tue_ frigate, two corvettes, and
four transports, were taken. The _Surveillante_ frigate was wrecked, and
a transport foundered in the bay; and a third frigate, _l'Impatiente_,
was driven on shore near Crookhaven. The sailors determined to secure
for themselves alone the means of escape, leaving the troops to their
fate. Where such a feeling could exist, the discipline required for
their own safety was not likely to be found: and all perished but seven,
who were saved chiefly by the exertions of the people on shore.

Part of the fleet, after having been blown out of the bay, steered for
the _Shannon_, which had been fixed on as a rendezvous in the event of
separation; but they were too few to attempt a landing, and after
waiting for a short time in hope of reinforcements, they found it
necessary to return.

The _Fraternite_, with the two commanders-in-chief, continued to beat
against an easterly gale till the 29th, when the wind became fair for
the bay. Standing towards it, she fell in with the _Scerola_, rase, in a
sinking state, with the _Revolution_, 74, engaged in taking out the
people. She assisted to save them, and the two ships continued their
course towards Ireland, hoping to fall in with so many of the fleet as
might still enable them to make a descent. But next day, not having seen
any of them, and their provisions becoming short, they steered for
France. On the 8th of January, they were very near eleven of their
ships, which they would presently have joined, but that they altered
their course to avoid two British frigates, the _Unicorn_ and _Doris_,
which at the time were actually being chased by the French. Next day
they again fell in with the frigates, and on the morning of the 10th
they were chased by Lord Bridport's fleet, from which they narrowly
escaped. On the 14th they entered Rochefort, the last of the returning
ships.

Such was the fate of an expedition, in which nothing was neglected which
foresight could suggest, and nothing wanting which ability could supply;
whose fortune attended it until success might be deemed secure, and
whose defeat was attended with circumstances too extraordinary to be
referred to common causes. History records no event, not attended by
direct miracle, in which God's providence is more strikingly displayed.
The forces of atheism and popery had joined to overthrow a nation, the
stronghold of Christian truth, and the bulwark of Protestant Europe. In
this, so emphatically