nfinitely greater advantage to the nation, we shall leave to the
judicious reader's own reflection.

EXPEDITION AGAINST CHERBOURG.

The designs upon the coast of France, though interrupted by tempestuous
weather, were not as yet laid aside for the whole season; but, in the
meantime, the troops were disembarked on the Isle of Wight; and one
brigade marched to the northward, to join a body of troops, with which
the government resolved to augment the army of the allies in Germany,
commanded by prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. The duke of Marlborough and
lord George Sackville being appointed to conduct this British corps
upon the continent, the command of the marine expeditions devolved to
lieutenant-general Bligh, an old experienced officer, who had served
with reputation; and his royal highness prince Edward, afterwards
created duke of York, entered as a volunteer with commodore Howe, in
order to learn the rudiments of the sea-service. The remainder of
the troops being re-embarked, and everything prepared for the second
expedition, the fleet sailed from St. Helen's on the first of August;
and after a tedious passage, from calms and contrary winds, anchored
on the seventh in the bay of Cherbourg. By this time the enemy
had intrenched themselves within a line, extending from the fort
Ecoeurdeville, which stands about two miles to the westward of
Cherbourg, along the coast for the space of four miles, fortified with
several batteries at proper distances. Behind this retrenchment a body
of horse and infantry appeared in red and blue uniforms; but as they
did not advance to the open beach, the less risk was run in landing the
British forces. At first a bomb-ketch had been sent to anchor near the
town, and throw some shells into the place, as a feint to amuse the
enemy, and deceive them with regard to the place of disembarkation,
while the general had determined to land about a league to the
westward of Querqueville, the most western fort in the bay. The other
bomb-ketches, being posted along shore, did considerable execution upon
the intrench-ments, not only by throwing shells in the usual way, but
also by using ball-mortars, filled with great quantities of balls, which
may be thrown to a great distance, and, by scattering as they fly, do
abundance of mischief. While the ketches fired without ceasing, the
grenadiers and guards were rowed regularly ashore in the flat-bottomed
boats, and, landing without opposition, instant