e shore, by which many a poor wretch was
saved who must otherwise have perished.

Another instance of heroic self-devotion was exhibited by a Methodist
preacher, a little later in the day, when, as no one appeared on the
ship's side, it was supposed that every one had either come on shore,
or had been drowned; but this brave and good mail thought that there
might be some still left on board who were unable to make an effort to
save themselves, and, under this impression, he ventured his life
through the surf, followed by a few other daring spirits like himself.
With great difficulty they gained the wreck, where, as they had
anticipated, they found several persons lying below, all too much
exhausted to get upon deck. Some, in terror and despair, called upon
God for mercy; others, in hopeful trust, seemed resigned to their
fate; and others were so weak as to be indifferent to the horrors
around them. Two women and two children were of the number. The
preacher and his gallant comrades had the happiness of saving the
women and some of the men, but the children were lost.

Sixty men, amongst whom were Captain Lydiard and his first-lieutenant,
perished in the wreck of the Anson. The survivors of the crew were
conveyed to Helstone, where they received every attention and kindness
which their unfortunate condition required. The body of Captain
Lydiard, which was washed on shore, was interred at Falmouth with
military honours.

We feel assured that the following particulars of the life of Captain
Lydiard will not be unacceptable to the reader.

He entered the navy in the year 1780, in the flag-ship of Admiral
Darby, who then commanded the channel fleet, and from that time served
as a midshipman under several commanders on various stations, both at
home and abroad, during thirteen years. In 1794, he was appointed a
lieutenant of the Captain, of 74 guns, in which ship he served in two
general engagements in the Mediterranean. In July of the following
year he removed to the Southampton frigate, commanded by Captain
Shields, and afterwards by Captain Macnamara.

On the evening of the 9th of June, 1796, the Southampton was stationed
with the fleet under Sir John Jervis, off Toulon, when a French cruizer
was discovered working up to Hieres Bay. The commander-in-chief called
the captain of the Southampton on board the Victory, and pointing out
the ship, directed him to make a dash at her through the Grand Pas.
Accordingly, the