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 and was afterwards dismissed his Majesty’s service, that when presiding at a court-martial, he desired the prisoner, who had been sentenced to be hanged, “to prepare himself for death, without delay, and to thank God it was no worse with him.” This may probably account for the well-known expression among sailors, “death, or worse punishment.”

Residence.– Carrickfergus, Ireland.



 officer, a son of the late Captain George Peard, R.N., was born at Penryn, co. Cornwall, in 1761; entered the naval service in 1773, was at Newfoundland when the war commenced between Great Britain and her American colonies; and in 1779 had the misfortune to be taken prisoner in a Spanish vessel, of which he had charge, captured by the Thetis frigate. Being carried into Cadiz, he was from thence transferred with his crew to Cordova, where he remained until exchanged. In the following year he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. His postcommission bears date Nov. 30, 1795; about which time we find him commanding the Britannia, a first-rate, bearing the flag of the late Lord Hotham, on the Mediterranean station. From that ship he removed into the St. George, of 98 guns.

Early in July, 1797, a most daring mutiny broke out on board the St. George, which was happily quelled by the spirit and activity of her Commander and his first Lieutenant, aided by a detachment of the 25th regiment, then serving as marines, under the command of Captain (now Major-General) Samuel Venables Hinde. The meritorious conduct of Captain Peard on this occasion sets a noble example to the officers of the British navy. The circumstance was as follows:– Three men, who had been sentenced to suffer death for mutinous behaviour in another ship, were sent on board the St. George to be executed. The crew, on the arrival of the prisoners, drew up a remonstrance in their favor, and begged of Captain Peard to intercede in their behalf with the Commander-in-Chief. The Captain replied that their prayer should be laid before the Earl of St. Vincent; and in pursuance of his promise, he lost no time in submitting the remonstrance to his Lordship. The Admiral’s