on the
day after this battle; and as the allied troops now amounted to 35,000
men, his royal highness, who superseded Abercrombie in the chief
command, ventured on active operations. The army advanced, on the
19th, in four columns. That on the extreme right, consisting chiefly of
Russian troops, under General De Hermaun, made an unsuccessful attack
upon Bergen. Abercrombie with a column penetrated to the city of Hoorn,
which surrendered; and the two other columns under Generals Dundas and
Pulteney, also forced their way through great difficulties, in a tract
of country intersected with deep ditches and canals. The rash confidence
of the Russians, however, soon exposed the whole army to such danger
that it was compelled to retire to its original position. For some time,
in consequence of tempestuous weather, the invading force was blocked up
by inferior numbers; but on the 2nd of October the British army resumed
the offensive, and commenced an attack on the enemy's whole line. A
battle was fought at Egmont, which was favourable to the British; for,
although it was indecisive, yet the retreat of the enemy in consequence
gave them an opportunity of occupying several strong positions. The
republican soldiers took up a strong post between Beverwyck and the
Zuyder Zee; and the Duke of York resolved to attack them there, before
their position could be strengthened by fresh works or re-enforcements.
An action took place on the 6th of October, and it terminated so far in
favour of the British and the allies, that they were left masters of the
field; but the loss on both sides was very severe; and the enemy, who
soon afterwards received a re-enforcement, maintained their position.
The allied army, indeed, soon found itself in so critical a situation
from the strength of the enemy, the severity of the weather, and the
indifference of the party of the stadtholder, that the Duke of York
suddenly issued an order for the troops to assemble; and they commenced
a retreat toward Pelleu and Alkmaer. Before the troops could re-embark,
however, the Duke of York was compelled to conclude a convention, by
which it was agreed that the English and Russians should be allowed to
leave Holland without molestation, on condition that 8000 prisoners of
war, French and Batavians, then detained in England, should be released.

{GEORGE III. 1798--1801}

CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT.

It has been seen that Napoleon had entered Cairo, and that his fleet
whi