Edward Boscawen

“ ADMIRAL BOSCAWEN’S VICTORY
Painted by Swaine. Engraved and Published in 1760.
In the foreground to the right is seen the “Warspite” attacking the “Téméraire.” Boscawen’s flagship the “Namur” is in the centre flying the Admiral’s Blue Flag at the main; and at the fore the red battle-flag,—the “Bloody Flag” of the Old Navy.
[137]
There remained the Téméraire and the Modeste, which two ships, for their part, let go anchor close under the guns of a Portuguese fort on shore. The Warspite, a seventy-four of equal strength with the bigger French ship, was told off to deal with the Téméraire. ”

“ The energy of the British Admiral and his captains recovered the situation for England. Taken at a disadvantage as Boscawen’s fleet was, all hands turned to with such smartness that within two hours of the alarm guns being first heard every ship in Boscawen’s command was in sea-going trim, ready for the order to weigh anchor. Before ten that night, within two and a half hours of the Gibraltar coming in, every [132] line-of-battle ship of the British Fleet was at sea, together with two frigates and a fireship, heading through the Straits in chase of the French under all sail. ”

“ Bory de Saint-Vincent, Jean Baptiste, a French traveller and naturalist (1780-1846) .
Boscawen, Edward, a British admiral, known from his fearlessness as “Old Dreadnought”; distinguished himself in engagements at Puerto Bello, Cathagena, Cape Finisterre, and the Bay of Lagos, where, after a “sea hunt” of 24 hours, he wrecked and ruined a fine French fleet, eager to elude his grasp (1711-1761) .
Boscovich, Roger Joseph, an Italian mathematician and astronomer, born at Ragusa; entered the Order of the Jesuits; was professor in Pavia, and afterwards at Milan ”

“ He will then take his departure, and make his way to a house in Soho in which he rented a room on the ground-floor on the day before entering Mr. Boscawen's service. There he will carefully remove the dye from his hair and face, he will burn his beard, and deflate the air-cushion which now provides him with his embonpoint, and by a simple change of necktie and shirt-stud, Mr. Boscawen the master, in the correct evening-dress of a man-about-town, will emerge from the chrysalis of Schuhmacher the servant in the unfailing dress-clothes of his office. ”

“ I cried hotly, for I thought I was safe in saying this.
"They shall appear, Roger Trevanion," said Hugh Boscawen; "they shall appear," whereupon he signaled for a serving-man to attend him. When the man came, Hugh Boscawen spoke to him in low tones, and immediately after we were left alone again.
"You say no man hath heard you proclaim against our gracious king?" said Hugh Boscawen to me.
"No man," I replied.
No sooner had I spoken than the door opened, and Otho Killigrew and his brother Clement entered the room. ”

“ Editor, Hals’s history diffuse ibid. That of Lysons substituted, Lysons, manor of Penkivell and of Fentongollan, hospitality of John Carminow 214. Tregothnan, Nancarrow ibid. Editor, Boscawen family, their origin 215. Took the liberal side in the rebellion and revolution 216. Hugh Boscawen arrested Sir Richard Vyvyan, Mr. Basset and others on the accession of George 1st, feuds occasioned by that step, Boscawen ennobled, imbecility and marriage of the 2nd Lord Falmouth 217. Admiral Boscawen, the Nelson of his time, his popularity in the navy 218. His marriage and issue, memoir of Dr. ”

“ I like Boscawen."
"I know you like unaccountable people, love; but he worries me to death, and he will sit at dinner between Anna Maria and Isabel. I don't consider Isabel, but he keeps Tom Pynsent away from Anna Maria, and never enters into any sort of conversation."
"He thinks more than he says, my dear."
[33]
"I hate people who think: thinking makes every thing worse: luckily, I have quite given up thinking about Isabel, or her loud laugh would kill me."
"Boscawen does not object to Isabel's joyous laugh, Gertrude; he hopes to hear it in perpetuity." ”

“ I wish you to speak to your daughter upon the subject, Gertrude. If she has the slightest disinclination to Boscawen, [34] do not mention him a second time: I will not allow her to be talked into matrimony."
"Then, talk to her yourself, Sir John. I am quite overpowered by the surprise. I was so certain Boscawen admired Anna Maria; but since he has the bad taste to prefer Isabel, she ought not to demur an instant. Boscawen is very rich, and I dare say he will act very handsomely as to settlements. When old men marry young wives, they ought to pay for the distinction. ”

