A poet, born at Berkhampstead, whose writings are full of the best and highest teaching. He is best known by The Task, The Castaway, and Table Talk; but his smaller poems, On My Mother’s Picture, The Three Hares, John Gilpin, etc., more fully show his sensibility, general kindness, and playful wit. He also translated the Iliad. Cowper’s blameless and useful life was darkened by fits of despondency and depression, which in the end nearly destroyed his mind; but the light of religion never failed him.
SIR RALPH ABERCROMBIE
Born 1738.—Died 1801.—George II.—George III.
This brave General was engaged against Napoleon I. in Holland and Egypt, and always maintained the fame of English arms. He won two battles at Aboukir, in Egypt, the last of which cost him his life. He fought on, though desperately wounded, till the battle was over.
LORD CORNWALLIS.
Born 1738.—Died 1805.—George II.—George III.
A soldier who first served under the Marquis of Granby in the Seven Years’ War in Germany. On the breaking out of the American war he was sent there, and at first was very successful, but in 1781 was obliged to surrender at York Town to the United American and French armies. In 1786 he was sent to India, where he took Bangalore and defeated Tippoo Sahib; on returning to England he was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and was instrumental in carrying out the Union of England and Ireland. He died of fever in India, whither he was sent as Governor General, on his way to join the army at Ghazepore.
HORATIO, LORD NELSON.
Born 1758.—Died 1805.—George II.—George III.
This most famous of all the English admirals was the son of the rector of Burnham Thorpe, in Norfolk, where he was born, and went to sea first as a midshipman in the Raisonable, 64 guns, then in a West Indiaman. He afterwards returned to the Royal Navy, and saw service in the Arctic Ocean, the West Indies, and South America. He was a Commodore at the battle of St. Vincent, when he first boarded the San Nicholas, jumping through the cabin window, and then sprang on to the San Joseph, crying, “Victory or Westminster Abbey!” In 1798 Nelson fought the battle of Aboukir near Alexandria, in Egypt. The French admiral’s ship, L’Orient, blew up, and only two French ships escaped. Nelson was immediately created ‘Lord Nelson of the Nile.’ In 1805 he hoisted his flag on board the Victory, and fought the battle of Trafalgar, between Cadiz and Gibraltar. When grappled to the Redoutable, whose rigging was full of sharpshooters, a shot was fired through Nelson’s shoulder and spine, and he died three hours afterwards, cheered by the news that the French were totally defeated.