THE LETTERS OF ROBERT BLAKE - Edited by J. R.
Powell
The Letters of Robert Blake _(Nasty Records Society, 2Is.) is a . book for which students of naval history will be grateful, and in which general readers will find some interest in so far as these letters reveal a character typical of the best of its age. It is clear, however, that this is priMarily an edition for experts, for the historical notes are of the briefest and a detailed knowledge of naval history and of the life of Admiral Blake is assumed. However, it was not Mr. Powell's task to do more than collect, arrange and edit these documents, and that he has done faultlessly. They are mostly of an official nature, but the figure of the writer emerges from their very imperson- ality. Blake concludes his report of a victory so modestly that one would not imagine he had had a hand in it. " Thus you see how it has pleased the Lord to deal with us poor unworthy instruments employed in this late transaction, wherein He hath delivered into our hands some seventeen or eighteen of their ships of war. . ." He never claimed credit for victories, but always shouldered the blame for failure, as in 1652 after a defeat by Tromp he offered to resign as unworthy of his post. Fortunately his offer was not accepted.
Previous page
