the dockyards lately, weighs anchor from Toulon; "12 sail of the
line, 5 frigates and above 100 transport-ships;" with the grand
Invasion-of-England Armament on board: 16,000 picked troops,
complete in all points, Marechal Duc de Richelieu commanding.
[Adelung, viii. 70.] Weighs anchor; and, singular to see, steers,
not for England, and the Hessian-Hanover Defenders (who would have
been in such excellent time); but direct for Minorca, as the surer
thing! Will seize Minorca; a so-called inexpugnable Possession of
the English,--Key of their Mediterranean Supremacies;--really
inexpugnable enough; but which lies in the usual dilapidated state,
though by chance with a courageous old Governor in it, who will not
surrender quite at once.

APRIL 18th, La Gallisonniere disembarks his Richelieu with a
Sixteen Thousand, unopposed at Port-Mahon, or Fort St. Philip, in
Minorca; who instantly commences Siege there. To the astonishment
of England and his Grace of Newcastle who, except old Governor
Blakeney, much in dilapidation ("wooden platforms rotten,"
"batteries out of repair," and so on), have nothing ready for
Richelieu in that quarter. The story of Minorca; and the furious
humors and tragic consummations that arose on it, being still well
known, we will give the dates only.

FORT ST. PHILIP, APRIL 18th-MAY 20th. For a month, Richelieu,
skilful in tickling the French troops, has been besieging, in a
high and grandiose way; La Gallisonniere vigilantly cruising;
old Blakeney, in spite of the rotten platforms, vigorously holding
out; when--May 19th, La Gallisonniere descries an English fleet in
the distance; indisputably an English fleet; and clears his decks
for a serious Affair just coming. THURSDAY, 20th MAY, Admiral Byng