rtance, because the rank of the
party increased the influence of the example; nor could he be induced by
the young man's friends to reconsider his determination. The Duke of
Northumberland, who had himself known all the duties and hardships of
service, could appreciate the impartial strictness of Sir Edward; and
when he determined to send into the navy, first a young man whom he
patronized, and afterwards his own son, the present Duke, he was happy
to avail himself of the services of Captain Schanck, to place them with
such an officer. Acting upon the same principle, he would allow neither
of them more than the usual expenses of the other midshipmen. All who
entered a public service, he said, whatever their rank, should have no
indulgences beyond their companions. His sense of Sir Edward's conduct
was shown by a warm friendship, which terminated only with his life.

In a few weeks after the action with the _Droits de l'Homme_, the mutiny
broke out at Spithead, which deprived the country for a short time of
the services of the Channel Fleet. The western squadrons were now of
peculiar importance, for they became, in fact, the protectors of the
Channel. The _Cleopatra_, commanded by the late excellent Sir Charles V.
Penrose, was at Spithead when the mutiny took place; but the good
disposition of his crew enabled him with admirable address to escape,
and she joined Sir Edward's squadron at Falmouth. Thence she sailed with
the _Indefatigable_ and _Revolutionaire_ on a cruise, in which all
displayed extraordinary exertion, as, under such circumstances, all felt
the necessity for it. One incident will mark their zeal and activity.
The _Cleopatra_ carried away her fore-topmast in chase, but replaced it
so quickly, that she never lost sight of the privateer, which she
overtook and captured. Several armed vessels were taken; and Sir Edward
was careful often to run in with the squadron upon different parts of
the French coast, that he might impress the belief that a considerable
British force was at sea.

Undismayed by the failure of their attempt on Ireland, the enemy were
now preparing for a more formidable descent. They equipped a larger
fleet than before, with a far more numerous army, over which they
appointed the same able commander: and by an agreement with Holland, the
Dutch fleet in the Texel, under Admiral de Winter, was to carry over a
second army. This was to be commanded by General Daendels, an officer of
great abili