LETTER II.

RETURN OF CAPTAIN GORDON FROM THE BRITISH CAMP. DESCRIPtion of peniCHE.—BRIGADIER-GENERAL ANSTRUTHER'S BRIGADE IS LANDED AND PROCEEDS TO VIMIERA.—ITS JUNCTION COVERED BY MAJOR-GENERAL SPENCER.-DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLAGE OF

VIMIERA.

19th August, 1808.

CAPTAIN GORDON is returned, and the whole fleet is now under way, steering into the Bay of Penichè, where we shall land. There being hardly any wind, it must be late in the evening before the troops get on shore.

The appearance of the coast, as far as we have hitherto proceeded, is by no means agreeable. We behold an arid, sandy beach, diversified with long rushy grass, but destitute of trees and shrubs, and for the most part flat and uninteresting. The fleet is now passing the town and fortifications of Penichè; which last are pretty extensive, and favorably situated on the rocky summit of a peninsula. The garrison is said to consist of eight hundred Swiss, extremely disaffected to their French despots; from whom, it is added, they daily desert to join our army. We observe a number of them at this moment on the works

gazing at our movements; and one solitary shot has been fired at a transport, which, owing to the light breeze, and her being an indifferent sailer, has drifted closer to the shore than could have been wished. She happens, however, to be without the reach of their ball, which has dropped short in the water. Adieu; I shall continue this letter from the shore.

Village of Vimiera, 20th August, 1808.

Between the hours of five and six yesterday evening, our fleet, led in by the Alfred and St. Albans, had come to an anchor in the Bay of Peniche. Every boat was immediately at work, and by nine or ten o'clock all the troops had reached the beach. They landed about two thousand four hundred in number, all in high health and spirits, with the exception of one corps, which had been obliged to leave behind a few men affected with opthalmia. The transport in which I sailed, containing about forty officers' horses, had been placed as close in as the shallowness of the water would permit, for the convenience of swimming the cavalry ashore.

Among the first lifted from the hold and committed to the briny deep, was a very beautiful mare, the property of General Anstruther; which, owing to the awkwardness of

the grooms and sailors, was some time in the water before it could be disengaged from the slings; and the distance it had to swim being considerable, it sunk before it could make the shore. A repetition of this accident was prevented by the foresight of Captain Bligh, who immediately sent a large launch, in which the remaining horses were conveyed to terra firma in safety.

The spot where we landed is a sandy beach, at the foot of an almost perpendicular cliff. On the summit are the ruins of an old quadrangular fort, to which we were conducted by a narrow winding path, very steep and difficult of ascent. Behind, lies a heath, where we took up our abode for the night. The firmament spread its boundless expanse over our heads, without one cloud to obscure its twinkling brilliancy; while the remote horizon gleamed with the fires of the British camp, exciting many singular and thrilling emotions. The busy hum of the troops soon ceasing, I wrapped myself in a boat cloak, and sunk to repose; happy in having exchanged the noisome and damp cabin of a transport, for the fragrant heaths of Portugal : and ere the morning had begun to warm the eastern sky, we were on our march.

The road which leads to this place (if road it can be called), is rugged and steep, winding along the sinuosities

of the coast. The country near this road is bare and unpleasant to the eye; and but for its novelty often compensating for the absence of other qualities, must be allowed to be very uninteresting. Yet in some of the valleys are scattered little villages, whose white walls glitter from amidst the dark foliage of laurels and olive trees; while the commons, covered with heaths, myrtles, and gum cistus, pour forth their fragrance before the ardent rays of the sun.

Our march, although only twelve miles, had, from the excessive heat of the day, begun to be fatiguing before we reached Lourinha. On the side of a hill near that village we met a party of British and Portuguese cavalry, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Taylor, who had been sent out to protect us against a body of French dragoons, who were reconnoitring on the heights upon our left, and appeared strongly inclined to attack us. However, our apprehensions were soon quieted; for, arriving at a small village, the name I have now forgotten, but the higher ground of which is crowned with a windmill, we found Major-General Spencer, with two brigades of infantry, and some flying artillery, waiting to receive us. The enemy allowed us to descend the hill which leads to this place without opposition.

C

Vimiera is beautifully situated in a romantic fertile valley, within three miles of the sea, from which it is screened by some lofty mountains, between which runs a small stream, named Maceira. Our army is posted on the sides and summits of the surrounding hills, in a crescent-like form. In the centre is the village, with the commissariat, oxen, provisions, stores, and heavy artillery; and to the southward, on a small eminence, is posted the advanced guard, forming nearly the chord of the segment. The spectacle is altogether the most novel and beautiful I have seen: but, feeling it impossible to convey any thing like an adequate idea of its appearance in writing, I shall endeavour to sketch it with my pencil, at the same time that I am aware it would require the powers of a Poussin to do it justice. The town itself seems deserted by the Portuguese, who, I suppose, dread the result of the engagement, which is daily, nay, hourly, looked for.

Orders have just been issued to move to-morrow, an hour before day-break.

I shall conclude this letter by assuring you how faithfully I ever am your's.