HISTORY OF MALTA.

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action, which recalled to mind the valour of the old Frenchnavy, succeeded in taking her. The French lost two hundredand seven men; a great number were wounded, among whomwere admiral Deeres and his first captain.

When the intelligence arrived of the last remaining vesselof the fleet destined for Egypt being taken, the French weremost deeply affected, and too plainly perceived that they mustshortly be obliged to surrender.

All means of subsistence were indeed so much decreased,that, towards the end of April, wine was only distributed toeach person three times in a decade ; and the same quantity ofbrandy and vinegar twice. The ration of bread was fixed atthirty ounces a-day, with one ounce of paste in a decade.Hopes were entertained, that by this arrangement the provisionswould last three months longer. Oil was distributed as usual,and there still remained a sufficient quantity for one month.

The general Avould very willingly have sacrificed all thehorses and mules for the use of the public, but these animalswere necessary for grinding the corn. It was, however, resolvedthat when it was once'Teduced into Hour they should be im-mediately killed, and their flesh properly distributed. In con-sequence of this determination, all hands were employed tofinish the grinding with the greatest expedition.

The government gave orders for the houses through-out the city to be visited, on pretence of taking an exactaccount of the number of inhabitants, which at that time