But Maida was not fought in vain.

Sicily thenceforth was safe, the British army regained something of its ancient fame, and the hope of resisting Napoleon was strengthened both at St.Petersburg and London.
Peace can rarely be attained unless one of the combatants is overcome or both are exhausted.

But neither Great Britain nor France was in this position.

By sea our successes had been as continuous as those of Napoleon over our allies on land.

In January we captured the Cape from the Dutch: in February the French force at St.Domingo surrendered to Sir James Duckworth: Admiral Warren in March closed the career of the adventurous Linois; and early in July a British force seized great treasure at Buenos Ayres, whence, however, it was soon obliged to retire.