attended during Parker's
mutiny; and from this time till the year 1800 Fox spoke only three or
four times in the house. Sheridan refused to secede; and when the debate
took place concerning the rebellion at the Nore, in defiance of his
party he strengthened the hands of government. The Foxites asserted that
he was acting under selfish motives, and that he was seeking a seat on
the treasury bench with some well-paid place. They might be correct; for
all history shows that the true and disinterested patriot, is of rare
occurrence; all have their own self-interest at heart. No other business
worthy of historical note occurred till the 20th of July, when his
majesty prorogued parliament by a speech from the throne, in which he
declared that he was again engaged in a negociation for peace, and
that nothing should be wanting on his part to bring it to a successful
termination.

FRENCH DESCENT ON WALES.

Early in this year the French sent an expedition of about 1500 men,
mostly criminals and vagabonds, attired as French troops, who landed in
Cardigan Bay. The Welsh peasantry, animated by the gentry, armed with
scythes, sickles, and pitchforks, marched forth to meet the invaders;
and Lord Cawdor assembled a mixed force of seven hundred militia,
fencibles, and yeoman cavalry. This was sufficient. The French
commander, after a short negociation, capitulated to Lord Cawdor; while
the two frigates which accompanied the expedition, were captured
on their return to Brest. Such was the result of this long-menaced
invasion; but in other quarters preparations were made on a more
formidable scale.

BATTLE OFF CAPE ST. VINCENT.

"The year of mutinies" was not altogether inglorious to the British
navy. It was proposed by the republic that the fleets of Holland and
Spain should join the French fleet at Brest, and that the whole armada
should bear down for the coast of England. In order to frustrate this
design, Sir John Jervis was directed to blockade the port of Cadiz,
while Admiral Duncan was sent to watch the Dutch in the Texel. Sir John
Jervis fell in with the great Spanish fleet, under the command of Don
Jose de Cordova, off Cape St. Vincent, The Spanish fleet consisted of
twenty-seven sail of the line, and the English of only fifteen; but the
greater part of the Spanish crews were inexperienced, and Nelson was
with the English admiral, so that there was no hesitation in engaging.
Four Spanish ships of the line were c