[432] In the daily papers of May 15, 1779, it was announced that
"fourteen ships of the line" had sailed from Brest to attack
Admiral Arbuthnot, who lay with a much smaller force at Torbay.
Orders were sent to Portsmouth to fit out every available ship
for his support.
[433] Sir Joshua Reynolds, in May to July, 1779, painted a
portrait of Gibbon. But the picture here referred to is probably
that by Wharton.
[Sidenote: AT WORK ON HIS SECOND VOLUME.]
375.
_To his Stepmother._
May 31st, 1779.