same in repair all his life, and his successors after him, to the time of William Earl of Derby *." The additions which were then made to Knowsley mansion, are not precisely defined; and the next account of any alterations, refers to the time of James, the tenth Earl, who was an active public character, during the reigns of William the Third, Queen Anne, and George the First. He died at Knowsley, in February, 1735-6; but for some time previous to his decease, he had retired to this seat, and made great additions to the house, &c. The work just referred to, specifies, that he rebuilt the old seat, "after the modern way, in the most sumptuous and beautiful manner," and caused the following "calumniating inscription," as Mr. Pennant styles it, to be cut on the front.-" James, EARL of DERBY, Lord of Man and the Isles, grandson of James, Earl of Derby, by Charlotte, daughter of Cloud, Duke of Tremouille, who was beheaded at Bolton, the 15th October, 1651, for strenuously adhering to King Charles the Second, who refused a bill, unanimously passed by both houses of parliament, for restoring to the family the estates which he had lost by his loyalty to him." Of the ancient and honorable family of Stanley, the house contains many portraits; some of which are curious as works of art, but more interesting, as serving to perpetuate the likeness, costume, &c. of persons who have, at different periods, been distinguished in the tented field, in the senate, or at court. Among these are the following: Portrait of THOMAS Lord STANLEY, afterwards Earl of Derby, dressed in black, with the George, in a bonnet, small ruff, and a white wand. This nobleman was an active character in the reigns of Edward the Fourth, Richard the Third, and Henry the Seventh. He first distinguished himself at the siege of Berwick, under Richard, then Duke of Gloucester; and for his fidelity to Edward and his children, he provoked the hatred of the Usurper. He narrowly escaped assassination at the council board, at the instant his friend Hastings was dragged from it to execution. At P 3 * History of the house of Stanley, 8vo. p. 105, the the memorable battle of Bosworth-field, he joined Henry, Earl of Richmond, whom he had the honor of crowning with the coronet torn from the brows of the slain tyrant. For his bravery on this occasion, he was created Earl of Derby, and received many other honorary favors from his monarch. He died in 1504, and was buried at Burscough. His second consort, Portrait of MARGARET, COUNTESS of RICHMOND, is represented in a religious habit, in the act of praying. The Earl was her third husband; and, after the old lady had satiated herself with the pleasures of life, she requested, and obtained permission of her spouse, to spend the remainder of her life in chastity, and, according to the irrational custom of the times, mortify both her "flesh and spirit," in acts of self-denial and punishment. In the presence of Bishop Fisher, she made this vow of chastity; and afterwards wore girdles and shifts of hair, to irritate and chastise the "sinful flesh." In translating religious books, and performing many acts of charity, she appropriated much of her time; and among other "pious deeds," she founded St. John's College, at Cambridge *. She was daughter to John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset; was first married to Edmund Earl of Richmond, uterine brother to Henry the Sixth, and afterwards to Sir Henry Stafford. By the former husband she had Henry the Seventh. She died June 29, 1509, and was buried in the sumptuous chapel which that monarch erected at Westminster. Portrait of GEORGE, son to the first Earl, who died in the life time of his father. He was a young man of promising talents, and distinguished himself both in the cabinet and in the field, being appointed commissioner to treat with the Scots, in the reign of Edward, and in that of Henry, was very instrumental in the defeat of the Yorkists, at the conclusive battle of Stoke. Portrait of THOMAS, SECOND EARL of DERBY, who became surety in a 50,000l. bond, for the performance of the marriage contract between Mary, third daughter of Henry the Seventh, *See Beauties, &c. Vol. II. p. 69. venth, and the Prince of Spain, afterwards Charles the Fifth. He was present at the celebrated battle of Spurs*, with Henry the Eighth, and sat on the trial of the ill-fated Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. Portrait of EDWARD, the THIRD EARL of DERBY, painted by Holbein. This nobleman was the greatest character of the age, and is the theme of panegyric to many writers of that period. Lloydt, Stow, and other authors, have descanted on his munificence, loyalty, &c.; and the former quaintly remarks, that "his greatness supported his goodness, and his goodness endeared his greatness." Mr. Pennant observes, "he is the finest example of the ancient independant English nobility that remains on record. He lived among his people, ready to sacrifice his life in the cause of his prince, when popular tempests arose, not to insult him with impertinence, faction, and ingratitude, like the independants of later days f." Stow says, that he offered to raise 10,000 men at his own charge, in defence of Queen Elizabeth; and that his hospitality and house-keeping were SO "famous," that he kept "eleven score on checkroll §, never discontinuing, the space of twelve years. His feeding, especially of aged persons, twice a-day, three score and odd; besides all comers thrice a-week, appointed P 4 * The curious old painting, representing this event, and described in Vol, I. p. 217, of this work, has been presented by his Majesty to the Society of Antiquaries of London, + State Worthies, Vol. I, p. 433. 