AN ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT and GENEROUS ACTIONS OF
James Butler,
(
Duke of
Ormond.
)
Dedicated to the Famous UNIVERSITY of
OXFORD.
LONDON,
Printed for
J. MOORE,
near St.
Paul
's, and sold by the Book-sellers.
Price Six-pence.
An Humble DEDICATION TO THE University of
Oxford,
&c.
CLARISSIMI & DOCTISSIMI,
T HE Famous University of
Oxford
having been, of all the Universities in
Europe,
the most Ancient, and, for many Ages, the most celebrated Fountain of Learning, the Seat of the Muses, the Honour of the Protestant World, and the particular Glory of
Great Britain
: The Author of these Sheets comes prepar'd to lay this Tract at her Feet, with all the Decency and Respect, that the most affectionate Duty of an Admirer of Virtue and Literature can oblige him to.
For this Reason, and from the Sense of Justice to so Learned and Excellent a Society, he grounds this Dedication upon an Assurance, next to a Demonstration, that nothing like what common Fame has slanderously loaded this famous Body with, can be her Due; that it is not possible, without the most manifest Injustice, to fix such things upon the University, as are, at this Time, wickedly alledg'd by her enrag'd Enemies; and that therefore it is every honest Man's Duty to assist in her Vindication.
As nothing is more certain, so nothing is more pleasing to those, who honour and wish well to the University of
Oxford,
than to hear, that the said University has always been a constant Asserter of loyal Principles, and a deep Sufferer for her steddy Adherence in Practice to those Principles, always distinguishing herself by her Loyalty to her Sovereign in the worst of Times: History is full of the Particulars; there we read with Pleasure, how she has frequently strip'd her self of her Ornaments, to supply the Necessities of her Princes; and suffered several Sieges, and various Distresses, in Defence of the Monarchy, in the Times of Rebellion and Usurpation.
Her Churches, and the several Chappels of her Colleges, have constantly resounded with the learned Discourses of the Heads of Houses, Fellows, Graduates,
&c.
in Defence of those ancient and orthodox Doctrines, of Submission to our lawful Sovereigns, being subject to the higher Powers for Conscience sake; and of their Abhorrence of that damnable Position,
That it is lawful, upon any Pretence whatsoever, to take up Arms against the King.
Nor can it be pleaded against her, without great Injustice, as I hear it is now, that this was the Usage in
Oxford
several Years ago; but that she has intermitted the same, and profest other Principles since; on the contrary, it is affirm'd, that she never deviated from the
Profession
of a due absolute Subjection to her Kings; and we cannot believe, that she can have forgot to practise conformable to the said Profession; and therefore it seems the more reasonable to expose, at this Time, the Attempts which some People make, to lay Reproach and Scandal upon her, as if she, or any of her Body, had avowedly acted undutifully to our present Sovereign, raised Tumults, Mobbs, and Rebellion; Things so inconsistent with the Christian Rule, so directly opposite to the Principles of the Protestant Religion, and, particularly, of the Church of
England
; to all which the University of
Oxford
has been, and is still, esteemed so great an Ornament, that it cannot, without great want of Charity, be suggested, that the said University has any Ways been concerned that way.
Permit therefore, Reverend and Learned, that an humble Advocate for your injur'd Reputation should expostulate with your Enemies, on the Injustice they offer you, when they propagate such scandalous things, as are daily suggested against you, and against the Honour and Reputation of your University.
AS IF you were now less loyal, and less submissive to the higher Powers than formerly.
AS IF you had forgotten your profest Principles of Obedience, or could dispence with the Conformity of your Practice to your Profession.
AS IF the University was capable of being corrrupted with Faction; or were less loyal and dutiful to King
George,
than they were to Queen
Anne.
AS IF it were possible, the Contagion of
Jacobitism
(which is Perjury) could infect the University; or that the Sons of the Prophets could thus commence Children of Disobedience.
AS IF it were possible, that the University of
Oxford
could be tainted with Rellellion,
which is as the Sin of Witchcraft.
These things, I am satisfy'd, can never be; it cannot consist with common Charity to think, much less to prompt others to think, so absurdly of so glorious a Body of Men, illuminated with the sublimest Knowledge, divine and humane; instructed by a Succession of Learned, Pious, and truly Reverend Divines; and openly professing Principles diametrically opposite to what they are now charg'd with.
And therefore,
Excellent and Venerable
! permit the Author, in this Dedication, briefly to enter into the Particulars from whence these Suggestions are maliciously drawn; and from thence, how easy will it be to shew the Improbability there is, that the University should be in the least concern'd in, or guilty of the Facts laid to her Charge.
As first,
The black Charge of Riots and Tumults in the Streets of the University; breaking the King's Peace; and turning the usual Assembly of the learned Members of the University, such as, Students, Graduates,
&c.
into a Rabble, a Rout, a rebellious and tumultuous Mobb.
