his promise, proceeded to North Cray: he arrived about seven o'clock, and was immediately shown into the marquess's room. He found him in bed; but from the manner in which he addressed him on his approach, he at once saw that he was labouring under a serious nervous attack. He endeavoured to compose his mind, and remained with him the better part of the night, again giving him some cooling medicine, and confining his diet to food of the simplest character. The whole of the next day his lordship continued in bed; but again evinced such a waywardness of imagination, and seemed to be labouring under such extraordinary delusions, that it was deemed expedient to remove from his reach every thing by which he might do himself bodily mischief. His lordship frequently expressed apprehensions that he was the object of some dreadful conspiracy; and even when he saw Dr Bankhead and his amiable marchioness talking together, he exclaimed that he was sure they were plotting some mischief against him. His manner too, which had been usually kind and indulgent, became harsh and severe. He grew petulant and impatient; still the physician saw no ground for serious apprehension, and did not deem it necessary to call in additional advice. He attributed his lordship's disease to the great anxiety and fatigue incident to his very irksome office, and hoped that a little quiet would restore him to his accustomed vigour of mind and constitution. He remained with his lordship until a late hour on Sunday night, and observed with pleasure that his conversation became more rational; at length he left him with the marchioness, and retired to an adjoining room. In the morning the marquess, after having had some sleep, awoke suddenly and rang the bell; the marchioness's maid answered it; when he asked her what she wanted in the room, apparently forgetting that he had summoned her. The marchioness then said that his lordship wanted breakfast, and breakfast was accordingly brought. He found fault with it, and said it was not fit for him, although precisely the same as usual. At half-past seven he rang again, and desired that Dr Bankhead might be sent to him. The marchioness then quitted the room, and entered her own dressing-room. At this moment the servant retired, and went to apprize Dr B. of his lordship's desire. Dr B. said he was ready to attend immediately. The servant then went back to see that her mistress had retired; and at that moment, while she stood in the passage, the marquess opened the door, and rushed by her into his dressing-room. He was attired only in his dressinggown. She was alarmed, and called for Dr B., who rushed to the spot. She said her lord had gone into his dressing-room, and Dr B. hastened forward; when, at the moment he reached the door, he saw the marquess with his front towards the window, and his face towards the ceiling; and his right arm also seemed to be raised. Without turning round, he exclaimed, as if conscious who was approaching, having in fact been apprized of it by the previous announcement of the servant, 'Bankhead, let me fall upon your arm: it is all over I' This was all he said. The doctor ran forward, and caught him on his arm; but, unable to sustain his weight, let him fall to the ground. Life, however, was almost instantaneously extinct, and a torrent of blood rushed from a wound in his neck. On further investigation, Dr B. found a small clasp-knife, with a white handle, and a curved blade of about two inches in length, clenched in his right hand, with which it appeared that he

had just inflicted the fatal wound. The carotid artery, or jugular vein, was completely divided, and with anatomical precision; for the extent of the external orifice did not exceed an inch in width, while the depth. was two inches. The most expert surgeon, if endeavouring to extinguish human life with the utmost promptitude, could not have effected the object more scientifically."1

Lord Castlereagh, in private life, is said to have been uniformly bland, and unostentatious in his manners, and simple in his habits. His talents were inadequate to the duties of his public station, but he formed upon the whole a skilful debater. His administration was the most generally unpopular, perhaps, of any premier's of the Georgian era; it was opposed in its spirit to every thing free and liberal and enlightened, and marked by measures which no minister of the crown would now attempt to put in force.

David Ricardo.

BORN A.D. 1772.-died A. D. 1823.

THIS eminent political economist was the son of a Jew and stockbroker. His father had trained him to his own business; but, in consequence of his renouncing Judaism and marrying a Christian lady, while yet a young man, and dependent on his father's bounty, he was driven from his parent's house, and compelled to seek a livelihood for himself, which his industry and ability soon enabled him to do, and even to realize a very handsome fortune.

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His

It was not until somewhat advanced in life that he seems to have directed his attention to political economy. His first speculations on this subject were occasioned by his intimate connexion with the bank, and the great depreciation of the currency about the year 1810, in which year he published a series of letters on the currency in the 'Morning Chronicle,' in which he gave a luminous exposition of the principles which regulate the distribution of the precious metals. His opinions were espoused by the Bullion committee, and ably vindicated by himself in his reply to Bosanquet's strictures on the report. subsequent pamphlets On the Profits of Stock,' and On the Best Means of securing a safe and economical Currency,' were in every respect worthy of his previous reputation. In 1817 he published a work entitled Principles of Political Economy and Taxation,' in which he contends, in opposition to Dr Smith, "that the accumulation of capital, and the payment of rent, have no effect whatever in increasing the real price of commodities; and that, in every case, the exchangeable value of such as can be increased in quantity by the exertions of human industry, and on the production of which competition operates without restraint, can only be augmented by an augmentation of the quantity of labour necessarily required to bring them into market." His theory of Rent, or rather his exposition and correction of Mr Malthus's theory, is an extremely lucid and acute argument.

