ARRIVAL AT SPITHEAD. 491 
cut a merchant vessel out of the harbour, while I was there. The 
garrison consists of six thousand men, who would be healthy, 
were it not for the cheapness of wine, which leads to a perpetual 
state of intoxication. By the regulations of government, spirits are 
scarcely procurable for money. The Spanish army is said to be in 
the greatest distress, for want of pay, but they bear it admirably. 
Inconsequence of the wind coming round to the east, I was 
obh'ged to hurry on board the Diana, which soon afterwards set 
sail, with the rest of the fleet, under convoy of the Athenienne. 
We passed the Straits before it was dark, with a stiff gale from the 
eastward, and as we kept close to Africa, had an opportunity of 
admiring its beautiful hills covered, in part, with woods, beyond 
which were lofty mountains. 
September 2 7 . — By day break we were up with Lord Collingwood's 
fleet, off Cadiz. The Neptune, Captain Fremantle, was appointed to 
convoy us to England ; and the Captain was so obliging, on my 
stating to him that I was severejy indisposed, as to give me a passage 
in his ship, where I experienced every kindness from him, and 
every medical assistance from Mr. Nagle, the surgeon. 
On the 24th of October, after a tedious passage, with frequent 
gales towards the latter end, we came to an anchor at St. Helen s, 
but, notwithstanding our impatience, we were not permitted to land 
till the 26th, when I went on shore at Portsmouth, after having 
been absent from England, four years and four months. 
