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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX

OF DEATHS,

FOR 1821.

COMPILED IN PART FROM ORIGINAL PAPERS, AND IN PART FROM CONTEMPORARY PUBLICATIONS.

A.

ANGUS, Mr. William, aged 69, Oct. 12, a landscape and historical engraver. He was a pupil of Mr. William Walker, the well-known engraver of scenery. In his better days Mr. Angus was justly considered very eminent in his art, and had his full share of employment.

Amongst his most pleasing works may be noticed, "The Seats of the Nobility and Gentry in Great Britain and Wales; in a Collection of Select Views, engraved from Pictures and Drawings by the most eminent Artists, with Descriptions of each View," 4to. 1787-1815. He also engraved for many years very beautiful little plates for the Atlas Pocket Book, chiefly after the designs of Thomas Stothard, Esq. R. A. Unfortunately he made little provision for the latter period of his life; and when his powers in a great degree failed him, yet wholly dependent on his own exertions, he had the mortification to find himself supplanted by younger artists.

One of his pupils has far surpassed his master; we allude to Mr. W. B. Cooke, whose engravings of the "Southern Coast," and various other works, have excited such general appro

bation. Mr. Angus has left a widow but had no children.

ASHBRIDGE, the Rev. John, was born at Heath, in the year 1788. He received the rudiments of his education from his father, the Rev. Joseph Ashbridge, vicar of Hault Hucknall, in the county of Derby. At the age of 14 he was, through the interest of Sir Henry Crewe, placed on the foundation at Repton School, where he remained until the year 1806, when he was admitted a member of Trinity Under the very College, Cambridge. able instruction of the Rev. Dr. W. B. Sleath, he had acquired a sound and extensive acquaintance with the best parts of classical literature: and being gifted with great acuteness, and unwearied industry, he did not fail to turn the advantages of his education to a good account in the enlarged competition of the University.

At the first annual examination in the hall of Trinity College, he obtained a distinguished place in the first class. During the following year he exhibited the same devotedness, and the same original powers in his mathematical studies, which he had before done in his application to scholastic learning; and at the next public examination of the College, when the highest honors were awarded to the best proficients in

mathematical investigations, connected with some of the branches of philosophy, he was declared inferior to no man of his year. The life of a student, spent in the bosom of the University, cannot be expected to abound with incidents fit to be recorded in this place. Many anecdotes of private worth, and of successful application in the severest departments of abstract science, might indeed be mentioned; but it is not now considered necessary to intrude them on the public.

In the year 1810, he proceeded to the degree of B. A., and on that occasion gained the mathematical honor of Sixth Wrangler: a very high distinction, especially in the estimation of those who knew with what ardour he had cultivated many departments of ancient learning.

While Mr. Ashbridge continued to reside in Trinity College, almost all the ordinary subjects of literature and science in turn occupied his attention. Philological researches, connected more especially with the older Latin classics, had long supplied him with the materials for severe and successful investigation. He proved his intimate knowledge of that language, by gaining, on two successive years, one of the prizes which are given by the representatives of the Uni. versity for the best prose Latin essays on some specified subject.

In the year 1812, he was elected a fellow of Trinity College, at a time when there were only two vacancies, and many powerful competitors. Having arrived at that standing in the University, when most men terminate their academical career, he did not, as is too generally the case, relax his exertions; but continued to study the best authors of antiquity, and at the same time to familiarize himself with all the refinements of modern analysis. Nor did his labours terminate in mere idle speculation. For he entered into active correspondence with some of the first mathematicians of the country, accumulated materials for an introduction to the more difficult parts of the higher calculus, and contributed many papers to our philosophical journals. Among his Essays of this kind may be mentioned an anonymous treatise "On the Figure of the Earth," which appeared in Leybourn's Mathematical Repository. Amidst these investigations he acquired an intimate acquaintance with the German language, which he justly considered as a key to all phi

lological inquiries connected with our own literature. It is proper here to mention his great progress in many departments of Biblical Criticism; his ardent admiration of the works of many of our older divines, whose lives and writings were the constant subjects of his panegyric.

