chronism, avowed those principles, and practised those tenets, that were both current and popular during the cruel and bloody wars that took place in the time of Elizabeth and of Cromwell.

List of Dr. Duigenan's Works.

1. Lachrymæ Academice.

2. A Pamphlet on the subject of the Insurrections in Munster, by "Theophilus."

3. Observations on Mr. Grattan's Address to his Constituents.

ADMIRAL OF THE RED; GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL; AN ELDER BROTHER OF THE TRINITY HOUSE; KNIGHT GRAND CROSS OF THE ORDER OF THE BATH, &c. &c.

THIS

HIS family has obtained great distinction in the naval service; and, in addition to other honours, and no small portion of wealth and celebrity, acquired no fewer than five patents of peerage, during the late war.

Samuel Hood was the elder son of the Reverend Samuel Hood, first, Vicar of Butley, in the county of Somerset, and afterwards of Thorncombe, in Devonshire, by Mary, daughter of Richard Hoskins, Esq. of Beaminster, in the county of Dorset. He was born, Dec. 12, 1724; and as his father was

himself a younger brother, and neither his fortune nor preferment considerable, both he and his late brother, Alexander, (afterwards Viscount Bridport), were destined for the sea service.

The former commenced his naval career as a midshipman on board the Romney of sixty-four guns, in 1740, at the age of sixteen; and after the lapse of six years, was appointed lieutenant on board the Winchelsea, a twenty gun ship. While serving in this capacity, he was wounded during an action with a French frigate. In 1754, he became a master and commander, as this rank was then termed; in which station he repaired on board the Jamaica sloop of war. In July 1756, we find him serving as captain to Commodore Holmes; but it was not until 1759, that he had, for the first time, an opportunity of distinguishing himself by his gallantry and seamanship.

Sailing from Portsmouth in the Antelope, of fifty guns, a clean ship, and a crew fresh from port, on the 13th of February, he descried the Bellona, a vessel of equal force to his own, bound from Martinico to Brest. On this, he ordered every rag of canvas to be spread, and coming instantly to close quarters, after a sharp action of four hours, the Count Beauhonnoir was obliged to surrender: Admiral Lord Anson, the first Commissioner of the Admiralty, presented the victor to George II. and the command of the Africa, a sixty-four gun ship, was immediately conferred on him, as a reward for this exploit. He was afterwards employed in the bombardment of Havre de Grace, under Rodney; and served, during three years in the Mediterranean, with Admiral Sir Charles Saunders.

On the peace taking place, Captain S. Hood retired to his family for on August 25, 1759, he had married Susanna, daughter of Edward Linzee of Portsmouth, Esq. who, by acting several times as mayor of that corporation, had secured a considerable degree of influence both there and elsewhere. After remaining some time at home, in 1768, the command of the Boston was conferred on him, on board which he hoisted a broad pendant.

In 1778, he was nominated Commissioner of the Dock Yard at Portsmouth, an honourable and lucrative situation; and one, too, particularly agreeable both to himself and family, on account of their connections there. During the course of the same year, he obtained a patent for a baronetcy.

But, as if he had retained the office of commissioner, he would most probably have lost his flag, Sir Samuel soon after resigned his civil employment, and, in 1780, was promoted a Rear-Admiral; with which rank he sailed for the West Indies, on board the Barfleur of ninety-eight guns. His first exploit during the American war, took place in Basse Terre road, St. Christopher's, at the beginning of 1782. Admiral the Count de Grasse had arrived there, with a formidable fleet, consisting of twenty-nine two deckers, on purpose to attack the island; on which, the subject of this memoir, with a squadron consisting of only twenty-two large ships, sailed to defend

With these he formed a line of battle, and manœuvred so as to induce the French to quit their anchorage; on which it was promptly seized, and dexterously occupied by the English. Astonished at being foiled in this palpable manner by an inferior force, the Count made a bold attack on the English squadron in the course of the very next day; but his reception was so warm, that he deemed himself extremely fortunate to be able to sheer off without achieving his object. In the official letter to the Lords of the Admiralty, after detailing the particulars of the engagement, Sir Samuel Hood concludes as follows:

"Many of the French ships must have suffered very considerably; and the Ville de Paris was upon the heel all the next day covering her shot-holes. By information from the shore, the French ships have sent to St. Eustatius upwards of 1000 wounded men."

This gallant and skilful exertion of seamanship was followed soon after by the important victory of the 12th of August, under Sir George Brydges Rodney, which is not only memorable, as being the first great blow given to the French marine in that war, but as introducing the new manœuvre in naval tactics,

by means of which Lord Nelson, at a future period, gained · the battle of the Nile. To this, it may also be fairly added, that it saved Jamaica from invasion, if not from capture; and also secured the possession of all our remaining islands in the West Indies. Here follows an extract of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney's dispatch, dated "Formidable, April 14, 1782," so far as it is connected with the services of the subject. of this article, who then acted as second in command:

"It has pleased God, out of his divine providence, to grant to His Majesty's arms a most complete victory over the fleets of his enemies, commanded by Count de Grasse, who is himself captured, with the Ville de Paris, and four other ships, besides one sunk in the action.

"Both fleets have greatly suffered; but it is with the highest satisfaction I can assure their Lordships, that though the masts, sails, rigging, and hulls of the British fleet are damaged, yet the loss of men has been small, considering the length of the battle, and the close action they so long sustained, and in which both fleets looked upon the honour of their king and country to be most essentially concerned. The great supply of naval stores lately arrived at the West Indies, will, I flatter myself, soon repair all the damages His Majesty's fleet has sustained.

"The gallant behaviour of the officers and men of the fleet I have the honour to command, has been such as must for ever endear them to all the lovers of their king and country. The noble behaviour of my second in command, SIR SAMUEL HOOD, Bart. who in both actions most conspicuously exerted himself, demands my warmest encomiums. My third in command, Rear-Admiral Drake, who with his division led the battle on the 12th, deserves the highest praise," &c.

Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, on this occasion, led the van division, consisting of, 1st, the Royal Oak; 2d. the Alfred; 3d, the Montague; 4th, the Yarmouth; 5th, the Valiant; 6th, the Barfleur; 7th, the Monarch; 8th, the Warrior; 9th, the Belliqueux; 10th, the Centaur; 11th, the Mag