" The Egyptians, who made use of hieroglyphics to signify several things, expressed a man who con-
fined his knowledge and discoveries altogether within himself, by the figure of a dark lantern closed on all
sides; which, though it was illuminated within, afforded no manner of light or advantage to such as stood
by it. For my own part, as I shall from time to time communicate to the public what discoveries I happen
to make, I should much rather be compared to an ordinary lamp, which consumes and wastes itself for the
benefit of every passenger."

Spectator.---No. 379.

SOTE

LONDOV.
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THE

Imperial Magazine;

OR, COMPENDIUM OF RELIGIOUS, MORAL, & PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE.

" PERIODICAL LITERATURE IS TAE GERM OY NATIONAL LEARNING.".

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JANUARY.]

(1830. Biographical Sketch of

jesty George the Second, that, in 1747, he HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON,

created him a peer of Ireland, by the title K.G. K.G.C.B. &c. &c.

of Baron Mornington.

His eldest son,

Garret, succeeded him in his barony, and Arma, virumque cano.

was, in 1760, created Viscount Wellesley

and Earl of Mornington. He married (With a Portrait.)

Anne, daughter of the right honourable The subject of this memoir has, by his Arthur Hill, Viscount Dungannon, by great actions, associated himself so inti- whom he had issue, the present Marquis mately with the history of our country, Wellesley, William, now Wellesley Pole, that his biography includes a series of the and Arthur, the subject of our history, most interesting national events—and fur- The Earl of Mornington dying while nishes a proud memorial of British valour the greater part of his family were in and independence, which will survive so their infancy, his lady was left, with a long as the field of Waterloo remains fortune impaired by unavoidable circumunforgotten.

stances, to conduct them to maturity. The family of Wellesley is descended Her ladyship's maternal virtues and enerfrom the Colleys, who, in the reign of getic mind enabled her, however, to supHenry the Eighth had been settled from port the trying difficulties of her situation. time immemorial in the county of Rut- Her eldest son nobly submitted the guidland.

In this king's reign,' Walter and ance of the family estates to her hands; Robert Colley, two brothers of the family, and afterwards, from motives of filial established themselves in the county of respect, paid off the whole of his deceased Kilkenny, Ireland, when his Majesty father's debts. granted them, for their lives, the office of ARTHUR WELLESLEY was born May clerks of the crown in chancery. Robert 1st, 1769. At an early age he was placed subsequently became Master of the Rolls; at Eton; from whence, having chosen the while Walter was appointed, first, Solicitor army for his profession, he was sent to General, and afterwards, Surveyor General Angiers in France, where he remained of that kingdom.

some time under the tuition of the celeSir Henry Colley, eldest son of Walter brated Pignerol, to be instructed in the Colley, took up the profession of arms, art of war. and held a commission under Queen Having acquired a considerable knowElizabeth. His able conduct procured ledge of military tactics, he entered the him the favour of his sovereign, and he army; and, receiving his first commission was appointed a member of the Privy (in the 41st) during the time of peace, Council

. He married Catherine, daughter devoted his mind to the acquisition of of Sir Thomas Cusack, Lord Chancellor of the whole economy of war, and thus laid Ireland, by whom he had three sons. the basis of his future fame. The second of these, Sir Henry Colley, At the age of twenty-three he obtained of Castle Carbury, was the immediate the rank of captain in the 18th regimentancestor of the present family of Wels of light dragoons; and, in 1793, was lesley.

appointed to the majority of the thirtyAnother Sir Henry Colley, a descendant third, vacant by the resignation of Major of the last mentioned, left a numerous Gore. Availing himself of his right of issue; among whom was Richard Colley, seniority to purchase in succession, he who first assumed the name of Wellesley, obtained the lieutenant-colonelcy of his in

consequence of his succession to the regiment, in the laiter part of the same estates of his cousin, Garret Wellesley of year. At this time he served under Earl Dangan. This gentleman held several Moira, and, early in 1794, accompanied offices under the crown, and so highly were

the late Duke of York in his unfortunate bis public services esteemed by bus Ma- expedition into Flanders.

