Both rose
to the rank of Admiral, and carried out their flags to distant stations.
Francis lived to attain the very summit of his profession, having died,
in his ninety-third year, G.C.B. and Senior Admiral of the Fleet, in
1865. He possessed great firmness of character, with a strong sense of
duty, whether due from himself to others, or from others to himself. He
was consequently a strict disciplinarian; but, as he was a very religious
man, it was remarked of him (for in those days, at least, it was
remarkable) that he maintained this discipline without ever uttering an
oath or permitting one in his presence. On one occasion, when ashore in
a seaside town, he was spoken of as '_the_ officer who kneeled at
church;' a custom which now happily would not be thought peculiar.
Charles was generally serving in frigates or sloops; blockading harbours,
driving the ships of the enemy ashore, boarding gun-boats, and frequently
making small prizes. At one time he was absent from England on such
services for seven years together. In later life he commanded the
Bellerophon, at the bombardment of St.
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