Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/489

 . My greatest comfort, under God, is, that I have been supported by the officers, seamen, and marines, of this ship; for which, with a heart overflowing with gratitude, I request you to accept my sincere thanks. I flatter myself much good may result from your example, by bringing those deluded people to a sense of the duty which they owe, not only to their King and Country, but to themselves.

“The British navy has ever been the support of that liberty which has been handed down to us by our ancestors, and which, I trust, we shall maintain to the latest posterity; but that can only be done by unanimity and obedience. This ship’s company, and others who have distinguished themselves by their loyalty and good order, deserve to be, and doubtless will be, the favorites of a grateful country: they will also have, from their inward feelings, a comfort which will be lasting, and not like the false and fleeting confidence of those who have swerved from their duty.

“It has often been my pride with you to look into the Texel, and see a foe who dreaded coming out to meet us. My pride is now humbled indeed: my feelings are not easily to be expressed – our cup has overflowed, and made us wanton! The all-wise Providence has given us this check as a warning, and I hope we shall improve by it. On HIM then let us trust, where our only security can be found. I know there are many good men among us; for my own part, I have full confidence in you; and once more I beg to express my approbation of your conduct.

“May, who has thus far conducted you, continue to do so: and may the British navy, the glory and support of our country, be restored to its wonted splendour; and be not only the bulwark of Britain, but the terror of the world. This can only be effected by a strict adherence to our duty; therefore let us pray that the may keep us in the right way of thinking. .”

This speech is said to have so affected the Venerable’s crew, that scarce a dry eye was to be seen on their retiring from the quarter-deck. On a subsequent day, when conversing with the Captains who had been sent to reinforce him, the veteran chief wound up his observations respecting the probability of a battle soon taking place, with the following laconic and humorous address:– “Well, gentlemen, when Winter does approach, I have only to advise you to keep up a good fire!” The result of his combat with Admiral de Winter has been stated in a note at p. 150 et seq. of our first volume.

The hero of married Henrietta, second daughter of the Right Hon. Robert Dundas, Lord President of the Court of Session in Scotland, M.P. for Edinburgh, and elder brother of the late Viscount Melville. By that lady he had eight children, one of whom, Henry, the youngest