one officer, seven rank and file; wounded, one officer, one serjeant, eight rank and file. The troops had been somehow or other huddled into an old French redoubt, and were so much fatigued, that with but little attention to security they sought such repose as the chill air and cold nitrous sands of Egypt could afford. No sooner did day break than it was discovered the position was under the long range of Fort Cretein, and as if the possibility of a ball dropping near to the troops had been a momentous circumstance, a most precipitate change of line took place, re-forming it at the bottom of the declivity. A party was detached under Colonel Oswald, to take possession at the cut of the canal; the remainder of the troops formed on the position formerly held by the British, on both flanks of which was abundance of water. Oswald found that the cut had just been evacuated, the enemy abandoning five pieces of cannon and a considerable quantity of ammunition. A Captain's command of 100 men was stationed here, and Colonel Oswald with the remainder joined the main body; the troops had undergone considerable fatigue, and could procure no refreshment beyond the very scanty portion which under such circumstances we had been able to bring on shore and march with. The arrival of the transport in Aboukir Bay was looked for with anxiety, as a means of bringing us relief. Colonel Towards evening the vessels were seen going round, and early next morning it was determined to march upon Aboukir Castle. Captain Hallowell accompanied the party; the castle was evacuated on its approach. The enemy showed some intention of coming out from the town. On the morning of the 20th, the Apollo with the remainder of the expedition passed into the bay. A friendly Arab arrived in camp intimating that the inhabitants generally were averse to carrying on hostilities with the English, whose power they had formerly experienced, declaring that if their lives and property were secured to them, they would force the Turkish commander to capitulate. A favourable answer was returned, and next morning the Subajee, an old and faithful friend of the English, made his appearance. Measures were concerted with him, and shortly after his return to Alexandria, a deputation of the principal inhabitants came to offer the town upon the terms proposed, viz., the protection of all private property, with permission for the enemy's subjects to withdraw themselves with their effects from Alexandria. The Apollo's arrival with the remainder of the troops hastened the conclusion of the treaty, by convincing the Turkish garrison that we had not deceived them in stating that the first division was but a small portion of the force destined to occupy Alexandria. Thus fell the town, and notwithstanding there was no article stipulating continued protection, which in itself would have been an absurdity, yet every principle of good faith and policy ought to have led us if possible to avoid delivering it up to any other than a garrison of a similar description to that which we found on taking possession of it. On the morning of the 21st, Brigadier-General Stewart occupied the principal gates and forts, and the Turkish frigates were also placed in the power of the Navy. The greater part of the Turkish garrison escaped during the negotiation, and crossed either to Rosetta or the nearest of the Pacha's posts. A great quantity of artillery and ammu nition, together with some stores, were found in the place; the works were in a very dilapidated state. The Arabs received the troops with general satisfaction, though their habits preclude them from giving any apparent demonstrations of joy. General Fraser published a proclamation declaring that he entered Alexandria more as a friend than a conqueror; referring to the past conduct of the British in Egypt, as a pledge of that happiness the inhabitants would enjoy under their powerful protection. Major-General Wauchope was named Commandant of the town, which was garrisoned by the second brigade. The first occupied the Turkish lines and Pompey's heights, and the reserve the old French lines to the eastward. Alexandria was reported to be but scantily supplied with provisions, and the first care of the General and Admiral Lewis, who had been left by Sir John Duckworth in the naval command, was to despatch vessels to the Greek islands, acquainting them with our being in possession of Alexandria, and inviting them to send their produce there, where there would be found an excellent market. There is no doubt also, and it was afterwards proved, that a correspondence with the Bedouin Arabs would have procured abundant supplies, and the few posts which the Turks held in the Bheria might easily have been driven off, so as to have left that fertile province open to us. Unfortunately other measures were adopted by advice and information, coming from persons who certainly allowed feelings of self-interest to influence their judgment and warp their understanding. Before reciting the expedition to Rosetta it may be necessary to advert to the reported state of the force under Mahomed Ali. Though formerly the chieftains who divided his army had been in contention, and the Mamelukes yet carried on hostilities, it might reasonably be supposed that our disembarkation might bring an apparent reconciliation amongst the Albanian Chiefs, and place a considerable force at his disposal; besides which, being in undisputed command of the whole of Lower Egypt, he could always collect numerous bands, well calculated for carrying on