54 



circumftances no longer prompt me to a vq^ 

 luntary exchange. 



Some troops were embarked yefterday, 

 from this place. The weather was rough and 

 unfavorable. Such indeed has it, conftantly, 

 been, fince our arrival at Portfmouth, — always 

 ftormy, and, at times, tempeftuous, From 

 this ftate of the weather we have had the 

 opportunity of feeing this great maritime 

 port to much advantage ; a degree of gran- 

 deur being added to the fcenery, which, in a 

 more tranquil feafon, had not exifted. The 

 general movement and activity have been, 

 neceffarlly, increafed. We have heard the 

 deep roaring of the billows, and have liftcned 

 to the howling of the wind, and the beating 

 of the ftorm among the fhipping; the troubled 

 waves have dafhed, in heavy feas, upon the 

 land, or broke, with violence, againft the 

 rampart- walls ; boats and fhips have been fet 

 adrift, others have been driven from their 

 anchors and caft on fhore ; and that degree 

 of the terrific, neceffary to the fublirae, has 

 prevailed. But fublime and grand as it may 