In the year 1818, he was appointed Senior Moderator of the University. No one was better qualified for undertaking the arduous duty of determining the respective merits of those who were candidates for the public honors of the Senate House. Unfortunately, however, a declining state of health, probably brought on by long-continued intemperate study, induced him to relinquish the appointment, and commence a tour on the Continent. Until his strength was worn down by sickness, he did not for a moment lose sight of the objects to which he had devoted himself; continuing to accumulate materials for a philological work on the early history of the Latin language, and to make himself acquainted with the Teutonic dialects of modern Europe. He arrived at Naples in the month of June, 1819. Though in a state which indicated a great exhaustion of body and of spirits, he was still able to join in social intercourse with a small circle of friends, among whom he was fortunate in being able to count the names of two distinguished scholars of his own country, Mr. Elmsly and Mr. Matthias. From these gentlemen he received the most kind and unremitted attentions at a time when the offices of friendship were most wanted. The unfavourable symptoms to which we have before alluded, were, after some time, succeeded by a low fever, against which he was never able completely to rally, and by which he was in a few weeks brought down to the lowest state of debility. Not long before his dissolution, a slight change in the symptoms of his illness gave a momentary gleam of hope to his friends. He attempted, during that interval, to write a letter to his sister; but his strength failed him before he could complete it. A short time afterwards, the hand of Death put an end to the kind hopes of those who were about him, and shut out his earthly prospects for ever.

It is unnecessary now to enlarge on the premature loss which the public has sustained; a loss which those only can appreciate who were formerly acquainted with the subject of this memoir.

In

contemplating their irreparable loss,
there are many topics of consolation to
which his nearest friends will long be
happy to turn their thoughts. During
his lingering illness he received the
most unbounded proofs of kindness from
those by whom he was attended. Nor

were the consolations of religion with-
held from him. They were daily and
affectionately administered by the Rev.
Mr. Turner, the English chaplain at
Naples, to whom the relations of Mr.
Ashbridge owe a deep and lasting debt
of gratitude.

B.

BLIGH, Sir Richard Rodney, G.C.B.
Admiral of the Red Squadron of His
Majesty's Fleet, &c. &c. April 30, at
Belle Vue, near Southampton. Sir
Richard was born in Cornwall in 1737,
of an ancient and noble family of that
county, and was godson of the late
Lord Rodney. He entered the naval
service of his country at a very early
period of life; but it was not until 1777
that he attained the rank of Post Cap-
tain; in which situation, in the com-
mand of the Alexander, of 74 guns, in
November 1794, he exhibited, in a
most unequal combat with a French
squadron, consisting of five ships of 74
guns, three large frigates, and a brig,
such courage and abilities, as, to use
the words of a modern biographer,
"have never been surpassed in the
annals of the British navy." Sir
Richard was the eighth oldest Admiral
on the list, having obtained his flag
in April 1804; when he resigned the
command on the Leith station.
was twice married; but has left only
one son, besides several daughters, all
married; viz. Captain George Miller
Bligh, R. N. who was severely wounded
by a musket shot through the breast in
the memorable battle of Trafalgar, when
lieutenant of the Victory, to which
ship he was appointed, at the desire of
Lord Nelson, out of regard to his
father's distinguished conduct in the

service.

He

BROUGHTON, Captain Robert,
deserves to be recorded in that class of
illustrious circumnavigators who have
conferred so much honor on their native
countries, and benefitted the world at
large by the extent of their maritime dis-
coveries, nor should his fame be forgotten
as commodore of the naval part of the
equipment against the Island of Java, so

long as that conquest shall be duly esti-
mated for its value and importance.

Captain Broughton was descended
from a younger branch of the ancient
family of that name, of Broughton Hall
in Staffordshire. Sir Brian Broughton,
who was created a baronet for his steady
loyalty to Charles I. and II., was the
ancestor of the present Sir John Brough-
ton, Bart. and the subject of the follow-
ing memoir, who was sent, at an early
age, to sea in the year 1774. In the
month of November he joined his Ma-
jesty's sloop Falcon, then at Portsmouth,
and commanded by Capt. John Linzee.
The Falcon was destined for North
America, and arrived at Boston three
days before the fight at Lexington; she
was also one of the ships that covered
the attack on Bunker's Hill.

Shortly after Mr. Broughton was
made prisoner in an attempt to bring
off a schooner, which had been driven
ashore in Cape Ann Harbour. This
misfortune was occasioned by the de-
struction of the Falcon's boats by the
enemy's fire from the shore, which killed
three and wounded several of the British;
the remainder of the party having ex-
pended their ammunition, and having no.
means of regaining their vessel, were
obliged to surrender. An exchange of
prisoners taking place in December,
1776, Mr. Broughton obtained his re-
lease, and joined the Eagle, the flag-
ship of Lord Howe; he shortly after
requested and obtained permission to
remove into the Haerlem of 12 guns,
commanded by Lieut. Knight. After
a variety of services in this vessel our
midshipman returned to the Eagle, and
arrived in his native land in October,
1778, after an absence of nearly four
years. Mr. Broughton did not remain
longer in England than December,
when he joined the Superb of 70 guns,
bearing the flag of Sir Edward Hughes.
In March 1779, the Superb, accom.
panied by a squadron of men of war,
proceeded to the East Indies, having
first sailed to Goree, which was taken
without any resistance.

