Page:Passages from the Life of a Philosopher.djvu/192

176 officer of each regiment, describing the nature of the service under which the loss occurred, and conveying to the nearest surviving relative the expression of the high approbation the Government entertained of such heroic conduct.

Such official testimonials would soothe the feelings of many a relative, would become objects of just pride amongst the relations of the departed, and be handed down as heir-looms in many a village circle.

I mentioned these views to several of my acquaintances, and the idea seemed to meet with general approbation. I found my military friends fully alive to the advantage of such a course for the benefit of the service, and also as a consolation to surviving relatives. Amongst others, I proposed it to the late General Sir Charles Napier. He highly approved of the plan, about which we had several conversations. In one of these I suggested that he should mention it to the Duke of Wellington; to which Sir Charles replied, "No, I could not do that: you should tell him yourself." I smiled at the notion, not thinking that my friend was in earnest.

A short time after I met Sir Charles Napier at a large evening party. We were sitting together on a sofa talking: he resumed the plan I had proposed, spoke of it with much approbation, and concluded by saying, "You ought to tell the Duke of it."

I replied that I had thought he was only joking when he had on a former occasion made the same observation.

"No, indeed," said Sir Charles; "I am serious. The Duke will attend to what you say more than to any of us."

"If you really think so," I replied, "I will follow your counsel. I hope," I added, "the Duke may excuse me as a civilian for speaking about it, but after such an expression of your opinion I feel bound to take that course."