The more prominent points of Lord Hardinge's military administration have now been briefly touched upon, all questions of controversy being avoided with regard to the policy and conduct of the war in the Crimea. The full history of that war has yet to be written. But enough has, I think, been stated to show that during the time he was at the Ordnance and at the Horse Guards he left his mark on the administration of both departments.
On October 18th, 1855, shortly after the fall of Sebastopol, Lord Hardinge was raised to the rank of Field-Marshal for his long and meritorious services — services which he rendered almost to the last, until he was compelled by illness to resign a command in which he took unflagging interest, only terminated by his death. He was taken ill at Aldershot in the act of presenting to the Queen the report of the Chelsea Commission of General Officers. He recovered sufficiently to be able to ride about his woods at South Park, devoting himself to those country occupations in which he took so keen an interest. A strong love for the arts[1] and for his garden was inherent in his nature — tastes often cultivated by those whose life has been passed amid scenes of anxiety, with mental and bodily toil. He passed
- ↑ A good water-colour artist himself, Lord Hardinge took great delight in the society of artists, being on intimate terms of friendship with Sir Francis Grant and Sir Edwin Landseer, both of whom painted pictures for him. The original of the portrait that forms the frontispiece to this volume is considered one of Grant's happiest efforts.
