indebted for the blessings of freedom and security, which we still enjoy.

"The nation would have had a worthy representative of that great man (so deservedly the founder of a noble family), in his amiable nephew, the late Lord Viscount Trafalgar, had his life been spared. Although his years were few, for he died at the age of nineteen, yet he has left, in the affection and regret of all who knew him, a lasting monument of virtues which would have dignified and adorned the most exalted station. In his manners he was easy and affable; in his person graceful; in his mien noble. His countenance, whilst it possessed a degree of sweetness, which afforded pleasure to all whom he approached, and which those who had once seen, never could forget, in some of its features bore a decided resemblance to that of his revered uncle. In the year 1806, when he accompanied Admiral Russel with the North Sea squadron to the Texel, the resemblance (which was more peculiarly striking, if at any time he had on the hat of a naval officer), was observed by all the officers of the Majestic who had seen his illustrious relative. But however strong this personal likeness might be, there was at the same time a mental resemblance not less remarkable: whether this also was the gift of nature, or originated from the veneration in which he held the memory of a man, the image of whose glory filled his mind perpetually.

"Naval excellence was not the only characteristic of that extraordinary man. He possessed an insight, which was most comprehensive and wonderful, into the general affairs of Europe; the relations, strength, and dispositions of its several powers; the talents, integrity, and influence of the leading men in each government. It appeared, from the testimony of Mr. Pitt himself, that the mind of the statesman had more than once been gratified and enlightened beyond measure, by conversing with the hero on these subjects. He disdained to sit in council at Naples with the reptile general, to whom the honour of the Austrian armies was afterwards so unworthily committed. He knew on whom the great cause of liberty in Europe might rely, and whom it had to fear. The same talent for discrimination, the same thirst for political knowledge, marked the character of his nephew. Those who knew how to appreciate the advantages of long experience, acknowledged the accuracy with which he judged of men, whom he had but seldom seen, or with a small part only of whose conduct he was acquainted.

"In his studies, he loved not to trace the records of ancient times. His mind was continually drawn back from the annals of Greece and Rome, to the æra of his country's naval glory. It was to the navies and armies of modern Europe, to her warriors and statesmen, to the existing laws and constitution of various countries, and more especially of his own, that his attention was almost incessantly directed. Another distinguishing trait in the character of the illustrious Nelson, was the singular power which he possessed of riveting the affection of all around him. It was not to his transcendent genius alone that he owed his renown: the hearts of the officers and men under his command went with him as the heart of one man, into the hottest scenes of danger and destruction. The ardour of their attachment constituted one great part of his success and his glory. Nor does the character of his nephew shrink from comparison in this respect. This noble youth was cordially and deservedly beloved by his friends, whom he hesitated not to serve, at the expense even of those gratifications which he had most eagerly anticipated. His nature was ever generous, frank, and sincere; his conversation always cheerful, and often playful, but still within the bounds of propriety and discretion: as it captivated the young, so it conciliated the old. He loved to enter the lists with those who differed with him most, and were most violent on political subjects. On these occasions, whilst the advantage which he derived from his superior good humour was always manifest, his good sense and correct information, usually secured an easy victory. It was the opinion of some, who observed the manner in which he dealt with his antagonist, that the nation might expect to see in him a successful promoter of that unanimity in its councils, which leads to undivided energy in its strength. He was the child of the nation, and would one day have lived in the hearts of the British people.

"One other feature (and the last that will here be mentioned), in which his character resembled that of his great relative, was a marked disregard of danger on all occasions, where he believed his honour or his duty to be concerned. As he knew not the fears, so he abhorred the pusillanimous reasonings of those who speak of submission to the power of France. He never would have despaired of England; of that country for which Nelson fought, conquered, and fell;-he would have struggled to the last; and (if it be indeed ordained that we must fall), he would have fallen with his country.

"Having left Eton school in the Spring of the year 1806, he im

mediately commenced his residence at Cambridge, where he soon endeared himself to the leading members of the University, as well as to a numerous class of friends and equals. In the Summer of the year 1807, he made the tour of the Hebrides; and was much pleased with the attention and hospitality which he experienced throughout Scotland, and particularly at Glasgow, where he saw, with enthusiastic delight, the noble monument raised in honour of his uncle by that great and loyal city. Although his person was slender, and his complexion often pale, yet his strength was such as enabled him to ascend the highest mountains, or pursue the red deer through the most extensive tracks, without any appearance of fatigue. It was, however, remarked by some, who saw him frequently, and knew well the sweetness of his disposition, and the goodness of his heart, that he looked like one of those who are destined to be taken away in early life. Nor was he himself insensible to the uncertainty which hangs over human life at every period.

