uninterruptedly since the year 1793, when the Admiral was Chief Commissioner of the Transport Board, had already offered Sir Hugh Christian a Baronetcy; but it had been refused, the latter frankly saying he coveted a higher title than one bestowed upon men for political support, without any merits of their own, save those of money or position; adding, he ardently desired an opportunity of serving his country in a way that might be of real service to the State, and deserve a mark of her approval. The occasion long sought had offered itself, been promptly seized, and nobly profited by;" public thanks" were voted, and a Barony conferred! Mr. Pitt had already sounded Sir Hugh upon the title, if ever won, and recalled the name he had chosen; “Ronaldsway" having been the original residence in the Isle of Man of Sir Hugh Christian's branch of the Christian family, before the cruel political murder of Colonel Christian, on

Hango Hill, 1662—an event well known, both in history and fiction, to all readers.

Alas! however, for the gallant Admiral, the energetic, ardent, honourable sailor, the tender husband, the devoted father!—ere the Prince Regent's gracious praise could reach him, or the "thanks of the nation," or his loved country's distinguishing mark of approbation and gratitude reward his long naval career, death had closed for ever a life as valuable to England as it was to his own bereaved family. Only one year after his landing at the Cape of Good Hope did he suddenly and unexpectedly breathe his last in the distant clime, without one dear or near relative to soothe his dying moments. The distress of mind caused by his anxiety for his wife was terribly augmented by the sudden news at the Cape of the shipwreck of the " Garland," in which frigate his son, Hood, had been sent on a cruise to the Mauritius. Happily the

united efforts of the surviving sailors availed to save "the Admiral's son." Standing upon a reef for two days and nights, they supported Hood alternately in their arms, and shared with him their little store of rice, until they were all happily taken from the rocks where they had managed to save themselves-the sea often rising so high that it threatened constantly to wash them off. The unhappy father died believing his son drowned; and this event is supposed to have hurried on the exhaustion which terminated in death.

So ended a career in which, although not so fortunate in meeting with opportunities of distinguishing himself in brilliant actions as many in his profession, yet as an officer considered in all the requisites of nautical knowledge, experience, ability, and gallantry, and that degree of zeal which puts all the other qualities in motion-in these essentials, and all that may be comprised in a skilful officer

and judicious commander in the rigid and indefatigable discharge of his duties, he may have been equalled by many, but was certainly surpassed by none.

His designs were planned with judgment, and executed with ardour; and it is said by those who knew him well, that it would be difficult to find another possessing more calmness or real courage; that his conduct on all occasions was highly meritorious and universally approved, and that by his death his country lost an officer of untarnished honour and fidelity.*

* Vide Ralph's "Naval Biography," which is largely quoted.

CHAPTER XIX.

DEATH AGAIN.

E have now followed the life of Hugh

WE

Christian from the time of his launching the toy-boat up to the period when he became Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope, to the age of fifty-two years. We have seen him as a son-tender, obedient, bearing his mother's precepts ever before his eyes in the words of his and her favourite poet,

"Be just, and fear not ;

Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy Country's, God's and Truth's!"

How consistently these aims of his existence