th as the
Balearics, and on the east by the islands of Sardinia and Corsica.
Through this hunting-ground, from end to end of which he roamed in
unceasing restlessness, like a lion roaring for his prey, the Toulon
fleet must pass, wherever bound; and by the judicious distribution of
the cruisers--all too few--allowed him by St. Vincent's economies, he
hoped to get timely and sufficient information of its leaving port.

"The great thing in all military service is health," he wrote to his
old friend, Dr. Moseley, who had been with him in the far-back Central
American expedition in 1780; "and you will agree with me, that it is
easier for an officer to keep men healthy, than for a physician to
cure them. Situated as this fleet has been, without a friendly port,
where we could get all the things so necessary for us, yet I have, by
changing the cruizing ground, not allowed the sameness of prospect to
satiate the mind--sometimes by looking at Toulon, Ville Franche,
Barcelona, and Rosas; then running round Minorca, Majorca; Sardinia
and Corsica; and two or three times anchoring for a few days, and
sending a ship to the last place for _onions_, which I find the best
thing that can be given to seamen; having always good mutton for the
sick, cattle when we can get them, and plenty of fresh water. In the
winter it is the best plan to give half the allowance of grog, instead
of all wine. These things are for the commander-in-chief to look to;
but shut very nearly out from Spain, and only getting refreshments by
stealth from other places, my command has been an arduous one." "Our
men's minds," he added, "are always kept up with the daily hopes of
meeting the enemy." An order indicating one of the squadron movements,
of which he here speaks, may be worth quoting. "Whereas it is my
intention," he writes at Number 97 to the captain there stationed, "to
proceed with the squadron, the first westerly wind, off Toulon, for
the purpose of reconnoitring the enemy at that port, and from thence
pass through Rendezvous No. 102, to secure any information the ships
there may have obtained of them, you are hereby required and directed
to keep on your station and inform any of his Majesty's ships arriving
on said rendezvous," etc.

The health of the crews, thus carefully watched, remained excellent
throughout, and is mentioned by him continually with evident pride as
well as satisfaction. Occasional slight outbursts of scurvy are noted,
despite his