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board the London, May 14th, 1797, he writes as follows:

"My Dear—————, I would attempt to give you a particular account of this unhappy business were it not from the appearance of things it is most likely I shall have an opportunity of doing so by word of mouth in a short time, at any rate as soon as these negotiations shall have put a finale to the war. Unfortunate

as it may have been, it has bettered my prospect of promotion very considerably, from the circumstance of my having been placed in a distinguished situation by the Admiral and Captain at the time when it was first determined to endeavour to compel the mutineers to subordination. was fortunate enough to give the Admiral so much satisfaction by my behaviour then, that he has declared his intention

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of making a point of my being promoted. The delegates have finally determined not to receive any of the officers that have been turned on shore from the ships, and insist that no two of them shall ever be appointed to the same ship. You see 'it is an ill wind that blows nobody good,' and I am peculiarly lucky in not only remaining in the ship, but likewise enjoying the most thorough confidence of the ship's company, who, I am happy to tell you, are, in common with the rest of the fleet, most excessively enraged at the idea of any republican agents stirring them up to sedition, and are unalterably resolved not to meddle with anything but what they have already asked, and which immediately concerns themselves only."

I cannot forbear presenting your readers with another of Lieutenant

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which I think is a very sufficient one. delegate on board the Royal George proposed a few days ago to petition the King for a general pardon of the North Sea rebels; but, on his attempting to gain a party in the ship, he was hissed wherever he went, and the other delegates told him if he brought any petition of the kind to them, that they would beat his brains out. We yesterday heard that several of the lieutenants of the ships of the Nore had been made commanders, and two of the mids. of this ship made lieutenants, on account of their conduct in the mutiny. I thought I could venture to promise one of the men belonging to this ship a situation as mate of a West Indiaman out of

Liverpool; he was principally instrumental in saving my life when I had fifty pistols levelled at my head, and the yard rope procured a pardon from the delegates for round my neck, and by his manly eloquence the Admiral and Captain when every one conceived it impossible that they could be saved. He is an excellent seaman, and understands navigation, and I will, some of these days, shew you some letters of his most virtuous philanthropist. in my behalf that would do honour to the I wish

very much to accomplish this business, as I cannot sit easy under such a load of gratitude. You shall see him whenever we have a peace, and I have told him whether I am at W- -n or not that you will be able to succeed in executing the plan. You will be very much pleased I think when you see him, for in my idea, which, perhaps, may be partial, there never was such expressive integrity painted in a man's countenance."

Bover's letters about the same period, gallant behaviour on the occasion of In consequence of Lieut. Bover's which manifests in the strongest manthe mutiny he was shortly after gazetted ner his nobleness of character and disPost-Captain, and was appointed to position. The letter I allude to is the command of the Hecla, with which dated on board the London, June, ship he was in the engagement off 1797, and is as follows:

"My Dear- I believe our commander in chief has been completely renversé by the unhappy disturbances amongst the seamen, for, though there have been vessels going in every day, and we have had constant communication between Plymouth and Falmouth, he has not once made the signal for an opportunity of sending in letters. I write this merely by chance, not knowing whether I shall not myself carry it into port; not that it is of much consequence, as the contents of it must necessarily be confined to the assurance of all being well on board the ships of this fleet. I fancy there is no reason now but the courts martial on the mutineers of the Nore for keeping us out, GENT. MAG. Vol. XX.

Camperdown under Admiral Duncan. The following letter from him shortly prior to that event cannot fail, I think, to interest your readers. It is dated on board the Hecla, Texel, 31st August, 1797.

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under Adml. Storey, consisting of eight
sail of the line and four frigates, are moved
higher up among the shoals, but it is next
to impossible, if not quite so, for them to
escape. Adml. Mitchell followed them
up yesterday with nine sail of the line
and several frigates, and went as high as
the wind and tide would allow, which was
within about four miles of them.
then sent a frigate to summon them to
surrender, and there is no doubt but that
they will be in our possession this day
either by capitulation or battle. The
weather has been most uncommonly bad
ever since we left England, and for eight
days never allowed us to venture near the
coast. On the ninth a deceitful gleam of
sunshine brought us to an anchor off
Camperdown, but a sudden and violent
gale of wind compelled us to put imme-
diately to sea with the loss of a great
many anchors, &c. At that time they so
little expected us in this part that there
would have been no opposition; but our
being driven off the coast gave them time
to collect about five thousand troops,
amongst which were two battalions of
riflemen. On Monday last we again
anchored close to the shore within musket
shot. The whole coast here is a range of
sand hills, low, and particularly calculated
for the deadly operations of these rifle.
men, whom we observed stationing them-
selves singly in the most advantageous
situations. On Tuesday morning at four
o'clock the flat boats advanced to the
inner line of gun-boats and bombs, when
the general fire was opened with a tre-
mendous cannonade along the beach,
which was soon well cleared, and the
boats moved forward with three cheers in
the highest order, and almost at the same
moment seven thousand men were landed,
the Admiral the first man on shore, and
after him the General. You will have
seen by the Gazette that the southern di-
vision, under Sir Jas. Pulteney, was im-
mediately engaged, and continued in
action several hours on
very disad-

