Whatever is presented to the public on a subject connected with our nautical concerns, cannot fail to be interesting. The proud pre-eminence to which our navy has now attained, deservedly ranks it with our first considerations: our very existence depends upon its welfare; and while the spirit and heroism which actuate its members shall continue, we can have nothing to fear from the united power of our enemies. Under the impression of such sentiments, we anticipate a favourable reception to some account of the life and services of the late gallant and unfortunate Captain Lydiard, who was wrecked in the Anson frigate, and drowned on the Cornish coast, during the tremendous storm on Tuesday the 29th of December, 1807.

In enumerating the various services of this lamented character, we shall not dwell upon those in which he distinguished himself as a junior officer; it will be sufficient to say, that from his entrance into the service, his conduct shed a lustre on his name, which, while it obtained for him the respect and approbation of his superior officers, endeared him to the hearts of his companions in the path of glory.

Young Lydiard entered the royal navy as a midshipman, in the year 1780, in the flag-ship of Admiral Darby, who then commanded the Channel fleet, and from that time served as a midshipman under several commanders, on various stations, both abroad and at home, during thirteen years.