ery person with
astonishment.

[Illustration]

The Louisa brig, Lieutenant Truscott, having on board Lieutenant
Dumaresq, arrived off Mount's Bay on the 30th July. This officer
landed with Sir James's despatches, and immediately proceeded to
London. He was received at the Admiralty by Earl St. Vincent in the
most gratifying manner. Mr. Addington, then prime minister, sent an
express to Sir James's youngest brother at Brighton, requesting his
presence in London; and, on his arrival, he in the handsomest manner
presented him with a situation of trust and importance in the island
of Ceylon, with a salary of two thousand pounds per annum. Lieutenants
Dumaresq of the Caesar, Jackson of the Superb, and Lillicrap of the
Venerable, were promoted to the rank of commanders.

The extraordinary public sensation which this important and unexpected
victory created, is described in the following letter from Mrs.
Saumarez of Newington, (Sir James's sister-in-law,) to whom Lieutenant
Dumaresq paid a visit on leaving the Admiralty.

London, 5th August 1801.

MY DEAR SIR JAMES,

It is impossible to express the admiration and enthusiasm which
your late despatches have excited in the breasts of all ranks
of people. You are now the theme of every conversation, the
toast of every table, the hero of every woman, and the boast of
every Englishman. When Dumaresq waited on Lord St. Vincent, his
lordship squeezed his hand in the greatest rapture, exclaiming,
"I knew it,--I knew it,--I knew the man,--I knew what he could
do! It is the most daring thing that has been done this war. It
is the first thing.--I knew it would be so!" He then gave
Dumaresq his commission, and wrote a letter of congratulation
to Lady Saumarez, which he charged Phil. Dumaresq to deliver
with his own hand. I trust they are now both together; and,
after staying there one day, Phil. is to return to town.

Lord St. Vincent also sent Dumaresq to Mr. Addington, who
received him in the most gracious manner. He told Phil.
everything that man could say in terms of approbation; and
justly added, that, however the multitude might estimate and
admire the last action, yet the first, in his own mind, and in
the minds of men who understood the matter, was equally
deserving of praise, and would have fixed their approbation of
Sir James's conduct, even though he had f