these almost savage islanders since I left it in the beginning of March; nor do I expect it, unless relieved by some other ship. We were very near, the other day, getting hold of the Ancona squadron, and an end of all my anxiety; two hours more would have brought us to action, but the cowardly rascals took shelter in their ports. Though greatly superior, I do not despair giving them an embrace which will, I hope, do justice to a pupil of Lord Nelson.

I flatter myself that this day you are drinking success to the Amphion. God bless you all in return, and that every year may bring increasing happiness to you, is the sincere prayer of

Yours ever.

Great occasions, it has often been remarked, will produce great men; and if the trials and difficulties which Hoste had now to encounter were more than usually severe, the triumphant issue and brilliant success were proportionably glorious.

The enemy's force in the Adriatic had been considerably increased, and they were so strong in gun-boats, that he could not prevent their

trading between the islands in that sea and the coast of Dalmatia, from the want of small vessels. Moreover, they showed so much activity in their ports to get ready for sea, that he suspected, with good reason, some object in view, which required the whole energy of his mind and body to thwart and counteract.

For the purpose of intercepting them, he cruised day after day between Mount St. Angelo and the Island of Lissa, occasionally calling off Ancona. On the 29th of September the enemy's squadron, under Commodore Dubourdieu, sailed from Chiozza; but their destination was still unknown. The Amphion pursued them to Ancona, and on coming in sight of that harbour, she discovered their whole force, part under sail and part getting under weigh, consisting of three frigates, two corvettes, two brigs, one schooner, and a gun-boat. In the evening, however, they stood in again for the harbour. Several lineof-battle ships were fitting out at Venice and Trieste, and with this addition to their strength, they intended to make an attack upon Sicily at the end of the year.

Hoste was weak in comparison, but he conti

nued to watch their motions with increasing anxiety. The Cerberus and the Acorn soon afterwards arrived, yet not, unfortunately, till the enemy had sailed. Concluding that Corfu was their immediate object, he determined to proceed thither without loss of time, and call at Lissa in his way for more accurate intelligence. A Sicilian privateer, which said she had been chased by them in that direction only six hours before, confirmed his original idea; and accordingly he continued the same course all night, with a certainty of overtaking them at daybreak between Pelegosa and St. Angelo.

The morning came, and no enemy could be seen or heard of. For that and the two following days he pressed onward, working to the south-east, until Brindisi was in sight. Still disappointed in his fondest expectations of bringing the two squadrons together, (for victory was certain to his ardent spirit, if he could but have met them,) he tacked about, and reconnoitred Cattaro, thinking it probable that the enemy had stretched over to the Albanian coast when they found the wind foul for Corfu. They had, indeed, gained information of his being in the neighbour

hood from three fishing-boats, and instantly sailed back to Ancona. As it was, he must have caught them at Lissa, where he was previously bound, had it not been for the unfortunate circumstance of meeting the Sicilian privateer, from whom he gained wrong information. They had arrived at Lissa on the 22nd, landed seven or eight hundred troops, and taken possession of the place.

On finding no squadron at Cattaro, the wind increasing from the south-east, Captain Hoste was convinced they were to leeward, and bore up for Lissa. It was then that he received the above account. He then sailed for Ancona. On his passage he was joined by the Montague, and Captain Mowbray took the command. The mortification he felt was extreme, but there was no ground for self-reproach. Every thing had been done which zeal and ability could accomplish; doubtless they had eluded his efforts for a time, and only for a time. The glories he then expected were amply realised, as the event will

show.

TO THE REV. DIXON HOSTE.

Amphion, Lissa, Nov. 24th, 1810.

MY DEAR FATHER,

In my letter of the 3rd, by the Cerberus, I gave you a long account of our chase after the French squadron, and that they had eluded all my efforts to get sight of them, and their subsequent entry into Ancona. I have in some measure got over the disappointment such an event must of course have occasioned, but I do indeed look upon it as the most distressing circumstance of my life. I am now off on another cruise after them, and, if they venture out, fortune I trust will befriend us a little more than the last time; worse, I am sure, she cannot use us.

The Montague is now under weigh for Malta, and leaves me once more the senior officer; but the two squadrons which are cruising off Corfu, and my own, are now placed under the orders of Captain Eyre of the Magnificent, by Sir C. Cotton, therefore I am no longer commodore; this occurred before the escape of the French squadron from Ancona. I believe you may recollect him succeeding Captain Rebouleau at Wells.