K^Ae 'ie^' %. 6v 7 (::7C/. ..yfCo^r^i^ ^^y^/t^A^^^ THE I F OF RICHARD EARL HOWE. By GEORGE MASON, AUTHOR OF AN ESSAY ON DESIGN IN GARDENING, AND OF TIlE SUPPLEMENT TO JOIINSOn's ENGLISH DICTIONARY. ECCLESIASTICUS, ch. 44. 1 . Let us now praise famous men — 2. The Lord hath wrought great glory by them, through his great power from the beginning. 8. There be of them, that have left a name behind them, tliat their praises might be reported. 13. Their seed shall remain for everj and their glory shall not be blotted out. L'0.N*i):6;Nc'^ I'UINTED BY C. ROWORTH, FOR .JOHN WHITE, FLEET STREET 3 LEIGH AND SOTHEBYSj YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN 5 AND T. PAYNE, MEWS GATE. 1803, PAST -I HENRY MORSE STCPHBNS f-a TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SOPHIA-CHARLOTTE BARONESS HOWE, AND TO THE MOST NOBLE LOUISA-CATHERINE MARCHIONESS OF SLIGO, NOW THE ONLY SURVIVING DAUGHTERS OP THEIR ILLUSTRIOUS FATHER^ THE TRULY ESTIMABLE PRESERVERS OF A FiOURISHING LINE FROM HIMSELF;, AND IMMEDIATE INHERITRIXES OF HIS KNOWN BENEFICENT SPIRIT, THIS ENDEAVOUR TO GIVE SOME IDEA OF HIS SO TRANSCENDENT A LIFE IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. 5U937 t Published by the same Author. QUARTO. A SUPPLEMENT to JOHNSON'S ENGLISH DICTIO- NARY, Price iCs. Sold by /. White, Leigh and Sothebys, and T. Payrie. POEMS by THOMAS HOCCLEVE, with a Preface, Notes, and Glossary. Price 6s. Sold by Leigh and Sothebys. OCTAVO. An ESSAY on DESIGN in GARDENING. 6s. An APPENDIX to the same. is. A BRITISH FREEHOLDER'S ANSWER to T. PAIN. 6d. The three last sold by J. White, )- THE LIFE OF RICHARD EARL HOWE. X HE readers of this imperfect sketch may possibly ask, what presumptuous in- dividual has undertaken so difficult an a- chievement, as delineating to the world one of the most eminent characters, that ever appeared in it. To this enquiry, a plain confession of matter of fact seems the pro- perest answer of all. The writer, of what follows, pretends not to naval, or military knowledge; though born in the heart of London city, never set up for a profound politician; he never studied the balance of trade, nor the balance of empires. Yet, with all these deficiencies, having not un- A frequently ^''''' ••••••*''• 'The life of frequently exercised himself in literary compositions, and of late even affixt his name to them, he has been emboldened to enter upon a subject, which twenty- seven successive years could not fail of rendering him in some degree acquainted with. During almost the whole of that period, he was honoured, not barely with the kindest friendship, but also with a considerable share of confidence by the great Earl Howe. Enjoying these advan- tages, he was so particularly taken with many testimonies of unusual good sense, which pervaded this noble earl's most fa- miliar conversations, that he deposited all his anecdotes, maxims, and opinions, in the cabinet of a faithful memory — thence, with due selection, to be now produced to the public. Such is the whole apology, which the writer can offer for his present attempt. —-But should any of his readers be curious to RICHARD EARL HOWE. 3 to know anything more about him, they are hereby informed, that he has been strug- ghng with constitutional infirmities for thirty-four years past, and, for the last nine, with the consequences of a very dangerous accidental injury. Having at that time narrowly escaped life's total shipwreck, and with difficulty clambered up a solitary cliff, he has habituated himself to consider his compulsive station, in the light of an eremitical watch-tower — Despicere unde queas alios, passimque videre Errare. Lucr, Whence you look down on throngs, that widely stray. Let not his readers be surprised then, if in his 68th year he assume the tone of censor^ castigatorque to a greater degree, than might perhaps be allowable in one not equally cut off from social intercourse with mankind. They may also readily believe, that a person of this sort has not A 2 published THE LIFE OF published a single syllable of the ensuing- pages under any other influence whatever, than that of his own propensities alon®. THE Honourable Richard Howe, se- cond son of Emanuel-Scrope Viscount Howe of the kingdom of Ireland, was born in the parish of St. George Hanover Square, March 8th 1725-6. 0,S.—hy the change of style, March 19th 1726. He was sent for education first to Westminster school, when his father went to Barbadoes as governor of that island — haying been appointed to his government in May 1732* From this school Richard was removed to that of Eton, not later than 1735, when the Viscountess (his mother) returned a dowager to England. In his fourteenth year he left Eton also, to enter into the naval service. I should RICHARD EARL HOWE. 5 I should here premise, that ahnost all the facts, which follow from this point of time to the year 1763, are related on the authority of a memoir of Lord Howe in the British 7naga zinc of June 1783; which me- moir was written by Mr. Edward UEpine. The person just mentioned went first to sea (as a boy) under the patronage of Mr, Howe when made a post-captain, was afterwards his secretary, and always at- tended him in his naval expeditions, till 1763. Mr. L'Epine was a man of un- doubted veracity, and, as far as the fore- mentioned period goes, w rote the memoir from his own knowledge. Mr, Richard Howe was initiated into his professional line by sailing for the South Seas, in the Severn of 50 guns command- ed by the Hon. Captain Edward Legge, This ship (one of Commodore Anson s squadron) was driven by distress into Rio A 3 Janeiro, 6 THE LIFE OF Janeiro, and thence navigated back to Europe. Mr. Howe served next aboard the Bur- ford (Captain Lushington) in a squadron under the command of Commodore Sir Francis Knowles ; who was detached from Sir Chaloner Ogle's ifleet in February 1743, to make an attack on the town of La Giiitta upon the coast of Curacoa. The attack was made; the Burford suffered con- siderably; and the captain was killed in the action. This attempt having failed, a court-martial was held, relative to the conduct of the Burford. Young Howe was particularly called upon for his evi- dence. He gave it in a clear and collect- ed manner, till he came to relate the death of his captain. He could then proceed no further; but burst into tears, and retired. There subsists a more intimate alliance between steady courage and sensibility, than the generality of men are aware of. Mr. RICHARD EARL HOWE. 7 Mr. Howe was soon afterwards ap- pointed acting lieutenant by Commodore Knowles, and in a short time came to England with his ship. His commission not being confirmed by the Admiralty, he returned to his patron in the West In- dies, where h,e was made Lieutenant of a sloop of war. An English merchant-man had been captured at the Dutch settlement of Eu- statia by a French privateer, under the guns and protection of the governor. Lieutenant Howe, at his own earnest re- quest, was sent with orders to claim her for the owners. This demand not being complied w ith, h^ desired leave to go w ith the boats, and attempt cutting her out of the harbour. The captain represented the danger of so adventurous a step; and ad- ded, that he had not sufficient interest to support him in England, on a representa- tion of the breach of neutrality. The A 4 lieu- 8 THE LIFE or lieutenant then requested, he would for a short time quit the ship, and leave the command with him. This being done, the lieutenant went with the boats, cut out the vessel, and restored it to the pro- prietors. In the Autumn of 1745 Lieutenant Howe, having served previously with Ad- miral Vernon in the Downs, was raised to the rank of Commandei^ in the Baltimore sloop of war, which joined the rest of the squadron on the coast of Scotland under Admiral Smith. During this cruize, the Baltimore and another armed vessel, fell in with two French frigates of 30 guns each, full of troops and ammunition. Captain Howe immediately ran the Balti- more between them, and almost on board one of the ships. A desperate action com- menced ; in which Captain Howe was severely wounded in the head by a mus- quet ball, and carried off the deck, to all appearance RICHARD EARL HOWE. 9 appearance dead. But by medical assist- ance ke soon discovered signs of life, and after the dressing of his wound flew again to his post. The action continued, till the French ships sheered off, leaving the Bal- timore in too shattered a condition to pur- sue them. For his behaviour in this ac- tion, properly represented by the worthy Admiral Smith, our young hero was ad- vanced to the rank of Fost-Captain, and on April 10th, 1746, appointed to the