and commander in chief, in the room of that excellent officer the late General Sir Adam Williamson, his Majesty found none more deserving so important a station than Major-general Simcoe, who was appointed, with the local rank of lieutenant-general, the 3d of December, 1796.

The nomination of this officer was very acceptable to al ranks in the island, in which he arrived during February of the following year. The army required much trouble from him to enable it to act with vigour against the enemy, who had previous to his arrival formed the plan of driving the British, in succession, from their possessions of Mircbalais, Grand Bois, L'Arcahaye, St. Marc's, and Port-auPrince; the two former had been unaccountably evacuated, prior to his taking on him the command. The French and their allies were in great force contiguous to all these posts, and although General Simcoe did not bring any reinforcements with him, and the few troops he possessed wanted reform, yet he determined to commence operations against the enemy, without waiting to be attacked. The good effects of this plan were instantly seen; Toussaint was beaten before St. Marc; Mirebalais was re-captured; the ports of St. Lawrent and Le Boutiliere were taken by storm, and Rigaud, a gallant Mulatto chief, was prevented from obtaining possession of Trois.

He also established many forts and blockhouses to defend Port-au-Prince, and encamped the troops near it. By these means the inhabitants were tranquillizL 3

ed,

ed, and the soldiers enjoyed better health than when cooped up in garrison. The greatest thing a general can do is to pay particular attention to preserving the health of his men; without that conquests may be planned, but never effected.

General Simcoe now turned his thoughts to the civil government of the colony, the expenditure of which was immense, and the revenues but trivial. The duties on import and export he found necessary to increase, and they were paid without a murmur by those immediately concerned. Several other regulations were made and enforced, the good effects of which were soon visible, but in the midst of this gleam of prosperity, the colony was deprived of its governor, who returned to Europe in the month of July of the same year, leaving an indelible impression on the minds of all ranks and colours, of his brave, judicious, and upright administration. Perhaps the consequent evils and final evacuation of this valuable island would not have occurred, had he been properly supported from the mother country; short, however, as his stay was, he did more than any former general in conciliating the native inhabitants to the British govern

ment.

On the 18th of July 1798, his Majesty, as a reward for his services, was pleased to confer on him the command of the twenty-second regiment of foot; shortly after his return to England, he was employed on the staff; and on the 3d of October 1798, he was made a lieutenant-general. During the time the im

mense

mense preparations were making in all the French ports, in 1801, for the avowed purpose of an invasion, the important command of the town of Plymouth, the county of Devon, &c. was entrusted to him, and from the uncommon exertions he made in disciplining the volunteer corps, and persuading every man who could bear arms to come forward, there is little doubt but the enemy, had they attempted to land in that part of the country, would have received a severe check.

In consequence of the treaty of Amiens the war establishment being laid aside, the name of Gcneral Simcoe ceased to appear on the staff list, but since hostilities have recommenced he is among the lieutenant-generals employed, and now commands the western or Plymouth district.

At a time like the present the services of an officer possessing the professional merit of the subject of this memoir, may be turned to much advantage, and his military knowledge, conciliatory manner, and unremitting attention, successfully applied in disciplining the Army of Reserve now voted by Parliament.

As a military man General Simcoe is often consulted by those high in office, and is a member of every board of general officers ordered by his Majesty. In fact few gentlemen in the service are more capable of deciding on professional affairs, whether respecting discipline, or interior œconomy. He is also highly esteemed by a numerous circle of friends of the first respectability, and his opinion and advice taken in.

matters of the most interesting nature, for which he is eminently qualified by his knowledge of the world, and good sense. It ought not to be omitted, that he excels in classical learning, few officers in the army having had a better education.

EDWARD LORD ELLENBOROUGH,

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF KING'S BENCH.

IF a lawyer, who has risen to eminence by the force of personal merit, were to write a minute and copious account of his life, he would furnish a work very instructive to his profession, and interesting to the world in general. The number of those who seek in vain. by the study of the law for fortune and reputation, shews what a nice combination of circumstances is necessary to their success. Great abilities, even when assisted by common advantages, do not always attract the attention of the public, and that attention is not always deserved by the exertions which obtain it: the jealousy of his rivals, and the natural distrust with which we commit the defence of important interests to powers, of which experience has not determined the extent, essentially oppose the advances of a young lawyer. One who has overcome these difficulties, and has nicely attended to the instruments of his success, would be able to enrich the science of human life with many important observations.

From these considerations, it was particularly the wish of the writer of the life of Lord Ellenborough to collect

collect materials relating to the earlier part of his public carcer; and those which he has obtained are perhaps calculated to gratify curiosity.

Lord Ellenborough is a native of the county of Cumberland, and was son of Dr. Edmund Law, the late Bishop of Carlisle. He was educated, until he arrived at the age of twelve years, by his uncle, the Rev. Humphry Christian, who resided at Bottsam, near Cambridge, and was then sent to the Charter-house; thence he removed, in 1768, to St. Peter's College, Cambridge, of which his father had been appointed master in 1756.

After he had taken his bachelor's degree with great *credit, he was admitted of Lincoln's-inn. He was not, however, called at the usual standing, preferring to practise during some time under the bar. Lawyers in this situation are not allowed to appear in the character of advocates: they assist in drawing up written pleadings, whence they are called special pleaders; but the fees they receive are less than those given to the special pleaders who have been admitted to the bar. The advantages attending this plan are, practice at an early period, and the opportunities afforded of forming useful connections with clients. Of the profits attending it, the reader will not form a very high idea, from the following anecdote: A late attorney-general, at a consultation, after discussing the point under consideration, in his usual high and decisive tone, concluded with saying, "And, gentle* Lord Ellenborough was third wrangler and senior medallist.

men,