requently, who
always inquires most kindly after you. His lordship, it may be
believed, is not very well satisfied with the present state of
affairs. We must hope that future good will result from apparent evil;
but it must ever be regretted that the French fleet escaped from
Brest, without being brought to action. I think it probable Sir Alan
Gardner will have the command of a strong detachment, and proceed off
Cape Finisterre; but what ships are to be attached to him will not be
known until the separation takes place. Should the French fleet be
gone up the Mediterranean, they will proceed on that station; in which
case I hope the Caesar will be one of Sir Alan's squadron. I am well
provided for a long cruise. When I shall hear from you, Heaven alone
knows! but I am endued with patience, after all our trials. The
_eloge_ of Mr. Morgan, on our dear boy, is a great satisfaction to me,
and no less so at knowing him to be where his morals will be attended
to, equally with the other branches of his education.

"June 9th.--My last will have led you to expect my being detached with
Sir A. Gardner. We separated from Lord Bridport, Saturday, with
sixteen sail of the line; and we are already the distance of Lisbon,
with a fine breeze, steering for the Mediterranean. I almost fear we
shall be too late, notwithstanding the expedition we are using. I fell
in with a Dane, from whom I learned the French fleet had passed the
Straits, and Lord St. Vincent after them.

"Sunday 10th.--In going down with the information to the Admiral, we
had the misfortune to carry away our fore-top-mast. I was not a little
surprised to find Sir Alan with only the Magnificent and Russell, Sir
Charles Cotton having been detached to the Mediterranean; thus I fear
we shall be deprived sharing in the victory we hoped to obtain over
the enemy's fleet. Our small squadron is returning towards Lisbon,
instead of gaining the medals we made sure of.

"14th.--Off Lisbon. We are anxiously waiting here for intelligence.
The Admiral surprised me with the information that the object of our
coming to Lisbon was to take away our prizes. He has ordered me in to
accelerate their joining him."

Sir Alexander Ball, in a letter to Sir James, dated off Malta, 27th
April 1799, writes: "Be assured that your appointment to the Marines
and the command of the Caesar, which are given to you as a mark of the
high estimation in which you are regarded by the Admiralty and the
pu