Hinchingbrook, and entered the Navy, at an early age, in which profession
he was destined to distinguish himself, not only by his courage, and
skill as an officer, but by his extraordinary eccentricity, which gained
him the _soubriquet_ of “Mad Montagu.” He commanded the “Mermaid” at the
taking of Cape Breton, in 1745, whence he brought letters from Commodore
Warren, with an account of the surrender of the fortress of Louisburg,
and the adjoining territories, after a siege of forty-nine days. He
commanded the “Prince Edward,” and the “Bristol,” and took the “Orvena,”
a rich Spanish register ship. He appears to have been in constant
scrapes, both private, and public, frequently writing to his brother,
Lord Sandwich, in extenuation of some escapade, usually accompanied with
a confession that he had erred through his propensity for drinking. But
his genial humour, and untiring fun, generally extricated him from the
difficulties, into which his folly had plunged him, and his mad freaks
were a constant topic of conversation, and amusement. When under the
orders of Sir Edward Hawker, in 1755, he solicited permission to go to
town. The Admiral, thinking to compromise the matter and palliate his
refusal by a jest (as he had no intention of complying with so improper
a request), said he might go in his barge as far as he pleased from the
ship, but no farther. Captain Montagu immediately caused a truck to be
constructed at Portsmouth, to be drawn by horses; on this truck he placed
his barge filled with provisions and necessaries for three days, and
entering it with his men, gave orders to imitate the action of rowing
with the oars. Sir Edward, it is said, having heard of this wonderful
proceeding, in every sense of the word, soon after the boat was landed,
sent the coveted permission to the Mad-cap.
In the sea-fight of May 3rd, 1747, Captain Montagu, and Captain Fincher,
were rival competitors for fame. The “Bristol” having got up to the
“Invincible,” and brought her to action, the “Pembroke” (Captain Fincher)
attempted to get in between them, desiring Montagu, to put his helm
a-starboard, or he should be aboard of him. “Run on board and be d——d!
Neither you nor any other man shall come between me and my enemy,”
was his answer. This action is the subject of a fine picture, in the
Ship-room at Hinchingbrook, by Scott.
While commanding the same vessel in the Channel, Montagu fell in with
a fleet of outward bound Dutch merchantmen, to whom he gave chase and
overtook. Having done so, he ordered two boats to be manned, and sent
a carpenter’s mate in each, desiring them to cut off the heads of
twelve—not of the ship’s company, but of the ugliest of the grotesque
ornaments with which the Dutch usually decorated the extremity of their
rudders. When brought back to him, he arranged them, in as ridiculous
a position, as he could devise round his cabin, and inscribed them
with the names of the twelve Cæsars. A jest of a more ghastly nature,
is recorded of Mad Montagu. Landing one day at Portsmouth, just after a
Dutch vessel had been wrecked, he perceived about a dozen of her crew
lying dead, on the shore. He immediately ordered his men to put all
the poor fellows’ hands, into their pockets. He then proceeded to the
coffee-house, where he found the Dutch captain, with whom every one was
condoling. “D—— the idle lubbers!” said Montagu, “they were too lazy to
take their hands out of their breeches pockets, even to save their lives.”
The Dutch captain was naturally indignant, when Montagu proposed to bet
him six dozen of wine, that if any of the crew chanced to be washed
on shore, his words would be proved. The waiter was despatched to
reconnoitre; the result of course, was in the English captain’s favour,
and not only had the poor foreigner to pay the forfeit, but the laugh on
a most melancholy matter was turned against him. Captain Montagu sat in
Parliament for a borough in Cornwall. He married Charlotte, daughter of
Francis Nailor, of Offord, Huntingdonshire, but died in 1757, without
issue.
_John, fourth Earl of Sandwich_:
BY ZOFFANY.
THREE-QUARTER LENGTH.
(In a Plum-coloured Court Suit, embroidered in Gold. Seated by
a Table, on which he rests his Arm. In his Right Hand a Letter
directed to himself.)
_Edward Richard, Viscount Hinchingbrook_:
BY KNELLER.
THREE-QUARTER LENGTH.
(Painted at the Age of Eighteen, in 1710. In Armour. Right Hand
on Hip, Left Hand on a Helmet.)
