ARRIVAL AT MAHON.

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ing the squalls which threatened us early after anchoring began to increase; the Glorioso' drove, and cut her cable for safety, and after standing out to sea, could not fetch in again, and was still without a pilot; the 'Neptuno,' to which I sent one of the only two pilots which I believe the port produces, parted her cable in attempting to weigh, cast the wrong way, and after getting sail made and standing out, missed getting into the harbour; and the 'Justo,' by slipping her cable, as I desired her by signal, and having the other pilot on board, pressed all sail and got in to a minute. The weather then became very bad, and a gale was evidently approaching, and I therefore stood out with a heavy heart to renew my care of these ships, which I knew had only two days' provisions and water. What made this failure the more distressing was that the "Téméraire' and her two three-deckers, of whom we had gained a day's sail, by bringing this wind with them passed in with flowing sheets whilst we were in the midst of our difficulties, and were snug in the harbour about half an hour before. By the shift of wind and severity of the squalls, the getting in became impracticable. After buffeting these sudden and violent changes for some hours, we bore up to take shelter under the lee of the island, where we still are (9 P.M.) and thereby not only escaped much of a serious gale last night, but were enabled to water and provision the two ships this morning. It was a great relief to me the 'Justo' getting in, as she actually had not bread for yesterday's serving; and yet I have missed no opportunity whatever of keeping them as complete as circumstances admitted of. It would not be very unreasonable to expect to get in to-morrow; but I have met with so many disappointments that I cannot venture to call hope in to my consolation. Few nights pass over my head, I assure you, without my being able to say with propriety, Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof."

Mahon Wednesday, September 19.

This single name, Mahon, says a great deal; not, indeed, that all my miseries or growls are over, but that I am relieved from a burden which has long borne most heavily upon my shoulders.

On Saturday morning the old Glorioso' again gained an anchorage off the mouth of this harbour; and the next morning, after we had begun to warp in, the Neptuno' did the same, and with great exertion we warped the whole three ships a considerable way up the harbour before night. On the Monday morning we got these two alongside the

'Justo,' in a snug corner called Cala Figuera, from whence I hope they will never move again. This is the most delightful harbour I was ever yet in, and I prefer being here to being at Cadiz in most respects; indeed, in all which concern the ship. Brooms, holystones, fruit, vegetables, good water in plenty, and fresh beef, recommend Mahon greatly. Moreover, I can here, I trust, let the people go on shore without much loss or suffering. The town is very pretty, and more cleanly than anything I have seen out of England, the market well supplied, and both horses and asses to be had for exercise and amusement. On Monday we went to the convent on Mount Toro, the lion of the island. From its summit we commanded the whole circumference, and were much gratified; but I could not signify my assent to the term beautiful, which I heard applied to a mere extent of rock without one single tree, and without anything to recommend it as land but its very irregular undulated form and its fertile interstices. The olive tree, the mulberry and the fig mix only in size and appearance with the wild shrubs which seize possession of the little earth which is found in the crevices of the rock. That the little earth which, comparatively, is to be found on the island is singularly productive is proved by the quality, as well as the quantity of corn, fruit and vegetables, which are regularly brought to the market. The English name is absolutely beloved by these people in proportion as that of Spain is detested. Since the revolution they have driven away the Intendant (the head collector of the revenue), and the Bishop, and they have made their port free as it was when it was in our possession; and I think it most likely that the new Intendant who is coming will share the same fate, as the Spaniards cannot now send an army to support him in their impolitic and merciless exactions.*

From Captain Codrington to Mrs. C.

September 25. Admiral Pickmore had a dinner for the Spanish captains, and we have since dined with them at a tavern here, where the dinner was served up in very creditable style.

The

On reaching Mahon, Captain C. reported to Sir R. Keats the safe arrival of the disabled Spanish ships, and the difficulties and distresses they had encountered in their passage; and the Admiral wrote in answer, I beg to assure you I am quite sensible of the successful and satisfactory manner in which by your able management, and by the exertions of the officers and men under your orders, you have been able to execute the arduous service entrusted to your care.'

'BLAKE' OFF TARRAGONA.

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number of toasts which we drank to the 'eternal union' of the two nations would be sufficient for a treaty offensive and defensive; but harmony has been the order of the day on all these occasions, although they will continue not much to like us, and we to despise them for their bigotry and inactivity, to the end of the chapter. I am, however, now going to a different scene, and to witness, I hope, at Tarragona, in General O'Donnell and his army, such exertion and patriotism as will wipe away from Spain the stigma which some of her more imbecile people have marked her with. Betwixt Blake and O'Donnell the French seem to be driven out of Murcia, and to be losing ground daily, and whilst they live we need never despair of the cause of Spain. Sebastiani, after losing two or three hundred men in an affair of posts with Blake, sent him a message that Joseph wished to make him Duke of Murcia. To this Blake sent the answer you might expect.

October 2.

Yesterday morning we at length got out of Port Mahon; it is a most excellent port to refit at, but certainly not the place for a fleet to winter which is destined to watch an enemy in Toulon; for it is evident by our experience that the enemy might commit much serious depredations whilst our fleet was locked up as we were.

At anchor off Tarragona: October 4.

We got to an anchorage last night in a heavy rain and thunder-storm, and this morning shifted our berth, after which I went on shore and dined with Colonel Doyle, whose conduct here has gained him great credit. The noble, truly noble and patriotic O'Donnell, it is hoped, will save his leg, notwithstanding the severe wound he received at his last well-merited success. He has been wounded now several times, and continued to suffer from a shattered bone until he received this last wound, which has induced him to request that he might have a successor named to the army. The Junta of Catalonia desired him to make the nomination, and he has appointed Campo Verde, whom he knows to be worthy of it, and who has since beaten and made prisoners of the French within their own confines. O'Donnell is now absolutely adored hereabout, where he acts with kingly authority. Te Deums are said for him, and he has been prayed by the whole people not to continue to expose his person as he has done, because his life is of such value to the country. He rewards the brave and really patriotic and admits of no injustice: he harasses and beats