The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-18 00:00:00

IRE LATE LIEVTEV ANT BELLOT.

The Moniteur contains a memoir of the late Lieu-
tenant Bellot, whose heroic fortitude and lamentable death
in the Arctic regions have lately engaged public sympathy.
"M. Bellot was bore at Paris on the 18th of March,
1828. At the age of fifteen years and a half, he was ad-
mitted to the Naval School, which be left with a high repu-
tation in 1843, standing fifth on the list of eighty pupil. of
the amend class who were promoted on the Ist of Septem-
ber in that year. After serving successively on board the
Suffren and Friedland for nearly six months, he obtsiaed
the favour, much sought for by young naval officers, of
being sent on a long cruise. On the 23rd of June, 1844,
K. Bellot sailed from Brest fur Bourbon, on board
the corvette Berceau, which was subsequently lost
In the Madagascar waters. Ile was still in the
Berceau when in April, 1845, ho distinguished him-
melt by saving, at the risk of his lite, a man who fell over-
board. On that occasion Captain (now Admiral) Rom►in-
Desfoeses, commandant a the Bourbon and Madagascar
Station, thus wrote to the Minister of Marine, giving an
account of M. Bel!ot's gallant conduct.

... His post is ever there where a stood example is to be set
or a danger to be braved. la this instance he only did his

duty, but I theism take thia opportunity of pointing
Lim out particularly to your Excellency as a pupil in every
way worthy of interest and esteem.'

" M. Bellot, who had thus struggled with the waves very
soon afterwards received the baptism of fire. In the ex-
pedition of 1845 against Tam ***** , commanded by Captain
Romain-Desfosaes, the young sailor gave proof of
the most brilliant courage, combined with presence of mind.
At the moment when be was spiking a gun he was severely
wounded by • Madagascar shier, whose brains he imme-
diately afterwards blew tut with a pistol, stretching him
lifeless at his feet. After this bloody expedition H. Bellot
was recommended for the cross of the Legion of Honour,
which was conferred upon him by a royal decree of Dec.
2, 1845. He hail not then attained his twentieth year.
His promotion as a pupil of the first class was dated Nov.
1, 1845. From the corvette Bereeau, whose sad destiny M.
Bellot would inevitably have shared, he was
transferred to the Belle Poule frigate, GO guns.
He was then attached to the staff of the station, and ape-
einlly charged with the dury of superintending signals.
Although greatly occupied by this service, which req.-tires
as much vigilance as precision, he found time to give lessons
in geometry and navigstioa to sinli of the crew as desired to
qualify tbemeelves fur passing the examination necessary
before they could be eligible to command a merchantman.
On February 1, 1847, when Captain RumainMesfosies was
about to relinquish the command of the statioa, he wrote
to the Minister of Marine—

". M. Mellot is by his character, his great intelligence, and
sailor-like qualities, the most distinguished pupil at this
station. lie is fit for every thing, and full of ardour to do
any thing, and is in every way superior both to bis age and
his position.'

" On the Ist of November following, M. Bellot was pro.
voted to the rank of diseipie de taisseau, a grade answer-
ing to that of a lieutenant in the army. After a short term
of service on beard the Pandure frigate, he was removed
to the corvette Triomphante, which on the 23rd July, 1848,
sailed for La Plats. Ilia conduct during the voyage and at
the La Plata obtained the most 8 meting testimonials from
his commanding officer, Captain Sachet, and Admirals
%%Want and Laplace. The Triomnhante returned to
Rochefort on the 25th of August, 1810, and on the 20th
of September M. Bellot quitted the corvette and wax
attached to the depot company. On the 7th of
December he obtained a month's leave to come
to Paris, Punctually on the 7th of January following he
returned to his post, where he remained till the B'h of
May, 1851. At that date he wrote to the Minister of
Marine for permission to join the new expedition then pre-
paring to set out in search of Sir John Franklin. The de-
sired permission was granted, and bis offer, accepted by
Lady Fraaklin, met with the most courteous sympathy in
England. On the sth of February, 1852, M. Bellot, who
had not yet served live years as an ease ipse de vaisteau,
wu promoted to the rank of lieutenant, as • recompense
for the noble impulse which the minister and the
whole French navy admired. The memoir then gives
an account of Lieutenant Bellot's valuable services
on board the l'rince Albert and P hernia, and
quotes Capt. Ingleflad's despatch, announcing his lamented
death. When the melancholy intelligence avived in Paris
Id. DaCOll, the Minister of Marine, addressed the following
letter to the maritime prefect of Rochefort .
" l'aris, Ott. 10, 1853.
"Monsieur le Prefet,—Letten from England announce
very sad newo, which unfortunately appear to be but too
certain. Lieutenant Ballot, what fur the second time ad.o-
elated himself with the dangers of the expedition dent in
search of Sir John Franklin, has perished in the iceberg', a
victim of the most courageous devotedness. The navy will
not alone suffer the affliction which so cruel an event must
inspire, fur M. Ballot had already obtained in France and
England that just renown which attaches to deeds of daring.
He has died young, but having done enough to leave a
memory universally honoured. Will you, M. le Prefet, be
my interpreter to the family of this worthy officer. Tell
them how much I share their grief, and above all how much
I hope that the testimony I now bear may contribute to
soften its bitterness. 7 _ _

It is hoped that the valuable fragments written by M.
Bellot to bis family may be completed and published.