customary as states advance in grandeur, whether in ancient or modern times.

1811. Re-appointed by the Regent in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, Commander-in-chief.

Though on the present occasion H. R. H. the Duke of York appears chiefly as a medium; occasion afterwards offered to mark him individually in the tribute of his country's justice.

Eg.

RE-COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES,

1803.

To have spoken of the Peace of Amiens would have been supererogatory; a simple line is sufficient to divide the present from the first period of the war, whose new honors are about to be exhibited.

The intervening time was employed in a trial of political skill; the present in the highest efforts of military glory.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY AGAINST THE RENEWED HOSTILITIES OF FRANCE-YEOMANRY AND VOLUNTEER CORPS,-10th AUGUST 1803.

The voice of Parliament has already in these pages announced the value of this species of military force. It was not to be

deemed a dereliction from its character, if from the lengthened period of war, and the consequent pressure upon private means; as well as the shade which the collection of a mighty army of offence would naturally cast upon a purely defensive band, it was found to relax in its assemblies.

No sooner, however, had the enemy evinced bad faith and menaced hostility on every hand, than the yeomanry and volunteer corps, faithful to their purpose, renewed with pristine activity their devotion to their country.

The necessity of offensive war, on an extended scale, and the vigorous system proposed by the Secretary of State for that department, rendered the acceptance of the services arising out of this devotion less ardent than it would have been under other public circumstances: how ample a compensation is afforded in the following letter, will be best appreciated from its perusal, which purpose alone would confer dignity on its present record.

[Addressed to Lord-Lieutenants of Counties.]

House of Commons, 10th of August, 1803. My Lord,

By command of the House of Commons, I have the honour of transmitting to you their unanimous vote of thanks to the several volunteer and yeomanry corps of the United Kingdom, for the promptitude and zeal with which, at a crisis the most momentous to their country, they have associated for its defence; accompa- . nied with an order, that a return be prepared, to be laid before the House in the next session of parliament, of all volunteer and yeomanry corps whose services shall have been then accepted by his majesty, describing each corps, in order that such return may be entered on the Journals of the House, and the patriotic example of such voluntary exertions transmitted to posterity.

In communicating this resolution and order, I have the greatest satisfaction at the same time in bearing testimony to the confidence with which the House is impressed,

that the same spirit and exemplary zeal will be exerted throughout the present contest, until, with the blessing of Providence, it shall be brought to a glorious issue.

I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, CHARLES ABBOт, Speaker.

To the Right Hon. Lord, &c. &c.

The answers, breathing the sentiments naturally inspired by the principle of their proffered services, would be too voluminous to add generally, and their selection invidious.

The description of corps, forming in itself an immense list, has already been recorded, and is a proud memorial of patriotic virtue.