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trary; and that part, too, the very centre of the town, and which, from several circumstances, will always remain so.

"Were improvements like these promoted on this side of the river, it might be hoped that the opposite shore would, in time, undergo the same desirable change. With this view it is proposed to place arches in the abutments of the new bridge, for the purpose of making a communication between the quays; and to continue the quay along the terrace of Somerset House, by placing a swivel bridge in the centre, if necessary, for the entrance to the navy wharf, and to place iron railing in the arches, so as to leave the passage under the terrace independent of the public quay. Upon these quays there should be an uninterrupted walk for foot passengers; but for carriages of every description it would, perhaps, be proper to make interruptions at convenient distances.

"The common observer of the business daily going forward on both sides of the Thames, from Westminster to the Tower, must be struck with the extraordinary inconvenience with which it is carried on, through the want of regularity, width, and commodiousness in the quays, and in the avenues and communications to them. Were a general plan digested, fixed upon, and begun, for the improvement of any part of the banks of this river, crowded as they are with the most extensive commerce ever carried on by any people, in the productions of all parts of the globe, the convenience, not only for commerce, but for the health, comfort, and ornament of the town, which such a plan would produce, would, it is hoped, ensure its continuance, at least, through the most irregular and inconvenient parts which disfigure this river and disgrace the metropolis.

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Several years since, Mr. Harrison was honoured with a visit from Count Woronzow, formerly ambassador from the court of Russia to England, who was passing through Chester,

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and expressed much admiration of the county hall, gaol, and other buildings at the Castle; and six or seven years since, he was requested by the son of the above, Count Michael Woronzow, to design a palace to be built in the Ukraine, upon the banks of the Dnieper, and a gateway for the triumphal entrance of the late Emperor; and the Count came to Chester several times to see and consult with him respecting them. This design, which was approved of by Count Woronzow, is in the Grecian style, and has a range of apartments on the principal floor, which form a vista of upwards of 500 feet in length. A tower or lighthouse more than 100 feet in height, for which Mr. Harrison made a design, has been built by Count Woronzow upon an eminence, on which may be seen from the Black Sea.

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Besides Broomhall, in Fifeshire, the residence of the Earl of Elgin, Mr. Harrison designed houses for several gentlemen in Scotland; amongst others, one for the late General Abercrombie, and one for Mr. Bruce, which is thus noticed in Sir John Sinclair's statistical account of Scotland: "The only house in the parish of Clackmannan that deserves the name of elegant is just now finished by Mr. Bruce of Kennett, from a beautiful design of Mr. Harrison, of Lancaster. Placed in one of the finest situations the country affords, it is also built in a style of superior elegance to most of the houses to be met with in Scotland, and exhibits in all its parts an equal attention to convenience and utility, as it does to elegance and taste."

In private society Mr. Harrison was deservedly held in high estimation. On Sunday, the 29th of March, 1829, this highly distinguished artist departed this life, at his residence in the Castle-Field, in Chester, at the advanced age of 85. He has left a widow and two daughters.

No. IX.

GENERAL SIR BRENT SPENCER, G. C. B., K.T. S., COLONEL OF THE 40TH FOOT, AND GOVERNOR OF CORK.

FEW officers have seen more active service than this distinguished and lamented individual.

He was descended from a most respectable family in Ireland, and highly connected in the northern part of that kingdom; being the son of Conway Spencer, Esq., of Iramery, in the county of Antrim, and the brother of Mrs. Canning, of Garvagh, mother of Lord Garvagh.

About the seventeenth year of his age he entered the army, being, on the 18th of January, 1778, appointed an Ensign in the 15th regiment of foot. On the 12th of November, 1779, he obtained the rank of Lieutenant in the same regiment; and his first service was at the siege of Brimston Hill, in the island of St. Christopher, in the year 1782. This fortress, situated on a high conical hill in that island, was considered to be almost impregnable; but having been bombarded with a skill and energy quite unexpected, was surrendered to the French army, after a siege of six weeks, during which the troops suffered great losses and innumerable difficulties and privations.

