114 RECOBDS AND REMINISCENCES OF GOODWOOD 



they were embodied, lie was unremitting in his efforts 

 for their efficiency. It was once stated in his presence 

 by a gentleman of position " that the Militia would 

 be of no use." His Grace replied, " that in Sussex, 

 the county which would first be attacked, if an 

 invasion took place, the Militia would be most useful 

 in obstructing the progress of an enemy and in 

 holding positions, until reinforced by the regular 

 troops. If the Chasseurs Britanniques ever got a 

 footing in Sussex," said he, " I confess that I would 

 rather be at the head of a regiment of the line, or of 

 the Guards, than of a militia regiment ; but I believe 

 even they would teach the Chasseurs de Vincennes, 

 were they to come to Sussex, as sharp a lesson as 

 had been taught the Imperial Guard at Waterloo." 



His Grace felt that the brave soldiers who had 

 fought and bled under the Duke of Wellington 

 during the long and critical Peninsular campaign, 

 ought to be awarded medals for their brave services, 

 to which feeling he did not fail to give expression 

 upon every favourable opportunity. Finding, how- 

 ever, that his views were not shared by persons high 

 up at the War Office, he deferred more active steps to 

 endeavour to obtain those medals till 1845, when, 

 on the 21st of July in that year, his Grace said 

 in the House of Lords that, in accordance with 

 the notice which he had given, he begged leave 

 to present a j)etition from the undecorated officers 



