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bearing the fairest assemblage of the company
wreathed in smiles as gorgeous as the brilliant
plumes that decked their gay attire

On arriving at the rendezous we found
the party occupying a plateau of rock overhanging
the rugged and precipitous banks of the
river a perpendicular height of nearly four hundred
feet - The spot selected was carpeted with
grass of the softest verdure, here we found tables
laid out beneath the shade of some noble trees
ornamented with the expensive and costly plate
of the regimental Mess, with viands of every
delicacy and a variety of iced wines of the most
choice flavour

The several groups at the picnic presented
a most picturesque and stirring spectacle
the company seated in front - the band at a
distance in their rich military uniform - cavalcades
of horsemen passing to and fro - In the
the back growing were seen under the trees on the
margin of the forest carriages of every description
- horses picketed together - the white dresses
of the drivers and the variety of costume of the
attendants and the natives employed on the
occasion all presented a gay and lively appearance

This dejuner had been got up by the
younger officers of the Regiment just arrived
from a four years station in the West Indies where
in the solitude and retired position of some of