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
Here perhaps it may conveniently be added that his name is still
honourably remembered in the Navy, for the _Boscawen_, of 101 guns, was
one of the Baltic fleet in 1854; and there is a ship of that name, now
stationed at Weymouth, used as a naval training-ship for boys.
The career of Admiral Boscawen depicts his character. It was that of a
brave, blunt, determined sailor of the old school. He could not look
at a French ship without desiring to fight her; and his determination,
according to his enemies, amounted to obstinacy. Walpole tells us how
the Admiral in 1757 is said to have been recalled from his then station
to serve under Hawke, which he declined to do, 'and his Boscawenhood
is now much more Boscawened; that is surly in the deepest shade;' and
the same writer says, in another place, that he was 'the most obstinate
man of an obstinate family.' Yet even Walpole is compelled to pay this
somewhat unwilling tribute to the Admiral's worth during the perilous
time when he served his country so well: 'Never did the bravery of
the English and the want of spirit in the French appear in greater
opposition; the former making their attacks on spots which the French
deemed impregnable, threw them into utter dismay; and dictated a very
quick and unjustifiable submission--Boscawen's rough courage was fully
known before.' And a recent critic, who has already been quoted more
than once (himself a naval officer), thus sums up our hero's character:
'He was virtuous like Anson and Hawke, and as brave and eager for
employment and distinction as Nelson himself.'
But the prize which the Cornish hero must have valued most must have
been the eulogium which Chatham, when Prime Minister, addressed to
him--words with which I may not inaptly close this imperfect sketch of
his life and actions:
'When I apply to other officers respecting any expedition I may
chance to project, they always raise difficulties; _you_ always find
expedients.'
_MRS. BOSCAWEN._
It is not too much to say of the Admiral's wife that she was worthy
of him, and that she was duly proud of his name and reputation. We
have seen how she thought her daughter Elizabeth was no unfit match
for a duke, remarking that she was '_Admiral Boscawen's_ daughter;'
and she was dearly fond of the sea, 'delighting in it (as she used to
say) beyond all sights and all objects whatever,' until the mournful
day came when he for whose sake she had loved it so dearly had ended
his connexion with it for ever; and then she spoke of it as that sea
whose memories 'had cost her so many tears.' She was the only daughter
of William Evelyn Glanville, Esq., of St. Clere near Ightham, Kent,
and was of the family of the celebrated John Evelyn, whom she was
fond of calling her 'good, old uncle;' and she took immense interest
accordingly in the production of Dr. Hunter's new edition of the
'Sylva.'[100]
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