HISTORY OF EUROPE. 



£23 



session of the papal territories, highest pitch. The fleet while it 



But it was soon found that the lay, or was leaving the Downs, 



projected attempt on the territory was a spectacle grateful to the 



and city of Naples must be abati- pride, and flattering to the hopes of 



doned ; for king Joachim had 

 formed and embodied a large corps 

 of national guards, besides the 

 great regular force wiiich he had 

 assembled for the protection of 

 his dominions and capital. After 

 a good deal of fighting for the 

 possession of the castle of Scylla, 

 which was taken and retaken seve- 

 ral times, the British were forced to 

 abandon the slight footing they had 

 obtained on the continent, as well as 

 the two islands. 



Another expedition, and one of 

 a more formidable nature, was 

 prepared by the British govern- 

 ment to invade the dominions of 

 France, parti}' wiih a view to the 

 attainment of British objects, but 

 collaterally for the purpose of ope- 

 rating, as well as that from Sicilj', 

 as a diversion in favour of the Aus- 

 trians. Preparations began to be 

 made early in May. Towards theend 

 of July, troops were collected to 

 upwards of 40,000 men, supported 

 by the powerful aid of 39 sail of 

 the line, besides 3G frigates, and 

 a great number of gun-boats, 

 bombs, and small craft. The pre- 

 sent age had not witnessed so 

 numerous a body of British sol- 

 diers, marines, and sailors assem- 

 bled for the i)urpose of invading 

 the, continent. The number of 

 the whole amounted to about 

 100,000 men. The expectations 

 of the nation were raised to the 



Britain, Dover, Deal, Ramsgate, 

 and Margate were full of visitors, 

 of persons of the most respectable 

 classes of both sexes, come to see 

 the sailing of this great armament. 

 Among these was lord Castlereagh, 

 accompanied by his lady and a 

 number of his particular friends, 

 contemplating with dtlight a work 

 of his own creation, from which 

 further glory was anticipated, from 

 its success confidently expected.* 

 For the object of the expedition 

 which was the occupation of 

 Flushing and the destruction of 

 the French ships of war, arsenals, 

 and dock yards in the Scheldt, it 

 was thought might be attained 

 by so overwhelming a force, with so 

 little difficulty, that the command 

 of the army was entrusted to the 

 earl of Chatham, a man reputed to 

 possess an excellent understanding, 

 but whose very name was almost 

 proverbial for enervation and indo- 

 lence. It was not understood that 

 the earl in soliciting this com- 

 mand was roused from his habi- 

 tual torpitude by a passion for 

 glory, but that it might be attended 

 or followed by results convenient 

 for his narrow and somewhat em-, 

 barrassed fortune. It was further 

 said^ that a hesitation and reluc- 

 tance on the part of ministry to em- 

 ploy such a general was overcome by 

 the influence of a lady of the court. 

 The naval part of the expedition 



was 



• Among the visitors of the fleet, was one who attracted much notice by the pomp 

 «f his apnearance, or what may be called his eciuipage. This was sir "William 

 Curtis, who was wafted to the Downs in a vacht, either of his own, or hired for the 

 purpose, or borrowed, beautifully painted^ adorned with a Streamer bearing devices 

 yroenosticating victory and glory, and carrying delicate refreshments of all kinds 

 to tne militarj- and naval corrimai)der=; and the principal officers. 



