On the termination of the Swedish war, he returned to his native country. Here, however, he did not long remain, before our prefent contest afforded him an extenfive field for the exercife of his talents. He was foon deftined to take part in the hoftilities of Britain against France. Upon this undertaking he entered with alacrity. The effects of his zeal were apparent at the unhappy business of Toulon. It is well known, that when the British forces were obliged to quit that famous port, every thing was done to effect the deftruction of its arfe nal and fhipping. In this moft arduous task, Sir Sydney difplayed an aftonishing activity. His exertions on that memorable occafion have been recounted with admiration. Lord Hood honourably acknowledged them. Testimonies of merit from fo refpectable a quarter, are indubitable proofs of fuperior merit. In this light were his fervices confidered by his grateful countrymen. The quitting of Toulon was an act of neceffity on the part of the British forces. To Sir Sydney, no reflec tions can be attached respecting this affair. When the relinquishment of this place became abfolutely neceffary, the only question agitated was, how the enemy could be at the fame time moft diftreffed and annoyed. To de ftroy every thing was the defperate refolution. In the accomplishment of this end he lent his hand with a furprifing fuccefs. His exertions against the foe were remembered with gratitude. In the courfe of this war, it was determined by adminiftration to keep at fea fmall fquadrons. The defign of this scheme was, the protection of trade, and the annoyance of the enemy. To this destination he was appointed. A more fuitable individual could not have been felected. The expectations formed refpecting him were answered. He realized the hopes of thofe who had employed him, and gave them great fatisfaction. In this fervice, for which he was thus well fitted, he exhibited various traits of intrepidity. The most remarkable, were his attacking a French convoy at Her qui, together with the demolition of its fortifications ;and alfo, his proceeding fo far into Breft, as to reconnoitre the enemy, they not having the moft diftant idea of it, till his intentions were accomplished. Thefe exer. tions are not forgotten. Commiffioned on fuch hazardous enterprizes, few perfons poffefs talents commenfurate with the undertaking. But Sir Sydney, fetting danger at defiance, is intent only on the accomplishment of his purposes. To obtain his ends he braves every danger. Rifing fuperior to the obstacles which embarrass common minds, he fprings forward to the attainment of his favourite object. Such a fpirit must be productive of brave actions;-and thefe actions will extend his military reputation. It muft, however, be confeffed, that, amidst this difplay of heroifm, Sir Sydney has been accused of rafhnefs. The juftice of this accufation cannot be denied. Impetuofity naturally leads us to defpife prudential confiderations. But we must remark in his behalf, that courage is not unallied to rafhness. With him, however, it remains to determine the propriety of the measures which he chooses to undertake. We think him poffeffed of an understanding capable of directing him in his military profeffion. We are also of opinion, that his increafing experience will teach him how to conduct himself in his age be forgotten, hazardous expeditions. Nor fhould his when we offer an apology for that part of his conduct which even fome of his friends have deemed tinctured with rafhness. The redundancy of youth will be corrected by the fedatenefs of advancing years. We have been credibly informed, that Sir Sydney, when in the Swedish fervice, formed himself on the model of Charles the Twelfth. This monarch's character and exploits are well known. The hiftory of him by Voltaire, is reckoned the best production of that celebrated and voluminous writer. Should our hero keep this extraordinary character in his eye, this circumftance will account for many of his eccentricities. However, we are confident, that in in the Swedish king many things were deferving of imi tation. Among others, his refolution to defend his poffeffions must be commended. Of this virtue, in a very confiderable degree, he had reason to boaft: for Voltaire tells us, that one day Charles was diverting himself in the king's apartment with looking upon two plans, the one of a town in Hungary, and the other of Riga, the capital of Livonia, a province conquered by the Swedes, about a century ago. Under the plan of the town of Hungary, were placed thefe words, taken from the Book of Job:-The Lord gave it to me: the Lord hath taken it from me: blessed be the name of the Lord. The young prince upon reading this, ftrait took a pencil, and wrote under the plan of RIGA, The Lord hath given it to me; and the Devil shall not take it from me. Thus," adds Voltaire," in the most indifferent actions of childhood, fome little traces of his refolute difpofition would often fall from him, which would discover what he would one day be." We now proceed to