vantageous terms; but our troops behaved
most incomparably. The strength of the
enemy had, however, been underrated,
and about half past ten our people were
obliged to fall back, and many of our
wounded fell into the hands of the Pa-
triots, who cut their throats and murdered
them as fast as they came up with them.
The tide was soon turned by the arrival of
a reinforcement, and the enemy was
again driven in on all sides. A body of
about a thousand cavalry made a despe-
rate charge on the Queen's and another
regiment, but they were received on the
bayonet in capital style, and repulsed with
great loss. The action continued till late

in the afternoon, when the enemy retreated to their fortified camp at Alkmaar, having, by estimation, about two thousand men killed and wounded, a great many lying dead on the field of battle. The weather again turned against us, and before Tuesday noon the wind and sea had increased so much that there was hardly communication with the shore. Several boats, and many, both soldiers and sailors, were drowned. Before night the communication was entirely cut off, and the whole of the troops, with about six hundred sailors, lay on the sand-hills, without any sort of camp equipage, where they have been ever since, as the weather has rendered it impossible to land anything. Most of the transports have now got in here, and they will soon have all the comforts which a soldier ever has in a late campaign.

"September 1st. I am very happy that, in making this addition, I can give you the satisfaction of hearing that the whole Dutch fleet has surrendered. When Adm. Mitchell hoisted the Orange flag, in conjunction with the British, the Dutch seamen declared they would not fire a shot at it, so that the officers were obliged to give up. It consists of eight sail of the line, three frigates, and a sloop of war, but we shall get no prize money I suppose, as they are all taken possession of in trust for the Prince of Orange. We are in daily expectation of a body of sixteen thousand Russians. Everything is going on as well as it is possible. The Patriots are retreating from Alkmaar, and on Tuesday our army begins to advance. The weather still continues tremendously bad, and I am much afraid there will be some loss amongst the ships outside that have not been able to get in. Many have been on shore through the fault of pilots, amongst the rest H. M. S. Hecla, but she has not received any damage."

Subsequently to this, Captain (Peter) Bover commanded the Blenheim and the Magnificent, to the former of which he was appointed through the interest of Lord St. Vincent, who, in one of his letters, writes to him as follows:

"Dear Bover, I have named you twice to the Admiralty, and once to an Admiral whose Captain was likely to go on shore, and I write in the strongest terms by this post to Sir Charles Cotton.* Very sincerely yours, ST. VINCENT."

"

*Sir Charles Cotton was Commanderin-Chief of the Channel Fleet.

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The career of this gallant officer, however, like that of so many of his brothers, although giving indeed bright promise as to the future, was destined to be but short-lived. He sailed for the West Indies in the latter part of the year 1802, and had no sooner arrived in port there, than he was seized by an illness brought on by the climate, which terminated fatally within a very short time.

Captain Bover married, in 1800, Miss Cole, sister of his quondam associate and friend, Sir Christopher Cole, and of Dr. Cole, Rector of Exeter College, and Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, but by this lady he left no surviving issue.

Of this gentleman's character in the domestic relations of life as a son and a brother, I cannot speak in terms sufficiently commendatory.

He displayed at all times a generous warmth of affection towards his family, which reflects the utmost credit on his

memory. Although possessing an income, which, I should say, was barely adequate to his wants, on several occasions, when he had prize money to receive, it was with the greatest reluctance that he consented to apply it for his own advancement, liberally offering to share it with the other members of his family. In his public capacity as a member of the British Navy, he enjoyed the reputation of being a brave and enterprizing sailor, and the gallant qualities which he exhibited in the service gave indeed fair prospect that a career thus nobly begun would in its progress have been attended with lasting and honourable distinction to himself, and with benefit to the country under whose banner he served. His conduct on all occasions furnished unquestionable proof of consummate skill and ability in his profession; and, had he survived, opportunity alone would, I think, have been wanting, to have gained for him a high position amongst the naval heroes of Great Britain.

