week's expedition for four or five thousand troops."
This, however, required a consultation with the Admiralty; and that
something might be done, meantime he resolved upon attacking the
flotilla in the mouth of the Boulogne harbour. This resolution was made
in deference to the opinion of others, and to the public feeling, which
was so preposterously excited. He himself scrupled not to assert that
the French army would never embark at Boulogne for the invasion of
England; and he owned that this boat warfare was not exactly congenial
to his feelings. Into Helvoet or Flushing he should be happy to lead, if
Government turned their thoughts that way. "While I serve," said he,
"I will do it actively, and to the very best of my abilities. I require
nursing like a child," he added; "my mind carries me beyond my strength,
and will do me up; but such is my nature."

The attack was made by the boats of the squadron in five divisions,
under Captains Somerville, Parker, Cotgrave, Jones, and Conn. The
previous essay had taught the French the weak parts of their position;
and they omitted no means of strengthening it, and of guarding against
the expected attempt. The boats put off about half-an-hour before
midnight; but, owing to the darkness, and tide and half-tide, which must
always make night attacks so uncertain on the coasts of the Channel, the
divisions separated. One could not arrive at all; another not till near
daybreak. The others made their attack gallantly; but the enemy were
fully prepared: every vessel was defended by long poles, headed with
iron spikes, projecting from their sides: strong nettings were braced up
to their lower yards; they were moored by the bottom to the shore, they
were strongly manned with soldiers, and protected by land batteries,
and the shore was lined with troops. Many were taken possession of; and,
though they could not have been brought out, would have been burned,
had not the French resorted to a mode of offence, which they have often
used, but which no other people have ever been wicked enough to employ.
The moment the firing ceased on board one of their own vessels they
fired upon it from the shore, perfectly regardless of their own men.

The commander of one of the French divisions acted like a generous
enemy. He hailed the boats as they approached, and cried out in English:
"Let me advise you, my brave Englishmen, to keep your distance: you can
do nothing here; and it is only uselessly she