a famous promontory, or rather peninsula, of Spain, lying in N. Lat. 35° 50' W. Long. 5° 35'. To the ancients it was known by the name of Calpe, and was also called one of the Pillars of Hercules; by the Arabians it is called Gebel Tarek, that is, "the mount of Tarek;" from Tarek, the name of the Saracen general who conquered Spain in the beginning of the eighth century. The whole is an immense rock, rising perpendicularly about 440 yards, measuring from north to south about two English miles, but not above one in breadth from east to west.—The town lies along the bay on the west side of the mountain on a decline; by which, generally speaking, the rains pass through it, and keep it clean. The old town was considerably larger than the new, which at present consists of between 400 and 500 houses. Many of the streets are narrow and irregular: the buildings are of different materials; some of natural stone out of the quarries, some of a fictitious or artificial stone, and a few of brick. The people are supplied with fresh provisions chiefly from the coast of Barbary, with fruit, roots, and vegetables of all sorts from thence, or from their own gardens. Besides what is properly called the town, there are several spacious and commodious public edifices erected; such as barracks for the soldiers, with apartments for their officers, magazines of different kinds, storerooms for provisions, &c. The inhabitants, exclusive of the British subjects dependent on the garrison, or who reside there from other motives, consist of some Spaniards, a few Portuguese, a considerable number of Genoese, and about as many Jews; making in the whole, according to Dr Campbell, between two and three thousand, without reckoning the garrison; though some make them much fewer. The town may be said to have two ports; the first lying to the north, and is proper only for small vessels; the other is very commodious for large vessels, and has a fine stone quay. The bay is very beautiful and capacious, being in breadth about five miles, and in length eight or nine, with several small rivers running into it. It is very advantageous to the place. There is no ground to be found in the middle of it at 100 fathoms depth, so that a squadron may lie there in great safety; the breezes from it are very refreshing; and it contributes likewise to the subsistence of the inhabitants, by supplying them with plenty of fish.

The strait of Gibraltar, through which the ocean passes into the Mediterranean, thereby dividing Europe from Africa, runs from west to east about 13 leagues. In this strait there are three remarkable promontories or capes on the Spanish side, and as many opposite to them on the Barbary side. The first of these, on the side of Spain, is cape Trafalgar, opposite to which is cape Spartel; and in the neighbourhood of this stood the fortresses of Tangier, once in the possession of the British. The next on the Spanish side is Tarifa; and over against it lies Malabata, near the town of Alcazar, where the straits are about five leagues broad. Lastly, Gibraltar, facing the mountain of Abyla, near the fortresses and town of Ceuta, which make the eastern entry of the straits.

This important fortress seems to have been first particularly noticed as a place of consequence in the year 712. At that time the general of the caliph Al Wa-by the Saracens landed with an army of 12,000 men on the isthmus between Mons Calpe and the continent; and that he might secure an intercourse with Africa, ordered a castle to be built on the face of that hill. Part of the building still remains; and, from an inscription discovered above the principal gate, appears to have been finished in 725. It continued in the possession of the Saracens till the beginning of the 14th century, when it was recovered by Ferdinand king of Castile. In various revolutions, however, it was obliged to surrender to the son of the emperor of Fez, who came to the assistance of the Moorish king of Granada. An attempt was made upon it in 1349 by Alonzo king of Castile; but when the fortresses had been reduced to the last extremity, a pestilential fever broke out in the Spanish camp, which carried off the king himself, with great part of his army; after which the enterprise was abandoned.

The fortresses continued in the possession of the Saracen descendants of the prince of Fez until the year 1410, when it was taken possession of by Joseph III. king of Granada. A design of attacking it was formed by Henry de Guzman in 1435; but the enterprise having miscarried through his imprudence, he was defeated and slain. However, it was at length taken after a gallant defence by his son John de Guzman in 1462; since which time it has remained in the hands of the Christians. In 1510, it was surprized and pillaged by Piali Hamet, one of Barbarossa's corsairs; but the pirates having fallen in with some Sicilian galleys, were by them defeated, and all either killed or taken.

In the reign of Charles V. the fortifications of Gibraltar were modernised, and such additions made as to render them almost impregnable. It was taken by the English, however, in the reign of queen Anne, and since that time has remained in their possession; and probably will always do so, unless ceded by treaty, as it appears altogether impossible to reduce it by any force of artillery let it be ever so great. In the year 1704, in consequence of the resolution adopted by the court of Britain to assist the archduke Charles in his rook in pretensions to the Spanish crown, Sir George Rooke was sent with a powerful fleet into the Mediterranean. His orders being limited, nothing of consequence was done for some time, until at last an attempt on Gibraltar was resolved upon; not so much on account of the importance of the conquest, as to prevent any reflections against the admiral for inactivity. On the 21st of July that year, 1800 troops were landed upon the isthmus under the command of the prince of Hesse-Darmstadt; and on the refusal of the governor to surrender, preparations were made for attacking the place. Early in the morning of the 23d, a cannonade was begun from the fleet, and kept up so briskly, that in five or six hours the Spaniards were driven from many of their guns, especially at the new mole-head. The admiral perceiving, that by gaining this part of the fortification, the reduction of the rest would be facilitated, ordered out some armed boats to take possession of it. On their approach the Spaniards sprung a mine, Gibraltar, mine, which demolished part of the works, killed two lieutenants and 40 private soldiers, wounding about 60 more. Notwithstanding this disaster, the assailants kept possession of the work, and took a small battery, now the eight-gun battery, half way between the mole and the town. On this the governor thought proper to capitulate, and the prince of Hesse took possession of the gates on the 24th. The garrison, consisting at most of 150 men, marched out with the honours of war; and the Spaniards who chose to remain were allowed the same privileges they had enjoyed under the reign of Charles II. The works were found very strong, and the place well provided with ammunition and military stores.

This conquest was achieved with the loss of about 60 killed and 216 wounded on the part of the English. The prince of Hesse remained governor; and 18 men of war were left at Lisbon under the command of Sir John Leake, to succour the garrison if there should be occasion. The loss of such an important fortress, however, having alarmed both the courts of Madrid and Paris, orders were sent to the marquis de Villadarias, a Spanish grandee, to lay siege to it, in which he was to be assisted by a naval force from Toulon. The prince immediately applied to Sir John Leake for assistance; but before the latter had time to comply with his request, a French fleet arrived, and debarked five battalions to the assistance of the Spaniards; after which they proceeded to the westward, leaving only six frigates in the bay. The trenches were opened on the 11th of October, about which time Sir John arrived with 20 sail of English and Dutch ships; but hearing that the French were about to attack him with a superior force, he judged it proper to return and rest. Having very prudently left orders at Lisbon to make preparations for this purpose in his absence, he was enabled to accomplish the work with such expedition, that on the 29th of the same month, he returned, and surprised in the bay three frigates, a fire-ship, two English prizes, a tartan, and a store-ship. After this exploit he landed some reinforcements, supplied the garrison with six months' provision and ammunition; at the same time detaching on shore a body of 500 sailors to assist in repairing the breaches which had been made by the enemy's fire.