Such is the good Government of the University in general; such the rigorous Execution of their private and statutary Laws; such the Honesty and Vigilance of the Reverend the
Vice-Chancellor
; such the Fidelity and Diligence of the Under-Officers of the University; all concurring as well to restrain, as to resent, that it is well known, how impracticable such a thing is; that it cannot be; that the Power of the said
Vice-Chancellor
is such, in causing the Doors of the Colleges to be kept shut, and a strict Account to be taken of all the Students, both of the Egress and Regress, that it is not possible for any to be absent; or if any are, they may be publickly and severely call'd to an Account for the same: Seeing then that, on all the most strict Enquiries which have been made, so few have been found out, and punish'd for being absent from their Chambers at the Time of the said Riot, it must certainly follow,
undeniably follow
! that if there was any such Riot and Tumult in the Streets of
Oxford,
it must be made by, and made up of the Rabbles and People of the Town, the
Canaille,
and the Crowds of the Villages adjacent, and the like; and that not one Scholar of the Town was among them; for if there had, it cannot be doubted, but the
Vice-Chancellor,
by his known Vigilance and Diligence, and his irresistible Authority, COULD have detected them, and have
rusticated,
or otherwise expos'd them all as they deserved.
It is then farther alledg'd, that the Persons, of whom these riotous Assemblies were compos'd, committed divers Sorts of Violences; such as breaking Windows, pulling down Bonefires built up for publick Rejoicings, on the Day of the King's Birth, Accession, or Coronation, or on Days appointed for Thanksgiving for such things as those; and after this, to march in an arm'd and violent Manner, and pull down and demolish the
Meeting-House,
or Place of religious Worship, belonging to the
Dissenters.
Alas, how do Men give themselves a Liberty to fall upon, and to asperse the most innocent and inoffensive of their Brethren? Can it be rational to believe, that a Body of Gentlemen, many of them of Quality, most of them of good Families, and all of them of good Proficiency in Breeding and Manners, entred into particular Societies for Learning, for polishing their Understandings, for adorning their Souls with Principles of Religion and Virtue, with Rules for good Manners, to qualify them for Gentlemen, and for Instructors of others? Is it possible, I say, that these can be guilty of the
Street-Madness
here talked of, and can deviate into Mobbs and Rabbles! It cannot be! It is not rational to suggest it of them! Again, when we call to mind, that the Students of the University are, generally, made up of such as have set their Faces towards
Jerusalem
; who have the Temple and the Altar in their View, and are learning the divine Stile of the Pulpit; that are to serve at the Altar, and minister in holy Things; is it reasonable to imagine, that these can sink into Clamour and Tumult, and dishonour their Dignity so far, as to herd in with the Disturbers of the Civil Peace? It can never be! we cannot, we must not believe it.
It is well known, that the most pure Doctrine of the Church of
England,
preach'd upon all Occasions by her most Reverend Divines, and practis'd in Times of the greatest Extremity, by her most sincere Disciples, is a sacred Pattern of Obedience to the Civil Magistrate, as to the Power which is ordained of God; and the breaking out into Riot and Tumult,
which is Rebellion,
is as inconsistent with the said Doctrine of the Church, that the Church herself has, in all Ages, held such in Abomination, who have thought fit to break into such unchristian Courses; maintaining, with her utmost Endeavour, that blessed Scripture-Rule lest upon Record by St.
Paul, Let every
Soul be subject to the higher Powers.
This then having been the avowed Principle of Obedience, profess'd in, and own'd by the Church of
England,
we humbly appeal to you, Excellent and Learned, the Heads, Fellows, Graduates, and Students of the famous University of
Oxford,
whether we ought, in Justice or Charity, to believe that any Members of your Body, especially of those who are preparing themselves for the Service of the holy Altar, can be guilty of such scandalous Crimes, as those of Rabble, Tumult, breaking the Peace,
&c.
or that, if they were, those Offences would not meet with the utmost Resentment, and severest Punishment from those, whose Duty it is to take Cognizance thereof.
It cannot but be grateful to the University of
Oxford,
to remind the Reader of these Sheets, that within those sacred Walls have, for many Ages, been professed, preached, and, to the immortal Glory of the University, been practis'd, those most Christian and Heavenly Doctrines of
Non-Resistance
and
Passive Obedience
; and that in their full and most extended Sense and Meaning: and it would be the absurdest thing in the World for us to suggest, that the Professors of those sublime Principles can be guilty of any thing so diametrically opposite thereto; as is the mobbing together, against Law, and against the Power of the Legal Magistrate, which is indeed no less than against the King himself; and therefore we can by no means think any other, but that all the Reports we have had of these things, are meer Forgeries, and fictitious Stories, contrived by the Enemies of our holy Mother the Church of
England,
to brand her most obedient Sons with the most hateful of Crimes, and which are most repugnant to her Establishment, and profest Doctrine.
