There could now be no sort of doubt, that a peace with the northern powers must soon be concluded on terms honourable to all parties.  The Danes, however, though so liberally treated, appear to have been somewhat sore from the wounds which their temerity had invited.  Sweden, through the whole business, sagaciously kept as much as possible aloof:  ready to meet the evils of war, if necessary; but prudently prefering to avoid them, while this might be effected without dishonour.  Such, happily, was also the disposition of Russia, from the moment of the frantic Paul’s demise; as well as that of the British government, which had been forced into a state of hostility with those whom they were ever desirous of considering only as friends.  Nations sincerely so disposed, have only thoroughly to understand each other, and the sword need seldom quit it’s scabbard.  With respect to Denmark, however, though a positive peace was every hour expected by his lordship, he found it necessary, at the beginning of June, to remind some of her governors of the conditions of the armistice.  In a letter of June 11th, to Rear-Admiral Totty, his lordship writes—­“A week, from this date, all must be settled, one way or the other.  Reports say, that victuallers are laying at Yarmouth, ready to sail; probably, they are waiting the issue of Lord St. Helen’s negociation at St. Petersburgh.  In Denmark, we shall no longer find an enemy; they have too much to lose, by the renewal of hostilities.

At this moment, generally speaking, they hate us; but they are determined not to give up their colonies, ships, &c.  In this nation, we shall not be forgiven our having the upper hand of them.  I only thank God we have, or they would try and humble us to the dust.”  In this letter, his lordship says, to the worthy rear-admiral—­“I feel much flattered at your kind wishes for my remaining with the fleet:  but, although my health is perfectly re-established; yet, as the Admiralty cannot know it, I trust that they have had consideration to my situation, and directed another admiral to supersede me.  Sir Thomas Graves is represented to be getting better; but, as yet, is unable to get out of his cabin.”  In a preceding letter to Admiral Totty, speaking of the indisposition of his worthy friend, is the following interesting passage, admirably illustrative of the characteristically affectionate regards of these most brave and excellent men.  “Sir Thomas Graves is still very ill:  so much so, that he begged I would not go and see him; as the pleasure he had in seeing me, did him harm when he was left.”  The pain, too, which he knew could not fail to be felt by his sympathetically susceptible friend, doubtless formed an equally strong reason for dreading those visits, in the breast of the rear-admiral, though he had the kind precaution to conceal that cause.  Can we wonder, that such men should be invincible!