rejects the calvinistical interpretation of the articles; but the contemplation of their numbers, and the indifference with which established opinions are always regarded, renders them inactive in defence of the cause they approve. The followers of Calvin are more formidable from their abilities than from their numbers. Their opinions are calculated to flatter and inflame popular feelings: the pretence, or the reality of superior sanctity, impresses with irresistible force these opinions on minds already prepared to receive them. They act with all the advantages attending an attack, and they display a vigour excited by the survey of what they have done, and of what remains to be done, by the greatness of their labour, and of its reward. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GENERAL SIR WILLIAM MEDOWS, K. B. ZEAL and courage are necessary qualities in a soldier. When bravery is backed by the former quality, the greatest dangers, difficulties, and fatigues are overcome. To these must be united a natural inclination for war, in order to constitute a great general; for it is that inward impulse which contributes so efficaciously to effect it, while appearing in arms at an carly age, helps not a little to ensure success. From the actions of an officer we are enabled to estimate his talents, and appreciate the force of those powerful stimulants, and that love of glory, which induce generous minds to acquire excellence, praise, and rewards. H 2 wards. In the following character, which we hold up to our military readers for example and imitation, will be demonstrated the truth of our observations. Sir William Medows was born on the 31st of De cember, 1738. He is the third son of Philip Medows, Esq. and grandson to Sir Philip Medows, knight marshal. His eldest surviving brother, who succeeded to the estates of his uncle, the last Duke of Kingston, in 1788, took on that occasion the family name of Pierrepoint, and was elevated to the peerage in 1796, by the title of Lord Viscount Newark. The subject of the following pages entered into the service as an ensign in the fiftieth regiment, in the year 1756, and obtained a lieutenancy in November of the following year. In one of the expeditions to the coast of France, in 1758, planned by the great Lord Chatham, he acted as aid-de-camp to Lord Ancram. When the fiftieth regiment was ordered to Germany, in the beginning of 1760, he repaired thither with it, and joined the allied army under those able generals Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and the Marquis of Granby. He was present in many of the subsequent actions, in which he greatly distinguished himself as an attentive, active, and good officer. In March 1764, after his return from the continent, his friend Lord Ancram obtained for him a troop in the fourth regiment of horse, in Ireland, now called the seventh dragoon guards, of which his patron was lieutenant-colonel; and in October 1766, Captain Mcdows succeeded to the majority of the same corps. Emulous Emulous for promotion, in a profession for which his talents and knowledge were eminently adapted, he procured, on the 31st of December, 1769, the lieutenant-colonelcy of the fifth regiment of foot, commanded by Earl Percy, now Duke of Northumberland, who the year before had succeeded to that corps. However much he liked serving under his Lordship, yet being partial to the cavalry, he was removed to the twelfth light dragoons in September 1773. On the breaking out of the American war, as there was no prospect of the regiment he was in being employed, he exchanged into the fifty-fifth, in September 1775, and repaired with it to America. The acquisition of such an officer as Colonel Medows was soon after noticed in a distinguished manner by the commander in chief, who appointed him to the command of the first brigade of grenadiers; an appointment which, from the honour attending it, equally reflected credit on both officers. At the head of this gallant body of men, on which the brunt of every brilliant action fell, particularly that of Brandywine, fought September 13, 1776, he distinguished himself in the most signal manner. In the abovementioned battle Colonel Medows was wounded. The lieutenant-coloneley of the fifth regiment of foot, which he highly valued, becoming vacant, an application was made for it to the commander in chief, General Sir William (now Lord Viscount) Howe, and it was accordingly conferred in November 1777; on the 25th of the same month he obtained the rank of colonel by brevet. It is almost needless to remark, that H 3 that the commander in chief seized every occasion, in his official dispatches, to praise Colonel Mcdows for his gallant conduct. France having taken an active part in the war between Great Britain and her colonies, it was determined by the English cabinet to strike a blow at her West India islands, and for this purpose the commander in chief in North America was ordered to send a detachment of his army to act in that quarter. Majorgeneral Grant was accordingly appointed for this purpose, together with a body of chosen troops. The Colonels Medows and Prescott* were nominated Brigadier-generals to this little army, a measure which, from the glory and success acquired, fully exhibited the wisdom that prevailed at head-quarters. The troops from North America having rendezvouzed at Barbadoes, were joined by others from the mother country. The capture of St. Lucia (which from its excellent harbours had proved of great service to the enemy in these seas) was deemed an important object, in consequence of which, in December 1778, General Grant, with five thousand men, and the two Brigadier-generals, left English harbour, and on the evening of the 13th the troops effected a landing. Brigadier-general Medows's brigade, consisting of the fifth foot, together with the grenadiers and light infantry companies of the different regiments, in all *Now General Robert Prescott, Colonel of the twenty-eighth regiment of foot, Governor of Canada, &c. an excellent officer, who in three successive wars has distinguished himself in the most gallant and meritorious manner, about ábout one thousand three hundred men, formed the reserve of this little army. The place he landed at was the Grand Cul de Sac, on accomplishing which, he pushed forward to gain possession of the heights on the north-side of the bay, where the French regular and militia forces, under the Chevalier de Micond, were strongly posted. Though this was a very arduous task in so hot a country, and became peculiarly difficult from the nature of the ground, yet the Brigadier-general, at the head of his gallant followers, forced the passes, seized on a field piece, which they had repeatedly fired at him with effect when landing, and afterwards a four gun battery that greatly annoyed the shipping at the entrance of the harbour. In the mean time, Brigadier-general Prescott with five regiments had advanced against Morne Fortuné, of which he soon got possession. To drive the French commandant from post to post, until the island was in our possession, was the plan of the Generals, and gallantly did the former defend them. The most important of these posts was the Vigié, commanding the north side of the Careenage, against which Brigadier-general Medows, under a burning sun, led his brave brigade, and carried it. During this whole affair, to use the words of a celebrated writer, "celerity in execution, and prudence in securing, and immediately turning to account every advantage obtained in war, were never more necessary, nor ever more eminently displayed, than upon this occasion." The possession of the Vigié, with the different batteries, gave the assailants the entire command of the neck H 4 |