ST.BURIAN. Druidical remains. maidens ancient tradi Merry tion. Venerable ruins. The summits and sides of the eminences, and the bottoms of the vallies, are mostly covered with large masses of granite, either collected together on the tops of the hills, or scattered singly over the lower grounds; and among these are to be found many of the Druidical remains which Dr. Borlase has described, and descanted on, in his antiquities. Amongst them in this parish may be mentioned a small circle of nineteen upright stones, called Dance Maine, or the Merry Maidens, from the tradition that nineteen young maidens were thus transformed for dancing on the Sabbath day. The stones are about four feet above the ground, and five feet distant from each other: the diameter of the circle is about twenty-five feet and at some distance, north-west from it, are two taller upright stones, called the Pipers. Another of these Druidical circles, on Boscawen Downs, in this parish, is named Boscawen-Un. This also consists of nineteen upright stones, and is about twenty-five feet in diameter, having a single leaning stone in the centre. Camden supposes it to have been erected as a trophy by the Romans; or by Athelstan in commemoration of his conquest of the Danmonii; but this is highly improbable. A school, for the instruction of seven poor boys, has been founded here. There are several manors and seats in this parish. On an estate called Vellanserga are the ruins of an old chapel; and on the Treviedron manor, which appears to have been in the Champernownes, in the time of Edward III. but is now in the Vyvyans-are the ruins of another old chapel, called St. Loy's, or St. Dillower's, by the sea-side. Pendrea was a seat of the family of that name, whose co-heiresses married Donnithorne and Noy. William Noy, the attorney-general of Charles I. was born here. The estate is now in the Tonkin family. Burnuhall, another seat of the Noys, is now in the Boscawens. Pendrea and Burnuhall are now both farm-houses; as also is Leigh, formerly a seat of the Grosses, and the Usticks, now the property, by marriage, of J. Schobell, Esq. Boskennan, formerly in the Carthews, is now in the Paynters, who settled there in the time of Charles II. Boscawen-rose, the original seat of the Boscawens, as early as the reign of King John, is still the property of their descendant, Lord Falmouth. The house is now occupied by a farmer; the Boscawens having removed to Tregothnan, in consequence of a marriage with that family, in the reign of Edward III. Rosmoddris, which has been in severalties from the time of Elizabeth, is partly the property of Lord Falmouth, and partly ofBuller, Esq., M. P. by descent from Mr. Grosse. On the barton of Trewoof or Trou, which is beautifully situated on the side of a woody hill, overlooking a romantic valley, terminated by Lamorna-cove, is a triple intrenchment, with a subterraneous passage; and it is said that, during Intrenchthe civil wars, a party of royalists were there concealed from the observation of Sir Thomas Fairfax's army. There is also a chalybeate spring on ous passage. the estate. According to tradition, which is thought to be erroneous, the family of Levelis were settled here before the conquest. This family became extinct in 1671, and the estate passed, by marriage, to that of Vospers, since also extinct: it is now in severalties, and the house is tenanted by a farmer. Tresidor, formerly in the Whalesborowes, is now the property of Messrs. Weymouth and Permewan. meat and subterrane born here, 1758. Early at tachment to the sea. Made postcaptain. Burnham W. 1 • BURNHAM.-Market, Tuesday.-Fairs, April 25th, and September 4th, for toys. † BURNHAM THORPE is entitled to everlasting honour as the birthplace of the first of British heroes-Admiral Lord Nelson, who was the fourth son of the Rev. Mr. Nelson, rector of Burnham Thorpe, in Norfolk, Lord Nelson where Horatio was born, September 29, 1758. By his mother's side he was related to the Walpoles, Cholmondelys, and Townshends. He received his education at the school of North Walsham; but at the age of twelve years he was taken to sea by his maternal uncle, Captain Suckling, of the Raisonable man of war. Soon afterwards, the ship was put out of commission, and young Nelson, went on board a merchantman to the West Indies. On his return, he again joined his uncle, who had obtained the command of the Triumph. In 1773 a voyage was undertaken for the discovery of a north-west passage, under the command of Commodore Phipps and Captain Lutwidge. Our young seaman entered on board the ship commanded by the latter, and distinguished himself in that perilous voyage by his skill, courage, and promptitude. Soon after his return he was appointed to a station in the Sea Horse, in which he sailed to the East Indies. He passed for lieutenant in 1777, and received his commission as second of the Lowestoff frigate; in which he cruised against the Americans. In 1779 he obtained the rank of post-captain, and was appointed to the command of the Hinchinbrooke, with which he sailed to the West Indies, and, while there, essentially contributed to the taking of Fort Juan, in the Gulph of Mexico. We find him next commanding the Boreas, having under him the Duke of Clarence, who was captain of the Pegasus. While thus engaged he married the daughter of William Woodward, Esq. judge of the island of St. Neves, and the widow of Dr. Nesbit, a physician of that island, by whom he never had issue. On the breaking out of the war with France he was nominated to the Agamemnon, of 64 guns, on board of which he sailed to the Mediterranean, and was present at the taking of Toulon. He was present also at the taking of Bastia, where