Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...been thoroughly satisfied with regard to the conduct of the said Admiral in that expedition. God knows, but it may be a present of fifteen sail of the line that we afe making to the English. I asked the Admiral what he thought of Cordova's battle with Jarvis the other day, when, with twenty-seven sail of the line, he contrived to be beaten by fifteen, and to lose four ships, and whether he thought it was through cowardice or ignorance. The Dutchman bluntly answered me, " Both." And I believe he was right. He also told me that the celebrated navigator, Bougainville, is named to the command of the fleet at Brest. I am heartily glad of it. To return to my voyage. All along the banks of the canal I observed a prodigious number of wild fowl, who, indeed, could hardly be called wild; for they let us pass within twenty yards of them without seeming to take notice of us. Having been, in the days of my youth, something of a sportsman, I felt my ancient propensities begin to revive. There were green and grey plover, redshanks, snipes, hares, without number. They are little disturbed; for the law here is, that every man is to sport only on his own ground; and I conclude the Dutch are either too busy or too lazy to follow much that amusement. I wonder, shall I ever have a day's partridge shooting in Ireland again? The last day I was out was with my dear friend Russell. Poor fellow! God knows what may be his situation this day, or whether he has not been sacrificed by that infernal Government of Ireland. Well, let me think no more of that. The banks of the canal, as we approached the Hague, are covered with villas, as thick as they can stand, and kept with an astonishing neatness; under the local difficulties of situation it is astonishing...
