“The mould of a man's fortune,” says Lord Bacon, “is in his own hands;” and Shakspeare has observed, that

There may be much truth in the remarks of these great men; yet it not unfrequently happens, that a life of continued exertion, of unremitting toil, is passed, without the attainment of the desired end. Many are flattered with transient expectations, each of which may be considered, as

Sir John Leake, however, was not of that ill-fated number; for he was, with justice, distinguished as “The Brave and Fortunate”.

In presenting a memoir of this successful officer, we conceive that we shall at once gratify the general reader, and render a material service to naval literature. A life of Sir John Leake was indeed drawn up by Stephen Martin Leake, Esq., Clarencieux King of Arms; but as it was intended for private circulation only, no more than fifty copies were printed.

From the remotest period, since Britain has been celebrated as a naval power, never has her superiority appeared more eminently conspicuous than at the present moment. The future historian will record, with admiration, that, within five months, not to mention Sir Robert Calder's action, nor the capture of the Marengo and Belle Poule, by Sir John Borlase Warren–three decisive victories crowned our efforts. The heights of Trafalgar, associated with the revered name of Nelson, will live for ages in the memory of our seamen; the achievement of Sir R. J. Strachan, subsequently to that day of glory, on which the nation's first Hero was numbered with the slain, will be legibly inscribed in our annals; nor will the destruction of the French squadron in the West Indies, by Admiral Duckworth, be forgotten, although, eclipsed by greater glories, it appears to have been, for the moment, too slightly estimated by the public. At a time when the greater part of Europe has been overrun and revolutionized by the predatory armies of France, Britain, secure beneath the protecting wing of her Navy, has smiled at the reiterated menaces of invasion, and has enjoyed a comparatively undisturbed repose.

It has been observed, that, “of all public characters, he justly claims the first honours, and the first rank, in biography, who by the diligent and successful exertion of his talents, most effectually promotes the public good.” In scarcely any instance could this remark apply with more correctness, than to the distinguished subject of the present memoir, who, by his professional services, through a long, very long series of years, has merited and obtained the honourable remuneration which he enjoys.

Sir Richard King, Bart. is descended from a respectable family, of Bromley, in Kent, but was born in Hampshire, in, the month of August, 1730.

Of this brave Officer, it may literally be said, that he was

for, before he was eight years old, he entered on the toils of that service, of which he has since become a splendid ornament. In 1738, he went to sea with his maternal uncle, the late Commodore Curtis Barnet, who died in 1746, Commander in Chief on the East India station. Under the immediate eye of this gallant Commander, Mr. King first served, while he was employed in the Mediterranean, and afterwards, in the year 1744, accompanied him to the East Indies.

Our posliminious Preface to the present Volume, must in the first place express our thanks for that increase of Patronage we receive; and also for the Communications, and Hints, which have arrived from different Correspondents, who thus impart an addition of interest, and of importance, to the Naval Chronicle.

We have seldom witnessed a period when such a variety of Naval Events has swelled the annals of every month, as that which the present Volume comprises; and it has been with the utmost difficulty, that we could discharge our duty in this respect, without entirely devoting the greater part of each Number to chronicle facts, which otherwise would soon be lost amidst the enterprise and energy that prevails.

Notwithstanding all our diligence, and the good Look-out we uniformly preserve, we find that some facts occasionally drift by us, and are carried away by the current. Such was the case with the interesting letter of Lieut. Hardinge to his Uncle, dated April 1804, which appears first in this Volume in the current Naval History of the Year. We request our Readers to assist us in this respect; and shall consider it as a favour, if they would forward to our Publisher, Mr. Gold, whatever in the redundant columns of the Public Prints may have escaped our notice, or not been deemed by us sufficiently worthy of preservation.

SHAKSPEAR

THE Man whose life has been devoted to the Service of his Country, is entitled to honourable mention by the Biographer, and must be regarded with respect and gratitude by his Compatriots at large.

Admiral Bazely, whose Naval progress we are now about to record, possesses a high and just claim to this attention. He has passed nearly half a century in performing the honourable duties of his Profession; and though, as a Commander in Chief, he has not been favoured with any opportunity of distinguishing himself on so extensive a scale as some of his Brother Officers, his exertions have been equally laudable. His Services have been permanently advantageous both to himself and to his Country.

Mr. Bazely, the Descendant of a respectable Family, was born at Dover, in the County of Kent, in March 1740–1. Having received an appropriate education, he commenced his Naval Career in the month of April 1755. He first embarked, under the auspices of Captain, afterwards Admiral, Sir Joshua Rowley, in the Ambuscade, of 40 guns; a Vessel which, we believe, had been put into Commission in consequence of a daily apprehended Rupture with France. Mr. Bazely continued in the Ambuscade as long as Captain Rowley retained the Command of that Ship, which was only till January 1756, he being then appointed to the Hampshire, of 50 guns.

From this period, until April 1760, Mr. Bazely served in different Ships, under the Command of the late Sir Edward Hughes.