Thus the Spaniards were disappointed in their hopes of success from an attack which had been projected that very night, and for which purpose 200 boats had been collected. Still, however, they did not despair; and supposing that the garrison would be off their guard and secure on account of the vicinity of their fleet, they formed the rash design of attempting to surprise the place though the British admiral was still before it. In this mad attempt 500 volunteers associated, taking the sacrament never to return unless they accomplished their purpose. They were conducted by a goat herd to the south side of the rock near the cave-guard, at that time called the pass of locust-trees. This they mounted, and lodged themselves the first night in the Cave of St Michael; the next they scaled Charles V.'s Wall; surprised and massacred the guard at Middle-hill; where afterwards, by ropes and ladders, several hundreds of the party designed to support them were hauled up; but being discovered, they were attacked by a strong party of grenadiers, and all of them at last either killed or taken. These brave adventurers were to have been supported by a body of French troops, and some feints were proposed to draw off the attention of the garrison; but, through the taken disagreement of the commanding officers, these proposals were not put into execution, and thus the volunteers were left to their fate.

Notwithstanding these misfortunes the Spaniards still continued the siege, and fitted out a strong squadron from Cadiz, with a design to intercept the convoys of provisions which might be sent to the garrison; flattering themselves at the same time, that, on the arrival of their fleet, Sir John would be obliged to retire, and the garrison of consequence to surrender to their united attacks. They continued their fire therefore with additional fury, dismounted many of the cannon, and did essential injury to the works in several different places. The prince of Hesse, however, was by no means deficient in his endeavours to disappoint their expectations. As it was probable that an attempt might be made to storm the curtain, a cuvette was dug in the ditch, which was filled by the tide, and a double row of palisades placed parallel to the works. The chambers of the mine under the glacis were loaded, and all means taken to defeat such an attempt; but on a sudden the Spaniards seemed to have altered their design, and threatened an attack on the lines which the garrison had on the declivity of the hill to flank the glacis, and overlook their advanced works. While affairs remained in this situation, the part of the succours they had long expected arrived in the bay, December 7, 1704, and in two days after, forced the remainder came in with near 2000 men, along with a proportionate quantity of ammunition and provisions. These had failed from Cape Spartel under convoy of four frigates; but were in imminent danger of falling into the hands of the enemy, whose fleet they mistook for their own; however they escaped by the fortunate circumstance of being becalmed, so that they could not get up to them.

Sir John Leake having thus powerfully reinforced the garrison, thought his presence in the bay no longer necessary, and therefore set sail for Lisbon, where he arrived about the end of the year. In the beginning of January 1705 the Spaniards were reinforced by a considerable body of infantry, and on the 11th of the month made an attack on the extremity of the King's Lines, but were repulsed. The attack was renewed next day with 600 grenadiers, French and Walloons, supported by 1000 Spaniards under lieutenant-general the Spa-Fuy. They disposed themselves in such a manner as showed an intention to storm a breach which had been made in the Round Tower, at the extremity of the King's Lines, and another in the entrenchment on the hill. The retrenchment which covered the latter breach, with part of the entrenchment joining the precipice of the rock, was defended at night by a captain, three subalterns, and 90 men; but it was customary for the captain to withdraw, with two subalterns and 60 men, at day-break. The Round Tower was defended by 180 men, commanded by a lieutenant colonel. The marquis, by deserters from the garrison, had obtained intelligence of the strength of these posts, and planned his attack accordingly. The Gibraltar detachment for the upper breach mounted the rock at midnight, and concealed themselves in the cliffs until the captain had withdrawn; after which, advancing to the point of the entrenchment, they threw grenades on the subaltern and his party, so that they were obliged to leave the place. At the same time 300 men stormed the Round Tower, where lieutenant-colonel Bar made a vigorous defence, though the enemy, having passed the breach above, annoyed them on the flanks with great stones and grenades. Observing, however, the Spaniards marching down to cut off his retreat from the town, he retired; and, by getting over the parapet of the King's Lines, descended into the covered way, where the English guards were posted. Thus the garrison were alarmed; all the regiments were assembled at their proper posts; and captain Fisher endeavoured to stop the progress of the enemy with 17 men, but they were repulsed, and himself taken prisoner. At last, however, the Tower was retaken by lieutenant-colonel Moncal at the head of 400 or 500 men, after it had been in the possession of the enemy upwards of an hour.

The garrison were now farther reinforced by six companies of Dutch troops and 200 English soldiers, together with some provisions and stores. The assailants, however, were still determined to go on. The marquis de Villadarias was superseded by the Marischal Tesse, a Frenchman, with whom Admiral Pointis was desired to cooperate in blocking up the place. The Marischal therefore joined the army with four fresh battalions, besides eight companies which had been sent before; the ordnance, which had been greatly injured by constant use, was exchanged for others, and the works, as they then stood, put into the best repair. On the part of the English a reinforcement was ordered under the command of Sir Thomas Dilkes and Sir John Hardy, to join Admiral Leake at Lisbon; which junction being effected, the whole fleet, consisting of 28 English, 4 Dutch, and 8 Portuguese men of war, having on board two battalions of land forces, set sail from Lisbon. Happily for the besieged, however, the incessant rains and storms about this time had retarded the operations of the land-forces, and greatly distressed the fleet of the enemy. Eight ships of the latter were forced from their anchors by the strong westerly wind, and obliged to drive aloft. At this critical period Sir John Leake, with the allied fleet, entered the straits. On his approach the few remaining French ships put out to sea; and the British admiral discovering five sail making out of the bay, and a gun fired at them from the garrison, immediately gave chase. Three French men of war were taken, and the admiral's ship and another driven on shore, where they were burnt. The rest, on hearing the report of the guns, had made the best of their way to Toulon.

The garrison was now so well supplied, that Marischal Tesse withdrew his troops from the trenches, and formed a blockade, drawing an intrenchment across the isthmus to prevent the garrison from ravaging the country. The prince of Hesse remained for some time in the place, where he repaired the batteries, and made some additions to the fortifications; after which he joined the arch-duke Charles at Lisbon. As the latter, Gibraltar, however, was resolved to try his fortune with the Earl of Peterborough in Valencia and Catalonia, the prince was sent back to Gibraltar to prepare part of the garrison for embarkation, and soon after was followed by the whole fleet. Major General Ramos was now appointed governor of Gibraltar, in which only two new battalions were left, as nothing was to be feared from the enemy. The new governor, however, brought with him 400 men for the greater security of the place; but soon resigned his government to Colonel Roger Elliot, during whose time Gibraltar was made a free port by a special order from the queen.