mention that circumftance of Sir Sydney's life, by which he fell into the hands of the ene my. On the 18th of April, 1796, he fucceeded in capturing a French armed veffel, in the outer harbour of Havre de Grace. The tide, however, drove her up the Seine, near the French forts. In the night he carried her off, and was actually towing her down the river when the alarm was given. The enemy inftantly dif patched gun-boats, to attack Sir Sydney, when, after a most obftinate struggle, he, fixteen of his people, and three officers, were captured. He was conveyed to the capital, and imprisoned with severity. He was not even to be exchanged, except for four thousand of their best feamen. Every offer fhort of this was difdainfully re jected. His fpirited oppofition at Toulon ftill rankled in the hearts of Frenchmen. To this caufe we afcribe the harshness with which this brave officer has been treated. In "durance vile" was he held almoft without the expectation of deliverance. The writer of this article qui, together with the demolition of its fortifications; and alfo, his proceeding fo far into Breft, as to reconnoitre the enemy, they not having the most distant idea of it, till his intentions were accomplished. Thefe exertions are not forgotten. Commiffioned on fuch hazardous enterprizes, few perfons poffefs talents commenfurate with the undertaking. But Sir Sydney, fetting danger at defiance, is intent only on the accomplishment of his purposes. To obtain his ends he braves every danger. Rifing fuperior to the obstacles which embarrass common minds, he fprings forward to the attainment of his favourite object. Such a fpirit must be productive of brave actions;-and these actions will extend his military reputation. It muft, however, be confeffed, that, amidst this difplay of heroifm, Sir Sydney has been accused of rafhness. The juftice of this accufation cannot be denied. Impetuofity naturally leads us to despise prudential confiderations. But we must remark in his behalf, that courage is not unallied to rafhnefs. With him, however, it remains to determine the propriety of the measures which he chooses to undertake. We think him poffeffed of an understanding capable of directing him in his military profeffion. We are alfo of opinion, that his increafing experience will teach him how to conduct himself in his hazardous expeditions. Nor fhould his age be forgotten, when we offer an apology for that part of his conduct which even fome of his friends have deemed tinctured with rafhnefs. The redundancy of youth will be corrected by the fedatenefs of advancing years. We have been credibly informed, that Sir Sydney, when in the Swedish fervice, formed himself on the model of Charles the Twelfth. This monarch's character and exploits are well known. The hiftory of him by Voltaire, is reckoned the best production of that celebrated and voluminous writer. Should our hero keep this extraordinary character in his eye, this circumstance will account for many of his eccentricities. However, we are confident, that in in the Swedish king many things were deferving of imi tation. Among others, his refolution to defend his poffeffions must be commended. Of this virtue, in a very confiderable degree, he had reason to boaft: for Voltaire tells us, that one day Charles was diverting himself in the king's apartment with looking upon two plans, the one of a town in Hungary, and the other of Riga, the capital of Livonia, a province conquered by the Swedes, about a century ago. Under the plan of the town of Hungary, were placed thefe words, taken from the Book of Job:-The Lord gave it to me: the Lord hath taken it from me: bleffed be the name of the Lord. The young prince upon reading this, ftrait took a pencil, and wrote under the plan of RIGA, The Lord hath given it to me; and the Devil shall not take it from me. Thus," adds Voltaire, "in the most indifferent actions of childhood, fome little traces of his refolute difpofition would often fall from him, which would difcover what he would one day be." We now proceed to mention that circumftance of Sir Sydney's life, by which he fell into the hands of the ene my. On the 18th of April, 1796, he fucceeded in capturing a French armed veffel, in the outer harbour of Havre de Grace. The tide, however, drove her up the Seine, near the French forts. In the night he carried her off, and was actually towing her down the river when the alarm was given. The enemy inftantly dif patched gun-boats, to attack Sir Sydney, when, after a most obftinate fruggle, he, fixteen of his people, and three officers, were captured. He was conveyed to the capital, and imprisoned with severity. He was not even to be exchanged, except for four thousand of their best feamen. Every offer fhort of this was difdainfully re jected. His fpirited oppofition at Toulon ftill rankled in the hearts of Frenchmen. To this cause we afcribe the harshness with which this brave officer has been treated. In "durance vile" was he held almost without the expectation of deliverance. The writer of this article |