him, and on coming to the throne, settled upon him a pension. He was also chosen a fellow of the Royal Society, with the uncommon favour of being excused the payment of the admission fee, and the usual annual contributions. Mr. Ferguson was a man of mild, unassuming manners; benevolent, meek, humble, and courteous; and his whole life was an example of resignation and christian piety. It is also said of him, "that philosophy seemed to produce in him only diffidence and urbanity, a love for mankind and for his Maker." Mr. Ferguson died in the year 1776, 178 HORATIO NELSON. It is pleasing to trace the early proofs of an heroic and adventurous spirit, which, springing up spontaneously by its own vigour, at length acquires universal renown, and renders the possessor the darling of his country. Few names in the naval annals of this great empire will rank in the same scale with the illustrious Nelson. In valour and judgement none excelled him: in humanity to his enemies, and benevolence to his people, he was particularly distinguished; in the number and magnitude of actions wherein he was engaged, he appears to have been unequalled; and in the glory which at tended his fall, he stands without a rival. He was the son of a clergyman in Norfolk, and was born at the rectory of Burnham Thorp, in that county, in 1758. In the tender years of infancy he doubtless exhibited to the eye of an observant parent many traits of that intrepidity of disposition which in after-life formed the most conspicuous part of his character. But of these few are recollected, or at least few have been related. The following anecdote has, however, been preserved. Being on a visit, when a child, at his grandfather's, he one day went out a bird's-nesting with a companion of nearly the same age as himself. The hour of dinner arrived, but Horatio was missing. The old lady became alarmed, and dispatched messengers in different directions to search for him. The young fugitives were at length discovered under a hedge, counting over the spoils of the day. When conducted home, Horatio's grandmother began to scold him for being absent without permission, and concluded with saying, "I wonder fear did not drive you home." To which he replied, Madam, I never saw fear." Our young hero did not receive a finished education; but what he wanted in learning he made up afterwards by natural good sense and talents aided by early experience and deep reflection. In 1770, being then twelve years of age, he was taken from school by his uncle Captain Suckling, who made him midshipman on board his own ship, the Raisonable, of 64 guns. |