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ADMIRALS OF THE BLUE.

all religions and every description of the surviving inhabitants. The heaps of unburied Frenchmen lying on the bodies of those whom they massacred two months ago, afford another proof of divine justice, which has caused these murderers to perish by the infection arising from their own atrocious act. Seven poor wretches are left alive in the hospital, where they are protected, and shall be taken care of. We have had a most dangerous and painful duty in disembarking here, to protect the inhabitants; but it has been effectually done; and Ismael Pasha deserves every credit for his humane exertions and cordial co-operation to that effect. Two thousand cavalry are just despatched to harrass the French rear, and I am in hopes to overtake their van in time to profit by their disorder; but this will depend on the assembling of sufficient force, and on exertions of which I am not absolutely master, though I do my utmost to give the necessary impulse, and a right direction.”

The retreat of Buonaparte from before Acre was, in fact, conducted wholly in the spirit of cruelty generated by disappointed pride in the mind of a man whose means of resentment, mighty as they were, still were less ample than his will for all the purposes of atrocious mischief. The magazines and granaries were all ignited; the earth, covered with ashes, presented only a picture of desolation; and while the cattle fled lowing from the flames, the affrighted inhabitants, with rage in their hearts, beheld, without being able to prevent, the disasters which marked their invaders’ way^[1].

↑ When the Grand Seignior received the news of Buonaparte’s defeat, and of the carnage before Acre, he shed tears. His Imperial Majesty presented the messenger with seven purses of 3000 florins, and sent a Tartar to Sir W. Sidney Smith, with an aigrette and sable fur (similar to that of Lord Nelson) worth 25,000 piastres. He afterwards conferred on him the insignia of the Ottoman Order of the Crescent.
The loss sustained by the British squadron, employed in the defence of Acre, consisting of the Tigre, Theseus, and Alliance, amounted to 53 killed, 13 drowned, 113 wounded, and 82 prisoners. To the general feelings of approbation which the conduct of its commander excited in the hearts of his countrymen, the parliamentary reports of that period bear unequivocal testimony. His late Majesty himself, on the opening of the session, Sept. 24, 1?99, noticed the heroism of Sir W. Sidney Smith, and the advantage which the nation had derived from his success. The King’s ministers, their friends, and even their opponents, joined in paying a tribute of applause. The gratitude of the nation, and of both Houses of Parliament, was unanimous; and the Commodore, with the officers and seamen under his command, were voted the thanks of the legislature. A pension of 1000l. per annum was settled on Sir W. Sidney Smith; the City of London also presented him with its freedom, and a sword valued at 100 guineas. From the Turkey Company he likewise received a sword of the value of 300 guineas.

[1] When the Grand Seignior received the news of Buonaparte’s defeat, and of the carnage before Acre, he shed tears. His Imperial Majesty presented the messenger with seven purses of 3000 florins, and sent a Tartar to Sir W. Sidney Smith, with an aigrette and sable fur (similar to that of Lord Nelson) worth 25,000 piastres. He afterwards conferred on him the insignia of the Ottoman Order of the Crescent.
The loss sustained by the British squadron, employed in the defence of Acre, consisting of the Tigre, Theseus, and Alliance, amounted to 53 killed, 13 drowned, 113 wounded, and 82 prisoners. To the general feelings of approbation which the conduct of its commander excited in the hearts of his countrymen, the parliamentary reports of that period bear unequivocal testimony. His late Majesty himself, on the opening of the session, Sept. 24, 1?99, noticed the heroism of Sir W. Sidney Smith, and the advantage which the nation had derived from his success. The King’s ministers, their friends, and even their opponents, joined in paying a tribute of applause. The gratitude of the nation, and of both Houses of Parliament, was unanimous; and the Commodore, with the officers and seamen under his command, were voted the thanks of the legislature. A pension of 1000l. per annum was settled on Sir W. Sidney Smith; the City of London also presented him with its freedom, and a sword valued at 100 guineas. From the Turkey Company he likewise received a sword of the value of 300 guineas.

[1]