pair to the heath. The other two city barges, and the duke of Manchester's yacht, landed their companies at the same place. The disembarkation having thus taken place, the Greenwich pensioners lined the different corners of the hospital in their holiday cloaths. The park of artillery from Woolwich, placed on the left of the landing, gave its repeated discharges; and the different corps belonging to the neighbourhood lined the shore from right to left, and presented arms to each regiment. On their arrival at the bottom of Greenwich-hill, the whole formed into a kind of close column, in order to proceed to Blackheath. The river fencibles, under the command of commodore Lucas, assisted by a detachment of the Westminster light horse, formed an opening through the crowd, from the bottom of the hill to the gate leading on to the heath. The committee led the van, preceded by a band, with the ten pair of colours, and standards for the cavalry. On their arrival at the top of the hill, they drew up on the right of the gate, and the regiments passed them in companies, according to seniority of number, headed by his royal highness the duke of York, attended by his staff, to the heath, and took up their ground, which extended for full two miles, being the whole extremity of the spot. On their being formed they stood nearly in the following order: On the right of the line were the London volunteer cavalry, with their field-pieces, dismounted, in their flying cars, &c. which, with 1st and 2d regiments, formed on their left, with their backs towards Woolwich, at the extremity of the heath that way: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th, formed an

angle on the 1st and 2d, and extended across towards the Londonroad; the 10th and 11th forming another angle on them, facing the 1st and 2d. They being now in full readiness to receive the lord mayor, committee, and attendants, his royal highness dispatched an aid-de-camp, to acquaint the may or and members of the corporation, that the troops were ready to receive them; on which his lordship headed the colours, and proceeded to the centre of the troops, when, on a gun being fired, the whole line presented arms, officers saluted, drums beat, &c. On another gun being fired, a standard guard from the London volunteer cavalry, and the grenadiers, accompanied by the ensigns who were to receive the colours, and preceded by their respective bands, advanced to a position which lord Harrington had marked for them in the centre, and where his royal highness and the lord mayor had placed themselves. The eleven companies of grenadiers, and the standard guard of the cavalry, formed a circle round them, in which were her royal highness princess Charlotte of Wales, the lord mayor's party, and from 6 to 700 person's of rank and distinction. The colours were now unfurled, and consecrated in the most solemn manner by the rev. John Perring, chaplain; after which the ensigns came forward, and, kneeling down, received them with a speech from the right hon. the lord mayor, which was alike creditable to his lordship's manly feelings and just understanding. "I cannot (said his lordship) but consider myself peculiarly for tunate in being called on, by my official situation, to discharge a duty so gratifying, as that which, on the

present.

present occasion, has devolved on me. Gentlemen, it would be a vain attempt for me to describe the sensations to which this sublime spectacle gives birth.-Powers, far superior to mine, could not do justice to the scene which here presents itself -could pay but an inadequate tribute of applause to those gallant and patriotic bands, who, roused by the voice of honour, yield their plea sures and their occupations a willing sacrifice at the shrine of their country. Yes, it remained for the present age to prove, that the citizens of London inherit the same ardent spirit, glow with the same devotion to the sacred cause of freedom and independence, as distinguished their immortal ancestors, who, in the proudest periods of Britain's fame, were still most conspicuous in the career of glory. It was reserved for the present age to prove the false hood of the imputation, that the genius of commerce had subdued the fire of freedom in our breasts; and to evince that those, who by civilization and industry best learn to acquire wealth, by their intrepidity and exertions best know how to

preserve it. Gentlemen, to your perseverance and attention, as well as to the ardour of those you command, are to be attributed their high state of discipline and appearance. Your own feelings, and the approbation of your country, are the most honourable, and, I am sure, to you the most gratifying reward. Gentlemen, in presenting to you the colours, a tribute of the gratitude of your fellow citizens, and the best mark of their attachment to their brethren in arms, allow me to say, I rely with confidence, that you will receive them as the most sacred deposit which can be entrusted to

your care: and, that as the city of London is the first in the united kingdom, its citizens will be the first to afford a bright example of devotion, in a cause of which they have already shewn themselves so worthy." This speech being finished, the ensigns kneeled down, and each received the colours of their respective regiments. Colonel Birch, of the 1st regiment, as superior colonel, then replied to the lord mayor, in the following very elegant and excellent speech:

