he foundation of
our plan, and render'd all further attempts impracticable--'t will be a
long time ere we can expect any more reinforcements--and if they should
arrive, I'm doubtful of their success.

CLINTON. The provincials are vastly strong, and seem no novices in the
art of war; 'tis true we gain'd the hill at last, but of what advantage
is it to us?--none--the loss of 1400 as brave men as Britain can boast
of, is a melancholy consideration, and must make our most sanguinary
friends in England abate of their vigour.

ELBOW ROOM. I never saw or read of any battle equal to it--never was
more martial courage display'd, and the provincials, to do the dogs
justice, fought like heroes, fought indeed more like devils than men;
such carnage and destruction not exceeded by Blenheim, Minden, Fontenoy,
Ramillies, Dettingen, the battle of the Boyne, and the late affair of
the Spaniards and Algerines--a mere cock-fight to it--no laurels there.

MR. CAPER. No, nor triumphs neither--I regret in particular the number
of brave officers that fell that day, many of whom were of the first
families in England.

ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Aye, a damn'd affair indeed--many powder'd
beaus--petit maitres--fops--fribbles--skip jacks--macaronies--jack
puddings--noblemen's bastards and whores' sons fell that day--and my
poor marines stood no more chance with 'em than a cat in hell without
claws.

LORD BOSTON. It can't be help'd, Admiral; what is to be done next?

ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Done?--why, what the devil have you done? nothing
yet, but eat Paramount's beef, and steal a few Yankee sheep--and that,
it seems, is now become a damn'd lousy, beggarly trade too, for you
hav'n't left yourselves a mouthful to eat.

[_Aside._]

"_Bold at the council board,
But cautious in the field, he shunn'd the sword._"

LORD BOSTON. But what can we do, Admiral?

ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Do?--why, suck your paws--that's all you're like to
get. [_Aside._] But avast, I must bowse taught there, or we shall get to
loggerheads soon, we're such damn'd fighting fellows.

LORD BOSTON. We must act on the defensive this winter, till
reinforcements arrive.

ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Defensive? aye, aye--if we can defend our bellies
from hunger, and prevent a mutiny and civil war among the small guts
there this winter, we shall make a glorious campaign of it, indeed--it
will read well in the American Chronicles.

LORD BOSTON. I expect to be recalled this winter, when I s