17 MAY 1845, Page 13

SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

BIOGRAPHY,

The Life of Lord Hill, G.C.B., late Commander of the Forces. By the Rev. Edwin: Sidney, A.M.; Author of the Lives of the Rev. Rowland Hill and Sir Richard Hill, and Chaplain to the Viscount Hill Murray. THEOLOGY, Expository Lectures on St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. Being an attempt to apply the Apostle's Argument respecting the Errors on the Subject of the Mediation of Christ at Colosse to the Present Circumstances of the Church. By Daniel,

Bishop of Calcutta, and Metropolitan of India Ratehard. Ficyron, Sybil ; or the Two Nations. By B. Disraeli, M.P., Author of " C,oningsby."

three volumes Caws.

SIDNEY'S LIFE OF LORD HILL.

THE late Commander of the Forces was rather a good lieutenant than a great captain. His orderly habits and his kindness of heart made him an excellent administrator ; for his influence extended not merely to ma- terial but to moral results. His military skill, his courage, and expe rience, rendered him a successful subordinate, as his prudence made him a safe commander; nor was he devoid of daring conception and " war- like wiles" in secondary affairs. But he was too merely a soldier ever to have been a great chief; who must have a large portion of the statesman in his capacity, to plan his campaigns with a view to ultimate effects, to render his victories resultful, and his defeats only a pro tanto loss, not entire destruction. As far as fighting goes, mere soldiers may often fight battles not less skilful, and much bloodier, than the Marlboroughs, Bona- partes, or Wellingtons ; but the "be-all and end-all" is so many killed, wounded, and missing. The operations do not, like Blenheim or Ramilies, Marengo or Montenotte and its suite, the Passage of the Douro or Torres Vedras, (without fighting at all,) clear a country of the enemy. Lord Hill wanted this larger power : for although it may be said that he had no opportunity of displaying his qualities as a commander, it is tolerably ceftain that he could not seize them when working out before his eyes. It seems clear from his letters when he was with the army in the Penin- sula, that he had not a glimpse of the strategy of his chief, but thought that the occupation of Portugal was dependent on what a day might bring forth.

In justice, however, to this worthy English gentleman, it should be said that he made no pretensions to be chief or politician, but had the good sense to refuse office in either capacity. In 1827, the command of the Forces in India was offered him, but declined, partly on account of his health. He was twice offered the Ordnance; and the last time he gave his reasons for refusing the Mastership, in a letter to the Premier, Lord Goderich.

" My feelings of gratitude," he said, "for so marked a proof of his Majesty's gracious favour are, if possible, increased by the very flattering terms in which your Lordship has been pleased to address me on the subject. It will probably be in your recollection, that when offered the Lieutenant-Generalship of the Ordnance some years ago by my friend the Duke of Wellington, I assigned the following reasons for declining it,—namely, that I had never been accustomed to office duty; that I feared I should ill perform the services required of me; and that a per- manent residence in town would most materially affect my health. "As these objections still remain in fall force, it would be inconsistent in me to accept an appointment of so much greater impo4ance, the duties of which I am informed are not confined to the military profession alone, but are intimately con- nected with the financial expenditure of the country."

But if not a very great, Lord Hill was a very good man. In boyhood his tenderness of disposition had been so remarkable, that his old school- mistress could not afterwards believe that Hill was conspicuous in the bloody battles of which the newspapers were full : and the same kindli- ness of feeling attended him through life, except when professional duty interfered. His domestic affections were strong, and equally permanent : the same may be said of the simplicity of his tastes. During the most bustling period of the Peninsular war, and in the height of his greatness as Commander-in-chief, his letters to his family are full of home affec- tions, and home reminiscences of dogs, plants, field-sports, and neigh- bours. The love of gardening and rural improvements stuck to him to the last; and a short time before his death, in his last letter, he is full of a pond he appears to have been draining.

