out Europe, and some of the most distinguished virtuosi — Mr. Jennings, the gentleman already alluded to, and to whose father, Sarah Duchess of Marlborough had bequeathed 20,000l. in one of her many wills, was not forgotten on the occasion. Indeed he himself has been a zealous collector, during a long and eventful life; and has parted with many fine acres to gratify his taste in shells, pictures, and statues!

Another and a different but laudable pursuit somewhat before this period, had engaged the attention, and for a time occupied a large portion of his wealth. Blenheim, once a royal residence; and whose modern name recalls the memory of the splendid and unrivalled victory gained by John Duke of Marlborough, had been granted by Queen Anne, as a reward for his unparalleled services. The mansion itself was rapidly falling into a state of dilapidation; and the grounds around it were become rude and uncultivated.

The genius of capability-Browne, was now invoked, and a new world speedily created. A noble wall, that cost 1000l. a mile, and could not now be built for double that sum, was erected to secure the boundaries of an extensive park; which was speedily converted into an ornamented farm, producing not only grass but corn; while deer and cattle of all sorts and descriptions, either calculated to convey an idea of grandeur, or utility, were seen wandering about its pastures, The gardens too, were laid out anew; and both these and the adjacent country rendered accessible by the finest walks, kept in the neatest order that ever my eyes have beheld. The home view had hitherto been grossly deficient in point of water, without which neither grandeur nor true beauty can possibly exist; but as if by magic and the hand of a great master, may lay claim to something approximating to enchantment - the scene was suddenly changed, and the bridge of the Rialto, which had hitherto crossed a dry ditch, now beheld a river flowing beneath its lofty arch. The valley was also flooded, and the Glyme taught to pour forth its living waters into a lake extending over two or three hundred acres. Bays and ports, and roadsteads and harbours, now seemed to terminate

the curves of this noble expanse; while a little fleet masted, rigged, and fitted out, so as to resemble a navy, floated on its glassy bosom. It was thus, that the late Duke of Marlborough for many years employed both his wealth and his leisure. Nor ought it to be forgotten, that Blenheim itself, under his auspices, assumed an aspect at once more magnificent and more comfortable. The principal apartments were new hung and new furnished; the noble hall was re-embellished; the beautiful little chapel was rendered more worthy of the Deity there worshipped; while the grand and extensive library was adorned with an invaluable unique bust, still in high preservation. The present Duke, who is said to possess a fine taste for books, will not fail to keep up and augment this princely collection. '

It has already been stated, that his Grace's father, to whose tutor, the learned Jacob Bryant, he presented a handsome annuity, always evinced a decided taste for mathematics; and the son, from early youth exhibited a predilection for a noble science, which is intimately connected, and indeed regulated by the former. He accordingly ordered an observatory to be constructed and fitted up at Blenheim, which he furnished in a manner worthy of his skill and munificence. Nor were his studies of a selfish kind, for he extended his love of astronomy so as to prove beneficial to the most distinguished of our English youth. Accordingly the Duke presented one of the finest and largest telescopes that could be produced by the most accurate mechanics in Europe- those of the British capital to the University of Oxford. The grand curtains in the picture gallery are also a donation from him.

Nor was he deficient in respect to the wants of those around him. On the contrary, the Duke extended his bounty to all; and his largesses were commensurate with the wants of the peasantry in that county. He was also a generous contributor to every public charity within the shire, and the inhabitants of the adjacent city, in particular, frequently tasted of his bounty in a variety of ways.

In 1811, the Duchess of Marlborough was snatched from him, after a painful illness of some duration. It was thus

that he lost a consort, with whom he had been united during a period of near forty years. His Grace had purchased a charming house situate on the Steine, at Brighton, chiefly on her account: and they were accustomed, for many years, to repair thither during the autumnal months. Soon after the death of his lady, he parted with that property, which has since become annexed to the Pavilion at Brighton.

Age and infirmities at length began to press heavily; but he still continued to ride out in his carriage, and even on the day antecedent to his demise, the customary exercise was not forgotten; while no symptoms whatever of an approaching dissolution were exhibited. His Grace, however, was found dead next morning in his bed, by the servant accustomed to attend him!

.

Thus died at the princely mansion of Blenheim, George, third Duke of Marlborough, leaving behind him a high character for the domestic virtues. His Grace was also a sound scholar, and a man of science; in fine, without the aid either of exalted rank or extensive fortune, he would have been respected as a most amiable and accomplished gentleman.

His remains were interred with due funeral honours, amidst those of his ancestors, in the vault below the chapel at Blenheim; on which occasion the present Duke, his eldest son and successor to his honours and estates, attended by Lord Charles and Lord Robert Spencer, Lord Churchill, together with the young Marquis of Blandford, and the Mayor and Corporation of Woodstock, of which he was High Steward, were all present. His Grace, George, the present and fourth Duke of Marlborough, has lately obtained the Prince Regent's permission to adopt the original motto and coat of arms of Churchill; and the House of Churchill now follows that of Spencer.

1

ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE, KNIGHT-GRAND-CROSS OF THE BATH; LATE NAVAL COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ON THE PLYMOUTH STATION; AND A BURGESS FOR THE BOROUGH OF NEW ROMNEY, IN THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

THE subject of this memoir, like a Hood, a Nelson, and a Bridport, claimed a clergyman of the Church of England for his father, being one of the five sons of the late Rev. Henry Duckworth, Rector of Fulmer in Buckinghamshire. He was born at Leatherhead, in the county of Surrey, on the 28th of February, 1747-8,- and his father having four boys besides, and but rather an inadequate provision for so large a family, determined to educate him for the sea-service. Accordingly, early in 1759, when he did not exceed the age of eleven years, young Duckworth found himself strutting along

the quarter-deck of a man of war, with his little square bits of white facings on the cuffs and collar of his coat; together with a sword, or rather a faulchion, as the fashion then was, nearly as long as himself.

The precise name of his first ship is now forgotten; but certain it is, that he served in the Diamond, then commanded by the Honourable Captain Fielding, at a very early period: yet as preferment was not very rapid at that time, he did not rise to the rank of lieutenant until June 1770; a space of full eleven years. On receiving his commission, he again went to sea, cruised on board of several frigates, and at length deemed himself particularly happy in being appointed to the Princess Royal of 98 guns, on board of which, the celebrated Admiral Byron's flag was then flying. In her, he sailed for the West Indies, with a view of threatening the French islands, and interrupting the supplies, by means of which, that nation was then supporting the insurgent Colonies of America, against the mother country.

At length after a very boisterous and stormy passage, they fell in with the fleet, commanded by the Count D'Estaigne, and the heart of every officer on board the English squadron beat high with the expectation of victory and advancement. During this action, which did not prove so decisive as those of modern times, several persons happened to be either killed or wounded in the immediate vicinity of Lieutenant Duckworth's station; and part of the skull and brains of a black man, called Peter Allen, was actually forced against his breast; so that his clothes were bespattered with the blood, and he himself was thought for a while to have been slain.

Notwithstanding the capture of Grenada, and the escape of D'Estaigne, this proved a very fortunate battle for the subject of this narrative, for within a few months after, he was appointed to the Rover sloop of war, with the rank of what was then termed "Master and Commander," and is now called " Commander" only: which latter appellation is certainly not only an improvement, but a more honourable as well as appropriate term. This event, however, did