SITOR.

98.

HE

ST. VINCENT.

ented the reader with aval Characters. To not inferior to Smith, of his understanding, JERVIS is a name 1s. Any information, e acceptable.

a friend of his country cters. It has been alof Britain confers an ertions. In a time of ice we derive great adof war, the utility of fcertained.

our power to gratify our efpecting the life of this much of the history of the ftage of mortality. ds them. Their most ad even every private

It is oftentimes when ath the horizon of time, -idian glory!

We

THE

MONTHLY VISITOR.

AUGUST, 1798.

SKETCH OF THE

CHARACTER OF LORD ST. VINCENT.

OUR

UR three laft Numbers prefented the reader with portraits and memoirs of Naval Characters. To this lift we add another hero, not inferior to Smith, Howe, or Duncan, in the vigour of his understanding, or in the integrity of his heart. JERVIS is a name known and refpected by Britons. Any information, therefore, refpecting him must be acceptable.

No apology need be made to a friend of his country for the introduction of such characters. It has been already fuggefted that the fituation of Britain confers an additional importance on naval exertions. In a time of peace, the fea is an element whence we derive great advantages. Amidst the contefts of war, the utility of naval victories cannot be eafily afcertained.

We are forry that it is out of our power to gratify our Readers with many particulars refpecting the life of this brave officer. We feldom know much of the hiftory of great men till they have quitted the ftage of mortality. Then every eye is turned towards them. Their moft fecret receffes are explored, and even every privat anecdote dragged forth to light. It is oftentimes wh they themselves have funk beneath the horizon of prothat their fame attains to its meridian glory!

VOL. IV.

E e

ther

We are credibly informed that Sir John Jervis, now more generally known under the title of Lord St. Vincent, is a native of Staffordshire. It has, indeed, been afferted, that he was an Irishman. But this is an error into which the propagators of that report had fallen. Yet fo confidently was this idea at one time entertained, that even in a refpectable print fome obfervations appeared founded upon this mistaken fuppofition. It was alledged, that the three great naval victories in this war had been obtained by Admirals born in three different countries-Howe in England, Duncan in Scotland, and Jervis in Ireland. It was alfo fuggefted, that each of thefe engagements took place on parts of the ocean nearer to the countries that gave them birth than to any other part of Europe. This anecdote fhews how ready fome perfons are to find out strange coincidences in events that make a great noife and agitate the world. Imagination feldom fails to perform her part, however falfe the premises, or however whimsical the conclufions.

His

Though we are unacquainted with the particulars of this brave man's life, we may, nevertheless, expatiate on his character which is well known to world. nautical skill is indifputable. Trained up in the hardy school of experience, he has thoroughly learnt her valuable leffons. A man of understanding never fuffers a feries of years to pafs over his head without a confiderable improvement in that profeffion which occupies his attention.

In the American war he commanded the Foudroyant, a fhip of eighty guns. The celebrity he attained in this fituation will not be foon forgotten. In the memorable engagement under Admiral Keppel, on the 27th of July, he distinguished himself by an unceafing tivity and exertion. During the fiery conteft he paffed nd fro like lightning, and with a coolness and ferewhich is characteristic of a great mind. By this which happened towards the clofe of that unar, the arrival of peace was accelerated.

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