he served at the batteries with a body of seamen; as he afterwards did at Calvi: and while employed before that place he lost an eye. He was so active on that station that his name was dreaded throughout the Mediterranean. He was with Admiral Hotham in the action with the French fleet, March 15, 1795; and the same year took the island of Elba. In 1796 he was appointed commodore on board La Minerve, in which frigate he captured La Sabine, a forty gun ship. Soon after this he descried the Spanish fleet, and steered with the intelligence to Sir John Jervis, off St. Vincent. He had scarcely communicated the news to the officers of the fleet, and shifted his flag on board the Captain of 74 guns, when the enemy hove in sight. A close action ensued, which terminated in a complete victory on the side of the British, who were inferior in numbers. On this occasion commodore Nelson attacked the Santissima Trinidada, of 136 guns; and afterwards he boarded and took the San Nicholas, of 80 guns, from whence he proceeded in the same manner to the San Josef, of 112 guns; both of which surrendered to him. For his share in this glorious victory, the commodore was honoured with the order of the Bath; and having soon afterwards hoisted his flag as rear-admiral of the blue, he was appointed to command the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz. He there made a bold but suc Siege of Signal : BURNHAM Battle off Battle of Created cessful attempt to bombard the city, heading his men himself. The next exploit in which he was engaged was an attempt to take possession of Teneriffe, which design also failed, with the loss of Captain Bowden, of the Terpsichore. In this expedition Admiral Nelson lost his right arm by Teneriffe. a cannon shot, and was carried off to the boat by his son-in-law, Captain Nesbit, on his back. He now returned to England for the recovery of his health, and received the grant of a pension of £1,000. a-year. The brave admiral, however, did not long remain inactive he re-joined Earl St. Vincent, who, on receiving intelligence of the sailing of Buonaparte from Toulon, detached Sir Horatio Nelson with a squadron in pursuit of him. After exploring the coast of Italy, this indefatigable commander steered for Alexandria, where, to his great mortification, not a French ship was to be seen. He then sailed to Sicily, and having taken in a fresh supply of water, and obtained more correct information, returned to Alexandria, which he descried August 1, 1798, at noon. The enemy were discovered in Aboukir Bay, lying at anchor in a line of battle, supported by strong batteries on an island, and strengthened by gun boats. Notwithstanding this formidable appearance, the British admiral made the signal for battle; and by a masterly and bold manœuvre, gave directions for part of his fleet to lead inside the enemy, who were thus exposed between two fires. The contest was hot and bloody. Several of the French ships were soon dismantled; and at last the admiral's ship L'Orient, of 120 guns took fire, and blew up. The firing, however, continued, but by the dawn of day only two sail of the line were discovered, with their colours flying, all the rest having struck. These two and two frigates, cut their cables, and stood to sea. The consequences of this splendid victory, in which eleven sail of the line were taken or destroyed, were, that the Emperor of Germany broke off the conferences for peace at Rastadt, and the Ottoman port declared war against the French. On the British admiral, honours were deservedly poured, and he was created Lord Nelson of the Nile. The Grand Signior sent him a plume of triumph, of diamonds; and the King of Naples created him Duke of Bronte, and gave him an estate. Soon after this he sailed for Sicily, and thence to Naples, where he quelled a rebellion and restored the king. Having performed those and other important services, Lord Nelson returned to England, and was received with enthusiastic joy. A confederacy of the northern powers having alarmed the government, he was employed to dissolve it. A fleet was fitted out, the command of which was given to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, assisted by Lord Nelson. On their arrival off the Categat, and being refused a passage, Lord Nelson offered his services for conducting the attack on the Danish force which was stationed to oppose an entrance. This being accepted, he shifted his flag to the Elephant, and passed the sound with little loss. On the 2nd of April the action commenced at 10 o'clock, and after a sharp conflict, seventeen sail of the Danes were sunk, burnt, or taken. A negociation was then entered into between his lordship and the Crown Prince; in consequence of which the admiral went on shore, and an armistice was settled. He next obtained from the Swedish government an order for taking off the embargo on English ships in the Baltic. Having accomplished these great objects, he returned to England, and was created a viscount. In August, 1801, he bombarded the enemy's flotilla of gun boats at Boulogne, but without any material effect. A treaty suddenly taking place, his lordship retired to his seat at Merton, in Surrey; but hostilities recommencing, he sailed for the Mediterranean, and in March, 1803, took the command of that station on board the Victory. Notwithstanding all his vigilance, the French fleet escaped from Toulon, and was joined by that of Cadiz; of which being apprised, he pursued them to the West Indies with a far inferior force. The combined squadrons, however, struck with terror, returned without effecting any thing; and after a partial action with Sir Robert Calder off of the Nile. Lord Nelson Created a viscount. |