"The Boreas is kept in readiness to go to sea with the squadron at Spithead," wrote Nelson; "but in my poor opinion we shall go no further at present.

The French have eight sail in Brest water ready for sea: therefore I think we shall not court the French out of port,"-- singular illustration of the unreadiness of Great Britain in the years immediately preceding the French Revolution.

He looks for war, however, the following summer.

As not only ships, but men also, were urgently needed, the impress service was hastily organized.

His friend Locker was summoned from his long retirement to superintend that work in Exeter, and the "Boreas" was ordered to the Thames on the same business, arriving on the 20th of August at the Nore.