passing to windward of them.  Unfortunately, as the British ships approached, the wind headed them, and threw them off so much, that they only fetched just within gun-shot of the Wagram, the enemy’s rear ship.  The fleet was at this time bringing up the original wind, and the Caledonia, San Josef, and Boyne, actually fetched within gun-shot of the French Admiral, before the wind headed them.  The Wagram, which had reserved her fire for the Caledonia, exchanged broadsides with her, but at too great a distance to produce material effect; and the enemy being so far to windward, succeeded in reaching Toulon.  Eleven shots from the Wagram and the batteries struck the Caledonia, wounding the mainmast, cutting some of the shrouds, and destroying a small boat upon the booms.  Much disappointment was felt by all the fleet, and the conduct of the advanced squadron was strongly censured by many in the ships astern, who supposed that they had intentionally bore away, when in fact they had come up within influence of the head wind.

A more serious, though very partial affair occurred in the following February.  On the evening of the 12th, Rear-Admiral Kosmao Kerjulien sailed from Toulon, with three sail of the line, and three frigates, to escort a seventy-four which was expected from Genoa.  On the following morning, the fleet returning from Mahon, discovered the enemy to the eastward of Hyeres Islands.  They were at first supposed to be British ships, but the Admiral himself going aloft, clearly made out their character.  The Boyne, Captain Burlton, a small three-decker, sister ship to the Victory, was considerably in advance of the fleet.  It was on Sunday, and the ships were preparing for the morning service, which had already commenced on board the Boyne, when the signal for a general chase was thrown out.  The wind blew strong from E.S.E., and the Boyne, perceiving the enemy’s intention to come through the little pass of Hyeres Bay, stood for that pass to intercept them.  Sir Edward, who was leaning on the foreyard, watched her with admiration, but extreme anxiety.  “Hold on, my brave Burlton!” he exclaimed, as the Boyne dashed at their whole force.  Then, as he feared they would all close, and overpower her before he could arrive to her assistance, he turned to an officer at his side, and declared with energy, “If they take her they sha’nt keep her, for I’ll go in with the fleet!”

Passing through the enemy immediately astern of a frigate, to which she gave a broadside, the Boyne separated the rear-ship from the others, and brought her to action.  This ship, the Romulus, a two-decker, immediately hauled in for the north shore, and kept so close, going round all the bays, that the Boyne could neither run her on board, nor get inside her.  They ran side by side with studding sails set, and at the rate of ten knots, before the wind, which blew directly into Toulon.