BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF THE RIGHT HON. LORD KEITH, K. B. ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE SQUADRON

Summary

—Albion, round her rocky coast

While loud the rage of battle roars,

Derides invasion's haughty boast,

Safe in her wave-encircled shores;

Still fafer in her dauntless band,

Lords of her seas, or guardians of her land,

Whose patriot zeal, whose bold emprise,

Rise as the storms of danger rise.

Pye.

If at any time the British Navy was an object of more peculiar concern to the country than at another, it is at the present, when an implacable enemy threatens us with invasion, and possesses the means of carrying his threats into execution to a greater extent than the political state of Europe ever before allowed of. According to the enemy, “the line of coast hostile to Great Britain will soon extend from where the ocean forms the Baltic, to where it forms the Mediterranean,” and “armies after armies are destined to perish, till the Republicans triumph, and Britain is subdued.” This statement, which is gathered from the enemy's own declarations, rests, as must be obvious to one who considers the present state of the continent, and the character of the French Government, on better foundations than French vanity and exaggeration. The great powers of the continent are overawed or conquered by France, and therefore the First Consul may make his line of coast hostile to Britain as extensive as may suit his ambition; and of his disposition to sacrifice armies after armies till his purpose of invading this country is effected, no one can doubt who has read of his exploits in Egypt, of his invariable and wanton prodigality of human life whether of his enemies, or of his countrymen.