It has been observed, that, “of all public characters, he justly claims the first honours, and the first rank, in biography, who by the diligent and successful exertion of his talents, most effectually promotes the public good.” In scarcely any instance could this remark apply with more correctness, than to the distinguished subject of the present memoir, who, by his professional services, through a long, very long series of years, has merited and obtained the honourable remuneration which he enjoys.

Sir Richard King, Bart. is descended from a respectable family, of Bromley, in Kent, but was born in Hampshire, in, the month of August, 1730.

Of this brave Officer, it may literally be said, that he was

for, before he was eight years old, he entered on the toils of that service, of which he has since become a splendid ornament. In 1738, he went to sea with his maternal uncle, the late Commodore Curtis Barnet, who died in 1746, Commander in Chief on the East India station. Under the immediate eye of this gallant Commander, Mr. King first served, while he was employed in the Mediterranean, and afterwards, in the year 1744, accompanied him to the East Indies.