place the enemy had collected a number of gun vessels. Sir James approached so near the town as to have only sixteen feet at low water; and the Terror bomb, commanded by Captain Hardinge, actually grounded; but that officer soon afterwards got his ship off, and placed her in the position assigned by the admiral. Captain Macleod, in the Sulphur, from the bad sailing of his ship, had little share in this day's action; but a severe bombardment, nevertheless, ensued. On the following morning. the two bomb vessels were accurately placed, and opened a well-directed fire, which lasted from five o'clock till half-past two. Twenty-two gun vessels came out of the pier, and fired at the bombs, without doing any execution. The tide falling, the rear-admiral was obliged to withdraw, and, in his retreat, the Cerberus grounded, and remained three hours on the bank. Nine of the gun boats attacked her, but were soon compelled to desist by the fire of the Charwell and Kite, and the other small vessels of the squadron. The enemy's works were very strong, yet it does not appear that our ships received any damage, either from them or their flotilla.

Being promoted to the rank of vice-admiral, Sir James Saumarez was nominated second in command of the Channel fleet, under Earl St. Vincent. His lordship being absent on admiralty leave, Sir James was employed in watching the enemy's fleet in Brest, until the month of August following; when, upon the appointment of Lord Gardner to the chief command of the Channel fleet, he resumed his former station. In the month of March, 1808, Sir James was appointed to the command of a strong squadron sent to the Baltic for the protection of the Swedish dominions, on which station he continued for four years. Previously to his departure for England, Sir James received a superb sword, which was delivered to him by Baron Essen, aide-de-camp to the crown prince, accompanied by a flattering letter from his royal highness, expressive of the sense which the Swedish government entertained of his services. The whole of the hilt was elegantly set in brilliants of exquisite workmanship and great value. On the 24th June, 1813, his Majesty George the Fourth, then prince regent, was pleased, in compliance with the request of the late king of Sweden, to invest Sir James with the insignia of a knight grand cross of the royal Swedish military order of the sword, conferred upon him by that monarch, as a distinguished testimony of his royal regard and esteem.

Nor was this the only mark of respect and esteem that our hero received from the court of Sweden. His present Majesty, the famous Bernadotte, sent to Sir James his full length portrait, accompanied by the following handsome letter from Gustavus, baron de Wetterstedt, commander of the order of the polar star, chancellor of the court, and one of the eighteen members of the Swedish academy.

"Stockholm, 7th October, 1834. "My Lord-For a considerable time the king, my august sovereign, has intended to present you with his full length portrait, as a mark of his esteem for the signal services that you rendered to Sweden in the years 1810-1812.

"Various circumstances have hitherto retarded its transmission, which his Majesty the more particularly regrets, as he is aware of the interest you attach to this token of his remembrance. The favourable opportunity which now presents itself for embarking the portrait on board his British Majesty's steam vessel the Lightning, which just conveyed hither Mr. Disbrowe, has been seized by the king, and I have the honour to announce to you in his name that the shipment has been completed.

"In placing under the portrait this inscription, "Charles XIV. Jean, to James Lord Saumarez, in the name of the Swedish nation," his Majesty has been pleased to transmit to posterity an unequivocal proof of the recollection which remains with himself and with the people whom he governs, of the enlightened views of the British government at a critical and memorable period of European history, and of the noble loyalty with which they were carried into effect by your Lordship.

"I am the more gratified in being the organ of this communication to your Lordship, as it affords me the opportunity of adding my own personal sentiments,

and of expressing the high consideration which I entertain of your character.-I have the hononr to remain, my Lord, your very humble and obliged Servant, (Signed) THE COUNT de Wetterstedt.

To the Right Honourable Lord Saumarez, Admiral in the service of His Britannic Majesty, Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Swedish Order of the Sword." We may here remark again what we observed on the subject of the national vote of thanks being moved and seconded in the house of lords by Earls St. Vincent and Nelson, for few men in Europe are better able to appreciate character and conduct than the sagacious Bernadotte, who, from the rank of a simple soldier, gained a crown in the great European lottery, which, in all human probability, he will transmit peaceably to his descendants. The praise of this eminent Frenchman, one of the greatest masters of the art of war in modern times, sheds lustre on the name of Saumarez, who, after having received the thanks of his own countrymen, was further honoured by the grateful esteem of the whole Swedish nation, expressed and communicated by the freely elected sovereign of their own choice.

