BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF THE LATE SIR GEORGE POCOCK, K. B. ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE SQUADRON

Summary

He on old Ocean's waves did ride,

Borne in triumph o'er the tide.

Hill.

It is a fact greatly to be lamented, that powerful and noble connexions should oftentimes procure a man's advancement in life, without his possessing the abilities requisite for the situations to which he is appointed, to the manifest injury of the State, and the loss and disappointment of men of superior merit. But, perhaps, there is no service in the world in which preferment has been more impartially distributed than in the British Navy. The men of splendid birth and powerful interest who have risen to high commands in the Navy, have, in most instances, merited their appointments by their talents and services, and rarely disappointed the hopes of their country by failure or misconduct. This in a great measure must be attributed to that excellent regulation of the Navy, which prevents any one from obtaining preferment, until he has served in a subordinate station, for a period of time sufficiently long to acquire a considerable share of experience; this servitude obliges a man, no matter how high his rank in life, to devote himself early to his intended profession; and as youth is the season for instruction, and the mind at an early period of life is more pliant and susceptible of impressions, the young Officer gradually becomes habituated to the service; his emulation is excited by having about him a number of persons of his own age, all eager to distinguish themselves in the career of glory, and anxious to surpass each other in the acquisition of professional knowledge.