The late Captain Arthur Forrest, whose professional character and talents will long be remembered and esteemed, was the offspring of a highly respectable, though impoverished, family in Scotland. But here, as in many other instances, the res angusta domi proved rather an advantage than an evil, as well to his country as to himself: to his country, as it compelled him to adopt a profession, in which he rendered her essential services; to himself, as it enabled him correctly to appreciate, and enjoy, a fortune for which he toiled and fought.

Of the precise period of his birth, or of the commencement of his naval career, we are uninformed; but, as early as the year 1741, he served as lieutenant in one of the ships, which composed the armament, under Admiral Vernon, on the unsuccessful expedition against Carthagena. At the attack of the Barradera battery, conducted by the Captains Boscawen, Watson, and Cotes, he greatly distinguished himself; heading a party of seamen, amongst the foremost who entered the enemy's work.— Lieutenant Forrest's gallantry did not meet an immediate reward; but, on the 9th of March, 1745, he was promoted to the rank of post captain, and appointed to the Wager. In 1746, he was employed in this ship, on the Jamaica station, and had the good fortune to capture a very large Spanish privateer, of 36 guns, and upwards of 200 men, which had done considerable mischief to the British trade, in the Windward Passage.