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dred veflels, of various magnitude and bur- 

 den, was aflembled in compa£t form, occu« 

 pying a certain circle of the ocean's furface, 

 and gliding fmoothly on the paffage. It 

 formed one of the grandeft fpe£tacles ever 

 beheld. Never fhall I forget climbing up 

 the flirowds, as high as the main top, to en- 

 joy it in all its perfedion. The fun flione ; 

 the fea was fmooth and undifturbed ; the air 

 ferene. All fails were fet, and the veffels 

 being near to each other, the white canvafs 

 feemed fpread, in crowded continuation, 

 throughout the whole extent of the fleet. 

 Looking down upon the multitude of flhips, 

 it created the idea of a whole nation moving 

 upon the waters. It was a proud emblem of 

 Britain's glory. We appeared to command 

 the whole empire of the main ; and the 

 profped, being calculated to excite flatter- 

 ing hopes of victory and fuccefs, could not 

 fail to be viewed, by every true Briton, with 

 delight. But alas ! how delufive were thefe 

 aufpicious dawnings ! We had advanced but 

 little on our paflTage, before a dire reverfe 

 fucceeded. The fun was now obfcured; a 

 thick fog overfpread the ocean; and the 



