anxious to obtain a sight of him; and when it was known that he purposed visiting Drury Lane Theatre on the evening of the 13th of March, the crowd was so great, that it became necessary to throw a kind of bridge from the stage to the pit, to enable the people to pass out, who were in danger of being pressed to death. While on this subject, it may not be amiss to state, that the Corporation of London voted the freedom of the city, in a rich gold box, to Admiral Rodney; as they had the year preceding voted one of heart of oak to Admiral Keppel. This gave occasion to the witty Caleb Whiteford, to compose the following pointed epigram, in which the citizens and their first favourite were not improperly characterized ; "Each Admiral's defective part, Satyric Cits, you've told That cautious Lee-shore wanted heart, And gallant Rodney gold. Your wisdom, London's Council far Our highest praise exceeds, In giving each illustrious tar The very thing he needs. For Rodney brave, but low in cash, Arduous as the service was in which Prince William had been recently engaged, he did not remain long ashore. On the 24th of May, Admiral Francis Geary hoisted his flag on board the Victory, as Commander-in-chief of the Channel Fleet, consisting of twenty-nine sail of the line, 52 in four divisions. ADMIRAL GEARY. The other admirals were, George Darby, in the Britannia; Sir John Lockhart Ross, in the Royal George; Robert Digby, in the Prince George; and Samuel Barrington, in the Barfleur. Admiral Geary was a seaman of the school of Hawke; and how highly that noble veteran esteemed him, will appear from the following letter, written on his present appointment : "I find, by the papers, that you are getting ready for sea, with all the despatch that is possible, and that you will sail the instant that it is in your power; and, though I could wish this could get to your hands first, yet the times are so very pressing, from many unfortunate events, that I think the sooner you can get to my old station off Brest, the better it will be for my country. When you are there, watch those fellows as a cat watches a mouse; and if once you can have the good fortune to get up to them, make much of them, and don't part with them easily. Forgive my being so free. I love you. We have served long together, and I have your interest and happiness sincerely at heart. My dear friend, may God Almighty bless you! and may that all-powerful hand guide and protect you in the day of battle." In another letter, the veteran admiral repeats his advice, and in the same warmth of expression : MY GOOD FRIEND,-I have always wished you well, and have ever talked freely and openly to you on every subject relative to the service. Recollect some of these passages; and, for God's sake, if you should be so lucky as to get sight of the enemy, get as close to them as possible. Do not let them shuffle with you by engaging at a distance, but get within musketshot, if you can; that will be the way to gain great honour, and will be the means to make the action decisive. By doing this, you will put it out of the power of any of the crawlers to find |