The last naval command discharged by Sir James was that of port admiral, at Plymouth, where he won the esteem of the inhabitants. He hoisted his flag on the 24th March, 1824, and struck it on the 10th May, 1827. The Devonport Telegraph of the 15th October, concludes a brief biographical notice with the following remarks:

"His last command was at this port, for three years, where his memory will be long cherished for his urbanity and charitable disposition. The gallant exploits and achievements of this great officer will stand recorded in the annals of the British navy to the end of time. There is no naval officer living, or gone by, who has commanded a ship in so many general actions. But he was not only eminent as a warrior. He was distinguished for moral worth and sincere and genuine religious principles. His charities were unbounded, and in amiability of disposition and urbanity of manners, he was excelled by no one."

It was a matter of national astonishment that the peerage was not bestowed on Sir James at an earlier date. Most assuredly, he ought to have received that reward at the general peace, but George the Fourth displayed a marked and ungenerous partiality for the army, and dealt out the royal favours with a niggardly hand to the navy. Byron reproached him most truly with this injustice.

Nelson was once Britannia's god of war,
And still should be so, but the tide is turned;
There's no more to be said of Trafalgar,-
'Tis with our hero quietly inurned;
Because the army's grown more popular,
At which the naval people are concerned;
Besides, the prince is all for the land service,
Forgetting Duncan, Nelson, Howe, and Jervis.

Earl Grey, to whom the present and future generations owe an eternal debt of gratitude, for his strenuous support of civil and religious liberty, was fully sensible of the unhandsome and ungrateful conduct of the ministers towards Sir James Saumarez, and openly announced his sentiments at a meeting of the Royal Naval Club, at Plymouth, on the 6th August, 1825: "I rise," said the noble earl, "to offer my best thanks for the manner in which the president (Sir James Saumarez) has been pleased to propose my health, and for the assent which the gentlemen present have given to the gallant admiral's favourable view of me as a public character. I cannot but remind those about me of the merits of the noble officer then at the head of their table. Although not noble exactly in title, I dare to affirm that he ought to be so, and that the world will agree with me in thinking so; for who could fail to recollect the career which the admiral had so nobly run, from Rodney's glorious day, the battles off Cape St. Vincent and the Nile, down to his own brilliant exploits in the Crescent, and as commander in chief at Algesiras, and not to say, that if ever name should or would have graced the peerage, it should have been that of Saumarez."

Ralphe, in his Naval Biography, after alluding to this speech of Earl Grey, makes the following just remarks:

"Were it a matter of importance to adduce further proof of the high opinion entertained of Sir James's abilities and his amiable character, we believe we might name nearly the whole list of admirals; for we have never yet conversed with a single officer who was not loud in his praise, and who did not think the service neglected in his person. When such an unanimity of feeling prevails, it appears strange that it should never have been gratified; and the only solution we can offer is, that he has always kept aloof from the great political parties of the state. We have heard that he has been once or twice offered by the minister of the day a seat in the house of commons, particularly on the death of Admiral Rainier, when the representation of the borough of Sandwich became vacant; but which he declined. To this circumstance we must also attribute his being passed over when the major-generalship of marines became vacant in 1818, which was intended to reward long and meritorious services; but which was then given to a very junior officer, a friend of the first Lord of the Admiralty."

At length this slur on the national gratitude was wiped away, and the gallant admiral was raised to the peerage in 1831.

The people of Guernsey, justly proud of their distinguished countryman, conferred on him every honourable mark of attention that was in their power to bestow. At a meeting of the States of Guernsey, held on the 3rd March, 1829, the bailiff made the following communication:

"The Court has considered this to be a favourable opportunity to discharge another duty which they owe to their country, in soliciting Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart, G. C. B., if the States are of my opinion, to allow his portrait to be taken, and placed at the disposition of the States. The name alone of this distinguished officer relieves me from the necessity of pronouncing any eulogium on his character, since the whole world acknowledge that he, at this moment, occupies the first rank among the heroes of the British navy. And if that navy, and the United Kingdom feel honoured by the association of his name with the heroes who have guarded her flag, how much greater cause have we, as Guernseymen, to be proud of his glory. The splendour of a name which sheds lustre on this island is an inducement more than sufficient to urge the States to procure the portrait of their distinguished countryman; if other motives were required, many exist which are personal to ourselves. The States cannot, more especially, forget the donation of five hundred pounds, in the four per cent. consols, recently presented by him to Elizabeth College for the purpose of founding an annual prize of twenty pounds, to be bestowed on the scholar who has made the most proficiency in literature."

