During the winter of 1759-60, a portion of Fraser’s Highlanders were quartered in the Ursulines Convent. Whether the absence of breeches on the brawny mountaineers was in the eyes of the good ladies a breach of decorum, or whether christian charity impelled them to

most cruel tempest that could blow, in the field, in such sort that under a wreath of snow they slept sound.’ The advantage of this vesture was almost incalculable. During rain it could be brought over the head and shoulders, and while other troops suffered from want of shelter, the Highlander carried in his mantle an ample quantity of warm covering. If three men slept together, they were enabled to spread three folds of warm clothing under, and six over them. The 42nd, 78th and 79th Highlanders who marched thro’ Holland in 1794, when the cold was so severe as to freeze brandy in bottles, SUFFERED INCOMPARABLY LESS THAN OTHER coat’s WHO WORE PLENTY OF WARM APPAREL;

(Extract from Morning Choronicle, Report of Lecture, 1 Dec. 1880.)

"In order to fully illustrate the national dress and weapons, several members of the St. Andrew’s Society having kindly offered the relics in their possession of yore the property of Fraser’s Highlanders, in 1759, advantage was taken of their kindness Hon. D. A. Ross’s dirk and skenedhu were conspicuous, among other antique curiosities. The sword produced by Mr. J. B. Dubeau, was of a slighter make than those of 1759—It dates back to 1776. Together with the sword of Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, Mr. James Thompson Harrower produced a Scotch blade—which had been the property of old James Thompson, his grandfather. It had on it seven heads of kings, wearing crowns. On the hilt of the dirk, was carved in the wood-work, the emblems of the Masonic craft. Mr. Thompson was very high in the craft. Among his papers there is one with an entry to the effect that a most cold-blooded murder was committed with this dirk, when his grandfather was at Rhode Island. It would appear that this Highlander had lent this dirk to an officer, who, happening to enter the guard room, was abused and violently assailed by one of his corps, a sergeant, who was intoxicated. The sergeant ended by seizing hold of his captain—throwing him on the ground, and before help came, despatching his superior officer with the officer’s dirk, which he had plucked from its sheath."

Much discussion took place after the meeting, whether any of these swords were Andrea Ferraras—this style of sabre being common in 1759. After the lecture was over, some Highland "chiel" called on Mr. .J. Doig, who had kindly consented to attend in full Highland costume, with the bagpipes. Mr. Doig played the "Reel of Tullochgorum" with great spirit, having next to him a gilie in full Highland costume, Mr. A. Watters’ little son, Frank Stewart Watters. These little incidents heightened the interest in a subject effecting Scotch nationality discussed on the eve of St. Andrew’s Day. The lecture room was crowded to that degree, that for many, there was but standing room."]