[37] A beautiful silver inkstand has been recently presented to Lieut.-Colonel Spence, by the Officers of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. It is an elegant testimonial, and is tastefully embellished with military trophies, a soldier of the regiment being introduced on the two extremities, in the position to receive cavalry,--the whole surmounted by the British Lion. The following inscription is engraved on the testimonial:-- Presented to LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SPENCE, C.B., By Lieutenant-Colonel Staunton and Officers of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment, As a token of their esteem and attachment, On his leaving the Regiment, in which he had served for a period of forty-one years, With high distinction to himself and honor to his Country. HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE SECOND BATTALION OF THE THIRTY-FIRST, OR THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT. [Sidenote: 1804] Napoleon Bonaparte, upon being raised in May 1804 to the dignity of Emperor of the French, increased his immense preparations to carry into effect his project for the invasion of England, that he might, by one great effort, crush the power of the British people, who appeared as a barrier to his ambitious designs. This menace of invasion had aroused the spirit of the British nation; patriotic enthusiasm pervaded all ranks; and among the measures of defence[38] adopted by the Government was the introduction of the “_Additional Force Act_” which was passed on the 14th of July 1804. [Sidenote: 1805] Under this Act of Parliament, a _second battalion_ was added to the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, which was to be formed of men raised in the county of Chester for limited service. The second battalion was embodied by July 1805, and in October it proceeded from Chester to Winchester, where the first battalion was stationed. [Sidenote: 1806] After the first battalion had embarked for Sicily in April 1806, the second battalion continued at Winchester until June following, when it proceeded to Gosport. [Sidenote: 1807] On the 8th of January 1807, the second battalion embarked at Gosport for Guernsey, where it arrived on the 15th of that month. In May 1807, the battalion proceeded to Ireland, and was stationed at Limerick. [Sidenote: 1808] In March 1808, the battalion was removed from Limerick to Dublin. Important events had in the meantime occurred on the Continent, which occasioned the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment to be ordered on active service. Napoleon, having reduced Germany to submission to his will, and forced Russia to accede to his decrees, next attempted the subjugation of Spain and Portugal. The Spaniards and Portuguese rose in arms to assert their national rights, the French Emperor having conferred the crown of Spain on his brother Joseph, who relinquished the throne of Naples in favor of Marshal Murat.