as founded
on mistake; the inactivity of that noble lord was not more disappointing
to the ministry than disagreeable to his own inclination. He used his
utmost endeavours to answer the expectation of the public, but his hands
were effectually tied by an absolute impossibility of success, and his
conduct stood justified in the eyes of his sovereign. A particular and
accurate detail of his proceedings he transmitted through a channel,
which he imagined would have directly conveyed it to the foot of the
throne; but the packet was said to have been purposely intercepted
and suppressed. Perhaps he was not altogether excusable for having
corresponded so slightly with the secretary of state; but he was said to
have gone abroad in full persuasion that the ministry would be changed,
and therefore his assiduities were principally directed to the great
personage, who, in that case, would have superintended and directed
all the operations of the army. All sorts of military preparations
in founderies, docks, arsenals, raising and exercising troops, and
victualling transports, were now carried on with such diligence and
despatch as seemed to promise an exertion that would soon obliterate
the disagreeable remembrance of past disgrace. The beginning of the year
was, however, a little clouded by a general concern for the death of
his majesty's third daughter, the princess Caroline, a lady of the
most exemplary virtue and amiable character, who died at the age of
forty-five, sincerely regretted as a pattern of unaffected piety, and
unbounded benevolence.

The British cruisers kept the sea during all the severity of winter,
in order to protect the commerce of the kingdom, and annoy that of the
enemy. They exerted themselves with such activity, and their vigilance
was attended with such success, that a great number of prizes were
taken, and the trade of France almost totally extinguished. A very
gallant exploit was achieved by one captain Bray, commander of the
Adventure, a small armed vessel in the government's service: falling in
with the Machault, a large privateer of Dunkirk, near Dungenness, he
ran her aboard, fastened her boltsprit to his capstan, and, after a
warm engagement, compelled her commander to submit. A French frigate
of thirty-six guns was taken by captain Parker, in a new fire-ship of
inferior force. Divers privateers of the enemy were sunk, burned, or
taken, and a great number of merchant ships fell into the hands of th