On the first day of this eventful year, 1805, Lord Nelson, writing to Mr. Foresti at Corfu, informed him that the French fleet had been safe in Toulon on the 27th of December; but that each report which arrived, continued to declare they were embarking a great number of troops. On the 15th, Captain Keats, who had been sent with the Superb to Algiers on the 28th of December, joined; having, as the admiral noted in his diary, arranged our differences respecting the Dey with great judgment. The first attempt of the French fleet during this year, to escape from Toulon, was also thus noticed in his diary. “Jan. 19th. Hard gales N. W. At three P.M. the Active and Seahorse arrived at Madelena, with information that the French fleet had put to sea from Toulon yesterday. At twenty-eight minutes past four, made the general signal for each ship to carry a light, and repeat signals during the night, made by the admiral. Ran through the passage between Biche and Sardinia at six o'clock. At thirty-five minutes past six, burnt a blue light, and at forty-five minutes past, another.” It was the opinion of William the IVth, that the promptness thus shown by his noble friend was the greatest instance of his determined spirit as a sea-officer, and he noticed it as such in the house of lords.