THE UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE. N° LXI.-VOL.X.] For DECEMBER, 1808. [NEW SERIES. "We shall never envy the honours which wit and learning obtain in any other cause, if we can be numbered among the writers who have given ardour to virtue, and confidence to truth."-DR. JOHNSON. SKETCH of the LIFE of Sir HEW DALRYMPLE. Wabolition of the portrait in our the tongue of slander has so loudly opened against Sir Hew, it does not half as a military man, it is but candid appear he has ever degraded. If he not hitherto distinguished himMagazine, we left our readers to consider the measure as final and unal- to impute this failure to a want of terable; while to ourselves we re- opportunity. The circumstances of served the discretionary power of Sir Hew making a short trip to Flan presenting them with that embellish- ders with the Duke of York, his subment, as often as circumstances might sequent appointment to be a district arise, by which individuals became General in the north of England, and objects of public enquiry and curio- his nomination to the lieutenant gosity. This determination perfectly vernorship of Gibraltar, from whence accords with the principle laid down he was called to take an active part in our address, (See Univ. Mag. for in the recent affairs in Portugal,— July, p. 3) and by which, while we were not objects the best calculated are exonerated from the necessity to obtain celebrity. But though forof hunting out the obscure, we are at bidden to figure in the great world, liberty to avail ourselves of the emi- we understand Sir Hew, as a true nent. The present plate therefore, friend to discipline and improvement or any future ones which may occain the army, has always lent his adsionally be given, are to be regarded vice and concurrence to every plan as gratuitous, by which we wish to of amelioration which promised any meet, as far as possible, the expectashare of success. To judge of these, tions and approbation of our readers. Sir Hew's habits of intimacy with a Sir HEW WHITE FORD DALRYM- number of enterprizing and profesPLE who is, we hope, upon the point sional men, joined to his own abili of emerging from one of the thickest ties as a scholar, have eminently quaclouds of calumny and popular prejudice that ever perhaps obscured any individual of eminence, seems to have been, advantageously for himself, reserved for this singular occasion. Tho' born, as it were, a gentleman and a soldier, hitherto all opportunities of exhibiting himself to advantage as a public character seem to have shunned him. Sir Hew was born at Ayr, in North Britain, on the 3d of De cember, 1750 He is the only son of John Dalrymple of Ayr, a captain of the Enniskillen regiment of Dragoons. His father was the third son of Sir Hew Dalrymple, of North Berwick, Bart. who was the third son of James, Viscount Stair. This honourable descent, though lified him. Though he did not accompany General Sir David Dundas to Prussia, shortly after the peace of 1783, when the great Frederick, to whom all Europe more or less was indebted for the discipline of its armies, and when that monarch had ordered a grand review of the whole of his forces;yet he is known to have been extremely partial to that General's tactics, and to have approved of his Principles of Military Movements, chiefly applicable to Infantry." It must, however, be acknowledg ed that the writer in question borrowed largely from the "Elements of Tactics for the Prussian Infantry, by General Saldern," translated by 3 P Professor Landman of the Royal Aca- ed such manœuvres as he though demy, Woolwich, and from the Essai proper. Neither was the manual exde Tactique, par M. Guibert Sim- ercise then, as it is now, the same in plicity and generality of principle are all regiments; nor marching in quick the distinguishing features of the great or slow time properly regulated.Frederick's military system. Co- Consequently, when two or three lumns to the front, or in echelon; ac- regiments met together in the same curate marching for his line in infan- camp or garrison, they could not try; and rapid movements for the act in brigade or line till the general cavalry; formed its distinguishing fea- commanding officer established a tures. When he moved, it was at temporary uniform system. Still this the head of a strong advanced guard, new system, uniform as it was, did behind which, his troops formed into not meet with merited approbation columns were collected and combin- till Captain Reide published his ed. One part of the army was "Treatise on Military Discipline," strengthened by reserves, or the guard as he observes, to show the principles before-mentioned, and the rest of the on which the present system of tacline refused. To gain the enemy's tics is formed, in a plain and perspiflank was a desirable manoeuvre, and cuous point of view. by these means he acted with effect, though perhaps in numbers he was much superior. The system of Sir David Dundas, which, we understand, was most cordially