Furthermore, as the Charge descends to yet greater and greater Offences, so much stronger are the Arguments against our entertaining any Suspicion of their being true: Even as
Lycurgus,
in his
Spartan
Constitution, omitted Laws against certain Crimes, as what he would not suppose it possible his Citizens could commit; with what Face can the Enemies of your most Reverend Body, pretend to make mention of the Extravagancies of the common People, in falling upon their Brethren and Neighbours, meerly for their professing to serve God in some manner differing from the Establish'd Rites; and with Violence, and the rudest kind of Persecution, pull down and demolish their Chappel, or MeetingHouse; notwithstanding the same are allow'd to them by the Law, and are legally qualify'd; that the poor, ignorant, deluded, and abused People, the
Plebeii
of the City, and the adjacent Villages, might, in the Heat of an enrag'd Multitude, and, perhaps, intoxicated by Liquor, run upon things so extravagant and unchristian, I will not dispute; but, to be sure, not one Member of the
famous Ʋ niversity of OXFORD
could be so weak, so ignorant, or so wicked, as to be found in the Streets at that Time.
It is impossible, Heaven forbid, so uncharitable a Thought should be harbour'd in any Man's Breast, that calls himself a Christian. Good God! What, Men of Religion to demolish Places of Worship; Men breeding up for the Pulpit, to make a Bonefire of Pulpits; Men set apart to serve at the Altar, to pull down Altars! It is impossible; What, the Sons of the Prophets thus become Sons of
Belial?
It can never be; Sure no Christian can believe it without Breach of the great Rule of Christian Charity, and that in an unusual Manner; when, I say, it is impossible to believe these things, and it cannot be true, and we can by no means entertain such thoughts; it must be understood, that it is impossible,
&c.
without, at the same Time, branding the University with the blackest Mark of Infamy; and believing her degenerated to all that is vile and contemptible; believing the best constituted Foundations to be converted into a Rabble of Licentiousness; and the most excellent College-Government, to be deviated into the worst kind of Confusion; supposing the Beauty and Comeliness of that most excellent Seminary of Learning to be defac'd; all the Order and Oeconomy of the respective Houses, inverted and overwhelm'd; their Pretences to Religion, shamefully abandoned; their Claim to a well-order'd Society, given up; their Discipline neglected; and, in a Word, the whole University descended to a Crowd; Government dissolv'd; Subordination, which is the very Fabrick of Order, blended with Superiority, and both together sunk into the worst Disorder; the Church of
England
turn'd Rebels; Protestants, turn'd Persecutors; and the most famous Seminary of Religion, turn'd a Nest of Phanaticks.
Pardon me, Excellent and Reverend, that some Warmth most naturally attends such a Thought as this; it is only by the liveliest Description of what these Crimes would produce, to evince the Truth of what I have advanc'd in your Defence; and to shew, how reasonable it is that we should not, in any kind, give Credit to the scandalous Stories, which your Enemies suggest against you.
I come now to the most malicious of all the Reflections yet made; and this is, their fathering the Voice of the Rabble upon the University; making the learned Students of your Colleges join in with the Shouts of the
Peasants
and
Boors,
and fouling their Mouths with the course Jargon of the Street, crying, an
Ormond,
an
Ormond
; no
King George
;
High-Church,
&c. and the like.
I should not care to repeat Words so ungrateful to loyal Ears, were I not well satisfy'd, that the Members of your Honourable Society were not capable of being so far demented, not capable of uttering Words so inconsistent with common Sense, as well as with common Manners; and that I may the more effectually vindicate the
Ʋ niversity
from the Suggestion, I need do no more, than to enquire into the Rationality of these Exclamations; for if I prove the Words to have neither Consistency, Honesty, or Meaning, I hope no Body will contend about the
Ʋ niversity
's being in the least concern'd in them.
It is to be observ'd, first, That, in the very Connection of the Words, a certain Opposition is plac'd between the Center, and the two Extremes; (1.)
Ormond, Ormond
; no
King George:
(2.) Take them the other Way,
No King
George;
High-Church.
So that, in short, King
George
is placed in direct Opposition to
Ormond,
and in direct Opposition to
High-Church
; and, which is still more extraordinary,
Ormond
and
High-Church
are both plac'd in Opposition to King
George:
Now we all know, that this is no University Language; the Learned and Reverend Members of your several Colleges use quite another Dialect. King
George
being legally enthron'd, crown'd by the lawful Authority of the Kingdom, is now become the Lord's Anointed as much, and as effectually, as any of his Predecessors; and as such, has been recogniz'd by the University; and now to cry,
No King GEORGE,
is to make their Loyalty a meer
Witch
's Prayer, ring their Bells backward, and raise Rebellion against their only lawful Sovereign.
Now it can never be thought, that the University of
Oxford
can do thus, unless we shall own, she is turn'd
Phanatick
; has embrac'd the
Presbyterian
Principles of 41; and is actually engag'd in Rebellion, to depose the Lord's Anointed, and bring their lawful Sovereign to Destruction; for we have always allow'd, that to raise War against our Sovereign, and to kill, murther, and destroy the Sovereign, differ not at all in the Treason; and have no other specifick Difference, than there is between the Endeavour, which is Treason in the overt-Act; and the Perpetration, which is Treason compleated.
Sure it cannot be call'd a Compliment to the University, to believe she cannot be guilty of any thing so unnatural as this, so contrary to her avow'd Principles, and steddy Practice for many Ages.
