It is policy then, as well as justice, to stamp upon record the feats of the meanest, anxiously to search for worthy examples in every walk, and to proclaim them to their brethren, and to the world, as merited tributes, and powerful incentives to achievement. The Author regrets that his range has been so limited, and that, in many instances, the adduced anecdotes have not been more specific; but the foundation stone is laid, upon which a structure may yet be reared. He trusts, therefore, that the following request may not be unavailing, which is,--That his brother Officers will have the goodness to preserve, in written memorial, the names of those gallant fellows who may hereafter distinguish themselves, as well as a minute description of the circumstances. As error is a bye path to knowledge, he anticipates from the members of his own household, corrections of the many defects which have unavoidably crept into a work of such miscellaneous detail. A Soldier from his infancy, he begs that the public, and _those who controul its opinions_, may be tender with the lash! It would be a pity to bring a veteran, for his first offence, to the halberts, and that too for grammatical inaccuracies.--He has taken up the pen merely to be useful, not in the pursuit of literary fame. The arrangement of his subject will appear classed under distinct chapters, which engross the events of each separate year, excepting such as comprehend the intervals of peace; a season that yields little interesting matter, and what is uniformly comprized in one division. An Appendix is added, which contains the essence of every Act of Parliament now in force, so far as they affect the interests of the families, the widows, or representatives of the forlorn orphans of Seamen and Marines. A reference to it, will enable the Clergyman or private Gentleman, to become the immediate and solid friend of these meritorious and destitute objects, as the regular mode of transaction and correspondence is clearly pointed out, by which, to realize their little properties. The Author takes this public method of tendering his warmest thanks to the many respectable characters in this loyal spot, who have befriended his labours, and to that wide circle of Royalty, Nobility, and Gentry, who, although strangers to him, have yet deigned to countenance the humble individual, from affection to his Corps. BIRMINGHAM, 15th Nov. 1803. CONTENTS. CHAP. I. Introductory remarks--The original design of Marine Soldiers--Established in the year 1684--A detail of the first established Corps--Disbanded at the peace of Ryswick--Interesting events to the military--A digression respecting half-pay.--Page 1 to 8.