BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF THE LATE RICHARD TYRREL, ESQ. REAR ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE SQUADRON

Summary

Stranger, if thou lov'st a tear,

Weep thee o'er his death awhile:

—f thine eye would still be clear,

Think upon his life and smile.

Hunt.

Though public curiosity, perhaps, is more strongly excited by contemporary biography, it is sometimes pleasing to take a retrospective glance at the heroes of preceding periods; to review the lives and actions of those, whose characters reflected lustre on the “days of other times.” By a revival and display of the honours attained by our fathers, a proper spirit of emulation may be infused into their children; and their battles may be fought over again, not only in idea but in reality, and with increased success. We profit, too, by contrast and comparison, as well as by example. By contemplating the roughness and imperfections of our predecessors, we learn to supply in ourselves what may have been deficient in them; to soften down the asperities of our national character, and thus to render ourselves more amiable in the eyes of the world at large. By contemplating those interesting originals, we also learn to check every effeminate or degrading impulse, and are enabled to retain that honest and not unpleasing bluntness by which the sons of Britain have been so long distinguished. Courage and urbanity are by no means incompatible; and our naval officers of the present day, though more polished, are not less brave than their fathers were.