Cornish Worthies: Sketches of Some Eminent Cornish Men and Families, Volume 1 (of 2)Tregellas, Walter H. (Walter Hawken)
History
Cornish Worthies: Sketches of Some Eminent Cornish Men and Families, Volume 1 (of 2)
Tregellas, Walter H. (Walter Hawken)
Cornwall (England : County) -- Biography
We now come to Boscawen's last service--once more in the Bay of
Quiberon--where he was posted with a view to his following up Conflans
after his defeat by Hawke. In this command he was relieved on the 26th
August; and little remains to be told except the final record that, on
the 10th January, 1761, this thoroughbred seaman and gentleman died of
a bilious fever, when only fifty years of age, at his seat, Hatchlands
Park, near Guildford, Surrey. But his body was laid amongst those of
his ancestors in the remote and quiet little church of St. Michael
Penkivel--'grata quies patriæ'--where no more warlike cannonade was
destined to disturb his repose than the sunset and sunrise gun from
Pendennis or St. Mawes Castles, or from the guard-ship stationed in the
adjacent harbour of Falmouth.[99]
His monument, of white marble, is an imposing piece of statuary, the
most prominent part of which is a bust designed by Adam, and executed
by Rysbrack, which well displays the bluff, portly, and determined
features of one of England's bravest and ablest sons. But, to my mind,
the best and loveliest part of that trophied memorial is the following
inscription from the pen of the well-beloved partner of all his joys
and sorrows:
'_Satis Gloriæ sed haud satis Reipublicæ_:
'Here lies the Right Honourable Edward Boscawen, Admiral of the Blue,
General of Marines, Lord of the Admiralty and one of his Majesty's
Most Honourable Privy Council. His birth tho' noble, his titles tho'
illustrious, were but incidental additions to his greatness.
'History, in more expressive and more indelible characters, will
inform latest posterity with what ardent zeal, with what successful
valour, he served his country, and taught her enemies to dread her
naval power.
'In command he was equal to every emergency--superior to ev'ry
difficulty. In his high departments masterly and upright. His example
form'd while his patronage rewarded merit.
'With the highest exertions of Military greatness he united the
gentlest offices of humanity.
'His concern for the interest and unwearied attention to the health of
all under his command softened the necessary exactions of duty and the
rigors of discipline by the care of a guardian and the tenderness of a
father.
'Thus belov'd and rever'd, amiable in private life as illustrious in
public, this gallant and profitable servant of his country, when he
was beginning to reap the harvest of his toils and dangers, in the
full meridian of years and glory, after having been providentially
preserved from every peril incident to his profession, died of a
fever on the 10th of Jany. in the year 1761, the 50th of his age, at
Hatchlands Park in Surrey, a seat he had just finished at the expense
of the enemies of his country, and (amidst the groans and tears of his
beloved Cornishmen) was here deposited.
'His once happy wife inscribes this marble--an unequal testimony of
his worth, and of her affection.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account