1879-1880.] 4i9 



took part in the long-protracted wars between this country and 

 Spain, France, America, and the hostile nations of India — from 

 the declaration of war with France in 1793 to the triumphant 

 entry of Wellington into Toulouse, 12 th April, 1814, and the siege 

 and storm of Bhurtpore, January, 1826. This extraordinary delay 

 or unpardonable neglect on the part of those high in authority 

 caused no little disappointment among those who considered that 

 they should be recipients of some distinguished badge or order 

 of merit, to be worn not only in commemoration of the gallant 

 achievement, but as a reward of their faithful and long professional 

 services. It is well known, for much publicity was given to the 

 fact, that the old " Peninsular men," the heroes of Assaye and Las- 

 warie, and the gallant tars who fought at St. Vincent, the Nile, 

 Copenhagen, and Trafalgar had no medals. Every likely oppor- 

 tunity was made use of to stimulate the tardy Government. The 

 accession of William IV., for example, brought forth a plentiful 

 correspondence. It was recommended that " the army and navy 

 should unite, and humbly and respectfully request one of the Royal 

 Dukes to solicit from his Most Gracious Majesty a boon for both 

 services at the beginning of the reign \ that he would bestow an 

 order of merit upon all officers and men who have fought the 

 battles of their country." The writer goes on to say—" It is very 

 vexatious to honourable feelings when we go into society at home 

 and abroad to meet foreigners of all nations covered with medals 

 and orders, when we, who have had the pleasure of licking them 

 in every part of the world, have neither orders nor medals." " The 

 seven years of King William's reign passed away; the. ranks of 

 those old warriors, the survivors of a hundred fights, gave way 

 before the irresistible march of time ; they who had successfully 

 contended with the combined fleets of France and Spain — who 

 had upheld the supremacy of the British arms in the East, and 

 taught Napoleon's marshals so terrible a lesson— had at last to 

 yield to the universal conqueror, with no mark of their glorious 



