The wind had been capricious, here fresh, there calm; now favoring the hunters, now the hunted; both Fleets had dropped in two.

De la Clue, the French Admiral, complained bitterly how his Captains lagged, or shore off and forsook him.

Boscawen himself, who for his own share had gone at it eagle-like, was heard grumbling, about want of speed in some people; and said: 'It is well; but it might have been better!' [Beatson, ii.

313-319; ib.iii.

237-238, De la Clue, the French Admiral's Despatch;--Boscawen's Despatch, &c., in _Gentleman's Magazine,_ xxix.
434.] "De la Clue--fallen long ago from all notions of 'dominating the Mediterranean'-- had modestly intended to get through, on any terms, into the Ocean; might then, if possible, have joined the Grand 'Invasion Squadron,' now lying at Brest, till Vannes and the furnishings are ready, or have tried to be troublesome in the rear of Hawke, who is blockading all that.