At Borodino and Smolensko they were barely defeated after inflicting enormous losses on the emperor's army, and, as in the end, they annihilated the largest army even Napoleon had ever got together, they may well think that, fighting close to their own borders, while England and France have to take their troops across Europe, they will be more than a match for us.

And now, Jack, we must go down to the town.

There is much to do and to think about.

The principal part of your outfit I shall, of course, get at Portsmouth, where the tailors are accustomed to work at high pressure.

But your underclothes we can get here.