ordered the Orion to stay by the disabled ship. On the 21st the fleet again bore up, and, late the same evening, reanchored in Torbay.

Early in November Lord Howe again sailed, and, occasionally putting into port to refit and water, cruised to the westward and in the Channel during the greater part of the remainder of the year. But the British admiral was not afforded a second opportunity of distinguishing himself, as the Brest fleet did not again quit port ; not, at least, until almost the last day of the year.

In the latter end of October, or beginning of November, Rear-admiral Nielly, with the five 74-gun ships, Marat, Tigre, Droits-de-1'Homme, Pelletier, and Jean-Bart, the Charente, Fraternity, and Gentille frigate, and Papillon brig-corvette, sailed from Brest on a cruise to the westward, and, as it was understood, to endeavour to intercept the homeward-bound Lisbon and Oporto fleet. On the 6th of November, at 2 h. 30 m. a.m., latitude 48� 25' north, longitude (from Greenwich) 7� 53' west, this squadron fell in with the two British 74-gun ships Alexander, Captain Richard Rodney Bligh, and Canada, Captain Charles Powell Hamilton, returning to England after having escorted the Lisbon and Mediterranean convoys to a safe latitude.

The two British ships, when first seen, were to leeward of the French squadron, steering north-east, with the wind at west. The Alexander and Canada immediately hauled upon the wind, on the larboard tack, and, at a little before 4 a.m., passed the strange ships, the nearest distant about half a mile, but without being able to ascertain their national character. Shortly afterwards the two British ships kept a little free, letting out the reefs of their topsails, and setting studding-sails. At 5 a.m. it was discovered by the night-glasses that the strangers were standing after the British ships ; whereupon the latter crowded all sail, and hauled more to the eastward. At about daybreak the Canada passed the Alexander, and, steering a more northerly course, brought herself on the latter's larboard bow. Two ships of the line, one bearing a rear-admiral's flag, and two frigates, now went in chase of the Canada ; and the remaining three ships, one with a commodore's pendant, and one frigate, pursued the Alexander.

At 7 h. 30 m. a.m., the French squadron hoisted English colours, and at 8 h. 15 m. a.m., the Alexander and Canada did the same. On observing this, the French hauled down the English, and hoisted their own colours. The division in chase of the Alexander now drawing within gunshot, the latter discharged her stern-chasers at the van-ship, and received in return a fire from her bow-guns. At 9 a.m. a similar interchange of firing took place between the Canada and the French admiral in the Marat ; whose shot, passing over the former, produced no effect. The Canada's signal was now made to form ahead for