Page:Nollekens and His Times, Volume 2.djvu/121

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SCHEEMAKERS.
109

"'Queen Elizabeth,—Who confounded the projects, and destroyed the power that threatened to oppress the liberties of Europe; shook off the yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny; restored religion from the corruptions of popery; and by a wise, a moderate, and a popular government, gave wealth, security, and respect to England.'

"'King William the Third,—Who, by his virtue and constancy, having saved his country from a foreign master, by a bold and generous enterprise, preserved the liberty and religion of Great Britain.'

"'Sir Walter Raleigh—A valiant soldier and an able statesman, who endeavouring to rouse the spirit of his master, for the honour of his country, against the ambition of Spain, fell a sacrifice to the influence of that Court, whose arms he had vanquished, and whose designs he opposed.'

"'Sir Francis Drake,—Who, through many perils, was the first of Britons that ventured to sail round the globe, and carried into unknown seas and nations the knowledge and glory of the English name.'

"'John Hampden,—Who, with great spirit and consummate abilities, began a noble opposition to an arbitrary court, in the defence of the liberties of his country, supported them in Parliament, and died for them in the field.'

"'Sir John Barnard,—Who distinguished himself in Parliament by an active and firm opposition to the pernicious and iniquitous practice of stockjobbing: at the same time exerting his utmost abilities to increase the strength of his country, by reducing the interest of the National Debt, which he proposed to the House of Commons in the year 1737; and, with the assistance of Government, carried into effect in the year 1750, on terms of equal justice to particulars and to the state, notwithstanding all the impediments which private interest could oppose to public spirit.'