weather and fair wind were lost. All being at length fully prepared, the first attempt to sail was made on the 11th of November, when the fleet, amounting nearly to 300 sail, got under weigh with a favourable breeze. Its progress, however, was unfortunately arrested by an accident which befel the flag-ship. Whilst this vessel (the Impregnable) was turning down from the Motherbank, she struck by the stern on a sand bank; and, before she could get off, he rudder had received so much injury, that she could not proceed. The signal for sailing was then recalled, and the fleet was ordered to come to anchor. One of the transports, the Lord Stanley, having got too far out to sea, did not observe the signal; and, proceeding alone, reached Barbadoes on Christmas day, after a favourable voyage. Hence it may be presumed, that the subsequent disasters would not have befallen this great fleet, if the ships had been able to pursue their voyage in the first instance. Such are the trifling casualties which sometimes defeat the most important and the best-laid plans. The fleet again weighed anchor on the 15th; and the day being uncommonly fine, and the wind favourable, the whole were clear of the Isle of Wight before sunset, except the Middlesex East Indiaman, with 500 men of the 42d on board. The Undaunted frigate being ordered round to hasten the sailing of the convoy, came across the Middlesex, and carried away her bowsprit. The repairs rendered necessary by this accident detained her for some time, and perhaps saved her from a more serious misfortune. For scarcely had this great armament cleared the Channel, when it was dispersed and driven back by a furious gale from the south-west, with the loss of several ships and many hundred lives. *

• To repair the damage sustained by this disaster was a work of time and labour. Many of the ships were completely disabled. Among these was the Commerce de Marseilles, of 120 guns, having on board the 57th regiment complete, and a company of artillery, which, added to the ship's complement, amounted to 1785 persons. By some error in the loading of this fine ship, and by the extraordinary quantity of stores which had been heaped on board, she was so much sunk below the proper gage, that she

The winds continued so adverse, that the next attempt to put to sea could not be made till the 9th of December. A serene sky and favourable breeze promised a prosperous passage, and the hopes of those on board were elevated, but were soon to be cast down by a second and more grievous disappointment. On the 13th, as the fleet was clearing the Channel, a violent storm commenced, and continued with unabated violence for many weeks. The intermissions of the gale were so few, and of such short duration, that the scattered ships could never be collected in any numbers. In these adverse circumstances, however, Admiral Christian persevered until the end of January, when the disabled state of such of the ships as kept with him rendered it impossible to remain longer at sea. He therefore made signal for Portsmouth, where he arrived on the 29th of January, (1796,) with about 50 sail, all that remained with him of 328 that sailed from Portsmouth on the 13th December. Many of the fleet were scattered about in different ports in England; and 78 ships, which had successfully persevered in their voyage, reached Barbadoes in a straggling manner.

Thus the object of this great armament was for some time entirely frustrated. It is remarkable that these disasters produced no injurious effects on the health of the troops. This, doubtless, is to be attributed to the excellent state of the ships, the quality of the provisions, the comforts with which they were supplied, and the care employed to prevent the embarkation of any diseased or improper subjects.

Government, disappointed for a time in the object of this expedition, changed the destination of several regiments which had returned to port. Five companies of the Highlanders, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson, were landed at Portsmouth, and in a few weeks embarked and sailed for Gibraltar. Other destinations were

did not rise on the waves, which broke over her at every surge; and, had it not been for the able seamanship of the commander and crew, it is thought she would have foundered. She never went to sea afterwards.

also given to the 19th, 29th, 33d, 37th, 56th, and 70th regiments, no longer considered as forming part of the West India armament.

The landing of these regiments having left many ships at liberty, the troops were removed from the disabled transports, and, along with the other transports which had been forced back, were ready to follow the Commander-in-Chief, who again sailed, in the Arethusa frigate, on the 14th of February. More fortunate on this occasion, he arrived at Barbadoes on the 14th of March; but, owing to various circumstances, it was not until the morning of the same day that Admiral Christian sailed from Portsmouth, on board the Thunderer.

It has been already mentioned, that the Stanley West Indiaman, with troops on board, reached Barbadoes on the 25th of December. On the 2d of February, the first of the straggling ships that sailed on the 9th of December arrived; and for several days following, ships continued to come in. On the 9th of February, the Middlesex arrived, with five companies of the Highlanders, in such a state of health, that only two men, with slight bruises, were on the surgeon's list. So well navigated and appointed was this ship, that in all those gales, in which so many had suffered, the slipping of one block was the only accident sustained from Portsmouth to Barbadoes.

