That spirit of bold emprise, by which Lord Cochrane, from his earliest youth, has been distinguished, has rendered him an object of interest to our readers. His late brilliant exploit–the destruction of the French fleet, in Basque Roads–has brought him before the public in a more conspicuous light than ever; we therefore feel satisfaction, in submitting the present account of his lordship's professional services.

The Right Hon. Thomas Lord Cochrane is the eldest son of the Earl of Dundonald, by his first lady, Anne, daughter of Captain Gilchrist, an officer of considerable eminence in the royal navy. His lordship's first ennobled ancestor was William Cochrane, who, in the year 1667, was created Baron Cochrane, and, in 1669, Earl of Dundonald. From his eldest son descended seven Earls of Dundonald, when that branch of the family became extinct, and the title fell to Thomas, a descendant of John, the younger son of the first Earl. By his second wife, a daughter of Archibald Stuart, Esq. he had twelve sons, and a daughter, amongst whom were Archibald, the present Earl, and Alexander, a rear-admiral, and knight of the Bath.