Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Baronet, K.C.B.
History
Memoir of the Life and Services of Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton, Baronet, K.C.B.
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Brenton, Jahleel, Sir, 1770-1844; Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century
being done to that which only made him an ornament to his profession, or
an instrument of national advancement.
In a clergyman on the contrary, the chief if not the only claim that
he can possess on the recollection of others, the only sense in which
his life can be held up as an example to those of his own profession,
consists in his personal piety; in the remembrance of that eminence to
which the grace of God had raised him, as a holy, humble-minded, faithful
man; and that is, therefore, told of him, and that is dwelt upon in him,
which it is most useful for other men to know, but which is equally and
alike useful to all of every profession and of every rank. The world
estimates its heroes by a different rule, and looks in consequence to
qualities of a different kind. It dwells on that which is professional to
the exclusion of that which is personal. It dwells on those things which
catch the eye, and fill the ear, and arrest the imagination; while that
which passes within, that which constitutes moral eminence, and which
renders a man a model for a Christian to follow, is overlooked in the
more exciting narrative of contests for distinction, as irrelevant to the
character which is being exhibited; and thus, the benefit of example, in
cases such as these, is lost to men, because men are more interested in
results, than in causes; in the things that have been done, than in the
principles of those who did them; and regard the subjects of biography as
successful candidates for the world’s applause, rather than as models for
private imitation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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