ons, came to see me, and tried to pass me through the gates,
but did not succeed. He promised to get two vessels ready, as
unfortunately there were no steamers here at the time of our arrival.
In one I meant to have sent Mr. Larcom to Galita, and the other I
intended to take to the wreck.

'Friday, December 24th.--At daylight, when the gates opened, I entered
a carriage, and drove up to our consul-general, who ordered his agent
to forward my views in every way, sending his son to hurry matters,
whilst he communicated with the Bey, who ordered his squadron to sea.

'Whilst my boat was preparing (a Maltese speronara, with a crew of
twelve men, selected for their knowledge of the coast,) I wrote two
letters, one to Malta, and the other to Lisbon, stating the loss of
the ship. Not having slept for four nights, and being thoroughly
tired, would account for the vague statement I sent. I then
breakfasted, and started about two P.M., having put on board such
provisions as my hurried departure admitted of--tea, coffee, biscuits,
and spirits, in case I should be fortunate enough to save anybody.

'Saturday, December 25th, on my passage, and at daylight on Sunday I
was close to the spot where the Avenger was wrecked, although there
was no broken or discoloured water to mark it. I cruised about till
satisfied she had either broken up or sunk. Whilst here I saw two
steamers (Lavoisier and Pasha) come up and cruise about Galita
together: a merchant ship, and a gun-boat of the Bey's, with which I
communicated, asking them to take me to Galita, which I wished to
examine personally, as also to speak the steamers, my own crew, with
whom I had great trouble, refusing to do so. They declined, when I
asked them to take half my crew out, and lend me two men, to which
request I also received a negative; so I returned to Tunis, arriving
at about 1 A.M. on the morning of Tuesday, December 28th. Sir Thomas
Reade took all to his house, and made it a home for us. I went on
board the French steamer Lavoisier, to thank the captain for his
assistance, and also waited on the governor for the same purpose.'

During the summer of the present year, the French government directed
Captain Bouchet Riviere to make a survey of the Sorelle. In
conclusion, therefore, we will give the following extract from that
officer's letter, as it throws some light upon the circumstances which
led to the loss of the Avenger:--

'The English frigate, Avenger, was lost o