tisfied that nothing could be better conducted than Frank's
ship upon this occasion, or courage more coolly displayed; a proof
of which was strongly exhibited in his conversation with a vaunting
Frenchman, boasting of his own strength, and threatening the
vengeance of his partner. It will not be advancing too much when I
say, that a ship of far superior force must have shared the same
fate. The French commander complains bitterly of Cole's taking such
advantages as his superior skill afforded him. The _Revolutionaire_
is much improved since her mainmast was moved, and you will believe
her, my Lord, always in good order. I have with infinite pleasure
given my testimony of Frank to Lord Spencer, and I doubt not but
your Lordship will give him a lift in the same quarter."

Captain Cole, though his career had been less brilliant than that of his
friend since they parted, had gained most flattering distinction. His
high character as an officer, and his reputation for peculiar
correctness of conduct, added perhaps to his more than common advantages
in person and manners, had obtained for him the honour of being
selected, conjointly with the late Sir Richard Keats, to have the
particular charge of his late Majesty, when he first entered the navy,
being made lieutenants of the watch in which the Prince was placed. He
was introduced by his royal pupil to the Prince of Wales, who said of
him, "They may talk of a cockpit education, and cockpit manners; but a
court could not have produced more finished manners than those of your
friend Captain Cole." The friendship between Sir Edward and himself had
continued from their boyhood, and they had cherished for each other the
affection and confidence of brothers. He died at Plymouth in 1799. A
little before his death, Sir Edward, who had just returned from a
cruise, came to see him for the last time. "Now," said the expiring
officer, "I shall die more happy, since I have been permitted to see
once again the dearest of my friends:" and when Sir Edward at length
tore himself from the room, unable to control his feelings any longer, a
burst of grief, on returning to the mother and sisters of Captain Cole,
prevented him for a considerable time from regaining sufficient
composure to quit the affecting scene.

On the morning of the 20th of April, the frigates were lying-to off the
Lizard, when a large ship was seen coming in from seaward