Colonel Elliot was succeeded by colonel Congreve before the year 1714, and he by Colonel Cotton a short time after. In 1720 the Spaniards seem to have threatened another attack. Ceuta, a Spanish fortress in Barbary, had been for many years besieged by the Moors; and a powerful armament, commanded by the marquis de Lada, was now assembled in Gibraltar-bay, under pretence of relieving the African fortress, but with a secret design of first surprising Gibraltar; for which purpose they had provided scaling ladders, &c. The armament, however, had not been fitted out with such secrecy, but that the British ministry had intelligence of it. On this they sent orders to colonel Kane, governor of Minorca, to embark with part of his garrison for Gibraltar under convoy of the fleet in the Mediterranean. On his arrival he found the place in a critical situation. The garrison consisted only of three weak battalions under major Hetherington, besides whom there was only one other field-officer, major Batteroux, in the place, and no more than 14 days provisions remaining. The posture of affairs, however, was altered by the arrival of colonel Kane with 500 men with provisions and ammunition; which reinforcement, together with the spirited behaviour of the British commodore, induced the Spanish commander to abandon his design, though he remained of opinion that the fortresses might then have been carried by a general assault.

Notwithstanding this disappointment, the Spaniards continued to keep a watchful eye over Gibraltar; and, in the latter end of the year 1726, assembled an army in the neighbourhood of Algeiras, encamping, on the 20th of January following, on the plain below St Roch, and erecting a battery on the beach to protect their camp. Though admiral Hopson was then at anchor in the bay of Gibraltar, yet, as he had received no intelligence of the actual commencement of hostilities between Britain and Spain, he was obliged to allow the boats of the latter to pass with provisions, arms, and ammunition, between Algeiras and the camp, at the same time that colonel now brigadier Kane, who had been a second time sent from Minorca, lay under similar embarrassments. The operations of the Spaniards, however, seemed so evidently to tend towards an attack, that the governor thought proper to order such of that nation as were in the town to leave it, and to forbid their galleys to anchor under his guns (a).

The count de Las Torres commanded the Spanish forces.

(a) At this time the fortifications of Gibraltar were considerably different from what they had been in 1705. Gibraltar forces, amounting to near 20,000 men; and soon after forming his camp, he advanced within reach of the garrison. The brigadier then desired him to keep out of his reach, otherwise he should do his utmost to force him; but to this the Spanish commander replied, that, as the garrison could command no more than they had power to maintain, he should obey his Catholic majesty's orders, and incroach as far as possible. Hostilities, however, were not commenced until the 10th of February 1727, when the Spaniards, having brought materials for batteries to the old windmill on the neutral ground, it was determined in a council of war, that the Spanish general had commenced hostilities by incroaching so far on the liberties of the garrison. Still, however, the governor sent to the count to know the reason of breaking ground before the garrison; but received for answer, that "he was in his master's territories, and was not answerable to any other person for his conduct." On this the governor opened the batteries of the Old Mole and those of Willis upon the Spanish workmen; however, they persisted in carrying on their operations, and at night marched a party down to the Devil's Tower, where they immediately broke ground, and began a communication with their other works. The governor was now informed by some deserters, that the enemy were forming a mine in a cave under Willis's Battery, with a design to blow it up; but the plot being thus happily discovered, a party was immediately stationed to cut off the communication. On the 22nd of February the Spaniards opened on the garrison with 17 pieces of cannon besides mortars; and the day following brigadier Kane left Gibraltar to send a reinforcement from Minorca. On the 3rd of March the enemy opened a new battery of 22 guns on the Old Mole, and on the 8th another of 15 guns, bearing also upon the same Mole, the guns of which had annoyed the western flank of their approaches.

All this time the garrison had kept up a constant and well-directed fire from the batteries which bore upon the works of the enemy; but the ordnance in general being old, were frequently bursting; by which they suffered more than from the fire of the besiegers. The latter were also greatly distressed by the fleet under admiral Hopson and Sir Charles Wager, who, since the beginning of the siege, had intercepted their home-bound ships, and at the same time greatly benefited the garrison by bringing the prizes into the bay. Finding the Spaniards, however, obstinately bent on their enterprise, they formed a design, on the second of April, to bombard Algeiras, from whence the besieged were supplied with various articles of ammunition; but the fleet happening to be becalmed, the design was afterwards unaccountably abandoned; and on the arrival of a reinforcement from Minorca, they sailed to the westward, leaving the garrison to defend themselves the best way they could.

The enemy continued to augment their batteries, and erect new ones, until they amounted at last to 60 cannon besides mortars; and, on the 3rd of May, the governor received intelligence that a general assault was intended; to repel which he took every proper precaution. The enemy, however, still added to their approaches, and considerable reinforcements were received by both parties. Hostilities, however, ceased on the 12th, when news arrived that the preliminaries of a general peace were signed; since which time to the year 1779 no farther attempts were made on Gibraltar. In the course of these two sieges the loss of the Spaniards was very considerable; that of 1705 consisting them not less than 10,000 men, including those who died of sickness; and in that of 1727 their loss was computed at near 3000, besides casualties, which could not be ascertained. That of the garrison amounted in 1705 to 400; and in 1727 to 300; a very small number, considering that during the siege 70 cannon and 30 mortars burnt on the batteries.

The hostile manifesto presented by the Spanish ambassador to the court of London at the commencement of the late war, was soon followed by an interruption of communication between Spain and the forts of Gibraltar. No direct intention of attacking or distressing it, however, was manifested till the 16th of July, when the port was completely blocked up by a squadron of two 74-gun ships, several frigates, galleys, &c. Ten days after they began to form a camp on the plain below St Roch, three miles from the forts. The garrison at this time consisted of 5382 men, including officers, with a company of engineers and artificers; but the greatest expectations were formed from the abilities and valour of general Elliot the governor. As soon as the breaking off the communication with Spain indicated approaching hostilities, the governor took every precaution that could be suggested by military wisdom; but though informed of the rupture between the two courts having actually taken place, and though he beheld the hostile operations of the enemy, no means were used to interrupt them till the 12th of September, when the batteries of Green's Lodge, Willis, and Queen Charlotte, were opened for a few hours, with a view to disturb the workmen.

