Various

“ Until I have the order to hoist my flag, I cannot be certain; but I am very much inclined to think eventually that I shall have the honour and the happiness of commanding those fine fellows whom I saw in the spring in the Downs, and lately at Portsmouth. My short stay at Admiral Campbell's had impressed me with very favourable ideas of the improved state of the navy; but my residence at Portsmouth has afforded me ample opportunity of examining, and consequently of having a perfect judgment of the high and correct discipline now established in the king's service. ”

“ The happy marriage of his royal highness, to which event we have already alluded, has, we trust, been the means of clearing away the prejudices which the duke's former conduct may have engendered.
There is a tide in the affairs of man,
Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune.
This period of his royal highness' life has probably arrived, and his appointment to the important office of Lord High Admiral will doubtless accelerate the beneficial effect. The public are perhaps sanguine in their expectations ”

“ During the conference between the two admirals the prince retired, and when it was intimated that Don Juan wished to return, his royal highness appeared in the uniform of a midshipman, and [pg ii] respectfully informed the admiral that the boat was ready. The Spaniard was surprised to see the son of his Britannic majesty acting in the capacity of an inferior officer, and emphatically observed to Admiral Digby, "Well does Great Britain merit the empire of the seas, when humble stations in her navy are filled by princes of the blood." ”

“ It is also worthy of remark, that while the prince spoke thus highly of Nelson, the latter estimated his royal highness in correspondent terms. In a letter to Captain Locker, about the same period, Nelson says, "You must have heard, long before this reaches you, that Prince William is under my command. I shall endeavour to take care that he is not a loser by that circumstance. He has his foibles as well as private men, but they are far overbalanced by his virtues. ”

“ THE ROYAL CLARENCE CUP,
given by the gentlemen of the Thames Yacht Club, in honour of his royal highness the Lord High Admiral having condescended to become the patron of the club, on Thursday September 27, 1827. A steam packet was engaged, to accompany the match, by the Club for the accommodation of their friends, among whom we had the good fortune to be numbered. It was altogether a most grateful relaxation from our land labours. The distance sailed was from off Blackwall to Gravesend and back, and the muster of the fleet almost unprecedentedly fine. ”

“ In this ship, under the command of Admiral Digby, his royal highness bore a part in the great naval engagement between the English and Spanish fleets, commanded by Admiral Rodney and Don Juan de Langara. Previous to his leaving the Prince George, he was also present at the capture of a French man-of-war and three smaller vessels, forming part of a considerable convoy; but in neither of these instances was an opportunity offered for any distinguishing effort of bravery. On this occasion, the Spanish admiral, Don Juan de Langara, on visiting Admiral Digby, was introduced to his royal highness. ”

“ His royal highness' service at sea may, therefore, be stated as follows:—6 years as midshipman; 11 months as lieutenant; 3 years and 10 months as post captain; and 7 weeks as admiral of the fleet: making a total service at sea of about 10 years and 9 months.3
The intimacy of the prince with the gallant Nelson is well known as one of the most interesting incidents of the duke's life. They first met at Quebec in 1782, when Nelson was in the Albemarle off that station, and whence he was ordered to convoy a fleet of transports to New York. ”

“ It has been shown that his royal highness neither wanted zeal nor ability at any stage of his life, and the ardent assurances which have been quoted from one of his most recent declarations, bespeak that he still possesses the vigour of manhood, tempered with experience ”

“ The reflection caused him to examine more closely the shivering seaman, when a small scar, occasioned by a splinter, on the bridge of the nose, brought to his remembrance Bob Clewlines, who had served in the same ship: the tar recognised him also; but, so far from making himself known to him, he hid his face in his hand: the reefer, however, was resolved to bring him to. "What, Bob Clewlines!" cried he, "do I not hail an old shipmate in you, a quarter-master on board the ——, the bravest heart of oak, the best reefer, and the merriest steersman of the whole ship's crew ”

“ The fact of his royal highness having a large family, by a lady now no more, is too well known to be concealed; but the odium attached to his royal highness for his participation in a certain scene of license and poverty, has doubtless been over-rated ”

“ The recent appointment of the above illustrious individual to the head of our naval administration is a gratulatory topic for every Englishman; and we doubt not the measure will contribute as largely to individual honour, as it will to the national welfare. In the abstract, nations resemble large families, of which kings are fathers or guardians ”

“ The Editor is not disposed to indulge too freely in anticipation, lest he should lose sight of his object: accordingly, he must be brief in his professions for the future. Improvement is contemplated in the general execution of the Embellishments, as far as the Proprietor and Editor have control ”

“ To the other and more numerous class, viz. those whose Communications (from various motives, generally explained) have not been inserted, the Editor is equally indebted,—for intention, if not accomplishment; and he hopes that the performance of his critical duty has been such as to conciliate their respect and good-will. As a pleasantry, he would remind a fair proportion of his readers, that,
As the young and forward bud
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turned to folly ”