ssible we may attempt to lay in Hyeres Bay, should we find the
ground good for winter gales, of which at present we are not quite
assured. We lay there a month in full expectation it would force
the enemy to give us battle, and it will probably at last compel
them to do so next spring. They are actively fortifying the islands
and bay all around, in order to guard against attack, and have at
least ten thousand men at work: they suspect our army will move
this way. As far as we can judge from appearances, I have never yet
seen a French fleet in half the order the Toulon one is. They have,
I am sorry to say, adopted but too many of our arrangements, and in
point of clothing, they exceed us. They also keep everybody on
board, so that the French officers are now of necessity obliged to
find amusement in their duty; and become acquainted with their
people. The ships are magnificent; four of 120 guns, larger than
_Caledonia_, and twelve fine two-deckers, are all ready and manned.
Two of 120, and two of 80 are building, and may launch by March or
April; so that I think we shall have twenty to fight, without any
from Genoa, Naples, or Venice; and I trust a glorious day we shall
have. Keats is a host of strength to me; and we are all well
together, eager for the day, which I trust will help to put an end
to the miseries of war, and the irksome eighteen years' confinement
between wooden walls we have all experienced.

"God be with you ever,
"My dear Sam,
"Your truly affectionate brother,
"E. PELLEW."

The hopes of the fleet were disappointed: for the enemy came out only
when the wind was fair to return; and thus, though they often allowed
the advanced ships to approach nearly within gunshot, nothing was, or
could be done, on those occasions.

In the following week, prompted perhaps by the recollections of the new
year, he again writes:--

"I never expect to live the war through, and am not at all anxious
about it. If I can only have the happiness of doing service to the
country, I would give a great deal to be ten years younger; but as
that cannot be, I must content myself with the reflection that my
children are good, and provided for; and that I leave them attached
to th