tion with this defeated fleet, that it might disgorge a legion of rapacious madmen on whatever shore of Great Britain might promise the surest means of continuing that desolating system, which has long "frighted Europe from her propriety." And, had this daring enterprise not succeeded, and the little squadron of his Lordship had been defeated, the junction of the French, Dutch, and Spanish, fleets would have amounted to no less than eighty sail of the line!

The gloom which overspread the country was dispelled by the news of this victory, which was received with that grateful exultation which characterizes Englishmen towards their brave defenders. Admiral Jervis received the thanks of the two Houses, and was honoured with the title of Earl St. Vincent, from the scene of this brilliant action, and Baron Jervis of Meaford, from the place of his birth; he also received the gold medal and a pension of three thousand pounds per annum. Pausing for a moment, and contemplating this glorious victory, not in invidious, but more distinctive, comparison with others, it will readily be admitted, that other victories may have been more brilliant in point of the number of ships captured; but it is also to be considered, that the power of the two contending fleets has, in other cases, been nearly balanced. It was reserved, however, for history to trace in characters bold and impressive as the achievement recorded, that a British admiral, with a squadron of fifteen ships of the line, engaged

engaged and vanquished the fleet of Spain, consisting of twenty-seven, one of which was a fourdecker, and mounted one hundred and thirty-six guns!

Upon the motion in the House of Lords relative to the late vote of thanks upon his Lordship's victory, the Duke of Bedford proposed, as this victory differed from every other, to introduce an amendment expressive of its characteristic distinction. His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence supported this amendment; and, in his speech upon this occasion, gave several instances, from his own knowledge, of the excellent state and discipline in which the men and ships under his Lordship's command were invariably kept; and, continued his Royal Highness, "without giving the slightest offence to any other, I do not hesitate to declare Sir John Jervis the very best officer in his Majesty's service." - His Royal Highness sailed some time under his Lordship's command: his conduct, as a naval officer, is modelled on his Lordship's principles; and there is no doubt, but, should any occasion offer to call forth the exertion of his Royal Highness's talents, he will prove himself worthy of that school in which he was bred, and not inferior to any of his predecessors in the path of naval renown.

His Lordship has been twice chosen a representative of the borough of Great Yarmouth; and, upon the recommendation of his intimate friend and patron, the Marquis of Lansdown, was intro

duced

At a la

duced to the Whig-party in that town. ter election, he declined Yarmouth in favour of his colleague, Mr. Beaufoy, and was returned with Sir Thomas Baring for High Wycombe. Upon the death of Lord Charles Townshend, his Lordship was again put in nomination for Yarmouth; but, although this friendly effort did not succeed, it ought in justice to be observed, in testimony of his Lordship's distinguished merit on the one side, and the grateful sense of it entertained by the constituents of this borough on the other, that, in his absence, without any solicitation, even without his knowledge, and without expense, he was put in nomination. Indeed, so firm was his Lordship's attachment to the constituents of this borough, that he wished to have taken the title of Earl of Yarmouth; but, upon being informed that his title was that of St. Vincent, his Lordship observed that he was very well satisfied, as "that title belonged to every officer and seaman of his fleet."

In his political character, his Lordship has voted and acted with Opposition; and his speeches in parliament relative to the impolicy of the present war are replete with that argument and point by which, upon every occasion, his Lordship has been characterized.

His Lordship has long been in habits of intimacy with that great statesman, the Marquis of Lansdown, a nobleman not less distinguished for profound political knowledge than the introduc

tion and patronage of eminent public characters: to instance, amongst many, Admiral Barrington and Colonel Barré, with all of whom Lord St. Vincent has lived in habits of intimacy and friendship nor will his Lordship's discriminating judgement pass without a due share of applause, when it is known, that some of the first officers of the navy have been formed under him.* inongst these may be reckoned Lord Nelson of the Nile: his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence was also some time under his command, and has always professed as much respect and esteem for his Lordship as an individual, as he has declared his well-merited approbation of his Lordship's character as a naval commander.

A

In consequence of severe illness, occasioned by the baneful effects of a West-India climate, his Lordship was compelled to leave his station in the Mediterranean; but still retains the command, until the state of his health shall permit him to resume it.

On the 18th of August, 1799, his Lordship landed in the dock-yard at Portsmouth, and went to the house of Sir Peter Parker, where he was waited upon by the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses; when the mayor presented the following address:

* Evan Nepean, Esq. the present secretary to the Admiralty, was originally introduced and patronised by Lord St. Vincent, under whom he served as purser.

"My

My Lord,

Impressed with the most grateful sense of the high services rendered to our country by the glorious victory, obtained by the fleet under your command, over that of the enemy, on the 14th of February, 1797, the mayor and aldermen of this borough elected and appointed your Lordship a burgess of this ancient corporation. They now take the earliest opportunity to shew their high esteem and regard, by congratulating you on your safe return; sincerely wishing your Lordship may be speedily restored to health, that your country may again be benefited by fresh victories obtained by the fleet under your command."

To which his Lordship was pleased to return the following answer:

"I am very happy on this occasion to repeat the sense I entertain of the great honour done me by the mayor and aldermen of the borough of Portsmouth, in electing and appointing me a burgess of their ancient corporation, and in assuring them, that I shall be ready on all occasions to promote the interest of the borough.

"I return you many thanks for your congratulations on my return to England, and kind wishes for the speedy recovery of my health, which if it please God to restore, the remainder of my life will be devoted to the service of my king and country."