e Secretary; and Lord Hobart, Secretary at War. They were
succeeded by Mr. Pitt, and Lords Melville, Harrowby, and Camden.

On the 23rd of April, there was a naval promotion, in which some of the
senior captains, including Sir Edward Pellew, were advanced to be
Rear-Admirals of the White, passing over the intermediate step. This
favour was probably considered due to them, for they had served
considerably beyond the time which had hitherto given an officer his
flag, the former promotion having been a small one, and the interval
much longer than usual.

Sir Edward received with his promotion the appointment to be
commander-in-chief in India. He hoisted his flag in the _Culloden_, and
gratified Captain Christopher Cole, the youngest brother of his deceased
friend, and who had served with him as a midshipman in the _Winchelsea_,
by naming him for his captain.

CHAPTER VIII.

SIR EDWARD'S COMMAND IN INDIA.

The arduous charge of a commander-in-chief requires more than great
decision, and a judgment matured by experience. It claims also a mind
naturally comprehensive, that it may be equal to great and complicated
responsibilities. He has other, and not less important duties than to
harass the enemy. He is to protect the commerce of his country; to make
his influence so felt over every part of his station, that merit may be
encouraged, and negligence effectually controlled; to provide in all
respects for the efficiency of his fleet; and to act with the full
powers of an ambassador, whenever there is no accredited minister. In
addition to these more obvious duties, occasions will continually arise
which demand the utmost temper and discretion. If the secret history of
the greatest, and most popular commanders were fully made known--what
difficulties they encountered, and what anxieties they endured--not many
would be found to envy them their distinctions.

The change in the ministry, which took place within three weeks after
Sir Edward's promotion and appointment, subjected him, in its
consequences, to many and great inconveniences; for the new Board of
Admiralty manifested a decidedly hostile feeling. Such was the temper
displayed, that he thought it necessary to caution his brother Israel to
observe the utmost circumspection in all his conduct, and never even to
sleep out of his ship. The evident desire to deprive him of his command
left him very little expectation that he would be allowed to keep it,
and in hi