hearts of men, is a nobler monument to the honor of themselves, and its object, and more becoming in acceptance, than arches and statues.
“Go, Sir, where you are sure to be followed by our earnest prayers; go, and present to your King these sentiments of veneration and gratitude, which our great regard for yourself, and indeed all British officers, has caused us to make public. May our Republic one day attain that ascendant which the aid of sovereigns appears to conduct us to; when the honor of rendering some service to the British nation will not be rejected. If to save us from misfortune, sparing by the most circumspect conduct even the slightest threat which might promote revolt; keeping secret all political and other important concerns; whatever, in fine, related to the conclusion of a peace necessary to the safety of our lives; is not a service which we can never hope adequately to return? The answer to this must live for ever in our memories, and be a homage rendered in silence to greatness, while your renown is alone left to us as a consolation for your departure from our country this day.”
Some time after his departure from Corfu, Captain Ryves was ordered by Sir Richard Bickerton to proceed to the Madalena islands, and if possible to do so, without using force, to prevent the French taking possession of them, which, according to intelligence recently received, they were about to do, notwithstanding the treaty of Amiens, by which all hostilities had long since ceased in Europe. At this period there did not exist a chart of those islands, nor had any ship of war ever anchored among them. The Agincourt was nearly lost in doing so. No Frenchmen appearing, Captain Ryves spent the week he was directed to remain there in making a survey of the islands, which he performed alone, there not being a single person on board able to assist him.
In May 1803, the ship’s company of the Gibraltar evinced symptoms of mutiny, in consequence of their being kept abroad after hostilities had ceased; and her commander having been dismissed by the sentence of a court-martial, Captain Ryves was appointed to that ship, and sent to Naples to attend upon the King. He continued on that service about eight months, and had the satisfaction of completely restoring subordination among his men; 50 of whom were frequently allowed to go on shore at one time, without ever giving cause for the least complaint from the inhabitants of that city; their general conduct on board being equally exemplary, punishment was seldom necessary. When about to quit that station, the King presented Captain Ryves with a superb dia-
