Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/178

We before mentioned the Duke of Grafton's sailing with his victorious fleet to the coast of Spain; his Grace's actions on that station were not so brilliant as those in the Baltick; but almost equally ruinous to the Spaniards. Too weak to face the English squadron, the Spanish fleet kept in port. Thirty sail of the line, besides frigates, and other ships, were at anchor in the harbour of Cadiz. The Duke finding there was no probability of the enemy's venturing out; formed the design of attacking the forts of the city, and burning the Spanish fleet. There was a vastness in all this nobleman's schemes, that showed a great and daring genius. During the reign of George III. Admirals watched the fleets of their enemies, and spent whole months ineffectually, and yet that was a brilliant period. But now in the age of George VI. the British Admirals didnot