very shortly afterwards the battle became general. The _Asia_, although placed alongside the ship of the Capitana Bey, was even nearer to that of Moharem Bey, the commander of the Egyptian ships; and since his ships did not fire at the _Asia_, although the action was begun to windward, neither did the _Asia_ fire at her. The latter, indeed, sent a message, "that he would not fire at all," and therefore no hostility took place betwixt our two ships for some time after the _Asia_ had returned the fire of the Capitana Bey. "In the meantime, however, our excellent pilot, Mr. Peter Mitchell, who went to interpret to Moharem my desire to avoid bloodshed, was killed by his people in our boat alongside. "Whether with or without his orders I know not; but his ship soon afterwards fired into the _Asia_, and was consequently effectually destroyed by the _Asia's_ fire, sharing the same fate as his brother Admiral on the starboard side, and falling to leeward a mere wreck. These ships being out of the way, the _Asia_ became exposed to a raking fire from vessels in the second and third line, which carried away her mizen-mast by the board, disabled some of her guns, and killed and wounded several of her crew. This narration of the proceedings of the _Asia_ would probably be equally applicable to most of the other ships of the fleet. The manner in which the _Genoa_ and _Albion_ took their stations was beautiful; and the conduct of my brother Admirals, Count Heyden and the Chevalier de Rigny, throughout was admirable and highly exemplary. "Captain Fellowes executed the part allotted to him perfectly, and with the able assistance of his little but brave detachment, saved the _Syrene_ from being burnt by the fire vessels. And the _Cambrian_, _Glasgow_ and _Talbot_, following the fine example of Capitaine Hugon, of the _Armide_, who was opposed to the leading frigate of that line, effectually destroyed their opponents, and also silenced the batteries. This bloody and destructive battle was continued with unabated fury for four hours, and the scene of wreck and devastation which presented itself at its termination was such as has seldom been witnessed. As each ship of our opponents became effectually disabled, such of her crew as could escape from her endeavoured to set her on fire; and it is wonderful how we avoided the effects of their successive and awful explosions. "I contemplate, as I do with extreme sorrow, the extent of our loss, I console myself with the reflection that the measure which produced the battle was absolutely necessary for obtaining the results contemplated by the treaty, and that it was brought on entirely by our opponents.