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AUGUSTA, _May 25, 1807_.
MY DEAREST MOTHER--I make an effort to save this packet, because
you will perhaps be anxious about Egypt, of which you will now
learn such unpleasant intelligence. There is at present no prospect
of my going there, altho’ I expected it some days ago, for I
should think that the first advices from England will lead to the
evacuation of that precarious possession. By what I can learn,
General Fox designs to maintain Alexandria until he can receive
new instructions.
Captain Lefebure, to my great vexation, has at his own desire been
relieved from his command by Major Bryce. He wrote me a long and
very kind letter upon the subject, and I transcribe a paragraph
which occurs at the latter end, because I know it will give old Dad
pleasure:--
“Dear Boothby, praise from me is superfluous, but I must yield to
my feelings, and give you my hearty thanks for your unremitted,
zealous, and useful professional support since we have been on the
same service.”
I am here under the command of Colonel Campbell, who, I suppose, is
one of those men than whom there _cannot_ be a better. I never knew
him before.
Augusta is on a peninsula between Syracuse and Catania. The party
of Guards with whom I live is the pleasantest society that can
be, and I sometimes go over to Syracuse, where I see Lord Fred
Bentinck, who is a capital fellow.
General Fox comes here to-day. He came here some time ago, but
was suddenly called to Messina by the Egyptian despatches. Being
obliged to go away early in the morning, he desired me to walk
home with him after dinner to show him a plan of the works, in
which walk he talked a great deal about Minorca and your family. My
kindest love to all.--Ever your truly affectionate son,