xlviii INTRODUCTION. 



reading being directed to the perusal of voyages of disco- 

 very, and nautical research, he quickly imbibed a predi- 

 lection for the naval profession ; a predilection whose 

 growth, fortunately for the British navy, when once it has 

 taken root, is not easily checked. The period when Mr. 

 Tuckey fixed his choice of a profession being that of pro- 

 found peace, and no opportunity being afforded for enter- 

 ing the navy, he was allowed by his friends to undertake 

 a voyage, on trial, to the West-Indies in 1791 ; after which 

 he ventured upon a second to the bay of Honduras, in 

 which he caught a fever, that had nearly deprived him 

 of life. 



On the breaking out of the revolutionary war, soon after 

 his return, he was received on board the Suffolk, com- 

 manded by Captain Rainier, at the recommendation of 

 Captain, afterwards Sir Francis Hartwell, a relation by the 

 father's side. In that ship he proceeded to India, and 

 was soon rated master's mate ; he was present at the cap- 

 ture of Trincomallee from the Dutch, and received a 

 slight wound in his left arm, from the splinter of a shell, 

 while serving in the batteries ; he assisted at the surrender 

 of Amboyna, " famous," as he observes in a letter to his 

 friends," for Dutch cruelty, and EngUsh forbearance." On 

 this occasion, a fate more general, though less horrible in 

 its complexion, was about to be inflicted on the Dutch, 

 by the native chiefs, had not the English undertaken their 

 defence and protection. To assist in this humane pur- 

 pose, Mr. Tuckey was stationed in a brig to cruise off the 

 island ; and on firing a gun at a party in arms assembled 

 on the beach, it burst, and a piece stri4cing him on the 

 wrist, broke his right arm. Having no surgeon on board, 



