or otherwise extinct,--when darkness fell, and veiled Conflans and his
distresses. 'Country people, to the number of 10,000,' crowded on the
shore, had been seen watching the Battle; and, 'as sad witnesses of the
White Flag's disgrace,' disappeared into the interior." [Beatson, ii.
327-345: and Ib. iii. 244-250. In _Gentleman's Magazine,_ (xxix. 557),
"A Chaplain's Letter," &c.]

It was such a night as men never witnessed before. Walpole says: "The
roaring of the elements was redoubled by the thunder from our ships; and
both concurred in that scene of horror to put a period to the Navy and
hopes of France. Seven ships of the line got into the River Vilaine
[lay there fourteen months, under strict watching, till their backs
were broken, "thumping against the shallow bottom every tide," and only
"three, with three frigates," ever got out again]; eight more escaped
to different ports," into the River Charente ultimately. "Conflans's own
ship and another were run on shore, and burnt. One we took." Two, with
their crews, had gone to the bottom; one under Hawke's cannon; one
partly by its own mismanagement. "Two of ours were lost in the storm
[chasing that SOLEIL and HEROS], but the crews saved. Lord Howe, who
attacked LA FORMIDABLE, bore down on her with such violence, that her
prow forced in his lower tier of guns. Captain Digby, in the DUNKIRK,
received the fire of twelve of the enemy's ships, and lost not a man.
Keppel's was full of water, and he thought it sinking: a sudden squall
emptied his ship; but he was informed all his powder was wet; 'Then,'
said he, 'I am sorry I am safe.' They came and told him a small quantity
was undamaged; 'Very well,' said he; 'then attack again.' Not above
eight of our ships were engaged in obtaining that decisive victory.
The Invasion was heard of no more." [Walpole, _George Second,_ iii.
232.--Here is the List, accurately riddled out: 1. FORMIDABLE, struck
(about 4 P.M.): 2. THESEE, sunk (by a tumble it made, while in action,
under an unskilful Captain): 3. SUPERBE, sunk: 4. HEROS, struck; could
not he boarded, such weather; and recommenced next day, but had to run
and strand itself, and be burnt by the English;--as did (5.) the SOLEIL
ROYAL (Conflans's Flagship), Conflans and crew (like those of the HEROS)
getting out in time.]

Invasion had been fully intended, and even, in these final days,
considerably expected. In the old London Newspapers we read this notice:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19t