h the squadron under Sir Charles Pole, employed
on the blockade of Cadiz, until the 14th November 1801, when he went
in the Caesar, in company with several other ships to Gibraltar.

The following letter from General O'Hara gave Sir James the first news
of the capitulation of Cairo, and the death of Sir Ralph Abercrombie,
on the 21st of August

Gibraltar, 30th August 1801.

If you have seen either the Hebe or Mendovia, you are
acquainted with the success in Egypt; and, if you have not, the
enclosed Gibraltar Chronicle will inform you of all those
particulars: and when we consider the great disparity of
numbers between English and French, particularly detailed in
the Chronicle, we must conclude ourselves greatly indebted to
good fortune for having got well through that very arduous
enterprise.

As the French troops, who capitulated, are nearly double the
number of our people employed on that service, I cannot help
having apprehensions till they are fairly embarked, and we are
quit of them; for it is impossible to trust that scoundrel race
if they can reap any advantage by breaking their faith. I am
sorry to find, from several reports, that our great men don't
draw together very well; I mean the chiefs of our army. It
should seem we have more reasons than one to lament the loss of
Sir Ralph Abercrombie,--the cause of clashing parties between
Scotch and Irish, which is too commonly the case in our
service; and I am afraid something of that sort now and then
arises in the navy. I send you, likewise, our Chronicle of last
Friday, because you will there see the honours that have been
paid to the French officers for the action at Algeziras, as
well as the one of the 13th. You will there perceive that the
French Formidable was attacked by four English ships of war! It
is quite wonderful what improbable lies those rascals do
propagate.

Sir James found at Gibraltar H.M.S. Renown, Sir John Borlase Warren,
whose flag he saluted.

CHAPTER III.

1801.

Preliminaries of peace.--Sir James created a Knight of the
Bath.--Remarks on that Order.--Ceremony of investiture.--Action
of the Pasley and Rosario.--Sir James receives the thanks of
both Houses of Parliament.--Speeches of Earl St. Vincent, Lord
Nelson, and Mr. Pitt.--The freedom of the city of London,--and