To turn to another subject, it will be interesting at the present time to note the strength of the British Navy in this year 1740. Also those of France and Spain. The information is contained in “Minutes of the Cabinet” volume 4 of Lord Hervey’s Memoirs, page 552 (Edition 1848). An Account of the present Naval Strength of England. With Mr. Haddock[64] in the Mediterranean thirty-two ships--twenty-two of the line, five twenty-gun ships, three fire ships, two bomb vessels. All these are at present with Haddock to defend Minorca except four left at Gibraltar with Captain William Hervey, brother to Lord Hervey, which properly belong to (Sir Challoner) Ogle’s squadron of ten, who went with the other six to join Haddock. Balchen and Maine had ten to cruise on the north-west of Spain, near Cape Finisterre and Ferrol; but Maine’s five are returning home to refit. At home there are thirty ships for the Channel, to guard our own coasts and protect this country; but twenty only being manned, one third of the nominal strength is absolutely useless. In the West Indies there are now with Vernon nine ships of the line, five fire ships, and two bomb vessels; and dispersed in the West Indies about sixteen ships more of different sizes. SPANISH STRENGTH IN EUROPE. At Carthagena five ships of the line, commanded by Clavijo, who commanded the Cales (Cadiz) squadron last year. The Cales squadron, nine ships of the line, three frigates, commanded by Pintada. The Ferrol Squadron, six ships of the line, and the three Assogne ships refitting, and sixteen thousand men in Galicia.[65] On the Catalonia side of Spain several transport ships, three men of war, seven thousand men in Majorca; and another body of troops, commanded by Count Celemis, in Catalonia, ready for an embarcation at Barcelona, which Spain dare not hazard for fear of Haddock’s Squadron ready in those seas to intercept them. Their strength, or rather their weakness in Spain, uncertain. FRENCH STRENGTH IN EUROPE. France has at Brest, ready to sail, commanded by Monsieur D’Antin, a squadron of twenty-two ships; the lowest accounts say eighteen; and at Toulon twelve, all great ships from fifty-four to seventy-four guns. FOOTNOTES: [59] Opinions of the Duchess of Marlborough, 1737-8. [60] Sylvia was the well-known name by which he designated his wife in verse. _Vide_ Walpole’s “Memoirs of the Reign of George the Second.” Vol. I., p. 434. [61] The Princess. [62] Allen, Lord Bathurst. [63] Respecting the Convention with Spain. [64] A distinguished officer: he had been many years a Lord of the Admiralty, was now Admiral of the Fleet, and was appointed in the summer to the command of the Channel Fleet.