_Edward, Second Earl of Sandwich_:
BY SIR PETER LELY.
THREE-QUARTER LENGTH.
(Long Fair Curling Hair, or Wig. Loose Brown Dress, Lace Cravat
and Ruffles. Left Hand on Hip.)
Born, 1648. Died, 1688.—The eldest son of the first Earl, by Jemima
Crewe. Born at Hinchingbrook, baptized at All Saints’ Church, Huntingdon.
Pepys does not tell us much about his young Lord, but he seems to have
been much attached to him. He relates how sorry he was for the misfortune
that had befallen him through killing his boy, by the accidental
discharge of his fowling-piece; and another time he mentions that Lord
Hinchingbrook, with some other gentlemen, visited him at his house,
having been to inspect the ruins of the city, (after the great fire)
where he “set before them good wines of several sorts, which they took
mighty respectfully, but I was glad to see my Lord Hinchingbrook.”
While Mistress Mallett, (the great heiress whom Lady Sandwich desired
for her son’s wife) was still unsettled, “my young Lord” attended her to
Tunbridge; but there she told him plainly her affections were engaged;
besides, Lord Hinchingbrook was not much pleased with her vanity, and
liberty of carriage. A better marriage in every respect, was in store
for him, and though not quite so wealthy as Mistress Mallett, Lady Anne
Boyle had a dowry of £10,000, and was indeed a great alliance, coming
of a noble stock. She was daughter of Richard, second Earl of Cork,
and first Earl of Burlington. The match appears to have been arranged
between the parents, and confided as a secret to Pepys, before Lord
Hinchingbrook himself, was acquainted with the project. It seems to have
been made by Sir George Carteret: “A civil family, and a relation to my
Lord Chancellor, whose son has married one of the daughters, [this was
Lord Rochester, son to Lord Clarendon, who had married Lady Henrietta
Boyle] and the Chancellor himself, do take it with great kindness.”
What a pity that the amusing chronicle should have come to so sudden an
end, through the weakness of poor Pepys’ eyes; otherwise we should have
heard details of how the sad news of the hero’s death was received in
his family, and more particulars respecting his son and successor. We
only know he attended his father’s funeral, as chief mourner, that he
was sent Ambassador to Portugal in 1678, and died in 1688, being buried
at Barnwell. He left issue: Edward, who succeeded him; Richard and
Elizabeth, who both died unmarried.
_Edward, First Earl of Sandwich_:
AFTER LELY.
THREE-QUARTER LENGTH.
(In a Cuirass with Red Sash. Holding a Bâton. Left Hand on the
Mouth of a Cannon.)
_George, Sixth Earl of Sandwich_:
BY BEACH.
THREE-QUARTER LENGTH.
(In a Trinity College Gown, over a Green Coat. Standing by a
Pillar. View of Trinity College in Background.)
Born, 1791. Died, 1818.—Second son of John, fifth Earl of Sandwich, by
Lady Mary, daughter and heiress of the sixth and last Duke of Bolton.
He was born in Wimpole Street; married in 1804 at the house of Lord
Castlereagh, in Upper Brook Street, Lady Louisa Corry, daughter of Armar,
first Earl of Belmore. In 1798, he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for
Hunts, and in 1804, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Hunts Volunteers. Lord
Sandwich died at Cardinal Gonsalvi’s villa, near Rome, in 1818, both
he and Lady Sandwich having contracted a sincere friendship with the
Cardinal. His remains were brought to England, and interred with those of
his ancestors at Barnwell.
He left issue by his wife, (who survived him forty-four years), one son,
John William, present and seventh Earl, and two daughters; Lady Harriet,
born 1805, married to Bingham Baring, (afterwards Lord Ashburton,) (she
died in 1857), and Lady Caroline, born 1810, married in 1831, to Count
Walewski, and died in 1834.
_Edward, third Earl of Sandwich_:
BY CLOSTERMAN.
FULL-LENGTH.
(Blue Velvet Coat and Coronation Robes. Standing near a Table,
on which is placed his Coronet.)