Tri- ton frigate. With the Triton he was or- dered to Lisbon, there found the Rippon of 60 guns commanded by Captain Hol- bourne, with whom he changed ships, and visited the coast of Guinea. He after- wards went to Admiral Knowles at Jamai- ca, was appointed his first captain on board the Cornwall of 80 guns, in which ship he returned to England at the peace in 1748. During the time of Captain Howe's con- 10 THE J.IFE OF continuance with Sir Edward Knowles in the West Indies, he did his pjitron a particular piece of service —in the domes- tic way. By an infinite deal of pains he prevented that very skilful, but over-amo- rous, naval officer from degrading himself excessively through a most improper marri^ age. This private anecdote (lately com- municated to me from a most respecta- ble and undeniable authority) proves, that an early and sincere desire of rendering his friendship effectually useful, was remark- ably prevalent in Captain Richard Howe. A state of total inactivity could be little suited to the genius of an enterprising youth. We may reasonably conclude then, that his interval at this time, of about three years between his actual ser- vices, was chiefly taken up by an atten- tion to the study of mathematics, and naval tactics; in the knowledge of which he RICHARD EARL HOWE. 11 he was universally allowed to have been singularly eminent, when of maturer days. March 1751 proved the re-commence* ment of his nautical undertakings. He was then appointed to command his ma- jesty's ships on the coast of Guinea in La Gloire of 44 guns. He had already gain- ed such a commendable reputation among the seamen in general, that his ship was immediately manned with volunteers. On his arrival at Cape Coast, the Governor and Council represented to him the series of ill treatment, they had received from the Dutch Governor-general at Elmina Cas- tle ; who had interrupted their inland trade, imprisoned their free negroes, and had brought the credit of the African Company to be held in contempt by the natives. Fired with indignation at these recitals, the commander of the squadron immediately prepared his own ship and the Swan sloop for action, and proceeded to 12 THE LIFE OF to Elmina, anchoring as near the Dutch castle as the depth of water would permit. He then sent Captain Digges on shore with a letter to the Governor-general, de- manding justice for the English merchants without delay, and an immediate release for all the free negroes. To the first de- mand the Dutchman sent an evasive an- swer, to the last an absolute refusal. Up- on this, a blockade for a da}^ or twq brought the Governor-general to reason. All the free negroes being first sent off as a peace-offering, the other demands were promised to be complied with, and the business soon adjusted, and ratified. La Gloire went the usual tour down the coast; thence proceeded to Barbadoes; the chief merchants of which place dis- played their feelings at seeing a son of their old governor; the ship was quite crouded with refreshments from the shore. JLa Gloire proceeded next to Jamaica, thence RICHARD EARL HOWE. 13 thence, according to the usual course, with the merchants' remittances to England. At the close of this same year (1751) Captain Howe was appointed to the Mary Yacht. This was not the kind of com- mand, that accorded with his active spirit : he was glad to quit it in June 1732, on being commissioned to the Dolphin fri- gate. The Dolphin was one of the squa- dron, that sailed to the Mediterranean un- der Commodore Edgecumbe; who, during his station there, dispatched Captain Howe to the coast of Barbary on a very critical service. The inhabitants of Sallee were fitting out a cruizer of about 20 guns, avowedly to plunder vessels of all the Christian nations, and particularly of the Enghsh. On arriving in their road, the Captain sent a letter on shore to the Ba- shaw and Alcaide; acquainting them with the nature of the service to w hich he was appointed, and requesting an explanation of 14 THE LIFE OV of their intentions. The Moors invited the Captain on shore, to treat with them. He was strongly advised not to put him- self in the power of such a faithless peo- ple; but, considering it as a duty belong- ing to his employment, he went on shore next morning, accompanied by two or three friends only — leaving his ship to the care of the lieutenant, with orders how to proceed in case of any accident. On his approach near the beach, he perceived a concourse of people ready to receive him, and, upon landing, was immediately conducted to the Bashaw and Alcaide; who had prepared a repast for his enter- tainment (a sheep roasted whole, &c.) and behaved with the greatest civility, and even politeness. They then proceeded to the business of the intended cruizer; and ^ by their discourse appeared not quite free from hostile designs. When they were re- minded of subsisting treaties, they replied, . that RICHARD EARL HOWE. 15 that the Emperor of Morocco's engage- ments were not binding to them. They how- ever, after much argument, consented to abandon their intentions of cruizing against the English, if the captain would furnish them with a few materials for their ship. This he judiciously contrived to evade, by observing, that the stores aboard the Dol- phin were the property of the king his mas- ter, and not his to give away ; but that if the Bashaw and Alcaide would honour him with a visit, they should be welcome to any thing on board that was at his own dispo- sal. This invitation was accepted, and they went on board next day with near 200 of their followers; so that it was thought necessary to arm a number of sea- men, as centinels in the gangways, and other parts of the ship. The principal Moors were at first a little alarmed, and indeed affronted at this circumstance; but oa the captain^s informing them, that it was 16 THE LIFE OF was only a proper compliment to the dig- nity of his guests, they were perfectly sa- tisfied, and chearfnlly partook of the re- past — not objecting to rum-punch, under the title of sherbet. They accepted of a pair of handsome pistols, and some other things ; and by a promise to return with a more considerable present for the Em- peror (which he afterwards faithfully per- formed) the Captain put them oiF with the gift of a hand-pump. On the Dol- phin's departure, they sent a letter to the commodore, thanking him for appointing such an officer to negotiate with them, and desiring that the same person might return with the promised presents for the Emperor. In 1754 Captain Howe came back to England; and in March 1755 obtained the command of the Dunkirk, carrying 60 guns. In this ship he sailed with Ad- miral Holbourne's squadron to reinforce Ad- RICHARD EARL HOWE. 17 Admiral Boscawen off Newfoundland. Here, while the British flag lay off Cape Race, there appeared (June 8tli 1755) the French ship Alcide of 64 guns, and the Lys mounting only 22, having eight com- panies of land forces on board. An ac- tion speedily commenced. In about half an hour the Alcide struck to the Dunkirk, her inferior in rate, guns, and men. In 1756 (probably late in Autumn) "' The honourable Captain Richard Howe " in the Dunkirk, with a 20 gun ship, and " two sloops of war, was sent to destroy " the fortifications, which the French had " erected on the island of Chaucey near " 'St. Malos. The fortifications were de- " molished, and Captain Howe returned to " England." Capt, Schomhergs Naval Chronology, In the beginning of the year 1757 Cap- tain Howe cruized in the Channel, and on the Irish coast; in which cruize he took B one 18 THE LIFE OF one privateer of 36 guns, another of 18, and a third of l6. During such his em- ployment at sea, he was elected represent- ative in parliament for the borough of Dartmouth about the middle of May, in the room of Mr. Walter Gary deceased. So unshaken was his interest in this bo- rough, that whenever his seat was vacated, either by civil appointment, or by a disso- lution of parliament, he was constantly re- chosen without opposition. He conti- nued to represent this place for nearly 25 years — till he was advanced to a Bri- tish peerage. On his return from cruizing, about the middle of the summer 1757> he was ap- pointed to the command of the Magna- nime of 74 guns, and sent out with Sir Ed- ward Hawke. The Magnanime was one of the ships detached by Sir Edward under Sir Francis Knowles, and ordered by Sir Francis to attack the only fort on the mCHARD EARL HOWE. 19 the island of Aix. This exploit Captain Howe accomplished by getting within 40 yards of the fort before he fired : he then opened so furious and well-directed a fire, that the enemy were soon driven from their guns, and surrendered. February l6th 1758 was an auspicious day indeeed in our hero's calendar. Be- ing allotted a cessation for a few months, amidst the career of his glorious actions, he married Mary, one of the tw o daugh- ters and co-heiresses to Chiverton Hartop Esq. of Welby in the County of Leicester. This marriage was productive of no living child for the first four years; but after- wards amply compensated for the delay, by giving the world the two noble ladies to whom this publication is inscribed, and an intermediate one, whose untimely de- cease will be recorded in the sequel.