286 BUTLER. intrepid orator, and was so universally admired, that it was transmitted to Holland, and there translated into Dutch, upon which the Prince of Orange, as a mark of his high esteem for the Earl of Ossory, wrote his lordship a com- mendatory letter. His generosity was like his talents-almost boundless, but at the same time exerted to noble purposes, and on proper occasions. When he was commander-in-chief of the English brigade, and had the naming of the officers of six regiments, he evinced his disinterestedness in preferring none but men of merit, and, at the same tine, directed his secretary (Mr. Ellis) to take nothing for their commissions; and as he was, by this arrangement, deprived of a con- siderable perquisite, his lordship liberally gave him the deficiency from his own purse. A judicious and elegant character is given of him by Granger, who informs us, that when his father, the Duke of Ormonde, was informed of his death, he is reported, amongst other things, to have said, " That he would not exchange his dead son for any living son in christendom." He was, at the time of his decease, lieutenant-general of his majesty's forces in Ireland, lord chamberlain to the queen, one of the lords of his majesty's most honourable rivy coutieil in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, one of the lords of his majesty's bed-chamber, and knight of the most noble order of the garter. JAMES BUTLER DUKE OF ORMONDE. This illustrious soldier, who united distinguished bravery with consummate skill, was de- scended from the renowned family of Ormonde; in which talent seemed as hereditary as titles and estates. He was born in the castle of Dublin, on the 29th of April, 1665; and at the age of ten years was sent to France, where he remained but a short time, returning again to Ireland ; from whence he was sent to England, aud placed in Christ church college, Oxford, where he continued until the