From this time to the beginning of the year 1780 the enemy continued the blockade both by sea and land, but without doing any damage to the works or garrison; and it was not until the 12th of January that a single person was wounded. This happened to a woman who, passing near one of the houses, was first wounded slightly hurt by a shot from the enemy. In the meantime, however, the usual supplies of provisions being cut off, the garrison began to feel all the horrors of famine. All the necessaries of life were very scarce, and expensive to be procured only at exorbitant prices. Veal, mutton, and beef, sold from half a crown to four shillings per pound; fresh pork from two to three shillings; salted beef and pork fifteen pence; fowls eighteen shillings per couple; ducks a guinea; firewood, five shillings per hundred weight; a pint of milk and water fifteen pence; a small cabbage cost five shillings, and a small bunch of outer leaves five pence; Irish butter half a crown per pound; candles as much; and eggs sixpence each. As the rock, however, is almost surrounded

Several works were erected on the heights above the lines called Willis's Batteries; the Prince's Lines were extended to the extremity of the rock, and an inundation was formed out of the morass in front of the grand battery. rounded by the sea, it was natural to suppose, that in such a scarcity of other provisions great benefit would have been derived from the ocean; but the fishermen, being all foreigners, and under no regulation, took advantage of the present scarcity of provisions in the garrison to exact a most exorbitant price for the fish they supplied.

Had matters remained long in this state, it is plain that the fortresses, however strong, must have fallen into the hands of the enemy. They were, however, effectually relieved in consequence of the victory gained by admiral Rodney over the Spanish fleet commanded by Don Juan de Langara. The former had been furnished with a strong squadron, in order to relieve this important fortress; with which having set sail, he in a few days fell in with a Spanish fleet of 16 transports bound from Bilboa to Cadiz, and laden with provisions and naval stores, conveyed by a man of war of 64 guns, four frigates, and two armed vessels. Of these only a single transport escaped, the rest being all captured on the 8th of January 1780; and the loss of them, at the same time that it promised to be very serviceable to the garrison, was equally detrimental to the enemy, who were now in great want both of provisions and materials for their shipping.

This advantage was soon after followed by a much greater. On the 16th of the same month a Spanish squadron of 11 sail of the line was discovered off Cape St Vincent; and the British admiral having taken the proper methods to come up with them as quickly as possible, an engagement took place about four in the afternoon. At this time the headmost ships of the British line closed in with the nearest of the enemy, and in half an hour one of the Spaniards, mounting 70 guns, and having on board 600 men, blew up, and all on board perished. In two hours more another Spanish ship of the line was taken; notwithstanding which the fight continued with great vigour till two in the morning, when the headmost ship of the enemy struck to the Sandwich; after which the firing ceased. The weather throughout the night was so tempestuous that it was with the utmost difficulty the British could take possession of those ships which surrendered. These were six in number, but two of them drove ashore and were lost, only four being brought safe into Gibraltar. These were the admiral's ship of 80 guns and 700 men, with three others of 70 guns and 600 men. The engagement, however, happened so near the shore, and the British were so eager in securing the leeway to prevent the enemy's escape, that Admiral Rodney's ship, together with some of the largest in the fleet, were in great danger of running on the shoals of St Lucar; nor could they be got into deep water again without much labour and the exertion of great naval skill. It was the opinion of all who were present in the action, that had this engagement happened in the daytime, or had the weather been less boisterous, not one of the Spanish ships could have escaped; and even as it was, those which got off were so essentially damaged as to be unfit for service.

The news of this important victory arrived at Gibraltar on the evening of the day after it was fought; and in two days more the garrison was completely relieved by the arrival of the fleet and convoy, at the same time that they were farther reinforced by a regiment of Highlanders, consisting of 1051 men, officers included. An opportunity was also taken of sending away with the fleet all the invalids and women in the garrison; with whom they set sail on the 10th of February, leaving in the bay only the Edgar and Panther ships of the line, with two frigates.

On the departure of the British fleet the blockade was immediately resumed; and notwithstanding the ample supplies lately received, the garrison soon began again to experience the inconvenience of wanting fresh provisions. It had hitherto been there in abundance from the coast of Barbary; but an unaccountable alteration had now taken place, so that the friendship of the emperor of Morocco was transferred from Great Britain to Spain in a manner totally unprecedented. His partiality towards the latter was the more surprising, as Britain had given no provocation, and the enmity between Spain and Morocco seemed to be in a manner constitutional, and founded upon such causes as could never cease to operate. Thus, however, the garrison became daily more and more distressed, from being obliged to make constant use of their scanty provisions, and even this with the strictest economy. The industry and resolution of the British seamen and officers, indeed, sometimes overcame all obstacles, so that they found means to procure the necessary refreshments; though in doing so they were certainly exposed to the utmost danger from the enemy. At the same time the defence of the garrison was so vigorous, that while it continued to be supplied even in this scanty manner, the Spaniards began to lose all hope of reducing it; for which reason they formed a project of burning all the British shipping in the bay.

The night appointed for putting this scheme in execution was the 6th of June 1780, when ten fire-ships, full attempt favoured by an uncommon darkness, floated over from to burn the Spanish to the British side of the bay. Their design was to set fire to the storehouses nearest to the water side, as well as to the shipping there; but having been too precipitate in firing their ships, and being received also by a very heavy cannonade, the attempt was frustrated. On this occasion the skill and intrepidity of the British seamen was eminently displayed. Having manned their boats, they grappled the fireships already in flames; and, notwithstanding their dreadful appearance and the danger of their exploding, towed them clear of the vessels under the walls, and extinguished them.

The failure of this project was a grievous disappointment to Don Barcelo the Spanish admiral, who lay ready with his squadron to intercept the British vessels that might attempt to escape; at the same time that the batteries on their lines were in readiness to bombard the town, if the fire-ships had succeeded in causing any conflagration on shore. The failure of the present attempt, however, was soon followed by other disasters. As soon as they had, with great labour, pushed forward their new works, and constructed new works or batteries, they were certainly destroyed by the beleaguered; and their mortification on these occasions was the greater, as it was usual for the governor to allow them to complete their works before he commenced his destructive operations. Thus the labour of many days was often lost in a few hours, and afterwards was to be resumed with as little prospect of success as before. The garrison were now considerably annoyed by the Spanish gun-boats, to which indeed the shipping were equally exposed with themselves. These were vessels from 30 to 40 tons burden, constructed so that they lay low in the water, which rendered them difficult to be aimed at. They had 15 oars on a side, carried 40 or 50 men, with a 26 pounder on the prow; and, from the facility of managing them, two were deemed, in calm weather, to be a match for a frigate of moderate size. All their efforts, however, could do no more than to reduce the garrison to great straits for want of provisions; and to this dreadful inconvenience the British submitted with the greatest cheerfulness.