19
Biographical Sketch of the Duke of Wellington.

20 The subsequent invasion of Holland | Tope, from whence they considerably was attended with fresh disasters, and, on annoyed the British camp, Colonel Welthe evacuation of that country by the lesley received orders, on the evening British forces, Lieutenant-colonel Wellesley before the attack on Seringapatam, to coreturned to England.

operate with Colonel Shaw in scouring Immediately after the arrival of the this retreat of the enemy. A little after troops in this country, great expedition was sun-set the detachments advanced, both used to prepare them for foreign service, at the same time, under the disadvantages and the thirty-third being under orders for of complete darkness. Colonel Wellesley, the West Indies, their lieutenant-colonel on entering the Tope, was assailed so vioembarked with them in the fleet com- lently, that he was unable to do more manded by Admiral Christian, and des- than make a diversion in favour of Colonel tined for that country.

Shaw, who found means to seize upon a Heavy gales, however, frustrating their ruined village, which sheltered his iroops voyage, the troops were placed under fresh from the muskelry of the enemy. The orders; the thirty-third being sent into next morning, however, Wellesley adIreland to recruit, where they remained vanced with a strong force to the Tope, till once more called into active service. and eventually succeeded, in conjunction

In 1797, Lieutenant-colonel Wellesley with Shaw, in driving the enemy from the received an appointment to accompany strong hold. his brother, Lord Mornington, then Go- After the capture of Seringapatam, vernor-General, into India.

Colonel Wellesley was made Governor of In the battle of Mallavelly, which im- this place, and one of the commissioners mediately preceded the siege of Seringa. to fix the divisions of the conquered propatam, the gallantry and skill of Colonel vinces. In the execution of the duties Wellesley contributed not a little to the connected with these offices, he displayed success of our arms.

great ability and the strictest integrity. On the 26th of March 1799, the British Having now attained the rank of Major army encamped five miles eastward of General, he distinguished himself in the Mallavelly; the forces of Tippoo Saib, Mahratta war, more particularly in the the Sultan, lying, at the same time, near famous battle of Assye, where he had to the banks of the Maddoor. Tippoo contend with an army ten times superior shewing a disposition to come to in nun to his own. This victory engagement, Colonel Wellesley's division confirmed his character and reputation, was ordered to move parallel to the left, and its consequences were of such im. but at some distance, so as to cover the portance to the British cause, that a mobaggage, and to be in readiness to act as nument was erected to his honour at occasion might require; while the main Calcutta, he received the thanks of the body marched on the great road leading parliament at home, and was made a to Mallavelly. The action having com- Knight Companion of the Bath. menced, Colonel Wellesley taking advan- In 1805, he returned to England, and tage of a critical juncture, and supported shortly after became member of parlia. by Major General Floyd, advanced an ment for Newport. His military services echellon of battalions; and the whole line not being immediately required, he was thus moving slowly and steadily, time was sent to Ireland, as Secretary to the Duke given for the whole to act together; the of Richmond; but was soon after called enemy's cannonade being answered by to accompany Lord Cathcart to Copenas many of the field-pieces as could be hagen; and for his conduct in that expebrought up. The action thus became dition he received the thanks of both general along the whole front. At this houses of parliament. moment a desperate attempt was made The time was now drawing on when on the part of Tippoo, by moving forward the abilities of Sir Arthur Wellesley were a column, to the amount of two thousand to be called into a field of martial entermen, in excellent order, towards the thirty- prise peculiarly his own. He sailed from third, Colonel Wellesley's regiment. This Cork on the 12th of July, 1808, with a gallant leader commanded his soldiers to force of ten thousand men, for the Spanish reserve their fire, and advance directly Peninsula, and arrived, on the twentieth, upon the column, which immediately gave at Corunna. way, and fell into total disorder.

When Sir Arthur first arrived in Spain, A body of the Sultan's infantry and the aspect of affairs was far from encourocket men having possessed themselves of raging. The activity of the enemy, and a large grove, called the Sultaunpettah | the divisions which prevailed among the

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