launches, while the Tartarus and Fury bomb-ketches were employed to throw shells, and several vessels of a small draught of water presented their broadsides so as to protect and facilitate this very critical and important operation. Opposed to these was a large body of troops, familiar with the country, confident of victory, and Alushed with recent successes. Cannon and mortar batteries were placed on the heights, and the castle of Aboukir alone threatened destruction to the assailants, while the sand-hills still nearer to the water's edge were lined with musquetry, and parties of infantry were kept in readiness to advance, at the same time that bodies of horse were prepared to charge the invaders. Notwithstanding the boats were exposed to an amphitheatre of fire, and an incessant discharge was kept up of shot, shells, and grape, yet they rowed briskly ashore, and a landing being effected, the adjoining hill was scaled, and seven pieces of artillery seized. It is not a little remarkable, that during the whole of this gallant and very perilous operation not a single officer belonging to the navy was killed, and only seven officers and seventy-three men wounded. The battalion of sailors continued to be of great service while on shore, and the capture both of Cairo and Alexandria depended not a little on the co-operation of the navy. A multitude of honours were now preparing for the the man who had contributed to render the British name illustrious, and the British possessions secure in the East. In the first place he received what every officer has been accustomed to deem highly valuablethe thanks of both houses of parliament for his services. In the next, he was presented with the order of the crescent, established on purpose to record the gratitude of the Grand Signior; while his own sovereign conferred upon him the patent of an English peerage, as Lord Keith, of Dumleath.* At the peace of 1802 he returned to England, and struck his flag, but he was not suffered to remain long unemployed, for in 1803 his lordship was appointed port-admiral at Plymouth; he then was invested with the command at the Nore, at the breaking out of the present war, and is now admiral of the North Sea fleet, which has increased lately in point of numbers and importance, so as to consist of more than one hundred and twenty pennants, partly on account of the additional preparations of the French, and partly from the still more formidable threats of the Dutch.f His lordship also received the freedom of the city of London, énclosed in a gold box. Previously to this he obtained a patent as chamberlain, secretary, and keeper of the signet, to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, as great steward of Scotland; in addition to which he is one of the six state counsellors for the same. + His flag, which was formerly hoisted first on board the Monarch, and then the St. Alban's, is now flying in the Agincourt. Lord His lordship has lately purchased East Cliffe, a beautiful marine villa, within sight of the French coast, where he occasionally resides during the sum It was built by the late Bond Hopkins, who may be considered as possessing a peculiar gusto for matters of this sort, having erected two at the expence of about seventy thousand pounds, with a degree of taste never as yet surpassed by any man in this island. We have thus commenced the labours of another year by recapitulating the exploits of one of our most celebrated admirals, who has served under a Dennis, a Keppel, a Howe, a Hood, and a Bridport. It has always been our ambition to present the defenders of their country to the admiration of their compatriots; and it is now our fervent wish, that this gallant commander may long continue to enjoy the confidence of the nation and the smiles of the monarch.* Lord Melville was on board the former ship during the attempt against Boulogne, respecting which the commander-in-chief expressed himself in a very guarded manner. Although acquainted with, he also appears to have had nothing to do with the stone expedition. His lordship was appointed captain, March 11, 1773; a rear admiral April 2, 1794; a vice admiral, June 1, 1795; and an admiral of the blue, January 1, 1801. THE THE HON. MRS. DAMER. lloc erat in votis: modus agri non ita maghus, Et paulum sylvæ super his foret. Auctiùs atque Maiâ nate, nisi ut propria hæc mihi munera faxis.-HOR.. THE task of retracing the steps of a lovely and accomplished woman, through the tranquil and flowery paths of domestic life, must at all times be an agreeable employment; but when the object of investigation is Mrs. Damer, the occupation becomes delightful; and her biographer turns with eagerness from the records of politics and the sword, to be led into a service, which introduces him to beauty, peace, and the muses. Many illustrious names, besides that of the heroine of this biographical sketch, might be registered in the list of female worthies. We have several British Andromaches, who need not shrink from a comparison with the amiable widow of Hector. The Princess of Wales, in her retirement at Blackheath, draws around her an assembly of poets, sages, and heroes, by the magic movement of her chisel alone. There the noble Caroline of Brunswick converses with the mighty dead; and while she holds "converse" with the Stuarts and Plantagenets (whose images her own Promethean flame has reanimated with life), she feels no longer solitary, no longer a pensive |