at Gibraltar to reinforce the garrison of Toulon but before they could reach their destination, the besieged were repulsed in an unsuccessful sally, and General O'Hara, the commander, was wounded and captured; on which the garrison, being too weak to maintain the works against a much superior army, embarked on board their ships. The greater part of the French men-of-war were then burned in the harbour, and the unhappy royalists, to escape from the fury of the republicans, took refuge in the British fleet, which sailed to Hieres Bay.

Intelligence of these disastrous events were received by the convoy with the troops from Gibraltar, which therefore proceeded to the same place: but a frigate, which had on board the baggage of the 51st regiment, separated from the fleet in the night, and the captain, deceived by the English colours hoisted on the ramparts of Toulon, sailed into the harbour and was taken. This was a severe loss to both officers and men; for Moore had ordered every thing to be procured and put on

VOL. I.

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board that could contribute to their conveniency, and be useful on service. It was late in the evening of the last day of December, that the transports entered Hieres Bay, when immediately Moore went on board the Victory, Lord Hood's flag-ship. He presented a statement of his regiment, together with the orders which he had received from Sir Robert Boyd, to his Lordship, who expressed some surprise at the smallness of the number of men, and said, You have come rather late.' He then turned to a navy officer with whom he had been transacting business. Moore, after this dry reception, retired into the outer cabin to join General Dundas, the commander of the army. Every part of the Admiral's ship was crowded with French men and women of the principal families of Toulon, who had made their escape the night the town was evacuated. Moore hearing the sound of a violin and of dancing in the ward-room, made some enquiry, and was much surprised to learn that the French were dancing out the old year merrily. Yet few of them had anything but the clothes on

their backs, and the prospect before them was most gloomy. They contrived, however, to forget the past, to suppress all thoughts of the future, and, for the present, to make themselves happy.

Consultations took place between the Admiral and the General respecting future operations, and Corsica became the principal subject of their deliberations. This island had revolted from France, and the aged and patriotic chief, Paoli, placed at the head of their affairs, had applied for succours to England. It was at length resolved, that Colonel Moore and Major Koehler, an excellent artillery officer, should be sent to Corsica, to examine how far an attack upon that island, with the small military force embarked, was advisable. Sir Gilbert Elliot, the King's commissioner in the Mediterranean, was to accompany them, to communicate with Paoli on political points.

This deputation accordingly sailed (Jan. 14th) in a frigate, and landed in the little Isle of Rossa, whence they proceeded to Murato. The

inhabitants of every village through which they passed saluted them with vollies of musketry, and exclaimed Viva Paoli, la patria, è la nazione Inglese!' This reception was very amusing; and they found that Paoli had taken up his residence at a convent of Recollets, which had been abandoned since the revolution. The convent was surrounded with armed peasants, who came voluntarily from different parts of the island, and served without pay. They carried on their backs ten days provisions, consisting chiefly of dried chestnuts; and returned home, when their food was consumed. But others succeeded, from the strong attachment felt by all the natives to Paoli, who had commanded their armies in former wars against the Genoese and French. After the first compliments, the subject of the mission began to be discussed; when General Paoli addressed himself to the two military gentlemen, to explain to them the operations which he wished to be adopted. But Colonel Moore informed him, that Sir Gilbert

Elliot was the King's Commissioner, with whom in the first place the business must be agreed upon. To this Paoli made some odd answer, that he was tired with ministers and negotiations. He then, however, turned to Sir Gilbert, and said, 'I wrote long ago to

the King and to his ministers, that I and 'my people wished to be free either as sub'jects, or under the protection of Great Bri

tain, as the King and the country may 'think most convenient. I wish before I

die, to see my country, after various strug'gles, during these three hundred years, 'settled and happy, with a proper degree of liberty, under the protection or government of the British nation.' The General was so much affected whilst he spoke, that tears gushed into his eyes. The conference was conducted amicably, Sir Gilbert giving assurances of assistance for the expulsion of the French. Next morning, Moore and Major Koehler rode out to reconnoitre St. Fiorenza and the neighbouring country. The Signor Pozzo di Borgo accompanied