approved by Sir Hew Dalrymple, was by his Majesty's direction adapted for the use of the army in 1792. It was accordingly printed under the title of Rules and Regulations for the Formation, Field Exercise, and Movements of his Majesty's Forces," with an injunction that this system should be strictly followed and adhered to without any devia'. tion whatsoever. And by no officer in the army, we believe, have these rules been followed with greater fidelity than by Sir Hew Dalrymple. With respect to Sir Hew Dalrymple, if his services previous to the expedition to Portugal are adverted to, the British expedition to Holland in 1799 was of too short a duration to afford a proper theatre for the display of great talents. Allowing the term, the whole period of Sir Hew's government of Gibraltar was a scene of still life. Zeal and courage, it must be admitted, are necessary qualities in a soldier. When bravery is backed by the former qualities, the greatest dangers, difficulties, and fatigues are overcome. To these must be united a natural inclination for war, in order to constitute a consummate General. It is that inward impulse which contributes most efficaciously towards effecting great achievements. It has been further observed, that appearing in arms at an early age does not contribute a little to ensure success. These qua These regulations are indeed formed upon the most important principles; for instance, in marching they are calculated to preserve just distances particularly the leading of divisions, on which every movement lifications united in an officer, though depends; forming good lines; chang- of exhibiting them in the field, will he has had few or no opportunities ing fronts by echelon; wheeling nevertheless afford sufficient indicaby divisions from column, and at all times marching either in ordi- tions upon which we may establish nary or quick time, by cadenced his character. steps. The approbation and adoption However, the major part of these of these rules must be enhanced by may be fairly claimed by Sir Hew the consideration that, till they were Dalrymple: and upon this ground, published, we never had any general a want of an opportunity to make system of discipline which was uni- a proper display of them may be versally and unexceptionably com- deemed a misfortune, but can never plied with. A few review regulations by any mode of reasoning be conexcepted, every commander in chief, verted into a crime. or officer commanding a corps, adopt W. E. T ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. The DEATH-BED of ST. ALBERT, and ed to rest upon his countenance. A the CONSOLATIONS of VIRTUE. In the midst of these contemplations came the evening on, and the hour which I had appointed for visiting the youth's father. I went. The door was opened by my young friend, who, with a look expressive of silence, and a significant hush," informed me that his father had just fallen asleep. He shut the door softly, and conducted me silently into a small room, in one corner of which was a low bed with chequered curtains that were open at the bottom. I sat down on a chair by the window which looked into a smali garden, while the youth attended to something which he was preparing on the fire for his father.. I directed my eyes towards the bed. They became rivetted. Never shall I forget the sacred form that lay there extended. few drops of perspiration stood upon 66 faint tone," have I slept long?" Henry, my child!" said he in a Scarcely an hour, father," replied the youth, looking at his watch which hung at the bed-head. "But it has much refreshed me." His eye now accidentally turned towards me. A transient blush of sur prise and alarm tinged his cheek; but it passed away.—I arose and went towards him. "This is the gentleman, father," said the youth, who saved my life this morning, when I fell into the river, and who so kindly gave me the money." A mingled expression of joy, gratitude, and benevolence beamed from the aged veteran's eyes as his son spoke this. A smile of peace settled upon his lips. He stretched forth his hand towards me; I placed mine in, it. He pressed it feebly; and exclaimed with a fervency that struck me to the soul, Young man! may the blessing of God rest upon thee and thine!" I sat down by his bed side. My hand was still locked in his. "You will pardon," said I, "this intrusion. I came here from no motives of impertinent curiosity, or from busy interference. I came in the full hope that I might be able to assist, to console, and to relieve." 