Captain (John) Bover's daughters were as follows:-1. Maria, who died unmarried, and was buried in Grappenhall Church, Cheshire. This lady was esteemed quite one of the beauties of the age, and her portrait was painted by Hoppner, and engraved by Watson. Her graceful deportment and elegance

of manners, combined with a sparkling flow of wit and spirits, ensured for her the admiration of all, and, although we find that she passed through life in a state of spinsterhood, I much question whether it was from lack of opportunity that she did so. Miss B. with her sisters, was received into the first circle of society in the county of Chester, and was a constant visitor also at the houses of the leading gentry in the adjoining counties. The three sisters might indeed I think have proved, if not successful rivals, at least fair competitors for the palm of beauty and attraction with the lovely and accomplished Misses Gunning, whom fame has so highly immortalized. 2. Sophia, married in 1784 to Edward Dicconson, esq. of Wrightington Hall, Lancashire, but died without issue; and 3rd, Anne,* married to the Rev. Edward Hinchliffe, M.A., Rector of Barthomley, co. Chester, (now dead), son of Dr. John Hinchcliffe Bishop of Peterborough, and has had issue, 1. Edward, in holy orders, now Rector of Barthomley, and a magistrate for Cheshire. 2. John, in the Royal Navy, dead. 3. Henry Walter, a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, dead. 4. William, now resident at Stockton Lodge; and 5. Robert-Bover; and four daughters, 1. Fanny Christiana; 2. Elizabeth Sophia, married to the Rev. Edward Henry Owen, Rector of Cound, co. Salop, younger son of the late William Owen, esq. M.P. of Woodhouse, in that county, and has issue; 3. Mary, married to the Rev. H. M. Cockshott; and 4. Emma, unmarried.

I now come to speak of the last surviving male representative of this family, George Bover, esq. who was born in the year 1764, and received his education at the Grammar School of Warrington. Owing to fortunate weakness in one of his limbs, he was necessarily compelled to adopt a profession where less active service would be required, than in those in

an un

*This lady is the only surviving child of the late Captain John Bover, and resides at Worleston Cottage near Nantwich, Cheshire.

By Elizabeth his wife, daughter of
John Crewe, esq. of Crewe, and sister of
John Lord Crewe.
GENERAL LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

ATHENS GEORGIA

he was with an enlightened and cheerful mind, combined with a pleasing vivacity of manners and conversation, his society proved at all times both amusing and instructive. Your Correspondent has had the pleasure, indeed he would say the privilege, of spending many very pleasant hours under his roof, and it gives him no slight gratification, Mr. Urban, I can assure you, to have this opportunity of recording his humble tribute of esteem and respect for the memory of one, to whom he was indebted for many acts of kindness in his youth.

which his brothers had embarked. He was articled in 1780 to a highly respectable firm in Warrington, with whom he remained until nearly the close of his clerkship. From thence he repaired to London, and completed his studies in the chambers of Mr. Manley, an eminent practitioner in the Temple. He continued with this gentleman a few months after his admission, and then returned to Warrington, where, after a short time, he entered into partnership with Messrs. Nicholson* of that town. With these gentlemen he enjoyed for many years a considerable practice, and established a highly respectable connection in Warrington and its neighbourhood. Through the interest of his sister Maria, he was a few years after his return into the country introduced to the notice of the late Lord Maynard, who appointed him receiver and auditor of his estates, and in this capacity, and in the more confidential relation of a private friend and adviser, he acquitted himself so greatly to the satisfaction of that noble lord, and so won his esteem and regard, that by his will he bequeathed to him the very handsome legacy of £20,000, with a life interest in the Manor of Walthamstow, including Shern Hall, in Essex, and appointed him one of his executors. With these ample means at his disposal, Mr. Bover naturally felt inclined to free himself from the engagements of business, and shortly after the death of Lord Maynard, which took place in 1824, he began to withdraw himself from the active duties of the profession, of which he had been during a long series of years so honourable and upright a member. He resided afterwards to the time of his death, as he had done for some time previously, at Stockton Lodge, about two miles distant from Warrington, and there dispensed to a large circle of friends the gladdening and welcome cheer of hospitality.

