's) an eloquent sermon, addressed to the men, was preached by the primate, Dr. Barry; and at St. Mary's, the Roman Catholic cathedral, Archbishop Moran addressed the Roman Catholic section of the contingent. At both churches the services were of a very special character, and the proceedings may be said to have been a fitting preparation for the departure of the troops. On Tuesday the 3d of March the contingent was prepared to embark.

The Victoria Barracks, from early morning till the march to the point of embarkation commenced, were thronged with people, and for the most part with people who had a special right to be present, in view of their relationship or friendship with soldiers and volunteers. The men going to the Soudan were nearly all in the highest spirits, and those who remained behind were fired with martial ardour to such an extent that had a single man chosen to go to Egypt suffered some accident which would have compelled him to stay at home, there would have been hundreds of volunteers for the vacant place. Before the troops marched there were several thousands of people within the barrack walls. Many a pathetic scene occurred, as wives, mothers, or sisters took what might be the last farewell of the brave fellows going out to fight for the land of their fathers, and here and there an affecting parting between lovers obtruded itself upon the gaze of the passer-by. The few hours before noon must have been very trying to the members of the contingent, distracted as they were from quietly making their final preparations by the crying of women and the fervent valedictions of friends; but there was no disorder, and when the signal was given to fall in it was promptly obeyed. At half-past eleven the men dined, and afterwards there was a short interval before they were paraded, and at this time the square presented a