The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
Death OF Hnnap<ieu.

Death Hampdso.
The following sketch of the death of Hampden is taken
from Macauays works. In English history there is no
name with which connected glorious associa-
tons than that Of Hamplen's His pure and elevated
patriotism, and noble sacrifices for liberty of conscience
and human rights, have rendered his dear the
friends of freedom. In this description of the closing
in the life of the dying patriot the eloquent pen of
Macauay has done but simple justice 10 the memory of
Of the noblest of men
In the evening of the nth of June Rupert darted out
OF Oxford with his cavalry predatory expedition
AT three in the morning OF the following day. ne attack
ed and dispersed few parliamentary soldiers. who were
quarered al Poscombe. He then flew TO Chnnor burn
ed the village, killed took all the troops posted there.
and prepared to hurry back with his booty and his ps
Hampden had on the preceding day strongly represent
ed Essex the danger to which this part OF the line was
incursons, he of horseman with message TO the
General The cavaliers he said, could return only by
Chisehampton bridge. force ought to be instantly
despatched in that direction for the purpose OF intercept
ing them. In the iime he resolved to set out with
all the cavalry ne could muster, for the purpose of i'm
pedng the march of the enemy till Essex could take
measures for cutting of their retreat considerable
body of horse and Dragons volunteered to follow him
He not their commander He did not even belong to
Clarendon, ''second TO but the General himself in
the observance and application of all men, On the field
OF Chagrove he came up with Rupert fierce skirmsh
ensued In the first charge, Hampden was struck in the
shoulder by two bullets, which broke the bone, and
lodged in his body. The troops of the Parliament lost
heart and gave way. Rupert. after pursuing them for
short time FASTENED TO the bridge and made his
treat unmolesed TO Oxford.
Hampdeh, with his head dropping, and his hands lean
The mansion which had been inhabited by his father
law and from which in his youth he had carried home
his BRIDE Elizabeth, was in sight, There still remains
affecting tradition, that he looked for moment tow
ard that beloved house. and made effort go hithe
to die But the enemy lay in that direction He turned
his horse toward Thame, where he arrived almost faint
lnvvy he Al esspah is Rut
there no hope. The pain which he suffered was
excrucating. But he endured with admirable irmness
from his bed several letters to London concerning
public affairs. and sent last pressing message to the
be Wsn his
performed he calmly prepared himself TO die. He
was attended by clergyman OF the Church of England
with whom he had lived in habits of intimacy, and by
the chaplain of the Buckinghamshire Greenscoats, DR.
Spurton, whom Baxter describes famous and excel
lent divine.
short time before his DEATH the sacrament was ad.
mnistered TO him. He declared that although he dis
liked the government OF the Church OF England he yet
agreed with that church to all essential matters of
doctrine His intellect remained unclouded When all
was nearly he lay murmung faint prayers for him.
SELF and for the in which he died Lord Jesus"
he exclaimed in the moment of the last agony "receve
my sou-O Lord, save my country-O Lord be mercifu
To-" In that broken ejaculation passed away his
noble and fearless spirit.
He was buried in the parish church at Hampaen His
soldiers. bareheaded, with reversed arms, and mufed
DRUMS and coors escorted his BODY 10 the grave sing
IOity melancholy psalm, IN
which the fagy Of human life is contrasted with the
mmutablity of Him whose sight thousand years
but yesterday when it passed, and watch in the
hight
The news of Hampden's death produced as great a
CONSERVATION in his party according to Clarendon as
their whole army had been cut Oft The journals of the
time amply prove that the Parliament and all lis friends
were filled with grief and dismay Lord Nugent has
quoted remarkable passage from the next Weekly In
teligencer:
The loss Col Hampden soe,h the heart Of every
that loves good of his king and country and makes
conceive little content be the that he
lsgone The memory OF this deceased colonel SUCH that
IN no age to come but 1t Will more and more be had in
honor and esteem religious, and of that pru
dence Judgment temper, valo and integrity, that he hath
left few his like behind him."
He had indeed, left none his like behind him. There
still remained, indeed in his party many nteects
many eloquent tongues many brave and honest hearts
There still remained rugged and clownish soldier, half
fanatic, half buoon whose talents discerned, yet
duties of the soldier and the prince But in Hampden
and IN Hampden alone, were united all the qualities
which, at such crisis, necessary TO the State
the vaor and energy of Cromwel.-,he dscernment
and eloquence of Vanethe humanity and moderation of
Manchester-the integrity of Hae-the ardent pub
lie spirit of Sidney Others mig ht possess the qualities
which necessary to the popular party in the
crisis of danger he alone had both the power and the
inclination TO restrain its excuses in the hour of triumph.
Others could conquer he alone could reconcile heart
bold his brought up the curassers turned the
tide Of battle Marston Moor. AS sklful an eye as
his watched the Scotch army descending from the heights
over Dunbar But when, to the suen tyranny OF
Laud and Charles had succeeded the fierce conflict of
sects and factions, ambitious of ascendency and burning
for revenge when the vices and ignorance which
the old tyranny had generated threatened the free
dom with destruction, that England missed that sobety
that se-cOmmand that perfect soundness OF Judgment
of revolutions furnishes parallel, or furnishes par
alle Washington alone.