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laid on the binnacle, with the greatest formality and precision. Admiral Geary, fully impressed with the idea that the chase was the Brest fleet, went up to Kempenfelt, took him by the button, shut the book, and said, "Now, my dear Kempy, do pray let the signals alone to-day, and to-morrow you shall order as many as ever you please."

As the fleet had now been at sea above two months, and had suffered much, it became necessary to return to port. Accordingly, the whole brought up at St. Helen's on the 18th of August; soon after which, Admiral Geary, being taken ill, relinquished the command to Admiral Darby.

There were near three thousand men on the sick list, when the fleet came to an anchor; yet, such was the excellent constitution of Prince William, he never had one day's illness during the whole of this long and tedious. cruise. His Royal Highness, however, had a very narrow escape of another kind. In a storm, off Cape Finisterre, the Duke, of ninety guns, Captain Sir Charles Douglas, and the Prince George, were driven so close together, that, to use the sailor's phrase, you might have "tossed a biscuit from one ship to the other." Had a collision taken place, one, if not both vessels, would in all probability have gone to the bottom; but, fortunately, through the extraordinary exertions of the respective crews, and the good management of the officers, the threatened danger was prevented, and no damage was suffered on either side.

Such was the condition of the Prince George, that Admiral Digby was enabled to quit his moorings on the 28th of August, and proceed again down the channel with twelve sail of the line, for the protection of the

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PARTING WITH THE DUKE OF YORK.

homeward-bound West India trade. Admiral Darby soon followed; and the whole squadron kept at sea till the beginning of December, when the want of provisions obliged the ships to return, having only bread enough left for two days. On entering the channel, the French fleet hove in sight; but night coming on before the number of the enemy could be ascertained, no action took place, and the next morning not one was to be seen.

Prince William having completed this arduous cruise, hastened to pass the winter in the bosom of his illustrious Family, by all of whom he was heartily caressed. The joy, however, produced by the arrival, safe and sound, of the royal sailor, after so many hair-breadth escapes, was somewhat damped by the departure of his brother, Prince Frederick, the late Duke of York, for the continent, to go through a course of military education, under the ablest masters of the art of war in the Prussian service.

This affecting separation took place at Buckingham House, on the morning of the 30th of December. Their Majesties felt much, and Prince William was greatly moved; but the Prince of Wales was so overpowered at the idea of being deprived, for several years, of the particular companion and friend of his youth, that he was unable to speak, or to refrain from tears.

On New-year's day his Royal Highness embarked at Harwich with the venerable Colonel Greville; and the following day landed at Ostend, where he was received with all the honours due to his exalted rank, by the commandant and magistrates.

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