ed amidst that living hell,
And out of all the British Army were the first in Neuve Chapelle.

Then here's to the gallant R.I.R., those riflemen so brave,
Who nobly did their duty and found a soldier's grave;
So may their glory ever shine, for they have proved their worth,
And laurels brought to Ireland for the honour of the North.

"THE MAN OF SORROWS."

God hath sent thee many trials,
But strength is as thy day;
Do not despair or say, my child,
"I have no heart to pray."
For God's ways are not your ways,
And tho' thou art bereft
Of all that's most endearing,
There is one comfort left.

When a dear one has departed
To enter into rest,
And you feel so broken-hearted
That you cannot say "'Tis best";
There is One Who will always help you
And bring you great relief:
For He was a Man of Sorrows
And acquainted sore with grief.

When your dearest idol's taken
And you are dumb with pain;
When your faith in man is shaken
And everything seems vain,
There is One you can rely on,
Tho' of sinners you are chief:
For He was a Man of Sorrows
And acquainted sore with grief.

Oh! weary, wandering, wilful child,
Think of that dying thief,
Who sought his Saviour, e'en tho' late,
In the bitterness of grief;
And say no more you are alone,
Bereft of every friend:
The Man of Sorrows is your stay
And comfort to the end.

--DORCAS SKEFFINGTON.

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Major Herbert Stepney, Irish Guards, was killed while commanding the
Battalion in the first Battle of Ypres.

[2] Major Osbert Clinton-Baker, of Bayfordbury, Hertfordshire,
Second-in-Command 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, gazetted Colonel of
the Regiment in May, about two months after Colonel Laurie fell. He was
mortally wounded and missing at Fromelles on May 9th, 1915.

[3] Capt. Haliburton Laurie fell in the South African War at
Philippolis, on a kopje, while rescuing a wounded patrol.

[4] Afterwards Brigadier-General Napier. Previous to the war he
commanded the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Rifles in Aldershot and Dover. He was
killed while landing troops in Gallipoli during the summer of 1915.

[5] Sir Nevil Macready, at this time Adjutant-General of our Forces.

[6] The number of killed amounted to 44 and 88 wounded.

[7] Co