From the time of Admiral Rodney's departure in the month of February 1780 to the month of October, almost the only provisions in the garrison were such as tended to produce the scurvy; which accordingly raged in such a manner as to threaten the most fatal consequences. An antidote, however, was happily procured by the capture of a Danish dogger from Malaga laden with lemons and oranges, which the governor immediately purchased for the use of the garrison, and distributed among them. "At this time (says Captain Drinkwater) the scurvy had made dreadful ravages in our hospitals, and more were daily confined; many, however, unwilling to yield to its first attacks, persevered in their duty to the more advanced stages. It was therefore not uncommon, at this period, to see men, who, some months before, were hale, and capable of enduring any fatigue, supporting themselves to their posts upon crutches, and even with that assistance scarcely able to move along. The most fatal consequences in short were to be apprehended to the garrison from this terrible disorder, when this Dane was happily directed to our relief."

According to Mr. Cairncross, an eminent surgeon, who was present during this siege, "the scurvy, which now raged in Gibraltar, differed in no respect from that disease usually contracted by sailors in long sea-voyages; and of which the immediate cause seemed to be the subsisting for a length of time upon salted provisions only, without a sufficient quantity of vegetables or other acidulent foods. The circumstances related in the voyage of that celebrated circumnavigator Lord Anson, of consolidated fractures disuniting, and the callousness of the bone being perfectly dissolved, occurred frequently in our hospitals, and old sores and wounds opened anew from the nature of the disorder. Various antiscorbutics were used without success, such as acid of vitriol, sour crust, extract of malt, essence of spruce, &c.; but the only specifics were fresh lemons and oranges given liberally; or, when they could not be procured, the preserved juice in such quantities, from one to four ounces per day, as the patient could bear. Whilst the lemons were found, from one to three were administered each day as circumstances directed. The juice given to those in the most malignant state was sometimes diluted with sugar, wine, or spirits; but the convalescents took it without dilution. Women and children were equally affected, nor were the officers exempted from this dreadful disorder. It became almost general at the commencement of the winter season, owing to the cold and moisture; and in the beginning of spring when vegetables were scarce. The juice was preserved by adding to 60 gallons of expressed liquor about five or ten gallons of brandy, which kept it in so wholesome a state, that several casks were opened in good condition at the close of the siege. The old juice, however, was not so speedily efficacious as the fruit, though by persevering longer in its use it seldom failed."

Till this month the allowance of salt provisions had continued undiminished; but now it was judged necessary to reduce the allowance of bread and meat, and to make some other regulations in order to enforce the strictest economy with regard to food. Every thing of this kind that could be practised, however, seemed insufficient to preserve the garrison from absolute want. In the beginning of the year 1781 provisions became exceedingly scarce, by reason of the almost total expenditure of what was contained in the public stores, and the vigilance of the enemy's cruisers. About the middle of February the town bakers left off work for want of flour; and many of the poorer sort wanted bread. The price of fresh provisions again rose to a most enormous height. Small pigs sold at two guineas; turkeys at three; geese at 30 shillings; fowls and ducks at 10 shillings; damaged biscuit a shilling the pound; pease 18d.; and all other necessaries in proportion; at the same time the scarcity of fuel was such, that it was sometimes scarcely procurable in quantity sufficient to dress the victuals.

The garrison had hitherto derived assistance occasionally from the gardens on the neutral ground, though entire quantities of vegetables had been removed thence by the enemy. Towards the end of the month of October 1780, however, the Spaniards determined to expel the British from the gardens entirely; and this they accomplished in spite of all that could be done to prevent them. From this time the resources with regard to vegetables depended entirely upon the attention paid to cultivation; which, happily for the garrison, was attended with such success, especially during the winter months, that the produce came at last to be nearly equal to the demands. At last, on the 12th of April 1781, supplies were brought by the British fleet under admirals Darby, Digby, and Roos, though they could not be got in without great difficulty. The gun-boats already mentioned were now much increased in number and strength of construction; infesting the bay in such a manner as greatly to interrupt the embarkation of the stores. As no vessels of the same kind had been prepared to oppose them, they could scarce be prevented from effecting their purpose of burning the store-ships. With this view they had approached them every morning in hazy weather to the number of between 20 and 30, several of them carrying mortar-pieces; and as they used both sails and oars, they eluded all pursuit, by withdrawing on the rise of any breeze. To keep off these troublesome guests several stout frigates were obliged to station themselves along the bay for the protection of the shipping; but even this did not prevent them from continuing their molestation; and notwithstanding the vigilance and activity of the British sailors, it was seldom that they could come near enough to do them any damage. In spite of all their endeavours, however, the garrison was effectually relieved; an exploit which so exceedingly irritated the court of Spain, that they determined to exert the utmost force of the kingdom rather than fail to express Gibraltar in the execution of their favourite project. The works before the town were therefore carried on with more vigour than ever, and the most tremendous preparations made to cause the obstinate garrison feel the resentment of an exasperated enemy. Their batteries were now mounted with guns of the heaviest metal, and with mortar-pieces of the largest size; the number of the former augmented to near 200, and of the latter to upwards of 80. For three weeks this prodigious artillery continued to pour forth an almost incessant shower of shot and shells, insomuch that, in the time just mentioned, they had consumed 100,000 lb. of gunpowder, and thrown into the town four or five thousand shot or shells every 24 hours.

By such an immense bombardment the town was almost totally laid in ruins. The inhabitants, computed at more than 3000 in number, experienced every difficulty that could arise from the destruction of their habitations: several of them were killed, and all forced to leave the town, and take shelter under tents with what accommodation could be provided for them in such scenes of horror and confusion. Numbers took the opportunity of retiring with the fleet; while many that remained were now reduced from a state of opulence to the greatest distresses. The conduct of Governor Elliot was very humane and compassionate to such as were obliged to stay; allowing them a free passage to England, and supplying them with provisions for the voyage.

During this bombardment, not only the greatest part of the effects belonging to the inhabitants were destroyed, but the fortifications were in many places greatly injured; and the worst was, that the remainder of the soldiers were destroyed by the soldiers who had arrived at such behaviour a pitch of licentiousness, that they neither regarded nor would obey their officers. They were incited to this destructive scheme by the avarice of some of the inhabitants who had hoarded up and concealed a quantity of necessary articles, in order to procure an advanced price. They now, therefore, kept no bounds in dissipation, waste, and extravagance; a remarkable instance of which is given by Captain Drinkwater, in their roasting a pig by a fire made of cinnamon. To put a stop to these atrocious proceedings, rigorous measures were of necessity adopted; and it was intimated, that any soldier convicted of being drunk or asleep upon his post, or found marauding, should be immediately executed. The loss of human lives during this dreadful bombardment was less than could have been expected; but many remarkable circumstances are taken notice of by Captain Drinkwater, some of which are related in the note (A).