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In 1819 Mr Ricardo was returned to parliament for the borough of

'Arnual Obituary.

Portarlington in Ireland. As a senator he commanded the highest respect of both sides of the house on all financial questions. He died in September, 1823.

John, Earl St Vincent.

BORN A. D. 1736.-DIED A. D. 1823.

THIS celebrated and most meritorious naval officer was born at Meaford in Staffordshire. He was the second son of Swynfen Jervis, Esq., barrister, and auditor of Greenwich hospital. He received the rudiments of education at the grammar-school of Burton-upon-Trent, but evincing an almost uncontrollable propensity for the sea, he was allowed to enter the navy at the infantile age of ten years. After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle he was sent to France, where he appears to have prosecuted his studies for a few months; but in 1749 he was entered on board the Gloucester as a midshipman.

In 1759 he served under Sir Charles Saunders in the expedition against Quebec. Sir Charles soon after advanced him to the rank of commander, and in 1760 he was posted to the Gosport of 60 guns. In 1769 he was honoured to bear the congratulations of the British court to the court of Naples on the marriage of the king. In 1774 he was appointed to the Foudroyant of 84 guns. In 1778 he captured the Pallas frigate of 32 guns; and soon after was present, and bore a distinguished part in the engagement betwixt the English and French fleets under the respective commands of Keppel and D'Orvilliers.

In the month of April, 1782, the Foudroyant, then attached to the squadron of Admiral Barrington, captured the Pégase of 74 guns, after a short but fierce conflict. For his able and gallant conduct on this occasion, Captain Jervis was knighted, and invested with the order of the Bath. Shortly afterwards Sir John was returned to parliament for Launceston in Cornwall, and at the general election in 1784 for the town of North Yarmouth. In 1787 he was advanced to the rank of rear-admiral; and on the 21st of September, 1790, was appointed rearadmiral of the White. He hoisted his flag on board the Prince of 98 guns. On the reduction of the armament which had been collected in consequence of the dispute with the court of Spain relative to Nootka sound, the lords of the admiralty gave permission to each flag-officer to recommend a lieutenant and midshipman for promotion. The quarterdeck of the Prince was at this time crowded with young gentlemen cadets connected with some of the first families in the kingdom; but Sir John selected a young man, the son of an old lieutenant, for his patronage on this occasion, and announced his intentions in the following brief, but admirable letter:-" Sir, I named you for the lieutenant I was allowed to promote, because you had merited the good opinion of your superiors, and that you were the son of an old officer and worthy man in no great affluence: a steady perseverance in that conduct which has caused you to be thus distinguished, is the most likely means to carry you forward in the profession; for I trust other officers of my rank will observe the maxim I do, to prefer the sons of brother-officers, when deserving, before any others."

In 1790 Sir John was chosen member for Chipping-Wycombe, but vacated his seat when war broke out, having accepted the command of a squadron destined to assist Sir Charles Grey in the reduction of the French West Indies. His health suffered considerably in this service; but he soon after accepted the arduous post of commander in the Mediterranean station where he hoisted his flag on board the Victory. A considerable Spanish fleet was at this time lying at Cadiz, awaiting an opportunity to join the French fleet; but Admiral Jervis kept up so watchful a blockade, that the Spanish admiral found it impossible to slip out unobserved. He at last ventured out on the 4th of February, 1797, and was instantly pursued by the English fleet. The force of the Spanish admiral consisted of 27 ships, 18 of which were seventyfours, two carried 84 guns each, six were three-deckers, and one a fourdecker. To oppose this powerful armament, Jervis had only 15 sail of the line, and most of these were vessels of inferior size. On the 5th the Spaniards passed Gibraltar, and left three line of battle ships in the bay. A few days after, they were discovered by one of the English frigates; and on the night of the thirteenth the two fleets were so close to each other that their signal guns were mutually heard. On the morning of the 14th the whole of the Spanish fleet was visible to the British off Cape St Vincent. Some of their ships appearing to be separated from the main body, Jervis immediately conceived the idea of cutting them off. He accordingly formed his squadron in line of battle ahead and astern, and, pushing through the enemy with a press of sail, completely attained his object. By this manœuvre his immediate opponents were reduced to eighteen sail of the line. About noon the Spanish admiral attempted to wear round, and join his ships to leeward, but being frustrated, he endeavoured to sheer off. His retreat was, however, effectually prevented by the tactics of Jervis, and the daring gallantry of his subordinates, amongst whom were Troubridge, Parker, Nelson, and Collingwood. The enemy being thus forced to a close action, suffered a signal defeat, losing four of their ships, and an immense number of their men.

