It has already been mentioned, that the French, on their way to Africa, had seized upon Malta, and that Abercrombie had also recaptured the island, in his progress to repel the invasion. Thither his remains were escorted by his aid-de-camps, and interred, with the highest military honours, beneath the castle of St. Elmo. At home his loss was strongly felt and deeply regretted, while his memory was crowned with honours. Besides the public tribute of the monument in St. Paul's, his wife was created a baroness, with remainder to his issue male; and a pension of £2000 a year was voted by Parliament to support the dignity. Such was the career of a life, brave and honourable as any upon record, and such were the circumstances of a death not to be exceeded in glory. The memory of Sir Ralph Abercrombie is enrolled in the annals of his country, and held sacred by every soldier, and shall descend in gratitude to excite the emulation of an admiring posterity. Numerous and talented were the tributes, both in verse and prose, to his gallantry, and the brave action in which he fell. Of these eulogies we insert one, which has only obtained the preference here, because it is the composition of a fellow-countryman. The following lines were written by Campbell, the classical author of "The Pleasures of Hope," for a Highland Society, which met in London every 21st of March, to commemorate the victory of Egypt. PLEDGE to the much-loved land that gave us birth! Pledge to the memory of her 'parted worth! And first, amidst the brave, remember Moore ! And died he not as heroes wish to die? Yes, tho' too soon attaining glory's goal, Yet in a mighty cause his phoenix soul How oft (if beats in subjugated Spain For him! How oft on far Corunna's plain In sprightlier strains the living may inspire; Of Roman garb, and more than Roman fire! Dear symbol wild! on Freedom's hills it grows; Whose valour tamed proud France's tri-color, First of Britannia's host, her Highland band, Gave but the death-shot once, and foremost closed, Is there a son of generous England here, Or fervid Erin? he with us shall join, To pray that in eternal union dear The rose, the thistle, and the shamrock twine! As rocks resist the billows round their shore ;- Their country leave unconquered as of yore! * During his victorious wars with Austria, Napoleon Buonaparte gave his own legion the vain title of the Invincible ;- -at the battle of Aboukir, this regiment came opposed to the 42d Highlanders, who completely routed them, and captured their standard, which was shipped for England when the body of Abercrombie was embarked for interment at Malta. 13 JOSEPH ADDISON. THOUGH buried so long ago as the year 1719, and under a combination of circumstances which one would suppose the most likely to ensure posthumous honours; yet, by some strange fatality of neglect, the memory of Addison was left for nearly a century without any tribute of public regard. A monument in his name was not erected in Westminster Abbey until the year 1809; and certainly in point of its present respectability, he has suffered little from the delay. Here is a full-sized statue of him in the Roman costume, on a circular pedestal, which is ornamented with the nine Muses in alto relievo. It is handsomely executed in white marble by R. Westmacott, R.A.; and the adaptation of the toga, however censurable in general cases, may perhaps be allowed to sit not inappropriately on the author of Cato. The inscription, from which the following lines are translated, is in Latin. Whoever thou art who lookest upon this marble, Whom Virtue and Politeness, Have ever found their indefatigable patron. In poetry as well as in every other kind of exquisite writing, And learnedly developed the discipline of an upright life— Stands sacred, and sacred must remain. In argument he happily blended gravity with mildness, And in judgment, tempered its severity with urbanity : He upheld the good, and roused the imprudent, And, by a peculiar charm, turned even the guilty round to virtue. He was born in the year of our Lord 1672, And augmenting his fortune by moderate degrees, |