Buonaparte's convenience.

The Morea, and Egypt, are likewise in his eye. An army of full seventy
thousand men are assembling in Italy.

Gibbs and Noble are gone to Malta.

I am, you may believe, very anxious to get off Toulon, to join the
fleet.

Sir Richard Bickerton went from off Naples, the day I left Gibraltar.

We passed Monte Christo, Bastia, and Cape Corse, yesterday; and are
now moving, slowly, direct for Toulon.

What force they have, I know not; indeed, I am totally ignorant: some
say, nine sail of the line; some, seven; some, five. If the former,
they will come out; for we have only the same number, including
sixty-fours, and very shortly manned.

However, I hope they will come out, and let us settle the matter. You
know, I hate being kept in suspence.

[July 8th.

I left this hole, to put down what force the French have at Toulon.
Seven sail of the line ready, five frigates, and six corvettes. One
or two more in about a week. We, to day, eight sail of the
line--to-morrow, seven; including two sixty-four gun ships.