“There is yet space for more inscriptions to commemorate other victories; and be assured that, if the necessity for action should occur, I shall afford you the opportunity of acquiring distinctions similar to those which have been obtained by your predecessors, with the conviction that you will display courage like that which distinguished them upon the field of battle, that these colours will never retreat before the enemy, but that every one of you would give his life to bear them on to victory.
“In England and in the colonies, and in other parts of the world, Her Majesty’s Thirty-ninth regiment may stand in the same line with other regiments which have gained glory in the field. In India you are the first. Your predecessors laid, at Plassey, the foundation of the glorious empire you now behold; an empire won by arms, and by arms alone to be preserved.
“Other inscriptions on your colours commemorate victories in which your predecessors participated in Spain, under the immediate eye and direction of the greatest of generals, of him who now again in the command of the army in England, watches over the interest and honor of those he so often led to victory. Loyalty to our Sovereign is the first duty of us all. It has at all times been the virtue of the British soldier; but how much is there to animate our loyalty, to give the character of enthusiasm to our feelings for our Sovereign, when the Queen evinces, as Her Majesty always has done, the deepest personal interest, the warmest zeal and regard for the honor of the army!
“Eleven regiments of Her Majesty’s army have, in this last year, obtained from Her Majesty’s gracious favour, for their services in Affghanistan and China, medals commemorative of those services, to be for ever worn upon their breasts.
“I know that whenever your services may be required in the field, you will follow these colours, not with any thought of pecuniary advantage to be gained by success, but with the one absorbing thought, that, through the success you may obtain by your courage, you may return to your families, to your friends, and to your country, bearing upon your breasts the decorations which evince your Queen’s approval of your devotion to Her Majesty, and of your duty well performed before the enemy.
“My fortune has given to me, and I regret it, a career different from yours. I have been, and must remain, employed in civil duties; but I tell you, as I have already told some of your comrades, the first of all professions is that of a soldier, and the first of all rewards is military honor!!!
“I now deliver to you these colours, in the conviction that they will ever be borne before you with honor, and that there is not a man amongst you who would not give his life to preserve them.”
Lieut.-Colonel Wright replied to his Lordship to the following effect:—
“That both himself and the officers and soldiers of the regiment were deeply sensible of the honor his Lordship had conferred upon them; that he was unable to enlarge on the topics usually advanced on such occasions, as his Lordship’s speech had both anticipated and exhausted his resources; but that his Lordship might rely upon it, every member of the corps would endeavour to maintain the honor of their colours, and the renown of Her Majesty’s arms, unsullied.”
The regiment then reformed line and the audience retired. The colours were trooped in the usual form; and on arriving at the right of the line were brought up by the grenadiers (the band playing their march) along the front of the line, opposite to the old colours, where they were exchanged; the senior ensigns falling in with the new colours in the centre of the line, whilst the old colours fell in respectively on the flanks of the grenadier company, which were faced outwards by sub-divisions, and conveyed (music playing) round the flanks of the regiments to the rear of the centre, when they were sent away. The grenadiers then resumed their post in line, and the regiment then marched past in slow and quick time, reformed line, and presented arms.