morals and discipline, but also to their attainments while afloat. A schoolmaster is allowed in all ships of a certain rate, but we are sorry to observe that the pay is far from being commensurate to the labours of any man of merit : a reasonable increase, in respect to remuneration, therefore, is here earnestly suggested to those who have the good of the service at heart. Indeed, notwithstanding this evident discouragement to the undertaking, several of our commanders have paid attention to so necessary a regulation; and the author of this article could mention the names of two admirals, who, much to their honour, while captains, made it their daily study to inquire into the progress of the young gentlemen placed on their quarter-deck.

After serving his due time, Mr. Elphinstone found the little patch of white on his collar and cuffs encrease wonderfully in size; for at the expiration of the usual period he was appointed a lieutenant, an event which forms a remarkable epoch in the life of a young sailor, and entitles him to lapels and an epaulet.

In 1773 we find him serving as a master and commander in the Mediterrancan, under Rear Admiral Sir Peter Dennis; on which occasion he was promoted into the Scorpion of fourteen guns, and two years after he deemed himself fortunate by being nominated post-captain.

He now aspired to distinctions of another kind; for at the general election in 1774, Captain Elphinstone stood as candidate for the county of Dumbarton, in which his family possessed considerable

pro

perty

perty and influence: and on his rival's being returned knight of the shire, he presented a petition to the House of Commons; from a committee of which, according to the most excellent provisions in Mr. Grenville's bill, he demanded and obtained justice. In 1780 he again represented that county; and was one of the independent members who net at the St. Alban's tavern with a view of reconciling Mr. Pitt, then minister, with Mr. Fox and the Duke of Portland, the latter being at that period in opposition, and by an union of parties forming what was termed at that day a "broad bottomed administration." It is almost unnecessary to add, that their labours proved unsuccessful.

At the general election in 1786 he was chosen for Stirlingshire, so that he sat during a large portion of three following parliaments.

Previously to this he married a country woman of his own; Jane, daughter and sole heiress of William Mercer, of Aldie in the county of Perth, Esq. who died in 1789 and by which lady he has a daughter, the Honourable Margaret Mercer Elphinstone, on whom his English and Irish baronies are entailed, and who also possesses a very large fortune in right of her mother.

During the colonial war,Captain Elphinstone served in America, and was present at the attack of Mudisland and Charlestown. Vice Admiral Arbuthnot, having shifted his flag from the Europa of sixty-four guns to the Roebuck of forty-four, proceeded from

* April 9, 1787.

**

New York with a squadron of ships of war, to co-ope rate with Sir Henry Clinton in an attempt to subjugate the capital of South Carolina. On this occasion, Captain Elphinstone's pennant was flying in the little detachment; and on the requisition of the General for some heavy cannon from the fleet, the same were landed with a detachment of seamen under him and Captain Evans of the Raleigh. In 1778 he commanded the Berwick of seventy-four guns in the action off Brest, and had ten men killed, and eleven wounded on that occasion.

In 1781 we find him on board the Warwick of fifty guns and three hundred men. On his passaage down Channel he fell in with, and captured the Rotterdam, a Dutch ship of war of exactly the same number of guns and seamen, which had been before ineffectually engaged by the Isis, also a fifty-gun ship.

In 1782 he served once more in America. Being on a cruise off the Delaware, in company with the Lion, the Vestal, and Bonnette, after a chace of several hours, he came up with and captured a large French frigate named L'Aigle, of forty guns, twenty

* He distinguished himself on this occasion (Nov. 15, 1777), when the following ships being detached for that purpose, a free communication was opened with Philadelphia by water:

four-pounders, on the main deck, and six hundred men, commanded by the Count de la Touche; who made his escape on shore with the Baron de Viomisnil, commander-in-chief of the French army in America, together with M. de la Montmorency, the Duc de Lausun, the Vicomte de Fleury, and several other officers of high rank. They took in the boat with them the greater part of the treasure which was on board the frigate, but two small casks and two boxes fell into the hands of the captors. La Gloire, another French frigate in company, made her escape by drawing less water; an armed merchantman called La Sophie, of twenty-two guns and one hundred and four men, was however taken, and two brigs destroyed; while L'Aigle, proving to be an excellent vessel, was purchased by government, and added to the royal navy.

Such had been the exploits of this officer during the American war, and the contest with France opened a new field for his valour and exertions.

On the commencement of hostilities Captain Elphinstone was appointed to the Robuste of 74 guns, and having been placed under the command of Lord Hood, sailed with him to the Mediterranean. This nobleman, who has always been deemed one of the ablest admirals in the British service, was now engaged in a project of no small importance. While the south of France had been a prey by turns to terror and insurrection, the combined fleet of England and Spain menaced her departments in that quarter, cut off the supplies of corn and provisions, and in

fused

fused new hopes into the minds of the malecom tents. After negotiating with the inhabitants of Marseilles and Toulon, the British admiral issued a notice in which he stated: "that if a candid and explicit declaration was made in favour of monarchy in these places, the standard of royalty hoisted, the ships in the harbour dismantled, and the ports and forts placed at his disposal, the people of Provence should enjoy the protection of his Britannic Majesty's fleet, and not an atom of private property be touched." He also published a proclamation to the same effect; and after stating the anarchy and misery of the inhabitants, he concluded with observing: "that he had come to offer them the assistance of the force with which he was furnished by his sovereign, in order to the further effusion of human blood, to crush with promptitude the factious, to re-establish a regular government in France, and thereby maintain peace and tranquillity in Europe."

spare

The inhabitants of Marseilles were prevented from accepting of these terms by the approach of a republican army; but the sections of Toulon immediately proclaimed Louis XVII. and promised by a deputation that the moment the English squadron cast anchor in the road, the white flag should be hoisted, the ships of war disarmed, and the citadel and forts on the coast placed provisionally at the disposal of the British admiral."

Notwithstanding these professions, a large portion of the people, and also of the sailors, was not a little mortified at the idea of such a surrender. Rear Ad