myself a believer in God, and if I have any merit in not fearing death, it is because I feel that His power can shelter me, when He pleases, and that I must fall when it is His good pleasure."

My late most estimable and lamented friend, Sir John Barrow, Bart. at the close of his Life of the Earl Howe, has depicted that which he conceived to be the characteristics of the three most distinguished officers of later times :-Howe, St. Vincent, and Nelson. His observations, the result of long acquaintance with naval men and naval affairs, are marked with too much justice to need any apology for their introduction in this place, he observes:

"In the extensive sense of all three being skilful and accomplished Flag Officers, thoroughly experienced in every branch of the service-who, by their superior knowledge, energy, and zeal, in introducing and maintaining good order and discipline in the fleet-may be considered pretty nearly on an equality; it is perhaps not too much to say, they have done more towards elevating the character of the profession than any or all of their predecessors; perhaps it may also with truth be said, and not without a feeling of regret,

'Farewell, with them,

The hope of such hereafter.'

"Howe, unquestionably, led the way. He was his sole instructor in naval matters-not brought up in any particular school-hardly, indeed, can it be said, there was any school in the early part of his career. Whatever he gained, from the various Commanders, under whom he served, must have been by comparison, observation, and reflection. At that time, there was very little system observed in the navy, and still less of science. Naval tactics, evolutions, and signals, were then but feebly creeping into use, in humble imitation of the French, and had made but slow progress-rarely attempted indeed, to be carried into practice, except by one individual-the talented and unfortunate Kempenfelt, who perished in the Royal George. After him, Howe seriously took them up, and never lost sight of those important objects, until he had completed a system which long bore

the name of Howe's Signals.' In the perfecting of this

system he was indefatigable-whether on shore or afloat, theoretically or practically, this favourite and most useful object was uppermost in his mind. It is scarcely necessary to repeat, that Howe was professionally and characteristically bold, cool, and decisive-a thorough seaman in theory and practice and his knowledge was conveyed to others mostly by mildness, persuasion, and the force of example.

"In tactics, and in discipline, St. Vincent was a disciple of Howe. In giving his opinion, on the expediency of a night action with a superior enemy, the former decided against it, on the ground of being, in such a case, deprived of the great advantage of Howe's signals. In discipline the scholar may be said to have carried his mode of instruction beyond the master. Where Howe was patient, gentle, indulgent, and kind, by which he won the attachment of both Officers and seamen, St. Vincent was rigorous, peremptory, and resolute, rigidly maintaining, that the life and soul of naval discipline was obedience-his favourite word was obedienza. The one obtained his object by pursuing the suaviter in modo-the other by the fortiter in re. The mutinous seamen at Portsmouth, but half subdued, were at once completely reduced to order, by the kind and gentle treatment of, and the confidence they placed in, Lord Howe. The mutiny in the fleet off Cadiz, no sooner sprung up, than it was crushed by the prompt and vigorous measures of Lord St. Vincent, whose determined and resolute conduct, on that occasion, was absolutely necessary to prevent that spirit of insubordination from spreading, which had manifested itself in many of the ships employed in blockading a distant and an enemy's port.

"These two gallant Admirals, pursuing different modes of attaining the same ends, and of very different temperaments, had the greatest respect and deference for each other. St. Vincent always spoke of Howe in terms of the highest praise and regard. He used to say he was a man of few words, but what he said was always to the purpose, and well worthy to be remembered. The kindly feelings of men towards each other are frequently discovered in trifling incidents or expressions. Lord St. Vincent, on entering the breakfast-room, would often say, 'Well, I have got on my blue breeches this cold morning; Lord Howe wore blue breeches, and I love

to follow his example even in my dress."1 On the other hand, St. Vincent was considered by Howe as the first naval officer of his day. He was unquestionably a fearless and intelligent Commander, bold in design, and prompt in execution, free in his opinions, generous, and charitable, without ostentation; a keen observer of mankind; indulgent to minor offences, severe in those of an aggravated nature. In politics he was a Whig, firmly attached to his party; but his friends always maintained that he never allowed his political feelings to interfere with his professional duties. As an officer, his talents were certainly of the highest order, and many excellent commanders were educated and brought forward under his auspices. With all this merit, which public opinion duly appreciated, he is said (by one who knew him well), to have affected, as well when afloat as under circumstances on shore, the character of a blunt tar, obstinate in his resolutions, and rough in the manner of exercising his authority over the officers of his fleet; but, notwithstanding this, the features by which he was best known in society was that of a refined courtier, smooth and complimentary in his address. His professional character, however, was steady resolution and firmness of purpose.

