“In 1601, at the siege of Ostend, which lasted three years, and at which was levelled the whole power of Spain, nothing could equal the valour and courage both of the Scotch and English, the first commanded by Generals Balfour and St. Clair, the latter by Lords Willoughby and Vere; who, after a great slaughter of the Spaniards (including all their best officers) forced the assailants to raise the siege, and retreat with great shame and confusion.
“During the government of the three first Princes of Orange, William, Maurice, and Frederick-Henry, the Scotch behaved with so much bravery, honour and reputation, that by the last prince (besides many other marks of distinction which he conferred on them) they were called the bulwarks of the republick.
“The necessary limits of this chapter compel me to omit many memorable services which were rendered by this distinguished body of men to the provinces of Holland; but I cannot overlook the last siege of Bergen-op-Zoom by the French, in 1747; where, while others [[401]]shamefully ran away, one regiment of Scots in the middle of the town, having twice repulsed the enemy, fought alone till they were nearly cut to pieces, leaving fifteen officers and above five hundred privates on the field.”—Such is the history of the late Scotch brigade in the Dutch service; and such were the outlines of its military character, till the day of its dissolution, in 1783.
I must now draw this narrative to a conclusion, by once more mentioning the name of Joanna, and acquaint the reader, that, alas!——Joanna is no more!!!——
In the month of August 1783, I received the melancholy tidings from Mr. Gourlay (which pierced me to the soul) that on the fatal fifth of November this virtuous young woman departed this life, as some suspected by poison[4], administered by the hand of jealousy and envy, on account of her prosperity, and the marks of distinction which her superior merit had so justly attracted from the respectable part of the colony.
But she is no more!—Reader!—the virtuous Joanna, who so often saved my life, is no more!!!—Her adopted mother, Mrs. Godefroy, who bedewed her beauteous body with tears, ordered it to be interred with every mark of respect, under the grove of orange-trees where she had lived. Her lovely boy was sent to me, with a bill of near two hundred pounds, his private property, by inheritance from his mother.—Soon after which expired both his very faithful guardians. [[402]]
This CHARMING YOUTH, having made a most commendable progress in his education in Devon, went two West India voyages, with the highest character as a sailor; and during the Spanish troubles served with honour as a midshipman on board his Majesty’s ships Southampton and Lizard, ever ready to engage in any service that the advantage of his king and country called for.—But, Oh!—he also is no more, having since perished at sea off the island of Jamaica.
The effect which the following lines had on the sympathetic and ingenious Mrs. Cowley, could alone induce me to intrude them on the Public.—Let this be my apology——Oh! more than bitter task!!!——
An Elegy ON MY SAILOR.
Loud sounds the tempest!—peals of thunder roar;