Anderson says not dangerously. I know no more particulars, but you may rely on ' it I will write to you as often as I hear anything that you will not see in the public papers. I fear we shall hear of many killed ' and wounded.

Farewell, my dear; for my part I had 'such a dread of Jack's being killed, that 'this is a relief to me, and I hope so it will 'be to you and Jane.

• Yours affectionately,

'J. M.'

Tuesday Morning, between One and Two.

P.S.-I received the letter only half an

' hour ago.'

'Chelmsford, Jan. 11, 1800.

My dear Mother, I have had the plea'sure of both your letters of the 2nd and 7th. 'I knew nothing of my father's illness until

it was past, but I shuddered not a little

'when I knew he had been so unwell, and

when I reflected upon the loss we had

nearly sustained. I am not yet prepared

'for this shock, which would not only make

me very miserable now, but would have deprived me of much pleasure which I have in view for hereafter. I trust he will be ' more careful of himself in future,-if he is, he has the prospect of many years of enjoy'ment; it is quite a joke that old people are 'not happy. This world is so well organized, 'that there are enjoyments suited for all

6

ages all we have to do is to endeavour to

preserve good health and a sound con

science, without these we can be happy at

no age, and with them we may be happy at

any. I have not the least objection to long life, though I hope, should it be other

'wise destined, that I shall at any time be 'able to yield it up, and to retreat calmly ' and cheerfully.

I am in

hopes of getting a short leave next week,

' and shall pass as much of it as possible at 'Marsh-Gate. My love to Jane, and believe

'me, my dear mother,

Your affectionate son,

'JOHN MOOre."

• The Diadem, Aboukir Bay, Egypt,

'March 25th, 1801.

My dear Father, My letter of the 16th 'March, which went by the vessel which 'carried the public dispatches, contained a 'tolerable detailed account of our operations, 'from our departure from Marmoris.

We

were employed from the 16th in strengthening our position; in the meantime, pro'visions, stores, guns, &c., were forwarding, to enable us to advance. However desperate it might appear to attack the strong position the French had taken, Sir Ralph was, I believe, determined to do it. But 'Menou, the French commandant, having 'collected his force from Cairo, and every ' other quarter, joined the army in front of

Alexandria; and attacked us an hour be'fore daylight, on the morning of the 21st.

His principal attack was made upon our 'right, where I was posted with the reserve, ' and upon the guards, who were immediately ' upon the left of the reserve. The French had contrived to approach very near us in

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the night, without being heard; but our

pickets were alert, and our troops had stood,

'as usual, to their arms an hour before daylight, and were in this situation when the 'fire from the picket commenced. The 'French attacked with shouts, drums beating, ' &c., but were received by our fellows with 'that coolness which they have displayed upon every occasion since they landed. Their cavalry charged twice, and got in

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amongst us, but were destroyed. A column ' of their infantry had actually slipped past,

and got into our rear. The 42nd regiment 'faced about, charged, put to death, or took prisoner, every man of them: in short, ' after repeated attacks during four hours, every one of which were repulsed, the French were forced to retreat, under cover 'of a numerous artillery, with which they had pounded us during the whole of the 'action. Their loss is great; I never saw

a field so covered with dead: we have 'buried twelve hundred of them, and four or 'five hundred horses. Their loss cannot be 2 B

VOL. II.

less than four thousand killed, wounded, ' and prisoners. Our loss is above one thou'sand of which above four hundred belong 'to the reserve. Having lost so many of my men, it was but decent to get a lick myself; 'I accordingly was wounded in the leg early in the action; but was able to continue in "it till it was over. Anderson is wounded in 'the arm, General Oakes in the leg, and "Colonel Paget* in the neck. The command of the reserve falls to the fourth in rank, ' (Colonel Spencer.) Sir Ralph, poor man, is wounded in the thigh; the ball is lodged; . I am assured that no material part is hurt ; ' he has, however, still a degree of fever; and will, I fear, be incapable of taking any further direction this campaign. My wound " is in the left leg, in the outside of the bone, which is not touched. The wound is deepish, and has about three inches of passage. I shall be at my duty in a fortnight. Oakes," Anderson, and I, have come here to be quiet

*The Honourable Edward Paget.