The Life and Correspondence of the Late Admiral Lord Rodney, Volume 2

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J. Murray, 1830 - 472 pages
 

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Page 255 - Providence does it all, or how should I escape the shot "of thirty-three sail of the line, every one of which I "believe attacked me? But the Formidable proved " herself worthy of her name." Such, combined with terms of tenderest affection to his family, were the first effusions in his triumph of that good and gallant heart. Nor was it, we may add, in the...
Page 304 - Now my dear friend, I am at the service of your Greeks and Trojans, and the whole of Homer's Iliad, or as much of it as you please, for the enemy is in confusion, and our victory is secure...
Page 253 - The battle began at seven in the morning, and continued till sunset, nearly eleven hours ; and by persons appointed to observe, there never was seven minutes...
Page 382 - I have particular reason to endeavour to do justice to the singular merits of my deceased friend, who, unhappily for this country, is no more ; but I hope the house will indulge me a few moments, while I briefly recall to their recollection the noble services his lordship had rendered, which I am certain they never can forget. " I must first remind their lordships, that Lord Rodney had taken Martinique, Grenada, &c.
Page 230 - His own ship, the Formidable, led the way, nobly supported by the Namur, the Duke, and the Canada. After taking and returning the fire of one half of the French force, under one general blaze and peal of thunder along both lines, the Formidable broke through that of the enemy. "In the act of doing so...
Page 374 - ... which, he has instantly arrested their supporters, and ordered the whole of his dinner, save one dish, to be carried to the midshipmen's mess. " When a woman, who had, contrary to the rules of the navy, secreted herself in her husband's cabin, and fought a quarter-deck gun in the room of her wounded husband, who was down in the cockpit, was discovered, Lord Rodney severely reprimanded her for...
Page 302 - ... by declaring he was determined so to pierce the enemy's line of battle, (arranging his manoeuvre at the same time on the table,) if ever it was his fortune to bring them to action.
Page 391 - Whilst Briton's tame inglorious lion slept, Or lashing up his courage now and then, Turn'd out and growl'd, and then turn'd in again, Rodney in that ill-omen'd hour arose, Crush'd his own first and next his country's foes ; Though all that fate allow'd was nobly won, Envy could squint at something still undone ; Injurious faction stript him of command, And snatch'd the helm from his victorious hand...
Page 256 - The gallant behaviour of the officers and men of the fleet I have the honour to command, has been such as must for ever endear them to all lovers of their king and country.
Page 229 - Cranstoun remarked, that if our fleet main' tained its present relative position, steering ' the same course close hauled on the opposite ' tack to the enemy, we must necessarily pass ' through their line in running along, and ' closing with it in action. ' The Admiral visibly caught the idea, and ' no doubt decided in his own mind at that ' moment to attempt a manoeuvre at that time ' hitherto unpractised in naval tactics...

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