broken in upon in its two most essential points: and the ships in the Harbour, and the town itself, overawed by the very cannon which had been mounted for their protection. Most of the ships, indeed, were compelled to unmoor, and retire to a safer position.

Things thus situated, a council of war was immediately held, composed of the following officers: Lord Hood, Admiral Langara, Rear-admiral Gravina, Major-general Dundas, Lieutenant-general Valdez, Prince Pignatelli, Admiral Forteguerri, Sir Hyde Parker, Chevalier de Revel, and Sir Gilbert Elliot. At this council it was, after a most deliberate discussion, unanimously resolved that Toulon should be evacuated, as soon as proper arrangements could be made for that purpose; that orders should be sent to the troops occupying the redoubt, and the Lunette of Pharon, to retire to the posts of Artigues and St. Catherine's; and to maintain them as long as possible ; that orders should also be sent to the posts of Great and Little Antoine, St. André, Pomet, and the Mills, to retire; that the posts of Malbousquet and Mississi should be held as long as possible; that the committee-general should make the necessary arrangements for informing the inhabitants of the intended evacuation, and that they should receive every possible assistance; that the sick and wounded should be embarked without delay; that the French ships of war which were armed should sail out with the fleet; and that those which remained in the harbour, together with the magazines and the arsenal, should be destroyed; and finally, that measures should be taken on the same night (the 17th), if possible, for that purpose, but that such resolution was not to be put into execution till the last moment.

Admiral Langara undertook to deliver the necessary directions for destroying the ships in the basin; and also, to scuttle or sink the two powder-vessels; which contained all the powder belonging, as well to the French ships, as to the distant magazines, now within the enemy's reach.

The troops were withdrawn from the heights of Balaguier, without much interruption from the enemy; as were likewise the troops from the other posts, deemed necessary to be at once evacuated. The purposed retention of the forts of Malbousquet and Mississi was, however, prevented, in consequence of the Neapolitans at the latter, which was the supporting-place, having abandoned it without orders. Such a panic, indeed, had seized the Neapolitan troops, during the sitting of the council, that they, one and all, deserted their posts, and were seen stealing on board their ships in great confusion and disorder. In the course of the 18th the remaining troops were all concentrated in the town and at fort Lamalgue, ready to embark the moment the conflagration of the shipping should announce that it was time to complete the evacuation of the port.

The important service of destroying the ships and magazines, was intrusted, at his own particular request, to Captain Sir.

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