Born, 1670. Died, 1729.—The eldest son of Edward, second Earl of
Sandwich, by Lady Anne Boyle. Born at Burlington House; married in 1691
Lady Elizabeth Wilmot, daughter of the Earl of Rochester, by whom he had
one son, and one daughter. He was Master of the Horse to Prince George
of Denmark, Doctor of Laws in the University of Oxford, Lord-Lieutenant
and Custos-Rotulorum of the County of Huntingdon. The Earl of Sandwich
died at Burlington, in Yorkshire, but was buried in the family vault at
Barnwell. His union with the unprincipled daughter, of an unprincipled
father, was a most unhappy one. Noble affirms that his “eccentric”
Countess put him in durance vile in his own house, whether on a plea
of insanity, or not, does not appear; but much mystery hangs round her
extraordinary proceedings. Tradition still points to an apartment, in the
house at Hinchingbrook, as the place of Lord Sandwich’s imprisonment,
which for many years bore the name of the “Starved Chamber,” for it
is said the cruel wife denied her husband sufficient food, and would
allow no one to have access to him. The dates of these transactions are
difficult to identify.
_SHIP ROOM._
THE TAKING OF TWO FRENCH PRIVATEERS AND ALL THEIR PRIZES BY THE
BRIDGEWATER AND SHEERNESS MEN-OF-WAR.
BY SAMUEL SCOTT.
VICE-ADMIRAL ANSON’S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FRENCH SQUADRON COMMANDED BY
M. DE LA JONQUIERE, MAY, 1747; FOUGHT TWENTY-FOUR LEAGUES S. E. OF CAPE
FINISTERRE.
BY S. SCOTT.
ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE “BLAST,” SLOOP, AND TWO SPANISH PRIVATEERS. 1745.
THE TAKING OF THE SHIP “ACAPULCO” BY COMMODORE ANSON, IN THE SOUTH SEAS.
1743.
BY S. SCOTT.
BATTLE OF SOUTHWOLD BAY, WHERE THE FIRST EARL OF SANDWICH PERISHED, MAY
28, 1672.
BY W. VAN DE VELDE.
A case hangs near this picture, containing miniatures by Cooper, of
Edward, first Earl of Sandwich, and Jemima his wife; also a fragment of
a Ribbon of the Order of the Garter, and the watch; both of which were
found on the body of Lord Sandwich, when washed ashore.
ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE SHIPS “LION” AND “ELIZABETH,” 1745.
BY S. SCOTT.
This desperate, and sanguinary engagement was fought on the 9th of May,
1745. The “Lion” had fifty-eight guns, and four hundred and forty men,
and was commanded by Captain Piercy Brett. The “Elizabeth,” a sixty-four
gun ship, was convoying another, of sixteen guns, with the Pretender on
board. They fought for five hours, within pistol shot of each other,
during which time, the frigate, with the Pretender on board, managed to
make her escape. The “Elizabeth” also at length, effected her entrance
into Brest Harbour. She had £400,000 on board, for the use of Charles
Edward. The “Lion,” unable to pursue, lay a complete wreck on the water.
EVENING. A CALM. ENGLISH MAN-OF-WAR AND SMALL CRAFT CRUISING.
BY VAN DE VELDE.
A SKETCH FOR THE ENGAGEMENT IN SOUTHWOLD BAY.
W. VAN DE VELDE.
THREE SKETCHES OF THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE “LION” AND “ELIZABETH.”
_DINING ROOM._
_Louis XIV., King of France_:
BY MIGNARD.
Born, 1638. Died, 1715.—The son of Louis XIII., by Anne of Austria, who
was Regent during her son’s minority, though the real power was vested in
Cardinal Mazarin. In this prelate’s lifetime, the King himself interfered
little in public affairs, but at his death, in 1661, Louis determined to
be his own Prime Minister. He married Maria Theresa, daughter of Philip
IV., King of Spain. His reign was brilliant in arts, commerce, and arms,
but disgraced by immorality.
As regards the exterior of the “Great Monarch,” his sister-in-law, (the
Duke of Orleans’ second wife, a Princess of Bavaria,) thus describes
him: “Personne n’avoit un si beau port, un aspect noble, la voix très
agréable, et des manières aisées. Quand il étoit dans la foule, on
n’avoit pas besoin, de demander qui étoit le Roi.”
_Henry William, First Marquis of Anglesey, K.G._:
BY THE HON. HENRY GRAVES.
FULL-LENGTH.
