ion, which he never forgot. He had, indeed, considerable
claims to indulgence from his humane and generous superiors. The climate
proved too powerfully relaxing for his delicate frame; and, braced as it
had recently been, by the frozen atmosphere of the north, the sultry
airs of these torrid regions were now rapidly undermining his
constitution. Alarmed for the danger of a youth thus distant from his
friends, whose life was ever precious, even from his tenderest infancy,
to all who had opportunities of once knowing the goodness of his heart,
Captain Farmer and Sir Edward Hughes united in recommending his return
to England, as the only chance that remained for restoring him to
health.

Captain James Pigot, now Admiral of the White, was at that time coming
home with the Dolphin of twenty guns. To this gentleman's care, Horatio
was particularly recommended by Sir Edward Hughes; and such were the
tender and humane attentions of the worthy commander, that he may be
considered as having been greatly instrumental in the preservation of a
life which has since proved so substantially beneficial to the country.
Such, indeed, were the salutary effects of Admiral Pigot's soothing
kindness, and generous aids, added to the gradual change of air
experienced on the passage to England, that his young charge arrived
almost entirely restored to health, and again visited his beloved uncle.

That worthy and gallant gentleman, who was now become Comptroller of the
Navy, having succeeded Sir Hugh Palliser in April 1775, received him
with his accustomed benignity. His tenderness was alarmed at the ravages
which he beheld in his nephew's countenance; and he resolved that, if he
could not instantly reinstate his vigour, he would at least endeavour to
recruit his spirits by the choicest of all professional cordials, an
immediate and merited promotion.

On the 24th of September 1776, the Dolphin was paid off at Woolwich;
and, on the 26th of the same month, three days before his nephew
completed his eighteenth year, he received, through the comptroller's
influence, an order from Sir James Douglas, then commanding in chief at
Portsmouth, to act as lieutenant, in the Worcester of sixty-four guns,
under Captain Mark Robinson. This meritorious officer, who afterwards
distinguished himself in Admiral Keppel's memorable action of the 27th
of July 1778; as well as in that of Admiral Greaves, off the Chesapeak,
the 5th of September 1781, where he lost a