Page:Tupper family records - 1835.djvu/191

Rh have destroyed a Tupper, a name to which he is so much indebted? There is little doubt but that the Greeks are harassed and driven to desperation, but they ought to respect every thing that is English."

Extract from "Whychcotte of St. Johns."—2 vols., London, 1834.

After some favorable notices of the late Captain Honorable Sir Robert Spencer, then commanding the Naiad frigate, on the Mediterranean station, the author proceeds:—

"Though it is rather difficult, in a time of such complete inactivity, actually to distinguish one's self, yet it is somewhat singular, that more marked and decisive characters should not display themselves on the arena of a large station such as the Mediterranean. On looking back to those most prominent at this period, there were few who stood forth in any particular position which pointed them out from the general run of their profession. Sir Samuel, then Captain, Pechell, of the Sybil, was among the few,—nay, he was almost the sole exception. He was on intimate terms with Sir Robert Spencer, whose character his somewhat resembled. Like Sir Robert, he had his caprices and prejudices; and, like St. Vincent, he could shew the wrong side of his tongue occasionally; but he was noted for being a smart officer, and having his crew under admirable discipline. Add to this, the gunnery of the Naiad and of the Sybil were among the boasts of the station.

"Sir Samuel had some fantastic notions about the aristocracy of naval officers, but this did not prevent him from giving a severe lesson to a certain Captain, son of Sir T. B, then serving on board his ship as a junior lieutenant, who had been promoted while a beardless boy, over the heads of many old and experienced officers, through the overwhelming interest of his indefatigable parent. As the story then ran, it appeared that this youth was as ignorant of his profession and as unequal to his duty as any young gentleman 'promoted through friendship' could possibly desire. Sir Samuel, justly indignant, refused to allow the lieutenant to take charge of the watch, which it was his proper office to keep, and promoted to the trust the mate of the lower deck, a passed midshipman; while the lieutenant received orders to carry into execution a subordinate task. Nor was this all. Strange to say, Mr. {[bar|2}} was compelled to sign a written bulletin, declaring himself, by his own admission, to be utterly incapable of performing the