hough this is very probable,
there is no mention whatever of his commanding a regiment in the lists
published of King James's army, which are supposed to be very accurate:
he is indeed set down among the general officers. Lord Clarendon, in one
of his letters to the lord-treasurer, states, "That the news of the day
was, that Colonel Russell was to be lieutenant-colonel to the Duke
of Ormond's regiment, and that Colonel Anthony Hamilton was to have
Russell's regiment, and that Mr. Luttrell was to be lieutenant-colonel
to Sir Thomas Newcomen, in the place of Anthony Hamilton." It is not
known whether Anthony was present at the battle of the Boyne, or of
Aughrim: his brother John was killed at the latter; and Richard, who
was a lieutenant-general, led on the cavalry with uncommon gallantry and
spirit at the Boyne it is to be wished that his candour and integrity
had equalled his courage; but, he acted with great duplicity; and King
William's contemptuous echoing back his word to him, when he declared
something on his honour, is well known: He is frequently mentioned
by Lord Clarendon, but by no means with the same approbation as his
brother. After the total overthrow of James's affairs in Ireland, the
two brothers finally quitted these kingdoms, and retired to France.
Richard lived much with the Cardinal de Bouillon, who was the great
protector of the Irish in France, and kept (what must have been indeed
highly consolatory to many an emigrant of condition) a magnificent
table, which has been recorded in the most glowing and grateful terms,
by that gay companion, and celebrated lover of good cheer, Philippe de
Coulanges, who occasionally mentions the "amiable Richard Hamilton" as
one of the cardinal's particular intimates. Anthony, who was regarded
particularly as a man of letters and elegant talents, resided almost
entirely at St. Germain: solitary walks in the forest of that place
occupied his leisure hours in the morning; and poetical pursuits, or
agreeable society, engaged the evening: but much of his time seems to
have rolled heavily along; his sister, Madame de Grammont, living
more at court, or in Paris, than always suited his inclinations or his
convenience. His great resource at St. Germain was the family of the
Duke of Berwick (son of James II.): that nobleman appears to have been
amiable in private life, and his attachment to Hamilton was steady and
sincere. The Duchess of Berwick was also his friend. It is necessa