8vo. 1766, Tour from Downing to Alston-Moor, p. 26, where there is a paltry print, pretending to be a portrait of the above-named nobleman. Indeed, the whole of the prints in that volume are contemptibly bad: aud we cannot help regretting, that the respectable name of Pennant should be attached to such a volume, many passages of which are unacknowledged extracts from other works. § This was a roll, or book, containing the names of such servants, &c. as were in the pay and service of great persons, pointed for his dealing days; and every Good-friday, these thirty-five years, one with another, two thousand seven hundred, with meat, drink, money, and moneys-worth. His yearly portion, for the expenses of his house, 4000l." As he lived thus magnificently, he died greatly regretted; and, as has been already stated, page 219, was interred with distinguished pomp at Ormskirk. Portrait of HENRY, FOURTH EARL of DERBY, who had the honor of the embassy, to invest Henry the Third, of France, with the order of the garter; and the mortification of being appointed one of the judges of Mary Stuart. Portrait of FERDINAND, FIFTH EARL of DERBY, who was cut off, early in life, by poison. A particular account of the symptoms preceding his death, &c. is printed in the tour just referred to, extracted from Camden's annals of Elizabeth's reign; by which it appears, that the murderer, taking advantage of the superstitious folly of the age, endeavoured to screen himself by exciting a belief, that the Earl died by the influence of witchcraft. In an instrument called, "a true report of such reasons and conjectures as caused many learned men to suppose him to be bewitched," it is related, that "Sir Edward Filton, who, with other justices, examined certain witches, reporteth, that one of them being bidden to say the Lord's prayer, said it well; but being conjured in the name of Jesus, that if she had bewitched his honour, she should be able to say the same, she never could repeat that petition, forgive us our trespasses, no, not although it was repeated unto her.-A homely woman, about the age of fifty, was found mumbling in a corner of his honour's chamber; but what, God knoweth." Several other equally frivolous and stupid circumstances are detailed to prove, as then intended, the power of witchery; but all of which rather exemplify the wicked craftiness of some persons, and weak credulity of others. Portrait of WILLIAM, the SIXTH EARL of DERBY, who is painted in full length, with a high crowned hat, and in the fashionable dress of James the First's reign. Portrait of JAMES, the SEVENTH EARL OF DERBY, distinguished for his loyalty, courage, and tragical end. The truly magna magnanimous conduct of his lady, the Countess of Derby, has already been described, page 221; and his bravery was equally eminent, and often put to the test during the unhappy civil wars. As a proof of his extraordinary influence in Lancashire, when he was directed, in 1642, to assemble his friends and forces in behalf of the unfortunate King, it is stated, that no less than 20,000 men came to his standards on each of the heaths of Bury, Ormskirk, and Preston. At this period, it was first proposed to erect the royal standard at Warrington, where such a force would have proved peculiarly important; but in consequence of raising it at Nottingham, this advantage was lost. The Earl, however, subsequently mustered three regiments of foot, and three troops of horse, at his own expense, and turned them over to the use and command of the king. The most memorable instance of this Earl's courage, occurred at a place called Wigan-Lane, in this county, where, in 1651, he vigorously opposed his little army, of only 600 horse, against the enemy, consisting of 3000 troops, commanded by the determined Lilburne. This superiority of force compelled the Earl to retreat; but not till he had been wounded, and had one horse killed under him. He afterwards sought refuge in the Isle of Man, which place he was summoned to surrender, by Colonel Ireton, but resisted the demand, in a letter which displays peculiar eloquence of style, and magnanimity of sentiment †. He was at length tre * See Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, Book XIII. panned "I received your letter with indignation," he writes, " and with scorn I return you this answer-That I cannot but wonder whence you should gather any hopes from me, that I should (like yon) prove treacherous to my sovereign; since you cannot be insensible of my former actings in his late Majesty's service, from which principle of loyalty I am no way departed. I scorn your proffers; I disdain your favours; I abhor your treasons; and am so far from delivering this island to your advantage, that I will keep it to the utmost of my power, to your destruction. Take this final answer, and forbear any further solicitations; for, if you trouble me with any more messages upon |