PREFACE.

xr

and in the execution of which the assistance of Mr. AlbertWoods was again of great value.

Laborious as the other parts of the Work have proved, (andof which its appearance affords but an inadequate idea, sincemany of the statements, though of only a few words, were notobtained until after almost innumerable references), by far themost toilsome was the compilation, with due exactness, of theNames, Dates of Appointments, &c. and Deaths of the Mem-bers of the various Orders, and of the Officers upon whomother Decorations have been conferred.

To create a lasting Memorial of the distinguished men,f by whose talents, conduct, and valour, the Country has beenraised to the pinnacle of Martial glory, and thus to form, asit were, a general REGISTER OF HONOUR, or LIBROD’ORO of British Merit, was no unworthy, and it assur-edly has proved a grateful task.

Of many Heroes of Great Britain and Ireland it maytruly be said, that these volumes not only

“ Preserve their Names to far succeeding days,

But call the slumbering Worthy from the tomb,

And bid his fame revived, eternal bloom ,” 1

and that in them, to use the words of the Ordinance forextending the Order of the Bath, “ the Names of Officers whosignalized themselves by eminent services during the late War,will be delivered down to remote posterity, accompanied by theMarks of Distinction which they have so nobly won.”

1 Hoole’s Translation of Ariosto; Canto xxxvii.