* Being * The eldest of these three ladies (Sophia-Charlotte) was ,? 2 born 20 THE LIFE OE I Being thoroughly sensible of the skill and activity of Captain Howe (the only officer of the great armament in 1757? who had performed any service) Mr. Secretary Pitt contrived to have an interview with him, for the purpose of discoursing about other attacks on the French coast. At the close of the conversation, Captain Howe expressed his desire, to be one of the officers employed on such service. The minister replied, "he could not in- ^' terfere in recommending captains to " the commander in chiefV' Thus the matter seemingly ended : but Mr. Pitt had in reality determined, that the su- preme naval command should be entrusted to Captain How e himself* In consequence of this determination^ born February 19th 17^2, the second (Mary- Juliana) April ■17th 1765, the youngest (Louisa-Catherine) December gth 1767. The birth of their mother (late Countess Howe) is not exactly known; but she was baptized July 20th 17S2, O.S. at IIICIIAIID EARL HOWE. 21 at the beginning of June 1758 Commodore Howe set sail in the Essex with his squa- dron of ships of war, and above one hun- dred transports, having on board some thousand land forces and a large train of artillery, through the race of Alderney — being the first Englishman, who was bold enough to sail with a fleet of ships through this dangerous pass. The Commodore proceeded to the bay of Concalle. Here the Duke of Marlborough landed with the troops, and having destroyed near St. Malos an hundred sail of shipping, and many magazines, re-embarked on June 11th. The Commodore, after making va- rious movements with his fleet to the ter- ror of the French coast, on July 1st re- turned to St. Helens, A second expedition in the same year (1758) being concerted under the same jiaval commander, Prince Edward (after- wards Duke of York) went on board the B 3 Essex 22 THE LIFE Oi^ Essex on July 24th. August Ist, Com- modore Howe, with the troops under Lieutenant-General Bligh, sailed from St. Helens. On 6th, he came to anchor in Cherbourg road. The town of Cherbourg ■was taken, the bason totally destroyed, together with all the forts in the neigh- bourhood. This service performed, the fleet anchored August 19th under the high land of Portland. On August 31st the Commodore sailed again towards St. Malos — still attended by Prince Edward . He came to anchor Sep- tember 3d in the bay of St. Lunaire, and landed the troops Mdthout opposition. The Commodore found it advisable to move thence into the bay of St. Cas. On the retreat of the British forces from St. Cas September 7th, the Commodore order- ed his barge to be rowed through the thick- est of the enemy's fire; thus animating the sailors RICHARD EARL HOWE. 23 sailors, who had shewn some backw^ardness at the tremendous aspect of the peril, to be firm in their duty. As many of the flying soldiers, as his own boat could pos- sibly contain, were repeatedly taken in ; and, the rest of the boats following so no- ble an example, above 700 of the army were saved, who would otherwise have pe- rished. Here let me pause a while, and indiilge myself in the feelings of an early friend- ship, by expressing my sincere regret for the loss of a valuable youth (then prin- cipal representative, both in lineage and fortune, of the great Lord Chancellor So- mers) Ensign James Cocks. It was this unfortunate defeat, thou much lamented companion, which deprived thy country of a true heroic spirit, tempered with ma- ny social virtues, in only the twentieth year of thine existence, B 4 Thee 24 THE LIFE OF Thee * Brookmans' grove, f Teme's glassy cur- < rent thee, Wept thee thy hicid lakes. J Before we take our leave of the above- mentioned expeditions, I would just say a word or two, relative to Prince Edward, from what was heard by myself many years after in conversation with Earl Howe. When his Royal Highness first engaged in the service, the Commodore asked him " what station he would choose/' The reply was " to be always " where you are." This request w^as uni- formly complied with, till the Commodore saw it necessary to brave the most me- * The name of his seat in Hertfordshire^ now the property and residence of Samuel Robert Gausson, Esq. who (as if the Chancellor Somers's genius still hovered over the spot) is one of the most attentive and unbiassed magistrates in the king- dom. f A river^ that runs by a large extent of land in Worcester- shire, which belonged to this valiant youth. j Te nemus Angitiae, vitrea te Fucinus unda, Te liquidifleverelacus. Virg. jEn. VII. v. 75g. nacmg RICHARD EARL HOWE. 25 nacing front of clanger himself, for rescuing the British troops from destruction. On this occasion he told the Prince (then in the barge with him) that he must desire him to go immediately back to the ship. This request beyond description discon- certed Prince Edward, who most earnestly desired to be suffered to remain in his pro- mised station. The Commodore answered, " he should be happy to have his Royal " Highness still at his side ; but that the *' due atfention to such a charge would " unavoidably draw off* his thoughts from " the important business of the moment/'. Prince Edward, demonstrating a judgment equal to his spirit, acquiesced, and with- drew to the ship. — Notwithstanding this proof of the Commodore's vigilance over the personal safety of his royal naval pupil, the tattling Duke of Newcastle (then at the head of the treasury) remonstrated to George the Second, on the perils, to which his 26 THE LIFE or grandson was exposed by his commander. But the Sovereign repUed with indigna- tion, " how shall the boy be trained to " sea-service without being eniu'cd to its " dangers ?^' Previously to the Commodore's setting out on one of the expeditions already re- cited, being always attentive to verbal ex- actness, he found himself unable to com- prehend one particular passage in his writ-^ ten instructions, which he had received from the great William Pitt. To him therefore he repaired, and mentioned, that he did not perfectly understand his orders. " Not understand your orders V (exclaimed the Secretary in his haughty tone) '' that's " very strange indeed.'' The Commodore, perfectly understanding the real purport of this exclamation, instantly replied : " Sir, " do not mistake me. When I shall be " thoroughly acquainted with my errand, " you may depend upon my executing it " to RICHARD EARL HOWE. 27 " to the utmost of my power/' This softened at once the minister's featm^es : with the readiest complacence he conde- scended to be expositor of his own instruc- tions — which, but for habit of haughtiness, he might as easily have done at first. This anecdote is also given from the mouth of Lord Howe. In a few days after those gallant exer- tions of humanity, which he had shewn in the bay of St. Cas on September 7th, Richard Viscount Howe of the king- dom of Ireland, came home with his fleet. He had succeeded to this title by the death of his elder brother George Au- gustus, killed July 5th at the siege of Ticonderoga in America — as promising an officer in the land service, as even his bro- ther Richard in the naval. In November 1759> the Magnanime commanded by Lord Howe made one of Sir Edward Hawke's fleet at his memorable victory ^S THE LIFE OP victory over Marquis de Conflans. The Magnaninie attacked the Formidable of 84 guns, which was thereby completely disabled, and afterwards taken. But the Magnaninie, having lost her fore-yard, was driven through the enemy's fleet to lee- ward, where Lord Howe bore down, and attacked the Hero so furiously, that he soon compelled her to strike. According to the foregoing account (from the Memoir) this rapid movement of the Magnanime was involuntary ; but it was regarded in another light by intelligent officers on board the fleet : they considered it as a masterly stroke in the Captain for the more effectual annoyance of a flying en^smy. The commandino; admiral himself was of this opinion, and spoke in the highest terms of so judicious an effort. For his behaviour in this action, when Lord