to put his name on the title-page, and insert its title and his name in the book appropriated for

that purpose.

"Printed on board the Hibernia, January, 1813."

We may, in this place, inform the reader that both the flag-ships, the Caledonia, bearing the flag of the commander-in-chief, and Sir Sidney's ship, had on board of them very complete printing presses, with all the necessary types and furniture.

There is now in the Bodleian library at Oxford a book which was printed on board the Hibernia, which was presented to it by our officer.

CHAPTER XIII.

At the close of the war Sir Sidney visits Cagliari-Entertains the King of Sardinia-Returns to England, and strikes his flag-Receives the freedom of Plymouth-Projects an union of all orders of knighthood for the abolition of white slavery.

WHILST Sir Sidney was assisting at this wearisome blockade, Buonaparte was precipitating his vast and gallant army upon the snows of Russia, and soon found in its annihilation that adverse turn of fate from which he never recovered, though he rallied manfully against his destiny.

In this state of doubt as to the security of his power, anarchy made its appearance in the south of France, many portions of which, long before the lion was caught and chained, showed a disposition to hoist the white over the tricolour flag. This was a juncture of circumstances peculiarly fitted for the exercise of the various talents of Sir Sidney Smith.

Unfortunately, if there be if there be any reliance on rumour, our officer was not on the most cordial terms with Sir Edward Pellew. Sir Sidney was so well fitted to be a commander-in-chief, that the consciousness of it made him less suited to act a secondary part. Aut Cesar aut nihil, if not his motto, the sentiment it expressed seemed, at least, to be paramount with him. Just before the reestablishment of the Bourbons in their ancient power, Sir Sidney separated from the fleet with the Hibernia, and repaired to Cagliari, no doubt for the purpose of forwarding the legitimate movement that was then beginning so generally to display itself On this occasion, the King of Sardinia and suite dined on board his flag-ship. At this fête, not only were the usual captains and commanders invited to meet royalty, but the viceadmiral bid, as his guests, with his accustomed liberality, all the senior lieutenants and midshipmen of his squadron. From this munificent act, the last named class of officers augured very wisely, that a general peace was most certainly on the eve of being proclaimed.

Shortly after this, Sir Sidney returned to England, and struck his flag. This was the last time in which he was employed afloat in the service of his country. Soon after his arrival in England, the mayor and commonalty of the

borough of Plymouth voted him the freedom of their corporation, which was presented to him in a silver box. This took place on the 7th of July, 1814, as indicated by the following docu

"At the common hall of the mayor and commonalty of the borough of Plymouth, held at the Guildhall of and within the said borough, on Thursday, the 7th day of July instant, in pursuance of a regular notice of three clear days from Henry Woolcombe, Esq., mayor, for the purpose hereinafter mentioned.

"The mayor and the commonalty, in common hall assembled, being desirous of recording their sense of high desert, and their gratitude for the eminent services to their country, more especially on that branch of his Majesty's service with which, from local circumstances, they are more immediately connected, have taken in their consideration the meritorious actions of Vice-admiral Sir William Sidney Smith, now arrived at this port, from his command on the Mediterranean station, at the conclusion of a war of unexampled importance, through the long course of which this gallant officer has been actively and eminently engaged.

"In this eventful war, in which the naval and

military renown of Britain has been extended to a pitch, not only exceeding the recorded glory of former ages, but even the most ardent expectations of the present times; a war, not more distinguished by the stupendous victories of fleets and armies, than by the most brilliant instances of individual prowess. No exploit has surpassed the astonishing defence of Acre.

66

To Sir Sidney Smith it was given, by fortitude, perseverance, conduct, and valour, to revive and augment the glories of England in Palestine, and, on the plains of Nazareth, to defeat the gigantic ambition of France, meditating the destruction of British power in India.

66

Nor were the ability and valour of the chieftain more distinguished on this memorable occasion than his humanity; that humanity which, in the moment of victory, has ever adorned the brightest examples of British heroism, and which, in this instance, admitted of no check from the recollection of unmerited sufferings and indignities in a captivity unauthorised by the usages of war, and inflicted in revenge for the exercise of that zeal, intrepidity, and spirit of enterprise, which should have commanded the admiration rather than the detestation of his foes. We have, therefore, unanimously resolved to confer the freedom of the said borough on the said Sir William Sidney