ooming cannon from the
French fleet, the motion of the water, and the row-boats evidently
plying in friendly intercourse among the ships, the sky effect--all
together combine to produce a piece of superb marine painting.

Space forbids dwelling upon the exceptional, romantic, daring and
successful career of Paul Jones, who was born in Scotland on July 6,
1747, and died in Paris on July 18, 1792, the first of that long list of
heroic figures which have made the history of the American navy so
illustrious.

"The man that is not moved at what he reads,
That takes not fire at their heroic deeds,
Unworthy of the blessings of the brave,
Is base in kind, and born to be a slave."

COWPER.

_Note._--Additional interest is lent to this canvas through the fact
that quite recently (April, 1905) the remains of John Paul Jones, the
hero of the occasion, were discovered in Paris, and are to be interred
in the United States.

BURNING OF THE FRIGATE PHILADELPHIA

(_In the Harbor of Tripoli, February 16, 1804_)

[Illustration: Copyright, 1898, by Edward Moran.]

IX.

BURNING OF THE FRIGATE PHILADELPHIA.

_In the Harbor of Tripoli, February 16, 1804._[L]

This canvas represents one of the most daring feats ever performed in
naval warfare, equalled only, perhaps, by the exploit of Lieutenant
Hobson in sinking the collier "Merrimac" in the harbor of Santiago
during the Spanish-American war of 1898. Lord Nelson characterized the
burning of the "Philadelphia" as the most daring act of the age. The
"Philadelphia" was the sister ship of the famous "Constitution," and
under the command of Captain Bainbridge had been despatched to Tripoli
to demand satisfaction for losses suffered by our merchant marine at the
hands of Algerian pirates, who had been preying upon the commerce of the
world for years. Arriving on the Algerian coast, she was led upon a reef
by pirates whom she was chasing, her officers and crew were taken
prisoners, her guns were thrown overboard, and she was taken into the
harbor by her captors, and there remanned, regunned and made ready to
defend the city against the other American ships which were blockading
the port.

From his prison Captain Bainbridge managed to get into communication
with the American fleet, and to suggest the feasibility of destroying
the "Philadelphia." Acting upon this suggestion Lieutenant Decatur
undertook the peri