It is not for me to say the reason ‘why.’  All that I can vouch for is that, in the general opinion of competent judges, had we gone on we could have taken or destroyed Cronstadt, instead of which—­what was done?  They sent to England for special boats to be made ready for the next summer, when the attack would be made on Cronstadt.

We remained a few days at anchor off that place, when some half of the fleet were detached to the Aland Islands, where an insignificant fort called Bomarsund was to be attacked—­not by the English and French fleets, who were fit to do any mortal thing, but by an army fetched from France.  When the army came, the poor little fort attacked by the fleet on the seaside, and on the shore by the soldiers, after firing a few shots surrendered.  During the attack I was appointed acting commander of H.M.S.——­, and was mentioned honourably in despatches.

Many promotions were made for the taking of Bomarsund, but I fancy I had as usual given my opinion too freely, as I was left out in the cold.  I shall never forget old Charley’s answer to me when I applied for my promotion, it was so worthy of him.  He said, ’Don’t ye come crying to me, Sir; you are a lord’s son:  I’ll have nothing to do wi’ ye.’

Immediately after the capture of Bomarsund, the admiral detached a small squadron under Captain S——­ to reconnoitre the Russian port of Abo.  Of that squadron the vessel of which I was commander formed one.  We left with sealed orders, which were not to be opened until we arrived at, or near to, our destination.

On sighting the enemy’s port we perceived that every preparation was being made to give us a warm reception.  A council of war was held on board the senior officer’s ship, at which council the sealed orders were opened, when to our disgust it was found within that we were ordered ‘not to fight, merely to reconnoitre.’

Sickening humiliation!  There were the Russian gunboats inside the bar of the harbour of Abo, firing at us with all their might.  The forts on the heights, such as they were, very insignificant temporary batteries of field-pieces, had commenced to get the range of the ships; but as we were not to fight, we took a sulky shot or two at the enemy and retired.

To this day I cannot understand the policy that actuated this weak, vacillating conduct on the part of our chief.  But some idea may be given of his fighting notions by the following occurrence, of which I was a witness.

One morning despatches arrived from England.  A signal was made from the flag-ship for commanding officers to repair on board that vessel.  On our arrival there, we were asked to sit down to breakfast.  Our chief, who was opening his letters, suddenly threw a despatch over the table to S——­, the admiral of the fleet, saying, ’What would ye do, mun, if ye received a letter like this?’ S——­, after reading the letter said, ’If I received a letter like that, I’d attack Revel or Sveaborg if I lost half my fleet.’  Our chief’s answer I shall never forget.  It was:  ’I haven’t got nerve to do it, and I’m d——­d well sure C——­ hasn’t.’  There are many living besides myself who can vouch for the accuracy of this statement.