The family of the Hills, though unennobled, was old and respect- able—one of that " old English gentleman" class which is perhaps peculiar to England, and has strongly operated upon the national mind. This, in fact, was the character of the General himself: and, according to one of his officers, his appearance greatly influenced the rustic recruits, he looked so much like a country gentleman in regi- mentals ; whilst serious soldiers from the towns looked up to him for his relationship to the Reverend Rowland Hill,—whose fame, good man, is dying away. His mind was as much affected by his real status as his appearance. He had none of the genius of the adventurer, and none of his vices, or pretence, or littleness. A dutiful loyalty to the Crown was an impulse of his nature ; but beyond this, he seems to have looked upon life with a philosophic eye,—weighing wealth, rank, and fashion, as ex- trinsic circumstances, and taking his own advancement very quietly, as something that came to him in return for services, and to which he was entitled, but not as a thing that had changed him. Nor in truth, did it, seem to have enlarged his comprehension : his range might expand with his elevation, but his style of considering things was much the same. There is nothing very striking in the life of Lord Hill beyond what is known from the Gazette. He was born in 1772 ' . and having chosen the army for his profession, was sent to a military academy at Strasburg. He was appointed to an Ensigncy in March 1791; and in 1800 had at- tained the rank of Colonel, through luck, interest, and strict attention to his duties, conjoined with his services at Toulon. He subsequently served in Egypt and Ireland; went with the absurd expedition to the Weser; was with Moore during the Coruna campaign; embarked with Welling- ton on the first expedition to Portugal ; served throughout the whole of the Peninsular war ; and commanded the army in the Netherlands during the Hundred Days, till Wellington's arrival from 'Vienna. In 1828 he

was appointed to the office of Commander-in-chief; he resigned it from failing health in August 18421 and died in the following December.

The volume which gives the narrative of Lord Hill's life is not so over- done as many late biographies: but it is not a very striking or skilful production; being impeded by reflections, and interrupted by needless re- marks upon the original materials the author is using. We suspect the hero had better have been allowed to tell more of his own story, by means of his correspondence, and the journal or memorandums of his life that be was in the habit of keeping, and which are used by bits in the volume before us. The true function in Lord Hill's case was an arranging motor rather than a compiling biographer ; for the real value of the work Consists in its anecdotes and letters, which require little more than telling or explaining. Many of these are interesting froni their domestic charac- ter, or from the persons and events to which they relate. We will take oar extracts from the latter class. The following letter from the Duke of Wellington exhibits the Duke's way of offering a loan, Hill's father hav- ing got involved in difficulties. The offer is handsome, liberal, and busi- ness-Eke ; settled at once, without any necessity for further discussion.

Parts, 20th Feb. 1816.

'a My dear Hill--I received only yesterday evening your letter of the 16th; and ram very much concerned for the unfortunate circumstances which have occa- sioned the necessity for your return to England. I consent to it, as well as to that of Sir Noel. Let him apply through the official channel; but he need not wait for the answer.

" In the existing state of public and private credit in England, I am appre- hensive that yen will find it difficult to procure the money which you will require. I have a large sum of money which is entirely at my command; and I assure you that I could not apply.it in a manner more satisfactory to me than in accommo- dating yen, my dear Hill, to whom I am under so may obligations, and your father, for whom I entertain the highest respect, although I am not acquainted with him. I trust, therefore, that if you should experience the difficulty which I expect you will in finding money to settle the disagreeable concern in which your family. is involved, you will let me know it, and I will immediately put my man of business in London in communication with yours, inorder toapply it toyou.

" Ever yours most sincerely, WELLINGTON:

There is another letter in reply to one from Hill, who had had an ap- plication from some common friend for papers for Southey's History of the Peninsular War. The Duke had observed the Laureate's leaning to the Spanish Patriots ; who were such objects of admiration thirty or forty years ago to those who knew nothing about them. It also conveys his idea of what a tree history ought to be.

" London, 25th October 1821.

