cany. General Suwarrow, after his fortunate career in Italy, marched into Switzerland. But here Massena engaged the Russian general, and impeded his progress. He also checked Korsakoff, and perfectly secured Switzerland, compelling the Russians and their allies to retreat.

In Egypt, Buonaparte was busily engaged in counteracting the efforts of the Beys. He invaded the Holy Land, proceeded into Syria, and besieged Acre. Though not fortified, it was heroicaily defended by Sir Sidney Smith. The Turks, animated by his example, made repeated sorties, repelled the most vigorous attacks of the French; and, after a siege of two months, forced the dispirited foe to abandon the enterprize. But the Ottoman troops were not so successful; they were always defeated, excepting when joined by the English.

The father of Sir Sidney Smith was a Captain in the Guards, and one of the Aides-de-camp to Lord George Sackville. Sir Sidney, this gentleman's second_son, was born in London in 1764, and educated at Tunbridge-school, under Dr. Knox. In 1777 he commenced his maritime career, of all others the best adapted to his enterprizing disposition; and in 1780 he was fifth Lieutenant of the Alcide, of 74 guns. In three years more he was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, and to the command of the Nemesis. On the breaking out of the war between Russia and Sweden, tired of a state of inactivity, he received permission to enter into the Swedish service, in which he distinguished himself so much, that his Swedish Majesty honoured him with a grand cross of the Order of the Sword. On the conclusion of the peace between the Swedes and Russians, Sir Sidney served as a volunteer in the Turkish fleet; but about the time that Toulon was evacuated, he left Smyrna for the purpose of offering his services to Lord Hood; and to Sir Sidney was entrusted the important, but dangerous service of setting fire to the fleet, arsenals, and dock-yard of that city.

On his return to England in 1794, he was appointed to the Diamond, of 38 guns, in which he rendered many

ว

important services, and kept the enemy's coast in a continual state of alarm. In the beginning of 1795 he entered Brest harbour, and held a conversation in French with one of the enemy's ships, without being suspected; but on the contrary, complimented by the French Captain of Le Caton. After several services performed on the French coast, in attempting to cut off a lugger privateer, that had run into the Seine to prevent being captured, Sir Sidney, after sustaining a fight forty minutes, and losing a number of men, was made prisoner, and conveyed to Paris, from whence, after a considerable time, he was favoured in his escape to England by a royalist French officer. Soon after he sailed for Egypt in the Tigre, of 84 guns, and here, in his famous defeat of Buonaparte at Acre, the character of Sir Sidney acquired a degree of splendour, which has not been surpassed in the military annals of his country. In March 1800, Buonaparte, who had proceeded from Egypt to Acre, returned baffled and disgraced, but with his usual celerity, by the way of Suez, across the desert of Arabia. In 1805 Sir Sidney was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue.

A new war commenced in India, but it was of short duration, though in its progress and decision, important. On the departure of the republican armament for Egypt, the Commissioners for the affairs of India, alarmed for our Asiatic territories, dispatched a fleet and troops for their defence. The Earl of Mornington, then GovernorGeneral, had been very assiduous in counteracting the hostile intentions of the restless Tippoo, who had repeatedly evaded his Lordship's offers of negociation. He accordingly gave orders for the march of the troops, and also sent intelligence to the commander of the British naval armament on the Malabar coast, and to the allies of the Company, that he considered the British government in India in a state of hostility with that of Maissour. About 18,000 men, mostly native Indians, marched from the coast of Coromandel, under the command of General Harris; and being reinforced by the Nizam troops, he reduced some forts on the frontiers of

Maissour. In the meantime, Tippoo engaged a brigade from the Bombay establishment, under Lieutenant-General James Stuart; but was defeated with no inconsiderable loss.

Tippoo now advanced to meet the grand army; he engaged the right wing near Malavelli; the conflict, which was not very sanguinary, ended in his defeat. On General Harris's approach to Seringapatam, a second conflict took place, equally disadvantageous to Tippoo.

General Harris now prepared to besiege the town, and his operations were prompt and vigorous. As soon as a sufficient breach was made, arrangements took place for an assault. The troops advanced in the heat of the day, and having passed the river Cavery, approached the rampart. Serjeant Graham led the forlorn hope with an animated countenance; but while he was fixing the colour-staff on the breach, he was shot through the head. The alarmed Sultan hastened along the rampart, and found his soldiers retreating from the grenadiers, who had rushed through the breach. He endeavoured to rally the fugitives, but British impetuosity was irresistible. Having received several wounds in aiming a blow at a soldier who was seizing his sword-belt, he was killed by a ball which struck him on the temple. When all opposition ceased, the victorious officers eagerly repressed the violence of their men. Desultory acts of depredation could not be prevented, but the wealth of the palace was reserved for regular distribution.

A division of the subjugated country ensued. The Nizam and the Mahrattas shared in the Sultan's dominions. A part was assigned to a prince of that family, who had unjustly been robbed of his power by Tippoo's usurpation; and the territories of the East India Company were also considerably augmented. This signal victory secured the British interest in India, and gave the Company a decided superiority over the native princes.

Though the pomp and parade of war still prevailed, especially within the circles of royalty, the military