Howe was pre- sented at court by Sir Edward Hawke, he was honoured with the particular thanks of RICHARD EARL HOWE. 29 of George the Second, for so many repeti- tions of signal service to his country. Nor did his royal master compliment him by words alone, but appointed him to a lucra- tive post (colonel of the Chatham marines) created on purpose March 22d I76O. On September 4th of the same year (1760) Lord Howe in the Magnanime, with also the Bedford and Prince Frederick, was dispatched by Sir Edward Hawke to dispossess the French of the island of Du- met. In the successful execution of these orders, the king's ships had not a single man killed or wounded. This was the last piece of service, per- formed by our excellent sea-officer in the reign of his first royal patron ; but the change of crowned head seems by no means to have altered the opinion formed at St. James's, on the great naval abilities of Lord Howe. Towards the end of I76I he was appointed commander in chief of the 30 THE LIFE OF the ships in the road of Basque : but while he was busied there in making regulations for the conduct of his squadron, he was summoned away, to act as Captain to Rear- Admiral his Royal Highness the Duke of York, on board the Princess Amelia of 80 guns at Spithead. In this situation he continued during the remainder of the war ; the Duke of York being always se- cond in command to a senior admiral. Once, when he Avas in this service, the lieutenant of the watch went to him at midnight, and awaked him, saying, " My *' Lord, don't be frightened ; the ship is *' on fire close to the magazine/' He sprung up, and replied in an angry tone, " What do you mean by that^ Sir ? I neve?' " was frightened in my life, I will be with ^' you in a moment : but, in the mean " time, give directions that nobody at- '• tempts to disturb his Royal Highness." He went down instantly, and ordered wet swabs, RICHARD EARL HOWE. 31 swabs, and other proper remedies to quench the fire. He then went again upon deck, and, seeing all quiet, retired to sleep with his usual composure. This anecdote is so egregiously mis-reported in the Naval Chronicle^ that the writer thought it his duty to correct that statement from Mr. L'Epine's Memoir. Peace being now made, and Lord Howe's personal assistance to his country no longer requisite on the seas, he was appointed, April 18th 1763, a Commissioner of the Admiralty. This place he continued in upwards of two years, and was much con- sulted by his First Lord, the Earl of Egmont : he exchanged his post however July 30th 1760, for that of Treasurer of the Navy. To the duties of this latter employment he paid that diligent atten- tion, which he deemed indispensable in every species of trust, public or private. •But at the beginning of 1770, on the Duke of $ 32 THE LIFE OF of Grafton*s retiring from the treasury, he thought himself bound in honour to resign his own navy-treasurership, and his appoint- ment of Colonel of the Chatham Marines into the bargain. In these, as well as in every other transaction of his life, he suf- fered not any consideration of emolument to weigh one single atom against his faintest notion of honour. When Lord Howe became thus released from any particular occupation in the civil line of government, Sir Edward Hawke (First Lord of the Admiralty) cast his eyes upon liim, as on one, by whose Ucival ta- lents the public might reap again some considerable advantage. Consequently he got him promoted to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue. Soon after which, our new ad- miral was appointed commander in chief in the Mediterranean, on the probability of a rupture with Spain. This appoint- ment of the junior admiral did not please some RICHARD EARL HOWE. 33 some members of the House of Commons, who proposed addressing his majesty, to inform them, who advised appointing Lord Howe to this command. Sir Ed- ward Hawke then rose up arid said, " I ad- " vised his majesty to make the appoint- " ment. — I have tried my Lord Howe " on important occasions : he never asked " me, how he was to execute any service, " but always went and performed it."" Here the matter ended. Nor was any fleet actually sent to the Mediterranean; nor is evefa the appointment mentioned by Captain Schomberg in his Naval Chro- nology. The preceding account however is taken from Mr. L'Epine's memoir, who must have been thoroughly acquainted with the thing at the time. The next assertion indeed rests on the sole autho- rity of the Naval Chronicle: " In 1771 " Lord Howe's flag was flying on board " the Barfleur." c The 34 THE LIFE OF Tli€ Spring of 1772 is an sera, which the writei' of these sheets always look^ back to with an infinite degree of satis- faction; since it first introduced him to an acquaintance with the noble lord, whose actions he takes now a particular pride in commemorating. This acquaint- ance arose froin Lord Howe's purchase (by the joint-conveyance of Mrs. Emilia Jubb and her son George Mason) of an assemblage of stately groves with their thickets, far descending lawns, and de- lightfully extensive views, constituting all together the beauty of an Hertfordshire seat — then dignified by coming into the possession of so illustrious an owner, who> when free from oflftcial avocations, made it his principal residence for the remain- der of his life. Going (in consequence of this above- mentioned introduction) to Lord Howe's, in London about the beginning of 1773, I met RICHARD EARL HOWE. 55 I met a small party of naval officers com- ing out at his door. These (as hfe then informed me) were a deputation from the Captains of the navy. Their business was to solicit his parliamentary assistance, in order to procure a reasonable addition to their stipends, when out of employment. Our admiral, thoroughly convinced of the propriety of the request, not only pre- sented the petition to the House of Com- mons, but enforced it with such cogent reasons, that, though the minister (Lord North) never wanting in words^ spoke against it, its prayer was voted to be complied with, March 31st 1775 Lord Howe was made -Rear Admiral of the White ^ and Febru- ary 5th 1776 Vice-Admiral of the Blue. This latter promotion was preparatory to his taking command of our fleet in America. By a commission (dated May 6th) he was empowered to treat with the c % Americans. 36' THE LIFE OF Americans. His brother Sir William Howe, then commander in chief of the British land-forces in that part of the world, was the other commissioner. Lord Howe sailed for America in the Eagle of 64 guns, and arrived off Halifax July 1st. He instantly proceeded to New York, where he joined Lord Shuldham's fleet on 14th. " On the 23d of July 1777 Lord Howe *' sailed from Sandy Hook with a fleet " of 267 sail, on board of which was em- *' barked a considerable body of troops, •' destined for tile reduction of Philadei- " phia. They Avere so much impeded in " their passage by calms and contrary " winds, that it was the 14th of August, ^' before they reached the Chesapeak.'* Schombergs Naval Chronology/, On January 29th 1778 Lord '^' Howe * By a strange blunder of the press in Schomberg's Naval Chronology (unnoticed in the errata) Lord Howe is changed into Earl Ferrers. was RICHARD EARL HOWE. 3J was made Vice-Admiral of the JVhite, and March 19th of that year obtained the same rank in the Red,^ Perhaps it may seem to the generahty of readers somewhat unaccountable, that near two years had elapsed, Avithout any- thing having been done answerable to public expectation, raised to an extraor- dinary height from a well-founded opinion of their Admiral. But it should be re- membered, that, during this period, he had no naA^al force to contend a\ ith, and was but an adjunct to the operations of the army. In this respect he was diligent to extremity, never slighting any of the functions of sea-service, and thereby ren- * This latter promotion is given from the Naval Chronicle, and is omitted in Schomberg's Naval Chronology. Yet, from a view of the next promotion of senior Admirals, in September 1780, tlie Chronicle seems right. Indeed Capt. Schomberg appears to think, such promotion might have taken place about tliat time, since in his lists of Lord Howe's squadron both July 12th and August gth 1778 he styles him Vice Admiral of the . c 3 dering 38 IHE LIIFJE OV dering it as useful as possible to the pur- 1 pose of its destination. —Still the want of efficacy excited dissatisfaction at home; though (as may be seen by the last quo- tation from Schomberg) the will of hea- ven had prevented it. Taking hold of this humour in the people, and encou- raging it by a total silence with regard to dispatches, that Lord Howe knew to have been received, a certain person, then in office, questioned every body he spoke to at Court, if they could tell him where the brothers were. To the contrivance of the same state-officer might also be attri- buted the framing of a new commission (dated April 19th 1778) consisting of five persons, to facilitate a treaty with the revolted Americans; and in which the Earl of Carlisle's name was put before those of the two former commissioners. This arrangement Lord Howe constantly reprobated as contrary to all established pre- RICHARD BARt fiOWE. 