124 FRAGMENT OF AN INTENDED ACCOUNT 



who, like him, was a real lover of his country, sincerely inte- 

 rested in its liberty and independence, as well as in the glory 

 of its flag ; full also of the enthusiasm of genius, and the love 

 of science ; I can hardly imagine any higher or more exquisite 

 delight, than that which he must have felt, when his imagina- 

 tion arose from the despondency into which the actual state of 

 things had thrown every thinking man, to consider the change 

 which the secret which he had in his possession was likely, 

 nay sure to make, in the condition of his country. 



There can exist, I think, but one feeling superior to this, — 

 that which must arise on seeing this noble vision realized. 

 This also fell to the share of the author of the Naval Tactics, 

 who lived to see his measures carried into effect with unex- 

 ampled skill and gallantry ; saw them lead to victories more 

 splendid than the most sanguine hopes could have ventured 

 to anticipate, and saw himself become one of the great instru- 

 ments by which Providence enabled his country to weather a 

 more awful tempest than any by which it had hitherto been 

 assailed. 



Being fully satisfied as to the principles of his system, Mr 

 Clerk had begun to make it known to his friends as early as 

 1779. After the trial of Admiral Keppell had brought the 

 whole proceedings of the affair off Ushant before the public, 

 Mr Clerk made some strictures on the action, which he put 

 in writing, illustrating them by drawings and plans, contain- 

 ing sketches of what might have been attempted, if the attack 

 had been regulated by other principles, and these he commu- 

 nicated to several naval officers, and to his friends both in 

 Edinburgh and London. 



In the following year he visited London himself, and had 

 many conferences with men connected with the navy, among 

 whom he has mentioned Mr Atkinson, the particular friend of 



Sir 



