May 26, 1856.] CORPORAL CHURCH— ROYAL AWARDS. 115 



cess of other geographical undertakings. If anything can enhance 

 the pleasure which I feel in the discharge of this duty, it is that of 

 delivering this acknowledgment of the merits of a zealous and faith- 

 ful soldier into the hands of so distinguished an ornament of the 

 army, one whose high scientific knowledge and military experience 

 have contributed so largely to the glory of this nation." 



Lieutenant-General Sir John Burgoyne, accompanied by Corporal 

 Church, after the delivery of the honorary award, said : — 



*' Mr. President, — I have not been prepared to take any part in 

 this proceeding ; but although unexpectedly called upon, I cannot 

 refrain from expressing the gratification I feel, that any member of 

 the corps to which I have the honour to belong, should be thought 

 worthy of so flattering a mark of distinction as that now conferred. 

 T can assure the Meeting, that the corps of Royal Engineers and 

 Sappers are as ready to devote themselves to scientific enterprise, as 

 they are for military service in the field. 



" With regard to Corporal Church, I believe him to be a zealous, 

 good soldier, a man of intelligence, and one who would be always 

 anxious to carry out the orders or wishes of his superiors ; and that 

 he would never bring discredit on the marks of favour thus shown 

 to him, by so distinguished a body as the Royal Geographical So- 

 ciety." 



