Swiftsure,
     August 1798.

     “SIR,

“I Have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin made from the mainmast of L’Orient; that, when you have finished your military career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies:  but, that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of your sincere friend,

     “Benjamin Hallowell.”

The present of this worthy and brave officer, however singular, was received with an affectionate regard equal to that felt by himself.  So highly, indeed, did the hero prize this gift, that he had it immediately placed upright in his cabin; and, though he was at length prevailed on, by the intreaties of an old and favourite servant, to have the coffin carried below, nothing could possibly prevent his resolution to have it finally made use of for the purpose originally intended by the gallant and esteemed donor.

While the various dispatches were preparing to be sent by Captain Capel to England, as soon as La Mutine could be got ready for sailing, those of Bonaparte to France were fortunately intercepted; as appears in the continuation of the following letter from Admiral Nelson to Sir William Hamilton.

     “Vanguard,
     Mouth of the Nile,
     8th August 1798.

     “MY DEAR SIR,

“Almighty God has made me the happy instrument of destroying the enemy’s fleet; which, I hope, will be a blessing to Europe.  You will have the goodness to communicate this happy event to all the courts in Italy; for my head is so indifferent, that I can scarcely scrawl this letter.  Captain Capel, who is charged with my dispatches for England, will give you every information.  Pray, put him in the quickest mode of getting home.  You will not send, by post, any particulars of this action; as I should be sorry to have any accounts get home before my dispatches.  I hope there will be no difficulty in our getting refitted at Naples.  Culloden must be instantly hove down, and Vanguard have all new masts and bowsprit.  Not more than four or five sail of the line will probably come to Naples:  the rest will go with the prizes to Gibraltar.  As this army never will return, I hope to hear the emperor has regained the whole of Italy.  With every good wish, believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged, and affectionate,

     “Horatio Nelson.

     “9th August.  I have intercepted all Bonaparte’s dispatches going to
     France.  The army is in a scrape, and will not get out of it.”

These intercepted dispatches were transmitted to Earl Spencer, as First Lord of the Admiralty, with the following letter.

     “Mouth of the Nile,
     9th August 1798,

     “MY LORD,