The Royal Volunteer Review At Edinburgh, 25th August, 1881.

little colour in the dense masses that occupied every available vising ground , that one conld think of nothing they were like but huge swarms of bees sticking to a branch . By-and-by , when the rain set in , the effect of the many thousand umbrellas close set together was somewhat comical . No one seemed to dream of retreating , if , indeed , that were possible ; but there , in the face of what proved a pitiless storm of rainmenwomenand children patiently stood

, , , watching and waiting . The First Division is meanwhile getting slowly into position on the Parade-ground , immediately in front of us , ancl as regiment after regiment marched up , the blue ancl scarlet uniforms make a pleasing contrast and brilliant foreground to the black masses on the hill behind . . The brigades were drawn up in open columns of companies ancl extended on two sides of the squarethe commanding officers in frontthe whole division being under the

, , command of Major-General Sir Archibald Alison , K . C . B . The leading brigades in each division were composed of artillery corps . Away to the right , under Salisbury Crags , we could see large bodies of troops still pouring into the Park , but before three o ' clock the whole of the divisions were in thenplaces ( the second and third being formed in deeper columns than the first ) . The view then from the hill above must have been very fine , although the

continuous rain was blurring sadly the gay picture , which extended nearly a mile in length . Presently a body in strange costume appears by the Palace garden . It is the Royal Body Guard of Scottish Archers , with their ancient dress ancl arms—the uniform , green ancl gold , and the weapons the long ash bow ancl arrows . Commanded by the Duke of Bnccleuch , and composed of noblemen and gentlemen of Scotland , they were fitly stationed near the royal standard on this , as on all such occasions . Meanwhile the Grand Stand has rapidly

filled , and under its shelter the ladies are able to show more variety in costume than the less fortunate spectators on the hill . The rain continues to increase , and everyone feels that the sooner the business of the clay is got over the better for everybody . But a royal review cannot be done hurriedly or otherwise than by plan and precedent . At length the signal is given by flagthat Her Majesty has left the Palace , and immediately a battery of the Royal

Artillery , stationed on the eastern flank of Arthur ' s Seat , fires a royal salute of twenty-one guns , while the royal standard is hoisted at the saluting base , all amid the loud cheers of the waiting multitudes . The mounted volunteers , three small corps , have been drawn up near Holyrood , and are first inspected , after which the Queen , accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge and staff , proceeded up the valley to the extreme left of the linewhere the rear brigade of the

, Third Division was stationed , under Salisbury Crags . The royal carriage was then turned , ancl Her Majesty drove slowly down in front of the troops , receiving the usual salute as she passed each brigade . The pent-up enthusiasm of the volunteers found relief in ringing cheers , which were sent after Her Majesty , and mingled with the abundant demonstrations of loyalty from the crowd on

the hill . From our point of view , the approach of the Queen was heralded b y the sudden display of myriads of pocket handkerchiefs , which li ghted up the dark masses of spectators in a curious way . Driving on to the Parade-ground , Her Majesty completed the inspection by proceeding in front of the First Division to the extreme right of the line . She seemed in capital health ancl spirits , and , wrapped up in a dark waterproof , made very little use of the

umbrella which she bravel y held up all the way . As she drove past the Grand Stand she acknowledged most graciously the cheers of its occupants , and gave her loyal subjects a good opportunity of seeing their Sovereign , and of admirinoher pluck and good nature . The rain was now pitiless in its severity , and the Parade Ground was fast becoming a frightful puddle . The Volunteer Cavalry having taken up position on the ri ght were now ready to lead the army for the march past . The Fife Li ght Horse , in scarlet uniform , led by Colonel A . Thompson , hacl the honour of first passing Her Majesty , followed by two small corps from Forfar and Roxburghshires in grey .