RELIEF OF GIBRALTAR.

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Channel on a cruise; but, two days afterwards, the wind blew so violently from the westward, that the ships were driven into Plymouth Sound with considerable damage.

The siege of Gibraltar was now carried on with such extraordinary vigour, as to attract the attention and excite the wonder of all Europe. As the defence of that important fortress required large supplies from England, Admiral Darby, with two hundred transports, sailed from Spithead on the 13th of March, and, being joined by the squadron under Admiral Digby, proceeded on that service. Owing to the severe westerly gales which the fleet had to encounter, and the necessity of keeping the convoy together, the Admiral did not reach Cape Spartel till the 11th of April, when he despatched the Kite cutter with a letter to General Eliot, informing him of the approaching relief. The next day, about noon, the convoy, with four ships of the line and some frigates to protect them, anchored in and about Rosier Bay, while the rest of the squadron kept under sail in the road, as the Spaniards had at that time a large fleet in Cadiz ready for sea. Thirteen of the transports, with two frigates, were then forwarded for the relief of Minorca, the English garrison at which place was suffering still more dreadfully than that of Gibraltar.

The following description of the appearance of this spectacle is given by the late Mr. Gilpin, in his work on picturesque scenery :

"It was near day-break, on the 12th of April, 1781, when a message was brought from the signal-house, at the summit of the rock, that the long-expected fleet, under Admiral Darby, was in sight.

"Innumerable masts were just discovered from that lofty situation; but could not be seen from the lower

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SUBLIME SPECTACLE.

parts of the castle, being obscured by a thick fog, which had set in from the west, and totally overspread the opening of the straits. In this uncertainty, the garrison remained for some time; while the fleet, invested in obscurity, moved slowly towards the castle. In the mean time, the sun becoming powerful, the fog rose, like the curtain of a vast theatre, and discovered at once the whole fleet, full and distinct before the eye. The convoy, consisting of near three hundred vessels, were in a compact body, led on by twenty-eight sail of the line, and a number of tenders and other smaller vessels. A gentle wind just filled their sails, and brought them forward with a slow and solemn motion. Had all this grand exhibition been presented gradually, the sublimity of it would have been injured by the acquaintance the eye would have made with it during its approach; but the appearance of it in all its greatness at once, before the eye had examined the detail, had a wonderful effect."

As soon as the ships were secured, they began unloading the victuallers, amidst a tremendous fire from the Spanish batteries and gun-boats. Shot and shells poured like hail without a moment's cessation, upon the covering ships and the transports, many of which sustained great damage and considerable loss. The Commander-in-chief finding the wind likely to continue westerly, and anxious to give the garrison all the assistance in his power, by facilitating the unloading of the victuallers, and protecting them from the enemy, directed Admiral Sir John Ross and his division to anchor in the road. On the 19th Admiral Darby, with some of his ships, anchored to the eastward of Europa Point, in order to set up the rigging, and get off some fresh water. The next morning the

THE DUKE DE CRILLON.

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wind sprung up to the eastward, on which, as the service was now completed, the whole fleet got under weigh, and in the evening were clear of the bay.

Thus was our British Prince twice employed in the relief of Gibraltar, and each time with peculiar glory; for though the last occasion was not distinguished by any positive victory, it contributed to one of the greatest military triumphs ever recorded in history.

It is not a little remarkable, that two princes of the blood, both of whom many years afterwards became. sovereigns, should have been present at the memorable siege of Gibraltar. The late King of France, then Comte d'Artois, being desirous of witnessing this grand spectacle, visited Spain for the purpose ; and what, perhaps, is still more extraordinary, he actually took upon himself to be the bearer of letters for the officers of the garrison, from their friends. On the arrival of the Prince at the Spanish camp, these letters were sent to Governor Eliot by the Duke de Crillon, who then conducted the siege. This produced a correspondence, which cannot be read without exciting admiration, and carrying the mind back to the heroic ages of chivalry. The following is a translation of the Duke de Crillon's letter, written in the camp of Buenavista, August 19, 1782:

"Sir,-His Royal Highness Comte d'Artois, who has received permission from the King his brother to assist at the siege, as a volunteer in the combined army, of which their most Christian and Catholic Majesties have honoured me with the command, arrived in this camp the 15th instant.

"This young prince has been pleased, in passing through Madrid, to take charge of some letters, which has been sent to that capital, and are addressed to persons belonging to your garrison. His Royal Highness has desired that I would transmit

them to you, and that to this mark of his goodness and attention I should add the strongest expressions of esteem for your person and character. I feel the greater pleasure in giving this mark of condescension in this august prince, as it furnishes me with an opportunity, which I have been anxiously looking for these two months that I have been in the camp, to assure you of the high esteem I have conceived for your excellency; of the immense desire I feel of having yours; and of the pleasure to which I look forward of becoming your friend, after I shall have learned to render myself worthy of the honour of facing you as an enemy. His Royal Highness, the Duke de Bourbon, who arrived here twenty-four hours after Comte d'Artois, desires also that I should assure you of his particular esteem. Permit me, dear general, to offer you a few little trifles for your table, of which I am sure you must stand in need: as I know you live entirely on vegetables, I should be glad to be informed what kind you like best. I shall add a few partridges for the gentlemen of your household, and some ice, which I presume will not be disagreeable, in the excessive heat in this climate, and the present season of the year. I hope you will be so obliging as to accept the small portion which I send with this letter."

To this epistle, General Eliot returned, the next day, the following answer :—

"Sir, I find myself highly honoured by your obliging letter of yesterday, in which your excellency was so kind as to inform me of the arrival in your camp of his Royal Highness the Comte d'Artois and the Duke de Bourbon, to serve as volunteers at the siege. These princes have shewed their judgment in making choice of a master in the art of war, whose abilities cannot fail to form great warriors. I am really overwhelmed with the condescension of his Royal Highness, in permitting some letters, for persons in this place, to be conveyed from Madrid in his carriage. I flatter myself that your excellency will give my most profound