WATERLOO. THE FIVE BROTHERS. 505 the gentleman who presented him the sword voted him by a large provincial town, observed, that it was of a temper that would not fail him, he replied, "Trust it to me, Sir, and I will not disgrace it." And soon did he amply prove, if indeed the past had not been a sufficient assurance, that his words had meaning; for after having narrowly escaped, by the peaceful termination of our negociations with America, the command of an expedition to the western hemisphere, he was once more called to the continent of Europe, that he might consummate his reputation in the field of Waterloo. At the commencement of this memorable engagement, he was so placed as to be only an anxious observer of the movements of the forces of Napoleon. He was posted with the troops under his command, to the right of the Nivelle road, and gradually brought them to bear on the enemy, as Bonaparte concentrated his left in his attacks on the chateau of Hougoumont, till at last the entire body under his command had formed into those impregnable squares, which are so famous in the history of this decisive day. From that time to the end of the engagement, he was in active operation, and at length contributed to the great crisis of the battle, by his masterly assistance in repulsing the last desperate charge ever made by the Imperial Guard, whose final cheer of their boasted Captain was the signal of their own defeat and his irrevocable fall. Lord Hill's horse was shot under him, and the greater part of his staff were either killed, wounded, or dismounted by the fire of the hostile army. He had with him four brothers on this field of victory. They all survived it with honour; but Sir The names of these four gallant brothers were, Sir Robert Hill, late commander of the Royal Horse Guards Blue. General Clement Hill, also, late commander of the same regiment. Sir Thomas Noel Robert Hill and Colonel Clement, now General Hill, were severely wounded. A ball passed through the upper part of the right arm of the former and entered his chest, and the latter received a thrust from a sabre through the fleshy part of his thigh, which penetrated the saddle and fixed in the horse's body. Both these distinguished officers were nevertheless spared to their family, their country, and a large circle of friends by whom they are regarded with the highest possible esteem. Sir Richard Hill, however, was permitted to see only the dawn of their day of reputation; but his brother Rowland did not go to the grave, till he had witnessed the safe and honourable return of his brave nephews, and received from them marks of attention that drew many a tear of joy from his aged eye. Undaunted in the dangers of the battle field, they have proved themselves in retirement well skilled to advance the blessings of peace; and true indeed were the lines composed in honour of Lord Hill. Conspiring Chiefs and People join'd The Iron Crown from GUILT they tore; Hail Salopia! hail thy son; For PEACE he fought-and Peace is won. Amongst the bequests in the will of Sir Richard Hill, was an onyx ring to Lord Sidmouth, of whose manly Hill, who died at Maidstone in 1834. Lieutenant Edward Hill, of the Blues, who died in 1830. The two first still survive. Colonel Hill, the father of the present Sir Rowland Hill, was the elder brother of Lord Hill, and died in 1814. He raised a regiment of yeomanry in his own county, and was universally beloved. He has also another brother, Sir Francis Hill, who was Secretary of Legation at the Brazils, and is a Knight of the Tower and Sword. BEQUESTS OF SIR RICHARD HILL. 507 integrity he always entertained the highest admiration. He also left rings to three of his clerical friends, and pecuniary legacies to others who were eminent for their devotion to the Church' and the cause of evangelical religion. His family received abundant proofs of his affection, and his servants of the attachment of one of the kindest of masters. No person who could be said to have a claim on his regard, was forgotten. Considerate attention to the feelings of the humblest individuals connected with them in any way, has ever been a distinguished characteristic of the Hills. It obtained for Lord Hill the familiar but honourable appellation of Father amongst his soldiers; and to this day the mention of his name to any of the brave fellows who fought under his command, awakens a smile of pleasurable remembrance, or draws forth a grateful testimony. What a lovely trait it also was in the Christian character of Mr. Rowland Hill, has been long known to the world. The truest wealth of possessors of large estates, is the respectful affection of the poor; and no man ever enjoyed a larger share of this comfort than Sir Richard Hill. His stature was about the middle size, and his whole demeanour that of a highly-refined gentleman. In conversation he abounded with anecdote and ready humour, combined with demonstrations of singular affection for his friends. There was a fervour in his welcome his visitors never forgot; and people of every class felt at ease in his society, while they were impressed with the proper respect due to his situation. At the same time that his house was a favourite resort of the greatest men 1 Among these were the Rev. R. Pugh, the Rev. J. Hallward, the Rev. James Stillingfleet, who had rings: money was left to Rev. B. Wood, and others well known for piety and diligence. 508 HIS CHRISTIAN CONDUCT. of his age, he managed at a period when intemperance was much in fashion, to regulate his table and his parties as became his Christian profession. It is no slight credit to him to have attracted the society of the most distinguished persons of his day, without the seemingly indispensable frivolities and amusements of the fashionable world. That he did so is notorious, and the fact plainly indicates that he was no ordinary man. It may be said that the statesmen who received his support, would visit him for the sake of his vote; but it must be recollected that he was strictly an independent member of Parliament, and that he was not only courted by politicians, but equally so by lawyers, military men, and dignitaries of the Church. Nor was his intercourse with them confined to the formal dinners of the metropolis; they followed him to his country-seat, and used to say that they liked him even better at Hawkstone than in London, as they had more opportunities of observing his private and domestic virtues. At the same time that he thus moved in the circles appropriate to his fortune and situation, his doors were always open to those humbler associates to whom he was attached by the bonds of Christian regard. Men of piety of every denomination looked upon Sir Richard Hill as a friend. Though devotedly attached to the Church of England, he accepted the office of trustee to the chapel of his brother Rowland, because he thought that it would tend to the furtherance of the gospel in a destitute part of London. Yet he stipulated that the doctrines taught there should be in accordance with our thirty-nine Articles, and that the Church prayers should be always read. In those days the pious seemed to have but one object; and there are many who yet remember the happy meetings of men of various shades of opinion, for the sake of promoting it. The only banner unfurled in these assemblies was love, and they separated in the spirit of peace and prayer. Sir Richard Hill was taken away before the unhappy hour arrived when discord rent the celestial ensign, and unfurled the flag of division. Yet thanks be to God, there are numerous indications of solid good, and many signs of the increase of true piety. The Church of England is awaking to her duty, and is determined to extend her borders. Herein, under Providence, is our hope as a nation; and our best prospect of ensuring our own security and honour, is in our becoming a blessing to our colonies, and to the whole earth. No age in the history of mankind can be likened to the present. It is a day of wonders; it is also one of confusion. But it is only the confusion of the unshapen materials, which are about to be hewn into suitable forms for the erection of the sanctuary of heaven, the tabernacle of the Lord which shall ere long be with men. Still let us remember that every stone that is wrongly fashioned must be cast The workmen must labour with knowledge and discretion; every stroke of the axe and the hammer must be well considered; and above all, we must take heed not to turn the instruments which Providence has placed in our hands for his glory, into weapons of offensive warfare with each other. The only safeguard is the genuine spirit of love, which away. blooms and blossoms both in sun and shade, It loveth all, and yet suspecteth none, 'Tis rare itself, yet maketh all things common, Quarles. |