DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

BIA nicest aaa aanonietalieinbmteennatsie | ( 27) July, 1778, and a partial action ensued, which Keppel thought to have renewed in the morning, but when day broke the enemy had disappeared. This affair was represented in a most unfavourable light in England, and Keppel was tried by court-martial, but honourably acquitted. At once ladies appeared at the opera wearing caps ‘& la Keppel.’ In his earlier days Keppel was sent to demand restitution from the Dey of Algiers of two ships the pirates had taken. Having cast anchor with his squadron in front of the palace, he landed, and attended only by his captain and a few men, demanded an immediate audience of the Dey, and claimed full satisfaction for the injuries done to British subjects. Enraged at his manner, the Dey exclaimed, ‘that he wondered at the English King’s insolence in sending him a foolish, beardless boy.’ Keppel replied, that if the Dey’s wisdom was to be mea- sured by the length of his beard, they should have sent a he-goat. The Dey, beside himself with anger, ordered him out for instant execution; but Keppel took him to the window, and, pointing to the fleet beneath, told him to touch him at his peril. The Dey was wise enough to take the hint, and granted Keppel’s demands in full. The achievements of Lord Howe also won for him a high place among England’s victorious admirals.