a desultory warfare. At a moderate calculation he was reckoned to have 12,000 Turks and Albanians; added to which his force was chiefly composed of cavalry, an arm in which we were entirely deficient. All these considerations present themselves, after the event, to the least reflecting, but they ought to have occurred to the Chief before adopting the rash measure which led to such disastrous consequences. About the 25th of March, Major Misset stated to General Fraser that the mouth of the Nile must be opened, and posts established at Rosetta and Demanhour, which would give us the command of the Bheria; that little provision remained in Alexandria; and that no time was to be lost in undertaking so indispensable an expedition. This representation, coming from a person deemed to possess the best information respecting Alexandria, and with a further assurance that the resistance, if any, at either of the places would be most trifling, induced the General to embrace Misset's plan. The 1st brigade, under Generals Wauchope and Meade, equipped, in point of artillery and stores, rather as if to occupy a town ready to be given up, than to take a place by force, was ordered for this expedition. Certainly General Wauchope was not prepared for resistance, nor were pains taken to make him acquainted with what it possibly might be, differing as it did from what could be anticipated in European warfare. The brigade marched on the 29th, accompanied by four light guns and six dragoons, one day's provisions, and to receive two more, cooked, from Captain Hallowell, who volunteered his services in co-operation with the army. At Aboukir the corps was met by boats and djerms, where it embarked, and proceeded to the caravansera beyond the ferries. It was determined to march from thence by the sea-shore to the heights of Abamandour, which were close to Rosetta. It is to be remarked that from the caravansera to Rosetta is about fifteen miles over a sandy desert, where, except at Etke, no water is to be found: this rendered the march toilsome, and the route pointed out to General Wauchope took him from the wells. The troops moved on the morning of the 30th, and arrived late the same night on the heights overlooking, but in no way commanding the town of Rosetta. The old tower of Abamandour is on the summit, which the Turks had shown an intention to entrench. On the morrow it was determined to enter the town, for resistance w s hardly to be expected from the information obtained. General Fraser, in his dispatch, blames General Wauchope for quitting the heights and entering Rosetta; but there was no alternative, either to carry the place with the means he had, or to cover himself with disgrace by retreating without an attempt to execute his orders. The enemy appeared in some force outside, firing on the piquets, which soon drove them in. It was decided to enter Rosetta in three columns, the grenadiers of the 31st marching to enter it by the gardens that border on the river; the battalion of the 31st to keep to the left, and open a passage through the principal gate; the Chasseurs Britannique to enter by the gate called Alexandrine. In this disposition for attack no reserve was formed, no corps kept united either to protect a retreat, if it became necessary, or to prevent the enemy moving outside of the town and annoying our troops when engaged in it. This was a great oversight; but what was yet more fatal was, not having explained to the officers and soldiers the species of resistance to be expected, and the means to be employed in overcoming it. Here it is perhaps incumbent to mention, in justice to that brave man who led the attack and sacrificed his life in order to render it successful, that he was probably ignorant of the manner in which the Turks defend themselves when covered by buildings, and that the narrowness of the streets gave them particular advantage. No instruction beyond entering the town was given: that once effected, it was presumed the enemy would either abandon it or surrender. Some of the Albanians had indeed commenced a retreat, and orders given to fire the town, and certain Christian merchants sent for safe-guards: but a Turk or Orientalist seldom lays down his arms-as he gives no quarter, he expects none; though when occasion offers he will readily fly, yet when no such alternative offers he will defend himself to the last, and sell his life dearly. [To be continued.] A VOYAGE IN A CONVICT SHIP. THE wayward goddess who presides over the destinies of mortals, in one of her capricious moods, lately cast me upon "the deep blue sea" as passenger in a male convict-ship, chartered for Van Diemen's Land and New South Wales. A freight of criminal humanity, made up of the refuse of gaols and houses of correction, was both novel and appalling. The clanking of irons, the prison-like appearance of the vessel, the military guard, and the numerous et ceteras to ensure the prisoners' safety, created a feeling of disgust, and I more than once wished myself" far away" ere the voyage commenced; yet was the scene fraught with interest-three hundred criminals on a voyage of expatriation is a humiliating sight, before which the lofty pretensions of poor human nature sink very low. So much, and most justly, has been said in favour of prison classification that one cannot but be astonished at its entire omission on board. Striplings of twelve, and even their juniors, were jumbled together with the aged and hoary-headed, and the remorse-stricken culprit herded with the hardened and shameless. One