As to the Name of
Ormond,
which has been the Catch-word of the Rabble, in the several Street-tumults which have, of late, so much disturb'd the Nation, there is so much incongruous Nonsense in the Cry, that it has help'd to make those Mobbs odious and hateful to the Country; and has shewn the People, that they have none to look to beyond the King upon the Throne; for why do they cry, an
Ormond,
an
Ormond
; they will not pretend, that the Duke of
Ormond
makes any Claim to the Crown; if then they have any one to talk of next to the King, why do they not name him? This they dare not do; because that would be to own fairly what they mean,
the Pretender
; and this, openly profest, would open the Peoples Eyes too soon; for did they openly and avowedly cry out,
the Pretender
;
the
Pretender
;
no King GEORGE
;
no Hanover
; I say, would they cry thus, their own Mobb would forsake them; and therefore having nothing else to say, they cry,
Ormond, Ormond,
whether with a Meaning, or without a Meaning, that they may have something to fill the Mouths of the People with; for to have a Mobb, and no
Halloo,
would be a Mobb and no Mobb, and would signify nothing; for Rabbles are always rais'd by Murmur, and kept alive by Shouts; Noise is as essential to a Mobb, as Ammunition is to an Army, they could do nothing without.
But certainly this can never be the University of
Oxford!
We all know the Veneration the University has for
Ormond,
and how entirely they are in his personal Interest; and they cannot be ignorant of his late Grace's present Circumstances, and the Mischief such Use made of his Name would be to him; how it would suppose him, either to be for the
Pretender,
or to have the Vanity to accept of this Elevation of his Name by the Mobb, in Opposition to the King; and so to set up for a Pretender himself; which would be equally ridiculous, and, in the End, equally fatal to him: Nor can the University be ignorant, how this would expose him to the superiour Power of his Enemies; and put the Government to the Necessity of prosecuting him for those other Things, in which they were before enclin'd to shew him Favour; how it seems to set a Subject in Competition with his Sovereign, and make it absolutely necessary to crush him, for that dangerous Popularity which other Men put upon him, whether it be with his Consent or no. Now the University of
Oxford,
who have so entire an Affection for the Person of their late
Chancellor,
cannot, without great Injustice, be suppos'd so unconcern'd for his Safety, and so little interested in him, as to expose him to so just a Reproach, as this would bring upon him.
On the other Hand, to do the late Duke a piece of Justice, which he so much stands in need of at this Time; I have been credibly inform'd, that he received the Account of these things with a just Indignation; that he disown'd it in every Part; that he potested openly, it was what he abhorr'd; and was so far from approving, that he hop'd all his Friends would clear him of having any Concern in it; and, above all, that he express'd himself particularly pleas'd and satisfy'd, when it was told him, that the University was not in the least to be suppos'd to be concern'd in it; and that his Grace's Opinion was the same as ours is, and as all others must be, who are Friends to the University,
viz.
That the University could not be so distracted; it was impossible.
But to leave his Grace to protest against it; thus mobbing his Name in the Streets, and entituling him to a Crime worse than the greatest of those, for which he already stands impeach'd; I cannot but engage a little in Behalf of the University, as to the other Cry;
No Hanover, no King GEORGE
;
High-Church, High-Church.
What the Meaning of the Words,
High-Church, High-Church,
is in the Original, with the various Readings thereof; and more particularly, how they are to be understood, as plac'd by Way of
Antithesis
against
Hanover
and King
George,
I leave to the Decision of the University, to be determined in full Convocation; for, doubtless, the University would give the true Etimology of them, as they are now made use of; nor would it a little contribute to the enlightening the World in that Matter, on this eminent Occasion; and especially to vindicate the University her self, from many wicked and malicious Calumnies, by which her Enemies think to charge her with being in the Interest of the
Pretender.
Now, whether the Words
HIGH CHƲ RCH,
as now used, are synonimous to the Words
Popery, right Line, indefeasible, hereditary Right
; and so are to be understood, that
High-Church
are for the
Pretender
; or whether they are otherwise to be understood; and how is it possible they should be otherwise understood? These are the Questions; and indeed they are Questions worthy the publick Decision of the University, by either explaining, or exploding which, the University would bring to her self immortal Fame of one sort or other.
To leave therefore the Discourse of this Nature, and leave the ridiculous Jargon of the Mobb, to the just Censure of the University; it remains only to mention the said Tumults, with the same just Abhorrence that the said University look on them with; and having thus cleared the University of being any Way guilty, either of abetting, or encouraging such preposterous Things; I come next, by Way of an humble Address to the University, to recommend to them, the Necessity there seems to be of their giving the World such Testimony, as to their great Wisdom shall seem meet, of their utter Dislike and Detestation of these wicked and pernicious Practices; with necessary Assurances, that not the Colleges, no, nor any Members thereof, had the least Concern therein.
