by John Marshall, Royal Naval Biography — Preface (1823)
“ I join with the whole country in the fervent wish, that, if the dead are the only legitimate themes of history, it may be very long before they become just subjects of biography. But it is obvious, that if we were condemned to silence as respects them and their actions, the influence of some of the most splendid examples would be lost to the rising generation. ”
by John Marshall, Royal Naval Biography — Preface (1823)
“ It is urged as an objection to a work of this nature, that praise may be swelled beyond desert, or censure unduly restrained, while the object of the memoir is still in existence to encourage hope or excite fear; and truth be suppressed by expectation of favour or dread of resentment. If this objection were acquiesced in, the excitement of emulation in the youth of our country, by examples of merit, which is one of the most important objects of history, would in a great degree be defeated. ”
by John Marshall, Royal Naval Biography — Preface (1823)
“ In the Royal Navy, especially, the instances of living worth are hardly less numerous than of those gone by. How many are there, upon whom the approbation of the nation has been bestowed, and to whom Great Britain looks with as much expectation against the hour of her need for future services, as she regards them with gratitude for their past! ”
