[21] When this part of the record was read to King William IV. at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, on the 9th day of November, 1835, His Majesty observed:--'I recollect perfectly well inspecting the squadron at Liverpool with the Duke of Gloucester, and I think _they were the finest men and horses I ever saw_. In a short time afterwards we went to see the regiment at Manchester, and were equally pleased with the whole. It is a long time ago now, but the circumstance is fresh in my memory.' His Majesty directed Colonel Chatterton to make a note of this in the record. [22] During this year, 1815, the white web pantaloons and Hessian boots, were replaced by dark-coloured cloth overalls and short boots. [23] Horse furniture was originally used by both officers and men of the regiment, but it was discontinued in the early part of the reign of George III. SUCCESSION OF COLONELS OF THE FOURTH, OR ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS. JAMES EARL OF ARRAN. _Appointed 28th of July, 1685._ THE EARL OF ARRAN was the eldest son of Lord William Douglas, a faithful supporter of the royal cause during the rebellion, who was created Earl of Selkirk by King Charles I. in 1646, and having married Anne Duchess of Hamilton, only surviving daughter of James first Duke of Hamilton, was, in consequence of a petition from the Duchess, created DUKE OF HAMILTON for life by King Charles II. Shortly after the restoration the EARL OF ARRAN obtained an appointment in the household of King Charles II.,[24] and after remaining some time at court, he was sent with a congratulatory communication to the French Monarch, and served two campaigns with the French army in the capacity of aide-de-camp to Louis XIV. In 1685, when the Earl of Argyle raised the standard of rebellion in Scotland, the EARL OF ARRAN took an active part against the insurgents: he also raised a troop of horse for the service of King James II., who appointed him Colonel of the SIXTH REGIMENT OF HORSE, now FOURTH, OR ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS. He was nominated a Knight Companion of the Thistle, on the revival of that Order in 1687, and in the following year he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and appointed Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. At the Revolution his conduct was remarkable for the unshaken fidelity which he evinced to his sovereign under all circumstances. When he could no longer serve the King in a military capacity, he performed his duty as gentleman of the bed-chamber, and attended His Majesty from the time of his departure from London to the moment of his embarkation at Rochester; and at the meeting of the Scottish nobility and gentry in London, in January, 1689, at which the duke, his father, presided, he expressed himself in reply to the request of the Prince of Orange for advice:--'The surest way to heal the breach is to address His Majesty to return from France, and call a free parliament. I can distinguish between his popery and his