"My dear have received your letter; and sincerely congratulate you upon the success of your nephew, [in his election,a and this fresh instance of the deserved respect in which you wed your family are held in the county of Salop.

"In respect to Mr. Southey, I have heard in the whole that be was writing a History of the War in the Peninsula; but I have never received an application from him, either directly or indirectly, for information on the subject. H I had received such an application, I would have told him what I have told others, that the subject was too serious to be trifled with; for that if any real authenticated history of that war by an author worthy of writing it were given, it ought to con- vey to the public the real truth, and ought to show what nations really did when they put themselves in the situation the Spanish and Portuguese nations had placed themselves; and that I would give information and materials to no author who would not undertake to write upon that principle. I think, however, that the period of the war is too near; and the character and reputation of nations, as as individuals, are too much involved in the description of these questions for use to recommend, or even encourage, any author to write such a history as some, / [feral, would encourage at the present moment. " This is my opinion upon the subject in general; and I should have conveyed it to Mr. Southey, if he and his friends had .applied to me. " In respect to your reference to me, I receive it, as everything that comes from re, as a mark of your kind attention to me. Unless yoaapprove of the principle which I haveabove stated, there is nothing to prevent you from giving Mr. Southey any information you please. But I should wish you not to give him any original payers from me, as that would be, in fact, to involve me in his work without at- taming the object which I have in view, which is a true history.

Believe me, ever yours most sincerely, WELLUTGTON."

From some passages in the volume it would seem that William the fourth stuck -closer by the Reform Bill than some at the time supposed him to have done, and took upon himself a canvass which rather belonged lei the Premier, one would think.

a The position of affairs at the period of the Refor.ol Bill greatly tried. him. No slight honour is due to his memory from his own political party for the way is which he maintained his independence in office at that time. Not only did lie remain firm under the difficulties of being opposed to the Government, but he was =moved by the intimation of the King himself, his kind and indulgent master, that his Majesty wished him to vote for the Bill. Sir H. T.,' he says in his aemoranda,4 communicated to me H. M.'s wish that I should vote for the second madam .of the Reform BilL I gave no reply; but said I would consider the

sobjeat.' •

" When the Bill was again brought forward in.the House of Lords, the follow- ing conversation took place between his Majesty and Lord Hill. I give it from his Lordship's own notes. The King sent me a note desiring my attendance at the Palace. His Majesty, after speaking on the subject of the College, said, The discussion on the Refram Bill was about to be again brought forward in the House of Lords; and that he could not but wish that it should go into Committee, which would show the country that the Lords were not averse to some reform, and might -make alterations when in Committee. In consequence of what Sir H. Taylor said to me on this subject about a fortnight ago, and from the manner in which the King spoke tome, I felt that he expected me to state may sentiments and in- tentions. I therefore told his Majesty, that on the last occasion I had acted in a way which I understood was satisfactory to him, namely, by not voting at all; that I still entertained the same objection to the Bill; and that, according to my present feelings, I could not vote for the second reading of the Bill when it was brongbt forward again. Such, I assured his Majesty, were may conscientious feelings: and I added, that if I were to act contrary to them and to any known declarations, I should so lower myself in the eyes of the world and the army, that I should not be able to render serrice to his Majesty or the country. The Kin,' g said, be could understand my feelings, and that every one had a right to have his own : he had his. His Majesty appeared kind, and not angry, but perhaps was not pleased. On my saying that I wished 'I had not a seat in Parliament as long as I was at the head of the army, he replied, 'Bat as you have one, you cannot give it up, or must attend it,' or something to this effect.' "

Here is another occasion of Hill's opposing Royalty.

WHO WAS TMs?