This seems necessary at this Time; because as it was a Misfortune to the University, to have these Riots and Tumults approach so near them, as to be within the Walls of the same City where they reside; so other People being made to believe, however falsly, that the University have, some Way or other, directly or indirectly, been concern'd in, or Assistant and encouraging to, the said rebellious doings; have taken Encouragement from hence, to soment the like in many Parts of his Majesty's Dominions; and have given the Example of
Oxford
as their Precedent.
Now although some are, as the Author hereof professes to be, well assured, that the University has had no Confederacy in this wicked Affair; nor that any of her Reverend Members could reasonably be imagined to show themselves among the said Rabbles on those unhappy Occasions; yet for the sakes of some, who have not the same Charity, having been deluded by evil-disposed Persons, whose Actions required to have such a Cover for them; and who have therefore believed, that Abundance of the Students, Graduates, Fellows, and even of the Reverend and Excellent Superiours of the University, have given Countenance to the Rabbles, and have even appear'd in the Streets of the City of
Oxford,
in the said rebellious Tumults; for these Reasons, and for ever to establish the Reputation of the famous University, in the Opinion of all good Men, it is most humbly represented, how necessary it would be to have the University declare themselves on these Heads.
This would do more than all the Vindications of their Friends can pretend to; this would, perhaps, do more to prevent future Riots and Tumults, in other Parts of the Kingdom, even than Horse and Dragoons.
On the other Hand,
IF the University
is willing
the Slanders of her Enemies should take Place:
IF she is
contented
that it should be believ'd, both by Natives at Home, and by Foreigners Abroad, that she has forsaken the Loyalty of her Principles, abandon'd the ancient Doctrines of the Church of
England,
and the Profession made by her Learned and Pious Predecessors:
IF she is
desirous
to have it believed, that the University of
Oxford
is a Pattern of Rebellion; and that she has imbib'd the
fanatick
Principles of 41.
IF she would be thought to have declar'd War against King
GEORGE
; and openly to have espoused the Interest of the
Pretender:
IF she desires that the Rabbles and Tumults, lately raised in her Streets, should be called by her Name; and should, as in her Name, be recommended to the rest of the distracted People of this Nation. In a Word,
IF the University glories in the first Violence offered to the peaceable Establishment of the House of
Hanover,
and a glorious Protestant Race of Princes; and declares her self to be for the forcible Introductoin of a
Popish, French-bred,
thoroughly provok'd, resolv'd to be reveng'd,
Pretender
; she has no more to do, than to sit still, and take no Notice of this Address; her Silence being all the Favour that is asked by those, who she desires should take it all in the Affirmative.
AN ACCOUNT, &c.
I F illustrious Ancestors, high Birth, a capital Fortune, glorious Titles, and the true Merit of a long Race of Men, belov'd by their Princes, and by their Country, were the things by which the Character of his Grace the Duke of
Ormond,
was now to be set forth, our Business would be to look into the History, not of the Duke himself, but of his noble and illustrious House; and to lay down, not only a Line of their noble Descent, but a long Detail of their glorious Actions; in which it must, in Justice, be own'd, that the present Duke has as much to value himself upon, as most Families of the Nobility can boast of.
But as this kind of Honour has been, for some Ages, pretty much out of Fashion with wise Men; and that now personal Merit seems something necessary to qualify Men of Quality for the Esteem of the Age wherein they live, we must be content to wave all the Pretences, which may be justly made to the Honour of the Family now before us; to bury the Trophies of Ancestors; and begin our History with the personal Conduct, the Bravery, the generous Principles, the great Actions, the Fidelity, the Prudence, Policy, Gallantry, and other distinguishing Vertues of the Person of his Grace the Duke of
Ormond
; for which he has been so justly belov'd by the
English
Nation: And from hence, if a faithful Account be drawn, we shall soon see, whether the People of these Nations have not, with great Reason, so much distinguish'd his Grace in their Affections, in these Days of his declining Circumstances; and thus we shall, if true Merit appears, build his Grace the most lasting Monument of Glory; because founded upon his own Personal Merit, according to that of
Juvenal, English'd
by Mr.
Dryden.
Ergo ut miremur te, nec tua primum aliquid da.
Juven. Sat. VIII.
That we may therefore you, not yours admire,
First, Sir, some Honour of your own acquire.
And, first, to the Honour of his first Appearance in the Field, we find his Grace the Duke of
Ormond
one of the first of the
English
Nobility, who appear'd Volunteer in the Field in the first War against the
French
; where he made his first Campaign under the truly-Glorious King
William.
If the Example of such a King, and His Majesty's special Affection to the Duke, inspir'd his Soul with vigorous Principles; and his natural Courage join'd to them, prompted him to great Actions, nothing is more certain, than that this Virtue had its early Reward, in the Distinction with which His Majesty treated the Duke upon all Occasions; the Favour he shew'd him, and that particular Affection which the King shew'd to him in several remarkable Cases.
