The union of scholastic acquisitions with personal courage, imparts an exalted interest to public character. This union, though it has never been ostentatiously displayed, is eminently conspicuous in the subject of the present memoir.

The Hon. Henry Edwyn Stanhope, at a very early age, commenced his education in a school at East Hill, Wandsworth, which was then regarded as a seminary of the first respectability. Having imbibed the rudimental branches of learning, he was thence removed to Winchester College; where, under the tuition, and indeed particular favour, of the learned and Rev. Dr. Wharton, he attained the head of that institution. He was next placed under the private superintendance of the Rev. Monsieur de Giffendier, preparatory to his being entered at the University of Oxford.

He had passed but a short time at that national seat of instruction, when, evincing an unusual activity of mind, he was, at the suggestion of the late Earl of Besborough, equipped for the sea service. He accordingly embarked at Sheerness, in May 1768, on board the Rose, of 20 guns, commanded at that time by Captain (now Admiral) Caldwell, and sailed for the American station.

Soon after his arrival at Boston, he was removed to the Romney, then bearing the broad pendant of Commodore (now Admiral Lord) Hood, as Commander in Chief.