His lordship has lately purchased East Cliffe, a beautiful marine villa, within sight of the French coast, where he occasionally resides during the summer. It was built by the late Bond Hopkins, who may be considered as possessing a peculiar gusto for matters of this sort, having erected two at the expence of about seventy thousand pounds, with a degree of taste never as yet surpassed by any man in this island. We have thus commenced the labours of another year by recapitulating the exploits of one of our most celebrated admirals, who has served under a Dennis, a Keppel, a Howe, a Hood, and a Bridport. It has always been our ambition to present the defenders of their country to the admiration of their compatriots; and it is now our fervent wish, that this gallant commander may long continue to enjoy the confidence of the nation and the smiles of the monarch.* Lord Melville was on board the former ship during the attempt against Boulogne, respecting which the commander in-chief expressed himself in a very guarded manner. Although acquainted with, he also appears to have had nothing to do with the stone expedition. His lordship was appointed captain, March 11, 1773; a rear admiral April 2, 1794; a vice admiral, June 1, 1795; and an admiral of the blue, January 1, 1801. THE THE HON. MRS. DAMER. Hoc erat in votis: modus agri non ita magnus, Maiâ nate, nisi ut propria hæc mihi munera faxis.-HOR. THE task of retracing the steps of a lovely and accomplished woman, through the tranquil and flowery paths of domestic life, must at all times be an agreeable employment; but when the object of investigation is Mrs. Damer, the occupation becomes delightful; and her biographer turns with eagerness from the records of politics and the sword, to be led into a service, which introduces him to beauty, peace, and the muses. Many illustrious names, besides that of the heroine of this biographical sketch, might be registered in the list of female worthies. We have several British Andromaches, who need not shrink from a comparison with the amiable widow of Hector. The Princess of Wales, in her retirement at Blackheath, draws around her an assembly of poets, sages, and heroes, by the magic movement of her chisel alone. There the noble Caroline of Brunswick converses with the mighty dead; and while she holds "converse" with the Stuarts and Plantagenets (whose images her own Promethean flame has reanimated with life), she feels no longer solitary, no longer a pensive persive recluse; but sees herself (the daughter of heroes!) in the presence of ancestors who seem to smile upon her virtues, to glory in her genius, and to prophesy her future happiness and honours. It would be the business of a summer-day to recount the names and occupations of all the ladies of high rank who have devoted themselves to English industry, taste, and usefulness, The Princess Royal (now the Duchess of Wirtemberg) is one of the best engravers in Europe; many of her works embellish the walls of Buckingham-house, Frogmore lodge, and St. James's palace. The drawings of the Princess Elizabeth are generally esteemed for justness of design, and grace in execution. The verses of Sir J. B. Burges (the author of the heroic poem called "Richard the First") have been emblazoned by the pencil of her Royal Highness.-Lady Spencer, Lady Temple, Lady Amherst, Lady Henry Fitzgerald, and many others, are likewise successful votaries to the muse of the graphic art. We may also boast several very bright female titles in the walks of poesy; and at the head of them we will inscribe that of the Duchess of Devonshire. One beautiful poem by her Grace is in the libraries of most people, who, if they have sensibility to feel the soft associations of domestic affection, and taste to appreciate elegant versification and accurate imagery, must say with delight "On Gothard's hill eternal wreaths shall grow, "While lasts the mountain, or while Ruesse shall flow." With such amiable and animating sisters of Par 1805-1806. Ꭰ nassus, nassus, Mrs. Damer has been accustomed to pass her hours from carliest infancy. Apollo and the Nine seemed to preside at her birth. Her mother was the beautiful and accomplished widow of the Earl Aylesbury. This lady, some time after the death of her lord (who was many years her senior), married the late Field-Marshal Conway, to whom she bore the fair subject of our history. Miss Conway, with a very lovely person, and great vivacity of mind and spirits, inherited all her mother's uncommon facination of manners, to which she added a grace of deportment entirely her own; and a pathos of elocution that took the heart captive, and subdued all the senses to her controul. When her father, a veteran worthy of the soil which gave him birth, could no longer reap laurels in the field of honour, he buried his sword beneath the roses of literary glory. General Conway lived on terms of intimacy with all the men of genius and taste who were his contem poraries: it would be impertinent to enumerate them, for there is scarcely a name of eminence in the senate, the camp, or the navy, that might not be ranged under the different classes of his kinsmen, friends, and acquaintance. The Honourable Horatio Walpole (the late Earl of Orford) was one of the General's oldest friends. He was early struck with the dawning genius of Miss Conway; and did every thing that lay in the power of friendship, cultivated taste, and polished society, to render the young lady as complete in every classical perfection of the mind,as nature had already made made her in person. the minor graces, of needlework, dancing, singing, and music. But the bent of her abilities was turned (by the direction of a charming emulation, and love of laudable distinction) upon achieving those acquirements in the sciences and sublimer arts, which are only to be won by close attention, deep study, and constant exercise. She soon became mistress of In a short time Miss Conway was regarded with eyes of admiration by persons of all ages, ranks, and situations. Mothers proposed her as a model for their daughters; and daughters, not knowing how to envy what engaged their love, tried to copy her plan of life, her looks, her manners, nay, even her dress; for Miss Conway's intimate acquaintance with the costume of ancient Greece and Rome, gave her (though to herself almost unconsciously) a great preeminence of taste, in the fancy of her garments, over the vulgar fashions of the day. Several men of the best families in England, and of distinguished endowments, offered themselves to General Conway as candidates for his daughter's hand. He was as much wooed for his lovely charge as ever were the guardians of any fair lady in romance: and she rejected as many sighing swains, gallant squires, gay baronets, and stately lords, as would have filled the train of Clarissa Harlowe, or afforded Harriet Byron, "the frankest woman in England!" an opportunity of trying the patience of her cousin Selby. After the dismission of many a lover-of some D 2 who |