III. Robert Blake: PURITAN, SOLDIER, SEAMAN. A. D. 1598-1657. "He was the first man that declined the old track, and made it manifest that the science might be attained in less time than was imagined; and despised those rules which had long been in practice, to keep his ship and men out of danger, which had been held in former times a point of great ability and circumspection, as if the principal art requisite in the captain of a ship had been to come home safe again. He was the first man who brought the ships to contemn castles on shore, which had been thought ever very formidable, and were discovered by him only to make a noise, and to fright those who could hardly be hurt by them. He was the first that infused that proportion of courage into the seamen, by making them see by experience what mighty things they could do if they were resolved." CLARENDON. Robert Blake. O man of men! Hero of earnest thought, The swarthy Moslem bowed at his command. To eyes like his all vulgar gauds seem dim:— To serve the England that had fostered him. Chronological Table. A.D. Birth of Blake, At Oxford University-Death of his father, 1598 1615-1625 At home-Becomes a Puritan-Embraces the cause of the Parliament, 1625-1643 Gallant service at Bristol (July)-At Bridgewater-Death of his brother-Defence of Lyme, 1643 Defence of Taunton, 1644-5 Governor of Taunton-Appointed general-at-sea (April 1649), 1646-9 1650 Bombardment of Tunis-The Spanish War-Blockade of Cadiz, .. Attack upon Santa Cruz (April 20)-Death of Blake (August 7), Enters the Mediterranean-At Carthagena-Captures the Scilly Isles, 1651 1652 1653 1654 1655 1656 1657 III. Robert Blake: PURITAN, SOLDIER, SEAMAN. CHAPTER I.-OPENING OF A GREAT CAREER. Introductory-Birth and Breeding-Education-Life at College-Decline of his Father's Circumstances-His Father's Death-Manhood-A Member of Parliament-The Civil War-Blake's Services-At Bristol-Promotion in the Army-His Brother's Death-How Blake bore it-The Struggle at Lyme-Patriotic Endurance-Famine-Arrival of Succour-Prince Maurice discomfited. B OBERT BLAKE! I can never hear or write his honoured name without a big throb of emo tion, and its sound, to my fancy, seems to mingle exultantly with the roar of triumphal cannon, and the boom of strange seas upon dismayed shores. Honestest, truest, bravest of England's sea-kings, men are apt, in the glory of Cromwell's mightier genius, to forget his devotedness to his country, his heroic prowess, and the capacity which won for England England's first great victories on the main. They do not recognize the fact, that he it was who first led English fleets to victory, and infused into his seamen's hearts that confidence in themselves and their country which laid deep the founda tions of our naval supremacy. Yet, upon that immortal record which is blazoned with the names of a Rodney and a Howe, a Collingwood, a Duncan, and a Nelson, his name must ever shine conspicuous; and the "Mistress of the Ocean," seated on her imperial island-throne, we may well imagine, bidding her glorious sons "through long, long ages" to imitate him in the purity of his faith, the ardour of his patriotism, his resolute will and gentle chivalrous courage. His life was one long unflinching devotion to duty-duty to his God, duty to his fellows, duty to his country. Happy the nation which can offer to its children so noble an example, and for whom such men are content at the sacrifice of their lives to work out an enduring history! "What constitutes a State? Not high-raised battlements or laboured mound, Thick wall, or moated gate; Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned; Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride; Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. With powers as far above dull brutes endued, In forest, brake, or den, As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude; Men, who their duties know, But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain, Prevent the long-aimed blow, And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain: These constitute a State."-SIR WILLIAM JONES. Descended from a family which had long been settled in Somersetshire, and which had latterly engaged in extensive mercantile operations, ROBERT BLAKE, the son of Humphrey Blake, was born, sometime in August 1598, at Bridgewater. The house wherein he first saw the |