rison under my orders, accustomed to behold death with a serene countenance, and to brave dangers much greater than all the perils of war, know how to make a resistance which shall not terminate but with their entire destruction. I hope," adds he, "that the answer of your excellency will inform me, whether I am to speak the language of consolation to the unfortunate inhabitants, or whether I am to rouse them to indignation and vengeance."

A regular correspondence now ensued, and squally weather coming on, the Admiral and General at length deemed it proper to depart, without effecting a descent, although the plan of, and orders for, debarkation had been already concluded upon and issued. It is not, however, without pain we are forced to record, that something in the conduct of the governor gave umbrage to the court of Madrid, in consequence of which he was recalled and disgraced, a circumstance not at all surprising, as an absolute is always a capricious government.

Soon after this, the eyes of England and of Europe were turned towards Egypt, while the French army there, in consequence of the abandonment of Bonaparte, was reduced to such a critical situation, that Kleber at length entered into a treaty with Sir Sidney Smith, and actually consented to abandon that coun'try for ever. Lord Keith, however, no sooner received information of this event, than he frankly informed their commander in chief, that he could not consent to any capitulation, unless the troops would lay down their arms, and surrender prisoners of war.

This declaration was immediately published in the orders issued to the troops, on which, taking advantage of their enthusiasm, the Turks were once more attacked and beaten; so that when instructions arrived to accede to the convention of El Arisch, the enemy, who by this time were flushed with new victories, declined any longer to accept that as a favour which they would have joyfully consented to before.

At length it was determined to wrest Egypt from the hands of the French by force; and while Sir Ralph Abercrombie was nominated to the command of the expedition by land, Lord Keith was entrusted with the fleet which was assembled for that purpose. The armament destined for this expedition accordingly repaired to Marmorice, on purpose to wait for the co-operation of the Turks; and having sailed from that capacious port on the 22d of February 1801, anchored in the bay of Aboukir on the 22d of March, near to the very spot on which the memorable battle of the Nile had been fought. The following is a list of the fleet employed upon this

The army, to the amount of sixteen thousand one hundred and fifty men, together with a battalion of one thousand seamen under Sir Sidney Smith, could not be landed so soon as intended, on account of a heavy swell; but the most effectual means were taken for that purpose; and not only written orders were issued, but a coloured plan of the debarkation, such as had been issued before at Cadiz, exactly specifying the number and stations of the vessels intended to convey and cover the troops, was distributed.

About two o'clock in the morning of the 8th of March, the first division began to enter the boats destined to receive them; at three signal rockets were fired, in consequence of which they all rendezvoused opposite the Mendovi, an armed vessel anchored on purpose, in a central position, near to the beach. At nine they advanced towards the shore, preserving the form of a line as much as possible, under the direction of the Honourable Captain Cochrane, and seconded by the captains Stevenson, Scott, Larmour, Apthorp, and Harrison, with both flanks protected by cutters, gun-boats, and armed

In addition to these there were two sixty-fours, two fifties, ave forty-fours, two thirty-eights, two thirty-sixes, four thirtytwos, and six twenty-eights, armed en flute, together with two bomb-vessels, transports, Turkish gun-boats and kiacks, &c.

launches,

launches, while the Tartarus and Fury bomb-ketches were employed to throw shells, and several vessels of a small draught of water presented their broadsides so as to protect and facilitate this very critical and important operation.

Opposed to these was a large body of troops, familiar with the country, confident of victory, and Alushed with recent successes. Cannon and mortar batteries were placed on the heights, and the castle of Aboukir alone threatened destruction to the assailants, while the sand-hills still nearer to the water's edge were lined with musquetry, and parties of infantry were kept in readiness to advance, at the same time that bodies of horse were prepared to charge the invaders.

Notwithstanding the boats were exposed to an amphitheatre of fire, and an incessant discharge was kept up of shot, shells, and grape, yet they rowed briskly ashore, and a landing being effected, the adjoining hill was scaled, and seven pieces of artillery seized.

It is not a little remarkable, that during the whole of this gallant and very perilous operation not a single officer belonging to the navy was killed, and only seven officers and seventy-three men wounded. The battalion of sailors continued to be of great service while on shore, and the capture both of Cairo and Alexandria depended not a little on the co-operation of the navy>

A multitude of honours were now preparing for

the

the man who had contributed to render the British name illustrious, and the British possessions secure in the East. In the first place he received what every officer has been accustomed to deem highly valuablethe thanks of both houses of parliament for his services. In the next, he was presented with the order of the crescent, established on purpose to record the gratitude of the Grand Signior; while his own sovereign conferred upon him the patent of an English peerage, as Lord Keith, of Dumleath.*

At the peace of 1802 he returned to England, and struck his flag, but he was not suffered to remain long unemployed, for in 1803 his lordship was appointed port-admiral at Plymouth; he then was invested with the command at the Nore, at the breaking out of the present war, and is now admiral of the North Sea fleet, which has increased lately in point of numbers and importance, so as to consist of more than one hundred and twenty pennants, partly on account of the additional preparations of the French, and partly from the still more formidable threats of the Dutch.f

*His lordship also received the freedom of the city of London, enclosed in a gold box. Previously to this he obtained a patent as chamberlain, secretary, and keeper of the signet, to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, as great steward of Scotland; in addition to which he is one of the six state counsellors for the

same.

His flag, which was formerly hoisted first on board the Monarch, and then the St. Alban's, is now flying in the Agincourt.

Lord