|
especially in the ecclesiastical promotions.
Henry, Earl of Clarendon, son to the lord-chancellor, was at that time
lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and appears, notwithstanding his general
distrust and dislike of the Catholics, to have held Anthony Hamilton in
much estimation: he speaks of his knowledge of, and constant attention
to, the duties of his profession; his probity, and the dependance that
was to be placed on him, in preference to others of the same religious
persuasion, and, in October, 1686, wrote to the Earl of Sunderland
respecting him, as follows: "I have only this one thing more to trouble
your lordship with at present, concerning Colonel Anthony Hamilton, to
get him a commission to command as colonel, though he is but lieutenant-
colonel to Sir Thomas Newcomen, in regard of the commands he has had
abroad: and I am told it is often done in France, which makes me hope it
will not be counted an unreasonable request. I would likewise humbly
recommend to make Colonel Anthony Hamilton a privy-councillor here."
Lord Clarendon's recommendations were ultimately successful: Hamilton was
made a privy-councillor in Ireland, and had a pension of L200 a year on
the Irish establishment; and was appointed governor of Limerick, in the
room of Sir William King, notwithstanding he had strongly opposed the
new-modelling of the army by the furious Tyrconnel. In the brief
accounts which have been given of his life, it is said that he had a
regiment of infantry; but, though this is very probable, there is no
mention whatever of his commanding a regiment in the lists published of
King James's army, which are supposed to be very accurate: he is indeed
set down among the general officers. Lord Clarendon, in one of his
letters to the lord-treasurer, states, "That the news of the day was,
that Colonel Russell was to be lieutenant-colonel to the Duke of Ormond's
regiment, and that Colonel Anthony Hamilton was to have Russell's
regiment, and that Mr. Luttrell was to be lieutenant-colonel to Sir
Thomas Newcomen, in the place of Anthony Hamilton." It is not known
whether Anthony was present at the battle of the Boyne, or of Aughrim:
his brother John was killed at the latter; and Richard, who was a
lieutenant-general, led on the cavalry with uncommon gallantry and
spirit at the Boyne it is to be wished that his candour and integrity
had equalled his courage; but, he acted with great duplicity; and King
William's contemptuous echoing back his word to him, when he declared
something on his honour, is well known: He is frequently mentioned by
Lord Clarendon, but by no means with the same approbation as his brother.
After the total overthrow of James's affairs in Ireland, the two brothers
finally quitted these kingdoms, and retired to France. Richard lived
much with the Cardinal de Bouillon, who was the great protector of the
Irish in France, and kept (what must have been indeed highly consolatory
to many an emigrant of condition) a magnificent table, which has been
recorded in the most glowing and grateful terms, by that gay companion,
and celebrated lover of good cheer, Philippe de Coulanges, who
occasionally mentions the "amiable Richard Hamilton" as one of the
cardinal's particular intimates. Anthony, who was regarded particularly
as a man of letters and elegant talents, resided almost entirely at St.
Germain: solitary walks in the forest of that place occupied his leisure
hours in the morning; and poetical pursuits, or agreeable society,
engaged the evening: but much of his time seems to have rolled heavily
along; his sister, Madame de Grammont, living more at court, or in Paris,
than always suited his inclinations or his convenience. His great
resource at St. Germain was the family of the Duke of Berwick (son of
James II.): that nobleman appears to have been amiable in private life,
and his attachment to Hamilton was steady and sincere. The Duchess of
Berwick was also his friend. It is necessary to mention this lady
|
|