out distressing them with multiplied and vexatious orders. He had frequent communications with Sir David Dundas, on the military operations, and on the reinforcements to be sent him from the second line, if a descent by the enemy should be effected: measures were concerted between them on many probable occurrences. Yet extensive discretionary powers were left him, as no certain rules can be fixed on contingent events.

William Pitt was not at this period a minister; but being Warden of the Cinque Ports, he raised two regiments of a thousand men each, who were well trained recruits, and in Moore's district. He frequently rode over to Shornecliff, where Moore was encamped, who had the pleasure of explaining to this great statesman all his plans. On one of these occasions, Mr. Pitt said to him, Well,

'Moore: but as on the very first alarm of the 'enemy's coming, I shall march to aid you 'with my Cinque Port regiments, you have 'not told me where you will place us?' Do you see,' said Moore, that hill? You

' and yours shall be drawn up on it, where 'you will make a most formidable appear

ance to the enemy, while I with the soldiers 'shall be fighting on the beach.' Mr. Pitt was exceedingly amused with this reply.

In the summer, when all Europe was watching the event of the immense preparations on the opposite shores of France and England, General Moore's aged mother and sister travelled to Sandgate to visit him. Finding there her son commanding an army for the defence of the kingdom, she took him in her arms and wept. The principal officers testified towards her intrinsic respect; but she shunned conspicuousness, being unassuming as the mother of a peasant. After remaining two months in tranquil contentment, some movements of the French shipping and forces made the General anxious for his mother's return homewards. She took leave of him sorrowfully, and in a few days afterwards received the following letter,

'My dear Mother,

'Sandgate, Oct. 2, 1803.

'I am glad you arrived safe, and found 'everything so comfortable. The day you

left this, we had an alarm, which I am

glad you escaped. The signal officer at Folkestone mistook a signal, which was, 'that the enemy's boats were out of Calais;

and hoisted one which signified that the ' enemy's ships and transports from Os'tend were steering west; which as the 'wind was, would have brought them to 'us in a few hours. All was bustle, and an express, with the above information, and 'that the brigade was under arms, found me ' at Dungeness Point.

My horse suffered; I galloped him the 'whole way back. The Volunteers, Sea

Fencibles, and all, were turned out, and

very cheerful-not at all dismayed at the 'prospect of meeting the French; as for the 'brigade, they were in high spirits. By the 'time I reached camp, the mistake was dis' covered.

'Government are, however, much more ' apprehensive of the invasion than they were 'some time ago; I am glad, therefore, you are ' at home. Three more regiments are coming 'to me on Tuesday. Sir David Dundas is 'this instant come to me; I must therefore 'conclude. Love to Jane, &c. I am quite 'well.

'Yours ever, my dear Mother, affectionately, 'JOHN MOORE.'

As winter advanced, the sea became too boisterous for an invasion by boats; so the army was dismissed into barracks, as is noticed in another letter.

'My dear Mother,

'Sandgate, Thursday Night.

'I despair of an opportunity of writing to you in the forenoon, so I shall seize one 'before I go to bed, when it is not very likely 'that I shall be interrupted. The breaking 'up of the camp, and the settling the troops in their quarters, gave me additional em'ployment; we had three or four fine, clear,

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frosty days to do it in, and they are now all

snug; not in the best barracks, but in such ' as appear to them comfortable, after the wet ' and bleak tents on Shornecliff. Nothing 'could be so healthy as they were to the last, which I impute not only to the dry ground ' on which they were encamped; but to the ' regularity of their conduct, and to the con'stant action they were kept in.

I am very sorry for poor Jane: I was in hopes she had laid in a stock of health for one season at least. I look not to the de

parture of either you or her for many years,

'so do not think of it. When these wars are

over, remember I have no home but yours, 'so do not deprive me of it. I have got Sir 'John Shaw's house for three guineas a week

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during the winter months; in summer it will 'of course be at least double. Every soul 'has left this. In Shornecliff Barrack, which

is the only one nearer to me than Hythe, there is but a small regiment. I have no prospect of society, I have therefore sent 'for my books. My mornings will be occu