In the month of October, 1707, after bearing an honorable part in the expedition under Prince Eugene against Toulon, he set sail with ten ships of the line, five frigates, and other war vessels for the shores of England. But he was destined never to see again the country he had served so nobly and loved so well. By some strange mischance, which has never been fully accounted for, his own vessel and several others, on the night of the 22d of October, struck on the rocks of the Scilly islands and perished. The brave admiral and his three sons-in-law, who were on board his vessel, besides a large number of officers and seamen, were drowned. The body of Sir Cloudesley Shovel was washed on shore, and having been found by a number of smugglers, was stripped of an emerald ring and other valuables, and buried in the sand. On attempting to sell their booty, the miscreants found that the ring they prized so much betrayed their guilty secret. They were compelled to point out the spot where the body had been concealed. England, of course, could not allow one of her noblest sons to lie in so ignominious a grave. The body was at once removed to London by express order of Her Majesty Queen Anne, and laid in the most honorable grave the nation had to give-- "In the great minster transept, Where the lights like glories fall, And the organ rings and the sweet choir sings Along the emblazoned wall."[2] [2] Sir Cloudesley Shovel sat for several years as member of Parliament for the city of Rochester. In the Guildhall of that city there is an interesting portrait, representing the gallant sailor as Rear-Admiral. A tablet states that the hall was painted and decorated by his desire and at his expense, 1695-6. The portrait from which our engraving is taken is by Michael Dahl, and was originally at Hampton Court. It was presented by George IV. in 1824 to Greenwich Hospital. Sir C. Shovel at the time of his death was one of the governors of Greenwich Hospital. CHAPTER II. [Illustration: JAMES LACKINGTON] JAMES LACKINGTON SHOEMAKER AND BOOKSELLER. Sutor Ultra Crepidam Feliciter Ausus. --_Latin Motto, Quoted on Frontispiece to "Lackington's Memoirs."_ I. LACKINGTON, Who a few years since began Business with five Pounds, Now sells one Hundred Thousand Volumes Annually. --_From Frontispiece to First Edition of "Memoirs and Confessions," 1791-92._