The first enterprize was the reduction
of Negapatam, where the fleet lay at
anchor waiting for the co-operation of
Sir Hector Munro's army to besiege it.
The seamen and marines were landed, to
act in conjunction with the military
forces, and Mr. Broughton was ap-
pointed adjutant to the naval battalion
under the command of Capt. Thomas
Mackenzie of the Active frigate. Its
force was about 750 strong. The place

held out till Christmas. Fort Ostenberg,
in Trincomalee, was then attacked in a
similar manner. It was taken by storm,
and two East Indiamen, richly laden,
were found in the harbour. The captain
of Mr. Broughton's company was killed,
and Lieut. Long, with several officers
and men severely wounded; but Mr.
Broughton had the good fortune to
escape, though he received a musquet-
shot through his hat. This capture took
place on the 18th of January, 1782,
and on that day Mr. Broughton was
commissioned to be lieutenant of the
Burford of 70 guns, commanded by
Captain Peter Rainier.
Mr. B. was in

the several actions between the fleets
commanded by Sir Edward Hughes
and the French Admiral Suffrien. They
were in no case decisive, though well-
fought and sanguinary, but were put
an end to by the news of peace, when
Lieutenant Broughton returned to Eng-
land in June 1784, remaining there un-
employed till July 1788, at which time
he was appointed to the Orestes sloop of
war, in which vessel he continued on the
home station, till May 1790, when he
was removed into the Victory of 100
guns, bearing the flag of Lord Hood.

As at that time there was little chance
of a war, Lieut. Broughton was grati-
fied in being thought a fit person to
command the Chatham, armed brig,
destined to accompany Captain Van-
couver on a voyage of discovery.

And

in Captain Vancouver's celebrated work
it will be seen that Lieutenant Brough-
ton by no means discredited the choice
that had been made of him, and in the
maps may be observed many lands and
islands that was discovered by him when
his vessel was separated, for a time, from
Captain Vancouver's. He found a bar-
ren island, to which he gave the name of
Knight's Island, lat. 48. long. 166' 44';
and soon after two more, which, from
their similarity, he called the Two
Sisters, lat. 43 11, long. 182° 49′; a
larger one, he landed upon, and named
it Chatham Island. The natives were
of a treacherous and cruel disposition, so
much so, that in their own defence
Lieut. Broughton's party were obliged
to fire upon them; one was killed and
the rest instantly dispersed. The next
service Lieut. Broughton was employed
on, was a survey of the Columbia river,
which he completed in his boats in ten
days, having traversed it about 84 miles
from its entrance. From his descrip-
tion, it cannot be considered as a river
safe for the navigation of vessels of bur-

then. Its entrance is shallow, surrounded
by dangerous reefs, and a tremendous
sea, according to the tide, breaking
across it.

In January 1793, Capt. Vancouver
having thought it expedient that intel-
ligence should be sent to England, con-
cerning the adjustment of the differences
relative to Nootka Sound, Capt. Van-
couver requested of Seignior Quadra, the
Spanish officer on the station, that he
would permit Lieut. Broughton to take
his passage by the way of New Spain to
England. This friendly officer con-
veyed Lieut. Broughton to St. Blas, on
the coast of California, whence he pro-
ceeded through Mexico to La Vera
Cruz.

A journey through a country im-
mortalized by the enterprizing spirit of
Cortez, and the sufferings of Monte-
zuma, could not but be interesting to a
mind like Lieut. Broughton's, inqui-
sitive after useful knowledge, and desir-
ous of visiting places, which, through
the jealousy of the Spanish government,
had hitherto been shut up from the
curiosity of Englishmen. Humboldt's
Travels, lately published, have been very
minute in their description of Mexico;
but, at the time Lieut. Broughton crossed
the continent of New Spain, no book but
that of Monsieur de Pagés, had for years
been given to the English public on the
subject. No doubt Lieut. Broughton
made notes as he travelled, but, perhaps,
did not think them of sufficient import-
ance to be submitted to the world. For
who that can reflect and convey his
thoughts to paper, would pass over the
plain of Olumba without a sigh of com-
miseration for the ill-fated Mexicans,
and without detestation for their barbar-

ous oppressors. Lieutenant Broughton
sailed in a Spanish sloop of war tò
Cadiz, and thence by the way of Madrid,
to visit the English minister, by which
means he had an opportunity of crossing
the continent of Old, as he had done
that of New Spain before, and of seeing
countries, in every point of view, so in-
teresting to the curious and philosophic
traveller. From Corunna he returned
to England.