(In Uniform, as Colonel of the Seventh Hussars.)
Born, 1768. Died, 1854.—Henry William Paget, the eldest child of the
first Earl of Uxbridge, by the eldest daughter of Arthur Champagné, Dean
of Clonmacnoise. Lord Paget was educated at Westminster, and Christ
Church, and in 1793, he raised a regiment among his father’s tenantry,
(the 80th Regiment of Foot, or Staffordshire Volunteers,) afterwards
eminently distinguished in foreign service. At the head of his own
regiment, Lord Paget joined H.R.H. the Duke of York in Flanders, and soon
gave proofs of skill, and gallantry. At Turcoing, he was remarkable for
his “dashing bravery,” and in the memorable retreat of Bois-le-duc, which
took place under great difficulties, and during intensely cold weather,
Lord Paget, then only twenty-six years of age, gained great honour,
and replaced Lord Cathcart at the head of the Brigade, during that
nobleman’s temporary absence. After several exchanges, and promotions,
he was appointed to the command of the seventh Light Dragoons, which was
stationed at Ipswich with other bodies of cavalry, for drill. Here he
laid the foundation of that system of discipline, which brought about an
entire reform in cavalry practice. In 1790-6, he sat in Parliament.
In 1799, he accompanied the Duke of York to Holland, where he again
distinguished himself, on several occasions. He became a Major-General
in 1802, and a Lieutenant-General in 1808. Towards the end of this year,
he was ordered to Spain, with two Brigades of cavalry, where he remained
until the autumn of 1809, having reaped fresh laurels, in innumerable
engagements. On his return, a piece of plate was presented to him, by
the Prince Regent, the Duke of Cumberland, and the inscribed officers
of the Hussar Brigade, who served under Lord Paget, “in token of their
admiration of his high military acquirements, and of the courage, and
talent, constantly displayed in leading the Hussars to victory against
the French cavalry, during the Peninsular Campaign of 1808.”
He sate in the House of Commons, till 1812, when the death of his
father, removed him to the Upper House. In 1815, he was employed with
the troops assembled in London, to quell the Corn Bill riots, but he was
soon appointed to a nobler office, and left England in command of the
cavalry of the Anglo-Belgian army. His name is well known in conjunction
with the great day at Waterloo: and well did he sustain “the honour of
the Household Troops,” which was his rallying cry to his men, in the
frequent charges they made, on the enemy. Almost the last shot that was
fired wounded our gallant soldier in the knee; amputation was considered
necessary, and the leg that was ever in advance, was buried with honour,
in a garden at Waterloo.
Five days after the battle, he was raised to the Marquisate, by the title
of Anglesey. He was also created Knight of many Orders, both British,
and foreign. He rode as Lord High Steward, at the Coronation of George
IV., became a Privy Councillor, was twice Lord Lieutenant of Ireland,
where he was deservedly popular. He held several high posts under
Government at home, and at his death was the only Field Marshal in the
English Army, with the exception of Her Majesty’s Consort, and her uncle.
“It was the peculiarity,” was said of Lord Anglesey, “of his frank nature
to make itself understood; it might almost be said his character could
be read off at sight; he was the express image of chivalry. His politics
were so liberal, as to be called radical in those days, for he was in the
advance of his age; but the measures which were then opposed have since
been extolled, and carried, such as Catholic Emancipation, Reform, Free
Trade, etc. He was not a ‘speaker,’ and could not talk well, of what he
did well.” His administration of the Ordnance Department, was remarkable
for its scrupulous justice, and he was always the soldier’s true friend.
On the death of the Duke of Gordon, King William IV. offered Lord
Anglesey the command of the Scots Fusilier Guards. He sought an interview
with the King, and after warmly expressing his gratitude, he added: “I
am sure that in naming me to this honour, your Majesty has not borne in
mind, the fact that Lord Ludlow lost an arm in Holland, at the head of
this regiment.” The King was delighted with this proof of generosity, and
Lord Ludlow had to thank his comrade, for the regiment.
Till past three score, Lord Anglesey retained a wonderful share of
vigour, and activity, in spite of the loss of his limb, and the terrible
nervous sufferings entailed thereby. In his last moments the ruling
passion showed itself, for when his mind wandered for a few moments, the
gallant veteran would enquire what brigade was on duty, and he appeared
relieved, when they answered it was not his own. His death was serene;
his bedroom, and the one adjoining crowded by relatives, and his last
words to them were cheering.
