Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-04-15
HISTORY OF LADY HAMILTON.


on. Born of the lowest pareptage, her father
unknown, her birthplace some obscure part OF
Wales, she was reared in ahjcct poverty and
corrupt habits-The first sixteen years Of her
life were passed in an irregular and degraded
existence, often in want of bread TO sustain her.
Yet in these unfavorable circumstances, che
grew into maturity, a prodigy of beauty. The
sprich,liness of her mind and vivac'y OF her
disposition seem TO have equalled her person
al charms. Her attractions were now Of too
high an order TO remain concealed. The artists
sought her out, that they might give TO the
marble and the canvass the impressions OF such
wonderful loveliness. She became the model
of the goddess Isica. The success of the copy
extended the reputation of the original. The
celebrated painter, Romney, reproduced her as
Venus, Cleopatra, and as Frine. Others made
of hcra Sibyl, Iedu, Talla; and some
penitent Magdelene.
In the next step of her career she me. with
and captva,ed Charles Grenville, Of the no.
bic family of Warwick. Deranged with pas
!
her but overwhelmed with debt, and without
the means of support. it was necessary TO seek
the assistance and consent OF his uncle, Sir
William la milton, then minister of Great
Britain, at this court She was despatched as
the suppliant to obtain both the one and the O.
ther the infatuated lover believing that her
appearance would be, on his part, sufficient
apology for seeking so extraordinary an union.
! The old uncle lost in such rapturcs as over
whelmcd every other consideration. He paid
the debt Of his nephew, and married his be-
! ttothed.
Being now my lady, and the wife Of a minis
ter, brilliant career opened before her. To
the astonishment of all, she moved in the high
region of society to which she was now entitled
to takea conspicuous part, as if she had been
accustomed to it from early years. The grace
o. nature is superior to that Of art. Her hlsto-
~ was, of course, the Subject of much remark,
and it was not to be expected that court, one
of the most exclusive of Europe, should receive
her with more attention than her position i'm
pcrously demanded. Queen Caroline, the
daughter of the celebrated Marie Therese Of
Austria, and the sister of the unfortunate Marie
Antoinette Of France, met this brilliant SPAR
venue" with GOODNESS and hauteur. But these
were destined to continue but short time.
The Queen soon found it necessary to yield to
the fortunes of this extraordinary woman
Another scene of the drama was now enact
ed. Lord Nelson appears, co0qucrlng hero
his brow bound with the fresh laurels he had
Just gathered at Aboukir.-iIe had blasted the
prospects os Napoleon in the East. Tie came
TO Naples, saw Lady Hamilton, and was con
quered He had braved the battle and tbs
his flag ingloriously to this modern Syren. IL
her presence, he was feeble as an infant: spell
bound, he caze6, received the subtle poison
and stood within the charmed circle, vanQush
ed and victim.
The conqueror, 20 whom the veteran diplo
matist and the illustrious warrior had surren
dered, was now to subdue the court The sa
gacious Queen saw that she might exert al
perhaps of Europe The English admiral wa
her save-the English minister was her hus
band. She soon became the subject of tn
most assduous and distinguished attentions
In the theatre, and the public exhibition, sh
was often seated by the side of the Queen. Ii
the palace, she was received in its most secrc
recesscs, entertained as friend, admitted I
. the royal table, an honor in this court reserves
to princess of the blood and report said, tina
, the imperial offspring Of Aus,rla, the Quec
of the Two Sicilies, often occupied the sam
chamber and laved her limbs in the same bat
with her who had been but recently poor va
grant, houseless, pennyless and unknown.
e At the flight of the royal family to Sicily
S upon the approach of Championnet, she az
I companicd them, embarked in the same vesse
,r shared the same adventures, and the same a.
$ sylum.
!. When the information was received by tl
:, court at Palermo that the republicans wer
IS conquered, and that Naples had surrendered
Cardinal Rulio and the Allied Powers, the ple'
It sure of this news was embttcred by the fa'
t that terms had been granted TO the vanquIshe'
lr A treaty of capitalization had been made, whc
e stipulated for the security of their lives, III
r, protection of their property, and the power
er emigration to those who preferred it. I'll
W King and the Queen believed it degrading
ID treat with rebels. Besides, the power of tai