Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/154

Rh to the seat of war. I pity the poor Buffs, who are to relieve us, and remain in this dull place. The whole 97th Regiment, officers and men, are delighted at the prospect of measuring their strength with the 'Rooshians' (as the soldiers call them).

"There cannot be a doubt that it is a just war we are engaged in; and therefore I say with them the sooner we are 'let loose' the better. I think the Russians will find the 'Celestials' rather awkward customers to deal with; nous verrons! There are some people, I know, who cannot imagine how any Christian could ever join the deadly strife of battle, but I can only say that with such I do not agree (and I am sure you do not either), so that I shall not flinch from doing my duty to my Queen and country, the Lord being my helper.

"I consider war to be a dire calamity, but as much a visitation from the Almighty as cholera or any other scourge; and as on the appearance of that dreadful malady, we do not sit quietly down and let it take its course, but very rightly (trusting in the blessing of God) use every precaution, and employ every means to drive it from amongst us, so in the case of this war with the Russian despot. He has made an aggression upon a country (one of our oldest allies) which had given him no just cause of provocation, and has thus disturbed the peace of Europe, and let loose upon us the horrors of war, and shall we Britons let him have his own way, and tamely look on? God forbid! Rather will we, the Lord being our 'Shield and buckler,' crush the evil, and restore peace and quietness to the land.

"A large steamer came in this morning for two French regiments that are to go on to the Crimea. We are anxiously looking out for our steamer."

"The ship came into the Piraeus so unexpectedly,