He proceeded to arrange a parcel of cherry-stones, and forming them as two fleets, drawn up and opposed to each other, he at once arrested our attention." Page 159.

merit really rests with the man who first gives a practical value to a theory, and that this is specially the case with a naval or military commander, who in the fever and tumult of the strife seizes the right moment for carrying a principle into operation. And it may be added that, as a matter of fact, Rodney had already accomplished the manoeuvre on a partial scale in his action with the Comte de Guichen on the 17th of April, 1780.*

The following extract from Richard Cumberland's "Memoirs" may be regarded as conclusive testimony, unless we are to suppose that it is as purely inventive as one of the writer's own dramas—a supposition for which there seems no foundation :

“It happened to me to be present and sitting next to Admiral Rodney at table, when the thought seemed first to occur to him of breaking the French line by passing through it in the heat of action. It was at Lord George Germaine's house at Stoneleve, after dinner, when, having asked a number of questions about manoeuvring of columns and the effect of charging with them in a line of infantry, he proceeded to arrange a parcel of cherry-stones, which he had collected from the table, and forming them as two fleets, drawn up and opposed to each other, he at once arrested our attention, which had not been very generally engaged by his preparatory inquiries, by declaring he was determined so to pierce the enemy's line of battle (arranging his manœuvre at the same time on the table), if ever it was his fortune to bring them into action.

"I dare say this passed with some as mere rhapsody, and all seemed to regard it as a very perilous and doubtful experiment; but landsmen's doubts and difficulties made no impression on the Admiral, who having seized the idea held it fast, and in his eager, animated way, went on manoeuvring his cherry-stones, and throwing the enemy's representatives into such confusion, that, already in possession of that victory in imagination which in reality he lived to gain, he concluded his process by swearing he would lay the French Admiral's flag at his sovereign's feet-a promise which he actually pledged to his Majesty in his closet, and faithfully and gloriously performed.

"That he carried this projected manoeuvre into operation, and that the effect of it was successfully decisive, all the world knows. My friend, Sir Charles Douglas, captain of the fleet, confessed to me that he himself had been adverse to the experiment, and, in discussing it with the Admiral, had stated his objections; to these he got no other answer but that 'his counsel was not called for; he required obedience only-he did not want advice.' Sir Charles also told me that whilst this project was in operation (the battle then raging), his own attention being occupied by the gallant defence made by the Glorieux against the ships that were pouring their

The news of Rodney's victory was received in England with "a tumult of acclaim." All London, we are told, was in an uproar; the whole town was illuminated, bonfires blazed, and when his wife and daughters went to the theatre, pit, gallery, and boxes burst into loud and long-continued huzzas. The Government were not so lavish in their rewards. Sir George received only a barony, with a pension of £2,000 a year to himself and his heirs. Soon afterwards, a change of administration taking place, he was recalled with very little courtesy, and with none of the respect due to his active and valuable services. Sailing from Port Royal Bay on the 22nd of July, he landed at Bristol on the 13th of September, and was welcomed with an enthusiasm which showed that on this point the people were not in accord with their Government.

Thenceforward Lord Rodney lived principally in retirement with his family in the country. He suffered much from attacks

fire into her, upon his crying out, 'Behold, Sir George, the Greeks and Trojans contending for the body of Patroclus!" the Admiral, now pacing the deck in great agitation, pending the experiment of the manoeuvre, which, in the instance of one ship, had unavoidably miscarried, peevishly exclaimed, 'D-n the Greeks, and d-n the Trojans! I have other things to think of.' When, in a few minutes after, the supporting ships having led through the French line in a gallant style, turning with a smile of joy to Sir Charles Douglas, he cried out, 'Now, my dear friend, I am at the service of your Greeks and Trojans, and the whole of Homer's Iliad, or as much of it as you please; for the enemy is in confusion, and our victory is secure.'

"This anecdote, exactly as I relate it, I had from the gallant officer, Sir Charles Douglas, untimely lost to his country, whose candour scorned to rob his Admiral of one leaf of his laurels; and who, disclaiming all share in this manœuvre, nay, confessing he had objected to it, did, in the most pointed and decided terms, again and again repeat his honourable attestations of the courage and conduct of his commanding officer on that memorable day."

According to Sir Gilbert Blane (see p. 154, ante), this speech was made by Rodney himself.

of gout, which as he advanced in years increased in frequency and severity. Early in 1792, while on a visit to his son, Colonel Rodney, in London, he was assailed with repeated paroxysms, and on the night of the 23rd of May the disease flew to his stomach with fatal violence. Before morning he expired, without a sigh or a struggle, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, having been in the navy sixty-two years, and upwards of fifty years in commission-a period of service not often equalled, and we should think hardly ever surpassed.

Lord Rodney was of a handsome person, rather tall, with comely and expressive features, and a well-formed figure. In private life he was emphatically the well-bred gentleman, with prepossessing manners, and a polite, dignified, and courteous bearing. His nature was warm, frank, and generous; a kind and affectionate husband, he was also a tender and indulgent parent and a faithful friend. As a commander, he was prompt to reprove, when reproof was called for; but if he held the reins of discipline firmly, he was always considerate and just. His skill as an officer and his bravery as a seaman have been abundantly illustrated in the foregoing pages; and in naval history he will always be remembered as practically the inventor of the celebrated manoeuvre of "breaking the line."

M