“ But besides this Boscawen has a special reputation for the persistent efforts which he made to improve the health and comfort of the seamen. In his boyhood at the Bastimentos, as afterwards at Cartagena, at Pondicherry, or at Halifax, he had had forced on him the disastrous effects of sickness, if merely from the point of view of efficiency; the study of his men's health thus became with him almost an instinct; and in an age when anything like hygiene was little attended to, he was one of the first who gave it a prominent consideration ”

“ A week later—three days before the date appointed for Boscawen's wedding—Loane again presented himself at Boscawen's flat in Hampton Gardens. He was admitted by a strange servant—a swarthy fellow of a certain portliness of bulk, with black glossy hair, black eyebrows and a square, black beard, but shaven upper lip, who, in answer to his announcement of his name, informed him in a nasal voice and in speech vitiated by a foreign accent that Mr. Boscawen was expecting him. ”

“ Boscawen was trapped into a little gesture of helplessness and a deprecatory smile. “Really, sir,” he said, “if you have been looking into my affairs, as you say, you should have learnt that I am not in a position to—”
“Ah, but wait,” Loane cut in. “There are ways of raising money when a man is about to make such a marriage as you are making. Now, look here, I'll tell you what I'll do with you. You shall have the letters for four thousand pounds, and you shall have a week to find the money. ”

“ I replied. "The king hath no truer or more loyal subject than Roger Trevanion."
"If you are a true and loyal subject, you will be glad to give information whereby all traitors can be brought to book," replied Boscawen. "I mentioned just now the name of one who, when you were with him, was known as a traveling droll, by the name of Uncle Anthony. As I told you, he is the most dangerous man in the county. Will you tell us what you know of him?"
"I know Uncle Anthony as a welcome guest of Colman Killigrew," I replied. ”

“ I thought Boscawen would have talked or read you into something like ease of manner. I shall be tired to death with your abrupt motions revolving round me. I must make you useful in your influence over your father, Bell; and you must contrive to gain his consent to our visiting at Ripley. Your poor father is become very selfish in many things. I meant to pay a visit of a few weeks to Bedinfield, but the dowager has sent me a letter I can't understand. Your father says the purport of it is to decline my company, but I could see no purport at all. ”

“ Boscawen would let me do exactly as I like. Ah, Julia, Lord Ennismore is not so old as Mr. [283] Boscawen, so he will be so good-natured!—As to dear Tom Pynsent, I know he will let Anna Maria dance from morning till night. Mr. Boscawen says married women cannot be too grave, but he never told me so till I was married. Mr. Boscawen loves Chrystal; that's one thing, therefore, she will return with us to that horrible Brierly. Mamma, we are going to run away with Chrystal. ”

“ Nansa-Vallan, in this parish, is the dwelling of Charles Boscawen, Esq. Barrister-at-Law, second brother to the Right Honourable Hugh Boscawen, of Tregothnan, Esq. who for many years hath retired himself in this place in great esteem and respect of all that know him; doing good to all those that, for his counsel, hospitality, friendship, or charity, make addresses unto him; though he hath hitherto lived a bachelor’s life, and whilst he lives I suppose ever 300 will, with a kind of abhorrence of women and marriage. ”

“ Besides he is ignorant of what we know. To-night is Wednesday. To-morrow night at this time Charles lands at Veryan Bay. We must meet him with a thousand men. Then must we go silently to Tregothnan, and make Boscawen prisoner. When the true king lands, and Boscawen appeareth not, the very men who would have fought against us will be for us. Besides, is not the man John Wesley a papist? True, I have not seen him, but rumour hath it [Pg 321] that his followers long for the return of a Catholic king."
"You depend too much on rumour, Father Anthony," said Otho moodily. ”

“ A still more fatal error had been committed in giving Boscawen special instructions to be guided in the siege operations by the opinion of the engineers, a body of men whose pedantic ignorance of their profession, and whose utter want of practical training, had, but a few years before, brought ruin to the expedition against Cartagena. Boscawen, who had gone through that deadly experience, now again found himself hampered by the same clog and under the same circumstances of a sickly and stormy season drawing on, and rendering the utmost despatch the first condition of success. ”

