The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-18 00:00:00

A Reminiscence of Field-Marshal Lord Clyde.

EY A PLAY-FELLOW.

During the summer evenings of the last year of
last century, i.e., 1800, a number of little boys, after
school hours, often met to play at "sodgers," in a
court or area on the west side of High-street. nearly
opposite the University-buildings. Those youngsters
were divided into two squads, or regiments as they
were called, of about a dozen each, one of them
being commanded by the writer of this, and the
other by a smart comely boy named James Cum-
ming, who was the only son of his parents ; he had
only one s'ster, who wac a few years older, and
was a very pretty, handsome, and lively young
lady, who became a play-actress. One evening a
trig rosy-cheeked little boy, dressed in the High-
land garb, and named IPLivor, appeared in Cum-
ming's squad.

At that period the war of the French Revolution
was progressing, and, young as we were, our
juvenile minds were much excited by what was seen
and heard daily. The marching of soldiers through
the streets, the sound of drums and trumpets, and
enthusiastic ideas as to the valour of Highland sal .
diers ; we thought that one of them was a match for
at least three Frenchmen. Therefore I said to Cum-
ming that I wanted the Highland boy to be in my
squad, but he replied that he would not give him
to me unless I would fight him for the Hielanman
and win the battle. It was no sooner said than
done, when the two colonels fought in the interven-
ing space between the squads, they being in line
fronting one another. After a few fisticuffs, Cum-
ming said, " Own beat," when I, going to his line,
said to the little Highlander, "I‘l'Livor, come over
to my squad," which he did without uttering a word,
for he was a very quiet, passive boy.
The same Colin INl'Livor entered the junior Latin
class at the High, or, as it was then called, the
Grammar School of Glasgow (which was founded
in the 12th century) on the following 10th day of
October, 1800, he being ten days less than eight
years old, having been born on 20th October, 1792,
the writer of this reminiscence being a few months
younger.

James Cumming entered the 71st or Glasgow
Highland Light Infantry Regiinent as a bugler,
fought under Wellington, and was killed in the
breach at Badajos when it was captured by storm
on 6th April, 1812.

After Colin M'Livor had been some years at the
Glasgow Grammar School it is believed that he was
removed by a maternal uncle to an academy in
England. Clyde's name as Colin M'Livor may be
seen in the class-roll, which still exists.
In the year 1808 Major Campbell, a brave and
veteran officer, who had been with the Duke of
York on the Continent, in the campaign of 1793-4,
called at the Horse Guards, when the Duke, "the
soldier's friend," said to him, " Major Campbell, can
I oblige you in any way ?" " Yes, your Royal
Highness, I have a nephew who I think might have
a commission." " Let us see him," said the Duke ;
and on seeing him, said to his secretary, " Enter
Mr. Campbell for an ensignancy ;" and on going
out the young ensign said, " Uncle, you have en-
tered the wrong name." "Not at all," said the
major, "you are booked as a Campbell, and a
Campbell you shall be."
Lord Clyde's father, Mr. John M'Livor, was a
native of the Island of Mull, and died near Granton,
aged 94, after his gallant son was raised to the
peerage, but prior to his return from India. His
mother was a Miss Campbell, whose father was a
farmer in the Island of Islay.

The field marshal was an honorary burgess of his
native city and patron of the Glasgow Native
Benevolent Society. Rcquiescat in pace.
Glasgow, Aug. 15. M. H., M.D.