TWICKENHAM, In this view, is seen embosomed among lofty trees on the banks of the river. The old tower of the church is interesting from its picturesque appearance, but much more so when we recognise in it the venerable sepulchre of departed valour and genius. The ashes of Sir Chaloner Ogle, the Berkeleys, Pope, Mrs. Clive, Sir Godfrey Kneller, and many other distinguished persons, are deposited within its walls. Catharine of Arragon, after she was divorced from Henry the Eighth, retired to a house at Twickenham, nearly opposite the north side of the church. Lord Clarendon, the Earl of Essex, and Bacon of Verulam, there sought a short respite from the turbulence of politics, and the fickleness of court favour, The period of building the old church is unknown-the body of it, which probably retained some vestiges of antiquity, either fell or was pulled down in 1714. It was rebuilt in 1731, by the inhabitants, and forms an heterogeneous mass; the body of the church being of the Tuscan order, whilst the ancient embattled tower exhibits the rude English art of the eleventh century. It contains eight bells, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The living, which is a vicarage, has been in the gift of the Dean and Canons of Windsor, ever since the reign of Edward the Sixth. Its reputed value is about £.400 a-year. The monument of Sir Chaloner Ogle was erected by the family. This officer joined, to an undaunted courage, the most consummate address. In the early part of the eighteenth century, one Roberts, a desperate pirate of considerable talents, annoyed the British trade in the American seas a long time, and had become very formidable even to the colonies. His force consisted of three ships, one of 40 guns, one of 52, and the third of 24. Captain Ogle, cruizing off Cape Lopez in the Swallow, received intelligence that "Roberts was lying, with his three ships, in an adjoining bay; upon which he'disguised his ship and stood in. The pirates took him for a merchantman, and one of them slipped her cable and gave chace. Captain Ogle decoyed him off the land till he had reached such a distance as to prevent his associates hearing the report of the guns; he then shortened sail, tacked, and brought him to action, which lasted an hour and a half, when the commander being killed, she struck. Captain Ogle then steered in for the bay, with the pirate's colours hoisted over the king's. This stratagem succeeded, for the pirates seeing the black flag uppermost, concluded the king's ship had been taken, and stood out to sea to meet and congratulate their consort on his victory. Their joy was of short duration, for they no sooner came alongside the Swallow, than Captain Ogle threw off the deception, and began to engage them most desperately. The action lasted two hours, when Captain Roberts being killed, with a great number of his men, both ships struck." One hundred and sixty prisoners were tried, fifty-two of them were hung in chains along the coast; and thus ended the last gang of English pirates.For this gallant action Captain Ogle received the title. He died admiral of the fleet, on the 10th of April, 1750, after fifty years service. Sir Godfrey Kneller was once church-warden of this parish. How the worthy baronet kept his accounts in that office, is not mentioned; but from the following specimen of his writing it may be presumed, some of the items must have astonished "the village parishioners." Letter of Sir Godfrey Kneller to Mr. Pope, "DEAR FRIEND, "I hope your genus does and will know myn is with the most acceptable and most accomplished company to-morrow; for my body is in no condition to stirr |