New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-20

Charles, and William Napier. Here "Bhek Charles,
ar lie was called by his eousins, Jaw good deal
hnd 6ghting-wss, indeed, talking TO the other
Cfalee wi en- bullet entered the Of the latter
lodged in TIE Jaw and shattered the BONE In Noven-
her 1870 CT aries James Napier writes TO his MOTHER
"Blatk Charles II queer fellow as ever crossed mo-
ard az honest one" and then he gives the copy oil
letter which the queer fellow on quitting ,no ar"y
My OF sb'euce just out don't think wor,n
asT 70, saPs'; r{S So s@
The result of this appeal was an appointment eo VIC
Thames, 81. In this vessel and in the Eurya,us, we
find him performing many signal services, alenehs
batteries landing troops capturing which
he could not capture and finally operating with dlstin.
puished ability against Baltimore with division Oh
boats under biz orders.
liant shirt found himself condemned TO inactivity
After IA years he found employment again IN the la
tea on the Portuguese coast and was In ths
bis life that he first acquired great position oeiore
the public In performing bis service for the British
Government he became interested in the affairs oil for
tuqa and ventured both TO express his opinion as 10
tie feasibility of certain operations and to exert him
self in the cause of Don Pedro Considerable sympa-
tbv was felt in this country for Don Pedro, and an
expedition under Captain Sartorus left the Thames IN
support of bis claims. Eventually the command OF
This expedition devoved on Captain Napier. who
succeeded in vanquishing the fleet of Don Miguel.
He encountered this feet, consisting Of two line-oi'
battle ships and two fgates, beside several coryees
brigs and xebeque on the Sd OF July, 1885, lie az
tackled at once, and brought the action to speedy
close by boarding the enemy from bis flag ship.
Short as the conflict was, il was decisive, for both
TIE ships of the line one of the fgates, and one oil
the corvettes remained in his possession. lie was
Thanked for an exploit which placed the Qneen upon
the throne was honored with the title OF Vlseount
CARO- San Vicente, and was appointed Admirai-ln-
Cief of tie Portuguese feet. Napier, however, was
dissatisfied with the subsequent dealings which he had
with the Government and especially win the reduc-
ton of the feet and he soon quilted the Portuguese
service in disgust He had earned much distinction,
however that il was difficult for him to lind EN-
ployment in England. He was in 1889 appointed sec
ond in command of the Mediterranean fleet under Sir
Robert Stopford and be came In for some lighting on
the Syrian coast. He is a very prominent figure IN
n stoming of Sidon in the defeat of lbrahim Pasha
among the mountains of Beyrout and most glorious OF
all in the reduction of Acre. Sir Charles Napier among
TIE mountains of Beyrou would doubt again be de-
scIibed by his cousin the queerest fellow he ever
came across" and as he led the British ars, riding an
ass covered with great straw hat, welding huge
stick and followed by his dog Pow, he raised many
laugh. But if Napier land cut a queer hgure he
appeared In a different light his native element
The attack Acre was a very brilliant analr, I'D
which be golden opinions, though 1t must De re,
men bered that he was only second in command, and
that TO Sir Robert Stopord belongs at least some OF
the credit which Sir Charles seemed inclined to appro-
pirate entirely TO himself. We not going TO
oren up controversy which has long SINCE oeen ex
hausted. The Admiral accused the Commodore OF DIS
obeying orders, and the Commodore blamed the Adj
mira for want Of alacrty. 1t is enough TO gay that
tie stomDg Of Acre at once great military and
great political event. and that Napier on bis part
more than justified bis reputation for dash and daring.
He was made Knight Commander of the Bath, and
shortly afterward bis return to England, he was
appointed to the command Of the Channel fleet.
II was now that he began 10 work his critical fac
nifty. He exposed many naval abuses, and he sug-
gested not few reforms, some OF which he had the
good fortune to adopted before he died. but he car
red thee attacks too far and rendered his suggestions
L lie. of afkla
which he exhibited in common with his cousins 1t is
not wise in an Admiral who hopes for employment TO
accuse one Minister of efrontery tn at another
az fool, and to treat all with aspery. II IL not wise
in any to reduce great public question 10 con-
test Of personalities, to be perpetualy complaining
that his merits not recognized and TO insist upon II
that the neglect OF his suggestions Is to be explained
by the spitefuness Of opponents his however, SIR
Charles Napier too frequently in the habit of
doing and he did it TO the very last. When the Rus
ian war broke out all the ndiscreons Of his pen and
tongue were forgotten and with much eeryescence of
champagne at the Reform Club, he appointed 10
the command Of the Baltic Fleet. With what result
We need not repeat the story of what he did not ac-
compsh. We content in this moment of sorrow TO
take his cousin Sir VIM. Napers estimate of what he
did accomplish: lie caused the 30 sail composing the
powerful Russian fleet to shrink like rats into their
holes; he took Bomarsund, caused Hango to be
blown up, interrupted the Russian commerce. and
for FIX months kept III state OF inaction certainly
0O or g. OOJ good troops He restored and enlarged
the knowledge Of the Gulf Of Finland to navgnion
ascertaned what large vessels do there, and what
they cannot do; when they can act alone, when with
troops, and when gun-bOats can be used with effect
He carried out an Unnamed, undiscplined fleet; lie
brought back unhaTmed well-organized well-discip
lined one with crews exercised in gunnery and sea-
manshp-a feet now really what it was falsely called
when il started-that is 10 say of the most ire
sistle that foated the for all legitimate
purposes of naval warfare" As usual Sir Charles
got into difficulties with his superiors, and he not
intrueed second time with the command Of the feet
There were fierce recriminatons, which had better
now be forgotten. Sir Charles consoled himself for
the loss of tie Baltic fleet by becoming second time
the representative of metropolitan borough in Parlia
ment. He was an ardent Radical, after his hearty,
honest fashion, and such had in 1884, after his Acre
exploit recommended himself TO the electors of Mary
lebone. After the Baltic cruise, he won the sweet
voices Of Southwark in the representation of which
borough his death creates vacancy. The fatgues Of
the recent session proved too much for his iron
frame. About ten days since he seized with dys
entery and though the progress of the disease seemed
checked at frst, he suffered relapse and died yeser
day moT ing his esdence in Hampshire. In private
lie he revered and respected tender father
and faithful f lend.
EPdkD TOPCHJ 10 HIT pROCESSIDN AND