on the Courageux's bow, whose jib-boom was entangled in the other's fore-shrouds. Here the guns were as quickly traversed, and as keenly plied. Taken in all directions, beat, and buffeted on every quarter, her captain killed, her mizenmast gone, her main-mast wagging, her tiller-rope cut, her quarters laid open, 240 of her crew carnaged, 130 wounded, courage submitted to superior power; the main-mast fell with the flag. The action lasted 55 minutes.

"The prize was conducted into Lisbon, under the eyes of the King and Court, as well as those of every nation in Europe. The opposite shores were covered from St. Julien's to the town with millions of people. What is strange, the Bellona had only a few shots which pierced her hull, though shattered and torn in the sails and rigging. She lost but five men, and twenty wounded! mostly by musket balls, and the tumbling of destruction. It is natural to inquire

into the reason of this disproportion, and it is imputed with truth to superior management, for the ship was more shattered than the Formidable*.

* In Admiral Hawkes' action with Conflans, Lord Howe, at that time in command of the Magnanime, was engaged successively with the Formidable and Heros. Having commenced the action by bearing down upon the former with such force as to bury the Magnanime's prow in her lower tier of guns, he left her engaged with several other ships, to which she surrendered, with a loss of 200 men killed, and proceeded to attack the Heros, which shortly struck to him; but, in consequence of the high sea, she was not taken possession of, and next morning was discovered on shore, and set on fire. In this same action Captain Keppel's ship was full of water, and thought to be sinking. A sudden squall emptied the ship, but the captain was informed all his powder was wet. Then," said he, "I am sorry I am safe.'

They

She appears to have been appointed in every respect superior to any of the French captures which have fallen under my notice: short guns, smooth cylinders, good powder, and grape well prepared; clear of cabins and other obstructions; the officers regarded as the best in France; the captain confident in his strength, and daily wishing for an opportunity to redeem the credit of his country; but the fact is, he was fairly outworked. I can only compare the conduct of the Bellona to a dexterous gladiator, who not only plants his own blows with surety, but guards against the strokes of his antagonist. Fortune had but little to say in the action; because it appeared that everything that happened was told and foreseen. Each design was carried into execution; no confusion, no balk, no powder blown up, no cannon fired in vain. The people, it is true, had been twice in action; all the officers were of a superior class. The first lieutenant, Mr. Male, is not to be equalled for modesty or merit, nor can the master be compared with any of his corps. Captain Faulknor's speech to the people will explain what I mean by saying everything was foreseen.

"Gentlemen, I have been bred a seaman from my youth, and consequently am no orator; but I promise to carry you all near enough, and then

came and told him a small quantity was undamaged. Very well," said he, "then attack again."-Horace Walpole.

you may speak for yourselves. Nevertheless, I think it necessary to acquaint you with the plan I propose to pursue in taking this ship, that you may be the better prepared to execute my orders with quickness and facility. French men-of-war have been taken with their guns lashed on the opposite side. They know little of this business; put them to management, and they run into confusion; for this reason I propose to lead you close on the enemy's larboard quarter, when we will discharge two broadsides, and then back astern, and range upon the other quarter and so tell your guns as you pass. I recommend it at all times to point chiefly at the quarters with your guns slanting fore and aft; this is the principal part of a ship. If you kill the officers, break the rudder, and snap the braces, she is yours of course; but for this reason I desire you may only fire one round shot and grape above, and two round shot only below; take care and send them home with exactness. This is a rich ship; they will render you in return their weight in gold.'

"Every action corresponded with the speech, which is the circumstance I admire the most. It appears wonderful to some, that so many men should be killed in so short a space. But on viewing the ship, that passion is called to account how any could escape; the force of a manof-war when well applied was never evident. Your Lordship will easily conceive this,

more

who knows the slaughter committed in the Heros* about the same time.

"There is an anecdote of Faulknor, which I think not unworthy of being related even to your Lordship. It is true, and it is natural, and I think savours more of presence of mind than some I have met with in noted histories. When the Bellona's mizen-mast went away, a fellow, looking afraid, cried out, Oh Lord! we have lost our mizen-mast!' Faulknor immediately replied, ‘D—— your liver, you rascal, what has a two-decked ship to do with a mizen-mast in time of action? See and knock away his mizen-mast.' Not to interrupt the thread of the principal action, I seem to have forgot poor Loggie in the Brilliant. We left him engaged with two. He never perfectly closed with either, but pursued his excellent plan of employing both, to prevent any from interfering with the gladiators who were fitted. He succeeded, and they left him. They are since got into Vigo. The circumstance which amazes foreigners most in this affair is, the pursuing a superior force with so much money on board. It shows so much despite, so much confidence, and the issue appears so complete a proof, that even the French, on this occasion, yield with the tongue what they lost with the sword. When the second captain came on board, he told Faulknor he had got a rich prize! By Jove,' says Bob, 'I gave you a

chance for a better. There is 100,000l. in the hold; you might have divided without agency.' The man stood amazed, as he declared himself. I hope your Lordship will not think this tedious. One is willing to know everything in so noted an action."

ADMIRAL HOPSON.

The story connected with this officer's name which is generally current deserves a record, and although it may appear incredible to many, and I have been unable to authenticate the fact, still, as such an occurrence is not altogether impossible, I here give it to my readers as I have received it. Left an orphan at an early age, he was apprenticed to a tailor on the sea-coast; but, disliking his employment, he ran away and entered the Navy as a common boy about the year 1680. The ship and fleet in which he was embarked, then on the point of sailing, soon fell in with a French squadron, and in a few hours after the boy's entry into the service a warm action was commenced, which was maintained on both sides with equal bravery. During this time young Hopson obeyed his orders with great alacrity; but after fighting some hours he became impatient for the result, and inquired when it would be over. On being told the action would continue until the white flag at the enemies' mast