(A) Two boys belonging to the artillerie company were endowed with such wonderful strength of vision, that they could see the shot of the enemy in the air almost as soon as it came from the mouth of the gun; and were therefore constantly placed upon some part of the works to give notice to the soldiers of the approaching danger. During the time of the hottest fire, however, the men were so habituated to the fall of shells and shot around them, that they contracted an insensibility of danger, and almost required to be cautioned by their officers to avoid the explosion of a shell when lying with the fuse burning at their feet. In consequence of this inattention, they frequently neglected the advice of the boys above mentioned, and their neglect could not but be productive of fatal effects. An instance of this happened on the Princess Amelia's battery, where a shot thus disregarded came through one of the capped embrasures, carried off one of the legs from three soldiers, and wounded a fourth in both. In other cases, in which the persons themselves have observed the shot or shells coming towards them, they have been fascinated by its appearance, and unable to move from the spot, as small birds are said to be by the rattlesnake. "This sudden arrest of the faculties (says our author) was nothing uncommon: several instances occurred to my own observation, where men, totally free, have had their senses engaged by a shell in its descent, that though sensible of their danger, even so far as to cry for assistance, they have been immovably fixed to the place. But what is more remarkable, these men have so instantaneously recovered themselves on its fall to the ground, as to remove to a place of safety before the shell burst." In this manner Lieutenant Lowe of the 12th regiment was fascinated by a shot which he saw coming, but had not power to remove from the place before it fell upon him and took off his leg.

Where these shells burst they produced instant and certain destruction, mangling in the most dreadful manner. The following are some instances. A matroso had the misfortune of breaking his thigh by some accident; and being a man of great spirit, could scarce bear the confinement necessary for its reunion. In consequence of this he went abroad too soon, and thus unfortunately broke the bone a second time. Being now confined to bed, a shell happened to fall into the room where he was, and, rebounding, lodged itself directly upon him. The convalefants and sick instantly summoned all their strength, and crawled out of the room, while the poor matroso lay below the shell, kept down by its weight, and utterly unable to stir. In a few seconds it burst, and took off both his legs, and scorched him in a dreadful manner. He survived the explosion, was sensible to the last moment, and died regretting that he had not been killed on the batteries. The case of a soldier of the 73rd regiment shows that even in the most dangerous cases we should never despair of recovery while life remains. This unfortunate man had been knocked down by the wind of a shell, which, instantly bursting, killed his companion, and mangled himself in a shocking manner. His skull was dreadfully fractured, his left arm broken in two places, one of his legs shattered, the skin and muscles torn off from part of his right hand, the middle finger broken to pieces, and his whole body most severely bruised and marked with gunpowder. He presented so horrid an object to the surgeons, that they had not the least hopes of saving his life, and were at a loss what part to attend to first. He was that evening trepanned; a few days afterwards his leg was amputated, and other wounds and fractures were dressed. Being possessed of a most excellent constitution, nature performed wonders in his favour, and in 11 weeks his cure was completely effected. On the 18th of September a shell from the lines fell into a house where the town-major captain Burke, with majors Mercier By the beginning of June 1781, the enemy had relaxed considerably in their firing, seldom exceeding 600 shot in a day; and continued gradually to diminish this number so remarkably, that towards the end of August they seldom fired in the day, and only discharged six or seven, and sometimes not above three, shot in the night. The batteries at land, however, were succeeded by the gun-boats; which renewed their attacks every day, keeping the garrison in continual alarm, and never failing to do more or less execution.

To restrain them, therefore, a battery of guns capable of throwing their shot to a great distance was erected as near as possible to the enemy; and as it reached their very camp, it was determined to open it upon them as often as the gun-boats made their attacks; which being soon perceived, they thought it prudent to desist in some measure from that mode of hostility. They continued still, however, to improve their works, and for this purpose employed the best engineers both of France and Spain; so that by the latter part of November 1781, they had them brought to such a state of perfection as filled both kingdoms with the most sanguine expectations of success. Governor Elliot, however, far from being dismayed at these formidable bulwarks, suffered them to proceed without molestation to the end of their scheme, that he might as in a moment destroy the labour of so many months, and thus render the disappointment the greater. In the night of the 27th of November, a chosen party of 2000 men was detached, in order to destroy the enemies works and batteries; and their success was equal to their most sanguine expectation.

They marched out in great order and silence about two o’clock in the morning, under the command of brigadier-general Rois; after which they proceeded with the same circumvention, but with the utmost celerity, to the enemy’s works, which they stormed and overthrew with astonishing rapidity. The Spaniards were instantly thrown into confusion, and fled on every side; the guns and mortars on the batteries Gibraltar were all spiked up; and the artillery-men, artificers, and sailors, exerted themselves so vigorously, that in the space of an hour the magazines were blown up, the storehouses of arms, ammunition, and military implements of every kind, and all the works that had been constructed, were set on fire, and totally consumed; the whole damage done on this occasion being estimated at upwards of two millions sterling.

For several days after this disaster the Spaniards continued inactive, without even making any attempt to extinguish their batteries, which still continued in flames; but in the beginning of December, as if suddenly aroused from their reverie, upwards of 1000 men were set to work in order to prepare a great number of fascines, from whence it was concluded that they designed to repair their works. In this they proceeded with their usual perseverance and diligence; but as the former methods of attack had constantly failed, it was evident, that if the place could be reduced at all, it must be by some means hitherto unattempted; and for the reduction of this single fortress, the Spanish monarch, after the conquest of Minorca, determined to employ the whole strength of his empire.

Among the various projects formed at this time, that of the chevalier D’Arcon, a French engineer of distinction, proved the most acceptable to the court of Spain; and though the expense attending it was immense, this seemed in the present circumstances to be but a matter of small consideration. His plan was to construct such floating batteries as might neither be liable to be sunk nor set on fire. With this view their bottoms were made of the thickest timber, and their sides of wood and cork long soaked in water, with a layer of wet-sand betwixt them. Their thickness was such, that they were impenetrable to cannon-shot; and to prevent the effects of red-hot balls, a number of pipes were contrived to carry water through every part of the vessel, and pumps sufficient to furnish

Mercier and Vignoles of the 39th regiment were sitting. It took off major Burke’s thigh; afterwards fell through the floor into the cellar: there it burst, and forced the flooring with the unfortunate major up to the ceiling. When assistance came, they found him almost buried in the ruins of the room. He was instantly conveyed to the hospital, where he died soon after the wounded part had been amputated. Majors Mercier and Vignoles had time to escape before the shell burst; nevertheless they were slightly wounded by the splinters, as were a sergeant and his daughter, who happened to be in the cellar when the shell entered.

