I most sincerely thank you for the Ayr Observer which I received some time ago and trust you are still in the enjoyment of good health and spirits. The duty now is much less severe than it was during the winter, instead of being out of our beds every alternate night as formerly we are now out of our beds only once in eight days, however we are very often roused up during the night to resist attacks made upon our Works by Russians. There have been other kinds of reports about our opening fire on Sebastopol but it is my private opinion that the cannonade will not commence until they have the result of Lord John Russel's Mission to Vienna. The Russians have about four times as many Guns in their Batteries as we have - there is only one way we can take the Town, either by point of the Bayonet or blockading it. I have no doubt if we assault the town we will take it, but I fear we could not keep it as it is commanded by the Forts on the North side. The last time the Russians attacked our trenches we killed an Albanian officer (a Greek) who led on the Russians to the attack, he was dressed in a white Kilt (like our Highlanders) with short trousers and long boots, he killed an officer of the 7th Fusiliers and was afterwards shot by one of our officers. There is very little news here, one day we hear peace is signed and another day we hear the War is to be continued to extermination. However I suppose it is not known in England whether we are to have peace or not. As far as I am personally concerned I don't much care whether the War continues or not, if it continues (and I am spared) I am sure of very rapid promotion. We are all very sensible of the kindness shown to us by the Ladies of England in having sent us many little comforts which were not to be got here at any price, they also sent us tracts of a religious nature which I am sure have been of great consolation to many a poor soldier in his last hours, at the same [time?] it is a curious fact that the soldiers in general seem more regardless than formerly of anything pertaining to religion - notwithstanding death is staring them in the face every day. As for Jack Tars they are just the same as they are in Portsmouth, they have got holes dug in the Trenches where they sing Curse and swear the same as on board ship. Sometimes you will see two sailors fighting over a Cannon and shot and shell flying about their heads. It is now some time since I began this letter but have been interrupted several times. We are Under Arms each morning at four o'clock. I never enjoyed better health and trust the Irvine people don't forget the poor soldiers in the Crimea who have suffered so much for their Mother Country.

My dear Mrs MacLaren yours ever affectionately

P.S. The ground here is covered with flowers. I will enclose you some Erin grass and forget me not. Compts. to Ann. N.G.

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