39 precedent* But the framer of this latter instrurtient (ever practised in evasiom) thouo;ht he had eluded the force of cus- torn, by tacking to the names of Lord Howe and Sir William or the commander ef the sea [or land] forces in America. Just at this period a scene was ap- proaching, for the revival of exertions so frequent in the history of Lord Howe. May 4th he detached Captain Henry ta co-operate with Major Maitland in de- stroying some American armed ships ly- ing in the Chesapeak; and the service was executed with activity, and conse- quent success. But suddenly on July i2th the French Admiral (Comte D'Es- taing) anchored with a large force of line- of-battle ships in complete condition, about four miles from Sandy Hook, where Lord Howe had moored his small- squadron in the best possible order for defence. c 4 , At 40 THE LIFE OF At the time now spoken of the councils of Great Britain were directed by a noble person, of admirable parts, and excellent education — one of the ablest advocates for any business he undertook, though little acquainted with it, and as little con- cerned about it. To him, perhaps more than to the witty Charles the Second, for whom it was written, might the following half-stanza be applicable: Who never said a foolish thing. Nor ever did — a wise one. With such a leader of administration, no wonder, there should be great neglect, in the management of affairs at a distance. The British ambassador at Paris had gi- yen the fullest warning of hostile inten- tions in France, to his corresponding Se- cretary of state — enough to have awaken- ed the most torpid habitudes; but both these Sleepers at home, like the seveii in Mount Celions cave viewed hence by Edward RICHARD EARL HOWE. 41 Edward the Confessor, turned upon their other sides, and slept on.^^ Not so the noble Admh^al, left thus shamefully unstrengthened and unfore- warned. He never slumbered on his post; but by a series of masterly manceuvres, the admiration of the navy to this present hour, not only rescued his own far infe- rior force from the gaping jaw s of destruc- tion, but even prevented the French from affording that assistance to their new al- '^ Edward the Confessor once declared, that lie saw the Sc ten Sleepers in their cave near Ephefus, who had slept there for centuries on their right sides, turn to sleep upon their left. The learned reader may find the account at length, in the pom- pous Latinity of Ethelred Abbot of Rivaux : Mentis oculus interior, speciali perfusus lumine radios, us- que Ephesiorum civitatem mira celeritate porrexit, et usque in montem Celion progressus, sanctorum septem dormientiuni, quiescentium in spelunca, proprietatem vultuum, membrorum quantitatem, quahtatem vestium, expressione manifestissima contemplatus est. Haec dum, interiorem visu significante !«- titiam, luminoso corde conspicerem, subito, me cernente, a la- tere dextro, super quod multis quieverant annis, in sinistrum se latus virtutc vertentes diving, dirum mortalibus omen, hac iaterum mutatione suorum, signarunt. Twisdm Decern Scriptures, col. 396. lies, 42 THE LIFE or lies, which the strength of their fleet had taught these Americans with confidence to look for. After blocking up Lord Howe for ten days at Sandy Hook, D'Estaing stood to sea. A few days posterior to this movement of the French, Lord Howe was a little re-inforced — still much inferior to the enemy. August 9th he made his ap- pearance off Rhode Island ; the day fol- lowing D'Estaing put to sea, and bore down on the British fleet. Lord Howe edged away, to draw the French off the land. On the 12th " he was resolved to " risk an action, notwithstanding the great •^* superiority of the enemy's force," says Schomberg ; but, I believe mktakerili/. He certainly put on the appearance of prepar- ing for an engagement, quitted the Eagle, and went on board the Apollo frigate. Scarcely were the fleets arranged in order of battle, when a dreadful storm dispersed both of them. The next day only seven of RICHARD EARL HOWE. 43' of Lord Howe's fleet were with him. The Apollo haAdng lost her fore-mast, he went on board the Phoenix and steered for New York. By these short naval movements, before recited, he absolutely saved Rhode Island ; the siege of which the American General (Lincoln) raised, and loudly com- plained of D'Estaing's having deserted him. With regard to what Captain Schom- berg has said, of Lord Howe's hamng on August 12th resolved to engage D'Estaing^ it rather seemingly accords with the noble Admiral's official letter, sent home on the occasion to be published in the Gazette of tl>f3 time. But that letter is far from being decisive as to Lord Howe's intentions, and only asserts in the true British spirit, how bravely his assistants would have behaved, had an engagement taken place. Indeed it is upon the authority of the admiral's own lip^, given me on first seeing him at his country- 44 THE LIFE OF country-seat when returned from America, that I now say, he never meant engaging D'Estaing. He had not followed naval service so long to be blind to the difference between courage and fool-hardiness ; and however prodigal or careless he might have been of that highly valuable life he had devoted to his country from his boy- hood, nothing could at any time have in- duced him wantonly to sacrifice the lives of others committed to his charge. Nor was this his declaration made secretly, but openly avowed to all w hom he conyersed with on tlic subject. Hence it w^as, that in 1779 an attack was made on Lord Howe's American conduct, for not havina: given battle to D'Estaing, being his equal in force. This equality w-as attempted to be proved by counting thenvmiber of guns in each fleet, frigates and all, without any consideration of the comparative size of the ships. Such a calculation w^as gene- rally RICHARD EARL HOWE. 45. rally derided for a pound, shilling, and pence account. Lord Howe used to say, one might as well have reckoned two boys, ten years old each, a match for a man of twenty, because the sum total of their ages was the same. On September 2d 1778 Lord Howe re- signed the command of the North Ame- rican fleet ; and, having declined acting under the new commission, sailed for Eng- land in the Eagle, arrived at St. Helens October 25th, and immediately struck his flag. The space of more than three years, from the autumn of 1778, was to Lord Howe a season of recess from his profes- sional employments. This interval he passed in domestic society, in ease, and in affluence. The foundation of that afflu- ence was egregiously mis-understood, or mis-represented, by some carping tribes* Irritated at a general ill success of the proceedings in America (owing entirely to the 46 tHE LIFE OF the imbecility and negligence of ministers) they accused Lord Howe of having raised a fortune for himself by his inefficient naval campaigns. Little was our Admiral s temper adapted to the purpose of enrich- ing him by commands : generosity of spi- rit, and a liberal consideration for the in- terests of those who served under him? were perpetual bars to it.