The Earl of Chatham, then First
Lord of the Admiralty, made Lieutenant
Broughton a commander in Oct. 1793;
he was also appointed to command his
Majesty's sloop Prudence, and in her to
take possession of Nootka Sound, from
the Spaniards, in the event of Captain
Vancover's having left that part of the
world. Captain Broughton arrived at

Nootka, March 1796, and found the
place had already been restored to an
English officer, who informed Captain
Broughton that Capt. Vancouver had
left that settlement on his return to
England.

The service that Captain Broughton
has rendered to navigation and geogra-
phy, is now more particularly to be con-
sidered, as it was left to his discretion
to follow any track which he might have
thought most conducive to the promo-
tion of nautical science, and he deter-
mined in consequence to survey the
coast of Asia, from 35° to 52° north la-
titude. Unknowingly he followed the

same

course which the French navi-
gator, La Perouse, had taken'; yet, how-
ever similar their voyages may appear to
have been Captain Broughton could lay
claim to discoveries and surveys un-
known to La Perouse. The surveys of
the western coast of Jesso, that also of
the straits of Sangar, the coast of Corea,
the Loo-choo islands and the southern
Kuriles, were made by the English,
which had been omitted by the French
commander. Captain Broughton also
determined the junction of Saghalien
with Tartary, by advancing in a small
vessel, not drawing more than nine feet
water, eight miles further than La Pe-
rouse, and by coming into two fathoms
water, at length discovered a bay three
or four miles in depth. This he sent a
boat to examine, and found it closed in
on all sides by low sand hills, nor was
there any-where the smallest trace of a
passage*. Here then was the extremity
of the great gulph of Tartary, ascer-
tained by the penetration and persever-
ance of Captain Broughton, and it
should be recollected, that this arduous
survey was effected by him in a schoon-
er of only eighty tons burthen, with one
small boat, and that not in the summer
season, but in the midst of equinoctial
gales, and the most unfavorable season
of the year, for the Providence sloop
had been lost on the 17th May 1797, by
striking on a reef of rocks off Taypiu-
sau, one of the Loo-choo islands, situ-
ated in latitude 25° north, and 125°
east longitude, about 100 miles from
the east part of Formosa. The crew

* The Quarterly Reviewer, in article
2d of the 41st volume, observes, "La
Perouse reasoned Saghalien into an is-
land, which Captain Broughton after-
wards ascertained to be a part of the
continent of Tartary."

were fortunately saved, consisting of
112 souls, and conveyed in the schooner
Captain Broughton took with him, to
China. And here it should be men-
tioned, that this officer visited the Loo-
choo islands many years before Captain
Maxwell and Captain Hall, whose voy-
ages have been published, and in which
proper notice is taken of his first claim
of visiting these interesting islanders in
late years, though the position of the
islands had long been ascertained and
described by Pére Gaubal, a missionary
of the Jesuits at Pekin. See Lettres
Edifiantes, tom. xxiii. p. 182.

The crew of the Providence was dis-
tributed on board the Swift sloop of war,
(which was afterwards lost, and the whole
perished,) and the East India ships, to
take their passage to England. Of this
crew, Captain Broughton reserved thirty-
five, officers and men, to accompany
him in the Schooner, for the completion
of the survey he had begun as de-
tailed before. In March 1798, Captain
Broughton sailed from Macao to Trin-
comalee Harbor, and there found he
had been promoted to the rank of post-
captain, January 28th, 1797.

At Trincomalee, Captain Broughton
was tried by a court-martial for the
loss of the Providence, and fully ac-
quitted of any blame whatever in caus-
ing the misfortune; which appears to
have been attributable to one of his offi
cers, who was dismissed the service,
though re-instated from some favour-
able circumstances having been advanced
in his behalf.

This last voyage of Captain Brough.
ton's, which occupied four years, was
very prejudicial to him with respect to
circumstances, for, in consequence of
a coolness which appears to have existed
between him and the commanders-in-
chief in the East Indies and at the Cape
of Good Hope, he was obliged to take
a passage to the latter place in an Ame-
rican ship, and from thence to England
in an Indiaman, thus incurring ex-
penses which nearly amounted to the
whole of his pay due to him during his
absence. On his arrival in England,
Captain Broughton applied for reim-
bursement, but was told that this request
could not be complied with, as the esta-
blishing a precedent in such a case
would be attended with bad conse-
quences.

Our officer remained unemployed til
the month of June 1801, when he was
appointed to command the Batavia, of
54 guns, stationed as a floating battery,

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