Page images
PDF
EPUB

their safety under the protection of his intrenched position; such has been the order and regularity of the advance.

"Upon the 21st of March the united force of the French in Egypt attacked the position of the British army. An attack begun an hour before daylight could derive no advantage over the vigilance of an army ever ready to receive it; the enemy's most vigorous and repeated efforts were directed against the right and centre. Our infantry fought in the plain, greatly inferior in the number of their artillery, and unaided by cavalry. They relied upon their discipline and courage. The desperate attacks of a veteran cavalry, joined to those of a numerous infantry, which had vainly stiled itself invincible, were every where repulsed: and a conflict the most severe, terminated in one of the most signal victories which ever adorned the annals of the British nation."

Before we take our leave of this interesting subject, it is our wish to scatter a few flowers over the grave of a gallant general. Bred from his youth to arms, Sir Ralph Abercromby was formed to command. Notwithstanding a defect in point of sight, which greatly impeded the advantages to be derived froin the military coup d'ail, yet his dispositions were masterly, and his success certain. He had served in America, in the West Indies, Egypt, and in Ireland, and had every where culled laurels; he acted not, however, like a soldier of fortune, whose chief objects are pay and advancement, for he at once possessed a discriminating and an independent mind, and never attempted to obtain popularity with the army, at the expence of justice. The manner in which he condemned and repressed the licentiousness of the troops in a neighbouring kingdom, which now forms a portion of the British empire, was at once noble and magnanimous, and he sealed a life of glory by a death worthy of a hero.

"We

We have sustained an irreparable loss (says his successor) in the person of our never sufficiently to be lamented commander in chief, Sir Ralph Abercromby, who was mortally wounded in the action (of the 21st), and died March 28. I believe he was wounded early, but he concealed his situation from those about him, and continued in the field giving his orders with that coolness and perspicuity which had ever marked his character, till long after the action was over, when he fainted through weakness and loss of blood.

"Were it permitted for a soldier to regret any one who has fallen in the service of his country, I might be excused for lamenting him more than any other person; but it is some consolation to those who tenderly loved him, that as his life was honourable, so was his death glorious. His memory will be recorded in the annals of his country-will be sacred to every British soldier, and embalmed in the recollection of a grateful posterity."

Since his return to England, Major-general Moore has been constantly employed on the staff of the army. He at present commands at Shorn Cliffe, in Kent, in view of the enemy's coast, and actually within sight of one of their camps. At this post, which may be considered as the advanced guard of England, the officer who first attacked and checked the French in Egypt, will be ready to assail and defeat them should they åttempt a landing on the British shores.

We hope every thing from the inflexible courage and promising talents of this young officer; and cannot conclude this article better, than by a quotation

[blocks in formation]

from a very popular work, relative to his behaviour during the memorable action of the 21st of March:

"Where the conduct of all is so distinguished, it is difficult to particularise merit; but it would manifest ignorance or prejudice not to speak of General Moore with those sentiments of admiration which the whole army felt and expressed. His exertions, personal courage, and ability, contributed much to the success of the day, and to enhance that character which his former brilliant services entitled him to.

"Wounded early in the action through the leg, he refused to quit the field, and continued in an activity almost beyond belief, when the nature of such a wound is considered."

"In Holland he was also wounded three times before he left the field. Every where he has gained the admiration of the army, exalted the honour of his country, and given pledges of his being one day ranked among the most illustrious officers of the age."

LORD LAUDERDALE.

THE family of Maitland, de Matulant, or Maitlant, boasts of high antiquity in the Scottish annals, and the office of hereditary standard-bearer, which the earls still enjoy, fully attests its honourable descent, as well as its high reputation in former periods. The barony of Thirlestane, in the county of Berwick, is the place where the ancient barons of this race rcsided, and no less than three creations of nobility have taken place among their lineal descendants, one at the latter end of the sixteenth, and two more in the beginning of the seventeenth century.*

The famous Duke of Lauderdale, alike celebrated for his favour with Charles II. and the arbitrary principles according to which he governed Scotland, was also of this family, being the eldest son of the first earl. At his death, in 1682, without children, his English titles of Baron Petersham and Earl of Guildford, as well as his Scotch dukedom, became extinct.

Both

Both the grandfather and father of the present earl had numerous families, and as their patrimony was not large, many of the younger children entered into the army, in consequence of which, several of his lordship's brothers and uncles have attained the rank of general officers. He himself, perhaps, would have experienced a similar destination, had not ValdaveCharles Lauder, Viscount Maitland, died while an infant, in consequence of which, having become heirapparent to the earldom, other views naturally opened themselves to his parents.

Being henceforth known by the appellation of Lord Maitland, he obtained that knowledge, both classical and scientific, which has always been deemed essentially necessary to the sons of noble families in Scotland. After this he visited England and the continent, and on his return to Great Britain married Miss Todd, the only daughter of a very opulent gentleman, who possessed a lucrative office under the crown. At the end of seven years, the demise of his father having occurred, he of course assumed the title, and enjoyed the estates of the Earls of Lauderdale.

But there was one thing still wanting for the gratification of a laudable ambition. This was the same situation in the parliament of the united kingdoms which his lordship's ancestors had enjoyed for centu

Lord Maitland sat for a short time in the house of commons previously to his father's death, as member for Newport. He spoke several times, and particularly in favour of Mr. Fox's bill for the government of India-a bold, decisive, and original measure; to judge of which with propriety, we ought to take into our consideration the numerous Asiatic wars which it was meant to prevent, and -the black catalogue of crimes it was intended to preclude.

The late Anthony Todd, Esq. secretary to the post-office.

ries in the magnum concilium, or representative assembly of their native country. He burned with youthful ardour to distinguish himself as an orator, a legislator, and a statesman, and at the general election which ensued, the Scottish peerage deemned him a fit person to represent them.*

The conduct of the Earl of Lauderdale on this occasion exhibited a degree of talents and integrity, that reflected no small honour both upon his constituents and himself. As it did not appear evident to him that the late war was either "just or necessary," he of course opposed it, and let no opportunity slip to deprecate its impolicy. Impressed with the idea that the towering ambition of an aspiring individual might, in the end, be disastrous to the empire as well as dangerous to the liberties of the people, at the same time that he allowed his unrivalled eloquence, his lordship

* The Earl of Lauderdale upon this occasion stood high in the list, being included in the first thirteen peers, who possessed a clear majority, viz.

[blocks in formation]
« EelmineJätka »