midshipman, who returned his kindness with almost the affection of a
son. Such mutual confidence and attachment between a captain and his
midshipman has very rarely been met with; and it was peculiarly
fortunate for Mr. Pellew, that his quick and determined character,
which, with a judgment not yet matured by experience, might have carried
him into mistakes, found a guide so kind and judicious as Captain
Pownoll.

And here it will not be uninteresting to observe how far the influence
of a great commander may extend. St. Vincent and Pownoll, who were
brought up under Boscawen, and received their lieutenant's commissions
from him, contributed materially to form a Nelson and an Exmouth; each
the founder of a school of officers, whose model is the character of
their chief, and their example his successes.

Active beyond his companions, and devoted to his profession, he soon
became a thorough seaman; while the buoyancy of youth, and his playful,
fearless spirit, prompted him continually to feats of extraordinary
daring. In the spring of 1775, General Burgoyne took his passage to
America in the _Blonde_, and when he came alongside, the yards were
manned to receive him. Looking up, he was surprised and alarmed to see a
midshipman on the yard-arm standing on his head. Captain Pownoll, who
was at his side, soon quieted his apprehensions, by assuring him that it
was only one of the frolics of young Pellew, and that the General might
make himself quite at ease for his safety, for if he should fall, he
would only go under the ship's bottom, and come up on the other side.
What on this occasion was probably spoken but in jest, was afterwards
more than realized; for he actually sprang from the fore-yard of the
_Blonde_, while she was going fast through the water, and saved a man
who had fallen overboard. Captain Pownoll reproached him for his