sidered the _horse-radish_ to
garnish the roast beef.

Adieu, my worthy Richard: lose no time, as the Admiral writes to
me we shall sail again early next week. I hope to arrive in the
Sound this evening.

Yours affectionately,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Sir James was, however, disappointed in receiving an answer from his
brother, being ordered to sail in command of a squadron. The following
letter concludes the account of the late meritorious affair:

Plymouth, Crescent, June 1794.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I have been much disappointed, not to receive a single line from
you since we sailed from this place, although I am convinced you
must have written by way of Guernsey. To-morrow I sail with a
squadron of six frigates under my command, viz. Crescent,
Nymphe, Blonde, Druid, Concorde, and Severn: my only fear is,
that we shall not be so fortunate as to fall in with the enemy.
Admiral McBride has shown me his reply from the Admiralty to his
letter, inclosing my account of our late business off Guernsey.
It is highly flattering to myself, and expressive of their
approbation of my conduct in the strongest terms. I doubt my
letter being published, as it is only in instances where success
has been the consequence.

What a noble business that of Lord Howe! And how well he has
fulfilled the expectations which those who knew him had formed
of his character! Several of my friends are here who were in
that action, and speak in the highest strain of panegyric of the
whole of his conduct.

I wait for my wife being again on her legs to compose on the
late victory. Why have you not a turn for poetry and music, so
as to indite a song on this subject, in lieu of the famous
Ninety-second, that has had the run of a whole century?.

Adieu, my worthy friend! I am truly and faithfully yours,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

CHAPTER VIII.

1794, 1795.

Sir James commands a Squadron of Frigates, in the
Channel.--Visit to Weymouth.--Joins the Channel Fleet.--Black
Rocks.--Private Letters and Instructions.--Appointed to the
Orion.--Crescent's Officers and Crew volunteer to follow
him.--Appointed to the Marlborough (_pro tempore_).--Commands a
detached Squadron.--Returns to the Orion, attached to the
Channel Fleet.--Private Letters.--Lord Bridport's
Action.--Orion, the headmost Ship, begins the battle.--Official
Letter.--Two private A