drink the king's health on their knees every Sunday.
He died in 1765, leaving six children, four of them boys, of whom the
eldest was at that time eleven years old, and Lord Exmouth, the second,
only eight. Three years after, an imprudent marriage of the widow
deprived the children of their remaining parent, and threw them upon the
world with scanty resources, and almost without a friend.

It has been well observed, that a general condition of distinguished
eminence is to be required to force a way to it through difficulties.
Desertion at an early age indeed subjects the individual to a most
severe trial; but where there is strength to bear the discipline, it
exalts the principle which it fails to subdue, and adds force to the
energies which it cannot tame. The Pellews were probably indebted for
much of their success, as well as for the fearless independence which
distinguished them, to the circumstances which thus compelled them from
childhood to rely only upon themselves.

Samuel Humphry, the eldest brother, was intended for the navy, and was
borne on the books of H.M.S. _Seaford_, Captain Macbride. But afterwards
devoting himself to medicine, he became one of the earliest pupils of
John Hunter, with Home, Pitcairn, and Baillie, for his class-fellows.
After serving for some time as a surgeon of marines, and assistant
surgeon to the Dockyard at Plymouth, he relinquished a partnership with
Dr. Geach, of the Royal Hospital, and settled at Truro, where he
obtained a considerable and lucrative practice. He finally became
collector of the customs at Falmouth. Gifted with a clear and active
mind, he did not confine himself to the routine of his official duties,
and his suggestions on several important subjects were adopted by the
Government. The Quarantine Law of 1800 was first proposed by him, and
framed chiefly on his suggestions; as well as a tonnage duty by which
the charges of the quarantine establishment were covered. The convoy
duty was also imposed on his recommendation; and he first proposed the
plan of warehousing goods in bond, and was much consulted during the
perfecting of the measure, by which so great facilities have been
afforded to the trade of the country--to the merchant, relief from the
necessity of locking up large amounts of capital; to the consumer,
cheapness, and a security against adulteration. Mr. Pellew served at his
post till he was fourscore years old, and for years beyond that, he
retained the