On the breaking out of the French revolutionary war, this officer had arrived to the rank of Major, and then commanded the 18th regiment of foot in the island of Jamaica. Soon after its commencement, that regiment, with some other small detachments, were ordered to the island of St. Domingo, under the command of Colonel Whitelock, for the purpose of assisting the Royalists in the disputes then raging betwixt

them and the new Republicans. Various expeditions were immediately undertaken in behalf of the Royalist party, the execution of which, on every occasion, was entrusted to Major Spencer, in all of which he particularly distinguished himself. Amongst many others, the following may be worth recording. Some reinforcements having arrived from England, under the command of Major-General White, an expedition was planned against Port-au-Prince, the capital of that part of the island. Whilst the ships of war were employed in making the necessary impression on Fort Rezotton, on the sea-side, Major Spencer was landed with a party of troops for its attack, as soon as this measure had been completed. Before this was effected, a thunder-storm of the most tremendous description came on, and necessarily put a stop to all operations. During this awful suspense, Major Spencer led the troops to the works, and they were instantaneously carried by the bayonet. For this and his other numerous services, Major Spencer was, in 1794, promoted by brevet to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

In this warfare, carried to the point of extermination on both sides, the British troops soon found they had to contend with an enemy of the most desperate description, the uncivilised African converted into a wild and furious democrat; and they were soon so much harassed and reduced by sickness, that to defend their posts on the coast against the unceasing attacks of the enemy, was all that could be effected, and, until farther reinforcements arrived, their sufferings and privations in many cases were extreme.

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*During this period, the port of Tibursoon was invested, and repeatedly attacked by the brigands. Its small garrison, consisting of about thirty men of the 13th regiment, and some Colonial troops, under the command of Captain Hardyman, of that regiment, as often beat them back. Being at length too much weakened to withstand such incessant attacks, they found means, during a temporary suspension, to withdraw from the fort; and placing their wounded in the centre, they endeavoured to reach the adjoining post of Jeremie. Amongst the wounded was Lieutenant Baskerville, of the 13th regiment, too much disabled to accompany them. Knowing well the fatal consequences of the arrival of the enemy, and determined not to fall into their hands, he carried his remedy in his bosom. The final departure of his companions from the fort, was the moment chosen by this noble youth to act the part of a Roman, and escape the vengeance of his merciless foes.

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The 13th regiment were so reduced by sickness, and by their almost incessant operations, at this period, that they were ordered to England, and Lieutenant-Colonel Spencer was soon after appointed to the 40th regiment. At this period, the military character of Lieutenant-Colonel Spencer attracted the notice of his late Majesty, who was pleased to appoint him to the honourable situation of one of his aids-de-camp, with the rank of Colonel in the army; and from that time he continued to be one of his Majesty's first military favourites, and, when not employed on service, was constantly about his person, and was soon after appointed one of his Majesty's equerries.

The next expedition in which Colonel Spencer served, was that to Holland, under the Duke of York, in the year 1799. Though this expedition terminated unfortunately, occasioned chiefly by the errors of those who planned it—the principal of which was, the time of the year chosen for its commencement the British army, on all occasions, manifested the utmost steadiness and bravery. The movements of his Royal Highness were conducted, under the greatest difficulties, with infinite skill; and which, had the event of this campaign been more favourable, would have been highly estimated. The conduct of Colonel Spencer, during this campaign, was highly conspicuous, and attracted the notice both of the Commanderin-chief and of Sir Ralph Abercrombie. That great General, in reporting the attack of the enemy on the advanced party of our army, before the arrival of the Commander-in-chief, honoured him with his particular thanks, for the spirit and judgment with which he defended the village of St. Martin; and in the long-contested affair of September 21st, in the storm of Oudecapel, his Royal Highness was pleased to mark his conduct with his particular notice and approbation.

The next expedition sent from this country was that to Egypt in the year 1801. On that occasion, whether by the choice of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, or by the appointment of the Commander-in-chief, there appeared to have been a selection of the most promising and distinguished officers the British army could produce; amongst them was Colonel

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