IS one of his memoranda there is the following note of an audience with the shiehproves the troth of this assertion, and is most honourable tolliaLtad- ship's royal master. "In consequence of a letter in the King's own hand this day,' respectang—, I saw his Majesty, who said he was positively decided that should be . upon which I remarked, that if such were his Majesty's commands, they should be obeyed ; but, as commanding the army, I felt it my duty to say that it would create great dissatirtartion, and that I entreated his Majesty to consider the subject well before he came to such a final conclusion. The King very kindly said, it was my duty to point out to him all objections on the present occasion: he would not press the question." Lord .W went directly to the officer alluded to, related the whole affair, and added, " I assure you it was all my doing."

MAYORAL MISTAKE.

His good-humoured way of taking every thing will be seen in a note he sent to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, on their inviting Lord and Lady Hill to banquet at the Mansionhouse—" Lord Hill presents his compliments to the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, and begs to acquaint them that as he has not the good fortune to be married, he cannot have the honour of presenting Lady BM at the Mansionhouse on Thursday the 20th instant. Horse Guards, 15th January 1831."

Waterloo is a well-worn subject, yet always fresh. The following exa tract from a memorandum by Sir Digby Mackworth, written in the early morning after the action whilst the rest of the Staff were asleep, describes the last charge with more accuracy and reality (notwithstanding a dash of fine writing) than any account we have read. The result of the fire upon. the French column is painted more naturally, as working by " wit not by witchcraft."

" About six o'clock we saw heavy oolunms of Infantry supported by Dragoons returning for a fresh attack. It was evident it would be a desperate, and ova thought probably a decisive one. Every one felt how much depended on this terrible moment. A black mass of the Grenadiers of the Imperial Goord, music playing and the great Napoleon at they head, came rolling onward from the farm of La Belle Alliance. With rapid pace they descended. Those spaces in our lines which death had opened and left vacant were covered with bodies of cavalry. The point at which the enemy aimed was now evident; it was an angle formed by a brigade of Guards and the light brigade of Lord Hill's corps. Lord Hill was there in person. The French moved on with arms sloped, au pas sra charge. They began to ascend the bill. In a few seconds they were within,: hundred paces of us-' and as yet not a shot had been fired. The awful moment was now at hand. A peal of ten thousand thunders burst at once on their de- voted heads. The storm swept them down as a whirlwind which rushes over the ripe corn : they paused—their advance ceased—they commenced firing from heads of their columns, and attempted to extend their front: but death had already caused too much confusion among them—they crowded instinctively behind each other to avoid afire which was intolerably dreadful. Still they stood firm- ' la garde inept, et ne se rend pas.' For half an hour this horrible butcherycon- tinned. At last, seeing all their efforts vain, all their courage useless, deserted'y their Emperor who was already flown, unsupported by their comrades who were already beaten, the hitherto invincible Old Guard gave wayy, and fled in every direction. One spontaneous and almost painfully animated Hnrrah 1' burst from the victorious ranks of England. The line at once advanced, generals, officers, soldiers, all partaking in one common enthusiasm."

THE NIGHT AFTER WATERLOO,

When the tremendous day was over, Lord Hill and his Staff again reoccupied* the little cottage they left in the morning. His two gallant brothers, Sir Robert Hill and Colonel Clement Hill, had been removed wounded to Brussels: the pas' was, nevertheless, nine in number. A soup made by Lord Mills servant from two fowls was all their refreshment, after hours of desperate fighting without a morsd of food. Lord Hill himself was bruised and full of pain. AR night long, the groans and shrieks of sufferers were the chief sounds that met their ears. It was to them all a night of the greatest misery. The men whom the-nations of

were about to welcome with acclaroations, and'to entertain in palaces, mull= exchange sigh for sigh with each other in a wretched cottage.

EXACT TIME reading the various accounts of this battle, it is curious to observe the dm' crepancies as to the time it commenced. Lord Bill has, however, settled flit) point. On arriving in London the autumn after the conflict, he :passed his first evening at the house of his friend Lord Teigumouth. " Can you tell me," sail Lord Teignmonfh, "at what time the action commenced?" Lord Hill red " I took two watches into action with me. On consulting my stop-watch after the battle was •over, I found that the first gun was fired at ten minutes before tanker