Though we cannot but lament, with deep sorrow, and heart-felt anguish, the loss of the departed Nelson; despair, while we have so many “heroes of the dark rolling sea,” is a sentiment that can never enter the British bosom. We feel a cheering consciousness of superiority; satisfied that, from the acknowledged excellence of our naval tactics, and the proved valour of our seamen, we must ever retain that superiority; unless, indeed, for some wise purpose, a higher power than that of man should inflict the stroke of defeat.

The first name which we shall inscribe on our Fifteenth Column, is that of Rear-Admiral Domett, another friend of the illustrious Nelson! He is, we doubt not, impressed with a due sense of the honour, as it proves him to be deserving of his country's esteem.

This gentleman, who was born in the year 1754, is descended from a respectable family in Devonshire. In 1769, he embarked, as a Midshipman, under the patronage of Captain Hood (now Lord Bridport), on board His Majesty's ship Quebec, commanded by the present Lord Ducie, and served in that ship upwards of three years in the West Indies. On the return of the Quebec to England, in 1773, when she was paid off, Mr. Domett went on board His Majesty's ship Scorpion, under the command of Lord Keith, in the Mediterranean.

During the progress of the present Volume a new Ministry has been established, and a new Board of Admiralty appointed by His Majesty. The veteran Lord Barham, and the veteran Cornwallis, and the veteran Sir A. S. Hammond, have retired. Whilst the Minister, who so long guided the destinies of this country, and weathered some of the most violent storms that ever agitated the political hemisphere, has followed his favourite Hero, our lamented Nelson, to the tomb.

Attached to no party, and wedded to no system; we yet, in common with the rest of our independent countrymen, dread those sudden and continual changes, which, like the uncertain temperature of our climate, render the minds of men feverish and irritable: they are always followed by storms of thunder, and of lightning. The angry spirit of party that had subsided, or been repressed, blazes forth anew; and the modest unassuming exertions of some of the ablest servants of the public, are sunk in an ungrateful oblivion.

The present Government, and the present Board of Admiralty, present an assemblage of talent, and of integrity, from which every thing may be expected: and we sincerely trust, that the impetuosity, and too decided character of a few individuals, will be chastened and overcome, by the candour and mild deportment of some of the leading members in the present administration.

The present Volume, in recording the brilliant achievements of the present age, has not, like too many of the present day, been unmindful of former Heroes; amongst whom the name of Faulknor must ever claim its due pre-eminence.

In our painful and laborious task of writing the biographical Memoirs of living Officers, we have sometimes drawn on us, and very undeservedly, that angry spirit of party, which still preserves its wonted ascendency in the Naval Profession. The pages of our Chronicle are open to every one: if we have now inadvertently offended, or should at any future time offend this too irritable disposition, we shall be at all times ready fairly to publish any detection of our partialities, or any accusation of our —judices, that may even be suspected.

We have been led into this declaration from some circumstances that have arisen since the publication of our memoirs of Sir Home Popham; which were merely brought forward in consequence of his capture of Buenos Ayres. As a faithful Chronicle of Naval Events, however imperfect, a certain degree of independence must be allowed us. We respect, as much as any one, the Herculean Arm that has attempted to cleanse the Augean Stable of the British Navy; yet, with that respect, we wish to preserve our candour and impartiality.