"My Lord-In the name, and on behalf, of the ten regiments of loyal London volunteer infantry, I enter upon the grateful and distinguished office assigned me with peculiar pride, to return your lordship thanks for the handsome way in which you have, in the name of the corporation of the city of London, conferred this high honour upon them. The sublime and interesting" ceremony of presenting these colours from the first city in the world to her sons in arms, in token of their approbation, confidence and esteem, in the presence of so august and numerous an assemblage, overwhelms the mind with sensations' which it cannot but proudly feel; and robs the tongue of that power of utterance which is adequate to the glorious subject. The foe with whom we have to contend, with unwearied boasting, threatens to subdue a loyal and united people, affectionate to the best of kings, attached to the reverend constitution handed down to them by their ancestors, born to the purity of freedom, and inheriting an independence unknown to other countries. My lord, he may calculate upon a mad attempt to desolate our fields, depopulaté our villages, despoil us of

our possessions, and, in the desperate phrenzy of baffled ambition and an intercepted career of universal dominion, may vainly hope and rashly prepare for the overthrow of that constitution which has been our. glory for ages. But it is that constitution itself which is at once our citadel and treasure. It cements our liberties; is the sacred deposit of all our possessions; furnishes our best means of defence; is the grand chain of connexion by which all ranks are upheld, harmonized, and respected, and in defence of which all orders unite with one hand and one heart. It is the security of our homes; by which the sweetest, most endearing, and most ennobling charities of social and domestic life are hallowed and preserved. Can then that constitution be endangered by, the extravagant and formidable threats of this desperate invader?— Never! Never! I trust; for the palladium of British liberty is the bosom of every Briton born. He must first extirpate the human race from this island, before he can hope to subdue that unextinguishable spirit which animated our forefathers to those successful deeds, which obtained for us all the blessings which we now enjoy. The volunteer force of this country has already attracted the notice, and provoked the affected derision and mockery of this consular tyrant; but the volunteers are too well trained to return railing for railing, and too high-minded to boast of untried services. Their answer, when the occasion demands it, will be given once for all. The pledge they have offered of their zeal and industry to acquire the knowledge of the use of arms, is a safe one--that in the conflict they will acquit themselves like men and

Britons. It will be ever our peculiar glory to reflect, that the metropolis of Britain can record its thousands armed for the general safety, and ready to perish whenever or wherever called upon in defence of their beloved king and country. The city of London has deposited a sacred charge to their keeping, which they will never forsake while life remains. They are sensible of the honour conferred; and I pledge myself, in the hour of trial, they will prove themselves not unworthy the confidence reposed in them." This was followed by an animated reply from colonel Anderton, on behalf of the loyal London cavalry. The ensigns then placed themselves, with their colours, in the centre of their respective companies, who faced to the right-about, and marched in ordinary time to their regiments. This was a grand sight indeed; in every direction was to be seen standards bearing down to their regiments, supported by companies of grenadiers. On the colours being paraded in front of each regiment, the word was given to form circle of battalions, when the commanding officer of each addressed his regiment in a short speech on the occasion. The corps here gave three cheers, and being, by another signal gun, thrown into line, they fired three volleys of battalions, from right to left of the line, in a masterly style. On another gun being fired, the whole line wheeled backward by companies, and by another signal gun being fired, stepped off altogether in ordinary time, to pass the royal party in review order. Her royal highness princess Charlotte of Wales, in a close carriage, was on the right about three hundred yards; and by order of his

royal

royal highness the duke of York, received from each company, as they passed, a royal salute. The colours of each waved on the ground, as they passed her highness; which compliments she returned with a wave of her hand from her bosom, in a very attractive manner. The duke of York received also, as the regiments passed, a royal salute. After the London regiments were passed the royal party, the royal artillery company with their field pieces, the cities of London and Westminster light horse volunteers, with their dismounted cavalry, and flying cars, and the Deptford volunteers, passed by their highnesses. The ground was kept in an admirable manner by the following corps: London light horse volunteers, Westminster volunteer cavalry, St. James's volunteers, the custom-house regiment, the Blackheath volunteer cavalry, the Greenwich volunteers, the Deptford volunteers, and the royal artillery company. The two latter regiments embarked with their band on board the boats that brought the others down, and, under the command of the naval officers and capt. Lucas, were safely landed in London. The ten London regiments marched to town under the command of their respective colonels. The captain of the marine society's ship, in order to add to the interest of the scene, and to display the object of that excellent institution, arranged the boys in the most judicious manner in the rigging, where they cheered the duke of York, the lord mayor, and the respective regiments, as they passed. Several governors and gentlemen were on board. It is with pleasure we add, that no accident occurred to interrupt the general satisfaction.-After the busi