* As to his pro- fits by his American station — he used to declare his readiness to give the whole ac- count of them to the public. It was from far different sources, that his prosperous circumstances flowed. The strictest punc- tuality in matters of business, and a never- failing attention to every thing he had * This is no vague assertion : for, though Lord Howe never made such things a subject of his own discourse, it was the common talk of his officers. Sir Andrew Snape Ham^ tnond in particular said in a large private company, that when- ever there was the least doubt of Lord Howe's right to a share of captures, or other naval emolumentj he was always the first himself to relinquish his claim, under- KICIIARD EARL HOWE. 47 undertaken, induced those who had any kind of connection with him to avail them- selves of these (juahtics, and to make him their executor with very handsome gratifi- cations for his trouble. The first of these was Mr. Howe of Hanslop in Bucking- hamshire, who had married our hero's eldest sister (Caroline), now his surviving w idow ; it was only by this affinity, that Mr. Howe was related to the ennobled fa- mily of his own name. The second bene- factor in this way was the worthy and w ell- known Sir Gregory Page, whose younger brother had married (and left widowed) a paternal aunt of our Admiral. Both these deaths had happened before Lord Howe sailed for America : within two years after his return died also his aunt Page in July 1780, and bequeathed all her effects to this nephew and his children. About the middle of this period of re- tirement enjoyed by Lord Howe, while British 48 THE LIFE OF British ministers were so nedioient of the good of their country as to shght its ablest admiral and most faithful servant, Cathe- rine Empress of Russia made him the most liberal offers of wealth and aggrandisement, if he would have superintended her Czarish Majesty's navy. This, and that the offer was declined, are all the particulars the . writer can relate of the matter : he rather believes, that the knowledge of it never extended beyond Lord Howe's own do- *mestic society. From the Marquis of Sligo's most obliging information, recently communicated, it is here recorded. A new turn of ministerial arrangements in 1782 brought Lord Howe again into the notice of his countrymen. April 8th he was raised to the rank of Admiral of the Blue. On the 20th of the same month he was created a Viscount of Great Britain, by the title of Howe of Langar in the coimti/ of Nottingham, May RICHARD EARL HOWE. 49 May 9th he sailed with 12 line of battle ships, in quest of the Dutch fleet that had put to sea from the Texel ; but the Dutch admiral, hearing of this, retired into the Texel again. The British fleet cruized on the coast of Holland for about a month, and then returned to Spithead. It must have been within a very short time, after his return from this cruize against the Dutch, that Lord Howe lost his mother the Viscountess Dowager, who died June 13th 1782, turned of eighty by' a few years. Her jointure of course de- volved to. him ; and she bequeathed him the chief of her personal property; but whether the latter amounted to any thing considerable, is more than the writer of this life has the least knowledge of. In July Admiral Lord Howe sailed from Spithead on a crui;^e to the westward with 22 sail of the line; August 14th he returned D to 50 THE LIFE aP to Spithead without having seen the ene- my. He sailed again from Spithead Sep-^ tember 11th with 34 sail of the line for the relief of Gibraltar. This he effected Octo- ber 11th, in spite of the combined fleet of France and Spain (46 sail of the line), and in that masterly manner which charac- . terises all his naval exploits. A more par- ticular account of this achievement may be found in Captain Schomberg's work. It was the action Lord Howe always spoke of to his dying day, as the greatest he had ever performed, and as the only one, of which he claimed the sole merit to him- self. The main object of his mission being thus accomplished, " he offered the enemy " battle ; which they might from their si- tuation have accepted, but which it was not in his power to enforce. The enemy to windward kept up a constant fire four hours on the English fleet, but would " never RICHARD EARL HOWE. 51 ** never come near enough to make the " action any way decisive.* Much in- cUned in himself was Lord Howe to have attempted drawing the enemy into a real engagement by a pretended flight of his own. But for the sake of his own repu- tation witli the people, and the honour of the British flag, he would not venture try- ing the experiment. He knew that if his artifice had failed of its intended effect, the English Admiral and his fleet would have been reviled, as if they had fled in reality. Some may account this over- cautiousness against false imputation for a weakness in our hero's character. Ena- moured he certainly was of fair fame ; and conscious of never deserving obloquy, he did not always despise it, as he should have done. Having according to his in- structions dispatched part of his fleet on * Britiih Magazine confirmed by Naval Chronology, D 2 another 52 THE LIFE OF another seiTice, he returned home, and anchored at Spithead November 15th. For his skill and courage in the foregoing transactions he received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. The Corporation of London, in common council assembled, ordered an historical picture of the siege and relief of Gibraltar to b^ executed by Mr. Copley. — Still there were calumniators at the time, who would have placed the most laudable actions of Lord Howe in a very different light; and the pounds shillings a?id pence calculator of 1779? was among the foremost of these. But since the calumnies alluded to had no other ground, than a total mis-statement of facts, and are now credited by nobody, it would be mere waste of time to enter upon a particular refutation of them. After all the splendid displays of most extraordinary professional abilities already recorded in this life, and an experience of naval RICHARD EARL HOWE. 53 naval service during 43 years, and a study of maritime affairs in general for the whole continuance of that period, who could be fitter to preside at the Board of Admiralty, than Lord Howe ? This post he was appointed to January 28th 17S3, " and immediately began those reforms, " w^hich his long service had convinced " him were necessary to be made in every " department of the Navy, civil as well as " military/'* However through a con- tention of parties he was obliged to quit his post in April following ; but in little more than eight months (on December 30th) was re-instated in it. The business of this high office he transacted with the general approbation of the kingdom for abour four years : I only say geiieral ; it is not in the nature of things, for a recti- fier of abuses to give universal ^'dii'^i^ciion, * Memoir in British Magazine. D 3 During 54 THE LIFE OF During the last of these years (178?) Lord Howe's youngest daughter (Louisa- Catherine) was married on May 27th to the Earl of Altamont, since created (in 1800) Marquis of Sligo — both Irish honours. The living issue of this marriage is Howe Peter (born May 18th 1788) now titular Earl of Altamont. Lord Howe's eldest daughter (Sophia-Charlotte) was married July 31st following to Penn Asheton Cur- zon Esquire of Gopsal-house Leicester- shire, son and heir to Asheton Curzon Esquire (Lord Scarsdale's only brother) created Baron Curzon 1794 and Viscount Curzon 1802. The surviving issue of this marriage are George Augustus William (heir apparent to the Barony of Howe) born May 14tb 1788. Marianne born August 30th 1790. Richard William Peiin born December 11th 1796. Their worthy father deceased at the age of 40, on September ist 1797? being then knight of the shire for RICHARD EARL HOWE. 55 for the county of Leicester ; to which ho- nourable seat in Parliament he had been twice elected, not barely without opposi- tion, but through invitation from the prin- cipal freeholders in general. To return to Lord Howe's history in the naval line. He was promoted to be Ad- miral of the White September 14th 1787. At the same time many Captains were made Admirals, and an unusual number put upon the superannuated list. This last measure occasioned much ferment in the spring of 1788, and brought on some mo- tions, hostile to the Board of Admiralty, in both Houses of Parliament. One of the questions, agitated in the House of Com- mons upon the subject, was carried for the Admiralty by a very small majority. The debates on the whole matter are inserted in Captain Schomberg's Naval Chronology. Whether such a promotion was really ob- jectionable, or not, the writer of this life D 4 owns 56* THE LIFE OK owns himself to be totally unqualified for even forming an opinion. Lord Howe's judgment (certainly one of the best) is not set up for infallible; but, that he ever in- tentionally committed an act of injustice, the uniform tenour of his proceedings for- bids one to believe. It should also further be told, that this measure was strongly re- commended to the head of the Admiralty Board, as a piece of public oeconomy, by the minister of fiinance and his colleagues in high office ; and that these, when they found the thing unpopular, never publicly avowed their advice, but let all the odium rest upon Lord Howe. On this their be- haviour, the truly right hotiourable peer de- termined to coalesce no longer with such a dissimilarity of principles from his own. On July l6th 1788 he actually resigned his post. About a month after this resignation, his Majesty, thoroughly sensible of the trans- RICHARD EARL HOWE. 57 transcendent merit