a stiff Hessian tail of an extraordinary length; the oldfashioned flaps of his waistcoat, added to the general quaintness of his figure, produced an appearance which particularly attracted my notice, for I had never seen any thing like it before, nor could I imagine who he was, nor what he came about. My doubts were, however, removed when Lord Hood introduced me to him. There was something irresistibly pleasing in his address and conversation; and an enthusiasm, when speaking on professional subjects, that shewed he was common being. Nelson, after this, went with us to the West Indies, and served under Lord Hood's flag, during his indefatigable cruise off Cape François. Throughout the whole of the American war, the height of Nelson's ambition was to command a line-of-battle ship; as for prize-money, it never entered his thoughts; he had always in view the character of his maternal uncle. I found him warmly attached to my father, and singularly humane. He had the honour of the King's service, and the independence of the British navy, particularly at heart, and his mind glowed with this idea as much when he was simply Captain of the Albemarle, and had obtained none of the honours of his country, as when he was afterwards decorated with so much well-earned distinction."

Sir Samuel Hood remained in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, with his fleet moored in order of battle, in daily expectation of a visit from the French, who, he had learned, had sailed from Martinique in great force, for the attack of that island. On the 14th of January the Admiral received intelligence that the Count de Grasse, after beating to windward for some days, without being able to gain ground from the strength of the winds, had relinquished his plans and bore away for St. Christopher's. On his arrival at that island the Marquis de Boullie landed with 8000 troops, and took possession of a great part of the island. General Fraser, with his small army of 600 obliged to retreat into the fort of Brimstone Hill. Sir Samuel Hood, notwithstanding the superiority of the enemy, resolved by a sudden and unusually bold stroke, to sail and attack the enemy's fleet at anchor. For this purpose

men, were

he put to sea from Carlisle Bay with 22 sail of the line, and proceeded to Antigua, where he took on board some provisions, with the 28th, and the two companies of the 13th regiments of foot, under the command of General Prescot. On the evening of the 23d, Sir Samuel sailed from St. John's Road, and stood under an easy sail for Basse Terre, preceded by the Convent and Lizard frigates. At the break of day the signal was made to form the line of battle, for the purpose of bearing down more effectually to attack the enemy, who was at anchor in the road. Unfortunately the Alfred ran foul of the Nymph frigate in the night, and received so much damage, that it became necessary for the fleet to lie to the whole day to repair it.

The Nymph was in a much worse condition, being almost cut in two; she was ordered to return to Antigua. The advanced frigates chased and captured the Espoir, a large French cutter, laden with shells and ordnance stores for the besieging army. The delay occasioned by the above accident, gave the French Admiral timely notice of the approach of the British fleet. The Count de Grasse instantly got under weigh and stood to sea, thinking thereby to secure all the advantages which his superiority in numbers would give them.

At day-light on the 25th, the enemy's fleet was observed about three leagues to leeward, formed in order of battle, consisting of 29 sail of the line. Sir Samuel Hood instantly perceived the great advantages to be derived from this movement, and carried on every appearance of an immediate and determined attack, which drove the enemy farther to leeward, and at a greater distance from the shore. By this excellent and well-judged manœuvre, the British Admiral pushed for Basse Terre, and in the evening anchored his fleet in line of battle a-head in Frigate Bay. The Comte de Grasse disappointed in his object, and apprehensive that all communication might be cut off with the army, made a most furious attack upon the rear of the British fleet, commanded by Commodore Affleck, but that gallant officer made so noble a defence, and was so ably supported by his seconds, the Hon.

Captain Cornwallis in the Canada, and Lord Robert Manners in the Resolution, who kept up an incessant fire, covering the other ships of the division, while they brought up in their stations, particularly the President, whose wheel was shot away, and the rudder choaked by a shot, which had lodged between it and the stern-post. The enemy finding they could make no impression on the resolute firmness of the British Commanders, bore up and stood to sea. The Solebay frigate of 28 guns, Captain Charles Holmes Everett, being closely pursued by a French ship of the line, ran ashore on Nevis Point. The French Admiral ordered two frigates in to attack her, upon which Captain Everett retired with his crew on shore, and set fire to his ship; she soon after blew up.

The following morning at eight o'clock, the French fleet stood in, as if determined to force the British line, which they attacked with great violence from van to rear, without making the least visible impression on it; they then wore and stood to sea. Sir Samuel Hood having observed that the rear of his fleet were too much exposed, took the opportunity to change their position, and directed the seven ships in his rear to extend themselves in a line towards the town of Bass Terre, forming an obtuse angle; by which means no one part of the fleet could suffer a partial attack. The Comte de Grasse not yet discouraged, renewed the engagement in the afternoon, directing his attack principally against the centre and rear divisions; he was again repulsed, and suffered more material damage than in the preceding battle. The Ville de Paris was seen the next morning upon a heel for several hours, repairing and plugging up the shot holes, which she had received between wind and water. The loss on board the French ships must have been considerable. It is said, that above one thousand were sent to St. Eustatius. The British had seventy-two men killed and two hundred and twenty-four wounded.

On the 14th in the morning, the French fleet, which had kept the sea or at times anchored in Old Road, stood in and anchored off Nevis, their force consisting of thirty-four sail of the

line, having been joined by the Triomphante, Brave, and three other ships of the line.

It became no longer necessary for the British fleet to continue in its present situation, which was useless and dangerous, not only from the superiority of the enemy's fleet; but that they were preparing to erect gun and mortar batteries on a commanding hill opposite the shipping. Sir Samuel Hood accordingly issued orders to the captains of the fleet to slip or cut their cables without signal at eleven o'clock at night, the sternmost and leewardmost ships first, and so on in succession, and to proceed under an easy sail, until directed otherwise by signal. That the orders might be punctually obeyed, the captains were directed to set their watches by the Admiral's time-piece. This was performed with the utmost order and regularity, without being molested or pursued by the French fleet, which was lying within five miles, and must have witnessed the excellent manoeuvre of the British Admiral. Soon after the islands of Nevis and Montserrat fell into the possession of the French.

On the 19th February, Sir Samuel Hood anchored in St. John's Road, Antigua; and on the same day Sir George Rodney arrived at Barbadoes from England, with several sail of the line; and on the 25th he joined Sir Samuel Hood off Antigua, and three days afterwards, three more sail of the line arrived from England. The fleet being united, the Admiral proceeded to St. Lucia for the ships to refit, and to complete their water. On the 14th March he put to sea, from thence to cruise, and endeavoured to intercept a large French convoy, which was expected to arrive from Europe; but notwithstanding the vigilance of the frigates, which were stationed to look out for it, the enemy had the address to keep close under Guadaloupe and Dominique, by which means they effected their escape into Fort Royal Bay on the 20th and 21st, unperceived by any of the English ships.

Sir Samuel Hood on the occasion of the victory of Rodney over the French fleet under Comte de Grasse, was made

an Irish peer; and in the early part of the year 1738, he arrived with his fleet at Port Royal, Jamaica, after having cruised some time off this peninsula. On the arrival of the Barfleur, the inhabitants of Port Royal presented a respectful address to his Royal Highness Prince William, to which he made a suitable reply. During his stay at the island, he was treated with the most distinguished marks of attention by all ranks of people. The merchants planters and other inhabitants, as a further compliment, raised a corps of cavalry for the express purpose of attending his Royal Highness, to which they gave the name of Prince William Henry's regiment.

Nelson on writing home to one of his friends, thus speaks of Prince William whilst he was at Jamaica:

"My situation in Lord Hood's fleet must be in the highest degree flattering to any young man; he treats me as if I were his son, and will, I am convinced, give me any thing I can ask of him. Nor is my situation with Prince William less flattering. Lord Hood was so kind as to tell him, (indeed, I cannot make use of expressions strong enough to describe what I felt,) that if he wished to ask questions relative to naval tactics, I could give him as much information as any officer in the fleet. He will be, I am certain, an ornament to our service. He is a seaman, which you could hardly suppose, with every other qualification you may expect from him; but he will be a disciplinarian, and a strong one. A vast deal of notice has been taken of him at Jamaica; he has been addressed by the Council, and the House of Assembly was to address him the day after I sailed. He has levees at Spanish Town; they are all highly delighted with him with the best temper, and great good sense, he cannot fail of being pleasing to every one."

On the 12th March, Lord Hood sailed with the squadron on a cruise off Cape François. On the 6th April he received intelligence of the preliminaries of a treaty of peace having been signed. At the same time M. de Bellcombe, the governor of the cape, sent an officer to the squadron, with an invitation to his Royal Highness Prince William Henry, requesting he would honour the cape with his presence, and also inviting