Note 472 — 1845.

Made an etching of the ‘Adelaide Oak,’ in the Home Park, which, submitted by Sir Henry de la Beche to Lord Liverpool, obtained for him a complimentary introduction to Prince Albert. His Royal Highness accepted the etching, and expressed himself much pleased with the beauty and minuteness of the execution.—‘Morning Post,’ Saturday, August 19, 1843. The tree had a pretty seat hut nearly half round the bottom of its trunk, and in another part of it was a remarkable hollow occasioned by time. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager had been known frequently to sit reading under its ample shade, and on that account it was considered to be her favourite oak. Hogan afterwards presented, through Colonel Wylde, an etching of the ‘Victoria Oak,’ in the Green Park, to the Prince; and His Royal Highness, in thanking the giver, expressed the admiration he felt for his talents as an artist, and rewarded him with the sum of 5l. These handsome pair of etchings are now the property of Her Majesty. Hogan never received promotion in the corps, as he was unqualified for command; and being discharged, on the usual pension in January, 1845, soon afterwards emigrated to South Australia.

An anecdote, which is unique in its way, may be added of this good easy man. At Trinity College, Dublin, he had gained prizes as an artist, but when he enlisted, was as ignorant of the use of fire-arms as a child. Having fired blank cartridge in the usual routine of drill, he was considered to be ripe enough to enter upon the more advanced stage of firing ball. Accordingly, with others of his company, he was ordered to attend this instructional duty. When directed to prime and load, he was observed to separate the bullet from the cartridge and throw it away. Sergeant Hilton, who had charge of the party, picked up the discarded bullet; and on asking Hogan his reason for biting it off, he replied, “Sure, sir, I didn’t know that the knob was of any use!”