On the 18th June, the Captain 74, while under sail, happened to approach the shore, and went within reach of shot. When she put about, to stand out from the shore, she was fired upon from several points nearly in the same instant, and received some damage before she got out of reach. The batteries which fired upon her were concealed from view; and we were informed, that the shore was defended by batteries, at all the points where it was convenient to land. We were waiting for the arrival of some more troops from England, which were hourly expected, but did not arrive.--On the 20th, the enterprise was given up. It was said, that during the hazy weather, which had prevented us from seeing to any distance, re-enforcements had been sent into Belleisle. We returned to the isle of Houet, and to our tents, which had been left standing. Our number was said to be about 5000. On the next day, orders arrived for us to embark, which was done; and we sailed on the day following under sealed orders, and left the ships of war that belonged to the Channel fleet. We had a pleasant and quick passage to the Straits of Gibraltar, where our Commodore informed us, that we were destined for the island of Minorca, to join an expedition that was forming under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, to assist the Austrians in Italy. We passed through the Straits, but did not touch at Gibraltar. We arrived at Minorca on the 21st July. We then learned, that Sir Ralph Abercrombie had already been at Leghorn; but that the Austrians having sustained a severe defeat from the French, under Buonaparte, had made an agreement, which did not allow of British troops being landed, and that Sir Ralph had brought back what troops he had to Minorca. We landed for refreshment and exercise on the 7th of August, and the whole regiment embarked again, on the 30th, on board of the Stately, 64. We sailed on the 31st for Gibraltar, where we arrived on the 14th September. We were there joined by another expedition, under the command of Sir James Pulteney. They had sailed from England in the beginning of July, and had made a descent on the coast of Spain at Ferrol, but had not effected any thing, except alarming the country. There was now a large body of troops on board this fleet; their number being about 25000. There were in all, upwards of 100 sail of large ships; two-thirds of which were war vessels of one description or other. We were in want of water, to get which, we went to Tetuan bay, which is on the Barbary shore, to the south-east of Gibraltar, belonging to Morocco. Here the whole fleet completed their stores of provisions and water. We set sail on the 27th, with an intention to pass the straits of Gibraltar; but the wind changed, and after beating about, we put back to Tetuan on the 29th. On the 1st October, the wind having become fair, we set sail, passed through the Straits, and anchored next day near to Cadiz in Spain. On the 3d of October we got orders to be in readiness to land.