, any
other officer with the same chances could have performed as well. But
chance, though it may afford an occasional instance of unexpected
fortune, never gives a long and uniform career of distinction. Sir
Edward displayed the same character through all his grades of rank, and,
except in the _Hazard_, which was employed on a station and a service
which could afford no opportunity for distinction, obtained the same
success in every ship he commanded. It is encouraging to unassisted
merit to observe, that he had no influential friends until he had made
himself independent of their support, and was attached to the fortunes
of no leading commander. All his promotions, and every honour he
received, were given expressly to reward some recent and distinguished
service.

Many years after he had retired from active employment, he made a modest
allusion to this subject at a naval dinner, at which his late Majesty,
then Lord High Admiral, presided. In rising to return thanks, when his
health was drunk with compliments which demanded acknowledgment, he
referred to his own history as a proof that no officer, however
unsupported by influence, need despair of receiving his due reward from
the justice and gratitude of his country. "I have never known," he said,
"what fortune meant. I never chose my station, and never had a friend
but the King's pennant; but I have always gone where I was sent, and
done what I was ordered; and he who will act upon the same principles,
may do as I have done."

At the general election in 1802, he was solicited to stand for
Barnstaple; for which, after a severe contest, he was returned on the
8th of July, by a very large majority. His correspondence at this period
shows he was very early wearied with his situation. Nor was he better
satisfied when he had gained an insight into the nature of a
parliamentary life. Indeed, a naval officer of reputation will seldom
promote his comfort by going into Parliament; where his inactivity may
present an unfavourable contrast to his professional character, or his
prominence expose him to the virulence of party. Yet the experience
thus obtained was not without value to a man who was henceforth to be
employed as a commander-in-chief, with a greater share of political
responsibility than usually attaches to a naval command. If he had
wished to estimate the value of political friendships, and the spirit of
party intrigue, a lesson which professional employment at sea