Show QUAINT SOLDIER CEREMONY how crack scotch regiment the seaforth highlanders High landers ushers in the new year tho the seaforth highlanders High landers one ot of Scot lands crack regiments now at the front have ono one of the most peculiar now new years eye eve customs ot at the whole british army the ceremony is picturesque tur esque and imposing ou on the night of at about 1030 the regiment assembles in the barrack square A few minutes later the oldest soldier in the battalion dressed as a druid makes his bis appearance to the accompaniment of a flourish of trumpets ascending the improvised throne he be calls on the veterans to show their uniforms and achievements ot of bygone times to the music of the pipes and brass band veteran after veteran arrayed in the uniforms worn by the regiment at different periods marches past and salutes the druid the druid then toasts the seaforth highland ers era after a of highland dancing the alarm is sounded and the second oldest soldier arrayed as father time approaches the veterans then re treat leaving their honors to be guarded by their successors and father time expels the druid at the last stroke ot of midnight a loud knock is hoard heard at the gate and out rings the gentris gentrys gent rys challenge haiti who goes thero there the new yearl year comes back the answer advance now new year and give the countersign is the next command pass new year alls well the gate Is IB then opened and the youngest boy of tho the battalion enters dressed as tho the high chief of ancient ross ROBS to represent the now new year the colonel shakes hands with the boy while the band strikes up A guld new year to ano and A after the colonels greeting to the battalion the national anthem la is played and the men tall fall out |