On the 7th of January, 1827, a sermon was preached by the Rev. G. Clark, M.A., chaplain, on the demise of the Royal Founder, at the conclusion of which he thus addressed the children:—“I need not tell you that it has pleased Almighty God to take away from this world the President of this Institution, the Duke of York. He was the firm friend of your fathers, and also a kind and steady friend to you, their children. Whatever advantages you enjoy in this Asylum, you owe, under Divine Providence, to the Duke of York. He was the founder of this Institution, and by his recommendations and exertions it was begun and completed. Many of you will remember this good friend who is now taken from us. A few months ago you beheld him walk through your ranks; you saw in his countenance the pleasure he felt from witnessing the healthy and creditable appearance of so many children of British soldiers. I exhort you to hold his memory in your hearts and affections; show your gratitude by improving the advantages he has given to you in this Asylum, and by doing your duty to God and man when you go forth into the world.” * * * * * The following tribute to the memory of the Duke of York was written by Dr. Veitch, at that time physician to the Chelsea Dispensary:—“The knowledge which his late Royal Highness possessed of human nature, and what was becoming the character of British soldiers, induced him to impress on their minds a system of discipline at once correct and conveying lofty feelings; so that men thus trained were at all times ready to prefer death to subjugation. We may here say, with truth, that to the love of his country and the army he has prematurely fallen a victim. No self-gratification, no pleasures, were ever by him allowed to interfere with the duties he owed to the army and his country, and however late his hour of going to rest, he was invariably the first man at his post in the morning. We find individuals who are distinguished as statesmen, as admirals, as generals, but who are without the smallest pretensions to true greatness, because their talents and their courage are not blended with the chivalrous, the gallant, and finer inspirations flowing from the heart. Such men are generally anxious enough that their services should be appreciated by their Sovereign, while they overlook what they owe to others who have mainly contributed to their fame and to their fortune. The late illustrious Duke had no such narrowness; his soul was surrounded with generous and delicate attributes, rendering all periods of his splendid career utterly inaccessible to deeds of darkness, and also ever ready to expand to the light of truth, to the claims of justice and of humanity; and he is therefore eminently entitled to the character of a great man; because his high attainments in military affairs were combined with an exalted and refined sense of courage and of honour.” * * * * *