tunity, you shall hear fresh tidings of the Amphion and her crew. God knows when I shall see England; the road is open here to riches, honour, &c. &c.; strike whilst the iron is hot, is a wise maxim.

When we have peace, with what joy shall I return to your dear fire-side. I long to be at rest for a few years, yet would I rather serve till I am grey-headed, than yield to the demands or submit to the yoke of that Corsican. A pretty mess of politics seems to be going on in England; ministers fighting, and the country torn by party: where will it end?

Returned to his station in command of the small squadron in the Adriatic, on the 27th of March the boats of the squadron and marines were sent, under the command of Lieutenant Jones, at 31 30' P.M. to destroy the vessels in Humago. The ship worked up to the town; a firing of musquetry and great guns was seen towards Humago, and at daylight the men were in possession of the town and vessels. The boats brought off some prizes, and destroyed others. The detachment returned, having destroyed and

captured twenty vessels of different descriptions; two long guns, twenty-four pounders, carriages, &c. complete, were brought on board.

TO THE REV. DIXON HOSTE.

MY DEAR FATHER,

Amphion, Lissa, April 21st, 1810.

I am just arrived here with nine prizes, and pretty good ones, considering the station. I send this by a Maltese privateer, which sails for Malta immediately. We are all quite well, and in high spirits at the golden prospect which appears at this moment in embryo. The reports current here are, that peace will very soon be concluded, and that Napoleon is to sacrifice his own family and ambitious projects for the peace of the world.

You will have heard of the marriage with the Archduchess of Austria. It is, I should suppose, a great political stroke of the Corsican, and secures him from all future struggle with the Austrian states; it is the coup de grace of insult offered to the wretched pusillanimous Emperor and the Archduke Charles, once (soi-disant) the saviour of Germany.

To represent the Corsican, is beyond all be lief, were it not confirmed by too many witnesses. We have plenty of work cut out for us in the Adriatic, and of all stations it is the pleasantest; such variety and amusement, and prizes to boot, make the hours pass quick, I assure you.

You may imagine I am anxious to hear whether Lord Collingwood is gone to England, and who has superseded him whoever he may be, I think he will come after such a man rather in the back-ground.

Remember me most affectionately to my dear mother, and all hands. I would write to all, but the privateer sails directly, and you will say there is some excuse when I add, that I have not been an hour off deck these forty-eight hours, for all the officers have been absent on leave.

Adieu, my dear father, God bless you and all hands. You will have heard, probably, that Mr. Phillott, my late first lieutenant, is made commander for the Cortelazzo affair. If you hear of him, show him some attention, for he is deserving of it.

TO MRS. HOSTE.

MY DEAR MOTHER,

Amphion, Lissa, April 23rd, 1810.

I am sure you will be glad to hear our usual good fortune continues to attend on my darling Amphion. We have been very fortunate since we left Malta in March, and have taken and destroyed forty-six sail of vessels, some of which are very good ones, and will bring us in a little pewter. I think if I stay two years more in the Adratic, I may scrape enough together to set the Hoste family at the dear old house as happy and as comfortable as I hope they ever have been. Do not think I am selfish in keeping what little I have made to myself; with a little addition, I shall have it in my power to do all my dear father would wish, and if it eases him of the burdens and cares of this life, it cannot be better disposed of.

I sail to-morrow again on a fresh cruise, with good information of enemy's vessels, and have no doubt shall make a good thing of it. I was at Fiume the other day, that is to say, in the bay, of course not on shore, but near enough

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to distinguish with our glasses the family that were so kind to me; and we hoisted our colours as we passed the house, which was asking how they went on in our language, and a wave of the ladies' white handkerchiefs answered " Very well." We took a prize, and a very good one, from under their very guns, in open day, and I have since understood the French commandant shed tears of rage at our impudence. I did it merely to convince our friends that French protection was not quite so potent as they might imagine.

The little squadron, consisting now of the Amphion, Active 38, Cerberus 32, continued their successful exertions, and as the enemy's ships of war remained quietly in their different ports, the service was generally confined to annoying, by every means, the coasting trade carried on from the different ports and harbours of that sea.

On the 28th of June, cruising in the Gulf of Trieste, the boats of the Amphion chased a convoy of several vessels into the harbour of Grao, and the officer on his return reported that they were laden with naval stores for the arsenal