Not many days after, he suffered a most violent attack of the illness he had long anticipated. The immediate danger was soon averted; but the extent of the disease left not the smallest hope of recovery. He lingered until the 23rd of January, calmly waiting the event which his gradually increasing weakness convinced him was inevitable. Sustained by the principle which had guided him so long, his death-bed became the scene of his best and noblest triumph. “Every hour of his life is a sermon,” said an officer who was often with him; “I have seen him great in battle, but never so great as on his death-bed.” Full of hope and peace, he advanced with the confidence of a Christian to his last conflict, and when nature was at length exhausted, he closed a life of brilliant and important service, with a death more happy, and not less glorious, than if he had fallen in the hour of victory.
Lord Exmouth was buried at Christow, the parish in which are the family mansion and estate of Canonteign. The flag under which he fought at Algiers was used for a pall, and a young oak, to bear his name, was planted near the grave; a suitable memorial for a British seaman.
Two noble line-of-battle ships, the Algiers and the Exmouth, of 91-guns each, and fitted with screw propellers, of which one is just now commissioned and the other just launched, preserve in the navy the memory of his name and victory, and may yet be commanded by officers trained by his care, and formed by his example.
FOOTNOTES:
[14] The plate bore the following most flattering inscription:—
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
EDWARD, VISCOUNT AND BARON EXMOUTH,
And a Baronet,
Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military
Order of the Bath,
Of the Royal and distinguished Order of Charles
the Third of Spain,
Of the Royal Sicilian Order of St. Ferdinand,
and of Merit,
Knight of the Royal Sardinian Supreme Order of
the Annunciation.
Knt. Gd. Cross of the Royal Sardinian Order
of St. Lazarus & St. Maurice,
and of the Royal Military Order of William of
the Netherlands,
This Tribute of Admiration and Esteem
Is most respectfully presented by
THE REAR-ADMIRAL, CAPTAINS, AND COMMANDERS,
Who had the honour to serve under him
At the memorable VICTORY gained at
ALGIERS
On the 27th of August, 1816,
Where, by the Judgment, Valour, & Decision of their
distinguished Chief,
Aided by his brilliant Example,
THE GREAT CAUSE OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM
Was bravely Fought, and
NOBLY ACCOMPLISHED.