Page:Tupper family records - 1835.djvu/207

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APPENDIX E.

��Extract from an Account of the Public Dinner given in Guernsey, on Tuesday, August 29, 1826, in honour of Sir John Doyle, Bart., G.C.B. and K. C, formerly Lieutenant-Governor of the island.

The health of Sir John Doyle having been drunk, he rose, and, after some preliminary observations, spoke as follows : —

" Is there a profession in which you do not see native talent and spirit arrive at eminence ? In the commercial line I have myself witnessed, from this small island, two Lords Mayors of London.* In the arts and sciences, you can boast a Doctor John Macculloch, celebrated throughout Europe for his unrivalled scientific know- ledge ; a Jeremie, who carries off the prizes even for English composition, in the University of Cambridge ; a Dobree, who obtained a Professor's chair, and succeeded the great Porson. In acts of individual bravery, none can excel the youth of the island. It is but a few years ago that a fine young man, Captain Dobree, of the royal navy, with other brave natives, in trying to save a shipwrecked crew, sacrificed his valuable life. More fortunate was the generous intrepidity of Messrs. Lefebvre and Thomas Dobr£e,t of the same service, both of whom, at different times, jumped overboard, and each rescued two British seamen from a watery grave. In the navy and the army, the smallness of the island prevents your contributing so largely as the more extended portion of the empire ; but what you lack in quantity, you have amply made up in quality. Look to the annals of war : there you will see recorded the brilliant achievements of your gallant countrymen : the pubUc gazettes will show you the names of Saumarez, Brock, Le Marchant and Smith, with other distinguished characters in the higher ranks of both services, that do not at this moment occur to me ; for there is scarcely a family in the island that has not given its share to the general stock of native reputation and renown. — When I mention Sir Isaac Brock, General Le Marchant, Sir

  • The late Peter Perchard and Paul Lc Mesurier, Esquires,— the latter

was also Member of Parliament for Southwark.

t Now Lieutenants of the Royal Navy.

�� �