6 merely to convoy the trade up and down; for nobody doubts that the French will stay in 'their harbours as long as our fleet continues in this neighbourhood. Therefore, in my opinion, to burn the shipping and destroy the arsenal of Toulon would have been a 'great coup; a little impracticable, perhaps, or so, but that does not signify; the attempt 'would have been great, and would have 'kept some of my friends and me from fret'ting, as we shall do, the whole summer. Had our Major come out, I believe I should have endeavoured to get home, to try if upon the spot I could not negociate an exchange. Lord Hood and the fleet, twenty 'sail of the line, are to sail in a day or two. They begin, it is said, by cruizing off Tou 6 lon. I have met with several of Graham's 'friends, who have seen him lately. I fear 'his situation is not more flattering than my ' own. They tell me he has taken no prizes, and they do not seem to think he has much chance of immediate promotion. I hope, however, to hear from you, that in this they * are mistaken. How pleasant it would have ⚫ been to us both had he come out with Lord • Hood! I long to see my father's book; I ex'pected it by the fleet. 'Sir James Murray's letter is much criti'cised by General O'Hara, and some others 'here it strikes me as a plain narrative, and 'tolerably distinct. 'I thank Jane for her letter: as long as her travels are confined to England, I can con'ceive her liking them; but I can assure her, 'that one day's journey through the country of Don Quixote would prevent her from having the least desire to undertake a ⚫ second. I am quite happy to hear such good accounts of Charles,-remember me to him If the Duke or Duchess of ⚫ and James. Hamilton are in town, you may tell them young Bennet, who was wounded in the with the French frigate, continues Whether gets his book off his 'hands, he will, I hope, write to me. Be 'lieve me, my dear Mother, 'Gibraltar, 30th Sept., 1793. My dear Father, It is impossible to be 'more obliged to you than I am for your ' endeavour to get me actively employed; I 6 hope you will succeed. I wait, with the ' utmost impatience, to hear from you after your interview with Sir Charles Grey. To go with the regiment upon service is the object next my heart. I have got the ma'chine into as good order as I can, and I wish to have it used. When the intelligence of 'the business at Toulon first reached this, 'General O'Hara endeavoured to persuade 'the Governor to send a strong detachment under him to Toulon, and he proposed the 51st as one of the regiments; but the old 'gentleman was timid, and said he would not take such a step without orders. It would 6 ' have been fortunate if he had, as Lord Hood I know. visiei I mi voui îre enJe ne me de mi parean justively My sie zeliance 10w is upon S Charles Grey. Except z Generi. O Hara, • Who Hov! me much attention. I have not comaatikated the contents of your letter to any one; it would serve no purpose but to get me laughed at should I be disappointed. I am truly sorry for all you say about the Duke; I have a presentiment 'that I am never to see him more. Let the Duchess know that Mr. Bennet is here, ' and promises to be better than I ever ex'pected to see him; he uses crutches, but can stand without them; his leg is shorter, but seems to be in its proper place. Farewell; and with my best love to my 'mother, &c. &c. believe me, my dear Father, • Your affectionate son, 'JOHN MOORE.' Gibraltar, 7th Oct., 1793. My dear Father, I was particularly 'anxious to hear from you, in consequence ' of your interview with Sir Charles Grey, and proportionably disappointed at finding no letter from you, or any of the family, by 'yesterday's mail. The papers contain the account of the Duke of York's repulse 'before Dunkirk: this, together with our 'possession of Toulon, may alter the whole 'conduct of the war; but I hope, should 'Sir Charles be sent this way, instead ' of to the West Indies, which is thought to |