OF THE LATE JOHN CLERK, ESQ. OF ELDIN. 133 



From the whole of this narrative, therefore, it is plain, that 

 the Naval Tactics was acknowledged by professional men, as 

 an original and valuable work, unfolding a new system ; the 

 advantages of which were proved by demonstrations founded 

 on the most undeniable principles, and now verified by a se- 

 ries of great and brilliant victories, in consequence of which 

 there has been effected an entire revolution in the offensive 

 part of naval warfare. These truths having been so generally 

 acknowledged and admitted, both by Naval Officers of the 

 highest reputation, and by Statesrhen of the greatest power, it 

 cannot but appear extraordinary, that no mark of public fa- 

 vour was ever bestowed on the author, nor any acknowledg- 

 ment made by Government of merit so distinguished. It was 

 merit of the kind most directly calculated to interest the feel- 

 ings, and to call forth the gratitude of the Nation ; it was an 

 improvement in the art which Britain reckons so peculiarly 

 her own ; it was a contrivance for making more effectual the 

 arms in which she most confides ; for rendering more impene- 

 trable the Wooden Walls, to which she trusts her safety, her 

 prosperity, and her independence. The name of Mr Clerk, 

 and of the Naval Tactics, is in the mouth of every Officer, 

 from the Midshipman to the Admiral. 



Whatever was the cause of this strange omission, it is deep- 

 ly to be regretted, — regretted, however, much less on account of 

 Mr Clerk, than on account of the Nation itself. To a man 

 conscious of having rendered so important a service to his 

 country as he had done, — who might say to himself without va- 

 nity, that he was entitled to be numbered with her most use- 

 ful citizens, and her most eminent benefactors, — who saw that 

 the actions which had immortalized the names of .Rodney 

 Howe, Duncan and Nelson, had been all directed by a prin- 

 ciple 



