It only remains for me to add, that this Memoir

is now printed from the original мs. of my Father,

precisely as he left it.

COLINTON HOUSE, August 1861.

DUNFERMLINE

INTRODUCTION.

So many lives of those officers who distinguished themselves in the Army and Navy during the protracted war with France have been written, that it has repeatedly been remarked as an omission that no authoritative account of the character and services of Sir Ralph Abercromby had ever been given to the public. The obligation to secure the performance of this duty to the memory of Sir Ralph was pressed upon me by some who had formed their opinions from personal intercourse and observation, and by others, who, judging from his public acts, had a high estimate of his character, his ability, and his services. It was especially and strongly urged by one who, from his public situation, had become familiar with the history and details of the service, and with military opinions, that the army owed more to the services of Sir Ralph than to those of any other of our generals between the Duke of Marlborough and the Duke

A

of Wellington, and that it was due to his memory that his personal character and his public conduct should be so developed as to preserve the remembrance of the zeal, ability, and devotion which he displayed in improving the discipline, elevating the character, and maintaining the renown of the English army in the arduous struggle in which the country had been engaged.

Such an appeal could only be met in a cordial spirit, and could not be dismissed without that deliberate consideration to which it was so justly entitled. Conscious of the difficulty of the task which I have undertaken, I have gladly sheltered myself under the sanction of an authority which I highly respect.

The difficulties which presented themselves, in making an effort to comply with this appeal, were most discouraging, and they will account not only for the delay in performing a duty, but also in some degree for the imperfection of this Memoir, and for the many deficiencies that cannot fail to be remarked. The delay is no doubt much to be regretted, for the interest that had been excited by the events in which Sir Ralph had borne a prominent part, has passed away; but it was unavoidable; because justice could not have been done