ness of the day was concluded, the lord mayor and lady mayoress set off in their coach and six, escorted as far as Deptford, by sir Thomas Wilson and the Blackheath volunteer cavalry. In the evening, the lord mayor gave a grand dinner to the duke of York, lords Harrington and Amherst, generals Burrard and Leslie and their suite; sir Brook Watson and the London staff, the sheriffs of London, colonel sir John Eamer, Le Mesurier, and the commandants of the volunteer regiments who came home in time. His royal highness remained at the Mansionhouse until past twelve o'clock, highly delighted with the spectacle of the day, as well as the attention of the chief magistrate.

Dispatch from Commodore Sir Sidney Smith, containing an account of his attack upon the French flotilla, dated Antelope, at anchor off Ostend, May 17th, addressed to Lord Kieth, K. B. &c. &c. &c.

My Lord,

Information from all quarters, and the evident state of readiness in which the enemy's armaments were in Helvoet, Flushing, and Ostend, indicating the probability of a general movement from those ports, I reinforced captain Manby, off Helvoet, with one ship, and directed captain Hancock, of the Cruizer, stationed in shore, to combine his operations and the Rattler's with the squadron of gunboats stationed off Ostend. The Antelope, Penelope, and Amiable, occupied a central position in sight both of Flushing and Ostend, in anxious expec-. tation of the enemy's appearance. Yesterday at half past five A. M. I

received information from captain Hancock, then off Ostend, that the enemy's flotilla was hauling out of that pier, and had already 21 onemasted vessels, and one schooner outside in the roads; and at half past seven the same morning I had the satisfaction to see the Flushing flotilla, of 59 sail, viz. two shiprigged praams, 19 schooners, and 38 schuyts, steering along shore from that port towards Ostend, under circumstances which allowed me to hope I should be able to bring them to action. The signal was made in the Cruizer and Rattler for an enemy in the E.S. E. to call their attention from Ostend; the squadron weighed the moment the flood made, and allowed of the heavier ships following them over the banks; the signals to chase and engage were obeyed with alacrity, spirit, and judgment by the active and experienced officers your lordship has done me the honour to place under my orders. Captains Hancock and Mason attacked this formidable line with the greatest gallantry and address, attaching themselves particularly to the two praams, both of them of greater force than themselves, independent of the cross fire from the schooners and schuyts; I sent the Amiable by signal to support them. The Penelope (having an able pilot, Mr. Thornton), on signal being made to engage, capt. Broughton worked up to the centre of the enemy's line, as near as the shoal water would allow, while the Antelope went round the Stroom Sand to cut the van off from Ostend. Unfortunately our gun-boats were not in sight, having, as I understood since, devoted their attention to preventing the Ostend division from moving westward. The enemy at

tempted to get back to Flushing; but being harrassed by the Cruizer and the Rattler, and the wind coming more easterly against them, they were obliged to run the gauntlet to the westward, keeping close to the beach under the protection of the batteries. Having found a passage for the Antelope within the Stroom Sand, she was enabled to bring her broad-side to bear on the headmost schooners before they got the length of Ostend. The leader struck immediately and the crew deserted her she was however recovered by the followers. The artillery from the town and camp, and the rowing gun-boats from the pier, keep up a constant and welldirected fire for their support; our shot, however, which went over the schooners, going ashore among the horse artillery, interrupted it in a degree; still, however, it was from the shore we received the greatest annoyance; for the schooners and schuyts crowding along could not bring their prow guns to bear without altering their course towards us, which they could not venture; and their side guns, though numerous and well-served, were very light. In this manner the Penelope and Antelope engaged every part of their long line from four to eight, while the Amiable, Cruizer, and Rattler, continued to press their rear. Since two o'clock the sternmost praam struck her colours and ran on shore: but the artillery-men from the army got on board, and she renewed her fire on the Amiable with the precision of a land battery, from which that ship suffered much. Captain Bolton speaks much in praise of lieutenant Mather, who is wounded. Several of the schooners and schuyts immediately under the fire of the