CHAPTER X

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THE MEDITERRANEAN FROM 1799 TO 1801.

BONAPARTE'S SYRIAN EXPEDITION AND SIEGE OF ACRE.—THE INCURSION OF THE FRENCH BREST FLEET UNDER ADMIRAL BRUIX.—BONAPARTE'S RETURN TO FRANCE.—THE FRENCH LOSE MALTA AND EGYPT.

Bonaparte's hopes from the Egyptian expedition 288

Weakness of Egyptian institutions 289

Conquest of Upper Egypt 289

The Pasha of Syria advances against Egypt 290

Isolation of the French in Egypt 290

Consequent embarrassment of Bonaparte 291

Bonaparte hears of the Turkish preparations against him 292

Resolves to invade Syria 292

The French capture El Arish and advance to Acre 293

Character of Sir Sidney Smith, commanding the British squadron off Acre 294

His naval and diplomatic mission to the Levant 296

Annoyance thereby caused to Nelson and St. Vincent 297

Smith assumes command off Alexandria 298

Importance of Acre 299

Smith arrives at Acre from Alexandria 299

Captures a convoy with Bonaparte's siege train 300

Siege of Acre 300

Arrival of Turkish re-enforcements from Rhodes 301

Final assault by the French 302

They raise the siege and retreat to Egypt 302

Services of Sir Sidney Smith at Acre 303

The French fleet of twenty-five ships-of-the-line, under Admiral Bruix, escapes from Brest 304

Conduct of Lord Bridport 305

Excitement in Great Britain 306

Bruix appears off Cadiz, and enters the Mediterranean 307

Exposed position of the British naval detachments 308

Anxieties of Earl St. Vincent 309

Measures taken by him 309

## Action of Nelson 310

## Activity and sagacity shown by St. Vincent 311

The Spanish fleet leaves Cadiz and reaches Cartagena 312

St. Vincent's health fails, and he gives up command to Keith 312

Bruix eludes Keith's pursuit and joins Spaniards in Cartagena 313

The allied fleets pass the Straits and reach Brest 316

Keith pursues to Brest and then goes to Torbay 316

Discussion of the French objects in this cruise 316

Conduct of the British admirals at the same time 318

The Turkish army lands in Aboukir Bay to attack the French 321

It is destroyed by Bonaparte 322

Bonaparte quits Egypt and returns to France 323

Criticism of the Egyptian expedition 324

Absolute control of the Mediterranean by the British navy 328

Surrender of Malta 330

Isolation of Egypt 330

Convention of El Arish for the evacuation of Egypt by the French 332

Ratification refused by British government, because unauthorized 333

Abercromby's expedition. Final loss of Egypt by the French 334

Assassination of Kleber 334

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