The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-30 00:00:00

THE MILITIA.

On Thursday the ceremony of the presentation of
colours to the Hertfordshire Regiment of Militia took
place on Hartham•common, adjoining the town of Hert-
ford, where the regiment has been stationed since De-
cember last. The ground was thronged with spectators.
The regiment, upwards of 600 strong, marched to the
ground at half-past 1, at which time the Colonel, the
Marquis of Salisbury, K.G,, had arrived, and took com-
mand of the regiment, which had previously formed three
sides of a square, within which were deposited the new
colours about to be presented by the Countess of Veru-
lam. On the arrival of the Countess the Rev. Y. W.
Birch, chaplain to the regiment, advanced to the colours
and performed the ceremony of consecration pith a
prayer.

The Lord Lieutenant then said--" I thank God that
it is not likely the colours which are to be presented to
the Hertfordshire Regiment of Militia this day will ever
have to be borne against a foreign enemy. It is now
800 years since a foreign foe set his foot on the shores of
this country, and I am happy to think that there is no
probability of such an invasion as then occurred being
repeated. I have, however, no doubt that many of the
gallant men and good soldiers who belong to this regi-
ment will volunteer into the line, and thus obtain an op-
portunity of meeting a foreign enemy and see'ng the
realities of war. Let me, then, tell them that, whenever
they are in difficulty, they must close around their co-
lours. Difficulties, I know, can only occur to them when
they are in the presence of a very superior foe, and those
difficulties will be surmounted when they close around
their colours, defending them to the last. And let me
also tell them that, when victory crowns their arms,
the bravest man is he who, when he sees his foe on
the ground, spares him. Let them recollect, then,
wherever they go, mercy is godlike."
The colours are extremely handsome. The Queen's
colour has a Crown, with the number of the regiment,
and underneath the words " Herta Militia Regiment,"
richly embroidered on both sides. The regimental
colour has a hart beautifully worked within a circle in
the centre, on a white ground, the words "Hats Militia
Regiment" forming the inner border, and the rose,
shamrock, and thistle surrounding the whole. The
colours are the gift of the Earl of Verulam.
The old colours of the regiment, which date from the
early days of the old militia, and which were only re-
leased from the pedestals in the Town-hall, where they,
have been preserved in their worn and threadbare con-
diiion, on the recent embodiment of the regiment, were
then brought forward by Ensigns Fellowes and Delme
Radcliffe, who received the new colours from the hands
of the Countess of Verulam kneeling on one knee. Lady
Verulam then, presenting to each of the ensigns one
of the colours, separately addressed them as follows :
" I have the honour of presenting you with this colour,
and I am confident that you will defend it to the last, as
a true and loyal soldier."
The ensigns having received the colours, withdrew,
and Colonel the Marquis of Salisbury addressed the regi-
ment. The regiment then wheeled back into line, re-
maining at open order while the new colours, preceded
by the band, were trooped, proceeding from the left to
the centre, where they took their position, and the line
presented arms.
After these parade movementaord Salisbury gave up
the command to Lieut.-Colonel Smith Dorien.
The regiment then performed various evolutions, and
the Lord-Lieutenant complimented all ranks on the effi-
ciency attained. The officers of the regiment afterwards
entertained upwards of 200 of the nobility and gentry
of the county at a breakfast.