I know it has been suggested, that the King, who all Men know was a politick Prince, and found out the Inside of Men as soon as any Prince in the World could do, did not shew his Grace so much Favour singly upon his own Account; but that finding but few of the Nobility, at that Time, enclin'd to a Military Life; and being very desirous, by any Means, to invite and encourage them to come into the Field, he put the Duke in such a Posture and Figure in his Camp, as was enough to move any Man of Honour to love the War for his sake; wherein the King seem'd, as they said, to treat the Duke as if he had been the Representative of the Nobility; and that they might see with what Distinction an
Englishman
would be used in the Army; for, said they, the King was not so ill read in Men, as not to know that there were many, who might lay as great a Claim to his Favour, on Account of Merit, as the Duke.
During the first Year therefore of the War, the greatest Part of the
Duke
's Fame consisted in those Favours which the King did him, and the Honours which he receiv'd from Foreigners on that Account; for whom the King honour'd, it was no Wonder at all to see honour'd by others.
The Duke was but a young Man when he went into the Army, which was in the Year 1690, when he went over to
Ireland
: And we read of him at the Battle of the
Boyn
; but all we have of him in that Action terminates in this, that the Day after the Battle he was sent with some Troops to take Possession of
Dublin
; and though this was, as is noted, but to take Possession; for the Citizens of
Dublin
had already taken Arms, and turn'd out the
Irish,
and sent to the King to receive them into his Protection; yet was Monsieur
Overkirk
sent with the Troops; so that the Duke had no Command, but was sent with them, as being a Person by Name honour'd in
Ireland,
for his Family, and for the great Estate which he possest in that Kingdom; so that hitherto the Duke'
s
History began principally on the Fame of his Birth, and no Merit of his own, other than that he was a brisk, promising, young Gentleman; and having the Advantage of such a Tutor as the King, gave Hopes that, in Time, if his Understanding prov'd equal to his Courage, he would be a very great Man; in the mean Time, he was made one of the Privy Council in
Ireland,
an Honour every one knows, was the Consequence of his Birth, and of the Rank which he bore among the Nobility of that Kingdom; in which, if my Memory fails me not, there was not any Man of the Rank of a Duke but himself, at least who embrac'd King
William
's Party.
The next Time we hear of his Grace, was in
Holland
; for we do not find any thing of him in the Campaign of
Limerick,
or that he quitted the Court to go any more into the Field. But the King having appointed the next Year that famous Congress of Princes at the
Hague,
the like of which the World has not seen for many Ages, his Grace, and the late Duke of
Norfolk,
were the only two
English
Dukes, who appear'd at Court on that Occasion; in which all that we read of his Grace the Duke of
Ormond
; amounts to this: 1. That he made the greatest Show of any of the
English
Nobility, and even beyond some Sovereign Princes that appear'd there. 2. That at the great Feast which the King made,
Au Maison du Bois,
at the
Hague,
his Grace had a Cushion given him, and sat at Table with the King, next to the Elector of
Brandenburg,
and on the King's Right Hand; and that the Elector of
Brandenburg
drank to his Grace, and not to any other of the
English
Noblemen.
These were his Grace's first Campaigns for these Honours, and such like, may well be said to take up the first three Year of his Grace's being abroad with the King: But the War coming on apace, and the Service being like to be very warm; he that was thus honoured to be near the King at his Table, could not expect but in the Field, where, it was well known, His Majesty never spar'd himself, he must be equally expos'd; and that nothing but the utmost Gallantry, and Love of Action, could recommend him to his Majesty; and as the Gallantry of the Duke had not yet been try'd, but promis'd fair, his Grace prepar'd himself for the Field, with a Resolution to venture his Life with the King, in the Quality of such an Officer, as Time, and the Favour of his Prince, should offer him.
The King, who was a known Encourager, as well as Rewarder, of generous and gallant Spirits, soon found the Duke was Master of as much personal Gallantry, as was requisite for a General Officer; and rather strove, upon all Occasions, to add a due Proportion of Phlegm to the great Quantity of Fire, that Nature, and his high Birth, had given this young Duke; that so he might, by weighing and by restraining his Forwardness, bring him to act with Temper, as well as Feat; and procure him that necessary Qualification of a General,
viz.
a cool Head to a warm Heart; how far his Majesty went in this Part, and with what Success, Time has shewn.
The first Appearance, however, that his late Grace made in the Army, was very particular; that is, for its extraordinary Magnificence; his Grace affecting to make his Quarters the general Rendezvous of the
English
Officers; where he kept a Table like a Prince, feasted all that came to him, and liv'd at an Expence superior, not only to all the other Generals, but even to the King himself: His Majesty, though he never affected that Part himself, nor did at that Time much approve of it, as what tended rather to effeminate his Men, than to qualify them for the Fatigues of the Campaign; yet was pleased to indulge this popular Humour in the Duke, and to make him a particular Allowance to support the Charge; what the Effects of that Allowance was, every one, who was present on those Occasions, knows,
viz.
That the Duke was so far from letting that Allowance be an Assistance or Relief to his private Fortunes, that it only serv'd to encrease the luxuriant Expence; and he fail'd not to run out with such a boundless Profusion, as consum'd all his Majesty's Allowance, and all that his own Estate could supply also; and not only that, but to contract immenso Debts; such as, it may be fear'd, the Creditors would gladly know now how to have secur'd to them.
