EARLS OF STANHOPE. JAMES, first Earl of Stanhope, has a lofty monument adjoining the principal entrance into the choir of Westminster Abbey. The structure itself is exclusively devoted to the illustration of his life and character; but, as there are some additional inscriptions upon it commemorative of his descendants, this notice embraces a commemoration of his son and grandson. The monument, a laboured and costly production, was designed with no great imagination by William Kent, painter and architect, and executed with much freedom and skill by Michael Rysbrach. The Earl, clad as an ancient warrior, is introduced in a recumbent posture, clasping a truncheon in his right, and a scroll in his left hand; at his feet stands an urchin leaning against a shield; a state tent protects his person, upon the crown of which is seated an armed Pallas, with a javelin in one hand, and a scroll in the other: a pyramid conceals the background; - and thus the performance is in every respect a counterpiece to the monument of Newton, on the other side of the door. The first inscription is a Latin one, to this effect:*— Sacred to the Memory of JAMES, EARL of STANHOPE, a man supremely noble, and step after step adorned by a splendid variety of honours. Bred in the * M. S. Viri Prænobilis JACOBI COMITIS STANHOPE, quem, pro multifaria Ingenii Præstantia Splendida Honorum varietas gradatim illustravit. Castris ab ineunte Adolescentia innutritus, perpetua Titulorum Serie ad militaris Fas camp from his earliest youth, he opened for himself, without envy, a path to the glory of military pre-eminence by an unbroken series of distinctions. What he achieved as the commander of an army, Spain is a witness, and our medals stamped with veracious eulogy, proclaim. Nor did he acquire less celebrity in the management of civil affairs; for there was no illustrious office in which the fortune of his country did not exercise his talents, and in which he did not shine as the faithful servant of that country, and the wise counsellor of his king. He negociated treaties the most weighty; and, when connected with the administration of the Treasury, preserved the credit of a delicate currency undepreciated, by adjusting the coinage with perfect ingenuity and chaste disinterestedness. In either senate-house he prevailed with vivid powers of speech-inflamed the erect spirits of his audience, and meanwhile stood in the midmost heats of ardent eloquence, true to himself in unmoved tranquillity of judgment. Tempering these arts of peace and war by a humanity of disposition the most sweet, and elegantly distinguishing the intervals of business by the delights of more than polished learning, he was forbidden any longer to benefit his country, save through a surviving offspring of the best promise, by a premature death, on the fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord 1720, and of his age 47. tigii Gloriam, sine invidia viam sibi munivit. Quid Exercitûs Imperator gessit, Testis est HISPANIA, et affixa veraci Præconio loquentur Numismata. Nec in Civilibus Rebus dirigendis minorem adeptus est Celebritatem : cum nullum fere esset Officium Illustrius in quo Ipsum non exercuit Fortuna Patriæ, in quo Ipse non emicuit Adjutor Patriæ Fidus et Sagax Regi a Secretis. Foederum gravissimorum Auctor fuit Perfectorq: in Ærarii Administratione caste versatus delicatam Publicarum Pæcuniarum Fidem temperato solerter Fonore, conservavit integram. In utraque Senatûs Curia vivida dicendi Facultate præpollens, arrectos auditorum animos inflammavit, Ipse interea in medio ardentis Eloquii æstu, immota Judicii Tranquillitate sibi constans. Has Belli Pacisq: Artes Suavissimæ Indolis Humanitate condientem, politiorisq: Doctrinæ Deliciis Intervalla Negotiorum elegantissime distinguentem Patriæ diutius prodesse, nisi per superstitem optimæ spei progeniem, vetuit Mors præmatura, Quinto Die Feb: A. D. 1720, Ætatis Suæ 47. The next inscription is also in Latin, and records, in very neat terms, that George Stanhope, second son of James, the first Earl, aft er resigning in 1747 a lieutenant colonelcy, which he had held for five years, died a private individual, on the 24th of March, 1754, in his 57th year. He fought at Culloden, and was wounded at Lafeldt. This memorial was provided by his elder brother, who is thus remembered: To the Memory of PHILIP second Earl STANHOPE, And PRIVATE Worth. Deep were his researches And extensive his Ideas He