'till our wounds are healed. Anderson has lost a brother, a lieutenant in the 42nd ; ' he was killed on the 21st.

'It is difficult to say as yet what the issue ' of all this will be. Government has un'doubtedly been deceived with respect to the 'force and situation of the French in Egypt; the Delta is a most plentiful country, their

army wants for nothing, and in the last 'action their numbers exceeded ours. Un'less, therefore, ministers, apprized in time of their error, send reinforcements, or the Turks act with energy, what chance have we, with inferior numbers, to dispossess the French of their strong holds?

'I have had the satisfaction of seeing the superiority of the British infantry over the • French. In three successive actions we have beat them without cavalry, and inferior in artillery. This is the Army of Italy! but 'the prisoners say the fighting there was * nothing to this. I am convinced that nothing ever surpassed the determined valour of our men; and what I have witnessed here will

'be a subject of pride and satisfaction to me

' while I live.

6

This goes by Constantinople; the oppor'tunity was told me privately as a favour, ' and I have availed myself of it in haste. My love to my Mother, &c.; François ' dresses my wound, and makes a poultice as if he had practised at St. George's Hos

6

pital. I shall recommend him to James when the war is over.

If you meet W. Paget, you may assure him that his brother's wound is not serious. He expects to be with the reserve in a 'few days, and to command it till Oakes The inclosed is to an uncle

' and I can join.

' of Anderson.

He desires his remembrance

'to you, &c. Believe me, my dear Father,

' he received on the 21st. The ball has been

'found since his death, sticking in the thigh

bone, near the socket of the hip. I had ' an opportunity of writing to you the day ' after the action by way of Constantinople;

6

I had no idea then that his wound was

dangerous; but the medical people very 'soon despaired. He was seldom free from

fever, had frequent fits of delirium, and a gangrene had actually commenced when he ' expired.

Sir Ralph has fallen at a moment most unfortunate for his country; we stand in need of his experience, his sagacity, and 'judgment to extricate us; but he could have 'fallen at no period more fortunately for his ' own fame. It has happened to no other general during this war to beat the French in three successive actions. He will be 'honoured and lamented by his country, and ' his name handed down to posterity with the 'most distinguished of his countrymen. This is the consolation I derive from the loss of

the best man, and best soldier, who has

appeared amongst us this war.

"General Hutchinson succeeds him, who is an accomplished man, and a man of sense. 'He succeeds to a command, the brilliant part ' of which, I fear, is over; indeed, with our ❝ numbers, I do not see how he can go farther. Inferior as we are in force, and in resources ' to the enemy, how is it possible we can force * a strong position, and then carry on the siege of Alexandria?

'Sir Ralph saw his situation in the most 'unpromising light; and had, I know, no ' hope of final success, but from events which were not in his power to command.

It is owing to the uncommon gallantry * and good conduct of our troops, that we are

thus far, and have been able to surmount the difficulties which have occurred. A check would have been fatal. The expedition was planned upon very wrong infor

mation of the situation of the French in this country, and in the expectation of a co-operation of the Turks; which, from the * miserable state of that power, it is unable to 'give.

I have been on board here since the 21st, with General Oakes and Anderson. Some cloth carried into my wound, caused inflammation, and has for some days made me ' uncomfortable; it is now something better, 'but I do not expect to be fit for duty these 'three weeks. Anderson's wound gives him 'pain; but with time and patience we shall

' both do.

'You have all been extremely silent since • I left you; I have not had a line from one of the family since I sailed from Gibraltar. I am glad to have had an opportunity of meeting the French in the field equal' handed, to convince them that we in red ' are as stout fellows as our brothers in blue; 6 but that satisfaction over, I do not see what • benefit we are to derive from this contention 'prolonged. As it seems an object, for the 'security of India, that the French should 'be driven from Egypt, our good ministers • had better have sent us reinforcements in time; we should then have done it for them. We have still to hope that favourable