UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE.

No. XXXIV.-VOL. VI.] For SEPTEMBER, 1806.

IT

[NEW SERIES.

SKETCH OF THE PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF The shades and distinctions of characSIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY, ter in this immortal class of beings are as BART. CAPTAIN IN THE ROYAL NAVY. various as in that we have before nois observable that the leading traits ticed, or indeed as any other in existof the human character are almost ence. Some are fond of having their as various as the features of the visage. feats and actions constantly trumpeted Lavater has endeavoured, and in the forth to the world in so loud a strain, opinion of some, with much reason on that their eagerness incurs, though his side, to conjoin or pair the sem- perhaps utterly undeserving, the appelBlance of the visage with the charac- lation of vanity, which is certainly not teristic of the mind. Without pretend- indicative of a great mind. Others dising to any skill in physiognomy, those play various features, and shades of feaamong us who profess the least obser- tures, which unfortunately appear on. ration in matters of this sort, will per- some occasions as an alloy to their hps not unaptly point out the hero great spirit, while on the contrary, in and the coward, the generous and the many, very many instances, the value depraved man. of that noble spirit is materially enThe different shades or traits of fea- hanced by the dignity, or other pecuture in the mind, if we may be allowed liar qualities which attend it. Some the expression, have greater variety there are who appear only anxious to than those of the visage itself. Every conceal those deeds from the general single character becomes divided and knowledge of the world, as if through subdivided into innumerable shades, a timidity and diffidence of their coneach differing from the other, though sequence, and as if fearing that reputathe original character be still the same. tion which they had in fact so honestly The mind of the miser for instance gained, would suffer by a promulbehold his countenance-what is the gation of those noble means by which leading trait or character marked in his it was acquired. This trait of charac visage? The physiognomist will im- ter, though universally, and with the mediately answer, avarice! True, ava- greatest truth considered amiable, is rice is the leading feature of his visage nevertheless in some measure censuraas well as of his mind, but avarice in its ble. The spirit of emulation suffers inward working on the soul, branches materially from such conduct, and the forth and assumes a myriad of different fear of incurring a charge of ostentation forms. One man may be extremely or vanity, should never be allowed a parsimonious in respect to himself, and just plea for withholding from the world wonderfully profuse in regard to others: a perfect knowledge of those acts which -still that man is a miser. Reverse may stimulate heroes vet unborn, to his conduct a character very often hardy enterprise and deeds of renown, found in the paths of human life, and or teach them the means by which that nobody will deny he is a miser. A renown may be acquired.

sion

perhaps, the

third will refuse himself, common necessaries of life, and at the some degree subject to these friendly In this latter class of heroes, and in same time be extremely ostentatious in and mild animadversions, we are sorry his stud, or in some other appointment, to class the subject of the present whether vanity, folly, or any other pas- memoir. Diffident in the extreme, you please to name, may direct his this gentleman has appeared through propensity. Still will the character of life anxious only in one material point, miser be indelibly stamped on these men that his acts, however honourable to to the end of the chapter and catalogue. himself and advantageous to his counSo is it also with men whose gene- try, should, together with his name, rous emulous spirit urging them to va- be passed over in silence. It becomes, lorous acts, have caused the universal however, the duty of the biographer suffrage of their countrymen to confer and the historian to drag him by force on them the appellation of heroes, from his wished-for obscurity, and to UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VI.

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unmask his virtues to the world. What transaction is so extremely concise, we have already said will perhaps be that it would be perhaps more satisconsidered in some measure a good and factory to the public, to relate the fact sufficent excuse for any breach in con- in the words of the commodore himtinuous information, which might self, rather than marr a noble story by otherwise be imputed to us as a mat- any inadequate or injudicious relation ter of omission or of neglect. Of the of our own concerning it. earlier part of his service, as frequently night, at 10 o'clock, I saw two Spanish has been the case with the greatest frigates, and directed Captain Cockmen, owing principally to their modesty burne, in the Minerva, to attack the and their dislike to public notice, we ship which carried a poop light, the are utterly ignorant. To say the truth, Blanche bore down to attack the other. except on some very rare occasions, I have not yet received from Captain little or no opportunity offers for a Preston an account of this action, but young man by which he shall so peculiar as I saw the Blanche this morning to ly distinguish himself as to be held forth the windward, with every sail set, I to public notice previous to his ob- presume she had not suffered much taining the rank of lieutenant; even damage. Capt. Cockburne brought his in this advanced situation, the acquisi- ship to close action at twenty minutes tion of such pre-eminent notice is by before eleven, which continued withno means easy, and few there are who, out intermission till half past one, even after a service of many years, are when La Sabina, of 40 guns, 28 fortunate enough to obtain it. He eighteen-pounders on her main deck, was raised to the rank of lieutenant in and 256 men. Captain Don Jacoba 1795, and, as though fortune had pre- Stuart, having lost her mizen mast, destined to render him all the aid in (as she had after the action), main, her power, by placing him under the and fore masts, 164 men killed and immediate eye of the greatest man wounded, struck her colours. whom England ever saw, by whom his "You are, Sir, so thoroughly ac own natural courage might be warmed quainted with the merits of Captain by example, and those principles of Cockburne, that it is needless for ine naval education which he had already to express them; but the discipline of received matured to perfection under so the Minerva does the highest credit to unequalled a master, he was appointed her captains and lieutenants, and I to the Minerva frigate, the ship on wish fully to express the sense I enterboard which the immortal Nelson im- tain of their judgment and gallantry; mediately afterwards hoisted his broad Lieutenant Culverhouse, the first lieu pendant, as commander of a light de- tenant, is an old officer of very distin tachment from the main fleet. From guished merit; Lieutenants Hardy, hence arose that intimacy which ended Gage, and Noble, deserve every praise not but with the life of the friend, the which gallantry and zeal justly entitle preceptor, and the patron. Nothing them to, as do every officer and man in could reflect greater honour on Captain the ship. You will observe Sir, I am Hardy than this unwearied attachment sure with regret, amongst the woundof his noble friend; and on the other ed, Lieutenant James Noble, who hand, let us also be permitted to say, that the subsequent conduct of this gentleman reflects the greatest credit on the just discrimination and choice of character in friendship adopted by the immortal patron.

quitted the Captain to serve with me, and whose merits and repeated wounds received in fighting the enemies of our country, entitle him to every reward which a grateful nation can bestow. The Minerva's opponent being comScarcely had Mr. Hardy entered into manded by a gallant officer, was well his new appointment, when a distin- defended, which has caused her list of guished opportunity of signalizing him- killed and wounded to be great, as also self, immediately under the eye of his her masts, sails, and rigging, to be patron, fortunately presented itself; it much damaged. I have the honour to were needless almost to say, Commo- be, (Signed) HORATIO NELSON. dore Nelson suffered not the merit of " Sir John Jervis, admiral comhis young friend to pass away unpro- mander in chief, &c. &c. mulged; the official account of this Dec. 20th, 1790."