CRUISE WITH THE EXPERIMENTAL SQUADRON. 355 



then the 'Vernon,' the 'Snake' having outmanoeuvred herself by 

 passing too close to windward. The 'Castor' sailed well, but kept 

 dropping to leeward. At half-past four the 'Vernon' weathered 

 the ' Waterwitch' and ' Snake,' and led the squadron. This was 

 done by fair sailing, on which the Admiral made signal to shorten 

 sail, which was done ; and the grandees left us and went on board 

 the steamer, which set off for Portsmouth. Sir Pulteney then came 

 on board the ' Vernon,' and acknowledged we had beaten the squad- 

 ron. The ' Castor' Avas four miles to leeward, the ' Stag' six, and 

 the ' Donegal' eight : the ' Nimrod' as far ; but the ' Waterwitch' 

 and ' Snake' were only a quarter of a mile under our lee. The tri- 

 umph of the ' Vernon' is declared complete, but, in my opinion, the 

 'Waterwitch' and 'Snake' may beat her another day; the 'Castor' 

 cannot, in any wind. The Admiral has just left us, and, if weather 

 permit, Sir F. Collier and the Professor will dine to-morrow on 

 board the ' Donegal.' We are now making sail back to the ' Lizard,' 

 where, in the morning, a boat will come from shore for our letters. 

 We will then put about for the coast of Ireland, as Sir Pulteney 

 himself has told me ; and therefore, my dearest Jane, either your- 

 self or the lasses, that is, the gals, must write to me, if possible, the 

 evening you receive this — His Majesty's Ship ' Vernonf Cork — 

 without any reference to Barrow, and I shall get it probably before 

 we leave that harbor. That will be the last time I shall hear from 

 you before I return ; and from Cork I will write to Sym, who will 

 probably send you my letter or part of it. Pray keep my letters 

 for sake of the dates, for I have not been able to keep a journal. A 

 good many things have occurred on board within these few days, 

 but I have no room to narrate them. Warmest love to the progeny, 

 who, I hope, do not forget him who tenderly loveth them. I ex- 

 pect to find them all grown on my return, and Catalani jealous of 

 Sontag. I send them all kisses and prayers for their happiness, and 

 for that of one of the best of wives to her affectionate husband, 



" John Wilson." 



"Off the Lizard, September 5, 1832. 



" My dearest Jane : — I wrote a tolerably long letter the day 



before we left Plymouth, which was on Tuesday, the 4th. I had 



then received three letters from you, including one that had been 



sent to Cork. I therefore knew that you were all well on the 23d 



