The Duke of Cambridge on Thursday signed and circulated a
farewell letter to the Army. He has held his great post as Commander-in-Chief for thirty-nine years, and now quits it, he says, "with the deepest sorrow and regret." He desires to place on record his obligations to all the officers who have so ably assisted him in maintaining the high discipline and efficiency of the Army ; he declares the establishment of the Volunteer Force marks " an important epoch in the expansion of the defensive forces of the Empire;" and he characterises his successor as "able and distinguished." The tone of the letter is throughout excellent; and it is said that the officers present at the Dnke's final reception were deeply affected, as was he himself. His Royal Highness, there is no doubt, carries with him into his retirement an amount of esteem greater than was expected at the beginning of his career ; but still it was right that he should resign, and leave to younger men the working out of the great changes now indispensably required. The Duke evidently shares the conviction now so general in Europe that at seventy-six a General or a statesman is only well matured.
Previous page