of Richard Viscount Howe, advanced him on August 19th to the dignity of Earl Hor^e; and also, mind- ful of this Earl's paternal affection for his daughters, granted him a barony (Howe of Langar) to descend to his eldest daugh- ter (in consequence of her fathers earl- dom become Lady Charlotte Curzon) and her heirs male; in default of such heirs, to his second daughter in the same way; in default there too, to his youngest as to the others. Our earl being now near the middle of his 63d year, the grant had an appearance of a quietus from future em- ployment of any kind; as if his Majesty had really then accosted his much re- spected admiral in words like these: Rest thee here, while life may last: Th' utmost bliss to man allow'd, Is to trace his actions past, And to own them great and good. The Genius, Dodsley, Vol IK The 58 THE LIFE OF The Earl himself certainly never thought he should have been called again into public service, but, as will appear soon in the sequel, Dis aliter visum. Virg. JEn. II, v. 428. The measure of his glory was not yet completed. The November of this year (1788) pro- duced another instance of that confidence in the integrity of Lord Howe, which was common to those who were most intimately acquainted withhim. Mr. Edward L'Epine (mentioned in the outset of this life as my "lord's secretary in all his naval expeditions * after he w as promoted to the rank of cap- tain, till 1763) had a post conferred on him in the Navy Pay-office, when his patron became Treasurer thereof in 1765. While he held this post, he married ; but was left a w idower with two young daugh- ters in 1772. November 1773 he went to the East Indies, as secretary to Com- modore RICHARD EARL HOWE. 59 modore Sir Edward Hughes, there ac^ quired a fortune, and returned home about the close of 1778. His eldest daughter had been married, and was dead before him without issue. At his own death (November 17th 1788) he made Lord Howe his executor and guar- dian of his surviving daughter (then under eighteen) with bequest of an estate in Bedfordshire if his daughter died without issue, and of his whole fortvme in case she died under age. This Bedfordshire estate came into Earl Howe's possession in April 1798, by Miss L'Epine's decease. Early in the Spring of 1790, from an aggression on the part of Spain in Nootka Sound, a rupture with that country seem- ed imminent. On this occasion his Majes- ty once more turned his eyes upon Earl Howe, as the fittest naval officer to com- mand the fleet. After having been at the head of the Admiralty himself, he regarded > it 6Q the life of it in the light of an official degradation, to act under the orders of a successor; but the king's will in the matter, being clearly notified, extinguished all scruples of his own. He accepted the appointment as a mark of royal favour, hoisted his flag on board the Victory, and afterwards qn board the Queen Charlotte when launched at Chatham April 15th. August 10th he sailed with his fleet; but, the demand on the Court of Spain being complied with, was recalled to Spithead in September. Upon the death of Lord Rodney in 1792, Earl Howe was appointed to suc- ceed him, as Vice-Admiral of England, In 1793 he was called out again into ac- tual service, and (according to the Naval Chronicle) appointed to command the Western squadron with very unusual powers. What these powers were, the Chronicle explains not. They never could have been those, which an idle report of the RICHABD EARL HOWE. tit the time had conferred on this admiral— * that he should receive his orders from ' the king himself/ Earl Howe was much too well acquainted with the con- stitution of his country, ever to have de- sired such a thing. On the contrar}^, I have heard him complain of Lord Chat- ham's Admiralty-board for not being ful- ler in their instructions to himself— -as if they had wanted to shift their own re- sponsibility on the pei'son employed under them. He might possibly have been en- trusted with an extraordinary power of using his discretion in regard to his move- ments ; and if so, his using this power in his own peculiar manner w^as what ex- cited a deal of grumbling afterwards — among the ignorant. He always declared himself averse to the system of blocking up ports: he said, it was frequently ruin- ous to the shipping, and that, from the uncertainty of winds, the possibility of adhering 62 THE LIFE OF adhering to such a plan was by no means to be reUed on. [This part of his re- mark was pretty strongly verified in last war, when the French squadron got out of Brest, and landed troops in Ireland.] He thought it was much better to let the fleet lie ready in some sheltered situa- tion, whence it might proceed to sea with almost any wind whatsoever: and he as- serted, that the place he had described was Torbay. The writer of the foregoing sentences is perfectly unqualified for en- tering into any dispute on the subject; he barely reports the professional opinion of so established a character for naval know- ledge, as Earl Howe. — Let us now proceed to the history of our Admiral's movements wdth his fleet in 1793. Hoisting the Union^ * Captain Schomberg speaks of this distinction as unusual for one^ who was only Ad?niral of the White -, but Earl Howe was RICHARD EARL HOWE. 03 jlag at tlie main, he began his cmize off Brest, and in the Bay, July 14th. Near a month after, he got sight of the French tleet, and chased them into Brest. He then returned into the Channel August 10th, and anchored in Torbai/. On No- vember 18th, while cruizing in the Bay, he saw a squadron, to which chase was given, but they effected their escape. — What was there in all this, to impeach the well-grounded high reputation of a vete-^ ran officer .^^ Yet censure grew loud : he had anchored too much in Torbay, Surely he knew his own business, better than such wise land-men could teach it him. Yes, he wanted not knowledge, but hea^-t- was also at this time Vice- Admiral of England. Whetker tlie latter post really entitled our Admiral to this flag is more than I can learn : naval officers think it did not. It was most likely then to have been a mark of personal approbation, which pro- ceeded from the prime fountain of every kind of honour. This last opinion was lately confirmed to me by the Marquis of Sligo from Earl Howe's own information. 64 TH^ tIFE Ot iness. Good fortune had damped his spi- rit, or it was worn out. This was talking idly indeed. At no time of his life could he have been properly styled, brave through necessity. His income was always superior to his wants, as a single man; and when he married, he married an heir- ess; and anteriorly to that heroical in- stance of his cool intrepidity displayed at the shore of St. Cas, his fam.ily estate had fallen to him. If in his 68th year a youthful ardency might be deemed to have abated, the manly firmness of his soul was the more established in propor- tion. Whoever suspected him of back- wardness, must have known little of the individual; his intimates saw to demon- stration, that the most effectual perform- ance of his duty was the ruling passion of his heart. — This tumour of slander is a blotch upon Britons — an excrescence from KICHARD EARL HOWE. 65 from the front of their Uberty — but by no means Ense recidendum: — ne pars sincera trahatur. Ov. Met. I. V. 191. We shall see the foul eruption strike in again; even though ministers nourished the growth of it — by their silence. They could say, after the memorable first of June, that they had always confided in their Admiral ; but they chose not to say so now. This is no reflection of my own : they are the words of Earl Howe, that I repeat. He had experienced the skulk- ing principles of the same abettors in 1788. We will proceed to 1794. — May 2d the fleet with the same commander sailed from St. Helens. May 21st news w^as heard of the French being oft' Ushant. May 28th Captain Parker of the Auda- cious (one of Lord Howe's fleet) engaged Le Revolutionaire and made her strike ; but she was rescued by five other French E ships^ 66 THE LIFE OF ships coming up, one of which (L'Auda- cieux) towed her into port. May 29th a battle began; m which (had the Cap- tain, who was afterwards by a trial found guilty of breach of orders, done his duty) Lord Howe had got the French into such a situation, that he doubted not of being able to give a good account of the whole of them. The battle of that day (being thus impeded) was, before night, totally intercepted by a fog. This fog was not dissipated till June 1st; and it is remark- able, that, during its continuance, Earl Howe's youngest daughter (then Goilntess of Altamont) coming with the Earl her husband frcHH Lisbon