THE biography of living Officers, though a task of considerable difficulty, forms an essential part in a Work, established to assist the Naval Character; by making known what either its unassuming nature would conceal, or its injured delicacy had scorned to advance:–to wait until death closes its career, increases the difficulty of obtaining truth, without deriving any advantage that can weigh against it. Posthumous biography too generally resembles the portrait that is taken after death; all animation, and exact discrimination of character are lost: the source whence alone they could be derived, is no longer to be found.

The character of every one, who has moved in the higher stations of Naval Rank, may experience an undue elevation from the partiality of friends, and some unjust depression through the envy of those, who once were equals. The shades which too much prevail in the character of all men, are eagerly sought after, and sometimes cruelly exhibited: we wish rather to imitate the Bee, who often culls Honey from the plant that has been esteemed loathsome and forbidding.