are standing, out of nine sail of the line. L'Orient
certainly struck her colours, and did not fire a shot, for a
quarter of an hour before, unfortunately for us, she took fire:
but, though we suffer, our country is equally benefitted. She had
on board nearly six hundred thousand pounds sterling: so says the
adjutant-general of the fleet, who was saved out of her; and,
although he does not say she struck her colours, yet he allows that
all resistance on her part was in vain. Admiral Brueys was killed
early in the battle; and, from the commencement of the fight,
declared all was lost. They were moored in a strong position, in a
line of battle, with gun-boats, bomb-vessels, frigates, and a gun
and mortar battery on an island in their van; but, my band of
friends was irresistible. The French army is in possession of
Alexandria, Aboukir, Rosetta, Damietta, and Cairo; and Bonaparte
writes, that he is sending a detachment to take possession of Suez
and Fayume. By the intercepted letters from the army, for we took
the vessel with Bonaparte's courier, they are grievously
disappointed, the country between their posts being completely
hostile. I have little doubt but that army will be destroyed, by
plague, pestilence, and famine, and battle and murder; which, that
it may soon be, God grant. The Turks will soon send an army into
Syria; and as, for the present, we block them up by sea, they must
soon experience great distress. I hope to find, on my arrival at
Naples, that the emperor, and many other powers, are at war with
the French; for, till they are reduced, there can be no peace in
this world."

This letter appears to have remained unfinished, for want, probably, of
an opportunity of sending it away, about three weeks. It then received
the following conclusion.

"September 7th. I feel myself so much recovered, that it is
probable I shall not go home at present. The Turks have seized all
French ships in the Levant, in consequence of their taking a
Turkish sixty-gun ship at Alexandria, and seizing all Turkish
property. This was done on the 14th of August. I shall always
receive pleasure in hearing from you, both as a public and private
man; and believe me, dear Sir, with the greatest respect, your most
obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

In the mean ti