For this splendid victory, Admiral Jervis received the thanks of both houses, and was promoted to the peerage by the title of Earl St Vincent and Baron Jervis of Meaford. On moving the votes, Earl Spencer said," Sir John Jervis's unremitting exertions, his indefatigable activity, and his judicious management, are as conspicuous as the glorious event with which they have been crowned is unparalleled. His conduct throughout the whole has been such as to stamp him one of the greatest commanders this country ever produced; while the superior force with which he had to contend marks the victory as an exploit unprecedented in the history of this country. I believe it is unparalleled, and I am sure it can never be surpassed.”—The duke of Bedford said," It is impossible to expatiate upon the subject of the glorious victory obtained by Sir John Jervis, in such a manner as to add to the impression which every one feels that it is indeed an exploit unparalleled in the annals of this country."-The duke of Clarence said,—“ I have examined into the naval history of this country, and find that at the battle of La Hogue the French fleet was inferior to ours in number. The circumstances of the present action, the disparity of force, fifteen sail against twenty-seven, speak for themselves. Admiral Boscawen in

1757 destroyed the French fleet; in 1780, Admiral Rodney-with whom I myself served in a very inferior situation-destroyed the Spanish fleet; but in this engagement the superiority of force was so greatly in favour of the enemy, that it is distinguished as the most brilliant victory in the naval history of this country, and the most decided proof of the courage and vigour of our seamen. On every occasion previous to this event, the conduct of Sir John Jervis has been conspicuous. In 1790, at the time of the Spanish armament, Lord Howe testified his high sense of the talents and activity of Sir John Jervis, and of the state and discipline of the fleet when he received it from his hands. I myself was on board the fleet at that time, and the discipline kept up was most exemplary, and tended greatly to the advantage of the service. Indeed, from the whole of his conduct, I do not hesitate to pronounce, without meaning to give offence to any other, that Sir John Jervis is the first naval officer in his majesty's service."-Lord Hood said," Neither the history of this country nor that of any other can produce an instance of greater magnanimity, or of more profound judgment and professional skill than was exhibited by Sir John Jervis in the late brilliant engagement."—Mr Fox said,—" In returning our thanks on this occasion, we cannot but feel with peculiar pride and satisfaction, that we express our gratitude and acknowledgments for the most brilliant and illustrious exploit recorded in the annals of this country.”—Mr Pitt said," On the part of his majesty's ministers I can safely affirm, that before this last splendid instance of the good conduct and valour of the gallant admiral, we have not been remiss in watching the uniform tenor of his professional career. We have witnessed in the whole of his proceedings such instances of perseverance, of diligence, and of exertion in the public service, as though less brilliant and dazzling than this last exploit, are only less meritorious, as they are put in competition with the glory of a single day, which has produced such extensive and incalculable benefits to the British empire."1

The following curious correspondence between the French ambassador and the Spanish minister took place, in consequence of the defeat of the Spanish fleet:MEMORIAL presented by the French ambassador, Citizen Perinon, to the Spanish minister at Madrid, Don Godoy, relative to the victory obtained by Earl St Vincent over the fleet of Spain, on the 14th of February, 1797.

"The French Directory having heard, with astonishment and surprise, the unexpected issue of the naval engagement between his Catholic majesty's squadron and the English, I am commanded, by an express just come to my hand, immediately to lay before his majesty the true motives that have contributed to the malign loss which, with remarkable disgrace to its honour, the Spanish flag has experienced.

"I, most excellent Sir, am well persuaded that your Excellency's justice and rectitude will not permit those false reports to reach the king's ears, by which a detestable policy would willingly disguise so shameful an action by confounding virtue and guilt with a view to impunity: but lest under this misfortune the king should incline to receive an impression from the false excuses which, in such circumstances, the culpable are industrious in framing, I shall not do justice to the confidence with which I am honoured by my nation if I do not refute, in his majesty's presence, as many as attempt to confound truth with falsehood. Before that moment arrives, the Executive Directory ordered me to give your Excellency this information, that you may carry it up to the king. The arms of Spain have at all times supported the character of distinguished valour, talent, and military skill, which is peculiar to them; only in the late days have they degenerated, causing all Europe to change its sentiments respecting that superiority which Spain was in possession of for ages. It is the infirmity of gov ernments to be seized with certain cancers, which contaminate and corrupt the state.