ese nearly effected the reduction of the
island by the capture of Bastia, which capitulated on honourable terms.
Calvi, the only remaining-stronghold of the republicans, was then
besieged, and on the 1st of August it surrendered to the British arms.
Paoli and the aristocratical party then offered the cession of the
island to the King of Great Britain, which was accepted. Efforts were
made to confer the blessings of the British constitution on the rude
islanders, but they were not successful; while one party looked to
England, the other cast their eyes on France.

LORD HOWE'S NAVAL VICTORY, ETC.

About the middle of April, the ships composing the Channel fleet,
commanded by Lord Howe, assembled at St. Helen's. It consisted of
thirty-two sail of the line and nine frigates; but six of the ships of
the line and four frigates were detached under Rear Admiral Montague,
to escort some outward-bound convoys off Cape Finisterre. With the
remainder of the fleet Lord Howe proceeded to Ushant, to look after
the Brest fleet and a French convoy which were expected to arrive from
America and the West Indian Islands. The French convoy escaped Howe's
vigilance, and arrived safely in the French ports; but he caught sight
of the French fleet on the 28th of May, and on the evening of that day
he attacked a part of their line. As it grew dark the firing ceased; but
the two fleets kept within sight of each other until the 1st of June,
when they came to a regular engagement. In the size of their vessels,
in the aggregate number of their guns, and in the weight of metal, the
French had a considerable superiority; and they had also twenty-six
ships of the line, while, at the time of the engagement, Lord Howe had
twenty-five--one, the "Audacious," having separated, on the 28th, in a
shattered condition. Lord Howe, however, having discovered the French
early on the morning of the 1st of June, about three or four miles to
leeward, in order of battle, immediately stood towards them. At about
seven in the morning, he was abreast of them, and then he wore to the
larboard tack, the French awaiting his approach in the same position.
The signal for action was made about half-past eight o'clock, orders
having previously been given for the fleet to close, to pass through the
French line, and engage them to leeward, van to van, rear to roar, every
ship engaging her opposite in the enemy's line. Some of the ships, as
the "Defence," the "Marlborough,"