has since sent down two ships of the line, 'with a requisition for troops. We under'stand they are greatly wanted; so much so, 'that at this instant Toulon may no longer 'be in our possession. Two regiments have ' received orders to go up with these ships, ' and one company of artillery. They are to 'embark in two days. Sir Robert Boyd

pitched upon the Royals and 18th, as the 'two oldest corps. From a private letter I ' received from a friend at Toulon, I know they are in particular want of field officers. 'I did all I could to get Sir Robert to allow 'me to go as a volunteer. Lord Mulgrave, 'I know, wished it, and would have em'ployed me; but the old gentleman positively 'refused. My sole reliance now is upon Sir 'Charles Grey. Except to General O'Hara, ' who shows me much attention, I have not 'communicated the contents of your letter 'to any one; it would serve no purpose but 'to get me laughed at should I be disappointed. I am truly sorry for all you say

that I am never to see him more. Let the Duchess know that Mr. Bennet is here,

and promises to be better than I ever expected to see him; he uses crutches, but 'can stand without them; his leg is shorter, ⚫ but seems to be in its proper place.

'Farewell; and with my best love to my 'mother, &c. &c. believe me, my dear Father, • Your affectionate son,

My dear Father,—I was was particularly anxious to hear from you, in consequence ' of your interview with Sir Charles Grey, ' and proportionably disappointed at finding no letter from you, or any of the family, by yesterday's mail. The papers contain the ' account of the Duke of York's repulse 'before Dunkirk: this, together with our

possession of Toulon, may alter the whole 'conduct of the war; but I hope, should 'Sir Charles be sent this way, instead ' of to the West Indies, which is thought to

have been his first destination, he will still keep his promise of taking the 51st with ' him.

The two regiments from this are em

barked, but have not sailed; the wind is 'strong against them. A frigate arrived two 'days ago, with another requisition from Lord 'Hood for some guns, mortars, shells, &c.; ' and also expressing a wish for General 'O'Hara. The Governor does not send him

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' with the command of the detachment from this, but allows him to go as a volunteer; the meaning of this distinction neither Ge'neral O'Hara, nor anybody else, can com

prehend. But as he is sure of the com'mand the moment he lands at Toulon, he is 'happy to leave this on any terms.

'Monsieur Carteaux, who commands in the neighbourhood of Toulon, is not sup'posed to be in sufficient force to drive us 'from the town; but he harasses our troops ' by perpetual alerts. Perhaps the best thing 'that could happen for us would be to be 'driven from the place; provided that in the

'retreat we could set fire to the arsenal and

shipping.

• You may conceive how much I am mor'tified to see the detachment from this em• barked without me. My My only hopes now rest with Sir Charles. Had O'Hara com'manded here, I should have been at Toulon 'three weeks ago. I may never have such an opportunity of distinguishing myself. They want field officers, and I have reason 'to know that Lord Mulgrave would have placed me well. When you have any good news, make some of the family send it to " me, should you be unable to write yourself. My love to my mother, &c. and believe me, my dear Father,

'My dear Mother, -I wrote to my father on the 30th September and 7th October: he will see by these letters how anxious I was,

notwithstanding his assurances, that the

51st (regiment) would be employed. The 'truth is, that I thought the Toulon business

might put a stop to Sir Charles Grey's ex'pedition; but by the last papers I see his 'staff is appointed, and that every prepara'tion is making as before. What tended 'still more to tantalize me, was, that all my letters from England congratulated me upon

going to Toulon; some mentioned with the ' regiment, others with the command of the 'flank companies of the garrison. General 'O'Hara's appointment, and Sir James Stew'art's, induced me to think such an event likely, but yet I could not discover that Sir Robert Boyd had any directions concerning

me.

A few days ago the Governor received two expresses from England, with despatches. We naturally conclude that they 'contain the arrangement with regard to the 'troops which are to leave this. Nothing

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has, however, yet appeared in orders, nor ' has he communicated his intentions to any'body. From a conversation I had with him,