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,
Of purpose firm, unconquerable will!
At Lyme he stoutly stood, and stoutly fought
In Taunton's desperate breach. Resolute still,
He met the braggart Hollander, and tore
The spoils of victory from his greedy hand;
His threatening cannon startled every shore,

The swarthy Moslem bowed at his command.
Such souls as his above all mean things soar,

To eyes like his all vulgar gauds seem dim:—
One steadfast aim he kept-or peace, or war-

To serve the England that had fostered him.
DUTY his Star; he lived for Duty's sake;
Truest of England's children-Robert BLAKE!

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),
Cruises against Prince Rupert and Royalist privateers,

1646-9

1650

Bombardment of Tunis-The Spanish War-Blockade of Cadiz,
Blockade of Cadiz,

..

Attack upon Santa Cruz (April 20)-Death of Blake (August 7),

Enters the Mediterranean-At Carthagena-Captures the Scilly Isles,
and drives the Royalists from the Channel Islands,
The Dutch War-Defeats Van Tromp-Action off the North Foreland,
The Dutch War-Tromp in the Channel-Action of February 18-
Action of June 2-Peace with the Dutch-Blake's illness,
Blake in the Mediterranean,

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;
Not bays and broad-armed ports

Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride;
Not starred and spangled courts,

Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride.
No-men, high-minded men,

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