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year 1759. He was on that occasion saved by floating on a hencoop. I have described this fatal event in another work; I shall, therefore, say little more on the subject, than that I returned to my own ship as fast as I could. She was getting under weigh, as was every ship at Spithead, including the Royal William. When I got on board I found that the Boyne's guns, having been shotted, had discharged themselves into the Queen Charlotte, and killed two of our men, whom I saw lying on the main deck.

Sir John Jervis lost very considerable property on board of her, and, I have heard, some valuable papers; but I do not remember his ever adverting much to the painful subject. His friend the late Sir George Grey was the captain; but he was either on leave of absence or on shore at the time. No blame could be imputed to him; but the accident was one which should have been more generally guarded against in the navy. I have more than two or three times seen the ward-room funnels heated red hot, and have wondered that the ships have not been set on fire by them. It is difficult to suggest a remedy. It may, however, be worth a consideration, whether the apartments of ships might not be warmed with hot air or steam.

CHAPTER VI.

Importance of the Mediterranean command-Eventful crisis on the shores of that Sea during the last forty years Lord Hood's reasons for resigning the command-Admiral Hotham's action with the French fleet in March and July, 1795-Disastrous results to the British fleet-Account of Nelson from Clarke and McArthur His opinion of the Austrians-Subsidies to the Emperor-Introduction of Nelson to Sir John Jervis-Character of the latter-Scandalous report against the character of Nelson and his captains, supposed to have been got up by the French for the purpose of sowing dissensions between us and our allies-List of the ships under the orders of Sir John Jervis Objects which he had to keep in view-The blockade of Toulon-Trowbridge commands the inshore squadron-High state of Order and Discipline in the Fleet-Good humour of the Sailors-Mode of Repairing the Ships at Sea-Health of the People attended to-Hospital Ship constantly inspected-Spain shows symptoms of approaching hostility-Rear-Admiral Mann sent out with a reinforcement-Anxiety of the Commander-in-chief to keep up his supplies of Stores, Provisions, and Slop-clothing-Account of the Island of Corsica from Boswell's history-Difference between the Government of the Count de Marboeuf and Sir Gilbert Elliot-Anecdote of Galferi-Lord Hood's Landing on the Island-Conflicting opinions of Collingwood and Nelson-The Strength of the Martello TowersSiege of Bastia and Calvi-The Union between Corsica and Great Britain Unfortunate preference shown by the British Government towards St. Domingo, to the entire loss of Corsica-Misapplication of the forces sent out under Admiral Christian-Preparations to evacuate Corsica-Secret Order of Sir John Jervis.

In taking a retrospect of the great scenes in which we have hitherto viewed the conduct and character of Sir John Jervis, it must appear to the most superficial observer that he was a man

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of uncommon capacity and resources for his profession; his knowledge of which, united to his political foresight and courage, pointed him out to the administration of Mr. Pitt, as a proper person to be entrusted with the high and responsible command of the Mediterranean fleet. Thus selected by his political opponents for a confidential post, he acquitted himself to their entire satisfaction, and acquired the highest honours to which a subject could aspire.

Of all the stations of the British navy, there are none which, in point of responsibility, can be compared with that of the Mediterranean; and it is remarkable that the shores of that inland sea furnish us with the richest and most interesting facts of history, sacred or profane, ancient or modern. In war, in commerce, in learning, in vice, in crime, and in virtuous and heroic deeds, the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean abound with an inexhaustible fund of associations and reminiscences, for warning, for instruction, and for entertainment. Nor is the interest and political importance of those events at all diminished in our own time. On the contrary, every day appears to bring with it fresh matter for reflection and speculation; as if some change were working, by the Great Governor

of the Universe, in which human beings are permitted to act their part, as second causes. The struggles in Turkey, both European and Asiatic, in Egypt, in Palestine, in Greece, in Spain, in Africa, all seem tending to the development of some vast design. The Catholic Church, and the majesty of the Pope, have never recovered the deadly blow that was dealt to them by the armies of the French republic in 1796. The same force, under a different dynasty, has been instrumental in humbling the Mahometan crescent at Algiers; while Russia has been still more effectually employed in limiting the power of the sublime Porte in the East, and England, though apparently contrary to her real interests, has unwittingly lent her aid in the same cause.

We have already seen the rapid strides made by France in the south of Europe, during her republican mania. After having completely subdued her enemies on her northern frontier, and converted Holland into a part of her empire, she invaded the peaceful states of Genoa, Tuscany, Savoy, Nice, and Monaco, and planted her hated banners in the provinces of Biscay and Catalonia. Reigning paramount in all these countries, she sought to extend her influ

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ence to the coasts of Barbary, and to gain to her side the Beys of Tripoli and Tunis, and the Dey of Algiers. To a numerous and well formed fleet of ships of the line and frigates in her ports of Toulon and Brest, she added that of Spain in the ports of Cadiz and Carthagena; and, while the British naval force eastward of the rock seldom exceeded sixteen sail of the line, the fleets of our enemies, had they been combined, would have amounted to forty, or more.

It was after Lord Hood had obtained possession of Corsica, and Admiral Hotham had partially defeated the French fleet, that Sir John Jervis was called upon to succeed to this important station. Lord Hood, who was an officer of transcendent merit, saw that the state of affairs in the Mediterranean required a much greater force than he had under his command; and, before the war with Spain was declared, he returned to England in the Victory, to state to his majesty's government what he thought upon this subject. His Lordship's demands for more ships not having been complied with, he resigned the command; and Admiral Hotham also had requested to be recalled, even before he had fought the battles of which the following are the particulars.

Early in March he received information that