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northward of Sardinia^[1]. From that, period till the month of April, when it was at length ascertained that Admiral Villeneuve had proceeded down the Mediterranean^[2], Captain Moubray was indefatigable in his endeavours to obtain information respecting their destination. He was then despatched with the intelligence to the fleets stationed off Brest and Ireland.

After cruising for some time on the Irish station, where he captured les Amis, a French letter of marque, laden with wine and merchandize, from Bourdeaux bound to Cayenne, our officer was again ordered to the Mediterranean. Early in 1807, he accompanied Sir John T. Duckworth to the Dardanelles, where he greatly distinguished himself in the battle off Point Pesquies; the official account of which will be found at p. 801. The Active, on that occasion, after sustaining for some time the fire of several other Turkish vessels, drove on shore and blew up a frigate of the largest class, with which she had been closely engaged^[3].

The following extract from the Vice-Admiral’s public letter to Lord Collingwood, dated Feb. 21, should have been inserted in our memoir of Sir W. Sidney Smith; we trust, however, that it will be no less acceptable to our readers in this place;

“It is with peculiar pleasure that I embrace the opportunity, which has been at this time afforded, of bearing testimony to the zeal and distinguished ability of Sir Sidney Smith; the manner in which he executed

1. For an account of Lord Nelson’s proceedings from Jan. 19 to Aug. 15, 1805, see note at p. 589, et seq.
2. Villeneuve started from Toulon on his West India excursion, March 31, and was discovered at 8 A.M. on that day by the Active and Phoebe. The latter frigate, commanded by the Hon. T. B. Capel, conveyed the intelligence to Nelson. Captain Moubray stood to the S.W., on a parallel with the enemy, but lost sight of them during the ensuing night.
3. The frigate alluded to above was boarded through the stern-windows by Lieutenants George Wickens Willes and Walter Croker, who laid a train to her magazine, which caused her immediate destruction. Mr. Arbuthnot, the British Ambassador, then on board the Royal George, witnessed the Active’s conduct, and afterwards paid her commander some very flattering compliments on the occasion.