Under how plain, and apparently common an exterior, is the brilliancy of the diamond concealed, till the hand of the polisher unveils its native lustre! it then bursts upon the eye with unthought of splendour, and reaches its just level in the scale of general estimation.

With public characters the case is often similar. Their intrinsic value frequently remains long unnoticed, or unknown; till opportunity, the file of merit, elicits their latent brightness, and suddenly presents them to public admiration and esteem.

This observation is strongly exemplified in the instance of the noble Admiral, of whose family and memoirs we are about to offer to our readers a brief, but correct sketch. He has devoted almost the whole of his life to the naval service of his country, in which he has attained distinguished rank. His professional conduct has been marked by a steady zeal, and uniform correctness: he has preserved the “noiseless tenor of his way,” attended by silent respect; and if he has not displayed the dazzling coruscations of a comet, he has at least moved with mild, equable, unsullied lustre, through his prescribed orbit.