Lord Anglesey married first in 1795, Lady Caroline Villiers, daughter
of the Earl of Jersey, from whom he was divorced. She re-married the
Duke of Argyll, and died in 1835. By his first wife he had three sons,
of whom the eldest succeeded him, and five daughters. His second wife
was the daughter of Earl Cadogan, whose marriage with Lord Cowley had
been dissolved. She died in 1853: by whom he had three sons and three
daughters, of whom the second, became the Countess of Sandwich.
This portrait was painted by Lord Anglesey’s nephew, the Hon. Henry
Graves.
_William, Duke of Cumberland_:
BY SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.
FULL-LENGTH.
(In the Robes of the Garter. Standing by a Table. River,
Bridge, and Castle in the Background.)
Born, 1721. Died, 1765.—The third son of George II., King of England, by
Carolina Wilhelmina, daughter of the Margrave of Anspach. In 1743, he
was wounded by the side of his father, at the Battle of Dettingen; he was
unsuccessful at Fontenoy. His name is ever coupled with the discomfiture
of Charles Edward’s forces in Scotland, and their entire defeat, at
the Battle of Culloden. He gained a name for severity, and cruelty,
during this campaign, and is still remembered in the north as “Billy the
Butcher.”
This fine portrait was presented by H.R.H., to John, fourth Earl of
Sandwich, with whom he formed a friendship, at the time of the Treaty of
Aix-la-Chapelle.
_Maria Theresa, Queen of France_:
BY MIGNARD.
Born, 1638. Married, 1660. Died, 1683.—Daughter of Philip IV., King of
Spain, by his first wife, Elizabeth of France. Mazarin arranged this
marriage to ensure peace. The Duke de Grammont went to Madrid, as
Plenipotentiary in 1659, and thus addressed the King of Spain: “Sire,
le Roi mon maître vous accorde la paix, et à vous, Madame, il offre
son cœur, et sa couronne.” She accepted both, but was compelled to
share the first, with innumerable rivals. Gentle, modest, loving, and
sensitive, she was constantly insulted by the King’s favourites; yet her
devotion to him, never wavered, and a kind word from her royal master,
made her happy for the rest of the day. He appointed her Regent, when
he went to Holland, but she was not fitted for public life. “To serve
God, and honour the King,” was her golden rule. Madame d’Orléans, (the
German Princess), one of the other few good women of that age, pays her
sister-in-law, this tribute: “Elle étoit d’une extrême simplicité en
tout; la femme la plus vertueuse, et la meilleure, du monde. Elle avoit
de la grandeur, et elle savoit représenter, et tenir sa cour; elle avoit
une foi entière, et sans réserve pour tout ce que le Roi lui disoit. Le
Roi l’aimoit à cause de sa vertu, et de l’ardent amour qu’elle lui a
constamment conservé, quoiqu’il lui fût infidèle.” On her return from
an expedition she had made, with her husband to Alsace and Bourgogne,
the Queen fell ill and died. “Voilà,” observed “le Grand Monarque” on
that occasion, “le premier chagrin qu’elle m’ait donné.” Had she been the
survivor, she could not assuredly have paid Louis a similar tribute.
These two portraits, formed part of the collection of the celebrated
“Capability Brown.”
_John William, Seventh Earl of Sandwich_:
BY LUCAS.
Born, 1811. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge; was Captain of the
Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, in 1852, and Master of the Buckhounds,
1858-9. Colonel of the Huntingdon Rifle Militia, and High Steward of
Huntingdon, Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of Huntingdonshire.
Married first; Lady Mary Paget, daughter of the first Marquis of
Anglesey, by whom he had four sons and two daughters, and who died in
1859. He married secondly, Lady Blanche Egerton, daughter of the first
Earl of Ellesmere.
_Mrs. Ruperta Howe_:
BY WISSING OR MYTENS.
FULL-LENGTH.
(Standing by a Doric Column. Light Red Riding-dress,
embroidered Petticoat, Long Coat, Waistcoat. Hat in Hand.)
