I continued in a very careless and listless state of mind during the passage to England. We landed at Dover, and marched to Barham downs, where we were encamped. About ten thousand troops were assembled at this place in a few days, and Sir Ralph Abercrombie was appointed to command them. Our regiment was put into a brigade under the command of Sir John Moore. Lord Huntly went upon the expedition as Colonel of the regiment, for he was not yet a General upon the English staff. We marched to Ramsgate, and embarked on board of transports, on the 5th of August, and sailed next day for Holland, under convoy of a fleet of war ships, commanded by Admiral Mitchell. A short time after we sailed, the wind became contrary and stormy, and continued so for about three weeks, which was an uncommon circumstance at this season of the year; so that, although the distance was short, the voyage was tedious. This delay allowed time for reflection, but I did not improve it, for whatever were the passing thoughts of my mind, I was not seriously impressed until a few days before we landed. The wind becoming favourable and moderate, we stood in for the coast of Holland, and anchored on the evening of the 24th, near the entrance to the Helder, and began to prepare to land. The Dutch fleet, of eight sail of the line and three frigates, lay in our sight in the outer road of the Helder; and the fleet of Admiral Duncan, of about an equal number, lay at anchor a few miles from them. The fleet under Admiral Mitchell had an imposing appearance; for it consisted of fifteen sail of the line, and about fifty frigates, sloops of war, cutters, and gun vessels, with about 130 transports. The wind, however, became stormy again on the 25th, and the fleet, under Admiral Mitchell, put to sea; but it moderated during the night, and we returned and anchored nearer the shore than before, on the 26th, and prepared to land next morning. The ships of war hoisted the English and Dutch flags together, because the object of our intended invasion was to expel the French and restore the former government. The troops on board of the ships nearest the shore (of which the ship I was in was one) were ordered to land first. Our danger was now more imminent than ever it had been before; the probability of being suddenly called from time to eternity, was more than ever apparent; and I began again to pray and to meditate. We cooked three days' provisions, to carry with us, and were served out with ammunition on the evening previous to our landing; we did not go to rest that night, but kept on our accoutrements, to be ready to go into the boats when a signal should be made. Such a period is one of great agitation and anxiety. The prospect of landing in the twilight of the morning, on an enemy's coast, ignorant of the nature and extent of the danger, where one can not tell whether we may reach the shore, or be driven back as soon as we land, or suddenly overpowered before we can get assistance.