her running rigging much cut, and appeared very ungovernable; firing occasionally at the William Tell; which I was surprised to see was not returned by the enemy as they were within gun shot.

But it was not long ere I had good reason to know, that a most tremendous broadside was reserved for me.

Begun to shorten sail; hauled the main-sail up, and had every gun loaded with three round shot. She was on the larboard, I on the starboard tack; I therefore steered, as if meaning to go to windward of her but determined to go close to leeward, kept the weather Jeeches of the main and mizen topsail lifting; and at six backed the mizen top-sail, running as close as possible to avoid touching.

"I went on the gangway, and desired the French admiral, whom I distinctly saw, to strike; which he answered by brandishing his sword, and firing a musket at me; he fired a most tremendous broadside in, of round, grape, musketry, and langridge! The good effects of being so close was manifest. It was only our sails and rigging that suffered considerably, as not one running rope was left.

"But if what we received was tremendous, our return was furious; and not to be stood against but by determined veterans. The obvious effects silenced his musketry, but not the great guns ; though we could distinctly hear the shot crash through her, and the main-mast began to totter.

Fortunately I kept way on the Foudroyant; and was, though with infinite difficulty able to wear, and give him as complete a dose from the larboard as we had done from the starboard side; and down came his main mast. The action then continued with great obstinacy. A man in the height of the fire, nailed the French ensign on the stump of the main mast. By this time our fore top-sail was over the side, main top-sail down, yards shot away, mizen-top gallant-mast and main sail-indeed every sail in tatters.

"The enemy's mizen top-mast was gone; which enabled him to wear and to draw a-head of us. His men were on deck very active in clearing away the wreck, regardless of the fire; and they fixed a small French admiral's flag on the stump of the `mizen mast, over another ensign that was nailed there, which seemed to bid defiance to us. At half past seven we had sepa

rated a little a-head to his stern. The Lion gave him many broadsides; but he preferred firing at us, when a gun would bear.

"I threw out the Penelope's pendants, who had just raked the enemy, and got her within hail; and begged that Blackwood would take me in tow, and get me once more close along side the William Tell, which he was in the act of performing-for when I watched a favourable moment to call the people from the main-deck guns, and filled the main sail, and secured the mizen mast; and with a few rugs forward (the sprit-sail yard, jib-boom, &c. being all shot away), got her before the wind, and had the happiness to get once more close along side of her-the action then began again with more obstinacy than before.

“Our guns were admirably well served and well directed, crashing through and through her. At eight I began to think they were determined to sink rather than surrender; as she began to settle in the water, till her foremast went over her side: when, in a few minutes after, the gallant Decres struck, having four hundred killed and wounded, as the prisoners report.

"I felt my heart expand, when I took this brave man by the hand; happy to find he had survived so much honour, when you consider the superior force of three ships-the Lion, the Foudroyant, Penelope, and the two brigs in company with the Strombolo.

“I sent Lieutenant Bolton to take possession of the prize; but as I had great difficulty in floating our boat, Captain Blackwood's officer got there before him. The Admiral of course he carried to the Lion, being the Commander; but I hope our officers will get promoted for it.

"You will see the letter I have written you on this subject is with a view of your enclosing it to Lord Spencer, if you approve of it. You know how to distribute my best wishes and regards to all your party; and that I am, my very dear Lord, your affectionate and faithful "E. BERRY." Foudroyant, at sea, Cape Passaro, North by East, 8 or 9 leagues, 30th March, 1800.

Soon after this, Sir Edward conveyed the Queen, and part of the royal family of Naples, from Palermo to Leghorn, on which occasion he was presented with a valuable diamond ring, enclosed in a gold box.

During the short peace that ensued, being unemployed, he passed his time in the bosom of his family. On the renewal of the war, he was aroused at the call of friendship and his country, for having offered his service, he was immediately appointed to the command of the Agamemnon of 64 guus, and soon after placed himself under the flag of Admiral Lord Nelson. At the ever memorable battle of Trafalgar, in which that hero perished in the arms of victory, October 21, 1805, Captain Sir Edward Berry's pendant was the 8th in the British van, or weather column, and he, as usual on this occasion, justified the hopes that had been formed of him.

In consequence of his conduct then, and also by way of reward for his former services, he obtained a patent of baronetage, as Sir Edward Berry of Catton, in the county of Norfolk, which bears date November 11th 1806. His uniform is also adorned with a gold medal, and his name inscribed on the register of the Patriotic Fund.

464

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

SPENCER PERCEVAL, M. A.

CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.

FREDERIC the Great, of Prussia, was accustomed to observe in his familiar moments, that the most pleasing dream an European sovereign could enjoy, was that in which he might suppose himself king of France! As for Us, we really think, that the finest flight of imagination on the part of a British subject, attached to order, an advocate for rational liberty, and deeply imbued with true patriotism, would be to conceive himself a minister of England..

Shaking off all low and grovelling interests, like "dew drops from the lion's mane;" what salutary changes might he not suggest, how many necessary reforms might he not effect, and what a harvest of glory could he not reap, during the administration of only a few ficeting hours. Methinks I behold the hydra of corruption trampled under his foot, and the serpents of influence writhing beneath the salutary efforts of his manly arm. The Herculean labour soon strips the filth, the film, and the slough of more than a hundred years duration from the noble gothic arch erected by our Saxon ancestors, and the goodly pile once more greets the eye, and gratifies the proud heart of every Briton. The broad and ample foundations, no longer encumbered with a mock representation of strength and ma

jesty, display the original rustic base, on which the repose and happiness of millions depend ; above this, in equal order and graceful proportions, rises the aristocratical portion of the structure, while the regal key-stone, surmounting the wellproportioned mass, adds to its dignified appearance, and by at once strengthening and adorning the fabric, renders the whole complete. May some great political architect arise, and render this vision a reality!

Mr. Perceval, a minister of whom we are now about to treat, is descended from a very ancient family, and it is not a little remarkable, that his ancestors,* for more than a century, have been en

*The philosopher, who, scorning vulgar prejudices, rises above his age and his country, by considering merit as merely personal but not hereditary, looks doubtless with contempt on those pretensions which prop up human vanity, by a recurrence to the actions and renown of others. Yet as one of the immediate progenitors of the present Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Perceval, second Earl of Egmont, has been at great pains in his splendid work, entitled, "The History of the House of Ivestry," in which he was assisted by Anderson, author of "The Royal Genealogies," and Mr. Whiston of the Tennis Court, to reflect celebrity on himself and his successors, we shall here take some pains to give an abridged account of the whole.

It is contended (Vol. I. fol. 7.) that this family originally sprung from Robert, a younger son of Eudes, sovereign Duke of Britanny in France. Having been transplanted into Normandy, they were possessed of the castle of Yvery at the Conquest, and invested with the office of hereditary butler of the duchy. It appears also, that either influenced by glory, or the hopes of spoil, two of bis family, Robert and Roger de Yvery, accompanied William the 1809-1810.

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