BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF THE LATE SAMUEL BLYTH, ESQ. COMMANDER IN THE ROYAL NAVY

Summary

By glory fir'd, thus spake his latest breath,

“Ah! giveme victory, orgiveme death.”

Heard was his prayer!–its fatal purport sped!

Fate wav'd the gloomy cypress o'er his head.

His ensigns floating yet, in martial pride:

Far from his native isle and widow'd bride–

A glorious death, the gallant Seaman died!

By gen'rous foes the last sad rites were paid:

In foreign earth the warrior's corse was laid:

The sculptur'd stone his pensive shipmates rear,

And silent shed the sympathetic tear.

Whilst near his grave, in victory's arms laid low,

Is seen the spot where rests his happier foe.

——Editor.

THIS naval commander, the first who lost his life and his ship in battle with the Americans, during this second American war, was born 23d February, 1783, at Portsea. His father belonged to the royal navy, and died within fourteen days of the birth of his son. This child was reared by his kind and indulgent grandfather (Mr. Samuel Blyth), a seaman of the old school, who was highly esteemed for qualities that, under a more wise and liberal system, would have carried him far towards the top of his profession. He was sailing master on board the Barfleur (Sir Samuel, now Lord Hood), in the glorious victory of the 12th April; and, no doubt, he contributed largely to the defeat and destruction of the foe.