was ever a determined Supporter Of the Freedom of Elections, Of a numerous and well-regulated Militia, *Hic quoque memorandus est JACOBI Comitis STANHOPE Filius Secundus, (Quem annos tenuerat circiter quinque) Privatus obiit Mar. 24, 1754, annum agens 37um. Amicis certe desideratissimus. Anno 1743 Cladis depulsor apud Falkirk, Victoria Particeps apud Culloden, Honeste vulneratus apud Lafeldt. Moreus faciendum curavit Frater, P.C.S. On the 7th day of March, 1786, In respectful remembrance of Him, By his affectionate Son, Charles Earl Stanhope. CHARLES, third Earl STANHOPE, was born the 3d of August, A.D. 1753, Succeeded to his title 7th of March, A.D. 1786, Died at Chevening, in Kent, 15 December, A.D. 1816. His To the statements of these epitaphs, the addition of a few facts seem desirable. The first Earl was the son of Alexander Stanhope, who was the son of Philip first Earl of Chesterfield, by his second wife, Ann, daughter of Sir John Packington, and was born during the year 1673. Visiting Spain, at a very carly age, he acquired a thorough knowledge of the language of the country, and there adopted the profession of arms. gallantry at the siege of Namur attracted the attention of King William, who gave him a company on the field, and soon after made him Colonel of the 33d foot. In 1704, he was taken prisoner at Porta-la-Grara, in Portugal; but, being speedily exchanged, obtained promotion to the rank of Brigadier-general, and greatly distinguished himself at the ensuing siege of Barcelona, under the Earl of Peterborough. The reduction of Minorca was the most important and dexterous achievement of his career. In 1707, he was commissioned to negociate a treaty with Spain; and, after discharging his trust advantageously, was appointed Ambassador at the Court of Charles III. When a fresh rupture took place, he again figured at the head of an army, and reduced Port Mahon in 1708. In 1710 he commanded the allied troops in Spain; and, after killing the Spanish general with his own hands before the gates of Madrid, planted the colours of England in that subjugated capital. Before the year closed, however, he met with a reverse of fortune, and had the mortification to be taken prisoner, with 3000 chosen troops, at Briheuza. For this act he was censured by the House of Lords. The reign of George the I. with whom he was a confidential favourite, brought him his highest acquisition of honours. In 1714 he impeached the Duke of Ormond; in 1715 was nominated a Member of the Privy Council, and Secretary at War; and in 1716 was preferred to be one of the principal Secretaries of State. During the following year he became First Commissioner of the Treasury, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and was raised to the Peerage with the titles of Lord Mahon, Earl Stanhope. In 1718 he resigned his post at the Treasury, but resumed the seals' in the office of principal Secretary of State. This was his last official situation, and he did honour to it, by bringing in a bill for the modification of the Test and Corporation Acts, which, after an animated opposition, was declared part and parcel of the law. The first Earl was a man of decided talents, and clear reputation, in the various capacities with which his name is associated. His public zeal was strong, his services highly advantageous, and his character has been most favourably appreciated by the country. The second Earl was born on the 15th of August, 1714, and succeeded to the titles of the family, when only seven years old. His guardian was the celebrated Earl of Chesterfield, by whom especial pains were taken with his education. Nor were these pains unrewarded, for it is admitted on all hands that he was not exceeded in his knowledge of antient and modern languages, and a profound acquaintance with mathematics. For these acquirements, the panegyric of his epitaph is simple truth. He was a scholar, and the patron of scholars. But he applied his learning solely to the gratification of his private hours, and in no respect obtruded his attainments upon the public, except as a senator. In this character, however, he was deservedly popular. His endeavours to reduce the expenditure of the country, and to confirm the liberty of the people, and his hostility to the American war, and the proceedings respecting Wilkes's Middlesex election, reflected equal honour upon the correctness of his judg ment, and the ardour of his patriotism. |