merit and diligence to tru ́t to, in the future prospects of his life. His subsequent distinction and present eminence, form the highest panegyric on his character. Having entered into the navy at an early age, he obtained the rank of lieutenant on the 28th of December J746. He was appointed a post captain; and early n the following year, commanded the Antelope, of nity guns, and nobly distinguished himself in the May fol lowing, by driving the Aquilon, a French ship of war, on shore, in the north part of Hieres Bay. In the fol lowing year Captain Hood was appointed to the Minerva frigate, of thirty-two guns, in which he served during the greater part of 1759, under Commodore Duff. As a forerunner of his future success, he captured the Escueruil, a Bayonne privateer of 14 guns, and one hundred and twenty-two men, but did not obtain any fresh' addition of naval renown till the beginning of 1761. On the 23d of January he had the good fortune to retake the Warwick. His action with that ship, gave that stamp of celebrity to his character which placed his merit as an officer beyond the common level: and he was accordingly considered as one of those to whom his country might look for her future security and renown. Towards the conclusion of 1761, the Africa, a third rate of sixty-four guns, was launched, and the command of her given to Captain Hood. After the definitive treaty of peace was signed at Paris in 1765, and the dif ferent squadrons had returned home. Captain Hood obtained a guard ship at Portsmouth, the Thunderer, of seventy-four guns. Soon after the usual period of such a command had elapsed, he succeeded Sir Charles Saunders, in 1766, as treasurer of Greenwich hospital..

In 1778 he was appointed to the Robuste, of seventy four guns, one of the ships ordered to be equipped for channel service. He was present at the encounter with the French fleet off Ushant, on the 27th of July, being stationed in the line as one of the seconds to the viceadmiral Sir Hugh Paliser. On the 26th of April, 1780, he was appointed rear-admiral of the white; and in 1782 obtained the command of the second or larboard division of the centre squadron under Lord Howe to relieve Gibraltar, having hoisted his flag on board the Queen, of ninety guns. Peace taking place immediately on the return of the fleet, no interesting particulars occurred respecting Mr. Hood till the 24th of September, 1787, when he was advanced to the rank of rearadmiral of the white. On the 1st of February 1793,. Sir Alexander Hood was advanced to be vice-admiral of the red, and was expected to have gone out in the Royal George, as commander of the squadron destined for the protection of Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands. During this year his flag continued on board the Royal George, with a command under Earl Howe in the Western squadron. On the 1st of June, 1794, and the preceding days, this gallant ship, was particularly distinguished, as the reader will find in our account of that period. On his return, with the other flag-officers and captains of this renowned fleet, he was presented. with a gold chain and medal, and afterwards created an Irish peer, by the title of Baron Bridport, of Cricket St. Thomas; the patent being dated the 12th of August ensuing. On the 15th of March 1796, his lordship was. ppointed vice-admiral of Great Britain; and on the 31st of May 1796, created a peer of Great Britain.

Lord Howe finally resigning the command in the chan, nel, in 1797, he was succeeded by Lord Bridport who held it with great credit to himself, and to his country, for some years.

LORD DUNCAN,

Of Scotch extraction, was, after the usual gradations, appointed a lieutenant in the navy on the 10th of January, 1755; and a commander on the 21st of September, 1759. He is said to have been bred up under the auspices of the late Lord Viscount Keppel, who caused him to be promoted captain of the Valiant, of seventyfour guns. He does not appear to have held any com mand subsequent to the conclusion of the war, till the close of the year 1778, when he was appointed to the Monarch, of seventy-four guns, one of the ships employed on the home station. Towards the conclusion of December he was ordered, with Sir George Rodney, to Gibraltar, and greatly distinguished himself in the encounter with the Spanish squadron under Don Juan de Langara. Captain Duncan soon after quitted the Monarch, and in 1782 was appointed to the Blenheim, of ninety guns. In this ship, he continued during the remainder of the war, being constantly attached to the channel fleet, then commanded by Lord Viscount Howe, and consequently proceeded with his lordship to Gibraltar in September, though in a skirmish which took place with the combined fleets in the month of October, the Blenheim sustained but a very inconsiderable loss.