This proposition was unanimously adopted by the States, who requested Sir James to assent to it, as a testimony of their esteem for him as an individual, and as a mark of their admiration for the eminent services he had rendered to his king and country.

When intelligence reached the island that the admiral had been raised to the peerage, all classes of the community manifested the pleasure they enjoyed at this signal honour, he being the first native of Guernsey who had taken his seat in the house of lords. On the 6th October, 1831, the bailiff officially announced this joyful news in his Billet d'Etat, and in the following terms:

"The elevation of one of our citizens to one of the highest dignities of the kingdom, cannot fail to inspire us with the most lively gratification. His Majesty has rewarded with the most distinguished honour the eminent services which he has rendered to the country. Guernsey, which, besides the public man, recognizes in him all the virtues which adorn a pivate station, ought, on this happy occasion, to testify how sincerely she honours his character. To mark our esteem, the authorities of the bailiwick, at the head of the whole population, ought to crowd around him at his return, and proffer their congratulations. I should fail in my duty to the States, were I to omit affording them this opportunity.”

In reply to this address, the States unanimously agreed to meet at the court house on the day after the arrival of Lord de Saumarez, at eleven o'clock in the morning, and thence to repair to the residence of their estimable fellow-citizen, and felicitate him on his elevation to the peerage. His lordship reached Guernsey on Tuesday, 25th October, and the States assembled at the court house on the following morning. As soon as the names of the members had been called over-all of whom were present

with the exception of the Rev. N. P. Dobrée, who was prevented by sickness from attending the bailiff observed, that as the address would be that of the States as a body, it was necessary that it should be previously agreed upon, and approved of by the States. He therefore read one which he had prepared, and which, on being submitted to the meeting, met with its unanimous approbation. The States, after having ascertained from the deputy sheriff, who had waited for this purpose on Lord de Saumarez, that his lordship was prepared to receive them, formed outside of the court house, and proceeded to his lordship's residence in the following order: the royal court-the clergy-the constables of the various parishes. These were followed by about seventy of the most respectable gentlemen of the island, who availed themselves of this occasion to offer their congratulations to his lordship. His lordship, surrounded by Lady Saumarez and the members of his family then in the island, most affably received the whole company in a spacious drawing-room. His lordship was attired as a private gentleman-wore no other decoration than the star of the Bathand appeared in such excellent health and spirits, that he looked at least ten years younger than most persons of his age. As soon as the whole company had been introduced, the bailiff, bowing to his lordship, read to him the following address :

"MY LORD-The States of Guernsey, proud of the honour so deservedly and graciously conferred by his Majesty on their distinguished countryman, came, at their last meeting, to the unanimous resolution of waiting upon him to express their joy and congratulations. In conformity with that resolution, the States do now come to congratulate your lordship on your elevation to the peerage, with an absolute conviction on their minds that on no occasion did their sentiments more truly represent those of the inhabitants.

"The history of all nations is known chiefly by the lives of their eminent and celebrated men. The life of your lordship, whilst it adorns the bright pages of England herself, cannot fail to shed lustre on the annals of this island, in which, besides the services rendered to the whole kingdom, will be inscribed your lordship's beneficence to the poor, to public improvement, and to general education.

"May the example of your lordship fill the minds of our youth with lofty and generous thoughts! May it so stimulate them to virtuous deeds, and pursuits of utility, that this island collectively may render its name as illustrious as that of your lordship individually will ever remain."

