BLAIR
BLAKE
Blair, Francis Preston, Jr., American politician, major-general of volunteers and son of the foregoing, was born at Lexington, Ky., Feb. 19, 1821, and died at St. Louis, July 9, 1875. A graduate of Princeton and student of law, he became a member of the Kentucky bar and practiced for a time at St. Louis. In 1845 the state of his health took him westward to the Rockies, and there he took part in the war with Mexico. Later on, he became editor of the Missouri Democrat, and represented his state in the legislature. He was elected to Congress as a republican in 1856, and was re-elected' in 1862. When the Civil War broke out, he became colonel and later major-general of volunteers, commanded a division in the Vicksburg campaign, and was at the head of the i yth corps in Sherman's march to the sea. Like his father, he veered to both political parties in the state, and in 1868 was democratic candidate for vice-president. From 1870 to 1873 he was United States senator from Missouri. In 1848 he published a Life of General W. O. Butler.
Blair, Montgomery, an American officer and politician, was born in Franklin County, Ky., in 1813. After graduating at West Point, he served in the Seminole War, and then entered upon the practice of law, rising high in the profession and filling several im-
Eortant positions. In 1857 he was counsel Dr Dred Scott. Under President Lincoln Blair was postmaster-general for four years. He then returned to the practice of his profession, and died July 27, 1883, at Silver Spring, Md.
Blake, Edward, was born in Middlesex County, Ontario, in 1833, and in 1858 graduated at the University of Toronto, of which he was elected chancellor in 1876. Elected to the Ontario legislature in 1867, he led the Opposition till 1871, when he was called on to form a government. He resigned the Ontario premiership in 1872 after a brilliant and successful career in its local legislature. In 1867 he had been elected to the Canadian House of Commons.
At the request of the leaders of the Irish Parliamentary party, he went to Ireland in 1892 and was elected Member for South Longford. In 1904 elected a member of the Executive Committee of the Iri°h Party. A member of the Royal commission to inquire into the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland. In 1896 one of the committee of 15 of the House of Commons to investigate South
ADMIRAL BLAKE
African affairs and the causes of the Transvaal raid. His cross-examination of Cecil Rhodes was the leading feature of the investigation. Elected Chancellor of the University of Toronto in 1876, contributed generously to its funds. Engaged frequently in very important cases before the Privy Council. One of the greatest advocates of the day of any country.
Blake, Robert, the greatest English admiral next to Nelson, was born at Bridge-water in 1598. Until he was forty years old he lived quietly in England as a country gentleman. Entering the army on the side of Cromwell, he distinguished himself by defending Taunton against the Royalists for a year, and in 1649 he was appointed with two others to command i the fleet. Within two years his energy had built up the fleet, blockaded Lisbon, destroyed the squadron of Prince Rupert, and forced the royalists to give up their last strongholds. At this time the Dutch were masters of the sea, and in 1652 Blake began his struggle with them. After several battles with the great Dutch admirals, in February, 1653. Blake defeated Van Tromp in a long running fight which extended from Portland to Calais, and within a few months, instead of Van Tromp's scouring the channel with a broom at his masthead, the English had established their naval supremacy. In 1654 he made the fleet of England respected in the Mediterranean. The last exploit of the great admiral, however, was his greatest and most daring one. In 1657, hearing that a Spanish fleet had arrived at Santa Cruz, he at once sailed thither, where he found sixteen ships lying in the semicircular bay,
S-otected by a castle and six or seven forts, ashing boldly in by night, he completely destroyed the ships and the town, and withdrew with little loss. This exploit excited great enthusiasm in England and admiration throughout Europe. After this his health failed rapidly and he died on his way home, as he was sailing into the harbor of Plymouth, Aug. 17, 1657.
Blake, William, an English artist and poet, was born in London, in 1757. As a boy he was dreamy and spent his time in drawing and verse making. After studying art for some years, he began to paint in water colors, and to engrave illustrations for
HON. EDWARD BLAKE
