liv INTRODUCTION. 



Lieutenant Tuckey was one of about forty lieutenants of 

 the navy, who had cause to execrate the brutal inhuma- 

 nity of the man, who for so many years tyrannized over 

 France, and the greater part of the continent of Europe ; 

 those who had the misfortune of falling into his clutches, 

 felt themselves at once cut oflf from every hope of ad- 

 vancement in their profession, and many fell the victims 

 of despair. Not so, however, with Lieutenant Tuckey. 

 He still kept up his spirits, and encouraged hope, being, 

 as he expressed himself, on another occasion, " by no 

 means addicted to contemplate the dark side of events ; 

 but as cheerful and happy as the possession of health, 

 case, and a satisfied disposition can make me." He married 

 in 1806, a fellow prisoner. Miss Margaret Stuart, daughter 

 of the commander of a ship in the East India Company's 

 service, at Bengal. She also had been taken by the 

 Rochefort squadron, on her passage in a packet to join 

 her father in India. 

 Various applications were made at different times, for the 

 exchange of Mr. Tuckey ; but they proved fruitless, and 

 he was doomed to remain a prisoner during the war : sad 

 consequence of that implacable spirit of hatred which 

 actuated the ruler of France, and made him careless aUke 

 of the lives of his own, and of his enemy's prisoners ! How 

 many fair prospects were blighted and destroyed by the 

 unfeeling obstinacy of this disturber of Europe ! 



In 1810, after considerable difficulties, and repeated re- 

 fusals, Mr. Tuckey obtained permission for his wife to 

 visit England, for the purpose of looking after his private 

 affairs. Her object being accomplished, she obtained 

 passports from the French government to return to her 



