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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 09:48:53 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 09:48:53 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcfaa24 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69815 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69815) diff --git a/old/69815-0.txt b/old/69815-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 54dc63d..0000000 --- a/old/69815-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8372 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Jane Austen's sailor brothers, by John -Henry Hubback - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Jane Austen's sailor brothers - Being the adventures of Sir Francis Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of - the Fleet and Rear-Admiral Charles Austen - -Authors: John Henry Hubback - Edith C. Hubback - -Release Date: January 18, 2023 [eBook #69815] - -Language: English - -Produced by: MWS, Krista Zaleski and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/Canadian Libraries) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JANE AUSTEN'S SAILOR -BROTHERS *** - - - - - - JANE AUSTEN’S - SAILOR BROTHERS - -[Illustration: VICE-ADMIRAL SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, K.C.B.] - - - - - JANE AUSTEN’S - SAILOR BROTHERS - - _Being the Adventures of Sir Francis - Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet - and Rear-Admiral Charles - Austen By J. H. Hubback - and Edith C. Hubback_ - - _mdccccvi_ - _London: John Lane_ - _The Bodley Head, Vigo Street, W._ - _New York: John Lane Company_ - - - - - Printed by BALLANTYNE & CO. LIMITED - Tavistock Street, London - - - - - TO M. P. H. - - “I HAVE DISCOVERED A THING VERY - LITTLE KNOWN, WHICH IS THAT IN - ONE’S WHOLE LIFE ONE CAN NEVER - HAVE MORE THAN ONE MOTHER. - YOU MAY THINK THIS OBVIOUS. - YOU ARE A GREEN GOSLING!” - - - - -PREFACE - - -Perhaps some apology may be expected on behalf of a book about Jane -Austen, having regard to the number which have already been put before -the public in past years. My own membership of the family is my excuse -for printing a book which contains little original matter, and which -might be described as “a thing of shreds and patches,” if that phrase -were not already over-worked. To me it seems improbable that others -will take a wholly adverse view of what is so much inwoven with all the -traditions of my life. When I recollect my childhood, spent chiefly -in the house of my grandfather, Sir Francis, and all the interests -which accompanied those early days, I find myself once more amongst -those deep and tender distances. Surrounded by reminiscences of the -opening years of the century, the Admiral always cherished the most -affectionate remembrance of the sister who had so soon passed away, -leaving those six precious volumes to be a store of household words -among the family. - -How often I call to mind some question or answer, expressed quite -naturally in terms of the novels; sometimes even a conversation would -be carried on entirely appropriate to the matter under discussion, but -the actual phrases were “Aunt Jane’s.” So well, too, do I recollect the -sad news of the death of Admiral Charles Austen, after the capture, -under his command, of Martaban and Rangoon, and while he was leading -his squadron to further successes, fifty-six years having elapsed since -his first sea-fight. - -My daughter and I have made free use of the _Letters of Jane Austen_, -published in 1884, by the late Lord Brabourne, and wish to acknowledge -with gratitude the kind permission to quote these letters, given to -us by their present possessor. In a letter of 1813, she speaks of -two nephews who “amuse themselves very comfortably in the evening by -netting; they are each about a rabbit-net, and sit as deedily to it, -side by side, as any two Uncle Franks could do.” In his octogenarian -days Sir Francis was still much interested in this same occupation of -netting, to protect his Morello cherries or currants. It was, in fact, -only laid aside long after his grandsons had been taught to carry it on. - -My most hearty thanks are also due to my cousins, who have helped to -provide materials for our work; to Miss M. L. Austen for the loan of -miniatures and silhouettes; to Miss Jane Austen for various letters -and for illustrations; to Commander E. L. Austen for access to logs, -and to official and other letters in large numbers; also to Miss Mary -Austen for the picture of the _Peterel_ in action, and to Mrs. Herbert -Austen, and Captain and Mrs. Willan for excellent portraits of the -Admirals, and to all these, and other members of the family, for much -encouragement in our enterprise. - - JOHN H. HUBBACK. - - _July 1905._ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAP. PAGE - - I. BROTHERS AND SISTERS 1 - - II. TWO MIDSHIPMEN 15 - - III. CHANGES AND CHANCES IN THE NAVY 28 - - IV. PROMOTIONS 41 - - V. THE “PETEREL” SLOOP 56 - - VI. THE PATROL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN 78 - - VII. AT HOME AND ABROAD 94 - - VIII. BLOCKADING BOULOGNE 111 - - IX. THE PURSUIT OF VILLENEUVE 130 - - X. “A MELANCHOLY SITUATION” 147 - - XI. ST. DOMINGO 164 - - XII. THE CAPE AND ST. HELENA 180 - - XIII. STARS AND STRIPES 196 - - XIV. CHINESE MANDARINS 212 - - XV. A LETTER FROM JANE 227 - - XVI. ANOTHER LETTER FROM JANE 243 - - XVII. THE END OF THE WAR 260 - - XVIII. TWO ADMIRALS 274 - - INDEX 287 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B. (_From a painting - in the possession of Mrs. Herbert Austen_) _Frontispiece_ - - The Reverend George Austen, Rector of Steventon (_From - a miniature in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen_) 8 - - Action between the English frigate _Unicorn_ and the French - frigate _La Tribune_, June 8, 1796 (_From a painting in - the possession of Captain Willan, R.N., and Mrs. Willan_). - _By kind permission of Miss Hill_ 22 - - Francis Austen as Lieutenant (_From a miniature_) 44 - - Sloop of War and Frigate (_From a pencil sketch by Captain - Herbert Austen, R.N._) 64 - - _Peterel_ in action with the French brig _La Ligurienne_ after - driving two others on the rocks near Marseilles, on - March 21, 1800 (_From a sketch by Captain Herbert - Austen, R.N., in the possession of Miss Mary Austen_) 84 - - Topaz Crosses given to Cassandra and Jane by Charles - Austen (_In the possession of Miss Jane Austen_) 92 - - The Way to Church from Portsdown Lodge (_From a - pencil sketch by Catherine A. Austen_) 108 - - Mrs. Austen (_From a silhouette in the possession of Miss - M. L. Austen_) 124 - - Order of Battle and of Sailing, signed Nelson and Bronté, - dated March 26, 1805 132 - - Order of Battle and of Sailing, signed Nelson and Bronté, - dated June 5, 1805 138 - - Captain Francis William Austen (_From a miniature of - 1806, in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen. The Order - of the C.B. has been painted in at a later date, probably - when conferred in 1815_) 156 - - “Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B.’s writing-desk” - (_From a caricature sketch by his daughter Cassandra, - about 1840_) 174 - - Cassandra Austen (_From a silhouette in the possession of - Miss M. L. Austen_) 184 - - Portchester Castle. The French prisoners were interned - in the neighbouring buildings after the Battle of - Vimiera (_From a sketch by Captain Herbert Austen, R.N._) 200 - - Captain Charles Austen (_From a painting of 1809, in the - possession of Miss Jane Austen_) 210 - - Jane Austen, from a sketch by her sister Cassandra (_In - the possession of Miss Jane Austen_) 226 - - Mrs. Charles Austen, _née_ Fanny Palmer, daughter of the - Attorney-General of Bermuda (_From a painting in the - possession of Miss Jane Austen_) 252 - - Captain Charles Austen, C.B. (_From a painting in the - possession of Captain Willan, R.N., and Mrs. Willan_) 266 - - Jane Austen’s work-box, with her last piece of work (_In - the possession of Miss Jane Austen_) 270 - - Memorandum, dated May 12, 1838, signed by Charles - Austen on taking command of the _Bellerophon_ 274 - - Rear-Admiral Charles Austen, C.B. (_From a miniature - painted at Malta in 1846, in the possession of Miss Jane - Austen_) 278 - - Sir Francis Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet, at the - age of ninety 284 - - - - -JANE AUSTEN’S SAILOR BROTHERS - - - - -CHAPTER I - -BROTHERS AND SISTERS - - -No one can read Jane Austen’s novels, her life, or her letters, -without feeling that to her the ties of family were stronger and more -engrossing than any others. - -Among the numbers of men and women who cheerfully sacrifice the claims -of their family in order that they may be free to confer somewhat -doubtful benefits on society, it is refreshing to find one who is the -object of much love and gratitude from countless unknown readers, and -who yet would have been the first to laugh at the notion that her -writing was of more importance than her thought for her brothers and -sister, or the various home duties which fell to her share. It is this -sweetness and wholesomeness of thought, this clear conviction that -her “mission” was to do her duty, that gives her books and letters -their peculiar quality. Her theory of life is clear. Whatever troubles -befall, people must go on doing their work and making the best of it; -and we are not allowed to feel respect, or even overmuch sympathy, -for the characters in the novels who cannot bear this test. There is -a matter-of-courseness about this view which, combined with all that -we know of the other members of the family, gives one the idea that -the children at Steventon had a strict bringing up. This, in fact, was -the case, and a very rich reward was the result. In a family of seven -all turned out well, two rose to the top of their profession, and one -was--Jane Austen. - -The fact of her intense devotion to her family could not but influence -her writing. She loved them all so well that she could not help -thinking of them even in the midst of her work; and the more we know -of her surroundings, and the lives of those she loved, the more we -understand of the small joyous touches in her books. She was far too -good an artist, as well as too reticent in nature, to take whole -characters from life; but small characteristics and failings, dwelt -on with humorous partiality, can often be traced back to the natures -of those she loved. Mary Crawford’s brilliant letters to Fanny Price -remind one of Cassandra, who was the “finest comic writer of the -present age.” Charles’ impetuous disposition is exaggerated in Bingley, -who says, “Whatever I do is done in a hurry,” a remark which is -severely reproved by Darcy (and not improbably by Francis Austen), as -an “indirect boast.” Francis himself comes in for his share of teasing -on the opposite point of his extreme neatness, precision, and accuracy. -“They are so neat and careful in all their ways,” says Mrs. Clay, in -“Persuasion,” of the naval profession in general; and nothing could -be more characteristic of Francis Austen and some of his descendants -than the overpowering accuracy with which Edmund Bertram corrects Mary -Crawford’s hasty estimate of the distance in the wood. - -“‘I am really not tired, which I almost wonder at; for we must have -walked at least a mile in this wood. Do not you think we have?’ - -“‘Not half a mile,’ was his sturdy answer; for he was not yet so -much in love as to measure distance, or reckon time, with feminine -lawlessness. - -“‘Oh, you do not consider how much we have wound about. We have taken -such a very serpentine course, and the wood itself must be half a mile -long in a straight line, for we have never seen the end of it yet since -we left the first great path.’ - -“‘But if you remember, before we left that first great path we saw -directly to the end of it. We looked down the whole vista, and saw it -closed by iron gates, and it could not have been more than a furlong in -length.’ - -“‘Oh, I know nothing of your furlongs, but I am sure it is a very long -wood; and that we have been winding in and out ever since we came into -it; and therefore when I say that we have walked a mile in it I must -speak within compass.’ - -“‘We have been exactly a quarter of an hour here,’ said Edmund, taking -out his watch. ‘Do you think we are walking four miles an hour?’ - -“‘Oh, do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or -too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch.’ - -“A few steps farther brought them out at the bottom of the very walk -they had been talking of. - -“‘Now, Miss Crawford, if you will look up the walk, you will convince -yourself that it cannot be half a mile long, or half half a mile.’ - -“‘It is an immense distance,’ said she; ‘I see that with a glance.’ - -“He still reasoned with her, but in vain. She would not calculate, she -would not compare. She would only smile and assert. The greatest degree -of rational consistency could not have been more engaging, and they -talked with mutual satisfaction.” - -It is in “Mansfield Park” and in “Persuasion” that the influence of -her two sailor brothers, Francis and Charles, on Jane Austen’s work -can be most easily traced. Unlike the majority of writers of all time, -from Shakespeare with his “Seacoast of Bohemia” down to the author -of a penny dreadful, Jane Austen never touched, even lightly, on a -subject unless she had a real knowledge of its details. Her pictures -of the life of a country gentleman and of clergymen are accurate, if -not always sympathetic. Perhaps it was all too near her own experience -to have the charm of romance, but concerning sailors she is romantic. -Their very faults are lovable in her eyes, and their lives packed with -interest. When Admiral Croft, Captain Wentworth, or William Price -appears on the scene, the other characters immediately take on a -merely subsidiary interest, and this prominence is always that given -by appreciation. The distinction awarded to Mr. Collins or Mrs. Elton, -as the chief object of ridicule, is of a different nature. The only -instance she cared to give us of a sailor who is not to be admired is -Mary Crawford’s uncle, the Admiral, and even he is allowed to earn our -esteem by disinterested kindness to William Price. - -No doubt some of this enthusiasm was due to the spirit of the times, -when, as Edward Ferrars says, “The navy had fashion on its side”; -but that sisterly partiality was a stronger element there can be no -question. Her place in the family was between these two brothers, -Francis just a year older, and Charles some four years younger. Much -has been said about her fondness for “pairs of sisters” in her novels, -but no less striking are the “brother and sister” friendships which -are an important factor in four out of her six books. The love of -Darcy for his sister Georgiana perhaps suggests the intimacy between -James Austen and Jane, where the difference in their ages of ten years, -their common love of books, the advice and encouragement that the elder -brother was able to give his sister over her reading, are all points of -resemblance. The equal terms of the affection of Francis and Jane are -of another type. - -Henry Tilney and his sister Eleanor, Mrs. Croft and Frederick -Wentworth, give us good instances of firm friendships. In the case -of the Tilneys, confidences are exchanged with ease and freedom; but -in “Persuasion,” the feeling in this respect, as in all others, is -more delicate, and only in the chapter which Jane Austen afterwards -cancelled can we see the quickness of Mrs. Croft’s perceptions where -her brother was concerned. For so long as she supposes him to be on -the brink of marrying Louisa Musgrove, sympathy is no doubt somewhat -difficult to force, but “prompt welcome” is given to Anne as Captain -Wentworth’s chosen wife; and with some knowledge of Mrs. Croft we know -that the “particularly friendly manner” hid a warmth of feeling which -would fully satisfy even Frederick’s notions of the love which Anne -deserved. But it is in “Mansfield Park” that “brothers and sisters” -play the strongest part. No one can possibly doubt the very lively -affection of Mary and Henry Crawford. Even when complaining of the -shortness of his letters, she says that Henry is “exactly what a -brother should be, loves me, consults me, confides in me, and will -talk to me by the hour together”--and the scene later on, where he -tells of his devotion to Fanny Price, is as pretty an account of such -a confidence as can be well imagined, where the worldliness of each -is almost lost in the happiness of disinterested love, which both are -feeling. - -When Jane Austen comes to describing Fanny’s love for her brother -William, her tenderness and her humour are in perfect accord. From -the reality of the feelings over his arrival and promotion, to the -quiet hit at the enthusiasm which his deserted chair and cold pork -bones might be supposed to arouse in Fanny’s heart after their early -breakfast, when he was off to London, the picture of sisterly love -is perfect. We are told, too, that there was “an affection on his -side as warm as her own, and much less encumbered by refinement and -self-distrust. She was the first object of his love, but it was a love -which his stronger spirits and bolder temper made it as natural for him -to express as to feel.” So far this describes the love of William and -Fanny, but a few lines further on comes a passage which has the ring of -personal experience. In reading it, it is impossible not to picture a -time which was always of great importance in the life at Steventon--the -return on leave for a few weeks or a few months of one or other of -the sailor brothers, and all the walks and talks which filled up the -pleasant days. “On the morrow they were walking about together with -true enjoyment, and every succeeding morrow renewed the _tête-à-tête_. -Fanny had never known so much felicity in her life as in this -unchecked, equal, fearless intercourse with the brother and friend, who -was opening all his heart to her, telling her all his hopes and fears, -plans and solicitudes respecting that long thought of, dearly earned, -and justly valued blessing of promotion--who was interested in all -the comforts and all the little hardships of her home--and with whom -(perhaps the dearest indulgence of the whole) all the evil and good of -their earliest years could be gone over again, and every former united -pain and pleasure retraced with the fondest recollection.” - -Some slight record of the childhood of the Steventon family has been -left to us. Most of the known facts have already been told by admirers -of Jane Austen, but some extracts from an account written by Catherine -Austen in the lifetime of her father, Sir Francis Austen, will at least -have the merit of accuracy, for he would certainly have been merciless -to even the simplest “embroidery.” - -[Illustration: THE REVEREND GEORGE AUSTEN IN 1763] - -The father, Mr. George Austen, was the rector of Steventon. He was -known in his young days, before his marriage, as “the handsome -tutor,” and he transmitted his good looks to at least three of his -sons; Henry, Francis, and Charles were all exceptionally handsome men. -Indeed, neither wit nor good looks were deficient in the Steventon -family. Probably much of Jane’s simplicity about her writing arose -from the fact that she saw nothing in it to be conceited about, being -perfectly convinced that any of the others, with her leisure and -inclination, could have done just as well. Her father had a gentleness -of disposition combined with a firmness of principle which had great -effect in forming the characters of his family. The mother’s maiden -name was Cassandra Leigh. She was very lively and active, and strict -with her children. It is not difficult to see whence Francis derived -his ideas of discipline, or Jane her unswerving devotion to duty. - -The elder members of the family were born at Deane, which was Mr. -Austen’s first living, but in 1771 they moved to Steventon, where they -lived for nearly thirty years. - -The account of the house given by Catherine Austen shows the simplicity -of the life. - -“The parsonage consisted of three rooms in front on the ground floor, -the best parlour, the common parlour, and the kitchen; behind there -were Mr. Austen’s study, the back kitchen and the stairs; above them -were seven bedrooms and three attics. The rooms were low-pitched but -not otherwise bad, and compared with the usual style of such buildings -it might be considered a very good house.” An eulogy follows on the -plainness and quietness of the family life--a characteristic specially -due to the mother’s influence. - -“That she had no taste for expensive show or finery, may be inferred -from the fact being on record that for two years she actually never -had a gown to wear. It was a prevalent custom for ladies to wear -cloth habits, and she having one of red cloth found any other dress -unnecessary. Imagine a beneficed clergyman’s wife in these days -contenting herself with such a costume for two years! But the fact -illustrates the retired style of living that contented her.” Even when -she did find it necessary to provide herself with some other costume, -the riding-habit was made to serve another useful purpose, for it was -cut up into a first cloth suit for little Francis. - -The following account of their upbringing closes this slight record: - -“There is nothing in which modern manners differ much more from those -of a century back than in the system pursued with regard to children. -They were kept in the nursery, out of the way not only of visitors -but of their parents; they were trusted to hired attendants; they -were allowed a great deal of air and exercise, were kept on plain -food, forced to give way to the comfort of others, accustomed to be -overlooked, slightly regarded, considered of trifling importance. No -well-stocked libraries of varied lore to cheat them into learning -awaited them; no scientific toys, no philosophic amusements enlarged -their minds and wearied their attention.” One wonders what would have -been the verdict of this writer of fifty years ago on education in -1905. She goes on to tell us of the particular system pursued with the -boys in order to harden them for their future work in life. It was -not considered either necessary or agreeable for a woman to be very -strong. “Little Francis was at the age of ten months removed from the -parsonage to a cottage in the village, and placed under the care of -a worthy couple, whose simple style of living, homely dwelling, and -out-of-door habits (for in the country the poor seldom close the door -by day, except in bad weather), must have been very different from the -heated nurseries and constrained existence of the clean, white-frocked -little gentlemen who are now growing up around us. Across the brick -floor of a cottage Francis learnt to walk, and perhaps it was here that -he received the foundation of the excellent constitution which was so -remarkable in after years. It must not, however, be supposed that he -was neglected by his parents; he was constantly visited by them both, -and often taken to the parsonage.” - -One cannot but admire the fortitude of parents who would forego the -pleasure of seeing their children learn to walk and satisfy themselves -with daily visits, for the sake of a plan of education of which the -risks cannot have been otherwise than great. - -The rough-and-tumble life which followed must have thoroughly suited -the taste of any enterprising boy, and given him an independence of -spirit, and a habit of making his own plans, which would be exactly -what was wanted in the Navy of those days, when a man of twenty-five -might be commander of a vessel manned by discontented, almost mutinous, -sailors, with the chance of an enemy’s ship appearing at any time on -the horizon. - -Riding about the country after the hounds began for Francis at the age -of seven; and, from what we hear of Catherine Morland’s childhood, we -feel sure that Jane would not always have been contented to be left -behind. - -Catherine, at the age of ten, was “noisy and wild, hated confinement -and cleanliness, and loved nothing so well in the world as rolling down -the green slope at the back of the house.” When she was fourteen, we -are told that she “preferred cricket, base-ball, riding on horseback, -and running about the country, to books--or, at least, books of -information--for, provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be -gained from them, provided they were all story and no reflection, she -had never any objection to books at all!” - -This, if not an accurate picture of the tastes of the children at -Steventon, at least shows the sort of amusements which boys and girls -brought up in a country parsonage had at their command. - -Perhaps it was of some such recollections that Jane Austen was -thinking when she praised that common tie of childish remembrances. -“An advantage this, a strengthener of love, in which even the conjugal -tie is beneath the fraternal. Children of the same family, the same -blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of -enjoyment in their power which no subsequent connection can supply, and -it must be by a long and unnatural estrangement, by a divorce which -no subsequent connection can justify, if such precious remains of the -earliest attachments are ever entirely outlived. Too often, alas! it -is so. Fraternal love, sometimes almost everything, is at others worse -than nothing. But with William and Fanny Price it was still a sentiment -in all its prime and freshness, wounded by no opposition of interest, -cooled by no separate attachment, and feeling the influence of time -and absence only in its increase.” That it was never Jane’s lot to feel -this cooling of affection on the part of any member of her family is -due not only to their appreciation of their sister, but to the serenity -and adaptability of her own sweet disposition. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -TWO MIDSHIPMEN - - -Both Francis and Charles Austen were educated for their profession at -the Royal Naval Academy, which was established in 1775 at Portsmouth, -and was under the supreme direction of the Lords of the Admiralty. -Boys were received there between the ages of 12 and 15. They were -supposed to stay there for three years, but there was a system of -sending them out to serve on ships as “Volunteers.” This was a valuable -part of their training, as they were still under the direction of the -College authorities, and had the double advantages of experience and -of teaching. They did the work of seamen on board, but were allowed -up on deck, and were specially under the eye of the captain, who was -supposed to make them keep accurate journals, and draw the appearances -of headlands and coasts. It is no doubt to this early training that we -owe the careful private logs which Francis kept almost throughout his -whole career. - -Some of the rules of the Naval Academy show how ideas have altered in -the last hundred and more years. There was a special law laid down that -masters were to make no differences between the boys on account of rank -or position, and no boy was to be allowed to keep a private servant, a -rather superfluous regulation in these days. - -Three weeks was the extent of the holiday, which it seems could be -taken at any time in the year, the Academy being always open for the -benefit of Volunteers, who were allowed to go there when their ships -were in Portsmouth. Those who distinguished themselves could continue -this privilege after their promotion. Francis left the Academy in 1788, -and immediately went out to the East Indies on board the _Perseverance_ -as Volunteer. - -There he stayed for four years, first as midshipman on the _Crown_, 64 -guns, and afterwards on the _Minerva_, 38. - -A very charming letter from his father to Francis is still in existence. - - “_Memorandum_ for the use of Mr. F. W. Austen on his going to - the East Indies on board his Majesty’s ship _Perseverance_ - (Captain Smith). - - “_December, 1788._ - - “MY DEAR FRANCIS,--While you were at the Royal Academy the - opportunities of writing to you were so frequent that I - gave you my opinion and advice as occasion arose, and it was - sufficient to do so; but now you are going from us for so long - a time, and to such a distance, that neither you can consult - me or I reply but at long intervals, I think it necessary, - therefore, before your departure, to give my sentiments on - such general subjects as I conceive of the greatest importance - to you, and must leave your conduct in particular cases to be - directed by your own good sense and natural judgment of what is - right.” - -After some well-chosen and impressive injunctions on the subject of his -son’s religious duties, Mr. Austen proceeds: - - “Your behaviour, as a member of society, to the individuals - around you may be also of great importance to your future - well-doing, and certainly will to your present happiness - and comfort. You may either by a contemptuous, unkind and - selfish manner create disgust and dislike; or by affability, - good humour and compliance, become the object of esteem and - affection; which of these very opposite paths ’tis your - interest to pursue I need not say. - - “The little world, of which you are going to become an - inhabitant, will occasionally have it in their power to - contribute no little share to your pleasure or pain; to - conciliate therefore their goodwill, by every honourable - method, will be the part of a prudent man. Your commander - and officers will be most likely to become your friends by a - respectful behaviour to themselves, and by an active and ready - obedience to orders. Good humour, an inclination to oblige - and the carefully avoiding every appearance of selfishness, - will infallibly secure you the regards of your own mess and - of all your equals. With your inferiors perhaps you will - have but little intercourse, but when it does occur there is - a sort of kindness they have a claim on you for, and which, - you may believe me, will not be thrown away on them. Your - conduct, as it respects yourself, chiefly comprehends sobriety - and prudence. The former you know the importance of to your - health, your morals and your fortune. I shall therefore say - nothing more to enforce the observance of it. I thank God you - have not at present the least disposition to deviate from it. - Prudence extends to a variety of objects. Never any action of - your life in which it will not be your interest to consider - what she directs! She will teach you the proper disposal of - your time and the careful management of your money,--two very - important trusts for which you are accountable. She will teach - you that the best chance of rising in life is to make yourself - as useful as possible, by carefully studying everything that - relates to your profession, and distinguishing yourself from - those of your own rank by a superior proficiency in nautical - acquirements. - - “As you have hitherto, my dear Francis, been extremely - fortunate in making friends, I trust your future conduct - will confirm their good opinion of you; and I have the more - confidence in this expectation because the high character - you acquired at the Academy for propriety of behaviour and - diligence in your studies, when you were so much younger and - had so much less experience, seems to promise that riper years - and more knowledge of the world will strengthen your naturally - good disposition. That this may be the case I sincerely pray, - as you will readily believe when you are assured that your good - mother, brothers, sisters and myself will all exult in your - reputation and rejoice in your happiness. - - “Thus far by way of general hints for your conduct. I shall now - mention only a few particulars I wish your attention to. As you - must be convinced it would be the highest satisfaction to us - to hear as frequently as possible from you, you will of course - neglect no opportunity of giving us that pleasure, and being - very minute in what relates to yourself and your situation. On - this account, and because unexpected occasions of writing to - us may offer, ’twill be a good way always to have a letter in - forwardness. You may depend on hearing from some of us at every - opportunity. - - “Whenever you draw on me for money, Captain Smith will endorse - your bills, and I dare say will readily do it as often, and - for what sums, he shall think necessary. At the same time you - must not forget to send me the earliest possible notice of the - amount of the draft, and the name of the person in whose favour - it is drawn. On the subject of letter-writing, I cannot help - mentioning how incumbent it is on you to write to Mr. Bayly, - both because he desired it and because you have no other way - of expressing the sense I know you entertain of his very great - kindness and attention to you. Perhaps it would not be amiss - if you were also to address one letter to your good friend the - commissioner, to acknowledge how much you shall always think - yourself obliged to him. - - “Keep an exact account of all the money you receive or spend, - lend none but where you are sure of an early repayment, and on - no account whatever be persuaded to risk it by gaming. - - “I have nothing to add but my blessing and best prayers for - your health and prosperity, and to beg you would never forget - you have not upon earth a more disinterested and warm friend - than, - - “Your truly affectionate father, - “GEO. AUSTEN.” - -That this letter should have been found among the private papers of an -old man who died at the age of 91, after a life of constant activity -and change, is proof enough that it was highly valued by the boy of -fourteen to whom it was written. There is something in its gentleness -of tone, and the way in which advice is offered rather than obedience -demanded, which would make it very persuasive to the feelings of a -young boy going out to a life which must consist mainly of the opposite -duties of responsibility and discipline. Incidentally it all throws a -pleasant light on the characters of both father and son. - -The life of a Volunteer on board ship was by no means an easy one, but -it no doubt inured the boys to hardships and privations, and gave them -a sympathy with their men which would afterwards stand them in good -stead. - -The record of Charles as a midshipman is very much more stirring than -Francis’ experiences. He served on board the _Unicorn_, under Captain -Thomas Williams, at the time of the capture of the French frigate -_La Tribune_, a notable single ship encounter, which brought Captain -Williams the honour of knighthood. - -On June 8, 1796, the _Unicorn_ and the _Santa Margarita_, cruising -off the Scilly Islands, sighted three strange ships, and gave chase. -They proved to be two French frigates and a corvette, _La Tribune_, -_La Tamise_, and _La Legère_. The French vessels continued all day to -run before the wind. The English ships as they gained on them were -subjected to a well-directed fire, which kept them back so much that it -was evening before _La Tamise_ at last bore up and engaged one of the -pursuers, the _Santa Margarita_. After a sharp action of about twenty -minutes _La Tamise_ struck her colours. - -_La Tribune_ crowded on all sail to make her escape, but the _Unicorn_, -in spite of damage to masts and rigging, kept up the chase, and after -a running fight of ten hours the _Unicorn_ came alongside, taking -the wind from the sails of the French ship. After a close action of -thirty-five minutes there was a brief interval. As the smoke cleared -away, _La Tribune_ could be seen trying to get to the windward of -her enemy. This manœuvre was instantly frustrated, and a few more -broadsides brought down _La Tribune’s_ masts, and ended the action. -From start to finish of the chase the two vessels had run 210 miles. -Not a man was killed or even hurt on board the _Unicorn_, and not a -large proportion of the crew of _La Tribune_ suffered. No doubt in a -running fight of this sort much powder and shot would be expended with -very little result. - -[Illustration: ACTION BETWEEN THE ENGLISH FRIGATE _UNICORN_ AND THE -FRENCH FRIGATE _LA TRIBUNE_, JUNE 8, 1796] - -When this encounter took place Charles Austen had been at sea for -scarcely two years. Such an experience would have given the boy a great -notion of the excitement and joys in store for him in a seafaring -life. Such, however, was not to be his luck. Very little important -work fell to his share till at least twenty years later, and for one -of his ardent temperament this was a somewhat hard trial. His day came -at last, after years of routine, but when he was still young enough to -enjoy a life of enterprise and of action. Even half a century later his -characteristic energy was never more clearly shown than in his last -enterprise as Admiral in command during the second Burmese War (1852), -when he died at the front. - -Francis, during the four years when he was a midshipman, had only -one change of captain. After serving under Captain Smith in the -_Perseverance_, he went to the _Crown_, under Captain the Honourable -W. Cornwallis, and eventually followed him into the _Minerva_. Admiral -Cornwallis was afterwards in command of the Channel Fleet, blockading -Brest in the Trafalgar year. - -Charles had an even better experience than Francis had, for he was -under Captain Thomas Williams all the time he was midshipman, first in -the _Dædalus_, then in the _Unicorn_, and last in the _Endymion_. - -The fact that both brothers served for nearly all their times as -midshipmen under the same captain shows that they earned good -opinions. If midshipmen were not satisfactory they were very speedily -transferred, as we hear was the lot of poor Dick Musgrove. - -“He had been several years at sea, and had in the course of those -removals to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such -midshipmen as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on -board Captain Frederick Wentworth’s frigate, the _Laconia_; and from -the _Laconia_ he had, under the influence of his captain, written -the only two letters which his father and mother had ever received -from him during the whole of his absence, that is to say the only two -disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere applications for -money. In each letter he had spoken well of his captain--mentioning him -in strong, though not perfectly well-spelt praise, as ‘a fine dashing -felow, only two perticular about the schoolmaster.’” - -No doubt Dick’s journal and sketches of the coast line were neither -accurate nor neatly executed. - -William Price’s time as a midshipman is, one would think, a nearer -approach to the careers of Francis and Charles. Certainly the account -given of his talk seems to bear much resemblance to the stories -Charles, especially, would have to tell on his return. - -“William was often called on by his uncle to be the talker. His -recitals were amusing in themselves to Sir Thomas, but the chief object -in seeking them was to understand the reciter, to know the young man by -his histories, and he listened to his clear, simple, spirited details -with full satisfaction--seeing in them the proof of good principles, -professional knowledge, energy, courage and cheerfulness--everything -that could deserve or promise well. Young as he was, William had -already seen a great deal. He had been in the Mediterranean--in the -West Indies--in the Mediterranean again--had been often taken on shore -by favour of his captain, and in the course of seven years had known -every variety of danger which sea and war together could offer. With -such means in his power he had a right to be listened to; and though -Mrs. Norris could fidget about the room, and disturb everybody in quest -of two needlefuls of thread or a second-hand shirt button in the midst -of her nephew’s account of a shipwreck or an engagement, everybody else -was attentive; and even Lady Bertram could not hear of such horrors -unmoved, or without sometimes lifting her eyes from her work to say, -‘Dear me! How disagreeable! I wonder anybody can ever go to sea.’ - -“To Henry Crawford they gave a different feeling. He longed to have -been at sea, and seen and done and suffered as much. His heart was -warmed, his fancy fired, and he felt a great respect for a lad who, -before he was twenty, had gone through such bodily hardships, and -given such proofs of mind. The glory of heroism, of usefulness, of -exertion, of endurance, made his own habits of selfish indulgence -appear in shameful contrast; and he wished he had been a William Price, -distinguishing himself and working his way to fortune and consequence -with so much self-respect and happy ardour, instead of what he was!” - -This gives a glowing account of the consequence of a midshipman on -leave. That times were not always so good, that they had their share of -feeling small and of no account, on shore as well as at sea, is only to -be expected, and Fanny was not allowed to imagine anything else. - -“‘This is the Assembly night,’ said William. ‘If I were at Portsmouth, -I should be at it perhaps.’ - -“‘But you do not wish yourself at Portsmouth, William?’ - -“‘No, Fanny, that I do not. I shall have enough of Portsmouth, and of -dancing too, when I cannot have you. And I do not know that there would -be any good in going to the Assembly, for I might not get a partner. -The Portsmouth girls turn up their noses at anybody who has not a -commission. One might as well be nothing as a midshipman. One _is_ -nothing, indeed. You remember the Gregorys; they are grown up amazing -fine girls, but they will hardly speak to _me_, because Lucy is courted -by a lieutenant.’ - -“‘Oh! Shame, shame! But never mind it, William (her own cheeks in a -glow of indignation as she spoke). It is not worth minding. It is no -reflection on _you_; it is no more than the greatest admirals have all -experienced, more or less, in their time. You must think of that; you -must try to make up your mind to it as one of the hardships which fall -to every sailor’s share--like bad weather and hard living--only with -this advantage, that there will be an end to it, that there will come a -time when you will have nothing of that sort to endure. When you are a -lieutenant!--only think, William, when you are a lieutenant, how little -you will care for any nonsense of this kind.’” - - - - -CHAPTER III - -CHANGES AND CHANCES IN THE NAVY - - -Francis obtained his Lieutenant’s commission in 1792, serving for a -year in the East Indies, and afterwards on the home station. Early -promotions were frequent in those days of the Navy; and, in many ways, -no doubt, this custom was a good one, as the younger men had the dash -and assurance which was needed, when success lay mainly in the power -of making rapid decisions. Very early advancement had nevertheless -decided disadvantages, and it was among the causes that brought about -the mutinies of 1797. There are four or five cases on record of boys -being made captains before they were eighteen, and promotions often -went so much by favour and so little by real merit that the discontent -of the crews commanded by such inexperienced officers was not at all -to be wondered at. There were many other long-standing abuses, not -the least of which was the system of punishments, frightful in their -severity. A few instances of these, taken at haphazard from the logs -of the various ships on which Francis Austen served as Lieutenant will -illustrate this point. - -_Glory, December 8, 1795._--“Punished P. C. Smith forty-nine lashes for -theft.” - -_January 14, 1796._--“Punished sixteen seamen with one dozen lashes -each for neglect of duty in being off the deck in their watch.” - -Punishments were made as public as possible. The following entry is -typical: - -_Seahorse, December 9, 1797._--“Sent a boat to attend punishments round -the fleet.” - -In the log of the _London_, one of the ships of the line blockading -Cadiz, just after the fearful mutinies of 1797, we find, as might be -expected, that punishments were more severe than ever. - -_August 16, 1798._--“_Marlborough_ made the signal for punishment. Sent -three boats manned and armed to attend the punishment of Charles Moore -(seaman belonging to the _Marlborough_), who was sentenced to receive -one hundred lashes for insolence to his superior officer. Read the -articles of war and sentence of Court-martial to the ship’s company. -The prisoner received twenty-five lashes alongside this ship.” - -In the case of a midshipman court-martialled for robbing a Portuguese -boat, “the charges having been proved, he was sentenced to be turned -before the mast, to have his uniform stripped off him on the -quarter-deck before all the ship’s company, to have his head shaved, -and to be rendered for ever incapable of serving as a petty officer.” - -No fewer than six executions are recorded in the log of the _London_ as -taking place among the ships of the fleet off Cadiz. Only one instance -is mentioned where the offender was pardoned by the commander-in-chief -on account of previous good conduct. Earl St. Vincent certainly -deserved his reputation as a disciplinarian. - -When, in addition to the system of punishment, it is further considered -that the food was almost always rough and very often uneatable, that -most of the crews were pressed men, who would rather have been at -any other work, and that the seamen’s share in any possible prizes -was ludicrously small, one wonders, not at the mutinies, but at the -splendid loyalty shown when meeting the enemy. - -It is a noticeable fact that discontent was rife during long times of -inaction (whilst blockading Cadiz is the notable instance), but when it -came to fighting for their country men and officers alike managed to -forget their grievances. - -On May 29, the log of the _London_ is as follows: - -“The _Marlborough_ anchored in the middle of the line. At seven -the _Marlborough_ made the signal for punishment. Sent our launch, -barge and cutter, manned and armed, to attend the execution of Peter -Anderson, belonging to the _Marlborough_, who was sentenced to suffer -death for mutiny. Read the sentence of the court-martial, and the -articles of war to the ship’s company. At nine the execution took -place.” This is a record of an eye-witness of the historic scene which -put a stop to organised mutiny in the Cadiz fleet. - -The narrative has been often told. Lord St. Vincent’s order to the crew -of the _Marlborough_ that they alone should execute their comrade, -the leader of the mutiny--the ship moored at a central point, and -surrounded by all the men-of-war’s boats armed with carronades under -the charge of expert gunners--the _Marlborough’s_ own guns housed -and secured, and ports lowered--every precaution adopted in case of -resistance to the Admiral’s orders--and the result, in the words of the -commander-in-chief: “Discipline is preserved.” - -Perhaps the relief felt in the fleet was expressed in some measure -by the salute of seventeen guns recorded on the same day, “being the -anniversary of King Charles’ restoration.” - -Gradually matters were righted. Very early promotions were abolished, -and throughout the Navy efforts were made on the part of the officers -to make their men more comfortable, and especially to give them better -and more wholesome food--but reforms must always be slow if they -are to do good and not harm, and, necessarily, the lightening of -punishments which seem to us barbarous was the slowest of all. - -The work of the press-gang is always a subject of some interest and -romance. It is difficult to realise that it was a properly authorised -Government measure. There were certain limits in which it might work, -certain laws to be obeyed. The most useful men, those who were already -at sea, but not in the King’s service, could not legally be impressed, -unless they were free from all former obligations, and the same rule -applied to apprentices. These rules were not, however, strictly kept, -and much trouble was often caused by the wrong men being impressed, or -by false statements being used to get others off. The following letter, -written much later in his career by Francis Austen when he was Captain -of the _Leopard_ in 1804, gives a typical case of this kind. - - _Leopard_, DUNGENESS, _August 10, 1804_. - - “SIR,--I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the - 17th inst., with the enclosure, relative to Harris Walker, - said to be chief mate of the _Fanny_, and in reply thereto - have the honour to inform you that the said Harris Walker was - impressed from on board the brig _Fanny_, off Dungeness, by - Lieutenant Taylor of his Majesty’s ship under my command, on - the evening of the 7th inst., because no documents proving - him to be actually chief mate of the brig were produced, and - because the account he gave of himself was unsatisfactory and - contradictory. On examining him the following day he at first - confessed to me that he had entered on board the _Fanny_ only - three days before she sailed from Tobago, in consequence of - the captain (a relation of his) being taken ill, and shortly - afterwards he asserted that the whole of the cargo had been - taken on board and stowed under his direction. The master - of the _Fanny_ told Lieutenant Taylor that his cargo had - been shipped more than a fortnight before he sailed, having - been detained for want of a copy of the ship’s register, she - being a prize purchased and fitted at Tobago. From these very - contradictory accounts--from the man’s having no affidavit - to produce of his being actual chief mate of the brig, from - his not having signed any articles as such--and from his - handwriting totally disagreeing with the Log-Book (said to have - been kept by himself) I felt myself perfectly justified in - detaining him for his Majesty’s service. - - “I return the enclosure, and have the honour to be, - - “Sir, your obedient humble servant, - “FRANCIS WM. AUSTEN. - - “Thomas Louis, Esq., - “Rear-Admiral of the Blue.” - - -The reason assigned, that the reports Harris Walker gave of himself -were “unsatisfactory and contradictory,” seems to us a bad one for -“detaining him for his Majesty’s service,” but it shows clearly how -great were the difficulties in keeping up the supply of men. Captain -Austen had not heard the last of this man, as the belief seems to have -been strong that he was not legally impressed. Harris Walker, however, -settled the matter by deserting on October 5. - -An entry in the log of the newly built frigate _Triton_, under Captain -Gore, gives an instance of wholesale, and one would think entirely -illegal action. - -_November 25, 1796_, in the Thames (Long Reach). - - “Sent all the boats to impress the crew of the _Britannia_ East - India ship. The boats returned with thirty-nine men, the remainder - having armed themselves and barricaded the bread room.” - - “26th, the remainder of the _Britannia_ crew surrendered, being - twenty-three. Brought them on board.” - -So great was the necessity of getting more men, and a better stamp of -men, into the Navy, and of making them fairly content when there, that -in 1800 a Royal Proclamation was issued encouraging men to enlist, and -promising them a bounty. - -This bounty, though it worked well in many cases, was of course open to -various forms of abuse. Some who were entitled to it did not get it, -and many put in a claim whose right was at least doubtful. An instance -appears in the letters of the _Leopard_ of a certain George Rivers, -who had been entered as a “prest man,” and applied successfully to be -considered as a Volunteer, thereby to procure the bounty. He evidently -wanted to make the best of his position. - -The case of Thomas Roberts, given in another letter from the _Leopard_, -is an example of inducements offered to enter the service. - -Thomas Roberts “appears to have been received as a Volunteer from -H.M.S. _Ceres_, and received thirty shillings bounty. He says he was -apprenticed to his father about three years ago, and that, sometime -last October, he was enticed to a public-house by two men, who -afterwards took him on board the receiving ship off the Tower, where he -was persuaded to enter the service.” - -The difficulty of getting an adequate crew seems to have led in some -cases to sharp practice among the officers themselves, if we are to -believe that Admiral Croft had real cause for complaint. - -“‘If you look across the street,’ he says to Anne Elliot, ‘you will -see Admiral Brand coming down, and his brother. Shabby fellows, both -of them! I am glad they are not on this side of the way. Sophy cannot -bear them. They played me a pitiful trick once; got away some of my -best men. I will tell you the whole story another time.’” But “another -time” never comes, so we are reduced to imagining the “pitiful trick.” - -The unpopularity of the Navy, and the consequent shorthandedness in -time of war, had one very bad result in bringing into it all sorts of -undesirable foreigners, who stirred up strife among the better disposed -men, and altogether aggravated the evils of the service. - -Undoubtedly the care of the officers for their men was doing its -gradual work in lessening all these evils. To instance this, we find, -as we read on in the letters and official reports of Francis Austen, -that the entry, “the man named in the margin did run from his Majesty’s -ship under my command,” comes with less and less frequency; and we -have on record that the _Aurora_, under the command of Captain Charles -Austen, did not lose a single man by sickness or desertion during the -years 1826-1828, whilst he was in command. Even when some allowance is -made for his undoubted charm of personality, this is a strong evidence -of the real improvements which had been worked in the Navy during -thirty years. - -With such constant difficulties and discomforts to contend with, it -seems in some ways remarkable that the Navy should have been so popular -as a profession among the classes from which officers were drawn. -Some of this popularity, and no doubt a large share, was the effect of -a strong feeling of patriotism, and some was due to the fact that the -Navy was a profession in which it was possible to get on very fast. -A man of moderate luck and enterprise was sure to make some sort of -mark, and if to this he added any “interest” his success was assured. -Success, in those days of the Navy, meant money. It is difficult for us -to realise the large part played by “prizes” in the ordinary routine -work of the smallest sloop. In the case of Captain Wentworth, a very -fair average instance, we know that when he engaged himself to Anne -Elliot, he had “nothing but himself to recommend him, no hopes of -attaining influence, but in the chances of a most uncertain profession, -and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in that profession,” -yet we find that his hopes for his own advancement were fully -justified. Jane Austen would have been very sure to have heard of it -from Francis if not from Charles, if she had made Captain Wentworth’s -success much more remarkable than that of the ordinary run of men in -such circumstances. - -We are clearly told what those circumstances were. - -“Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had been lucky in his profession; -but spending freely what had come freely had realised nothing. But -he was confident that he would soon be rich; full of life and ardour, -he knew that he would soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that -would lead to everything he wanted. He had always been lucky; he knew -he should be so still.” Later, “all his sanguine expectations, all his -confidence had been justified. His genius and ardour had seemed to -foresee and to command his prosperous path. He had, very soon after -their engagement ceased, got employ; and all that he had told her would -follow had taken place. He had distinguished himself, and early gained -the other step in rank, and must now, by successive captures, have made -a handsome fortune. She had only Navy Lists and newspapers for her -authority, but she could not doubt his being rich.” - -Such were some of the inducements. That “Jack ashore” was a much -beloved person may also have had its influence. Anne Elliot speaks for -the greater part of the nation when she says, “the Navy, I think, who -have done so much for us, have at least an equal claim with any other -set of men, for all the comforts and all the privileges which any home -can give. Sailors work hard enough for their comforts we must allow.” - -That Sir Walter Elliot represents another large section of the -community is, however, not to be denied, but his opinions are not of -the sort to act as a deterrent to any young man bent on following a -gallant profession. - -“Sir Walter’s remark was: ‘The profession has its utility, but I should -be sorry to see any friend of mine belonging to it.’ - -“‘Indeed!’ was the reply, and with a look of surprise. - -“‘Yes, it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds -of objection to it. First, as being the means of bringing persons of -obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which -their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and, secondly, as it -cuts up a man’s youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old -sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life. A man is in -greater danger in the Navy of being insulted by the rise of one whose -father his father might have disdained to speak to, and of becoming -prematurely an object of disgust to himself, than in any other line. -One day last spring in town I was in company with two men, striking -instances of what I am talking of: Lord St. Ives, whose father we all -know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat: I was to -give place to Lord St. Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most -deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the colour of -mahogany, rough and rugged to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles, -nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing but a dab of powder at top.’ - -“‘In the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?’ said I to a friend of -mine who was standing near (Sir Basil Morley), ‘Old fellow!’ cried Sir -Basil, ‘it is Admiral Baldwin.’ - -“‘What do you take his age to be?’ - -“‘Sixty,’ said I, ‘or perhaps sixty-two.’ - -“‘Forty,’ replied Sir Basil, ‘forty, and no more.’ - -“‘Picture to yourselves my amazement. I shall not easily forget Admiral -Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a seafaring -life can do; they all are knocked about, and exposed to every climate -and every weather till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity -they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach Admiral -Baldwin’s age.’” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -PROMOTIONS - - -As Lieutenant, Francis Austen had very different experience and -surroundings to those of his days as a midshipman. For three years -and more he was in various ships on the home station, which meant a -constant round of dull routine work, enlivened only by chances of -getting home for a few days. While serving in the _Lark_ sloop, he -accompanied to Cuxhaven the squadron told off to bring to England -Princess Caroline of Brunswick, soon to become Princess of Wales. -The voyage out seems to have been arctic in its severity. This bad -weather, combined with dense fogs, caused the _Lark_ to get separated -from the rest of the squadron, and from March 6 till the 11th nothing -was seen or heard of the sloop. On March 18 the Princess came on board -the _Jupiter_, the flagship of the squadron, and arrived in England on -April 5 after a fair passage, but a voyage about as long as that to the -Cape of Good Hope nowadays. - -Francis notes in the log of the _Glory_, that while cruising, “the -_Rattler_ cutter joined company, and informed us she yesterday spoke -H.M.S. _Dædalus_”--a matter of some interest to him, as Charles was -then on board the _Dædalus_ as midshipman, under Captain Thomas -Williams. Captain Williams had married Jane Cooper, a cousin of Jane -Austen, who was inclined to tease him about his having “no taste in -names.” The following extract from one of her letters to Cassandra -touches on nearly all these facts: - - “SUNDAY, _January 10, 1796_. - - “By not returning till the 19th, you will exactly contrive to - miss seeing the Coopers, which I suppose it is your wish to do. - We have heard nothing from Charles for some time. One would - suppose they must have sailed by this time, as the wind is so - favourable. What a funny name Tom has got for his vessel! But - he has no taste in names, as we well know, and I dare say he - christened it himself.” - -Tom seems to have been a great favourite with his wife’s cousins. Only -a few days later Jane writes: - -“How impertinent you are to write to me about Tom, as if I had not -opportunities of hearing from him myself. The _last_ letter I received -from him was dated on Friday the 8th, and he told me that if the wind -should be favourable on Sunday, which it proved to be, they were to -sail from Falmouth on that day. By this time, therefore, they are at -Barbadoes, I suppose.” - -Having the two brothers constantly backwards and forwards must have -been very pleasant at Steventon. Almost every letter has some reference -to one or the other. - -“Edward and Frank are both gone forth to seek their fortunes; the -latter is to return soon and help us to seek ours.” - -Later from Rowling, Edward Austen’s home, she writes: - -“If this scheme holds, I shall hardly be at Steventon before the -middle of the month; but if you cannot do without me I could return, -I suppose, with Frank, if he ever goes back. He enjoys himself here -very much, for he has just learnt to turn, and is so delighted with the -employment that he is at it all day long.... What a fine fellow Charles -is, to deceive us into writing two letters to him at Cork! I admire his -ingenuity extremely, especially as he is so great a gainer by it.... -Frank has turned a very nice little butter-churn for Fanny.... We -walked Frank last night to (church at) Crixhall Ruff, and he appeared -much edified. So his Royal Highness Sir Thomas Williams has at length -sailed; the papers say ‘on a cruise.’ But I hope they are gone to -Cork, or I shall have written in vain.... Edward and Fly (short for -Frank) went out yesterday very early in a couple of shooting-jackets, -and came home like a couple of bad shots, for they killed nothing at -all. - -“They are out again to-day, and are not yet returned. Delightful sport! -They are just come home--Edward with his two brace, Frank with his two -and a half. What amiable young men!” - -About the middle of September 1796 Frank was appointed to the _Triton_, -which event is announced to Cassandra in these terms: - -“This morning has been spent in doubt and deliberation, forming plans -and removing difficulties, for it ushered in the day with an event -which I had not intended should take place so soon by a week. Frank has -received his appointment on board the _Captain John Gore_, commanded by -the _Triton_, and will therefore be obliged to be in town on Wednesday; -and though I have every disposition in the world to accompany him on -that day, I cannot go on the uncertainty of the Pearsons being at home. - -“The _Triton_ is a new 32-frigate, just launched at Deptford. Frank -is much pleased with the prospect of having Captain Gore under his -command.” - -[Illustration: FRANCIS AUSTEN IN 1796] - -Francis stayed on board the _Triton_ for about eighteen months. He -then spent six months in the _Seahorse_ before his appointment to -the _London_ off Cadiz, in February 1798. On April 30 following is -recorded in the log of the _London_ the arrival of H.M.S. _Vanguard_, -carrying Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson’s flag, and on May 3 the -_Vanguard_ proceeded to Gibraltar. On May 24 the “detached squadron” -sailed as follows: _Culloden_ (Captain Troubridge), _Bellerophon_, -_Defence_, _Theseus_, _Goliath_, _Zealous_, _Minotaur_, _Majestic_, and -_Swiftsure_. - -These three entries foreshadow the Battle of the Nile, on August 1. -The account of this victory was read to the crew of the _London_ -on September 27, and on October 24 they “saw eleven sail in the -south-west--the _Orion_ and the French line of battleships, prizes to -Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson’s fleet.” - -Now and then the _London_ went as far as Ceuta or Gibraltar, and the -log notes, “Cape Trafalgar East 7 leagues.” - -It is curious to think that “Trafalgar” conveyed nothing remarkable to -the writer. One wonders too what view would have been expressed as to -the plan of making Gibraltar a naval command, obviously advantageous in -twentieth-century conditions, but probably open to many objections in -those days. - -Charles, in December 1797, was promoted to be a Lieutenant, serving in -the _Scorpion_. There is something in the account of William Price’s -joy over his promotion which irresistibly calls up the picture of -Charles in the same circumstances. Francis would always have carried -his honours with decorum, but Charles’ bubbling enthusiasm would have -been more difficult to restrain. - -“William had obtained a ten days’ leave of absence, to be given to -Northamptonshire, and was coming to show his happiness and describe his -uniform. He came, and he would have been delighted to show his uniform -there too, had not cruel custom prohibited its appearance except on -duty. So the uniform remained at Portsmouth, and Edmund conjectured -that before Fanny had any chance of seeing it, all its own freshness, -and all the freshness of its wearer’s feelings, must be worn away. It -would be sunk into a badge of disgrace; for what can be more unbecoming -or more worthless than the uniform of a lieutenant who has been a -lieutenant a year or two, and sees others made commanders before him? -So reasoned Edmund, till his father made him the confidant of a scheme -which placed Fanny’s chance of seeing the Second Lieutenant of H.M.S. -_Thrush_ in all his glory, in another light. This scheme was that she -should accompany her brother back to Portsmouth, and spend a little -time with her own family. William was almost as happy in the plan as -his sister. It would be the greatest pleasure to him to have her -there to the last moment before he sailed, and perhaps find her there -still when he came in from his first cruise. And, besides, he wanted -her so very much to see the _Thrush_ before she went out of harbour -(the _Thrush_ was certainly the finest sloop in the service). And -there were several improvements in the dockyard, too, which he quite -longed to show her.... Of pleasant talk between the brother and sister -there was no end. Everything supplied an amusement to the high glee of -William’s mind, and he was full of frolic and joke in the intervals of -their high-toned subjects, all of which ended, if they did not begin, -in praise of the _Thrush_--conjectures how she would be employed, -schemes for an action with some superior force, which (supposing the -first lieutenant out of the way--and William was not very merciful to -the first lieutenant) was to give himself the next step as soon as -possible, or speculations upon prize-money, which was to be generously -distributed at home with only the reservation of enough to make the -little cottage comfortable in which he and Fanny were to pass all their -middle and later life together.” - -Charles’s year in the _Scorpion_ was spent under the command of Captain -John Tremayne Rodd. The chief event was the capture of the _Courier_, -a Dutch brig carrying six guns. Undoubtedly the life was dull on a -small brig, and Charles as midshipman had not been used to be dull. He -evidently soon began to be restless, and to agitate for removal, which -he got just about the same time as that of Francis’s promotion. - -In December 1798 Francis was made Commander of the _Peterel_ sloop, -and Charles, still as Lieutenant, was moved from the _Scorpion_ to the -frigate _Tamar_, and eventually to the _Endymion_, commanded by his old -friend and captain, Sir Thomas Williams. - -Charles had evidently written to his sister Cassandra to complain of -his hard lot. Cassandra was away at the time, staying with Edward -Austen at Godmersham, but she sent the letter home, and on December 18 -Jane writes in answer: - -“I am sorry our dear Charles begins to feel the dignity of ill-usage. -My father will write to Admiral Gambier” (who was then one of the -Lords of the Admiralty). “He must have already received so much -satisfaction from his acquaintance and patronage of Frank, that he will -be delighted, I dare say, to have another of the family introduced to -him. I think it would be very right in Charles to address Sir Thomas -on the occasion, though I cannot approve of your scheme of writing to -him (which you communicated to me a few nights ago) to request him to -come home and convey you to Steventon. To do you justice, you had -some doubts of the propriety of such a measure yourself. The letter to -Gambier goes to-day.” - -This is followed, on December 24, by a letter which must have been as -delightful to write as to receive. - -“I have got some pleasant news for you which I am eager to communicate, -and therefore begin my letter sooner, though I shall not send it sooner -than usual. Admiral Gambier, in reply to my father’s application, -writes as follows: ‘As it is usual to keep young officers’ (Charles was -then only nineteen) ‘in small vessels, it being most proper on account -of their inexperience, and it being also a situation where they are -more in the way of learning their duty, your son has been continued -in the _Scorpion_; but I have mentioned to the Board of Admiralty his -wish to be in a frigate, and when a proper opportunity offers, and it -is judged that he has taken his turn in a small ship, I hope he will be -removed. With regard to your son now in the _London_, I am glad I can -give you the assurance that his promotion is likely to take place very -soon, as Lord Spencer has been so good as to say he would include him -in an arrangement that he proposes making in a short time relative to -some promotions in that quarter.’ - -“There! I may now finish my letter and go and hang myself, for I am -sure I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid -to you after this. Now I really think he will soon be made, and only -wish we could communicate our foreknowledge of the event to him whom it -principally concerns. My father has written to Daysh to desire that he -will inform us, if he can, when the commission is sent. Your chief wish -is now ready to be accomplished, and could Lord Spencer give happiness -to Martha at the same time, what a joyful heart he would make of yours!” - -It is quite clear from this, and many other of the letters of Jane to -Cassandra, that both sisters were anxious to bring off a match between -Frank and their great friend, Martha Lloyd, whose younger sister was -the wife of James Austen. Martha Lloyd eventually became Frank’s second -wife nearly thirty years after the date of this letter. - -Jane continues her letter by saying: - -“I have sent the same extract of the sweets of Gambier to Charles, who, -poor fellow! though he sinks into nothing but an humble attendant on -the hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented with the prospect -held out to him. By what the Admiral says, it appears as if he had been -designedly kept in the _Scorpion_. But I will not torment myself with -conjectures and suppositions. Facts shall satisfy me. Frank had not -heard from any of us for ten weeks, when he wrote to me on November 12, -in consequence of Lord St. Vincent being removed to Gibraltar. When his -commission is sent, however, it will not be so long on its road as our -letters, because all the Government despatches are forwarded by land -to his lordship from Lisbon with great regularity. The lords of the -Admiralty will have enough of our applications at present, for I hear -from Charles that he has written to Lord Spencer himself to be removed. -I am afraid his Serene Highness will be in a passion, and order some of -our heads to be cut off.” - -The next letter, of December 28, is the culminating-point: - -“Frank is made. He was yesterday raised to the rank of Commander, and -appointed to the _Peterel_ sloop, now at Gibraltar. A letter from Daysh -has just announced this, and as it is confirmed by a very friendly one -from Mr. Matthew to the same effect, transcribing one from Admiral -Gambier to the General, we have no reason to suspect the truth of it. - -“As soon as you have cried a little for joy, you may go on, and learn -farther that the India House have taken Captain Austen’s petition into -consideration--this comes from Daysh--and likewise that Lieutenant -Charles John Austen is removed to the _Tamar_ frigate--this comes from -the Admiral. We cannot find out where the _Tamar_ is, but I hope we -shall now see Charles here at all events. - -“This letter is to be dedicated entirely to good news. If you will -send my father an account of your washing and letter expenses, &c., he -will send you a draft for the amount of it, as well as for your next -quarter, and for Edward’s rent. If you don’t buy a muslin gown on the -strength of this money and Frank’s promotion I shall never forgive you. - -“Mrs. Lefroy has just sent me word that Lady Dorchester meant to invite -me to her ball on January 8, which, though an humble blessing compared -with what the last page records, I do not consider any calamity. I -cannot write any more now, but I have written enough to make you very -happy, and therefore may safely conclude.” - -Jane was in great hopes that Charles would get home in time for this -ball at Kempshot, but he “could not get superceded in time,” and so did -not arrive until some days later. On January 21 we find him going off -to join his ship, not very well pleased with existing arrangements. - -“Charles leaves us to-night. The _Tamar_ is in the Downs, and Mr. Daysh -advises him to join her there directly, as there is no chance of her -going to the westward. Charles does not approve of this at all, and -will not be much grieved if he should be too late for her before she -sails, as he may then hope to get a better station. He attempted to go -to town last night, and got as far on his road thither as Dean Gate; -but both the coaches were full, and we had the pleasure of seeing -him back again. He will call on Daysh to-morrow, to know whether the -_Tamar_ has sailed or not, and if she is still at the Downs he will -proceed in one of the night coaches to Deal. - -“I want to go with him, that I may explain the country properly to him -between Canterbury and Rowling, but the unpleasantness of returning by -myself deters me. I should like to go as far as Ospringe with him very -much indeed, that I might surprise you at Godmersham.” - -Charles evidently did get off this time, for we read a few days later -that he had written from the Downs, and was pleased to find himself -Second Lieutenant on board the _Tamar_. - -The _Endymion_ was also in the Downs, a further cause of satisfaction. -It was only three weeks later that Charles was reappointed to the -_Endymion_ as Lieutenant, in which frigate he saw much service, -chiefly off Algeciras, under his old friend “Tom.” One is inclined to -wonder how far this accidental meeting in the Downs influenced the -appointment. Charles appears on many occasions to have had a quite -remarkable gift for getting what he wanted. His charm of manner, -handsome face, and affectionate disposition, combined with untiring -enthusiasm, must have made him very hard to resist, and he evidently -had no scruple about making his wants clear to all whom it might -concern. The exact value of interest in these matters is always -difficult to gauge, but there is no doubt that a well-timed application -was nearly always necessary for advancement. The account of the way in -which Henry Crawford secured promotion for William Price is no doubt an -excellent example of how things were done. - -Henry takes William to dinner with the Admiral, and encourages him to -talk. The Admiral takes a fancy to the young man, and speaks to some -friends about him with a view to his promotion. The result is contained -in the letters which Henry so joyfully hands over to Fanny to read. - -“Fanny could not speak, but he did not want her to speak. To see the -expression of her eyes, the change of her complexion, the progress of -her feelings--their doubt, confusion and felicity--was enough. She took -the letters as he gave them. The first was from the Admiral to inform -his nephew, in a few words, of his having succeeded in the object -he had undertaken (the promotion of young Price), and enclosing two -more--one from the secretary of the First Lord to a friend, whom the -Admiral had set to work in the business; the other from that friend -to himself, by which it appeared that his lordship had the very great -happiness of attending to the recommendation of Sir Charles; that Sir -Charles was much delighted in having such an opportunity of proving his -regard for Admiral Crawford, and that the circumstances of Mr. William -Price’s commission as Second Lieutenant of H.M. sloop _Thrush_ being -made out, was spreading general joy through a wide circle of great -people.” - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE _PETEREL_ SLOOP - - -It will, perhaps, be as well to recall some of the principal events of -the war, during the few years before Francis took up his command of the -_Peterel_, in order that his work may be better understood. - -Spain had allied herself with France in 1796, and early in the -following year matters looked most unpromising for England. The British -fleet had been obliged to leave the Mediterranean. Bonaparte was -gaining successes against Austria on land. The peace negotiations, -which had been begun by France, had been peremptorily stopped, while -the French expedition to Ireland obviously owed its failure to bad -weather, and not in the least to any effective interference on the part -of the British Navy. Altogether the horizon was dark, and every one in -England was expecting to hear of crushing disaster dealt out by the -combined fleets of France and Spain, and all lived in fear of invasion. -Very different was the news that arrived in London early in March. -Sir John Jervis, with Nelson and Collingwood, met the Spanish fleet -off Cape St. Vincent on Valentine’s Day, and we all know the result. -As Jervis said on the morning of the fight, “A victory was essential -to England at this moment.” The confidence of the nation returned, and -was not lost again through the hard struggle of the following years. An -extract from the log of Lieutenant F. W. Austen, on board the frigate -_Seahorse_, in the Hamoaze, October 6, 1797, reads as follows: “Came -into harbour the _San Josef_, _Salvador del Mundo_, _San Nicolai_, and -_San Isidore_, Spanish line-of-battle ships, captured by the fleet -under Lord St. Vincent on the 14th February.” - -After their defeat, the remainder of the Spanish fleet entered the port -of Cadiz, and were for the next two years blockaded by Admiral Jervis, -now Earl St. Vincent. In this blockade, Francis Austen took part, -serving in the _London_. - -During this time of comparative inaction, the fearful mutinies, -described in a former chapter, seemed to be sapping the strength of -the Navy. The greater number of the British ships were concentrated -in the Channel under Lord Bridport, and were employed in watching the -harbour of Brest, in order to prevent the French fleet from escaping, -with what success we shall presently tell. Our flag was scarcely to -be seen inside the Mediterranean except on a few sloops of war. Each -side was waiting for some movement of aggression from the other. Now -was Bonaparte’s chance to get to the East. His plans were quietly and -secretly formed. An armament was prepared at Toulon almost unknown -to the British, and at the same time all possible measures to avert -suspicion were taken. The Spanish fleet in Cadiz formed up as if for -departure, and so kept Lord St. Vincent on the watch, while Bonaparte -himself stayed in Paris until the expedition was quite ready to start, -in order to give the idea that the invasion of England was intended. -Still it was not practicable to keep the preparations entirely secret -for any length of time. - -Early in April 1798 Nelson sailed from England, joined St. Vincent -at Cadiz, and immediately went on into the Mediterranean, with three -ships of the line, to reconnoitre. He was reinforced by nine more under -Troubridge, and Lord St. Vincent had orders from home to follow with -the entire squadron if it should prove necessary. Nelson searched for -Bonaparte in the Mediterranean, and missed him twice. The French seized -Malta for the sake of getting their supplies through, but the British -as promptly blockaded it. At last, on August 1, Nelson came upon the -French fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay, and the Battle of the Nile was -fought. The situation now created can be briefly summarised. Bonaparte -was in Egypt, cut off from all communication with France, and however -determinedly he might turn his face towards Africa or Asia his position -was a serious one. Turkey almost immediately declared war against -France. Malta was still closely blockaded by the British. Nelson had -established himself at Palermo, on friendly terms with the King of -Naples, who had taken refuge in Sicily. The news of the Battle of the -Nile had spread far and wide, and France had good reason to fear that -the tide had turned against her. - -Early in 1799 Bonaparte attacked Acre, and Sir Sydney Smith was sent to -harass his forces, and to compel him, if possible, to raise the siege. - -At this time occurred one of those events which show how a slight -advantage, properly used, may decide the final issue. Matters were in -this critical state; every British ship in and near the Mediterranean -was employed at some important work, when that happened which might -have been the cause of serious disaster. Admiral Bruix got away from -Brest with a fleet of twenty-five sail of the line and ten smaller -ships. - -The blame of this mishap is not at all easy to attach. Lord Bridport -was still in command of the Channel Fleet, but the Admiralty seemed to -prefer to keep him in touch with headquarters off the coast of Kent, -rather than to allow him to maintain a position whence he could more -easily keep watch on the French fleet. Now ensued an exciting time. No -one knew where the French fleet was, much less whither it was bound. -They had escaped in a thick fog, being seen only by _La Nymphe_, one of -the British frigates, whose officers, owing to the density of the fog, -imagined that they saw the fleet bring to under the land, and signalled -accordingly to Lord Bridport. When the fog lifted the French fleet was -no longer in sight. - -Of course the first idea was that they had gone to Ireland, and off -went Lord Bridport to pursue them. A little later news was received -that they had sailed southward, and a correspondent at this time -writes: “Lord St. Vincent will have a fine field to exert his talents -if the French fleet join the Spanish, after capturing Lisbon.” - -On the morning of May 5, from the Rock of Gibraltar, Lord St. Vincent -saw, with the deepest anxiety, the French fleet running before a -westerly gale into the Mediterranean. His most immediate fear was lest -Bruix should be on his way to help Bonaparte at Acre, and to overwhelm -Sydney Smith’s squadron. If so, the question was how to stop him. Lord -Bridport’s fleet was useless, as it was not until nearly four weeks -later that he was able to send help. Lord Keith was blockading Cadiz. -If he left, the whole Spanish fleet would be released and at liberty to -attack where they would. Nelson was at Palermo with only one British -line-of-battle ship, and great would be the consternation in the town -if that one ship were to be withdrawn. A small squadron was blockading -Malta, and a few ships were at Minorca under Commodore Duckworth, -but Port Mahon was not yet fully garrisoned. Troubridge was outside -Naples. Bruix might attack any of these divisions with the full force -of his fleet, or he might proceed straight to Egypt. St. Vincent had to -determine which of these positions should be abandoned in order to meet -the French fleet. He decided on ordering Keith into the Mediterranean -so as to concentrate the available forces, sending word as far as -possible to the outlying squadrons. - -To Nelson at Palermo he wrote that he expected the enemy to proceed to -Malta and Alexandria. This despatch was entrusted to the _Hyena_, which -fell in with the _Peterel_, now under the command of Francis Austen. -The _Peterel_ was already on the way to Nelson with a despatch from -Minorca, and, being a fast-sailing sloop, the captain of the _Hyena_ at -once handed on the important paper to be delivered by Captain Austen. - -The entries in the log of the _Peterel_ at this date tell their own -story: - -“_May 10._--On the passage from Minorca to Palermo. - -“12 noon.--Off shore four or five miles. - -“2 o’clock.--Answered the private signal made by a ship in the S.S.E. - -“4 o’clock.--Showed our pendants to a ship in the S.S.E. - -“5 o’clock.--Joined H.M.S. _Hyena_; lowered the jolly-boat, and went on -board. - -“10 past 5.--Up boat and made all sail; the _Hyena_ parted company, -standing to the N.W. - -“_May 12._ A quarter past 9.--Saw a sail on the lee bow, made the -private signal to her, which was answered. Made the signal for having -gained intelligence, and repeated it with four guns, but it was not -answered. - -“15 minutes past 11.--Hove to; lowered the jolly-boat and went on board -the stranger, which proved to be H.M.S. _Pallas_, with a convoy for the -westward. - -“20 minutes past 11.--Up boat, filled, and made all sail as before. -Observed the _Pallas_ bear up and follow us with her convoy. - -“_May 13._--At daylight, Cape Trepano (in Sicily). S.S.W. five or six -leagues. - -“A quarter-past 3 P.M.--Shortened sail, backed ship, hove to and -lowered the boat. The first lieutenant went on shore with despatches -for Lord Nelson at Palermo. - -“A quarter before 4.--The boat returned, hoisted her up, and made all -sail. - -“NOTE.--The place at which the first lieutenant landed was on the -east side of the Bay, between Cape St. Vito and Cape Alos, and about -twenty-four miles by road from Palermo.” - -The following is the letter which Captain Austen sent to the Admiral, -with the despatches: - - “_Peterel_ AT SEA, OFF CAPE ST. VITO, _May 13, 1799_. - - “MY LORD,--I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I - sailed from the Island of Minorca with his Majesty’s sloop - under my command, at 11 A.M. on Friday, the 10th inst., charged - with the accompanying despatch for your lordship, and the same - evening met his Majesty’s ship _Hyena_, about five leagues - S.E. by S. of Fort Mahon, from the captain of which I received - the paper enclosed; and judging from the contents of it that - its speedy arrival must be of the utmost consequence, and that - a passage by land may be performed in much less time than by - sea, with the wind as it now is at the E.S.E., I have directed - Mr. Staines, my first lieutenant, to land with the despatch - at Castella, and proceed with all possible expedition to your - lordship at Palermo, to which place I shall carry his Majesty’s - sloop as soon as I can. - - “I fell in with his Majesty’s ship _Pallas_ and convoy - yesterday at 11 A.M., about fifteen leagues E.S.E. of Cape - Carbonera, and, in consequence of the intelligence I gave the - captain of that ship bore up with his convoy for Palermo. I - enclose the state and condition of his Majesty’s sloop under my - command, and have the honour to be, - - “My lord, - “Your lordship’s most obedient - “humble servant, - “FRANCIS WM. AUSTEN. - - “To the Rt. Hon. Lord Nelson, K.B., - Etc., etc., etc.” - -“_May 14._--At four o’clock hove to in Palermo Bay. The first -lieutenant returned on board. At six o’clock filled and made all sail -on the larboard tack, pinnace ahead towing.” - -Nelson was at this time short of small vessels by which to send news. -He therefore employed the _Peterel_ to go on to the blockading squadron -off Malta with orders, which were delivered on board H.M.S. _Goliath_, -about noon on May 19. The _Peterel_ then returned to Minorca. - -[Illustration: SLOOP OF WAR AND FRIGATE] - -Bruix, contrary to expectation, did nothing with his chance. Probably -the aim of the Directory in sending him was to discover how far Spain -was to be relied upon for support, and there may have been no intention -of employing him to help Bonaparte, but Bruix seems to have had -a free hand in the matter, so that his own want of resolution and -failure of insight are the apparent causes of the expedition proving -inconclusive. - -The Spanish fleet came out of Cadiz, as was of course to be expected, -and on May 30 Bruix sailed eastward from Toulon, getting into -communication with General Moreau at Genoa. The great matter was to -keep the two fleets from combining, and this might be done by following -the French fleet and beating it. Lord St. Vincent’s health now entirely -gave way, and he was obliged to give up the command to Keith, though it -is probable he expected to have his advice still followed. Lord Keith -sailed away in pursuit, but Bruix doubled on his tracks, and keeping -close in shore repassed Toulon, and got down to Cartagena, where he met -the Spanish fleet. Keith, instead of taking up the commanding position -earnestly recommended by St. Vincent, let his chance slip by going back -to Minorca, which he supposed to be in danger, and thus the conjunction -of the fleets took place. It was however followed by no adverse -results. Spain was lukewarm, and Bruix sailed back to Brest, having -accomplished nothing but an addition of fifteen ships to his fleet, -to serve as a pledge for the goodwill of the Spanish Government. Had -Bruix joined Bonaparte instead of the Spanish fleet, very different -results would almost certainly have followed. - -The following proclamation will show clearly how important the support -of Spain was felt to be, and how anxious Bruix was lest there should be -any cause for disagreement. - - “In the name of the French Republic. - - “In the Road of Cartagena, on board the Admiral’s sloop the - _Ocean_, dated 24th June, in the seventh year of the French - Republic, Eustace Bruix commanding the French fleet. - - “FRENCHMEN AND REPUBLICANS,--At last, united with our faithful - allies, we approach the period when we shall punish England and - relieve Europe from all its tyranny. Although I have no doubt, - my brave friends, of the sentiments which you have professed, - I felt myself bound to call upon you to give proofs of their - sincerity by every means in your power. Recollect that it is - for the interests of your country, and for your own _honour_, - to give to a nation, whom we esteem, the highest opinion of - us. That word alone is enough for Frenchmen. Do not above all - forget that you are come among a just and generous people, and - our most faithful allies. Respect their customs, their usages, - their religion. In a word, let everything be sacred to us. - Think the least departure from that which I am now prescribing - to you will be a crime in the eyes of the Republic, for which - it will be my duty to punish you. But, on the contrary, I am - convinced that you will give me an opportunity of praising your - conduct, and that will be the greatest recompence I can receive. - - “E. BRUIX.” - -Carrying Lord St. Vincent’s letter to Nelson seems to have been the -first service of importance which fell to the share of Captain Austen. -Perhaps some description of the more ordinary happenings of the life -on board of a sloop of war may prove of interest. The change from the -position of First Lieutenant on board a ship of the line to that of the -Captain of a small vessel must necessarily have been very marked. - -Towards the end of 1798 the _Peterel_ had had the misfortune to be -captured by the Spaniards, who treated the captain (Charles Long) and -his crew very badly. The following day she was rescued by the _Argo_, -under Captain Bowen. Francis Austen was then given the command, and on -February 27 we find him taking over his new duties, the _Peterel_ being -then moored in Gibraltar Bay. - -The first few months were spent in cruising about the west of the -Mediterranean. Almost every day there was a pursuit of some vessel of -more or less importance. Sometimes “the chace” proved to be a friendly -craft, sometimes she got away, but not infrequently was captured and -overhauled. On one occasion, Francis Austen remarks trenchantly, “Our -chace proved to be a tower on the land.” - -Evidently the plan of procedure was always to follow up and find -out the nationality of any distant sail. If a friend, news was -interchanged, and often some help might be given. If an enemy, an -attack usually followed. One of these small encounters is described in -the log of the date March 23, 1799, the _Peterel_ then cruising off the -south side of Majorca. - -“11 o’clock.--Saw a latteen-sail boat, appearing to be a privateer, -just within the western point of Cabrera. From the manœuvres of this -boat I judge her to be a privateer. When we first saw her she was -on the starboard tack, and seemed to be examining us. I could just -distinguish her hull from the Catharpins. She appeared to be full of -men. She was rigged with one large latteen sail, and might be about -fifteen to twenty tons.” - -This boat was evidently not to be seen again until “At a quarter past -3, perceived the chace run round a point of the island into a cove, -under the protection of a castle situated on a high rock. This was -the same boat we saw in the forenoon. Our appearance had evidently -frightened them, and they judged it prudent to keep snug till we were -gone by, and, at the time they ventured out, supposed us too far off -to distinguish them. It was, indeed, with difficulty that we could, as -the distance was full three leagues, and their sail was nearly the same -colour as the rock along which they were passing. - -“The cove or haven into which the boat went is about three-quarters of -a mile from the N.W. point of the island, and is completely land-locked -by the two points which form it overlapping. We were close in, not more -than a quarter of a mile from the westernmost of these points, but -could get no ground with forty fathoms line. The castle is situated -on a pinnacle rock or cliff on the eastern side of the entrance, and -from its situation I should judge it difficult of access to an hostile -approach. They had not more than two guns in it, and those were not -more than four- or six-pounders. Several of their shot went over us, -and others fell within a few yards on each side of us, but not one -struck the ship. Ours all went on shore, and I believe most of them -struck the castle, but there was too much motion to fire with very -great precision. This cove, from its situation, is a most excellent -place of resort for small privateers, as they are secure from the -effects of any wind, and can from the height discover the approach of -any vessel, and be ready to push out on them when they may be too close -to the island to effect their escape.” - -With nightfall this attack had to be abandoned, and by six o’clock the -next morning, March 24, the _Peterel_ was in pursuit of another “chace.” - -“At a quarter past 8, hoisted out the pinnace and launch and sent them -to board the chace. - -“At 8 o’clock, I could discern with a glass the privateer, with his -sail furled, laying in his oars, just within the west point of the -cove, ready to pop out on the Spanish boat, and, but for our being so -near, certainly would have recaptured her, but when our boats put off -from the ship he went in again. - -“At 10 o’clock, the boats returned with the chace, which proved to be -a Spanish coasting-vessel of 20 tons, from Cadiz bound to Barcelona -with wheat, prize to the _General Pigot_, a privateer belonging to -Gibraltar. Supplied him with a few baracoes of water. - -“At 11 o’clock, in boats and made sail on the larboard tack.” - -This account of a twenty-four hours on board the _Peterel_ will give -some idea of the constant interest and continual demand on the judgment -incidental to this life. This particular day, though a full one, was -barren of results. The privateer got out of the way of the _Peterel_, -and the chace which they did succeed in boarding had already -surrendered to another British ship. The entries of a few days later, -March 28, will show how varying was the success of these encounters. On -that day they secured three prizes in twelve hours. - -“5 o’clock A.M., saw a strange sail bear S.W. by S. Bore up and set -royal and steering sails in chace. - -“8 o’clock.--Fresh breezes and clear weather; came up with the chace -close off the west end of Ivica. Shortened sail and hove to, sent a -boat on board; she proved to be a Spanish brig laden with barley, from -Almeria bound to Barcelona. Sent an officer and eight men to take -possession, and took all the Spaniards out of her. - -“At 10 o’clock.--Took her in tow, and made sail to the eastward. - -“At half-past 10.--Saw a brig at the south part of Ivica, cast off the -tow, and made all sail in chace. - -“Half-past 11.--In steering sails. - -“At noon.--Moderate and clear weather, passing through between Ivica -and Formenterra, prize in company. - -“Half-past 12.--Fired five guns at the chace to make her bring to, but -without effect. - -“At 1 o’clock.--She anchored close under a signal tower with four guns -on it. Hoisted out the pinnace, and sent her armed under the direction -of the second lieutenant to board the vessel. - -“Half-past 2.--The pinnace returned with the brig; sent her away to -cut out a small vessel, which was then riding about half a mile to the -westward of the tower. The brig appears to be French, but no one was -found on board her. Sent an officer and five men to take charge of her. - -“At 5 o’clock.--The pinnace returned with the other vessel, a Spanish -settee, appearing by papers found on board to be the Alicant packet. -Her crew had quitted her on seeing our boats approach. Sent an officer -and five men on board to take charge of her. Took her in tow and made -sail; prizes in company.” - -Such days as this were of quite frequent occurrence. Sometimes the -prizes were of great value, as on April 11, when the _Peterel_, in -company with the _Powerful_ and the _Leviathan_, assisted in capturing -a vessel which they thought to be a despatch-boat, and therefore of the -first importance. She proved to be a fishing-boat, employed in carrying -a brigadier-general, a lieutenant-colonel, and a captain of the Walloon -Guards over to Ivica from Alicant. She had on board specie to the -amount of 9000 dollars. The _Peterel’s_ share of this valuable prize -was 1469 dollars, which was paid out in the following proportions: - - To a captain 750 dollars - ” a lieutenant 62½ ” - ” a warrant officer 36¾ ” - ” a petty officer 10¼ ” - ” a foremast man 2 ” - -It is to be feared that the prize-money was a doubtful blessing to -the foremast hands, especially as the _Peterel_ was then nearing Port -Mahon, where they lay at anchor for three days, during which it was no -doubt easy to incur the punishments for drunkenness and neglect of duty -which we find meted out two days later. - -Another capture of political importance is detailed on the 26th April, -when a Spanish tartan, the _San Antonio de Padua_, was brought to, -having on board fifty-three soldiers belonging to a company of the 3rd -battalion of the Walloon Guards, who were being conveyed from Barcelona -to Majorca. These, with sailors and a few recruits also on board, -summed up a capture of seventy-nine Spanish prisoners, who were taken -on board the _Peterel_. - -The tartan was manned by a midshipman and seven men, and taken in tow. -The prisoners were afterwards transferred to the _Centaur_, and the -prize, after everything was taken out of her, was scuttled. - -These few instances will serve to show the kind of life of which we get -such tantalising hints in “Persuasion.” - -The account Captain Wentworth gives to the two Miss Musgroves and to -Admiral Croft of his earlier commands is a case in point. The date is -not the same, for we remember that Captain Wentworth first got employ -in the year six (1806), soon after he had parted in anger from Anne -Elliot. - -“The Miss Musgroves were just fetching the ‘Navy List’ (their own ‘Navy -List,’ the first there had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down -together to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the -ships which Captain Wentworth had commanded. - -“‘Your first was the _Asp_, I remember. We will look for the _Asp_.’ - -“‘You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the -last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit -for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West -Indies.’ - -“The girls looked all amazement. - -“‘The Admiralty,’ he continued, ‘entertain themselves now and then with -sending a few hundred men to sea in a ship not fit to be employed. But -they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may -just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to -distinguish the very set who may be least missed.’ - -“‘Phoo! phoo!’ cried the Admiral. ‘What stuff these young fellows talk! -Never was there a better sloop than the _Asp_ in her day. For an old -built sloop you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! He -knows there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for -her at the same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no -more interest than his.’ - -“‘I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you,’ replied Captain Wentworth -seriously. ‘I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can -desire. It was a great object with me at the time to be at sea; a very -great object. I wanted to be doing something.’ - -“‘To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore -for half a year together? If a man has not a wife, he soon wants to be -afloat again.’ - -“‘But, Captain Wentworth,’ cried Louisa, ‘how vexed you must have been -when you came to the _Asp_, to see what an old thing they had given -you.’ - -“‘I knew pretty well what she was before that day,’ said he, smiling. ‘I -had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the fashion -and strength of an old pelisse, which you had seen lent about among -half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which at last -on some very wet day is lent to yourself. Ah! she was a dear old _Asp_ -to me. She did all I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that we should -either go to the bottom together, or that she would be the making of -me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time I was at sea -in her; and after taking privateers enough to be very entertaining, I -had the good luck in my passage home the next autumn to fall in with -the very French frigate I wanted. I brought her into Plymouth; and here -was another instance of luck. We had not been six hours in the Sound -when a gale came on which lasted four days and four nights, and which -would have done for poor old _Asp_ in half the time, our touch with the -Great Nation not having improved our condition. Four and twenty hours -later and I should only have been a gallant Captain Wentworth in a -small paragraph at one corner of the newspapers; and being lost in only -a sloop, nobody would have thought about me.’ - -“The girls were now hunting for the _Laconia_; and Captain Wentworth -could not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into -his own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the -little statement of her name and rate, and present non-commissioned -class. Observing over it that she too had been one of the best friends -man ever had. - -“‘Ah, those were pleasant days when I had the _Laconia_! How fast I -made money in her! A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise -together off the Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how -much he wanted money: worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent -fellow! I shall never forget his happiness. He felt it all so much for -her sake. I wished for him again next summer, when I had still the -same luck in the Mediterranean.’” - -One cannot but feel, when one comes on such a conversation in Jane -Austen’s novel, how perfectly she understood the details of her -brothers’ lives. Her interest and sympathy were so great that we can -almost hear Francis and Charles recounting experiences to their home -circle, with a delicious dwelling on the dangers, for the sake of -inward shudders, or “more open exclamations of pity and horror” from -their hearers, with sidelong hits at the Admiralty, and with the true -sailor’s love of, and pride in, the vessels he has commanded. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE PATROL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN - - -It will be remembered that at the close of 1796 scarcely a British -man-of-war was to be seen in the Mediterranean. To estimate the -work that St. Vincent and Nelson had since accomplished, it is only -necessary to say that by the summer of 1799 the British Navy was -everywhere, blockading Genoa and Malta, patrolling the Egyptian and -Syrian coasts, and in possession of Minorca, while Nelson was stationed -at Palermo. The French armies in Italy were cut off from reinforcements -by our ships before Genoa. Bonaparte’s soldiers in Egypt were equally -helpless, though he himself managed to get home in spite of the danger -of capture. - -Attempts were of course made by the French to change this position. -Rear-Admiral Perrée had served on the immense fleet which Bonaparte -took to Egypt in 1798, and there was appointed to the command of the -light flotilla intended to patrol the Nile. Most of his seniors were -shortly afterwards killed or captured by Nelson’s fleet in Aboukir -Bay, and he then took charge of the remaining frigates which had safely -anchored at Alexandria, and which were compelled to remain there, -as Captain Troubridge had established a blockade of the coast. When -Bonaparte marched for Syria, early in 1799, Perrée was ordered to -bring battering cannon to Haifa for the attack on Acre. It was some -time before he got the opportunity to slip out of Alexandria, and -he then found Jaffa the only place available for landing the guns. -Accomplishing this, he vainly endeavoured to co-operate in the siege -of Acre, but was driven off by the _Tigre_ and _Theseus_ under Sir -Sydney Smith. The blockade made it impossible for Perrée to re-enter -Alexandria. The five vessels therefore sailed for Toulon, and on June -18 we have in the log of the _Peterel_ the account of the capture of -this unlucky squadron, within a few hours of their French haven. - -_June 17._--“Admiral (Lord Keith) and fleet in company. The _Emerald_ -made signal for five sail in sight. The Admiral signalled for general -chace. Answered his signal to us to keep between the Admiral and the -chacing ships in N.E., to repeat signals. At 8 P.M. _Emerald_ N.E., six -or seven miles, Admiral west, four miles. - -_June 18._--“One o’clock P.M. Saw four sail bearing N.W. At six, five -sail of strangers in sight. At seven, perceived the _Centaur_ open -a fire on the chace, which was returned. Saw two of them strike and -shorten sail. Half-past seven, the _Emerald_ got up with, and took -possession of, another. At eight o’clock the _Centaur_ brought to a -fourth. The _Success_ and the _Triton_ in chace of the fifth. - -_June 19._--“At daylight, ten of the fleet and five prizes in company. -Boats of the fleet employed on the 19th getting the prisoners out of -the prizes. These ships proved to be a squadron which had escaped out -of Alexandria on the 19th of March, and, after cruising a considerable -time off Joppa, were returning to Toulon. Their names are as follows: - - _La Junon_ 38 guns, 600 men (with a Rear-Admiral on board). - _L’Alceste_ 36 guns. - _La Courageuse_ 32 guns, 300 men. - _L’Alerte_ 16-gun brig. - _La Salamine_ 16-gun ditto.” - -Marshal Suwarrow, in command of the Russian and Austrian armies, was -now making use of Bonaparte’s enforced detention in Egypt to drive -the French out of Italy. By June, after the battle of the Trebbia, he -had not only shut up Moreau’s army in Genoa, but had driven Macdonald -back into Tuscany. It was only with the greatest difficulty that the -two French commanders were able eventually to join forces in Genoa. -With characteristic want of confidence in their generals, the French -Directory sent out General Joubert to take command in the place of the -two who had been worsted. Almost immediately after his arrival, he was -himself utterly defeated and killed at the battle of Novi. Nothing was -left of the French possessions in Italy except Genoa, and a few smaller -fortified places. To Genoa Massena came after his successful exploits -in Switzerland, and made his memorable stand, against the Austrian army -besieging by land and the British blockading by sea. - -With these events during 1799 and 1800, the _Peterel_ was in constant -touch. On one occasion, off Savona, a vessel was taken containing two -hundred and fifty wounded soldiers, who were being conveyed from Genoa -back to France after the indecisive battle of the Trebbia. On this -Captain Austen remarks, “As many of them were in such a state as not to -be moved but at the risque of their lives, Captain Caulfield (of the -_Aurora_), from motives of humanity, let the vessel proceed.” - -Another capture shows how much the French were hampered by our -blockade, their general being unable to reach his army excepting by -sea. In Francis Austen’s own words: - -_August 2, 1799._--“Last night at 9 P.M. the _Minerve’s_ boats came -alongside; sent them along with our own, armed, under the command of -the first lieutenant to cut out some vessels from the Bay of Diano. - -“About midnight saw a very heavy fire of cannon and musketry in Diano -Bay. Towards dawn the boats returned on board, having brought out a -large settee laden with wine, and a French armed half-galley, mounting -six guns, and rowing twenty-six oars. This galley had lately arrived -from Toulon with General Joubert, appointed to supersede Moreau in the -command of the French army of Italy, and was to have proceeded to-day -with the general to the headquarters, near Genoa. She was manned with -thirty-six people, twenty of which jumped overboard and swam ashore as -soon as our boats attacked them. The other sixteen were made prisoners, -amongst which was the commander of her, having the rank of ensign de -vaisseau in the service of the Republic. The vessel is called _La -Virginie_, is Turkish built, and was taken by the French at Malta when -they got possession of that place last year.” - -Another time the chace is described as follows: - -_July 14._--“This vessel proved to be the _El Fortunato_ Spanish ship -polacre of about 100 tons burden, from Cagliari bound to Oneglia, laden -with wine, and having on board an officer charged with despatches from -the King of Sardinia to General Suwarrow, Commander-in-Chief of the -combined armies of Russia and Austria in Italy.” - -The autumn and winter of 1799 were spent by the _Peterel_ cruising -again in the west of the Mediterranean, chiefly off Minorca; but in -the spring of 1800 they were again near Marseilles. The capture of the -French brig _La Ligurienne_, described in the following letter, is -another witness to the fruitless attempts of the French to get help to -the army which Bonaparte had left behind in Egypt. - - “_Peterel_ AT SEA, _March 22, 1800_. - - “SIR,--I have to inform you that the vessels with which you - saw me engaged yesterday afternoon near Cape Couronne, were a - ship, brig, and xebecque, belonging to the French Republic; - two of which, the ship and xebecque, I drove on shore, and, - after a running action of about one hour and a half, during - the most of which we were not more than two cables length - from the shore, and frequently not half that distance, the - third struck her colours. On taking possession, we found - her to be _La Ligurienne_, French national brig, mounting - fourteen six-pounders, and two thirty-six-pound howitzers, all - brass, commanded by François Auguste Pelabon, lieutenant de - vaisseau, and had on board at the commencement of the action - one hundred and four men. Though from the spirited conduct - and alacrity of Lieutenant Packer, Mr. Thompson, the master, - and Mr. Hill, the purser (who very handsomely volunteered - his services at the main deck guns), joined to the gallantry - and determined courage of the rest of the officers, seamen - and marines of his Majesty’s sloop under my command, I was - happily enabled to bring the contest to a favourable issue; - yet I could not but feel the want, and regret the absence, of - my first lieutenant, Mr. Glover, and thirty men, who were at - the time away in prizes. I have a lively pleasure in that this - service has been performed without a man hurt on our part, and - with no other damage to the ship than four of our carronades - dismounted, and a few shots through the sails. _La Ligurienne_ - is a very fine vessel of the kind, well equipped with stores - of all sorts, in excellent repair, and not two years old. She - is built on a peculiar plan, being fastened throughout with - screw bolts, so as to be taken to pieces and put together with - ease, and is said to have been intended to follow Bonaparte to - Egypt. I learn from the prisoners that the ship is called _Le - Cerf_, mounting fourteen six-pounders, xebecque _Le Joillet_, - mounting six six-pounders, and that they had sailed in company - with a convoy (two of which, as per margin, I captured in the - forenoon) that morning from Cette, bound to Marseilles. I - enclose a return of the killed and wounded, as far as I have - been able to ascertain it, - - “And am, your very humble servant, - “FRANCIS WM. AUSTEN. - - “To Robert Dudley Oliver, Esq., - “Captain of H.M. Ship _Mermaid_. - - “Return of killed and wounded in an action between his - Britannic Majesty’s sloop _Peterel_, Francis Wm. Austen, Esq., - Commander, and the French national brig _La Ligurienne_, - commanded by François Auguste Pelabon, lieutenant de vaisseau. - - “_Peterel_: Killed, none; wounded, none. - - “_La Ligurienne_: Killed, the captain and one seaman; wounded, - one gardemarin and one seaman. - - “(Signed) FRANCIS WM. AUSTEN.” - -The captures, “as per margin,” are of a French bark, name unknown, -about two hundred and fifty tons, and of a French bombarde, _La -Vestic_, about one hundred and fifty tons, both laden with wheat, and -both abandoned by their crews on the _Peterel’s_ attack. - -[Illustration: _PETEREL_ IN ACTION WITH _LA LIGURIENNE_ NEAR -MARSEILLES, MARCH 21, 1800] - -If, as is stated, _La Ligurienne_ was intended to go to Egypt, it seems -not improbable that the reason for her peculiar construction was that -she might be taken to pieces, carried across the desert, and launched -again in the Red Sea, there to take part in an attempt on India. - -This exploit, though related in a matter-of-fact way by Captain Austen -in his letter, was not inconsiderable in the eyes of the authorities, -and the result was his immediate promotion to post rank. He himself -knew nothing of this advancement until the following October; only an -instance of the slowness and difficulty of communication, which was so -great a factor in the naval affairs of that time. - -It should be mentioned that the frigate _Mermaid_ was in sight during -part of this action, which perhaps had something to do with the two -French vessels running themselves ashore, also that the capture of _La -Ligurienne_ was within six miles of Marseilles. The _Peterel_ took her -three prizes to Minorca, where the prisoners were sent on board the -_Courageuse_, one of Perrée’s frigates captured in 1799 as already -described. - -The next voyage was to Malta, where the fortress of Valetta was still -in French hands, with a few ships under the command of Rear-Admiral -Villeneuve. The British blockading squadron had just taken the -_Guillaume Tell_ in the endeavour to escape from Valetta harbour, after -eighteen months’ stay. This ship of the line was the only one remaining -to the French from Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt and the Battle of -the Nile. - -The _Peterel_ took on board, in the Bay of Marsa Sirocco, thirty-five -of the crew of the _Guillaume Tell_, by orders of Commodore Troubridge -of the _Culloden_, and with these prisoners made sail for Palermo, -where for a few days she hoisted Nelson’s flag. Arrived once more at -Port Mahon, in Minorca, the French sailors were added to the number -on the _Courageuse_, and the _Peterel_ found her way to Lord Keith’s -fleet, now closely investing General Massena in Genoa. - -The great events of the campaign of Marengo are matters of European -history. The British fleet’s blockade of the coast was clearly a -determining factor in the choice of the St. Bernard route by the First -Consul, inasmuch as the Riviera road was commanded from the sea. It -must remain a question whether Bonaparte deliberately left Massena’s -army to risks of starvation and capture, in order that the destruction -of the Austrian forces in Piedmont might be complete. Massena had been -compelled to extend his lines too far, so that he might secure from a -mountainous country the supplies which could not reach him from France. -This made it possible for the Austrians to press their advantage, and -to isolate the fortresses of Nice, Savona, and Genoa. The unceasing -patrol of the sea completed the circle of hostile forces. The French -army was entirely shut up in Genoa, and throughout the month of May -the town was several times bombarded by the ships and the armed boats -of the fleet. These armed boats had already reduced the small garrison -of Savona. It is recorded in the _Peterel_ log that a “polacre laden -with artillery and ammunition for the army of General Baron d’Ott” came -from that port. The _Peterel_ was detailed by Lord Keith to cruise in -shore as near as possible to Genoa, and Captain Austen received the -thanks of this Admiral for his energetic performance of that duty. One -night the vessel was under fire from the lighthouse forts, and received -several shots. A feature of the blockade was the plan of “rowing guard” -each night, in order to prevent access to the harbour after dark. The -_Peterel’s_ pinnace was frequently on this duty in turn with the other -boats of the fleet, and took part in cutting out the _Prima_ galley -after midnight on the 21st of May. This galley was intended to take -part in an attempt on the smaller vessels of the British fleet, but was -attacked by the boats’ crews at the Mole when just ready to come out. -She was boarded in the most gallant manner, in spite of a large force -of fighting men on board, and of a heavy fire from the harbour forts. -The capture was greatly helped by the conduct of the 300 galley slaves, -who rowed out so fast that they almost outstripped the boats that were -towing her. These slaves were allowed on deck when the prize was out -of gunshot range from the harbour, and great were their manifestations -of joy at their release. The sequel of the incident was tragic. Lord -Keith sent most of them back to Genoa with the other French prisoners, -no doubt with the idea of forcing their support on the half-starved -garrison. The galley slaves were shot as traitors in the market-place. - -During the preliminary conference with General d’Ott and Lord Keith, -preceding the French surrender at Genoa, it is said that some contempt -for Austria was expressed by Massena, who went on as follows: “Milord, -si jamais la France et l’Angleterre s’entendre, elles gouverneraient la -monde.” This almost foreshadows the “entente cordiale” of 1904. - -On June 4 the French army capitulated. Genoa town was handed over to -the Austrians under General Melas, and the port was occupied by Lord -Keith in his flagship _Minotaur_. - -But already the First Consul had descended into Italy, had taken -possession of Milan, and was in full march to defeat Baron d’Ott at -Montebello. On the 14th Marengo was fought, and the tide of fortune -turned. Genoa, Savona, and all the fortresses of Piedmont were made -over to the French. Massena came back on June 24, and Lord Keith had -just time to move out of the harbour and to resume his blockade. The -victorious First Consul was again in full possession of Northern Italy. - -Before the end of May the _Peterel_ was already on her way southward, -and the log records the transport of thirty-two men to H.M.S. -_Guillaume Tell_ (recently captured) off Syracuse, then another call at -Malta (St. Paul’s Bay) where the blockaders were busy with the later -stages of the reduction of Valetta. The destination of the _Peterel_ -was the coast of Egypt, where Sir Sydney Smith was locally in command. -Alexandria and other harbours were still held by the French, now quite -cut off from outside support. A Turkish fleet of twelve ships was at -anchor off Alexandria, and the blockade was supposed to be maintained -by them, but in actual practice the burden devolved upon the three -British vessels, _Tigre_, _Transfer_, and _Peterel_. They appear to -have joined forces at Jaffa, and to have cruised off the Egyptian -coast, with an occasional visit to Cyprus, for some months. They were -all this time without news from England. - -The allied fleets of France and Spain were by no means inactive, -and, though they did not accomplish much in the Mediterranean, there -was always a serious risk for a single vessel, and despatch boats -were particularly unsafe carrying, as they did, intelligence that -might be useful to the enemy. At this time the Spanish ports in the -neighbourhood of Gibraltar were strongly held, and it was a great -object with the British Government to relieve this pressure, which -seriously threatened their communications with the whole of the -Mediterranean. Algeciras was specially dangerous, and we find constant -attacks upon the enemy there, in which Charles Austen as Lieutenant -of the _Endymion_ had a considerable part, under Sir Thomas Williams -and his successor Captain Philip Durham. His service was varied by -the capture of several privateers, among others of _La Furie_. The -_Endymion_ afterwards convoyed ten Indiamen home from St. Helena, for -which service Captain Durham received the thanks of the East India -Company. On the occasion of the capture of the _Scipio_, Lieutenant -Charles Austen specially distinguished himself. The encounter took -place in a violent gale, but, in spite of wind and weather, he put off -in a boat with only four men, and boarded the vessel, which had just -surrendered. The _Scipio_ was a fine craft of 18 guns, manned by 140 -men. - -Charles was particularly lucky at this time in his shares of -prize-money. Jane tells us in one of her letters to Cassandra how -generously he spent it. - -“Charles has received £30 for his share of the privateer, and expects -£10 more; but of what avail is it to take prizes if he lays out the -produce in presents for his sisters? He has been buying gold chains -and topaz crosses for us. He must be well scolded. I shall write again -by this post to thank and reproach him. We shall be unbearably fine.” - -It is a good instance of the way in which Jane Austen “worked up” -her incidents that the brother’s present of a cross and a gold chain -should form the groundwork on which is built up the story of Fanny’s -flutterings of heart over her adornments for the ball at Mansfield. - -“The ‘how she should be dressed’ was a point of painful solicitude; and -the almost solitary ornament in her possession, a very pretty amber -cross which William had brought her from Sicily, was the greatest -distress of all, for she had nothing but a bit of riband to fasten -it to; and though she had worn it in that manner once, would it be -allowable at such a time, in the midst of all the rich ornaments which -she supposed all the other young ladies would appear in? And yet not -to wear it! William had wanted to buy her a gold chain too, but the -purchase had been beyond his means, and therefore not to wear the -cross might be mortifying to him. These were anxious considerations; -enough to sober her spirits even under the prospect of a ball given -principally for her gratification.” - -[Illustration: THE TOPAZ CROSSES GIVEN TO CASSANDRA AND JANE BY CHARLES -AUSTEN] - -Then follows Miss Crawford’s gift of a necklace to wear with the -cross, with all its alarming associations with Henry Crawford; then -Edmund’s gift of a chain; her resolve to wear Miss Crawford’s gift to -please him; and lastly the delightful discovery that the necklace was -too large for the purpose. Edmund’s chain, “therefore, must be worn; -and having, with delightful feelings, joined the chain and the cross, -those memorials of the two most beloved of her heart; those dearest -tokens so formed for each other by everything real and imaginary, -and put them round her neck, and seen and felt how full of William -and Edmund they were, she was able, without an effort, to resolve on -wearing Miss Crawford’s necklace too. She acknowledged it to be right. -Miss Crawford had a claim; and when it was no longer to encroach on, -to interfere with the stronger claims, the truer kindness of another, -she could do her justice even with pleasure to herself. The necklace -really looked very well; and Fanny left her room at last, comfortably -satisfied with herself and all about her.” - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -AT HOME AND ABROAD - - -The truism that absence strengthens more ties than it weakens is -clearly demonstrated by the letters of the Austen family. In spite of -the difficulty of sending letters, and the doubt of their reaching -England, the brothers managed to get news through whenever it was -possible. To know that their efforts were appreciated one has only -to read how every scrap of this news was sent from one sister to the -other in the constant letters they interchanged on those rare occasions -when they were parted. The Austen family had always a certain reserve -in showing affection, but the feeling which appears in this longing -for tidings, in the gentle satires on small failings or transient -love-affairs of their brothers, combined with the occasional “dear -Frank” or “dear Charles,” was one which stood the test of time, and was -transmitted to the brothers’ children in a way that made the names of -“Aunt Jane” and “Aunt Cassandra” stand for all that was lovable in the -thoughts of their nephews and nieces. - -The scarcity of letters must have been a severe trial. Just at this -time, when those at home knew of Frank’s promotion, and he had as yet -no idea of it, the longing to send and receive news must have been -very great. He was hard at work in the summer of 1800 with Sir Sydney -Smith’s squadron off Alexandria. From there, early in July, he wrote -to Cassandra. This letter was received at Steventon on November 1, -when Cassandra was at Godmersham with Edward, so Jane sent her word -of its arrival. “We have at last heard from Frank; a letter from him -to you came yesterday, and I mean to send it on as soon as I can get -a ditto (that means a frank), which I hope to do in a day or two. _En -attendant_, you must rest satisfied with knowing that on the 8th of -July the _Peterel_ with the rest of the Egyptian squadron was off the -Isle of Cyprus, whither they went from Jaffa for provisions, &c., and -whence they were to sail in a day or two for Alexandria, there to await -the English proposals for the evacuation of Egypt. The rest of the -letter, according to the present fashionable style of composition, is -chiefly descriptive. Of his promotion he knows nothing; of prizes he is -guiltless.” - -An event which would no doubt have made a point of interest in this -letter happened the day after it was sent, but is recorded in the log -for July 9: - -“Received two oxen and fifty-two gallons of wine, being the _Peterel’s_ -portion of a present from the Governor of the Island.” - -The same letter from Jane to her sister contains news of Charles, who -had been at home comparatively lately, and was on the _Endymion_, which -was “waiting only for orders, but may wait for them perhaps a month.” -Three weeks later he was at home again. - -“Naughty Charles did not come on Tuesday, but good Charles came -yesterday morning. About two o’clock he walked in on a Gosport hack. -His feeling equal to such a fatigue is a good sign, and his feeling no -fatigue a still better. He walked down to Deane to dinner, he danced -the whole evening, and to-day is no more tired than a gentleman ought -to be. Your desiring to hear from me on Sunday will, perhaps, bring -you a more particular account of the ball than you may care for, -because one is prone to think more of such things the morning after -they happen, than when time has entirely driven them out of one’s -recollection. - -“It was a pleasant evening; Charles found it remarkably so, but I -cannot tell why, unless the absence of Miss Terry, towards whom his -conscience reproaches him with being now perfectly indifferent, was a -relief to him. - -“Summers has made my gown very well indeed, and I get more and more -pleased with it. Charles does not like it, but my father and Mary do. -My mother is very much resigned to it, and as for James he gives it the -preference over everything of the kind he ever saw, in proof of which I -am desired to say that if you like to sell yours Mary will buy it. - -“Farewell! Charles sends _you_ his best love, and Edward his worst. If -you think the distinction improper, you may take the worst yourself. He -will write to you when he gets back to his ship, and in the meantime -desires that you will consider me as your affectionate sister J. A. - -“P.S. Charles is in very good looks indeed.... - -“I rejoice to say that we have just had another letter from our dear -Frank. It is to you, very short, written from Larnaca in Cyprus, and so -lately as October 2nd. He came from Alexandria, and was to return there -in three or four days, knew nothing of his promotion, and does not -write above twenty lines, from a doubt of the letter’s ever reaching -you, and an idea of all letters being opened at Vienna. He wrote a -few days before to you from Alexandria by the _Mercury_, sent with -despatches to Lord Keith. Another letter must be owing to us besides -this, _one_ if not _two_; because none of these are for me.” - -The scenes of home life which these extracts give us form a strong -contrast to the readings in the log of the _Peterel_ between the dates -of Frank’s two letters. - -In spite of the fact that viewed as a whole this was a breathing space -between engagements, each side standing back to recover and to watch -for the next movement on the part of the other, yet, in detail, it was -a time of activity. - -Now and then, in the log, occurs the chace of a germe (or djerm) -carrying supplies for the French, and a boat expedition is organised to -cut out one or two of these craft, from an inlet where they had taken -refuge. - -“At twelve the boats returned without the germe, having perceived her -to be under the protection of a field piece and a body of soldiers.” -Next day one was captured “with only 17 bales of tobacco on board” -(Captain Austen was not a smoker). Then “condemned by survey the -remaining part of the best bower cable as unserviceable.” “Held a -survey on and condemned a cask of rice.” “The senior lieutenant was -surveyed by the surgeons of the squadron and found to be a fit object -for invaliding.” - -The next incident is described in the following report: - - “_Peterel_, OFF ALEXANDRIA, _August 14, 1800_. - - “SIR,--On the morning of the 10th, the day subsequent to my - parting with the _Tigre_, I joined the Turkish squadron off - this place, consisting of one ship of the line, and three - corvettes under the command of Injee Bey, captain of the - gallies, with whom I concerted on the most proper distribution - of the force left with him. It was finally agreed that one - corvette should be stationed off Aboukir, a second off - Alexandria, and the third off the Tower of Marabout, the - line-of-battle ship and the _Peterel_ occasionally to visit - the different points of the station as we might judge fit. It - blowing too hard to admit of any germes passing, I thought - it advisable to stretch to the westward as far as the Arab’s - Tower, off which I continued till the afternoon of the 12th, - when I stood back to the eastward, and was somewhat surprised - to see none of the Turkish squadron off Alexandria. At 8 - o’clock the following morning, having an offing of three or - four leagues, I stood in for the land, and in about an hour - saw three of the Turkish ships a long way to the Eastward, - and the fourth, which proved to be the line-of-battle ship, - laying totally dismasted, on the Reef, about halfway between - the Castle and Island of Aboukir. Thinking it possible, from - what little I knew of Aboukir Bay, to get the _Peterel_ within - gunshot of her, and by that means to disperse the swarm of - germes which surrounded her, and whose crews I could plainly - discern busy in plundering, I stood in round the east side of - the island, and anchored in quarter less four fathoms, a long - gunshot distance from her, and sent Mr. Thompson, the master, - in the pinnace to sound in a direction towards her, in order - to ascertain whether it was practicable to get any nearer with - the ship, and if he met with no resistance (the germes having - all made sail before we anchored) to board and set fire to - the wreck. Though it blew very strong, and the boat had to - row nearly two miles, almost directly to windward, yet by the - great exertions of the officers and boat’s crew, in an hour and - twenty minutes I had the satisfaction of seeing the wreck in - a perfect blaze, and the boat returning. Mr. Thompson brought - back with him thirteen Greek sailors, part of the crew, and one - Arab left in their hurry by the germes. - - “From the Greeks I collected that the ship went on shore while - in the act of wearing about 9 o’clock on the night of the 11th, - that about half the crew had been taken on board the corvettes, - and the Bey, with the principal part of the officers and the - rest of the crew, having surrendered to the French, had landed - the next evening at Aboukir. At the time we stood in, the - French had 300 men at work on board the wreck, endeavouring to - save the guns, but had only succeeded in landing one from the - quarter-deck. - - “Shortly after my anchoring I sent an officer to the corvette, - which had followed us in, and anchored near to us, to inform - their commander what I proposed doing, and to desire the - assistance of their boats in case of resistance from any - persons who might be remaining on board the wreck, a demand - which they did not think proper to comply with, alleging that, - as all the cloathes, &c., had been landed, there was nothing of - value remaining, and besides that it would be impossible to get - on board, as the French had a guard of soldiers in her. - - “I cannot sufficiently praise the zeal and activity with which - Mr. Thompson and the nine men with him performed this service, - by which I trust the greatest part, if not all, of the guns, - and other useful parts of the wreck, have been prevented from - falling into the hands of the enemy. The thirteen Greeks I sent - on board one of the Turkish corvettes, and intend, as soon as I - have communication with the shore, to land the Arab. - - “I have the honour to be, Sir, - “Your obedient servant, - “FRANCIS WM. AUSTEN. - - “To Sir Sydney Smith, K.S., - “Senior officer of H.M. Ships and Vessels - “employed in the Levant.” - -The French were quite ready to take possession of all that the -predatory Arab germes were likely to leave on board the Turkish -line-of-battle ship. There was of course much less difficulty in -getting the _Peterel_ into Aboukir Bay than in navigating the larger -corvettes of the Turks; but, where Nelson had brought in his fleet, -before the Battle of the Nile, there was water enough for any vessel, -if properly handled. - -The following letters give the conclusion of the matter: - - “HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S SLOOP _Peterel_, OFF ALEXANDRIA, - “_August 16, 1800_. - - “SIR,--I avail myself of the present flag to set on shore with - an unconditional release eleven Arabs, prisoners of war. Should - it be not inconsistent with the instructions you may be acting - under, the release of an equal number of the subjects of the - Sublime Porte will be considered as a fair return. - - “I have the honour to be, &c., - “Your obedient servant, - “F. W. AUSTEN. - - “To General Lanusse, - “Commandant of Alexandria.” - - “_Peterel_, OFF ALEXANDRIA, _August 7_. - - “SIR,--The _King George_ transport is this morning arrived here - from Rhodes, and as I find, by the report of the master, that - the object of his mission in landing the powder has not been - accomplished, I shall send him off directly with orders to - follow you agreeable to given rendezvous.... I enclose herewith - a letter received five days ago by a Turkish transport from - Jaffa; one from myself containing the particulars of the loss - of the Turkish line-of-battle ship, a copy of my letter to - General Lanusse, which accompanied the Arabs on shore yesterday - (the first day since my leaving the _Tigre_, that the weather - has been sufficiently moderate to admit of communicating - with the shore), and lastly a letter from the Vizir, which I - received yesterday from Jaffa by a Turkish felucca. As the - weather becomes more settled I hope to annoy the germes, - though I must not count on any support or assistance from the - Turks, as Injee Bey, when I first joined him, declared he had - received directions from the Capitan Pacha not to molest them. - Two of the corvettes are gone to join the Capitan Pacha, but - this I learnt only two days after they went. The officer who - accompanied the flag yesterday could not obtain any certain - intelligence of Captain Boyle and his people, for in answer to - his inquiries he was told they were still at or near Cairo. - - “I have the honour to be, &c. - - “To Sir Wm. Sydney Smith, K.S., - “Senior officer of H.M. Ships and Vessels - “employed in the Levant.” - -This Capitan Pacha was a man of some note. His career is an -example of the inefficacy of the greatest talents under such a -government as that of Turkey. He was in every way an able man--strong -and determined--considering all circumstances not to be called -cruel--enlightened in his ideas. His chief lack was that of education, -but he was anxious to learn from all. He had great respect for -Europeans and sympathy with their outlook. Altogether, though he did -a great work for the Turkish navy--improving the construction of the -ships--taking care that the officers should be properly educated, and -drawing the supply of men from the best possible sources, and all this -in a country where reform seemed a hopeless task, yet, so great was the -power of his personality, that one is more surprised that he did so -little than that he did so much. - -The Captain Courtenay Boyle spoken of in this letter was evidently an -acquaintance of the family, as we find him mentioned in one of Jane’s -letters. His ship, the _Cormorant_, had been wrecked on the Egyptian -coast, and the whole crew made prisoners by the French. He must have -obtained his release very shortly afterwards, for the following letter -from Jane to Cassandra was clearly written when the family at Steventon -were looking forward to Frank’s return, but before they had direct news -from himself: - -“I should not have thought it necessary to write to you so soon, but -for the arrival of a letter from Charles to myself. It was written last -Saturday from off the Start, and conveyed to Popham Lane by Captain -Boyle, on his way to Midgham. He came from Lisbon in the _Endymion_. -I will copy Charles’s account of his conjectures about Frank: ‘He has -not seen my brother lately, nor does he expect to find him arrived, -as he met Captain Inglis at Rhodes, going up to take command of the -_Peterel_ as he was coming down; but supposes he will arrive in less -than a fortnight from this time, in some ship which is expected -to reach England about that time with despatches from Sir Ralph -Abercrombie.’ The event must show what sort of a conjurer Captain Boyle -is. The _Endymion_ has not been plagued with any more prizes. Charles -spent three pleasant days in Lisbon. When this letter was written, -the _Endymion_ was becalmed, but Charles hoped to reach Portsmouth by -Monday or Tuesday. He received my letter, communicating our plans, -before he left England; was much surprised, of course, but is quite -reconciled to them, and means to come to Steventon once more while -Steventon is ours.” - -Captain Charles Inglis, who was to succeed Francis Austen, had served -as lieutenant in the _Penelope_, and specially distinguished himself in -the capture of the _Guillaume Tell_. - -While these conjectures as to Frank’s whereabouts and the possible -date of his return were passing between his relations at home, he -had been still pursuing the ordinary round of duties such as are -described in this letter, quite ignorant until the actual event of any -approaching change either for them or for himself. - - “SIR,--I have to inform you that I anchored with his Majesty’s - sloop under my command at Larnaca on the evening of the 1st - instant, where I completed my water, and purchased as much wine - as the ship would stow, but was not able to procure any bread, - as from the great exports of corn which have been lately made - to supply the Vizir’s army in Syria, the inhabitants are almost - in a state of famine. I sailed from Larnaca the evening of the - 6th, and anchored here on the 9th at noon. As I had only five - days’ bread on board I have judged it proper to take on board - 50 quintals of that which had been prepared for the _Tigre_, - and not being acquainted with the price agreed on, have - directed the purser to leave a certificate with the Dragoman of - the Porte, for the quantity received, that it may be included - with the _Tigre’s_ vouchers, and settled for with the purser of - that ship. - - “The Governor of Nicosia made application to me yesterday in - the name of the Capitan Pacha for assistance to enable him to - get a gun on shore from one of the gun-boats which has been - wrecked here, which, tho’ I knew would detain me a day, I - thought it right to comply with; the gun has been to-day got - on shore, and I am now going to weigh. I propose stretching - more towards Alexandria if the wind is not very unfavourable, - and should I find no counter orders, shall afterwards put in - execution the latter part of yours of the 23rd ult. - - “I have directed the captain of the _Kirling Gech_, which I - found here on my arrival without orders, to wait till the - 16th for the arrival of the _Tigre_, when, if not otherwise - directed, to proceed to Rhodes, and follow such orders or - information as he may obtain there. - - “I have the honor to be, &c., - - “To Sir Sydney Smith.” - -“The latter part of yours of the 23rd” possibly refers to instructions -to proceed to Rhodes, for we find in the log that the _Peterel_ went on -there early in October, and there at last Captain Austen was greeted -with the news of his promotion to Post Rank. The _Peterel_ anchored in -the Road of Rhodes at ten o’clock on the morning of October 20, where -the _Tigre_ was 21 days at anchor, and at this point the private log of -the _Peterel_ stops short. - -Although we have no account from Francis Austen himself of his meeting -with Captain Inglis, he evidently wrote a lively description of the -incident to his sisters. Jane writes from Steventon on January 21st to -Cassandra: “Well, and so Frank’s letter has made you very happy, but -you are afraid he would not have patience to stay for the _Haarlem_, -which you wish him to have done, as being safer than the merchantman.” -Frank’s great desire was clearly to get home as soon as possible after -an absence of nearly three years. It is curious to think of the risks -supposed to be incurred by passengers on board a merchantman. - -The following comment on the colour of the ink is amply borne out in -the log: “Poor fellow! to wait from the middle of November to the end -of December, and perhaps even longer, it must be sad work; especially -in a place where the ink is so abominably pale. What a surprise to him -it must have been on October 20th to be visited, collared, and thrust -out of the _Peterel_ by Captain Inglis. He kindly passes over the -poignancy of his feelings in quitting his ship, his officers, and his -men. - - [Illustration: THE WAY TO CHURCH FROM PORTSDOWN LODGE - (_When the forts were constructed, this avenue was cut down._)] - -“What a pity it is that he should not be in England at the time of -this promotion, because he certainly would have had an appointment, so -everybody says, and therefore it must be right for me to say it too. -Had he been really here, the certainty of the appointment, I dare say, -would not have been half so great; as it could not be brought to the -proof, his absence will be always a lucky source of regret.” - -The “promotion” spoken of in this letter was extensive, and took place -on January 1, 1801, on the occasion of the union of Great Britain -and Ireland. At the same time there was an increase in the number of -line-of-battle ships which is commented on with reference to Charles. - -“Eliza talks of having read in a newspaper that all the 1st lieutenants -of the frigates whose captains were to be sent into line-of-battle -ships were to be promoted to the rank of commanders. If it be true, Mr. -Valentine may afford himself a fine Valentine’s knot, and Charles may -perhaps become 1st of the _Endymion_, though I suppose Captain Durham -is too likely to bring a villain with him under that denomination.” - -The letters give no account of the home-coming, but from the story of -William Price’s return in “Mansfield Park,” we can see that Jane knew -something of the mingled feelings of such a meeting. - -“This dear William would soon be amongst them.... Scarcely ten days had -passed since Fanny had been in the agitation of her first dinner visit, -when she found herself in an agitation of a higher nature ... watching -in the hall, in the lobby, on the stairs, for the first sound of the -carriage which was to bring her a brother. - -“It was long before Fanny could recover from the agitating happiness of -such an hour as was formed by the last thirty minutes of expectation -and the first of fruition. - -“It was some time even before her happiness could be said to make -her happy, before the disappointment inseparable from the alteration -of person had vanished, and she could see in him the same William as -before, and talk to him as her heart had been yearning to do through -many a past year.” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -BLOCKADING BOULOGNE - - -Francis Austen’s first appointment on his promotion to post rank was -to the _Neptune_, as Flag-Captain to Admiral James Gambier. It was -not usual for an Admiral to choose as his Flag-Captain one who had so -lately gained the step in rank. It is clear from the letters of Francis -Austen at this time that he, in common with many officers in the Navy, -was bent on improvements in the food and general comforts of the crews. -Francis Austen’s capacity for detail would here stand him in good -stead. There is one letter of his concerning the best way of preserving -cheeses, which is a good example of his interest in the small things -of his profession. He had, on the advice of Admiral Gambier, made the -experiment of coating some cheeses with whitewash in order to keep them -in good condition in hot weather, and had found it very successful. -He thereupon wrote to the Admiralty Commissioners recommending that -all cheeses should be so treated before being shipped, in order that -the men might have “more wholesome and nutritive food,” and also -“that a material ultimate saving to the public may be effected at an -inconsiderable first cost.” - -We have not far to look for a parallel to this love of detail in the -works of Jane Austen. Admirers and detractors are agreed in saying that -she thought nothing too unimportant to be of interest, and in allowing -the justice of her own description of her work--“the little bit (two -inches wide) of ivory on which I work with so fine a brush, as produces -little effect after much labour.” There is no doubt that naval officers -must often have felt in their dealings with the Admiralty that they -produced “little effect after much labour.” - -A curious point of etiquette in connection with these letters is that -the Commissioners invariably signed themselves “Your affectionate -friends,” followed by the names of those concerned in the business. - -At the peace of Amiens, Francis Austen, among many other officers, -went on half-pay; but when war broke out again in 1803, we find him at -Ramsgate, employed in raising a body of “Sea Fencibles.” This service -was instituted chiefly on the advice of Captain Popham, who had tried -something of the same kind in Flanders in 1793. - -The object, of course, was to protect the coast from invasion. The -corps was composed of fishermen, commanded in each district by an -officer in the Navy, whose duty it was to quarter the men on the beach, -exercise them, and to have the beaches watched whenever the weather was -favourable for the enemy to land. The men were exercised once a week, -and were paid at the rate of a shilling a day, with a food allowance -when on service. - -Captain Austen’s report on the coast of the district lying between -the North Foreland and Sandown is a document of considerable detail, -dealing with the possible landing-places for a hostile army. He comes -to the conclusion that in moderate weather a landing might be effected -on many parts of this coast, particularly in Pegwell Bay, where “the -enemy would have no heights to gain,” and, further, “that any time of -tide would be equally favourable for the debarkation of troops on this -shore.” But “in blowing weather, open flat boats filled with troops -would doubtless many of them be lost in the surf, while larger vessels -could not, from the flatness of the coast, approach sufficiently near.” -Of course, all is subject to “the enemy’s evading our cruisers, and -getting past the ships in the Downs.” - -This time at Ramsgate was of importance to Francis, for it was here -that he met, and became engaged to, Mary Gibson, who was his wife for -seventeen years. This engagement, though “Mrs. F. A.” became one of -the best loved of the sisters-in-law, must at the outset have been a -slight shock to Jane and Cassandra, who for long had been cherishing a -hope that Frank would marry their beloved friend Martha Lloyd. A few -extracts taken from the letters will show their affection and their -hopes. - -“I love Martha better than ever, and I mean to go and see her, if I -can, when she gets home.... I shall be very glad to see you at home -again, and then--if we can get Martha--who will be so happy as we? ... -I am quite pleased with Martha and Mrs. Lefroy for wanting the pattern -of our caps, but I am not so well pleased with your giving it to them. -Some wish, some prevailing wish, is necessary to the animation of -everybody’s mind, and in gratifying this you leave them to form some -other which will probably not be half so innocent. I shall not forget -to write to Frank.” - -The connection of ideas seems very clear. Perhaps it may have been some -memory of these old times, and the wishes of his sister who had passed -away, that induced Francis to make Martha his second wife in 1828. - -That their religious life was the mainspring of all their actions is -sufficiently clear throughout the whole lives of the two brothers. -During this time at Ramsgate, Francis was noticed as “_the_ officer who -knelt in church,” and up to the day of his death there is one entry -never absent from the diary of Charles Austen--“Read the Lessons of the -Day.” - -In May 1804 Captain Francis Austen was appointed to the _Leopard_, the -flagship of Rear-Admiral Louis, who held a command in the squadron -blockading Napoleon’s Boulogne flotilla. This flotilla, begun in -1802, had by 1804 assumed very large proportions. With the object of -stirring up the descendants of the Norman conquerors to a new invasion -of England, Napoleon, always dramatic in his effects, made a progress -through the maritime provinces attended by the Bayeux Tapestry, the -display of which was expected to arouse much martial ardour. It was -assumed that his great army of veteran soldiers, encamped above the -cliffs of Boulogne, was only waiting for favourable weather to embark -on board the two thousand flat-bottomed boats. His review of this fleet -in August 1804 was, however, so seriously disturbed by one or two of -the British men-of-war that the new Emperor was obliged to recognise -the impossibility of crossing the Channel unless he had the command of -(at least) the narrow seas. - -All the naval history that follows, up to the day of Trafalgar, was the -outcome of his attempt to obtain this superiority for his “Grand Army -of England.” The failure of Villeneuve, on his return from the West -Indies, to reach the appointed rendezvous with Ganteaume off Brest, -broke up Napoleon’s combination; the army marched to Austerlitz and -Vienna, the flotilla was left to decay, and the site of the two years’ -camp is commemorated only by the Column of Napoleon himself. - -The work of watching Boulogne and the neighbouring ports was, in common -with all other blockades, as a contemporary writer says, “a trial -to the temper, spirits and health of officers and men.” There was a -strong feeling in England against this system, which seems to have been -popular with naval authorities. This opinion is voiced in the following -cutting from the _Naval Chronicle_ of that date: - - “Were it indeed possible to keep so strict a watch on the - hostile shores that every effort of the enemy to escape - from the ports would be unavailing, that the fortuitous - circumstances of calms, fogs, gales, the obscurity of the - night, &c., would not in any degree advance his purposes, - then would the eventual mischief inseparable from a blockade, - by which our marine is threatened, find a compensation in - our immediate security. But until this can be effected with - a certainty of success, the national interests ought not to - be compromised, and our future offensive and defensive means - unnecessarily abridged.” This extract is perhaps of greater - interest as an example of the journalese of the date, than for - any unusual depth in the ideas which it expresses, which merely - amount to the fact that it was considered that the “game was - not worth the candle.” - -Against this we may set another view of the blockades as expressed by -Dr. Fitchett: - - “It was one of the compensations of these great blockades that - they raised the standard of seamanship and endurance throughout - the British fleets to the highest possible level. The lonely - watches, the sustained vigilance, the remoteness from all - companionship, the long wrestle with the forces of the sea, the - constant watching for battle, which for English seamen marked - those blockades, profoundly affected the character of English - seamanship. When, indeed, has the world seen such seamen as - those of the years preceding Trafalgar? Hardy, resolute, - careless alike of tempest or of battle; of frames as enduring - as the oaken decks they trod, and courage as iron as the guns - they worked; and as familiar with sea-life and all its chances - as though they had been web-footed. - - “If the great blockades hardened the seamanship of the British - fleets, fighting for long months with the tempests of the - open sea, they fatally enervated the seamanship of the French - navy. The seaman’s art under the tri-colour decayed in the - long inaction of blockaded ports. The seaman’s spirit drooped. - The French navy suffered curious and fatal loss, not only of - nautical skill but of fighting impulse.” - -Nelson’s comment is opportune: “These gentlemen are not accustomed to a -Gulf of Lyons gale, which we have buffeted for twenty-one months, and -not carried away a spar.” - -Captain Austen’s idea of the best way to minimise the evils of a -blockade was to give the men as much work to do as possible in the -care of the ship. At one time this took the form of having the boats -re-painted. Over this question we have the following characteristic -letter: - - “_Leopard_, DUNGENESS, _June 23, 1804_. - - “SIR,--I have received your letter of 21st instant, relative - to the paint and oil I have demanded for the preservation of - the boats of his Majesty’s ship under my command, and in reply - to it beg leave to inform you that I did not make that demand - without having previously stated to the Navy Board by letter - the situation of the boats of the _Leopard_, and the necessity - of an extra proportion of paint being supplied for them; - and as by their answer they appeared to have approved of my - application, inasmuch as they told me orders had been sent to - Deal to issue it, I concluded nothing more remained for me than - to demand the necessary quantity. Presuming, however, from the - tenor of your letter, that you have received no direction on - the subject, I shall write to renew my application. - - “With respect to ‘no colour than white being allowed for - boats,’ I would only ask you, as knowing something of the - King’s naval service, how long one of our six-oared cutters - would look decent painted all white, and whether a darker - colour would not be both more durable and creditable? If, - however, such be the regulation of the Board (from which I know - there is no appeal), I have only to request, when you receive - any order to supply the paint, that you will give an additional - quantity of white in lieu of black. - - “The paint to which you allude in your letter as having been - supplied on the 9th and 12th June, was sea store, and ought to - have been furnished to the ship months ago. Nor is it more than - sufficient to make her decent and fit for an Admiral to hoist - his flag in. - - “I am, Sir, your humble servant, - “FRANCIS WM. AUSTEN. - - “Geo. Lawrence, Esq., &c., &c.” - -Shingle ballast was one of the grievances of naval officers at that -time. It was, naturally, much cheaper than iron ballast, but it had -a particularly awkward habit of shifting, and the larger stones -occasionally drilled holes in the ship. It was also very bulky and -difficult to stow. - -Francis Austen was neither slow to enter a protest, nor easily put off -his point. He writes: - -“Though the ship is deep enough in the water, she can only acquire the -proper stability by having the weight placed lower. By a letter which -I have this day received from the Navy Board in answer to my request, -I am informed that the _Leopard_ cannot be supplied with more than -the established proportion of iron ballast, but if I wish for more -directions shall be given for supplying shingle. I have, therefore, to -request you will be pleased to move their Lordships to give directions -for the _Leopard’s_ being supplied with the additional _iron ballast_ -as requested in my letter to the Navy Board.” - -About this time Francis Austen began to keep a private note-book, which -is still in existence, in which he recorded (not always seriously) -points of interest in the places he visited. He seems to have kept this -note-book while he was in the _Leopard_, then laid it aside for three -years, and begun it again when he was Captain of the _St. Albans_. His -notes on the “Anchorage Off Boulogne” contain some interesting details. - -“Directions for Sailing into the Roads.--There is no danger whatever -in approaching the anchorage usually occupied by the English squadron -employed at the blockade of Boulogne, as the water is deep and the -soundings are regular. There is a bank called the ‘Basse du Basse,’ -which lies about a mile off Ambleteuse, extending in a direction nearly -parallel to the shore, but rather diverging outwards to the westward -of Boulogne Pier; on it there are in some places as little as three -fathoms at low water, and within it considerably deeper water.” He goes -on with some special advice for the various types of vessel. - -“The situation usually occupied by the British squadron off Boulogne -is, with the town bearing from S.S.E. to E.S.E., distant about four -miles, in from 16 to 20 fathoms water; coarse sandy bottom, with large -shells and stones, which would probably injure the cables materially, -but that from the depth of water and strength of the tides, little of -them can ever drag on the bottom. - -“From Cape Grisnez to Portel the coast is little else than one -continual battery, and I conceive it to be absolutely impregnable -to any attack from the sea. Of its defences towards the land I -know nothing. I had no means of knowing anything relative to the -landing-places. - -“Trade.--On this point I had no means of acquiring any certain -information, but believe, previous to the war with England, it was a -place of great resort for our smuggling vessels from the Kentish coast. -As it is a tide harbour, and completely dry at low water, no vessels -of very large draught of water can go in, nor anything larger than a -boat until nearly half flood.” - -A hundred years have wrought great changes. The Folkestone and Boulogne -steamers have some larger dimensions than the _Leopard_ herself, and -they go in and out at all states of the tide. - -One heading is always devoted to “Inhabitants,” and under this Francis -Austen remarks: “The inhabitants are French, subjects to Napoleon -the First, lately exalted to the Imperial dignity by the unanimous -suffrages of himself and his creatures.” The sarcastic tone of the -reference to Napoleon was characteristic of the general tenor of -publications in England at the time. “The Tom Thumb egotism and -impudent bulletins of the Corsican usurper continue almost without a -parallel in history,” says the _Naval Chronicle_. The language in which -this protest is couched is hardly that we should use now in speaking of -Napoleon. - -Charles, when the war broke out again, was reappointed to the -_Endymion_, and served on her with some distinction until October 1804, -when he was given the command of the _Indian_ sloop. - -Among other prizes taken under Captain Paget, who finally recommended -Lieutenant Charles Austen for command, the _Endymion_ had captured the -French corvette _Bacchante_ on the return voyage from St. Domingo to -Brest; she had left France about three months before, meeting with the -_Endymion_ on June 25, 1803. This prize was a remarkably fine corvette, -and was added to the British Navy. - -Somewhere about this time Charles had come across Lord Leven and his -family, and was evidently useful to them in some way, besides being -doubtless extremely agreeable. When Lord and Lady Leven were in Bath, -they made some effort to become acquainted with the family of Mr. -Austen, and Jane writes to Cassandra describing a visit paid one -morning by her mother and herself: - - “When I tell you I have been visiting a countess this morning, - you will immediately (with great justice, but no truth) guess - it to be Lady Roden. No; it is Lady Leven, the mother of Lord - Balgonie. On receiving a message from Lord and Lady Leven - through the Mackys, declaring their intention of waiting on us, - we thought it right to go to them. I hope we have not done too - much, but friends and admirers of Charles must be attended to. - They seem very reasonable, good sort of people, very civil, - and full of his praise. We were shown at first into an empty - drawing-room, and presently in came his lordship (not knowing - who we were) to apologise for the servant’s mistake, and to - say himself--what was untrue--that Lady Leven was not within. - He is a tall, gentleman-like looking man, with spectacles, and - rather deaf. After sitting with him ten minutes we walked away, - but Lady Leven coming out of the dining-parlour as we passed - the door, we were obliged to attend her back to it, and pay our - visit over again. She is a stout woman, with a very handsome - face. By this means we had the pleasure of hearing Charles’s - praises twice over. They think themselves excessively obliged - to him, and estimate him so highly as to wish Lord Balgonie, - when he is quite recovered, to go out to him. - - “There is a pretty little Lady Marianne of the party to be - shaken hands with, and asked if she remembered Mr. Austen.... I - shall write to Charles by the next packet, unless you tell me - in the meantime of your intending to do it. - - “Believe me, if you chuse, - “Your affectionate sister.” - -In January 1805, just before Francis Austen was moved from the -_Leopard_ to the _Canopus_, and a few months after Charles had taken -command of the _Indian_, a family sorrow came upon them. Jane wrote -twice to tell the news to Frank, as the first letter was directed to -Dungeness, in the belief that the _Leopard_ was there, instead of at -Portsmouth. - -[Illustration: MRS. AUSTEN] - - “GREEN PARK BUILDINGS, - “Monday, _January 21, 1805_. - - “MY DEAREST FRANK,--I have melancholy news to relate, and - sincerely feel for your feelings under the shock of it. I wish - I could better prepare you for it, but, having said so much, - your mind will already foretell the sort of event which I - have to communicate. Our dear father has closed his virtuous - and happy life in a death almost as free from suffering as - his children could have wished. He was taken ill on Saturday - morning, exactly in the same way as heretofore--an oppression - in the head, with fever, violent tremulousness, and the - greatest degree of feebleness. The same remedy of cupping, - which had before been so successful, was immediately applied - to, but without such happy effects. The attack was more - violent, and at first he seemed scarcely at all relieved by - the operation. Towards the evening, however, he got better, - had a tolerable night, and yesterday morning was so greatly - amended as to get up, join us at breakfast as usual, and walk - about without the help of a stick; and every symptom was then - so favourable that, when Bowen saw him at one, he felt sure of - his doing perfectly well. But as the day advanced all these - comfortable appearances gradually changed, the fever grew - stronger than ever, and when Bowen saw him at ten at night he - pronounced his situation to be most alarming. At nine this - morning he came again, and by his desire a physician was called - in, Dr. Gibbs. But it was then absolutely a lost case. Dr. - Gibbs said that nothing but a miracle could save him, and about - twenty minutes after ten he drew his last gasp. Heavy as is the - blow, we can already feel that a thousand comforts remain to us - to soften it. Next to that of the consciousness of his worth - and constant preparation for another world, is the remembrance - of his having suffered, comparatively speaking, nothing. Being - quite insensible of his own state, he was spared all pain of - separation, and he went off almost in his sleep. My mother - bears the shock as well as possible; she was quite prepared - for it, and feels all the blessing of his being spared a long - illness. My uncle and aunt have been with us, and show us every - imaginable kindness. And to-morrow we shall, I dare say, have - the comfort of James’ presence, as an express has been sent - for him. We write also, of course, to Godmersham and Brompton. - Adieu, my dearest Frank. The loss of such a parent must be - felt, or we should be brutes. I wish I could give you a better - preparation, but it has been impossible. - - “Yours ever affectionately, - “J. A.” - -As this letter was wrongly addressed, it was necessary for Jane to -write a second one to send direct to Portsmouth. - - “GREEN PARK BUILDINGS, - “Tuesday Evening, _January 22, 1805_. - - “MY DEAREST FRANK,--I wrote to you yesterday, but your letter - to Cassandra this morning, by which we learn the probability of - your being by this time at Portsmouth, obliges me to write to - you again, having, unfortunately, a communication as necessary - as painful to make to you. Your affectionate heart will be - greatly wounded, and I wish the shock could have been lessened - by a better preparation; but the event has been sudden, and - so must be the information of it. We have lost an excellent - father. An illness of only eight and forty hours carried him - off yesterday morning between ten and eleven. He was seized - on Saturday with a return of the feverish complaint which he - had been subject to for the last three years--evidently a more - violent attack from the first, as the applications which had - before produced almost immediate relief seemed for some time - to afford him scarcely any. On Sunday, however, he was much - better--so much so as to make Bowen quite easy, and give us - every hope of his being well again in a few days. But these - hopes gradually gave way as the day advanced, and when Bowen - saw him at ten that night he was greatly alarmed. A physician - was called in yesterday morning, but he was at that time past - all possibility of cure; and Dr. Gibbs and Mr. Bowen had - scarcely left his room before he sunk into a sleep from which - he never awoke. Everything, I trust and believe, was done - for him that was possible. It has been very sudden. Within - twenty-four hours of his death he was walking about with only - the help of a stick--was even reading. We had, however, some - hours of preparation, and when we understood his recovery to - be hopeless, most fervently did we pray for the speedy release - which ensued. To have seen him languishing long, struggling - for hours, would have been dreadful--and, thank God, we were - all spared from it. Except the restlessness and confusion of - high fever, he did not suffer, and he was mercifully spared - from knowing that he was about to quit objects so beloved and - so fondly cherished as his wife and children ever were. His - tenderness as a father, who can do justice to? My mother is - tolerably well; she bears up with the greatest fortitude, but I - fear her health must suffer under such a shock. An express was - sent for James, and he arrived here this morning before eight - o’clock. The funeral is to be on Saturday at Walcot Church. The - serenity of the corpse is most delightful. It preserves the - sweet, benevolent smile which always distinguished him. They - kindly press my mother to remove to Steventon as soon as it is - all over, but I do not believe she will leave Bath at present. - We must have this house for three months longer, and here we - shall probably stay till the end of that time. We all unite in - love, and I am - - “Affectionately yours, - “J. A.” - -This was followed in a few days by another. - - “GREEN PARK BUILDINGS, - “Tuesday, _January 29, 1805_. - - “MY DEAREST FRANK,--My mother has found among our dear father’s - little personal property a small astronomical instrument, which - she hopes you will accept for his sake. It is, I believe, a - compass and sun-dial, and is in a black shagreen case. Would - you have it sent to you now--and with what direction? There is - also a pair of scissors for you. We hope these are articles - that may be useful to you, but we are sure they will be - valuable. I have not time for more. - - “Yours very affectionately, - “J. A.” - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE PURSUIT OF VILLENEUVE - - -For a little over a year Francis Austen was Flag-Captain in the -_Canopus_. This ship, which had been captured from the French at the -Battle of the Nile, had originally been called _Le Franklin_, and was -one of the best built vessels in the Navy of that day, carrying eighty -guns. - -On March 29, 1805, Rear-Admiral Louis hoisted his flag in the -_Canopus_, and soon afterwards became second in command to Nelson. - -Perhaps few, even among British captains of that day, were engaged in -search of French fleets across the Atlantic twice within a twelvemonth, -but the story in the log-book of the _Canopus_ for that year tells of -the chase of Villeneuve before Trafalgar, of the second cruise and of -the battle of St. Domingo, followed by the return voyage to England -with three French line-of-battle ships as prizes. - -The subtle strategy of the Emperor Napoleon, with the counter-strokes -of Nelson and the British Admiralty, have been often described; but -the history of those months, told day by day in the log-book of the -_Canopus_, has a freshness of detail which gives reality to such stock -phrases as “contrary winds” or “strange sails,” and makes one recognise -that it was the men at sea who really did the work. - -The escape of Villeneuve’s fleet from Toulon begins the series of -events in 1805 which led up to the Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon’s -original plan has since become well known. - -Villeneuve was to be joined in the West Indies by the combined fleets -under Ganteaume from Brest, and Missiessy from Rochefort. The force -thus gathered was to cross the Atlantic, gain possession of the narrow -seas by overpowering the Channel fleet, and then the long-threatened -invasion of England was to be attempted by the Grand Army, embarked in -the Boulogne flotilla. - -The plan was so far forward that the fleet from Toulon was already at -sea, and the Rochefort squadron had reached the West Indies. It only -remained to get the Brest fleet out of harbour. This was, however, -exactly where the plan failed. The blockading force was not to be moved -and could not be eluded. False news of troubles in India and false -declarations of intentions were all unavailing; and even the bluff in -the French papers that, so far from waiting till the British would -let them go, the French fleet could and would sail whenever it was -convenient, did not effect the withdrawal of a single British ship -from Ushant. At the same time the fact that the Toulon fleet was at -large was enough to cause anxiety to Nelson, especially as it was quite -impossible to tell what might be Villeneuve’s orders. Nelson supposed -him to be making for Egypt, and took up a position accordingly midway -between Sardinia and Africa. - -The fleet with Nelson at this time is recorded in the log of the -_Canopus_ as follows: - - 100 _Victory_ Rt. Honble. Lord Viscount Nelson, K.B., - Vice-Admiral of the White, &c. &c. - Rear-Admiral George Murray, Capt. of the Fleet. - Captain Thomas Hardy. - 100 _Royal Sovereign_ Sir Richard Bickerton, Baronet, Rear-Admiral - of the Red. - Captain John Stuart. - 80 _Canopus_ Thomas Louis, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the Blue. - Captain F. W. Austen. - 74 _Superb_ ” Richard G. Keats. - 74 _Spencer_ ” Honble. Robert Stopford. - 74 _Swiftsure_ ” Mark Robinson. - 74 _Belleisle_ ” William Hargood. - 74 _Conqueror_ ” Israel Pellew. - 74 _Tigre_ ” Benjamin Hallowell. - 74 _Leviathan_ ” H. W. Baynton. - 74 _Donegal_ ” Pulteney Malcolm. - - -ORDER OF BATTLE AND OF SAILING - - REPEATING FRIGATES - {NO. SHIPS’ NAMES. CAPTAINS. - { 1. _Canopus_ { Rear-Admiral Thomas } - { Louis } - { { Captain Francis Wm. } - { Austen } - { 2. } - VAN { 3. } - SQUADRON { 4. _Superb_ Richard Goodwin Keats } - { 5. } - { { The Commander-in-Chief} - { 6. _Victory_ { Rear-Admiral George } - { Murray } - { { Captain Thomas Hardy } - { 7. _Donegal_ Pulteney Malcolm } - { 8. } - { 9. _Spencer_ Hon. R. Stopford } - {10. } - } STARBOARD - { 1. } DIVISION - { 2. } - { 3. _Tigre_ Benjamin Hallowell } - { 4. } - CENTRE { 5. _Royal Sovereign_ { Rear-Admiral Sir } - SQUADRON { { Richard Bickerton } - { - { { Captain John Stuart } - { 6. } - { 7. _Leviathan_ Henry Wm. Baynton } - { 8. } - { 9. } - {10. } - } - { 1. } - { 2. } LARBOARD - { 3. } DIVISION - { 4. } - { 5. } - REAR { 6. } - SQUADRON { 7. _Excellent_ Frank Sotheron } - { 8. _Belleisle_ William Hargood } - { 9. _Conqueror_ Israel Pellew } - {10. _Swiftsure_ Mark Robinson } - - To FRANCIS AUSTEN, ESQ. Dated on board the - Captain of His Majesty’s Ship _Canopus_ _Victory_, in PALMA BAY, - _March 26, 1805_ - - (_Signed_) NELSON AND BRONTE - -The _Royal Sovereign_ was found unfit to make the voyage across the -Atlantic, and went home from Lagos in May for thorough repairs, which -were so effective that she carried Collingwood’s flag into action, -before any other of the fleet, at Trafalgar. - -The narrative begins at the Bay of Palma in Sardinia, amid general -preparations throughout the fleet. - -On the 4th of April the Admiral signalled “to prepare for action, -as the enemy’s fleet from Toulon is at sea.” After this the fleet -cruised for some days between Sardinia and Sicily, waiting for news of -the enemy’s movements. If, as was thought possible, they were bound -for Egypt, the position taken up by Nelson was a strong one. There -were daily consultations of the admirals and captains on board the -_Victory_. After about a fortnight of this uncertainty, “intelligence -is gained” that the sixteen French ships of the line were spoken on -the 7th of April, off Cartagena, going west. On the 18th this news was -confirmed, with the addition that they had passed Gibraltar on the -9th, and were joined by five Spanish two-deckers, and had continued -westward with fair winds. Now ensued an anxious time. The enemy were -well started ten days in advance, with the wind behind them, while -the British fleet were still battling with adverse winds in the -Mediterranean. Every breeze is carefully noted in the log, and the slow -progress evidently gave the greatest concern. - -On the 22nd and 23rd of April, the distance made was only fifteen miles -in all: “Extremely variable baffling winds and squally weather, tacking -or wearing every two or three hours, the squadron very much dispersed.” -Ordinarily the _Victory_ was within half a mile, “but now four or six -miles away.” Majorca was in sight at one time, and the African coast -at another, but the progress towards Gibraltar must have been scarcely -perceptible. The Rock was seen for the first time on the 2nd May, -still twelve leagues away, and on the 4th they anchored in Tetuan Bay. -Here was hard work to be done in getting fresh water and provisions on -board. At Gibraltar on the 6th the _Canopus_ did not even anchor, as -the wind was at last fair, and their stay was only for four hours. - -On May 9th, the _Victory_ signalled “to prepare demands to complete -provisions for five months,” which was accomplished off Lagos in -Portugal by the morning of the 11th. Then the Admiral made telegraph -signal, “Rendezvous Barbadoes,” and the whole fleet made sail for the -West Indies. - -With fair winds and a straight course, the distance of 3200 miles was -accomplished by the 4th of June. - -The sailing order of the squadron was: - - FRIGATES ON - WEATHER LINE. LEE LINE. VICTORY’S WEATHER BEAM. - - 100 _Victory._ 80 _Canopus._ - 74 _Superb._ 74 _Leviathan._ - 74 _Donegal._ 74 _Belleisle._ 32 _Amphion._ - 74 _Spencer._ 74 _Conqueror._ 38 _Amazon._ - 74 _Tigre._ 74 _Swiftsure._ 26 _Decade._ - -There is very little in the log to indicate the intense expectation -that must have been present as they made their entries of the -diminishing distance. - - “_May 15._--Island of Barbadoes S. 64.46 W., dist. 877 leagues. - - “_May 22._--S. 70.15 W., dist. 589 leagues.” - -The careful comparison of observations with the vessels of the weather -line, repairs to spars and sails, and general preparation for what -might happen on arrival, seem to fill up the days, while the north-east -trade winds gave them fine and clear weather. - -“Oh, the wonder of the great trade wind! All day we sailed and all -night, and all the next day, and the next, day after day, the wind -always astern and blowing steadily and strong. The schooner sailed -herself. There was no pulling and hauling on sheets and tackles, no -shifting of topsails, no work at all for the sailors to do except to -steer. At night, when the sun went down, the sheets were slackened; in -the morning when they yielded up the damp of the dew and relaxed, they -were pulled tight again--and that was all. Ten knots, twelve knots, -eleven knots, varying from time to time, is the speed we are making. -And ever out of the north-east the brave wind blows, driving us on our -course two hundred and fifty miles between the dawns.” - -These words, taken from one of our popular modern novels,[1] give us -some idea of what sailing was in those days. - -The usual record every twelve hours is “_Victory_ north one mile.” -Sometimes the flagship is rather more distant, and occasionally the -“Admiral (Louis) went on board the _Victory_.” Doubtless the impatience -and excitement was not all on Nelson’s part. Every man in the fleet -must have felt that a battle was not far off. All this time the three -frigates were almost daily out in chase, but no enemy was sighted, and -it was not until June 3 that the Admiral signalled that the French and -Spanish squadrons were at Martinique, “having gained this intelligence -from two English letters of marque.” - -Next day they arrived at Barbadoes, where the Admiral gave orders -to embark troops. Nine regiments had been sent out from England in -the spring, but had not arrived in time to prevent Missiessy and his -squadron from Rochefort from doing much as they chose during his -stay among the islands. His troops had taken possession of Dominica, -excepting a fort held by General Prevost’s force, and he had laid under -contribution Montserrat, Nevis and St. Kitt’s. - -Missiessy had then departed, according to the Emperor’s instructions, -for France, crossing Villeneuve’s fleet in Mid-Atlantic. Thus -Napoleon’s grand scheme of combination fell through. The fleets from -Toulon and Rochefort missed each other, instead of meeting at the -West Indies, and the Brest fleet did not succeed in getting past the -British blockade. The _Canopus_ log of July 17 records the return of -Missiessy’s squadron. “Five sail of the line and four frigates arrived -at Rochefort, on May 21. Vessels dismantled and remained.” - -The troops embarked by the squadron at Barbadoes were some of those -despatched hither in the spring. There is a record of a characteristic -order on June 3: - -“Admiral made telegraph signal--‘Troops to be victualled at whole -allowance of provisions.’” The practice of the day was that soldiers at -sea received smaller rations than the ship’s company--just the sort of -unreasonable orders which it would delight Nelson to set aside. - -Early on the 5th the squadron was again under weigh, the _Victory_ -leading and the _Canopus_ astern; but in consequence of wrong -information received they were on a southerly course, and hourly -increasing their distance from the combined enemy’s fleet, which was -still among the islands, but to the northward of Martinique. The signal -at three o’clock “to prepare for battle” was not to be followed by any -immediate action. - -On the 7th the Gulf of Paria, in Trinidad, was reached, but still no -news of the enemy was obtained. The log merely mentions anchoring there -for the night and sailing for the northerly islands next morning. The -careful records of barometer and temperature are here interrupted, as -“barometer taken down in clearing for action.” - -All through June 10, 11 and 12 the smaller craft were constantly -detached to the various islands for intelligence, and finally they all -anchored at Antigua. - - -ORDER OF BATTLE AND OF SAILING - - REPEATING FRIGATES - {NO. SHIPS’ NAMES. CAPTAINS. - { 1. _Canopus_ { Rear-Admiral Louis } - { { Captain Francis W. Austen } - { 2. } - VAN { 3. } - SQUADRON { 4. _Superb_ Richard G. Keats } - { 5. } - { { The Commander-in-Chief } - { 6. _Victory_ { Rear-Admiral Murray } - { { Captain Thomas Hardy } - { 7. _Donegal_ Pulteney Malcolm } - { 8. } - { 9. _Spencer_ Hon. R. Stopford } - {10. } - } STARBOARD - { 1. } DIVISION - { 2. } - { 3. _Tigre_ Benjamin Hallowell } - { 4. } - CENTRE { 5. _Northumberland_ { Rear-Admiral Hon. A. } - SQUADRON { { Cochrane } - { { Captain George Tobin } - { - { 6. } - { 7. _Leviathan_ Wm. Henry Baynton } - { 8. } - { 9. } - {10. } - { 1. } - { 2. } LARBOARD - { 3. } DIVISION - { 4. } - { 5. } - REAR { 6. _Belleisle_ William Hargood } - SQUADRO { 7. _Excellent_ Israel Pellew } - { 8. _Swiftsure_ W. G. Rutherford } - { 9. _Spartiate_ Sir Francis Laforey, Bart. } - {10. } - - To FRANCIS WILLIAM AUSTEN, ESQ. Dated on board the _Victory_ - Captain of His Majesty’s Ship _Canopus_ in CARLISLE BAY, BARBADOES, - _June 5, 1805_ - - (_Signed_) NELSON AND BRONTE - -“_June 12._--Admiral made signal to prepare letters for England. At -eight o’clock the _Curieux_ brig parted company for England.” - -This brig had a history of some interest. She had been captured from -the French on February 3, 1804. She was cut out by the _Centaur_ from -the harbour of Martinique, just after the Diamond Rock had been seized -and garrisoned by the same man-of-war. The story is pathetically told -by M. Cheminant, the only French officer who survived the action. - - “ON BOARD THE _Curieux_, CAPTURED BY THE ENGLISH, - “_Pluviose 14, Year 12_. - - “The only officer remaining of those who commanded the crew of - the _Curieux_, I owe you a faithful report of the cruel tragedy - which has delivered us up to the enemy. - - “On the 13th instant, before one o’clock in the morning I - was on deck with a midshipman and twenty men, according to - the orders given by Captain Cordier. The weather was of the - darkest, especially in the northern direction. Sentries were - placed abaft at the ladder and forward. Our boarding nettings - were triced up. We had hardly perceived the English boats - before they boarded by the stern and the main shrouds. We had - only time to discharge two guns with grape shot, one swivel and - a wall piece, when the enemy were on board, and forced us to - have recourse to the sabre, pike and musketry.” - -Lieutenant Bettesworth took a chief part in the attack, and was -eventually rewarded with the command of the brig, which had been one of -the best vessels of its kind in the French navy. - -It was an important mission which was now entrusted to Captain -Bettesworth. He was to sail for England with despatches from Lord -Nelson for the Admiralty, steering a certain course in the hope that he -would sight the enemy’s fleet. Nelson was right in his conjecture, and -Captain Bettesworth reached England with the news that Villeneuve was -on the return voyage. - -The _Curieux_ anchored at Plymouth on July 7, and the Captain reached -the Admiralty at 11 P.M. on the 8th, too late, in the officials’ -opinion, for the First Lord to be disturbed. Lord Barham, a sailor -himself, knew well the value of time in naval matters, and was much -annoyed at the loss of so many precious hours. Though over eighty -years of age his judgment was rapid and accurate. Early on the 9th -Admiralty messages were on the way to Portsmouth and Plymouth. Admiral -Cornwallis, off Ushant, received his orders on the 11th to detach the -squadron blockading Rochefort and send it to join Calder westward off -Cape Finisterre, while he himself was to cruise south of Ushant. To -the amazement of Napoleon, only eight days after the arrival of the -_Curieux_, Sir Robert Calder was ready with fifteen ships off Ferrol. -There Villeneuve met him, and an action took place which should -have been decisive, but by reason of excessive caution on the part -of Calder, only caused loss of ships and men to both sides without -advantage to either. Calder joined Cornwallis off Ushant, while -Villeneuve went into Vigo Bay and afterwards into Ferrol. - -Nelson’s squadron began the voyage back from the West Indies on June -15, and we have again in the log of the _Canopus_ the matter-of-fact, -day-to-day record of routine work, vessels spoken, “no intelligence,” -small prizes, rigging out of gear, and so forth, behind which was the -background of suppressed excitement, of unremitting watch, and of -constant readiness. As the months went on and the situation developed, -the excitement increased, and reached its climax only with Trafalgar -Day. - -One entry gives an idea of the difference in the conditions of warfare -then and now. “On June 19, an English merchant vessel was spoken by -the _Amphion_ frigate. They signalled--‘Have English papers to the 3rd -of May. Interesting debates.’ Admiral asked--‘Who is First Lord of -the Admiralty?’ Answer--‘Lord Barham.’ Knowing so little as they did -of affairs at home, they could not be sure that all might not be over -before they got back. - -“_June 29._--The _Amazon_ at daylight was seen to be towing a captured -Spanish _Tartan_, from La Guayra. The people on board did not know of -the war.” This was undoubtedly an extreme case, and one feels some -sympathy for the “people on board,” who were captured before they knew -that they were fighting. - -The winds were naturally less favourable for the return voyage, but by -taking a course near Bermuda, and to the Azores, they made much better -headway than Villeneuve had managed to do, and reached Gibraltar on -July 17. After a few days here they gained intelligence of the doings -of the _Curieux_ brig, and sailed northwards to join Admiral Cornwallis -off Ushant. - -“_August 15._--Off Ushant. Lord Nelson saluted Admiral Cornwallis with -fifteen guns, returned with thirteen.--Joined the Channel Fleet of -twenty-four sail of the line. Answered our signal to follow orders of -Admiral Cornwallis in the _Ville de Paris_.” - -“_August 16._--Thirty-five sail of the line in company. _Victory_ and -_Superb_ parted company for England.” - -We read from a contemporary writer that Nelson arrived “filled -with mortification, which those who first conversed with him after -his arrival state to have amounted almost to anguish, at his -disappointment” at having missed Villeneuve in the West Indies. - -“_August 17._--_Ville de Paris_ made signal to _Prince of Wales_ (Sir -R. Calder) to part company, on service previously denoted. Made sail -(southwards) in company with squadron of nineteen sail of the line.” - -“On 20th _Naiad_ brought intelligence that the French fleet had sailed -from Ferrol on the 13th.” - -“On 22nd, off Peninsular coast, Admiral Calder signalled ‘Prepare for -battle.’” - -This was almost on the very spot of his indecisive fight of July -23. Calder’s “order of battle” gives very full details on various -contingencies, making a sharp contrast with those signed “Nelson and -Bronté,” in which the ships’ stations only are set down, the rest of -the orders being given in the plan of attack well known as the “Nelson -Touch.” - -In the log of 24th “the enemy’s fleet of twenty-eight sail of the line -were off Cape St. Vincent on the 18th, when they fell in with and -destroyed four sail of merchantmen, under convoy of the _Halcyon_, -which narrowly escaped capture. In the afternoon, the _Euryalus_, with -despatches from V. A. Collingwood, reported that the combined fleet -anchored in Cadiz on the 21st, making in all thirty-four sail of the -line.” - -With the enemy in Cadiz the only thing to be done was to wait until -they came out. On the 30th the log records: “Joined Vice-Admiral -Collingwood’s squadron of five sail of the line.” The fleet wore -and stood off, while _Canopus_, _Spencer_, _Tigre_, _Leviathan_ and -_Donegal_ were ordered to cruise in sight of Cadiz. This plan of -keeping a squadron close in shore was followed throughout September, -while the fleet awaited the arrival of Nelson from England, and the -enemy watched for an opportunity to get out, either to meet the British -fleet or to pass them on the way into the Mediterranean. - -An extract from the _Naval Chronicle_ shows something of popular -feeling in England at this juncture. The remarks on Nelson as -contrasted with those of a few months later, after Trafalgar had been -fought and won, are more amusing than instructive. - -“The arrival of Lord Nelson and Sir Robert Calder’s action are the -principal events of the last month which have occupied the public -mind. It has been said that the former, with Sir Sydney Smith, is soon -to embark on some desperate project against the enemy, and we most -sincerely wish to see his lordship employed at the present moment in -the defence of our own shores. Should the mad project of invasion ever -be attempted, the public would feel additional security from having -the Hero of the Nile off our own coast. But we greatly lament that -ill-judged and over-weening popularity which tends to make another -demigod of Lord Nelson at the expense of all other officers in the -Service, many of whom possess equal merit and equal abilities and equal -gallantry with the noble Admiral. - -“Sir Robert Calder has not yet, even to the Admiralty, given that -explanation of his conduct which his country expects and his character -demands. With his character and its failings we are well acquainted, -but we only wish to regard his talents. The French fleet did certainly -not run away; owing to the particular manœuvres of the action, they -may be said even to have pursued us, and this may, perhaps, have been -occasioned by some feint of our Admiral in order to attack the French -to greater advantage. But the whole is at present merely conjecture, -until some further explanation of the action has taken place. The -account which the French have published in the _Moniteur_, allowing for -their natural boasting and vanity, contains a greater portion of truth -than usual.” - -Villeneuve’s letter will give an idea of what that account was. “The -battle then began almost along the whole line. We fired by the light of -the enemy’s fire, almost always without seeing them. The fog did not -abate during the remainder of the evening. At the first peep of dawn I -made signal to bear down upon the enemy, who had taken their position -at a great distance, and endeavoured by every possible press of sail to -avoid renewing the action. Finding it impossible to force them to an -engagement, I thought it my duty not to remove further from the line of -my destination.” - -In consequence of this Sir Robert Calder was recalled and tried by -court-martial at Portsmouth in the following December, when he was -severely reprimanded for an “error in judgment.” The severity of tone -of the _Naval Chronicle_ towards those who were fighting the country’s -battles finds its parallel in the French newspapers of the date. -Villeneuve was deeply stung by a sneering remark in the _Moniteur_ upon -what the conduct of the French fleet might be if commanded by a man of -ability--so much so as to induce him to disregard Napoleon’s wishes -that he should go to Toulon, collecting forces on the way, and to lead -him to come to close quarters with our fleet as soon as a convenient -opportunity offered. Of that opportunity and the Battle of Trafalgar to -which it led we will speak in the following chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -“A MELANCHOLY SITUATION” - - -The month of September was spent in blockading Cadiz. The _Canopus_, -as already stated, was one of the squadron of five told off to keep -close in shore and watch the port. So close were they that one time -the _Tigre_ nearly ran aground and had to be towed off. The log on -September 16th gives an account of what could be seen of the enemy’s -fleet. - -“We stood in till all the enemy’s fleet were open of the town, and had -an opportunity of distinctly counting them. Their whole force consisted -of thirty-three sail of the line and five frigates, all apparently -quite ready for sea, with the exception of two ships of the line; one -of which (French) had her topmasts struck, and main top-gallant mast -down on the deck; the other (Spanish) had her foremast struck and -fore-stay slack as if doing something to the bowsprit. Of the ships -of the line seventeen were French and sixteen Spanish, of which last -two were three-deckers. The frigates were all French, and one of them -appeared to have a poop. We saw also at the Carracas three large ships -(two of them appearing to be three-deckers) and two small ones, all of -them in a considerable state of forwardness in point of rigging.” - -On September 28 the _Victory_ arrived from England, with Nelson on -board, and three days later the _Canopus_ joined the main part of the -fleet, and was almost immediately told off to take her turn in the duty -of fetching water from Gibraltar. The story of the month of October, -with its hopes, fears, and disappointments, is best told by Francis -Austen himself in the following letter to Mary Gibson: - - “_Canopus_ AT SEA, OFF GIBRALTAR, _October 15, 1805_. - - “MY DEAREST MARY,--Having now got over the hurry and bustle - which unavoidably attends every ship while in the act of - compleating provisions, water and stores, I think it high - time to devote some part of my attention to your amusement, - and to be in a state of preparation for any opportunity which - may offer of dispatching letters to England. But in order to - make myself understood I must endeavour to be methodical, and - therefore shall commence the account I have now to send you - from the date of my last, which was finished and forwarded by - the _Nimble_ brig on the 2nd of this month. We had then just - joined the fleet from the inshore squadron, and, I believe - I mentioned, were about to quit it again for Gibraltar and - Tetuan. We sailed that evening with four other ships of the - line, a frigate, and five merchant vessels under convoy, and on - the following morning fell in with the _Euryalus_, which we had - left off Cadiz to watch the enemy. Captain Blackwood informed - us by signal that he had received information by a Swedish - ship from Cadiz that the troops had all embarked on board the - men-of-war, and it was reported they were to sail with the - first easterly wind. Though much confidence could not be placed - on the accuracy and authenticity of this intelligence, it was, - however, of such a nature as to induce Admiral Louis to return - with four of the ships to Lord Nelson, leaving the _Zealous_ - and _Endymion_ (both of them crippled ships) to proceed with - the convoy to Gibraltar. We rejoined the Commander-in-Chief on - the morning of the 5th, and were again dispatched in the course - of the day. - - “The wind being directly against us, and blowing very strong, - we were not able to reach Gibraltar until the 9th, when every - exertion was made to get on board such supplies of stores and - provisions as we were in want of, and the Rock could supply. - This was effected in three days, at which time the wind changed - to the westward and became favourable for our watering at - Tetuan, where we anchored on the evening of the 12th. We sailed - again last night to return to the fleet, having got on board in - the course of two days, with our own boats alone, 300 tons of - water, and every other ship had got a proportionate quantity. - You will judge from this that we have not been idle. We are now - expecting a wind to take us out of the Mediterranean again, and - hope to accomplish it in the course of the next twenty-four - hours; at present it is nearly calm, but appearances indicate - an easterly wind. We are, of course, very anxious to get back - to the fleet for fear the enemy should be moving, for the idea - of their doing so while we are absent is by no means pleasant. - Having borne our share in a tedious chace and anxious blockade, - it would be mortifying indeed to find ourselves at last thrown - out of any share of credit or emolument which would result from - an action. Such, I hope, will not be our lot, though, if they - do venture out at all, it must happen to some one, as a part of - the fleet will be constantly sent in to compleat as fast as the - others arrive from having performed that duty. - - “Our stay at Gibraltar was not productive of much gaiety to us; - we dined only twice on shore, and both times with General Fox, - the Governor. We had engagements for several succeeding days - on our hands; but this change of wind making it necessary for - us to move off, our friends were left to lament our absence, - and eat the fatted calf without us. I believe I have mentioned - in a former letter that the young lady _I admired so much_ - (Miss Smith) was married to the Colonel Keen, whom Sutton will - not acknowledge as an acquaintance. As a matter of civility, - I called with the Admiral Louis to make them a morning visit, - but we were not fortunate enough to find them at home, which, - of course, _I_ very much regretted. The last evening of our - stay at Gibraltar we went, after dining with the General, - to see _Othello_ performed by some of the officers of the - garrison. The theatre is small, but very neatly fitted up; the - dresses and scenery appeared good, and I might say the same - of the acting could I have seen or heard anything of it; but, - although I was honoured with a seat in the Governor’s box at - the commencement of the performance, yet I did not long profit - by it, for one of his aide-de-camps, happening to be married, - and his lady happening also to come in during the first scene, - I was obliged to resign my situation, happy to have it in my - power to accommodate a fair one. The play was _Othello_, and - by what I have been able to collect from the opinions of those - who were more advantageously situated for seeing and hearing - than myself, I did not experience a very severe loss from - my complaisance. I believe the Admiral was not much better - amused than I was, for, at the expiration of the first act, he - proposed departing, which I very readily agreed to, as I had - for some time found the house insufferably close and hot. I - hardly need add that the evening was not quite so productive - of pleasure to me as the last theatrical representation I - had witnessed, which was at Covent Garden some time in the - beginning of February last, when I had the honour of being - seated by a fair young lady, with whom I became slightly - acquainted the preceding year at Ramsgate. - - “Do you happen to recollect anything of the evening? I think - you do, and that you will not readily forget it. - - “_October 18._--The hopes with which I had flattered myself of - getting out of the Straits two days ago have not been realised, - and, from the circumstances which have since occurred, it is - very uncertain when we shall get to the fleet again. The wind - on the evening of the 15th came to the westward and forced us - back to Tetuan, where we remained till yesterday evening, at - which time a frigate came over with orders for Admiral Louis - to give protection to a convoy then collected at Gibraltar for - Malta, as far as Cartagena, after which he is to return to - the Commander-in-Chief. We accordingly came over to the Rock - this morning, and are now proceeding as fast as possible with - the trade to the eastward. Our force consists of five sail - of the line and three frigates, which last we shall leave in - charge of the convoy as soon as we have seen them safe past - the Cartagena squadron. I can’t say I much like the prospect. - I do not expect to derive any advantage from it, and it puts - us completely out of the way in case the enemy should make an - attempt to get to sea, which is by no means improbable, if he - knows Lord Nelson’s force is weakened by the detachment of so - many ships. It is since I last wrote to you I believe that your - No. 3 has come to hand; it was brought by Brigadier-General - Tilson, and was enclosed under cover from Henry. It has been - months on the journey. There are still three of yours missing, - Nos. 5, 6 and 7, some of which I suppose are gone to seek me - in the West Indies, but I trust they will do so in vain there. - We have heard from the fleet off Cadiz, and learn that it has - been reinforced by the arrival of five men-of-war from England, - some of which I hope have brought letters, or they might as - well have stayed away. Sir Robert Calder is gone home in the - _Prince of Wales_, which I am sorry has happened during our - absence, as by it a very fine opportunity of writing has been - lost, which is always a source of regret to me when it occurs. - I cannot, however, accuse myself of any neglect, and you will, - I hope, as readily acquit me of it; indeed, when you know the - circumstances, I am sure you will, though I daresay you will - feel rather disappointed to hear a man-of-war has arrived from - the Cadiz fleet and find no letter arrived from me, unless you - happened to recollect that I expected to go to Gibraltar and, - therefore, would probably have been absent when she left the - station. - - “_October 21._--We have just bid adieu to the convoy, without - attending them quite so far as was originally intended, having - this day received intelligence, by a vessel despatched in - pursuit of us, that on Saturday, 19th, the enemy’s fleet was - actually under way, and coming out of Cadiz. - - “Our situation is peculiarly unpleasant and distressing, - for if they escape Lord Nelson’s vigilance and get into the - Mediterranean, which is not very likely, we shall be obliged, - with our small force, to keep out of their way; and on the - other hand, should an action take place, it must be decided - long before we could possibly get down even were the wind fair, - which at present it is not. As I have no doubt but the event - would be highly honourable to our arms, and be at the same - time productive of some good prizes, I shall have to lament - our absence on such an occasion on a double account, the loss - of pecuniary advantage as well as of professional credit. And - after having been so many months in a state of constant and - unremitting fag, to be at last cut out by a parcel of folk just - come from their homes, where some of them were sitting at their - ease the greater part of last war, and the whole of this, till - just now, is particularly hard and annoying. - - “You, perhaps, may not feel this so forcibly as I do, and in - your satisfaction at my having avoided the danger of battle may - not much regret my losing the credit of having contributed to - gain a victory; not so myself! - - “I do not profess to like fighting for its own sake, but if - there have been an action with the combined fleets I shall ever - consider the day on which I sailed from the squadron as the - most inauspicious one of my life. - - “_October 27_, off Tetuan.--Alas! my dearest Mary, all my fears - are but too fully justified. The fleets have met, and, after a - very severe contest, a most decisive victory has been gained - by the English twenty-seven over the enemy’s thirty-three. - Seventeen of the ships are taken and one is burnt; but I - am truly sorry to add that this splendid affair has cost - us many lives, and amongst them the most invaluable one to - the nation, that of our gallant, and ever-to-be-regreted, - Commander-in-Chief, Lord Nelson, who was mortally wounded by - a musket shot, and only lived long enough to know his fleet - successful. In a public point of view, I consider his loss as - the greatest which could have occurred; nor do I hesitate to - say there is not an Admiral on the list so eminently calculated - for the command of a fleet as he was. I never heard of his - equal, nor do I expect again to see such a man. To the soundest - judgment he united prompt decision and speedy execution of his - plans; and he possessed in a superior degree the happy talent - of making every class of persons pleased with their situation - and eager to exert themselves in forwarding the public service. - As a national benefit I cannot but rejoice that our arms have - been once again successful, but at the same time I cannot help - feeling how very unfortunate we have been to be away at such - a moment, and, by a fatal combination of unfortunate though - unavoidable events, to lose all share in the glory of a day - which surpasses all which ever went before, is what I cannot - think of with any degree of patience; but, as I cannot write - upon that subject without complaining, I will drop it for the - present, till time and reflection reconcile me a little more to - what I know is now inevitable. - - [Illustration: CAPTAIN F. W. AUSTEN] - - “We arrived off the Rock of Gibraltar two days ago, and - having heard of the action as well as that our fleet was in - want of assistance to repair their damages and secure their - prizes, we proceeded on with a fine, fresh wind at east to run - through the Straits; but before we were out of sight of - the garrison the wind chopped round to the westward, directly - in our teeth, and came on to blow a very heavy gale of wind, - which effectually prevented our proceeding. We bore away for - this place and wait a change of wind and weather, not a little - anxious for our friends outside, who could have been but ill - prepared to encounter such a severe storm as they must have - experienced on a lee shore, and probably with crippled masts. - Indeed, I hardly expect to hear they have all escaped. - - “Off Cadiz, _October 31_.--Having at length effected our escape - from the Mediterranean prison and rejoined our friends, I will - proceed to such particulars as have come to my ears relative to - the action, and present situation of our ships. The object of - the enemy was avowedly to get into the Mediterranean, but at - the same time they did not, as their conduct proved, wish to - avoid a battle, expecting, no doubt, their superiority would - have ensured them at least a _drawn_ action, and that they - would have disabled our fleet so much as to deprive us of the - means to prevent their proceeding to Toulon; but in this they - were fortunately mistaken. Indeed, they acknowledge that they - had considered Lord Nelson’s whole force as only twenty-seven, - and knowing that he had detached six into the Mediterranean - expected to find him with only twenty-one ships, and the - irregular mass in which our ships bore down to the attack - prevented their counting them, so that till after the action - was closed the French Admiral did not discover how great a - force he had encountered. The van of our fleet which led the - attack have suffered very much, especially the _Victory_, - _Royal Sovereign_, _Téméraire_, _Belleisle_, _Mars_, and - _Bellerophon_; but some of the rear vessels hardly got into - action at all. Had we been there our station would have been - the fifth ship from the van, and I trust we should have had our - share. - - “The battle was hardly concluded when the weather set in so - stormy (and continued so for nearly a week) as to prevent our - taking possession of many ships which had surrendered, and of - keeping several others. Nineteen are known to have struck; - four of which have since got into Cadiz; three are in our - possession; and the rest, to the number of twelve, are either - burnt, sunk, or driven on shore. Of thirteen, which are now in - Cadiz, out of their whole force the greatest part have lost - nearly all their masts, and are so completely disabled as to - make it impossible they can be again ready for service during - the winter. On the whole, therefore, we may fairly consider - their loss as equal to twenty sail of the line. - - “Our ships have been so much dispersed since the action, by - the blowing weather, that Admiral Collingwood has not yet - been able to collect reports of their damages or loss; but he - has strong reason to hope every ship has been able to keep - off the shore, and are now in safety. The action appears in - general to have been obstinately contested, and has doubtless - been unusually bloody; but it has also been so decisive as to - make it improbable the Spaniards or French will again risque a - meeting with a British fleet. Had it taken place in the open - sea, away from the rocks, shoals, and leeshores there is no - doubt but every ship would have been taken, but we engaged them - under every disadvantage of situation. - - “I was on board the _Euryalus_ yesterday, in which ship Admiral - Collingwood has his flag at present, and was introduced to the - French Admiral Villeneuve, who is a prisoner there. He appears - to be about forty-five years of age, of dark complexion, - with rather an unmeaning countenance, and has not much the - appearance of a gentleman. He is, however, so much of a - Frenchman as to bear his misfortunes with cheerfulness. - - “I do not yet know in what way we are to be employed, but - imagine that, as the _Canopus_ is a perfect ship at present, - we shall be left with such others as are fit to remain at sea, - to watch the enemy in the port; while those ships which have - been damaged will go to Gibraltar to refit. Many of them will, - I daresay, be sent home, as well because proper masts cannot be - procured for them here, as that it will now be unnecessary to - keep so large a fleet on this station. - - “By the death of Lord Nelson I have again lost all chance of - a frigate. I had asked his lordship to appoint me to one when - he had the opportunity, and, though I had no positive promise - from him, I have reason to believe he would have attended to my - wishes. Of Admiral Collingwood I do not know enough to allow of - my making a similar request; and not having been in the action - I have no claims of service to urge in support of my wishes. - I must, therefore, remain in the _Canopus_, though on many - accounts I am more than ever anxious to get into a frigate. - - “_November 4._--We have just rejoined the fleet after having - been detached to examine the coast and assist distressed - ships, and hear the _Euryalus_ is to sail very shortly for - England with the Admiral’s despatches, containing, I presume, - the details of the action, with the particular loss of each - ship, all of which you will learn from the public papers more - correctly than I can possibly relate them, for, indeed, I have - as yet learnt scarce anything more than I have already given - you. - - “I am anxiously expecting letters from England, and as our - last news from Lisbon mentioned four packets being due I hope - soon to hear of their arrival, and to be again blessed with the - sight of a well-known handwriting, which is always a cordial - to my heart, and never surely did I stand more in need of some - such support. I yesterday received a letter from Henry, dated - the 1st of October, which was brought out by Captain MacKay of - the _Scout_, who is an acquaintance of mine, and an intimate - friend of my brother Charles. The _Scout_ came away on too - short a notice to admit of Henry’s writing to you or he would - have done it. He sends me pleasing accounts of all my family, - which is, of course, gratifying to me. - - “I must now, my dearest love, bid you farewell, having said - all I had got to say. Make my kindest remembrances to all your - family at Ramsgate and elsewhere.” - -Miss Gibson must, indeed, have been hard-hearted if she did not acquit -her lover of neglect on receiving such a letter as this while he was -on active service. It is written, as was usual, on one large sheet -of notepaper, the “envelope,” that is the fourth page, full, except -where the folds come outside, and the whole crossed in the fine, neat -handwriting of the day, very like that of Jane Austen herself. - -The scene in Cadiz Bay, after the action of Trafalgar, can be imagined -from the few facts given in the log of the _Canopus_ on her arrival -from Tetuan. - -“_October 30_, at 11, saw a French ship of the line dismasted at the -entrance of the harbour. On standing in to reconnoitre the position -of the enemy’s ship it was judged impossible to bring her out with -the wind as it was, and that it was not worth the risque of disabling -one of the squadron in an attempt to destroy her. She appeared to be -warping fast in, and to have a great length of hawser laid out. The -batteries fired several shells over us. - -“_31st._--Passed the _Juno_ and a Spanish 74 at anchor. The Spanish -vessel, _San Ildefonso_, had lost all her masts, but was then getting -up jury masts. - -“At a quarter past four, closed the _Euryalus_, having Vice-Admiral -Collingwood’s flag, shortened sail and hove to. The Admiral (also the -Captain) went on board the _Euryalus_. Several ships at anchor around -us. - -“A French frigate and brig, with flags of truce, in the squadron. - -“At four we had passed the _Ajax_, _Leviathan_, and _Orion_ at anchor, -all of them, to appearance, but little damaged in the action. The -_Leviathan_ was fishing her main yard, and the _Ajax_ shifting her -fore-top mast. A large ship, supposed to be the _Téméraire_, was at -anchor to the northward of San Luca, with fore and mizen-top masts -gone; and eight others were seen from the masthead to the W.N.W. - -“_November 1._--Saw the wreck of a ship lying on the Marragotes shoal. - -“_November 19._--Saw the _Téméraire_, _Royal Sovereign_, _Tonnant_, -_Leviathan_, and _Mars_. These five ships are returning here under jury -masts, having suffered considerably in the action of the 21st ult. - -“The _Sovereign_ was in tow of the _Leviathan_, which seemed to be the -most perfect ship of the whole.” - -The _Canopus_, as Francis Austen foresaw, was left at Cadiz with those -ships which had suffered but slightly, as well as those which had -shared their own hard fate of being out of the action altogether. Here -they stayed till the end of the month, awaiting further developments. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -ST. DOMINGO - - -Francis Austen in the letter to Miss Gibson expresses two wishes, -neither of which was to be fulfilled. - -He never got into a frigate, as he himself foresaw. - -Service in a frigate would have been more exciting, as well as -more profitable, than in a ship of the line. The frigates got the -intelligence, and secured most prizes. - -His other wish, that his letters might seek him in vain in the West -Indies, was also not to be gratified, for before two months were -over he was again on the passage thither, though whether he had the -consolation of meeting his letters is another matter. As this voyage -culminated in the action of St. Domingo, and the capture of several -valuable prizes, the need for “comfort and support” was certainly -not so great as after the disappointment of missing Trafalgar. How -great that disappointment was his letter testifies. And something -must be added to, rather than taken away from, this, in allowing for -his natural reserve. From a man of his temperament every word means -more than if Charles had been the writer. The fact that the log of -the _Canopus_, on the day when the news of Trafalgar was received, is -headed “Off Gibraltar, a melancholy situation,” is the only indication -to be found there of the state of feeling on board. Otherwise, there is -nothing but rejoicing in the greatness and completeness of the victory, -and sorrow at the death of the Commander-in-Chief. - -The account of this second cruise begins with the arrival of Sir John -Duckworth. - -“_November 15._ _Superb_ (Vice-Admiral Sir John Duckworth) and -_Powerful_ joined company off Cape St. Mary (Portugal). - -“Order of sailing: - - WEATHER LINE. LEE LINE. - - _Superb._ _Canopus._ - _Spencer._ _Donegal._ - _Agamemnon._ _Powerful._ - -“_November 29._--Saw a man-of-war in the E.N.E. standing towards us; -perceived the stranger had the signal flying to speak with the Admiral, -and for having intelligence to communicate. The _Agamemnon_ showed her -number, and made telegraph signal ‘Information of the enemy’s squadron. -Six sail of the line off Madeira.’ - -“Let off rockets to draw the attention of the squadron in the W.N.W. - -“Sir Edward Berry came on board, and stated that at eight yesterday -evening, Captain Langford of the _Lark_ informed him that on the 20th -of this month he fell in with a French squadron of six ships of the -line, three frigates and two brigs, in Lat. 30 N., Long. 19 W., which -chased his convoy to the S.S.E. He escaped by altering his course in -the night. Two days after he fell in with the West India outward-bound -convoy, and was directed by Captain Lake of the _Topaz_ to proceed with -the intelligence to the senior officer off Cadiz.” - -This news was confirmed on December 1, and by the 5th the whole -squadron had reached Madeira, only to find, as usual, that the enemy -had gone somewhere else. They went on to the Canary Islands, still -cruising in search of the French. The entries on December 24 and 25 -tell of the meeting with and chase of another squadron, not that which -was afterwards engaged at St. Domingo. - -“_December 24_, _Arethusa_ and convoy met the enemy’s squadron which -we were in search of on December 16 in Lat. 40, Long. 13. The convoy -dispersed, and it is hoped that none were taken. By the last accounts -from the Continent, the French had suffered an important check, in -which 8026 were taken beside those killed.” This was, of course, -an entirely unfounded report, as no severe check had occurred to -Napoleon’s arms, in fact the great victory of Austerlitz was just won. - -“_December 25_, half-past six A.M., saw seven sail in the S.W.; tacked -ship and made all sail. Answered signal for a general chace. Perceived -the strangers to be vessels of war, and not English. At eight, answered -signal to prepare for battle, at nine tacked, at ten cleared the ship -for action. Light baffling airs. The strange squadron standing to the -southward under all sail; _Superb_, _Spencer_, and _Agamemnon_ south, -six or seven miles; _Powerful_, N.W., three miles; _Donegal_ and -_Amethyst_, S.S.W., four or five miles; _Acasta_, E. by S., one mile. - -“At sunset the chace just in sight ahead from the top-gallant yard. Our -advanced ships S.E. five or six leagues. At six lost sight of all the -squadron but the _Donegal_ and _Powerful_. - -“When the strange sails were first seen, they appeared to be steering -to the S.W., and to be a good deal scattered, the nearest being about -ten miles from us, and some barely in sight from the deck. They -all were seen to make a multiplicity of signals, and it was soon -discovered, from their sails, signals, and general appearance, that -they were French. - -“Their force was five ships of the line and two frigates. At eight -o’clock the weathermost bore down as if to form a line of battle, and, -shortly after that, made all sail on the larboard tack. Owing to the -baffling and varying winds, and the enemy catching every puff first, -we had the mortification of seeing them increase their distance every -moment.” - -It is clear that the escape of this squadron was largely due to the -slow sailing of some of these ships. The _Canopus_ herself did not sail -well in light winds, having been more than two years in commission -without docking, and the _Powerful_, a few days afterwards, sprung -her foreyard, and had to be detached from the squadron. At the end of -the chase, the distance between the leading ship, _Superb_, and the -_Donegal_, the last of the squadron, is estimated in James’ _Naval -History_ at forty-five miles. - -The squadron then made sail for Barbadoes in order to revictual, and, -after coming in for a heavy gale, arrived there on January 12. On -the 11th, news was received by a vessel from England, which had been -spoken, that Denmark had joined the coalition against France. - -It is perhaps noteworthy that the highest records in any of these logs -are those during the gale on January 8, 9, and 10, when the _Canopus_ -attained ten knots per hour, and made six hundred and sixty-one miles -in three days. - -Rear-Admiral Cochrane joined the squadron with the _Northumberland_, -and acted as second in command to Sir John Duckworth. He had held the -same post under Nelson in June 1805, for the few days when the fleet -was in West Indian waters. - -From Barbadoes they went on to St. Christopher. It is an instance -of the difficulties of warfare in the then state of the Navy, that -thirteen men took the opportunity of the _Canopus_ being anchored close -inshore to desert from her, by swimming ashore in the night. No doubt -similar trouble was felt on other ships of the squadron. - -“On _February 1_, _Kingfisher_ brought intelligence that a Danish -schooner belonging to Santa Cruz had, on January 25, seen a squadron -of French men-of-war, seven of the line and four frigates, in the -Mona passage. The master was on board the _Alexandre_, a 74, and the -_Brave_, a three-decker, where he was informed they were part of a -squadron of ten of the line, and ten frigates and one brig, which had -sailed from Brest forty days before, and had separated in crossing the -Atlantic. - -“_February 2._ At four the _Superb_ made signal for the flag-officers -of the squadron.” - -On February 3 this intelligence of the arrival of the enemy at St. -Domingo was confirmed, and great must have been the joy thereat. - -On February 6 took place the battle of St. Domingo. The log gives an -account which is bare of all detail, except that which is entirely -nautical. - -“At daylight the frigates ahead six or seven miles. - -“Extent of land N.E. by E., and N.W. by W.; nearest part three or four -leagues. _Acasta_ made signal for one sail W.N.W. at a quarter past -six, ‘That the strange sail had been observed to fire guns.’ - -“Half-past six, ‘For eight sail W.N.W.’ - -“A quarter before seven, ‘Enemy’s ships of war are at anchor.’ - -“Ten minutes to seven, ‘Enemy’s ships are getting under way.’ - -“Five minutes before seven, ‘Enemy’s ships are of the line.’ - -“At seven, saw eight sail under the land, standing to the westward, -under press of sail. Answered signal, ‘Prepare for battle.’ - -“At eight, signal, ‘Engage as coming up with the enemy, and take -stations for mutual support.’ - -“Five minutes past eight, ‘Make all sail possible, preserving the same -order.’ Perceived the enemy’s force to consist of one three-decker, -four two-deckers, two frigates, and a corvette. - -“At a quarter past ten, the _Superb_ commenced to fire on the enemy’s -van. At twenty past ten, the _Northumberland_ and _Spencer_ began -firing. At half-past, we opened our fire on the first ship in the -enemy’s line, at that time engaged by the _Spencer_, passing close -across her bows, with one broadside brought her masts by the board. -Stood on towards the three-decker, firing occasionally at her and two -other of the enemy’s ships, as we could get our guns to bear. All the -squadron in action. - -“At a quarter to eleven, the _Atlas_ ran on board of us, and carried -away our bowsprit, but got clear without doing us material damage. - -“At ten minutes to eleven, the dismasted ship struck, as did shortly -after two others. Engaged with the three-decker, which appeared to be -pushing for the shore. At ten minutes to twelve, gave her a raking -broadside, which brought down her mizen mast, and appeared to do great -damage to her stern and quarter. - -“At twelve o’clock she ran ashore. Wore ship and fired our larboard -broadside at the remaining two-decker, which was also making for the -shore. At ten past twelve, discontinued the action.” - -A rather more stirring account of the action is given in a private -letter from an officer on board the _Superb_. - -This letter also contains the story of the chase of the former squadron -on Christmas Day. - -“After leaving Lord Collingwood we fell in with a French squadron on -December 25, off the Canaries, which we now know was commanded by -Jerome Bonaparte. - -“You cannot conceive the joy expressed by every one on board. Every -individual thought himself a king, and expected that day to be one -of the happiest Christmases he had ever spent. But from the very -bad sailing of several ships of the fleet, Jerome had the good luck -to escape, and the joy of the squadron was turned into melancholy, -which had not altogether worn off until we found the squadron at St. -Domingo (quite a different one). I can give you very little idea of -the exultation expressed by every countenance when we were certain of -bringing them to action. The scene was truly grand, particularly when -you consider the feelings on board the two squadrons, the one making -every exertion to get away, and determined to run the gauntlet in order -to escape, and the other straining every nerve to prevent their flight. -They were at this time going before the wind, and we were endeavouring -to cross them, in order to prevent the possibility of their escape, -which fortunately, from the superior sailing of the _Superb_, we were -able to effect. - -“The enemy brought their two largest ships together (_l’Alexandre_, -the headmost, and _l’Impériale_) seemingly with a view to quiet the -fire of the English Admiral in the _Superb_, before any of the other -ships could come up; but in this they were disappointed, for the -second broadside from the _Superb_ fortunately did such execution -on board the enemy’s headmost ship, _l’Alexandre_, that she became -quite unmanageable and lost her station. The three-decker was by this -time within pistol-shot of the _Superb_, and apparently reserving -her fire for us; but at this critical moment Admiral Cochrane in the -_Northumberland_ came up, and notwithstanding the small distance -between the _Superb_ and _l’Impériale_, he gallantly placed her between -us, and received the whole broadside of the largest, and esteemed the -finest, ship in the French navy. Several of the shot passed quite -through the _Northumberland_ into the _Superb_. The action then -became general, and, as you must be already informed, terminated most -honourably for the British Navy; for although the enemy was a little -inferior, yet, according to the most accurate calculation, they were -entirely annihilated in the short space of one hour.” - -According to the log of the _Canopus_, the time seems to have been -nearer two hours than one, but something must be allowed for the -enthusiasm of the young officer who writes this letter, and his pride -in the very “superior sailing” and other perfections of the _Superb_. - -Jerome Bonaparte was not in command of the whole squadron sighted on -Christmas Day, but was captain of one of the ships, the _Veteran_. He -soon became tired of the sea, however, finding the throne of Westphalia -more congenial to his tastes. - -The exact comparison between the enemy’s force and that of our own is -given in the log. - - ENGLISH LINE. GUNS. MEN. FRENCH LINE. GUNS. MEN. - - _Superb_ 74 590 _Le Diomède_ 80 900 - _Northumberland_ 74 590 _L’Impériale_ 120 1300 - _Spencer_ 74 590 _L’Alexandre_ 80 1080 - _Agamemnon_ 64 490 _Le Jupitre_ 74 700 - _Canopus_ 80 700 _Le Brave_ 74 700 - _Donegal_ 74 590 - _Atlas_ 74 590 - - - FRIGATES, &C. - - _Acasta_ 40 320 _La Comette_ 40 350 - _Magicienne_ 36 250 _La Félicité_ 40 350 - _Kingfisher_ 36 250 _La Diligente_ 24 200 - _Epervier_ 16 95 - - [Illustration: Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B.’s writing-desk] - -The following letter was written by Captain Austen to Mary Gibson on -the day after the action: - - “_Canopus_, OFF ST. DOMINGO, _February 7, 1806_. - - “MY DEAREST MARY,--The news of an action with an enemy’s - squadron flies like wildfire in England, and I have no doubt - but you will have heard of the one we had yesterday soon after - the vessel which goes home shall arrive. It will, therefore, - I am sure, be a source of satisfaction to you and my other - friends at Ramsgate to have proof under my own hand of my - having escaped unhurt from the conflict. We had intelligence - while laying at St. Kitt’s, on the 2nd instant, that a - French squadron had arrived at St. Domingo, and immediately - quitted that place in pursuit. Happily yesterday morning at - daylight we got sight of them at anchor off the town of St. - Domingo, consisting of one ship of 120 guns, two of 80, two of - 74, and three frigates. Soon as we appeared in view, they got - under sail, not to meet, but to avoid us. We had one 80-gun - ship, five of 74, and one of 64, besides two frigates and four - corvettes. Our situation was such as to prevent their escape. - The action commenced at half-past ten, and was finally over by - half-past twelve, when three of the enemy’s ships were in our - possession, and the other two dismasted and on the rocks. The - frigates escaped. Had we been two miles farther off the land we - should have got the whole. We must, however, be truly thankful - for the mercies which have been showed us in effecting such a - victory with a comparatively inconsiderable loss. The Admiral - is sending the prizes, and such of our own ships as have - suffered most, to Jamaica, where, I suppose, we shall follow - as soon as we have ascertained that the two ships on shore are - in such a state as to prevent their getting off again. I am in - hopes this action will be the means of our speedy quitting this - country, and perhaps to return to Old England. Oh, how my heart - throbs at the idea! The _Canopus_ sails so bad that we were - nearly the last ship in action; when we did get up, however, - we had our share of it. Our people behaved admirably well, and - displayed astonishing coolness during the whole time. - - “The first broadside we gave brought our opponent’s three masts - down at once, and towards the close of the business we also had - the satisfaction of giving the three-decker a tickling which - knocked all _his sticks_ away. We were so intermingled with the - enemy that it was impossible to confine our attack to one, and - though no one vessel struck to us in particular, I am sure we - had a share in each. The Admiral is sending off his despatches, - and I have only a few minutes which I have been able to steal - from my duty on deck to write these few hurried lines. They - will, I trust, be equal to a volume.... - - “P.S.--We have not suffered much in masts and rigging, and I - fancy not an officer is killed in the whole squadron.” - -The work of repairs had immediately to be considered after the action -was over, and no doubt the “duty on deck” was very exacting when -Francis Austen managed to snatch time to scrawl this letter for the -relief of anxious ones at home. - -The end of the two ships which ran on shore is given in the log. - -“_February 9_, at eight. Saw the two ships which ran on shore during -the action of the 6th, appearing to be full of water and quite wrecks. - -“Observed the frigates to fire several guns at them. At 9 shortened -sail and hove to. The _Epervier_ stood towards the wrecks with a flag -of truce. _Epervier_ made telegraph signal: ‘There are about twenty men -on board the three-decker, and sixty on board the two-decker. Boats can -approach; take them off, and fire the hulls if ordered.’ - -“Admiral made telegraph signal: ‘Send two boats to the _Acasta_ to -assist in bringing off prisoners.’ At a quarter past four, observed the -wrecks to be on fire.” - -Soon after they were all on the passage towards Jamaica. - -On February 12, an amusing incident is logged. Amusing it is in our -eyes, though perfectly seriously recorded. - -“_12._ _Acasta_ made telegraph signals: An American ship four days -from Trinidad. The master reports that he saw there an English -gazette, containing particulars of great successes gained by the -allied powers on the Continent over the French, who are stated to -have been everywhere beaten, their armies destroyed, and Bonaparte -flying or killed. This had been brought to Trinidad by the mail boat -from Barbadoes, and the garrison fired a night salute on the joyful -occasion.” - -This was, of course, quite at variance with facts. - -The voyage home from Jamaica was uneventful, except for the constant -trouble given by _l’Alexandre_, which had evidently been badly damaged -in the action, and had at last to be taken in tow. It was a happier -home-coming for Captain Austen than he had looked forward to soon after -Trafalgar. To return after a successful action with three prizes in -company was a better fate than had then seemed possible. - -They arrived on April 29, when the record stands: - -“Saw the lighthouse of St. Agnes bearing N.N.E. by E., distant six or -seven leagues; made signal for seeing land,” with what feelings it -is easier to imagine than to describe. Such a description has been -attempted over and over again, with varying degrees of success. Jane -Austen tells of a sailor’s leave-taking and return only once, and -then, as is her way, by the simple narration of details. Anne Elliot -and Captain Harville are having the time-honoured argument as to the -relative strength of the feelings of men and women, and to illustrate -his point Captain Harville says: “If I could but make you comprehend -what a man suffers when he takes a last look at his wife and children, -and watches the boat he has sent them off in, as long as it is in -sight, and then turns away and says, ‘God knows whether we ever meet -again.’ And then if I could convey to you the glow of his soul when he -does see them again; when coming back after a twelvemonths’ absence, -perhaps, he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, -pretending to deceive himself, and saying, ‘They cannot be here till -such a day,’ but all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and -seeing them arrive at last, as if heaven had given them wings, by many -hours sooner still. If I could explain to you all this, and all that a -man can bear and do, and glories to do for the sake of these treasures -of his existence....” - -Jane Austen must, indeed, have known something of the feelings of “such -men as have hearts,” and the troubles and joys of the seafaring life. - -Several of the West Indian Governments and Trading Associations voted -addresses, as well as more substantial recognition, to the Admirals -and officers engaged at St. Domingo, who also received the thanks of -Parliament on their return to England. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE CAPE AND ST. HELENA - - -During the cruises of the _Canopus_, we have only one letter from Jane -Austen with any mention of Frank, and that is before his disappointment -of Trafalgar, or his success at St. Domingo. The full quotation serves -to show some of the difficulties of correspondence. She writes to -Cassandra: “I have been used very ill this morning. I have received a -letter from Frank which I ought to have had when Elizabeth and Henry -had theirs, and which in its way from Albany to Godmersham has been to -Dover and Steventon. It was finished on the 16th, and tells what theirs -told before as to his present situation; he is in a great hurry to be -married, and I have encouraged him in it, in the letter which ought to -have been an answer to his. He must think it very strange that I do -not acknowledge the receipt of his, when I speak of those of the same -date to Eliz and Henry, and to add to my injuries, I forgot to number -mine on the outside.” This plan of numbering was a certain safeguard -against misunderstandings, as it made it easy to find out if a letter -had been lost. The “present situation” was that off Ushant, after the -chase of Villeneuve across the Atlantic, and before the orders to -return southward had been received. - -In July 1806, Francis was married to Mary Gibson, known hereafter by -her sisters-in-law as “Mrs. F. A.” to distinguish her from the other -Mary, “Mrs. J. A.” - -Among the many social functions subjected to Jane Austen’s criticism, -it is not likely that the absurdities of a fashionable marriage would -escape her attention. The subject is treated with more than ordinary -severity in “Mansfield Park”--“It was a very proper wedding. The -bride was elegantly dressed, the two bridesmaids were duly inferior, -her father gave her away, her mother stood with salts in her hand, -expecting to be agitated, her aunt tried to cry, and the service was -impressively read by Dr. Grant. Nothing could be objected to, when -it came under the discussion of the neighbourhood, except that the -carriage which conveyed the bride and bridegroom and Julia from the -Church door to Sotherton was the same chaise which Mr. Rushworth had -used for a twelvemonth before. In every thing else the etiquette of the -day might stand the strictest investigation.” - -Such was Jane Austen’s comment on the worldly marriage. Her estimate of -her own brother’s wedding may be better gathered from the account of -that of Mr. Knightly and Emma. - -“The wedding was very much like other weddings, where the parties have -no taste for finery and parade; and Mrs. Elton, from the particulars -detailed by her husband, thought it all extremely shabby, and very -inferior to her own, ‘very little white satin, very few lace veils; a -most pitiful business. Selina would stare when she heard of it.’ But, -in spite of these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, -the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the -ceremony were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union.” - -From the time of his marriage till the following April, Francis was -free to spend his time with his wife at Southampton, where they were -settling not far from the house where his mother and sisters now lived. - -This time was evidently a very pleasant one for Jane. She makes several -mentions of Frank and his wife and their common pursuits in her letters -to Cassandra. - -“We did not take our walk on Friday, it was too dirty, nor have we yet -done it; we may perhaps do something like it to-day, as after seeing -Frank skate, which he hopes to do in the meadows by the beach, we are -to treat ourselves with a passage over the ferry. It is one of the -pleasantest frosts I ever knew, so very quiet. I hope it will last some -time longer for Frank’s sake, who is quite anxious to get some skating; -he tried yesterday, but it would not do. - -“Our acquaintance increase too fast. He was recognised lately by -Admiral Bertie, and a few days since arrived the Admiral and his -daughter Catherine to wait upon us. There was nothing to like or -dislike in either. To the Berties are to be added the Lances, with -whose cards we have been endowed, and whose visit Frank and I returned -yesterday. They live about a mile and three-quarters from S., to the -right of the new road to Portsmouth, and I believe their house is one -of those which are to be seen from almost anywhere among the woods on -the other side of the Itchen. It is a handsome building, stands high, -and in a very beautiful situation.” - -The next letter is an answer to one from Cassandra delaying her return, -evidently a matter of regret to the whole household. - -“Frank and Mary cannot at all approve of your not being at home in -time to help them in their finishing purchases, and desire me to say -that, if you are not, they will be as spiteful as possible, and choose -everything in the style most likely to vex you--knives that will not -cut, glasses that will not hold, a sofa without a seat, and a bookcase -without shelves. But I must tell you a story. Mary had for some time -had notice from Mrs. Dickson of the intended arrival of a certain Miss -Fowler in this place. Miss F. is an intimate friend of Mrs. D., and a -good deal known as such to Mary. On Thursday last she called here while -we were out. Mary found, on our return, her card with only her name on -it, and she had left word that she would call again. The particularity -of this made us talk, and, among other conjectures, Frank said in joke, -‘I dare say she is staying with the Pearsons.’ The connection of the -names struck Mary, and she immediately recollected Miss Fowler’s having -been very intimate with persons so called, and, upon putting everything -together, we have scarcely a doubt of her actually being staying with -the only family in the place whom we cannot visit. - -[Illustration: CASSANDRA AUSTEN] - -“What a contretemps!--in the language of France. What an -unluckiness!--in that of Madame Duval. The black gentleman has -certainly employed one of his menial imps to bring about this complete, -though trifling mischief. Miss Fowler has never called again, but we -are in daily expectation of it. Miss P. has, of course, given her a -proper understanding of the business. It is evident that Miss F. did -not expect or wish to have the visit returned, and Francis is quite as -much on his guard for his wife as we could desire for her sake or our -own.” - -What the mysterious disagreement with the Pearson family may have been -it is impossible to tell. That it caused more amusement than heartburn -is clear, but Jane was always an adept, as she says herself, at -constructing “a smartish letter, considering the want of materials.” - -The next we hear of Frank (beyond the fact that he has “got a very -bad cold, for an Austen; but it does not disable him from making very -nice fringe for the drawing-room curtains”) is on the question of his -further employment. He was very anxious indeed to get into a frigate, -but feared that the death of Lord Nelson, who knew of his desire, would -seriously damage his chances of getting what he wanted. Jane writes: -“Frank’s going into Kent depends of course upon his being unemployed; -but as the First Lord, after promising Lord Moira that Captain A. -should have the first good frigate that was vacant, has since given -away two or three fine ones, he has no particular reason to expect an -appointment now. He, however, has scarcely spoken about the Kentish -journey. I have my information chiefly from her, and she considers her -own going thither as more certain if he should be at sea than if not.” -This was in February 1807. Mrs. Frank Austen was very soon to feel the -loneliness of a sailor’s wife. In April 1807, Captain Austen took -command of the _St. Albans_, then moored in Sheerness Harbour. - -Naval matters, though much better than they had been, were by no means -in order yet, and great was the difficulty experienced in getting the -ship properly equipped. Letter after letter was written by the Captain -to “the principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty’s Navy” -before the ship could be got ready for sea, properly supplied with -stores and men. It was not until late in June that they at last got -away on convoying duty to the Cape of Good Hope. - -The account of Simon’s Bay in the note-book of Francis Austen is -interesting, when compared with the state of things now existing -at the Cape. After sundry very instructive but entirely nautical -directions for sailing in and out, and anchoring, he goes on to make a -few remarks respectively on wooding and watering, fortifications and -landing-places, trade and shipping and inhabitants, from each of which -we give extracts. - -“Wood is not to be had here, except by purchase, and is extravagantly -dear; nor is there any sort of fuel to be procured. - -“Water is plentiful and of an excellent quality; a stream is brought -by pipes to the extremity of the wharf, where two boats may fill with -hoses at the same time, but as the run of water which supplies it is -frequently diverted to other purposes by the inhabitants, it is rather -a tedious mode of watering, and better calculated for keeping up the -daily consumption after being once completed, than for supplying the -wants of a squadron or ship arriving from a voyage. - -“The method generally used by the men-of-war is to land their casks on -the sandy beach on the N.W. part of the bay, a little to the Westward -of the North battery, where there are two or three considerable runs of -water down the sides of the mountains, and make wells or dipping-places -by sinking half-casks in the sand. In this way, many ships fill their -water at the same time without at all interfering with or retarding -each other’s progress. The casks so filled must be rafted off, as there -is generally too much surf to get them into the boats, and when the -South-easters set in strong it is impracticable to get them off at all. -The casks may however remain on shore without injury, and being ready -filled may be got off when the weather suits. Both watering-places -are completely commanded by the batteries as well as by the ships at -anchorage. - -“The anchorage is protected and commanded by two batteries and a round -tower. One on the South-east point of the bay, called the Block-house, -on which are three twenty-four-pounders, and a ten-inch mortar. It is -elevated about thirty feet above the level of the sea, and commands the -whole of the bay, as well as the passage into the westward of the Roman -Rocks. - -“The round tower is close at the back of, and indeed may be considered -as appertaining to the Block-house. It has one twenty-four-pounder -mounted on a traversing carriage, and contains very good barracks for -fifty or sixty soldiers. The other, called the North Battery, is, -as its name bespeaks, on the north side of the bay. It stands on a -small rocky point between two sandy bays, on an elevation of twenty -or twenty-five feet above the level of the sea, and is mounted with -three long eighteen-pounders and two ten-inch mortars. Neither of -these works could make much resistance if regularly attacked by sea or -land, and are all completely commanded by higher ground in their rear -within half cannon-shot. There is besides these another battery called -Tucker’s, about half a mile to the southward of the Block-house, but -not in sight from the anchorage; on it are three eighteen-pounders. It -was constructed in consequence of a French frigate running into the bay -(not knowing it to be in the possession of the English) and getting -aground somewhere near that spot. It is however so placed as to be of -no use as a defence to the bay, for a ship, or squadron, coming in with -hostile intentions need not, except from choice, pass within reach of -its guns, and as a military post it is confessedly untenable, being -completely commanded by higher ground behind it. - -“The only regular landing-place is at the wharf which runs out about -fifty yards into the sea, and is very convenient, having always -sufficient water to allow of the largest boats when loaded to lie -alongside it without taking the ground. In moderate weather, boats -may, if required to do so, land in almost any part of the bay, and it -is, except where the rocks show themselves, a beach of very fine sand. -There is very little trade here, it having been chiefly used whilst in -the possession of the Dutch as a kind of half-way house for their ships -on their passage both to and from India and China. - -“The produce of those countries may however be generally procured, and -on reasonable terms, as duties on importation are so moderate that the -officers of the East India ships frequently find it worth their while -to dispose of their private investments here, rather than carry them -to England. There has been a whale fishery lately established by a few -individuals in a bay about four miles to the north-east, called Calp’s -or Calk’s Bay, which appears to be doing very well, but I imagine -could not be very much extended. There is no ship or vessel whatever -belonging to the place, and only a few small boats used for the -purposes of fishing. - -“The arsenal or naval yard is a compact row of storehouses under -one roof, and enclosed with a wall and gates, well situated for its -purpose, fronting a sandy beach and adjoining the wharf. It contains -all the necessary buildings and accommodations as a depot of naval and -victualling stores on a small scale, adequate however to the probable -wants of any squadron which is ever likely to be stationed there. - -“The inhabitants are a mongrel breed, a mixture of many nations, but -principally descended from the first Dutch settlers whose language -(probably a good deal corrupted both in ideas and pronunciation) is -in general use. The Government is now English, but the civil, as well -as the criminal jurisprudence is regulated by the colonial laws, as -originally established by the Dutch East India Company, somewhat -modified and ameliorated by the milder influence of English law. The -prevailing religion is Calvinistic, but there are many Lutherans, and -some of various sects.” - -The contrast between the Cape in 1807 and the Cape in 1905 is so strong -that it needs no emphasising. - -After calling at Ascension Island and St. Helena, the _St. Albans_ -returned to England. The progress of contemporary history may be noted -by the news which they received on their way back, which was duly -logged: - -“By this ship informed of capture of Copenhagen and the cession of the -Danish fleet to the English forces under Lord Cathcart and Admiral -Gambier.” By January 1 they were back at Spithead, where they remained -till the beginning of February, sailing thence, as was so often the -custom, under sealed orders. On opening the sealed packet Captain -Austen found that he was directed to accompany the convoy to St. Helena. - -The following account of the island is interesting when it is -remembered that at that time it was an unimportant spot, not yet -associated with memories of Napoleon. The note opens with a colossal -sentence! - -“This island being in the hands of the English East India Company, -and used by it merely as a rendezvous for its homeward-bound fleets, -where during time of war they are usually met at stated periods by some -King’s ship appointed to take them to England, has no trade but such -as arises from the sale of those few articles of produce, consisting -chiefly in poultry, fruit, and vegetables, which are beyond the -consumption of its inhabitants, and a petty traffic carried on by a few -shopkeepers, who purchase such articles of India and China goods, as -individuals in the Company’s ships may have to dispose of, which they -retail to the inhabitants and casual visitors at the island. - -“The inhabitants are chiefly English, or of English descent, although -there is a considerable number of negroes on the island, which with -very few exceptions are the property of individuals or of the Company, -slavery being tolerated here. It does not however appear that the -slaves are or can be treated with that harshness and despotism which -has been so justly attributed to the conduct of the land-holders or -their managers in the West India Islands, the laws of the Colony -not giving any other power to the master than a right to the labour -of his slave. He must, to enforce that right, in case a slave prove -refractory, apply to the civil power, he having no right to inflict -chastisement at his own discretion. This is a wholesome regulation -as far as it goes, but slavery however it may be modified is still -slavery, and it is much to be regretted that any trace of it should be -found to exist in countries dependent on England, or colonised by her -subjects. Every person who is above the rank of a common soldier is in -some shape or other a trader. A few acres of ground laid out in meadow, -or garden ground, will seldom fail to yield as much produce in the -year as would purchase the fee-simple of an equal quantity in England, -and this from the extravagant price which the wants of the homeward -bound India ships (whose captains and passengers rolling in wealth, and -accustomed to profusion, must have supplies cost what they may) enable -the islanders to affix to every article they raise. To such an extent -had this cause operated, that a couple of acres of potatoes, or a -garden of cabbages in a favourable season will provide a decent fortune -for a daughter.” - -The voyage home was uneventful, retarded by masses of floating gulf -weed, which continued very thick indeed for over a week. - -By the 30th of June the _St. Albans_ was back again in the Downs. -The little stir consequent in the family life is indicated in Jane’s -letters, written when she was away from home at Godmersham. “One begins -really to expect the _St. Albans_ now, and I wish she may come before -Henry goes to Cheltenham, it will be so much more convenient to him. -He will be very glad if Frank can come to him in London, as his own -time is likely to be very precious, but does not depend on it. I shall -not forget Charles next week.” A few days later she writes: “I am much -obliged to you for writing to me on Thursday, and very glad that I owe -the pleasure of hearing from you again so soon to such an agreeable -cause; but you will not be surprised, nor perhaps so angry as I should -be, to find that Frank’s history had reached me before in a letter -from Henry. We are all very happy to hear of his health and safety, he -wants nothing but a good prize to be a perfect character. This scheme -to the island is an admirable thing for his wife, she will not feel the -delay of his return in such variety.” On the 30th: “I give you all joy -of Frank’s return, which happens in the true sailor way, just after our -being told not to expect him for some weeks. The wind had been very -much against him, but I suppose he must be in our neighbourhood now by -this time. Fanny is in hourly expectation of him here. Mary’s visit in -the island is probably shortened by this event. Make our kind love and -congratulations to her.” - -While on these last voyages Captain Austen made two charts, one of -Simon’s Bay, and one of the north-west side of the island of St. -Helena, which are still in use at the Admiralty. An interesting point -in the correspondence of the Captain of the _St. Albans_ at this time -relates to the conduct of the masters of the various vessels belonging -to the convoy. They are very warmly commended for their skill and -attention, while some few from the “cheerfulness and alacrity with -which they repeatedly towed for many successive days some heavy -sailing ships of the convoy, a service always disagreeable, and often -dangerous,” are specially recommended to the notice of the East India -Company. No doubt such praise from captains of the men-of-war engaged -in convoying, was a useful means of advancement in the service of the -Company, and one which would be earnestly desired. It is an instance -of the justice and appreciativeness which was a characteristic of -Francis Austen that the master of the very ship which most retarded -the progress of the convoy comes in for his share of praise, perhaps -even warmer than that given to the more successful officers. “I cannot -conclude without observing that the indefatigable attention of Captain -Hay of the _Retreat_, in availing himself of every opportunity to get -ahead, and his uncommon exertions in carrying a great press of sail -both night and day, which the wretched sailing of his ship, when not in -tow, rendered necessary, was highly meritorious, and I think it my duty -to recommend him to the notice of the Court of Directors as an officer -deserving a better command.” - -One incident of interest occurred on the return voyage, which can -perhaps be better dealt with in another chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -STARS AND STRIPES - - -On June 20, 1808, on the _St. Albans’_ passage towards England, there -is an entry in the log: “Exchanged numbers with the _Raven_ brig. The -brig is from off Lisbon. The French have taken possession of Spain. -The Spanish Royal Family are prisoners in France. It is not certainly -known where the Rochefort squadron is gone, but supposed into the -Mediterranean.” - -This was the beginning of the Peninsular War, in its results -disastrous to Napoleon. Napoleon’s calm supposition that he could -turn out the King of Spain and put in Joseph Bonaparte at his own -pleasure, was formed without reference to the feelings of the people -of Spain and Portugal; and futile as their objections might have -been if unsupported, their appeal to England was far-reaching in its -consequences. Not only was the seat of war transferred to a country -which, with its long sea-coast, was favourable to British arms, but the -actual naval gain was very great. Such ships of the French Navy as had -escaped from Trafalgar were still lying in Cadiz, and had now no course -open to them but surrender, while the Spanish and Portuguese fleets, on -which Napoleon counted, were of course entirely hostile to him. - -The feeling in England over this war was very strong. Added to the -hatred of Napoleon, which would have made almost any of his actions -abhorrent, there was a real impulse of generous anger at the oppression -shown in pretending to buy the nation from its wretched King, in order -to establish a purely arbitrary dominion. At the same time it was a -grave question whether Napoleon, with his many legions, was to be -resisted successfully. - -As yet, however, Napoleon had not entered Spain, and Junot was in -command of the French army in the West of the Peninsula. - -Sir Arthur Wellesley was first appointed to command the British -expedition, but England does not always know her best men, and almost -at once Sir Harry Burrard was despatched to take over the work. The -battle of Vimiera was the first serious encounter, and, but for the -hesitation of Burrard to follow up his advantage, might have been -decisive. - -Sir Hew Dalrymple next day arrived from England to supersede Burrard, -and after some vacillation, not unnatural under the circumstances, -between the policy of Wellesley and that of Burrard, he prepared -to push on, and was met by French proposals of a Convention. The -Convention of Cintra secured that the French should evacuate Portugal, -leaving for France on board British ships, and as they were determined -to take everything with them that they could lay their hands on, this -was not a bad arrangement for the French. Such, at least, was the -opinion in England, and a court of inquiry soon came to the conclusion -that it would have been better to leave the entire matter in the hands -of Wellesley, who was first on the scene, and had consequently other -qualifications for accurate judgment besides those which his genius -gave him. - -Napoleon, however, saw very clearly how much harm the battle of Vimiera -had done him, and came himself to Spain, enraged at Junot’s defeat. -The campaign of Sir John Moore, ending at Corunna, is too well known -for any description to be necessary. The fact that Napoleon could not -have everything his own way was established, and the struggle in the -Peninsula went on, until it closed five years later with the capture of -San Sebastian. - -Some extracts from the log of the _St. Albans_ and two letters, tell -us of the small share which Francis Austen had in this business. “_St. -Albans_, in the English Channel, July 22nd, 1808. Received on board -Brigadier-General Anstruther with his staff and suite. Weighed and made -sail, twenty-three sail of transports in company. - -“_July 23._--At a quarter past nine hove to and called the masters of -the transports on board by signal. Issued to them a sealed rendezvous.” - -The transports were bad sailors, so it was not until August 5 that they -got away from the English Channel on the passage towards Portugal. On -the 12th, off Corunna, news was received from the _Defiance_, which -caused a deviation in the route in order to bring Anstruther into touch -with Wellesley, who was then near Figuero, just before the battle of -Vimiera. - -“_August 16._--Saw a number of ships at anchor in Figuero Roads. At two -o’clock Captain Malcolm came on board, and brought instructions for the -General as to the disposition of the troops. - -“_August 17._--Sent a boat with despatches for Sir Arthur Wellesley on -board the transport sent from Figuero (for this purpose). - -“_August 19._--At anchor off the Burlings. Light airs and cloudy -weather. At three o’clock a Portuguese boat came alongside with a -messenger having despatches for Brigadier-General Anstruther from -Sir Arthur Wellesley. At daylight a very thick fog. At eleven the -fog cleared away, weighed and made sail to the southward. At three, -anchored off Panago in company, hoisted out all the boats and sent -them to disembark the troops. At six, the General and his staff quitted -the ship. Light airs and fine weather. All the boats of the fleet -employed landing the troops.” - -The landing went on all night, and was finished next morning. - -_On Sunday, the 21st_: “Observed an action between the English and -French armies on the heights over Merceira.” This was the battle of -Vimiera, where Kellerman and Berthier vainly endeavoured to dislodge -the British from the crest of the hills. - -_August 22._--“Sent all the boats on shore to assist in taking off -the wounded of our army to the hospital ships. Boats also employed -embarking French prisoners on board some of the transports.” - -_August 24._--“On the passage towards Oporto.” Thence they went back to -England, where on September 2 the French prisoners were discharged at -Spithead to the prison ships in the harbour. - -[Illustration: PORTCHESTER CASTLE - -(_The French prisoners were interned in the neighbouring buildings -after the Battle of Vimiera._)] - -Two letters written to the Honble. W. Wellesley Pole, brother of Sir -Arthur Wellesley, give this story in a different form. - - “_St. Albans_ OFF THE BURLINGS, _August 18, 1808_. - - “SIR,--I have to state to you for the information of my - Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that in consequence - of intelligence respecting the British Army in Portugal, - communicated by Captain Hotham, of his Majesty’s ship - _Defiance_, on the 12th inst. off Corunna, Brigadier-General - Anstruther commanding the troops embarked on board the - transports under my convoy, requested us not to pass Figuera - without affording him an opportunity of obtaining some further - intelligence relative to the situation of Lieutenant-General - Sir Arthur Wellesley; with this, from existing circumstances, - I thought it my duty to comply, although contrary to the - strict letter of my orders, and accordingly when round Cape - Finisterre, steered for Cape Mondego, off which I arrived at - noon on the 16th. The Brigadier-General receiving there orders - to proceed along the coast to the southward and join the convoy - under his Majesty’s ship _Alfred_, whose captain would give - him further information respecting the position and operations - of the army by which he was to guide his own, I proceeded in - consequence thereof with the fleet, and yesterday at 1 P.M. - joined the _Alfred_ off Phenice. - - “At four o’clock, in compliance with the Brigadier-General’s - wish, I anchored with the transports under the Burlings, - to prevent their dispersion, and to await the arrival of - directions from the Lieutenant-General, to whom an aide-de-camp - was yesterday despatched to announce our arrival, force, and - position. - - “One of my convoy, having a detachment of the 2nd battalion of - the 52nd Regiment on board, parted company on the night of the - 12th instant, and has, I suppose, in compliance with the secret - rendezvous I issued on the 23rd of July, proceeded off the - Tagus. - - “I have the honour to be, Sir, - “Your obedient humble servant, - “FRANCIS WILLIAM AUSTEN.” - -From the same to the same. - - “_St. Albans_, SPITHEAD, _September 2, 1808_. - - “SIR,--In my letter to you of the 18th ultimate from off the - Burlings forwarded by the _Kangaroo_, I had the honour to - announce for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the - Admiralty, the arrival of his Majesty’s ship _St. Albans_, and - the transports under my charge at that anchorage. I have now to - state to you, for their Lordships’ further information, that - the following morning the fleet moved on to the southward, - and anchored at 3 P.M. off Paymago, where dispositions were - immediately made for disembarking the troops, which was - effected in the course of the night. On the 20th, I proceeded - with the empty transports, agreeably to the directions I - received from Captain Blight, to join the _Alfred_ off - Merceira, about six miles more to the southward, and anchoring - there at noon of the 21st, remaining until the 24th, my boats - being all that time employed in landing provisions and stores - for the army, and embarking a number of French prisoners and - wounded British soldiers on board such of the transports as had - been appropriated for their reception. - - “On the 24th at noon, in obedience to directions contained in a - letter I received the evening before from Admiral Sir Charles - Cotton, I put to sea with twenty-nine transports under my - convoy, and proceeded with them off Oporto, where I anchored - on the evening of the 27th, and remained for twenty-four hours - until I had seen all safe over the bar. I then weighed, and, - making the best of my way to England, anchored at Spithead at 8 - A.M. this day.” - -The _St. Albans_ remained in British waters until March in the -following year, for the greater part of the time at Spithead, where, in -January 1809, Captain Austen took charge of the disembarkation of the -remains of Sir John Moore’s army on their arrival from Corunna. - -Two of the very few references to public matters which occur in Jane -Austen’s letters are made concerning Sir John Moore and his army. - -“_December 27, 1808_.--The _St. Albans_ perhaps may soon be off to -help bring home what may remain by this time of our poor army, whose -state seems dreadfully critical.” “I am sorry to find that Sir J. -Moore has a mother living, but, though a very heroic son, he might not -be a very necessary one to her happiness. Deacon Morrel may be more -to Mrs. Morrel. I wish Sir John had united something of the Christian -with the hero in his death. Thank heaven, we have no one to care for -particularly among the troops, no one, in fact, nearer to us than Sir -John himself. Colonel Maitland is safe and well; his mother and sisters -were of course anxious about him, but there is no entering much into -the solicitudes of that family.” - -It was in November of 1808 that Mrs. Edward Austen, the ‘Elizabeth’ of -the letters, died. Great grief was evidently felt by all her husband’s -family. Jane’s letters at the time are full of love and sympathy. -Cassandra was staying with her brother, and Frank got a few days’ extra -leave in order to go there, about a month after the death. - -Jane writes to tell his plans. - - “_November 21._ - - “Your letter, my dear Cassandra, obliges me to write - immediately, that you may have the earliest notice of Frank’s - intending, if possible, to go to Godmersham exactly at the time - now fixed for your visit to Goodnestone. He resolved almost - directly on the receipt of your former letter to try for an - extension of his leave of absence, that he might be able to - go down to you for two days, but charged me not to give you - any notice of it, on account of the uncertainty of success. - Now, however, I must give it, and now perhaps he may be giving - it himself; for I am just in the hateful predicament of being - obliged to write what I know will somehow or other be of no - use. He meant to ask for five days more, and if they were - granted to go down by Thursday’s night mail, and spend Friday - and Saturday with you; and he considered his chance of success - by no means bad. I hope it will take place as he planned, and - that your arrangements with Goodnestone may admit of suitable - alteration.” - -During Francis Austen’s commands of the _Leopard_, _Canopus_, and _St. -Albans_, covering the eventful years of the Boulogne blockade, and of -Trafalgar, and up to 1810, Charles Austen was serving on the North -American station in command of the _Indian_ sloop. The work to be done -on the coast of the United States was both arduous and thankless. -It consisted mainly in the enforcement of the right of search for -deserters, and the curtailment of the American carrying trade, so far -as it was considered illicit. - -British war policy had made it necessary to forbid trading by neutrals -between European countries under the sway of Napoleon, and their -dependencies in other parts of the world. American ingenuity succeeded -in evading this prohibition by arranging for the discharge and -reshipment of cargoes at some United States port, en route. The ship -would load originally at a West Indian port with goods for Europe, then -sail to a harbour in Massachusetts (for example), where the cargo was -warehoused, and the vessel repaired. When ready for sea, the captain -got the same cargo on board again, and departed for the designated -market on this side of the Atlantic. No wonder that American vessels -were so frequently spoken by the _Canopus_ and the _St. Albans_, for -in 1806 and the following years nearly all the carrying trade was done -under the Stars and Stripes. American shipmasters were able to pay -very high wages, and desertions from British men-of-war were frequent. -Our cruisers had to take strong measures in face of this growing -evil, and finally an American frigate was boarded, and several of the -crew forcibly removed as deserters. Such action was possible only on -account of the great strength of the British naval force, a practical -blockade of the United States ports being enforced along the whole -Atlantic seaboard. This had been done in consequence of decisions of -the Admiralty Court against some of the reshipments, which were held by -the Judges to be evasions of the actual blockades of hostile ports. -The state of tension gradually became acute, but both Governments were -so loth to fight that negotiations were on foot for several years -before the President of the United States declared war in 1812. In 1809 -a settlement seemed to have been reached, and a fleet of six hundred -American traders had already got to sea, when it was discovered that -the treaty could not be ratified. It was indeed almost impossible for -England to alter her policy as regards neutral traders, or to abandon -the right of search for deserters, so long as every resource was -necessary in the struggle against Napoleon. - -Captain Mahan, writing on the “Continental System,” puts the matter in -a nutshell when he says: “The neutral carrier, pocketing his pride, -offered his services to either (combatant) for pay, and the other then -regarded him as taking part in the hostilities.” - -In 1808 the _Indian_, Charles Austen’s ship, captured _La Jeune -Estelle_, a small privateer, but the work on the North American station -was unprofitable as regards prize-money. In 1810 Charles gained post -rank as captain of the _Swiftsure_, flagship to Sir John Warren. The -great event of these years for him was his marriage in 1807 with Fanny -Palmer, daughter of the Attorney-General of Bermuda. - -In Jane’s letters there are constant mentions of him. - -“_December 27._--I must write to Charles next week. You may guess in -what extravagant terms of praise Earle Harwood speaks of him. He is -looked up to by everybody in all America.” - -“_January 10._--Charles’s rug will be finished to-day, and sent -to-morrow to Frank, to be consigned by him to Mr. Turner’s care; and I -am going to send ‘Marmion’ out with it--very generous in me, I think.” -“Marmion” was then just published. She was a great admirer of Scott, -and doubtless felt the parting from his latest work, even when making a -present of it to Charles. In another of her letters she writes: - -“Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It -is not fair. He has fame and profits enough as a poet, and ought not to -be taking the bread out of other people’s mouths. I do not mean to like -‘Waverley’ if I can help it, but I fear I must.” - -We hear one more small piece of news concerning Charles in a letter -of Jane’s dated January 24, 1809: “I had the happiness yesterday of a -letter from Charles, but I shall say as little about it as possible, -because I know that excruciating Henry will have a letter likewise, to -make all my intelligence valueless. It was written at Bermuda on the -7th and 10th of December. All were well. He had taken a small prize in -his late cruise--a French schooner laden with sugar; but bad weather -parted them, and she had not yet been heard of. His cruise ended -December 1st. My September letter was the latest he had received.” - -We have the sequel to this incident in a letter from Charles to -Cassandra, dated from Bermuda on December 24, in which he says: - - “I wrote to Jane about a fortnight ago acquainting her with - my arrival at this place and of my having captured a little - Frenchman, which, I am truly sorry to add, has never reached - this port, and, unless she has run to the West Indies, I have - lost her--and, what is a real misfortune, the lives of twelve - of my people, two of them mids. I confess I have but little - hopes of ever hearing of her again. The weather has been so - very severe since we captured her. I wish you a merry and - happy Xmas, in which Fan joins me, as well as in bespeaking - the love of her dear Grandmother and Aunts for our little - Cassandra. The October and November mails have not yet reached - us, so that I know nothing of you of late. I hope you have been - more fortunate in hearing of me. I expect to sail on Tuesday - with a small convoy for the island of St. Domingo, and, after - seeing them in safety, open sealed orders, which I conclude - will direct me to cruise as long as my provisions, &c., will - allow, which is generally a couple of months. My companion, - the _Vesta_, is to be with me again, which I like very much. I - don’t know of any opportunity of sending this, but shall leave - it to take its chance. Tom Fowler is very well, and is growing - quite manly. I am interrupted, so conclude this by assuring you - how truly I am - - “Your affectionate friend - and attached brother, - “CHARLES JNO. AUSTEN.” - -Charles stayed only five months in the _Swiftsure_. In September -1810 he took command of the _Cleopatra_, and brought her home in the -following April, after an absence of six and a half years. - -[Illustration: CAPTAIN CHARLES AUSTEN] - -Jane’s letters show how gladly the news of “our own particular little -brother’s” home-coming was welcomed. In an account of an evening party -given at the Henry Austens’, she tells how she heard that Charles -was soon to return. “At half-past seven arrived the musicians in two -hackney coaches, and by eight the lordly company began to appear. Among -the earliest were George and Mary Cooke, and I spent the greatest part -of the evening very pleasantly with them. The drawing-room being soon -hotter than we liked, we placed ourselves in the connecting passage, -which was comparatively cool, and gave us all the advantage of the -music at a pleasant distance, as well as that of the first view of -every new comer. I was quite surrounded by acquaintances, especially -gentlemen; and what with Mr. Hampson, Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. Knatchbull, -Mr. Guillemarde, Mr. Cure, a Captain Simpson, brother to _the_ Captain -Simpson, besides Mr. Walter, and Mr. Egerton, in addition to the -Cookes, and Miss Beckford, and Miss Middleton, I had quite as much -upon my hands as I could do. This said Captain Simpson told us, on the -authority of some other captain just arrived from Halifax, that Charles -was bringing the _Cleopatra_ home, and that she was by this time -probably in the Channel; but as Captain S. was certainly in liquor we -must not depend on it. It must give one a sort of expectation, however, -and will prevent my writing to him any more. I would rather he should -not reach England till I am at home, and the Steventon party gone.” - -A curious time and place to receive such news, and a still more curious -informant according to the ideas of these days, when men do not appear -at an evening party “in liquor.” - -In November 1811 Charles was appointed to the _Namur_, as Flag Captain -to his old friend, Sir Thomas Williams, who was now Commander-in-Chief -at the Nore. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -CHINESE MANDARINS - - -In April 1809 the _St. Albans_ was again at sea, this time on a voyage -to China convoying East Indiamen. - -The first place which Captain Austen describes on this voyage is Port -Cornwallis, Prince of Wales Island, or Penang. He writes: “This harbour -is formed by Prince of Wales Island (better known by the native name -of Pulo Penang, signifying in the Malay language ‘Betel-nut Island’) -and the opposite coast of the Malay Peninsula, from which at the -nearest part it is distant about two miles. The approach to it is from -the northward, and is neither difficult nor dangerous.” After further -remarks on the best way of sailing in and anchoring, the notes deal -with the more generally interesting facts about the island. It must be -remembered that at this time the Malays were giving constant trouble -to British ships, by small but very ferocious attacks. “Wood is in the -greatest abundance, the whole coast of the Malay Peninsula in the -vicinity of this harbour being a forest, in which any quantity may be -had for the trouble of cutting. Ships of war do not, however, usually -procure it in that way, from the danger of introducing sickness amongst -their crews by the exposure to the sun, which would be unavoidable. -It may be purchased on the island at a reasonable price. Water is -plentiful, and it has been generally considered of an excellent -quality, and to keep well at sea. - -“Buffalo beef may be procured here in any quantity. The meat is -generally very coarse, lean, and ill-flavoured. Sheep are rarely to -be procured, and never but at a very high price. It should seem to be -an animal which the Malays have not got, as all those on the island -are imported from Bengal, at a great expense, by individuals for their -consumption. Fish is neither plentiful nor particularly good in kind; -fruit and vegetables are abundant and excellent. They are of those -species usually met with in tropical climates, with some peculiar to -the eastern parts of India. - -“The fortifications are by no means considerable, consisting in a -square fort, situated on the extremity of the point which separates -the outer from the inner harbour. It is probably quite sufficient to -intimidate the Malays, or repel any attack they could make were they so -disposed, but I should think it would be far from difficult for two -or three ships of war to destroy it in a short time. The whole of the -works are in a very dilapidated state. It is obviously incapable of -affording any protection to the greater part of the town, as an enemy -might land to the northward and destroy most of the buildings, or lay -the inhabitants under contribution, without being exposed to a single -gun from the fort. To the shipping in the harbour, indeed, it could -give some protection, and that probably was the principal consideration -in selecting the spot which it occupies. There was formerly a work -called (from its shape, I presume) the Frying-pan Battery, but it -is now in a state of ruin, a great part of it having fallen in. The -sea appears to be gradually washing away the soil from under its -foundations. - -“The military force usually kept on the island consists in a battalion -of Sepoys about 600 strong, and a company of European artillery. I did -not understand that there was any militia or means of increasing the -effective force in case of an attack or other emergency. The public -wharf is built of wood, is of considerable breadth, and, being roofed -over for its whole length, seems well adapted for sheltering goods of -all sorts, in landing or shipping off, from the effects of the weather, -and especially from the sun, which is generally very powerful there. -The sides being open admit a free draught and circulation of air, so -that it is perhaps, during the middle of the day, the coolest place in -the town, and as such is resorted to by the Europeans, who make it a -kind of Mall or lounging-place. - -“Shortly after this island was settled by the English, the trade -became considerable, and bid fair to increase, as it was found a very -convenient situation for ships to touch at on their voyage between -India and China, or any of the islands in the Eastern seas, having many -local advantages over Malacca, which had previously been used for that -purpose. - -“It was also considered favourable for the cultivation of pepper, large -plantations of which were made and throve exceedingly. In consequence -of the war, however, which has so long desolated Europe, and in its -progress gradually shut nearly every port on that continent against -British ships and trade, the market for pepper grown here has been -much straitened, and is now chiefly confined to China. The pepper -plantations having in consequence thereof been found very unprofitable -concerns, and in many instances I believe heavy losses, are now much -reduced in number and extent; nor, so far as I could learn, has any -other species of cultivation been introduced to occupy the soil and -give employment to the labour and capital which have been so diverted. - -“Many spots, which had been cleared and produced crops, are now -neglected, and, as the progress of vegetation here is exceedingly rapid -and luxuriant, are verging fast to their original wild, forest-like -state. - -“Within the last two or three years attempts have been made by a few -gentlemen to introduce the culture of the nutmeg, clove and cinnamon; -several plants have been procured which are in a thriving state, and it -is generally thought that the soil and situation will suit them; but no -return can possibly be obtained for the first five or six years, which -must effectually prevent any but persons of large capitals embarking in -such a concern. - -“Many parts of the island would do very well for the growth of rice, -but it has been the policy of the Government to discourage that species -of husbandry as much as possible, from an idea that it would render the -settlement unhealthy; and as that grain can always be procured in any -quantity, and at a very cheap rate, from the Malay coast, the measure -of obstructing its cultivation on the island seems to have been a -prudent one. - -“Timber fit for naval purposes may be procured at several places in the -neighbourhood, particularly Pegu and Rangoon on the coast of Aracan, -and Siacca on the north-east coast of Sumatra. There are several -species of it, most, if not all, of which are considered very durable, -particularly the teak. Poon and other spars fit for masts and yards -may also be had from many parts of the Malay coast at very moderate -prices, some of which are of a sufficient size to make a main-mast for -a seventy-four-gun ship of a single tree. The wood is considerably -heavier than fir, but being also much stronger, masts and yards made -of it will admit of being reduced in diameter, and nearly, if not -quite, equal to the difference in weight. Ships of considerable burden -have at different times been built here; the last and largest was a -thirty-six-gun frigate built at the expense of the East India Company, -and launched in August 1809. - -“It was in contemplation a few years back to construct docks here, and -the little island of Jerajah was pointed out as a proper situation. - -“Gates for the docks were sent out from England, and a steam-engine for -working pumps, as the fall of water would not be sufficient to empty -the docks; but nothing has yet been done, and the idea seems to have -been given up. - -“Having the means of docking ships here would on many occasions be -productive of very great convenience as well to the public service -as to private individuals. For want thereof any ship requiring to be -docked must now go to Bengal, or, if a large one, to Bombay, at a great -loss of time and increased expense, especially if trading to China or -into the Eastern Seas, in which case it certainly would occasion the -loss of the season altogether. - -“The population of the island is said to be about 50,000 souls, but -I should think it considerably over-rated at that statement. It is -composed of various nations, Malays, Chinese, Cochin-Chinese, Siamese, -Birmans, Bengalees, Malabars, Chulians, and most of the nations and -castes of India, with a few Europeans, which last fill situations -under the Government, or are engaged in mercantile concerns. The -languages are as various as the nations, few of them speaking any other -than that of their own country. It is a singular fact that more than -thirty, totally distinct from each other, are spoken in the Bazar. -The Government, appointed by the East India Directors, is entirely -independent of the Presidencies. The present Governor is a military -man, having the local rank on the islands of Colonel in the Company’s -army, and is Commander-in-Chief of all the troops there. - -“As the civil code is in many instances suited to the peculiar customs -and usages of the different nations composing the population, who are -in general fond of litigation, the office of Chief Judge is a very -arduous and fatiguing one.” - -The _St. Albans_ was sent on to China with the convoy of East Indiamen, -and anchored in the river of Canton. Various matters kept them here -for more than five months, from September 18, 1809, till March 2, 1810. - -The river of Canton had for many years been infested with pirates, -called Ladrones, who robbed and murdered, devastated the country, -attacked villages, and were even a danger to the town of Canton itself. -In order to hold them in some measure in check, the Chinese Government -had engaged an English vessel called the _Mercury_ to act against them; -and immediately on the arrival of the _St. Albans_, Francis Austen -was asked if he would consider it consistent with his duty to give -any further help. He replied that, considering the friendly relations -between Britain and China, he should feel himself quite at liberty to -give what help he could. He stipulated however that he should receive -a written application from the Viceroy of Canton, and also that the -restrictions which the Chinese Government had imposed on the British -ships of war to prohibit them from passing the Bocca Tigris should be -removed, and every part of the river made free to them. He pointed out -that the Chinese Mandarin (or war) boats would be suitable for the -purpose of attacking the Ladrones if overhauled, fitted with European -artillery and manned by Europeans, and also that the British ships were -of no manner of use in the river, as they were all much too large, and -moreover all but the _St. Albans_ would soon be on their passage home. -He also expressed a readiness to wait on the Viceroy in order to talk -the matter over. - -The appointment was made to meet at the Hoppo’s house at two o’clock -on November 2; and here Captain Austen presented himself, but “after -waiting nearly half an hour in a close dirty kind of lobby, exposed -to the stare of every blackguard who could squeeze himself into the -passage leading to it, and having our noses assailed by a combination -of villanous smells, I was informed that the Viceroy had gone away, -but that the Hoppo would come and speak to me.” This Captain Austen -absolutely declined, and retired, leaving word that if the Viceroy -wished hereafter to see him, “he would at any time have it in his power -to do so by coming to the British factory.” He adds: “It is not easy -to account for the Viceroy’s behaviour, but I am inclined to set it -down to the score of imbecility, and a struggle between pride and the -conviction of his own inability to arrest the progress of the pirates, -in which the former has obtained the victory.” His dealings with the -Viceroy were, however, by no means at an end. About a month afterwards -it was necessary to make a serious complaint to the Chinese Government. -Some officers of the _St. Albans_ had gone ashore for shooting. One -of them was attacked by a buffalo, and was only rescued from being -gored to death by his friends, who shot the animal. Numerous Chinamen -immediately gathered round full of indignation at the slaughter of the -brute, and, in spite of the protestations of the Englishmen, and their -assertions that they would make full restitution, they were attacked -in a most violent manner, and only got away by buying their liberty. -Evidently the “very friendly feelings” supposed to be existing between -the two governments were not so cordially shared by individuals. - -After these two minor troubles, a very difficult matter came before -Francis Austen, and his skill and courtesy in dealing with it earned -him the unqualified thanks of the East India Company, besides some -more substantial recognition. Just when the _St. Albans_ and her -convoy were prepared to put to sea again, they were informed that the -“Chops” would not be granted to them, or the ships allowed to depart. -The reason given was that a Chinaman had been killed in the town, and, -it was stated, by an Englishman. This was a serious matter to deal -with, as the evidence was most difficult to collect--the Chinese were -thorough-paced liars--and every day of delay now made it more and more -likely that the convoy would encounter bad weather on the way home. -The Viceroy insisted that the English officers should themselves -discover the offender, while Captain Austen pointed out that they had -no means of knowing anything about the matter, even if the culprit were -one of their own men, and that the police of Canton were more likely -to be successful in discovering the offender. In a letter to Admiral -Drury, Commander-in-Chief in India, Francis Austen feelingly remarks: -“I need not detail to you, Sir, who are so well aware of them, the -difficulties that oppose and retard the discussion of any question -with the Chinese from various causes, but especially from the want -of efficient means of getting our sentiments properly and faithfully -rendered into Chinese, nor the pertinacity with which they adhere to -any opinion they have once assumed, or assertion once made, in defiance -of justice, equity and common sense. You know them all. But when I -reflect upon these obstacles, and the general character of the people, -I cannot help feeling in how very arduous a situation I am placed, and -what important consequences may result from my conduct.” The evidence -of the two witnesses was certainly not of a sort to make matters easy -for the Committee appointed to examine the question. “One states there -was neither noise nor fighting, the other that there was noise and -he saw fighting for ten minutes, although not being present at the -commencement of it he knew not how much longer it might have been -going on. Again one of them stated that he knew nothing of the business -and was not with the deceased when he was stabbed, and immediately -afterwards stated that he saw him stabbed, and was only four cubits -from him at the time. One of them states it to be quite dark, and the -other that it was moonlight.” - -In spite of all this, when the insufficiency of the evidence was -pointed out to the Mandarins, they, “like true Chinese Mandarins (which -designation, perhaps, comprises every bad quality which has disgraced -human nature), insisted that, as we must now be clearly convinced that -the offender was an Englishman, we could no longer have any pretence -for withholding him from justice, and therefore would, of course, give -him up to be tried according to the laws of China. A Mandarin is not a -reasoning animal, nor ought to be treated as a rational one.” - -The matter was finally settled by allowing the British ships to depart -on condition that there was an inquiry held during the voyage home, the -result of which was to be communicated from England to China on the -arrival of the _St. Albans_ and convoy. This seems a truly Chinese mode -of arrangement, but not wholly unsatisfactory, as it was discovered -that three of the men on the _Cumberland_ (one of the Indiamen) had -been engaged in the riot, and carrying arms at the time, so that there -was some presumptive evidence for their being the actual perpetrators -of the deed. The _St. Albans_ was back in England by July, with the -convoy, calling at St. Helena on the way. - -His long service as midshipman must have made the navigation in -the China Seas tolerably familiar to Captain Austen. The points -mentioned in this part of the log have a peculiar interest at the -moment of writing this chapter (May 1905), when we have all been -watching the great drama of the Russian fleet’s approach to Japanese -waters, followed by their destruction, more complete than that of the -vanquished at Trafalgar. Cape Varella, Natuna and Saputa Islands, and -the Paracels, are all amongst the log records. Passing the latter group -seems to have been always an anxious time, as shoals are frequent -northward of Singapore, which town, by the way, had no apparent -existence in 1809. - -There is a curious correspondence, partly by signal, on the passage -down the China Seas: - -“_March 16, 1810._--At 1 P.M. telegraph signal to _Perseverance_ (one -of the tea-ships of the convoy): ‘Do you know anything of the shoal -called the Dogger Bank, and which side would you recommend passing it?’ - -“_Perseverance_ answers, ‘The shoal is doubtful. I should wish to pass -to the eastward of it.’ - -“At 3 o’clock the _Glatton_ (another of the tea-laden Indiamen) made -signal to speak with us. Shortened sail. - -“At 4, Captain Halliburton informed me that the Dogger Bank is by no -means doubtful, having himself been in a ship which was aground on it. -They found it exceedingly irregular.” - -The connection of the name with the “untoward incident” of October 1904 -and the Russian fleet is a coincidence. - -One of the outline sketches which occur in the logs is that of Krakatoa -Island, in the Straits of Sunda. This mountain was partially destroyed -in 1882 by the immense eruption of volcanic matter, which coloured the -sunsets all over the world many months afterwards. - -Francis Austen was superseded in the _St. Albans_ in September 1810 by -his own wish. He naturally wanted a short time without employment to -spend with his wife, who had not had much of his society since their -marriage. - -From December in the same year till May 1811 he was stationed off the -coast of France as Flag-Captain to Lord Gambier in the _Caledonia_. -After this there was another holiday of about two months, spent with -his wife and children in paying visits. Jane’s letters speak of their -being at Steventon, and of a projected visit to Chawton. - -On July 18, 1811, he took command of the _Elephant_, and became again -concerned in the Napoleonic wars. - -[Illustration: “CASSANDRA’S SKETCH OF JANE”] - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -A LETTER FROM JANE - - -The time of Captain Austen’s service in the _Elephant_ is divided into -three periods. For over a year she was employed with Admiral Young’s -fleet in the North Sea, which was stationed there to watch Vice-Admiral -Missiessy, then at anchor at the mouth of the Scheldt, ready to slip -out if occasion offered. The ships under his command had been newly -built in Napoleon’s great dockyard of Flushing, which was rendered -ineffective by the constant British blockade. In the autumn of 1812 the -_Elephant_ was cruising off the Azores with the _Phœbe_ and _Hermes_. -The disputes concerning trade had by this time resulted in war with -the United States. On this cruise we have the record in the log of the -capture of an American privateer, the _Swordfish_. - -“_December 27._--At two, saw a strange sail bearing W. by N. Made the -signal to the _Hermes_ with a gun. Made all sail in chace. At sunset, -chace distant two miles. The chace had all the appearance of an armed -vessel. - -“28.--Fired several shots at the chace. At five minutes to two -perceived her hoist two lights and bring to. At two shortened sail, -hove to, boarded, and took possession of the chace, which proved to -be the American schooner privateer _Swordfish_, out sixteen days from -Boston, armed with twelve six-pounders and eighty-two men. During the -chace ten of her guns and several spars were thrown overboard.” - -After her return to England with the prize and another turn at the -Flushing blockade, the _Elephant_ was ordered to the Baltic. They were -engaged in convoying vast numbers of small vessels through the Sound -and the Belt past the coasts of Denmark, which was still under the -power of France, and in keeping at a distance such armed craft of the -enemy as were dangerous. We find, in these short cruises to and fro, -as many as two hundred and fifty or three hundred sail in company, -under the charge of three or four men-of-war. An entry in the log on -October 10 will show the nature of the work: “A boat from the _Zealous_ -came with letters for the Admiral, and to say that the galliott chaced -yesterday was one which had drifted out of the convoy the preceding -night, and was captured in the morning by a row-boat privateer off -Nascoi, which, on the _Zealous’_ approach, abandoned her and escaped -into Femerin. It appearing on examining the master of the galliott that -he never had belonged to the convoy, but had merely joined them off -Anholt and continued with them for security sake, without applying for -instructions, it was decided to consider the vessel as a recapture, and -to take her on to Carlskrona as such. She is called the _Neptunus_, -Daniel Sivery, master, belonging to Gottenberg, and bound from that -place to Stralsund with a cargo of rice, sugar, coffee, and indigo.” - -The Island of Anholt, captured in 1809, was a possession of great -importance to the English when engaged in this work, on account of its -lighthouse, which could signal to the ships of the convoy and keep them -all in their places. Of this island Captain Austen had a few words to -say which show that its importance lay therein alone. After a lengthy -and minute description of the lighthouse and all which appertained to -it, he continues: “The garrison at present consists of about three men -of a veteran battalion, and a few marine artillery, which form by many -degrees the most considerable portion of the population, for, exclusive -of the military and their appendages of wives and children, there are -but sixteen families on the island, who all reside at the only village -on it, near the high ground to the westward, and whose principal -occupation is fishing, in which they are generally very successful -during the summer. - -“Antecedent to the war between England and Denmark and the consequent -occupation of the island by the English, the Anholters paid a small -rent to the proprietor of the soil, who is a Danish nobleman residing -at Copenhagen; but at present they are considered and fed as prisoners -of war by the English. They are an exceedingly poor people, and seem to -enjoy but a small proportion of worldly comfort.” - -The Island of Rugen, which was another anchoring station for the -_Elephant_, was the only portion of the conquests of Gustavus Adolphus -which still remained under the Swedish flag. The whole tract of country -which he conquered was called Swedish Pomerania, but the mainland -districts had lately been occupied by part of Napoleon’s army under -Marshal Brune. - -Of Rugen, Captain Austen writes: “The British ships of war were not -supplied with fresh beef and vegetables whilst the _Elephant_ was -there, and I understood because (though they might have been procured) -the price was too great, which may probably be in a great degree owing -to the neighbouring part of Pomerania having been last year occupied by -the French troops, and having suffered much from the effects of war, -as well as having still large armies in its vicinity, which must of -course very materially affect the state of the markets for provisions -of all kinds.” - -While the _Elephant_ was employed in this way in convoying small -vessels backwards and forwards, great events were going on all round. -The southern shores of the Baltic were included this year in the great -arena of the battles which preceded the downfall of Napoleon. - -Napoleon’s day was now nearly over. The retreat, in 1812, from Moscow -had shaken his reputation, and Prussia no longer attempted to keep -up the disguise of friendly relations with France. The revolt of the -Prussian regiments of Napoleon’s army gave the signal for a national -organisation, and the whole country turned openly against France. The -garrisons left in the fortified towns, conquered seven years earlier, -were the only remnants of French dominion. Marshal Bernadotte, who had -fought for his Emperor at Grezlaw and Wagram, had lately been selected -to be Crown Prince of Sweden. His interests were now centred in Sweden, -and his great desire was to conquer Norway. That kingdom was ceded in -1814, in exchange for Rugen and the Pomeranian territories, and has -been, almost from that date, a source of increasing difficulty to the -Crown of Sweden. Bernadotte had asked help towards his project from -Napoleon, at the same time promising to give him reinforcements for -the Russian invasion. This offer was refused, and Bernadotte remained -neutral until he saw that matters were going against his former -sovereign. Now, in 1813, he declared himself an ally of the Russians -and Austrians, and brought across the Baltic into Swedish Pomerania a -contingent of 12,000 men, of whom a considerable number were convoyed -by English men-of-war. - -In the log for May 28, 1813, we read: “Sailed the _Princess Caroline_ -and several of the brigs, with a large fleet of transports, for the -Sound. The transports have 4900 Swedish troops on board, to be landed -in Swedish Pomerania.” These soldiers assisted in the defeat of Marshal -Oudinot, and were among the force which drove back Napoleon from -Leipzig in the next October, just at the same time that Wellington had -completed the liberation of Spain and was leading his army through the -passes of the Pyrenees. - -It is scarcely remarkable that the signal asking for news should be so -frequently made from the _Elephant_ when such events were in progress. - -A letter from Jane to her brother, written while all this was going -on, must have been truly refreshing, with its talk of hayfields, and -abundance of cheerful gossip about nothing in particular: - - “CHAWTON, _July 3, 1813_. - - “MY DEAREST FRANK,--Behold me going to write you as handsome a - letter as I can! Wish me good luck. We have had the pleasure of - hearing from you lately through Mary, who sent us some of the - particulars of yours of June 18 (I think), written off Rugen, - and we enter into the delight of your having so good a pilot. - Why are you like Queen Elizabeth? Because you know how to chuse - wise ministers. Does not this prove you as great a Captain as - she was a Queen? This may serve as a riddle for you to put - forth among your officers, by way of increasing your proper - consequence. It must be a real enjoyment to you, since you are - obliged to leave England, to be where you are, seeing something - of a new country and one which has been so distinguished as - Sweden. You must have great pleasure in it. I hope you may - have gone to Carlscroon. Your profession has its _douceurs_ - to recompense for some of its privations; to an enquiring and - observing mind like yours such _douceurs_ must be considerable. - Gustavus Vasa, and Charles XII., and Cristina and Linneus. Do - their ghosts rise up before you? I have a great respect for - former Sweden, so zealous as it was for Protestantism. And I - have always fancied it more like England than other countries; - and, according to the map, many of the names have a strong - resemblance to the English. July begins unpleasantly with us, - cold and showery, but it is often a baddish month. We had some - fine dry weather preceding it, which was very acceptable to the - Holders of Hay, and the Masters of Meadows. In general it must - have been a good hay-making season. Edward has got in all his - in excellent order; I speak only of Chawton, but here he has - better luck than Mr. Middleton ever had in the five years that - he was tenant. Good encouragement for him to come again, and - I really hope he will do so another year. The pleasure to us - of having them here is so great that if we were not the best - creatures in the world we should not deserve it. We go on in - the most comfortable way, very frequently dining together, and - always meeting in some part of every day. Edward is very well, - and enjoys himself as thoroughly as any Hampshire-born Austen - can desire. Chawton is not thrown away upon him. He talks of - making a new garden; the present is a bad one and ill-situated, - near Mr. Papillon’s. He means to have the new at the top of - the lawn behind his own house. We like to have him proving and - strengthening his attachment to the place by making it better. - He will soon have all his children about him. Edward, George - and Charles are collected already, and another week brings - Henry and William. It is the custom at Winchester for Georges - to come away a fortnight before the holidays, when they are not - to return any more; for fear they should overstudy themselves - just at last, I suppose. Really it is a piece of dishonourable - accommodation to the Master. We are in hopes of another visit - from our true lawful Henry very soon; he is to be our guest - this time. He is quite well, I am happy to say, and does not - leave it to my pen, I am sure, to communicate to you the joyful - news of his being Deputy Receiver no longer. It is a promotion - which he thoroughly enjoys, as well he may; the work of his own - mind. He sends you all his own plans of course. The scheme for - Scotland we think an excellent one both for himself and his - nephew. Upon the whole his spirits are very much recovered. If - I may so express myself his mind is not a mind for affliction; - he is too busy, too active, too sanguine. Sincerely as he was - attached to poor Eliza moreover, and excellently as he behaved - to her, he was always so used to be away from her at times, - that her loss is not felt as that of many a beloved wife might - be, especially when all the circumstances of her long and - dreadful illness are taken into the account. He very long knew - that she must die, and it was indeed a release at last. Our - mourning for her is not over, or we should be putting it on - again for Mr. Thomas Leigh, who has just closed a good life at - the age of seventy-nine, and must have died the possessor of - one of the finest estates in England, and of more worthless - nephews and nieces than any other private man in the United - Kingdom. We are very anxious to know who will have the living - of Adlestrop, and where his excellent sister will find a home - for the remainder of her days. As yet she bears his loss with - fortitude, but she has always seemed so wrapped up in him that - I fear she must feel it dreadfully when the fever of business - is over. There is another female sufferer on the occasion - to be pitied. Poor Mrs. L. P. (Leigh Perrot) who would now - have been mistress of Stoneleigh had there been none of the - vile compromise, which in good truth has never been allowed - to be of much use to them. It will be a hard trial. Charles’ - little girls were with us about a month, and had so endeared - themselves that we were quite sorry to have them go. They are - now all at South End together. Why do I mention that? As if - Charles did not write himself. I hate to be spending my time - so needlessly, encroaching too upon the rights of others. I - wonder whether you happened to see Mr. Blackall’s marriage in - the papers last January. We did. He was married at Clifton to - a Miss Lewis, whose father had been late of Antigua. I should - very much like to know what sort of a woman she is. He was a - piece of perfection--noisy perfection--himself, which I always - recollect with regard. We had noticed a few months before - his succeeding to a College living, the very living which we - recollected his talking of, and wishing for; an exceeding good - one, Great Cadbury in Somersetshire. I would wish Miss Lewis - to be of a silent turn and rather ignorant, but naturally - intelligent and wishing to learn, fond of cold veal pies, green - tea in the afternoon, and a green window blind at night. - - “You will be glad to hear that every copy of S. and S. is - sold, and that it has brought me £140, besides the copyright, - if that should ever be of any value. I have now, therefore, - written myself into £250, which only makes me long for more. - I have something in hand which I hope the credit of P. and P. - will sell well, though not half so entertaining, and by the bye - shall you object to my mentioning the _Elephant_ in it, and two - or three other old ships? I _have_ done it, but it shall not - stay to make you angry. They are only just mentioned. - - “_July 6._--I have kept open my letter on the chance of what - Tuesday’s post might furnish in addition, and it furnishes the - likelihood of our keeping our neighbours at the Great House - some weeks longer than we expected. Mr. Scudamore, to whom my - brother referred, is very decided as to Godmersham not being - fit to be inhabited at present. He talks even of two months - being necessary to sweeten it, but if we have warm weather I - daresay less will do. My brother will probably go down and - sniff at it himself, and receive his rents. The rent-day has - been postponed already. - - “We shall be gainers by their stay, but the young people - in general are disappointed, and therefore could wish it - otherwise. Our cousins, Colonel Thomas Austen and Margaretta, - are going as aide-de-camps to Ireland; and Lord Whitworth goes - in their train as Lord-Lieutenant; good appointments for each. - I hope you continue well and brush your hair, but not all off. - - “Yours very affectionately, - “J. A.” - -The “something in hand” in this letter was “Mansfield Park.” The -mentions of ships occur in one of the scenes at Portsmouth, when -the whole of the Price family are full of the _Thrush_ going out of -harbour, and have no eyes or ears for Fanny, who has just come home -after an absence of seven or eight years. The scene is worth quoting -almost _in extenso_: - -“Fanny was all agitation and flutter--all hope and apprehension. The -moment they stopped, a trollopy-looking maid-servant, seemingly -in waiting for them at the door, stepped forward, and, more intent -on telling the news than giving them any help, immediately began -with--‘The _Thrush_ is gone out of harbour, please, sir, and one of the -officers has been to----’ She was interrupted by a fine tall boy of -eleven years old, who, rushing out of the house, pushed the maid aside, -and while William was opening the chaise-door himself, called out, -‘You are just in time. We have been looking for you this half-hour. -The _Thrush_ went out of harbour this morning. I saw her. It was a -beautiful sight. And they think she will have her orders in a day or -two. And Mr. Campbell was here at four o’clock to ask for you; he has -got one of the _Thrush’s_ boats, and is going off to her at six, and -hoped you would be here in time to go with him.’ - -“A stare or two at Fanny, as William helped her out of the carriage, -was all the voluntary notice which this brother bestowed; but he made -no objection to her kissing him, though still engaged in detailing -farther particulars of the _Thrush’s_ going out of harbour, in which -he had a strong right of interest, being to commence his career of -seamanship in her at this very time. - -“Another moment, and Fanny was in the passage and in her mother’s arms. -She was then taken into a small parlour. Her mother was gone again to -the street-door to welcome William. ‘Oh, my dear William, how glad I -am to see you! But have you heard about the _Thrush_? She is gone out -of harbour already, three days before we had any thought of it; and -I do not know what I am to do about Sam’s things; they will never be -ready in time; for she may have her orders to-morrow perhaps. It takes -me quite unawares. And now you must be off to Spithead, too. Campbell -has been here quite in a worry about you; and now what shall we do? -I thought to have had such a comfortable evening with you, and now -everything comes upon me at once.’ - -“Her son answered cheerfully, telling her that everything was always -for the best, and making light of his own inconvenience in being -obliged to hurry away so soon. - -“‘To be sure, I had much rather she had stayed in harbour, that I -might have sat a few hours with you in comfort, but as there is a -boat ashore I had better go off at once, and there is no help for it. -Whereabouts does the _Thrush_ lie at Spithead? Near the _Canopus_? But, -no matter--here is Fanny in the parlour, and why should we stay in the -passage? Come, mother, you have hardly looked at your own dear Fanny -yet.’ - -“Lastly, in walked Mr. Price himself, his own loud voice preceding -him, as, with something of an oath kind, he kicked away his son’s -portmanteau and his daughter’s bandbox in the passage and called out -for a candle; no candle was brought, however, and he walked into the -room. - -“Fanny, with doubting feelings, had risen to meet him, but sank down -on finding herself undistinguished in the dusk, and unthought of. With -a friendly shake of his son’s hand, and an eager voice, he instantly -began--‘Ha! welcome back, my boy. Glad to see you. Have you heard the -news? The _Thrush_ went out of harbour this morning. Sharp is the word, -you see. By G----, you are just in time. The doctor has been inquiring -for you; he has got one of the boats, and is to be off for Spithead by -six, so you had better go with him. I have been to Turner’s about your -mess; it is all in a way to be done. I should not wonder if you had -your orders to-morrow; but you cannot sail in this wind, if you are to -cruise to the westward with the _Elephant_. By G----, I wish you may. -But old Scholey was saying, just now, that he thought you would be sent -first by Texel. Well, well, we are ready, whatever happens. But, by -G----, you lost a fine sight by not being here in the morning to see -the _Thrush_ go out of harbour. I would not have been out of the way -for a thousand pounds. Old Scholey ran in at breakfast-time, to say she -had slipped her moorings and was coming out. I jumped up, and made but -two steps to the platform. If ever there was a perfect beauty afloat, -she is one; and there she lies at Spithead, and anybody in England -would take her for an eight-and-twenty. I was upon the platforms two -hours this afternoon looking at her. She lies close to the _Endymion_, -between her and the _Cleopatra_ just to the eastward of the sheer -hulk.’ ‘Ha!’ cried William, ‘that’s just where I should have put her -myself. It’s the best berth at Spithead. But here is my sister, sir; -here is Fanny,’ turning and leading her forward; ‘it is so dark you did -not see her.’ With an acknowledgment that he had quite forgot her, Mr. -Price now received his daughter, and having given her a cordial hug, -and observed that she was grown into a woman, and he supposed would be -wanting a husband soon, seemed very much inclined to forget her again.” - -The statement in the beginning of “Mansfield Park” that “Miss Frances -(Mrs. Price) married, in the common phrase, to ‘disoblige her family,’ -and by fixing on a lieutenant of marines, without education, fortune or -connections, did it very thoroughly,” is not difficult to believe. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -ANOTHER LETTER FROM JANE - - -Unfortunately we have not got Frank’s reply to his sister’s letter, but -we have her next letter to him dated about two months later, when she -was staying with Edward. - - “Godmersham Park, _September 25, 1813_. - - “MY DEAREST FRANK,--The 11th of this month brought me your - letter, and I assure you I thought it very well worth its two - and three-pence. I am very much obliged to you for filling me - so long a sheet of paper; you are a good one to traffic with - in that way, you pay most liberally; my letter was a scratch - of a note compared to yours, and then you write so even, so - clear, both in style and penmanship, so much to the point, - and give so much intelligence, that it is enough to kill one. - I am sorry Sweden is so poor, and my riddle so bad. The idea - of a fashionable bathing-place in Mecklenberg! How can people - pretend to be fashionable or to bathe out of England? Rostock - market makes one’s mouth water; our cheapest butcher’s meat - is double the price of theirs; nothing under nine-pence all - this summer, and I believe upon recollection nothing under - ten-pence. Bread has sunk and is likely to sink more, which we - hope may make meat sink too. But I have no occasion to think of - the price of bread or of meat where I am now; let me shake off - vulgar cares and conform to the happy indifference of East Kent - wealth. I wonder whether you and the King of Sweden knew that I - was to come to Godmersham with my brother. Yes, I suppose you - have received due notice of it by some means or other. I have - not been here these four years, so I am sure the event deserves - to be talked of before and behind, as well as in the middle. We - left Chawton on the 14th, spent two entire days in town, and - arrived here on the 17th. My brother, Fanny, Lizzie, Marianne, - and I composed this division of the family, and filled his - carriage inside and out. Two post-chaises, under the escort - of George, conveyed eight more across the country, the chair - brought two, two others came on horseback, and the rest by - coach, and so, by one means or another, we all are removed. It - puts me in remind of St. Paul’s shipwreck, when all are said, - by different means, to reach the shore in safety. I left my - mother, Cassandra, and Martha well, and have had good accounts - of them since. At present they are quite alone, but they are - going to be visited by Mrs. Heathcote and Miss Bigg, and to - have a few days of Henry’s company likewise. - - “I expect to be here about two months, Edward is to be in - Hampshire again in November, and will take me back. I shall - be sorry to be in Kent so long without seeing Mary, but I am - afraid it must be so. She has very kindly invited me to Deal, - but is aware of the great improbability of my being able to - get there. It would be a great pleasure to me to see Mary Jane - again too, and her brothers, new and old. Charles and his - family I _do_ hope to see; they are coming here for a week - in October. We were accommodated in Henrietta Street. Henry - was so good as to find room for his three nieces and myself - in his house. Edward slept at a hotel in the next street. - No. 10 is made very comfortable with cleaning and painting, - and the Sloane Street furniture. The front room upstairs - is an excellent dining and common sitting parlour, and the - smaller one behind will sufficiently answer his purpose as a - drawing-room. He has no intention of giving large parties of - any kind. His plans are all for the comfort of his friends - and himself. Madame Bigeon and her daughter have a lodging - in his neighbourhood, and come to him as often as he likes, - or as they like. Madame B. always markets for him, as she - used to do, and, upon our being in the house, was constantly - there to do the work. She is wonderfully recovered from the - severity of her asthmatic complaint. Of our three evenings - in town, one was spent at the Lyceum, and another at Covent - Garden. “The Clandestine Marriage” was the most respectable - of the performances, the rest were sing-song and trumpery; - but it did very well for Lizzy and Marianne, who were indeed - delighted, but I wanted better acting. There was no actor worth - naming. I believe the theatres are thought at a very low ebb - at present. Henry has probably sent you his own account of - his visit in Scotland. I wish he had had more time, and could - have gone further north, and deviated to the lakes in his - way back; but what he was able to do seems to have afforded - him great enjoyment, and he met with scenes of higher beauty - in Roxburghshire than I had supposed the South of Scotland - possessed. Our nephew’s gratification was less keen than our - brother’s. Edward is no enthusiast in the beauties of nature. - His enthusiasm is for the sports of the field only. He is a - very promising and pleasing young man however, upon the whole, - behaves with great propriety to his father, and great kindness - to his brothers and sisters, and we must forgive his thinking - more of grouse and partridges than lakes and mountains. He - and George are out every morning either shooting or with the - harriers. They are good shots. Just at present I am mistress - and miss altogether here, Fanny being gone to Goodnestone - for a day or two, to attend the famous fair, which makes its - yearly distribution of gold paper and coloured persian through - all the family connections. In this house there is a constant - succession of small events, somebody is always going or coming; - this morning we had Edward Bridges unexpectedly to breakfast - with us, on his way from Ramsgate, where is his wife, to - Lenham, where is his church, and to-morrow he dines and sleeps - here on his return. They have been all the summer at Ramsgate - for her health; she is a poor honey--the sort of woman who - gives me the idea of being determined never to be well and who - likes her spasms and nervousness, and the consequence they - give her, better than anything else. This is an ill-natured - statement to send all over the Baltic. The Mr. Knatchbulls, - dear Mrs. Knight’s brothers, dined here the other day. They - came from the Friars, which is still on their hands. The elder - made many inquiries after you. Mr. Sherer is quite a new Mr. - Sherer to me; I heard him for the first time last Sunday, and - he gave us an excellent sermon, a little too eager sometimes - in his delivery, but that is to me a better extreme than the - want of animation, especially when it evidently comes from the - heart, as in him. The clerk is as much like you as ever. I am - always glad to see him on that account. But the Sherers are - going away. He has a bad curate at Westwell, whom he can eject - only by residing there himself. He goes nominally for three - years, and a Mr. Paget is to have the curacy of Godmersham; a - married man, with a very musical wife, which I hope may make - her a desirable acquaintance to Fanny. - - “I thank you very warmly for your kind consent to my - application, and the kind hint which followed it. I was - previously aware of what I should be laying myself open to; - but the truth is that the secret has spread so far as to be - scarcely the shadow of a secret now, and that, I believe, - whenever the third appears, I shall not even attempt to tell - lies about it. I shall rather try to make all the money than - all the mystery I can of it. People shall pay for their - knowledge if I can make them. Henry heard P. and P. warmly - praised in Scotland by Lady Robert Kerr and another lady; and - what does he do, in the warmth of his brotherly vanity and - love, but immediately tell them who wrote it. A thing once - set going in that way--one knows how it spreads, and he, dear - creature, has set it going so much more than once. I know it - is all done from affection and partiality, but at the same - time let me here again express to you and Mary my sense of - the _superior_ kindness which you have shown on the occasion - in doing what I wished. I am trying to harden myself. After - all, what a trifle it is, in all its bearings, to the really - important points of one’s existence, even in this world. - - “I take it for granted that Mary has told you of ----’s - engagement to ----. It came upon us without much preparation; - at the same time there was that about her which kept us in a - constant preparation for something. We are anxious to have it - go on well, there being quite as much in his favour as the - chances are likely to give her in any matrimonial connection. - I believe he is sensible, certainly very religious, well - connected, and with some independence. There is an unfortunate - dissimilarity of taste between them in one respect, which gives - us some apprehensions; he hates company, and she is very fond - of it; this, with some queerness of temper on his side, and - much unsteadiness on hers, is untoward. I hope Edward’s family - visit to Chawton will be yearly; he certainly means it now, but - we must not expect it to exceed _two_ months in future. I do - not think, however, that he found five too long this summer. He - was very happy there. The new paint improves their house much, - and we find no evil from the smell. Poor Mr. Trimmer is lately - dead, a sad loss to his family, and occasioning some anxiety to - our brother; for the present he continues his affairs in the - son’s hands, a matter of great importance to _them_. I hope he - will have no reason to remove his business. - - “Your very affectionate sister, - “J. A. - - “There is to be a second edition of S. and S. Egerton advises - it.” - -At the time when this letter was written Charles was on the _Namur_, as -Flag-Captain to Sir Thomas Williams. His wife and two small children -lived with him on board, an arrangement of somewhat doubtful advantage. -In the published letters of Jane Austen there are some of the same date -as this one to Frank, written to Cassandra from Godmersham, and giving -an account of the visit of Charles and family which she was expecting -in October. - -“_September 23._--Wrote to Charles yesterday, and Fanny has had a -letter from him to-day, principally to make inquiries about the time of -their visit here, to which mine was an answer beforehand; so he will -probably write again soon to fix his week.” - -“_October 14._--A letter from Wrotham yesterday offering an early visit -here, and Mr. and Mrs. Moore and one child are to come on Monday for -ten days. I hope Charles and Fanny may not fix the same time, but if -they come at all in October they must. What is the use of hoping? The -two parties of children is the chief evil.” - -“To be sure, here we are; the very thing has happened, or rather -worse--a letter from Charles this very morning, which gives us reason -to suppose they may come here to-day. It depends upon the weather, and -the weather now is very fine. No difficulties are made, however, and, -indeed, there will be no want of room; but I wish there was no Wigrams -and Lushingtons in the way to fill up the table, and make us such a -motley set. I cannot spare Mr. Lushington either because of his frank, -but Mr. Wigram does no good to anybody. I cannot imagine how a man can -have the impudence to come into a family party for three days, where -he is quite a stranger, unless he knows himself to be agreeable on -undoubted authority. I shall be most happy to see dear Charles.” - -“_Friday, October 15._--They came last night at about seven. We had -given them up, but I still expected them to come. Dessert was nearly -over; a better time for arriving than an hour and a half earlier. They -were late because they did not set out earlier, and did not allow time -enough. Charles did not _aim_ at more than reaching Sittingbourne by -three, which could not have brought them here by dinner-time. They had -a very rough passage; he would not have ventured if he had known how -bad it would be. - -“However, here they are, safe and well, just like their own nice -selves, Fanny looking as neat and white this morning as possible, and -dear Charles all affectionate, placid, quiet, cheerful good humour. -They are both looking well, but poor little Cassy is grown extremely -thin and looks poorly. I hope a week’s country air and exercise may do -her good. I am sorry to say it can be but a week. The baby does not -appear so large in proportion as she was, nor quite so pretty, but I -have seen very little of her. Cassy was too tired and bewildered just -at first to seem to know anybody. We met them in the hall, the women -and girl part of us, but before we reached the library she kissed me -very affectionately, and has since seemed to recollect me in the same -way. It was quite an evening of confusion, as you may suppose. At first -we were all walking about from one part of the house to the other, then -came a fresh dinner in the breakfast-room for Charles and his wife, -which Fanny and I attended. Then we moved into the library, were joined -by the dining-room people, were introduced, and so forth; and then we -had tea and coffee, which was not over till past ten. Billiards again -drew all the odd ones away, and Edward, Charles, the two Fannies, and -I sat snugly talking. I shall be glad to have our numbers a little -reduced, and by the time you receive this we shall be only a family, -though a large family, party. - -[Illustration: MRS. CHARLES AUSTEN] - -“I talked to Cassy about Chawton (Cassandra wished to have her there -for the winter). She remembers much, but does not volunteer on the -subject. Papa and mamma have not yet made up their minds as to parting -with her or not; the chief, indeed the only difficulty with mamma is a -very reasonable one, the child’s being very unwilling to leave them. -When it was mentioned to her she did not like the idea of it at all. At -the same time she has been suffering so much lately from sea-sickness -that her mamma cannot bear to have her much on board this winter. -Charles is less inclined to part with her. I do not know how it will -end, or what is to determine it. He desires best love to you, and has -not written because he has not been able to decide. They are both very -sensible of your kindness on the occasion. I have made Charles furnish -me with something to say about young Kendall. He is going on very well. -When he first joined the _Namur_ my brother did not find him forward -enough to be what they call put in the office, and therefore placed him -under the schoolmaster, and he is very much improved, and goes into the -office now every afternoon, still attending school in the morning.” - -This is interesting as an example of the way in which the young men -learnt their work as midshipmen. - -The domestic side of Charles’ character is always rather inclined to -obtrude itself. Perhaps it was of him that Jane was thinking when -Admiral Croft sums up James Benwick in the words, “An excellent, -good-hearted fellow I assure you, a very active, zealous officer, too, -which is more than you would think for perhaps, for that soft sort of -manner does not do him justice;” and when later on she protests against -the “too common idea of spirit and gentleness being incompatible with -each other.” Nevertheless, we have ample proof that both sisters -thought his domesticity somewhat overdone, though it is hardly fair to -quote even friendly criticism of such an intimate nature. One sentence -from a letter on October 18 gives the hint of what seems to have been -Charles’ one defect in the eyes of his sisters. - -“I think I have just done a good deed--extracted Charles from his wife -and children upstairs, and made him get ready to go out shooting, and -not keep Mr. Moore waiting any longer.” - -Before Jane’s death in 1817, Charles had opportunity to show the stuff -of which he was made, and from that time till his death in 1852, under -circumstances which called for great courage and endurance, he fully -realised her best hopes. - -The question of Cassy living with her father and mother on the _Namur_ -reminds one of the discussion in “Persuasion” as to the comforts of -ladies on board ship. - -“The admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room -with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came -up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might -be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with--‘If you -had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you would have -been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her daughters.’ - -“‘Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then.’” - -The admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself, -though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on -board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few -hours might comprehend. “But, if I know myself,” said he, “this is -from no want of gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling how -impossible it is, with all one’s efforts and all one’s sacrifices, to -make the accommodations on board such as women ought to have. There can -be no want of gallantry, admiral, in rating the claims of women to -every personal comfort high, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of -women on board, or to see them on board, and no ship under my command -shall ever convey a family of ladies anywhere if I can help it.’” - -This brought his sister upon him. - -“‘Oh, Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you. All idle refinement! -Women may be as comfortable on board as in the best house in England. I -believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and I know nothing -superior to the accommodation of a man-of-war. I declare I have not a -comfort or an indulgence about me, even at Kellynch Hall’ (with a kind -bow to Anne), ‘beyond what I always had in most of the ships I have -lived in, and they have been five altogether.’ - -“‘Nothing to the purpose,’ replied her brother. ‘You were living with -your husband, and were the only woman on board.’ - -“‘But you, yourself, brought Mrs. Harville, her sister, her cousin, and -the three children round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this -superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?’ - -“‘All merged in my friendship, Sophia. I would assist any brother -officer’s wife that I could, and I would bring anything of Harville’s -from the world’s end, if he wanted it. But do not imagine that I did -not feel it an evil, in itself.’ - -“‘Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable.’ - -“‘I might not like them the better for that, perhaps. Such a number of -women and children have no right to be comfortable on board.’ - -“‘My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly. Pray, what would -become of us poor sailors’ wives, who often want to be conveyed to one -port or another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings.’ - -“‘My feelings you see did not prevent my taking Mrs. Harville and all -her family to Plymouth.’ - -“‘But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if -women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of -us expect to be in smooth water all our days.’ - -“‘Ah, my dear,’ said the Admiral, ‘when he has got a wife he will sing -a different tune. When he is married, if we have the good luck to live -to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many -others, have done. We shall have him very thankful to anybody that will -bring him his wife.’ - -“‘Ay, that we shall.’ - -“‘Now I have done,’ cried Captain Wentworth. ‘When once married people -begin to attack me with--“Oh, you will think very differently when you -are married,” I can only say, “No, I shall not,” and then they say -again, “Yes, you will,” and there is an end of it.’ - -“He got up and moved away. - -“‘What a great traveller you must have been, ma’am,’ said Mrs. Musgrove -to Mrs. Croft. - -“‘Pretty well, ma’am, in the fifteen years of my marriage, though many -women have done more. I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have -been once to the East Indies and back again, and only once; besides -being in different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar. -But I never went beyond the Straits, and was never in the West Indies. -We do not call Bermuda or Bahama, you know, the West Indies.’ - -“Mrs. Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent: she could not accuse -herself of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her -life. - -“‘And I do assure you, ma’am,’ pursued Mrs. Croft, ‘that nothing can -exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war. I speak, you know, of the -higher rates. When you come to a frigate, of course you are more -confined; though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one -of them; and I can safely say that the happiest part of my life has -been spent on board a ship. While we were together, you know, there -was nothing to be feared. Thank God! I have always been blessed with -excellent health, and no climate disagrees with me. The only time that -I ever really suffered in body and mind, the only time that I ever -fancied myself unwell, or had any ideas of danger, was the winter that -I passed by myself at Deal, when the Admiral (Captain Croft then) was -in the North Seas. I lived in perpetual fright at that time, and had -all manner of imaginary complaints from not knowing what to do with -myself, or when I should hear from him next; but as long as we could -be together, nothing ever ailed me, and I never met with the smallest -inconvenience.’ - -“‘Ay, to be sure. Yes, indeed, oh yes. I am quite of your opinion, Mrs. -Croft,’ was Mrs. Musgrove’s hearty answer. ‘There is nothing so bad as -a separation. I am quite of your opinion. I know what it is, for Mr. -Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are -over, and he is safe back again.’” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE END OF THE WAR - - -In the letter quoted in the last chapter, we hear how Henry let out the -secret of Jane’s authorship. She has also something to say to Cassandra -about the matter. “Lady Robert Kerr is delighted with P. and P., and -really was so, as I understand, before she knew who wrote it, for, of -course she knows now. He (Henry) told her with as much satisfaction -as if it were my wish. He did not tell me this, but he told Fanny.” -Perhaps the pleasure that she gained in hearing how people enjoyed her -books partly made up for the annoyance of having her wishes for secrecy -forgotten. She goes on: “And Mr. Hastings, I am quite delighted with -what such a man writes about it. Henry sent him the books after his -return from Daylesford, but _you_ will hear the letter too.” This is -tantalising for those who cannot hear the letter too, and still more so -when she adds later on: “I long to have you hear Mr. H.’s opinion of P. -and P. His admiring my Elizabeth so much is particularly welcome to -me.” - -The interest of Warren Hastings in the Austen family was a -long-standing one. Hastings’ only son was brought up under the care of -Jane’s father and mother at Steventon. When he died, in early manhood, -the grief of Mrs. Austen was as great as if she had lost one of her -own children. Probably they were entrusted with the care of this boy -through the influence of George Austen’s sister, who was married to -Dr. Hancock, of Calcutta, a close friend of Warren Hastings. Their -daughter, Eliza Hancock, after losing her first husband, a French -count, under the guillotine in the Reign of Terror, married Henry -Austen. She died in 1813, and Henry’s loss was a subject of much -concern in the family. We can see this from Jane’s letters at the time -to Cassandra, and in the one to Frank quoted at length in the last -chapter, where she expresses her belief that Henry’s mind is not “a -mind for affliction.” - -Frank got home from the Baltic early in 1814. We hear of him in June -trying to arrange for a visit to his mother. Jane writes: “I heard -yesterday from Frank. When he began his letter he hoped to be here -on Monday, but before it was ended he had been told that the naval -review would not take place till Friday, which would probably occasion -him some delay, as he cannot get some necessary business of his own -attended to while Portsmouth is in such a bustle.” Her books seem to -have become more and more of a family interest. Mentions of them come -in constantly in the midst of all the family gossip. “Sweet amiable -Frank, why does he have a cold too? Like Captain Mirvan to Mr. Duval, -‘I wish it well over with him.’ Thank you very much for the sight -of dearest Charles’s letter to yourself. How pleasant and naturally -he writes, and how perfect a picture of his disposition and feeling -his style conveys! Poor fellow! Not a present! I have a great mind -to send him all the twelve copies (of “Emma”), which were to have -been dispersed among my near connections, beginning with the Prince -Regent and ending with Countess Morley.” The mention of Miss Burney’s -“Evelina” is characteristic. It was one of her favourite books. - -On Frank’s return he naturally wishes to settle somewhere with his wife -and family after so many years afloat, but he did not at once find -the sort of home he wanted. He occupied Chawton Great House for a few -years, but this was only a temporary arrangement. It must be one of the -chief pleasures of a novelist to bestow upon her characters all the -blessings which she would like to portion out to her friends. Perhaps -it was something of this feeling which induced Jane to draw the ideal -home of a naval man in “Persuasion.” Certainly in tastes and feelings -there is much similarity between Harville and Frank Austen. - -“Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a year; his -taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to a -residence unexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country, -and the retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to -Captain Benwick’s state of mind. Nothing could be more pleasant than -their desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own, -because the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable -than their entreaties for their all promising to dine with them. The -dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, -accepted as an excuse, but they seemed almost hurt that Captain -Wentworth should have brought such a party to Lyme, without considering -it as a thing of course that they should dine with them. - -“There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and -such a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so -unlike the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of -formality and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be -benefited by an increasing acquaintance among his brother officers. -‘These would all have been my friends,’ was her thought, and she had -to struggle against a great tendency to lowness. - -“On quitting the Cobb they all went indoors with their new friends, -and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart -could think capable of accommodating so many. Anne had a moment’s -astonishment on the subject herself, but it was soon lost in the -pleasant feelings which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious -contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville to turn the -actual space to the best possible account, to supply the deficiencies -of lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors against -the winter storms to be expected. The varieties in the fitting up of -the rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the -common indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a -rare species of wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious -and valuable from all the distant countries Captain Harville had -visited, were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with -his profession, the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence -on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic happiness it -presented, made it to her a something more or less than gratification. - -“Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent -accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable -collection of well-bound volumes, the property of Captain Benwick. -His lameness prevented him from taking much exercise; but a mind of -usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with constant employment -within. He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he glued; he made toys -for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins with -improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large -fishing-net at one corner of the room. - -“Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the -house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into -raptures of admiration and delight on the character of the Navy, their -friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness; -protesting that she was convinced of sailors having more worth and -warmth than any other set of men in England; that they only knew how to -live, and they only deserved to be respected and loved.” - -No one reading “Persuasion” could doubt that, ready as Jane always was -to laugh at absurdities of fashion, yet the national enthusiasm for -the Navy had not failed to touch her heart any more than it had missed -her sense of humour. Trying as Louisa’s encomium must have been to -Anne, with her mind full of regrets over her broken engagement with -Captain Wentworth, it was the inward agreement of her mind with this -admiration for simplicity and affection which gave her the worst pain. -The nation had passed through a crisis, and after the stress of war, -the happy family life was the one thing admirable. - -Captain Charles Austen had spent ten years on active service, outside -the theatre of hostilities, but now he was brought into closer touch -during the confusion caused by the escape of Napoleon from Elba. The -_Phœnix_ frigate under his command was sent with the _Undaunted_ -and the _Garland_ in pursuit of a Neapolitan squadron cruising in -the Adriatic. Since 1808 Naples had been under the rule of Murat, -Napoleon’s brother-in-law. It was, therefore, Murat’s flag which was -attacked by the British men-of-war. - -[Illustration: CAPTAIN CHARLES AUSTEN, C. B.] - -Joachim Murat’s history is a curiously romantic one. As his dealings -with Napoleon created the situation in Naples which called for British -interference, it will not be a digression to give some account of -him. His origin was a low one, and it was chiefly as the husband of -Napoleon’s sister Caroline that he came to the front. As a soldier his -talents were great, but he was no diplomatist, and too impetuous and -unstable to be successful. He fought under Napoleon in most of the -campaigns from Marengo to Leipzig, and first entered Naples as the -victorious general of the French army. In 1808, at a time when Napoleon -was giving away kingdoms, Joseph Bonaparte, the King of Naples, was -awarded the somewhat empty and unsatisfactory honour of the kingdom of -Spain; and at the same time, to take his place, Murat was raised to -the dignity of “King of the Two Sicilies.” The Bourbon King Ferdinand, -who bore the same title, had been maintained in power in the island of -Sicily by the British fleet ever since Nelson’s time. Murat’s great -idea was the unity of Italy, under himself as King, and he perhaps had -hopes that Napoleon would support him. At all events, he was loyal -to the Emperor until 1811, when he went to Paris for the baptism of -Napoleon’s son, but came away before the ceremony on learning that the -infant was to be “King of Rome.” He dismissed his French troops, and -resolved to govern without reference to Napoleon. Unable, however, -to resist a call to arms from his former chief, in 1812 he went to -Russia in command of the heavy cavalry, and was the first to cross the -frontier. He went twenty leagues beyond Moscow, and finally left the -army on the retreat at the Oder. He handed over the command to Eugène -Beauharnais, and returned to Naples. - -Among others who saw that Napoleon’s power was on the wane, Murat -now turned against him, and proposed, through Lord William Bentinck -at Palermo, a treaty of peace with England, on the basis of the -unification of Italy under his own sovereignty. This agreement was -made, and needed only the formal consent of the British Government, -when Murat suddenly threw it all over, and at Napoleon’s bidding -went off to fight for him in the campaign of 1813 at Dresden and -Leipzig. On his return, however, the King again began his negotiations -with the allies, and arranged a treaty with Austria. The Congress -of Vienna debated the question of allowing him to remain King. As -matters stood, it was difficult to find a reason for turning him out, -as he now appeared to have definitely abandoned the Emperor’s cause. -But, naturally, it was impossible to repose much confidence in his -assertions. He himself seems scarcely to have known his own mind, and -was ready to ally himself with either side, if by that means he could -secure his heart’s desire of the kingdom of Italy. His wife cared more -for her brother’s cause than for her husband’s, but Joachim trusted her -completely. They had for long kept up the appearance of disagreement, -in order to collect round them the leaders of all parties; and now when -the dissension was real, he hardly realised how little her sympathies -were with him. It seems not unlikely that England and Austria would -have trusted him, and allowed him to retain his throne, as, on the -whole, he had governed well; but he himself decided the question in -a characteristic way. He had tidings of Napoleon’s projected escape -from Elba, and espoused his cause. The kingdom of the Two Sicilies was -thereupon attacked by the allies, and before Waterloo was fought the -Bourbon King Ferdinand was reinstated at Naples under the protection -of the fleets. Queen Caroline, Murat’s wife, was escorted by British -sailors from the palace. The ship bearing her away passed another -British ship, which brought Ferdinand back to his capital. - -The city of Naples had surrendered, but Brindisi still held out. It -was here that Charles Austen was employed in blockading the port as -Captain of the _Phœnix_, with the _Garland_ under his orders. After a -short time negotiations were begun, and, without much serious fighting, -he induced the garrison of the castle and the commanders of the two -frigates in the port to hoist the white flag of the Bourbons, in place -of the crimson and white on a blue ground which Joachim Murat had -adopted. It is a matter of history how Murat, with a few followers, -attempted to set up this flag again a few months later in Calabria, but -was taken prisoner and shot. It is evident that his estrangement from -Napoleon originated with the title of “King of Rome” being conferred on -the boy born in 1811--a clear indication that the Emperor was no party -to his schemes of uniting Italy. Whether or not the change of monarchs -was a good one for the Neapolitan people, the restored kingdom of the -Two Sicilies lasted until Garibaldi caused its complete collapse in -1860, and accomplished Murat’s ideal for Italy. - -After this episode Captain Charles Austen was kept busy with Greek -pirates in the Archipelago until the _Phœnix_ was lost off Smyrna in -1816. He then returned to England. - -There is an extract from one of his letters to Jane at this time, -dated May 6, 1815, from Palermo, which shows something of the degree -of popularity which her books had then attained. “Books became the -subject of conversation, and I praised ‘Waverley’ highly, when a young -man present observed that nothing had come out for years to be compared -with ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ &c. As I am sure -you must be anxious to know the name of a person of so much taste, I -shall tell you it is Fox, a nephew of the late Charles James Fox. That -you may not be too much elated at this morsel of praise, I shall add -that he did not appear to like ‘Mansfield Park’ so well as the two -first, in which, however, I believe he is singular.” - -[Illustration: JANE AUSTEN’S WORK-BOX, WITH HER LAST PIECE OF WORK] - -Early in 1816 Jane’s health began to fail, and she grew gradually -weaker until she died, in July 1817. There is a letter from her to -Charles, dated from Chawton on April 6, 1817, which is inscribed -in his handwriting, “My last letter from dearest Jane.” It is full -of courage, even through its weariness. Most of it relates to purely -family matters, but the tenor of it all is the same--that of patient -cheerfulness: - - “MY DEAREST CHARLES,--Many thanks for your affectionate letter. - I was in your debt before, but I have really been too unwell - the last fortnight to write anything that was not absolutely - necessary.... There was no standing Mrs. Cooke’s affectionate - way of speaking of your countenance, after her seeing you. God - bless you all. Conclude me to be going on well, if you hear - nothing to the contrary. - - “Yours ever truly, - “J. A. - - “Tell dear Harriet that whenever she wants me in her service - again she must send a Hackney Chariot all the way for me, for I - am not strong enough to travel any other way, and I hope Cassy - will take care that it is a green one.” - -Both Francis and Charles Austen were at home at the time of Jane’s -death in 1817. In the May before she died she was prevailed upon to -go to Winchester, to be under the care of Mr. Lyford, a favourite -doctor in that part. She and Cassandra lived in College Street. She -had always been fond of Winchester--in the true “Jane Austen spirit,” -partly because her nephews were at school there--and her keen interest -in her surroundings did not desert her even now, when she, and all -around her, knew that she was dying. A set of verses, written only -three days before her death, though of no great merit in themselves, -have a value quite their own in showing that her unselfish courage and -cheerfulness never failed her. Only a few hours after writing them she -had a turn for the worse, and died early on the morning of July 18. - - “WINCHESTER, _July 15, 1817_. - - “When Winchester races first took their beginning - ’Tis said that the people forgot their old saint, - That they never applied for the leave of St. Swithun, - And that William of Wykeham’s approval was faint. - - “The races however were fixed and determined, - The company met, and the weather was charming; - The lords and the ladies were satined and ermined, - And nobody saw any future alarming. - - “But when the old saint was informed of their doings, - He made but one spring from his shrine to the roof - Of the palace that now stands so sadly in ruins, - And thus he addressed them, all standing aloof: - - “‘Oh, subject rebellious! Oh, Venta depraved! - When once we are buried you think we are dead; - But behold me immortal--by vice you’re enslaved, - You have sinned, and must suffer,’ then further he said-- - - “‘These races, and revels, and dissolute measures, - With which you’re debasing a neighbouring plain; - Let them stand--you shall meet with a curse in your pleasures. - Set off for your course. I’ll pursue with my rain. - - “‘You cannot but know my command o’er July; - Thenceforward I’ll triumph in showing my powers; - Shift your race as you will, it shall never be dry, - The curse upon Venta is July in showers.’” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -TWO ADMIRALS - - -We have shown, so far as is possible, the influence that the lives -of her two sailor brothers had upon the writings of Jane Austen. It -now only remains to show how both of them, in their different ways, -fulfilled her hopes for them. This can be best done by a brief summary -of the chief events in their careers. At the time of her death they -were men on either side of forty. Francis lived to be ninety-one, and -Charles to be seventy-three, so both had many more years of activity -and service before them. - -In 1826 Charles was again on the West Indies station. Here he stayed -for more than two years, and was chiefly employed in suppressing the -slave-trade. He was always very happy in the management of crews. It -was partly owing to his more than usual care in this respect while -stationed here on board the _Aurora_, and partly to his general -activity as second in command, that he gained his appointment as -Flag-Captain to Admiral Colpoys in the _Winchester_ on the same -station in 1828. He was invalided home in 1830, as the result of a -severe accident. This prevented him from being again employed until -1838, when he was appointed to the _Bellerophon_, still only a Captain -after nearly thirty years’ service in that rank. - -[Illustration: -Memo 12th May, 1838 - -The Officers of the watch on board H. M. S. Bellerophon are directed to -pay strict attention to the orders which will be inserted in this book -for their governance during the Night. - -Charles Jno. Austen, Captain] - -Some years before this, Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, had conquered -Syria from his Suzerain, the Sultan, and now wished to declare himself -independent, thereby coming into collision with the traditional policy -of England and France in the Levant. In 1840 Admiral Stopford’s fleet -was sent to the coast of Syria to interfere with communications between -the Pasha’s army and Egypt. Charles Austen in the _Bellerophon_ (called -by the seamen the “Billy Ruffian”) took part in the bombardment of the -Beyrout forts, and afterwards was stationed in one of the neighbouring -bays, guarding the entrance of the pass by which Commodore Sir Charles -Napier had advanced up the Lebanon to attack Ibrahim Pasha and the -Egyptians. In Napier’s words: “It was rather a new occurrence for -a British Commodore to be on the top of Mount Lebanon commanding a -Turkish army, and preparing to fight a battle which should decide the -fate of Syria.” He won the battle and returned to the _Powerful_, with -some reluctance, making way for Colonel Smith, who was appointed by -the Sultan to command his forces in Syria. - -The Admiral and Colonel Smith shortly afterwards decided on capturing -Acre, the chief stronghold now remaining in the Egyptian occupation. - -In a letter to Lord Palmerston, Colonel Smith describes the action: “On -October 26 it was finally determined between Sir Robert Stopford and -myself that the siege of Acre should be undertaken. Owing to the light -winds the ships did not get into action till 2 P.M. on November 3, when -an animated fire commenced, and was maintained without intermission -until darkness closed the operations of the day. About three hours -later the Governor, with a portion of the garrison, quitted the town, -which was taken possession of by the allied troops at daylight the -following morning. The moral influence on the cause in which we are -engaged that will result from its surrender is incalculable. During the -bombardment the principal magazine and the whole arsenal blew up.” - -There is an extract from Charles Austen’s journal, which also gives a -slight account of the bombardment: - -“9 A.M.--Received a note from the Admiral (Stopford) telling me the -_Powerful_ (Commodore Napier) was to lead into action, followed by -_Princess Charlotte_ (flag), _Bellerophon_ and _Thunderer_, who were -all to lay against the Western Wall. - -“_Later._--Working up to the attack with light airs. - -“11.30.--Piped to dinner. - -“1 P.M.--Bore up to our station, passing outside the shoal to the -south, and then to the westward again inside. - -“2.30.--Anchored astern of the _Princess Charlotte_, and abreast of -the Western Castle, and immediately commenced firing, which the enemy -returned, but they fired high, and only two shots hulled us, hitting no -one. - -“_At sunset._--Admiral signalled ‘Cease firing,’ up boats, and then -piped to supper, and sat down with the two boys to a cold fowl, which -we enjoyed much. - -“_At_ 9 P.M.--A dish of tea, then gave my night orders and turned in.” - -The “two boys” were his two sons, Charles and Henry, who were serving -under him. - -There is a further account of a difficulty with Commodore Napier, -who had a firm belief in his own judgment, which made obedience to -orders something of a trial to him. Napier, who was “as usual a law -unto himself,” disobeyed the Admiral’s signals, and, when reprimanded, -demanded a court-martial, which was refused. The journal then relates -that Captain Austen, with two other captains, went on board the -_Powerful_ to endeavour to persuade the Commodore to climb down, “but -the old Commodore was stubborn, and we returned to our ships.” However, -a second visit to the Commodore in the afternoon appears to have been -more successful, and “I left hoping the affair would be settled,” which -it was. The result of this bombardment was altogether satisfactory, -though some of the ships suffered considerably from the Egyptian -firing. Charles was awarded a Companionship of the Bath for his share -in this campaign. - -In 1846 he became Rear-Admiral, and in 1850 was appointed -Commander-in-Chief on the East India Station. - -He left England in the P. & O. steamer _Ripon_ for Alexandria, and -crossed the desert to Suez, as was usual in the overland route. The -description of the mode of travelling by vans, and the selection of -places therein by lot, has often been made. - -[Illustration: REAR-ADMIRAL CHARLES AUSTEN, C.B.] - -Lord Dalhousie, as Governor-General at Calcutta, had taken steps to -protect British traders from the exactions of the Burmese officials -at Rangoon by sending a Commission of Inquiry, with power to demand -reparation. The Commissioner (Commodore Lambert) decided to treat only -with the King of Ava, who consented, in January 1852, to remove the -Governor from Rangoon. This action did not, however, prove effectual -in settling the grievances, and Commodore Lambert declared the Burmese -coast in a state of blockade; his vessel was fired upon, and he -retaliated by destroying a stockade on the river-bank, and some Burmese -war-boats. Shortly afterwards he received orders to forward to the King -a despatch of Lord Dalhousie’s, demanding apology and an indemnity. The -same vessel again went up the river with the despatch, and was attacked -by the Burmese. The Governor-General thereupon ordered a combined -military and naval expedition, which was on the coast by the end of -March. This was to be the last of Charles Austen’s many enterprises. He -shifted his flag from the _Hastings_ to the steam sloop _Rattler_ at -Trincomalee in Ceylon, and proceeded to the mouth of the Rangoon river. -On April 3, accompanied by two ships and the necessary troops, he was -on his way to Martaban, which they attacked and captured on the 5th. -The place was held by 5000 men; but after a bombardment of an hour and -a half it was taken by storm with small loss. - -On the 10th began a general combined movement on Rangoon, which fell -on the 14th, the _Rattler_ taking a leading part in attacking the -outlying stockades. The large stockade round the town and the pagoda -was carried at the point of the bayonet. The navy suffered but little -loss from the enemy; but cholera set in, and the Admiral fell ill. -He was persuaded by the doctors to leave the river, as all active -proceedings of the expedition had ceased for the time. He went to -Calcutta, where, through the kind hospitality of the Governor-General, -he gradually recovered his health. Rangoon, with its wonderful solid -pagoda, and all its Buddhist traditions, was now in British hands; but -the Burmese Government were bent on recapturing it, for certain royal -offerings to the shrine were among the conditions of the King’s tenure -of his throne. The war was therefore continued, and it was decided -to penetrate further up the river, and with a yet stronger force. -Admiral Austen thereupon returned to duty. On arrival at Rangoon in -the _Hastings_ he transferred his flag to the steam sloop _Pluto_, -and went up the river on a reconnaissance, in advance of the combined -forces. The main body proceeded direct to Henzada, by the principal -channel of the Irrawadi, while the contingent following the _Pluto_ was -delayed by the resistance of the Burmese leader at Donabyu. It became -necessary for the main body to make for this point also, while Admiral -Austen was by this time much further north, at Prome. He was anxiously -awaiting their arrival, while his health grew worse during the two or -three weeks spent in this unhealthy region. On October 6, his last -notes at Prome are as follows: “Received a report that two steamers -had been seen at anchor some miles below, wrote this and a letter to -my wife, and read the lessons of the day.” On the following morning he -died. The Burmese leader was also killed during the assault, which took -place at Donabyu not long afterwards, and his army then retreated. The -British battalions were eventually quartered on the hill above Prome, -overlooking the wide river, not far from Lord Dalhousie’s new frontier -of Lower Burmah. Now thick jungle covers alike the camp and the site of -the fort of Donabyu (White Peacock Town), for Upper Burmah is British -too, and there is no king to make offerings at the Rangoon shrine. - -The death of Charles was a heavy blow to Francis. The only other -survivor of all his brothers and sisters, Edward Knight, of Godmersham -and Chawton, died at about the same time; but Francis had still -thirteen years of life before him. To realise what his life had been we -must return to the close of the long war, when he came on shore from -the _Elephant_, and was not called upon to go to sea again for thirty -years. It is easy to imagine the changes that had taken place in the -Navy in the interval between his times of active service. - -During these years on shore several honours fell to his share. He had -been awarded his C.B. in 1815, on the institution of that distinction. -In 1825 he was appointed Colonel of Marines, and in 1830 Rear-Admiral. -About the same time he purchased Portsdown Lodge, where he lived for -the rest of his life. This property is now included within the lines of -forts for the defence of Portsmouth, and was bought for that purpose by -the Government some years before his death. At the last investiture by -King William IV. in 1837 he received the honour of K.C.B.; and the next -year, on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Coronation, he was promoted -to the rank of Vice-Admiral. In 1845 he took command of the North -American and West Indies Station. This command in the _Vindictive_ -forms a notable contrast to his earlier experiences in the West Indies. -How often he must have called to mind as he visited Barbadoes, Jamaica, -or Antigua, the excitements of the _Canopus_ cruises of forty years -ago! How different too the surroundings had become with the regular -English mail service, and the paddle-wheel sloops of war in place of -brigs such as the _Curieux_--and, greatest change of all, no such -urgent services to be performed as that of warning England against the -approach of an enemy’s fleet! - -Nevertheless, there was plenty to be done. The Naval Commander-in-Chief -has no easy berth, even in time of peace. His letters tell us of some -of the toils which fell to his share. - -“Our passage from Bermuda was somewhat tedious; we left it on February -6, called off Antigua on the 15th, and, without anchoring the ship, I -landed for an hour to inspect the naval yard,” rather an exertion in -the tropics, for a man of seventy-three. A voyage to La Guayra follows. -It appears that Venezuela was giving as much trouble in 1848 as in 1900. - -“A political question is going on between the Government of Caraccas -and our Chargé d’affaires, and a British force is wanted to give weight -to our arguments. I am afraid it will detain us a good while, as I also -hear that there is a demand for a ship-of-war to protect property from -apprehended outrage in consequence of a revolutionary insurrection.” - -We find that the _Vindictive_ was at Jamaica within a fortnight or so. -It would appear that the Government of the Caraccas (legitimate or -revolutionary) was quickly convinced by the weight of the arguments of -a 50-gun ship. - -The following general memorandum may be interesting with reference to -the expedition against Greytown, Nicaragua. - -“The Vice-Admiral Commander-in-Chief has much gratification in -signifying to the squadron the high sense he entertains of the -gallantry and good conduct of Captain Loch, of her Majesty’s ship -_Alarm_, and of every officer and man of her Majesty’s ships _Alarm_ -and _Vixen_, and of the officers and soldiers of her Majesty’s 28th -Regiment, employed under his orders on the expedition up the river -St. Juan, and especially for the cool and steady intrepidity evinced -while under a galling fire from a nearly invisible enemy on the morning -of February 12, and the irresistible bravery with which the works of -Serapagui were stormed and carried. The result has been an additional -proof that valour, when well directed and regulated by discipline, will -never fail in effecting its object.” - -There are also notes about the Mexican and United States War then in -progress, and instructions to treat Mexican privateers severely if they -interfered with neutral craft. Strong measures were also to be enforced -against slave-traders, who still sailed under Brazilian and Portuguese -flags, but were now reprobated by international treaties generally. - -In May 1848 the _Vindictive_ was met by Vice-Admiral the Earl of -Dundonald in the _Wellesley_. Lord Dundonald was to take over the -command from Sir Francis. We have no record of any meeting between -these two officers since the days when Lord Cochrane in the _Speedy_ -and Captain Austen in the _Peterel_ were in the Mediterranean -together, almost half a century earlier. Sir Francis’ letters mention -with pleasure the desire on the part of his successor to continue -matters on the same lines. - -[Illustration: SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, G.C.B., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET] - -His return to England was coincident with promotion to the rank of -Admiral. In 1854, at the outbreak of the Crimean War, the Portsmouth -command was declined as too onerous for an octogenarian. - -In 1860 Sir Francis received the G.C.B., and in 1862 the successive -honours of Rear-Admiral and Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, -followed in 1863 by promotion to the senior position in the British -Navy as Admiral of the Fleet. - - “THE ADMIRALTY, _April 27, 1863_. - - “SIR,--I am happy to acquaint you that I have had the pleasure - of bringing your name before the Queen for promotion to Admiral - of the Fleet, and that her Majesty has been graciously pleased - to approve of the appointment ‘as a well-deserved reward for - your brilliant services.’ - - “I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, - “SOMERSET.” - -From the year 1858 Sir Francis had become gradually less able to move -about. He retained all his faculties and his ability to write, almost -as clearly as ever, until just before his death in August 1865. - -The strong sense of justice, manifest in his rigid adherence to -discipline as a young man, was tempered later in life by his love for -children and grandchildren, constant through so many years. - -Of both Jane Austen’s brothers it may be said that they were worthy -members of that profession which is, “if possible, more distinguished -for its domestic virtues than for its national importance.” - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] The “Sea Wolf,” by Jack London, Heinemann. - - - - -INDEX - - - _Acasta_, 167, 170, 174, 177 - - Acre, siege of, 58, 59; - bombardment of, 276 - - _Agamemnon_, 165, 167, 174 - - _Ajax_, 162 - - _Alarm_, 284 - - _l’Alexandre_, 167, 172, 173, 178 - - _Alfred_, 201 - - Algeciras, 53, 91 - - _Amazon_, 135, 141 - - _Amethyst_, 167 - - Amiens, peace of, 112 - - _Amphion_, 135, 141 - - Anholt, Island of, 228, 229 - - Anstruther, Brigadier-General, 199-203 - - _Arethusa_, 167 - - _Atlas_, 174 - - _Aurora_, 81; - under Charles Austen, 36, 274 - - Austen, Cassandra, bringing up, 10-12; - letters from Jane, 42, 43, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 95-104, 107, 109, - 180-203, 204-208, 210, 250 - - Austen, Charles, bringing up, 11; - education, 15; - midshipman, 21; - in _Dædalus_, 23; - in _Unicorn_, 23; - in _Endymion_, 23; - as lieutenant in _Scorpion_, 45; - in _Tamar_, 48, 52; - in _Endymion_, 48, 53, 91, 109; - prizes, 91; - return home in 1800, 95; - reappointment to _Endymion_, 122; - appointment to _Indian_ as Commander, 122; - on North American station, 205-210; - marriage, 207; - capture of _La Jeune Estelle_, 207; - promotion to post rank, 207; - in _Swiftsure_, 207; - letter to Jane, 209; - in _Cleopatra_, 210; - home-coming in 1811, 210; - in _Namur_, 211; - his children at Chawton, 236; - visit to Godmersham, 250-253; - in _Phœnix_, 266; - letter to Jane about her books, 270; - last letter from Jane, 271; - on West Indies station, 274; - in _Aurora_, 274; - in _Winchester_, 275; - in _Bellerophon_, 275; - awarded C.B., 278; - Rear-Admiral, 278; - Commander-in-Chief on East India station, 278; - in Second Burmese War, 278; - in _Hastings_, 278; - in _Pluto_, 281; - death in 1852, 281 - - Austen, Edward, afterwards Knight, 43; - death of wife, 204; - at Chawton, 234; - at Godmersham, 244-249; - death in 1852, 281 - - Austen, Francis William, bringing up, 11; - education, 15; - letter from his father, 17-20; - midshipman in _Perseverance_, _Crown_ and _Minerva_, 16, 23; - lieutenant, 28; - in _Seahorse_, 45, 57; - in _London_, 29, 45, 57; - in _Glory_, 29; - in _Lark_, 41; - appointed to _Triton_, 44; - to _Peterel_ as Commander, 48-51; - letter to Nelson, 63; - capture of _La Ligurienne_, 83-86; - promotion to post rank, 86, 107, 111; - return home in 1801, 108; - appointed to _Neptune_ as Flag-captain to Admiral Gambier, 111; - at Ramsgate, 112-114; - engagement, 113; - appointed to _Leopard_, 115; - letters from Jane, 125, 127, 129, 233, 243; - appointed to _Canopus_, 124; - chase to West Indies, 130-146; - letters to Mary Gibson, 148-161, 174-176; - after Trafalgar, 162; - meeting with Villeneuve, 159; - wish for a frigate, 160, 164, 185; - in action of St. Domingo, 164-179; - marriage, 181; - appointed to _St. Albans_, 186; - at Simon’s Bay, 186-190; - at St. Helena, 191-193; - return home in 1807, 194; - at Penang, 212-218; - at Canton, 219-223; - dealings with Viceroy of Canton, 210-223; - appointed to _Caledonia_, 225; - to _Elephant_, 226; - at Chawton Great house, 262; - awarded C.B., 282; - Colonel of Marines, 282; - Rear-Admiral, 282; - at Portsdown Lodge, 282; - K.C.B., 282; - Vice-Admiral, 282; - on North American and West Indian station, 282; - appointed to _Vindictive_, 282; - meeting with Dundonald, 284; - Admiral, 285; - G.C.B., 285; - Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom, 285; - Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, 285; - Admiral of the Fleet, 285; - death in 1865, 286 - - Austen, the Reverend George, 8; - letter to Francis, 16-20; - death, 125-129 - - Austen, Henry, 9; - death of Mrs. Henry Austen, 235, 261; - visit from Jane, 245; - pride in Jane’s books, 248, 260 - - Austen, the Reverend James, 97, 126 - - Austen, Jane, bringing up, 10-12; - letters to Cassandra, _see_ Cassandra Austen; - letters to Francis, 125, 127, 129, 233, 243; - on Sir John Moore, 203; - failing health, 270; - letter to Charles, 271; - death in 1817, 271; - verses written in last illness, 272 - - Austen, Mrs., 9, 10, 126, 128 - - Austen, Colonel Thomas, 238 - - Austerlitz, battle of, 116 - - Ava, King of, 278 - - - _Bacchante_, captured by _Endymion_, 122 - - Balgonie, Lord, 124 - - Ballast, shingle, 119; - iron, 120 - - Barham, Lord, 140, 141 - - Battle of the Nile, 58, 130 - - Bayeux tapestry, 115 - - Baynton, Captain H. W., 132 - - _Belleisle_, 132, 135, 158 - - _Bellerophon_, 45, 158, 275-278 - - Bentinck, Lord William, at Palermo, 267 - - Bernadotte, Crown Prince of Sweden, 231, 233 - - Berthier, General, 200 - - Bertie, Admiral, 183 - - Bettesworth, Captain, 139, 140 - - Bickerton, Sir Richard, 132 - - Blackwood, Captain, 149 - - Blight, Captain, 202 - - Blockades, “Naval Chronicle” on, 116; - Dr. Fitchett on, 117; - Nelson on, 118 - - Bonaparte, Napoleon, departure for East, 58; - in Egypt, 59; - attacks Acre, 59; - return from East, 78; - as First Consul in Italian campaign, 87-90 (_see_ under Napoleon) - - Bonaparte, Jerome, 173-174 - - Bonaparte, Joseph, 196, 267 - - Boulogne, notes on, 120-122 - - Boulogne flotilla, 115 - - Bowen, Dr., 125, 128 - - Boyle, Captain Courtenay, 103, 104 - - _le Brave_, 169 - - Bridges, Edward, 247 - - Bridport, Lord, 57, 59, 60 - - Brindisi blockaded, 269 - - Bruix, Admiral, 59-66 - - Burmese War, Second, 23, 278-281 - - Burney, Fanny, 184, 262 - - Burrard, Sir Harry, 197 - - - Cadiz, blockades of, 29, 147 - - Calder, Admiral Sir Robert, 140, 142, 144, 145, 153 - - _Caledonia_, Francis Austen on, 225 - - _Canopus_, Francis Austen appointed to, 124; - captured from French Navy, 130; - part taken in pursuit of Villeneuve, 130-140; - blockading Cadiz, 147; - in action of St. Domingo, 165, 167, 174 - - Canton, 219, 223; - Francis Austen’s dealings with Viceroy, 219-223 - - Capitan Pacha, 103, 104 - - Caroline of Brunswick, Princess, 41 - - _Centaur_, 73, 80, 138 - - Cheminant, M., 139 - - Cintra, Convention of, 198 - - _Cleopatra_, Charles Austen in, 210 - - Cochrane, Admiral, 169 - - Collingwood, Admiral, 143, 159 - - Convoying, incidents in, 149-152, 194, 221-228 - - _Conqueror_, 132, 135 - - Cornwallis, Admiral, 23, 140, 142 - - _Courageuse_, 80, 86, 87 - - _Crown_, 16, 23 - - _Culloden_, 45, 87 - - _le Curieux_, 138, 139, 140, 142 - - - _Dædalus_, 23 - - Dalhousie, Lord, 278 - - Dalrymple, General Sir Hew, 197 - - _Defence_, 45 - - _Defiance_, 199, 201 - - Desertions, 36, 169 - - Despatch boats, insecurity of, 90 - - Donabyu, 281 - - _Donegal_, 132, 135, 143, 165, 167, 168, 174 - - D’Ott, Baron, 86, 89 - - Duckworth, Commodore, 61; - afterwards Sir John, 165 (at St. Domingo) - - Dundonald, Lord, meeting with Francis Austen at Bermuda, 284 - - Durham, Captain, 91, 109 - - - _Elephant_, Francis Austen appointed to, 226; - in the Baltic, 228 - - _Emerald_, 78, 80 - - “Emma,” wedding in, 182 - - _Endymion_, 23, 48, 53; - captures, 91; - Charles Austen reappointed to, 122, 149 - - _Epervier_, 174, 177 - - _Euryalus_, 143, 149, 159, 160, 162 - - - Ferdinand, King of the Two Sicilies, 267-269 - - Fox, nephew of Charles James Fox on Jane Austen’s works, 270 - - _le Franklin_, 130 - - Frigate, Francis Austen’s wish for, 160, 164, 185 - - _la Furie_, captured by _Endymion_, 91 - - - Gambier, Admiral, 48, 49, 51; - Francis Austen Flag-captain to, 111, 225 - - Ganteaume, Admiral, 116, 131 - - _Garland_, 266, 268 - - Germes, 98-103 - - Gibbs, Dr., 126, 128 - - Gibson, Mary, 143; - letters to, 148-161, 174-176; - marriage, 181 - - _Glory_, 29 - - _Goliath_, 45, 64 - - “Grand Army of England,” 115 - - _Guillaume Tell_, 86, 90 - - - _Halcyon_, 143 - - Hallowell, Captain Benjamin, 132 - - Hancock, Dr., 261 - - Hardy, Captain Thomas, 132 - - Hargood, Captain William, 132 - - Hastings, Warren, 260, 261 - - _Hastings_, 279 - - _Hermes_, 227 - - Hoppo, the, 220 - - Hotham, Captain, 201 - - _Hyena_, 61, 62 - - - _l’Impériale_, 172 - - _Indian_, Charles Austen in command of, 122, 205-210 - - Inglis, Captain, 105 - - Italy, Unity of, 266-270 - - - Joubert, General, 81, 82 - - Junot, General, 197 - - _Jupiter_, 41 - - - Keats, Captain R. G., 132 - - Keith, Admiral Lord, in command in the Mediterranean, 65-79; - conference with Baron d’Ott, 89 - - Kellerman, General, 200 - - Kerr, Lady Robert, her opinion of “Pride and Prejudice,” 248, 250 - - _Kingfisher_, 169, 174 - - Knatchbull, Mr., 211, 247 - - Knight, Edward (_see_ Edward Austen) - - Krakatoa Island, 225 - - - Ladrones, 219 - - Lambert, Commodore, 278, 279 - - _Lark_, 41 - - _La Legère_, 21 - - Leigh Perrot, Mrs., 236 - - Leigh, Thomas, 236 - - Leipzig, battle of, 232, 266 - - _Leopard_, 32; - Francis Austen appointed to, 115; - at Boulogne, 115, 122 - - Leven, Lord and Lady, 133 - - _Leviathan_, 72, 132, 135, 143, 162 - - _la Ligurienne_ captured by _Peterel_, 83-86 - - Lloyd, Martha, 50, 114 - - _London_, 29, 30, 45, 49, 57 - - Louis, Admiral, 115, 130, 132, 136, 151 - - Lyford, Dr., 271 - - - _Magicienne_, 174 - - Mahan, Captain, on Continental system, 207 - - _Majestic_, 45 - - Malays, 212-218 - - Malcolm, Captain Pulteney, 132, 199 - - “Mansfield Park,” Mary Crawford on the distance in the wood, 3; - brothers and sisters, 6, 8, 16; - William Price as midshipman, 24-27; - promotion of William Price, 46, 47, 54; - William’s cross and Edmund’s chain, 92; - William’s return, 109; - wedding of Maria Bertram, 181; - Jane Austen at work on, 237; - Fanny’s home-coming, 238 - - Marengo, campaign of, 87, 89, 266 - - _Marlborough_, 29, 30, 31 - - _Mars_, 158, 163 - - Massena, General, at Genoa, 81, 87, 89 - - Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, 275 - - Melas, General, 89 - - _Mercury_, 219 - - _Mermaid_, 85, 86 - - Mexican and United States War, 284 - - _Minerva_, 16 - - _La Minerve_, 82 - - _Minotaur_, 45, 89 - - Missiessy, Admiral, 131, 136, 137; - at the Scheldt, 227 - - “Le Moniteur,” 145, 146 - - Moore, Sir John, 198; - Jane Austen on, 203 - - Moreau, General, in Italy, 65, 80 - - Murat, Joachim, King of Naples, 266, 270 - - Murat, Caroline, 266, 268, 269 - - Murray, Admiral George, 132 - - - _Naiad_, 142 - - _Namur_, Charles Austen in, 250 - - Napier, Commodore Charles, 275-278 - - Naples, 266-270 - - Napoleon, his “Grand Army of England,” 115; - display of Bayeux Tapestry, 115; - in Spain, 196-198; - “Naval Chronicle” on, 122; - decline of, 231; - his son King of Rome, 267, 269; - dealings with Joachim Murat, 266, 269; - escape from Elba, 269 - - Naval Academy, 15-16 - - “Naval Chronicle” on blockades, 116; - on Napoleon, 122; - on Nelson’s return from the West Indies, 144; - censure on Sir Robert Calder, 145 - - Navy, volunteers in, 15-21; - early promotions, 28; - punishments, 28-31; - work of press-gang, 32-35; - difficulty of securing crews, 34; - prizes, 37, 71-75; - mutinies, 29; - improvements in comfort, 111; - comments on in Jane Austen’s novels: - Mrs. Clay, 3; - Edward Ferrars, 5; - Anne Elliot, 38, 265; - Sir Walter Elliot, 38-40; - Louisa Musgrove, 265; - Lady Bertram, 25; - Henry Crawford, 25; - Jane Austen, 286 - - Nelson, at battle of the Nile, 58; - at Palermo, 59, 60; - in pursuit of Villeneuve, 130-146; - return from the West Indies, 144; - death of, 155, 156 - - _Neptune_, 111 - - Nicaragua, 283, 284 - - “Northanger Abbey,” brothers and sisters, 6; - Catherine Morland’s childhood, 12 - - _Northumberland_, 169, 170, 173 - - Novi, battle of, 81 - - _La Nymphe_, 60 - - - _Orion_, 45, 162 - - Oudinot, Marshal, 232 - - - Paget, Captain, 122 - - Palmer, Fanny, 207; - Mrs. Charles Austen, 252 - - Parliament, thanks of, 179 - - Pellew, Captain Israel, 132 - - Penang, 212-218 - - Peninsular War, beginning of, 196 - - Perrée, Admiral, 78-80 - - _Perseverance_, 16-23 - - “Persuasion,” Mrs. Clay on Navy, 3; - brothers and sisters, 6; - Dick Musgrove as midshipman, 24; - Admiral Croft on sharp practice, 35; - speedy advancement of Captain Wentworth, 37; - Anne Elliot’s comments on the navy, 38; - Sir Walter Elliot on the navy, 38-40; - Captain Wentworth’s description of life on board a sloop of war, 74-77; - argument between Captain Harville and Anne Elliot, 178; - question of ladies on board ship, 255-259; - Harville family at Lyme Regis, 262; - Jane Austen’s comment on the Navy, 286 - - _Peterel_, Francis Austen appointed to, 48, 51; - despatch for Lord Nelson at Palermo, 61-64; - captured under Captain Charles Long, 67; - prizes, 71-73; - capture of despatches for Suwarrow, 83; - capture of _La Ligurienne_, 83-86; - blockade of Alexandria, 90, 98-103; - rescue of Turkish line-of-battle ship from French and Arabs, 99-103 - - _Phœbe_, 227 - - _Phœnix_, Charles Austen in command of, 266; - blockading Brindisi, 269; - lost off Smyrna, 270 - - _Pluto_, Charles Austen’s death in, 280 - - Popham, Captain, 112 - - _Powerful_, 72, 165, 167, 168, 170, 275, 278 - - Pressgang, 32-35 - - “Pride and Prejudice,” brothers and sisters, 5; - Lady Robert Kerr’s opinion of, 248-260; - Warren Hastings’s opinion of, 260; - Jane Austen’s opinion of, 237 - - _Prima_, galley, 88 - - _Prince of Wales_, 142, 153 - - _Princess Caroline_, 232 - - _Princess Charlotte_, 276, 277 - - Prizes, 37, 71-73, 91, 209 - - Proclamation to encourage enlisting, 34 - - Prome, 280-281 - - Punishments, 28-31 - - - Ramsgate, Francis Austen at, 112-114 - - Rangoon, 216, 278-281 - - _Rattler_, 279 - - Robinson, Captain Mark, 132 - - Rodd, Captain John Tremayne, 47 - - Rowing guard, 88 - - Royal Naval Academy, 15, 16 - - Royal Proclamation to encourage enlisting, 34 - - _Royal Sovereign_, 132, 135, 158, 163 - - Rugen, Island of, 230, 231 - - - _St. Albans_, Francis Austen appointed to, 186; - difficulty in getting supplies, 186; - at Simon’s Bay, 186-190; - at St. Helena, 191-193; - expected home, 193; - at Penang, 212-218; - at Canton, 219-223 - - St. Domingo, battle of, 130, 164-179 - - St. Helena, Francis Austen’s notes on, 191-193, 194 - - St. Vincent, battle off Cape, 57 - - St. Vincent, Earl, putting down mutinies, 30-31; - moved to Gibraltar, 51; - sees French fleet enter Mediterranean, 60; - health gives way, 65 - - _Santa Margarita_, 21, 22 - - _Scipio_ captured by _Endymion_, 91 - - _Scorpion_, 45, 49 - - Scott, Walter, Jane Austen on, 208 - - Sea Fencibles, 112-113 - - _Seahorse_, 29, 45, 57 - - “Sense and Sensibility,” Edward Ferrars on navy, 5; - sale of, 237, 250 - - Sherer, Mr., 247 - - Simon’s Bay, Francis Austen’s notes on, 186-190, 194 - - Smith, Sir Sydney, at Acre, 59; - off Alexandria, 90, 95 - - Southampton, home of the Austens, 182 - - Spencer, Lord, 49, 51 - - _Spencer_, 132, 135, 142, 143, 165, 167, 170, 171, 174 - - Steventon, description of family at, 8; - of parsonage at, 9; - bringing up of family at, 10-12 - - Stopford, Captain the Honourable Robert, 132; - Admiral, 275, 276 - - Stuart, Captain John, 132 - - _Success_, 80 - - _Superb_, 132, 135, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170; - letter of officer on board, 171-173, 174 - - Suwarrow, Marshal, in Italy, 80-83 - - Swedish Pomerania, 230-232 - - _Swiftsure_, 45, 132, 135; - Charles Austen in, 207, 210 - - _Swordfish_, capture of, 228 - - - _Tamar_, 48-52 - - _la Tamise_, 21-22 - - _Téméraire_, 158, 163 - - _Theseus_, 45, 76 - - _Tigre_, 79, 90, 98, 103, 132, 135, 143, 147 - - _Tonnant_, 163 - - Toulon, escape of Villeneuve’s fleet from, 131, 133 - - Trafalgar, battle of, 131, 141, 155-159; - scene after, 162-163 - - Trafalgar, Cape, 45 - - _Transfer_, 90, 98, 103 - - Trebbia, battle of, 80, 81 - - _la Tribune_, fight with _Unicorn_, 21, 22 - - _Triton_, crew impressed, 34; - Francis Austen appointed to, 44 - - Troubridge, Captain, 56, 61, 79, 87 - - Turkey declares war against France, 59 - - - _Unicorn_, fight with _la Tribune_, 21, 22 - - United States, illicit carrying trade, 205; - war with, 227 - - - _Vanguard_, 45 - - _Victory_, 132-142, 148, 158 - - Vienna, 116; - Congress of, 268 - - _Ville de Paris_, 142 - - Villeneuve, 115; - pursuit of, 130-146; - letter on action with Calder, 145; - prisoner, 159 - - Vimiera, battle of, 197-303 - - _la Virginie_, 82 - - _Vixen_, 284 - - Volunteers, 15, 21 - - - Warren, Sir John, 207 - - Waterloo, Battle of, 269 - - Wellesley, Sir Arthur, 197, 199 (_see_ Wellington) - - Wellington, Duke of, 232 - - Whitworth, Lord, 238 - - Williams, Sir Thomas, 21, 23; - marriage, 42, 48, 53, 211 - - Winchester, 235, 271-273 - - _Winchester_, 275 - - - Young, Admiral, 227 - - - _Zealous_, 45, 149, 228 - - - - - JANE AUSTEN: HER HOMES AND HER FRIENDS. By CONSTANCE HILL. - With numerous Illustrations by ELLEN G. HILL, together with - Photogravure Portraits. Price 5s. net. - - -_Some Press Opinions_: - -_The Athenæum_--“Miss Hill writes well and brightly, with a close -knowledge of her subject-matter, and she succeeds in escaping the touch -of over-sentimentality which is often irritating in works of this -kind.... This book provides real and abiding entertainment for Jane -Austen lovers.” - -_The Times_--“Related with an engaging naïveté.” - -_The Daily Chronicle_--“A book of rare and irresistible charm.” - -_The Westminster Gazette_--“Miss Hill’s investigations are fruitful, -and her delightful book is pervaded by a sense of actuality that is not -its least charming quality.” - -_The Globe_--“The volume, which is freely as well as excellently -illustrated, has more than a literary interest and value, for it -supplies pleasing and instructive sketches of upper middle-class life -in England more than a century ago.” - -_The Spectator_--“This book is a valuable contribution to Austen lore.” - -_The World_--“A thoroughly delightful book.” - -_The Literary World_--“Enthusiastic Austenians as we confess ourselves, -we hasten to acknowledge our debt to Miss Constance Hill for the -addition she makes to Austeniana. The pilgrimage she has made to the -homes and haunts of Jane Austen and her friends yields a volume with -which we should now be loth to part.” - -_The Guardian_--“Books are always pleasant to read which are simply -written as the readiest means of expressing a deep and thorough -sympathy with their subject. This is undoubtedly the case with the -present volume.” - -_The Pilot_--“The book which Miss Hill has written and her sister has -illustrated should be an indispensable shelf-mate to the novels of the -incomparable Jane.” - -_The Daily Telegraph_--“Miss Constance Hill, the authoress of this -charming book, has laid all devout admirers of Jane Austen and her -inimitable novels under a debt of gratitude.” - - -JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO ST., LONDON, W. - - - - -JUNIPER HALL: - -A rendezvous of certain illustrious persons during the French -Revolution, including Alexander D’Arblay and Fanny Burney. By C. HILL. -Illustrated by E. G. HILL. Portraits, &c. Crown 8vo. Price 5s. net. - - -_Some Press Opinions_: - -_The Times_--“This book makes another on the long and seductive list of -books that take up history just where history proper leaves off.... We -have given but a faint idea of the freshness, the innocent gaiety of -its pages; we can give none at all of the beauty and interest of the -pictures that adorn it.” - -_The Daily Telegraph_--“One of the most charming volumes published -within recent years.... Miss Hill has drawn a really idyllic and -graphic picture ... capitally illustrated by authentic portraits.” - -_The Daily Chronicle_--“Miss Hill’s artistic and interesting -compilation.” - -_The Daily News_--“Miss Constance Hill has given a vivid picture of a -vanished time.” - -_The Pall Mall Gazette_--“There is not, indeed, a dull page in all this -pleasant volume.... The book is indeed one which it is a pleasure to -read because of the amiable light in which it exhibits human nature.... -We congratulate Miss Hill upon her narrative of an episode in English -history upon which it is possible to look back with feelings of -unalloyed satisfaction.” - -_The Westminster Gazette_--“The story ... is skilfully unified and -charmingly told.” - -_The Outlook_--“Miss Constance Hill, having executed a capital study of -the homes and friends of Jane Austen, has inevitably been tempted to -treat Fanny Burney after a similar fashion. She has achieved a readable -and--thanks to her sister--admirably illustrated volume, which ranks in -every respect with its predecessor.” - -_The Academy_--“Her book is agreeably picturesque and stimulating.” - -_Truth_--“This charming book.” - -_Le Soleil_--“Le livre de miss Constance Hill est une des lectures les -plus attachantes qu’on puisse imaginer.” - - -JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO ST., LONDON, W. - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - -Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations -in hyphenation and accents have been standardised but all other -spelling and punctuation remains unchanged. - -Italics are represented thus _italic_. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JANE AUSTEN'S SAILOR -BROTHERS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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H. Hubback and Edith C. Hubback—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> - <style> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} - -hr.r65 {width: 65%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -ul.index { list-style-type: none; } -li.ifrst { - margin-top: 1em; - text-indent: -2em; - padding-left: 1em; -} -li.indx { - margin-top: .5em; - text-indent: -2em; - padding-left: 1em; -} -li.isub1 { - text-indent: -2em; - padding-left: 2em; -} -li.isub2 { - text-indent: -2em; - padding-left: 3em; -} - - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} -table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse;} -table.autotable td, -table.autotable th { padding: 4px;} -table.w100 {width: 100%} - -.tdl {text-align: left;} -.tdr {text-align: right;} -.tdc {text-align: center;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: small; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; - text-indent: 0; -} /* page numbers */ - - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} -.smallblock { - margin-left: 25%; - margin-right: 25%; -} - - -.bbox {border: 2px solid; padding: 10px} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ - -img { - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} -img.w100 {width: 100%;} -img.brace {width: 2em; - height: 10em;} - - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -/* Footnotes */ - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -/* Poetry */ -/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry */ -/* .poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} */ -.poetry-container {text-align: center;} -.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} -.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} -.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:small; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; -} - - -/* indent paragraphs by default */ -p { text-indent: 1.5em;} - -.noindent {text-indent: 0em} - -.center {text-align: center; - text-indent: 0;} - -.hang { padding-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } - -.ph2 {margin-top: 2em; - text-align: center; - font-size: 1.5em; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; } - - - -/* comment the next line for non-centered poetry in browsers */ -.poetry {display: inline-block;} - -.x-ebookmaker .poetry {display: block;} - - - -.xbig {font-size: 2em;} -.small {font-size: 0.8em;} - -/* Poetry indents */ -.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2em;} -.poetry .indent4 {text-indent: -1em;} - -/* Illustration classes */ -.illowp100 {width: 100%;} -.illowp30 {width: 30%;} -.illowp47 {width: 47%;} -.illowp50 {width: 50%;} -.illowp53 {width: 53%;} -.illowp55 {width: 55%;} -.illowp56 {width: 56%;} -.illowp57 {width: 57%;} -.illowp58 {width: 58%;} -.illowp68 {width: 68%;} - - - </style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Jane Austen's sailor brothers, by John Henry Hubback</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Jane Austen's sailor brothers</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Being the adventures of Sir Francis Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet and Rear-Admiral Charles Austen</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Authors: John Henry Hubback</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;'>Edith C. Hubback</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 18, 2023 [eBook #69815]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: MWS, Krista Zaleski and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JANE AUSTEN'S SAILOR BROTHERS ***</div> -<div class="chapter"> - -<h1> JANE AUSTEN’S - SAILOR BROTHERS</h1> -</div> -<p class="center"><div class="figcenter illowp58" id="i_frontis" style="max-width: 34.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_frontis.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">VICE-ADMIRAL SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, K.C.B.</div> -</div> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="xbig center"> JANE AUSTEN’S - SAILOR BROTHERS</p> -</div> -<p class="center"> <i>Being the Adventures of Sir Francis - Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet - and Rear-Admiral Charles - Austen By J. H. Hubback - and Edith C. Hubback</i></p> - -<p class="p6 center"> <i>mdccccvi</i><br> - <i>London: John Lane</i><br> - <i>The Bodley Head, Vigo Street, W.</i><br> - <i>New York: John Lane Company</i> -</p> - - - - -<p class="center p6"> -Printed by <span class="smcap">Ballantyne & Co. Limited</span><br> -Tavistock Street, London<br> -</p> - - - - -<div class="smallblock"> - -<p class="center p6">TO M. P. H.</p> - -<p class="center">“<span class="smcap">i have discovered a thing very -little known, which is that in -one’s whole life one can never -have more than one mother. -you may think this obvious. -you are a green gosling!</span>”</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</h2> -</div> - - -<p>Perhaps some apology may be expected on behalf of a book about Jane -Austen, having regard to the number which have already been put before -the public in past years. My own membership of the family is my excuse -for printing a book which contains little original matter, and which -might be described as “a thing of shreds and patches,” if that phrase -were not already over-worked. To me it seems improbable that others -will take a wholly adverse view of what is so much inwoven with all the -traditions of my life. When I recollect my childhood, spent chiefly -in the house of my grandfather, Sir Francis, and all the interests -which accompanied those early days, I find myself once more amongst -those deep and tender distances. Surrounded by reminiscences of the -opening years of the century, the Admiral always cherished the most -affectionate remembrance of the sister who had so soon passed away, -leaving<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</span> those six precious volumes to be a store of household words -among the family.</p> - -<p>How often I call to mind some question or answer, expressed quite -naturally in terms of the novels; sometimes even a conversation would -be carried on entirely appropriate to the matter under discussion, but -the actual phrases were “Aunt Jane’s.” So well, too, do I recollect the -sad news of the death of Admiral Charles Austen, after the capture, -under his command, of Martaban and Rangoon, and while he was leading -his squadron to further successes, fifty-six years having elapsed since -his first sea-fight.</p> - -<p>My daughter and I have made free use of the <i>Letters of Jane -Austen</i>, published in 1884, by the late Lord Brabourne, and wish to -acknowledge with gratitude the kind permission to quote these letters, -given to us by their present possessor. In a letter of 1813, she speaks -of two nephews who “amuse themselves very comfortably in the evening by -netting; they are each about a rabbit-net, and sit as deedily to it, -side by side, as any two Uncle Franks could do.” In his octogenarian -days Sir Francis was still much interested in this same occupation of -netting, to protect his Morello<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</span> cherries or currants. It was, in fact, -only laid aside long after his grandsons had been taught to carry it on.</p> - -<p>My most hearty thanks are also due to my cousins, who have helped to -provide materials for our work; to Miss M. L. Austen for the loan of -miniatures and silhouettes; to Miss Jane Austen for various letters and -for illustrations; to Commander E. L. Austen for access to logs, and to -official and other letters in large numbers; also to Miss Mary Austen -for the picture of the <i>Peterel</i> in action, and to Mrs. Herbert -Austen, and Captain and Mrs. Willan for excellent portraits of the -Admirals, and to all these, and other members of the family, for much -encouragement in our enterprise.</p> - -<p class="right"> -JOHN H. HUBBACK.<br> -</p> - - -<p><i>July 1905.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</span> CHAP.</td> -<td class="tdc"> PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> I.</td> -<td class="tdl">BROTHERS AND SISTERS</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> II.</td> -<td class="tdl">TWO MIDSHIPMEN</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">15</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> III.</td> -<td class="tdl">CHANGES AND CHANCES IN THE NAVY</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">28</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> IV.</td> -<td class="tdl">PROMOTIONS</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">41</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> V.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE “PETEREL” SLOOP</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">56</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> VI.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE PATROL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">78</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> VII.</td> -<td class="tdl">AT HOME AND ABROAD</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">94</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> VIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">BLOCKADING BOULOGNE</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">111</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> IX.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE PURSUIT OF VILLENEUVE</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">130</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> X.</td> -<td class="tdl">“A MELANCHOLY SITUATION”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">147</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XI.</td> -<td class="tdl">ST. DOMINGO</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">164</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XII.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE CAPE AND ST. HELENA</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">180</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XIII.</td> -<td class="tdl">STARS AND STRIPES</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">196</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XIV.</td> -<td class="tdl">CHINESE MANDARINS</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">212</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XV.</td> -<td class="tdl">A LETTER FROM JANE</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">227</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XVI.</td> -<td class="tdl">ANOTHER LETTER FROM JANE</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">243</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XVII.</td> -<td class="tdl">THE END OF THE WAR</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">260</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> XVIII.</td> -<td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</span> TWO ADMIRALS</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">274</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> INDEX</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#INDEX">287</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - - -<h2 class="nobreak" >LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> - - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"> PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B. (<i>From a painting in the possession of Mrs. Herbert Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <i><a href="#i_frontis">Frontispiece</a></i></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> The Reverend George Austen, Rector of Steventon (<i>From a miniature in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_008fp">8</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Action between the English frigate <i>Unicorn</i> and the French frigate <i>La Tribune</i>, June 8, 1796 (<i>From a painting in the possession of Captain Willan, R.N., and Mrs. Willan</i>). <i>By kind permission of Miss Hill</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_022fp">22</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Francis Austen as Lieutenant (<i>From a miniature</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_044fp">44</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Sloop of War and Frigate (<i>From a pencil sketch by Captain Herbert Austen, R.N.</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_064fp">64</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Peterel</i> in action with the French brig <i>La Ligurienne</i> after driving two others on the rocks near Marseilles, on March 21, 1800 (<i>From a sketch by Captain Herbert Austen, R.N., in the possession of Miss Mary Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_084fp">84</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Topaz Crosses given to Cassandra and Jane by Charles Austen (<i>In the possession of Miss Jane Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_092fp">92</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> The Way to Church from Portsdown Lodge (<i>From a pencil sketch by Catherine A. Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_108fp">108</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Mrs. Austen (<i>From a silhouette in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_124fp">124</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Order of Battle and of Sailing, signed Nelson and Bronté, dated March 26, 1805</td> -<td class="tdr"> <span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</span> <a href="#i_167">132</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Order of Battle and of Sailing, signed Nelson and Bronté, dated June 5, 1805</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_175">138</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain Francis William Austen (<i>From a miniature of 1806, in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen. The Order of the C.B. has been painted in at a later date, probably when conferred in 1815</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_156fp">156</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> “Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B.’s writing-desk” (<i>From a caricature sketch by his daughter Cassandra, about 1840</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_174fp">174</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Cassandra Austen (<i>From a silhouette in the possession of Miss M. L. Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_184fp">184</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Portchester Castle. The French prisoners were interned in the neighbouring buildings after the Battle of Vimiera (<i>From a sketch by Captain Herbert Austen, R.N.</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_200fp">200</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain Charles Austen (<i>From a painting of 1809, in the possession of Miss Jane Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_210fp">210</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Jane Austen, from a sketch by her sister Cassandra (<i>In the possession of Miss Jane Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_226fp">226</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Mrs. Charles Austen, <i>née</i> Fanny Palmer, daughter of the Attorney-General of Bermuda (<i>From a painting in the possession of Miss Jane Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_252fp">252</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain Charles Austen, C.B. (<i>From a painting in the possession of Captain Willan, R.N., and Mrs. Willan</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_266fp">266</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Jane Austen’s work-box, with her last piece of work (<i>In the possession of Miss Jane Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_270fp">270</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Memorandum, dated May 12, 1838, signed by Charles Austen on taking command of the <i>Bellerophon</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_274fp">274</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Rear-Admiral Charles Austen, C.B. (<i>From a miniature painted at Malta in 1846, in the possession of Miss Jane Austen</i>)</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_278fp">278</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Sir Francis Austen, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet, at the age of ninety</td> -<td class="tdr"> <a href="#i_284fp">284</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="ph2" id="JANE_AUSTENS_SAILOR_BROTHERS">JANE AUSTEN’S SAILOR BROTHERS</p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br> -<span class="small">BROTHERS AND SISTERS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>No one can read Jane Austen’s novels, her life, or her letters, -without feeling that to her the ties of family were stronger and more -engrossing than any others.</p> - -<p>Among the numbers of men and women who cheerfully sacrifice the claims -of their family in order that they may be free to confer somewhat -doubtful benefits on society, it is refreshing to find one who is the -object of much love and gratitude from countless unknown readers, and -who yet would have been the first to laugh at the notion that her -writing was of more importance than her thought for her brothers and -sister, or the various home duties which fell to her share. It is this -sweetness and wholesomeness of thought, this clear conviction that -her “mission” was to do her duty, that gives her books and letters -their peculiar quality. Her theory of life is clear. Whatever troubles -befall, people must go on doing their work and making the best of it; -and we are not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span> allowed to feel respect, or even overmuch sympathy, -for the characters in the novels who cannot bear this test. There is -a matter-of-courseness about this view which, combined with all that -we know of the other members of the family, gives one the idea that -the children at Steventon had a strict bringing up. This, in fact, was -the case, and a very rich reward was the result. In a family of seven -all turned out well, two rose to the top of their profession, and one -was—Jane Austen.</p> - -<p>The fact of her intense devotion to her family could not but influence -her writing. She loved them all so well that she could not help -thinking of them even in the midst of her work; and the more we know -of her surroundings, and the lives of those she loved, the more we -understand of the small joyous touches in her books. She was far too -good an artist, as well as too reticent in nature, to take whole -characters from life; but small characteristics and failings, dwelt -on with humorous partiality, can often be traced back to the natures -of those she loved. Mary Crawford’s brilliant letters to Fanny Price -remind one of Cassandra, who was the “finest comic writer of the -present age.” Charles’ impetuous disposition is exaggerated in Bingley, -who says, “Whatever I do is done in a hurry,” a remark which is -severely reproved by Darcy (and not improbably by Francis Austen), as -an “indirect boast.” Francis himself comes in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span> for his share of teasing -on the opposite point of his extreme neatness, precision, and accuracy. -“They are so neat and careful in all their ways,” says Mrs. Clay, in -“Persuasion,” of the naval profession in general; and nothing could -be more characteristic of Francis Austen and some of his descendants -than the overpowering accuracy with which Edmund Bertram corrects Mary -Crawford’s hasty estimate of the distance in the wood.</p> - -<p>“‘I am really not tired, which I almost wonder at; for we must have -walked at least a mile in this wood. Do not you think we have?’</p> - -<p>“‘Not half a mile,’ was his sturdy answer; for he was not yet so -much in love as to measure distance, or reckon time, with feminine -lawlessness.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, you do not consider how much we have wound about. We have taken -such a very serpentine course, and the wood itself must be half a mile -long in a straight line, for we have never seen the end of it yet since -we left the first great path.’</p> - -<p>“‘But if you remember, before we left that first great path we saw -directly to the end of it. We looked down the whole vista, and saw it -closed by iron gates, and it could not have been more than a furlong in -length.’</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, I know nothing of your furlongs, but I am sure it is a very long -wood; and that we have been winding in and out ever since we came into -it; and therefore when I say that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span> we have walked a mile in it I must -speak within compass.’</p> - -<p>“‘We have been exactly a quarter of an hour here,’ said Edmund, taking -out his watch. ‘Do you think we are walking four miles an hour?’</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or -too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch.’</p> - -<p>“A few steps farther brought them out at the bottom of the very walk -they had been talking of.</p> - -<p>“‘Now, Miss Crawford, if you will look up the walk, you will convince -yourself that it cannot be half a mile long, or half half a mile.’</p> - -<p>“‘It is an immense distance,’ said she; ‘I see that with a glance.’</p> - -<p>“He still reasoned with her, but in vain. She would not calculate, she -would not compare. She would only smile and assert. The greatest degree -of rational consistency could not have been more engaging, and they -talked with mutual satisfaction.”</p> - -<p>It is in “Mansfield Park” and in “Persuasion” that the influence of -her two sailor brothers, Francis and Charles, on Jane Austen’s work -can be most easily traced. Unlike the majority of writers of all time, -from Shakespeare with his “Seacoast of Bohemia” down to the author -of a penny dreadful, Jane Austen never touched, even lightly, on a -subject unless she had a real knowledge of its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span> details. Her pictures -of the life of a country gentleman and of clergymen are accurate, if -not always sympathetic. Perhaps it was all too near her own experience -to have the charm of romance, but concerning sailors she is romantic. -Their very faults are lovable in her eyes, and their lives packed with -interest. When Admiral Croft, Captain Wentworth, or William Price -appears on the scene, the other characters immediately take on a -merely subsidiary interest, and this prominence is always that given -by appreciation. The distinction awarded to Mr. Collins or Mrs. Elton, -as the chief object of ridicule, is of a different nature. The only -instance she cared to give us of a sailor who is not to be admired is -Mary Crawford’s uncle, the Admiral, and even he is allowed to earn our -esteem by disinterested kindness to William Price.</p> - -<p>No doubt some of this enthusiasm was due to the spirit of the times, -when, as Edward Ferrars says, “The navy had fashion on its side”; -but that sisterly partiality was a stronger element there can be no -question. Her place in the family was between these two brothers, -Francis just a year older, and Charles some four years younger. Much -has been said about her fondness for “pairs of sisters” in her novels, -but no less striking are the “brother and sister” friendships which -are an important factor in four out of her six books. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span> love of -Darcy for his sister Georgiana perhaps suggests the intimacy between -James Austen and Jane, where the difference in their ages of ten years, -their common love of books, the advice and encouragement that the elder -brother was able to give his sister over her reading, are all points of -resemblance. The equal terms of the affection of Francis and Jane are -of another type.</p> - -<p>Henry Tilney and his sister Eleanor, Mrs. Croft and Frederick -Wentworth, give us good instances of firm friendships. In the case -of the Tilneys, confidences are exchanged with ease and freedom; but -in “Persuasion,” the feeling in this respect, as in all others, is -more delicate, and only in the chapter which Jane Austen afterwards -cancelled can we see the quickness of Mrs. Croft’s perceptions where -her brother was concerned. For so long as she supposes him to be on -the brink of marrying Louisa Musgrove, sympathy is no doubt somewhat -difficult to force, but “prompt welcome” is given to Anne as Captain -Wentworth’s chosen wife; and with some knowledge of Mrs. Croft we know -that the “particularly friendly manner” hid a warmth of feeling which -would fully satisfy even Frederick’s notions of the love which Anne -deserved. But it is in “Mansfield Park” that “brothers and sisters” -play the strongest part. No one can possibly doubt the very lively -affection of Mary and Henry Crawford. Even when complaining of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span> -shortness of his letters, she says that Henry is “exactly what a -brother should be, loves me, consults me, confides in me, and will -talk to me by the hour together”—and the scene later on, where he -tells of his devotion to Fanny Price, is as pretty an account of such -a confidence as can be well imagined, where the worldliness of each -is almost lost in the happiness of disinterested love, which both are -feeling.</p> - -<p>When Jane Austen comes to describing Fanny’s love for her brother -William, her tenderness and her humour are in perfect accord. From -the reality of the feelings over his arrival and promotion, to the -quiet hit at the enthusiasm which his deserted chair and cold pork -bones might be supposed to arouse in Fanny’s heart after their early -breakfast, when he was off to London, the picture of sisterly love -is perfect. We are told, too, that there was “an affection on his -side as warm as her own, and much less encumbered by refinement and -self-distrust. She was the first object of his love, but it was a love -which his stronger spirits and bolder temper made it as natural for -him to express as to feel.” So far this describes the love of William -and Fanny, but a few lines further on comes a passage which has the -ring of personal experience. In reading it, it is impossible not to -picture a time which was always of great importance in the life at -Steventon—the return on leave<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span> for a few weeks or a few months of one -or other of the sailor brothers, and all the walks and talks which -filled up the pleasant days. “On the morrow they were walking about -together with true enjoyment, and every succeeding morrow renewed the -<i>tête-à-tête</i>. Fanny had never known so much felicity in her life -as in this unchecked, equal, fearless intercourse with the brother -and friend, who was opening all his heart to her, telling her all his -hopes and fears, plans and solicitudes respecting that long thought -of, dearly earned, and justly valued blessing of promotion—who was -interested in all the comforts and all the little hardships of her -home—and with whom (perhaps the dearest indulgence of the whole) all -the evil and good of their earliest years could be gone over again, -and every former united pain and pleasure retraced with the fondest -recollection.”</p> - -<p>Some slight record of the childhood of the Steventon family has been -left to us. Most of the known facts have already been told by admirers -of Jane Austen, but some extracts from an account written by Catherine -Austen in the lifetime of her father, Sir Francis Austen, will at least -have the merit of accuracy, for he would certainly have been merciless -to even the simplest “embroidery.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="i_008fp" style="max-width: 38.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_008fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">THE REVEREND GEORGE AUSTEN IN 1763</div> -</div> - -<p>The father, Mr. George Austen, was the rector of Steventon. He was -known in his young days, <span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span>before his marriage, as “the handsome -tutor,” and he transmitted his good looks to at least three of his -sons; Henry, Francis, and Charles were all exceptionally handsome men. -Indeed, neither wit nor good looks were deficient in the Steventon -family. Probably much of Jane’s simplicity about her writing arose -from the fact that she saw nothing in it to be conceited about, being -perfectly convinced that any of the others, with her leisure and -inclination, could have done just as well. Her father had a gentleness -of disposition combined with a firmness of principle which had great -effect in forming the characters of his family. The mother’s maiden -name was Cassandra Leigh. She was very lively and active, and strict -with her children. It is not difficult to see whence Francis derived -his ideas of discipline, or Jane her unswerving devotion to duty.</p> - -<p>The elder members of the family were born at Deane, which was Mr. -Austen’s first living, but in 1771 they moved to Steventon, where they -lived for nearly thirty years.</p> - -<p>The account of the house given by Catherine Austen shows the simplicity -of the life.</p> - -<p>“The parsonage consisted of three rooms in front on the ground floor, -the best parlour, the common parlour, and the kitchen; behind there -were Mr. Austen’s study, the back kitchen and the stairs; above them -were seven bedrooms and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span> three attics. The rooms were low-pitched but -not otherwise bad, and compared with the usual style of such buildings -it might be considered a very good house.” An eulogy follows on the -plainness and quietness of the family life—a characteristic specially -due to the mother’s influence.</p> - -<p>“That she had no taste for expensive show or finery, may be inferred -from the fact being on record that for two years she actually never -had a gown to wear. It was a prevalent custom for ladies to wear -cloth habits, and she having one of red cloth found any other dress -unnecessary. Imagine a beneficed clergyman’s wife in these days -contenting herself with such a costume for two years! But the fact -illustrates the retired style of living that contented her.” Even when -she did find it necessary to provide herself with some other costume, -the riding-habit was made to serve another useful purpose, for it was -cut up into a first cloth suit for little Francis.</p> - -<p>The following account of their upbringing closes this slight record:</p> - -<p>“There is nothing in which modern manners differ much more from those -of a century back than in the system pursued with regard to children. -They were kept in the nursery, out of the way not only of visitors -but of their parents; they were trusted to hired attendants; they -were allowed a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span> great deal of air and exercise, were kept on plain -food, forced to give way to the comfort of others, accustomed to be -overlooked, slightly regarded, considered of trifling importance. No -well-stocked libraries of varied lore to cheat them into learning -awaited them; no scientific toys, no philosophic amusements enlarged -their minds and wearied their attention.” One wonders what would have -been the verdict of this writer of fifty years ago on education in -1905. She goes on to tell us of the particular system pursued with the -boys in order to harden them for their future work in life. It was -not considered either necessary or agreeable for a woman to be very -strong. “Little Francis was at the age of ten months removed from the -parsonage to a cottage in the village, and placed under the care of -a worthy couple, whose simple style of living, homely dwelling, and -out-of-door habits (for in the country the poor seldom close the door -by day, except in bad weather), must have been very different from the -heated nurseries and constrained existence of the clean, white-frocked -little gentlemen who are now growing up around us. Across the brick -floor of a cottage Francis learnt to walk, and perhaps it was here that -he received the foundation of the excellent constitution which was so -remarkable in after years. It must not, however, be supposed that he -was neglected by his parents; he was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> constantly visited by them both, -and often taken to the parsonage.”</p> - -<p>One cannot but admire the fortitude of parents who would forego the -pleasure of seeing their children learn to walk and satisfy themselves -with daily visits, for the sake of a plan of education of which the -risks cannot have been otherwise than great.</p> - -<p>The rough-and-tumble life which followed must have thoroughly suited -the taste of any enterprising boy, and given him an independence of -spirit, and a habit of making his own plans, which would be exactly -what was wanted in the Navy of those days, when a man of twenty-five -might be commander of a vessel manned by discontented, almost mutinous, -sailors, with the chance of an enemy’s ship appearing at any time on -the horizon.</p> - -<p>Riding about the country after the hounds began for Francis at the age -of seven; and, from what we hear of Catherine Morland’s childhood, we -feel sure that Jane would not always have been contented to be left -behind.</p> - -<p>Catherine, at the age of ten, was “noisy and wild, hated confinement -and cleanliness, and loved nothing so well in the world as rolling down -the green slope at the back of the house.” When she was fourteen, we -are told that she “preferred cricket, base-ball, riding on horseback, -and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span> running about the country, to books—or, at least, books of -information—for, provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be -gained from them, provided they were all story and no reflection, she -had never any objection to books at all!”</p> - -<p>This, if not an accurate picture of the tastes of the children at -Steventon, at least shows the sort of amusements which boys and girls -brought up in a country parsonage had at their command.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was of some such recollections that Jane Austen was -thinking when she praised that common tie of childish remembrances. -“An advantage this, a strengthener of love, in which even the conjugal -tie is beneath the fraternal. Children of the same family, the same -blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of -enjoyment in their power which no subsequent connection can supply, and -it must be by a long and unnatural estrangement, by a divorce which -no subsequent connection can justify, if such precious remains of the -earliest attachments are ever entirely outlived. Too often, alas! it -is so. Fraternal love, sometimes almost everything, is at others worse -than nothing. But with William and Fanny Price it was still a sentiment -in all its prime and freshness, wounded by no opposition of interest, -cooled by no separate attachment, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> feeling the influence of time -and absence only in its increase.” That it was never Jane’s lot to feel -this cooling of affection on the part of any member of her family is -due not only to their appreciation of their sister, but to the serenity -and adaptability of her own sweet disposition.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br> -<span class="small">TWO MIDSHIPMEN</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Both Francis and Charles Austen were educated for their profession at -the Royal Naval Academy, which was established in 1775 at Portsmouth, -and was under the supreme direction of the Lords of the Admiralty. -Boys were received there between the ages of 12 and 15. They were -supposed to stay there for three years, but there was a system of -sending them out to serve on ships as “Volunteers.” This was a valuable -part of their training, as they were still under the direction of the -College authorities, and had the double advantages of experience and -of teaching. They did the work of seamen on board, but were allowed -up on deck, and were specially under the eye of the captain, who was -supposed to make them keep accurate journals, and draw the appearances -of headlands and coasts. It is no doubt to this early training that we -owe the careful private logs which Francis kept almost throughout his -whole career.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p> - -<p>Some of the rules of the Naval Academy show how ideas have altered in -the last hundred and more years. There was a special law laid down that -masters were to make no differences between the boys on account of rank -or position, and no boy was to be allowed to keep a private servant, a -rather superfluous regulation in these days.</p> - -<p>Three weeks was the extent of the holiday, which it seems could be -taken at any time in the year, the Academy being always open for -the benefit of Volunteers, who were allowed to go there when their -ships were in Portsmouth. Those who distinguished themselves could -continue this privilege after their promotion. Francis left the Academy -in 1788, and immediately went out to the East Indies on board the -<i>Perseverance</i> as Volunteer.</p> - -<p>There he stayed for four years, first as midshipman on the -<i>Crown</i>, 64 guns, and afterwards on the <i>Minerva</i>, 38.</p> - -<p>A very charming letter from his father to Francis is still in existence.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<i>Memorandum</i> for the use of Mr. F. W. Austen on -his going to the East Indies on board his Majesty’s ship -<i>Perseverance</i> (Captain Smith).</p> - -<p class="right"> -“<i>December, 1788.</i><br> -</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dear Francis</span>,—While you were at the Royal Academy -the opportunities of writing to you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> were so frequent that I -gave you my opinion and advice as occasion arose, and it was -sufficient to do so; but now you are going from us for so long -a time, and to such a distance, that neither you can consult -me or I reply but at long intervals, I think it necessary, -therefore, before your departure, to give my sentiments on -such general subjects as I conceive of the greatest importance -to you, and must leave your conduct in particular cases to be -directed by your own good sense and natural judgment of what is -right.”</p> - -<p>After some well-chosen and impressive injunctions on the -subject of his son’s religious duties, Mr. Austen proceeds:</p> - -<p>“Your behaviour, as a member of society, to the individuals -around you may be also of great importance to your future -well-doing, and certainly will to your present happiness -and comfort. You may either by a contemptuous, unkind and -selfish manner create disgust and dislike; or by affability, -good humour and compliance, become the object of esteem and -affection; which of these very opposite paths ’tis your -interest to pursue I need not say.</p> - -<p>“The little world, of which you are going to become an -inhabitant, will occasionally have it in their power to -contribute no little share to your pleasure or pain; to -conciliate therefore their goodwill, by every honourable -method, will be the part of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> prudent man. Your commander -and officers will be most likely to become your friends by a -respectful behaviour to themselves, and by an active and ready -obedience to orders. Good humour, an inclination to oblige -and the carefully avoiding every appearance of selfishness, -will infallibly secure you the regards of your own mess and -of all your equals. With your inferiors perhaps you will -have but little intercourse, but when it does occur there is -a sort of kindness they have a claim on you for, and which, -you may believe me, will not be thrown away on them. Your -conduct, as it respects yourself, chiefly comprehends sobriety -and prudence. The former you know the importance of to your -health, your morals and your fortune. I shall therefore say -nothing more to enforce the observance of it. I thank God you -have not at present the least disposition to deviate from it. -Prudence extends to a variety of objects. Never any action of -your life in which it will not be your interest to consider -what she directs! She will teach you the proper disposal of -your time and the careful management of your money,—two very -important trusts for which you are accountable. She will teach -you that the best chance of rising in life is to make yourself -as useful as possible, by carefully studying everything that -relates to your profession, and distinguishing yourself from -those of your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span> own rank by a superior proficiency in nautical -acquirements.</p> - -<p>“As you have hitherto, my dear Francis, been extremely -fortunate in making friends, I trust your future conduct -will confirm their good opinion of you; and I have the more -confidence in this expectation because the high character -you acquired at the Academy for propriety of behaviour and -diligence in your studies, when you were so much younger and -had so much less experience, seems to promise that riper years -and more knowledge of the world will strengthen your naturally -good disposition. That this may be the case I sincerely pray, -as you will readily believe when you are assured that your good -mother, brothers, sisters and myself will all exult in your -reputation and rejoice in your happiness.</p> - -<p>“Thus far by way of general hints for your conduct. I shall now -mention only a few particulars I wish your attention to. As you -must be convinced it would be the highest satisfaction to us -to hear as frequently as possible from you, you will of course -neglect no opportunity of giving us that pleasure, and being -very minute in what relates to yourself and your situation. On -this account, and because unexpected occasions of writing to -us may offer, ’twill be a good way always to have a letter in -forwardness. You may depend on hearing from some of us at every -opportunity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p> - -<p>“Whenever you draw on me for money, Captain Smith will endorse -your bills, and I dare say will readily do it as often, and -for what sums, he shall think necessary. At the same time you -must not forget to send me the earliest possible notice of the -amount of the draft, and the name of the person in whose favour -it is drawn. On the subject of letter-writing, I cannot help -mentioning how incumbent it is on you to write to Mr. Bayly, -both because he desired it and because you have no other way -of expressing the sense I know you entertain of his very great -kindness and attention to you. Perhaps it would not be amiss -if you were also to address one letter to your good friend the -commissioner, to acknowledge how much you shall always think -yourself obliged to him.</p> - -<p>“Keep an exact account of all the money you receive or spend, -lend none but where you are sure of an early repayment, and on -no account whatever be persuaded to risk it by gaming.</p> - -<p>“I have nothing to add but my blessing and best prayers for -your health and prosperity, and to beg you would never forget -you have not upon earth a more disinterested and warm friend -than,</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 3em;">“Your truly affectionate father,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Geo. Austen</span>.