| AN American traveller in Scotland,
some time after the battle of Waterloo, wrote as follows
:—
"Before leaving Glasgow I purchased a Highland cap, or
bonnet, as it is called, for the convenience of wearing
in travelling. It is frequently seen in the Lowlands, and is more
comfortable in a carriage than a round hat. It excited, however, more
attention than I could have wished. It so happened that the 42nd and 92nd
Highland Regiments were ordered to Ireland by way of Port-Patrick. The
former were on the point of leaving Glasgow at the time that we did, and
the latter had actually marched from Edinburgh several days before.
"My bonnet accordingly, which at
another time would have passed unobserved, has led many to suppose me to
belong to the army. While on my route from Glasgow, I heard several times
the expression, as I was passing,—There
goes a Waterloo cap."
The landlord at Port-Patrick at first
took me for a Highland officer; and on the morning I embarked, I was
several times asked if I was attached to the body of military which was
expected to cross over that day.
"A similar mistake prevailed on my
reaching the opposite shore, and many questions were put concerning the
movements of the two regiments. It was not in every instance that I cared
about undeceiving the inquirer; for, in the first place, it did no good;
and, in the second, a positive benefit was otherwise gained; for such is
the high character which these troops have obtained by their brave and
gallant conduct, that they are everywhere welcomed with demonstrations of
respect." |
