through mistake); I return it for its signature. As Captain of the Danae, you will not admit that the Flora struck her colours on the late action, nor did I call on you to do so. No, sir, I call on Monsieur Peridier, the commander of that ship, as a man of honour, to declare whether she struck her colours or not; and if Monsieur Peridier was so severely wounded as not to have charge of the ship at that time, I look to his next in command for an answer to my letter of the 15th; but I again assert, and ever shall maintain, that by the laws of war, his frigate belongs to my Sovereign, and his sword to me. The world will judge between us.

I have the honour to be, &c.

To the Captain commanding

the frigate Danae.

The thanks of the Admiralty were offered on the occasion of this brilliant service to all the captains and ship's company of the four ships engaged the first-lieutenants of each were promoted to the rank of commander.

The following letter, amongst many others, was highly gratifying to Captain Hoste.

FROM ADMIRAL BOYLES.

MY DEAR HOSTE,

Canopus, Palermo, April 2nd, 1811.

Nothing can be more grateful to my feelings than congratulating you on this most glorious occasion. Your gallant conduct and distinguished bravery will for ever immortalize your name, and make our country rejoice to think they have still preserved for its protection a brilliant spark from the shrine of our immortal countryman Lord Nelson: may you live long to continue your glorious career, and receive the most honourable rewards of a grateful Country!

I have transmitted by Eclair, last night, to Cagliari, to intercept the packet, copies of your official letters, line of battle, lists of the killed and wounded, the correspondence with the French officer, and his answer, to the Secretary of the Admiralty safe, and the originals of the whole to the Commander-in-chief. I have likewise privately written to Mr. Coke, to give him an opportunity of telling your father and mother your noble deeds.

of

I hope this will find your wounds in a fair way

of getting well, and that all those gallant heroes, the companions of your battle, are doing well. Pray present to Captains Whitby, Gordon, and Hornby, my warmest congratulations on their heroism, so illustriously displayed on the 13th of March 1811 May they receive every mark of public approbation, so justly their due! is my most anxious wish.

Poor Clephane laments his misfortune in being so far from you as not to participate in your glory. He is on board his new ship, and desires to be kindly remembered to you. I hope this will find you all at Malta.

I am, my dear Hoste, your sincere friend and (proud to say) countryman,

CHARLES BOYLES.

TO THE REV. DIXON HOSTE.

Amphion, off Lissa, Adriatic, March 13th, 1811.

MY DEAR FATHER,

For fear the French accounts should reach England before mine, I write to you to say that all is well on board the Amphion. We have had an action with the French squadron, and completely defeated them: two frigates

taken and one destroyed; another struck, but we could not take possession of her.

I am slightly wounded, and so is Edward. The reason I do not write myself is, the surgeon does not wish me to use my arm. Be assured that Edward's wound, as well as mine, is of no consequence, and that I shall see you in June or July. The result of our action has been glorious, and I refer you for particulars to my public letter. I will write again when I arrive at Malta.

Edward joins in love to all at the old house, and believe me, dear father, your affectionate W. HOSTE.

son,

TO THE SAME.

MY DEAR FATHER,

Amphion, off Malta, March 29th, 1811.

This is the first time I have been permitted to take a pen in hand, and to whom can I so well bestow my first attempt as to my dear father? The purser of the Amphion was kind enough to be my amanuensis some days ago: in that I told you both dear Edward and myself were wounded; I have now the happiness to say he is quite recovered, and as for myself, this

elegant hand-writing will, I hope, convince you that I am quite in statu quo. Thanks to that Providence which has so uniformly protected us! We are all recovering from our hard KNOCKS. You will read my letter in the Gazette. It will do my brave squadron justice this time, at least. We have brought our two prizes (frigates) in with us, and you may conceive, but I cannot describe, four happier fellows than myself and the three brave captains who supported me SO nobly. It is gratifying to me (indeed I feel it so truly) to observe the regard they all have for my dear old Amphion. She was the last gift of my poor Lord Nelson. I hope I have not disgraced his memory in the care of her, though she is cruelly knocked about.

If they

I suppose Amphion must go home. can make her run again I know they will, but thanks to the Frenchmen in our late action, they have paid her so well that it will require a clearer head than any the Mediterranean can boast, I fear, to keep her out another twelvemonth, and I wish to go home myself, and will not change into any thing. It would almost break my heart to quit my gallant ship's com