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>That this letter should have been found among the private papers of an -old man who died at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span> age of 91, after a life of constant activity -and change, is proof enough that it was highly valued by the boy of -fourteen to whom it was written. There is something in its gentleness -of tone, and the way in which advice is offered rather than obedience -demanded, which would make it very persuasive to the feelings of a -young boy going out to a life which must consist mainly of the opposite -duties of responsibility and discipline. Incidentally it all throws a -pleasant light on the characters of both father and son.</p> - -<p>The life of a Volunteer on board ship was by no means an easy one, but -it no doubt inured the boys to hardships and privations, and gave them -a sympathy with their men which would afterwards stand them in good -stead.</p> - -<p>The record of Charles as a midshipman is very much more stirring than -Francis’ experiences. He served on board the <i>Unicorn</i>, under -Captain Thomas Williams, at the time of the capture of the French -frigate <i>La Tribune</i>, a notable single ship encounter, which -brought Captain Williams the honour of knighthood.</p> - -<p>On June 8, 1796, the <i>Unicorn</i> and the <i>Santa Margarita</i>, -cruising off the Scilly Islands, sighted three strange ships, and gave -chase. They proved to be two French frigates and a corvette, <i>La -Tribune</i>, <i>La Tamise</i>, and <i>La Legère</i>. The French vessels -continued all day to run<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> before the wind. The English ships as they -gained on them were subjected to a well-directed fire, which kept them -back so much that it was evening before <i>La Tamise</i> at last bore -up and engaged one of the pursuers, the <i>Santa Margarita</i>. After -a sharp action of about twenty minutes <i>La Tamise</i> struck her -colours.</p> - -<p><i>La Tribune</i> crowded on all sail to make her escape, but the -<i>Unicorn</i>, in spite of damage to masts and rigging, kept up the -chase, and after a running fight of ten hours the <i>Unicorn</i> came -alongside, taking the wind from the sails of the French ship. After -a close action of thirty-five minutes there was a brief interval. As -the smoke cleared away, <i>La Tribune</i> could be seen trying to get -to the windward of her enemy. This manœuvre was instantly frustrated, -and a few more broadsides brought down <i>La Tribune’s</i> masts, and -ended the action. From start to finish of the chase the two vessels -had run 210 miles. Not a man was killed or even hurt on board the -<i>Unicorn</i>, and not a large proportion of the crew of <i>La -Tribune</i> suffered. No doubt in a running fight of this sort much -powder and shot would be expended with very little result.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_022fp" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_022fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">ACTION BETWEEN THE ENGLISH FRIGATE <i>UNICORN</i> AND -THE FRENCH FRIGATE <i>LA TRIBUNE</i>, JUNE 8, 1796</div> -</div> - -<p>When this encounter took place Charles Austen had been at sea for -scarcely two years. Such an experience would have given the boy a great -notion of the excitement and joys in store for him <span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>in a seafaring -life. Such, however, was not to be his luck. Very little important -work fell to his share till at least twenty years later, and for one -of his ardent temperament this was a somewhat hard trial. His day came -at last, after years of routine, but when he was still young enough to -enjoy a life of enterprise and of action. Even half a century later his -characteristic energy was never more clearly shown than in his last -enterprise as Admiral in command during the second Burmese War (1852), -when he died at the front.</p> - -<p>Francis, during the four years when he was a midshipman, had only -one change of captain. After serving under Captain Smith in the -<i>Perseverance</i>, he went to the <i>Crown</i>, under Captain -the Honourable W. Cornwallis, and eventually followed him into the -<i>Minerva</i>. Admiral Cornwallis was afterwards in command of the -Channel Fleet, blockading Brest in the Trafalgar year.</p> - -<p>Charles had an even better experience than Francis had, for he was -under Captain Thomas Williams all the time he was midshipman, first -in the <i>Dædalus</i>, then in the <i>Unicorn</i>, and last in the -<i>Endymion</i>.</p> - -<p>The fact that both brothers served for nearly all their times as -midshipmen under the same captain shows that they earned good -opinions. If<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> midshipmen were not satisfactory they were very speedily -transferred, as we hear was the lot of poor Dick Musgrove.</p> - -<p>“He had been several years at sea, and had in the course of those -removals to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such -midshipmen as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on -board Captain Frederick Wentworth’s frigate, the <i>Laconia</i>; and -from the <i>Laconia</i> he had, under the influence of his captain, -written the only two letters which his father and mother had ever -received from him during the whole of his absence, that is to say the -only two disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere applications -for money. In each letter he had spoken well of his captain—mentioning -him in strong, though not perfectly well-spelt praise, as ‘a fine -dashing felow, only two perticular about the schoolmaster.’”</p> - -<p>No doubt Dick’s journal and sketches of the coast line were neither -accurate nor neatly executed.</p> - -<p>William Price’s time as a midshipman is, one would think, a nearer -approach to the careers of Francis and Charles. Certainly the account -given of his talk seems to bear much resemblance to the stories -Charles, especially, would have to tell on his return.</p> - -<p>“William was often called on by his uncle to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span> be the talker. His -recitals were amusing in themselves to Sir Thomas, but the chief object -in seeking them was to understand the reciter, to know the young man by -his histories, and he listened to his clear, simple, spirited details -with full satisfaction—seeing in them the proof of good principles, -professional knowledge, energy, courage and cheerfulness—everything -that could deserve or promise well. Young as he was, William had -already seen a great deal. He had been in the Mediterranean—in the -West Indies—in the Mediterranean again—had been often taken on shore -by favour of his captain, and in the course of seven years had known -every variety of danger which sea and war together could offer. With -such means in his power he had a right to be listened to; and though -Mrs. Norris could fidget about the room, and disturb everybody in quest -of two needlefuls of thread or a second-hand shirt button in the midst -of her nephew’s account of a shipwreck or an engagement, everybody else -was attentive; and even Lady Bertram could not hear of such horrors -unmoved, or without sometimes lifting her eyes from her work to say, -‘Dear me! How disagreeable! I wonder anybody can ever go to sea.’</p> - -<p>“To Henry Crawford they gave a different feeling. He longed to have -been at sea, and seen and done and suffered as much. His heart was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span> -warmed, his fancy fired, and he felt a great respect for a lad who, -before he was twenty, had gone through such bodily hardships, and -given such proofs of mind. The glory of heroism, of usefulness, of -exertion, of endurance, made his own habits of selfish indulgence -appear in shameful contrast; and he wished he had been a William Price, -distinguishing himself and working his way to fortune and consequence -with so much self-respect and happy ardour, instead of what he was!”</p> - -<p>This gives a glowing account of the consequence of a midshipman on -leave. That times were not always so good, that they had their share of -feeling small and of no account, on shore as well as at sea, is only to -be expected, and Fanny was not allowed to imagine anything else.</p> - -<p>“‘This is the Assembly night,’ said William. ‘If I were at Portsmouth, -I should be at it perhaps.’</p> - -<p>“‘But you do not wish yourself at Portsmouth, William?’</p> - -<p>“‘No, Fanny, that I do not. I shall have enough of Portsmouth, and of -dancing too, when I cannot have you. And I do not know that there would -be any good in going to the Assembly, for I might not get a partner. -The Portsmouth girls turn up their noses at anybody who has not a -commission. One might as well be nothing as a midshipman. One <i>is</i> -nothing, indeed. You remember the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> Gregorys; they are grown up amazing -fine girls, but they will hardly speak to <i>me</i>, because Lucy is -courted by a lieutenant.’</p> - -<p>“‘Oh! Shame, shame! But never mind it, William (her own cheeks in a -glow of indignation as she spoke). It is not worth minding. It is no -reflection on <i>you</i>; it is no more than the greatest admirals have -all experienced, more or less, in their time. You must think of that; -you must try to make up your mind to it as one of the hardships which -fall to every sailor’s share—like bad weather and hard living—only -with this advantage, that there will be an end to it, that there will -come a time when you will have nothing of that sort to endure. When you -are a lieutenant!—only think, William, when you are a lieutenant, how -little you will care for any nonsense of this kind.’”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br> -<span class="small">CHANGES AND CHANCES IN THE NAVY</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Francis obtained his Lieutenant’s commission in 1792, serving for a -year in the East Indies, and afterwards on the home station. Early -promotions were frequent in those days of the Navy; and, in many ways, -no doubt, this custom was a good one, as the younger men had the dash -and assurance which was needed, when success lay mainly in the power -of making rapid decisions. Very early advancement had nevertheless -decided disadvantages, and it was among the causes that brought about -the mutinies of 1797. There are four or five cases on record of boys -being made captains before they were eighteen, and promotions often -went so much by favour and so little by real merit that the discontent -of the crews commanded by such inexperienced officers was not at all -to be wondered at. There were many other long-standing abuses, not -the least of which was the system of punishments, frightful in their -severity. A few instances of these, taken<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span> at haphazard from the logs -of the various ships on which Francis Austen served as Lieutenant will -illustrate this point.</p> - -<p><i>Glory, December 8, 1795.</i>—“Punished P. C. Smith forty-nine -lashes for theft.”</p> - -<p><i>January 14, 1796.</i>—“Punished sixteen seamen with one dozen -lashes each for neglect of duty in being off the deck in their watch.”</p> - -<p>Punishments were made as public as possible. The following entry is -typical:</p> - -<p><i>Seahorse, December 9, 1797.</i>—“Sent a boat to attend punishments -round the fleet.”</p> - -<p>In the log of the <i>London</i>, one of the ships of the line -blockading Cadiz, just after the fearful mutinies of 1797, we find, as -might be expected, that punishments were more severe than ever.</p> - -<p><i>August 16, 1798.</i>—“<i>Marlborough</i> made the signal for -punishment. Sent three boats manned and armed to attend the punishment -of Charles Moore (seaman belonging to the <i>Marlborough</i>), who was -sentenced to receive one hundred lashes for insolence to his superior -officer. Read the articles of war and sentence of Court-martial to the -ship’s company. The prisoner received twenty-five lashes alongside this -ship.”</p> - -<p>In the case of a midshipman court-martialled for robbing a Portuguese -boat, “the charges having been proved, he was sentenced to be turned -before the mast, to have his uniform stripped off him on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span> the -quarter-deck before all the ship’s company, to have his head shaved, -and to be rendered for ever incapable of serving as a petty officer.”</p> - -<p>No fewer than six executions are recorded in the log of the -<i>London</i> as taking place among the ships of the fleet off Cadiz. -Only one instance is mentioned where the offender was pardoned by -the commander-in-chief on account of previous good conduct. Earl St. -Vincent certainly deserved his reputation as a disciplinarian.</p> - -<p>When, in addition to the system of punishment, it is further considered -that the food was almost always rough and very often uneatable, that -most of the crews were pressed men, who would rather have been at -any other work, and that the seamen’s share in any possible prizes -was ludicrously small, one wonders, not at the mutinies, but at the -splendid loyalty shown when meeting the enemy.</p> - -<p>It is a noticeable fact that discontent was rife during long times of -inaction (whilst blockading Cadiz is the notable instance), but when it -came to fighting for their country men and officers alike managed to -forget their grievances.</p> - -<p>On May 29, the log of the <i>London</i> is as follows:</p> - -<p>“The <i>Marlborough</i> anchored in the middle of the line. At seven -the <i>Marlborough</i> made the signal for punishment. Sent our launch, -barge and cutter, manned and armed, to attend the execution of Peter -Anderson, belonging to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span> <i>Marlborough</i>, who was sentenced to -suffer death for mutiny. Read the sentence of the court-martial, and -the articles of war to the ship’s company. At nine the execution took -place.” This is a record of an eye-witness of the historic scene which -put a stop to organised mutiny in the Cadiz fleet.</p> - -<p>The narrative has been often told. Lord St. Vincent’s order to the crew -of the <i>Marlborough</i> that they alone should execute their comrade, -the leader of the mutiny—the ship moored at a central point, and -surrounded by all the men-of-war’s boats armed with carronades under -the charge of expert gunners—the <i>Marlborough’s</i> own guns housed -and secured, and ports lowered—every precaution adopted in case of -resistance to the Admiral’s orders—and the result, in the words of the -commander-in-chief: “Discipline is preserved.”</p> - -<p>Perhaps the relief felt in the fleet was expressed in some measure -by the salute of seventeen guns recorded on the same day, “being the -anniversary of King Charles’ restoration.”</p> - -<p>Gradually matters were righted. Very early promotions were abolished, -and throughout the Navy efforts were made on the part of the officers -to make their men more comfortable, and especially to give them better -and more wholesome food—but reforms must always be slow if they -are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span> to do good and not harm, and, necessarily, the lightening of -punishments which seem to us barbarous was the slowest of all.</p> - -<p>The work of the press-gang is always a subject of some interest and -romance. It is difficult to realise that it was a properly authorised -Government measure. There were certain limits in which it might work, -certain laws to be obeyed. The most useful men, those who were already -at sea, but not in the King’s service, could not legally be impressed, -unless they were free from all former obligations, and the same rule -applied to apprentices. These rules were not, however, strictly kept, -and much trouble was often caused by the wrong men being impressed, or -by false statements being used to get others off. The following letter, -written much later in his career by Francis Austen when he was Captain -of the <i>Leopard</i> in 1804, gives a typical case of this kind.</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="right"> -<i>Leopard</i>, <span class="smcap">Dungeness</span>, <i>August 10, 1804</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I have to acknowledge the receipt of your -letter of the 17th inst., with the enclosure, relative to -Harris Walker, said to be chief mate of the <i>Fanny</i>, -and in reply thereto have the honour to inform you that the -said Harris Walker was impressed from on board the brig -<i>Fanny</i>, off Dungeness, by Lieutenant Taylor of his -Majesty’s ship under my command, on the evening of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> 7th -inst., because no documents proving him to be actually chief -mate of the brig were produced, and because the account he gave -of himself was unsatisfactory and contradictory. On examining -him the following day he at first confessed to me that he had -entered on board the <i>Fanny</i> only three days before she -sailed from Tobago, in consequence of the captain (a relation -of his) being taken ill, and shortly afterwards he asserted -that the whole of the cargo had been taken on board and stowed -under his direction. The master of the <i>Fanny</i> told -Lieutenant Taylor that his cargo had been shipped more than a -fortnight before he sailed, having been detained for want of a -copy of the ship’s register, she being a prize purchased and -fitted at Tobago. From these very contradictory accounts—from -the man’s having no affidavit to produce of his being actual -chief mate of the brig, from his not having signed any articles -as such—and from his handwriting totally disagreeing with the -Log-Book (said to have been kept by himself) I felt myself -perfectly justified in detaining him for his Majesty’s service.</p> - -<p>“I return the enclosure, and have the honour to be,</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 3em;">“Sir, your obedient humble servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Francis Wm. Austen</span>.<br> -<br> -<span style="margin-right: 14em;">“Thomas Louis, Esq.,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 9em;">“Rear-Admiral of the Blue.”</span><br> -</p> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p> - -<p>The reason assigned, that the reports Harris Walker gave of himself -were “unsatisfactory and contradictory,” seems to us a bad one for -“detaining him for his Majesty’s service,” but it shows clearly how -great were the difficulties in keeping up the supply of men. Captain -Austen had not heard the last of this man, as the belief seems to have -been strong that he was not legally impressed. Harris Walker, however, -settled the matter by deserting on October 5.</p> - -<p>An entry in the log of the newly built frigate <i>Triton</i>, under -Captain Gore, gives an instance of wholesale, and one would think -entirely illegal action.</p> - -<p><i>November 25, 1796</i>, in the Thames (Long Reach).</p> - -<p>“Sent all the boats to impress the crew of the <i>Britannia</i> East -India ship. The boats returned with thirty-nine men, the remainder -having armed themselves and barricaded the bread room.”</p> - -<p>“26th, the remainder of the <i>Britannia</i> crew surrendered, being -twenty-three. Brought them on board.”</p> - -<p>So great was the necessity of getting more men, and a better stamp of -men, into the Navy, and of making them fairly content when there, that -in 1800 a Royal Proclamation was issued encouraging men to enlist, and -promising them a bounty.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span></p> - -<p>This bounty, though it worked well in many cases, was of course open to -various forms of abuse. Some who were entitled to it did not get it, -and many put in a claim whose right was at least doubtful. An instance -appears in the letters of the <i>Leopard</i> of a certain George -Rivers, who had been entered as a “prest man,” and applied successfully -to be considered as a Volunteer, thereby to procure the bounty. He -evidently wanted to make the best of his position.</p> - -<p>The case of Thomas Roberts, given in another letter from the -<i>Leopard</i>, is an example of inducements offered to enter the -service.</p> - -<p>Thomas Roberts “appears to have been received as a Volunteer from -H.M.S. <i>Ceres</i>, and received thirty shillings bounty. He says -he was apprenticed to his father about three years ago, and that, -sometime last October, he was enticed to a public-house by two men, who -afterwards took him on board the receiving ship off the Tower, where he -was persuaded to enter the service.”</p> - -<p>The difficulty of getting an adequate crew seems to have led in some -cases to sharp practice among the officers themselves, if we are to -believe that Admiral Croft had real cause for complaint.</p> - -<p>“‘If you look across the street,’ he says to Anne Elliot, ‘you will -see Admiral Brand coming down, and his brother. Shabby fellows, both -of them! I am glad they are not on this side of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span> way. Sophy cannot -bear them. They played me a pitiful trick once; got away some of my -best men. I will tell you the whole story another time.’” But “another -time” never comes, so we are reduced to imagining the “pitiful trick.”</p> - -<p>The unpopularity of the Navy, and the consequent shorthandedness in -time of war, had one very bad result in bringing into it all sorts of -undesirable foreigners, who stirred up strife among the better disposed -men, and altogether aggravated the evils of the service.</p> - -<p>Undoubtedly the care of the officers for their men was doing its -gradual work in lessening all these evils. To instance this, we find, -as we read on in the letters and official reports of Francis Austen, -that the entry, “the man named in the margin did run from his Majesty’s -ship under my command,” comes with less and less frequency; and we have -on record that the <i>Aurora</i>, under the command of Captain Charles -Austen, did not lose a single man by sickness or desertion during the -years 1826-1828, whilst he was in command. Even when some allowance is -made for his undoubted charm of personality, this is a strong evidence -of the real improvements which had been worked in the Navy during -thirty years.</p> - -<p>With such constant difficulties and discomforts to contend with, it -seems in some ways remarkable that the Navy should have been so popular -as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span> a profession among the classes from which officers were drawn. -Some of this popularity, and no doubt a large share, was the effect of -a strong feeling of patriotism, and some was due to the fact that the -Navy was a profession in which it was possible to get on very fast. -A man of moderate luck and enterprise was sure to make some sort of -mark, and if to this he added any “interest” his success was assured. -Success, in those days of the Navy, meant money. It is difficult for us -to realise the large part played by “prizes” in the ordinary routine -work of the smallest sloop. In the case of Captain Wentworth, a very -fair average instance, we know that when he engaged himself to Anne -Elliot, he had “nothing but himself to recommend him, no hopes of -attaining influence, but in the chances of a most uncertain profession, -and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in that profession,” -yet we find that his hopes for his own advancement were fully -justified. Jane Austen would have been very sure to have heard of it -from Francis if not from Charles, if she had made Captain Wentworth’s -success much more remarkable than that of the ordinary run of men in -such circumstances.</p> - -<p>We are clearly told what those circumstances were.</p> - -<p>“Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had been lucky in his profession; -but spending freely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> what had come freely had realised nothing. But -he was confident that he would soon be rich; full of life and ardour, -he knew that he would soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that -would lead to everything he wanted. He had always been lucky; he knew -he should be so still.” Later, “all his sanguine expectations, all his -confidence had been justified. His genius and ardour had seemed to -foresee and to command his prosperous path. He had, very soon after -their engagement ceased, got employ; and all that he had told her would -follow had taken place. He had distinguished himself, and early gained -the other step in rank, and must now, by successive captures, have made -a handsome fortune. She had only Navy Lists and newspapers for her -authority, but she could not doubt his being rich.”</p> - -<p>Such were some of the inducements. That “Jack ashore” was a much -beloved person may also have had its influence. Anne Elliot speaks for -the greater part of the nation when she says, “the Navy, I think, who -have done so much for us, have at least an equal claim with any other -set of men, for all the comforts and all the privileges which any home -can give. Sailors work hard enough for their comforts we must allow.”</p> - -<p>That Sir Walter Elliot represents another large section of the -community is, however, not to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span> denied, but his opinions are not of -the sort to act as a deterrent to any young man bent on following a -gallant profession.</p> - -<p>“Sir Walter’s remark was: ‘The profession has its utility, but I should -be sorry to see any friend of mine belonging to it.’</p> - -<p>“‘Indeed!’ was the reply, and with a look of surprise.</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds -of objection to it. First, as being the means of bringing persons of -obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which -their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and, secondly, as it -cuts up a man’s youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old -sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life. A man is in -greater danger in the Navy of being insulted by the rise of one whose -father his father might have disdained to speak to, and of becoming -prematurely an object of disgust to himself, than in any other line. -One day last spring in town I was in company with two men, striking -instances of what I am talking of: Lord St. Ives, whose father we all -know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat: I was to -give place to Lord St. Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most -deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the colour of -mahogany, rough and rugged to the last<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> degree; all lines and wrinkles, -nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing but a dab of powder at top.’</p> - -<p>“‘In the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?’ said I to a friend of -mine who was standing near (Sir Basil Morley), ‘Old fellow!’ cried Sir -Basil, ‘it is Admiral Baldwin.’</p> - -<p>“‘What do you take his age to be?’</p> - -<p>“‘Sixty,’ said I, ‘or perhaps sixty-two.’</p> - -<p>“‘Forty,’ replied Sir Basil, ‘forty, and no more.’</p> - -<p>“‘Picture to yourselves my amazement. I shall not easily forget Admiral -Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a seafaring -life can do; they all are knocked about, and exposed to every climate -and every weather till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity -they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach Admiral -Baldwin’s age.’”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br> -<span class="small">PROMOTIONS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>As Lieutenant, Francis Austen had very different experience and -surroundings to those of his days as a midshipman. For three years -and more he was in various ships on the home station, which meant a -constant round of dull routine work, enlivened only by chances of -getting home for a few days. While serving in the <i>Lark</i> sloop, -he accompanied to Cuxhaven the squadron told off to bring to England -Princess Caroline of Brunswick, soon to become Princess of Wales. The -voyage out seems to have been arctic in its severity. This bad weather, -combined with dense fogs, caused the <i>Lark</i> to get separated from -the rest of the squadron, and from March 6 till the 11th nothing was -seen or heard of the sloop. On March 18 the Princess came on board the -<i>Jupiter</i>, the flagship of the squadron, and arrived in England on -April 5 after a fair passage, but a voyage about as long as that to the -Cape of Good Hope nowadays.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> - -<p>Francis notes in the log of the <i>Glory</i>, that while cruising, “the -<i>Rattler</i> cutter joined company, and informed us she yesterday -spoke H.M.S. <i>Dædalus</i>”—a matter of some interest to him, as -Charles was then on board the <i>Dædalus</i> as midshipman, under -Captain Thomas Williams. Captain Williams had married Jane Cooper, a -cousin of Jane Austen, who was inclined to tease him about his having -“no taste in names.” The following extract from one of her letters to -Cassandra touches on nearly all these facts:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">Sunday</span>, <i>January 10, 1796</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“By not returning till the 19th, you will exactly contrive to -miss seeing the Coopers, which I suppose it is your wish to do. -We have heard nothing from Charles for some time. One would -suppose they must have sailed by this time, as the wind is so -favourable. What a funny name Tom has got for his vessel! But -he has no taste in names, as we well know, and I dare say he -christened it himself.”</p> -</div> - -<p>Tom seems to have been a great favourite with his wife’s cousins. Only -a few days later Jane writes:</p> - -<p>“How impertinent you are to write to me about Tom, as if I had not -opportunities of hearing from him myself. The <i>last</i> letter I -received from him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> was dated on Friday the 8th, and he told me that if -the wind should be favourable on Sunday, which it proved to be, they -were to sail from Falmouth on that day. By this time, therefore, they -are at Barbadoes, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>Having the two brothers constantly backwards and forwards must have -been very pleasant at Steventon. Almost every letter has some reference -to one or the other.</p> - -<p>“Edward and Frank are both gone forth to seek their fortunes; the -latter is to return soon and help us to seek ours.”</p> - -<p>Later from Rowling, Edward Austen’s home, she writes:</p> - -<p>“If this scheme holds, I shall hardly be at Steventon before the -middle of the month; but if you cannot do without me I could return, -I suppose, with Frank, if he ever goes back. He enjoys himself here -very much, for he has just learnt to turn, and is so delighted with the -employment that he is at it all day long.... What a fine fellow Charles -is, to deceive us into writing two letters to him at Cork! I admire his -ingenuity extremely, especially as he is so great a gainer by it.... -Frank has turned a very nice little butter-churn for Fanny.... We -walked Frank last night to (church at) Crixhall Ruff, and he appeared -much edified. So his Royal Highness Sir Thomas Williams has at length -sailed; the papers say ‘on a cruise.’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> But I hope they are gone to -Cork, or I shall have written in vain.... Edward and Fly (short for -Frank) went out yesterday very early in a couple of shooting-jackets, -and came home like a couple of bad shots, for they killed nothing at -all.</p> - -<p>“They are out again to-day, and are not yet returned. Delightful sport! -They are just come home—Edward with his two brace, Frank with his two -and a half. What amiable young men!”</p> - -<p>About the middle of September 1796 Frank was appointed to the -<i>Triton</i>, which event is announced to Cassandra in these terms:</p> - -<p>“This morning has been spent in doubt and deliberation, forming plans -and removing difficulties, for it ushered in the day with an event -which I had not intended should take place so soon by a week. Frank -has received his appointment on board the <i>Captain John Gore</i>, -commanded by the <i>Triton</i>, and will therefore be obliged to be in -town on Wednesday; and though I have every disposition in the world -to accompany him on that day, I cannot go on the uncertainty of the -Pearsons being at home.</p> - -<p>“The <i>Triton</i> is a new 32-frigate, just launched at Deptford. -Frank is much pleased with the prospect of having Captain Gore under -his command.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp56" id="i_044fp" style="max-width: 32.6875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_044fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">FRANCIS AUSTEN IN 1796</div> -</div> - -<p>Francis stayed on board the <i>Triton</i> for about eighteen months. He -then spent six months in <span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span>the <i>Seahorse</i> before his appointment -to the <i>London</i> off Cadiz, in February 1798. On April 30 following -is recorded in the log of the <i>London</i> the arrival of H.M.S. -<i>Vanguard</i>, carrying Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson’s flag, -and on May 3 the <i>Vanguard</i> proceeded to Gibraltar. On May 24 -the “detached squadron” sailed as follows: <i>Culloden</i> (Captain -Troubridge), <i>Bellerophon</i>, <i>Defence</i>, <i>Theseus</i>, -<i>Goliath</i>, <i>Zealous</i>, <i>Minotaur</i>, <i>Majestic</i>, and -<i>Swiftsure</i>.</p> - -<p>These three entries foreshadow the Battle of the Nile, on August 1. -The account of this victory was read to the crew of the <i>London</i> -on September 27, and on October 24 they “saw eleven sail in the -south-west—the <i>Orion</i> and the French line of battleships, prizes -to Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson’s fleet.”</p> - -<p>Now and then the <i>London</i> went as far as Ceuta or Gibraltar, and -the log notes, “Cape Trafalgar East 7 leagues.”</p> - -<p>It is curious to think that “Trafalgar” conveyed nothing remarkable to -the writer. One wonders too what view would have been expressed as to -the plan of making Gibraltar a naval command, obviously advantageous in -twentieth-century conditions, but probably open to many objections in -those days.</p> - -<p>Charles, in December 1797, was promoted to be a Lieutenant, serving -in the <i>Scorpion</i>. There<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span> is something in the account of William -Price’s joy over his promotion which irresistibly calls up the picture -of Charles in the same circumstances. Francis would always have carried -his honours with decorum, but Charles’ bubbling enthusiasm would have -been more difficult to restrain.</p> - -<p>“William had obtained a ten days’ leave of absence, to be given to -Northamptonshire, and was coming to show his happiness and describe his -uniform. He came, and he would have been delighted to show his uniform -there too, had not cruel custom prohibited its appearance except on -duty. So the uniform remained at Portsmouth, and Edmund conjectured -that before Fanny had any chance of seeing it, all its own freshness, -and all the freshness of its wearer’s feelings, must be worn away. It -would be sunk into a badge of disgrace; for what can be more unbecoming -or more worthless than the uniform of a lieutenant who has been a -lieutenant a year or two, and sees others made commanders before him? -So reasoned Edmund, till his father made him the confidant of a scheme -which placed Fanny’s chance of seeing the Second Lieutenant of H.M.S. -<i>Thrush</i> in all his glory, in another light. This scheme was that -she should accompany her brother back to Portsmouth, and spend a little -time with her own family. William was almost as happy in the plan as -his sister. It would be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span> the greatest pleasure to him to have her there -to the last moment before he sailed, and perhaps find her there still -when he came in from his first cruise. And, besides, he wanted her -so very much to see the <i>Thrush</i> before she went out of harbour -(the <i>Thrush</i> was certainly the finest sloop in the service). And -there were several improvements in the dockyard, too, which he quite -longed to show her.... Of pleasant talk between the brother and sister -there was no end. Everything supplied an amusement to the high glee of -William’s mind, and he was full of frolic and joke in the intervals of -their high-toned subjects, all of which ended, if they did not begin, -in praise of the <i>Thrush</i>—conjectures how she would be employed, -schemes for an action with some superior force, which (supposing the -first lieutenant out of the way—and William was not very merciful to -the first lieutenant) was to give himself the next step as soon as -possible, or speculations upon prize-money, which was to be generously -distributed at home with only the reservation of enough to make the -little cottage comfortable in which he and Fanny were to pass all their -middle and later life together.”</p> - -<p>Charles’s year in the <i>Scorpion</i> was spent under the command of -Captain John Tremayne Rodd. The chief event was the capture of the -<i>Courier</i>, a Dutch brig carrying six guns. Undoubtedly the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> life -was dull on a small brig, and Charles as midshipman had not been used -to be dull. He evidently soon began to be restless, and to agitate for -removal, which he got just about the same time as that of Francis’s -promotion.</p> - -<p>In December 1798 Francis was made Commander of the <i>Peterel</i> -sloop, and Charles, still as Lieutenant, was moved from the -<i>Scorpion</i> to the frigate <i>Tamar</i>, and eventually to the -<i>Endymion</i>, commanded by his old friend and captain, Sir Thomas -Williams.</p> - -<p>Charles had evidently written to his sister Cassandra to complain of -his hard lot. Cassandra was away at the time, staying with Edward -Austen at Godmersham, but she sent the letter home, and on December 18 -Jane writes in answer:</p> - -<p>“I am sorry our dear Charles begins to feel the dignity of ill-usage. -My father will write to Admiral Gambier” (who was then one of the -Lords of the Admiralty). “He must have already received so much -satisfaction from his acquaintance and patronage of Frank, that he will -be delighted, I dare say, to have another of the family introduced to -him. I think it would be very right in Charles to address Sir Thomas -on the occasion, though I cannot approve of your scheme of writing to -him (which you communicated to me a few nights ago) to request him to -come home and convey you to Steventon. To do you justice,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span> you had -some doubts of the propriety of such a measure yourself. The letter to -Gambier goes to-day.”</p> - -<p>This is followed, on December 24, by a letter which must have been as -delightful to write as to receive.</p> - -<p>“I have got some pleasant news for you which I am eager to communicate, -and therefore begin my letter sooner, though I shall not send it sooner -than usual. Admiral Gambier, in reply to my father’s application, -writes as follows: ‘As it is usual to keep young officers’ (Charles was -then only nineteen) ‘in small vessels, it being most proper on account -of their inexperience, and it being also a situation where they are -more in the way of learning their duty, your son has been continued in -the <i>Scorpion</i>; but I have mentioned to the Board of Admiralty his -wish to be in a frigate, and when a proper opportunity offers, and it -is judged that he has taken his turn in a small ship, I hope he will be -removed. With regard to your son now in the <i>London</i>, I am glad I -can give you the assurance that his promotion is likely to take place -very soon, as Lord Spencer has been so good as to say he would include -him in an arrangement that he proposes making in a short time relative -to some promotions in that quarter.’</p> - -<p>“There! I may now finish my letter and go<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> and hang myself, for I am -sure I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid -to you after this. Now I really think he will soon be made, and only -wish we could communicate our foreknowledge of the event to him whom it -principally concerns. My father has written to Daysh to desire that he -will inform us, if he can, when the commission is sent. Your chief wish -is now ready to be accomplished, and could Lord Spencer give happiness -to Martha at the same time, what a joyful heart he would make of yours!”</p> - -<p>It is quite clear from this, and many other of the letters of Jane to -Cassandra, that both sisters were anxious to bring off a match between -Frank and their great friend, Martha Lloyd, whose younger sister was -the wife of James Austen. Martha Lloyd eventually became Frank’s second -wife nearly thirty years after the date of this letter.</p> - -<p>Jane continues her letter by saying:</p> - -<p>“I have sent the same extract of the sweets of Gambier to Charles, who, -poor fellow! though he sinks into nothing but an humble attendant on -the hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented with the prospect -held out to him. By what the Admiral says, it appears as if he had been -designedly kept in the <i>Scorpion</i>. But I will not torment myself -with conjectures and suppositions. Facts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> shall satisfy me. Frank had -not heard from any of us for ten weeks, when he wrote to me on November -12, in consequence of Lord St. Vincent being removed to Gibraltar. When -his commission is sent, however, it will not be so long on its road -as our letters, because all the Government despatches are forwarded -by land to his lordship from Lisbon with great regularity. The lords -of the Admiralty will have enough of our applications at present, for -I hear from Charles that he has written to Lord Spencer himself to be -removed. I am afraid his Serene Highness will be in a passion, and -order some of our heads to be cut off.”</p> - -<p>The next letter, of December 28, is the culminating-point:</p> - -<p>“Frank is made. He was yesterday raised to the rank of Commander, and -appointed to the <i>Peterel</i> sloop, now at Gibraltar. A letter -from Daysh has just announced this, and as it is confirmed by a very -friendly one from Mr. Matthew to the same effect, transcribing one from -Admiral Gambier to the General, we have no reason to suspect the truth -of it.</p> - -<p>“As soon as you have cried a little for joy, you may go on, and learn -farther that the India House have taken Captain Austen’s petition into -consideration—this comes from Daysh—and likewise that Lieutenant -Charles John Austen is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> removed to the <i>Tamar</i> frigate—this comes -from the Admiral. We cannot find out where the <i>Tamar</i> is, but I -hope we shall now see Charles here at all events.</p> - -<p>“This letter is to be dedicated entirely to good news. If you will -send my father an account of your washing and letter expenses, &c., he -will send you a draft for the amount of it, as well as for your next -quarter, and for Edward’s rent. If you don’t buy a muslin gown on the -strength of this money and Frank’s promotion I shall never forgive you.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Lefroy has just sent me word that Lady Dorchester meant to invite -me to her ball on January 8, which, though an humble blessing compared -with what the last page records, I do not consider any calamity. I -cannot write any more now, but I have written enough to make you very -happy, and therefore may safely conclude.”</p> - -<p>Jane was in great hopes that Charles would get home in time for this -ball at Kempshot, but he “could not get superceded in time,” and so did -not arrive until some days later. On January 21 we find him going off -to join his ship, not very well pleased with existing arrangements.</p> - -<p>“Charles leaves us to-night. The <i>Tamar</i> is in the Downs, and Mr. -Daysh advises him to join her there directly, as there is no chance of -her going to the westward. Charles does not approve<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> of this at all, -and will not be much grieved if he should be too late for her before -she sails, as he may then hope to get a better station. He attempted -to go to town last night, and got as far on his road thither as Dean -Gate; but both the coaches were full, and we had the pleasure of seeing -him back again. He will call on Daysh to-morrow, to know whether the -<i>Tamar</i> has sailed or not, and if she is still at the Downs he -will proceed in one of the night coaches to Deal.</p> - -<p>“I want to go with him, that I may explain the country properly to him -between Canterbury and Rowling, but the unpleasantness of returning by -myself deters me. I should like to go as far as Ospringe with him very -much indeed, that I might surprise you at Godmersham.”</p> - -<p>Charles evidently did get off this time, for we read a few days later -that he had written from the Downs, and was pleased to find himself -Second Lieutenant on board the <i>Tamar</i>.</p> - -<p>The <i>Endymion</i> was also in the Downs, a further cause of -satisfaction. It was only three weeks later that Charles was -reappointed to the <i>Endymion</i> as Lieutenant, in which frigate he -saw much service, chiefly off Algeciras, under his old friend “Tom.” -One is inclined to wonder how far this accidental meeting in the Downs -influenced the appointment. Charles appears on many occasions to have -had a quite remarkable gift for getting what he wanted.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> His charm of -manner, handsome face, and affectionate disposition, combined with -untiring enthusiasm, must have made him very hard to resist, and he -evidently had no scruple about making his wants clear to all whom it -might concern. The exact value of interest in these matters is always -difficult to gauge, but there is no doubt that a well-timed application -was nearly always necessary for advancement. The account of the way in -which Henry Crawford secured promotion for William Price is no doubt an -excellent example of how things were done.</p> - -<p>Henry takes William to dinner with the Admiral, and encourages him to -talk. The Admiral takes a fancy to the young man, and speaks to some -friends about him with a view to his promotion. The result is contained -in the letters which Henry so joyfully hands over to Fanny to read.</p> - -<p>“Fanny could not speak, but he did not want her to speak. To see the -expression of her eyes, the change of her complexion, the progress of -her feelings—their doubt, confusion and felicity—was enough. She took -the letters as he gave them. The first was from the Admiral to inform -his nephew, in a few words, of his having succeeded in the object -he had undertaken (the promotion of young Price), and enclosing two -more—one from the secretary of the First Lord to a friend, whom the -Admiral had set to work in the business;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> the other from that friend -to himself, by which it appeared that his lordship had the very great -happiness of attending to the recommendation of Sir Charles; that Sir -Charles was much delighted in having such an opportunity of proving his -regard for Admiral Crawford, and that the circumstances of Mr. William -Price’s commission as Second Lieutenant of H.M. sloop <i>Thrush</i> -being made out, was spreading general joy through a wide circle of -great people.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br> -<span class="small">THE <i>PETEREL</i> SLOOP</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>It will, perhaps, be as well to recall some of the principal events of -the war, during the few years before Francis took up his command of the -<i>Peterel</i>, in order that his work may be better understood.</p> - -<p>Spain had allied herself with France in 1796, and early in the -following year matters looked most unpromising for England. The British -fleet had been obliged to leave the Mediterranean. Bonaparte was -gaining successes against Austria on land. The peace negotiations, -which had been begun by France, had been peremptorily stopped, while -the French expedition to Ireland obviously owed its failure to bad -weather, and not in the least to any effective interference on the part -of the British Navy. Altogether the horizon was dark, and every one in -England was expecting to hear of crushing disaster dealt out by the -combined fleets of France and Spain, and all lived in fear of invasion. -Very different was the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> news that arrived in London early in March. -Sir John Jervis, with Nelson and Collingwood, met the Spanish fleet -off Cape St. Vincent on Valentine’s Day, and we all know the result. -As Jervis said on the morning of the fight, “A victory was essential -to England at this moment.” The confidence of the nation returned, and -was not lost again through the hard struggle of the following years. An -extract from the log of Lieutenant F. W. Austen, on board the frigate -<i>Seahorse</i>, in the Hamoaze, October 6, 1797, reads as follows: -“Came into harbour the <i>San Josef</i>, <i>Salvador del Mundo</i>, -<i>San Nicolai</i>, and <i>San Isidore</i>, Spanish line-of-battle -ships, captured by the fleet under Lord St. Vincent on the 14th -February.”</p> - -<p>After their defeat, the remainder of the Spanish fleet entered the port -of Cadiz, and were for the next two years blockaded by Admiral Jervis, -now Earl St. Vincent. In this blockade, Francis Austen took part, -serving in the <i>London</i>.</p> - -<p>During this time of comparative inaction, the fearful mutinies, -described in a former chapter, seemed to be sapping the strength of -the Navy. The greater number of the British ships were concentrated -in the Channel under Lord Bridport, and were employed in watching the -harbour of Brest, in order to prevent the French fleet from escaping, -with what success we shall presently tell. Our flag was scarcely to -be seen inside the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> Mediterranean except on a few sloops of war. Each -side was waiting for some movement of aggression from the other. Now -was Bonaparte’s chance to get to the East. His plans were quietly and -secretly formed. An armament was prepared at Toulon almost unknown -to the British, and at the same time all possible measures to avert -suspicion were taken. The Spanish fleet in Cadiz formed up as if for -departure, and so kept Lord St. Vincent on the watch, while Bonaparte -himself stayed in Paris until the expedition was quite ready to start, -in order to give the idea that the invasion of England was intended. -Still it was not practicable to keep the preparations entirely secret -for any length of time.</p> - -<p>Early in April 1798 Nelson sailed from England, joined St. Vincent -at Cadiz, and immediately went on into the Mediterranean, with three -ships of the line, to reconnoitre. He was reinforced by nine more under -Troubridge, and Lord St. Vincent had orders from home to follow with -the entire squadron if it should prove necessary. Nelson searched for -Bonaparte in the Mediterranean, and missed him twice. The French seized -Malta for the sake of getting their supplies through, but the British -as promptly blockaded it. At last, on August 1, Nelson came upon the -French fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay, and the Battle of the Nile was -fought. The situation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span> now created can be briefly summarised. Bonaparte -was in Egypt, cut off from all communication with France, and however -determinedly he might turn his face towards Africa or Asia his position -was a serious one. Turkey almost immediately declared war against -France. Malta was still closely blockaded by the British. Nelson had -established himself at Palermo, on friendly terms with the King of -Naples, who had taken refuge in Sicily. The news of the Battle of the -Nile had spread far and wide, and France had good reason to fear that -the tide had turned against her.</p> - -<p>Early in 1799 Bonaparte attacked Acre, and Sir Sydney Smith was sent to -harass his forces, and to compel him, if possible, to raise the siege.</p> - -<p>At this time occurred one of those events which show how a slight -advantage, properly used, may decide the final issue. Matters were in -this critical state; every British ship in and near the Mediterranean -was employed at some important work, when that happened which might -have been the cause of serious disaster. Admiral Bruix got away from -Brest with a fleet of twenty-five sail of the line and ten smaller -ships.</p> - -<p>The blame of this mishap is not at all easy to attach. Lord Bridport -was still in command of the Channel Fleet, but the Admiralty seemed to -prefer to keep him in touch with headquarters off<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span> the coast of Kent, -rather than to allow him to maintain a position whence he could more -easily keep watch on the French fleet. Now ensued an exciting time. No -one knew where the French fleet was, much less whither it was bound. -They had escaped in a thick fog, being seen only by <i>La Nymphe</i>, -one of the British frigates, whose officers, owing to the density of -the fog, imagined that they saw the fleet bring to under the land, and -signalled accordingly to Lord Bridport. When the fog lifted the French -fleet was no longer in sight.</p> - -<p>Of course the first idea was that they had gone to Ireland, and off -went Lord Bridport to pursue them. A little later news was received -that they had sailed southward, and a correspondent at this time -writes: “Lord St. Vincent will have a fine field to exert his talents -if the French fleet join the Spanish, after capturing Lisbon.”</p> - -<p>On the morning of May 5, from the Rock of Gibraltar, Lord St. Vincent -saw, with the deepest anxiety, the French fleet running before a -westerly gale into the Mediterranean. His most immediate fear was lest -Bruix should be on his way to help Bonaparte at Acre, and to overwhelm -Sydney Smith’s squadron. If so, the question was how to stop him. Lord -Bridport’s fleet was useless, as it was not until nearly four weeks -later that he was able to send help. Lord Keith was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span> blockading Cadiz. -If he left, the whole Spanish fleet would be released and at liberty to -attack where they would. Nelson was at Palermo with only one British -line-of-battle ship, and great would be the consternation in the town -if that one ship were to be withdrawn. A small squadron was blockading -Malta, and a few ships were at Minorca under Commodore Duckworth, -but Port Mahon was not yet fully garrisoned. Troubridge was outside -Naples. Bruix might attack any of these divisions with the full force -of his fleet, or he might proceed straight to Egypt. St. Vincent had to -determine which of these positions should be abandoned in order to meet -the French fleet. He decided on ordering Keith into the Mediterranean -so as to concentrate the available forces, sending word as far as -possible to the outlying squadrons.</p> - -<p>To Nelson at Palermo he wrote that he expected the enemy to proceed to -Malta and Alexandria. This despatch was entrusted to the <i>Hyena</i>, -which fell in with the <i>Peterel</i>, now under the command of Francis -Austen. The <i>Peterel</i> was already on the way to Nelson with a -despatch from Minorca, and, being a fast-sailing sloop, the captain of -the <i>Hyena</i> at once handed on the important paper to be delivered -by Captain Austen.</p> - -<p>The entries in the log of the <i>Peterel</i> at this date tell their -own story:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></p> - -<p>“<i>May 10.</i>—On the passage from Minorca to Palermo.</p> - -<p>“12 noon.—Off shore four or five miles.</p> - -<p>“2 o’clock.—Answered the private signal made by a ship in the S.S.E.</p> - -<p>“4 o’clock.—Showed our pendants to a ship in the S.S.E.</p> - -<p>“5 o’clock.—Joined H.M.S. <i>Hyena</i>; lowered the jolly-boat, and -went on board.</p> - -<p>“10 past 5.—Up boat and made all sail; the <i>Hyena</i> parted -company, standing to the N.W.</p> - -<p>“<i>May 12.</i> A quarter past 9.—Saw a sail on the lee bow, made the -private signal to her, which was answered. Made the signal for having -gained intelligence, and repeated it with four guns, but it was not -answered.</p> - -<p>“15 minutes past 11.—Hove to; lowered the jolly-boat and went on board -the stranger, which proved to be H.M.S. <i>Pallas</i>, with a convoy -for the westward.</p> - -<p>“20 minutes past 11.—Up boat, filled, and made all sail as before. -Observed the <i>Pallas</i> bear up and follow us with her convoy.</p> - -<p>“<i>May 13.</i>—At daylight, Cape Trepano (in Sicily). S.S.W. five or -six leagues.</p> - -<p>“A quarter-past 3 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span>—Shortened sail, backed ship, hove -to and lowered the boat. The first lieutenant went on shore with -despatches for Lord Nelson at Palermo.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> - -<p>“A quarter before 4.—The boat returned, hoisted her up, and made all -sail.</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—The place at which the first lieutenant landed was -on the east side of the Bay, between Cape St. Vito and Cape Alos, and -about twenty-four miles by road from Palermo.”</p> - -<p>The following is the letter which Captain Austen sent to the Admiral, -with the despatches:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>Peterel</i> <span class="smcap">at Sea, off Cape St. Vito</span>, <i>May 13, 1799</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My Lord</span>,—I have the honour to inform your Lordship -that I sailed from the Island of Minorca with his Majesty’s -sloop under my command, at 11 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> on Friday, the -10th inst., charged with the accompanying despatch for -your lordship, and the same evening met his Majesty’s ship -<i>Hyena</i>, about five leagues S.E. by S. of Fort Mahon, from -the captain of which I received the paper enclosed; and judging -from the contents of it that its speedy arrival must be of the -utmost consequence, and that a passage by land may be performed -in much less time than by sea, with the wind as it now is at -the E.S.E., I have directed Mr. Staines, my first lieutenant, -to land with the despatch at Castella, and proceed with all -possible expedition to your lordship at Palermo, to which place -I shall carry his Majesty’s sloop as soon as I can.</p> - -<p>“I fell in with his Majesty’s ship <i>Pallas</i> and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> convoy -yesterday at 11 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span>, about fifteen leagues E.S.E. of -Cape Carbonera, and, in consequence of the intelligence I gave -the captain of that ship bore up with his convoy for Palermo. I -enclose the state and condition of his Majesty’s sloop under my -command, and have the honour to be,</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 6em;">“My lord,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 2em;">“Your lordship’s most obedient</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 5em;">“humble servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Francis Wm. Austen</span>.<br> -<br> -<span style="margin-right: 10em;">“To the Rt. Hon. Lord Nelson, K.B.,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 15em;">Etc., etc., etc.”</span><br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>“<i>May 14.</i>—At four o’clock hove to in Palermo Bay. The first -lieutenant returned on board. At six o’clock filled and made all sail -on the larboard tack, pinnace ahead towing.”</p> - -<p>Nelson was at this time short of small vessels by which to send news. -He therefore employed the <i>Peterel</i> to go on to the blockading -squadron off Malta with orders, which were delivered on board H.M.S. -<i>Goliath</i>, about noon on May 19. The <i>Peterel</i> then returned -to Minorca.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_064fp" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_064fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">SLOOP OF WAR AND FRIGATE</div> -</div> - -<p>Bruix, contrary to expectation, did nothing with his chance. Probably -the aim of the Directory in sending him was to discover how far Spain -was to be relied upon for support, and there may have been no intention -of employing <span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span>him to help Bonaparte, but Bruix seems to have had -a free hand in the matter, so that his own want of resolution and -failure of insight are the apparent causes of the expedition proving -inconclusive.</p> - -<p>The Spanish fleet came out of Cadiz, as was of course to be expected, -and on May 30 Bruix sailed eastward from Toulon, getting into -communication with General Moreau at Genoa. The great matter was to -keep the two fleets from combining, and this might be done by following -the French fleet and beating it. Lord St. Vincent’s health now entirely -gave way, and he was obliged to give up the command to Keith, though it -is probable he expected to have his advice still followed. Lord Keith -sailed away in pursuit, but Bruix doubled on his tracks, and keeping -close in shore repassed Toulon, and got down to Cartagena, where he met -the Spanish fleet. Keith, instead of taking up the commanding position -earnestly recommended by St. Vincent, let his chance slip by going back -to Minorca, which he supposed to be in danger, and thus the conjunction -of the fleets took place. It was however followed by no adverse -results. Spain was lukewarm, and Bruix sailed back to Brest, having -accomplished nothing but an addition of fifteen ships to his fleet, -to serve as a pledge for the goodwill of the Spanish Government. Had -Bruix<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> joined Bonaparte instead of the Spanish fleet, very different -results would almost certainly have followed.</p> - -<p>The following proclamation will show clearly how important the support -of Spain was felt to be, and how anxious Bruix was lest there should be -any cause for disagreement.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“In the name of the French Republic.</p> - -<p>“In the Road of Cartagena, on board the Admiral’s sloop the -<i>Ocean</i>, dated 24th June, in the seventh year of the -French Republic, Eustace Bruix commanding the French fleet.</p> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Frenchmen and Republicans</span>,—At last, united with our -faithful allies, we approach the period when we shall punish -England and relieve Europe from all its tyranny. Although -I have no doubt, my brave friends, of the sentiments which -you have professed, I felt myself bound to call upon you to -give proofs of their sincerity by every means in your power. -Recollect that it is for the interests of your country, and for -your own <i>honour</i>, to give to a nation, whom we esteem, -the highest opinion of us. That word alone is enough for -Frenchmen. Do not above all forget that you are come among a -just and generous people, and our most faithful allies. Respect -their customs, their usages, their religion. In a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> word, let -everything be sacred to us. Think the least departure from that -which I am now prescribing to you will be a crime in the eyes -of the Republic, for which it will be my duty to punish you. -But, on the contrary, I am convinced that you will give me an -opportunity of praising your conduct, and that will be the -greatest recompence I can receive.</p> - -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">E. Bruix.</span>”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>Carrying Lord St. Vincent’s letter to Nelson seems to have been the -first service of importance which fell to the share of Captain Austen. -Perhaps some description of the more ordinary happenings of the life -on board of a sloop of war may prove of interest. The change from the -position of First Lieutenant on board a ship of the line to that of the -Captain of a small vessel must necessarily have been very marked.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of 1798 the <i>Peterel</i> had had the misfortune to -be captured by the Spaniards, who treated the captain (Charles Long) -and his crew very badly. The following day she was rescued by the -<i>Argo</i>, under Captain Bowen. Francis Austen was then given the -command, and on February 27 we find him taking over his new duties, the -<i>Peterel</i> being then moored in Gibraltar Bay.</p> - -<p>The first few months were spent in cruising<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span> about the west of the -Mediterranean. Almost every day there was a pursuit of some vessel of -more or less importance. Sometimes “the chace” proved to be a friendly -craft, sometimes she got away, but not infrequently was captured and -overhauled. On one occasion, Francis Austen remarks trenchantly, “Our -chace proved to be a tower on the land.”</p> - -<p>Evidently the plan of procedure was always to follow up and find -out the nationality of any distant sail. If a friend, news was -interchanged, and often some help might be given. If an enemy, an -attack usually followed. One of these small encounters is described in -the log of the date March 23, 1799, the <i>Peterel</i> then cruising -off the south side of Majorca.</p> - -<p>“11 o’clock.—Saw a latteen-sail boat, appearing to be a privateer, -just within the western point of Cabrera. From the manœuvres of this -boat I judge her to be a privateer. When we first saw her she was -on the starboard tack, and seemed to be examining us. I could just -distinguish her hull from the Catharpins. She appeared to be full of -men. She was rigged with one large latteen sail, and might be about -fifteen to twenty tons.”</p> - -<p>This boat was evidently not to be seen again until “At a quarter past -3, perceived the chace run round a point of the island into a cove, -under the protection of a castle situated on a high rock.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span> This was -the same boat we saw in the forenoon. Our appearance had evidently -frightened them, and they judged it prudent to keep snug till we were -gone by, and, at the time they ventured out, supposed us too far off -to distinguish them. It was, indeed, with difficulty that we could, as -the distance was full three leagues, and their sail was nearly the same -colour as the rock along which they were passing.</p> - -<p>“The cove or haven into which the boat went is about three-quarters of -a mile from the N.W. point of the island, and is completely land-locked -by the two points which form it overlapping. We were close in, not more -than a quarter of a mile from the westernmost of these points, but -could get no ground with forty fathoms line. The castle is situated -on a pinnacle rock or cliff on the eastern side of the entrance, and -from its situation I should judge it difficult of access to an hostile -approach. They had not more than two guns in it, and those were not -more than four- or six-pounders. Several of their shot went over us, -and others fell within a few yards on each side of us, but not one -struck the ship. Ours all went on shore, and I believe most of them -struck the castle, but there was too much motion to fire with very -great precision. This cove, from its situation, is a most excellent -place of resort for small privateers, as they are secure from the -effects of any wind, and can from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span> the height discover the approach of -any vessel, and be ready to push out on them when they may be too close -to the island to effect their escape.”</p> - -<p>With nightfall this attack had to be abandoned, and by six o’clock the -next morning, March 24, the <i>Peterel</i> was in pursuit of another -“chace.”</p> - -<p>“At a quarter past 8, hoisted out the pinnace and launch and sent them -to board the chace.</p> - -<p>“At 8 o’clock, I could discern with a glass the privateer, with his -sail furled, laying in his oars, just within the west point of the -cove, ready to pop out on the Spanish boat, and, but for our being so -near, certainly would have recaptured her, but when our boats put off -from the ship he went in again.</p> - -<p>“At 10 o’clock, the boats returned with the chace, which proved to be -a Spanish coasting-vessel of 20 tons, from Cadiz bound to Barcelona -with wheat, prize to the <i>General Pigot</i>, a privateer belonging to -Gibraltar. Supplied him with a few baracoes of water.</p> - -<p>“At 11 o’clock, in boats and made sail on the larboard tack.”</p> - -<p>This account of a twenty-four hours on board the <i>Peterel</i> will -give some idea of the constant interest and continual demand on the -judgment incidental to this life. This particular day, though a full -one, was barren of results. The privateer got out of the way of the -<i>Peterel</i>, and the chace<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span> which they did succeed in boarding had -already surrendered to another British ship. The entries of a few -days later, March 28, will show how varying was the success of these -encounters. On that day they secured three prizes in twelve hours.</p> - -<p>“5 o’clock <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span>, saw a strange sail bear S.W. by S. Bore up -and set royal and steering sails in chace.</p> - -<p>“8 o’clock.—Fresh breezes and clear weather; came up with the chace -close off the west end of Ivica. Shortened sail and hove to, sent a -boat on board; she proved to be a Spanish brig laden with barley, from -Almeria bound to Barcelona. Sent an officer and eight men to take -possession, and took all the Spaniards out of her.</p> - -<p>“At 10 o’clock.—Took her in tow, and made sail to the eastward.</p> - -<p>“At half-past 10.—Saw a brig at the south part of Ivica, cast off the -tow, and made all sail in chace.</p> - -<p>“Half-past 11.—In steering sails.</p> - -<p>“At noon.—Moderate and clear weather, passing through between Ivica -and Formenterra, prize in company.</p> - -<p>“Half-past 12.—Fired five guns at the chace to make her bring to, but -without effect.</p> - -<p>“At 1 o’clock.—She anchored close under a signal tower with four guns -on it. Hoisted out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span> the pinnace, and sent her armed under the direction -of the second lieutenant to board the vessel.</p> - -<p>“Half-past 2.—The pinnace returned with the brig; sent her away to -cut out a small vessel, which was then riding about half a mile to the -westward of the tower. The brig appears to be French, but no one was -found on board her. Sent an officer and five men to take charge of her.</p> - -<p>“At 5 o’clock.—The pinnace returned with the other vessel, a Spanish -settee, appearing by papers found on board to be the Alicant packet. -Her crew had quitted her on seeing our boats approach. Sent an officer -and five men on board to take charge of her. Took her in tow and made -sail; prizes in company.”</p> - -<p>Such days as this were of quite frequent occurrence. Sometimes the -prizes were of great value, as on April 11, when the <i>Peterel</i>, -in company with the <i>Powerful</i> and the <i>Leviathan</i>, assisted -in capturing a vessel which they thought to be a despatch-boat, and -therefore of the first importance. She proved to be a fishing-boat, -employed in carrying a brigadier-general, a lieutenant-colonel, and a -captain of the Walloon Guards over to Ivica from Alicant. She had on -board specie to the amount of 9000 dollars. The <i>Peterel’s</i> share -of this valuable prize was 1469<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span> dollars, which was paid out in the -following proportions:</p> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> To</td> -<td class="tdl"> a captain</td> -<td class="tdr"> 750</td> -<td class="tdl">dollars</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> ”</td> -<td class="tdl"> a lieutenant</td> -<td class="tdr"> 62½</td> -<td class="tdl">   ”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> ”</td> -<td class="tdl"> a warrant officer</td> -<td class="tdr"> 36¾</td> -<td class="tdl">  ”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> ”</td> -<td class="tdl"> a petty officer</td> -<td class="tdr"> 10¼</td> -<td class="tdl">   ”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> ”</td> -<td class="tdl"> a foremast man</td> -<td class="tdr"> 2</td> -<td class="tdl">   ”</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>It is to be feared that the prize-money was a doubtful blessing to the -foremast hands, especially as the <i>Peterel</i> was then nearing Port -Mahon, where they lay at anchor for three days, during which it was no -doubt easy to incur the punishments for drunkenness and neglect of duty -which we find meted out two days later.</p> - -<p>Another capture of political importance is detailed on the 26th April, -when a Spanish tartan, the <i>San Antonio de Padua</i>, was brought to, -having on board fifty-three soldiers belonging to a company of the 3rd -battalion of the Walloon Guards, who were being conveyed from Barcelona -to Majorca. These, with sailors and a few recruits also on board, -summed up a capture of seventy-nine Spanish prisoners, who were taken -on board the <i>Peterel</i>.</p> - -<p>The tartan was manned by a midshipman and seven men, and taken in tow. -The prisoners were afterwards transferred to the <i>Centaur</i>, and -the prize, after everything was taken out of her, was scuttled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span></p> - -<p>These few instances will serve to show the kind of life of which we get -such tantalising hints in “Persuasion.”</p> - -<p>The account Captain Wentworth gives to the two Miss Musgroves and to -Admiral Croft of his earlier commands is a case in point. The date is -not the same, for we remember that Captain Wentworth first got employ -in the year six (1806), soon after he had parted in anger from Anne -Elliot.</p> - -<p>“The Miss Musgroves were just fetching the ‘Navy List’ (their own ‘Navy -List,’ the first there had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down -together to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the -ships which Captain Wentworth had commanded.</p> - -<p>“‘Your first was the <i>Asp</i>, I remember. We will look for the -<i>Asp</i>.’</p> - -<p>“‘You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the -last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit -for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West -Indies.’</p> - -<p>“The girls looked all amazement.</p> - -<p>“‘The Admiralty,’ he continued, ‘entertain themselves now and then with -sending a few hundred men to sea in a ship not fit to be employed. But -they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may -just as well go to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span> the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to -distinguish the very set who may be least missed.’</p> - -<p>“‘Phoo! phoo!’ cried the Admiral. ‘What stuff these young fellows talk! -Never was there a better sloop than the <i>Asp</i> in her day. For an -old built sloop you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! -He knows there must have been twenty better men than himself applying -for her at the same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no -more interest than his.’</p> - -<p>“‘I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you,’ replied Captain Wentworth -seriously. ‘I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can -desire. It was a great object with me at the time to be at sea; a very -great object. I wanted to be doing something.’</p> - -<p>“‘To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore -for half a year together? If a man has not a wife, he soon wants to be -afloat again.’</p> - -<p>“‘But, Captain Wentworth,’ cried Louisa, ‘how vexed you must have been -when you came to the <i>Asp</i>, to see what an old thing they had -given you.’</p> - -<p>“‘I knew pretty well what she was before that day,’ said he, smiling. ‘I -had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the fashion<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span> -and strength of an old pelisse, which you had seen lent about among -half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which at -last on some very wet day is lent to yourself. Ah! she was a dear old -<i>Asp</i> to me. She did all I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that -we should either go to the bottom together, or that she would be the -making of me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time -I was at sea in her; and after taking privateers enough to be very -entertaining, I had the good luck in my passage home the next autumn -to fall in with the very French frigate I wanted. I brought her into -Plymouth; and here was another instance of luck. We had not been six -hours in the Sound when a gale came on which lasted four days and four -nights, and which would have done for poor old <i>Asp</i> in half -the time, our touch with the Great Nation not having improved our -condition. Four and twenty hours later and I should only have been a -gallant Captain Wentworth in a small paragraph at one corner of the -newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop, nobody would have thought -about me.’</p> - -<p>“The girls were now hunting for the <i>Laconia</i>; and Captain -Wentworth could not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious -volume into his own hands to save them the trouble, and once more -read aloud the little statement of her name and rate, and present -non-commissioned class.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> Observing over it that she too had been one of -the best friends man ever had.</p> - -<p>“‘Ah, those were pleasant days when I had the <i>Laconia</i>! How fast -I made money in her! A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise -together off the Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how -much he wanted money: worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent -fellow! I shall never forget his happiness. He felt it all so much for -her sake. I wished for him again next summer, when I had still the -same luck in the Mediterranean.’”</p> - -<p>One cannot but feel, when one comes on such a conversation in Jane -Austen’s novel, how perfectly she understood the details of her -brothers’ lives. Her interest and sympathy were so great that we can -almost hear Francis and Charles recounting experiences to their home -circle, with a delicious dwelling on the dangers, for the sake of -inward shudders, or “more open exclamations of pity and horror” from -their hearers, with sidelong hits at the Admiralty, and with the true -sailor’s love of, and pride in, the vessels he has commanded.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br> -<span class="small">THE PATROL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>It will be remembered that at the close of 1796 scarcely a British -man-of-war was to be seen in the Mediterranean. To estimate the -work that St. Vincent and Nelson had since accomplished, it is only -necessary to say that by the summer of 1799 the British Navy was -everywhere, blockading Genoa and Malta, patrolling the Egyptian and -Syrian coasts, and in possession of Minorca, while Nelson was stationed -at Palermo. The French armies in Italy were cut off from reinforcements -by our ships before Genoa. Bonaparte’s soldiers in Egypt were equally -helpless, though he himself managed to get home in spite of the danger -of capture.</p> - -<p>Attempts were of course made by the French to change this position. -Rear-Admiral Perrée had served on the immense fleet which Bonaparte -took to Egypt in 1798, and there was appointed to the command of the -light flotilla intended to patrol the Nile. Most of his seniors were -shortly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span> afterwards killed or captured by Nelson’s fleet in Aboukir -Bay, and he then took charge of the remaining frigates which had safely -anchored at Alexandria, and which were compelled to remain there, -as Captain Troubridge had established a blockade of the coast. When -Bonaparte marched for Syria, early in 1799, Perrée was ordered to -bring battering cannon to Haifa for the attack on Acre. It was some -time before he got the opportunity to slip out of Alexandria, and -he then found Jaffa the only place available for landing the guns. -Accomplishing this, he vainly endeavoured to co-operate in the siege -of Acre, but was driven off by the <i>Tigre</i> and <i>Theseus</i> -under Sir Sydney Smith. The blockade made it impossible for Perrée to -re-enter Alexandria. The five vessels therefore sailed for Toulon, and -on June 18 we have in the log of the <i>Peterel</i> the account of the -capture of this unlucky squadron, within a few hours of their French -haven.</p> - -<p><i>June 17.</i>—“Admiral (Lord Keith) and fleet in company. The -<i>Emerald</i> made signal for five sail in sight. The Admiral -signalled for general chace. Answered his signal to us to keep between -the Admiral and the chacing ships in N.E., to repeat signals. At 8 -<span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> <i>Emerald</i> N.E., six or seven miles, Admiral west, -four miles.</p> - -<p><i>June 18.</i>—“One o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> Saw four sail bearing N.W. -At six, five sail of strangers in sight.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> At seven, perceived the -<i>Centaur</i> open a fire on the chace, which was returned. Saw two -of them strike and shorten sail. Half-past seven, the <i>Emerald</i> -got up with, and took possession of, another. At eight o’clock the -<i>Centaur</i> brought to a fourth. The <i>Success</i> and the -<i>Triton</i> in chace of the fifth.</p> - -<p><i>June 19.</i>—“At daylight, ten of the fleet and five prizes in -company. Boats of the fleet employed on the 19th getting the prisoners -out of the prizes. These ships proved to be a squadron which had -escaped out of Alexandria on the 19th of March, and, after cruising a -considerable time off Joppa, were returning to Toulon. Their names are -as follows:</p> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>La Junon</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> 38 guns, 600 men (with a Rear-Admiral on board).</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>L’Alceste</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> 36 guns.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>La Courageuse</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> 32 guns, 300 men.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>L’Alerte</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> 16-gun brig.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>La Salamine</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> 16-gun ditto.”</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>Marshal Suwarrow, in command of the Russian and Austrian armies, was -now making use of Bonaparte’s enforced detention in Egypt to drive -the French out of Italy. By June, after the battle of the Trebbia, he -had not only shut up Moreau’s army in Genoa, but had driven Macdonald -back into Tuscany. It was only with the greatest difficulty that the -two French<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span> commanders were able eventually to join forces in Genoa. -With characteristic want of confidence in their generals, the French -Directory sent out General Joubert to take command in the place of the -two who had been worsted. Almost immediately after his arrival, he was -himself utterly defeated and killed at the battle of Novi. Nothing was -left of the French possessions in Italy except Genoa, and a few smaller -fortified places. To Genoa Massena came after his successful exploits -in Switzerland, and made his memorable stand, against the Austrian army -besieging by land and the British blockading by sea.</p> - -<p>With these events during 1799 and 1800, the <i>Peterel</i> was in -constant touch. On one occasion, off Savona, a vessel was taken -containing two hundred and fifty wounded soldiers, who were being -conveyed from Genoa back to France after the indecisive battle of the -Trebbia. On this Captain Austen remarks, “As many of them were in such -a state as not to be moved but at the risque of their lives, Captain -Caulfield (of the <i>Aurora</i>), from motives of humanity, let the -vessel proceed.”</p> - -<p>Another capture shows how much the French were hampered by our -blockade, their general being unable to reach his army excepting by -sea. In Francis Austen’s own words:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> - -<p><i>August 2, 1799.</i>—“Last night at 9 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> the -<i>Minerve’s</i> boats came alongside; sent them along with our own, -armed, under the command of the first lieutenant to cut out some -vessels from the Bay of Diano.</p> - -<p>“About midnight saw a very heavy fire of cannon and musketry in Diano -Bay. Towards dawn the boats returned on board, having brought out a -large settee laden with wine, and a French armed half-galley, mounting -six guns, and rowing twenty-six oars. This galley had lately arrived -from Toulon with General Joubert, appointed to supersede Moreau in the -command of the French army of Italy, and was to have proceeded to-day -with the general to the headquarters, near Genoa. She was manned with -thirty-six people, twenty of which jumped overboard and swam ashore as -soon as our boats attacked them. The other sixteen were made prisoners, -amongst which was the commander of her, having the rank of ensign de -vaisseau in the service of the Republic. The vessel is called <i>La -Virginie</i>, is Turkish built, and was taken by the French at Malta -when they got possession of that place last year.”</p> - -<p>Another time the chace is described as follows:</p> - -<p><i>July 14.</i>—“This vessel proved to be the <i>El Fortunato</i> -Spanish ship polacre of about 100 tons burden, from Cagliari bound -to Oneglia, laden with wine, and having on board an officer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span> charged -with despatches from the King of Sardinia to General Suwarrow, -Commander-in-Chief of the combined armies of Russia and Austria in -Italy.”</p> - -<p>The autumn and winter of 1799 were spent by the <i>Peterel</i> cruising -again in the west of the Mediterranean, chiefly off Minorca; but in -the spring of 1800 they were again near Marseilles. The capture of the -French brig <i>La Ligurienne</i>, described in the following letter, is -another witness to the fruitless attempts of the French to get help to -the army which Bonaparte had left behind in Egypt.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>Peterel</i> <span class="smcap">at Sea</span>, <i>March 22, 1800</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I have to inform you that the vessels with -which you saw me engaged yesterday afternoon near Cape -Couronne, were a ship, brig, and xebecque, belonging to the -French Republic; two of which, the ship and xebecque, I drove -on shore, and, after a running action of about one hour and a -half, during the most of which we were not more than two cables -length from the shore, and frequently not half that distance, -the third struck her colours. On taking possession, we found -her to be <i>La Ligurienne</i>, French national brig, mounting -fourteen six-pounders, and two thirty-six-pound howitzers, all -brass, commanded by François Auguste Pelabon, lieutenant de -vaisseau, and had on board at the commencement of the action<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span> -one hundred and four men. Though from the spirited conduct -and alacrity of Lieutenant Packer, Mr. Thompson, the master, -and Mr. Hill, the purser (who very handsomely volunteered -his services at the main deck guns), joined to the gallantry -and determined courage of the rest of the officers, seamen -and marines of his Majesty’s sloop under my command, I was -happily enabled to bring the contest to a favourable issue; -yet I could not but feel the want, and regret the absence, -of my first lieutenant, Mr. Glover, and thirty men, who were -at the time away in prizes. I have a lively pleasure in that -this service has been performed without a man hurt on our -part, and with no other damage to the ship than four of our -carronades dismounted, and a few shots through the sails. -<i>La Ligurienne</i> is a very fine vessel of the kind, well -equipped with stores of all sorts, in excellent repair, and not -two years old. She is built on a peculiar plan, being fastened -throughout with screw bolts, so as to be taken to pieces and -put together with ease, and is said to have been intended to -follow Bonaparte to Egypt. I learn from the prisoners that the -ship is called <i>Le Cerf</i>, mounting fourteen six-pounders, -xebecque <i>Le Joillet</i>, mounting six six-pounders, and that -they had sailed in company with a convoy (two of which, as per -margin, I captured in the forenoon) that morning from Cette, -bound to Marseilles. I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span> enclose a return of the killed and -wounded, as far as I have been able to ascertain it,</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 4.5em;">“And am, your very humble servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Francis Wm. Austen</span>.<br> -</p> -</div> - - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="noindent">“To Robert Dudley Oliver, Esq.,<br> -<span style="margin-left: 3em;">“Captain of H.M. Ship <i>Mermaid</i>.</span><br> -</p> - - -<p>“Return of killed and wounded in an action between his -Britannic Majesty’s sloop <i>Peterel</i>, Francis Wm. -Austen, Esq., Commander, and the French national brig <i>La -Ligurienne</i>, commanded by François Auguste Pelabon, -lieutenant de vaisseau.</p> - -<p>“<i>Peterel</i>: Killed, none; wounded, none.</p> - -<p>“<i>La Ligurienne</i>: Killed, the captain and one seaman; -wounded, one gardemarin and one seaman.</p> - -<p class="right"> -“(Signed) <span class="smcap">Francis Wm. Austen</span>.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>The captures, “as per margin,” are of a French bark, name unknown, -about two hundred and fifty tons, and of a French bombarde, <i>La -Vestic</i>, about one hundred and fifty tons, both laden with wheat, -and both abandoned by their crews on the <i>Peterel’s</i> attack.</p> -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_084fp" style="max-width: 46.875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_084fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption"><i>PETEREL</i> IN ACTION WITH <i>LA LIGURIENNE</i> NEAR -MARSEILLES, MARCH 21, 1800</div> -</div> - -<p>If, as is stated, <i>La Ligurienne</i> was intended to go to Egypt, -it seems not improbable that the reason for her peculiar construction -was that she might be taken to pieces, carried across the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> desert, and -launched again in the Red Sea, there to take part in an attempt on -India.</p> - -<p>This exploit, though related in a matter-of-fact way by Captain Austen -in his letter, was not inconsiderable in the eyes of the authorities, -and the result was his immediate promotion to post rank. He himself -knew nothing of this advancement until the following October; only an -instance of the slowness and difficulty of communication, which was so -great a factor in the naval affairs of that time.</p> - -<p>It should be mentioned that the frigate <i>Mermaid</i> was in sight -during part of this action, which perhaps had something to do with the -two French vessels running themselves ashore, also that the capture -of <i>La Ligurienne</i> was within six miles of Marseilles. The -<i>Peterel</i> took her three prizes to Minorca, where the prisoners -were sent on board the <i>Courageuse</i>, one of Perrée’s frigates -captured in 1799 as already described.</p> - -<p>The next voyage was to Malta, where the fortress of Valetta was still -in French hands, with a few ships under the command of Rear-Admiral -Villeneuve. The British blockading squadron had just taken the -<i>Guillaume Tell</i> in the endeavour to escape from Valetta harbour, -after eighteen months’ stay. This ship of the line was the only one -remaining to the French from Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt and the -Battle of the Nile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span></p> - -<p>The <i>Peterel</i> took on board, in the Bay of Marsa Sirocco, -thirty-five of the crew of the <i>Guillaume Tell</i>, by orders of -Commodore Troubridge of the <i>Culloden</i>, and with these prisoners -made sail for Palermo, where for a few days she hoisted Nelson’s flag. -Arrived once more at Port Mahon, in Minorca, the French sailors were -added to the number on the <i>Courageuse</i>, and the <i>Peterel</i> -found her way to Lord Keith’s fleet, now closely investing General -Massena in Genoa.</p> - -<p>The great events of the campaign of Marengo are matters of European -history. The British fleet’s blockade of the coast was clearly a -determining factor in the choice of the St. Bernard route by the First -Consul, inasmuch as the Riviera road was commanded from the sea. It -must remain a question whether Bonaparte deliberately left Massena’s -army to risks of starvation and capture, in order that the destruction -of the Austrian forces in Piedmont might be complete. Massena had been -compelled to extend his lines too far, so that he might secure from a -mountainous country the supplies which could not reach him from France. -This made it possible for the Austrians to press their advantage, and -to isolate the fortresses of Nice, Savona, and Genoa. The unceasing -patrol of the sea completed the circle of hostile forces. The French -army was entirely shut up in Genoa, and throughout the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span> month of -May the town was several times bombarded by the ships and the armed -boats of the fleet. These armed boats had already reduced the small -garrison of Savona. It is recorded in the <i>Peterel</i> log that a -“polacre laden with artillery and ammunition for the army of General -Baron d’Ott” came from that port. The <i>Peterel</i> was detailed -by Lord Keith to cruise in shore as near as possible to Genoa, and -Captain Austen received the thanks of this Admiral for his energetic -performance of that duty. One night the vessel was under fire from the -lighthouse forts, and received several shots. A feature of the blockade -was the plan of “rowing guard” each night, in order to prevent access -to the harbour after dark. The <i>Peterel’s</i> pinnace was frequently -on this duty in turn with the other boats of the fleet, and took part -in cutting out the <i>Prima</i> galley after midnight on the 21st of -May. This galley was intended to take part in an attempt on the smaller -vessels of the British fleet, but was attacked by the boats’ crews -at the Mole when just ready to come out. She was boarded in the most -gallant manner, in spite of a large force of fighting men on board, -and of a heavy fire from the harbour forts. The capture was greatly -helped by the conduct of the 300 galley slaves, who rowed out so fast -that they almost outstripped the boats that were towing her. These -slaves were allowed on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> deck when the prize was out of gunshot range -from the harbour, and great were their manifestations of joy at their -release. The sequel of the incident was tragic. Lord Keith sent most of -them back to Genoa with the other French prisoners, no doubt with the -idea of forcing their support on the half-starved garrison. The galley -slaves were shot as traitors in the market-place.</p> - -<p>During the preliminary conference with General d’Ott and Lord Keith, -preceding the French surrender at Genoa, it is said that some contempt -for Austria was expressed by Massena, who went on as follows: “Milord, -si jamais la France et l’Angleterre s’entendre, elles gouverneraient la -monde.” This almost foreshadows the “entente cordiale” of 1904.</p> - -<p>On June 4 the French army capitulated. Genoa town was handed over to -the Austrians under General Melas, and the port was occupied by Lord -Keith in his flagship <i>Minotaur</i>.</p> - -<p>But already the First Consul had descended into Italy, had taken -possession of Milan, and was in full march to defeat Baron d’Ott at -Montebello. On the 14th Marengo was fought, and the tide of fortune -turned. Genoa, Savona, and all the fortresses of Piedmont were made -over to the French. Massena came back on June 24, and Lord Keith had -just time to move out of the harbour and to resume his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span> blockade. The -victorious First Consul was again in full possession of Northern Italy.</p> - -<p>Before the end of May the <i>Peterel</i> was already on her way -southward, and the log records the transport of thirty-two men to -H.M.S. <i>Guillaume Tell</i> (recently captured) off Syracuse, then -another call at Malta (St. Paul’s Bay) where the blockaders were busy -with the later stages of the reduction of Valetta. The destination of -the <i>Peterel</i> was the coast of Egypt, where Sir Sydney Smith was -locally in command. Alexandria and other harbours were still held by -the French, now quite cut off from outside support. A Turkish fleet -of twelve ships was at anchor off Alexandria, and the blockade was -supposed to be maintained by them, but in actual practice the burden -devolved upon the three British vessels, <i>Tigre</i>, <i>Transfer</i>, -and <i>Peterel</i>. They appear to have joined forces at Jaffa, and -to have cruised off the Egyptian coast, with an occasional visit to -Cyprus, for some months. They were all this time without news from -England.</p> - -<p>The allied fleets of France and Spain were by no means inactive, -and, though they did not accomplish much in the Mediterranean, there -was always a serious risk for a single vessel, and despatch boats -were particularly unsafe carrying, as they did, intelligence that -might be useful to the enemy. At this time the Spanish ports in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span> -the neighbourhood of Gibraltar were strongly held, and it was a -great object with the British Government to relieve this pressure, -which seriously threatened their communications with the whole of -the Mediterranean. Algeciras was specially dangerous, and we find -constant attacks upon the enemy there, in which Charles Austen as -Lieutenant of the <i>Endymion</i> had a considerable part, under Sir -Thomas Williams and his successor Captain Philip Durham. His service -was varied by the capture of several privateers, among others of -<i>La Furie</i>. The <i>Endymion</i> afterwards convoyed ten Indiamen -home from St. Helena, for which service Captain Durham received the -thanks of the East India Company. On the occasion of the capture of -the <i>Scipio</i>, Lieutenant Charles Austen specially distinguished -himself. The encounter took place in a violent gale, but, in spite of -wind and weather, he put off in a boat with only four men, and boarded -the vessel, which had just surrendered. The <i>Scipio</i> was a fine -craft of 18 guns, manned by 140 men.</p> - -<p>Charles was particularly lucky at this time in his shares of -prize-money. Jane tells us in one of her letters to Cassandra how -generously he spent it.</p> - -<p>“Charles has received £30 for his share of the privateer, and expects -£10 more; but of what avail is it to take prizes if he lays out the -produce<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span> in presents for his sisters? He has been buying gold chains -and topaz crosses for us. He must be well scolded. I shall write again -by this post to thank and reproach him. We shall be unbearably fine.”</p> - -<p>It is a good instance of the way in which Jane Austen “worked up” -her incidents that the brother’s present of a cross and a gold chain -should form the groundwork on which is built up the story of Fanny’s -flutterings of heart over her adornments for the ball at Mansfield.</p> - -<p>“The ‘how she should be dressed’ was a point of painful solicitude; and -the almost solitary ornament in her possession, a very pretty amber -cross which William had brought her from Sicily, was the greatest -distress of all, for she had nothing but a bit of riband to fasten -it to; and though she had worn it in that manner once, would it be -allowable at such a time, in the midst of all the rich ornaments which -she supposed all the other young ladies would appear in? And yet not -to wear it! William had wanted to buy her a gold chain too, but the -purchase had been beyond his means, and therefore not to wear the -cross might be mortifying to him. These were anxious considerations; -enough to sober her spirits even under the prospect of a ball given -principally for her gratification.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp30" id="i_092fp" style="max-width: 25.5625em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_092fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">THE TOPAZ CROSSES GIVEN TO CASSANDRA AND JANE BY CHARLES -AUSTEN</div> -</div> - -<p>Then follows Miss Crawford’s gift of a necklace -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span> to wear with the cross, with all its alarming associations -with Henry Crawford; then Edmund’s gift of a chain; her resolve to wear -Miss Crawford’s gift to please him; and lastly the delightful discovery -that the necklace was too large for the purpose. Edmund’s chain, -“therefore, must be worn; and having, with delightful feelings, joined -the chain and the cross, those memorials of the two most beloved of her -heart; those dearest tokens so formed for each other by everything real -and imaginary, and put them round her neck, and seen and felt how full -of William and Edmund they were, she was able, without an effort, to -resolve on wearing Miss Crawford’s necklace too. She acknowledged it -to be right. Miss Crawford had a claim; and when it was no longer to -encroach on, to interfere with the stronger claims, the truer kindness -of another, she could do her justice even with pleasure to herself. -The necklace really looked very well; and Fanny left her room at last, -comfortably satisfied with herself and all about her.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br> -<span class="small">AT HOME AND ABROAD</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The truism that absence strengthens more ties than it weakens is -clearly demonstrated by the letters of the Austen family. In spite of -the difficulty of sending letters, and the doubt of their reaching -England, the brothers managed to get news through whenever it was -possible. To know that their efforts were appreciated one has only -to read how every scrap of this news was sent from one sister to the -other in the constant letters they interchanged on those rare occasions -when they were parted. The Austen family had always a certain reserve -in showing affection, but the feeling which appears in this longing -for tidings, in the gentle satires on small failings or transient -love-affairs of their brothers, combined with the occasional “dear -Frank” or “dear Charles,” was one which stood the test of time, and was -transmitted to the brothers’ children in a way that made the names of -“Aunt Jane” and “Aunt Cassandra” stand for all that was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> lovable in the -thoughts of their nephews and nieces.</p> - -<p>The scarcity of letters must have been a severe trial. Just at this -time, when those at home knew of Frank’s promotion, and he had as yet -no idea of it, the longing to send and receive news must have been -very great. He was hard at work in the summer of 1800 with Sir Sydney -Smith’s squadron off Alexandria. From there, early in July, he wrote -to Cassandra. This letter was received at Steventon on November 1, -when Cassandra was at Godmersham with Edward, so Jane sent her word of -its arrival. “We have at last heard from Frank; a letter from him to -you came yesterday, and I mean to send it on as soon as I can get a -ditto (that means a frank), which I hope to do in a day or two. <i>En -attendant</i>, you must rest satisfied with knowing that on the 8th of -July the <i>Peterel</i> with the rest of the Egyptian squadron was off -the Isle of Cyprus, whither they went from Jaffa for provisions, &c., -and whence they were to sail in a day or two for Alexandria, there to -await the English proposals for the evacuation of Egypt. The rest of -the letter, according to the present fashionable style of composition, -is chiefly descriptive. Of his promotion he knows nothing; of prizes he -is guiltless.”</p> - -<p>An event which would no doubt have made a point of interest in this -letter happened the day<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> after it was sent, but is recorded in the log -for July 9:</p> - -<p>“Received two oxen and fifty-two gallons of wine, being the -<i>Peterel’s</i> portion of a present from the Governor of the Island.”</p> - -<p>The same letter from Jane to her sister contains news of Charles, who -had been at home comparatively lately, and was on the <i>Endymion</i>, -which was “waiting only for orders, but may wait for them perhaps a -month.” Three weeks later he was at home again.</p> - -<p>“Naughty Charles did not come on Tuesday, but good Charles came -yesterday morning. About two o’clock he walked in on a Gosport hack. -His feeling equal to such a fatigue is a good sign, and his feeling no -fatigue a still better. He walked down to Deane to dinner, he danced -the whole evening, and to-day is no more tired than a gentleman ought -to be. Your desiring to hear from me on Sunday will, perhaps, bring -you a more particular account of the ball than you may care for, -because one is prone to think more of such things the morning after -they happen, than when time has entirely driven them out of one’s -recollection.</p> - -<p>“It was a pleasant evening; Charles found it remarkably so, but I -cannot tell why, unless the absence of Miss Terry, towards whom his -conscience reproaches him with being now perfectly indifferent, was a -relief to him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span></p> - -<p>“Summers has made my gown very well indeed, and I get more and more -pleased with it. Charles does not like it, but my father and Mary do. -My mother is very much resigned to it, and as for James he gives it the -preference over everything of the kind he ever saw, in proof of which I -am desired to say that if you like to sell yours Mary will buy it.</p> - -<p>“Farewell! Charles sends <i>you</i> his best love, and Edward his -worst. If you think the distinction improper, you may take the worst -yourself. He will write to you when he gets back to his ship, and in -the meantime desires that you will consider me as your affectionate -sister J. A.</p> - -<p>“P.S. Charles is in very good looks indeed....</p> - -<p>“I rejoice to say that we have just had another letter from our dear -Frank. It is to you, very short, written from Larnaca in Cyprus, and so -lately as October 2nd. He came from Alexandria, and was to return there -in three or four days, knew nothing of his promotion, and does not -write above twenty lines, from a doubt of the letter’s ever reaching -you, and an idea of all letters being opened at Vienna. He wrote a few -days before to you from Alexandria by the <i>Mercury</i>, sent with -despatches to Lord Keith. Another letter must be owing to us besides -this, <i>one</i> if not <i>two</i>; because none of these are for me.”</p> - -<p>The scenes of home life which these extracts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span> give us form a strong -contrast to the readings in the log of the <i>Peterel</i> between the -dates of Frank’s two letters.</p> - -<p>In spite of the fact that viewed as a whole this was a breathing space -between engagements, each side standing back to recover and to watch -for the next movement on the part of the other, yet, in detail, it was -a time of activity.</p> - -<p>Now and then, in the log, occurs the chace of a germe (or djerm) -carrying supplies for the French, and a boat expedition is organised to -cut out one or two of these craft, from an inlet where they had taken -refuge.</p> - -<p>“At twelve the boats returned without the germe, having perceived her -to be under the protection of a field piece and a body of soldiers.” -Next day one was captured “with only 17 bales of tobacco on board” -(Captain Austen was not a smoker). Then “condemned by survey the -remaining part of the best bower cable as unserviceable.” “Held a -survey on and condemned a cask of rice.” “The senior lieutenant was -surveyed by the surgeons of the squadron and found to be a fit object -for invaliding.”