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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 6 of 8 →
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Provincial.
inhabitants ; but never before did we see such a strong regard spring up betwixt civilians ancl military , or one so general , as that which has been shown by many circumstances to exist between the officers and men of the Fourth Dragoon Guards ancl the gentry , yeomanry , and burgesses of Nottingham . The departure of the troops was attended by a circumstance which cannot fail to be highly gratifing to the military profession in general
y , and so honourable to the town itself , as to merit more than a passing notice . Without any previous intimation , beyond that which could be conveyed in the brief space of an hour on the previous evening , upwards of forty gentlemen of the town attended on horseback at the barracks prior to the troops leaving , with the view of accompanying them a short distance , and thereby testif ying their great esteem for the gallant Colonel ( Chatterton ) , who had so much endeared himself to the
inhabitants dining the time he has resided amongst them , and also their respect for the troops generally . At eight o ' clock the cavalcade commenced its march , the advanced guard taking the lead , followed b y civilians on horseback , two abreast ; after which came the troops , the band playing a variety of martial airs . On arriving at the second milestone on the Alf ' reton-road , the gentlemen who were in attendance , and whose numbers hacl considerably increaseddrew up on each side
, for the troops to pass , when the band commenced playing the Masonic Anthem . Having passed on a short distance , Adjutant Mullen rode forward and requested those officers of the masonic bod y who were present ancl their friends to attend the Colonel . Orders were then given for the troops to halt , when the Colonel rode forward , aud having
saluted his friends , thus addressed them : — " My friends and brethren : I never , in the whole course of my existence , experienced such feelings as those which actuate my breast at the present time . The honour you have this morning done myself , ancl the regiment which I command , is altogether so unexpected that 1 am at a loss for words to express the gratification I feel . When I think for a moment that a longer than usual residence amongst you , so far from alienating you from us , has
more sincerely and devotedly attached you to us , I feel that Nottingham will ever bave a claim upon our gratitude , and we must ever look back with deep regret that unavoidable necessity . obliges us to leave it . Upon me , personally , you have , by your assembling together this morning , conferred the greatest possible honour , for never , in the whole course of my military career—and that extends over many years , and in nearly every part of the world—have I witnessed or ever heard of
a similar compliment being paid to troops when leaving their quarters ; I am , therefore , as a soldier and a man , under deep obligation to you , which , after reflection , will increase rather than diminish . To you , especially , my brother Masons , my thanks are due , for the many kindnesses which my brother officers antl myself have experienced at your hands . You have indeed displayed the beauties of our Order to their fullest extent . You have not only been hospitable in the extreme
, but you have on every occasion evinced towards us the greatest kindness and brotherly love . Believe me , brethren—and I speak from my heart—we thank you ; and it is only the hope that we may again ere long have opportunities of meeting you that affords us consolation at this trying moment . Again , my brethren , and those who have accompanied you this morning , I beg you to accept my heartfelt thanks , and though I part from you now , believe me , I shall ever look forward
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
inhabitants ; but never before did we see such a strong regard spring up betwixt civilians ancl military , or one so general , as that which has been shown by many circumstances to exist between the officers and men of the Fourth Dragoon Guards ancl the gentry , yeomanry , and burgesses of Nottingham . The departure of the troops was attended by a circumstance which cannot fail to be highly gratifing to the military profession in general
y , and so honourable to the town itself , as to merit more than a passing notice . Without any previous intimation , beyond that which could be conveyed in the brief space of an hour on the previous evening , upwards of forty gentlemen of the town attended on horseback at the barracks prior to the troops leaving , with the view of accompanying them a short distance , and thereby testif ying their great esteem for the gallant Colonel ( Chatterton ) , who had so much endeared himself to the
inhabitants dining the time he has resided amongst them , and also their respect for the troops generally . At eight o ' clock the cavalcade commenced its march , the advanced guard taking the lead , followed b y civilians on horseback , two abreast ; after which came the troops , the band playing a variety of martial airs . On arriving at the second milestone on the Alf ' reton-road , the gentlemen who were in attendance , and whose numbers hacl considerably increaseddrew up on each side
, for the troops to pass , when the band commenced playing the Masonic Anthem . Having passed on a short distance , Adjutant Mullen rode forward and requested those officers of the masonic bod y who were present ancl their friends to attend the Colonel . Orders were then given for the troops to halt , when the Colonel rode forward , aud having
saluted his friends , thus addressed them : — " My friends and brethren : I never , in the whole course of my existence , experienced such feelings as those which actuate my breast at the present time . The honour you have this morning done myself , ancl the regiment which I command , is altogether so unexpected that 1 am at a loss for words to express the gratification I feel . When I think for a moment that a longer than usual residence amongst you , so far from alienating you from us , has
more sincerely and devotedly attached you to us , I feel that Nottingham will ever bave a claim upon our gratitude , and we must ever look back with deep regret that unavoidable necessity . obliges us to leave it . Upon me , personally , you have , by your assembling together this morning , conferred the greatest possible honour , for never , in the whole course of my military career—and that extends over many years , and in nearly every part of the world—have I witnessed or ever heard of
a similar compliment being paid to troops when leaving their quarters ; I am , therefore , as a soldier and a man , under deep obligation to you , which , after reflection , will increase rather than diminish . To you , especially , my brother Masons , my thanks are due , for the many kindnesses which my brother officers antl myself have experienced at your hands . You have indeed displayed the beauties of our Order to their fullest extent . You have not only been hospitable in the extreme
, but you have on every occasion evinced towards us the greatest kindness and brotherly love . Believe me , brethren—and I speak from my heart—we thank you ; and it is only the hope that we may again ere long have opportunities of meeting you that affords us consolation at this trying moment . Again , my brethren , and those who have accompanied you this morning , I beg you to accept my heartfelt thanks , and though I part from you now , believe me , I shall ever look forward