PREFACE

TO THE FIRST VOLUME.

THE periodical writer, at the close of every

volume, is expected to come forward like an actor on the dropping of the curtain, who, after making his obeisance to the audience, discusses the plan and execution of the drama performed.

The success of the Naval Chronicle has exceeded our expectation, and we take this opportunity of returning our thanks in general for such extensive patronage and support; we also are greatly obliged to those naval, and commercial correspondents, who so early did us the honour of sending their valuable communications for the work; thus enabling us to make known many papers, that would otherwise have been irrecoverably lost to the public.

The principal branches, which the Naval Chronicle is intended to comprise, have now appeared; and though it has not been in our power to pay an equal attention unto all, we have endeavoured to render

each interesting and important. To these it is our intention occasionally to add, DISQUISITIONS On SHIP BUILDING and MARINE ZOOLOGY.

Our Biographical Memoirs form a task of considerable difficulty, which a sincere regard for the Naval Character could alone have induced us to undertake. We beheld with pain the wide influence of a calumniating spirit, that tarnished even the pages of History, extending to characters beyond the tomb. We beheld the nettle planted on the grave of many a lamented seaman, and observed with sorrow that it grew unnoticed;-that all were ready to adorn the garland destined for the brow of victory, whilst equal merit, if unsuccessful, was suffered to pine away in obscurity, or was obstinately viewed in an unfavourable light.

With the hope of counteracting this evil, we have published the memoirs of some of the leading characters of the British Navy during their lifetime; that a portion of plain truth might be recorded, and given to the public, before the hand of death increased the difficulty of gaining correct information. An account of professional men, who have in any degree signalised themselves during the present important period, will naturally be sought after by the future historian ; and unless some authentic documents are prepared, beyond the mere Gazette Letters of the day, the falsehoods of the calumniator will be recorded as facts, and the prevailing errors in circulation be received as the real sentiments of the liberal and well informed. A periodical work, if conducted on sound

independent principles, has considerable advantage over other publications; since by means of its progressive appearance, opportunity is given for errors to be noticed, and for their corrections to be inserted, in the same volume.

Such memoirs, or anecdotes of naval officers as are sent us, whatever may be their rank, will always be attended to. Our Chronicle is open to all the gradations of the Navy; and was never intended to be confined to the actions of those who had attained the highest elevation: all who have trod the path of naval glory have an equal claim to our attention.

The leading objects in this publication are, to do good, and to give pain to no one; to render justice unto those who deserve praise, and have experienced neglect; to cheer the uniformity of which the mariner so constantly complains, and to render him sensible of the sources from whence much amusement and instruction may be derived; and also to enable the public to form a more correct and enlarged idea of that profession, by whose exertions Great Britain stands pre-eminent in the scale of political importance. Such are the motives and principles which direct our labours; respecting their execution, our countrymen must now judge for themselves: As the great Master of the English Language forcibly observes in the preface to his laborious work,"Failures, however frequent, may admit of extenuation and apology. To have attempted much is always laudable, even when the enterprise is above the strength that undertakes it. To deliberate when

ever I doubted, to enquire whenever I was ignorant, would have protracted the undertaking without end, and perhaps without improvement. I saw that one enquiry only gave occasion to another, that book referred to book, that to search was not always to find, and to find was not always to be informed; and that thus to pursue perfection, was, like the first inhabitants of Arcadia, to chace the sun, which, when they had reached the hill where he seemed to rest, was still beheld at the same distance from them." -Such was the opinion of Samuel Johnson ! With these sentiments, and with renewed spirit and resolution, we resume our labours; requesting those of our friends who are willing to assist us by their kind suggestions and communications, to send them before the 20th of every month: we trust they will not be deterred from conferring this favour upon us, by any idea of their hints, or opinions, being in an unprepared state for immediate publication; since it is our duty, not only to cull, but to prepare them for the sanction of that public tribunal, which we have approached with deference, and shall always contemplate with respect.

Communications, post paid, sent to Messrs. BUNNEY and GOLD, Crane Court, Fleet Street, will be duly acknowledged, and attended to.

THE

NAVAL CHRONICLE.

"The regards of our country, though attracted by every species of "distinguished merit, must look with a rational preference to her "naval heroes, without whose aid the utmost efforts of profound "learning, political skill, or military prowess, would never have produced the faintest gleam of her present prosperity."

ROYAL REGISTER.

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF

EARL HOWE.•

TH

PATIENT OF TOIL; SERENE AMIDST ALARMS;

64 INFLEXIBLE IN FAITH; INVINCIBLE IN ARMS."

Beattie.

'HE Right Honourable Richard Earl Howe, the distinguished veteran of the British Navy, is the second son of Sir Emanuel Scrope, the second Lord Viscount Howe, Baron of Clonawly, who was appointed Governor of Barbadoes in May 1732, and Maria-Sophia-Charlotte, eldest daughter to the Baron Kielmansegge, Master of the Horse. to George the First, as Elector of Hanover.

The Baroness Kielmansegget, was daughter to Count Plater of the German Empire; and was herself first created Countess of the province of Leinster in Ireland, and

Admiral of the Fleet, General of Marines, Knight of the Garter, of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, and one of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House.

+ An account of this lady is given by Lord Orford. Wol. I. No. 1.

-B