“Reputation,” observes Dr. Johnson, “is a meteor, which blazes awhile and disappears for ever; and, if we except a few transcendent and invincible names, which no revolutions of opinion or length of time is able to suppress, all those that engage our thoughts or diversify our Conversation, are every moment hasting to obscurity, as new favourites are adopted by fashion.” To protract the departure of this evanescent fame, to preserve to a distant period the memory of greatness, to weave a perennial garland for the brow of bravery and virtue, is one of the solacing duties of an historian. A pleasure such as this have we frequently experienced; for many a memorial have we formed, which, when the hand that penned it shall have ceased its functions, will proudly tell, to future generations, the heroic deeds of their ancestors!

The Honourable Robert Digby, Admiral of his Majesty's White Squadron, is the personage whose professional character now attracts our attention, and whose actions we intend to record.