to Ireland sailed through the midst of the French fleet, happily without seeing, or being seen by any of them. During the fog, the * four other French ships that had accompanied * Sans Parejl of 80 gun8> Le Trajan, Lc Patriot, Le Tcme- raire, of 74 guns each. L'Auda- RICHARD EARL HOWE. 67 LMudacieux from Brest had joined their fleet, though Lord Howe knew nothing of this reinforcement of the enemy, till after he had written his letter of June 2d to the Admiralty. On June 1st (the French having now 29 sail of the line to 25) the action recommenced; in which six French ships were taken, a seventh sent to the bottom, and the rest put to flight — most of them in a shattered con- dition. Such of my readers, as require a completer account of this glorious vic- tory, may find it in Captain Schomberg's Naval Chronology. By June 13th the fleet returned to Portsmouth. The croud of spectators to see it arrive was immense; the illumina- tions in the Capital lasted for three nights together; and general was the exultation through the kingdom. The writer of these sheets (as soon as he had heard of the EarFs landing) under the influence of a % 2 heart- 68 THE LIFE OF felt joy on the occasion, was emboldened to paraphrase part of one of Horace's Odes, and transmit the following stanzas, in a congratulatory letter to the victor. HOR. Lib. I. Od. 37. Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero Pulsanda tellus; nunc Saliaribus Ornare pulvinar Deorum Tempus erat dapibus, sodales. Antehac EICHARD EAUL HOWE. 69 ^PARAPHRASED UPON EARL HOWE'S VICTORY OF JUNE 1st 1794. K ow may true Britons quaff their bowls. Now freely use the bounding dance. In spite of Envy's furious shoals, And all the raging Pow'rs of France; Now, hearty comrades, o'er securer coasts At board convivial thank the God of hosts. ^ First printed at the end of Jn Essay on Design in Gar' dening in 1 795. E 3 Timeless 70 THE LIFE OJP Antehac nefas depromere Csecubum Cellis avitis, dum Capitolio Regina dementes ruinas, Funus et imperio parabat. Contaminato cum grege turpium Morbo virorum: quidlibet impotens Sperare, fortunaque dulci Ebria. Sed EICHARD. EARL II0WJ2. 71 Timeless had feast-rites been before. Whilst Gaul Avith gasconading throat So madly menaced Britain's shore As if to ruin's prey devote, Nay hurrd destruction at fair Freedom's pile Fixt on broad base, deep-rooted as her Isle, What blood-staind droves shock mortal view ! Yet boast themselves of human race : An impious, mind-distempered crew. Nature's foul blot, and Man's disgrace : Swol'n with all-licens'd hopes abroad they roam. Intoxicate with spoils of pillag'd home. E 4 Their 72 THE LIFE OP Sed minuit fvirorem Vix una sospes navis ab ignibus, Mentemque lymphatam Mareotico Redegit in veros timores Caesar, ab Italia volantem llemis adurgens (accipiter velut Molles columbas, aut leporem citus Venator in campis nivalis ^monioe) daret ut catenis Tatale monstrum. BICHARD EARL HOWE. 73 Their captur'd and their shattered fleet Shall make these deathful monsters bow,* Cool'd of Loire's drink's delirious heat By terrors of the fire of Howe, Who with less strength, compensated in skill. Bids British valour its great end fulfil. As hawk's, or hunter's ardent course Sweeps with swift ravage air, or plain, Howe's bursts of rapid vollied force From giant-navy free the main : Loudly his Country's shouts in one accord All hail the Mighty Victor, Mighty Lord.*!* * This prediction, as far as concerned its principal objects (Robespierre and his accomplices) was soon verified. t These four words arc taken from Gray's Ode on the Bards 5 where they are applied to Edward the Third. June 74 TUB LIFE Oy June 26th their Majesties and the prin- cesses went to Portsmouth, and dined with Earl Howe aboard the Queen Char- lotte. It was now that the king presented the earl with a sword of extraordinary Talue, and a golden chain, to which a *medal (struck on the occasion) was to be appendant. Public report asserted, that, antecedently to this visit, his Ma- jesty of his own free will had offered his victorious admiral a vacant blue ribband, or order of the garter; and that this oifer so graciously made, had been as thank- fully accepted. For this I quote only re- port^ because I never heard it in terms direct from the victor's own mouth. It was not the practice of Lord Howe, to divulge what had been imparted to him by his royal master. Yet neither did he * For a further account of these chains and medals be- stowed on the flag officers, and some captains of this fleet, sec the Naval Chronology 179^. con- RICHARD EARL HOWE, 73 tradict the report; and what he really said, relative to the Minister's behaviour on the occasion, to my own apprehension absolutely confirms it. The minister, it seems (unknown to his Majesty) had al- ready disposed of the vacant garter else- where. It is not for an uninformed indi- vidual, to decide, how far such a step accorded with constitutional propriety. Such trifling matters, as these, might in- deed have been regarded, as beneath the notice of a wonderful state-phenomenon, that, like a meteor's fire, Shot blazing forth, disdaining dull degrees. Shenstone (on TVolsey) Eleg, VII, Still it may be worth the while of specula- tive minds, impartially to consider, whe- ther an over-early exaltation to the summit of political grandeur is likely to be intrin- sically beneficial to the person exalted, and whether it is not rather in itself productive of consequences, absolutely hurtful to the forma- 76 THE LIFE OF formation of a manly understanding. We advance, by just gradations in the road of experience, to a competent knowledge of those ordinary affairs, some kind of prac- tice in which no worldly situation what- ever can dispense with. But whoever migrates from this path at his very entrance into manhood, and pursues an aerial course without intermission for a number of suc- cessive years, nuist necessarily let his SeM- son of improvement in life's genei^al requisite^ irrecoverably pass by. Try to call her back — as well Bid yesterday return, arrest the flight Of time ; or musing by a river's brink, Say to the wave, that huddles swiftly by For ever, ' from thy fountain roll anew.' $neyd Davies to C. P. Dodsley, "vol. 0. This is no visionary idea. Every one, wdio plays the truant (at such an age) from the corrective discipline of equalizing asr sociation, will run perpetual risks of com- mitting RICHARD EARL IIOWE. 77 itiitting grievous errors in his most material transactions. Unrestrained by amicable checks, he may discover more soreness from the lash of a sarcasm, than Shak- speare's Jaques advises : He that wifs bolt hath hit, Doth very foolishly, although he smart, Not to seem senseless of the bob. As you like it. An out-of-season emigrant from the track of experience may be also too often making assertions, that must afterwards need retractation. Horace wrote not for him Commisisse cavet quod mox mutare laberet. A, P. 168. Ne'er does, what soon with pains must alter'd be. Should the same inexperience happen to coalesce with a forced prematurity of rhe- torical talents, the failure mio-ht be the more irremediable. Eloquence of the tongue alone 78 I'HE LIPE OT alone is but the charnis that are charac* terized in Horace's epode : Venena magnum fas nefasque, non valent Convertere humanam vicem. Epod, V. V. 87. Sorc'ries can right and wrong greatly derange, Never the course of human nature change. For illustration of this apothegm one need only view the famous Duke of Wharton. The Irish House of Peers admitted him to take his seat among them at the age of 18, for the pleasure of hearing him speak. As a British senator, when barely turned of 22, by the finer keenness of his classical retorts he literally wounded to death that excellent scholar, statesman, and orator, the first Earl Stanhope. But how he de- monstrated his own ordinary foresight to the day of his miserable end, his biogra- pher and Pope have told us. It would be contradictory to common sense to deny, that a want of insight into the P.ICHARD EARL HOWE. 79 the general ways of men, and a want of acquaintance with the wealth and habits of various classes, must considerably im- pede any Chancellor of the Exchequer, in contriving taxes on an equitable scale. Of this I shall say no more ; but only offer to my readers plain matter of fact. By a statute, dated June 29th 1798, every per- son who pays tax for a four-wheeled car- riage, or for two servants, is also to pay annually for a taxed cart three pounds in addition to the 24 shillings imposed on such vehicle. Why ? Are such personsr more able to pay such a sum, than their equals in point of fortune, who have no kind of occasion for a t