The Annual Biography and Obituary for the Year (Volume 3-4) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1819. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... r under Mr. Thomas Ball, the successor of Dr. Dunkin, names well known in the metropolis of Ireland, in a school kept in a church, in Ship Street Dublin. In the beginning of 1750, he came over to England, and was soon after placed on the foundation of St. Paul's school, the master of which then was Mr. George Thicknesse, brother to the celebrated governor of the same name, and consequently uncle to the late Lord Audley. Here he remained for about three years, and was ever after accustomed to mention his very respectable instructor with reverence and regard. Indeed the esteem was mutual, for the writer of this article has heard from one of the near connexions of this gentleman, that he was accustomed to observe "that Francis and Rosinghagen were the two most promising youths ever placed under his care." And it is not a little remarkable that such was their estimation in after life, that each of these in succession, obtained the credit of being Junius. Henry S. Woodfall, the printer of the Public Advertiser, was another of his schoolfellows. In 1756, when only sixteen years of age, the patron of his father nominated the youth to a place in the Secretary of State's office; and Mr. Wood, secretary to the first William Pitt, recommended him to that celebrated commoner, when he succeeded to the department of Mr. Fox. Thus early in life he was honoured with the acquaintance of the greatest statesman England has produced in modern times, and to whom, if we mistake not, he sometimes acted as an amanuensis. It was through his influence that, when scarcely eighteen years of age, young Francis was appointed private secretary to General Bligh, who was nominated to conduct one of those numerous expeditions by which the attention of France was at that time distracted, and her ...