The following are related as instances of very extraordinary escapes from the destructive power of these engines, and which indeed it seems difficult to account for.—A corporal had the muzzle of his firelock closed, and the barrel twisted like a French horn, by a shell, without any injury to his person. A shell happened to fall into a tent where two soldiers were asleep, without awakening them by its fall. A sergeant in an adjacent tent heard it, and ran near 40 yards to a place of safety, when he recollected the situation of his comrades. Thinking the shell had fallen blind, he returned and awakened them; both immediately rose, but continued by the place, debating on the narrow escape they had had, when the shell exploded, and forced them with great violence against a garden wall, but “miraculously” did no further mischief than destroying everything in the tent. On the new year’s day of 1782, an officer of artillery observed a shell falling towards the place where he stood, and got behind a traverse for protection. This he had scarcely done, when the shell fell into the traverse, and instantly entangled him in the rubbish: one of the guard, named Martin, observing his distress, generously risked his own life in defence of his officer, and ran to extricate him; but finding his own efforts ineffectual, called for assistance; when another of the guard joining him, they relieved the officer from his situation; and almost the same instant the shell burst, and levelled the traverse with the ground. Martin was afterwards promoted, and rewarded by the governor; who at the same time told him, that “he should equally have noticed him for attending to his comrade.” A shell happening to fall into the room where ensign Mackenzie of the 73rd regiment was sitting, carried away part of his chair, and fell into the room below, where it burst, lifting him and the chair from the floor without further injury. Gibraltar. nish a constant supply for the purpose. The people at the batteries were sheltered from the bombs by a rope-netting made sloping, that they might roll off, and spread with wet skins to prevent fire. Ten of these batteries were constructed out of the hulls of large vessels, some of 50 or 60 guns, cut down for that purpose, and carrying from 10 to 28 guns each, with about half as many in reserve in case of accidents. Each gun was served by 36 artillery-men; and these floating batteries were to be seconded by 80 large boats carrying guns and mortars of heavy metal; a great number of ships of force and frigates, with some hundreds of small craft, were to accompany them with troops, for the instant execution of what might be judged necessary. On this occasion upwards of 1000 pieces of artillery and 80,000 barrels of gun-powder were provided. A body of 12,000 of the best troops of France were now added to the Spanish army before the place; the body of engineers was the best that both kingdoms could produce; and numbers of volunteers, of the best families in both, attended the siege. Numbers of military gentlemen also came from every part of Europe to be witnesses of what passed at this celebrated siege, which was now compared to the most famous recorded in history. The conducting of it was committed to the duke de Crillon, who had distinguished himself by the conquest of Minorca. Two princes of the blood royal of France, the count of Artois brother to the king, and the duke of Bourbon his cousin, came to be witnesses of this extraordinary enterprise. These behaved with the greatest politeness both to the governor and garrison. The count of Artois transmitted a packet of letters for various individuals in the garrison, which had been intercepted and carried to Madrid, and which he requested that he might be the means of conveying to those for whom they were designed. Both he and the duke of Bourbon signified to General Elliot the high regard they had for his person and character; and the duke de Crillon himself took this opportunity of expressing the same sentiments, and to intreat him to accept of some refreshments. General Elliot returned a polite answer, but accepted of the present with reluctance, and requested him for the future not to confer any favours of that kind upon him.

Such a prodigious armament raised the confidence of the besiegers so high, that they looked upon the conquest of the place as an absolute certainty. They began to be impatient at the delays which arose in bringing matters to the utmost point of perfection; and the commander-in-chief was thought by far too modest, when he said, that the garrison might hold out for a fortnight. "It appeared (says Captain Drinkwater) that they meant, previous to their final efforts, to strike if possible a terror through their opponents, by displaying an armament more powerful than had probably ever been brought before any forts. Forty-seven sail of the line, including three inferior two deckers; ten battering ships, deemed perfect in design, and esteemed invincible, carrying 212 guns; innumerable frigates, xebecques, bomb-ketches, cutters, gun and mortar boats, and smaller craft for Gibraltar, disembarking men, were assembled in the bay. On the land side were most stupendous and strong batteries and works, mounting 200 pieces of heavy ordnance, and protected by an army of near 40,000 men, commanded by a victorious and active general, and animated by the immediate presence of two princes of the blood royal of France, with other dignified personages, and many of their own nobility. In their certainty of success, however, the enemy seemed entirely to have overlooked the nature of that force which was opposed to them; for though the garrison scarcely consisted of more than 7000 effective men, including the marine brigade, they forgot that they were now veterans in this service, had long been habituated to the effects of artillery, and were by degrees prepared for the arduous conflict that awaited them. We were at the same time commanded by officers of approved courage, prudence, and activity; eminent for all the accomplishments of their profession, and in whom we had unbounded confidence. Our spirits too were not a little elevated by the success attending the firing of red-hot shot (c), which in this attack we hoped would enable us to bring our labours to a conclusion, and relieve us from the tedious cruelty of a vexatious blockade."

As a prelude to the dreadful storm which was about to be poured forth on this devoted garrison, the enemy, on the 9th of September 1782, opened a battery of 64 of their largest cannon, which was shortly accompanied with a terrible fire from other batteries, and a great number of mortars. On this and the following day an attack was made upon the batteries erected on Europa Point (so called from being the most southerly point of the continent of Europe), which at that time were entirely under the management of captain Curtis of the Brilliant frigate, who had distinguished himself during the siege, and now commanded a brigade of seamen by whom the batteries were served. By these the fire of the Spaniards was so warmly returned, that they not only could make no impression, but were forced to retire, after having received so much damage, that two of their principal ships were obliged to withdraw to the bay of Algeciras, opposite to Gibraltar, in order to refit. On the 12th the enemy made preparations for the ensuing day, which was allotted for their grand and decisive attack. Accordingly, on the morning of the 13th, the ten decisive attacking batteries came forward, under the command of Don Buenaventura de Moreno, a Spanish officer of great gallantry, and who had signalized himself at the taking of Minorca. Before ten o'clock they had all got into their proper stations, anchoring in a line about a thousand yards distant from the shore. As soon as they were properly arranged, they began a heavy cannonade, and were seconded by all the cannon and mortars in the enemy's lines and approaches, at the same time that the garrison opened all its batteries both with hot and cold shot from the guns, and shells from the howitzers and mortars. This terrible fire continued on both sides without intermission until noon; when

(c) This was suggested by lieutenant-governor Boyd, and had been attended with remarkable success, September 8th, when the enemy's advanced works were almost destroyed by it. Gibraltar, that of the Spaniards began to slacken, and the fire of the garrison to obtain a superiority. About two o'clock the principal battering ship commanded by Don Moreno was observed to emit smoke as if on fire, and some men were seen busy upon the roof searching from whence it proceeded. The fire from the garrison was now kept up without the least discontinue or diminution, while that from the floating batteries was perceived sensibly to decrease; so that about seven in the evening they fired but few guns, and that only at intervals.

