Of the life and professional services of Admiral Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, it has long been our wish and intention to present a concise memoir; and as we are not aware that a more favourable opportunity is likely to offer, we avail ourselves of the opening of our twenty-seventh Volume, for that purpose.

For the materials of this memoir we are chiefly indebted to the biographical “anecdotes of Governor Phillip,” which are prefixed to the account of his voyage to Botany Bay, published in the year 1789.

Arthor Phillip, who, it has been observed, like Drake, Dampier, and Cook, is indebted to his merit and his services, for the distinction, rank, and command which he has enjoyed, was born in the parish of Allhallows, Bread Street, in the City of London, on the 11th of October, 1738. His parents, it is presumed, were not in opulent circumstances. Jacob Phillip, his father, was a native of Frankfort, in Germany; and, having settled in England, he maintained his family, and educated his son, by teaching the Languages.