Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

FRONTIS PIECE.

Engravd for the British Magazine.

[blocks in formation]

LONDON

Printed for J. Fletcher, at the Oxford Theater
S." Pauls, Church Yard.

[blocks in formation]

*

THE

BRITISH MAGAZINE,

For JANUARY, 1764.

To the Authors of the BRITISH MAGAZINE.
GENTLEMEN,

As you have, in the preceding numbers of your useful Magazine, given the lives of feveral great men, I have fent you the following memoirs of the celebrated Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorfet, and hope you will give them a place in your entertaining mifcellany, which will oblige,

HARLES SACKVILLE,Earl of Dorfet, was the eldeft fon of Richard, Earl of Dorfet, and born the 24th of January 1637. He was one of the most accomplished gentlemen of that age. The fpright linefs of his wit, and a moft exceeding good nature, recommended him very early to the favour of Charles the Second, and thofe of the greateft diftinction in the court; but his mind being more turned to books and polite converfation than public bufinefs, he totally declined the latter. He however went as a volunter under the command of his Royal Highness the Duke of York in the firit Dutch war 1665, when the Dutch Admiral Opdam was blown up, and about thirty capital fhips taken and destroyed; and his comJanuary 1764.

Your's, &c.

B. K

pofing a fong before the engagement, carried with it, in the opinion of many people, fo fedate a prefence of mind, and fuch unusual gallantry, that it has been much celebrated.

To maintain an evennefs of temper in the time of danger, is certainly the highest mark of heroifm ; but fome of the graver caft have been apt to fay, this fedate compofure fomewhat differs from that levity of difpofition, or frolic humour, that inclines a man to write a fong. But let us confider my Lord's fervour of youth; his gaiety of mind, fupported by frong fpirits, flowing from an honeft heart, and I believe we shall rather be difpofed to admire than cenfure him on this occafion. Re-member too he was only a volunteer; the conduct of the battle depended not on him; he had only to

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »