the House of Commons;-but in Barrow's hand, it is shown to be unique, and his commentary proves it to be mischievous. In like manner, a strange and indecent squabble takes place between the chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and the members of a court-martial, in which, absurdly enough, as we think, the naval men—who, to all intents and purposes, were themselves judges for the time-gave way. To turn this story, however, to account, requires a more intimate acquaintance, both with the strict law of such things, and with the usages of the service, than perhaps any other biographer could have brought to bear upon it. (P. 126.) The painful story of poor Vernon's dismissal from the navy, after all his services, is related with much feeling and good sense; but at the same time with a full recollection of what is due to the dignity of the Admiralty, and to the best interests of the public at large. (P. 130.) The whole account is not only full of instruction for all ranks of naval officers, but is curious as a matter of historical contrast between those times and the present. Vernon, who was as gallant an admiral as ever lived, but happened to be cursed with about as bad a temper as ever tormented its owner and those about him, wrote two fiery pamphlets against the Admiralty; for which he was summoned before their Lordships, catechised as to the authorship, and, without further ceremony, was scratched off the list! In modern times we have heard (though we don't exactly vouch for the fact) that officers, great and small, have lost no favour, but even gained appointments, by following the self-same course which sent the brave conqueror ' of Porto Bello' to rusticate and grumble out the rest of his life in Suffolk.

But it is time we should turn to Anson's own brilliant career, which owes all its lustre to solid merit; and, being laboriously wrought out, during a succession of hard services, is more instructive than many others which might be named, of men who have made vastly more noise in the world, and done the state no small service, but the tenor of whose lives is by no means such as can be recommended for imitation. As Anson's, on the contrary, so far as we have been able to discover, presents no part which might not be studied with advantage by the rising generation of officers, we should be glad to see his Life lying on the gun-room and ward-room mess-tables of every ship in the fleet.

It is always desirable,' says our author, where it can be done, to trace back to early youth the education and character of every one whọ, like Anson, may have had the good fortune to rise to the highest eminence in his profession; for it has generally been found, that traits of

the future admiral are observable in the character of the midshipman— the inclination of the tree from the bending of the twig. No record was formerly kept in the Admiralty of the services of young gentlemen who entered the navy, until they had served the required time, and passed the necessary examinations, to render them eligible for a lieutenant's commission.

After a diligent search at Somerset House, it appears that the name of George Anson is first found, as volunteer, in the books of the Ruby, in January 1712; from the Ruby to the Monmonth, and from this to the Hampshire, where he received his acting order as lieutenant. As Captain Peter Chamberlain commanded all these ships (the Ruby from 1706 to 1716), it is extremely probable that Anson entered the service under this officer, who, in 1720, was wrecked in the Milford frigate, off the coast of Cuba, when he and nearly the whole of the crew perished.'

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But whatever Anson's education may have been, and under whom soever brought up, he rose by his own exertions and good conduct, like St Vincent and Howe, to the height of his profession-Admiral of the Fleet, First Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, a Privy Counsellor, and a peer of the realm,'

Sir John says afterwards, that 'it appears evidently enough that Anson's education had been defective, and that he was neither more nor less than the plain, honest seaman, altogether self-educated.'

We consider it important that all this should engage the attention of our young naval men, who are too often dispirited, and whose energies are too often turned away and lose the name of 'action,' when they make the painful discovery-as they suppose, too late that their education, like that of Anson, has been neglected. The only wonder is, indeed, how it can ever be otherwise! A boy goes to sea at thirteen, or fourteen at most, and what can he have learned, deserving the name of education, at that age? It is true, if he have been in good hands, and if his disposition be cheerful, and his cast of mind docile, he may have had the seeds of virtuous principle sown so deeply in him, that the fruits may be developed in an after life of sound action; or, if only encouraged, he may begin his career so essentially under the quickening influence of a sense of duty, that his education, though not classical, may prove the best possible for himself and his country. Under improper management, and in an ill-regulated ship, we can scarcely imagine a worse school for a young man than the quarterdeck of a man-of-war. But if she be in good order, and the captain friendly and well-disposed, and competent to execute the high duties imposed upon him; and if the youth be inclined to learn, and be prepared to make the most of things, we are sure there can be no better school, nor one more calculated to call forth his best energies, and to give him a fairer chance for honourable distinction, and a happy, because a useful life.

Even without the advantages we have alluded to, we hold that

the quaterdeck of a British man of-war,' according to the expression of his late Majesty, William IV., is second to none for the education of a gentleman;' and we would earnestly encourage those young officers who are apt to feel mortified on coming to a knowledge of their own imperfect education in some respects, not to despond; but to be persuaded that the field of naval exertion is not only so extensive, but so wonderfully varied, that there is room for every description of talents, and ample occupation for every degree of industry; and that, at every stage of their career, a man of sense and perseverance may sure of getting on.

be

It is usual to say that the Navy is overstocked; and we may hear the same with respect to all the other professions. But we maintain that the Navy, no more than any other profession, is overstocked, and never will be,-with good materials. It is not overstocked with men of talent, of industry, or of steady conduct; and we are persuaded that, though abilities be the gift of Heaven, there are other requisites, such as exertion, and patient application, and resolute good behaviour, docility, and a genuine desire to perform the duty imposed upon them, which are all within the reach of any and every officer who truly loves his profession, watches his opportunities, and has faith in the solidity of his principles. This may sound like preaching very commonplace doctrine; but we freely risk such criticism, rather than omit the occasion, which Anson's life presents, of directing the observation of young naval men to the real causes of that great officer's rise in the world-causes which do not lie at the surface, but which, we aver, are almost all of them within the reach of every man truly bent on searching for the means of doing his duty.

We are the last to depreciate the transcendent advantages which spring from the example of such mighty warriors as Nelson and Wellington; for the good they have entailed on their country is probably even greater than that which they have bestowed upon it in their lifetime. But the far less conspicuous services of a quiet, plodding, modest seaman, like Anson, who, though he did not (in the words of the Prophet) kindle a fire to compass himself about with sparks, or walk in the light of that fire, and in the sparks which he had kindled,' may be turned to equally permanent good, if duly recorded by the historian, and properly studied by those to whom it is especially addressed.

That Sir John Barrow had this object in view, we are quite sure; and when he professes himself to be, in his official character, neither a Whig nor a Tory, but that his only party is that

of the Navy, we cordially believe him; and it is this circumstance which, in our eyes, gives so much value to his book, and which induces us to hope that the use he has made of the incidents of Anson's life, will not merely prove creditable to that officer's memory, but tend greatly to perpetuate the utility of his example. Up to this time, as we have already remarked, Anson has been known to the profession, and indeed to most people, almost entirely for his voyage round the world; which, again, owes very much of its celebrity to the singular beauty of its composition. This narrative, now well known to have been written chiefly, if not entirely, by the celebrated engineer Robins, furnishes one of the most remarkable instances on record of the power of genius to invest itself with the feelings of others, and occasionally to impart not only more correct, but more forcible expression to those feelings than could have been given to them by the pen of the parties themselves. Anson, indeed, admirable voyager as he was, seems to have been, as his biographer says, 'marvellously 'frugal, both of his speech and his pen.' Sir John Barrow, we regret to say, confirms the old report of Anson's Private Journal of the Voyage being lost. We remember hearing in India, that a traditionary belief existed at Madras, of Robins, who served in that Presidency, having been in possession of Anson's Journal; lent to him, probably, to assist in preparing a supplementary volume, which it was known Robins had undertaken to bring out, on the navigation and hydrography of the voyage. This is confirmed by the authority of Major Rennell, who says, in a letter to a friend, I forgot to say, in defence of Anson's voyage, that a second volume, containing the nautical observations, was written, and approved by Anson; but Colonel Robins, being hurried off to India (as Engineer-General), took the manuscript with him to revise and correct, very contrary to Anson's desire. Robins died not ' long after at Fort St David, and the manuscript could never be found.' These nautical matters, to be sure, could have little or no value now-a-days; but it would be extremely interesting to be put in possession of the private opinions and feelings of so correct a thinker, and so amiable and highly informed a man as Anson; and we are not altogether without hopes that the private Journal may still be brought to light.

The voyage alluded to is so well known to every one, that we greatly admire the discretion Sir John Barrow has used, in merely skimming its cream, and condensing into one chapter what a biographer less advantageously placed, would have been too happy to have made the staple of his book. He expresses very just indignation against the administration of the day, for the iniquity of forcing on board Anson's ships, about to undertake a

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are a number of miserable or such a service. 'It was S US. IT 30 represent the impoHuong sted, men on such an expedic. vones, and other infirmities, were ours on a passage round Cape Horn.'

ur reines survived to reach their Y and Only combined, are not, indeed, ven a he quipment of a voyage such -czep a mind all that is here said on Specany to secuilect, that the success of every equire a long time for its performance, cem upon the liberality of the outfit, the crew, and the care in the selection of all the - tauny be understood by those who have needi. Yo other person can know the painful nakes are responsibilities of such a service, memandu it brings to the inevitable struggles with

o e il provided with stores, under-manned, or and, above all, to be unseconded by officers of expevnom trust may be placed. From this last bitter evil

ortunately exempted; and it is extremely pleasing e, a uter ummes, when he presided at the Admiralty, nen who had served under him in his perilous voyCarned experience under his own eye in every clime, usives worthy of such an education, and rose to the -rendering admirable service in war and cace, a al apartments of the navy. Anson was remarkC. Napor Kennel, for having brought forward such a xine fors who figured as captains and admirals Years War-Saunders, Sir Piercy Brett, A Boer, Saumarez, Keppel, Denis, and others, all a bas ship, or in the South Sea squadron.' Sir a note on this passage:

vany a ne that her of those lieutenants and midshipmen) ✔hers sad. Howe, Keppel, and Saunders, became amy-that Piercy Brett, Sir Peter Denis, the Nee Parker, all attained the rank of admiral, and Asthma Lord of the Admiralty. Poor Capxg and suffering soon after reaching

wwwmast, from a variety of passages in Lord sox For what had he been less ably seconded, he could *****on with and even so assisted, the expedition abili e been entirely broken up, at several