On the 9th of October, also, Bonaparte landed in France, after a six weeks’ voyage from Alexandria.  The immense consequences involved in this single event could not then be foreseen; but it none the less caused mortification and regret to Nelson.  It was a cardinal principle with him, vehemently and frequently uttered, that not a single Frenchman should be allowed to return from Egypt; and here their commander-in-chief had passed successfully from end to end of the station, unseen by any British cruiser.  He did not, however, consider himself at fault, and his judgment may be allowed, although in his own case.  “If I could have had any cruisers, as was my plan, off Cape Bon, in Africa, and between Corsica and Toulon, Mr. Buonaparte could not probably have got to France.”  This he said to Earl Spencer.  Elsewhere he wrote:  “I have regretted sincerely the escape of Buonaparte; but those ships which were destined by me for the two places where he would certainly have been intercepted, were, from the Admiralty thinking, doubtless, that the Russians would do something at sea, obliged to be at Malta, and other services which I thought the Russian Admiral would have assisted me in—­therefore, no blame lies at my door.”  He took some comfort in contrasting the stealthy return of the French general, with the great armada that accompanied his departure.  “No Crusader ever returned with more humility—­contrast his going in L’Orient, &c. &c.”

A report that Bonaparte had passed Corsica reached Nelson on October 24th.  The same day came despatches from Sir Sidney Smith, narrating a disastrous defeat sustained by the Turks on the shores of Aboukir Bay.  Smith’s period of command in the Levant had been chiefly, and brilliantly, distinguished by the successful defence of Acre against Bonaparte.  The latter, threatened by simultaneous attacks by the Turks from Syria and from the sea, had determined to anticipate such a combination by going himself against the enemy on the land side, before the weather conditions made it possible to disembark any formidable body of men on the shores of Egypt.  Starting with this purpose in February, he had proceeded with slight resistance until the 18th of March, when his army appeared before Acre.  Smith was then lying in the roads with two ships-of-the-line.  The siege which ensued lasted for sixty-two days, so great was Bonaparte’s pertinacity, and anxiety to possess the place; and in its course Smith displayed, not only courage and activity, which had never been doubted, but a degree of conduct and sound judgment that few expected of him.  His division was fortunate enough to capture the French siege train, which had to be sent by water, and he very much disturbed the enemy’s coastwise communications, besides contributing materially to the direction of the defence, to which the Turks, though brave enough, were not adequate.  After several desperate assaults the siege was raised on the 20th of May, and Bonaparte retreated to Egypt, regaining Cairo on the 14th of June.