On the 20th, his lordship writes to Lord Keith—­“It is too soon to form any judgment of what effect it may have on my health; but, on the 18th, I had near died, with the swelling of some of the vessels of the heart.  I know, the anxiety of my mind, on coming back to Syracuse in 1798, was the first cause; and more people, perhaps, die of broken hearts, than we are aware of.”  To Commodore Troubridge he writes, also, on this day, much in the same strain—­“It is too soon to form an opinion whether I can ever be cured of my complaint.  At present, I see but glimmering hopes; and, probably, my career of service is at an end:  unless the French fleet should come into the Mediterranean, when nothing shall prevent my dying at my post.  I hope, my dear friend, that your complaints are better.  Pray, do not fret at any thing; I wish I never had:  but my return to Syracuse, in 1798, broke my heart; which, on any extraordinary anxiety, now shews itself, be that feeling pain or pleasure.”  His lordship remarks, however, that he is an infidel about the Brest fleet again trusting themselves in the Mediterranean.  The Russians, he observes, are certainly going to Malta; under commanders, both at sea and land, with whom all will be harmony.  “You will have heard,” continues his lordship, “that Mr. Arthur Paget is daily expected, to replace, for the present, Sir William; Comte Pouskin is also superseded by Italinskoy.  In short, great changes are going on; and none, that I can see, for the better.  I have not yet seen General Acton; but I am led to believe, that the king’s not returning to Naples, has been entirely owing to the general.  At present, perhaps, he has so much frightened him, that the act appears his own. We, of the Nile, are not equal to Lord Keith, in his estimation; and ought to think it an honour to serve under such a clever man.”  In concluding this letter, his lordship says—­“Acton has, I am almost convinced, played us false.”

In another letter to Sir Thomas Troubridge, dated on the 28th, his lordship says, that if the ships get away, he is certain the garrison will not hold out; and expresses his intention again to visit Malta, before he retires from the station.  A courier, from Constantinople, he says, is just arrived:  bringing intelligence, that the French treaty for quitting Egypt is ratified by the Porte; and, that the ministers of England and Russia have acquainted the Porte of the determination of the allies not to suffer the French army to return to Europe.  His lordship then directs him to repeat the orders already given, for making the French from Egypt, under whatever protection they may be, come into some of the ports of the allies; for, on no consideration, must they be allowed to return to France.  “I now,” adds his lordship, “come to the most painful part of my letter, the loss of the Queen Charlotte, by fire.  Lord Keith is safe; and, I hope, most of the officers and crew.  She sailed from Leghorn at daylight of the 17th, with a strong land wind.  She was, when five miles distant, discovered to be on fire; and, at noon, she blew up, about twelve miles from the light-house.  This is the whole we know.  Vessels were fearful, till after some time, to approach her; therefore, many poor fellows must be gone!”