"The character and conduct of Nelson were widely different from both of the above-mentioned officers. Without being a thorough seaman, he knew well how to stimulate exertions, and to animate zeal. He had the peculiar tact to make every officer, from the highest to the lowest, believe that his individual share in any enterprise contributed mainly to its success-thus giving encouragement and inspiring confidence to each in his own exertions. In the result, he was singularly fortunate where he led, all were anxious to follow. Nelson was indeed a being sui generis-none but himself could be his parallel'—and it may be feared he has left few of the same breed behind him. That he had his weak points cannot be denied, but what human being is exempt from them? He has been unjustly compared with an Anthony,

:

George II. first gave to the Navy a fixed uniform dress. See anecdotes relating to this subject in the Journal of the British Archæological Association, Vol. ii. p. 76, by Mr. Planché, Mr. Barrow, Mr. T. C. Croker, and others, and also in Sir John Barrow's Life of Earl Howe, p. 68.

ready to sacrifice the world to another Cleopatra-than which nothing can be more incorrect; with one unfortunate exception, which, in a moment of infatuation, has cast an indelible stain on his memory, he never suffered the deplorable influence alluded to in any way to interfere with his professional duties. Whenever such demanded his presence, all pleasures and indulgences gave way; neither those nor the least care of life occupied for a moment a share in his thoughts. A passionate and insatiable love of fame was the spur to Nelson's noble mind.' To be crowned with laurel, or covered with cypress'-'a Peerage, or Westminster Abbey'-'Victory, or Westminster Abbey '-these were the words, the signal for each terrible conflict. He never anticipated defeat, but went into battle with the full conviction he was to conquer or die. The words were the ebullition of that feeling, which carried his feeble frame through exertions and ener gies, that nothing short of his ardent and spiritual nature could have supported. The strength and elasticity of his mind got complete controul over bodily pain and infirmity. These, in the scale of human affliction, were to him as nothing, when in sight or pursuit of an enemy. An ambitious love of distinction, a thirst for the acquisition of honours, or a glorious death, was the ruling passion, and his destiny led him to experience them all. Conqueror of a hundred fights,' he died at last, as all true heroes would wish to do, in the arms of victory! Howe, on the contrary, was exempt entirely from ambition of that kind. He was less of an egotist than almost any man in his station of life. The results of his actions were considered by him in no other light than as they affected his country; he speaks only of the duty he owes to his King and his country, and to the good of the naval service. The Earldom conferred on him was received with indifference; the offer of a Marquisate was rejected as coming immediately from the Minister, in lieu of an honour promised by his Sovereign; but the Garter he considered as an ostensible mark of the King's approbation, and the medal and chain equally so, and, therefore, felt it due to the Royal donor to wear them on

1 For refutation of this so generally received opinion, see the Preface, and Vol. i. Chapter IX.

all occasions. Thus it also was with Lord St. Vincent's Star of the Bath, which he always wore on his morning as well as on his evening dress, as an honourable distinction conferred for his services by his Sovereign.

"Howe sought for no pension nor any remuneration of a pecuniary nature for his long and meritorious services, and murmured not at those who obtained rewards for deeds far less brilliant than his own. The only complaint he appears ever to have uttered, was on account of the neglect of the Admiralty towards the more humble, but not less valuable instruments who had faithfully served under him. Of his military character there never was, nor could there be, but one opinion. His moral conduct through life, his love of truth and sense of justice, were universally admitted; he was generous, humane, kind-hearted, and charitable; always manifesting an eagerness to do good. In politics, he was a Tory, but no party-man; a true patriot, he was sensitively alive to the honour of his King and country. In one word, Lord Howe was a man in all the relations of social life

Lord Malmesbury has an entry in his diary on the death of Lord Nelson, whom he thus describes :

"He added to genius, valour and energy, the singular power of electrifying all within his atmosphere, and making them only minor constellations to this most luminous planet. The confidence he inspired in his followers, and the terror of his name to our enemies, are what make his loss an irreparable one. Others may be great in many points; nay, admit but another, like himself, might appear again amongst the disciples he has formed, there would yet be wanting all he had done, and all the circumstances of the times in which he did those wondrous deeds. Every victory was greater than the last. Every additional difficulty seemed only to bring out some new proof of the combination and powers of his mind, as well as the invincible force of his arms, and had he survived this last victory, the next and the next would have

1 Pages 425-32.

'Diaries and Correspondence of James Harris, First Earl of Malmesbury, 4 vols. 8vo. Lond. 1844.