I thank God I am free from all national invidiousness.
It is indirectly on record in the books of the English Admiralty, that in the year 1808--after the death of Lord Nelson--when Lord Collingwood commanded on the Mediterranean station, and his broken health induced him to solicit a furlough, that out of a list of upward of one hundred admirals, not a single officer was found who was deemed qualified to relieve the applicant with credit to the country.

This fact Collingwood sealed with his life; for, hopeless of being recalled, he shortly after died, worn out, at his post.

Now, if this was the case in so renowned a marine as England's, what must be inferred with respect to our own?
But herein no special disgrace is involved.

For the truth is, that to be an accomplished and skillful naval generalissimo needs natural capabilities of an uncommon order.

Still more, it may safely be asserted, that, worthily to command even a frigate, requires a degree of natural heroism, talent, judgment, and integrity, that is denied to mediocrity.