by HR Cook from the Picture by TLawrance R.A.

Published Feb 1 1818, by P.Martin N°33. Orchard Street. Fortman

Square

THE

Military Panorama,

OR

OFFICER'S COMPANION FOR FEBRUARY 1813.

MILITARY BIOGRAPHY.

LIEUT.-GEN. LORD WILLIAM CAVENDISH BENTINCK.

THE

HE illustrious family of Bentinck, following the fortunes of their native prince-our Third William-accompanied him to England at a period the most remarkable, and, at the same time, the most glorious in our history, when a thorough, a salutary revolution, both in church and state, was happily effected by the consummate wisdom and prudence of our ancestors, without the effusion of a single drop of British blood. Blessed then be the memory of those sages who thus obtained for us a bloodless victory over an oppressive and intolerant government. Nurtured in the lap of superstition and of sophistry, all public acts, emanating from such a government, could not but be impure,-they necessarily partook of the nature of the feculent stream, whence they were derived. A dreadful, a calamitously inauspicious æra must that have been, when only the tyrant and his victim were seen,-when society, if it could be denominated such, consisted only of the hunter and his game, but away with these sombre tints, since the sun of reason has fortunately arisen, and, dispelling the circumambient gloom, once more reared order and speculative freedom on the ruins of anarchy, and of blind zeal in matters connected with the duty which we owe both to God and man, and let us rejoice at the change!

Lieutenant-General Lord William C. Bentinck, son to the late, and next brother of the present, Duke of Portland, was born 16th of September 1774. Like all gentlemen who devote themselves to their country, and prefer a military to any other life, his

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lordship entered the army when he was very young; but as it was in a time of profound peace, neither could his promotion be rapid nor could he obtain much of practical knowledge in his profession; and with respect to theory, it may be said, with the solitary exception of war, that every trade, calling, or profession, has one which is peculiar to it; but events occur in warfare of such a nature, attended by such unlooked-for circumstances, bearing an aspect so different from whatever before appeared, and demanding of course such a versatility of talents, of which the most capacious mind of man is susceptible, or rather a concurrence of every talent which can dignify human nature,-that theory will be found absolutely inadequate to the host of difficulties opposed to it; nay, does not the most intelligent, the most consummate General, he who daily compels victory to become stationary on his standard, he whom the evidence of every hour evinces to be the greatest chief that ever led an army into the path of glory, does he not find that, even with his long and successful practice, he must pause a little before he acts? This assertion will be contradicted only by those who are so impenetrably dull, as to think that the individual who has not talents sufficient to fill the most humble department in life, is becomingly qualified for the army, in which mere negative talents prove a recommendation !

When the throne of a mighty dynasty was overthrown in a neighbouring country, and when the Regicides, who were dragging the reins of the state in the mud, threw down the gauntlet of defiance to all well-regulated governments, a favorable opportunity presented itself, and Lord William accompanied the son of his king into the field, and in the distinguished capacity of Aid-de-Camp to H. R. H. the Duke of York remained on the Continent until the fate of war rendered it necessary for the British troops to return home, after having performed prodigies of valour, and displayed every martial virtue which could extort commendation even from the unprincipled enemy with whom they had to contend.

An Aide-de-Camp is a most efficient officer in war-time, and the General, in selecting a gentleman duly qualified for that post, and in whom he can repose perfect, boundless confidence, may be said to be exerting one of his highest privileges; for, next to himself, the Aide-de-Camp can promote his views most essentially, in action by his activity, his well-timed observations, and the precision with

which he delivers his orders to the corps which are about to be dislocated, and sent to reinforce a weak point abruptly assailed by superior numbers. During the Campaigns of His Royal Highness in French and Austrian Flanders, Holland, Westphalia, &c. &c. Lord William evinced uncommon capability, and abundantly justified the prince in the choice he had made. On the day of battle he was seen as if flying in every direction, heedless of the shower of balls falling on all sides, displaying at once great presence of mind, much intellectual and superior penetration.

His Lordship was universally beloved and esteemed in the army; at head-quarters, where he was best known, and his amiable propensities most likely to be duly appreciated, he was idolized; affable and unassuming, urbane in his manners, great suavity of disposition, with an eager wish to forward the interests of those of his acquaintance who applied to him for a portion of his influence, were all admirable qualifications, and calculated to ensure respect, esteem, and affection.

It has been observed of the Bentinck family, that they possess more of the solid than of the brilliant in their nature,—that they have more of Saturn than of Mercury in their disposition, and that at the council-table their representations produce much more effect than the long speeches of others, delivered with classical purity, and clothed in all the pomp of ornamented language. The late Duke is said to have been endowed with the very peculiar talent of bringing over to his sentiment, by dint of sound logic, those members of the state, in council assembled, who piqued themselves most on their own mental powers, and Lord William, we are assured, is gifted with similar qualities, and admirably adapted for situations of the greatest importance in the diplomatic line.

- We have already remarked that Lord William Bentinck made his first campaign in Flanders, where the variety of circumstances attending the progress of the British arms at that period, afforded this gallant officer an opportunity of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the profession he had chosen.

During the years 1799 and 1800 Lord William served with the Austrian army, severally commanded by General Suwarrow, General Melas, and General Count Bellegarde,-and had the good fortune to be an eye-witness of many important operations. His Lordship was, about this time, also employed in a diplomatic capacity, in