On the 23rd of April, there was a naval promotion, in which some of the senior captains, including Sir Edward Pellew, were advanced to be Rear-Admirals of the White, passing over the intermediate step.  This favour was probably considered due to them, for they had served considerably beyond the time which had hitherto given an officer his flag, the former promotion having been a small one, and the interval much longer than usual.

Sir Edward received with his promotion the appointment to be commander-in-chief in India.  He hoisted his flag in the Culloden, and gratified Captain Christopher Cole, the youngest brother of his deceased friend, and who had served with him as a midshipman in the Winchelsea, by naming him for his captain.

CHAPTER VIII.

SIR EDWARD’S COMMAND IN INDIA.

The arduous charge of a commander-in-chief requires more than great decision, and a judgment matured by experience.  It claims also a mind naturally comprehensive, that it may be equal to great and complicated responsibilities.  He has other, and not less important duties than to harass the enemy.  He is to protect the commerce of his country; to make his influence so felt over every part of his station, that merit may be encouraged, and negligence effectually controlled; to provide in all respects for the efficiency of his fleet; and to act with the full powers of an ambassador, whenever there is no accredited minister.  In addition to these more obvious duties, occasions will continually arise which demand the utmost temper and discretion.  If the secret history of the greatest, and most popular commanders were fully made known—­what difficulties they encountered, and what anxieties they endured—­not many would be found to envy them their distinctions.

The change in the ministry, which took place within three weeks after Sir Edward’s promotion and appointment, subjected him, in its consequences, to many and great inconveniences; for the new Board of Admiralty manifested a decidedly hostile feeling.  Such was the temper displayed, that he thought it necessary to caution his brother Israel to observe the utmost circumspection in all his conduct, and never even to sleep out of his ship.  The evident desire to deprive him of his command left him very little expectation that he would be allowed to keep it, and in his first letter from India he observed, “Probably my successor is already on his way to supersede me.”  He was not far mistaken.

The most valuable, indeed the only valuable part of his command was that to the eastward of Ceylon, which included the two chief presidencies, and all the rich colonies of the enemy.  It was resolved to deprive him of this, by creating it a separate station, leaving to him only the western seas.  The more desirable portion was conferred upon Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge, an officer whose reputation must endure