till the whole regiment was embarked, that

all might proceed together. By signal we gave three cheers, which were answered by 'the regiments on shore: the bands playing, 'colours flying, &c., the whole forming a lively, animating scene. In ten minutes we 'were rowed aboard our different ships.

and at day-light to-morrow, if the wind con'tinues fair, we sail.'

CHAPTER IV.

ARRIVAL AT GIBRALTAR-SAILS TO CORSICA -OPERATIONS IN THAT ISLAND.

To attain eminence in any profession, the mind must be intensely fixed upon its principles, and the individual experienced in its practice. For military improvement,

Gibraltar is a less favourable school than a camp, yet it presents some advantages. For the garrison is numerous and is daily drilled, manoeuvred and employed on various duties: while the bomb-proof casemates, the ramparts, and the cannon pointed towards the sea and shore, together with the Spanish lines across the peninsula, fill the imagination with martial ideas. Moreover, the memorable defence which this fortress maintained for seven years, against the fleets and armies of France and Spain, aided by formid

able floating batteries; which last were destroyed by red-hot balls, with a piteous loss of lives, has converted this Herculean pillar into a stupendous monument of British prowess. That terrible catastrophe was so fresh in remembrance, that Buonaparte never assailed this citadel, which is deemed impregnable. Moore, on his arrival, wrote as follows:

6.

My dear Father,

'I have only time to tell you that, after a most delightful passage, we anchored in this

Bay, the eleventh day from our leaving Cork. 'We only landed yesterday, and every thing

'is so completely opposite to the arrange'ments in Britain or Ireland, that we are much at a loss, and must continue so for

some time, in spite of every exertion on my 'part. I have been up at daylight ever since we anchored, and seldom off my legs till bedtime. The weather is that of a hot July in England. Oranges, green peas, &c. are in perfection; and notwithstanding the de

'scriptions I had of the rock, it surprised me ⚫ more than any place I ever saw. Sir Robert 'Boyd (the Lieutenant-Governor) acknow'ledged me as an old acquaintance, and has 'been extremely civil.'

But after the novelty of the views from this extraordinary place was over, and when his regiment was brought to perfect discipline, the monotony of garrison duty began to be felt. Colonel Moore had already travelled over a portion of America, and a great part of Europe; but travelling does not soon produce satiety, and the neighbouring cities of Spain were tempting objects. He accordingly obtained permission, and visited Cadiz, Xeres, and Seville. This excursion gave him great amusement, after which it appeared that he returned to his duty with fresh ardour. But he was not fated to repeat jaunts of pleasure< for in this very year there arose, consequent to a revolution in France, a war the most memorable that ever happened, from the immensity of the treasures expended, from the vast space to which the warfare reached, and

from the multitude of forces by sea and land which were engaged and destroyed during its continuance. Not only Europe, but a great portion of Asia, Africa, and America were convulsed by this contention: and the vicissitudes of fortune were so remarkable, that France at one period gained by many victories such augmented dominion and pre-eminent power, as to force into a league against Great Britain, North America and almost the whole of the European States. But the latter, at length, bursting their chains, poured forth their forces against their vanquisher, who, was repulsed and discomfited; and France, being in her turn invaded, and the capital taken, was compelled to yield to the terms dictated by her enemies.

Soon after the commencement of these transactions, a body of French loyalists occupied Toulon, and invited a British and Spanish force into that city. These were presently besieged by a numerous army of French republicans; and in December, 1793, the 50th and 51st regiments were embarked