</p> - -<p>The next incident is described in the following report:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>Peterel</i>, <span class="smcap">off Alexandria</span>, <i>August 14, 1800</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—On the morning of the 10th, the day subsequent -to my parting with the <i>Tigre</i>, I joined<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span> the Turkish -squadron off this place, consisting of one ship of the line, -and three corvettes under the command of Injee Bey, captain -of the gallies, with whom I concerted on the most proper -distribution of the force left with him. It was finally agreed -that one corvette should be stationed off Aboukir, a second -off Alexandria, and the third off the Tower of Marabout, the -line-of-battle ship and the <i>Peterel</i> occasionally to -visit the different points of the station as we might judge -fit. It blowing too hard to admit of any germes passing, I -thought it advisable to stretch to the westward as far as the -Arab’s Tower, off which I continued till the afternoon of the -12th, when I stood back to the eastward, and was somewhat -surprised to see none of the Turkish squadron off Alexandria. -At 8 o’clock the following morning, having an offing of three -or four leagues, I stood in for the land, and in about an hour -saw three of the Turkish ships a long way to the Eastward, -and the fourth, which proved to be the line-of-battle ship, -laying totally dismasted, on the Reef, about halfway between -the Castle and Island of Aboukir. Thinking it possible, from -what little I knew of Aboukir Bay, to get the <i>Peterel</i> -within gunshot of her, and by that means to disperse the swarm -of germes which surrounded her, and whose crews I could plainly -discern busy in plundering, I stood in round the east side of -the island, and anchored<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span> in quarter less four fathoms, a long -gunshot distance from her, and sent Mr. Thompson, the master, -in the pinnace to sound in a direction towards her, in order -to ascertain whether it was practicable to get any nearer with -the ship, and if he met with no resistance (the germes having -all made sail before we anchored) to board and set fire to -the wreck. Though it blew very strong, and the boat had to -row nearly two miles, almost directly to windward, yet by the -great exertions of the officers and boat’s crew, in an hour and -twenty minutes I had the satisfaction of seeing the wreck in -a perfect blaze, and the boat returning. Mr. Thompson brought -back with him thirteen Greek sailors, part of the crew, and one -Arab left in their hurry by the germes.</p> - -<p>“From the Greeks I collected that the ship went on shore while -in the act of wearing about 9 o’clock on the night of the 11th, -that about half the crew had been taken on board the corvettes, -and the Bey, with the principal part of the officers and the -rest of the crew, having surrendered to the French, had landed -the next evening at Aboukir. At the time we stood in, the -French had 300 men at work on board the wreck, endeavouring to -save the guns, but had only succeeded in landing one from the -quarter-deck.</p> - -<p>“Shortly after my anchoring I sent an officer to the corvette, -which had followed us in, and anchored<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span> near to us, to inform -their commander what I proposed doing, and to desire the -assistance of their boats in case of resistance from any -persons who might be remaining on board the wreck, a demand -which they did not think proper to comply with, alleging that, -as all the cloathes, &c., had been landed, there was nothing of -value remaining, and besides that it would be impossible to get -on board, as the French had a guard of soldiers in her.</p> - -<p>“I cannot sufficiently praise the zeal and activity with which -Mr. Thompson and the nine men with him performed this service, -by which I trust the greatest part, if not all, of the guns, -and other useful parts of the wreck, have been prevented from -falling into the hands of the enemy. The thirteen Greeks I sent -on board one of the Turkish corvettes, and intend, as soon as I -have communication with the shore, to land the Arab.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 6.5em;">“I have the honour to be, Sir,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 5.5em;">“Your obedient servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Francis Wm. Austen</span>.<br> -</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 18em;">“To Sir Sydney Smith, K.S.,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 9em;">“Senior officer of H.M. Ships and Vessels</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 14em;">“employed in the Levant.”</span><br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>The French were quite ready to take possession of all that the -predatory Arab germes were likely to leave on board the Turkish -line-of-battle ship.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span> There was of course much less difficulty in -getting the <i>Peterel</i> into Aboukir Bay than in navigating the -larger corvettes of the Turks; but, where Nelson had brought in his -fleet, before the Battle of the Nile, there was water enough for any -vessel, if properly handled.</p> - -<p>The following letters give the conclusion of the matter:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">His Britannic Majesty’s Sloop</span> <i>Peterel</i>, <span class="smcap">off Alexandria</span>,<br> -“<i>August 16, 1800</i>. -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I avail myself of the present flag to set on -shore with an unconditional release eleven Arabs, prisoners -of war. Should it be not inconsistent with the instructions -you may be acting under, the release of an equal number of the -subjects of the Sublime Porte will be considered as a fair -return.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 7em;">“I have the honour to be, &c.,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 3.5em;">“Your obedient servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">F. W. Austen.</span><br> -<br> -<span style="margin-right: 15em;">“To General Lanusse,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 10em;">“Commandant of Alexandria.”</span><br> -</p> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right p2"> -“<i>Peterel</i>, <span class="smcap">off Alexandria</span>, <i>August 7</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—The <i>King George</i> transport is this -morning arrived here from Rhodes, and as I find, by the report -of the master, that the object of his mission in landing the -powder has not been accomplished, I shall send him off directly -with orders to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span> follow you agreeable to given rendezvous.... -I enclose herewith a letter received five days ago by a -Turkish transport from Jaffa; one from myself containing the -particulars of the loss of the Turkish line-of-battle ship, a -copy of my letter to General Lanusse, which accompanied the -Arabs on shore yesterday (the first day since my leaving the -<i>Tigre</i>, that the weather has been sufficiently moderate -to admit of communicating with the shore), and lastly a letter -from the Vizir, which I received yesterday from Jaffa by a -Turkish felucca. As the weather becomes more settled I hope to -annoy the germes, though I must not count on any support or -assistance from the Turks, as Injee Bey, when I first joined -him, declared he had received directions from the Capitan Pacha -not to molest them. Two of the corvettes are gone to join the -Capitan Pacha, but this I learnt only two days after they went. -The officer who accompanied the flag yesterday could not obtain -any certain intelligence of Captain Boyle and his people, for -in answer to his inquiries he was told they were still at or -near Cairo.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 4em;">“I have the honour to be, &c.</span><br> -<br> -<span style="margin-right: 7em;">“To Sir Wm. Sydney Smith, K.S.,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 2em;">“Senior officer of H.M. Ships and Vessels</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 6em;">“employed in the Levant.”</span><br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>This Capitan Pacha was a man of some note.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span> His career is an -example of the inefficacy of the greatest talents under such a -government as that of Turkey. He was in every way an able man—strong -and determined—considering all circumstances not to be called -cruel—enlightened in his ideas. His chief lack was that of education, -but he was anxious to learn from all. He had great respect for -Europeans and sympathy with their outlook. Altogether, though he did -a great work for the Turkish navy—improving the construction of the -ships—taking care that the officers should be properly educated, and -drawing the supply of men from the best possible sources, and all this -in a country where reform seemed a hopeless task, yet, so great was the -power of his personality, that one is more surprised that he did so -little than that he did so much.</p> - -<p>The Captain Courtenay Boyle spoken of in this letter was evidently -an acquaintance of the family, as we find him mentioned in one of -Jane’s letters. His ship, the <i>Cormorant</i>, had been wrecked on -the Egyptian coast, and the whole crew made prisoners by the French. -He must have obtained his release very shortly afterwards, for the -following letter from Jane to Cassandra was clearly written when the -family at Steventon were looking forward to Frank’s return, but before -they had direct news from himself:</p> - -<p>“I should not have thought it necessary to write<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span> to you so soon, but -for the arrival of a letter from Charles to myself. It was written -last Saturday from off the Start, and conveyed to Popham Lane by -Captain Boyle, on his way to Midgham. He came from Lisbon in the -<i>Endymion</i>. I will copy Charles’s account of his conjectures -about Frank: ‘He has not seen my brother lately, nor does he expect -to find him arrived, as he met Captain Inglis at Rhodes, going up to -take command of the <i>Peterel</i> as he was coming down; but supposes -he will arrive in less than a fortnight from this time, in some ship -which is expected to reach England about that time with despatches from -Sir Ralph Abercrombie.’ The event must show what sort of a conjurer -Captain Boyle is. The <i>Endymion</i> has not been plagued with any -more prizes. Charles spent three pleasant days in Lisbon. When this -letter was written, the <i>Endymion</i> was becalmed, but Charles -hoped to reach Portsmouth by Monday or Tuesday. He received my letter, -communicating our plans, before he left England; was much surprised, of -course, but is quite reconciled to them, and means to come to Steventon -once more while Steventon is ours.”</p> - -<p>Captain Charles Inglis, who was to succeed Francis Austen, had served -as lieutenant in the <i>Penelope</i>, and specially distinguished -himself in the capture of the <i>Guillaume Tell</i>.</p> - -<p>While these conjectures as to Frank’s whereabouts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span> and the possible -date of his return were passing between his relations at home, he -had been still pursuing the ordinary round of duties such as are -described in this letter, quite ignorant until the actual event of any -approaching change either for them or for himself.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I have to inform you that I anchored with his -Majesty’s sloop under my command at Larnaca on the evening of -the 1st instant, where I completed my water, and purchased -as much wine as the ship would stow, but was not able to -procure any bread, as from the great exports of corn which -have been lately made to supply the Vizir’s army in Syria, -the inhabitants are almost in a state of famine. I sailed -from Larnaca the evening of the 6th, and anchored here on the -9th at noon. As I had only five days’ bread on board I have -judged it proper to take on board 50 quintals of that which had -been prepared for the <i>Tigre</i>, and not being acquainted -with the price agreed on, have directed the purser to leave a -certificate with the Dragoman of the Porte, for the quantity -received, that it may be included with the <i>Tigre’s</i> -vouchers, and settled for with the purser of that ship.</p> - -<p>“The Governor of Nicosia made application to me yesterday in -the name of the Capitan Pacha for assistance to enable him to -get a gun on shore<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span> from one of the gun-boats which has been -wrecked here, which, tho’ I knew would detain me a day, I -thought it right to comply with; the gun has been to-day got -on shore, and I am now going to weigh. I propose stretching -more towards Alexandria if the wind is not very unfavourable, -and should I find no counter orders, shall afterwards put in -execution the latter part of yours of the 23rd ult.</p> - -<p>“I have directed the captain of the <i>Kirling Gech</i>, -which I found here on my arrival without orders, to wait till -the 16th for the arrival of the <i>Tigre</i>, when, if not -otherwise directed, to proceed to Rhodes, and follow such -orders or information as he may obtain there.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 3em;">“I have the honor to be, &c.,</span><br> -“To Sir Sydney Smith.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>“The latter part of yours of the 23rd” possibly refers to instructions -to proceed to Rhodes, for we find in the log that the <i>Peterel</i> -went on there early in October, and there at last Captain Austen was -greeted with the news of his promotion to Post Rank. The <i>Peterel</i> -anchored in the Road of Rhodes at ten o’clock on the morning of October -20, where the <i>Tigre</i> was 21 days at anchor, and at this point the -private log of the <i>Peterel</i> stops short.</p> - -<p>Although we have no account from Francis<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span> Austen himself of his -meeting with Captain Inglis, he evidently wrote a lively description -of the incident to his sisters. Jane writes from Steventon on January -21st to Cassandra: “Well, and so Frank’s letter has made you very -happy, but you are afraid he would not have patience to stay for the -<i>Haarlem</i>, which you wish him to have done, as being safer than -the merchantman.” Frank’s great desire was clearly to get home as soon -as possible after an absence of nearly three years. It is curious to -think of the risks supposed to be incurred by passengers on board a -merchantman.</p> - -<p>The following comment on the colour of the ink is amply borne out in -the log: “Poor fellow! to wait from the middle of November to the end -of December, and perhaps even longer, it must be sad work; especially -in a place where the ink is so abominably pale. What a surprise to him -it must have been on October 20th to be visited, collared, and thrust -out of the <i>Peterel</i> by Captain Inglis. He kindly passes over the -poignancy of his feelings in quitting his ship, his officers, and his -men.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp58" id="i_108fp" style="max-width: 39.1875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_108fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">THE WAY TO CHURCH FROM PORTSDOWN LODGE<br> - - (<i>When the forts were constructed, this avenue was cut -down.</i>)</div> -</div> -<p>“What a pity it is that he should not be in England at the time of -this promotion, because he certainly would have had an appointment, so -everybody says, and therefore it must be right for me to say it too. -Had he been really here, the certainty of the appointment, I dare say, -would not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span> have been half so great; as it could not be brought to -the proof, his absence will be always a lucky source of regret.”</p> - -<p>The “promotion” spoken of in this letter was extensive, and took place -on January 1, 1801, on the occasion of the union of Great Britain -and Ireland. At the same time there was an increase in the number of -line-of-battle ships which is commented on with reference to Charles.</p> - -<p>“Eliza talks of having read in a newspaper that all the 1st lieutenants -of the frigates whose captains were to be sent into line-of-battle -ships were to be promoted to the rank of commanders. If it be true, -Mr. Valentine may afford himself a fine Valentine’s knot, and Charles -may perhaps become 1st of the <i>Endymion</i>, though I suppose -Captain Durham is too likely to bring a villain with him under that -denomination.”</p> - -<p>The letters give no account of the home-coming, but from the story of -William Price’s return in “Mansfield Park,” we can see that Jane knew -something of the mingled feelings of such a meeting.</p> - -<p>“This dear William would soon be amongst them.... Scarcely ten days had -passed since Fanny had been in the agitation of her first dinner visit, -when she found herself in an agitation of a higher nature ... watching -in the hall, in the lobby, on the stairs, for the first sound of the -carriage which was to bring her a brother.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p> - -<p>“It was long before Fanny could recover from the agitating happiness of -such an hour as was formed by the last thirty minutes of expectation -and the first of fruition.</p> - -<p>“It was some time even before her happiness could be said to make -her happy, before the disappointment inseparable from the alteration -of person had vanished, and she could see in him the same William as -before, and talk to him as her heart had been yearning to do through -many a past year.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br> -<span class="small">BLOCKADING BOULOGNE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Francis Austen’s first appointment on his promotion to post rank was to -the <i>Neptune</i>, as Flag-Captain to Admiral James Gambier. It was -not usual for an Admiral to choose as his Flag-Captain one who had so -lately gained the step in rank. It is clear from the letters of Francis -Austen at this time that he, in common with many officers in the Navy, -was bent on improvements in the food and general comforts of the crews. -Francis Austen’s capacity for detail would here stand him in good -stead. There is one letter of his concerning the best way of preserving -cheeses, which is a good example of his interest in the small things -of his profession. He had, on the advice of Admiral Gambier, made the -experiment of coating some cheeses with whitewash in order to keep them -in good condition in hot weather, and had found it very successful. -He thereupon wrote to the Admiralty Commissioners recommending that -all cheeses should be so treated before being<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span> shipped, in order that -the men might have “more wholesome and nutritive food,” and also -“that a material ultimate saving to the public may be effected at an -inconsiderable first cost.”</p> - -<p>We have not far to look for a parallel to this love of detail in the -works of Jane Austen. Admirers and detractors are agreed in saying that -she thought nothing too unimportant to be of interest, and in allowing -the justice of her own description of her work—“the little bit (two -inches wide) of ivory on which I work with so fine a brush, as produces -little effect after much labour.” There is no doubt that naval officers -must often have felt in their dealings with the Admiralty that they -produced “little effect after much labour.”</p> - -<p>A curious point of etiquette in connection with these letters is that -the Commissioners invariably signed themselves “Your affectionate -friends,” followed by the names of those concerned in the business.</p> - -<p>At the peace of Amiens, Francis Austen, among many other officers, -went on half-pay; but when war broke out again in 1803, we find him at -Ramsgate, employed in raising a body of “Sea Fencibles.” This service -was instituted chiefly on the advice of Captain Popham, who had tried -something of the same kind in Flanders in 1793.</p> - -<p>The object, of course, was to protect the coast from invasion. The -corps was composed of fishermen,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span> commanded in each district by an -officer in the Navy, whose duty it was to quarter the men on the beach, -exercise them, and to have the beaches watched whenever the weather was -favourable for the enemy to land. The men were exercised once a week, -and were paid at the rate of a shilling a day, with a food allowance -when on service.</p> - -<p>Captain Austen’s report on the coast of the district lying between -the North Foreland and Sandown is a document of considerable detail, -dealing with the possible landing-places for a hostile army. He comes -to the conclusion that in moderate weather a landing might be effected -on many parts of this coast, particularly in Pegwell Bay, where “the -enemy would have no heights to gain,” and, further, “that any time of -tide would be equally favourable for the debarkation of troops on this -shore.” But “in blowing weather, open flat boats filled with troops -would doubtless many of them be lost in the surf, while larger vessels -could not, from the flatness of the coast, approach sufficiently near.” -Of course, all is subject to “the enemy’s evading our cruisers, and -getting past the ships in the Downs.”</p> - -<p>This time at Ramsgate was of importance to Francis, for it was here -that he met, and became engaged to, Mary Gibson, who was his wife for -seventeen years. This engagement, though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span> “Mrs. F. A.” became one of -the best loved of the sisters-in-law, must at the outset have been a -slight shock to Jane and Cassandra, who for long had been cherishing a -hope that Frank would marry their beloved friend Martha Lloyd. A few -extracts taken from the letters will show their affection and their -hopes.</p> - -<p>“I love Martha better than ever, and I mean to go and see her, if I -can, when she gets home.... I shall be very glad to see you at home -again, and then—if we can get Martha—who will be so happy as we?... -I am quite pleased with Martha and Mrs. Lefroy for wanting the pattern -of our caps, but I am not so well pleased with your giving it to them. -Some wish, some prevailing wish, is necessary to the animation of -everybody’s mind, and in gratifying this you leave them to form some -other which will probably not be half so innocent. I shall not forget -to write to Frank.”</p> - -<p>The connection of ideas seems very clear. Perhaps it may have been some -memory of these old times, and the wishes of his sister who had passed -away, that induced Francis to make Martha his second wife in 1828.</p> - -<p>That their religious life was the mainspring of all their actions is -sufficiently clear throughout the whole lives of the two brothers. -During this time at Ramsgate, Francis was noticed as “<i>the</i> -officer who knelt in church,” and up to the day<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span> of his death there -is one entry never absent from the diary of Charles Austen—“Read the -Lessons of the Day.”</p> - -<p>In May 1804 Captain Francis Austen was appointed to the <i>Leopard</i>, -the flagship of Rear-Admiral Louis, who held a command in the squadron -blockading Napoleon’s Boulogne flotilla. This flotilla, begun in -1802, had by 1804 assumed very large proportions. With the object of -stirring up the descendants of the Norman conquerors to a new invasion -of England, Napoleon, always dramatic in his effects, made a progress -through the maritime provinces attended by the Bayeux Tapestry, the -display of which was expected to arouse much martial ardour. It was -assumed that his great army of veteran soldiers, encamped above the -cliffs of Boulogne, was only waiting for favourable weather to embark -on board the two thousand flat-bottomed boats. His review of this fleet -in August 1804 was, however, so seriously disturbed by one or two of -the British men-of-war that the new Emperor was obliged to recognise -the impossibility of crossing the Channel unless he had the command of -(at least) the narrow seas.</p> - -<p>All the naval history that follows, up to the day of Trafalgar, was the -outcome of his attempt to obtain this superiority for his “Grand Army -of England.” The failure of Villeneuve, on his return<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span> from the West -Indies, to reach the appointed rendezvous with Ganteaume off Brest, -broke up Napoleon’s combination; the army marched to Austerlitz and -Vienna, the flotilla was left to decay, and the site of the two years’ -camp is commemorated only by the Column of Napoleon himself.</p> - -<p>The work of watching Boulogne and the neighbouring ports was, in common -with all other blockades, as a contemporary writer says, “a trial -to the temper, spirits and health of officers and men.” There was a -strong feeling in England against this system, which seems to have been -popular with naval authorities. This opinion is voiced in the following -cutting from the <i>Naval Chronicle</i> of that date:</p> - -<p>“Were it indeed possible to keep so strict a watch on the -hostile shores that every effort of the enemy to escape -from the ports would be unavailing, that the fortuitous -circumstances of calms, fogs, gales, the obscurity of the -night, &c., would not in any degree advance his purposes, -then would the eventual mischief inseparable from a blockade, -by which our marine is threatened, find a compensation in -our immediate security. But until this can be effected with -a certainty of success, the national interests ought not to -be compromised, and our future offensive and defensive means -unnecessarily abridged.” This extract is perhaps of greater<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span> -interest as an example of the journalese of the date, than for -any unusual depth in the ideas which it expresses, which merely -amount to the fact that it was considered that the “game was -not worth the candle.”</p> - -<p>Against this we may set another view of the blockades as expressed by -Dr. Fitchett:</p> - -<p>“It was one of the compensations of these great blockades that -they raised the standard of seamanship and endurance throughout -the British fleets to the highest possible level. The lonely -watches, the sustained vigilance, the remoteness from all -companionship, the long wrestle with the forces of the sea, the -constant watching for battle, which for English seamen marked -those blockades, profoundly affected the character of English -seamanship. When, indeed, has the world seen such seamen as -those of the years preceding Trafalgar? Hardy, resolute, -careless alike of tempest or of battle; of frames as enduring -as the oaken decks they trod, and courage as iron as the guns -they worked; and as familiar with sea-life and all its chances -as though they had been web-footed.</p> - -<p>“If the great blockades hardened the seamanship of the British -fleets, fighting for long months with the tempests of the -open sea, they fatally enervated the seamanship of the French -navy. The seaman’s art under the tri-colour decayed in <span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span>the -long inaction of blockaded ports. The seaman’s spirit drooped. -The French navy suffered curious and fatal loss, not only of -nautical skill but of fighting impulse.”</p> - -<p>Nelson’s comment is opportune: “These gentlemen are not accustomed to a -Gulf of Lyons gale, which we have buffeted for twenty-one months, and -not carried away a spar.”</p> - -<p>Captain Austen’s idea of the best way to minimise the evils of a -blockade was to give the men as much work to do as possible in the -care of the ship. At one time this took the form of having the boats -re-painted. Over this question we have the following characteristic -letter:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>Leopard</i>, <span class="smcap">Dungeness</span>, <i>June 23, 1804</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I have received your letter of 21st instant, -relative to the paint and oil I have demanded for the -preservation of the boats of his Majesty’s ship under my -command, and in reply to it beg leave to inform you that I -did not make that demand without having previously stated to -the Navy Board by letter the situation of the boats of the -<i>Leopard</i>, and the necessity of an extra proportion of -paint being supplied for them; and as by their answer they -appeared to have approved of my application, inasmuch as they -told me orders had been sent to Deal to issue it, I concluded -nothing more remained for me than to demand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span> the necessary -quantity. Presuming, however, from the tenor of your letter, -that you have received no direction on the subject, I shall -write to renew my application.</p> - -<p>“With respect to ‘no colour than white being allowed for -boats,’ I would only ask you, as knowing something of the -King’s naval service, how long one of our six-oared cutters -would look decent painted all white, and whether a darker -colour would not be both more durable and creditable? If, -however, such be the regulation of the Board (from which I know -there is no appeal), I have only to request, when you receive -any order to supply the paint, that you will give an additional -quantity of white in lieu of black.</p> - -<p>“The paint to which you allude in your letter as having been -supplied on the 9th and 12th June, was sea store, and ought to -have been furnished to the ship months ago. Nor is it more than -sufficient to make her decent and fit for an Admiral to hoist -his flag in.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 4.5em;">“I am, Sir, your humble servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Francis Wm. Austen</span>.<br> -<br> -<span style="margin-right: 6.5em;">“Geo. Lawrence, Esq., &c., &c.”</span><br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>Shingle ballast was one of the grievances of naval officers at that -time. It was, naturally, much cheaper than iron ballast, but it had -a particularly awkward habit of shifting, and the larger stones<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span> -occasionally drilled holes in the ship. It was also very bulky and -difficult to stow.</p> - -<p>Francis Austen was neither slow to enter a protest, nor easily put off -his point. He writes:</p> - -<p>“Though the ship is deep enough in the water, she can only acquire the -proper stability by having the weight placed lower. By a letter which I -have this day received from the Navy Board in answer to my request, I -am informed that the <i>Leopard</i> cannot be supplied with more than -the established proportion of iron ballast, but if I wish for more -directions shall be given for supplying shingle. I have, therefore, to -request you will be pleased to move their Lordships to give directions -for the <i>Leopard’s</i> being supplied with the additional <i>iron -ballast</i> as requested in my letter to the Navy Board.”</p> - -<p>About this time Francis Austen began to keep a private note-book, which -is still in existence, in which he recorded (not always seriously) -points of interest in the places he visited. He seems to have kept -this note-book while he was in the <i>Leopard</i>, then laid it aside -for three years, and begun it again when he was Captain of the <i>St. -Albans</i>. His notes on the “Anchorage Off Boulogne” contain some -interesting details.</p> - -<p>“Directions for Sailing into the Roads.—There is no danger whatever -in approaching the anchorage usually occupied by the English squadron<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span> -employed at the blockade of Boulogne, as the water is deep and the -soundings are regular. There is a bank called the ‘Basse du Basse,’ -which lies about a mile off Ambleteuse, extending in a direction nearly -parallel to the shore, but rather diverging outwards to the westward -of Boulogne Pier; on it there are in some places as little as three -fathoms at low water, and within it considerably deeper water.” He goes -on with some special advice for the various types of vessel.</p> - -<p>“The situation usually occupied by the British squadron off Boulogne -is, with the town bearing from S.S.E. to E.S.E., distant about four -miles, in from 16 to 20 fathoms water; coarse sandy bottom, with large -shells and stones, which would probably injure the cables materially, -but that from the depth of water and strength of the tides, little of -them can ever drag on the bottom.</p> - -<p>“From Cape Grisnez to Portel the coast is little else than one -continual battery, and I conceive it to be absolutely impregnable -to any attack from the sea. Of its defences towards the land I -know nothing. I had no means of knowing anything relative to the -landing-places.</p> - -<p>“Trade.—On this point I had no means of acquiring any certain -information, but believe, previous to the war with England, it was a -place of great resort for our smuggling vessels from the Kentish coast. -As it is a tide harbour, and completely dry<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span> at low water, no vessels -of very large draught of water can go in, nor anything larger than a -boat until nearly half flood.”</p> - -<p>A hundred years have wrought great changes. The Folkestone and Boulogne -steamers have some larger dimensions than the <i>Leopard</i> herself, -and they go in and out at all states of the tide.</p> - -<p>One heading is always devoted to “Inhabitants,” and under this Francis -Austen remarks: “The inhabitants are French, subjects to Napoleon -the First, lately exalted to the Imperial dignity by the unanimous -suffrages of himself and his creatures.” The sarcastic tone of the -reference to Napoleon was characteristic of the general tenor of -publications in England at the time. “The Tom Thumb egotism and -impudent bulletins of the Corsican usurper continue almost without a -parallel in history,” says the <i>Naval Chronicle</i>. The language -in which this protest is couched is hardly that we should use now in -speaking of Napoleon.</p> - -<p>Charles, when the war broke out again, was reappointed to the -<i>Endymion</i>, and served on her with some distinction until October -1804, when he was given the command of the <i>Indian</i> sloop.</p> - -<p>Among other prizes taken under Captain Paget, who finally recommended -Lieutenant Charles Austen for command, the <i>Endymion</i> had captured -the French corvette <i>Bacchante</i> on the return voyage from St. -Domingo to Brest; she had left<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span> France about three months before, -meeting with the <i>Endymion</i> on June 25, 1803. This prize was a -remarkably fine corvette, and was added to the British Navy.</p> - -<p>Somewhere about this time Charles had come across Lord Leven and his -family, and was evidently useful to them in some way, besides being -doubtless extremely agreeable. When Lord and Lady Leven were in Bath, -they made some effort to become acquainted with the family of Mr. -Austen, and Jane writes to Cassandra describing a visit paid one -morning by her mother and herself:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“When I tell you I have been visiting a countess this morning, -you will immediately (with great justice, but no truth) guess -it to be Lady Roden. No; it is Lady Leven, the mother of Lord -Balgonie. On receiving a message from Lord and Lady Leven -through the Mackys, declaring their intention of waiting on us, -we thought it right to go to them. I hope we have not done too -much, but friends and admirers of Charles must be attended to. -They seem very reasonable, good sort of people, very civil, -and full of his praise. We were shown at first into an empty -drawing-room, and presently in came his lordship (not knowing -who we were) to apologise for the servant’s mistake, and to -say himself—what was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> untrue—that Lady Leven was not within. -He is a tall, gentleman-like looking man, with spectacles, and -rather deaf. After sitting with him ten minutes we walked away, -but Lady Leven coming out of the dining-parlour as we passed -the door, we were obliged to attend her back to it, and pay our -visit over again. She is a stout woman, with a very handsome -face. By this means we had the pleasure of hearing Charles’s -praises twice over. They think themselves excessively obliged -to him, and estimate him so highly as to wish Lord Balgonie, -when he is quite recovered, to go out to him.</p> - -<p>“There is a pretty little Lady Marianne of the party to be -shaken hands with, and asked if she remembered Mr. Austen.... I -shall write to Charles by the next packet, unless you tell me -in the meantime of your intending to do it.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 5em;">“Believe me, if you chuse,</span><br> -“Your affectionate sister.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>In January 1805, just before Francis Austen was moved from the -<i>Leopard</i> to the <i>Canopus</i>, and a few months after Charles -had taken command of the <i>Indian</i>, a family sorrow came upon them. -Jane wrote twice to tell the news to Frank, as the first letter was -directed to Dungeness, in the belief that the <i>Leopard</i> was there, -instead of at Portsmouth.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp30" id="i_124fp" style="max-width: 30em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_124fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">MRS. AUSTEN</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 0em;">“<span class="smcap">Green Park Buildings</span>,</span><br> -“Monday, <i>January 21, 1805</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Frank</span>,—I have melancholy news to relate, -and sincerely feel for your feelings under the shock of it. -I wish I could better prepare you for it, but, having said -so much, your mind will already foretell the sort of event -which I have to communicate. Our dear father has closed -his virtuous and happy life in a death almost as free from -suffering as his children could have wished. He was taken ill -on Saturday morning, exactly in the same way as heretofore—an -oppression in the head, with fever, violent tremulousness, -and the greatest degree of feebleness. The same remedy of -cupping, which had before been so successful, was immediately -applied to, but without such happy effects. The attack was -more violent, and at first he seemed scarcely at all relieved -by the operation. Towards the evening, however, he got better, -had a tolerable night, and yesterday morning was so greatly -amended as to get up, join us at breakfast as usual, and walk -about without the help of a stick; and every symptom was then -so favourable that, when Bowen saw him at one, he felt sure of -his doing perfectly well. But as the day advanced all these -comfortable appearances gradually changed, the fever grew -stronger than ever, and when Bowen saw him at ten at night he -pronounced his situation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span> to be most alarming. At nine this -morning he came again, and by his desire a physician was called -in, Dr. Gibbs. But it was then absolutely a lost case. Dr. -Gibbs said that nothing but a miracle could save him, and about -twenty minutes after ten he drew his last gasp. Heavy as is the -blow, we can already feel that a thousand comforts remain to us -to soften it. Next to that of the consciousness of his worth -and constant preparation for another world, is the remembrance -of his having suffered, comparatively speaking, nothing. Being -quite insensible of his own state, he was spared all pain of -separation, and he went off almost in his sleep. My mother -bears the shock as well as possible; she was quite prepared -for it, and feels all the blessing of his being spared a long -illness. My uncle and aunt have been with us, and show us every -imaginable kindness. And to-morrow we shall, I dare say, have -the comfort of James’ presence, as an express has been sent -for him. We write also, of course, to Godmersham and Brompton. -Adieu, my dearest Frank. The loss of such a parent must be -felt, or we should be brutes. I wish I could give you a better -preparation, but it has been impossible.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">“Yours ever affectionately,</span><br> -“J. A.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>As this letter was wrongly addressed, it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span> necessary for Jane to -write a second one to send direct to Portsmouth.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 0em;">“<span class="smcap">Green Park Buildings</span>,</span><br> -“Tuesday Evening, <i>January 22, 1805</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Frank</span>,—I wrote to you yesterday, but -your letter to Cassandra this morning, by which we learn -the probability of your being by this time at Portsmouth, -obliges me to write to you again, having, unfortunately, a -communication as necessary as painful to make to you. Your -affectionate heart will be greatly wounded, and I wish the -shock could have been lessened by a better preparation; but -the event has been sudden, and so must be the information of -it. We have lost an excellent father. An illness of only eight -and forty hours carried him off yesterday morning between -ten and eleven. He was seized on Saturday with a return of -the feverish complaint which he had been subject to for the -last three years—evidently a more violent attack from the -first, as the applications which had before produced almost -immediate relief seemed for some time to afford him scarcely -any. On Sunday, however, he was much better—so much so as to -make Bowen quite easy, and give us every hope of his being -well again in a few days. But these hopes gradually gave way -as the day advanced, and when Bowen saw him at ten that night -he was greatly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span> alarmed. A physician was called in yesterday -morning, but he was at that time past all possibility of cure; -and Dr. Gibbs and Mr. Bowen had scarcely left his room before -he sunk into a sleep from which he never awoke. Everything, -I trust and believe, was done for him that was possible. It -has been very sudden. Within twenty-four hours of his death -he was walking about with only the help of a stick—was even -reading. We had, however, some hours of preparation, and when -we understood his recovery to be hopeless, most fervently did -we pray for the speedy release which ensued. To have seen -him languishing long, struggling for hours, would have been -dreadful—and, thank God, we were all spared from it. Except -the restlessness and confusion of high fever, he did not -suffer, and he was mercifully spared from knowing that he was -about to quit objects so beloved and so fondly cherished as his -wife and children ever were. His tenderness as a father, who -can do justice to? My mother is tolerably well; she bears up -with the greatest fortitude, but I fear her health must suffer -under such a shock. An express was sent for James, and he -arrived here this morning before eight o’clock. The funeral is -to be on Saturday at Walcot Church. The serenity of the corpse -is most delightful. It preserves the sweet, benevolent smile -which always distinguished him. They kindly press my mother<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span> -to remove to Steventon as soon as it is all over, but I do not -believe she will leave Bath at present. We must have this house -for three months longer, and here we shall probably stay till -the end of that time. We all unite in love, and I am</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 2em;">“Affectionately yours,</span><br> -“J. A.” -</p> -</div> - -<p>This was followed in a few days by another.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 0em;">“<span class="smcap">Green Park Buildings</span>,</span><br> -“Tuesday, <i>January 29, 1805</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Frank</span>,—My mother has found among our -dear father’s little personal property a small astronomical -instrument, which she hopes you will accept for his sake. -It is, I believe, a compass and sun-dial, and is in a black -shagreen case. Would you have it sent to you now—and with what -direction? There is also a pair of scissors for you. We hope -these are articles that may be useful to you, but we are sure -they will be valuable. I have not time for more.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 2.5em;">“Yours very affectionately,</span><br> -“J. A.” -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br> -<span class="small">THE PURSUIT OF VILLENEUVE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>For a little over a year Francis Austen was Flag-Captain in the -<i>Canopus</i>. This ship, which had been captured from the French at -the Battle of the Nile, had originally been called <i>Le Franklin</i>, -and was one of the best built vessels in the Navy of that day, carrying -eighty guns.</p> - -<p>On March 29, 1805, Rear-Admiral Louis hoisted his flag in the -<i>Canopus</i>, and soon afterwards became second in command to Nelson.</p> - -<p>Perhaps few, even among British captains of that day, were engaged in -search of French fleets across the Atlantic twice within a twelvemonth, -but the story in the log-book of the <i>Canopus</i> for that year tells -of the chase of Villeneuve before Trafalgar, of the second cruise and -of the battle of St. Domingo, followed by the return voyage to England -with three French line-of-battle ships as prizes.</p> - -<p>The subtle strategy of the Emperor Napoleon, with the counter-strokes -of Nelson and the British<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span> Admiralty, have been often described; but -the history of those months, told day by day in the log-book of the -<i>Canopus</i>, has a freshness of detail which gives reality to such -stock phrases as “contrary winds” or “strange sails,” and makes one -recognise that it was the men at sea who really did the work.</p> - -<p>The escape of Villeneuve’s fleet from Toulon begins the series of -events in 1805 which led up to the Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon’s -original plan has since become well known.</p> - -<p>Villeneuve was to be joined in the West Indies by the combined fleets -under Ganteaume from Brest, and Missiessy from Rochefort. The force -thus gathered was to cross the Atlantic, gain possession of the narrow -seas by overpowering the Channel fleet, and then the long-threatened -invasion of England was to be attempted by the Grand Army, embarked in -the Boulogne flotilla.</p> - -<p>The plan was so far forward that the fleet from Toulon was already at -sea, and the Rochefort squadron had reached the West Indies. It only -remained to get the Brest fleet out of harbour. This was, however, -exactly where the plan failed. The blockading force was not to be moved -and could not be eluded. False news of troubles in India and false -declarations of intentions were all unavailing; and even the bluff in -the French papers that, so far from waiting till the British<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span> would -let them go, the French fleet could and would sail whenever it was -convenient, did not effect the withdrawal of a single British ship -from Ushant. At the same time the fact that the Toulon fleet was at -large was enough to cause anxiety to Nelson, especially as it was quite -impossible to tell what might be Villeneuve’s orders. Nelson supposed -him to be making for Egypt, and took up a position accordingly midway -between Sardinia and Africa.</p> - -<p>The fleet with Nelson at this time is recorded in the log of the -<i>Canopus</i> as follows:</p> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align: top"> 100</td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align: top"> <i>Victory</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> Rt. Honble. Lord Viscount Nelson, K.B., Vice-Admiral of the White, &c. &c.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl hang"> Rear-Admiral George Murray, Capt. of the Fleet.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl hang"> Captain Thomas Hardy.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align: top"> 100 </td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align: top"> <i>Royal Sovereign</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> Sir Richard Bickerton, Baronet, Rear-Admiral of the Red.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl hang"> Captain John Stuart.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align: top"> 80 </td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align: top"> <i>Canopus</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> Thomas Louis, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the Blue.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl hang"> Captain F. W. Austen.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74 </td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Superb</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     Richard G. Keats.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Spencer</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     Honble. Robert Stopford.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Swiftsure</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     Mark Robinson.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Belleisle</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     William Hargood.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Conqueror</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     Israel Pellew.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Tigre</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     Benjamin Hallowell.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Leviathan</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     H. W. Baynton.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Donegal</i></td> -<td class="tdl hang"> ”     Pulteney Malcolm.</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<div class="bbox small"> - -<h3><a id="i_167"></a>ORDER OF BATTLE AND OF SAILING</h3> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">REPEATING FRIGATES</td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr">NO.</td> -<td class="tdl"> SHIPS’ NAMES.</td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> CAPTAINS.</td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="13">VAN SQUADRON</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="13"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:20em"></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"> 1.</td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="2"> <i>Canopus</i></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:2.5em; width:1em"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Rear-Admiral Thomas Louis</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="20"><img class="brace" src="images/rightp.png" alt="{" style="height:31.5em"></td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="20"> STARBOARD DIVISION</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain Francis Wm. Austen</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 2.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 3.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 4.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Superb</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Richard Goodwin Keats</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 5.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="3"> 6.</td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="3"> <i>Victory</i></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="3"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:4em; width:1em"></td> -<td class="tdl"> The Commander-in-Chief</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Rear-Admiral George Murray</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain Thomas Hardy</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 7.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Donegal</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Pulteney Malcolm</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 8.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 9.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Spencer</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Hon. R. Stopford</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="11">CENTRE SQUADRON</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="11"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:18em"></td> -<td class="tdr"> 1.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 2.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 3.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Tigre</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Benjamin Hallowell</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 4.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"> 5.</td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="2"> <i>Royal Sovereign</i></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:2.5em; width:1em"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain John Stuart</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 6.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="15"><img class="brace" src="images/rightp.png" alt="{" style="height:24em"></td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="15"> LARBOARD DIVISION</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 7.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Leviathan</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Henry Wm. Baynton</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 8.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 9.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="10">REAR SQUADRON</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="10"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:17em"></td> -<td class="tdr"> 1.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 2.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 3.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 4.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 5.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 6.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 7.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Excellent</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Frank Sotheron</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 8.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Belleisle</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> William Hargood</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 9.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Conqueror</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Israel Pellew</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Swiftsure</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Mark Robinson</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<table class="w100"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> To FRANCIS AUSTEN, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span></td> -<td class="tdr"> Dated on board the</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain of His Majesty’s Ship <i>Canopus</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> <i>Victory</i>, in <span class="smcap">Palma Bay</span>,</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"> <i>March 26, 1805</i></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p class="right"> (<i>Signed</i>) NELSON AND BRONTE -</p> -</div> -<p class="center">[Original image can be seen -<a href="images/167.png">here</a>]</p> - - - -<p>The <i>Royal Sovereign</i> was found unfit to make the voyage across<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span> -the Atlantic, and went home from Lagos in May for thorough repairs, -which were so effective that she carried Collingwood’s flag into -action, before any other of the fleet, at Trafalgar.</p> - -<p>The narrative begins at the Bay of Palma in Sardinia, amid general -preparations throughout the fleet.</p> - -<p>On the 4th of April the Admiral signalled “to prepare for action, -as the enemy’s fleet from Toulon is at sea.” After this the fleet -cruised for some days between Sardinia and Sicily, waiting for news -of the enemy’s movements. If, as was thought possible, they were -bound for Egypt, the position taken up by Nelson was a strong one. -There were daily consultations of the admirals and captains on board -the <i>Victory</i>. After about a fortnight of this uncertainty, -“intelligence is gained” that the sixteen French ships of the line -were spoken on the 7th of April, off Cartagena, going west. On the -18th this news was confirmed, with the addition that they had passed -Gibraltar on the 9th, and were joined by five Spanish two-deckers, and -had continued westward with fair winds. Now ensued an anxious time. The -enemy were well started ten days in advance, with the wind behind them, -while the British fleet were still battling with adverse winds in the -Mediterranean. Every breeze is carefully noted in the log, and the slow -progress evidently gave the greatest concern.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span></p> - -<p>On the 22nd and 23rd of April, the distance made was only fifteen -miles in all: “Extremely variable baffling winds and squally weather, -tacking or wearing every two or three hours, the squadron very much -dispersed.” Ordinarily the <i>Victory</i> was within half a mile, “but -now four or six miles away.” Majorca was in sight at one time, and the -African coast at another, but the progress towards Gibraltar must have -been scarcely perceptible. The Rock was seen for the first time on the -2nd May, still twelve leagues away, and on the 4th they anchored in -Tetuan Bay. Here was hard work to be done in getting fresh water and -provisions on board. At Gibraltar on the 6th the <i>Canopus</i> did not -even anchor, as the wind was at last fair, and their stay was only for -four hours.</p> - -<p>On May 9th, the <i>Victory</i> signalled “to prepare demands to -complete provisions for five months,” which was accomplished off Lagos -in Portugal by the morning of the 11th. Then the Admiral made telegraph -signal, “Rendezvous Barbadoes,” and the whole fleet made sail for the -West Indies.</p> - -<p>With fair winds and a straight course, the distance of 3200 miles was -accomplished by the 4th of June.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span></p> - -<p>The sailing order of the squadron was:</p> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> WEATHER LINE.</td> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> LEE LINE.</td> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"> FRIGATES ON <br>VICTORY’S WEATHER BEAM.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 100</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Victory.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 80</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Canopus.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Superb.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Leviathan.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Donegal.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Belleisle.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 32</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Amphion.</i></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Spencer.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Conqueror.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 38</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Amazon.</i></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Tigre.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Swiftsure.</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 26</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Decade.</i></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>There is very little in the log to indicate the intense expectation -that must have been present as they made their entries of the -diminishing distance.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<i>May 15.</i>—Island of Barbadoes S. 64.46 W., dist. 877 -leagues.</p> - -<p>“<i>May 22.</i>—S. 70.15 W., dist. 589 leagues.”</p> -</div> - -<p>The careful comparison of observations with the vessels of the weather -line, repairs to spars and sails, and general preparation for what -might happen on arrival, seem to fill up the days, while the north-east -trade winds gave them fine and clear weather.</p> - -<p>“Oh, the wonder of the great trade wind! All day we sailed and all -night, and all the next day, and the next, day after day, the wind -always astern and blowing steadily and strong. The schooner sailed -herself. There was no pulling and hauling on sheets and tackles, no -shifting of topsails, no work at all for the sailors to do except to -steer. At night, when the sun went down, the sheets were slackened; in -the morning when they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span> yielded up the damp of the dew and relaxed, they -were pulled tight again—and that was all. Ten knots, twelve knots, -eleven knots, varying from time to time, is the speed we are making. -And ever out of the north-east the brave wind blows, driving us on our -course two hundred and fifty miles between the dawns.”</p> - -<p>These words, taken from one of our popular modern novels,<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> give us -some idea of what sailing was in those days.</p> - -<p>The usual record every twelve hours is “<i>Victory</i> north one mile.” -Sometimes the flagship is rather more distant, and occasionally the -“Admiral (Louis) went on board the <i>Victory</i>.” Doubtless the -impatience and excitement was not all on Nelson’s part. Every man in -the fleet must have felt that a battle was not far off. All this time -the three frigates were almost daily out in chase, but no enemy was -sighted, and it was not until June 3 that the Admiral signalled that -the French and Spanish squadrons were at Martinique, “having gained -this intelligence from two English letters of marque.”</p> - -<p>Next day they arrived at Barbadoes, where the Admiral gave orders -to embark troops. Nine regiments had been sent out from England in -the spring, but had not arrived in time to prevent Missiessy and his -squadron from Rochefort from <span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span>doing much as they chose during his -stay among the islands. His troops had taken possession of Dominica, -excepting a fort held by General Prevost’s force, and he had laid under -contribution Montserrat, Nevis and St. Kitt’s.</p> - -<p>Missiessy had then departed, according to the Emperor’s instructions, -for France, crossing Villeneuve’s fleet in Mid-Atlantic. Thus -Napoleon’s grand scheme of combination fell through. The fleets from -Toulon and Rochefort missed each other, instead of meeting at the West -Indies, and the Brest fleet did not succeed in getting past the British -blockade. The <i>Canopus</i> log of July 17 records the return of -Missiessy’s squadron. “Five sail of the line and four frigates arrived -at Rochefort, on May 21. Vessels dismantled and remained.”</p> - -<p>The troops embarked by the squadron at Barbadoes were some of those -despatched hither in the spring. There is a record of a characteristic -order on June 3:</p> - -<p>“Admiral made telegraph signal—‘Troops to be victualled at whole -allowance of provisions.’” The practice of the day was that soldiers at -sea received smaller rations than the ship’s company—just the sort of -unreasonable orders which it would delight Nelson to set aside.</p> - -<p>Early on the 5th the squadron was again under weigh, the <i>Victory</i> -leading and the <i>Canopus</i> astern;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span> but in consequence of wrong -information received they were on a southerly course, and hourly -increasing their distance from the combined enemy’s fleet, which was -still among the islands, but to the northward of Martinique. The signal -at three o’clock “to prepare for battle” was not to be followed by any -immediate action.</p> - -<p>On the 7th the Gulf of Paria, in Trinidad, was reached, but still no -news of the enemy was obtained. The log merely mentions anchoring there -for the night and sailing for the northerly islands next morning. The -careful records of barometer and temperature are here interrupted, as -“barometer taken down in clearing for action.”</p> - -<p>All through June 10, 11 and 12 the smaller craft were constantly -detached to the various islands for intelligence, and finally they all -anchored at Antigua.</p> - -<div class="bbox small"> -<h3><a id="i_175"></a>ORDER OF BATTLE AND OF SAILING</h3> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">REPEATING FRIGATES</td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr">NO.</td> -<td class="tdl"> SHIPS’ NAMES.</td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> CAPTAINS.</td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="13">VAN SQUADRON</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="13"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:20em"></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"> 1.</td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="2"> <i>Canopus</i></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:2.5em; width:1em"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Rear-Admiral Louis</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="20"><img class="brace" src="images/rightp.png" alt="{" style="height:31.5em"></td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="20"> STARBOARD DIVISION</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain Francis W. Austen</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 2.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 3.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 4.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Superb</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Richard G. Keats</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 5.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="3"> 6.</td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="3"> <i>Victory</i></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="3"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:4em; width:1em"></td> -<td class="tdl"> The Commander-in-Chief</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Rear-Admiral Murray</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain Thomas Hardy</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 7.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Donegal</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Pulteney Malcolm</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 8.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 9.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Spencer</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Hon. R. Stopford</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="11">CENTRE SQUADRON</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="11"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:18em"></td> -<td class="tdr"> 1.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 2.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 3.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Tigre</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Benjamin Hallowell</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 4.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"> 5.</td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="2"> <i>Northumberland</i></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="2"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:2.5em; width:1em"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Rear-Admiral Hon. A. Cochrane</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain George Tobin</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 6.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="15"><img class="brace" src="images/rightp.png" alt="{" style="height:24em"></td> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="15"> LARBOARD DIVISION</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 7.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Leviathan</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Wm. Henry Baynton</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 8.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 9.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl" rowspan="10">REAR SQUADRON</td> -<td class="tdr" rowspan="10"><img class="brace" src="images/leftp.png" alt="{" style="height:17em"></td> -<td class="tdr"> 1.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 2.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 3.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 4.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 5.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 6.</td> -<td class="tdl"><i>Belleisle</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl">William Hargood</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 7.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Excellent</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Israel Pellew</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 8.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Swiftsure</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> W. G. Rutherford</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"> 9.</td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Spartiate</i></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"> Sir Francis Laforey, Bart.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10.</td> -<td class="tdl"> </td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<table class="w100"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> To FRANCIS WILLIAM AUSTEN, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span></td> -<td class="tdr"> Dated on board the <i>Victory</i></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> Captain of His Majesty’s Ship <i>Canopus</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> in <span class="smcap">Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"> <i>June 5, 1805</i></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p class="right"> (<i>Signed</i>) NELSON AND BRONTE -</p> -</div> -<p class="center">[Original image can be seen <a href="images/175.png">here</a>]</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span></p> - -<p>“<i>June 12.</i>—Admiral made signal to prepare letters for England. -At eight o’clock the <i>Curieux</i> brig parted company for England.”</p> - -<p>This brig had a history of some interest. She had been captured from -the French on February 3, 1804. She was cut out by the <i>Centaur</i> -from the harbour of Martinique, just after the Diamond Rock had been -seized and garrisoned by the same man-of-war. The story is pathetically -told by M. Cheminant, the only French officer who survived the action.</p> - - - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">On board the</span> <i>Curieux</i>, <span class="smcap">captured by the English</span>,<br> -“<i>Pluviose 14, Year 12</i>. -</p> - - -<p>“The only officer remaining of those who commanded the crew of -the <i>Curieux</i>, I owe you a faithful report of the cruel -tragedy which has delivered us up to the enemy.</p> - -<p>“On the 13th instant, before one o’clock in the morning I -was on deck with a midshipman and twenty men, according to -the orders given by Captain Cordier. The weather was of the -darkest, especially in the northern direction. Sentries were -placed abaft at the ladder and forward. Our boarding nettings -were triced up. We had hardly perceived the English boats -before they boarded by the stern and the main shrouds. We had -only time to discharge two guns with grape shot, one swivel and -a wall piece, when the enemy were on board, and forced us to -have recourse to the sabre, pike and musketry.”</p> -</div> - -<p>Lieutenant Bettesworth took a chief part in the attack, and was -eventually rewarded with the command of the brig, which had been one of -the best vessels of its kind in the French navy.</p> - -<p>It was an important mission which was now entrusted to Captain -Bettesworth. He was to sail for England with despatches from Lord -Nelson for the Admiralty, steering a certain course in the hope that he -would sight the enemy’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span> fleet. Nelson was right in his conjecture, and -Captain Bettesworth reached England with the news that Villeneuve was -on the return voyage.</p> - -<p>The <i>Curieux</i> anchored at Plymouth on July 7, and the Captain -reached the Admiralty at 11 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> on the 8th, too late, in the -officials’ opinion, for the First Lord to be disturbed. Lord Barham, -a sailor himself, knew well the value of time in naval matters, and -was much annoyed at the loss of so many precious hours. Though over -eighty years of age his judgment was rapid and accurate. Early on the -9th Admiralty messages were on the way to Portsmouth and Plymouth. -Admiral Cornwallis, off Ushant, received his orders on the 11th to -detach the squadron blockading Rochefort and send it to join Calder -westward off Cape Finisterre, while he himself was to cruise south -of Ushant. To the amazement of Napoleon, only eight days after the -arrival of the <i>Curieux</i>, Sir Robert Calder was ready with fifteen -ships off Ferrol. There Villeneuve met him, and an action took place -which should have been decisive, but by reason of excessive caution on -the part of Calder, only caused loss of ships and men to both sides -without advantage to either. Calder joined Cornwallis off Ushant, while -Villeneuve went into Vigo Bay and afterwards into Ferrol.</p> - -<p>Nelson’s squadron began the voyage back from the West Indies on -June 15, and we have again<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span> in the log of the <i>Canopus</i> the -matter-of-fact, day-to-day record of routine work, vessels spoken, “no -intelligence,” small prizes, rigging out of gear, and so forth, behind -which was the background of suppressed excitement, of unremitting -watch, and of constant readiness. As the months went on and the -situation developed, the excitement increased, and reached its climax -only with Trafalgar Day.</p> - -<p>One entry gives an idea of the difference in the conditions of warfare -then and now. “On June 19, an English merchant vessel was spoken by the -<i>Amphion</i> frigate. They signalled—‘Have English papers to the -3rd of May. Interesting debates.’ Admiral asked—‘Who is First Lord of -the Admiralty?’ Answer—‘Lord Barham.’ Knowing so little as they did -of affairs at home, they could not be sure that all might not be over -before they got back.</p> - -<p>“<i>June 29.</i>—The <i>Amazon</i> at daylight was seen to be towing -a captured Spanish <i>Tartan</i>, from La Guayra. The people on board -did not know of the war.” This was undoubtedly an extreme case, and one -feels some sympathy for the “people on board,” who were captured before -they knew that they were fighting.</p> - -<p>The winds were naturally less favourable for the return voyage, but by -taking a course near Bermuda, and to the Azores, they made much better -headway than Villeneuve had managed to do, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span> reached Gibraltar on -July 17. After a few days here they gained intelligence of the doings -of the <i>Curieux</i> brig, and sailed northwards to join Admiral -Cornwallis off Ushant.</p> - -<p>“<i>August 15.</i>—Off Ushant. Lord Nelson saluted Admiral Cornwallis -with fifteen guns, returned with thirteen.—Joined the Channel Fleet of -twenty-four sail of the line. Answered our signal to follow orders of -Admiral Cornwallis in the <i>Ville de Paris</i>.”</p> - -<p>“<i>August 16.</i>—Thirty-five sail of the line in company. -<i>Victory</i> and <i>Superb</i> parted company for England.”</p> - -<p>We read from a contemporary writer that Nelson arrived “filled -with mortification, which those who first conversed with him after -his arrival state to have amounted almost to anguish, at his -disappointment” at having missed Villeneuve in the West Indies.</p> - -<p>“<i>August 17.</i>—<i>Ville de Paris</i> made signal to <i>Prince -of Wales</i> (Sir R. Calder) to part company, on service previously -denoted. Made sail (southwards) in company with squadron of nineteen -sail of the line.”</p> - -<p>“On 20th <i>Naiad</i> brought intelligence that the French fleet had -sailed from Ferrol on the 13th.”</p> - -<p>“On 22nd, off Peninsular coast, Admiral Calder signalled ‘Prepare for -battle.’”</p> - -<p>This was almost on the very spot of his indecisive<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> fight of July -23. Calder’s “order of battle” gives very full details on various -contingencies, making a sharp contrast with those signed “Nelson and -Bronté,” in which the ships’ stations only are set down, the rest of -the orders being given in the plan of attack well known as the “Nelson -Touch.”</p> - -<p>In the log of 24th “the enemy’s fleet of twenty-eight sail of the line -were off Cape St. Vincent on the 18th, when they fell in with and -destroyed four sail of merchantmen, under convoy of the <i>Halcyon</i>, -which narrowly escaped capture. In the afternoon, the <i>Euryalus</i>, -with despatches from V. A. Collingwood, reported that the combined -fleet anchored in Cadiz on the 21st, making in all thirty-four sail of -the line.”</p> - -<p>With the enemy in Cadiz the only thing to be done was to wait until -they came out. On the 30th the log records: “Joined Vice-Admiral -Collingwood’s squadron of five sail of the line.” The fleet wore -and stood off, while <i>Canopus</i>, <i>Spencer</i>, <i>Tigre</i>, -<i>Leviathan</i> and <i>Donegal</i> were ordered to cruise in sight -of Cadiz. This plan of keeping a squadron close in shore was followed -throughout September, while the fleet awaited the arrival of Nelson -from England, and the enemy watched for an opportunity to get out, -either to meet the British fleet or to pass them on the way into the -Mediterranean.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span></p> - -<p>An extract from the <i>Naval Chronicle</i> shows something of popular -feeling in England at this juncture. The remarks on Nelson as -contrasted with those of a few months later, after Trafalgar had been -fought and won, are more amusing than instructive.</p> - -<p>“The arrival of Lord Nelson and Sir Robert Calder’s action are the -principal events of the last month which have occupied the public -mind. It has been said that the former, with Sir Sydney Smith, is soon -to embark on some desperate project against the enemy, and we most -sincerely wish to see his lordship employed at the present moment in -the defence of our own shores. Should the mad project of invasion ever -be attempted, the public would feel additional security from having -the Hero of the Nile off our own coast. But we greatly lament that -ill-judged and over-weening popularity which tends to make another -demigod of Lord Nelson at the expense of all other officers in the -Service, many of whom possess equal merit and equal abilities and equal -gallantry with the noble Admiral.</p> - -<p>“Sir Robert Calder has not yet, even to the Admiralty, given that -explanation of his conduct which his country expects and his character -demands. With his character and its failings we are well acquainted, -but we only wish to regard his talents. The French fleet did certainly -not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> run away; owing to the particular manœuvres of the action, they -may be said even to have pursued us, and this may, perhaps, have been -occasioned by some feint of our Admiral in order to attack the French -to greater advantage. But the whole is at present merely conjecture, -until some further explanation of the action has taken place. The -account which the French have published in the <i>Moniteur</i>, -allowing for their natural boasting and vanity, contains a greater -portion of truth than usual.”</p> - -<p>Villeneuve’s letter will give an idea of what that account was. “The -battle then began almost along the whole line. We fired by the light of -the enemy’s fire, almost always without seeing them. The fog did not -abate during the remainder of the evening. At the first peep of dawn I -made signal to bear down upon the enemy, who had taken their position -at a great distance, and endeavoured by every possible press of sail to -avoid renewing the action. Finding it impossible to force them to an -engagement, I thought it my duty not to remove further from the line of -my destination.”</p> - -<p>In consequence of this Sir Robert Calder was recalled and tried by -court-martial at Portsmouth in the following December, when he was -severely reprimanded for an “error in judgment.” The severity of -tone of the <i>Naval Chronicle</i> towards those who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span> were fighting -the country’s battles finds its parallel in the French newspapers of -the date. Villeneuve was deeply stung by a sneering remark in the -<i>Moniteur</i> upon what the conduct of the French fleet might be if -commanded by a man of ability—so much so as to induce him to disregard -Napoleon’s wishes that he should go to Toulon, collecting forces on the -way, and to lead him to come to close quarters with our fleet as soon -as a convenient opportunity offered. Of that opportunity and the Battle -of Trafalgar to which it led we will speak in the following chapter.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br> -<span class="small">“A MELANCHOLY SITUATION”</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The month of September was spent in blockading Cadiz. The -<i>Canopus</i>, as already stated, was one of the squadron of five told -off to keep close in shore and watch the port. So close were they that -one time the <i>Tigre</i> nearly ran aground and had to be towed off. -The log on September 16th gives an account of what could be seen of the -enemy’s fleet.</p> - -<p>“We stood in till all the enemy’s fleet were open of the town, and had -an opportunity of distinctly counting them. Their whole force consisted -of thirty-three sail of the line and five frigates, all apparently -quite ready for sea, with the exception of two ships of the line; one -of which (French) had her topmasts struck, and main top-gallant mast -down on the deck; the other (Spanish) had her foremast struck and -fore-stay slack as if doing something to the bowsprit. Of the ships -of the line seventeen were French and sixteen Spanish, of which last -two were three-deckers.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span> The frigates were all French, and one of them -appeared to have a poop. We saw also at the Carracas three large ships -(two of them appearing to be three-deckers) and two small ones, all of -them in a considerable state of forwardness in point of rigging.”</p> - -<p>On September 28 the <i>Victory</i> arrived from England, with Nelson -on board, and three days later the <i>Canopus</i> joined the main part -of the fleet, and was almost immediately told off to take her turn in -the duty of fetching water from Gibraltar. The story of the month of -October, with its hopes, fears, and disappointments, is best told by -Francis Austen himself in the following letter to Mary Gibson:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>Canopus</i> <span class="smcap">at Sea, off Gibraltar</span>, <i>October 15, 1805</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Mary</span>,—Having now got over the hurry and -bustle which unavoidably attends every ship while in the act -of compleating provisions, water and stores, I think it high -time to devote some part of my attention to your amusement, -and to be in a state of preparation for any opportunity which -may offer of dispatching letters to England. But in order to -make myself understood I must endeavour to be methodical, and -therefore shall commence the account I have now to send you -from the date of my last, which was finished and forwarded -by the <i>Nimble</i> brig on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span> 2nd of this month. We had -then just joined the fleet from the inshore squadron, and, I -believe I mentioned, were about to quit it again for Gibraltar -and Tetuan. We sailed that evening with four other ships of the -line, a frigate, and five merchant vessels under convoy, and on -the following morning fell in with the <i>Euryalus</i>, which -we had left off Cadiz to watch the enemy. Captain Blackwood -informed us by signal that he had received information by -a Swedish ship from Cadiz that the troops had all embarked -on board the men-of-war, and it was reported they were to -sail with the first easterly wind. Though much confidence -could not be placed on the accuracy and authenticity of this -intelligence, it was, however, of such a nature as to induce -Admiral Louis to return with four of the ships to Lord Nelson, -leaving the <i>Zealous</i> and <i>Endymion</i> (both of them -crippled ships) to proceed with the convoy to Gibraltar. We -rejoined the Commander-in-Chief on the morning of the 5th, and -were again dispatched in the course of the day.</p> - -<p>“The wind being directly against us, and blowing very strong, -we were not able to reach Gibraltar until the 9th, when every -exertion was made to get on board such supplies of stores and -provisions as we were in want of, and the Rock could supply. -This was effected in three days, at which time the wind changed -to the westward and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span> became favourable for our watering at -Tetuan, where we anchored on the evening of the 12th. We sailed -again last night to return to the fleet, having got on board in -the course of two days, with our own boats alone, 300 tons of -water, and every other ship had got a proportionate quantity. -You will judge from this that we have not been idle. We are now -expecting a wind to take us out of the Mediterranean again, and -hope to accomplish it in the course of the next twenty-four -hours; at present it is nearly calm, but appearances indicate -an easterly wind. We are, of course, very anxious to get back -to the fleet for fear the enemy should be moving, for the idea -of their doing so while we are absent is by no means pleasant. -Having borne our share in a tedious chace and anxious blockade, -it would be mortifying indeed to find ourselves at last thrown -out of any share of credit or emolument which would result from -an action. Such, I hope, will not be our lot, though, if they -do venture out at all, it must happen to some one, as a part of -the fleet will be constantly sent in to compleat as fast as the -others arrive from having performed that duty.</p> - -<p>“Our stay at Gibraltar was not productive of much gaiety to us; -we dined only twice on shore, and both times with General Fox, -the Governor. We had engagements for several succeeding days<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span> -on our hands; but this change of wind making it necessary for -us to move off, our friends were left to lament our absence, -and eat the fatted calf without us. I believe I have mentioned -in a former letter that the young lady <i>I admired so much</i> -(Miss Smith) was married to the Colonel Keen, whom Sutton will -not acknowledge as an acquaintance. As a matter of civility, -I called with the Admiral Louis to make them a morning visit, -but we were not fortunate enough to find them at home, which, -of course, <i>I</i> very much regretted. The last evening of -our stay at Gibraltar we went, after dining with the General, -to see <i>Othello</i> performed by some of the officers of the -garrison. The theatre is small, but very neatly fitted up; the -dresses and scenery appeared good, and I might say the same -of the acting could I have seen or heard anything of it; but, -although I was honoured with a seat in the Governor’s box at -the commencement of the performance, yet I did not long profit -by it, for one of his aide-de-camps, happening to be married, -and his lady happening also to come in during the first scene, -I was obliged to resign my situation, happy to have it in my -power to accommodate a fair one. The play was <i>Othello</i>, -and by what I have been able to collect from the opinions of -those who were more advantageously situated for seeing and -hearing than myself, I did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span> not experience a very severe loss -from my complaisance. I believe the Admiral was not much better -amused than I was, for, at the expiration of the first act, he -proposed departing, which I very readily agreed to, as I had -for some time found the house insufferably close and hot. I -hardly need add that the evening was not quite so productive -of pleasure to me as the last theatrical representation I -had witnessed, which was at Covent Garden some time in the -beginning of February last, when I had the honour of being -seated by a fair young lady, with whom I became slightly -acquainted the preceding year at Ramsgate.</p> - -<p>“Do you happen to recollect anything of the evening? I think -you do, and that you will not readily forget it.</p> - -<p>“<i>October 18.</i>—The hopes with which I had flattered -myself of getting out of the Straits two days ago have not -been realised, and, from the circumstances which have since -occurred, it is very uncertain when we shall get to the fleet -again. The wind on the evening of the 15th came to the westward -and forced us back to Tetuan, where we remained till yesterday -evening, at which time a frigate came over with orders for -Admiral Louis to give protection to a convoy then collected -at Gibraltar for Malta, as far as Cartagena, after which he -is to return to the Commander-in-Chief.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span> We accordingly came -over to the Rock this morning, and are now proceeding as fast -as possible with the trade to the eastward. Our force consists -of five sail of the line and three frigates, which last we -shall leave in charge of the convoy as soon as we have seen -them safe past the Cartagena squadron. I can’t say I much like -the prospect. I do not expect to derive any advantage from it, -and it puts us completely out of the way in case the enemy -should make an attempt to get to sea, which is by no means -improbable, if he knows Lord Nelson’s force is weakened by the -detachment of so many ships. It is since I last wrote to you -I believe that your No. 3 has come to hand; it was brought by -Brigadier-General Tilson, and was enclosed under cover from -Henry. It has been months on the journey. There are still three -of yours missing, Nos. 5, 6 and 7, some of which I suppose -are gone to seek me in the West Indies, but I trust they will -do so in vain there. We have heard from the fleet off Cadiz, -and learn that it has been reinforced by the arrival of five -men-of-war from England, some of which I hope have brought -letters, or they might as well have stayed away. Sir Robert -Calder is gone home in the <i>Prince of Wales</i>, which I am -sorry has happened during our absence, as by it a very fine -opportunity of writing has been lost, which is always a source -of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span> regret to me when it occurs. I cannot, however, accuse -myself of any neglect, and you will, I hope, as readily acquit -me of it; indeed, when you know the circumstances, I am sure -you will, though I daresay you will feel rather disappointed to -hear a man-of-war has arrived from the Cadiz fleet and find no -letter arrived from me, unless you happened to recollect that I -expected to go to Gibraltar and, therefore, would probably have -been absent when she left the station.</p> - -<p>“<i>October 21.</i>—We have just bid adieu to the convoy, -without attending them quite so far as was originally intended, -having this day received intelligence, by a vessel despatched -in pursuit of us, that on Saturday, 19th, the enemy’s fleet was -actually under way, and coming out of Cadiz.</p> - -<p>“Our situation is peculiarly unpleasant and distressing, -for if they escape Lord Nelson’s vigilance and get into the -Mediterranean, which is not very likely, we shall be obliged, -with our small force, to keep out of their way; and on the -other hand, should an action take place, it must be decided -long before we could possibly get down even were the wind fair, -which at present it is not. As I have no doubt but the event -would be highly honourable to our arms, and be at the same -time productive of some good prizes, I shall have to lament -our absence on such an occasion on a double account, the loss -of pecuniary advantage<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span> as well as of professional credit. And -after having been so many months in a state of constant and -unremitting fag, to be at last cut out by a parcel of folk just -come from their homes, where some of them were sitting at their -ease the greater part of last war, and the whole of this, till -just now, is particularly hard and annoying.</p> - -<p>“You, perhaps, may not feel this so forcibly as I do, and in -your satisfaction at my having avoided the danger of battle may -not much regret my losing the credit of having contributed to -gain a victory; not so myself!</p> - -<p>“I do not profess to like fighting for its own sake, but if -there have been an action with the combined fleets I shall ever -consider the day on which I sailed from the squadron as the -most inauspicious one of my life.</p> - -<p>“<i>October 27</i>, off Tetuan.—Alas! my dearest Mary, -all my fears are but too fully justified. The fleets have -met, and, after a very severe contest, a most decisive -victory has been gained by the English twenty-seven over -the enemy’s thirty-three. Seventeen of the ships are taken -and one is burnt; but I am truly sorry to add that this -splendid affair has cost us many lives, and amongst them the -most invaluable one to the nation, that of our gallant, and -ever-to-be-regreted, Commander-in-Chief, Lord Nelson, who was -mortally wounded by a musket shot, and only lived long<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span> enough -to know his fleet successful. In a public point of view, I -consider his loss as the greatest which could have occurred; -nor do I hesitate to say there is not an Admiral on the list -so eminently calculated for the command of a fleet as he was. -I never heard of his equal, nor do I expect again to see such -a man. To the soundest judgment he united prompt decision and -speedy execution of his plans; and he possessed in a superior -degree the happy talent of making every class of persons -pleased with their situation and eager to exert themselves in -forwarding the public service. As a national benefit I cannot -but rejoice that our arms have been once again successful, but -at the same time I cannot help feeling how very unfortunate -we have been to be away at such a moment, and, by a fatal -combination of unfortunate though unavoidable events, to lose -all share in the glory of a day which surpasses all which -ever went before, is what I cannot think of with any degree -of patience; but, as I cannot write upon that subject without -complaining, I will drop it for the present, till time and -reflection reconcile me a little more to what I know is now -inevitable.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp55" id="i_156fp" style="max-width: 32.1875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_156fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">CAPTAIN F. W. AUSTEN</div> -</div> - -<p>“We arrived off the Rock of Gibraltar two days ago, and -having heard of the action as well as that our fleet was in -want of assistance to repair their damages and secure their -prizes, we proceeded on with a fine, fresh wind at east to run -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span>through the Straits; but before we were out of sight of -the garrison the wind chopped round to the westward, directly -in our teeth, and came on to blow a very heavy gale of wind, -which effectually prevented our proceeding. We bore away for -this place and wait a change of wind and weather, not a little -anxious for our friends outside, who could have been but ill -prepared to encounter such a severe storm as they must have -experienced on a lee shore, and probably with crippled masts. -Indeed, I hardly expect to hear they have all escaped.</p> - -<p>“Off Cadiz, <i>October 31</i>.—Having at length effected our -escape from the Mediterranean prison and rejoined our friends, -I will proceed to such particulars as have come to my ears -relative to the action, and present situation of our ships. The -object of the enemy was avowedly to get into the Mediterranean, -but at the same time they did not, as their conduct proved, -wish to avoid a battle, expecting, no doubt, their superiority -would have ensured them at least a <i>drawn</i> action, and -that they would have disabled our fleet so much as to deprive -us of the means to prevent their proceeding to Toulon; but in -this they were fortunately mistaken. Indeed, they acknowledge -that they had considered Lord Nelson’s whole force as only -twenty-seven, and knowing that he had detached six into the -Mediterranean expected<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span> to find him with only twenty-one ships, -and the irregular mass in which our ships bore down to the -attack prevented their counting them, so that till after the -action was closed the French Admiral did not discover how great -a force he had encountered. The van of our fleet which led the -attack have suffered very much, especially the <i>Victory</i>, -<i>Royal Sovereign</i>, <i>Téméraire</i>, <i>Belleisle</i>, -<i>Mars</i>, and <i>Bellerophon</i>; but some of the rear -vessels hardly got into action at all. Had we been there our -station would have been the fifth ship from the van, and I -trust we should have had our share.</p> - -<p>“The battle was hardly concluded when the weather set in so -stormy (and continued so for nearly a week) as to prevent our -taking possession of many ships which had surrendered, and of -keeping several others. Nineteen are known to have struck; -four of which have since got into Cadiz; three are in our -possession; and the rest, to the number of twelve, are either -burnt, sunk, or driven on shore. Of thirteen, which are now in -Cadiz, out of their whole force the greatest part have lost -nearly all their masts, and are so completely disabled as to -make it impossible they can be again ready for service during -the winter. On the whole, therefore, we may fairly consider -their loss as equal to twenty sail of the line.</p> - -<p>“Our ships have been so much dispersed since<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span> the action, by -the blowing weather, that Admiral Collingwood has not yet -been able to collect reports of their damages or loss; but he -has strong reason to hope every ship has been able to keep -off the shore, and are now in safety. The action appears in -general to have been obstinately contested, and has doubtless -been unusually bloody; but it has also been so decisive as to -make it improbable the Spaniards or French will again risque a -meeting with a British fleet. Had it taken place in the open -sea, away from the rocks, shoals, and leeshores there is no -doubt but every ship would have been taken, but we engaged them -under every disadvantage of situation.</p> - -<p>“I was on board the <i>Euryalus</i> yesterday, in which ship -Admiral Collingwood has his flag at present, and was introduced -to the French Admiral Villeneuve, who is a prisoner there. -He appears to be about forty-five years of age, of dark -complexion, with rather an unmeaning countenance, and has not -much the appearance of a gentleman. He is, however, so much of -a Frenchman as to bear his misfortunes with cheerfulness.</p> - -<p>“I do not yet know in what way we are to be employed, but -imagine that, as the <i>Canopus</i> is a perfect ship at -present, we shall be left with such others as are fit to remain -at sea, to watch the enemy in the port; while those ships -which have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span> been damaged will go to Gibraltar to refit. Many -of them will, I daresay, be sent home, as well because proper -masts cannot be procured for them here, as that it will now be -unnecessary to keep so large a fleet on this station.</p> - -<p>“By the death of Lord Nelson I have again lost all chance of -a frigate. I had asked his lordship to appoint me to one when -he had the opportunity, and, though I had no positive promise -from him, I have reason to believe he would have attended to my -wishes. Of Admiral Collingwood I do not know enough to allow of -my making a similar request; and not having been in the action -I have no claims of service to urge in support of my wishes. I -must, therefore, remain in the <i>Canopus</i>, though on many -accounts I am more than ever anxious to get into a frigate.</p> - -<p>“<i>November 4.</i>—We have just rejoined the fleet after -having been detached to examine the coast and assist distressed -ships, and hear the <i>Euryalus</i> is to sail very shortly for -England with the Admiral’s despatches, containing, I presume, -the details of the action, with the particular loss of each -ship, all of which you will learn from the public papers more -correctly than I can possibly relate them, for, indeed, I have -as yet learnt scarce anything more than I have already given -you.</p> - -<p>“I am anxiously expecting letters from England,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span> and as our -last news from Lisbon mentioned four packets being due I hope -soon to hear of their arrival, and to be again blessed with the -sight of a well-known handwriting, which is always a cordial -to my heart, and never surely did I stand more in need of some -such support. I yesterday received a letter from Henry, dated -the 1st of October, which was brought out by Captain MacKay -of the <i>Scout</i>, who is an acquaintance of mine, and an -intimate friend of my brother Charles. The <i>Scout</i> came -away on too short a notice to admit of Henry’s writing to you -or he would have done it. He sends me pleasing accounts of all -my family, which is, of course, gratifying to me.</p> - -<p>“I must now, my dearest love, bid you farewell, having said -all I had got to say. Make my kindest remembrances to all your -family at Ramsgate and elsewhere.”</p> -</div> - -<p>Miss Gibson must, indeed, have been hard-hearted if she did not -acquit her lover of neglect on receiving such a letter as this -while he was on active service. It is written, as was usual, -on one large sheet of notepaper, the “envelope,” that is the -fourth page, full, except where the folds come outside, and the -whole crossed in the fine, neat handwriting of the day, very -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span>like that of Jane Austen herself.</p> -<p>The scene in Cadiz Bay, after the action of Trafalgar, can -be imagined from the few facts given in the log of the -<i>Canopus</i> on her arrival from Tetuan.</p> - -<p>“<i>October 30</i>, at 11, saw a French ship of the line -dismasted at the entrance of the harbour. On standing in to -reconnoitre the position of the enemy’s ship it was judged -impossible to bring her out with the wind as it was, and that -it was not worth the risque of disabling one of the squadron in -an attempt to destroy her. She appeared to be warping fast in, -and to have a great length of hawser laid out. The batteries -fired several shells over us.</p> - -<p>“<i>31st.</i>—Passed the <i>Juno</i> and a Spanish 74 at -anchor. The Spanish vessel, <i>San Ildefonso</i>, had lost all -her masts, but was then getting up jury masts.</p> - -<p>“At a quarter past four, closed the <i>Euryalus</i>, -having Vice-Admiral Collingwood’s flag, shortened sail and -hove to. The Admiral (also the Captain) went on board the -<i>Euryalus</i>. Several ships at anchor around us.</p> - -<p>“A French frigate and brig, with flags of truce, in the -squadron.</p> - -<p>“At four we had passed the <i>Ajax</i>, <i>Leviathan</i>, and -<i>Orion</i> at anchor, all of them, to appearance, but little -damaged in the action. The <i>Leviathan</i> was fishing her -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span>main yard, and the <i>Ajax</i> shifting her fore-top mast. A -large ship, supposed to be the <i>Téméraire</i>, was at anchor -to the northward of San Luca, with fore and mizen-top masts -gone; and eight others were seen from the masthead to the W.N.W.</p> - -<p>“<i>November 1.</i>—Saw the wreck of a ship lying on the -Marragotes shoal.</p> - -<p>“<i>November 19.</i>—Saw the <i>Téméraire</i>, <i>Royal -Sovereign</i>, <i>Tonnant</i>, <i>Leviathan</i>, and -<i>Mars</i>. These five ships are returning here under jury -masts, having suffered considerably in the action of the 21st -ult.</p> - -<p>“The <i>Sovereign</i> was in tow of the <i>Leviathan</i>, which -seemed to be the most perfect ship of the whole.”</p> - -<p>The <i>Canopus</i>, as Francis Austen foresaw, was left at -Cadiz with those ships which had suffered but slightly, as well -as those which had shared their own hard fate of being out of -the action altogether. Here they stayed till the end of the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span>month, awaiting further developments.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br> -<span class="small">ST. DOMINGO</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Francis Austen in the letter to Miss Gibson expresses two -wishes, neither of which was to be fulfilled.</p> - -<p>He never got into a frigate, as he himself foresaw.</p> - -<p>Service in a frigate would have been more exciting, as well as -more profitable, than in a ship of the line. The frigates got -the intelligence, and secured most prizes.</p> - -<p>His other wish, that his letters might seek him in vain in -the West Indies, was also not to be gratified, for before -two months were over he was again on the passage thither, -though whether he had the consolation of meeting his letters -is another matter. As this voyage culminated in the action of -St. Domingo, and the capture of several valuable prizes, the -need for “comfort and support” was certainly not so great as -after the disappointment of missing Trafalgar. How great that -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span> -disappointment was his letter testifies. And something must -be added to, rather than taken away from, this, in allowing -for his natural reserve. From a man of his temperament every -word means more than if Charles had been the writer. The fact -that the log of the <i>Canopus</i>, on the day when the news of -Trafalgar was received, is headed “Off Gibraltar, a melancholy -situation,” is the only indication to be found there of the -state of feeling on board. Otherwise, there is nothing but -rejoicing in the greatness and completeness of the victory, and -sorrow at the death of the Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>The account of this second cruise begins with the arrival of -Sir John Duckworth.</p> - -<p>“<i>November 15.</i> <i>Superb</i> (Vice-Admiral Sir John -Duckworth) and <i>Powerful</i> joined company off Cape St. Mary -(Portugal).</p> - -<p>“Order of sailing:</p> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> WEATHER <br>LINE.</td> -<td class="tdl"> LEE LINE.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Superb.</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Canopus.</i></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Spencer.</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Donegal.</i></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Agamemnon.</i></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Powerful.</i></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>“<i>November 29.</i>—Saw a man-of-war in the E.N.E. standing -towards us; perceived the stranger had the signal flying -to speak with the Admiral, and for having intelligence to -communicate. The <i>Agamemnon</i> showed her number, and made -telegraph signal ‘Information of the enemy’s squadron. Six sail -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span>of the line off Madeira.’</p> - -<p>“Let off rockets to draw the attention of the squadron in the -W.N.W.</p> - -<p>“Sir Edward Berry came on board, and stated that at eight -yesterday evening, Captain Langford of the <i>Lark</i> informed -him that on the 20th of this month he fell in with a French -squadron of six ships of the line, three frigates and two -brigs, in Lat. 30 N., Long. 19 W., which chased his convoy to -the S.S.E. He escaped by altering his course in the night. Two -days after he fell in with the West India outward-bound convoy, -and was directed by Captain Lake of the <i>Topaz</i> to proceed -with the intelligence to the senior officer off Cadiz.”