7 



this metropolis tend in some instances to lessen the pain we should 

 otherwise feel on the recital of their names. While in the former 

 case, persons at the very head of different departments in science, 

 of our own ages, and daily conversant with our social habits, were 

 suddenly taken from us, leaving the higher paths of science (as we 

 feared at the time) without a foot that might in future trace their 

 windings ; and our more familiar society without that sparkling of 

 intellect, which invigorates the understanding, and at once elevates 

 and refines the common intercourses of life. 



The individual, who unquestionably demands our first attention is 

 Major James Rennell, taken from us in his eighty-eighth year, la- 

 mented by all those who are capable of appreciating his science, 

 and by every one conversant with his active virtues or with the sim- 

 plicity and kindness of his manners. 



I have endeavoured to collect some particulars respecting this 

 distinguished person in his early years. 



Major Rennell was descended from an ancient and respectable 

 family in Devonshire, said to be of Norman origin. His father was 

 a Captain in the Royal Artillery, and fell at the siege of Maestrich. 

 James Rennell was born at his father's house, Upcott near Chud- 

 leigh, in Devonshire, on the 23rd of December, 1742. He entered 

 on the naval service of his country at a very early age, where his 

 spirit and exertions soon attracted the notice of Sir Hyde Parker, 

 with whom he sailed in the Brilliant frigate to India. After the con- 

 clusion of peace, his eager desire for active service induced him to 

 quit the navy, and he obtained a commission in the corps of engi- 

 neers belonging to the East India Company. His zeal and ability in 

 discharging the duties belonging to this station obtained for him the 

 friendship of many superior officers, and especially of the great Lord 

 Clive; and he was soon promoted to the station of Surveyor General 

 in Bengal. 



The fatigues attached to this civil employment were sufficient to 

 exhaust the strength of any European constitution, conducted as 

 were the surveys, with indefatigable industry, along the banks of the 

 great rivers, periodically overflown and perpetually damp. But these 

 were not all : Major Rennell in encountering dangers which are in- 

 separable from military renown, had suffered wounds so severe that 

 he was, I believe, twice left exposed on the field of battle, and never 

 recovered from their effects up to the latest period of his life. These 

 altogether compelled his return to England, and alone prevented 

 him from attaining the highest military stations. 



Retired to private life, the whole energies of his mind were direct- 

 ed to scientific and literary pursuits. We have, founded on his exer- 

 tions in India ; An Atlas of Bengal. — A Map of the Mogul Empire. — 

 Marches of the Army in India. — A Map of the Peninsula. 



But the mental powers of Major Rennell were far from being con- 

 fined to one region of the world. 



We have from his pen a work on the Geography of Africa. And with 

 a vigour of intellect that may well call to our recollection the greatest 

 of the Roman Censors, he acquired at an advanced age a competent 