This ship and some others avoided much distress by steering to the west, instead of persevering in the direct course, as the body of the fleet had done. They thus got beyond the course of the gale as early as the 13th of January, when the weather became moderate, and, in a short time, the ships fell in with the trade-winds.*

* After so boisterous a passage, nothing could be more delightful than the bright serene atmosphere of Barbadoes, or more agreeable than the seemingly inexhaustible abundance of fruits, vegetables, and all sorts of provisions, perfectly sufficient for the supply of a fleet and army exceeding 30,000 men. Three months' consumption made scarcely any perceptible diminution in quantity, or advance in price. Every article was as

Part of the newly arrived troops were ordered to reinforce the garrisons of St Vincent's and Grenada, which had suffered much from the active hostilities of the enemy, as well as from the insalubrity of the climate. The 63d regiment was ordered to St Vincent's, and detachments of the 8th and 88th regiments to Grenada.

The first care of Sir Ralph Abercromby, after his arrival, was directed to the preservation of the health of the troops, now confined in transports, and exposed to the heat of a vertical sun in a West India harbour. His success in this respect affords a strong proof of the efficacy of ventilation, exercise, cleanliness, and mental occupation, in averting the pernicious effects which might result from too close confinement in such climates. Of the five companies of the 42d regiment embarked in the Middlesex East Indiaman in October, none died, and only four men, with trifling complaints, were left on board when the troops were disembark

plentiful in the market on the last day as on the first; and all this in an island of only 106,540 acres, containing a population of 85,834 souls, and with a soil barren and unproductive, in comparison with that of some of the neighbouring islands, where, notwithstanding, provisions, and indeed every necessary of life, are scarce and dear. In Barbadoes there are numerous small occupiers of land, who cultivate every spot, and raise every necessary, not only for their own support, but for market. The same abundance was seen in 1809, when Vice-Admiral the Honourable Sir Alexander Cochrane and Lieutenant-General Beckwith had assembled a numerous fleet and large army for an attack on Martinique. Though assembled there for many weeks, there was no diminution of quantity or increase of price, the same abundance throughout. In Tobago, St Vincent's, &c. with a soil extremely fertile and highly cultivated, provisions are scarce and high priced. In these islands agriculture is on the great scale; none but men of great capital or credit attempt it; but as in the great agricultural establishments in England, there is more poverty and higher poor's-rates than in any other part of the country, so it is the case with the West Indies, where one half of the large establishments are under mortgage, or in possession of English creditors; yet so different is it among the small resident settlers in Barbadoes, that there is more independence among them than in any of the islands; and thus, whether in the west or in the east, it seems that a division of the produce of the soil leads to comfort, abundance, and ins dependence.

ed at St Lucia in April. The troops from Cork were not so fortunate in point of health, although they had a good passage and favourable weather. Several officers, and a great number of men, died; and when they reached Barbadoes, the sick were so numerous as to fill the hospitals.

The arrival of the Commander-in-Chief was the signal for general animation and exertion. All looked forward to a successful campaign. The disasters and dangers of the voyage were forgotten; although, by the delay, much of the best of the season for action was lost. Farther delay was occasioned by the absence of the Admiral, who had not yet arrived. On the 15th of April, Major-General Whyte, with part of the division from Cork, consisting of the 39th, 93d, and 99th regiments were ordered to sail, and attack the Dutch settlements of Demerara and Berbice, which surrendered on the 22d, on the first summons.

As it was deemed imprudent, in consequence of the diminished number of the troops, and the disasters sustained by the fleet, to attempt Guadaloupe, particularly at this advanced season, preparations were made for landing on the Island of St Lucia. Admiral Christian having arrived on the 22d of April, the expedition immediately sailed, and on the 26th appeared off St Lucia. A change of brigades now took place. Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Macdonald * retained in the reserve all the companies of grenadiers which had arrived, but the Highlanders were put under the command of Brigadier-General Moore.

The landing was to be effected in four divisions, at Longueville Bay, Pigeon Island, Chock Bay, and Ance la Raze. Major-General Alexander Campbell commanded the disembarkation at Longueville Bay, directing Brigadier-General Moore, with the Highlanders, to land in a small bay,

• Colonel Macdonald had distinguished himself while commanding the 55th regiment under the Duke of York in Flanders in the year 1794, and now received a high mark of approbation, in being, when only a field-officer, appointed to command the reserve of the army, consisting of 18 grenadier companies, and the Royal Highland regiment,