HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [179 



strance was heard with respect, and the requisite supplies of pro- 

 visions, &c. granted. He removed the treasure taken in the Spa- 

 nish ship on board the Centurion, sold his prize to the Chinese, 

 and sailed for England in December 1743. After a voyage of 

 about six months he entered the English Channel, where he nar- 

 rowly escaped being captured by a French fleet, from which he 

 was fortunately concealed by a fog. He arrived at Spithead on 

 the 15th of June 1744, and was received on shore with acclama- 

 tions. 



His Sovereign, as a reward for his services, promoted him to the 

 rank of Rear-admiral of the Blue ; and he was soon afterwards 

 chosen Member of Parliament for the borough of Heydon, in 

 Yorkshire. 



Thus Admiral Anson, after having been exposed to great perils 

 and hardships, was publicly rewarded for his patience and success- 

 ful perseverance in the performance of his duty as a naval com- 

 mander. A series of auspicious circumstances now succeeded his 

 temporary adversity, and in his life the assertion of the poet was 

 completely illustrated : 



There is a tide in the affairs of men, 

 Which taken at the flood leads unto fortune ; 

 Omitted, all the voyage of their lives, 

 Is bound in shallows and in miseries! 



He was now popular, and his preferment kept pace with his po- 

 pularity. On the 27th of December 1744, he was appointed one 

 of the Commissioners of the Admiralty ; and on the 23d of April 

 1745, promoted to the rank of Rear-admiral of the White. 



In the winter of 1746-7, Admiral Anson commanded the Bri- 

 tish fleet which cruised in the Channel, to intercept the French 

 fleet, commanded by the Duke D'Arville; but the object of the 

 cruise was frustrated by intelligence communicated by the cap- 

 tain of a Dutch ship to the French admiral, who was thus ap- 

 prized of his danger. Onr hero suffered the hardships of a long 

 and tempestuous winter navigation with his characteristic fortitude, 

 and his vigilance was crowned with success on the 3d of May 

 1747, when with his fleet, consisting of fourteen sail of the line, 

 he intercepted, off Cape Finisterre, a French fleet bound to the 

 East and West Indies, and laden with treasures, merchandise, 

 and warlike stores. On this occasion, all the French men of war, 

 consisting of six sail of the line, were taken, besides four East In* 

 diamen, with valuable cargoes. By this fortunate achievement, 



