The Sun.
London, England, 1827-02-01 00:00:00

THE LATE DUKE OE YORK.

Wednesday a Meeting of the Noblemen, Freeholders, &c. of the
County of Edinburgh, called by the Convener and Sheriff, wa.,
held in the County Hall here, for the purpose of voting an Address
of Condolence to hie Majesty on the death of his Royal Brother,
the late Duke of York and Albany.

Sir JOHN HOPE, Convener of the County, having been called
to the chair, stated the object of the Meeting ; and, after a few
pertinent remarks on the public services and private character of
his late Royal Highness, respecting which, he observed, no lan-
guage could be strong enough to express the gratitude of the coun-
try for his services to the army in particular, concluded by, moving
an Address of Condolence and Sympathy to hie Majesty.
The Address having been read by the Clerk,
Sir JOHN Dar.aystrsz rose fur-the purpose of seconding the
motion, in doing which, he said, he fat a more than ordinary em-
barrassment. He had had the honour to serve under the imme-
diate orders of hie Royal Highness. He had been personally known
to hit h; had often experienced his kinelness—and, he could not
therefore think of his death without mingling peittatii *lda public.
feeling. With regard to the benefits he had bestowed on the
army, he could add his testimony froin Iris own obeervation.—
Indeed, before his Royal Highness was appointed to the Com-.
mand-in-Chief, it scarcely deserved the name of an army—the
whole system was bad, lie had exerted his whole energies to re•-
medy the defects and to correct the evils which then existed. He
had done so with success, and in such a manner, as to obtain for
him the title of " the soldier's friend." Ile knew most of the Of-
ficers of a certain rank, if not personally, at least by their
characters. In bestowing his patronage, he studied only
the merits of the individuals, and
was never biassed by
their political opinions. He had no hesitation in saying,
that but for the new system introduced into the army by
his Royal Highness the late Duke of York, the brilliant victories
of the Duke of Wellington could never have been achieved.—
(Hear, hear !)—Considering the natural frailty of human nature,
it might not have been wonderful if .his Royal Highness had en-
tertained some prejudices or shown some resentments ; but he be-
lieved there was no instance on record of his having done so.:_
He was, at all times, steady and sincere in his private friendships,
and he (Sir John) need only refer to the brilliant list of names
who had under him filled the offices of Military Secretary, of Ad-
jutant-General, and Quarter-Master-General, to show the excel-
lence of his choice of those who were to executt his commands,
and that he knew how to select effective men, and such as would,
from their high characters, reflect honour on his selection. It
was with melancholy feelings that he adverted to these subjects;
but as they had met for the express purpose of voting an address
of condolence to his Majesty, he could not resist the opportunity
of offering himself to second the address, and of expressing his
opinion of the merits of his Royal Highness; and of the great loss
which the nation had sustained by his death.
The address was then unanimously agreed ; and on the mo:
tion of Mr. Gibson Craig, the thanks of the meeting were voted
to the Convener and Sheriff, for the opportunity they had giien
the county of expressing their sentiments on the occasion.
On the motion of Mr. Sheriff Duff, it was agreed to send the
Address to the Earl of Morton, to be by him transmitted to the
Secretary of State.
Thanks were voted to the mover and seconder of the address,
and the meeting separated.—Edinburgh Advertiser.