V LORD ANSON ALTHOUGH the name of Anson is well known as that of a skilful navigator and of a man who made a remarkable voyage round the world in the eighteenth century, in its wider sense it is perhaps not so familiar as it should be; for it is the name of one who was not only a practised sailor, but also a gallant officer and an able administrator during some of the most brilliant years in the history of our navy. The story of Anson's career is one of steady and continual success. From the day of his entering the service, his conduct seconded his family interest; the promotions and honours which were heaped on him appeared to be awarded to merit solely, and wealth followed in their train. At the time of his death, though not an old man, he was admiral of the fleet, a peer of the realm, a privy councillor, one of the richest men in the kingdom, and for many years he had administered the affairs of the navy and had "organized victory" as first lord of the admiralty. It was not his fortune to command in great and important actions, on which, perhaps, the fate of countries depended; but what fighting he had to do, he did in a masterly manner; and he not only proved himself to be a good tactician, but also to be gifted with sound judgment, prudence, promptitude, and dash. His remarkable voyage round the world, the story of which reads more like a stirring romance than the common-place narrative of a naval expedition, proved him to be a man of dogged perseverance, of great energy and indomitable pluck; while in nearly twenty years at the admiralty, during the whole time he was a flag-officer, he showed himself to be not only an able administrator, but a statesman gifted with extraordinary powers of prescience. George Anson was born at Shugborough, in the parish of Colwich, Staffordshire, on St. George's Day, the 23rd April, 1697. He was the second son of William Anson of Shugborough, by Isabella, daughter of Charles Carrier of Wirksworth in Derbyshire, and sister of Janet, the wife of Thomas Parker, afterwards Lord Parker, who, in 1718, became Lord Chancellor, and in 1721 was created Earl of Macclesfield. Of his early life there is but little record. He entered the navy in 1712, as a volunteer on board the Ruby, commanded by Captain Peter Chamberlen,1 whom he followed to the Monmouth, which was paid off in June 1713. His service during the next three years cannot now be traced. Volunteers, or midshipmen, or even master's mates, were not then in any way permanently attached to the navy. They were entered on board a ship for the commission, in the same way as the seamen; and in the same way were discharged to the shore when the ship was paid off. Their rating depended entirely on the favour or caprice of the captain; and the rating which they had in their next ship was, as before, a purely personal matter. There can be no doubt that George Anson continued 1 |