At midnight the admiral's ship was plainly seen to burn, and an hour after was completely in flames. Eight more of these batteries took fire successively; and on the signals of distress made by them, the multitude of feluccas, launches, and boats, with which they were surrounded, all came to their assistance, and began to take the men out of the burning vessels. Captain Curtis, who lay ready with the gun-boats to take advantage of any favourable circumstance, came upon them at two in the morning, and forming a line on the enemy's flank, advanced upon them with such order and expedition as to throw them into immediate confusion. At this sudden and unexpected attack they were so astonished and disconcerted, that they fled precipitately with all their boats, totally abandoning their floating batteries to be burnt, and all who were in them to perish in the flames. This would undoubtedly have been their fate, had not captain Curtis extricated them from the fire at the imminent danger of his own life and that of his men. In this work he was so eager, that while his boat was alongside of one of the largest batteries, it blew up, and the fragments of the wreck spreading all around to a vast distance, some heavy pieces of timber fell into his boat and pierced through its bottom, killing one man and wounding several others. He escaped with difficulty out of this boat, which was sunk, as well as another, by the same accident. The floating batteries were every one consumed; and the violence with which they exploded was such, that doors and windows at a great distance on shore were burst open. About 400 people were saved from them; many of whom were picked up floating on rafts and pieces of timber. Indeed the blowing up of the batteries as the flames reached their powder-rooms, and the discharge of the guns in succession as the metal became heated by the fire, rendered any attempt to save them very dangerous.

This terrible catastrophe took place in sight of the combined fleets of France and Spain. It had been proposed that they should co-operate upon this important occasion, by attacking the garrison at Europa Point, and such places as appeared most exposed to an attempt by sea. This, it was afterwards said, must have occasioned a material diversion of the garrison's force, and, by dividing it, have weakened considerably the vigorous means of defence used in those parts which were actually attacked. The reason assigned for this inactivity was the want of wind.

Though this terrible repulse effectually convinced the Spaniards that Gibraltar could not be taken by force, some hope still remained, that, without any further exertions on their part, the garrison would be obliged to surrender from want of ammunition and provisions. With this view they continued to blockade it closely, and to cut off all communication, flattering themselves that Britain would not be able to collect a naval force sufficient to drive their fleet from the bay before the fortress was reduced to extremity; and this, they imagined, must be the case in a few days. Such diligence, however, had been used on the part of the British, that a fleet was already assembled at Portsmouth, consisting of 35 sail of the line, in excellent condition, and filled with the best officers and sailors in Europe. The command was given to Lord Howe, who was accompanied in the expedition by admirals Barrington, Milbank, Hood, Sir Richard Hughes, and commodore Hotham, all of them men eminent in their profession. At the same time also it fortunately happened, that a large British fleet of merchantmen had just arrived in safety from the Baltic; and that a Dutch squadron, which had been cruising on their own coasts, not being able to penetrate southwards in order to join the French, had retired into port, and given up the intention of effecting any junction for that season.

At this time the British nation was in the utmost anxiety about the fate of Gibraltar. The progress of the ships was delayed by contrary winds, and it was not until they had gained the southern coast of Portugal that they received information of the defeat of the enemy's attempt on the 13th of September. On the 11th of October Lord Howe entered the Straits, and several of the store-ships destined for Gibraltar came safe to anchor under the cannon of the fort without any molestation from the enemy. The combined fleet in the mean time had been much damaged by a storm; two ships of the line were driven ashore near Algeiras; two more were driven out of the bay into the Mediterranean; others lost their masts, and most of them suffered considerably. One in particular, a ship of 70 guns, was carried by the storm across the bay, and ran aground under the works of Gibraltar, where she was taken by the garrison, with her whole complement of men, consisting of 700. Notwithstanding the endeavours of the enemy to destroy her, she was safely got off, and properly repaired. The combined fleet, however, put to sea on the 13th, with a view to prevent the remaining store-ships that had overshot the bay to the east from making good their entrance into it; and at the same time to rejoin the two ships that had been separated from the main body by the storm. Having the advantage of the wind, they bore down upon the British fleet, which drew up in order of battle to receive them; but notwithstanding their superiority, they declined coming to an engagement. On the wind becoming more favourable next day, Lord Howe took the opportunity to bring in the store-ships that were in company; and the day following the remainder were conveyed to Gibraltar, the troops for the reinforcement of the garrison were landed, with a large supply of powder and ample provision in every other respect. As they returned through the Straits they were threatened with an engagement by the combined fleets; but though the latter had a superiority of 12 ships of the line, they kept at a wary distance. Some firing indeed took place, but it was attended with little effect on either side.

This last relief proved entirely decisive; for though the blockade continued till news arrived of the preliminaries of peace being signed, in the beginning of February 1783, no other attack was made. The news of Gibraltar, the pacification were received with the utmost joy by the Spaniards. Mutual civilities passed between the commanders in chief, and the Duke de Crillon paid many handsome compliments to the governor and garrison for their noble defense; declaring that he had exerted himself to the utmost of his abilities, and though he had not proved successful, yet he was happy in having his sovereign's approbation of his conduct.

The possession of Gibraltar is esteemed of very great consequence to Britain. It not only gives us the command of the Straits, and their navigation; but affords refreshment and accommodation to our fleets in time of war, and to our merchantmen at all times; which, to a maritime power, is of very great advantage. From its situation, it divides both the kingdoms of France and Spain; that is, it hinders a ready communication by sea between the different parts of these kingdoms. This, of course, hinders the conjunction of the fleets and squadrons with each other, or at least renders it so difficult as to be a perpetual check upon those ambitious powers. It aves also the piratical states of Barbary, and in like manner the emperor of Morocco; infomuch, that our commerce is more safe than that of any other European power, which gives us great advantages in point of freight. It is otherwise highly favourable to our trade in the Mediterranean and Levant. It procures us the respect of the Italian and other powers; who, though far distant from Britain, must consider this as an instance of her power to hurt or assist them. It also saves us the expense of squadrons and convoys, upon any disputes or disturbances that may happen among those powers, and which would otherwise be necessary for the protection of our navigation.