66 His head was supported by two pillows, and the last rays of the setting sun, which shone into the room, glanced a pale red upon his pallid cheek! His hands were folded across Ah, Sir!" replied St. Albert, (for his breast. A few grey hairs scatter- that was his name) "did I even meed thinly about his temples shaded rit this kindness, I have no hope with venerable simplicity a deep en- from your endeavours. Exhausted trenched scar, the glowing crimson nature pants for her repose; and the of which, to my mind, dignified eager soul burns to shake off this load while it upbraided the wan hue of of corruption that presses her aspiring the veteran's face. To me it seemed flight to earth. The hour of dissoluto bloom in conscious pride, like the tion must come; and it never can flower of early spring that shows its come more welcome than to the blushing scarlet through heaps of weary sufferer, to whom nature is but fleecy snowdrift, unmelted yet by a blank; and this so high prized the warm western breeze! His world, a vain and empty shew. The sleep was tranquil; he breathed freely, his lips, half unclosed, moved accordant to the inward workings of his mind. A holy resignation scem silken cords of pleasure and delight, which once held me a willing captive to this dim spot, are now for ever burst asunder. Suppose it pleased St. Albert looked steadily at me; a hectic tinge flushed across his cheek; he sighed, and exclaimed, "Every heart has its own sorrows: let no man disturb their sanctuary." Every Almighty God to stretch my frail gladness through the day; the moon thread of existence yet a few years no longer, wheeling her silent course longer, where is the distant prospect along the starry space, sheds peace, on this side the grave that can cheer and holy musing, and harmony my sinking heart, or lend new vigour around; earth's choicest spots, her to my tottering steps? My most en- groves of myrtle, and her sparkthusiastic schemes would dwindle to ling springs, to him bring no delight; a span: I should but hover round the for lovelier groves and more translugrave, pleased with the airy bubbles cent streams he left behind; ail naof a noon-day sun, and let my grey ture saddens; unblest he wanders hairs stream a little longer in the through her boundless stores; even fanning breezes of a summer's day. man has lost all noble features; no At last, to drop with the shadows of breast receives him; no eye of love evening! No when life becomes a beams upon his sorrows; no tear of pain, death is our sweetest refuge!" pity falls to soften his afflictions. "But why," replied I, "should In the midst of his species he is alone! life be painful to him, whose con- Even so may it be with thee. Poverty science holds no avenging rod?" and disease have exiled thee from all the pleasures of life. You look back with streaming eyes to those you have once enjoyed. The contrast aggravates the present. A dreary desert seems to spread around you. step carries you further into its glooms; and you sigh for a passport to a new existence. But oh! remem"No, my young friend," conti- ber, the storm that threatens now nued he, "tis an impiety which my may disappear; the bleak and desoheart disclaims, causelessly to repine late winds that whistle round your at that gift which God hath given head, may subside into gentle ze us to make us blest. Life is a poison. phyrs soft as the down that clothes In unskilful hands its effects are al- the budding musk rose; the clouds ways fatal; it works with deleterious that darken the horizon may brighten power, and corrupts the sources of into sunshine, and quick springing felicity. But to those who know its flowers deck your barren path. Hope, force and efficacy, whom nature has like a beckoning angel, shall gently fashioned to extract its virtues, and lead you forwards, and shadow you even so to mingle its very drugs with with her wings as you sink into the antidotes as to form a healthful beve- grave! rage for the soul; to such, life with all its dark unfruitful spots, with all its storms and tempests that batter our poor earthly frame, becomes a blessing held on a tenure of most endearing joys. Such was it once to me; but I have lost the art of mingling its discordance into harmony." He pronounced these words with uncommon solemnity. I was struck, and remained silent. an !" St. Albert shook his head and sighed. He remained silent for a moment, and then resumed the discourse. "Not the recollection of past enjoyments that renders present existence indifferent to me. To a well formed mind that recollection should "That probably," I replied, "is rather administer increased delight. because you see through a deceitful 'Tis as we should say, 'Lord! thou medium. Sickness and poverty have hast given me comfort, and peace, thrown a mist before your eyes, and happiness: thou hast strewed my which distorts the face of things into path with roses, and bade contenta thousand antic shapes that nature ment journey with me, hand in hand; and reality disown. Misfortune clouds but even as darkness and night follow the mind, and intercepts its faculties; 'the splendour of morning, so age and gives it an ideal world of shapeless decrepitude and much sorrow sucdeformity, that its more healthfulceed to the smiling gaiety and manly senses would never know. To the vigour of youth: yet Eternal God! wandering exile from his native shores I repine and murmur; invert for me the sun no longer beams with golden thy fixed decrees; bid the young |