OP THE LATE JOHN CLERK, ESQ. OF ELDIN. 



131 



the system, therefore, can no more be doubted than its uti- 

 lity- 



An example of breaking the line, with success, if possible, 



more brilliant than either of the preceding instances, was af- 

 forded by Lord St Vincent's memorable action on the coast 

 of Spain, when, disregarding, as he said, in his own account of 

 it, the regular system, he attacked the Spanish line of twenty- 

 seven ships with fifteen only, and by carrying a press of sail, 

 intersected and cut off the windward division, of which four 

 were taken before the rest of the fleet could work up to their 



relief. 



Lord St Vincent had early been made acquainted with Mr 

 Clerk's book, of which a copy had been sent him by Colonel 

 Debbieg of the Royal Engineers, a particular friend of the au- 

 thor. 1 do not find that his Lordship ever expressed any opi- 

 nion on the principles of this work. 



Lord Duncan's victory on the coast of Holland was achie- 

 ved on the same principle, and carried into effect with singu- 

 lar gallantry. His Lordship, indeed, before going to sea, had 

 many conferences with Mr Clerk, and professed that he was 

 determined to pursue the plan of operations which he had 

 pointed out. His Lordship's attack, accordingly, was directed 

 against the centre of the enemy, in consequence of which the 

 rear division was cut oiF and taken, with the exception of a 

 single ship. When the first news of this victory, so near to 

 our own shores, and therefore so strongly felt, and so highly 

 appretiated by us all, was brought to Walmer Castle, where 

 Mr Pitt was then residing, he, with Lord Melville, Mr For- 

 DYCE, and some others, were sitting at table just after dinner. 

 A man who had seen the action, and had just landed, desired 

 to be introduced, and on coming into the room, gave an ac- 

 count of what he had witnessed ; on his mentioning that Lord 



K 2 Duncan 



