it to his God, if he lost his life in a cause which had
no claim upon him. These high considerations of patriotism and religion
are the true ground upon which the question should rest. Deeply is it to
be regretted that men of high character should have unthinkingly
sanctioned by their example what their own closer reflection might have
led them to condemn. Still more is it to be deplored that deserving
officers, hopeless, in the present state of the navy, (1834) of
promotion, or employment, should be driven by their necessities to
sacrifice their proudest and most cherished feelings, and to quit for a
foreign flag the service of which they might become the strength and
ornament. War is too dreadful a calamity to be lightly incurred. Only
patriotism, with all its elevating and endearing associations of
country, homes, and altars, can throw a veil over its horrors, and a
glory around its achievements: patriotism, which gives to victory all
its splendour; sheds lustre even on defeat; and hallows the tomb of the
hero, fallen amidst the regrets and admiration of his country. But he
who goes forth to fight the battles of another State, what honour can
victory itself afford to him? or how shall he be excused, if he attack
the allies of his own country, whom, as such, he is bound on his
allegiance to respect?

The decision of Captain Pellew on this occasion proved as fortunate as
it was honourable. At the beginning of 1793, there was no appearance of
hostilities; and when the French republicans put to death their king, on
the 21st of January, and declared war against England twelve days after,
the Government, which had made no preparation for such an event, was
taken by surprise almost as much as the country. The navy was on the
peace establishment, with only sixteen thousand seamen and marines; and
it became necessary in the course of the year to raise for it sixty
thousand men. Mr. Pellew, whose situation at Falmouth enabled him to
obtain the earliest information, hastened to Treverry as soon as he saw
that war was likely to break out, and advised his brother immediately to
offer his services to the Admiralty in person. Captain Pellew, too happy
in the prospect of exchanging the ploughshare for the sword, returned
with him to Falmouth; and the same night was on the road to London.

He was immediately appointed to the _Nymphe_, of thirty-six guns,
formerly a French frigate, which, by a striking coincidence, had been
taken by