He was in fine the beau ideal of an old English gentleman, and gifted as

*The firm was then, "Nicholson, Bover, and Nicholson," but subsequently, on the death of the elder Mr. Nicholson, Mr. B. became the senior partner in the firm.

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May 16.

THE Castle of Berkhampstead is so famous in English history, as having been the residence of the Black Prince after his return from Bordeaux, that an account of its actual condition at this time will not be without interest to your readers.

This castle stands in the parish of Berkhampstead, at the foot of a moderate hill which occupies its northern and eastern sides, and the ground upon its other sides is flat, naturally marshy, and capable of being flooded without much difficulty.

The castle is composed of a central or inner bailey, an inner fosse, a middle bailey, an outer fosse, and a third or outer bailey, of small extent, and partially provided with a fosse. There is also a mound attached to the inner bailey, and a sort of ravelin in advance of the fosse on the north side.

The inner bailey is an irregular oval court of considerable size, surrounded by a wall, and containing the remains of various buildings. The wall is of flint rubble, of moderate thickness. The battlements and upper part are everywhere destroyed, and the wall itself has been breached, and the ruins removed, in many places. It is also in other parts partially undermined. There are indications of a gate at the

southern end, and of a hall or other large building towards the north-east On the western side is part of a half-round mural tower connected with some other buildings.

corner.

At the north end of this bailey, a part is removed to make room for a lofty mound of earth which rises out of the inner fosse. The summit of this mound shews the foundations of a circular wall, which is connected with the inner bailey by a cross wall or curtain which appears to have extended down the side of the mound and across the fosse, and to have formed the only communication between the mound and the rest of the castle.

The inner fosse is a very deep and broad ditch, completely encircling the mound and inner bailey, and spread. ing out towards the south and southeast into a considerable pool. The whole of this fosse is wet.

The middle bailey consists of a steep and lofty bank of earth, which forms the division between the inner and the middle fosse, and encircles the whole. This bank is very narrow at the top, and does not appear to have been crowned with a wall, except at one or two very limited portions, where are traces of masonry. Its figure is irregular, and it is highest on the north-eastern side, where the natural defences of the place are least strong. On the southern side of this bank are the remains of a gateway. It is also at present cut through a little east of the gateway for the passage of water, and a little west of the same to form the modern entrance. It is probable that the former opening was anciently defended by a wall and dam with a sluice, but that the latter is wholly modern.

The middle fosse, which surrounds this bailey, is, like the inner one, wet, being fed by the waters of the adjacent stream. This fosse also encircles the whole place, and it is the most exterior of the works that does so. It also is deepest towards the north-east. On the south-eastern side it expands into an extensive marsh, now however curtailed by the embankment of the London and Birmingham railway. These works complete the defences of the place upon the southern and southwestern sides. The higher ground

that is opposed to the remainder demanded an additional line of defence, and this is given by the ravelin and the outer bailey and fosse.

The ground begins to rise towards the north-west, and here is placed the ravelin. This is a triangular platform of earth, slightly raised, placed on the outside of the fosse, and having a small fosse of its own. It bears no traces of masonry.

North of this commences the outer bailey. This is a lofty bank of earth, forming the segment of a circle, and thus defending the place on the northeastern side. Its rear forms the outside or counterscarp of the middle fosse; its top is of no great breadth, level, and bearing no traces of either wall, parapet, or banquette. At its western end it terminates in a considerable mound or bastion of earth; at its other, or southern end, it terminates also abruptly, being cut off by a part of the middle fosse. It is also cut across near its middle, and thus divided into two independent parts, whilst its fosse is fed with water from the rear. Along the front of this bank project seven large bastions of earth, commanding the intermediate curtains and the approaches, after the manner of a modern fortification.

The bailey is defended by an outer fasse, also for the most part wet. The ground exterior to this fosse rises rapidly, so as to give considerable facilities to those who should attack the castle on this side.

The castle, as it at present stands, is undoubtedly Edwardian, and possibly erected by the Black Prince or his father. The general plan, the moderate thickness of its walls, and the skill shewn in the disposition of its fortifications, may be considered as conclusive arguments upon this point. The mound may be of Norman date; if so, the additional works have been most skilfully disposed, so as to derive the greatest benefit from its presence, by causing it to occupy the weakest side. There is however no reason stronger than general analogy for regarding this mound as Norman.

The works of the outer bailey are very curious, and closely resemble those of the fortifications in use be

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