The Flags of the World: Their History, Blazonry, and AssociationsHulme, F. Edward (Frederick Edward)
History
The Flags of the World: Their History, Blazonry, and Associations
Hulme, F. Edward (Frederick Edward)
Flags
own sword, neither did their own arm save them, but Thy right hand and
Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance, because Thou hadst a favour
unto them. Through Thee will we push down our enemies; through Thy name
will we tread them under that rise up against us.'" This impressive and
imposing ceremony closed with the magnificent "Hallelujah Chorus" of
Handel, and the final Benediction.
That colours do not always perish in honour may be seen by the following
extract from the _Scots' Magazine_ of June, 1746, where the citizens of
Edinburgh assisted at a very different function to the one we have just
described. "Fourteen rebel colours," says the ancient newsman, "taken at
Culloden, were brought into Edinburgh on the 31st May, and lodged in the
castle. On Wednesday, the 4th of June, at noon, they were brought down to
the Cross, the Pretender's own standard carried by the hangman, and the
rest by chimney sweepers. The sheriffs, accompanied by the heralds,
pursuivants, trumpeters, city constables, etc., and escorted by the city
guard, walked to the Cross, where a proclamation was {71} made that the
colours belonging to the rebels were ordered by the Duke of Cumberland to
be burnt by the hands of the common hangman. The Pretender's standard was
then put on a fire that had been prepared, and afterwards all the rest one
by one--a herald always proclaiming to whom each belonged, the trumpets
sounding, and the populace, of which there was a great number assembled,
huzzaing."
Various government officials have their special flags. The flag of the
Union having been established by "Queen's Regulations" for the naval
service, as the distinguishing flag to be borne by the admiral of the
fleet, great inconvenience arose from the use of the same flag when
military authorities, diplomatic and consular agents were embarking in
boats or other vessels; so it became necessary to make some modification in
the flag. It is therefore now ordered that a general or other officer
commanding a military station shall have, in the centre of the Union, a
blue shield bearing the Royal initials, surmounted by a crown and
surrounded by a garland; those in the diplomatic service shall have, in the
centre of the Union, a white shield bearing the Royal Arms, and surrounded
by a garland; while consuls-general, consuls, or consular agents have the
Blue Ensign as their distinguishing flag, and in the centre thereof the
Royal Arms. The flag of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland is the Union, and in
its centre, as we may see in Fig. 106, a blue shield bearing the golden
harp.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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