FAREWELL SPEECH TO THE CONTINGENT. 1 93 in the triumph of the arms of England than the cause which you have heroically resolved to uphold by your valour.

You will be greeted in Egypt by the ready welcome of thousands of chivalrous soldiers who have never yet looked upon such an action as yours. The eyes of your gracious Queen will be bent upon your exertions; and in every part of the world where our flag floats men, women, and children will eagerly read of your exploits and pray for your success.

Soldiers! you carry in your keeping the honour of this great colony, which has made such splendid sacrifices in order to send you to the front with an equipment of which the nations most practised in war might have been proud. You will have the glorious privilege of helping to maintain the honour of the empire.

In your ranks are numbers who are voluntarily leaving the paths of fortune, worldly advantages, the comforts of home, and the sweetness of domestic life for heroic service in a bloody war, in which already many brave men have been stricken down. You are doing this to show to the world the unity of the mighty and invincible empire of which you are members.

Your country charges itself with the care of the dear ones you leave behind, and all that generosity, tenderness, and gratitude can do to care for them and to succour and console them will be looked upon as a labour of love by the nation."

His excellency, in bidding farewell to the men, said:—"Our earnest hope is that it may be your glorious privilege to share in the triumph as in the service, and that you will come back to us crowned with England's gratitude as you are now encompassed with her sympathies."

The commandant (Colonel Richardson) saluted his excellency, and delivered the following reply:—" My Lord,—On behalf of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the contingent, I beg to return my sincere thanks for the inspiriting and kind address which you have given to us this day. If anything were wanting to complete our loyalty to her Majesty the Queen, it has been done by your lordship's speech this afternoon, for every man who has volunteered in this service is determined to do his duty, Vol. IV. 66