ng so scattered over the world, to be 'mistress of the
Mediterranean,' has found itself, on the contrary (such were Pitt's
resources and promptitudes); cooped in harbor all Summer; Boscawen
watching it in the usual strict way. No egress possible; till, in
the sultry weather (8th July-4th August), Boscawen's need of fresh
provisions, fresh water and of making some repairs, took him to
Gibraltar, and gave the Toulon Fleet a transient opportunity, which it
made use of.

"August 17th, at 8 in the evening, Boscawen, at Gibraltar (some of his
ships still in deshabille or under repair), was hastily apprised by one
of his Frigates, That the Toulon Fleet had sailed; been seen visibly at
Ceuta Point so many hours ago. 'Meaning,' as Boscawen guesses, 'to
be through the Straits this very night!' By power of despatch, the
deshabille ships were rapidly got buttoned together (in about two
hours); and by 10 P.M. all were under sail. And soon were in hot chase;
the game, being now in view,--going at its utmost through the Straits,
as anticipated. At 7 next morning (Saturday, August 18th) Boscawen got
clutch of the Toulon Fleet; still well east of Cadiz, somewhere in the
Trafalgar waters, I should guess. Here Boscawen fought and chased the
Toulon Fleet for 24 hours coming; drove it finally ashore, at Lagos on
the coast of Portugal, with five of its big ships burnt or taken,
its crews and other ships flying by land and water, its poor Admiral
mortally wounded; and the Toulon Fleet a ruined article. The wind had
been capricious, here fresh, there calm; now favoring the hunters,
now the hunted; both Fleets had dropped in two. De la Clue, the French
Admiral, complained bitterly how his Captains lagged, or shore off and
forsook him. Boscawen himself, who for his own share had gone at it
eagle-like, was heard grumbling, about want of speed in some people;
and said: 'It is well; but it might have been better!' [Beatson,
ii. 313-319; ib. iii. 237-238, De la Clue, the French Admiral's
Despatch;--Boscawen's Despatch, &c., in _Gentleman's Magazine,_ xxix.
434.]

"De la Clue--fallen long ago from all notions of 'dominating the
Mediterranean'--had modestly intended to get through, on any terms,
into the Ocean; might then, if possible, have joined the Grand 'Invasion
Squadron,' now lying at Brest, till Vannes and the furnishings are
ready, or have tried to be troublesome in the rear of Hawke, who is
blockading all that. A modest outlook in compariso