BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF THE LATE AUGUSTUS LORD VISCOUNT KEPPEL, ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE

Summary

Examinez ma vie, et songez qui je suis.

Racine.

If Powers Divine

Behold our human actions, as they do,

I doubt not then, but Innocence shall make

False Accusation blush, and Tyranny

Tremble at Patience.

Shakespeare.

Lord Keppel was the second son of William Anne, second Earl of Albemarle, by Lady Anne Lenox, daughter of Charles Lenox, first Duke of Richmond. He was born on the 2d of April, 1725. His earlier years we shall pass over in silence. The interesting part of a seaman's education commences at his entrance on board of ship. At the age of thirteen he was placed under the care of Lord Anson, whom he accompanied in his expedition to the South Seas. He soon distinguished himself by a sedulous attention to his professional studies, and a zealous and chearful activity in the execution of his duty. He became the favourite of his Commander, who, in the course of the voyage, never allowed any opportunity to escape, of placing him in situations that afforded scope for the exercise of his growing knowledge of nautical affairs. In all the operations of the squadron against the Spanish settlements on the coasts of Chili and Peru, and during the great mortality that prevailed in the different ships while they remained at Valpairaiso, he acquitted himself in a manner correspondent to the expectations which were naturally formed of him, from the ardour and diligence with which he applied himself to every part of his profession.