' with better materials than those he sent to

me. All my chairs are broken.

'John is well. I will make him a lieute

nant, and send him into a ship where he 'must learn his duty. He has already learnt 'to stand fire, and behaved very well.

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Remember me to my dear girls, and poor Loup*. Kiss them for me. I hope

they were pleased with my letter. Adieu.'

" FROM LADY RODNEY.

London, February 23d, 1780.

Captain Walsingham called upon me yes.‘terday, and very obligingly offered to convey

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any despatches of mine to you. He talks of

leaving London the latter end of this week, 'but not sailing these ten days. We have

had so many different reports of his desti

nation, that until I heard it from himself, that he was to join you immediately, I was

* The Admiral's dog, Loup, was of the French fox breed; and so attached was he to his master, that when Sir George left home to take the command of his fleet, the faithful animal remained for three days in his chamber, watching his coat, refusing to take any food that was offered him.

' undetermined whether to write to you or " not. I have written three or four different

times since you sailed, and you will very possibly receive all my letters at the same ' time with this; but let me go no further 'without informing you that your prizes, ' under convoy of the America, are safely 'arrived, and that Mr. Mayler gives a very good account of them.

Every body is beyond measure delighted, 'as well as astonished, at the great success

you have met with; as by the way of France, 'the news of your engagement with the Spa'nish fleet, on the 16th of January, is arrived. Indeed, it is impossible to describe the

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general applause that is bestowed upon you; 'or to mention the number of friends who have called to congratulate me on this "happy event. It is not only a source of ' gratification to individuals, but to the nation ' in general; and the ministerial people feel 'it very sensibly. It is a lucky stroke for them at this juncture. To say how happy it has made me is impossible; at the same time, the cruel suspense of not hearing

' under your own hand, that you are safe and 'well, is dreadful.

The winds continue in such points as render it impossible for any accounts from 'you to reach us; and I am absolutely worn ' out with expectation, as every morning produces some fresh reports about you, and every one seems eager to hear of you. I 'trust to Heaven that good news will soon 'satisfy us all.

'I think Captain Walsingham looks very ill and I fear the West Indies will not

agree with him. I hope the gout in your 'wrist, of which you complained when you ' wrote last, was but a short visiter; but to 'your active spirit, it was better there than if ' it had been in your feet, which would have ' prevented your going upon deck.

The packet from Lisbon reports, that you ' arrived at Gibraltar on the 19th ultimo. 'What would I not give for a letter?

'Doctor Moore tells me that he has written 'to you respecting his son*. He is now de'sirous that he should remain with

you. He

K.C.B.

The present distinguished Admiral Sir Graham Moore, K.C

'is, you are aware perhaps, on board one of 'the ships in the West Indies. I forget, however, the name. Adieu, my dear Sir 'George, and believe me, &c. &c.

'H. R.'

The Editor trusts he may be pardoned for inserting the following letter to Sir George Rodney, from his eldest daughter of the age of thirteen. Written as it is in the spirit and freshness of youthful simplicity, and filial fondness, it may perhaps find favour even with the most fastidious reader.

'TO ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE RODNEY.

'London, March 4th, 1780.

A thousand thanks to you for your kind ' letter, which I received last night. Captain Thompson brought it himself. It was a 'pleasure I did not expect, for we had been expecting news from you for some time past, but I thought you would have been so 'hurried, you would not have been able to

have written to me. I wrote you by Captain Walsingham, but I fancy you will get this

'first, so I will again wish you joy of your repeated successes. Every body almost 'adores you; and every mouth is full of your ' praise. Both your letters are reckoned 'exceeding good ones. The Tower and the 'Park guns were fired last Monday; and that 'night and the next there were illuminations. 'On Thursday night there were northern 'lights seen; and you will see in the "Morning Post," what fine verses they make upon 'them to your praise*. Indeed, there is

* Amongst the other comical effusions of that period, was the following pasquinade, in allusion to the circumstance of the city of London having presented Admiral Keppel with their freedom in a box made of heart of oak; and Sir George Rodney with the same in one of gold.

Each Admiral's defective part,

Satyric Cits, you've told;

That cautious Leeshore wanted heart,

And gallant Rodney gold.

Your wisdom, London's Council, far

Our highest praise exceeds,

In giving each illustrious Tar
The very thing he needs.

For Rodney brave, but low in cash,

You golden gifts bespoke;

To Keppel rich, but not so rash,

You gave a heart of oak.

The foregoing lines would not have found a place in these pages, could they, in the remotest degree, have affected the character of