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room, I was obliged to omit in the preceding edition. Here it is, I fear, that my zeal in the cause of truth, my wish, my determination to expose, as far as I am able, all counterfeit claims to renown in naval warfare, will subject me to the charge of national prejudice. Confident, however, that I have, in no instance, swerved from that impartiality which gives to these pages their principal value, I must console myself with the reflection, that those who charge me with being too severe in my strictures upon the officers and people of the United States, have never had an opportunity of forming a judgment of the American character. For the edification of such persons, I subjoin a brief account of the frontispiece of an American naval work, published at that which is reputed to be the most Anglican of all the cities of the republic, Boston. We are to suppose that the genius of America, having by some means got possession of old Neptune's car and trident, along with a pair of prancing sea-nags, is desirous to take an airing on the deep. Behold her, then, as she dashes through the waves, pointing with the trident, by her degraded into a staff for the national colours, to some medallions of American worthies, fantastically stuck upon a monument, whose foundation, seemingly, is no other than the froth and foam which the lady herself has just kicked up. Wreaths of laurel, sea-gods, and a towering eagle, find appropriate places in the design. Upon the pedestal are the names of " MANLY, TRUXTON, JONES, * PREBLE, BARNEY, LITTLE, BARRY;" and the pillar is ornamented with the medallions of " HULL, J0NES, † DECATUR, BAINBRIDGE, STEWART, LAWRENCE, PERRY, MACDONOUGH ;" and, at the top, with the names of " PORTER, BLAKELY, BIDDLE." Several other medallions present their backs to us : they probably represent " Warrington, Burrows, Chauncey, Elliott, Angus, Tarbell, Thomas ap Catesby Jones," &c. &c. Nor has our old friend Commodore Rodgers been entirely forgotten, although rather shabbily treated, by leaving only " GERS" of his name, and but one of his shoulders, thrust into view. In front of the car is a sort of raft, bearing pieces of * Paul. † Jacob. ^ back to top ^ |