r and glory has been acquired and bestowed upon our
Army of Egypt, exertions indeed on the most conspicuous theatre of
the World and at the most conspicuous period of the world. We
formerly thought ourselves sort of heroes by conquering Louisbourg
and Quebec but nothing must be compared to that of Egypt.... The
French troops have fought much better under their Diacal
Republican government than under their King's and our troops not
only fight equally well as formerly, but our Generals and Officers
are much better writers; never have I read better wrote letters
than those describing these renown'd events.

But pray allow me to sink into poetry to help to fill up this
paper; ... let me transcribe a letter in verse which is handed me
now by an old Soldier residing near us.[18] He received it from an
acquaintance of his who is only a private soldier in the 26th
Regiment. That Regt. is now gone home; ... should it be at
Edinburgh pray invite James Stevenson to a dram of Whiskey for my
sake; though I do not know the man we had served together in the
American War and he shows the idea the private men had of me and
how a man of a slender education (I believe from Glasgow) can make
verses. The Canadians here, I believe, have the same opinion though
they are very far from making verses upon any subject whatever; it
is much more useful here to cut down trees which they can do with
great dexterity.

Quebec, 25th April, 1800.

My worthy conty, gude Jock Warren,
Thou's still jocose and ay auld farren,
Gentle and kind, blythe, frank and free,
And always unco' gude to me.
And now thou's sold thy country ware
And towards hame mean to repair.[19]
Accept these lines although but weak
And read them for thy Comrade's sake.
May plenty still around thee smile
And God's great help thy foes beguile,
In Wisdom's path be sure to tread
And her fair daughter Virtue wed.
My compliments and love sincere
To all our friends both here and there,
But in particular to him
That's tall in body, long in limb,
Auld faithful Loyal, Johny Nairne,
Lang may he count you his ain bairne;
By his example still be sway'd;
Be his good precepts still obeyed;
Revere this good and wort