IT frequently happens that those who have merited the first rewards of honour and fame, are denied the recompense due to their actions until they have ceased to be the objects of envy and rivalry. The survivors, who, to the possession of materials for their biography, add a generous sense of justice, are then excited to view impartially their claims to posthumous renown. When these high pretensions are instituted, the jealous guardians of public honour will require the friends of the man in whose favour they are asserted to exhibit the tenor of his life. Has that been useful? This is the true test of a good character. The extent and value of his services. Have they tended to the public benefit? This is the criterion of a great character: I shall now proceed to apply it.

Col. Patrick Walker, the subject of this memoir, was a native of Fifeshire. The respectable family from which he descended had been for many generations the proAsiatic Journ.-No. 37.

prietors of St. Fort in that county. He was born in the year 1766; having lost his father while an infant, he was brought up at St. Andrews under the superintending care en affectionate and most exce mot er; to her lessons he o the udiments of virtue

and honour. After having completed a clas cal education at college, he had to choose a profession, and he decided in favour of the army. In 1781 a cadetship was i consequence obtained for him in the military re of the EastIndia Compa this happened before he was een years of age. Early in 1782, Patrick Walker embarked for India. His original appointment was for Madras, but from a desire f accompanying his elder brother, who had been appointed the preceding season a cadet for Bombay, he was removed on application for 'hat purpose to the same establishment. The fleet consisted of upwards of twenty Indiamen and transports, and was convoyed by seven sail of the line,

VOL. VII.

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