In numbers being three to one, A Battle at Monte Notte he won; The Austrian General he defeated, And therefore with huzzas was greeted. But, tho’ of this affair Conductor, Massena had been his instructor. Yet, when (would you believe it, Bards?) Nap’s partner at a game of Cards, He scrupled not his friend t’ abuse-- ‘Zounds! general, how you make me lose!’ The general, patient all the while, Thus answer’d with a gracious smile, ‘For such a loss don’t care a pin, Remember, Nap, I’ve made you _win_.’ Tho’ nothing but the truth he spoke, Nap never could forgive the joke. It is impossible to pass over in silence an event which happened in 1796, in which, although Napoleon was not personally interested, all England was. This was no less than an attempted invasion of Ireland by the French; relying on being supported by the Irish, who were disaffected then, as now. The expedition failed, although it was numerous and well-found, having General Hoche and 25,000 men with it. By defective seamanship, many of the ships were damaged, and a 74 gun ship, the _Seduisant_, was totally lost. Only one division, commanded by Admiral Bouvet, reached Ireland, but anchored in Bantry Bay, where they did nothing, but speedily weighed anchor, and returned to France. The following is an official letter on the subject:-- Dublin Castle, December 29, 1796. My Lord[33]--The last accounts from General Dalrymple are by his aide-de-camp, Captain Gordon, who left Bantry at ten o’clock A.M. on Tuesday, and arrived here this morning. Seventeen sail of French ships were at that time at anchor on the lower part of Bear island, but at such a distance that their force could not be ascertained. A lieutenant of a French frigate was driven on shore in his boat, in attempting to quit his vessel, which was dismasted, to the admiral. He confirms the account of the fleet being French, with hostile views to this country, but does not appear to know whether the whole fleet, which consisted of about 17 sail of the line, 15 frigates, and including transports and luggers, amounted to fifty sail, were all to re-assemble off Bantry. General Hoche was on board, commanding a considerable force. I have the honour to be, my lord, Your lordship’s most obedient servant, T. PELHAM.