242 ENGLAND. 



had eighty guns each, and nine had seventy-four. They were draws 

 mp near the shore in a strong and compact line of battle, flanked by 

 four frigates and many gun-boats, and protected in the van by a battery 

 planted in a small island. Their situation, therefore, was extremely 

 advantageous for defence : but the great danger of an attack did not 

 deter the British admiral from making the attempt. He was desirous 

 to break the line of the French, and surround a part of the fleet, and. 

 he ably executed his purpose. At sun-set the engagement commenced ; 

 and both parties fought with the utmost fury. While the victory was 

 yet undecided, the French admiral Brueys received two wounds, and,, 

 having changed his situation, was, soon after, deprived of life by a 

 cannon shot. When the action had continued for two hours, two of 

 the French ships were captured ; a third struck soon after ; and the 

 whole van was in the power of the English, who eagerly proceeded 

 to a completion of their victory. About nine at night, a fire was ob- 

 served on board L'Orient, the French admiral's ship, which increased 

 with great rapidity till about ten o'clock, when she blew up with a 

 dreadful explosion. An awful pause and silence for about three minutes 

 succeeded, when the wreck of the masts and yards, which had been 

 carried to a vast height, fell down into the water, and on board the 

 surrounding ships. After this awful scene, the engagement was prose- 

 cuted at intervals, till day-break ; and only two of the French ships of 

 the line, and two frigates, escaped capture or destruction. Nine sail 

 of the line were taken, and one, besides L'Orient, was burned, her 

 own captain setting fire to her. A frigate also was burned by her 

 commander. Captain Hood, in the Zealous, pursued the retiring 

 vessels ; but he was soon recalled by the admiral, as none of the 

 ships could support him in the chace. 



This signal victory not only gave the British fleet the entire com- 

 mand of the Mediterranean, but appeared to infuse fresh Courage into 

 all the powers on the continent to renew their exertions against 

 France. The Turks declared war with the republic, and the king of 

 Naples attacked and took possession of Rome, then in the power of the 

 French. But the reverse he afterwards experienced, and the other 

 events of the campaign in Italy, will be related in our summary of 

 the affairs of France. 



About the same time that intelligence of this glorious victory was 

 received, sir John Boriase Warren defeated, off the coast of Ireland, 

 a French squadron consisting of one ship of the line, the Hoche, and 

 eight frigates, with troops and ammunition on board. 



To complete the successes of the year, the fortress of Ciudadella 3 

 and the island of Minorca, surrendered on the 15th of November to 

 general Stuart and commodore Duckworth. This acquisition was 

 made without the loss of a man. 



In the beginning of May, 1799, a new war having taken place in 

 India with Tippoo Saib, Seringapatam, his capital, was taken, and 

 himself killed in the assault, by the British troops under the com- 

 mand of lieutenant-general Harris. Of the capture of this important 

 place, and the consequent addition of the greater part of the Mysore 

 country to the territory of the East India company, a further account 

 will be found in our history of the British transactions and conquests 

 in Hindostan. 



In the month of August following, an expedition was fitted out in 

 the West Indies under the command of lieutenant-general Trigge, 

 and vice admiral lord°Hugh Seymour, consisting of two ships pf the 



