BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM LAYMAN, OF THE ROYAL NAVY

Summary

His genius, ever for the event prepared,

Rose with the storm, and all its dangers shared;

And though full oft, to future perils blind,

With a skill superior glow'd his daring mind,

Through snares of death, the reeling bark to guide.

When midnight shades involve the raging tide.

Falconer.

IN the course of our Biography, it has been too frequently our unpleasant duty to record the discouraging instances of merit struggling with misfortune; skill, courage, and activity, fruitlessly exerted; or if justly patronized, the patron's influence rendered ineffectual by the machinations of secret enmity, or unexpected accident, or unseasonable application.

To such instances, the following Memoir of Captain Layman's professional life presents a disgraceful addition, in a series of zealous and essential services, almost invariably deprived of their due reward by one or other of the causes above stated. High talent, and acute sensibility, are generally concomitant, and disappointed Genius is thus doubly distressed, by the more lively sense of disappointment, and of its relative injustice.

The services of the illustrious character by whom the interests of Captain Layman was patronized, should have insured success to his commendation, although the object of it had been totally unknown to those who were to give effect to it.