THE course of our labours under the encouragement of our liberal Patrons and Coadjutors, had extended to nearly the close of the Volume, when the melancholy death of our beloved Princess occurred to render it the most gloomy of the Series. Mournful is the page that records the death of the warrior, but in the necessities of War, the warrior among its chief requisites is always supplied by that Providence under whose permission war exists—the succession of a good and sufficient Sovereign is not equally certain. But to the dispensations of Providence it is our duty to bow in humble resignation, confident in his Wisdom and in his Goodness.

The contents of the Volume in other respects will be found to bear its usual character of pleasing interest. The subjects of our Biography are all modern, and thus calculated to bring the officers of the British Navy more professionally known to each other. We hope the reluctance to communicate such information will give place to a more open disposition.

Of the gentlemen whose services we have had the pleasure to record in the Volume now presented, it will be unnecessary to speak, except in the language of general remark, to say that their conduct has been evidently directed to the preservation of their country's interest and honour, and we hope in a satisfactory degree to the advancement of their own.