“ Boscawen and Christobelle resumed their occupations instinctively, as if years had not intervened since they last walked and read together at Brierly. Isabel was delighted.
"Ah, there you go again!—read, read, talk, talk, all day long. I like to hear you argue, when I have time to devote to you both; but the children require so much attention, and the dear little things love to be with me so often, that dear Boscawen has been a great deal alone, haven't you, Boscawen? It is such a pleasure to have [210] you here, Chrystal—my poor, dear husband won't have to endure my ignorance." ”

“ You are at liberty to proceed in any way that commends itself to you. I don't see that there is anything to be gained by prolonging this interview.” And with that Boscawen moved towards the bell. Loane thrust out a hand precipitately to restrain him. ”

“ More fierceness in his eye than befit the man or the occasion. Boscawen stared over his head, and went on with his speech. Opportunity too precious to be lost. If Lockwood meant to move his amendment he should have been there when called upon. ”

“ Boscawen is anxious to keep you quiet, I dare say."
"I should prefer having a friend or two with me to enliven Brierly," returned Isabel, gravely. "Mr. Boscawen liked to see me merry before we married, but now he says it is wrong. I think my sisters are foolish to marry. Anna Maria, you had better remain single, for Mr. Boscawen says young married women should not appear lively and ready to chat with gentlemen, and you know we chatted away here."
"Mr. Boscawen is elderly, my love; elderly gentlemen are very particular," observed Lady Wetheral, soothingly. ”

“ The edge of the low seat caught Loane on the shins, and, thrown off his balance, the fellow toppled forward into it. Instantly the round, cold muzzle of the revolver was pressed to his temple.
“It shall be in the brain, I think,” said the cold voice of Boscawen.
“Wait! Wait!” screamed the other. “Wait! I'll make terms. You shall have the letters.”
Boscawen drew back, covering his man. He came slowly round the chair, the other watching him, and waiting. “If you move an inch without my permission it shall be the last conscious movement you will ever make. Don't be a fool, Loane. ”

“ Boscawen? And Clara, when you come to me, we will gallop over the country on ponies; won't we, Mr. Boscawen?"
Mr. Boscawen kissed Isabel's hand without reply, and her father led her to her carriage. The new equipage struck her eye.
"Oh, mamma! how you will delight in my carriage! It's quite my own; is it not, Mr. Boscawen? When you come to Brierly, we [45] will drive about all day. You know you said it would be the best part of the show."
Mr. Boscawen had never approved Lady Wetheral's sentiments, and rarely entered into conversation with her. Isabel's observation had its effect ”

“ Miss Boscawen could not hear the subject named without expressing her dissent. She had not proposed the drive, or even imagined such an amusement, therefore the whole affair must be foolish and useless. Mr. Boscawen urged his sister to remain at Brierly—there was no occasion for her to undertake an irksome drive, if it was so unpalatable—she could prepare a late tea against their return. Miss Boscawen differed in opinion.
"Oh, mercy, no, brother! I must go, to see [70] that sister does not fatigue herself. ”

“ Our great danger is that Hugh Boscawen shall hear of it. If he does, we are lost."
"You speak strongly," said old Colman Killigrew; "you speak strongly, Father Anthony."
"Because I feel strongly. I tell you much depends, very much depends on the next few days. Oh, I know! Have I not gone around to almost every house in the county? Have I not worn a dozen disguises? Have I not wormed my way into the confidence of the faltering, and given courage to cowards? Here I have been a droll, a story-teller, there a priest hearing confessions and commanding service. ”

“ He wrote the wire of excuse, and dispatched Smith with it. Then he sat down again to think, and his thoughts were black and evil. To have his life ruined by that social vampire, Loane, armed with those letters, betraying that bitterly repented folly of his adolescence, those dateless letters upon which malice could set any date it chose! It stirred him to a wild, phrenetic rage. He would kill Loane before he allowed the man to work his evil will. The thought shaped itself rapidly into a resolve, and Boscawen found himself rejoicing at the thought that Loane was to return in a week's time. ”