It cannot be forgotten, that some People took so much Offence at this Excess, as to speak to the King of it more than once; and even to suggest, that it seem'd so much to affect Popularity in the Army, that it might be of dangerous Consequence in the End; but that his Majesty was always pleased to put it by, and to express himself in Favour of the Duke's Honesty, more than in Favour of his Understanding; intimating, that he was a Man
without Design.
This, however, is noted for the Reader's observation, and whereby he may see, that the Popularity of this great Man seems to have its Rise and Beginning, rather in the Profusion of his Expences, his Contempt of Money, and an unwary Extravagance, than in the Glory and Merit of his Actions; and if such a monstrous Extravagance can entitle a Person to the Affection, so as to set him above the National Justice, then is the Reward of Vice greater than the Reward of Virtue.
But be that as it will, the Way of living above, naturally brought to the Duke a Multitude of Hangers on; and, by Consequence, just so many Flatterers, who made it their Business to trumpet Praises and fulsome Things of their Benefactor, and were requited again with the Bounty and Beneficence of the General on all Occasions; and what Wonder if this Behaviour, in an Army full of needy Persons, and Men of Fortune; and that by this, and a general Affability and Condescending, even to a Familiarity, to the Soldiery, he became exceedingly beloved by the Army.
It is not for this short Discourse to enter into an Enquiry, how far a true Fame can be raised upon Actions really not justifiable in themselves; and whether a Person, being to an Excess profuse, as well of his own, as of other Mens, shall be esteemed an inimitable Virtue. I remember it was objected by some satyrical People in this City, against a Reverend Prelate of our Church, that his Charity was carry'd up to such a Height, that it became criminal; and that he would borrow Money, though he knew himself unable to repay it; and that, when borrow'd, he would give it away to relieve the Poor Clergy; and this the censorious Part of the World reproach'd him with, calling it,
Robbery for Burnt Offering.
But much more would this have been criminal, had it been borrow'd to keep a profuse Table, and to spend in luxurious Treats: What offers in his Favour is, that it was the meer Effect of the generous Bounty of his Temper, without any Design of evil to any one; and that though he impair'd his Estate by it; yet his Grace was always ready to yield to reasonable Retrenchments at Home; and even to alienate his Estate for the Satisfaction of his just Debts; and that he has testify'd this by particular Examples more than once.
If this should be granted, it will go far indeed to recommend the generous Spirit of the Duke, in doing just things at last; but it will be hard, even for the University of
Oxford
it self, to convince the World, that such a thoughtless Bounty, which should reduce a Man of such a Figure, not only to expend the greatest Allowance any King of
England
ever made to a General; but to a Necessity of alienating his Inheritance, and beggering his Posterity; I say, that such a thoughtless Bounty should entitle a Man to a popular Reputation, and erect him in the Thoughts of the People, as a Person qualify'd to be cry'd up, even against the King himself.
But, perhaps, this is not all; for who indeed can think it should? Let us look farther into his History, and the next thing we hear of the Duke of
Ormond
is, that when the great Battle of
Landen
was fought, the Duke, who commanded the Troops of the
English
Houshold, and was, by this Time, a Lieutenant-General, was taken Prisoner by the
French,
and carry'd to
Namure
; where, to his great good Fortune, he was immediately exchanged for the Duke of
Berwick,
who was taken by the King's Army; after which he serv'd with a due Applause; for all will allow him to be personally brave, and to be able to act under another General with as much Vigor as can be desir'd.
No sooner was the late Queen come to the Crown, and the War renewed against
France,
with this Addition, that
Spain
was now against us, as it had been before for us: But Her Majesty having resolv'd upon an Expedition against
Spain,
where Hopes were given, that the
Spaniards
would, by the Help of the
Almirante de Castile,
declare against King
Philip,
on Sight of an
English
Fleet and Army: But Her Majesty had made choice of the Duke of
Ormond
to command in that Expedition.
How his Grace brought the Army to the Bay of
Cadiz
; landed at Port St.
Mary
's; and how, for want of his Grace's being a less good-natur'd Man, and more a General, that rich Town was entirely sack'd and plunder'd; and the innocent
Spanish
Merchants Houses miserably plundered of an immense Treasure, contrary to the QUEEN's Design; and indeed by a base Violence of inferior Generals, presuming on the Easiness and good Temper of their General: This is well known to most Men, as well as it is, that the
Spaniards
were so far from being brought to favour the Design of the
English
after that, as was expected, that they for ever after hated us; and omitted no Occasion of shewing the most implacable Aversion to the
English
Nation; and even to King
Charles
III. for our sakes, as was possible; and which never abated till the Battle of
Almanza,
where they paid us Home for it; neither did it abate then insomuch that it was thought fit afterwards to act in
Catalonia,
rather with
Germans,
or indeed with any Nation's Troops, than with
English.
This was what we may call the Effect of what some call a good-natur'd Gentleman; which, in a Soldier, may sometimes be fatal, and deserve a meaner Title.
