affair, until my departure. The monsoon had begun to relax, and towards the month of March, light and variable breezes announced the return of the fine season. I now took leave of my new friends in a state of perfect tranquillity and submission to the British government; as in the interim, a Chinese junk had touched at the island, and confirmed the news of the downfall of their eastern empire. We returned to Java without accident or difficulty, and were hailed with satisfaction and joy by the rest of the squadron, who had long given us up for lost.
Commander Thruston’s appointment to the Hesper was confirmed at home on the 7th Feb. 1812. On the conclusion of the above service, which affected his constitution deeply, he was ordered to Madras, where, immediately on his arrival, a violent inflammation of the liver displayed itself, which in a few hours brought him to death’s door. The medical men insisting that an immediate change of climate offered the only chance of saving his life. Captain William Jones Lye, of the Doris frigate, then about to sail for England, kindly consented to receive him on board, though already encumbered with a crowd of other passengers. He returned home in Nov. 1812, and, for a year or two afterwards, sought that repose which his shattered health required. When again enabled to offer himself for service, the war had ceased; and he, with some hundreds of other officers in a similar situation, found it impossible to obtain further employment. Since then, with the interval of two or three years spent on the continent, his time has been chiefly passed in North Wales, endeavouring by magisterial and other civil duties, to keep down the longing for a life of greater activity and enterprise, but which he has little hope of prosecuting again, as the greater part of the powerful friends of his youth are no more.
Commander Thruston married, 1st, in 1815, the sole surviving child and heiress of Lewis Edwards, of Talgarth, Merionethshire, Esq.; in right of which lady he became possessed of considerable landed property in that county, 2dly, in 1829, Eliza, second daughter of Admiral Sotheby. By the former marriage, he has four children now living;
