Sir HENRY GOUGH, Knight, of Perry-hall, Staffordshire, eldest son of John Gough, esq. of Oldfallings in the same county, born Jan. 3, 1649, was knighted by King Charles the Second (by many thought an inadequate reward), in return for services rendered by his grandfather Henry Gough to King Charles I. He was called one of the finest gentlemen of his time, and maintained a style of hospitality and elegance in his mode of living; which is all that is necessary to add to the epitaph composed by his pious and learned son Walter Gough, on the monument erected in the chancel at Bishbury-except that he was there buried privately in the night, as his lady had been before him: "Hunc juxta parietem S. E. HENRICUS GOUGH de PERRY HALL, in com. Staff. miles, Historiæ, Antiquitatum, & Legum patriæ Quæ duos circiter annos ante illum defuncta Fœcundam sobolem marito præbuit, Ex quibus Septem tantum superstites reliquit ; Tres filios, GUALTERUM, HENRICUM, CAROLUM, Quatuor Quatuor filias, ANNAM, BRIGIDAM, JANAM, & ISABELLAM; Plenus annorum mortem expecto." Et ætat. suæ Septuagesimo Septimo ineunte; Semper honorandæ M. P." Dr. Plot styles him an ingenious gentleman, one of the most cordial encouragers of his Work, and says that he shewed him a fairy circle near 50 yards diameter in his grounds near Perry-hall. The following Letter from him to his second Son is characteristic of him and the times: "DEAR HARRY, Perry-hall, Jan. 2, 1715-16. "I received yours; shall cancel the bill, and do acknowledge all even betwixt us, except the 200l. bond debt I owe you. This weather almost kills me, and impoverishes the country to that degree, that, if it continue, it will ruin many families, and destroy abundance of creatures. It seems a just judgment on the mob, for their wantonness and wickedness in raising such tumults amongst us. I cannot but pity many of the poor and ignorant, but wish the first promoters were well known and punished. Many (women especially) continue insolent and foolish in their talk; but a little time perhaps may calm them. We are much easier than we have been hereabouts. We must be content to pay for our disorders. God grant the Rebels may be every where suppressed, and the King and Government no more forced to extremity, which must be when no other method will do. This was what I told told my neighbours when you were here, who now seem to be convinced, and join in wishing success to King and Parliament. "We have not been at church, nor seen daughter Hunt, since the snow fell; can go no farther than the mill in coach or on horseback; with difficulty people get to markets. My sisters are all the good company we can get; and they must stay till better weather. All here join in love and service to you and all friends. Wish you many happy new-years; with an hearty blessing, and continual prayers for your well being, from your loving Father, H. GOUGH." Sir RICHARD GOUGH, Knight, younger brother of Sir Henry Gough, raised a considerable estate from the small stock of a younger brother's fortune by the India and China trade. He was remarkable for his great industry and application to business, and exact justice in his dealings; he was reckoned to be well skilled in the knowledge of the British trade, and commerce in general; and in that particular branch of it to the East Indies equal to any in his time. He was brought up under that eminent merchant Sir James Houblon; and had even while a child the assistance and advice of the great Sir Josiah Child. He travelled through most of the trading towns in the Mediterranean and Levant Seas, and drew his observations from men of business in all countries. He afterwards made four several voyages to India and China with unparalleled success and reputation, and thus wound up the series of his fortune. He served for Bramber in two Parliaments of George I. and in the first of George II. and died Feb. 9, 1727-8. His son Henry was created a Baronet in 1728; and died in 1774; and was succeeded by his eldest son Henry Gough Calthorpe, who in 1796 was created Baron of Calthorpe; and dying in 1798, was succeeded by his son George, the present Peer. WALTER WALTER GOUGH, Esq. of Oldfallings, third (but eldest surviving) son of Sir Henry Gough, of Perry-hall, and of Mary, daughter of Sir Edward Littleton, Bart. born June 19, 1677, was admitted a Student at Christ Church, Oxford, under the tuition of Mr. Smalridge, a Staffordshire man, who knew and visited his family. He pursued his studies with unremitting diligence for about five years; and probably took the degree of B. A. On his remove from College he entered on the study of the Law, and had chambers in Hare-court, in the Inner Temple; then travelled through France into Italy, and returned a profound Scholar and polite Gentleman. Sixteen MS volumes of his labours, still preserved in the Library at Perry-hall, display extensive reading, both sacred and profane, and his knowledge, not only of Greek and Latin writers, but also of the Hebrew and Chaldee languages *. * Their titles are, 1." Of Moral Philosophy. Signed, W. G. ex Æde Christi 1695," 4to. 2. "Church History during the Saxon Heptarchy," folio. 3. " History of England, from the Establishment of the English Saxon Monarchy till the Danes." 4. "History of England under the Norman Kings. W.G. 1697.” 5. "History of England under the Line of York." 6.“ A Common Place Book," folio and 4to. 7. "History of England from the Death of Edward VI." 4to. 8. "Some Reflections on our blessed Saviour's Sermon on the Mount. W. G 1718." 4to. 9. "Songs of Scripture translated," 4to. 10. "The Beauty of Holiness, or such an Account of the Psalms as endeavours to shew not only the Sense of these inspired Poems, but to point out and prove the Beauties of Divine Poetry: together with a Comparison of our old Psalter and Bible Translation. Walter Gough, November 18, 1726.”—“ Although I did not enter upon the following Work, or any other, with design to be in print, but purely for my own instruction and employment of time, yet I am not so much concerned for that little reputation I have, as expressly to require of my heir, that this, or any other writing I shall leave behind me, shall be burnt. Such a command proceeds indeed sometimes from modesty: but not always. All that I desire is, that if what I have wrote be good for nothing, it may be used as such; but if any Work of mine may, by proper judges, be thought of any value or use, my heir may do with it as he pleases; only, if any thing be thought worth publishing, let it He had a taste for music, and was not wholly unskilled in that science. In Italy he had collected some Prints, &c. which were said to be valuable; many are either lost or defaced, but some were taken to Perry, and may possibly be preserved. He died April 19, 1730, of a decline, aged only 53; a loss ever to be regretted by his family, and in particular by his sons, whose education he was capable of directing to the best advantage. The following epitaph, in his hand-writing, appears to have been intended for himself: "Hic lapis miseri peccatoris condit exuvias. Nec vixi pessimus, nec animi incertus animam efflavi; De salutiferâ fide & spe resurrectionis nihil dubius, Cogitationes cordis mei, utpote vanas, Virtutem vel justitiam meam, si quam unquam habui, ut pannos sordidos, prorsus renuntio. Deum unum in ineffabili Trinitate semper colui; His portrait is over the chimney of the little parlour at Oldfallings, oval, three-quarters, in his own hair and blue gown, face turned over the left shoulder, in a gilt frame of oak leaves; another is at Perry-hall. He married Martha, daughter of Thomas Harwood, esq. of Tern, in Shropshire, sister of Thomas Hill*, esq. Representative in Parliament for Shrews first be examined and corrected by such as have skill enough to do it."-11. "King Edgar, a Play," written 1728. 12. "An Introduction, or Summary View of the State of England before and after the coming of the Romans, begun May 5, 1729." 13. "A View of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and Remarks on them," two volumes, folio. * Who assumed the name of Hill to oblige her uncle Richard Hill, esq. who was Envoy at the Court of Sardinia, and afterwards Ambassador to Holland, and Paymaster of the Army in the |