The brightest talents may, and frequently do find a silent abode in the hearts of individuals, like the latent spark in the durable flint, until the application of an opportunity or power capable of eliciting them. The most shining qualities cannot enlighten, unless a proper medium be afforded for the transit of their rays: and, when those properties or propensities are not of a general nature, but limited to a particular atmosphere, the opportunity for distinction becomes more limited, and difficult of attainment. It was the chance fortune of Admiral Hardy to have lived in an age, when the dangers that threatened this country called forth the energies of every Briton, when the character of the national army was depressed and under-rated, while Britannia, being completely mistress of the seas, the entire hopes of England for defence and security rested on her naval force. This general feeling conferred a degree of respect, an estimate of much value, an importance of such a paramount nature upon that service, that the youth of England then, and then only, felt their views of ambition completed when they trod the deck of a man-of-war. This laudable, ennobling, patriotic sentiment brought into historic existence the names of those eminent men, who—from the reign of Elizabeth, when the great but unwieldy armada was foiled, defeated, and almost annihilated, to that of Victoria, when peace reigned throughout the world–have fought and conquered all the fleets of Europe; acquiring for their country the empire of the ocean, for themselves a grateful remembrance, an imperishable fame.