rearmost ships, to wear round and attempt their recovery; a plan in which, as we have seen, he but too well succeeded.

On the 29th, at sunset, the two fleets, each on the larboard tack, with the wind fresh at south-west, were about ten miles apart, that of the French bearing north-west from that of the British, or away on the latter's lee bow. As the evening advanced, the weather thickened, and remained foggy during the night. On the 30th, however, at about 9 a.m., it cleared a little, and discovered a part of the French fleet, still in the north-west, but on the starboard tack.

On perceiving the British, the French hauled round upon their former tack. The British admiral immediately made the signal for forming the line ahead and astern of him as most convenient, and, upon the Invincible's signifying by signal that she had sprang a lower mast or yard, gave her permission to quit the line; out of which, being in a disabled state, she was towed by one of the frigates.

Soon after 10 a.m. the signal was made to form in two columns, and at 10 h. 15 m. a.m. for the starboard division to keep in the wake of the Queen-Charlotte, who set her foresail and bore up towards the enemy. At 10 h. 30 m. a.m. the admiral asked the ships of the fleet, by signal, if they were in a condition to renew the action. The whole answered in the affirmative, except the Cæsar.

The weather beginning again to get very, thick, Lord Howe made the signal for the fleet to come to the wind on the larboard tack in succession ; and, shortly afterwards, for the van to keep closer order. M. Villaret had now disappeared ; and the fog became so dense that, at times during the remainder of the day, no ship of the British fleet could see her second ahead or astern. The ships, in consequence, became much scattered. It was, in all probability, the sight of six of these ships in a different direction from that in which the body of the British fleet was supposed to be, that occasioned Jean-Bon Saint-André to state in his official report, that Rear-admiral Montagu, with his division, had joined Lord Howe during the fog.

On the 31st, at about 9 a.m., the weather again cleared, and the British ships hastened to get into their stations. At noon the French fleet was descried to the northward, and was plainly seen to consist of 32 sail, including 26 of the line; but, to the surprise of the British, nearly the whole of the ships appeared in a perfect state. At 2 p.m. Lord Howe bore up ; and the French, having previously edged away a little, formed their line on the larboard tack.

At 3h. 30m. p.m. Lord Howe made the signal for the ships of the fleet to come to the wind together on the larboard tack, and, soon afterwards, to form the larboard line of bearing ; the ships edging away together towards the enemy. Soon after 5 p.m., at