M.de Suffren had just arrived at Paris, he was in low spirits; M.de Castries took him to Versailles.

There was a numerous and brilliant court.

On entering the guards' hall, "Gentlemen," said the minister to the officers on duty, "this is M.de Suffren." Everybody rose, and the body-guards, forming an escort for the admiral, accompanied him to the king's chamber.

His career was over; the last of the great sailors of the old regimen died on the 8th of December, 1788.
Whilst Hyder Ali and M.de Suffren were still disputing India with England, that power had just gained in Europe an important advantage in the eyes of public opinion as well as in respect of her supremacy at sea.
For close upon three years past a Spanish army had been investing by land the town and fortress of Gibraltar; a strong squadron was cruising out of cannon-shot of the place, incessantly engaged in barring the passage against the English vessels.

Twice already, in 1780 by Admiral Rodney, and in 1781 by Admiral Darby, the vigilance of the cruisers had been eluded and reinforcements of troops, provisions, and ammunition had been thrown into Gibraltar.