sincere and hearty good wish for your future welfare and felicity. For my own part, my gratitude will never end but with my days, and once more I heartily, willingly, and truly repeat to you, that I am highly sensible of every kind indulgence I have been so often honoured with, and I beg leave to assure you, I shall hold you in my memory in faithful and sincerely grateful remembrance, so long as that memory affords me one, even the very smallest chance for recollection. I remain, My dear Sir, Invariably yours, I have inserted this letter, written by one of the first men in Shropshire, because I believe it contained the true sentiments of a large majority in that county, when they were called upon to part with their old and longtried member. His was not the popularity which is gained by a few particular acts of political skill, but the solid regard of an enlightened and numerous body of constituents, who admired his integrity and courage, while they had perpetual experience of the kindness and courtesy of his disposition. His views of religion had raised up opponents to his opinions, but among them all, except of the very lowest and meanest, he could not reckon an enemy, nor was he personally the foe of any living creature. Under these circumstances, it was no wonder that the retirement of Sir Richard Hill was very extensively regretted; and when he was no longer seen in the House of Commons, the place he used to occupy was confessed to have been filled by a consistent and upright Christian. Whatever was thought of his judgment, his quotations of Scripture, or his witty humour, every man seemed to HIS LAST DAYS AT HAWKSTONE. HIS DEATH. 501 have a latent kindness of feeling for the frank transparency of his character, and the true benevolence of his heart. When he left public life and retired quietly to Hawkstone, he endeavoured to diffuse happiness around him. In order to provide innocent recreation for his servants, he encouraged a domestic band of music. Almost every man in his establishment played upon some instrument, and on fine summer days he used to invite his company to go by water to the romantic spot in his grounds, called by him "Neptune's Whim," and his band performed as they were rowed along to the beautiful summer-house, where he had placed the figure of the old fabulous monarch of the deep. It was an animating scene; and he loved to hear the echoes of the music from the lofty rocks of his park, when old age prevented his climbing, as was his wont in days of activity, to enjoy the varied scenes they presented to his view. After dining with his visitors in this curious retreat, he would return in the way he came, delighting in the comfortable reflection that they who heard the notes of his progress thought of him as their friend. After passing two years in this tranquil enjoyment of rural life, he was taken ill upon one of his favourite excursions, and returned home to the chamber of his last sickness. He died on the 28th day of August, 1808, and was buried in the vault at Hodnet church, over which there is this inscription Sepulchre of the Hills, ab an°. 1500." A monument is erected to his memory, and on it is engraved the following tribute to his worth : 502 HIS MONUMENT. SIR JOHN HILL AND HIS SONS. IN MEMORY Of SIR RICHARD HILL, BARONET, Eldest Son of SIR ROWLAND HILL, Baronet, And in several successive Parliaments one of the Representatives of the same, Who in the lively hope of a blessed Resurrection, Through the alone righteousness of Christ his Redeemer, He desired that as little as possible might be said of him in the newspapers, or on his tombstone, The character he most delighted in, was that of a sinner freely saved by Sovereign grace. towards all good men of different persuasions. Sir Richard Hill, who never married, was succeeded in his title and estates by his brother Mr. John Hill, the father of those brave defenders of their country in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, whose names will be honourably enrolled in every record of the military glory of the land which gave them birth. To the eldest of these distinguished soldiers, the second son of Sir John Hill, whose merits afterwards raised him to the peerage and to his present exalted situation at the head of the army, Sir Richard bequeathed the manor and house of Hardwick Grange, a delightful residence about half way between Hawkstone and Shrewsbury. He lived long enough to witness the commencement of Lord Hill's high reputation, and calls him in his will," my much esteemed nephew and godson, General Rowland Hill." The first action in which the brigade of General Hill encountered and was victorious over the legions of Napoleon in the Peninsula, took place in the autumn of the year in which Sir Richard Hill died. It was the battle of Roliça, so called from the beautiful village of that name, which overhangs a small plain. Here it was that Laborde found the rush of the British forces from the mountains, as irresistible as the winter torrent when its flood descends through their precipitous ravines, to the low ground on which he had marshalled his divisions. From this day, to the victories of Toulouse and Waterloo, Lord Hill gathered fresh laurels in each encounter ; nor was it easy to determine which of his qualities was most to be admired--his bravery or his coolness, his firmness or his humanity. He won the affection of his own soldiers, the respect of hostile armies, the approbation of his Prince, and the applause of his country. Nor has one flower fallen from his chaplet of honour, in the long peace his skill assisted in obtaining for Europe, while others have been added to it by his masterly superintendence for eleven years of the arrangements of the whole army. It was in the month June, 1814, that he returned to the bosom of his family and the peaceful groves of Hawkstone. His homeward route was a continued scene of triumph, and he was greeted with enthusiasm in every town through which he passed to the home of his ancestors and the embraces of his 1 It was the first of the course of engagements, every one of which brought new fame to Lord Hill. That series is as follows: Roliça, Vimeiro, Corunna, Douro, Talavera, Busaco, Arroyo de Molinos, Almarez, Vittoria, Pyrennees, Nivelle, Nive, Hillette, Orthez, Aire, Tarbes, Toulouse, Waterloo. 504 HIS RETURN FROM THE PENINSULA. venerable father, then in the enjoyment of a healthful old age. A public dinner was given him in Shrewsbury, whose inhabitants poured forth by thousands to meet the distinguished cavalcade that escorted him to the town hall, where he received the well-earned testimonials of honour voted him by the grateful admirers of his valour and success. The promenades of the romantic “ Quarry," well known to every visitor of the town, were spread with tables, and more than twenty thousand persons either joined in these festivities or were spectators of the animating sight, the interest of which was not a little increased by the presence of thirteen hundred poor children of the charity and Sunday schools. When the hero of the day appeared in the midst of the throng, a rush took place, which had well nigh made him the victim of the gratulatory impulse. I have heard a person who was present, say, that the sudden pressure was tremendous, and but for the activity of some county gentlemen, the warrior who had escaped from the balls of the French, would have been overwhelmed by the multitude of fervent admirers who crowded to get a glance of his person or shake him by the hand. But testimonies of gratitude were not confined to his own county and its chief town. The capital of the empire, and various large places determined to do honour to his merits. I saw him receive his sword voted by the corporation of London, from the hands of the venerable chamberlain ; 2 and such was the impression made by his presence, that for an instant the fame of his many victories seemed eclipsed, by admiration of the singular modesty and affability of his deportment. When 1 The freedom of the borough in a gold box; also a silver tureen and stand from the Draper's Company. The much-respected Mr. Clarke. |