several frigates and corvettes, that induced Rear-admiral Montagu to detach the Venus to Lord Howe, requesting a reinforcement. He then, with his six two-deckers and remaining frigate, proceeded straight along the same parallel of longitude to the latitude (from 45� to 47� north) in which, according to the information of the prisoners, the Rochefort squadron had been directed to cruise ; in the hope of being in time to intercept the convoy, before M. Nielly could effect his junction with it, or, should the latter have done so, of soon receiving the expected reinforcement, and still accomplishing the object of his instructions.

Considering, from the course which the French fleet would probably steer, that Rear-admiral Montagu was in jeopardy, Lord Howe, at 4 a.m. on the 20th, made all sail, to save the squadron, if possible, from the hands of M. Villaret. By noon on the 20th the British fleet was enabled to make good a course west by south. Nothing occurred worthy of notice until about 2 a.m. on the 21st, when the look-out ships made the signal for a strange fleet. This proved to be a part of the Lisbon convoy, taken by the Brest fleet, as already mentioned. Out of 15 or 16 ships, brigs, and schooners, which made their appearance, 10 were secured, and, on the removal of their crews, burnt; Lord Howe not wishing to weaken his crews by sending the prizes into port. The remainder of the convoy effected their escape.

The prisoners gave information that the French fleet, when they quitted it on the evening of the 19th, was between two and three degrees to the westward, and that it consisted of 26 sail of the line and four frigates. The additional sail of the line was, as we have stated, the Patriote from M. Nielly's division; and the reduction in the number of frigates arose, probably, from the frequent intercourse necessary to be maintained between the three French admirals, Villaret, Vanstabel, and Nielly. A careful comparison of the logs of the different merchant-ships placed the French fleet, on the day mentioned, in latitude 47� 46' north, and longitude 11� 22' west of Greenwich. Among other particulars gleaned from the prisoners were, the presence of Jean-Bon Saint-André, the intended employment of hot shot, and a piece of information peculiarly gratifying to the British sailors, the alleged determination of the French officers to, engage at close quarters.

No sooner did Lord Howe receive the exhilarating intelligence of the French fleets being so near, than he gave up the idea of joining Rear-admiral Montagu, whom he now considered to be far enough to the southward to be out of danger, and pressed his fleet in pursuit of M. Villaret. At noon on the 21st a favourable change of wind enabled the fleet to make a great stretch to the northward and westward ; but, at noon on the 22d, the wind returned to its old quarter, and drove the fleet to