While he was confined to his bed, on account of his wounds, an incident occurred which might have proved fatal. Inflammation having spread around the wound through the cheek, the surgeons bathed the part with a strong solution of sugar-of-lead, and whey was recommended to him as a refreshing beverage. These two liquids were of a similar colour, and his servant one day, instead of the whey, placed the lotion near his bedside and when the General awoke from sleep, being thirsty, he took the bason which contained the poisonous solution, and swallowed it. He instantly discovered the mistake he had committed, called for his friend Anderson, who was in an adjoining room, and calmly told him what he had done; then, with that presence of mind which never forsook him, asked for a feathered pen he saw on the writing-stand. Anderson gave it him, and ran off for an oil cruet and water; by means of these he quickly threw the poison out of his stomach.

When sufficiently recovered to be removed

he was carried to the Helder, embarked in a frigate for England, and returned to the bosom of his family. His mother, transported to see him once more brought home alive, nursed him with the fondest affection; and in a few weeks I healed up his wounds.

While tending him, I often noticed that he was revolving the events of the war in his mind, and that his whole thoughts were bent on undertaking new enterprises: for his character was of that stamp in which exertion amidst dangers and difficulties is preferred to idleness. Nor is he unprofitably employed who records worthy actions, which may animate others to imitate the virtues he attempts to describe.

CHAPTER X.

THE EXPEDITION TO CADIZ.

BEFORE Moore recovered from his wounds, his Majesty appointed him Colonel of the 52d regiment, a mark of the acceptance of his services in Holland. And he was hardly restored to health when he received an order from the Commander-in-Chief to proceed to Chelmsford, to take charge of, and discipline the troops assembled there.

Towards the end of this year Bonaparte escaped from Egypt, by that good fortune which so long attended him, and which beguiled him to imagine that his fate was superintended by a guardian star. The French nation, dazzled by the glory he had acquired in the field, submitted passively to his annihilating liberty, and usurping despotic power; although that was the false charge for which their innocent sovereign had been decapitated.

In war, the advantages of the supreme power of the state being wielded by the leader of the forces are very great. It was by this concentration of authorities, that ancient Rome, when in extremities, was often preserved. But in the British government there is the greatest division of power that perhaps was ever established in any country; for the naval and military commanders act independently of each other,—the one receiving orders from the Board of Admiralty, and the other from the Secretary of State; and these two authorities are subordinate to the Prime Minister, who is, in some degree, controlled by the opinions of the majority of the Cabinet. Lastly, Admirals, Generals, and Ministers, are all accountable to the King, responsible to the furious cabals in Parliament, and exposed to the libellous rage of the press. This confusion of control occasions mutability and dilatoriness in warlike operations; for the success of which, steadiness and celerity are essential.

The new French administration was quickly

organized, as despotic power is prompt; and on the 6th of May, 1800, Bonaparte set off for the conquest of Italy.

Early in spring, a scheme had been devised by Sir Charles Stuart, and approved of by the War Minister, to co-operate with the Austrians, who had nearly expelled the French from Italy. Fifteen thousand men were to embark from England; five thousand to be taken from the garrisons in the Mediterranean, and the whole to enter and occupy the maritime Alps. It was intended by this means to shut up the communication between France and Italy, and form a powerful diversion in favour of Austria; and it was also expected that the royalists in the South of France would be encouraged, by this force, to rise in revolt against Bonaparte.

Sir Charles applied to General Moore to accept a command in this expedition, which he willingly assented to. But unforeseen difficulties occurred, and intelligence was brought that a Spanish army, in alliance