Still in his prime seemed Dr. Burney, in defiance either of years or of
misfortune, for the free use of his unimpaired faculties, when called
upon to any exertion.
On the anniversary of the birth-day of his Majesty George III., in
1799, a body of Cavalry of between 8000 and 9000 men, bearing the
name of the Chelsea Armed Association, mounted, exercised, clothed
and equipped at their own expense, under the command of an honorary
Colonel, Matthew Yateman, Esq., mustered in the courts and precincts of
Chelsea College, in full display of their military force and equipment.
They were received with every honourable testimony to their noble
zeal, and unparalleled liberality, by the Governor of the College, the
principal officers, and the Chaplain: while the colours were presented
to them by a daughter[54] of North, Bishop of Winchester.
Dr. Burney had the pleasure to compose a march for this brave corps;
to play the organ upon the consecration of the colours; and, after
the minutest investigation, and unsparing research into all that was
most correct, and most distinguished of ancient practice upon similar
ceremonies, to draw up the order for its procession.
The delight of the Doctor at this brilliant and disinterested loyalty
in so large a body of volunteers, made his rendering it any assistance
a true and lively self-gratification: the committee, however, of this
armed association, thought it so much obliged for his services, that a
vote of thanks was unanimously passed; and was publicly conveyed to him
by the commander, Colonel Yateman.
He was too sensible to this mark of courtesy to receive it unmoved, and
hastened back the following answer:
“15th JUNE, 1799.
“_To_ MATTHEW YATEMAN, ESQ., _Commandant of the Chelsea
Armed Association._
“Sir,
“I cannot resist the desire with which the testimony
of your approbation, and that of the special committee
of the Chelsea Armed Association has impressed me, of
returning thanks for the thanks with which you have
honoured me for a small service, in the performance of
which I had infinite pleasure. And, loving my country,
and its established government as I do, I shall, to the
last hour of my life, regard the loyalty, zeal, and
truly patriotic spirit of your very respectable corps,
manifested on the
King’s birth-day, as the most honourable to his Majesty
and to his subjects, which any country has ever shewn.
“We know that the Roman legions were _paid_, as well as
the individuals of every other army, ancient or modern;
and that the title of soldier is derived from _solidus_,
a piece of money; but a body of eight or nine thousand
men, voluntarily mounted, exercised, and clothed at their
own expense, is an instance of such real patriotism as
does not, perhaps, occur in the history of the world.
I feel, therefore, proud of my country, and the noble
efforts it is making to avert the misery and horrors with
which Gallic principles and plunder have desolated the
rest of Europe, and shook the globe.
“I have the honour to be,
“Sir, &c.
“CHARLES BURNEY.”
“_Chelsea College, June 15th, 1799._”