chronology in her historical writings, so others have
been equally remiss, in this respect, with regard
to her Grace, for, among the many authors who have
taken notice of her, not one has mentioned the year
in which she died, and even her monumental inscription,
where one might reasonably expect it, is silent, both
in respect to her age, and the time of her death.
But Mr. Fulman, in the 15th volume of his
Ms.
collections in the Corpus Christi College Archives,
observes, that she died in London Anno 1673, and was
buried at Westminster, January 7, 1673-4, where an
elegant monument is erected to her memory, of which,
take the following account given by Dr. Crul in the
Antiquities of that Church. ’Against the
skreen of the chapel of St. Michael, is a most noble
spacious tomb of white marble, adorned with two pillars
of black marble, with entablatures of the Corinthian
order, embellished with arms, and most curious trophy
works; on the pedestal lye two images, in full proportion,
of white marble in a cumbent posture, in their robes,
representing William Cavendish, duke of Newcastle,
and Margaret his duchess, his second and last wife,
being the daughter of Sir Charles, and the sister
of lord Lucas of Colchester; who as she had deservedly
acquired the reputation of a lady of uncommon wit,
learning, and liberality; so the duke her husband had
rendered himself famous for his loyalty, and constant
fidelity to the royal family, during the civil wars
in this kingdom and in Scotland. The duke having
caused this stately monument to be erected here to
the memory of his lady, died soon after in the year
1676, aged 84, and was interred here.’
The Epitaph for
the Duchess.
“Here lies the loyal Duke of Newcastle and his
Duchess, his second wife, by whom he had no issue.
Her name was Margaret Lucas, youngest sister to the
Lord Lucas of Colchester, a noble family, for all the
brothers were valiant, and all the sisters virtuous.
This Duchess was a wise, witty, and learned Lady,
which her many books do well testify: She was
a most virtuous, and loving, and careful wife, and
was with her Lord all the time of his banishment and
miseries; and when they came home never parted with
him in his solitary retirements.”
The following is a catalogue of her works, in which
we have taken pains to be as accurate as possible,
in order to do justice to the poetical character of
this lady.
1. The World’s Olio.
2. Nature’s Picture drawn by Fancy’s
Pencil to the Life.
In this volume there are several feigned stories of
natural descriptions, as comical, tragical, and tragi-comical,
poetical, romancical, philosophical, and historical,
both in prose and verse, some all verse, some all
prose, some mixt; partly prose, and partly verse;
also some morals, and some dialogues, Lond. 1656. folio.
3. Orations of different sorts, on different
occasions, Lond. 1662.
4. Philosophical and Physical Opinions, 1633,
folio.