To this address his lordship replied, that the pleasure which his countrymen manifested on his elevation to the peerage was highly gratifying to his feelings, and the flattering manner in which they now came to express it, was certainly what he could not have expected. It was true that he had long served his country; and that, through the blessing of the Almighty, to whose providence he would ascribe his successes, he had won victories of some importance. He was proud to add, that the honour which had been conferred on him by his sovereign had long been acknowledged to be due to him, and that the nation had hailed it with universal satisfaction. He went on to say, that he would ever continue to feel the same interest as he had hitherto done in the welfare of Guernsey, and would always endeavour to promote it. It gave him great pleasure to be able to inform the States, that his Majesty had been pleased to express his satisfaction at the title he had chosen, (Baron de Saumarez, of the island of Guernsey,) inasmuch as it would afford pleasure to the inhabitants of Guernsey. His lordship ended his speech by stating, that his feelings were so wrought on by the flattering mark of respect which was paid him, that he could not say all he could have wished to express on this occasion, but that he begged the members of the States, and the other gentlemen present, to accept his thanks for the honor they had done him.

Most of the gentlemen in the room then shook hands with his lordship, after which the company withdrew, those who wished first partaking of the refreshments which had been provided for them.

No Guernseyman ever did more to improve the general character of his countrymen than Lord de Saumarez. He stood prominently forward to en

courage every useful institution, not by mere nominal patronage, but also by munificent pecuniary contributions. He was president of the Guernsey Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society-Patron of the National Schools, of the Bethel Union, the Provident Society, the Church of England Sunday School, the Church of England Missionary Society, the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, &c. &c. The ground on which St. James's church stands was his property; he made a free gift of it to the building committee, and subscribed one thousand pounds towards its construction. He assisted in improving the salaries of the masters and mistresses of all the parochial schools, and was principally instrumental in founding the Sunday school in the Town parish. He founded an exhibition in Elizabeth College for the best classical and theological scholar. He gave three hundred pounds in the Câtel parish, where his country seat was situate, for the payment of a salary to the mistress of the girls' school. He distributed at Christmas, in each year, warm clothing to the poor of every parish in the island; and, conjointly with the late dean, the Rev. Mr. Durand, succeeded, after many fruitless attempts, in establishing the National School in St. Peter-Port. And by his will, his lordship bequeathed one hundred pounds to each parish in the island, for the purchase of rents, the proceeds of which are to be distributed by the rectors and churchwardens to the necessitous poor.

Of this truly good and great man it may be honestly said, that he ever kept in mind the declaration of the apostle, "No man liveth unto himself." He considered the great wealth that he possessed as "trust money," for which he would have to account to that Being who had confided it to his care. It is in Guernsey alone that his irreparable loss can be duly appreciated. No liveried menial was ever allowed to drive a poor man or woman from his gate. It was sufficient to be in misfortune, to touch the sympathy of Saumarez. In the middling classes of life, he displayed his zeal in procuring promotion for young men of merit; and, indeed, there are but very few families in Guernsey who have not directly or indirectly benefitted by his liberality and his patronage.

It is worthy of remark that his lordship, at the time of his death, had been longer invested with the insignia of grand cross of the order of the Bath, than any one now living.

He was married on the 27th October, 1788, to Martha, only daughter of Thomas Le Marchant, Esq., (by marriage with Miss Mary Dobrée, two of the most ancient and respectable families in the island.) and by that lady has had several children, four of whom only survive, to wit, the Honourable and Reverend James Saumarez, rector of Huggate, in Yorkshire, now Lord de Saumarez, the Honourable John Vincent Saumarez, captain of the first battalion of the rifle brigade, and two daughters.

To those who never saw his lordship, a brief description of his person will be gratifying. He had an erect and commanding figure even in old age. In stature he was about five feet eleven inches high, and formed in the best proportions. The expression of his countenance was bland and dignified, and happily indicated the character of his heart and the loftiness of his mind. He possessed that true nobility which disdains all stilted pride, and those of an inferior station approached him with confidence, and quitted him with admiration.

His lordship died a few minutes before twelve at night, on Sunday, the 9th of October, at his country residence, in the Câtel parish, in the island of Guernsey, in the eightieth year of his age. He was Admiral of the Red, General of Marines, Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, and of the Royal Swedish Order of the Sword, Doctor of the Civil Law, a Vice-President of the Naval Charitable, and of the Naval and Military Bible Societies, and one of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House. The following description of the funeral we extract from the Guernsey Comet of the 13th October, which we know to be complete and exact in every particular: