This year was the first of the establishment of the corps of the sea-fencibles; the plan was proposed by Captain Sir Home Popham. As a mode of rendering a large body of men effective to the public service, in case of invasion, it had some claim to the consideration of the government; but when we reflect that, by entering this corps, seamen were protected from active service while the nation was put to a vast expense for their equipment and maintenance, we shall not wish to see it renewed. We may observe, as a warning to officers in accepting of quiet places on shore, that it was generally considered afterward as a bar to promotion or active employment. The command of the prison-hulks was equally injurious to prospects of promotion,

The allowances to post-captains on the sea-fencible service were

For a clerk, stationary and

travelling

To commanders

And contingencies

£1 10 0 per day

The men received one shilling each muster; they were trained to the exercise of the great gun and pikes. Boats, in all the ports and creeks along the coast, were held at their disposal; and we must do them the justice to say, that, on many occasions, they rendered considerable service to

the coasting trade by the recapture of our vessels, and, in some instances, by the capture of priva

teers.

Their numbers on the whole coast of England scarcely amounted to seven thousand men: they were soon after extended to Scotland and Ireland: in the latter kingdom an admiral was appointed to the general command of the whole.

CHAP. XII.

Action between Papillon and Speedy-French armament at Toulon St. Vincent prepares to meet it-Nelson joins himProceeds to Toulon-Is dismasted-Repaired, and returns to his station-French fleet quits Toulon, and takes Malta -Orders from St. Vincent to Nelson, and letters to Sir William and Lady Hamilton-Sir Roger Curtis joins the fleet off Cadiz-Trowbridge proceeds to join Nelson, who pursues the French fleet-Hears of it off Cape Passero-Goes to Alexandria-Disappointed - Returns to Syracuse-Obtains supplies through the influence of Lady Hamilton-Manner in which the British and French fleets passed each other in the night-Nelson sails from Syracuse, and discovers the French fleet in the bay of Aboukir-Battle of the Nile-Observations and reflections-Plans of the French government and Bonaparte-Distress of the French army-Capture of the Leander Honourable acquittal and knighthood of Captain Thompson-Uncandid statement of the French Captain -Nelson's public letter-List of his fleet and prizes-Observations on the burning of the Artemise, and the grounding of the Culloden-St. Vincent's letter to Earl Spencer, to Lady Spencer, to Evan Nepean-Capture of Sensible and Santa Dorothea-Of Liguria-Letter of Hollowell to Nelson with a coffin-Nelson arrives at Naples-Honours paid to himLetter from Admiral Gantheaume-Effects of the battle of the Nile in Europe-The French General having made good his landing in Egypt, marches to Cairo-Description of harbour of Alexandria-Letter from Nelson to Governor of Bombay-State of Italy on his arrival at Naples-Imprudence of the directory-Neapolitans with King and General Mack advance to Rome-Beaten, and retreat-British squadron on coast of Italy-Sir James Saumarez summons Malta-Cruelty of Arabs to French, and murder of General Carrier-Capture of Minorca-Blockade of Malta-Capture of Goza-Letters to Nelson, Earl Spencer, Rear-admiral Gambier, Evan Nepean, Esq. &c. &c. &c.

CAPTAIN Hugh Downman, in the Speedy brig of fourteen four-pounders and sixty men, had a very severe action with a French privateer, called Le Papillon, of eighteen guns, twelve-pounders, and one hundred and sixty men: the contest lasted nearly two days. The enemy, having the advantage in point of sailing, chose his own distance; and, coming down from to windward, shot away the Speedy's fore-topmast. The conduct of Captain Downman in this affair entitled him to the first rank in his class of officers, for bravery, perseverance, skill, and judgment. After having expended all his shot, he substituted pieces of iron hoop, nails, and marlinspikes. Mr. Marshall, the master, who with twelve men was on board the prize then four leagues to leeward, seeing his captain and shipmates overmatched, generously resolved to go to their assistance. Having secured his prisoners below to the number of forty, and put his people into a small boat, he quitted the prize after dark, and fortunately got on board the Speedy in time to share in the honour of the day. The enemy escaped from superior sailing, and Captain Downman retook his prize, and conducted her safe into port. For this action he was soon after promoted to the rank of post-captain. It may be said with truth, that every officer who commanded that little vessel obtained his promotion from her by hard fighting and most successful conflicts against superior force.

The arms of the French republic having now

conquered Italy, and subdued the armies of the empire, the directory determined on foreign invasion upon a grand and extensive scale. The vast armament which had long been equipping at Toulon had not escaped the penetrating eye of the able and enlightened chief who commanded the fleet in the Mediterranean; he was in close and secret correspondence with men of keen discernment in the south of France; and, though the certain destination of this powerful fleet was not known, yet from various circumstances it was conjectured, that the East was the quarter where the blow was intended to be struck, and thither the attention of the Admiral was directed. A large British fleet at this time lay before Cadiz, watching one of superior force in that harbour.-Lord St. Vincent, however, with a mind worthy of the noble cause in which he was engaged, disregarded every personal consideration, and, leaving himself with very few ships, prepared a strong detachment, which he held in readiness to follow the enemy to any part of the world.

Between the naval operations of the French and English there has always existed this remarkable difference; that while the first endeavour, by every means, to avoid an action, we as sedulously seek one. The French never sail without some meditated mischief, and the hope of attaining a great object; we, on the contrary, go to sea to look for adventures.

The French fleet, under the command of Ad