stoms, the important fact
that the Brest fleet had just been ordered to sea. He had received the
information from the naval commandant at L'Orient, and a line-of-battle
ship in that port, _Le Caton_, was to join the force. Sir Edward was
immediately sent for by his brother, and the very important information
they received appearing certain, it was deemed necessary that Sir Edward
should communicate it in person to the Admiralty, and send advices from
the nearest post towns on the road to the admirals at Plymouth and
Portsmouth, as well as to the senior officer at Torbay. He went off
express the same afternoon, accompanied by the marine officer of the
_Arethusa_, afterwards Colonel Sir Richard Williams, K.C.B., late
commandant of the division of marines at Portsmouth; and arrived in
London on the 24th, at that time an almost unexampled despatch.[5]

The object of the French fleet in putting to sea at so unusual a season
was most probably to strike a severe blow at British commerce, by
intercepting the convoy from Torbay; and in this there is every reason
to believe they would have succeeded, but for the timely information of
their intended cruise, and the prompt measures which were taken in
consequence, for the wind became fair that night. It was one of those
events which so frequently occur in history, and as often in private
life, where important consequences depend upon some accidental, or, to
speak more properly, providential circumstance, which yet is unavailing,
unless improved by judgment and energy.

When Sir Edward made his communication to the Admiralty, Earl Spencer
observed, that the first step was to send advices without delay to the
admirals at Plymouth and Portsmouth. "That," replied Sir Edward, "has
been already attended to. I sent despatches from Exeter and Salisbury."
"Then, Sir," said a junior Lord, apparently with displeasure, "you have
left nothing for the Admiralty to do."--"Except," interposed Lord
Spencer, "to get the British fleet to sea with as little delay as
possible."

The Board directed Sir Edward to return to Falmouth, and proceed without
delay to reconnoitre Brest. During his absence, Sir J.B. Warren had
arrived with his frigates; and a squadron, consisting of the _Pomone_,
_Arethusa_, _Diamond_, _Galatea_, and _Concorde_, sailed from Falmouth
on the 2nd of January, and arrived off Ushant on the following morning.
The _Diamond_, commanded by Sir Sidney Smith, was sent a-head to
reconnoi