or, in other words, by all the insidious and corrupt arts so familiar to the agents of the French government at this epoch, to endeavour to excite an insurrection among the inhabitants. As a further step in the contemplated plan, Rear-admiral Brueys, when in March he was returning to Toulon with his six sail of the line from the Adriatic, sent one of his ships in the port to be repaired ; where she remained eight days. The French squadron, meanwhile, sounded all round the island, and ascertained precisely every spot where it was possible to effect a debarkation.

Considering, therefore, the capture of the island of Malta, with its two dependencies, the small islands of Goza and Comino, as the work of treachery, we feel no inclination to give a recital of the few mock-fights that preceded its surrender ; but shall merely state, that on the 10th a landing was effected in seven places, and that on the 12th the islands of Malta, Goza, and Comino, surrendered by capitulation. Among the spoils taken, were two 64-gun ships, one frigate, three galleys, and some vessels, 30,000 muskets, 12,000 barrels of powder, provisions for six months, and the plate and other treasure in the church of St.-John, valued at three millions of francs. Leaving Buonaparte and his army and fleet to rejoice over their good fortune, we will return to Rear-admiral Nelson and his three weather-beaten ships in the harbour of St.-Pietro.

By the indefatigable exertions of the officers and crews of the three British ships, or rather, as respects the men, of the Alexander and Orion only, for the Vanguard's was a very indifferent ship's company, the latter ship, in less than four days, got up a jury foremast and jury main and mizen topmasts, fished her bowsprit, and performed other necessary repairs ; and on the next morning, the 27th, the squadron again put to sea. The three ships now steered for the rendezvous off Toulon, which they reached on the 31st. The rear-admiral, by this time, was fully acquainted with the sailing of the French armament, reported to consist of 15 sail of the line, 10 or 12 frigates, and 200 transports, with upwards of 40,000 troops on board, commanded by General Buonaparte ; but nothing was known of its destination.

On the 5th of June the 16-gun brig-sloop Mutine, Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy, joined, with the highly, gratifying intelligence that she had, on the 30th, parted from a squadron of 10 sail of the line and a 50-gun ship, that was on its way to join the rear-admiral. The brig also brought Sir Horatio full directions, when that junction was effected, to do what he so ardently desired to do - proceed in quest of the Toulon fleet. Immediately the three 74s and brig, spreading themselves, kept a sharp look-out ; and, in so doing, fell in with 15 sail of richly-laden Spanish merchantmen. The Alexander and Orion each captured one ; but the rear-admiral, having his mind bent on

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