n opportunity of sending
you.

"I think the few last lines will not be the less acceptable for having
been anticipated. I can assure you their purport is highly acceptable,
as I now have the Earl's own assertion for the Orion being ordered to
England upon his own terms, 'when I join him with the prizes.' Alas!
they get on very slowly; but I am endowed with unparalleled patience,
having scarcely uttered a murmur on their tardiness, so perfectly
satisfied am I with the prospect before me.

"I understand the Seahorse has taken La Sensible, and the Lion a
Spanish frigate: _a propos_, we have received intimation that a
Spanish squadron is on its way to Leghorn, to convey his holiness Pope
Pius the Sixth to some part of Spain; and, in case of our falling in
with them, we are to treat him with all the ceremony and respect due
to the sovereign pontiff.

"Sunday, 26th.--I went yesterday on board the Admiral, for
half-an-hour; and was happy at finding him in perfect health. He will
ever retain the mark on his forehead which he has so honourably
acquired; mine is not quite in so _distinguished a place_, but I also
expect to have a scar on my left side, or rather on the hip-bone,
which was slightly grazed; but it is now perfectly healed, and I
reflect with great gratitude on the very narrow escape I had: my only
fear is, that it will give you great uneasiness when the account
reaches you. I did not intend to have my name inserted in the return
of wounded, but the Admiral desired it should; so that he must share
the blame if it should have alarmed you.

"I cannot tell you all the fine projects I form for some months at
least after my arrival in England. This last business has so shattered
the poor Orion, that she will not, without considerable repair, be in
a state for more service; and if I can be so fortunate as to obtain Le
Franklin with my officers and men, she will be getting forward during
the winter months, and I shall have the enjoyment of your society all
that time: and I think, if it pleases God to bless our arms in England
with success, the enemy will be brought to sue for a peace before the
spring of next year. Their great inducement for carrying on the war
was their hopes of success from this expedition, which is considered
as entirely frustrated, as their army will be too much reduced to
attempt to go to India without being reinforced from France; and they
never will be able to prevail on more troops to embark for