* * * * *
SHEERNESS, _May 6, 1808_.
The ships are under way and bound for Yarmouth. Thence I suppose to
Gothenburg. Perhaps I shall see Sir Brooke in my rambles.
* * * * *
YARMOUTH, _May 9, 1808_.
We arrived in the roads this morning, and I have just come on
shore for an hour to get a few things that are wanting, as a fine
fair breeze is to be taken advantage of immediately, and I hope to
see Gothenburg in less than a week. General Moore is on board the
_Mars_, and not an officer is to be seen on shore, as the Fleet is
to sail at three o’clock.
* * * * *
_Amity Brig, May 10._
Got under way at 4 o’clock P.M. Wind blowing towards evening with
rain, and threatened a gale; moderated again, and the moon rose in
unclouded majesty.
Fine clear night. List of men-of-war of the convoy. _Mars_ 74,
_Audacious_ 74, _Tigress_ 16, ---- 16, and _Piercer_.
* * * * *
_Friday 13._--All last night hazy weather, moderate breezes; in the
morning thick fog--so thick that not a ship in the Fleet could be
discovered except at intervals, although the voices of the people
aboard could be distinguished.
The faint form of the ships, at times in the fog, had rather a sublime
appearance. The Commodore was on our starboard beam, which we knew by
his occasionally firing guns of guidance; the sound was very near, but
the flash could not be perceived. About twelve o’clock he made a signal
to alter the course, and at two o’clock he made another signal, and we
had some anxiety lest a mistake should make us lose the Fleet.
At about three o’clock, however, the fog cleared away, and discovered
the Commodore close on our larboard-quarter, steaming the same course
with us, some thirty or forty miles from the coast of Jutland.
These Baltic fogs are extremely unpleasant, and lie chiefly on the
shoal called Jutland Reef. The vessel was obliged to be constantly
beating drums and ringing bells, lest some other ship should come upon
her unknowingly, from the perfect obscurity in which we were involved.
_Tuesday, May 17._--Wind blowing very fresh and a heavy sea. At a
quarter before three had Gothenburg on the lee beam. At half-past three
pilot came on board, at four anchored near Elfsborg Castle; experienced
much pleasure from the force of contrast--coming at once from very
rough sea-weather into harbour, and leaving the waves in the lurch.
Aspect of Gothenburg Harbour very wild and bleak.
_Wednesday 18._--May go on shore, but not to sleep. Mr. Hindmarsh takes
us in his boat and we land at Tod’s Quay.
After entering the gates of Gothenburg, we went into a shop to inquire
for an inn, and found a very pretty boy translating English into
Swedish. His book was entitled _Village Dialogues_. He spoke English
very well, and also French and German, and was exceedingly modest and
well-behaved. His father stood by, and contemplated the acuteness of
his son with delight, pleased to find that he could make Englishmen
understand him.
We proceed, meet a gentleman, and ask for an inn where a dinner might
be got.
“’Twas a shocking place,” he said, but told us of an hotel. I then
asked where I could hear of foreigners who might be in Gothenburg.
“Did not know. Who did I want?” “Sir Brooke Boothby.”[15] Had seen him
that morning; showed me where he lived--“_Not at home_.” Go to dine at
Eryxon’s and find party of officers. After dinner go again to call
on my uncle (Sir Brooke Boothby), whom I had not seen for nine years.
We were delighted to see each other; had tea, walked to Tod’s Quay,
embarked at nine, and was on board at 11 P.M.
General Stewart is the kindest creature in the world. He went the other
day to ask the General (Sir John Moore) to appoint me his aide-de-camp,
as the brigadier-generals were to be allowed them; but General Moore’s
answer was, that he intended me for himself.
If the General has an opportunity of putting his intentions into
execution, I shall have the situation which I wish for more than any
other in the Army. But my mind misgives me that we shall come home
without achieving or seeing anything.
[Illustration:
_Sir Joshua Reynolds._