"When he learnt in the year 1806, that he had to congratulate one of his aunts on the birth of another son, he spent the day on which he received the news as a day of rejoicing to the Nelson family; because, as he expressed himself, there would be now no want of heirs male. His wishes for the prosperity of that family, and the continuance of its honours, were not limited by any consideration of himself. Still appearing to enjoy the blessing of health, he was seized about the 26th day of December, 1807, with a slow fever, of that kind, which acquires irresistible strength by almost imperceptible degrees. In an early stage of his complaint, which commenced while he was with his fond and anxious father in London, he went to Canterbury, to visit his amiable mother and sister, whom he tenderly loved. But returning with them to London, for the benefit of medical advice, he died there on the 17th day of January, 1808, and was interred in St. Paul's cathedral, under the centre of the dome; that in death, his body might sleep, with the remains of him, whom in life he had so invariably honoured and revered.

"Farewell, beloved and lamented youth! May that fortitude which never deserted thee, bind up the bleeding hearts of thy noble relatives! And may thy gentle spirit, soothed ere long by the resignation of those who now mourn inconsolably, rest in everlasting peace!!"

February 16th, 1808.

Titles. William Nelson, Earl Nelson, Viscount Merton of Trafalgar, and Lord Nelson of the Nile, and of Hilborough, in Norfolk; Duke of Bronté, in Sicily.

Creations. Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Hilborough, in Norfolk, August 4th, 1801; Viscount Merton of Trafalgar, and Earl Nelson, November 20th, 1805; Duke of Brontè, in Sicily, November 7th, 1806.

Arms. Or, a cross flory Sable, a bend Gules, surmounted by another of the field, charged with three bombs fired proper: a chief undulated Argent, thereon the waves of the sea, from which a palm tree issuant between a disabled ship on the dexter, and a ruinous battery on the sinister, all proper. Over all, on a fess wavy, the word TRAFALGAR.

Crests. 1. On a wreath of the colours, the stern of a Spanish man of war, proper, thereon inscribed ❝ San Joseph."

2. On a naval crown, Or, the chelenck, or plume of triumph, presented to Viscount Nelson by the Grand Seignior.

Supporters. On the dexter, a sailor armed with a cutlass and pair of pistols, in his belt, proper, the exterior hand supporting a staff, thereon hoisted a commodore's flag, Gules; in the other hand a palm-branch: on the sinister, a lion rampant reguardant proper; in his mouth a broken flag-staff, therefrom flowing a Spanish flag, Or and Gules; in the lion's paw a palm-branch, Granted 1797, augmented 1798, and again 1809.

Motto. PALMAM, QUI MERUIT FERAT.
Chief Seat. Not yet purchased,

VOL. V.

CHARLES (Meadows) PIERREPONT, the present EARL MANVERS, is second son of the late Philip Meadows, Esq.a by Lady Frances Pierrepont, sister to Evelyn, last Duke of Kingston, who died

b

a Deputy Ranger of Richmond Park. He was sprung, I am informed, from the family of Meadows, of Witnesham, co. Suff. who, according to Kirby's Suffolk Traveller, had a seat there from the time of King Richard III.

b ROBERT DE PIERREPONT held possessions under William, Earl Warren, immediately after the Conquest, among which was the lordship of Hurst-Pierrepont, in Sussex, and other lands of great extent in that county, amounting to ten knights fees.

HUGH de Pierrepont lived in the time of King Henry II. contemporary with whom was ROBERT de Pierrepont.

WILLIAM, Son of Hugh, had two sons, Simon, and Robert. The former died without issue.

Sir ROBERT fought on behalf of Henry III. in the battle of Lewes.

Sir HENRY de Pierrepont, his son and heir, married Annora, sole daughter to MICHAEL DE MANVERS, who died 39 Henry III. and sister and heir to LIONEL DE MANVERS, by which he became possessed of several lordships in Nottinghamshire, and among them the lordship of Holme, which now retains the name of Holme-Pierrepont. He died before 20 Edward I.

Sir SIMON, eldest son, leaving only a daughter, was succeeded by his brother,

Sir ROBERT, who distinguished himself in the great battle of Haledown, against the Scots. Camden says, he was summoned to parliament as a BARON. He married Sarah, daughter of Sir John, and sister and heir of John de Heriz HENRY de Pierrepont, his son and heir, was succeeded by

EDMUND de Pierrepont, his brother, who died in Gascoigne, in 1370, leaving by Joan, daughter and heir of Sir George Monboucher,

Sir EDMUND, his son and heir, who married Frances, daughter and heir of William Fauke, of Grimsby, co. Linc. and was succeeded by his son and heir, Sir HENRY, who represented Nottinghamshire in parliament, in the reigns of