</p> - -<p>This news was confirmed on December 1, and by the 5th the whole -squadron had reached Madeira, only to find, as usual, that -the enemy had gone somewhere else. They went on to the Canary -Islands, still cruising in search of the French. The entries -on December 24 and 25 tell of the meeting with and chase of -another squadron, not that which was afterwards engaged at St. -Domingo.</p> - -<p>“<i>December 24</i>, <i>Arethusa</i> and convoy met the enemy’s -squadron which we were in search of on December 16 in Lat. 40, -Long. 13. The convoy dispersed, and it is hoped that none were -taken. By the last accounts from the Continent, the French had -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span> -suffered an important check, in which 8026 were taken beside -those killed.” This was, of course, an entirely unfounded -report, as no severe check had occurred to Napoleon’s arms, in -fact the great victory of Austerlitz was just won.</p> - -<p>“<i>December 25</i>, half-past six <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span>, saw seven -sail in the S.W.; tacked ship and made all sail. Answered -signal for a general chace. Perceived the strangers to be -vessels of war, and not English. At eight, answered signal -to prepare for battle, at nine tacked, at ten cleared the -ship for action. Light baffling airs. The strange squadron -standing to the southward under all sail; <i>Superb</i>, -<i>Spencer</i>, and <i>Agamemnon</i> south, six or seven -miles; <i>Powerful</i>, N.W., three miles; <i>Donegal</i> and -<i>Amethyst</i>, S.S.W., four or five miles; <i>Acasta</i>, E. -by S., one mile.</p> - -<p>“At sunset the chace just in sight ahead from the top-gallant -yard. Our advanced ships S.E. five or six leagues. At six -lost sight of all the squadron but the <i>Donegal</i> and -<i>Powerful</i>.</p> - -<p>“When the strange sails were first seen, they appeared to be -steering to the S.W., and to be a good deal scattered, the -nearest being about ten miles from us, and some barely in sight -from the deck. They all were seen to make a multiplicity of -signals, and it was soon discovered, from their sails, signals, -and general appearance, that they were French.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span> -“Their force was five ships of the line and two frigates. At -eight o’clock the weathermost bore down as if to form a line of -battle, and, shortly after that, made all sail on the larboard -tack. Owing to the baffling and varying winds, and the enemy -catching every puff first, we had the mortification of seeing -them increase their distance every moment.”</p> - -<p>It is clear that the escape of this squadron was largely due -to the slow sailing of some of these ships. The <i>Canopus</i> -herself did not sail well in light winds, having been more -than two years in commission without docking, and the -<i>Powerful</i>, a few days afterwards, sprung her foreyard, -and had to be detached from the squadron. At the end of the -chase, the distance between the leading ship, <i>Superb</i>, -and the <i>Donegal</i>, the last of the squadron, is estimated -in James’ <i>Naval History</i> at forty-five miles.</p> - -<p>The squadron then made sail for Barbadoes in order to -revictual, and, after coming in for a heavy gale, arrived there -on January 12. On the 11th, news was received by a vessel from -England, which had been spoken, that Denmark had joined the -coalition against France.</p> - -<p>It is perhaps noteworthy that the highest records in any of -these logs are those during the gale on January 8, 9, and 10, -when the <i>Canopus</i> attained ten knots per hour, and made -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span> -six hundred and sixty-one miles in three days.</p> - -<p>Rear-Admiral Cochrane joined the squadron with the -<i>Northumberland</i>, and acted as second in command to Sir -John Duckworth. He had held the same post under Nelson in June -1805, for the few days when the fleet was in West Indian waters.</p> - -<p>From Barbadoes they went on to St. Christopher. It is an -instance of the difficulties of warfare in the then state -of the Navy, that thirteen men took the opportunity of the -<i>Canopus</i> being anchored close inshore to desert from her, -by swimming ashore in the night. No doubt similar trouble was -felt on other ships of the squadron.</p> - -<p>“On <i>February 1</i>, <i>Kingfisher</i> brought intelligence -that a Danish schooner belonging to Santa Cruz had, on January -25, seen a squadron of French men-of-war, seven of the line and -four frigates, in the Mona passage. The master was on board the -<i>Alexandre</i>, a 74, and the <i>Brave</i>, a three-decker, -where he was informed they were part of a squadron of ten of -the line, and ten frigates and one brig, which had sailed from -Brest forty days before, and had separated in crossing the -Atlantic.</p> - -<p>“<i>February 2.</i> At four the <i>Superb</i> made signal for -the flag-officers of the squadron.”</p> - -<p>On February 3 this intelligence of the arrival of the enemy at -St. Domingo was confirmed, and great must have been the joy -thereat.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span> -On February 6 took place the battle of St. Domingo. The log -gives an account which is bare of all detail, except that which -is entirely nautical.</p> - -<p>“At daylight the frigates ahead six or seven miles.</p> - -<p>“Extent of land N.E. by E., and N.W. by W.; nearest part three -or four leagues. <i>Acasta</i> made signal for one sail W.N.W. -at a quarter past six, ‘That the strange sail had been observed -to fire guns.’</p> - -<p>“Half-past six, ‘For eight sail W.N.W.’</p> - -<p>“A quarter before seven, ‘Enemy’s ships of war are at anchor.’</p> - -<p>“Ten minutes to seven, ‘Enemy’s ships are getting under way.’</p> - -<p>“Five minutes before seven, ‘Enemy’s ships are of the line.’</p> - -<p>“At seven, saw eight sail under the land, standing to the -westward, under press of sail. Answered signal, ‘Prepare for -battle.’</p> - -<p>“At eight, signal, ‘Engage as coming up with the enemy, and -take stations for mutual support.’</p> - -<p>“Five minutes past eight, ‘Make all sail possible, preserving -the same order.’ Perceived the enemy’s force to consist of one -three-decker, four two-deckers, two frigates, and a corvette.</p> - -<p>“At a quarter past ten, the <i>Superb</i> commenced to fire on -the enemy’s van. At twenty past ten, the <i>Northumberland</i> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span> -and <i>Spencer</i> began firing. At half-past, we opened -our fire on the first ship in the enemy’s line, at that time -engaged by the <i>Spencer</i>, passing close across her bows, -with one broadside brought her masts by the board. Stood on -towards the three-decker, firing occasionally at her and two -other of the enemy’s ships, as we could get our guns to bear. -All the squadron in action.</p> - -<p>“At a quarter to eleven, the <i>Atlas</i> ran on board of us, -and carried away our bowsprit, but got clear without doing us -material damage.</p> - -<p>“At ten minutes to eleven, the dismasted ship struck, as did -shortly after two others. Engaged with the three-decker, which -appeared to be pushing for the shore. At ten minutes to twelve, -gave her a raking broadside, which brought down her mizen mast, -and appeared to do great damage to her stern and quarter.</p> - -<p>“At twelve o’clock she ran ashore. Wore ship and fired our -larboard broadside at the remaining two-decker, which was also -making for the shore. At ten past twelve, discontinued the -action.”</p> - -<p>A rather more stirring account of the action is given in a -private letter from an officer on board the <i>Superb</i>.</p> - -<p>This letter also contains the story of the chase of the former -squadron on Christmas Day.</p> - -<p>“After leaving Lord Collingwood we fell in with a French -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span>squadron on December 25, off the Canaries, which we now know -was commanded by Jerome Bonaparte.</p> - -<p>“You cannot conceive the joy expressed by every one on board. -Every individual thought himself a king, and expected that day -to be one of the happiest Christmases he had ever spent. But -from the very bad sailing of several ships of the fleet, Jerome -had the good luck to escape, and the joy of the squadron was -turned into melancholy, which had not altogether worn off until -we found the squadron at St. Domingo (quite a different one). -I can give you very little idea of the exultation expressed -by every countenance when we were certain of bringing them -to action. The scene was truly grand, particularly when you -consider the feelings on board the two squadrons, the one -making every exertion to get away, and determined to run the -gauntlet in order to escape, and the other straining every -nerve to prevent their flight. They were at this time going -before the wind, and we were endeavouring to cross them, -in order to prevent the possibility of their escape, which -fortunately, from the superior sailing of the <i>Superb</i>, we -were able to effect.</p> - -<p>“The enemy brought their two largest ships together -(<i>l’Alexandre</i>, the headmost, and <i>l’Impériale</i>) -seemingly with a view to quiet the fire of the English Admiral -in the <i>Superb</i>, before any of the other ships could -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span> -come up; but in this they were disappointed, for the second -broadside from the <i>Superb</i> fortunately did such execution -on board the enemy’s headmost ship, <i>l’Alexandre</i>, -that she became quite unmanageable and lost her station. -The three-decker was by this time within pistol-shot of -the <i>Superb</i>, and apparently reserving her fire for -us; but at this critical moment Admiral Cochrane in the -<i>Northumberland</i> came up, and notwithstanding the small -distance between the <i>Superb</i> and <i>l’Impériale</i>, -he gallantly placed her between us, and received the whole -broadside of the largest, and esteemed the finest, ship in -the French navy. Several of the shot passed quite through -the <i>Northumberland</i> into the <i>Superb</i>. The action -then became general, and, as you must be already informed, -terminated most honourably for the British Navy; for although -the enemy was a little inferior, yet, according to the most -accurate calculation, they were entirely annihilated in the -short space of one hour.”</p> - -<p>According to the log of the <i>Canopus</i>, the time seems to -have been nearer two hours than one, but something must be -allowed for the enthusiasm of the young officer who writes this -letter, and his pride in the very “superior sailing” and other -perfections of the <i>Superb</i>.</p> - -<p>Jerome Bonaparte was not in command of the whole squadron -sighted on Christmas Day, but was captain of one of the ships, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span> -the <i>Veteran</i>. He soon became tired of the sea, however, -finding the throne of Westphalia more congenial to his tastes.</p> - -<p>The exact comparison between the enemy’s force and that of our -own is given in the log.<br> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">english line.</span></td> -<td class="tdr"> <span class="smcap">guns.</span></td> -<td class="tdr"> <div class="smcap">men.</div></td> -<td class="tdl">   </td> -<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">french line.</span></td> -<td class="tdr"> <span class="smcap">guns.</span></td> -<td class="tdr"> <div class="smcap">men.</div></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Superb</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdr"> 590</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Le Diomède</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 80</td> -<td class="tdr"> 900</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Northumberland</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdr"> 590</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>L’Impériale</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 120</td> -<td class="tdr"> 1300</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Spencer</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdr"> 590</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>L’Alexandre</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 80</td> -<td class="tdr"> 1080</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Agamemnon</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 64</td> -<td class="tdr"> 490</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Le Jupitre</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdr"> 700</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Canopus</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 80</td> -<td class="tdr"> 700</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Le Brave</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdr"> 700</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Donegal</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdr"> 590</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Atlas</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 74</td> -<td class="tdr"> 590</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<tr> - -<td class="tdc" colspan="7"><span class="smcap">Frigates, &c.</span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Acasta</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 40</td> -<td class="tdr"> 320</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>La Comette</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 40</td> -<td class="tdr"> 350</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Magicienne</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 36</td> -<td class="tdr"> 250</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>La Félicité</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 40</td> -<td class="tdr"> 350</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Kingfisher</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 36</td> -<td class="tdr"> 250</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> <i>La Diligente</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 24</td> -<td class="tdr"> 200</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"> <i>Epervier</i></td> -<td class="tdr"> 16</td> -<td class="tdr"> 95</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="i_174fp" style="max-width: 35.5625em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_174fp.png" alt=""> -<div class="caption">Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Austen, K.C.B.’s writing-desk</div> -</div> - -<p>The following letter was written by Captain Austen to Mary -Gibson on the day after the action:<br> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>Canopus</i>, <span class="smcap">off St. Domingo</span>, <i>February 7, 1806</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Mary</span>,—The news of an action with an -enemy’s squadron flies like wildfire in England, and I have -no doubt but you will have heard of the one we had yesterday -soon after the vessel which goes home shall arrive. It will, -therefore, I am sure, be a source of satisfaction to you and my -other friends at Ramsgate to have proof under my own hand of my -having escaped unhurt from the conflict. We had intelligence -while laying at St. Kitt’s, on the 2nd instant, that a French -squadron had arrived at St. Domingo, and immediately quitted -that place in pursuit. Happily yesterday morning at daylight -we got sight of them at anchor off the town of St. Domingo, -consisting of one ship of 120 guns, two of 80, two of 74, and -three frigates. Soon as we appeared in view, they got under -sail, not to meet, but to avoid us. We had one 80-gun ship, -five of 74, and one of 64, besides two frigates and four -corvettes. Our situation was such as to prevent their escape. -The action commenced at half-past ten, and was finally over by -half-past twelve, when three of the enemy’s ships were in our -possession, and the other two dismasted and on the rocks. The -frigates escaped. Had we been two miles farther off the land we -should have got the whole. We must, however, be truly thankful -for the mercies which have been showed us in effecting such a -victory with a comparatively inconsiderable loss. The Admiral -is sending the prizes, and such of our own ships as have -suffered most, to Jamaica, where, I suppose, we shall follow -as soon as we have ascertained that the two ships on shore are -in such a state as to prevent their getting off again. I am -in hopes this action will be the means of our speedy quitting -this country, and perhaps to return to Old England. Oh, how my -heart throbs at the idea! The <i>Canopus</i> sails so bad that -we were nearly the last ship in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span> action; when we did get up, -however, we had our share of it. Our people behaved admirably -well, and displayed astonishing coolness during the whole time.</p> - -<p>“The first broadside we gave brought our opponent’s three masts -down at once, and towards the close of the business we also had -the satisfaction of giving the three-decker a tickling which -knocked all <i>his sticks</i> away. We were so intermingled -with the enemy that it was impossible to confine our attack to -one, and though no one vessel struck to us in particular, I am -sure we had a share in each. The Admiral is sending off his -despatches, and I have only a few minutes which I have been -able to steal from my duty on deck to write these few hurried -lines. They will, I trust, be equal to a volume....</p> - -<p>“P.S.—We have not suffered much in masts and rigging, and I -fancy not an officer is killed in the whole squadron.”</p> -</div> - -<p>The work of repairs had immediately to be considered after the action -was over, and no doubt the “duty on deck” was very exacting when -Francis Austen managed to snatch time to scrawl this letter for the -relief of anxious ones at home.</p> - -<p>The end of the two ships which ran on shore is given in the log.</p> - -<p>“<i>February 9</i>, at eight. Saw the two ships which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span> ran on shore -during the action of the 6th, appearing to be full of water and quite -wrecks.</p> - -<p>“Observed the frigates to fire several guns at them. At 9 shortened -sail and hove to. The <i>Epervier</i> stood towards the wrecks with -a flag of truce. <i>Epervier</i> made telegraph signal: ‘There are -about twenty men on board the three-decker, and sixty on board the -two-decker. Boats can approach; take them off, and fire the hulls if -ordered.’</p> - -<p>“Admiral made telegraph signal: ‘Send two boats to the <i>Acasta</i> to -assist in bringing off prisoners.’ At a quarter past four, observed the -wrecks to be on fire.”</p> - -<p>Soon after they were all on the passage towards Jamaica.</p> - -<p>On February 12, an amusing incident is logged. Amusing it is in our -eyes, though perfectly seriously recorded.</p> - -<p>“<i>12.</i> <i>Acasta</i> made telegraph signals: An American ship -four days from Trinidad. The master reports that he saw there an -English gazette, containing particulars of great successes gained by -the allied powers on the Continent over the French, who are stated to -have been everywhere beaten, their armies destroyed, and Bonaparte -flying or killed. This had been brought to Trinidad by the mail boat -from Barbadoes, and the garrison fired a night salute on the joyful -occasion.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span></p> - -<p>This was, of course, quite at variance with facts.</p> - -<p>The voyage home from Jamaica was uneventful, except for the constant -trouble given by <i>l’Alexandre</i>, which had evidently been badly -damaged in the action, and had at last to be taken in tow. It was a -happier home-coming for Captain Austen than he had looked forward to -soon after Trafalgar. To return after a successful action with three -prizes in company was a better fate than had then seemed possible.</p> - -<p>They arrived on April 29, when the record stands:</p> - -<p>“Saw the lighthouse of St. Agnes bearing N.N.E. by E., distant six or -seven leagues; made signal for seeing land,” with what feelings it -is easier to imagine than to describe. Such a description has been -attempted over and over again, with varying degrees of success. Jane -Austen tells of a sailor’s leave-taking and return only once, and -then, as is her way, by the simple narration of details. Anne Elliot -and Captain Harville are having the time-honoured argument as to the -relative strength of the feelings of men and women, and to illustrate -his point Captain Harville says: “If I could but make you comprehend -what a man suffers when he takes a last look at his wife and children, -and watches the boat he has sent them off in, as long as it is in -sight, and then turns away and says, ‘God knows whether we ever meet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span> -again.’ And then if I could convey to you the glow of his soul when he -does see them again; when coming back after a twelvemonths’ absence, -perhaps, he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, -pretending to deceive himself, and saying, ‘They cannot be here till -such a day,’ but all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and -seeing them arrive at last, as if heaven had given them wings, by many -hours sooner still. If I could explain to you all this, and all that a -man can bear and do, and glories to do for the sake of these treasures -of his existence....”</p> - -<p>Jane Austen must, indeed, have known something of the feelings of “such -men as have hearts,” and the troubles and joys of the seafaring life.</p> - -<p>Several of the West Indian Governments and Trading Associations voted -addresses, as well as more substantial recognition, to the Admirals -and officers engaged at St. Domingo, who also received the thanks of -Parliament on their return to England.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br> -<span class="small">THE CAPE AND ST. HELENA</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>During the cruises of the <i>Canopus</i>, we have only one letter -from Jane Austen with any mention of Frank, and that is before his -disappointment of Trafalgar, or his success at St. Domingo. The full -quotation serves to show some of the difficulties of correspondence. -She writes to Cassandra: “I have been used very ill this morning. -I have received a letter from Frank which I ought to have had when -Elizabeth and Henry had theirs, and which in its way from Albany to -Godmersham has been to Dover and Steventon. It was finished on the -16th, and tells what theirs told before as to his present situation; he -is in a great hurry to be married, and I have encouraged him in it, in -the letter which ought to have been an answer to his. He must think it -very strange that I do not acknowledge the receipt of his, when I speak -of those of the same date to Eliz and Henry, and to add to my injuries, -I forgot to number mine on the outside.” This plan of numbering was a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span> -certain safeguard against misunderstandings, as it made it easy to find -out if a letter had been lost. The “present situation” was that off -Ushant, after the chase of Villeneuve across the Atlantic, and before -the orders to return southward had been received.</p> - -<p>In July 1806, Francis was married to Mary Gibson, known hereafter by -her sisters-in-law as “Mrs. F. A.” to distinguish her from the other -Mary, “Mrs. J. A.”</p> - -<p>Among the many social functions subjected to Jane Austen’s criticism, -it is not likely that the absurdities of a fashionable marriage would -escape her attention. The subject is treated with more than ordinary -severity in “Mansfield Park”—“It was a very proper wedding. The -bride was elegantly dressed, the two bridesmaids were duly inferior, -her father gave her away, her mother stood with salts in her hand, -expecting to be agitated, her aunt tried to cry, and the service was -impressively read by Dr. Grant. Nothing could be objected to, when -it came under the discussion of the neighbourhood, except that the -carriage which conveyed the bride and bridegroom and Julia from the -Church door to Sotherton was the same chaise which Mr. Rushworth had -used for a twelvemonth before. In every thing else the etiquette of the -day might stand the strictest investigation.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span></p> - -<p>Such was Jane Austen’s comment on the worldly marriage. Her estimate of -her own brother’s wedding may be better gathered from the account of -that of Mr. Knightly and Emma.</p> - -<p>“The wedding was very much like other weddings, where the parties have -no taste for finery and parade; and Mrs. Elton, from the particulars -detailed by her husband, thought it all extremely shabby, and very -inferior to her own, ‘very little white satin, very few lace veils; a -most pitiful business. Selina would stare when she heard of it.’ But, -in spite of these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, -the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the -ceremony were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union.”</p> - -<p>From the time of his marriage till the following April, Francis was -free to spend his time with his wife at Southampton, where they were -settling not far from the house where his mother and sisters now lived.</p> - -<p>This time was evidently a very pleasant one for Jane. She makes several -mentions of Frank and his wife and their common pursuits in her letters -to Cassandra.</p> - -<p>“We did not take our walk on Friday, it was too dirty, nor have we yet -done it; we may perhaps do something like it to-day, as after seeing -Frank skate, which he hopes to do in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span> meadows by the beach, we are -to treat ourselves with a passage over the ferry. It is one of the -pleasantest frosts I ever knew, so very quiet. I hope it will last some -time longer for Frank’s sake, who is quite anxious to get some skating; -he tried yesterday, but it would not do.</p> - -<p>“Our acquaintance increase too fast. He was recognised lately by -Admiral Bertie, and a few days since arrived the Admiral and his -daughter Catherine to wait upon us. There was nothing to like or -dislike in either. To the Berties are to be added the Lances, with -whose cards we have been endowed, and whose visit Frank and I returned -yesterday. They live about a mile and three-quarters from S., to the -right of the new road to Portsmouth, and I believe their house is one -of those which are to be seen from almost anywhere among the woods on -the other side of the Itchen. It is a handsome building, stands high, -and in a very beautiful situation.”</p> - -<p>The next letter is an answer to one from Cassandra delaying her return, -evidently a matter of regret to the whole household.</p> - -<p>“Frank and Mary cannot at all approve of your not being at home in -time to help them in their finishing purchases, and desire me to say -that, if you are not, they will be as spiteful as possible, and choose -everything in the style most likely to vex you—knives that will not -cut,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span> glasses that -will not hold, a sofa without a seat, and a bookcase -without shelves. But I must tell you a story. Mary had for some time -had notice from Mrs. Dickson of the intended arrival of a certain Miss -Fowler in this place. Miss F. is an intimate friend of Mrs. D., and a -good deal known as such to Mary. On Thursday last she called here while -we were out. Mary found, on our return, her card with only her name on -it, and she had left word that she would call again. The particularity -of this made us talk, and, among other conjectures, Frank said in joke, -‘I dare say she is staying with the Pearsons.’ The connection of the -names struck Mary, and she immediately recollected Miss Fowler’s having -been very intimate with persons so called, and, upon putting everything -together, we have scarcely a doubt of her actually being staying with -the only family in the place whom we cannot visit.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp30" id="i_184fp" style="max-width: 30em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_184fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">CASSANDRA AUSTEN</div> -</div> - -<p>“What a contretemps!—in the language of France. What an -unluckiness!—in that of Madame Duval. The black gentleman has -certainly employed one of his menial imps to bring about this complete, -though trifling mischief. Miss Fowler has never called again, but we -are in daily expectation of it. Miss P. has, of course, given her a -proper understanding of the business. It is evident that Miss F. did -not expect or wish to have the visit returned, and Francis is quite as -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span>much on his guard for his wife as we could desire for her sake or our -own.”</p> - -<p>What the mysterious disagreement with the Pearson family may have been -it is impossible to tell. That it caused more amusement than heartburn -is clear, but Jane was always an adept, as she says herself, at -constructing “a smartish letter, considering the want of materials.”</p> - -<p>The next we hear of Frank (beyond the fact that he has “got a very -bad cold, for an Austen; but it does not disable him from making very -nice fringe for the drawing-room curtains”) is on the question of his -further employment. He was very anxious indeed to get into a frigate, -but feared that the death of Lord Nelson, who knew of his desire, would -seriously damage his chances of getting what he wanted. Jane writes: -“Frank’s going into Kent depends of course upon his being unemployed; -but as the First Lord, after promising Lord Moira that Captain A. -should have the first good frigate that was vacant, has since given -away two or three fine ones, he has no particular reason to expect an -appointment now. He, however, has scarcely spoken about the Kentish -journey. I have my information chiefly from her, and she considers her -own going thither as more certain if he should be at sea than if not.” -This was in February 1807. Mrs. Frank Austen was very soon to feel the -loneliness of a sailor’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span> wife. In April 1807, Captain Austen took -command of the <i>St. Albans</i>, then moored in Sheerness Harbour.</p> - -<p>Naval matters, though much better than they had been, were by no means -in order yet, and great was the difficulty experienced in getting the -ship properly equipped. Letter after letter was written by the Captain -to “the principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty’s Navy” -before the ship could be got ready for sea, properly supplied with -stores and men. It was not until late in June that they at last got -away on convoying duty to the Cape of Good Hope.</p> - -<p>The account of Simon’s Bay in the note-book of Francis Austen is -interesting, when compared with the state of things now existing -at the Cape. After sundry very instructive but entirely nautical -directions for sailing in and out, and anchoring, he goes on to make a -few remarks respectively on wooding and watering, fortifications and -landing-places, trade and shipping and inhabitants, from each of which -we give extracts.</p> - -<p>“Wood is not to be had here, except by purchase, and is extravagantly -dear; nor is there any sort of fuel to be procured.</p> - -<p>“Water is plentiful and of an excellent quality; a stream is brought -by pipes to the extremity of the wharf, where two boats may fill with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span> -hoses at the same time, but as the run of water which supplies it is -frequently diverted to other purposes by the inhabitants, it is rather -a tedious mode of watering, and better calculated for keeping up the -daily consumption after being once completed, than for supplying the -wants of a squadron or ship arriving from a voyage.</p> - -<p>“The method generally used by the men-of-war is to land their casks on -the sandy beach on the N.W. part of the bay, a little to the Westward -of the North battery, where there are two or three considerable runs of -water down the sides of the mountains, and make wells or dipping-places -by sinking half-casks in the sand. In this way, many ships fill their -water at the same time without at all interfering with or retarding -each other’s progress. The casks so filled must be rafted off, as there -is generally too much surf to get them into the boats, and when the -South-easters set in strong it is impracticable to get them off at all. -The casks may however remain on shore without injury, and being ready -filled may be got off when the weather suits. Both watering-places -are completely commanded by the batteries as well as by the ships at -anchorage.</p> - -<p>“The anchorage is protected and commanded by two batteries and a round -tower. One on the South-east point of the bay, called the Block-house, -on which are three twenty-four-pounders,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span> and a ten-inch mortar. It is -elevated about thirty feet above the level of the sea, and commands the -whole of the bay, as well as the passage into the westward of the Roman -Rocks.</p> - -<p>“The round tower is close at the back of, and indeed may be considered -as appertaining to the Block-house. It has one twenty-four-pounder -mounted on a traversing carriage, and contains very good barracks for -fifty or sixty soldiers. The other, called the North Battery, is, -as its name bespeaks, on the north side of the bay. It stands on a -small rocky point between two sandy bays, on an elevation of twenty -or twenty-five feet above the level of the sea, and is mounted with -three long eighteen-pounders and two ten-inch mortars. Neither of -these works could make much resistance if regularly attacked by sea or -land, and are all completely commanded by higher ground in their rear -within half cannon-shot. There is besides these another battery called -Tucker’s, about half a mile to the southward of the Block-house, but -not in sight from the anchorage; on it are three eighteen-pounders. It -was constructed in consequence of a French frigate running into the bay -(not knowing it to be in the possession of the English) and getting -aground somewhere near that spot. It is however so placed as to be of -no use as a defence to the bay, for a ship, or squadron, coming in with -hostile intentions need<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span> not, except from choice, pass within reach of -its guns, and as a military post it is confessedly untenable, being -completely commanded by higher ground behind it.</p> - -<p>“The only regular landing-place is at the wharf which runs out about -fifty yards into the sea, and is very convenient, having always -sufficient water to allow of the largest boats when loaded to lie -alongside it without taking the ground. In moderate weather, boats -may, if required to do so, land in almost any part of the bay, and it -is, except where the rocks show themselves, a beach of very fine sand. -There is very little trade here, it having been chiefly used whilst in -the possession of the Dutch as a kind of half-way house for their ships -on their passage both to and from India and China.</p> - -<p>“The produce of those countries may however be generally procured, and -on reasonable terms, as duties on importation are so moderate that the -officers of the East India ships frequently find it worth their while -to dispose of their private investments here, rather than carry them -to England. There has been a whale fishery lately established by a few -individuals in a bay about four miles to the north-east, called Calp’s -or Calk’s Bay, which appears to be doing very well, but I imagine -could not be very much extended. There is no ship or vessel whatever -belonging to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span> place, and only a few small boats used for the -purposes of fishing.</p> - -<p>“The arsenal or naval yard is a compact row of storehouses under -one roof, and enclosed with a wall and gates, well situated for its -purpose, fronting a sandy beach and adjoining the wharf. It contains -all the necessary buildings and accommodations as a depot of naval and -victualling stores on a small scale, adequate however to the probable -wants of any squadron which is ever likely to be stationed there.</p> - -<p>“The inhabitants are a mongrel breed, a mixture of many nations, but -principally descended from the first Dutch settlers whose language -(probably a good deal corrupted both in ideas and pronunciation) is -in general use. The Government is now English, but the civil, as well -as the criminal jurisprudence is regulated by the colonial laws, as -originally established by the Dutch East India Company, somewhat -modified and ameliorated by the milder influence of English law. The -prevailing religion is Calvinistic, but there are many Lutherans, and -some of various sects.”</p> - -<p>The contrast between the Cape in 1807 and the Cape in 1905 is so strong -that it needs no emphasising.</p> - -<p>After calling at Ascension Island and St. Helena, the <i>St. Albans</i> -returned to England. The progress of contemporary history may be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span> noted -by the news which they received on their way back, which was duly -logged:</p> - -<p>“By this ship informed of capture of Copenhagen and the cession of the -Danish fleet to the English forces under Lord Cathcart and Admiral -Gambier.” By January 1 they were back at Spithead, where they remained -till the beginning of February, sailing thence, as was so often the -custom, under sealed orders. On opening the sealed packet Captain -Austen found that he was directed to accompany the convoy to St. Helena.</p> - -<p>The following account of the island is interesting when it is -remembered that at that time it was an unimportant spot, not yet -associated with memories of Napoleon. The note opens with a colossal -sentence!</p> - -<p>“This island being in the hands of the English East India Company, -and used by it merely as a rendezvous for its homeward-bound fleets, -where during time of war they are usually met at stated periods by some -King’s ship appointed to take them to England, has no trade but such -as arises from the sale of those few articles of produce, consisting -chiefly in poultry, fruit, and vegetables, which are beyond the -consumption of its inhabitants, and a petty traffic carried on by a few -shopkeepers, who purchase such articles of India and China goods, as -individuals in the Company’s ships may have to dispose of, which they -retail<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span> to the inhabitants and casual visitors at the island.</p> - -<p>“The inhabitants are chiefly English, or of English descent, although -there is a considerable number of negroes on the island, which with -very few exceptions are the property of individuals or of the Company, -slavery being tolerated here. It does not however appear that the -slaves are or can be treated with that harshness and despotism which -has been so justly attributed to the conduct of the land-holders or -their managers in the West India Islands, the laws of the Colony -not giving any other power to the master than a right to the labour -of his slave. He must, to enforce that right, in case a slave prove -refractory, apply to the civil power, he having no right to inflict -chastisement at his own discretion. This is a wholesome regulation -as far as it goes, but slavery however it may be modified is still -slavery, and it is much to be regretted that any trace of it should be -found to exist in countries dependent on England, or colonised by her -subjects. Every person who is above the rank of a common soldier is in -some shape or other a trader. A few acres of ground laid out in meadow, -or garden ground, will seldom fail to yield as much produce in the -year as would purchase the fee-simple of an equal quantity in England, -and this from the extravagant price which the wants of the homeward<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span> -bound India ships (whose captains and passengers rolling in wealth, and -accustomed to profusion, must have supplies cost what they may) enable -the islanders to affix to every article they raise. To such an extent -had this cause operated, that a couple of acres of potatoes, or a -garden of cabbages in a favourable season will provide a decent fortune -for a daughter.”</p> - -<p>The voyage home was uneventful, retarded by masses of floating gulf -weed, which continued very thick indeed for over a week.</p> - -<p>By the 30th of June the <i>St. Albans</i> was back again in the Downs. -The little stir consequent in the family life is indicated in Jane’s -letters, written when she was away from home at Godmersham. “One begins -really to expect the <i>St. Albans</i> now, and I wish she may come -before Henry goes to Cheltenham, it will be so much more convenient to -him. He will be very glad if Frank can come to him in London, as his -own time is likely to be very precious, but does not depend on it. I -shall not forget Charles next week.” A few days later she writes: “I am -much obliged to you for writing to me on Thursday, and very glad that I -owe the pleasure of hearing from you again so soon to such an agreeable -cause; but you will not be surprised, nor perhaps so angry as I should -be, to find that Frank’s history had reached me before in a letter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span> -from Henry. We are all very happy to hear of his health and safety, he -wants nothing but a good prize to be a perfect character. This scheme -to the island is an admirable thing for his wife, she will not feel the -delay of his return in such variety.” On the 30th: “I give you all joy -of Frank’s return, which happens in the true sailor way, just after our -being told not to expect him for some weeks. The wind had been very -much against him, but I suppose he must be in our neighbourhood now by -this time. Fanny is in hourly expectation of him here. Mary’s visit in -the island is probably shortened by this event. Make our kind love and -congratulations to her.”</p> - -<p>While on these last voyages Captain Austen made two charts, one of -Simon’s Bay, and one of the north-west side of the island of St. -Helena, which are still in use at the Admiralty. An interesting point -in the correspondence of the Captain of the <i>St. Albans</i> at this -time relates to the conduct of the masters of the various vessels -belonging to the convoy. They are very warmly commended for their skill -and attention, while some few from the “cheerfulness and alacrity -with which they repeatedly towed for many successive days some heavy -sailing ships of the convoy, a service always disagreeable, and often -dangerous,” are specially recommended to the notice of the East India -Company. No doubt such<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span> praise from captains of the men-of-war engaged -in convoying, was a useful means of advancement in the service of the -Company, and one which would be earnestly desired. It is an instance -of the justice and appreciativeness which was a characteristic of -Francis Austen that the master of the very ship which most retarded -the progress of the convoy comes in for his share of praise, perhaps -even warmer than that given to the more successful officers. “I cannot -conclude without observing that the indefatigable attention of Captain -Hay of the <i>Retreat</i>, in availing himself of every opportunity to -get ahead, and his uncommon exertions in carrying a great press of sail -both night and day, which the wretched sailing of his ship, when not in -tow, rendered necessary, was highly meritorious, and I think it my duty -to recommend him to the notice of the Court of Directors as an officer -deserving a better command.”</p> - -<p>One incident of interest occurred on the return voyage, which can -perhaps be better dealt with in another chapter.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br> -<span class="small">STARS AND STRIPES</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>On June 20, 1808, on the <i>St. Albans’</i> passage towards England, -there is an entry in the log: “Exchanged numbers with the <i>Raven</i> -brig. The brig is from off Lisbon. The French have taken possession -of Spain. The Spanish Royal Family are prisoners in France. It is not -certainly known where the Rochefort squadron is gone, but supposed into -the Mediterranean.”</p> - -<p>This was the beginning of the Peninsular War, in its results -disastrous to Napoleon. Napoleon’s calm supposition that he could -turn out the King of Spain and put in Joseph Bonaparte at his own -pleasure, was formed without reference to the feelings of the people -of Spain and Portugal; and futile as their objections might have -been if unsupported, their appeal to England was far-reaching in its -consequences. Not only was the seat of war transferred to a country -which, with its long sea-coast, was favourable to British arms, but the -actual naval gain was very great. Such ships of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span> the French Navy as had -escaped from Trafalgar were still lying in Cadiz, and had now no course -open to them but surrender, while the Spanish and Portuguese fleets, on -which Napoleon counted, were of course entirely hostile to him.</p> - -<p>The feeling in England over this war was very strong. Added to the -hatred of Napoleon, which would have made almost any of his actions -abhorrent, there was a real impulse of generous anger at the oppression -shown in pretending to buy the nation from its wretched King, in order -to establish a purely arbitrary dominion. At the same time it was a -grave question whether Napoleon, with his many legions, was to be -resisted successfully.</p> - -<p>As yet, however, Napoleon had not entered Spain, and Junot was in -command of the French army in the West of the Peninsula.</p> - -<p>Sir Arthur Wellesley was first appointed to command the British -expedition, but England does not always know her best men, and almost -at once Sir Harry Burrard was despatched to take over the work. The -battle of Vimiera was the first serious encounter, and, but for the -hesitation of Burrard to follow up his advantage, might have been -decisive.</p> - -<p>Sir Hew Dalrymple next day arrived from England to supersede Burrard, -and after some vacillation, not unnatural under the circumstances,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span> -between the policy of Wellesley and that of Burrard, he prepared -to push on, and was met by French proposals of a Convention. The -Convention of Cintra secured that the French should evacuate Portugal, -leaving for France on board British ships, and as they were determined -to take everything with them that they could lay their hands on, this -was not a bad arrangement for the French. Such, at least, was the -opinion in England, and a court of inquiry soon came to the conclusion -that it would have been better to leave the entire matter in the hands -of Wellesley, who was first on the scene, and had consequently other -qualifications for accurate judgment besides those which his genius -gave him.</p> - -<p>Napoleon, however, saw very clearly how much harm the battle of Vimiera -had done him, and came himself to Spain, enraged at Junot’s defeat. -The campaign of Sir John Moore, ending at Corunna, is too well known -for any description to be necessary. The fact that Napoleon could not -have everything his own way was established, and the struggle in the -Peninsula went on, until it closed five years later with the capture of -San Sebastian.</p> - -<p>Some extracts from the log of the <i>St. Albans</i> and two letters, -tell us of the small share which Francis Austen had in this business. -“<i>St. Albans</i>, in the English Channel, July 22nd, 1808. Received<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span> -on board Brigadier-General Anstruther with his staff and suite. Weighed -and made sail, twenty-three sail of transports in company.</p> - -<p>“<i>July 23.</i>—At a quarter past nine hove to and called the -masters of the transports on board by signal. Issued to them a sealed -rendezvous.”</p> - -<p>The transports were bad sailors, so it was not until August 5 that they -got away from the English Channel on the passage towards Portugal. On -the 12th, off Corunna, news was received from the <i>Defiance</i>, -which caused a deviation in the route in order to bring Anstruther into -touch with Wellesley, who was then near Figuero, just before the battle -of Vimiera.</p> - -<p>“<i>August 16.</i>—Saw a number of ships at anchor in Figuero Roads. -At two o’clock Captain Malcolm came on board, and brought instructions -for the General as to the disposition of the troops.</p> - -<p>“<i>August 17.</i>—Sent a boat with despatches for Sir Arthur -Wellesley on board the transport sent from Figuero (for this purpose).</p> - -<p>“<i>August 19.</i>—At anchor off the Burlings. Light airs and cloudy -weather. At three o’clock a Portuguese boat came alongside with a -messenger having despatches for Brigadier-General Anstruther from -Sir Arthur Wellesley. At daylight a very thick fog. At eleven the -fog cleared away, weighed and made sail to the southward. At three, -anchored off Panago in company, hoisted out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span> all the boats and sent -them to disembark the troops. At six, the General and his staff quitted -the ship. Light airs and fine weather. All the boats of the fleet -employed landing the troops.”</p> - -<p>The landing went on all night, and was finished next morning.</p> - -<p><i>On Sunday, the 21st</i>: “Observed an action between the English and -French armies on the heights over Merceira.” This was the battle of -Vimiera, where Kellerman and Berthier vainly endeavoured to dislodge -the British from the crest of the hills.</p> - -<p><i>August 22.</i>—“Sent all the boats on shore to assist in taking -off the wounded of our army to the hospital ships. Boats also employed -embarking French prisoners on board some of the transports.”</p> - -<p><i>August 24.</i>—“On the passage towards Oporto.” Thence they went -back to England, where on September 2 the French prisoners were -discharged at Spithead to the prison ships in the harbour.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_200fp" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_200fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">PORTCHESTER CASTLE - -<br>(<i>The French prisoners were interned in the neighbouring buildings -after the Battle of Vimiera.</i>)</div> -</div> - -<p>Two letters written to the Honble. W. Wellesley Pole, brother of Sir -Arthur Wellesley, give this story in a different form.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>St. Albans</i> <span class="smcap">off the Burlings</span>, <i>August 18, 1808</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I have to state to you for the information -of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that in -consequence of intelligence respecting the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span> British -Army in Portugal, communicated by Captain Hotham, of his -Majesty’s ship <i>Defiance</i>, on the 12th inst. off -Corunna, Brigadier-General Anstruther commanding the troops -embarked on board the transports under my convoy, requested -us not to pass Figuera without affording him an opportunity -of obtaining some further intelligence relative to the -situation of Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley; with -this, from existing circumstances, I thought it my duty to -comply, although contrary to the strict letter of my orders, -and accordingly when round Cape Finisterre, steered for -Cape Mondego, off which I arrived at noon on the 16th. The -Brigadier-General receiving there orders to proceed along the -coast to the southward and join the convoy under his Majesty’s -ship <i>Alfred</i>, whose captain would give him further -information respecting the position and operations of the army -by which he was to guide his own, I proceeded in consequence -thereof with the fleet, and yesterday at 1 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> joined -the <i>Alfred</i> off Phenice.</p> - -<p>“At four o’clock, in compliance with the Brigadier-General’s -wish, I anchored with the transports under the Burlings, -to prevent their dispersion, and to await the arrival of -directions from the Lieutenant-General, to whom an aide-de-camp -was yesterday despatched to announce our arrival, force, and -position.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span></p> - -<p>“One of my convoy, having a detachment of the 2nd battalion of -the 52nd Regiment on board, parted company on the night of the -12th instant, and has, I suppose, in compliance with the secret -rendezvous I issued on the 23rd of July, proceeded off the -Tagus.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 9.5em;">“I have the honour to be, Sir,</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 4.5em;">“Your obedient humble servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Francis William Austen</span>.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>From the same to the same.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>St. Albans</i>, <span class="smcap">Spithead</span>, <i>September 2, 1808</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—In my letter to you of the 18th ultimate -from off the Burlings forwarded by the <i>Kangaroo</i>, I -had the honour to announce for the information of my Lords -Commissioners of the Admiralty, the arrival of his Majesty’s -ship <i>St. Albans</i>, and the transports under my charge -at that anchorage. I have now to state to you, for their -Lordships’ further information, that the following morning -the fleet moved on to the southward, and anchored at 3 -<span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> off Paymago, where dispositions were immediately -made for disembarking the troops, which was effected in the -course of the night. On the 20th, I proceeded with the empty -transports, agreeably to the directions I received from -Captain Blight, to join the <i>Alfred</i> off Merceira, about -six miles more to the southward, and anchoring there at noon -of the 21st, remaining<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span> until the 24th, my boats being all -that time employed in landing provisions and stores for the -army, and embarking a number of French prisoners and wounded -British soldiers on board such of the transports as had been -appropriated for their reception.</p> - -<p>“On the 24th at noon, in obedience to directions contained in a -letter I received the evening before from Admiral Sir Charles -Cotton, I put to sea with twenty-nine transports under my -convoy, and proceeded with them off Oporto, where I anchored -on the evening of the 27th, and remained for twenty-four hours -until I had seen all safe over the bar. I then weighed, and, -making the best of my way to England, anchored at Spithead at 8 -<span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> this day.”</p> -</div> - -<p>The <i>St. Albans</i> remained in British waters until March in the -following year, for the greater part of the time at Spithead, where, in -January 1809, Captain Austen took charge of the disembarkation of the -remains of Sir John Moore’s army on their arrival from Corunna.</p> - -<p>Two of the very few references to public matters which occur in Jane -Austen’s letters are made concerning Sir John Moore and his army.</p> - -<p>“<i>December 27, 1808</i>.—The <i>St. Albans</i> perhaps may soon be -off to help bring home what may remain by this time of our poor army, -whose state<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span> seems dreadfully critical.” “I am sorry to find that Sir -J. Moore has a mother living, but, though a very heroic son, he might -not be a very necessary one to her happiness. Deacon Morrel may be more -to Mrs. Morrel. I wish Sir John had united something of the Christian -with the hero in his death. Thank heaven, we have no one to care for -particularly among the troops, no one, in fact, nearer to us than Sir -John himself. Colonel Maitland is safe and well; his mother and sisters -were of course anxious about him, but there is no entering much into -the solicitudes of that family.”</p> - -<p>It was in November of 1808 that Mrs. Edward Austen, the ‘Elizabeth’ of -the letters, died. Great grief was evidently felt by all her husband’s -family. Jane’s letters at the time are full of love and sympathy. -Cassandra was staying with her brother, and Frank got a few days’ extra -leave in order to go there, about a month after the death.</p> - -<p>Jane writes to tell his plans.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<i>November 21.</i><br> -</p> - - -<p>“Your letter, my dear Cassandra, obliges me to write -immediately, that you may have the earliest notice of Frank’s -intending, if possible, to go to Godmersham exactly at the time -now fixed for your visit to Goodnestone. He resolved almost -directly on the receipt of your former letter to try for an -extension of his leave of absence, that he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span> might be able to -go down to you for two days, but charged me not to give you -any notice of it, on account of the uncertainty of success. -Now, however, I must give it, and now perhaps he may be giving -it himself; for I am just in the hateful predicament of being -obliged to write what I know will somehow or other be of no -use. He meant to ask for five days more, and if they were -granted to go down by Thursday’s night mail, and spend Friday -and Saturday with you; and he considered his chance of success -by no means bad. I hope it will take place as he planned, and -that your arrangements with Goodnestone may admit of suitable -alteration.”</p> -</div> - -<p>During Francis Austen’s commands of the <i>Leopard</i>, <i>Canopus</i>, -and <i>St. Albans</i>, covering the eventful years of the Boulogne -blockade, and of Trafalgar, and up to 1810, Charles Austen was serving -on the North American station in command of the <i>Indian</i> sloop. -The work to be done on the coast of the United States was both arduous -and thankless. It consisted mainly in the enforcement of the right of -search for deserters, and the curtailment of the American carrying -trade, so far as it was considered illicit.</p> - -<p>British war policy had made it necessary to forbid trading by neutrals -between European<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span> countries under the sway of Napoleon, and their -dependencies in other parts of the world. American ingenuity succeeded -in evading this prohibition by arranging for the discharge and -reshipment of cargoes at some United States port, en route. The ship -would load originally at a West Indian port with goods for Europe, -then sail to a harbour in Massachusetts (for example), where the -cargo was warehoused, and the vessel repaired. When ready for sea, -the captain got the same cargo on board again, and departed for the -designated market on this side of the Atlantic. No wonder that American -vessels were so frequently spoken by the <i>Canopus</i> and the <i>St. -Albans</i>, for in 1806 and the following years nearly all the carrying -trade was done under the Stars and Stripes. American shipmasters were -able to pay very high wages, and desertions from British men-of-war -were frequent. Our cruisers had to take strong measures in face of this -growing evil, and finally an American frigate was boarded, and several -of the crew forcibly removed as deserters. Such action was possible -only on account of the great strength of the British naval force, a -practical blockade of the United States ports being enforced along the -whole Atlantic seaboard. This had been done in consequence of decisions -of the Admiralty Court against some of the reshipments, which were held -by the Judges to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span> evasions of the actual blockades of hostile ports. -The state of tension gradually became acute, but both Governments were -so loth to fight that negotiations were on foot for several years -before the President of the United States declared war in 1812. In 1809 -a settlement seemed to have been reached, and a fleet of six hundred -American traders had already got to sea, when it was discovered that -the treaty could not be ratified. It was indeed almost impossible for -England to alter her policy as regards neutral traders, or to abandon -the right of search for deserters, so long as every resource was -necessary in the struggle against Napoleon.</p> - -<p>Captain Mahan, writing on the “Continental System,” puts the matter in -a nutshell when he says: “The neutral carrier, pocketing his pride, -offered his services to either (combatant) for pay, and the other then -regarded him as taking part in the hostilities.”</p> - -<p>In 1808 the <i>Indian</i>, Charles Austen’s ship, captured <i>La Jeune -Estelle</i>, a small privateer, but the work on the North American -station was unprofitable as regards prize-money. In 1810 Charles gained -post rank as captain of the <i>Swiftsure</i>, flagship to Sir John -Warren. The great event of these years for him was his marriage in 1807 -with Fanny Palmer, daughter of the Attorney-General of Bermuda.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span></p> - -<p>In Jane’s letters there are constant mentions of him.</p> - -<p>“<i>December 27.</i>—I must write to Charles next week. You may guess -in what extravagant terms of praise Earle Harwood speaks of him. He is -looked up to by everybody in all America.”</p> - -<p>“<i>January 10.</i>—Charles’s rug will be finished to-day, and sent -to-morrow to Frank, to be consigned by him to Mr. Turner’s care; and I -am going to send ‘Marmion’ out with it—very generous in me, I think.” -“Marmion” was then just published. She was a great admirer of Scott, -and doubtless felt the parting from his latest work, even when making a -present of it to Charles. In another of her letters she writes:</p> - -<p>“Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It -is not fair. He has fame and profits enough as a poet, and ought not to -be taking the bread out of other people’s mouths. I do not mean to like -‘Waverley’ if I can help it, but I fear I must.”</p> - -<p>We hear one more small piece of news concerning Charles in a letter -of Jane’s dated January 24, 1809: “I had the happiness yesterday of a -letter from Charles, but I shall say as little about it as possible, -because I know that excruciating Henry will have a letter likewise, to -make all my intelligence valueless. It was written at Bermuda on the -7th and 10th of December. All were well.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span> He had taken a small prize in -his late cruise—a French schooner laden with sugar; but bad weather -parted them, and she had not yet been heard of. His cruise ended -December 1st. My September letter was the latest he had received.”</p> - -<p>We have the sequel to this incident in a letter from Charles to -Cassandra, dated from Bermuda on December 24, in which he says:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“I wrote to Jane about a fortnight ago acquainting her with -my arrival at this place and of my having captured a little -Frenchman, which, I am truly sorry to add, has never reached -this port, and, unless she has run to the West Indies, I have -lost her—and, what is a real misfortune, the lives of twelve -of my people, two of them mids. I confess I have but little -hopes of ever hearing of her again. The weather has been so -very severe since we captured her. I wish you a merry and -happy Xmas, in which Fan joins me, as well as in bespeaking -the love of her dear Grandmother and Aunts for our little -Cassandra. The October and November mails have not yet reached -us, so that I know nothing of you of late. I hope you have been -more fortunate in hearing of me. I expect to sail on Tuesday -with a small convoy for the island of St. Domingo, and, after -seeing them in safety, open sealed orders, which I conclude -will direct me to cruise as long as my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span> provisions, &c., will -allow, which is generally a couple of months. My companion, the -<i>Vesta</i>, is to be with me again, which I like very much. I -don’t know of any opportunity of sending this, but shall leave -it to take its chance. Tom Fowler is very well, and is growing -quite manly. I am interrupted, so conclude this by assuring you -how truly I am</p> -</div> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 8.5em;">“Your affectionate friend</span><br> -<span style="margin-right: 4em;">and attached brother,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Charles Jno. Austen</span>.”<br> -</p> - -<p>Charles stayed only five months in the <i>Swiftsure</i>. In September -1810 he took command of the <i>Cleopatra</i>, and brought her home in -the following April, after an absence of six and a half years.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp55" id="i_210fp" style="max-width: 27.6875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_210fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">CAPTAIN CHARLES AUSTEN</div> -</div> - -<p>Jane’s letters show how gladly the news of “our own particular little -brother’s” home-coming was welcomed. In an account of an evening party -given at the Henry Austens’, she tells how she heard that Charles -was soon to return. “At half-past seven arrived the musicians in two -hackney coaches, and by eight the lordly company began to appear. Among -the earliest were George and Mary Cooke, and I spent the greatest part -of the evening very pleasantly with them. The drawing-room being soon -hotter than we liked, we placed ourselves in the connecting passage,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span> -which was comparatively cool, and gave us all the advantage of the -music at a pleasant distance, as well as that of the first view of -every new comer. I was quite surrounded by acquaintances, especially -gentlemen; and what with Mr. Hampson, Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. Knatchbull, -Mr. Guillemarde, Mr. Cure, a Captain Simpson, brother to <i>the</i> -Captain Simpson, besides Mr. Walter, and Mr. Egerton, in addition to -the Cookes, and Miss Beckford, and Miss Middleton, I had quite as much -upon my hands as I could do. This said Captain Simpson told us, on the -authority of some other captain just arrived from Halifax, that Charles -was bringing the <i>Cleopatra</i> home, and that she was by this time -probably in the Channel; but as Captain S. was certainly in liquor we -must not depend on it. It must give one a sort of expectation, however, -and will prevent my writing to him any more. I would rather he should -not reach England till I am at home, and the Steventon party gone.”</p> - -<p>A curious time and place to receive such news, and a still more curious -informant according to the ideas of these days, when men do not appear -at an evening party “in liquor.”</p> - -<p>In November 1811 Charles was appointed to the <i>Namur</i>, as -Flag Captain to his old friend, Sir Thomas Williams, who was now -Commander-in-Chief at the Nore.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br> -<span class="small">CHINESE MANDARINS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>In April 1809 the <i>St. Albans</i> was again at sea, this time on a -voyage to China convoying East Indiamen.</p> - -<p>The first place which Captain Austen describes on this voyage is Port -Cornwallis, Prince of Wales Island, or Penang. He writes: “This harbour -is formed by Prince of Wales Island (better known by the native name -of Pulo Penang, signifying in the Malay language ‘Betel-nut Island’) -and the opposite coast of the Malay Peninsula, from which at the -nearest part it is distant about two miles. The approach to it is from -the northward, and is neither difficult nor dangerous.” After further -remarks on the best way of sailing in and anchoring, the notes deal -with the more generally interesting facts about the island. It must be -remembered that at this time the Malays were giving constant trouble -to British ships, by small but very ferocious attacks. “Wood is in the -greatest abundance, the whole coast of the Malay<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span> Peninsula in the -vicinity of this harbour being a forest, in which any quantity may be -had for the trouble of cutting. Ships of war do not, however, usually -procure it in that way, from the danger of introducing sickness amongst -their crews by the exposure to the sun, which would be unavoidable. -It may be purchased on the island at a reasonable price. Water is -plentiful, and it has been generally considered of an excellent -quality, and to keep well at sea.</p> - -<p>“Buffalo beef may be procured here in any quantity. The meat is -generally very coarse, lean, and ill-flavoured. Sheep are rarely to -be procured, and never but at a very high price. It should seem to be -an animal which the Malays have not got, as all those on the island -are imported from Bengal, at a great expense, by individuals for their -consumption. Fish is neither plentiful nor particularly good in kind; -fruit and vegetables are abundant and excellent. They are of those -species usually met with in tropical climates, with some peculiar to -the eastern parts of India.</p> - -<p>“The fortifications are by no means considerable, consisting in a -square fort, situated on the extremity of the point which separates -the outer from the inner harbour. It is probably quite sufficient to -intimidate the Malays, or repel any attack they could make were they so -disposed, but I should think it would be far from difficult for two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span> -or three ships of war to destroy it in a short time. The whole of the -works are in a very dilapidated state. It is obviously incapable of -affording any protection to the greater part of the town, as an enemy -might land to the northward and destroy most of the buildings, or lay -the inhabitants under contribution, without being exposed to a single -gun from the fort. To the shipping in the harbour, indeed, it could -give some protection, and that probably was the principal consideration -in selecting the spot which it occupies. There was formerly a work -called (from its shape, I presume) the Frying-pan Battery, but it -is now in a state of ruin, a great part of it having fallen in. The -sea appears to be gradually washing away the soil from under its -foundations.</p> - -<p>“The military force usually kept on the island consists in a battalion -of Sepoys about 600 strong, and a company of European artillery. I did -not understand that there was any militia or means of increasing the -effective force in case of an attack or other emergency. The public -wharf is built of wood, is of considerable breadth, and, being roofed -over for its whole length, seems well adapted for sheltering goods of -all sorts, in landing or shipping off, from the effects of the weather, -and especially from the sun, which is generally very powerful there. -The sides being open admit a free draught and circulation of air, so -that it is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span> perhaps, during the middle of the day, the coolest place in -the town, and as such is resorted to by the Europeans, who make it a -kind of Mall or lounging-place.</p> - -<p>“Shortly after this island was settled by the English, the trade -became considerable, and bid fair to increase, as it was found a very -convenient situation for ships to touch at on their voyage between -India and China, or any of the islands in the Eastern seas, having many -local advantages over Malacca, which had previously been used for that -purpose.</p> - -<p>“It was also considered favourable for the cultivation of pepper, large -plantations of which were made and throve exceedingly. In consequence -of the war, however, which has so long desolated Europe, and in its -progress gradually shut nearly every port on that continent against -British ships and trade, the market for pepper grown here has been -much straitened, and is now chiefly confined to China. The pepper -plantations having in consequence thereof been found very unprofitable -concerns, and in many instances I believe heavy losses, are now much -reduced in number and extent; nor, so far as I could learn, has any -other species of cultivation been introduced to occupy the soil and -give employment to the labour and capital which have been so diverted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span></p> - -<p>“Many spots, which had been cleared and produced crops, are now -neglected, and, as the progress of vegetation here is exceedingly rapid -and luxuriant, are verging fast to their original wild, forest-like -state.</p> - -<p>“Within the last two or three years attempts have been made by a few -gentlemen to introduce the culture of the nutmeg, clove and cinnamon; -several plants have been procured which are in a thriving state, and it -is generally thought that the soil and situation will suit them; but no -return can possibly be obtained for the first five or six years, which -must effectually prevent any but persons of large capitals embarking in -such a concern.</p> - -<p>“Many parts of the island would do very well for the growth of rice, -but it has been the policy of the Government to discourage that species -of husbandry as much as possible, from an idea that it would render the -settlement unhealthy; and as that grain can always be procured in any -quantity, and at a very cheap rate, from the Malay coast, the measure -of obstructing its cultivation on the island seems to have been a -prudent one.</p> - -<p>“Timber fit for naval purposes may be procured at several places in the -neighbourhood, particularly Pegu and Rangoon on the coast of Aracan, -and Siacca on the north-east coast of Sumatra. There are several -species of it, most, if not all, of which are considered very durable, -particularly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span> the teak. Poon and other spars fit for masts and yards -may also be had from many parts of the Malay coast at very moderate -prices, some of which are of a sufficient size to make a main-mast for -a seventy-four-gun ship of a single tree. The wood is considerably -heavier than fir, but being also much stronger, masts and yards made -of it will admit of being reduced in diameter, and nearly, if not -quite, equal to the difference in weight. Ships of considerable burden -have at different times been built here; the last and largest was a -thirty-six-gun frigate built at the expense of the East India Company, -and launched in August 1809.</p> - -<p>“It was in contemplation a few years back to construct docks here, and -the little island of Jerajah was pointed out as a proper situation.</p> - -<p>“Gates for the docks were sent out from England, and a steam-engine for -working pumps, as the fall of water would not be sufficient to empty -the docks; but nothing has yet been done, and the idea seems to have -been given up.</p> - -<p>“Having the means of docking ships here would on many occasions be -productive of very great convenience as well to the public service -as to private individuals. For want thereof any ship requiring to be -docked must now go to Bengal, or, if a large one, to Bombay, at a great -loss of time and increased expense, especially if trading<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span> to China or -into the Eastern Seas, in which case it certainly would occasion the -loss of the season altogether.</p> - -<p>“The population of the island is said to be about 50,000 souls, but -I should think it considerably over-rated at that statement. It is -composed of various nations, Malays, Chinese, Cochin-Chinese, Siamese, -Birmans, Bengalees, Malabars, Chulians, and most of the nations and -castes of India, with a few Europeans, which last fill situations -under the Government, or are engaged in mercantile concerns. The -languages are as various as the nations, few of them speaking any other -than that of their own country. It is a singular fact that more than -thirty, totally distinct from each other, are spoken in the Bazar. -The Government, appointed by the East India Directors, is entirely -independent of the Presidencies. The present Governor is a military -man, having the local rank on the islands of Colonel in the Company’s -army, and is Commander-in-Chief of all the troops there.</p> - -<p>“As the civil code is in many instances suited to the peculiar customs -and usages of the different nations composing the population, who are -in general fond of litigation, the office of Chief Judge is a very -arduous and fatiguing one.”</p> - -<p>The <i>St. Albans</i> was sent on to China with the convoy of East -Indiamen, and anchored in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span> river of Canton. Various matters kept -them here for more than five months, from September 18, 1809, till -March 2, 1810.</p> - -<p>The river of Canton had for many years been infested with pirates, -called Ladrones, who robbed and murdered, devastated the country, -attacked villages, and were even a danger to the town of Canton itself. -In order to hold them in some measure in check, the Chinese Government -had engaged an English vessel called the <i>Mercury</i> to act against -them; and immediately on the arrival of the <i>St. Albans</i>, Francis -Austen was asked if he would consider it consistent with his duty -to give any further help. He replied that, considering the friendly -relations between Britain and China, he should feel himself quite at -liberty to give what help he could. He stipulated however that he -should receive a written application from the Viceroy of Canton, and -also that the restrictions which the Chinese Government had imposed on -the British ships of war to prohibit them from passing the Bocca Tigris -should be removed, and every part of the river made free to them. He -pointed out that the Chinese Mandarin (or war) boats would be suitable -for the purpose of attacking the Ladrones if overhauled, fitted with -European artillery and manned by Europeans, and also that the British -ships were of no manner of use in the river, as they were all much<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span> -too large, and moreover all but the <i>St. Albans</i> would soon be -on their passage home. He also expressed a readiness to wait on the -Viceroy in order to talk the matter over.</p> - -<p>The appointment was made to meet at the Hoppo’s house at two o’clock -on November 2; and here Captain Austen presented himself, but “after -waiting nearly half an hour in a close dirty kind of lobby, exposed -to the stare of every blackguard who could squeeze himself into the -passage leading to it, and having our noses assailed by a combination -of villanous smells, I was informed that the Viceroy had gone away, -but that the Hoppo would come and speak to me.” This Captain Austen -absolutely declined, and retired, leaving word that if the Viceroy -wished hereafter to see him, “he would at any time have it in his power -to do so by coming to the British factory.” He adds: “It is not easy -to account for the Viceroy’s behaviour, but I am inclined to set it -down to the score of imbecility, and a struggle between pride and the -conviction of his own inability to arrest the progress of the pirates, -in which the former has obtained the victory.” His dealings with the -Viceroy were, however, by no means at an end. About a month afterwards -it was necessary to make a serious complaint to the Chinese Government. -Some officers of the <i>St. Albans</i> had gone ashore for shooting. -One<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span> of them was attacked by a buffalo, and was only rescued from being -gored to death by his friends, who shot the animal. Numerous Chinamen -immediately gathered round full of indignation at the slaughter of the -brute, and, in spite of the protestations of the Englishmen, and their -assertions that they would make full restitution, they were attacked -in a most violent manner, and only got away by buying their liberty. -Evidently the “very friendly feelings” supposed to be existing between -the two governments were not so cordially shared by individuals.</p> - -<p>After these two minor troubles, a very difficult matter came before -Francis Austen, and his skill and courtesy in dealing with it earned -him the unqualified thanks of the East India Company, besides some -more substantial recognition. Just when the <i>St. Albans</i> and her -convoy were prepared to put to sea again, they were informed that the -“Chops” would not be granted to them, or the ships allowed to depart. -The reason given was that a Chinaman had been killed in the town, and, -it was stated, by an Englishman. This was a serious matter to deal -with, as the evidence was most difficult to collect—the Chinese were -thorough-paced liars—and every day of delay now made it more and more -likely that the convoy would encounter bad weather on the way home. -The Viceroy insisted that the English<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span> officers should themselves -discover the offender, while Captain Austen pointed out that they had -no means of knowing anything about the matter, even if the culprit were -one of their own men, and that the police of Canton were more likely -to be successful in discovering the offender. In a letter to Admiral -Drury, Commander-in-Chief in India, Francis Austen feelingly remarks: -“I need not detail to you, Sir, who are so well aware of them, the -difficulties that oppose and retard the discussion of any question -with the Chinese from various causes, but especially from the want -of efficient means of getting our sentiments properly and faithfully -rendered into Chinese, nor the pertinacity with which they adhere to -any opinion they have once assumed, or assertion once made, in defiance -of justice, equity and common sense. You know them all. But when I -reflect upon these obstacles, and the general character of the people, -I cannot help feeling in how very arduous a situation I am placed, and -what important consequences may result from my conduct.” The evidence -of the two witnesses was certainly not of a sort to make matters easy -for the Committee appointed to examine the question. “One states there -was neither noise nor fighting, the other that there was noise and -he saw fighting for ten minutes, although not being present at the -commencement of it he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span> knew not how much longer it might have been -going on. Again one of them stated that he knew nothing of the business -and was not with the deceased when he was stabbed, and immediately -afterwards stated that he saw him stabbed, and was only four cubits -from him at the time. One of them states it to be quite dark, and the -other that it was moonlight.”</p> - -<p>In spite of all this, when the insufficiency of the evidence was -pointed out to the Mandarins, they, “like true Chinese Mandarins (which -designation, perhaps, comprises every bad quality which has disgraced -human nature), insisted that, as we must now be clearly convinced that -the offender was an Englishman, we could no longer have any pretence -for withholding him from justice, and therefore would, of course, give -him up to be tried according to the laws of China. A Mandarin is not a -reasoning animal, nor ought to be treated as a rational one.”</p> - -<p>The matter was finally settled by allowing the British ships to depart -on condition that there was an inquiry held during the voyage home, -the result of which was to be communicated from England to China on -the arrival of the <i>St. Albans</i> and convoy. This seems a truly -Chinese mode of arrangement, but not wholly unsatisfactory, as it was -discovered that three of the men on the <i>Cumberland</i> (one of the -Indiamen) had been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span> engaged in the riot, and carrying arms at the time, -so that there was some presumptive evidence for their being the actual -perpetrators of the deed. The <i>St. Albans</i> was back in England by -July, with the convoy, calling at St. Helena on the way.</p> - -<p>His long service as midshipman must have made the navigation in -the China Seas tolerably familiar to Captain Austen. The points -mentioned in this part of the log have a peculiar interest at the -moment of writing this chapter (May 1905), when we have all been -watching the great drama of the Russian fleet’s approach to Japanese -waters, followed by their destruction, more complete than that of the -vanquished at Trafalgar. Cape Varella, Natuna and Saputa Islands, and -the Paracels, are all amongst the log records. Passing the latter group -seems to have been always an anxious time, as shoals are frequent -northward of Singapore, which town, by the way, had no apparent -existence in 1809.</p> - -<p>There is a curious correspondence, partly by signal, on the passage -down the China Seas:</p> - -<p>“<i>March 16, 1810.</i>—At 1 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> telegraph signal to -<i>Perseverance</i> (one of the tea-ships of the convoy): ‘Do you know -anything of the shoal called the Dogger Bank, and which side would you -recommend passing it?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span></p> - -<p>“<i>Perseverance</i> answers, ‘The shoal is doubtful. I should wish to -pass to the eastward of it.’</p> - -<p>“At 3 o’clock the <i>Glatton</i> (another of the tea-laden Indiamen) -made signal to speak with us. Shortened sail.</p> - -<p>“At 4, Captain Halliburton informed me that the Dogger Bank is by no -means doubtful, having himself been in a ship which was aground on it. -They found it exceedingly irregular.”</p> - -<p>The connection of the name with the “untoward incident” of October 1904 -and the Russian fleet is a coincidence.</p> - -<p>One of the outline sketches which occur in the logs is that of Krakatoa -Island, in the Straits of Sunda. This mountain was partially destroyed -in 1882 by the immense eruption of volcanic matter, which coloured the -sunsets all over the world many months afterwards.</p> - -<p>Francis Austen was superseded in the <i>St. Albans</i> in September -1810 by his own wish. He naturally wanted a short time without -employment to spend with his wife, who had not had much of his society -since their marriage.</p> - -<p>From December in the same year till May 1811 he was stationed -off the coast of France as Flag-Captain to Lord Gambier in the -<i>Caledonia</i>. After this there was another holiday of about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span> two -months, spent with his wife and children in paying visits. Jane’s -letters speak of their being at Steventon, and of a projected visit to -Chawton.</p> - -<p>On July 18, 1811, he took command of the <i>Elephant</i>, and became -again concerned in the Napoleonic wars.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter illowp57" id="i_226fp" style="max-width: 28.875em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_226fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">“CASSANDRA’S SKETCH OF JANE”</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br> -<span class="small">A LETTER FROM JANE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The time of Captain Austen’s service in the <i>Elephant</i> is divided -into three periods. For over a year she was employed with Admiral -Young’s fleet in the North Sea, which was stationed there to watch -Vice-Admiral Missiessy, then at anchor at the mouth of the Scheldt, -ready to slip out if occasion offered. The ships under his command -had been newly built in Napoleon’s great dockyard of Flushing, which -was rendered ineffective by the constant British blockade. In the -autumn of 1812 the <i>Elephant</i> was cruising off the Azores with -the <i>Phœbe</i> and <i>Hermes</i>. The disputes concerning trade had -by this time resulted in war with the United States. On this cruise we -have the record in the log of the capture of an American privateer, the -<i>Swordfish</i>.</p> - -<p>“<i>December 27.</i>—At two, saw a strange sail bearing W. by N. Made -the signal to the <i>Hermes</i> with a gun. Made all sail in chace. At -sunset,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span> chace distant two miles. The chace had all the appearance of -an armed vessel.</p> - -<p>“28.—Fired several shots at the chace. At five minutes to two -perceived her hoist two lights and bring to. At two shortened sail, -hove to, boarded, and took possession of the chace, which proved to be -the American schooner privateer <i>Swordfish</i>, out sixteen days from -Boston, armed with twelve six-pounders and eighty-two men. During the -chace ten of her guns and several spars were thrown overboard.”</p> - -<p>After her return to England with the prize and another turn at the -Flushing blockade, the <i>Elephant</i> was ordered to the Baltic. -They were engaged in convoying vast numbers of small vessels through -the Sound and the Belt past the coasts of Denmark, which was still -under the power of France, and in keeping at a distance such armed -craft of the enemy as were dangerous. We find, in these short cruises -to and fro, as many as two hundred and fifty or three hundred sail -in company, under the charge of three or four men-of-war. An entry -in the log on October 10 will show the nature of the work: “A boat -from the <i>Zealous</i> came with letters for the Admiral, and to say -that the galliott chaced yesterday was one which had drifted out of -the convoy the preceding night, and was captured in the morning by a -row-boat privateer off<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span> Nascoi, which, on the <i>Zealous’</i> approach, -abandoned her and escaped into Femerin. It appearing on examining the -master of the galliott that he never had belonged to the convoy, but -had merely joined them off Anholt and continued with them for security -sake, without applying for instructions, it was decided to consider -the vessel as a recapture, and to take her on to Carlskrona as such. -She is called the <i>Neptunus</i>, Daniel Sivery, master, belonging -to Gottenberg, and bound from that place to Stralsund with a cargo of -rice, sugar, coffee, and indigo.”</p> - -<p>The Island of Anholt, captured in 1809, was a possession of great -importance to the English when engaged in this work, on account of its -lighthouse, which could signal to the ships of the convoy and keep them -all in their places. Of this island Captain Austen had a few words to -say which show that its importance lay therein alone. After a lengthy -and minute description of the lighthouse and all which appertained to -it, he continues: “The garrison at present consists of about three men -of a veteran battalion, and a few marine artillery, which form by many -degrees the most considerable portion of the population, for, exclusive -of the military and their appendages of wives and children, there are -but sixteen families on the island, who all reside at the only village -on it, near the high ground to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span> the westward, and whose principal -occupation is fishing, in which they are generally very successful -during the summer.</p> - -<p>“Antecedent to the war between England and Denmark and the consequent -occupation of the island by the English, the Anholters paid a small -rent to the proprietor of the soil, who is a Danish nobleman residing -at Copenhagen; but at present they are considered and fed as prisoners -of war by the English. They are an exceedingly poor people, and seem to -enjoy but a small proportion of worldly comfort.”</p> - -<p>The Island of Rugen, which was another anchoring station for the -<i>Elephant</i>, was the only portion of the conquests of Gustavus -Adolphus which still remained under the Swedish flag. The whole tract -of country which he conquered was called Swedish Pomerania, but the -mainland districts had lately been occupied by part of Napoleon’s army -under Marshal Brune.</p> - -<p>Of Rugen, Captain Austen writes: “The British ships of war were not -supplied with fresh beef and vegetables whilst the <i>Elephant</i> was -there, and I understood because (though they might have been procured) -the price was too great, which may probably be in a great degree owing -to the neighbouring part of Pomerania having been last year occupied by -the French troops, and having suffered much from the effects of war,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span> -as well as having still large armies in its vicinity, which must of -course very materially affect the state of the markets for provisions -of all kinds.”</p> - -<p>While the <i>Elephant</i> was employed in this way in convoying small -vessels backwards and forwards, great events were going on all round. -The southern shores of the Baltic were included this year in the great -arena of the battles which preceded the downfall of Napoleon.</p> - -<p>Napoleon’s day was now nearly over. The retreat, in 1812, from Moscow -had shaken his reputation, and Prussia no longer attempted to keep -up the disguise of friendly relations with France. The revolt of the -Prussian regiments of Napoleon’s army gave the signal for a national -organisation, and the whole country turned openly against France. The -garrisons left in the fortified towns, conquered seven years earlier, -were the only remnants of French dominion. Marshal Bernadotte, who had -fought for his Emperor at Grezlaw and Wagram, had lately been selected -to be Crown Prince of Sweden. His interests were now centred in Sweden, -and his great desire was to conquer Norway. That kingdom was ceded in -1814, in exchange for Rugen and the Pomeranian territories, and has -been, almost from that date, a source of increasing difficulty to the -Crown of Sweden. Bernadotte had asked help towards his project from -Napoleon, at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span> same time promising to give him reinforcements for -the Russian invasion. This offer was refused, and Bernadotte remained -neutral until he saw that matters were going against his former -sovereign. Now, in 1813, he declared himself an ally of the Russians -and Austrians, and brought across the Baltic into Swedish Pomerania a -contingent of 12,000 men, of whom a considerable number were convoyed -by English men-of-war.</p> - -<p>In the log for May 28, 1813, we read: “Sailed the <i>Princess -Caroline</i> and several of the brigs, with a large fleet of -transports, for the Sound. The transports have 4900 Swedish troops on -board, to be landed in Swedish Pomerania.” These soldiers assisted in -the defeat of Marshal Oudinot, and were among the force which drove -back Napoleon from Leipzig in the next October, just at the same time -that Wellington had completed the liberation of Spain and was leading -his army through the passes of the Pyrenees.</p> - -<p>It is scarcely remarkable that the signal asking for news should be -so frequently made from the <i>Elephant</i> when such events were in -progress.</p> - -<p>A letter from Jane to her brother, written while all this was going -on, must have been truly refreshing, with its talk of hayfields, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span> -abundance of cheerful gossip about nothing in particular:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">Chawton</span>, <i>July 3, 1813</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Frank</span>,—Behold me going to write you -as handsome a letter as I can! Wish me good luck. We have -had the pleasure of hearing from you lately through Mary, -who sent us some of the particulars of yours of June 18 (I -think), written off Rugen, and we enter into the delight of -your having so good a pilot. Why are you like Queen Elizabeth? -Because you know how to chuse wise ministers. Does not this -prove you as great a Captain as she was a Queen? This may -serve as a riddle for you to put forth among your officers, by -way of increasing your proper consequence. It must be a real -enjoyment to you, since you are obliged to leave England, to -be where you are, seeing something of a new country and one -which has been so distinguished as Sweden. You must have great -pleasure in it. I hope you may have gone to Carlscroon. Your -profession has its <i>douceurs</i> to recompense for some of -its privations; to an enquiring and observing mind like yours -such <i>douceurs</i> must be considerable. Gustavus Vasa, and -Charles XII., and Cristina and Linneus. Do their ghosts rise -up before you? I have a great respect for former Sweden, so -zealous as it was for Protestantism. And I have always fancied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span> -it more like England than other countries; and, according to -the map, many of the names have a strong resemblance to the -English. July begins unpleasantly with us, cold and showery, -but it is often a baddish month. We had some fine dry weather -preceding it, which was very acceptable to the Holders of Hay, -and the Masters of Meadows. In general it must have been a -good hay-making season. Edward has got in all his in excellent -order; I speak only of Chawton, but here he has better luck -than Mr. Middleton ever had in the five years that he was -tenant. Good encouragement for him to come again, and I really -hope he will do so another year. The pleasure to us of having -them here is so great that if we were not the best creatures -in the world we should not deserve it. We go on in the most -comfortable way, very frequently dining together, and always -meeting in some part of every day. Edward is very well, and -enjoys himself as thoroughly as any Hampshire-born Austen can -desire. Chawton is not thrown away upon him. He talks of making -a new garden; the present is a bad one and ill-situated, near -Mr. Papillon’s. He means to have the new at the top of the -lawn behind his own house. We like to have him proving and -strengthening his attachment to the place by making it better. -He will soon have all his children about him. Edward, George -and Charles<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span> are collected already, and another week brings -Henry and William. It is the custom at Winchester for Georges -to come away a fortnight before the holidays, when they are not -to return any more; for fear they should overstudy themselves -just at last, I suppose. Really it is a piece of dishonourable -accommodation to the Master. We are in hopes of another visit -from our true lawful Henry very soon; he is to be our guest -this time. He is quite well, I am happy to say, and does not -leave it to my pen, I am sure, to communicate to you the joyful -news of his being Deputy Receiver no longer. It is a promotion -which he thoroughly enjoys, as well he may; the work of his own -mind. He sends you all his own plans of course. The scheme for -Scotland we think an excellent one both for himself and his -nephew. Upon the whole his spirits are very much recovered. If -I may so express myself his mind is not a mind for affliction; -he is too busy, too active, too sanguine. Sincerely as he was -attached to poor Eliza moreover, and excellently as he behaved -to her, he was always so used to be away from her at times, -that her loss is not felt as that of many a beloved wife might -be, especially when all the circumstances of her long and -dreadful illness are taken into the account. He very long knew -that she must die, and it was indeed a release at last. Our -mourning for her is not over,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span> or we should be putting it on -again for Mr. Thomas Leigh, who has just closed a good life at -the age of seventy-nine, and must have died the possessor of -one of the finest estates in England, and of more worthless -nephews and nieces than any other private man in the United -Kingdom. We are very anxious to know who will have the living -of Adlestrop, and where his excellent sister will find a home -for the remainder of her days. As yet she bears his loss with -fortitude, but she has always seemed so wrapped up in him that -I fear she must feel it dreadfully when the fever of business -is over. There is another female sufferer on the occasion -to be pitied. Poor Mrs. L. P. (Leigh Perrot) who would now -have been mistress of Stoneleigh had there been none of the -vile compromise, which in good truth has never been allowed -to be of much use to them. It will be a hard trial. Charles’ -little girls were with us about a month, and had so endeared -themselves that we were quite sorry to have them go. They are -now all at South End together. Why do I mention that? As if -Charles did not write himself. I hate to be spending my time -so needlessly, encroaching too upon the rights of others. I -wonder whether you happened to see Mr. Blackall’s marriage in -the papers last January. We did. He was married at Clifton to -a Miss Lewis, whose father had been late of Antigua. I should<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span> -very much like to know what sort of a woman she is. He was a -piece of perfection—noisy perfection—himself, which I always -recollect with regard. We had noticed a few months before -his succeeding to a College living, the very living which we -recollected his talking of, and wishing for; an exceeding good -one, Great Cadbury in Somersetshire. I would wish Miss Lewis -to be of a silent turn and rather ignorant, but naturally -intelligent and wishing to learn, fond of cold veal pies, green -tea in the afternoon, and a green window blind at night.</p> - -<p>“You will be glad to hear that every copy of S. and S. is -sold, and that it has brought me £140, besides the copyright, -if that should ever be of any value. I have now, therefore, -written myself into £250, which only makes me long for more. -I have something in hand which I hope the credit of P. and P. -will sell well, though not half so entertaining, and by the bye -shall you object to my mentioning the <i>Elephant</i> in it, -and two or three other old ships? I <i>have</i> done it, but it -shall not stay to make you angry. They are only just mentioned.</p> - -<p>“<i>July 6.</i>—I have kept open my letter on the chance of -what Tuesday’s post might furnish in addition, and it furnishes -the likelihood of our keeping our neighbours at the Great House -some weeks longer than we expected. Mr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span> Scudamore, to whom my -brother referred, is very decided as to Godmersham not being -fit to be inhabited at present. He talks even of two months -being necessary to sweeten it, but if we have warm weather I -daresay less will do. My brother will probably go down and -sniff at it himself, and receive his rents. The rent-day has -been postponed already.</p> - -<p>“We shall be gainers by their stay, but the young people -in general are disappointed, and therefore could wish it -otherwise. Our cousins, Colonel Thomas Austen and Margaretta, -are going as aide-de-camps to Ireland; and Lord Whitworth goes -in their train as Lord-Lieutenant; good appointments for each. -I hope you continue well and brush your hair, but not all off.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 1em;">“Yours very affectionately,</span><br> -“J. A.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>The “something in hand” in this letter was “Mansfield Park.” The -mentions of ships occur in one of the scenes at Portsmouth, when the -whole of the Price family are full of the <i>Thrush</i> going out of -harbour, and have no eyes or ears for Fanny, who has just come home -after an absence of seven or eight years. The scene is worth quoting -almost <i>in extenso</i>:</p> - -<p>“Fanny was all agitation and flutter—all hope and apprehension. The -moment they stopped,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span> a trollopy-looking maid-servant, seemingly -in waiting for them at the door, stepped forward, and, more intent -on telling the news than giving them any help, immediately began -with—‘The <i>Thrush</i> is gone out of harbour, please, sir, and one -of the officers has been to——’ She was interrupted by a fine tall -boy of eleven years old, who, rushing out of the house, pushed the -maid aside, and while William was opening the chaise-door himself, -called out, ‘You are just in time. We have been looking for you this -half-hour. The <i>Thrush</i> went out of harbour this morning. I saw -her. It was a beautiful sight. And they think she will have her orders -in a day or two. And Mr. Campbell was here at four o’clock to ask for -you; he has got one of the <i>Thrush’s</i> boats, and is going off to -her at six, and hoped you would be here in time to go with him.’</p> - -<p>“A stare or two at Fanny, as William helped her out of the carriage, -was all the voluntary notice which this brother bestowed; but he made -no objection to her kissing him, though still engaged in detailing -farther particulars of the <i>Thrush’s</i> going out of harbour, in -which he had a strong right of interest, being to commence his career -of seamanship in her at this very time.</p> - -<p>“Another moment, and Fanny was in the passage and in her mother’s arms. -She was then taken into a small parlour. Her mother was gone<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span> again to -the street-door to welcome William. ‘Oh, my dear William, how glad I -am to see you! But have you heard about the <i>Thrush</i>? She is gone -out of harbour already, three days before we had any thought of it; and -I do not know what I am to do about Sam’s things; they will never be -ready in time; for she may have her orders to-morrow perhaps. It takes -me quite unawares. And now you must be off to Spithead, too. Campbell -has been here quite in a worry about you; and now what shall we do? -I thought to have had such a comfortable evening with you, and now -everything comes upon me at once.’</p> - -<p>“Her son answered cheerfully, telling her that everything was always -for the best, and making light of his own inconvenience in being -obliged to hurry away so soon.</p> - -<p>“‘To be sure, I had much rather she had stayed in harbour, that I might -have sat a few hours with you in comfort, but as there is a boat ashore -I had better go off at once, and there is no help for it. Whereabouts -does the <i>Thrush</i> lie at Spithead? Near the <i>Canopus</i>? But, -no matter—here is Fanny in the parlour, and why should we stay in the -passage? Come, mother, you have hardly looked at your own dear Fanny -yet.’</p> - -<p>“Lastly, in walked Mr. Price himself, his own loud voice preceding -him, as, with something of an oath kind, he kicked away his son’s -portmanteau<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span> and his daughter’s bandbox in the passage and called out -for a candle; no candle was brought, however, and he walked into the -room.</p> - -<p>“Fanny, with doubting feelings, had risen to meet him, but sank down -on finding herself undistinguished in the dusk, and unthought of. With -a friendly shake of his son’s hand, and an eager voice, he instantly -began—‘Ha! welcome back, my boy. Glad to see you. Have you heard the -news? The <i>Thrush</i> went out of harbour this morning. Sharp is the -word, you see. By G——, you are just in time. The doctor has been -inquiring for you; he has got one of the boats, and is to be off for -Spithead by six, so you had better go with him. I have been to Turner’s -about your mess; it is all in a way to be done. I should not wonder if -you had your orders to-morrow; but you cannot sail in this wind, if -you are to cruise to the westward with the <i>Elephant</i>. By G——, -I wish you may. But old Scholey was saying, just now, that he thought -you would be sent first by Texel. Well, well, we are ready, whatever -happens. But, by G——, you lost a fine sight by not being here in -the morning to see the <i>Thrush</i> go out of harbour. I would not -have been out of the way for a thousand pounds. Old Scholey ran in at -breakfast-time, to say she had slipped her moorings and was coming out. -I jumped up, and made but two steps to the platform.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span> If ever there was -a perfect beauty afloat, she is one; and there she lies at Spithead, -and anybody in England would take her for an eight-and-twenty. I was -upon the platforms two hours this afternoon looking at her. She lies -close to the <i>Endymion</i>, between her and the <i>Cleopatra</i> just -to the eastward of the sheer hulk.’ ‘Ha!’ cried William, ‘that’s just -where I should have put her myself. It’s the best berth at Spithead. -But here is my sister, sir; here is Fanny,’ turning and leading her -forward; ‘it is so dark you did not see her.’ With an acknowledgment -that he had quite forgot her, Mr. Price now received his daughter, and -having given her a cordial hug, and observed that she was grown into -a woman, and he supposed would be wanting a husband soon, seemed very -much inclined to forget her again.”</p> - -<p>The statement in the beginning of “Mansfield Park” that “Miss Frances -(Mrs. Price) married, in the common phrase, to ‘disoblige her family,’ -and by fixing on a lieutenant of marines, without education, fortune or -connections, did it very thoroughly,” is not difficult to believe.