very gratifying. Crowds of every class came to greet and congratulate us; and although so jealous a rivalry then existed between the two services, that scarcely an officer of the line came on board, we experienced much attention from those of the royal artillery, and some of us partook of their hospitality. The contrast of our ship's present appearance, with the bright sides and the majestic beauty which marked her proud course a few days before, was very striking to an indifferent observer: to those who felt identified, as it were, with her fortunes, the reflection of her helpless condition, and the honourable scars she bore, made a grateful and lasting impression. We had endured danger and suffering; but we had triumphed ! Disabled ships continued to arrive for several days, bringing with them the only four prizes that were rescued from the fury of the late gale. The anchorage became covered with ships. In the mole lay six dismasted hulls, whose battered sides, dismounted guns, and shattered ports, presented unequivocal evidence of the brilliant part they had taken in the gloriously contested battle ;-a little beyond, the more recently arrived lay at their anchors. At this proud moment no shout of exultation was heard, no joyous felicitations were exchanged, for the lowered flag which waved on the Victory's mast marked where the mourned hero lay, and cast The a deepening shade o'er the triumphant scene. exertion which was necessary to refit the ships did not however permit the mind to dwell on this melancholy subject. In a few days several were ready to proceed home; and on the 4th of November, the Victory and ourselves bent our course for England. As we were the first who took the returns of our killed and wounded, nothing was known of our loss by our friends until our arrival, although several ships had preceded us. Their suspense can be imagined; for the anxious had suffered severely. Each day our protracted arrival increased their solicitude, hoping, yet dreading, as the eager eye watched the signal that announced approaching ships. At length we reached our destination, and arrived in Plymouth Sound on the 4th of December. Boats innumerable floated round us with faces expressive of the torturing anxiety which was felt; and a moment ensued of such boundless joy to many, and bitter agony to others, that no pen can describe it: it would have wrung the most callous heart. inquirer only knew that we I could not bear to hear the effusions of grief which burst from the childless parent, or witness the sorrow of brotherly tenderness, and I hastened to the affectionate embraces of my own family. AN AUTUMNAL EVENING. BY SIR THOMAS ELMSLEY CROFT, BART. HARK! through the gloomy wood hoarse breezes blow, |