is almost tempted to arraign the wisdom of the law in the distribution of justice. Here were many boys under fifteen for comparatively trifling offences; one for shooting a pigeon upon a gentleman's estate; the law presumed his intent was to shoot game, and therefore banished him to Van Diemen's Land in company with villains of the first order in profligacy and experience. Whatever good effects the prison-discipline system may be expected to produce upon young minds whilst under its influence at home, they are utterly obliterated on board, where there are greater facilities and better opportunities of acquiring a thorough knowledge of vice in all its grades and branches, during a four months' voyage, than in any other place whatever. The passions and imaginations of men will not suffer them to be idle, and such indiscriminate associations enlighten the young, confirm the more experienced in the arts of infamy, and expose the Government to the charges of unpardonable apathy and inconsistency. A portion of the prison is, indeed, set apart for the youthful convicts, where during the hours of instruction, they are separated from the others; but these over, all mingle together on deck in tumultuous confusion. As so many ships are yearly chartered for the transportation of convicts, it surely would be no difficult matter to classify their respective cargoes; and if ever the services of a pious clergyman were requisite amongst the vicious, they become essentially necessary here, during the long passage to the place of transportation in absolute idleness; but once on board, the political good to be effected by the removal of criminals supersedes la morale-to render them during the voyage healthy, strong, and in other respects as prepossessing as possible upon arriving at their destination, like saleable commodities, becomes a sine quâ non. Leaving their native country, some for ever, and all for long periods, I was struck with the general air of carelessness that pervaded these men. A few amongst them appeared to feel and lament their condition, U. S. JOURN, No. 107, Oct. 1837. "The ruling but the majority were reckless of either soul or body. passion strong in death" was strikingly demonstrated in their amusements, one of which consisted in forming little parties, hustling each other, and picking pockets; and he who displayed the greatest dexterity in that art which had probably brought many of them into their actual predicament, was pronounced worthy the title of "Captain," and treated with correspondent respect. The cuddy party, besides the Commander and his officers, consisted of the Surgeon-Superintendent (an officer on half-pay in the Navy) and a Captain, Lieutenant, and Ensign of the guard-the latter, specimens of the rose, shamrock, and thistle-the senior in rank was junior by some years to his Lieutenant, and the Ensign, a half-fledged young soldier from "the land o' cakes," about to join his regiment for the first time in New South Wales-"all honourable men"-but somewhat fades as companions. "A snug little party," methinks I hear some good-natured uninitiated one exclaim, "of naval, military, and civil gentlemen, all participating in common the perils and dangers of the deep,' the only strife amongst whom must be for the largest exhibition of social virtues." Alas! ye of tender hearts, I grieve to undeceive you; if you are ever doomed to “ plough the watery main," go not with such expectations. Creation's lord is less amiable, nor anywhere more selfish than upon the ocean; some are absolutely hateful, and few barely endurable. A strong breeze, and fair, is pleasant enough, because you know it is wafting you to your destined port; but this same strong breeze knocks the ship about so unmercifully that you have no earthly comfort; then stomachic freaks and qualms, and attendant splenetic humours, engendering ill-tempers and ill-manners, produce such an overflow of disgust, "hatred, and all uncharitableness," that if vent were not given, the consequences would inevitably be fatal. On earth there is neither place nor opportunity so admirably adapted for the display of unlovely tempers as a ship at sea, which possesses the additional merit of constancy; surcharged with bile, to be peevish and spiteful, as far as the decencies of society will permit (and these are direfully infringed upon some occasions), are privileges all claim, and they are exercised so generally that none can justly complain of their practice, however sharp may be their attacks. The atmospheric squalls and human squabbles of an India voyage would have put the good breeding of even my Lord Chesterfield himself to the test, and have tried his patience. Now, if this episode make not my readers afraid of contamination-for I am one of the pleasant persons just describedwe will proceed on our way rejoicing, and if their agreeable company inspire me not with at least the desire of becoming "tout à fait aimable, je les permet de m'appeller bête fort ingrâte" for the rest of my life. We took in our cargo of crime at the Cove of Cork-the loveliest harbour in the world-whence we were to sail on the following day, but were ultimately detained five weeks by the sudden appearance of the cholera amongst the convicts, with whom the grim king made such terrific havoc that three and four persons sewn in hammocks were to be seen in a morning ranged upon the forecastle awaiting interment, who had died in the short space of six and seven hours. Orders were received to disembark them at Hawlbowline island; there the disease |