I am rather inclined to believe that the war is near its close; but I cannot discern the end.—Ever, my dearest father, your very affectionate and dutiful son,
Charles.
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Augusta, May 25, 1807.
My dearest Mother—I make an effort to save this packet, because you will perhaps be anxious about Egypt, of which you will now learn such unpleasant intelligence. There is at present no prospect of my going there, altho’ I expected it some days ago, for I should think that the first advices from England will lead to the evacuation of that precarious possession. By what I can learn, General Fox designs to maintain Alexandria until he can receive new instructions.
Captain Lefebure, to my great vexation, has at his own desire been relieved from his command by Major Bryce. He wrote me a long and very kind letter upon the subject, and I transcribe a paragraph which occurs at the latter end, because I know it will give old Dad pleasure:—
“Dear Boothby, praise from me is superfluous, but I must yield to my feelings, and give you my hearty thanks for your unremitted, zealous, and useful professional support since we have been on the same service.”
I am here under the command of Colonel Campbell, who, I suppose, is one of those men than whom there cannot be a better. I never knew him before.
Augusta is on a peninsula between Syracuse and Catania. The party of Guards with whom I live is the pleasantest society that can be, and I sometimes go over to Syracuse, where I see Lord Fred Bentinck, who is a capital fellow.
General Fox comes here to-day. He came here some time ago, but was suddenly called to Messina by the Egyptian despatches. Being obliged to go away early in the morning, he desired me to walk home with him after dinner to show him a plan of the works, in which walk he talked a great deal about Minorca and your family. My kindest love to all.—Ever your truly affectionate son,