THE PEERS' RECORD.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12769, 10 February 1910, Page 1

THE PEERS' RECORD.

WHEN THE COUNTRY WAS IN DANGER. However controversy may rage round the legislative powers of the peers, no one, unless blinded by a bitter prejudice, can, says the 'Tall Mall Gazette," deny that they iiave an experience of the dangers and discomforts of war beyond all other classes of men. No fewer than 68 living peers took part in the Boer war. That is, roughly, about one peer in nine, a very high proportion when wo remember that a large number of them were, even ten years ago , past the campaigning age, while others were too young to bear arms. It is probably forgotten by now that three peers lost their lives out there. Lord Winchester, the premier marquis of England, was shot down at Magersfqntein, Lord Airlie was killed at Diamond Hill, and Lord Kensington died of the wounds ho received at Vaal Kranz. In cases where the fathers, from age and other causes, could not go, the sons responded gallantly to their country's call in that hour of tense suspense. Lord Lansdowno sent his two sons. Lord Roberts lost his only son. The three sons of the Duke o'i Atholl all wont. Lord Tullibardine, the popular heir (popular even among Radicals) raised iuul partly commanded 'the Scottish Horse, a corps which distinguished itself greatly. Another Scottish peer, Lord Riithvcn, who had himself served in the Crimea, the Indian. Mutiny, and Abyssinia, sent the Master of Rufchren and his youngest surviving son. Both came back with the D.S.O. His second son Captain Alexander Hore-Ruthven, had always shown tho mettle.of which he was made. The year before the Boer war he won the. Victoria Cross for saving the life of a brother officer under Jieary fire. Lord Carlisle sent two sous, including Lord Morpeth, and another had just before, fallen a,t Omdurman. Four out of five sons of the Duke of Buccleugh went. Lord Erne sent all his three sons, and one was wounded. The Duke of Norfolk gave up the rostmaster-Gencralship and over two thousand a year to go to the front, where his brother, Lord Edmund Talbot, won the D.S.O. Lord Lovat raised and commanded the corps of Scouts which bore his name, and which did good service iv the fighting line. His two brothers were in the field, too. With Lord Derby went five of his brothers. Lord Dundon aid was at the head of the force which relieved Ladysmith. ; Khe Duke of Mo;itrose and Lord Graham, Lord Leicester and Lord Coke, tho Duke of Richmond and Lord March, Lord Valentia and Captain Anesley, Lord Dowiio and Major Dawnay furnish instances of both father and heir taking a hand in the game, Tb.e list could be greatly expanded.