Born, 1671. Died, 1741.—The natural daughter of Prince Rupert, third
son of Frederick, King of Bohemia, “a studious Prince,” who being
enraptured with Mrs. Hughes, a beautiful actress, bade adieu to alembics,
mathematical instruments, and chemical speculations, to subdue the heart
of the “impertinent gipsy.” At his death the Prince left the whole of
his property in trust, with a beautiful estate he had purchased on
purpose, for the use, and behoof of Mistress Hughes and their daughter.
Ruperta married Emanuel Scrope Howe, Esq., the second son of John
Howe, Co. Gloucester, by Arabella, natural daughter of Emanuel Scrope,
Baron Bolton, and Earl of Sunderland, to whom Charles II. granted the
precedence of an Earl’s daughter, lawfully begotten. The husband of
Ruperta was in the army, and rose to the rank of Brigadier-General. He
was Groom of the Bedchamber to Queen Anne, and in 1707, went as Envoy to
the Court of Hanover. He represented Morpeth, and Wigan, in Parliament,
and died in 1709, having had issue three sons, William, Emanuel, and
James, and one daughter, Maid of Honour to Caroline, Princess of Wales,
(afterwards Queen). She died unmarried. This picture is mentioned in
Noble, but the painter’s name is not given.
_John, Fourth Earl of Sandwich_:
BY JOHN LIOTARD.
FULL-LENGTH.
(In a Turkish Costume, of Crimson, and Ermine. Green and White
Turban, Yellow Slippers. Right Hand extended. Left on Hip.)
Born, 1718. Died, 1792.—he was the son of Edward, Viscount Hinchingbrook,
by Elizabeth Popham. Educated at Eton, and Trinity College, Cambridge,
where he distinguished himself. In 1738, he set out on his travels
through Italy, Egypt, Turkey, etc., accompanied by some friends, during
which time he made a collection of coins, and antiquities, of all kinds,
some of which, he presented to the University of Cambridge. He wrote a
book of his travels, and on his return to England, took his seat in the
House of Lords, and entered on a political life. He spoke remarkably
well in Parliament, and in 1744 became a Lord of the Admiralty under
the Duke of Bedford, “into whose favour” says a contemporary with much
acrimony, “Lord Sandwich had ingratiated himself, by cricket matches,
acting of plays, and intrigues.” But Horace Walpole, although he did not
appear very friendly to Lord Sandwich, is constantly compelled to do him
justice, in his public capacity. “He is a lively, sensible man, and very
attentive to business;” and on the famous occasion of Wilkes’ libel, he
again says: “I do not admire politicians, but when they are excellent
in their way, give them their due; no one but Lord Sandwich could have
struck a stroke like this.”
In 1746, he was appointed Plenipotentiary to the States General, and
again at the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, where he distinguished himself,
in such a manner as to recommend him for high offices of trust, on his
return to England. It was on this occasion, that at a large international
dinner, toasts were passing, and the different Envoys became poetical, as
well as loyal in their phraseology. The Frenchman gave “his Royal Master
the Sun, who illuminates the whole world;” the Spaniard “his Master the
Moon, scarcely inferior in brilliancy or influence;” when Lord Sandwich
rose, doubtless with the twinkle in his eye, and the laughing curl round
the corners of his mouth, we see in most of his portraits, and toasted
with all the honours “his Master Joshua, who made both the sun and moon
to stand still.”
During the King’s absence from England, Sandwich was chosen one
of the Commissioners of Government. He was also Vice-treasurer,
Receiver-general, &c., for Ireland, and under the new King George III,
was nominated Ambassador to Spain; but in the same year he succeeded
George Grenville as First Lord of the Admiralty. Few men ever filled that
office with more ability, and under his direction the maritime force
of Great Britain, was kept on such a footing as enabled us to meet our
numerous foes in every quarter of the globe with honour, and ensured to
us the victories we gained over the Trench, Spaniards, and Dutch. Lord
Sandwich was world-famed for his regularity, dispatch, and industry in
business; it is said that he invented sandwiches in order to take some
nourishment without interrupting his work.
The following lines were written on him and Lord Spencer:—
“Two noble Earls, whom if I quote,
Some folks might call me sinner;
The one invented half a coat,
The other half a dinner.”