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br> -<span class="small">ANOTHER LETTER FROM JANE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Unfortunately we have not got Frank’s reply to his sister’s letter, but -we have her next letter to him dated about two months later, when she -was staying with Edward.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“Godmersham Park, <i>September 25, 1813</i>.<br> -</p> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Frank</span>,—The 11th of this month brought me -your letter, and I assure you I thought it very well worth its -two and three-pence. I am very much obliged to you for filling -me so long a sheet of paper; you are a good one to traffic with -in that way, you pay most liberally; my letter was a scratch -of a note compared to yours, and then you write so even, so -clear, both in style and penmanship, so much to the point, -and give so much intelligence, that it is enough to kill one. -I am sorry Sweden is so poor, and my riddle so bad. The idea -of a fashionable bathing-place in Mecklenberg! How can people -pretend to be fashionable or to bathe out of England? Rostock -market<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span> makes one’s mouth water; our cheapest butcher’s meat -is double the price of theirs; nothing under nine-pence all -this summer, and I believe upon recollection nothing under -ten-pence. Bread has sunk and is likely to sink more, which we -hope may make meat sink too. But I have no occasion to think of -the price of bread or of meat where I am now; let me shake off -vulgar cares and conform to the happy indifference of East Kent -wealth. I wonder whether you and the King of Sweden knew that I -was to come to Godmersham with my brother. Yes, I suppose you -have received due notice of it by some means or other. I have -not been here these four years, so I am sure the event deserves -to be talked of before and behind, as well as in the middle. We -left Chawton on the 14th, spent two entire days in town, and -arrived here on the 17th. My brother, Fanny, Lizzie, Marianne, -and I composed this division of the family, and filled his -carriage inside and out. Two post-chaises, under the escort -of George, conveyed eight more across the country, the chair -brought two, two others came on horseback, and the rest by -coach, and so, by one means or another, we all are removed. It -puts me in remind of St. Paul’s shipwreck, when all are said, -by different means, to reach the shore in safety. I left my -mother, Cassandra, and Martha well, and have had good accounts -of them since. At present<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span> they are quite alone, but they are -going to be visited by Mrs. Heathcote and Miss Bigg, and to -have a few days of Henry’s company likewise.</p> - -<p>“I expect to be here about two months, Edward is to be in -Hampshire again in November, and will take me back. I shall -be sorry to be in Kent so long without seeing Mary, but I am -afraid it must be so. She has very kindly invited me to Deal, -but is aware of the great improbability of my being able to -get there. It would be a great pleasure to me to see Mary Jane -again too, and her brothers, new and old. Charles and his -family I <i>do</i> hope to see; they are coming here for a week -in October. We were accommodated in Henrietta Street. Henry -was so good as to find room for his three nieces and myself -in his house. Edward slept at a hotel in the next street. -No. 10 is made very comfortable with cleaning and painting, -and the Sloane Street furniture. The front room upstairs -is an excellent dining and common sitting parlour, and the -smaller one behind will sufficiently answer his purpose as a -drawing-room. He has no intention of giving large parties of -any kind. His plans are all for the comfort of his friends -and himself. Madame Bigeon and her daughter have a lodging -in his neighbourhood, and come to him as often as he likes, -or as they like. Madame B. always markets for him, as she -used to do, and, upon our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span> being in the house, was constantly -there to do the work. She is wonderfully recovered from the -severity of her asthmatic complaint. Of our three evenings -in town, one was spent at the Lyceum, and another at Covent -Garden. “The Clandestine Marriage” was the most respectable -of the performances, the rest were sing-song and trumpery; -but it did very well for Lizzy and Marianne, who were indeed -delighted, but I wanted better acting. There was no actor worth -naming. I believe the theatres are thought at a very low ebb -at present. Henry has probably sent you his own account of -his visit in Scotland. I wish he had had more time, and could -have gone further north, and deviated to the lakes in his -way back; but what he was able to do seems to have afforded -him great enjoyment, and he met with scenes of higher beauty -in Roxburghshire than I had supposed the South of Scotland -possessed. Our nephew’s gratification was less keen than our -brother’s. Edward is no enthusiast in the beauties of nature. -His enthusiasm is for the sports of the field only. He is a -very promising and pleasing young man however, upon the whole, -behaves with great propriety to his father, and great kindness -to his brothers and sisters, and we must forgive his thinking -more of grouse and partridges than lakes and mountains. He -and George are out every morning either shooting or with the -harriers.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span> They are good shots. Just at present I am mistress -and miss altogether here, Fanny being gone to Goodnestone -for a day or two, to attend the famous fair, which makes its -yearly distribution of gold paper and coloured persian through -all the family connections. In this house there is a constant -succession of small events, somebody is always going or coming; -this morning we had Edward Bridges unexpectedly to breakfast -with us, on his way from Ramsgate, where is his wife, to -Lenham, where is his church, and to-morrow he dines and sleeps -here on his return. They have been all the summer at Ramsgate -for her health; she is a poor honey—the sort of woman who -gives me the idea of being determined never to be well and who -likes her spasms and nervousness, and the consequence they -give her, better than anything else. This is an ill-natured -statement to send all over the Baltic. The Mr. Knatchbulls, -dear Mrs. Knight’s brothers, dined here the other day. They -came from the Friars, which is still on their hands. The elder -made many inquiries after you. Mr. Sherer is quite a new Mr. -Sherer to me; I heard him for the first time last Sunday, and -he gave us an excellent sermon, a little too eager sometimes -in his delivery, but that is to me a better extreme than the -want of animation, especially when it evidently comes from the -heart, as in him. The clerk is as much like you as ever.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span> I am -always glad to see him on that account. But the Sherers are -going away. He has a bad curate at Westwell, whom he can eject -only by residing there himself. He goes nominally for three -years, and a Mr. Paget is to have the curacy of Godmersham; a -married man, with a very musical wife, which I hope may make -her a desirable acquaintance to Fanny.</p> - -<p>“I thank you very warmly for your kind consent to my -application, and the kind hint which followed it. I was -previously aware of what I should be laying myself open to; -but the truth is that the secret has spread so far as to be -scarcely the shadow of a secret now, and that, I believe, -whenever the third appears, I shall not even attempt to tell -lies about it. I shall rather try to make all the money than -all the mystery I can of it. People shall pay for their -knowledge if I can make them. Henry heard P. and P. warmly -praised in Scotland by Lady Robert Kerr and another lady; and -what does he do, in the warmth of his brotherly vanity and -love, but immediately tell them who wrote it. A thing once -set going in that way—one knows how it spreads, and he, dear -creature, has set it going so much more than once. I know it -is all done from affection and partiality, but at the same -time let me here again express to you and Mary my sense of the -<i>superior</i> kindness which you have shown on the occasion<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span> -in doing what I wished. I am trying to harden myself. After -all, what a trifle it is, in all its bearings, to the really -important points of one’s existence, even in this world.</p> - -<p>“I take it for granted that Mary has told you of ——’s -engagement to ——. It came upon us without much preparation; -at the same time there was that about her which kept us in a -constant preparation for something. We are anxious to have it -go on well, there being quite as much in his favour as the -chances are likely to give her in any matrimonial connection. -I believe he is sensible, certainly very religious, well -connected, and with some independence. There is an unfortunate -dissimilarity of taste between them in one respect, which gives -us some apprehensions; he hates company, and she is very fond -of it; this, with some queerness of temper on his side, and -much unsteadiness on hers, is untoward. I hope Edward’s family -visit to Chawton will be yearly; he certainly means it now, but -we must not expect it to exceed <i>two</i> months in future. I -do not think, however, that he found five too long this summer. -He was very happy there. The new paint improves their house -much, and we find no evil from the smell. Poor Mr. Trimmer -is lately dead, a sad loss to his family, and occasioning -some anxiety to our brother; for the present he continues his -affairs<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span> in the son’s hands, a matter of great importance -to <i>them</i>. I hope he will have no reason to remove his -business.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">“Your very affectionate sister,</span><br> -“J. A.<br> -</p> - -<p>“There is to be a second edition of S. and S. Egerton advises -it.”</p> -</div> - -<p>At the time when this letter was written Charles was on the -<i>Namur</i>, as Flag-Captain to Sir Thomas Williams. His wife and two -small children lived with him on board, an arrangement of somewhat -doubtful advantage. In the published letters of Jane Austen there are -some of the same date as this one to Frank, written to Cassandra from -Godmersham, and giving an account of the visit of Charles and family -which she was expecting in October.</p> - -<p>“<i>September 23.</i>—Wrote to Charles yesterday, and Fanny has had a -letter from him to-day, principally to make inquiries about the time of -their visit here, to which mine was an answer beforehand; so he will -probably write again soon to fix his week.”</p> - -<p>“<i>October 14.</i>—A letter from Wrotham yesterday offering an early -visit here, and Mr. and Mrs. Moore and one child are to come on Monday -for ten days. I hope Charles and Fanny may not fix the same time, but -if they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span> come at all in October they must. What is the use of hoping? -The two parties of children is the chief evil.”</p> - -<p>“To be sure, here we are; the very thing has happened, or rather -worse—a letter from Charles this very morning, which gives us reason -to suppose they may come here to-day. It depends upon the weather, and -the weather now is very fine. No difficulties are made, however, and, -indeed, there will be no want of room; but I wish there was no Wigrams -and Lushingtons in the way to fill up the table, and make us such a -motley set. I cannot spare Mr. Lushington either because of his frank, -but Mr. Wigram does no good to anybody. I cannot imagine how a man can -have the impudence to come into a family party for three days, where -he is quite a stranger, unless he knows himself to be agreeable on -undoubted authority. I shall be most happy to see dear Charles.”</p> - -<p>“<i>Friday, October 15.</i>—They came last night at about seven. -We had given them up, but I still expected them to come. Dessert -was nearly over; a better time for arriving than an hour and a half -earlier. They were late because they did not set out earlier, and did -not allow time enough. Charles did not <i>aim</i> at more than reaching -Sittingbourne by three, which could not have brought them here by -dinner-time. They had a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span> very rough passage; he would not have ventured -if he had known how bad it would be.</p> - -<p>“However, here they are, safe and well, just like their own nice -selves, Fanny looking as neat and white this morning as possible, and -dear Charles all affectionate, placid, quiet, cheerful good humour. -They are both looking well, but poor little Cassy is grown extremely -thin and looks poorly. I hope a week’s country air and exercise may do -her good. I am sorry to say it can be but a week. The baby does not -appear so large in proportion as she was, nor quite so pretty, but I -have seen very little of her. Cassy was too tired and bewildered just -at first to seem to know anybody. We met them in the hall, the women -and girl part of us, but before we reached the library she kissed me -very affectionately, and has since seemed to recollect me in the same -way. It was quite an evening of confusion, as you may suppose. At first -we were all walking about from one part of the house to the other, then -came a fresh dinner in the breakfast-room for Charles and his wife, -which Fanny and I attended. Then we moved into the library, were joined -by the dining-room people, were introduced, and so forth; and then we -had tea and coffee, which was not over till past ten. Billiards again -drew all the odd ones away, and Edward, Charles, the two Fannies, and -I sat <span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span>snugly talking. I shall be glad to have our numbers a little -reduced, and by the time you receive this we shall be only a family, -though a large family, party.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp57" id="i_252fp" style="max-width: 28.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_252fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">MRS. CHARLES AUSTEN</div> -</div> - -<p>“I talked to Cassy about Chawton (Cassandra wished to have her there -for the winter). She remembers much, but does not volunteer on the -subject. Papa and mamma have not yet made up their minds as to parting -with her or not; the chief, indeed the only difficulty with mamma is a -very reasonable one, the child’s being very unwilling to leave them. -When it was mentioned to her she did not like the idea of it at all. At -the same time she has been suffering so much lately from sea-sickness -that her mamma cannot bear to have her much on board this winter. -Charles is less inclined to part with her. I do not know how it will -end, or what is to determine it. He desires best love to you, and has -not written because he has not been able to decide. They are both very -sensible of your kindness on the occasion. I have made Charles furnish -me with something to say about young Kendall. He is going on very well. -When he first joined the <i>Namur</i> my brother did not find him -forward enough to be what they call put in the office, and therefore -placed him under the schoolmaster, and he is very much improved, and -goes into the office<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span> now every afternoon, still attending school in -the morning.”</p> - -<p>This is interesting as an example of the way in which the young men -learnt their work as midshipmen.</p> - -<p>The domestic side of Charles’ character is always rather inclined to -obtrude itself. Perhaps it was of him that Jane was thinking when -Admiral Croft sums up James Benwick in the words, “An excellent, -good-hearted fellow I assure you, a very active, zealous officer, too, -which is more than you would think for perhaps, for that soft sort of -manner does not do him justice;” and when later on she protests against -the “too common idea of spirit and gentleness being incompatible with -each other.” Nevertheless, we have ample proof that both sisters -thought his domesticity somewhat overdone, though it is hardly fair to -quote even friendly criticism of such an intimate nature. One sentence -from a letter on October 18 gives the hint of what seems to have been -Charles’ one defect in the eyes of his sisters.</p> - -<p>“I think I have just done a good deed—extracted Charles from his wife -and children upstairs, and made him get ready to go out shooting, and -not keep Mr. Moore waiting any longer.”</p> - -<p>Before Jane’s death in 1817, Charles had opportunity to show the stuff -of which he was made, and from that time till his death in 1852, under<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span> -circumstances which called for great courage and endurance, he fully -realised her best hopes.</p> - -<p>The question of Cassy living with her father and mother on the -<i>Namur</i> reminds one of the discussion in “Persuasion” as to the -comforts of ladies on board ship.</p> - -<p>“The admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room -with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came -up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might -be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with—‘If you -had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you would have -been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her daughters.’</p> - -<p>“‘Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then.’”</p> - -<p>The admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself, -though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on -board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few -hours might comprehend. “But, if I know myself,” said he, “this is -from no want of gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling how -impossible it is, with all one’s efforts and all one’s sacrifices, to -make the accommodations on board such as women ought to have. There can -be no want of gallantry, admiral, in rating the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span> claims of women to -every personal comfort high, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of -women on board, or to see them on board, and no ship under my command -shall ever convey a family of ladies anywhere if I can help it.’”</p> - -<p>This brought his sister upon him.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you. All idle refinement! -Women may be as comfortable on board as in the best house in England. I -believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and I know nothing -superior to the accommodation of a man-of-war. I declare I have not a -comfort or an indulgence about me, even at Kellynch Hall’ (with a kind -bow to Anne), ‘beyond what I always had in most of the ships I have -lived in, and they have been five altogether.’</p> - -<p>“‘Nothing to the purpose,’ replied her brother. ‘You were living with -your husband, and were the only woman on board.’</p> - -<p>“‘But you, yourself, brought Mrs. Harville, her sister, her cousin, and -the three children round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this -superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?’</p> - -<p>“‘All merged in my friendship, Sophia. I would assist any brother -officer’s wife that I could, and I would bring anything of Harville’s -from the world’s end, if he wanted it. But do not imagine that I did -not feel it an evil, in itself.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span></p> - -<p>“‘Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable.’</p> - -<p>“‘I might not like them the better for that, perhaps. Such a number of -women and children have no right to be comfortable on board.’</p> - -<p>“‘My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly. Pray, what would -become of us poor sailors’ wives, who often want to be conveyed to one -port or another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings.’</p> - -<p>“‘My feelings you see did not prevent my taking Mrs. Harville and all -her family to Plymouth.’</p> - -<p>“‘But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if -women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of -us expect to be in smooth water all our days.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ah, my dear,’ said the Admiral, ‘when he has got a wife he will sing -a different tune. When he is married, if we have the good luck to live -to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many -others, have done. We shall have him very thankful to anybody that will -bring him his wife.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ay, that we shall.’</p> - -<p>“‘Now I have done,’ cried Captain Wentworth. ‘When once married people -begin to attack me with—“Oh, you will think very differently when you -are married,” I can only say, “No, I shall<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span> not,” and then they say -again, “Yes, you will,” and there is an end of it.’</p> - -<p>“He got up and moved away.</p> - -<p>“‘What a great traveller you must have been, ma’am,’ said Mrs. Musgrove -to Mrs. Croft.</p> - -<p>“‘Pretty well, ma’am, in the fifteen years of my marriage, though many -women have done more. I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have -been once to the East Indies and back again, and only once; besides -being in different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar. -But I never went beyond the Straits, and was never in the West Indies. -We do not call Bermuda or Bahama, you know, the West Indies.’</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent: she could not accuse -herself of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her -life.</p> - -<p>“‘And I do assure you, ma’am,’ pursued Mrs. Croft, ‘that nothing can -exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war. I speak, you know, of the -higher rates. When you come to a frigate, of course you are more -confined; though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one -of them; and I can safely say that the happiest part of my life has -been spent on board a ship. While we were together, you know, there -was nothing to be feared. Thank God! I have always been blessed with -excellent health, and no climate disagrees<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span> with me. The only time that -I ever really suffered in body and mind, the only time that I ever -fancied myself unwell, or had any ideas of danger, was the winter that -I passed by myself at Deal, when the Admiral (Captain Croft then) was -in the North Seas. I lived in perpetual fright at that time, and had -all manner of imaginary complaints from not knowing what to do with -myself, or when I should hear from him next; but as long as we could -be together, nothing ever ailed me, and I never met with the smallest -inconvenience.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ay, to be sure. Yes, indeed, oh yes. I am quite of your opinion, Mrs. -Croft,’ was Mrs. Musgrove’s hearty answer. ‘There is nothing so bad as -a separation. I am quite of your opinion. I know what it is, for Mr. -Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are -over, and he is safe back again.’”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII<br> -<span class="small">THE END OF THE WAR</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>In the letter quoted in the last chapter, we hear how Henry let out the -secret of Jane’s authorship. She has also something to say to Cassandra -about the matter. “Lady Robert Kerr is delighted with P. and P., and -really was so, as I understand, before she knew who wrote it, for, of -course she knows now. He (Henry) told her with as much satisfaction -as if it were my wish. He did not tell me this, but he told Fanny.” -Perhaps the pleasure that she gained in hearing how people enjoyed her -books partly made up for the annoyance of having her wishes for secrecy -forgotten. She goes on: “And Mr. Hastings, I am quite delighted with -what such a man writes about it. Henry sent him the books after his -return from Daylesford, but <i>you</i> will hear the letter too.” This -is tantalising for those who cannot hear the letter too, and still more -so when she adds later on: “I long to have you hear Mr. H.’s opinion of -P. and P. His admiring my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span> Elizabeth so much is particularly welcome to -me.”</p> - -<p>The interest of Warren Hastings in the Austen family was a -long-standing one. Hastings’ only son was brought up under the care of -Jane’s father and mother at Steventon. When he died, in early manhood, -the grief of Mrs. Austen was as great as if she had lost one of her -own children. Probably they were entrusted with the care of this boy -through the influence of George Austen’s sister, who was married to -Dr. Hancock, of Calcutta, a close friend of Warren Hastings. Their -daughter, Eliza Hancock, after losing her first husband, a French -count, under the guillotine in the Reign of Terror, married Henry -Austen. She died in 1813, and Henry’s loss was a subject of much -concern in the family. We can see this from Jane’s letters at the time -to Cassandra, and in the one to Frank quoted at length in the last -chapter, where she expresses her belief that Henry’s mind is not “a -mind for affliction.”</p> - -<p>Frank got home from the Baltic early in 1814. We hear of him in June -trying to arrange for a visit to his mother. Jane writes: “I heard -yesterday from Frank. When he began his letter he hoped to be here -on Monday, but before it was ended he had been told that the naval -review would not take place till Friday, which would probably occasion -him some delay, as he cannot<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span> get some necessary business of his own -attended to while Portsmouth is in such a bustle.” Her books seem to -have become more and more of a family interest. Mentions of them come -in constantly in the midst of all the family gossip. “Sweet amiable -Frank, why does he have a cold too? Like Captain Mirvan to Mr. Duval, -‘I wish it well over with him.’ Thank you very much for the sight -of dearest Charles’s letter to yourself. How pleasant and naturally -he writes, and how perfect a picture of his disposition and feeling -his style conveys! Poor fellow! Not a present! I have a great mind -to send him all the twelve copies (of “Emma”), which were to have -been dispersed among my near connections, beginning with the Prince -Regent and ending with Countess Morley.” The mention of Miss Burney’s -“Evelina” is characteristic. It was one of her favourite books.</p> - -<p>On Frank’s return he naturally wishes to settle somewhere with his wife -and family after so many years afloat, but he did not at once find -the sort of home he wanted. He occupied Chawton Great House for a few -years, but this was only a temporary arrangement. It must be one of the -chief pleasures of a novelist to bestow upon her characters all the -blessings which she would like to portion out to her friends. Perhaps -it was something of this feeling which induced Jane to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span> draw the ideal -home of a naval man in “Persuasion.” Certainly in tastes and feelings -there is much similarity between Harville and Frank Austen.</p> - -<p>“Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a year; his -taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to a -residence unexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country, -and the retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to -Captain Benwick’s state of mind. Nothing could be more pleasant than -their desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own, -because the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable -than their entreaties for their all promising to dine with them. The -dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, -accepted as an excuse, but they seemed almost hurt that Captain -Wentworth should have brought such a party to Lyme, without considering -it as a thing of course that they should dine with them.</p> - -<p>“There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and -such a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so -unlike the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of -formality and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be -benefited by an increasing acquaintance among his brother officers. -‘These would all have been my friends,’ was her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span> thought, and she had -to struggle against a great tendency to lowness.</p> - -<p>“On quitting the Cobb they all went indoors with their new friends, -and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart -could think capable of accommodating so many. Anne had a moment’s -astonishment on the subject herself, but it was soon lost in the -pleasant feelings which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious -contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville to turn the -actual space to the best possible account, to supply the deficiencies -of lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors against -the winter storms to be expected. The varieties in the fitting up of -the rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the -common indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a -rare species of wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious -and valuable from all the distant countries Captain Harville had -visited, were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with -his profession, the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence -on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic happiness it -presented, made it to her a something more or less than gratification.</p> - -<p>“Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent -accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable -collection of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span> well-bound volumes, the property of Captain Benwick. -His lameness prevented him from taking much exercise; but a mind of -usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with constant employment -within. He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he glued; he made toys -for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins with -improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large -fishing-net at one corner of the room.</p> - -<p>“Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the -house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into -raptures of admiration and delight on the character of the Navy, their -friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness; -protesting that she was convinced of sailors having more worth and -warmth than any other set of men in England; that they only knew how to -live, and they only deserved to be respected and loved.”</p> - -<p>No one reading “Persuasion” could doubt that, ready as Jane always was -to laugh at absurdities of fashion, yet the national enthusiasm for -the Navy had not failed to touch her heart any more than it had missed -her sense of humour. Trying as Louisa’s encomium must have been to -Anne, with her mind full of regrets over her broken engagement with -Captain Wentworth, it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span> was the inward agreement of her mind with this -admiration for simplicity and affection which gave her the worst pain. -The nation had passed through a crisis, and after the stress of war, -the happy family life was the one thing admirable.</p> - -<p>Captain Charles Austen had spent ten years on active service, outside -the theatre of hostilities, but now he was brought into closer -touch during the confusion caused by the escape of Napoleon from -Elba. The <i>Phœnix</i> frigate under his command was sent with the -<i>Undaunted</i> and the <i>Garland</i> in pursuit of a Neapolitan -squadron cruising in the Adriatic. Since 1808 Naples had been under the -rule of Murat, Napoleon’s brother-in-law. It was, therefore, Murat’s -flag which was attacked by the British men-of-war.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp58" id="i_266fp" style="max-width: 29.4375em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_266fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">CAPTAIN CHARLES AUSTEN, C. B.</div> -</div> - -<p>Joachim Murat’s history is a curiously romantic one. As his dealings -with Napoleon created the situation in Naples which called for British -interference, it will not be a digression to give some account of -him. His origin was a low one, and it was chiefly as the husband of -Napoleon’s sister Caroline that he came to the front. As a soldier his -talents were great, but he was no diplomatist, and too impetuous and -unstable to be successful. He fought under Napoleon in most of the -campaigns from Marengo to Leipzig, and first entered Naples as the -victorious general of the French army. In 1808, at a time when Napoleon -was <span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span>giving away kingdoms, Joseph Bonaparte, the King of Naples, was -awarded the somewhat empty and unsatisfactory honour of the kingdom of -Spain; and at the same time, to take his place, Murat was raised to -the dignity of “King of the Two Sicilies.” The Bourbon King Ferdinand, -who bore the same title, had been maintained in power in the island of -Sicily by the British fleet ever since Nelson’s time. Murat’s great -idea was the unity of Italy, under himself as King, and he perhaps had -hopes that Napoleon would support him. At all events, he was loyal -to the Emperor until 1811, when he went to Paris for the baptism of -Napoleon’s son, but came away before the ceremony on learning that the -infant was to be “King of Rome.” He dismissed his French troops, and -resolved to govern without reference to Napoleon. Unable, however, -to resist a call to arms from his former chief, in 1812 he went to -Russia in command of the heavy cavalry, and was the first to cross the -frontier. He went twenty leagues beyond Moscow, and finally left the -army on the retreat at the Oder. He handed over the command to Eugène -Beauharnais, and returned to Naples.</p> - -<p>Among others who saw that Napoleon’s power was on the wane, Murat -now turned against him, and proposed, through Lord William Bentinck -at Palermo, a treaty of peace with England, on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span> the basis of the -unification of Italy under his own sovereignty. This agreement was -made, and needed only the formal consent of the British Government, -when Murat suddenly threw it all over, and at Napoleon’s bidding -went off to fight for him in the campaign of 1813 at Dresden and -Leipzig. On his return, however, the King again began his negotiations -with the allies, and arranged a treaty with Austria. The Congress -of Vienna debated the question of allowing him to remain King. As -matters stood, it was difficult to find a reason for turning him out, -as he now appeared to have definitely abandoned the Emperor’s cause. -But, naturally, it was impossible to repose much confidence in his -assertions. He himself seems scarcely to have known his own mind, and -was ready to ally himself with either side, if by that means he could -secure his heart’s desire of the kingdom of Italy. His wife cared more -for her brother’s cause than for her husband’s, but Joachim trusted her -completely. They had for long kept up the appearance of disagreement, -in order to collect round them the leaders of all parties; and now when -the dissension was real, he hardly realised how little her sympathies -were with him. It seems not unlikely that England and Austria would -have trusted him, and allowed him to retain his throne, as, on the -whole, he had governed well; but he himself decided the question<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span> in -a characteristic way. He had tidings of Napoleon’s projected escape -from Elba, and espoused his cause. The kingdom of the Two Sicilies was -thereupon attacked by the allies, and before Waterloo was fought the -Bourbon King Ferdinand was reinstated at Naples under the protection -of the fleets. Queen Caroline, Murat’s wife, was escorted by British -sailors from the palace. The ship bearing her away passed another -British ship, which brought Ferdinand back to his capital.</p> - -<p>The city of Naples had surrendered, but Brindisi still held out. It -was here that Charles Austen was employed in blockading the port as -Captain of the <i>Phœnix</i>, with the <i>Garland</i> under his orders. -After a short time negotiations were begun, and, without much serious -fighting, he induced the garrison of the castle and the commanders of -the two frigates in the port to hoist the white flag of the Bourbons, -in place of the crimson and white on a blue ground which Joachim Murat -had adopted. It is a matter of history how Murat, with a few followers, -attempted to set up this flag again a few months later in Calabria, but -was taken prisoner and shot. It is evident that his estrangement from -Napoleon originated with the title of “King of Rome” being conferred on -the boy born in 1811—a clear indication that the Emperor was no party -to his schemes of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span> uniting Italy. Whether or not the change of monarchs -was a good one for the Neapolitan people, the restored kingdom of the -Two Sicilies lasted until Garibaldi caused its complete collapse in -1860, and accomplished Murat’s ideal for Italy.</p> - -<p>After this episode Captain Charles Austen was kept busy with Greek -pirates in the Archipelago until the <i>Phœnix</i> was lost off Smyrna -in 1816. He then returned to England.</p> - -<p>There is an extract from one of his letters to Jane at this time, -dated May 6, 1815, from Palermo, which shows something of the degree -of popularity which her books had then attained. “Books became the -subject of conversation, and I praised ‘Waverley’ highly, when a young -man present observed that nothing had come out for years to be compared -with ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ &c. As I am sure -you must be anxious to know the name of a person of so much taste, I -shall tell you it is Fox, a nephew of the late Charles James Fox. That -you may not be too much elated at this morsel of praise, I shall add -that he did not appear to like ‘Mansfield Park’ so well as the two -first, in which, however, I believe he is singular.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_270fp" style="max-width: 151.125em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_270fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">JANE AUSTEN’S WORK-BOX, WITH HER LAST PIECE OF WORK</div> -</div> - -<p>Early in 1816 Jane’s health began to fail, and she grew gradually -weaker until she died, in July 1817. There is a letter from her to -Charles, dated from Chawton on April 6, 1817, which is <span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span>inscribed -in his handwriting, “My last letter from dearest Jane.” It is full -of courage, even through its weariness. Most of it relates to purely -family matters, but the tenor of it all is the same—that of patient -cheerfulness:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">My dearest Charles</span>,—Many thanks for your -affectionate letter. I was in your debt before, but I have -really been too unwell the last fortnight to write anything -that was not absolutely necessary.... There was no standing -Mrs. Cooke’s affectionate way of speaking of your countenance, -after her seeing you. God bless you all. Conclude me to be -going on well, if you hear nothing to the contrary.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">“Yours ever truly,</span><br> -“J. A.<br> -</p> - -<p>“Tell dear Harriet that whenever she wants me in her service -again she must send a Hackney Chariot all the way for me, for I -am not strong enough to travel any other way, and I hope Cassy -will take care that it is a green one.”</p> -</div> - -<p>Both Francis and Charles Austen were at home at the time of Jane’s -death in 1817. In the May before she died she was prevailed upon to -go to Winchester, to be under the care of Mr. Lyford, a favourite -doctor in that part. She and Cassandra lived in College Street.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span> She -had always been fond of Winchester—in the true “Jane Austen spirit,” -partly because her nephews were at school there—and her keen interest -in her surroundings did not desert her even now, when she, and all -around her, knew that she was dying. A set of verses, written only -three days before her death, though of no great merit in themselves, -have a value quite their own in showing that her unselfish courage and -cheerfulness never failed her. Only a few hours after writing them she -had a turn for the worse, and died early on the morning of July 18.</p> - -<p class="right"> “<span class="smcap">Winchester</span>, <i>July 15, 1817</i>. -</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">“When Winchester races first took their beginning</div> - <div class="verse indent4">’Tis said that the people forgot their old saint,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">That they never applied for the leave of St. Swithun,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And that William of Wykeham’s approval was faint.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">“The races however were fixed and determined,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">The company met, and the weather was charming;</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The lords and the ladies were satined and ermined,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And nobody saw any future alarming.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">“But when the old saint was informed of their doings,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">He made but one spring from his shrine to the roof</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of the palace that now stands so sadly in ruins,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And thus he addressed them, all standing aloof:</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">“‘Oh, subject rebellious! Oh, Venta depraved!</div> - <div class="verse indent4">When once we are buried you think we are dead;</div> - <div class="verse indent2">But behold me immortal—by vice you’re enslaved,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">You have sinned, and must suffer,’ then further he said—</div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">“‘These races, and revels, and dissolute measures,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">With which you’re debasing a neighbouring plain;</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Let them stand—you shall meet with a curse in your pleasures.</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Set off for your course. I’ll pursue with my rain.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">“‘You cannot but know my command o’er July;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Thenceforward I’ll triumph in showing my powers;</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Shift your race as you will, it shall never be dry,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">The curse upon Venta is July in showers.’”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII<br> -<span class="small">TWO ADMIRALS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>We have shown, so far as is possible, the influence that the lives -of her two sailor brothers had upon the writings of Jane Austen. It -now only remains to show how both of them, in their different ways, -fulfilled her hopes for them. This can be best done by a brief summary -of the chief events in their careers. At the time of her death they -were men on either side of forty. Francis lived to be ninety-one, and -Charles to be seventy-three, so both had many more years of activity -and service before them.</p> - -<p>In 1826 Charles was again on the West Indies station. Here he stayed -for more than two years, and was chiefly employed in suppressing -the slave-trade. He was always very happy in the management of -crews. It was partly owing to his more than usual care in this -respect while stationed here on board the <i>Aurora</i>, and partly -to his general activity as second in command, that he gained his -appointment as Flag-Captain to <span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span> Admiral Colpoys in -the <i>Winchester</i> on the same station in 1828. He was invalided -home in 1830, as the result of a severe accident. This prevented him -from being again employed until 1838, when he was appointed to the -<i>Bellerophon</i>, still only a Captain after nearly thirty years’ -service in that rank.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp68" id="i_274fp" style="max-width: 98.0625em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_274fp.png" alt=""> -<div class="caption"> -<p>Memo 12th May, 1838</p> -<p>The Officers of the watch on board H. M. S. Bellerophon are directed to pay -strict attention to the orders which will be inserted in this book for their -governance during the Night.</p> -<p class="right">Charles Jno. Austen, Captain</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Some years before this, Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, had conquered -Syria from his Suzerain, the Sultan, and now wished to declare himself -independent, thereby coming into collision with the traditional policy -of England and France in the Levant. In 1840 Admiral Stopford’s fleet -was sent to the coast of Syria to interfere with communications between -the Pasha’s army and Egypt. Charles Austen in the <i>Bellerophon</i> -(called by the seamen the “Billy Ruffian”) took part in the bombardment -of the Beyrout forts, and afterwards was stationed in one of the -neighbouring bays, guarding the entrance of the pass by which Commodore -Sir Charles Napier had advanced up the Lebanon to attack Ibrahim Pasha -and the Egyptians. In Napier’s words: “It was rather a new occurrence -for a British Commodore to be on the top of Mount Lebanon commanding a -Turkish army, and preparing to fight a battle which should decide the -fate of Syria.” He won the battle and returned to the <i>Powerful</i>, -with some reluctance, making way for Colonel Smith, who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span> was appointed -by the Sultan to command his forces in Syria.</p> - -<p>The Admiral and Colonel Smith shortly afterwards decided on capturing -Acre, the chief stronghold now remaining in the Egyptian occupation.</p> - -<p>In a letter to Lord Palmerston, Colonel Smith describes the action: -“On October 26 it was finally determined between Sir Robert Stopford -and myself that the siege of Acre should be undertaken. Owing to the -light winds the ships did not get into action till 2 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> -on November 3, when an animated fire commenced, and was maintained -without intermission until darkness closed the operations of the day. -About three hours later the Governor, with a portion of the garrison, -quitted the town, which was taken possession of by the allied troops -at daylight the following morning. The moral influence on the cause -in which we are engaged that will result from its surrender is -incalculable. During the bombardment the principal magazine and the -whole arsenal blew up.”</p> - -<p>There is an extract from Charles Austen’s journal, which also gives a -slight account of the bombardment:</p> - -<p>“9 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span>—Received a note from the Admiral (Stopford) telling -me the <i>Powerful</i> (Commodore Napier) was to lead into action, -followed by <i>Princess Charlotte</i> (flag), <i>Bellerophon</i> and -<i>Thunderer</i>,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span> who were all to lay against the Western Wall.</p> - -<p>“<i>Later.</i>—Working up to the attack with light airs.</p> - -<p>“11.30.—Piped to dinner.</p> - -<p>“1 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span>—Bore up to our station, passing outside the shoal to -the south, and then to the westward again inside.</p> - -<p>“2.30.—Anchored astern of the <i>Princess Charlotte</i>, and abreast -of the Western Castle, and immediately commenced firing, which the -enemy returned, but they fired high, and only two shots hulled us, -hitting no one.</p> - -<p>“<i>At sunset.</i>—Admiral signalled ‘Cease firing,’ up boats, and -then piped to supper, and sat down with the two boys to a cold fowl, -which we enjoyed much.</p> - -<p>“<i>At</i> 9 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span>—A dish of tea, then gave my night orders -and turned in.”</p> - -<p>The “two boys” were his two sons, Charles and Henry, who were serving -under him.</p> - -<p>There is a further account of a difficulty with Commodore Napier, -who had a firm belief in his own judgment, which made obedience to -orders something of a trial to him. Napier, who was “as usual a law -unto himself,” disobeyed the Admiral’s signals, and, when reprimanded, -demanded a court-martial, which was refused. The journal then relates -that Captain Austen, with two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span> other captains, went on board the -<i>Powerful</i> to endeavour to persuade the Commodore to climb down, -“but the old Commodore was stubborn, and we returned to our ships.” -However, a second visit to the Commodore in the afternoon appears to -have been more successful, and “I left hoping the affair would be -settled,” which it was. The result of this bombardment was altogether -satisfactory, though some of the ships suffered considerably from the -Egyptian firing. Charles was awarded a Companionship of the Bath for -his share in this campaign.</p> - -<p>In 1846 he became Rear-Admiral, and in 1850 was appointed -Commander-in-Chief on the East India Station.</p> - -<p>He left England in the P. & O. steamer <i>Ripon</i> for Alexandria, and -crossed the desert to Suez, as was usual in the overland route. The -description of the mode of travelling by vans, and the selection of -places therein by lot, has often been made.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp58" id="i_278fp" style="max-width: 29.375em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_278fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">REAR-ADMIRAL CHARLES AUSTEN, C.B.</div> -</div> - -<p>Lord Dalhousie, as Governor-General at Calcutta, had taken steps to -protect British traders from the exactions of the Burmese officials -at Rangoon by sending a Commission of Inquiry, with power to demand -reparation. The Commissioner (Commodore Lambert) decided to treat -only with the King of Ava, who consented, in January 1852, to remove -the Governor from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span> Rangoon. This action did not, however, prove -effectual in settling the grievances, and Commodore Lambert declared -the Burmese coast in a state of blockade; his vessel was fired upon, -and he retaliated by destroying a stockade on the river-bank, and some -Burmese war-boats. Shortly afterwards he received orders to forward -to the King a despatch of Lord Dalhousie’s, demanding apology and an -indemnity. The same vessel again went up the river with the despatch, -and was attacked by the Burmese. The Governor-General thereupon ordered -a combined military and naval expedition, which was on the coast by -the end of March. This was to be the last of Charles Austen’s many -enterprises. He shifted his flag from the <i>Hastings</i> to the -steam sloop <i>Rattler</i> at Trincomalee in Ceylon, and proceeded to -the mouth of the Rangoon river. On April 3, accompanied by two ships -and the necessary troops, he was on his way to Martaban, which they -attacked and captured on the 5th. The place was held by 5000 men; but -after a bombardment of an hour and a half it was taken by storm with -small loss.</p> - -<p>On the 10th began a general combined movement on Rangoon, which fell -on the 14th, the <i>Rattler</i> taking a leading part in attacking the -outlying stockades. The large stockade round the town and the pagoda -was carried at the point of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span> the bayonet. The navy suffered but little -loss from the enemy; but cholera set in, and the Admiral fell ill. -He was persuaded by the doctors to leave the river, as all active -proceedings of the expedition had ceased for the time. He went to -Calcutta, where, through the kind hospitality of the Governor-General, -he gradually recovered his health. Rangoon, with its wonderful solid -pagoda, and all its Buddhist traditions, was now in British hands; -but the Burmese Government were bent on recapturing it, for certain -royal offerings to the shrine were among the conditions of the King’s -tenure of his throne. The war was therefore continued, and it was -decided to penetrate further up the river, and with a yet stronger -force. Admiral Austen thereupon returned to duty. On arrival at Rangoon -in the <i>Hastings</i> he transferred his flag to the steam sloop -<i>Pluto</i>, and went up the river on a reconnaissance, in advance of -the combined forces. The main body proceeded direct to Henzada, by the -principal channel of the Irrawadi, while the contingent following the -<i>Pluto</i> was delayed by the resistance of the Burmese leader at -Donabyu. It became necessary for the main body to make for this point -also, while Admiral Austen was by this time much further north, at -Prome. He was anxiously awaiting their arrival, while his health grew -worse during the two or three weeks spent in this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span> unhealthy region. On -October 6, his last notes at Prome are as follows: “Received a report -that two steamers had been seen at anchor some miles below, wrote this -and a letter to my wife, and read the lessons of the day.” On the -following morning he died. The Burmese leader was also killed during -the assault, which took place at Donabyu not long afterwards, and his -army then retreated. The British battalions were eventually quartered -on the hill above Prome, overlooking the wide river, not far from Lord -Dalhousie’s new frontier of Lower Burmah. Now thick jungle covers alike -the camp and the site of the fort of Donabyu (White Peacock Town), for -Upper Burmah is British too, and there is no king to make offerings at -the Rangoon shrine.</p> - -<p>The death of Charles was a heavy blow to Francis. The only other -survivor of all his brothers and sisters, Edward Knight, of Godmersham -and Chawton, died at about the same time; but Francis had still -thirteen years of life before him. To realise what his life had been we -must return to the close of the long war, when he came on shore from -the <i>Elephant</i>, and was not called upon to go to sea again for -thirty years. It is easy to imagine the changes that had taken place in -the Navy in the interval between his times of active service.</p> - -<p>During these years on shore several honours<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span> fell to his share. He had -been awarded his C.B. in 1815, on the institution of that distinction. -In 1825 he was appointed Colonel of Marines, and in 1830 Rear-Admiral. -About the same time he purchased Portsdown Lodge, where he lived for -the rest of his life. This property is now included within the lines of -forts for the defence of Portsmouth, and was bought for that purpose by -the Government some years before his death. At the last investiture by -King William IV. in 1837 he received the honour of K.C.B.; and the next -year, on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Coronation, he was promoted -to the rank of Vice-Admiral. In 1845 he took command of the North -American and West Indies Station. This command in the <i>Vindictive</i> -forms a notable contrast to his earlier experiences in the West -Indies. How often he must have called to mind as he visited Barbadoes, -Jamaica, or Antigua, the excitements of the <i>Canopus</i> cruises of -forty years ago! How different too the surroundings had become with -the regular English mail service, and the paddle-wheel sloops of war -in place of brigs such as the <i>Curieux</i>—and, greatest change of -all, no such urgent services to be performed as that of warning England -against the approach of an enemy’s fleet!</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, there was plenty to be done. The Naval Commander-in-Chief -has no easy berth,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span> even in time of peace. His letters tell us of some -of the toils which fell to his share.</p> - -<p>“Our passage from Bermuda was somewhat tedious; we left it on February -6, called off Antigua on the 15th, and, without anchoring the ship, I -landed for an hour to inspect the naval yard,” rather an exertion in -the tropics, for a man of seventy-three. A voyage to La Guayra follows. -It appears that Venezuela was giving as much trouble in 1848 as in 1900.</p> - -<p>“A political question is going on between the Government of Caraccas -and our Chargé d’affaires, and a British force is wanted to give weight -to our arguments. I am afraid it will detain us a good while, as I also -hear that there is a demand for a ship-of-war to protect property from -apprehended outrage in consequence of a revolutionary insurrection.”</p> - -<p>We find that the <i>Vindictive</i> was at Jamaica within a fortnight or -so. It would appear that the Government of the Caraccas (legitimate or -revolutionary) was quickly convinced by the weight of the arguments of -a 50-gun ship.</p> - -<p>The following general memorandum may be interesting with reference to -the expedition against Greytown, Nicaragua.</p> - -<p>“The Vice-Admiral Commander-in-Chief has much gratification in -signifying to the squadron the high sense he entertains of the -gallantry and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span> good conduct of Captain Loch, of her Majesty’s ship -<i>Alarm</i>, and of every officer and man of her Majesty’s ships -<i>Alarm</i> and <i>Vixen</i>, and of the officers and soldiers of her -Majesty’s 28th Regiment, employed under his orders on the expedition up -the river St. Juan, and especially for the cool and steady intrepidity -evinced while under a galling fire from a nearly invisible enemy on -the morning of February 12, and the irresistible bravery with which -the works of Serapagui were stormed and carried. The result has been -an additional proof that valour, when well directed and regulated by -discipline, will never fail in effecting its object.”</p> - -<p>There are also notes about the Mexican and United States War then in -progress, and instructions to treat Mexican privateers severely if they -interfered with neutral craft. Strong measures were also to be enforced -against slave-traders, who still sailed under Brazilian and Portuguese -flags, but were now reprobated by international treaties generally.</p> - -<p>In May 1848 the <i>Vindictive</i> was met by Vice-Admiral the Earl -of Dundonald in the <i>Wellesley</i>. Lord Dundonald was to take -over the command from Sir Francis. We have no record of any meeting -between these two officers since the days when Lord Cochrane in the -<i>Speedy</i> and Captain Austen in the <i>Peterel</i> were in the -Mediterranean <span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span>together, almost half a century earlier. Sir Francis’ -letters mention with pleasure the desire on the part of his successor -to continue matters on the same lines.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp47" id="i_284fp" style="max-width: 27.75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_284fp.png" alt=""> - <div class="caption">SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, G.C.B., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET</div> -</div> - -<p>His return to England was coincident with promotion to the rank of -Admiral. In 1854, at the outbreak of the Crimean War, the Portsmouth -command was declined as too onerous for an octogenarian.</p> - -<p>In 1860 Sir Francis received the G.C.B., and in 1862 the successive -honours of Rear-Admiral and Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, -followed in 1863 by promotion to the senior position in the British -Navy as Admiral of the Fleet.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">The Admiralty</span>, <i>April 27, 1863</i>.<br> -</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I am happy to acquaint you that I have had -the pleasure of bringing your name before the Queen for -promotion to Admiral of the Fleet, and that her Majesty has -been graciously pleased to approve of the appointment ‘as a -well-deserved reward for your brilliant services.’</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-right: 3.5em;">“I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,</span><br> -“<span class="smcap">Somerset</span>.”<br> -</p> -</div> - -<p>From the year 1858 Sir Francis had become gradually less able to move -about. He retained all his faculties and his ability to write, almost -as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span> clearly as ever, until just before his death in August 1865.</p> - -<p>The strong sense of justice, manifest in his rigid adherence to -discipline as a young man, was tempered later in life by his love for -children and grandchildren, constant through so many years.</p> - -<p>Of both Jane Austen’s brothers it may be said that they were worthy -members of that profession which is, “if possible, more distinguished -for its domestic virtues than for its national importance.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="FOOTNOTES">FOOTNOTES:</h2> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> The “Sea Wolf,” by Jack London, Heinemann.</p> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</span></p><h2 class="nobreak" id="INDEX">INDEX</h2> -</div> - - - -<ul class="index"><li class="ifrst"> <i>Acasta</i>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Acre, siege of, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> bombardment of, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Agamemnon</i>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Ajax</i>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Alarm</i>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>l’Alexandre</i>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Alfred</i>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Algeciras, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Amazon</i>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Amethyst</i>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Amiens, peace of, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Amphion</i>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Anholt, Island of, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Anstruther, Brigadier-General, <a href="#Page_199">199-203</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Arethusa</i>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Atlas</i>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Aurora</i>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> under Charles Austen, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Cassandra, bringing up, <a href="#Page_10">10-12</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letters from Jane, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, -<a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, - <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95-104</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, - <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180-203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204-208</a>, - <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Charles, bringing up, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> education, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> midshipman, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Dædalus</i>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Unicorn</i>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> as lieutenant in <i>Scorpion</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Tamar</i>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> prizes, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> return home in 1800, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> reappointment to <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointment to <i>Indian</i> as Commander, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> on North American station, <a href="#Page_205">205-210</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> marriage, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> capture of <i>La Jeune Estelle</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> promotion to post rank, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Swiftsure</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter to Jane, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Cleopatra</i>,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span> <a href="#Page_210">210</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> home-coming in 1811, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Namur</i>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> his children at Chawton, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> visit to Godmersham, <a href="#Page_250">250-253</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Phœnix</i>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter to Jane about her books, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> last letter from Jane, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> on West Indies station, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Aurora</i>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Winchester</i>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Bellerophon</i>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> awarded C.B., <a href="#Page_278">278</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Rear-Admiral, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Commander-in-Chief on East India station, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in Second Burmese War, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Hastings</i>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Pluto</i>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death in 1852, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Edward, afterwards Knight, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death of wife, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Chawton, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Godmersham, <a href="#Page_244">244-249</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death in 1852, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Francis William, bringing up, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> education, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter from his father, <a href="#Page_17">17-20</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> midshipman in <i>Perseverance</i>, <i>Crown</i> and <i>Minerva</i>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> lieutenant, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Seahorse</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>London</i>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Glory</i>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in <i>Lark</i>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointed to <i>Triton</i>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> to <i>Peterel</i> as Commander, <a href="#Page_48">48-51</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter to Nelson, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> capture of <i>La Ligurienne</i>, <a href="#Page_83">83-86</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> promotion to post rank, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> return home in 1801, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointed to <i>Neptune</i> as Flag-captain to Admiral Gambier, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Ramsgate, <a href="#Page_112">112-114</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> engagement, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointed to <i>Leopard</i>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letters from Jane, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointed to <i>Canopus</i>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> chase to West Indies, <a href="#Page_130">130-146</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letters to Mary Gibson, <a href="#Page_148">148-161</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174-176</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> after<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span> Trafalgar, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> meeting with Villeneuve, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> wish for a frigate, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in action of St. Domingo, <a href="#Page_164">164-179</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> marriage, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointed to <i>St. Albans</i>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Simon’s Bay, <a href="#Page_186">186-190</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at St. Helena, <a href="#Page_191">191-193</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> return home in 1807, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Penang, <a href="#Page_212">212-218</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Canton, <a href="#Page_219">219-223</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> dealings with Viceroy of Canton, <a href="#Page_210">210-223</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointed to <i>Caledonia</i>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> to <i>Elephant</i>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Chawton Great house, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> awarded C.B., <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Colonel of Marines, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Rear-Admiral, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Portsdown Lodge, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> K.C.B., <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Vice-Admiral, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> on North American and West Indian station, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> appointed to <i>Vindictive</i>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> meeting with Dundonald, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Admiral, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> G.C.B., <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Admiral of the Fleet, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death in 1865, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, the Reverend George, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter to Francis, <a href="#Page_16">16-20</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death, <a href="#Page_125">125-129</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Henry, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death of Mrs. Henry Austen, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> visit from Jane, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> pride in Jane’s books, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, the Reverend James, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Jane, bringing up, <a href="#Page_10">10-12</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letters to Cassandra, <i>see</i> Cassandra Austen;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letters to Francis, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> on Sir John Moore, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> failing health, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter to Charles, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death in 1817, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> verses written in last illness, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Mrs., <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austen, Colonel Thomas, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Austerlitz, battle of, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Ava, King of, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Bacchante</i>, captured by <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Balgonie, Lord, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Ballast, shingle, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> iron, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Barham, Lord, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Battle of the Nile, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bayeux tapestry, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Baynton, Captain H. W., <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Belleisle</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Bellerophon</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275-278</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bentinck, Lord William, at Palermo, <a href="#Page_267">267</a> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bernadotte, Crown Prince of Sweden, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Berthier, General, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bertie, Admiral, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bettesworth, Captain, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bickerton, Sir Richard, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Blackwood, Captain, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Blight, Captain, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Blockades, “Naval Chronicle” on, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Dr. Fitchett on, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Nelson on, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bonaparte, Napoleon, departure for East, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in Egypt, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> attacks Acre, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> return from East, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> as First Consul in Italian campaign, <a href="#Page_87">87-90</a> (<i>see</i> under Napoleon)</li> - -<li class="indx"> Bonaparte, Jerome, <a href="#Page_173">173-174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bonaparte, Joseph, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Boulogne, notes on, <a href="#Page_120">120-122</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Boulogne flotilla, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bowen, Dr., <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Boyle, Captain Courtenay, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>le Brave</i>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bridges, Edward, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bridport, Lord, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Brindisi blockaded, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Bruix, Admiral, <a href="#Page_59">59-66</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Burmese War, Second, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278-281</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Burney, Fanny, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Burrard, Sir Harry, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Cadiz, blockades of, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Calder, Admiral Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Caledonia</i>, Francis Austen on, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Canopus</i>, Francis Austen appointed to, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> captured from French Navy, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> part taken in pursuit of Villeneuve, <a href="#Page_130">130-140</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> blockading Cadiz, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in action of St. Domingo, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Canton, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Francis Austen’s dealings with Viceroy, <a href="#Page_219">219-223</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Capitan Pacha, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Caroline of Brunswick, Princess, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Centaur</i>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Cheminant, M., <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Cintra, Convention of, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Cleopatra</i>, Charles Austen in, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Cochrane, Admiral, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Collingwood, Admiral, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Convoying, incidents in, <a href="#Page_149">149-152</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221-228</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Conqueror</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Cornwallis, Admiral, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Courageuse</i>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Crown</i>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span></p></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Culloden</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>le Curieux</i>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Dædalus</i>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Dalhousie, Lord, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Dalrymple, General Sir Hew, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Defence</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Defiance</i>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Desertions, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Despatch boats, insecurity of, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Donabyu, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Donegal</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, - <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, -<a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> D’Ott, Baron, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Duckworth, Commodore, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> afterwards Sir John, <a href="#Page_165">165</a> (at St. Domingo)</li> - -<li class="indx"> Dundonald, Lord, meeting with Francis Austen at Bermuda, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Durham, Captain, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Elephant</i>, Francis Austen appointed to, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in the Baltic, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Emerald</i>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Emma,” wedding in, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> captures, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Charles Austen reappointed to, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Epervier</i>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Euryalus</i>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, - <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Ferdinand, King of the Two Sicilies, <a href="#Page_267">267-269</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Fox, nephew of Charles James Fox on Jane Austen’s works, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>le Franklin</i>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Frigate, Francis Austen’s wish for, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>la Furie</i>, captured by <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Gambier, Admiral, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Francis Austen Flag-captain to, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Ganteaume, Admiral, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Garland</i>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Germes, <a href="#Page_98">98-103</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Gibbs, Dr., <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Gibson, Mary, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letters to, <a href="#Page_148">148-161</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174-176</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> marriage, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Glory</i>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Goliath</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Grand Army of England,” <a href="#Page_115">115</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Guillaume Tell</i>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Halcyon</i>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Hallowell, Captain Benjamin, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Hancock, Dr., <a href="#Page_261">261</a><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span></p></li> - -<li class="indx"> Hardy, Captain Thomas, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Hargood, Captain William, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Hastings, Warren, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Hastings</i>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Hermes</i>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Hoppo, the, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Hotham, Captain, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Hyena</i>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>l’Impériale</i>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Indian</i>, Charles Austen in command of, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205-210</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Inglis, Captain, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Italy, Unity of, <a href="#Page_266">266-270</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Joubert, General, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Junot, General, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Jupiter</i>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Keats, Captain R. G., <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Keith, Admiral Lord, in command in the Mediterranean, <a href="#Page_65">65-79</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> conference with Baron d’Ott, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Kellerman, General, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Kerr, Lady Robert, her opinion of “Pride and Prejudice,” <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Kingfisher</i>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Knatchbull, Mr., <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Knight, Edward (<i>see</i> Edward Austen)</li> - -<li class="indx"> Krakatoa Island, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Ladrones, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Lambert, Commodore, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Lark</i>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>La Legère</i>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Leigh Perrot, Mrs., <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Leigh, Thomas, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Leipzig, battle of, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Leopard</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Francis Austen appointed to, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Boulogne, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Leven, Lord and Lady, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Leviathan</i>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, -<a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>la Ligurienne</i> captured by <i>Peterel</i>, <a href="#Page_83">83-86</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Lloyd, Martha, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>London</i>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, -<a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Louis, Admiral, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, -<a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Lyford, Dr., <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Magicienne</i>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Mahan, Captain, on Continental system, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Majestic</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Malays, <a href="#Page_212">212-218</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Malcolm, Captain Pulteney, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span></p></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Mansfield Park,” Mary Crawford on the distance in the wood, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> brothers and sisters, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> William Price as midshipman, <a href="#Page_24">24-27</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> promotion of William Price, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> William’s cross and Edmund’s chain, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> William’s return, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> wedding of Maria Bertram, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Jane Austen at work on, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Fanny’s home-coming, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Marengo, campaign of, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Marlborough</i>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Mars</i>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Massena, General, at Genoa, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Melas, General, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Mercury</i>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Mermaid</i>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Mexican and United States War, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Minerva</i>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>La Minerve</i>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Minotaur</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Missiessy, Admiral, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at the Scheldt, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Le Moniteur,” <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Moore, Sir John, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Jane Austen on, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Moreau, General, in Italy, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Murat, Joachim, King of Naples, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Murat, Caroline, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Murray, Admiral George, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Naiad</i>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Namur</i>, Charles Austen in, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Napier, Commodore Charles, <a href="#Page_275">275-278</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Naples, <a href="#Page_266">266-270</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Napoleon, his “Grand Army of England,” <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> display of Bayeux Tapestry, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in Spain, <a href="#Page_196">196-198</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> “Naval Chronicle” on, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> decline of, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> his son King of Rome, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> dealings with Joachim Murat, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> escape from Elba, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Naval Academy, <a href="#Page_15">15-16</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Naval Chronicle” on blockades, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> on Napoleon, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> on Nelson’s return from the West Indies, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> censure on Sir Robert Calder, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Navy, volunteers in, <a href="#Page_15">15-21</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> early promotions, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> punishments, <a href="#Page_28">28-31</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> work of press-gang, <a href="#Page_32">32-35</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> difficulty of securing crews, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> prizes, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71-75</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> mutinies, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> improvements in comfort, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> comments on in Jane Austen’s novels:</li> -<li class="isub2"> Mrs. Clay, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span></li> -<li class="isub2"> Edward Ferrars, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> -<li class="isub2"> Anne Elliot, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>;</li> -<li class="isub2"> Sir Walter Elliot, <a href="#Page_38">38-40</a>;</li> -<li class="isub2"> Louisa Musgrove, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>;</li> -<li class="isub2"> Lady Bertram, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> -<li class="isub2"> Henry Crawford, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> -<li class="isub2"> Jane Austen, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Nelson, at battle of the Nile, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Palermo, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> in pursuit of Villeneuve, <a href="#Page_130">130-146</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> return from the West Indies, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> death of, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Neptune</i>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Nicaragua, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Northanger Abbey,” brothers and sisters, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Catherine Morland’s childhood, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Northumberland</i>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Novi, battle of, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>La Nymphe</i>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Orion</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Oudinot, Marshal, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Paget, Captain, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Palmer, Fanny, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Mrs. Charles Austen, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Parliament, thanks of, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Pellew, Captain Israel, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Penang, <a href="#Page_212">212-218</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Peninsular War, beginning of, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Perrée, Admiral, <a href="#Page_78">78-80</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Perseverance</i>, <a href="#Page_16">16-23</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Persuasion,” Mrs. Clay on Navy, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> brothers and sisters, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Dick Musgrove as midshipman, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Admiral Croft on sharp practice, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> speedy advancement of Captain Wentworth, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Anne Elliot’s comments on the navy, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Sir Walter Elliot on the navy, <a href="#Page_38">38-40</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Captain Wentworth’s description of life on board a sloop of war, <a href="#Page_74">74-77</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> argument between Captain Harville and Anne Elliot, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> question of ladies on board ship, <a href="#Page_255">255-259</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Harville family at Lyme Regis, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Jane Austen’s comment on the Navy, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Peterel</i>, Francis Austen appointed to, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> despatch for Lord Nelson at Palermo, <a href="#Page_61">61-64</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> captured under Captain Charles Long, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> prizes, <a href="#Page_71">71-73</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> capture of despatches for Suwarrow, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> capture of <i>La Ligurienne</i>, <a href="#Page_83">83-86</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> blockade of Alexandria, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98-103</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> rescue of Turkish line-of-battle ship from French and Arabs, <a href="#Page_99">99-103</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Phœbe</i>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span></p></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Phœnix</i>, Charles Austen in command of, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> blockading Brindisi, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> lost off Smyrna, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Pluto</i>, Charles Austen’s death in, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Popham, Captain, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Powerful</i>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, -<a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, -<a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Pressgang, <a href="#Page_32">32-35</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Pride and Prejudice,” brothers and sisters, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Lady Robert Kerr’s opinion of, <a href="#Page_248">248-260</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Warren Hastings’s opinion of, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Jane Austen’s opinion of, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Prima</i>, galley, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Prince of Wales</i>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Princess Caroline</i>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Princess Charlotte</i>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Prizes, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71-73</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Proclamation to encourage enlisting, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Prome, <a href="#Page_280">280-281</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Punishments, <a href="#Page_28">28-31</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Ramsgate, Francis Austen at, <a href="#Page_112">112-114</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Rangoon, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278-281</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Rattler</i>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Robinson, Captain Mark, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Rodd, Captain John Tremayne, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Rowing guard, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Royal Naval Academy, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Royal Proclamation to encourage enlisting, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Royal Sovereign</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, -<a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Rugen, Island of, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>St. Albans</i>, Francis Austen appointed to, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> difficulty in getting supplies, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Simon’s Bay, <a href="#Page_186">186-190</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at St. Helena, <a href="#Page_191">191-193</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> expected home, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Penang, <a href="#Page_212">212-218</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> at Canton, <a href="#Page_219">219-223</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> St. Domingo, battle of, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164-179</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> St. Helena, Francis Austen’s notes on, <a href="#Page_191">191-193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> St. Vincent, battle off Cape, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> St. Vincent, Earl, putting down mutinies, <a href="#Page_30">30-31</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> moved to Gibraltar, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> sees French fleet enter Mediterranean, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> health gives way, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Santa Margarita</i>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Scipio</i> captured by <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Scorpion</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Scott, Walter, Jane Austen on, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Sea Fencibles, <a href="#Page_112">112-113</a><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span></p></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Seahorse</i>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> “Sense and Sensibility,” Edward Ferrars on navy, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> sale of, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Sherer, Mr., <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Simon’s Bay, Francis Austen’s notes on, <a href="#Page_186">186-190</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Smith, Sir Sydney, at Acre, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> off Alexandria, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Southampton, home of the Austens, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Spencer, Lord, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Spencer</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, - <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, -<a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, -<a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Steventon, description of family at, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> of parsonage at, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> bringing up of family at, <a href="#Page_10">10-12</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Stopford, Captain the Honourable Robert, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Admiral, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Stuart, Captain John, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Success</i>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Superb</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, -<a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, -<a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter of officer on board, <a href="#Page_171">171-173</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Suwarrow, Marshal, in Italy, <a href="#Page_80">80-83</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Swedish Pomerania, <a href="#Page_230">230-232</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Swiftsure</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Charles Austen in, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Swordfish</i>, capture of, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Tamar</i>, <a href="#Page_48">48-52</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>la Tamise</i>, <a href="#Page_21">21-22</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Téméraire</i>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Theseus</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Tigre</i>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, -<a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, -<a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Tonnant</i>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Toulon, escape of Villeneuve’s fleet from, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Trafalgar, battle of, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155-159</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> scene after, <a href="#Page_162">162-163</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Trafalgar, Cape, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Transfer</i>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Trebbia, battle of, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>la Tribune</i>, fight with <i>Unicorn</i>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Triton</i>, crew impressed, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Francis Austen appointed to, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Troubridge, Captain, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Turkey declares war against France, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Unicorn</i>, fight with <i>la Tribune</i>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> United States, illicit carrying trade, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> war with, <a href="#Page_227">227</a><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span></p></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Vanguard</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Victory</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132-142</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Vienna, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> Congress of, <a href="#Page_268">268</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Ville de Paris</i>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Villeneuve, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> pursuit of, <a href="#Page_130">130-146</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> letter on action with Calder, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> prisoner, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Vimiera, battle of, <a href="#Page_197">197-303</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>la Virginie</i>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Vixen</i>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Volunteers, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Warren, Sir John, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Waterloo, Battle of, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Wellesley, Sir Arthur, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a> (<i>see</i> Wellington)</li> - -<li class="indx"> Wellington, Duke of, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Whitworth, Lord, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Williams, Sir Thomas, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1"> marriage, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> Winchester, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271-273</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> <i>Winchester</i>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> Young, Admiral, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"> <i>Zealous</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> -</ul> - - -<hr class="full chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2>JANE AUSTEN: HER HOMES AND HER FRIENDS.</h2> -<p class="noindent"> -By <span class="smcap">Constance -Hill</span>. With numerous Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Ellen G. -Hill</span>, together with Photogravure Portraits. Price 5s. net.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="r65"> -<p class="center"><i>Some Press Opinions</i>:</p> - -<p><i>The Athenæum</i>—“Miss Hill writes well and brightly, with a close -knowledge of her subject-matter, and she succeeds in escaping the touch -of over-sentimentality which is often irritating in works of this -kind.... This book provides real and abiding entertainment for Jane -Austen lovers.”</p> - -<p><i>The Times</i>—“Related with an engaging naïveté.”</p> - -<p><i>The Daily Chronicle</i>—“A book of rare and irresistible charm.”</p> - -<p><i>The Westminster Gazette</i>—“Miss Hill’s investigations are -fruitful, and her delightful book is pervaded by a sense of actuality -that is not its least charming quality.”</p> - -<p><i>The Globe</i>—“The volume, which is freely as well as excellently -illustrated, has more than a literary interest and value, for it -supplies pleasing and instructive sketches of upper middle-class life -in England more than a century ago.”</p> - -<p><i>The Spectator</i>—“This book is a valuable contribution to Austen -lore.”</p> - -<p><i>The World</i>—“A thoroughly delightful book.”</p> - -<p><i>The Literary World</i>—“Enthusiastic Austenians as we confess -ourselves, we hasten to acknowledge our debt to Miss Constance Hill -for the addition she makes to Austeniana. The pilgrimage she has made -to the homes and haunts of Jane Austen and her friends yields a volume -with which we should now be loth to part.”</p> - -<p><i>The Guardian</i>—“Books are always pleasant to read which are -simply written as the readiest means of expressing a deep and thorough -sympathy with their subject. This is undoubtedly the case with the -present volume.”</p> - -<p><i>The Pilot</i>—“The book which Miss Hill has written and her sister -has illustrated should be an indispensable shelf-mate to the novels of -the incomparable Jane.”</p> - -<p><i>The Daily Telegraph</i>—“Miss Constance Hill, the authoress of this -charming book, has laid all devout admirers of Jane Austen and her -inimitable novels under a debt of gratitude.”</p> - -<hr class="r65"> - -<p class="center">JOHN LANE, <span class="smcap">The Bodley Head, Vigo St., London, W.</span></p> - - -<hr class="full chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="JUNIPER_HALL">JUNIPER HALL:</h2> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">A rendezvous of certain illustrious persons during the French -Revolution, including Alexander D’Arblay and Fanny Burney. By <span class="smcap">C. -Hill</span>. Illustrated by <span class="smcap">E. G. Hill</span>. Portraits, &c. Crown -8vo. Price 5s. net.</p> - - -<hr class="r65"> -<p class="center"><i>Some Press Opinions</i>:</p> - -<p><i>The Times</i>—“This book makes another on the long and seductive -list of books that take up history just where history proper leaves -off.... We have given but a faint idea of the freshness, the innocent -gaiety of its pages; we can give none at all of the beauty and interest -of the pictures that adorn it.”</p> - -<p><i>The Daily Telegraph</i>—“One of the most charming volumes published -within recent years.... Miss Hill has drawn a really idyllic and -graphic picture ... capitally illustrated by authentic portraits.”</p> - -<p><i>The Daily Chronicle</i>—“Miss Hill’s artistic and interesting -compilation.”</p> - -<p><i>The Daily News</i>—“Miss Constance Hill has given a vivid picture -of a vanished time.”</p> - -<p><i>The Pall Mall Gazette</i>—“There is not, indeed, a dull page in all -this pleasant volume.... The book is indeed one which it is a pleasure -to read because of the amiable light in which it exhibits human -nature.... We congratulate Miss Hill upon her narrative of an episode -in English history upon which it is possible to look back with feelings -of unalloyed satisfaction.”</p> - -<p><i>The Westminster Gazette</i>—“The story ... is skilfully unified and -charmingly told.”</p> - -<p><i>The Outlook</i>—“Miss Constance Hill, having executed a capital -study of the homes and friends of Jane Austen, has inevitably been -tempted to treat Fanny Burney after a similar fashion. She has achieved -a readable and—thanks to her sister—admirably illustrated volume, -which ranks in every respect with its predecessor.”</p> - -<p><i>The Academy</i>—“Her book is agreeably picturesque and stimulating.”</p> - -<p><i>Truth</i>—“This charming book.”</p> - -<p><i>Le Soleil</i>—“Le livre de miss Constance Hill est une des lectures -les plus attachantes qu’on puisse imaginer.”</p> - - -<hr class="r65"> - -<p class="center">JOHN LANE, <span class="smcap">The Bodley Head, Vigo St., London, W.</span></p> - - -<hr class="full chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations -in hyphenation and accents have been standardised but all other -spelling and punctuation remains unchanged.</p> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JANE AUSTEN'S SAILOR BROTHERS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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