secution, and that the Attorney-General of that day, actually commenced one, in the Court of King's Bench. Nearly at the same time, Mr. Lewis, instigated partly by , hope, and partly by curiosity, determined to obtain a seat in Parliament; and he was accordingly returned for the borough of Hindon, where he was utterly unknown. But if his mind was fired with ambition, on this occasion, he experienced nothing but disappointment; for he had not been formed either by nature or education, to exhibit that popular species of eloquence, which finds admirers either on one side or another of the House of Commons. He accordingly sat during a whole Parliament, without attracting public notice, or even endeavouring to render himself distinguished. At the dissolution therefore, he retired, from a situation in which the expense proved both great and certain, while no possible advantage could be expected. Mr. Lewis had no sooner retired from his political duties, than he applied himself to those of a far different but more congenial kind. Having, as has already been observed, failed in the House of Commons, he now deigned to court applause in the Theatre, and the Ex-member for Hindon, in 1797, accordingly obtained great success in Drury-Lane, by his “ Castle Spectre," a musical drama, which drew crowded and applauding houses. He afterwards composed several tragedies and comedies, and on the loss of the gallant Sir John Moore, published a poetical tribute to his memory. On the death of his father, Mr. Lewis came into the possession of very considerable plantations in the West Indies, besides a large sum in money. The former of these bequests imposed a duty upon him, and he accordingly determined to fulfil it, in a manner highly honourable to himself. On this occasion perhaps, the ardour of his imagination proved highly favourable to the best interests of humanity. He was now the master of several hundred slaves, daily subjugated to the whips of their black drivers, who were urged, perhaps, by the cruelty, the caprice, or the malevolence of a white task-master a insensible to pity, and hardened by long residence, under a а scorching sun, and the contagion of example, into the grossest insensibility. Was he to remain a co-partner with these men in guilt? Was he to trust a “gang," as it is called, of Negroes, entirely to their management and discretion ? Was he to be a participator, although both a distant and unconscious one, in their crimes ? Actuated by these generous ideas, he determined to trust no longer to the interested reports of others. Instigated by the noblest, most delicate, and most benign feelings, he resolved to encounter all the inconveniences of a long voyage, and all the dangers of an unhealthy season, in compliance to what he deemed an imperative duty! Mr. Lewis accordingly embarked in 1817, for Jamaica, and after a residence of some time there, took his passage for England. But the climate had already inflicted a mortal disease, and he died in the spring of 1818, while passing through the gulf of Florida. He was never married, and yet seemed calculated to render that state happy; for his manners were elegant, his wit sparkling, and his conversation polished and agreeable. In his person he was small, but his face was expressive, and his eye keen and penetrating Thus died, at the age of forty-five, Matthew Gregory Lewis, a martyr to the cause of humanity. Instigated solely by the commendable desire of ascertaining the happiness or misery of the negro slaves on his plantations, he passed the tropic, and encountered the maladies incident to a climate but little favourable to European constitutions. Alas, the result is not yet, and perhaps never will be known. It is impossible to find either comfort or morals in a state of bondage, and this truth has been consecrated by Homer, more than three thousand years ago. The song and the dance, when the mind is diverted for a moment from its miseries, are but very equivocal proofs of happiness: for we perceive, at this very moment, in some remote portions of Europe itself, many unhappy men, born in a state of villenage, who dance to the clink of their own chains! What the deductions made by personal inspection might have been, we are still ignorant of; but if he determined to alleviate their present sufferings, to encourage marriage, to promote morals, to afford rewards for meritorious actions, and, above all, to enfranchise, by degrees, the miserable animals (for men they cannot be called) consigned to his protection, he deserves no common degree of applause. In this case, we pronounce him to have been actuated with principles worthy of that best species of heroes — not the destroyers, but the benefactors of the human species. At any rate, Mr. Lewis deserves a high degree of praise ; for he is, perhaps, the first Englishman who ever crossed the Atlantic for the purpose of inquiring into the precise state of those consigned by Providence to his mercy and compassion. May his example incite others to follow so bright a model; and although their motive cannot be more pure, we trust that their fate will prove less disastrous ! List OF THE WORKS Of the late M. G. Lewis, Esq. 1. The Monk, a Romance, 3 vols. 1795. 4. The Minister, a Tragedy, from the German of Schiller, 8vo. 1797. 5. Rolla, a Tragedy, 8vo. 1799. B B VOL. III. 19. Monody on Sir John Moore, 8vo. 20. One o'clock, or the Knight and Wood Demon, a Historical Romance, 8vo. 1811. 21. Timour the Tartar, a Melo-drama, 8vo. 1812. No. XIX. COMMODORE SIR JAMES LUCAS YEO, K.C.B. and K.C. OF ST. BENITO, LATE OF MERRY OAK, IN THE COUNTY OF SOUTHAMPTON. This gallant officer was the son of James Yeo, Esq. formerly Agent-Victualler at Minorca, who survives him. Born in 1782, he was educated at the academy of the Rev. Mr. Walter, at Bishop's Waltham, in the county of Hants; and from his very cradle, evinced a most ardent attachment to the naval service of his country. In this earnest wish, he was fully gratified while almost a child, by being placed on the quarter-deck of the Windsor Castle, on board of which the flag of the late Admiral Cosby was then flying. Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth, K.G.C.B. (for an account of whom, see vol. ii. p. 136. of the Annual Biography,) soon after this became his patron, and by his interest, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant when only fifteen years of age. From this moment, he was indebted to his own merits alone for his subsequent rise in life. Lieutenant Yeo, however, had the good fortune to be placed under an excellent commander, and also to be stationed on board a ship, which, from its orders and destination, afforded him the most ample opportunity of obtaining notice and distinction. Accordingly, having been detached by Captain F. L. Maitland, then commanding La Loire, against some of the enemy's vessels which had taken refuge in the port of El Muros, on the coast of Spain, he commenced by storming the fort. Having succeeded by his gallantry in this bold attempt, all the vessels in the harbour became his prize, and he actually contrived to carry the whole off in triumph. In consequence of this exploit, our Lieutenant was immediately promoted to the rank of commander, and appointed with peculiar propriety to the Confiance, one of the little flotilla, which had been captured by his bravery and good conduct. After this, he proceeded against the French settlement of Cayenne, and conducting himself there with his wonted gallantry and success, he obtained the rank of Post Captain from the Lords of the Admiralty, and the rank of Knight Commander of St. Benito d’Aviso from the Prince Regent of Portugal. Having now acquired the character of a bold and enterprising officer, Captain Yeo repaired to Canada, where he was invested with the command on the lakes, and soon attracted universal notice by the boldness and originality of his designs, as well as by the intrepidity with which they were carried into effect. But alas ! in the prime of manhood, he was attacked by an atrophy, produced by the ardent temperament of a mind, superadded to the daily exertions of a body, which became at length incapable of supporting such incessant fatigue. А general debility accordingly ensued, and in a short time terminated the mortal career of a man who was ever eager to promote the honour and prosperity of the naval service of his country, in the 38th year age. His remains were brought home in the Semiramis, and interred in September, 1818, in the Garrison Chapel of Portsmouth, amidst the naval and military honours due to his rank and merits. в в 2 |