This handful of Seamen and Marines carried the first and second lines of the French trenches, parallel to the mine, although defended by the flower of Buonaparte's Army, and maintained them, until the mine was destroyed by the gallant exertions of Lieutenant White and his Sailor pioneers. That Officer very much distinguished himself, and with many others, who were badly wounded, was indebted for an escape from captivity to the cool intrepidity of Sir John Douglas and the remains of his little detachment, who bore them off into the garrison amidst a tremendous fire from the enemy. I must here pause to render justice to the memory of one of the mildest and bravest of men, who unfortunately fell upon that day. I mean Major Thomas Oldfield of the corps of Marines. No eulogy of mine is necessary to adorn his tomb. I go to the records of a brave foe, where his epitaph is written, and who witnessed and recognized his valour. It is the honest testimony of a Soldier--of Gen. Berthier, whose own name has often been conspicuous amongst the splendid details of the Armies of France. He speaks in these emphatic terms: "On the 18th Germinal (7th April) the enemy, at break of day, came on with an attack on our left and our centre; each column was headed by British Marines belonging to the ships, and their colours were seen waving with those of Djezzar, and the batteries were all manned by English troops. The enemy made an attempt to surprize our advanced posts; but their design was seen through. We received them with a brisk fire from our parallels, and all that appeared were either killed or wounded. The enemy ultimately retired without gaining an inch towards destroying our works. The central column acted with more obstinacy. Their object was to penetrate to the entrance of our mine; they were commanded by Major Thomas Oldfield. He advanced boldly towards the entrance of the mine, at the head of some of his intrepid countrymen; they attacked like heroes, and were received by heroes; death only checked their bold career; the remainder retreated, and took refuge in the fortress. The approaches of our parallels remained covered with the dead bodies of English and of Turks. The corpse of Major Thomas Oldfield was carried off by our Grenadiers, they brought him to our Head Quarters, he was on the point of death, but on his arrival he was no more. His sword, to which he had done so much honour, was also honoured after his fall--it remains in the hands of one of our Grenadiers; he was buried amongst us, and has carried with him the esteem of the whole French Army." This was the effusion of a brave enemy. I will superadd the animated address of Sir Sidney Smith to a meeting of the Anniversary of the Naval Asylum, on the 2d of June, 1802, and with it shall close this tributary theme.