“The mould of a man's fortune,” says Lord Bacon, “is in his own hands;” and Shakspeare has observed, that

There may be much truth in the remarks of these great men; yet it not unfrequently happens, that a life of continued exertion, of unremitting toil, is passed, without the attainment of the desired end. Many are flattered with transient expectations, each of which may be considered, as

Sir John Leake, however, was not of that ill-fated number; for he was, with justice, distinguished as “The Brave and Fortunate”.

In presenting a memoir of this successful officer, we conceive that we shall at once gratify the general reader, and render a material service to naval literature. A life of Sir John Leake was indeed drawn up by Stephen Martin Leake, Esq., Clarencieux King of Arms; but as it was intended for private circulation only, no more than fifty copies were printed.