MB. At. Very rare.
This medal was struck at Stuttgart to commemorate the
defeat of the united French and Spanish fleet off Toulon,
Feb. 1744. Whilst armaments for the invasion of England were
being prepared in Dunkirk and Brest, another fleet, consisting
of French and Spanish ships, sailed out of Toulon to attack
that of England under Mathews and Lestock. The enemy,
after a severe engagement, were compelled to fly, but on account
of the private enmity between the English commanders, the
pursuit was abandoned, and the fruit of a victory lost. For
their conduct both commanders were impeached ; Lestock was
acquitted, but Mathews was dismissed from the service.
224. A c t io n o f f T o u lo n . Feb. 1744.
A h u m a n b o d y s u s p e n d e d f r o m a g a l l o w s ; b e y o n d , a n a v a l
e n g a g e m e n t , o n e s m a l l s h i p i n f l a m e s : t h e d i f f e r e n t o b j e c t s a r e
i n d i c a t e d b y t h e l e t t e r s A. b . c . d . E x . 1743/4.
Rev. Troops drawn up in front of a fortified town on'the
coast, to which ships are advancing: in the foreground are
other troops and a Lion demolishing a Cock. Indicative letters,
E . F . G. h . i . .
1-5.
MB. brass. Not rare.
The obverse probably refers to the naval action off Toulon,
and the suspended culprit to one of the naval commanders,
Mathews or Lestock, being the punishment merited for their
conduct. The reverse may refer to the attempted invasion by
France. There was no doubt a printed description published
at the time, to which the letters refer, but which has not been
met with.
225. A l e x a n d e e P o p e . Died, 30 May, 1744.
Bust of Pope, r . , in cloak trimmed with fur. Leg. a l e x a n d e e
p o p e . Below, v iv i e r . f .
Rev. Inscription, n atus l o n d in i an . m .d c .l x v i i i . o b i it an .
m .d c c .x l iv . (Born in London, 1668; died, 1744.) Ex. series
NUMISMATIOA UNIVERSALIS VIRORUM ILLUSTRIUM. M.DCOC.XXIV. DURAND
EDIDIT.
1-65.
MB. M.
One of a series of medals of illustrious persons of all
countries executed at Paris. (See No. 1, Vol. I. p. 4.)
226. R o b e e t W a l p o l e , E a e l o f Oe f o e d . 1744.
Bust of Walpole, I., hair long, in coat, star, and riband of
the Garter. Leg. e o b e e t u s w a l p o l e . Below, a. d a s s ie e f .
Rev. Within an ornamental border, come s d e o e fo e d
m .dc c .x l iv .
2-15. Snelling, xxxii. 4. Mazzuchelli, II. PI. clxxxv. 1.
MB. AS.
One of Dassier’s series of medals of illustrious men. (See
No. 185, p. 558.)
Robert Walpole, first Earl of Orford, statesman, born at
Houghton in Norfolk in 1676, was appointed Secretary at War
in 1708, Treasurer of the Navy in 1709, Chancellor of the
Exchequer and First Lord of the Treasury from 1715 to 1717,
and Paymaster of the Forces in 1720. After the deaths of
Stanhope and Sunderland he attained the highest post in the
Administration, and was Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742.
Upon his retirement he was created Earl of Orford, and died in
1745. (See also Nos. 193-195, pp. 562, 563, and Nos. 200,
201, pp. 566, 567.)
227. R o b e e t W a l p o l e , E a e l o f Oe f o e d . 1744.
Bust of Walpole, I., hair long, in coat and mantle trimmed
with fur. Leg. b . w a l po l e come s d e o e f o e d . Below, ba u -
EET . F . LOND.
Rev. Laurel wreath. Below, i m f mint. (John Milton fecit,
Mint.)
1-9.
MB. AS. Extremely rare.