an epithet used by seamen to distinguish that part of the hemisphere to which the wind is directed, from the other part whence it arises; which latter is accordingly called to windward. This expression is chiefly used when the wind crosses the line of a ship's course, so that all on a side of her is called to windward, and all on the opposite side to leeward. Hence,

Under the Lee, implies farther to the leeward, or farther from that part of the horizon whence the wind blows; as,

Under the Lee of the Shore: i.e. at a short distance from the shore which lies to windward. This phrase is commonly understood to express the situation of a vessel anchored, or failing under the weather-shore, where there is always smoother water, and less danger of heavy seas, than at a great distance from it.

Lee-Larches, the sudden and violent rolls which a ship often takes to the leeward in a high sea, particularly when a large wave strikes her on the weather-side.

Lee-Side, all that part of a ship or boat which lies between the mast and the side farthest from the direction of the wind; or otherwise, the half of a ship, which is pressed down towards the water by the effort of the sails, as separated from the other half by a line drawn through the middle of her length. That part of the ship, which lies to windward of this line, is accordingly called the weather-side.

Thus admits a ship to be sailing southward, with the wind at east, then is her starboard, or right side, the lee-side; and the larboard, or left, the weather-side.

Lee-ward-Ship, a vessel that falls much to leeward of her course, when sailing close-hauled, and consequently loses much ground.

To Lee-ward, towards that part of the horizon which lies under the lee, or whither the wind bloweth. Thus, "We saw a fleet under the lee," and, "We saw a fleet to leeward," are synonymous expressions. LEE-WAY. See Navigation, Sect. ix.

(Nathaniel), a very eminent dramatic poet of the last century, was the son of a clergyman, who gave him a liberal education.—He received his first rudiments of learning at Westminster school; from whence he went to Trinity-college, Cambridge.—Coming to London, however, his inclination prompted him to appear on the theatre; but he was not more successful in representing the thoughts of other men, than many a genius besides, who have been equally unfortunate in treading the stage, although they knew so well how to write for it. He produced 11 tragedies, all of which contain a very great portion of true poetic enthusiasm.—None, if any, ever felt the passion of love more truly; nor could any one describe it with more tenderness. Addison commends his genius highly; observing, that none of our English poets had a happier turn for tragedy, although his natural fire and unbridled impetuosity hurried him beyond all bounds of probability, and sometimes were quite out of nature. The truth is, this poet's imagination ran away with his reason; so that at length he became quite crazy; and grew so bad, that his friends were obliged to confine him in bedlam, where he made that famous witty reply to a coxcomb scribbler, who had the cruelty to jeer him with his misfortune, by observing that it was an easy thing to write like a madman:—"No, (said Lee,) it is not an easy thing to write like a madman; but it is very easy to write like a fool."

Lee had the good fortune to recover the use of his reason so far as to be discharged from his melancholy confinement; but he did not long survive his enlargement, dying at the early age of 34. Cibber, in his Lives of the Poets, says he perished unfortunately in a night-ramble, in London streets.—His Theodofus and Alexander the Great are stock-plays, and to this day are often acted with great applause. The late Mr Barry was particularly fortunate in the character of the Macedonian Hero.