It is true, Fortune remembred the Duke in the same Voyage, and kindly made him a Present of the
Vigo
Fleet; with the Conquest of which, coming fresh grown with Laurels, the People, who thought he had brought much more Money than he did, shouted him through the Streets, with infinite Acclamations; and indeed had his Grace had more Soldiers, and fewer Thieves in his Army, that had been a happy Voyage for
England,
equal to that of Sir
Francis Drake:
But alas! never was so much lost, and so little got, as by that Voyage; the great Disaster whereof is, by some, said to be owing to the easy Temper of the General, who having no Value for Money himself, seem'd almost entirely to forget, of what Use it was to his Country; or that there were some at Home, who knew how to employ it, though, perhaps, he did not.
From this Time his late Gra
appear'd very little in the Field, b
enjoy'd the full Benefits of Peace
the midst of a bloody War, having the Profits heap'd upon him of many advantageous Posts; such as that of the first Troop of Horse-Guards, Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland,
and the like; all which, his natural Profusion remaining to him, have been so ill able to supply him, that, added to his own Estate, they have been far from preserving him from an immense Debt; which, it is believ'd, exceeds all that any
English
Nobleman has contracted within the Memory of Man, the old Duke of
Buckingham
only excepted.
It is not my Design to load the Person of the late Duke with Reflections, at a Time when he is already under the Resentment of the Parliament and People of
Great Britain,
fled his Country, and attainted of Treason; and for this Reason, I forbear to enter into any Part of his History, during his late general Command of the Army under the Queen; nor is it needful, the Application of the present Discourse turning upon another Point, and rather respecting the People of
Great Britain,
than the Duke of
Ormond
; and the Question which occurs from all that has been said, is properly directed to them, to enquire what there has been in all the History of this late Noble Person, that entitles him to the Affection of the common People, or that should make him be beloved; much less that should set him up to be the Idol of the Mob, and to have his Health drunk in a Sort of Opposition to the King's, as the weak and unthinking People have been taught to do.
And it is very well worth Observation, that if you ask one of the best informed among the common People; What it is they admire the late Duke of
Ormond
for? What are his Virtues? what have been the Particulars of his Life? They have little to say; nothing but that he is a good natur'd, generous, free-hearted Man; so that, in a few Words, to spend a Man's Estate, without Forecast, without Bounds, and in a Manner which no prudent Man can do, is the true Way to be admir'd, and the most egregious Folly the Foundation of Popularity.
But is it a Virtue to squander away immense Sums of Money? Is spending a great Estate a valuable thing, and fit to recommend a Man to the Esteem of the People of
England?
Why then none but Beggars must be the Peoples Favourites; and to have a great Multitude of Creditors, is to become truly popular. I cannot see upon what Foundation such Men can claim the Favour of the People; but what the Inhabitants of the
Fleet
and
Mint
have as good a Title to, in their Proportion; and it is a most unanswerable Reflexion upon the Judgment of our People, and the Methods they take to place their particular Favours, that they are guided by those Accomplishments in the Persons admired, which only tend to Vice and Degeneracy; and that they are best pleased with that which ought to destroy, not attract their Affection. It is true, that generous Principles, and a bountiful, open Hand, justly recommends a noble Person to our good Opinion; especially when selfish, narrow Principles are grown so general in the World; but, in my Opinion, a Man ceases to be generous, that is open to Profusion; and he that can set no Bounds to his Bounty, instead of being a wise Man, may rather be said to squander away his Money like a Fool; a Man of Honour ought to know the Value of what he bestows, and of what he expends; otherwise he becomes bountiful to a Vice, and throws away his Money, not for want of Avarice, but for want of Understanding.
And for what can this be said to recommend him; unless he shall be said to become popular, meerly on the same Account that the People fall into Rabbles and Tumults; not because they are wise, but because they are mad.
It is Time for the People of
England
then to consider the particular Case; and if they will not remove their Acclamations, and Cry of Tumult, from the Person of the Duke; yet, for their own Reputation, let them remove it from his Vice, and find out some of his Virtues to fix it upon; for certainly a meer making Ducks and Drakes of his Money, cannot recommend him; or if it does, it must be only to those, who can give no Reason for what they do.
It has been alledged by some, that this Popularity of the Duke's has risen from the Accident of Circumstances; and that it has not been at all of the Duke's seeking or desiring, or from any greater Esteem than was before shewn him; but because the Party, who have, of late, shewn themselves Opposers of the Government, and of the House of
Hanover,
had no Body else to name to the Mobb, who they durst mention in publick.
If this should be true, the Duke has very little Obligation to those People; and, moreover, it is the severest Satyr upon the
Jacobite
Interest, that it could be possible to mention; being a clear Testimony, that their
Pretender
has no Share in the Affections of the People; and that they could hope for no Favour among the Commons, if they did so much as name him.
Upon the whole it appears, That, first, as the Duke has no peculiar Accomplishments of his own, which can be said to recommend him to the Mobb; so all that has been done to render him popular, has been done not only without any personal Merit of his own; but, which is worse, from a private Piece of Policy, making him a Cover to their
Jacobite
Design, and no better than a meer Tool for the
Pretender.
FINIS.