ANNE CLIFFORD, COUNTESS OF DORSET AND PEMBROKE, THE DISPENSER OF CHARITY. " FIow few like thee inquire the wretched out, And court the offices of soft humanity ! Like thee reserve their raiment for the naked, Reach out their bread to feed the crying orphan, Or mix their pitying tears with those that weep !" -RowE. AMONG the splendid luminaries of QueenElizabeth's magnificent Court, none shone with greater lustre than the gallant, agreeable George Clifford, third Earl of Cumberland. Distinguished alike for his extravagance and for his successful naval expeditions -ofwhich he had made no fewer than eleven-this accomplished nobleman was one of the chief heroes of the age, and was viewed with much favour by the Virgin Queen. He married Margaret, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Bedford ; but the match was fated to be a most unhappy one. Dashing and intrepid at sea, gay and popular at Court, the Earl yet proved an indif- 33
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