he officer selected for the latter was Howe, deservedly a
favorite of Hawke's, but not therefore acceptable to him as a supplanter
in his honors.

The admiral had been for some time superintending the equipment of the
vessels for the light division, when, on May 10, 1758, Howe reported to
him, bringing his orders. Hawke boiled over at once; and, in a heat
evidently beyond his will to control, despatched the following letter,
three hours after Howe's arrival.

Portsmouth, 7 o'clock p.m. 10th May, 1758.

Sir,--About 4 o'clock arrived here Captain Howe, and delivered me
their Lordships' order of the 9th. In last September I was sent out
to command an expedition under all the disadvantages one could
possibly labor under, arising chiefly from my being under the
influence of land-officers in Councils of War at sea.[4] Last
cruise (March-April, 1758) I went out on a particular service,
almost without the least means of performing it. Now every means to
ensure success is provided; another is to reap the credit; while it
is probable that I, with the capital ships, might be ordered to
cruise in such a manner as to prevent his failing in this attempt.
To fit out his ships for this service I have been kept here,[5] and
even now have their Lordships' directions, at least in terms, to
obey him. He is to judge of what he wants for his expedition; he is
to make his demands, and I am to comply with them. I have
therefore directed my flag immediately to be struck, and left their
Lordships' orders with Vice-Admiral Holburne. For no consequence
that can attend my striking it without orders shall ever outbalance
with me the wearing it one moment with discredit.

I am, etc.
E. HAWKE.

It is impossible to justify so extreme a step as abandoning one's
command without permission, and especially under circumstances that
permitted the orderly course of asking for detachment. Nevertheless,
Hawke did well to be angry; and, as is sometimes the case, an
injudicious and, in point of occasion, unseemly loss of temper,
doubtless contributed to insure for him in the future, to a degree which
forbearance or mere remonstrance would not have assured, the
consideration essential to his duties. Many will remember the effect
produced by Plimsoll's unparliamentary outbreak. The erroneous
impression, that admirals and generals fit to be employed a