THE BATTLE OF PRESTON-PANS.
Sir Walter Scotr. In the year 1745 Charles Edward, son of the Pretender James Francis, made his great attempt to recover the crown of Great Britain. James himself had fallen into obscurity ever since the attempt of 1715, and was now sinking into old age ; but his son, who was born 1721, seemed to have all the popular merits that his father wanted. In person he was tall, well-formed, and active; his face was handsome, his complexion fair, his eyes blue; his hair fell in natural ringlets on his neck. His address, at once dignified and affable, was calculated to win attachment; yet his misfortunes had rendered him somewhat jealous of his dignity. He possessed courage, and a romantic sense of honour; he was decisive and resolute, yet, it is generally agreed, without much ability as a leader. In politics and religion, he retained all the bigoted notions of the Stuarts.
His first attempt was made in 1774, with the support of a large French fleet and army, under Marshal Saxe; but the expedition was wrecked by a great storm off Dungeness, and the French Government abandoned the enterprise. Deprived of their support, and even without his father's knowledge, Charles Edward pawned his jewels and borrowed from his father's friends, to purchase arms and ammunition, which he put on board a French ship of war, and embarking himself in a brig, sailed from Belleisle July 2nd, 1745. The ship was