DEDICATION.

Were I to publish the history of amonarch who, not merely satisfied with attend-ing to the prosperity of his kingdom, and makinghis people happy, is likewise desirous of restoringto less fortunate sovereigns those dominions ofwhich they have been unjustly deprived ; or thatof a young prince who, scarcely mounted on histhrone, appears to possess the same sentiments,and occupies himself in pursuing the same object;I should undoubtedly offer the tribute of mylabours to his Britannic Majesty, or the Emperorof Russia : but being about to present to the Readerthe annals of an order the naval combats of whichmake so striking a figure in every page of thisHistory, I do not hesitate a moment in dedicatingit to

THE BRITISH NAVY,

which has produced so many celebrated heroes,whose brilliant exploits may be said to rival eventhose of ancient chivalry.