Let us suppose these spiders of literature to spin together, and inquire to what an extensive web such another event might be regularly drawn, and how six morning and six evening writers might agree to retail their articles.
On _Monday Morning_ the Captain of a ship might arrive, who left the _Friseur_ of _France_, and the _Bull-dog_, Captain _Grim_, in sight of one another, so that an engagement seemed unavoidable.
_Monday Evening._ A sound of cannon was heard off Cape Finisterre, supposed to be those of the Bull-dog and Friseur.
_Tuesday Morning._ It was this morning reported that the Bull-dog engaged the Friseur, yard-arm and yard-arm, three glasses and a half, but was obliged to sheer off for want of powder. It is hoped that inquiry will be made into this affair in a proper place.
_Tuesday Evening._ The account of the engagement between the Bull-dog and Friseur was premature.
_Wednesday Morning._ Another express is arrived, which brings news, that the Friseur had lost all her masts, and three hundred of her men, in the late engagement; and that Captain Grim is come into harbour much shattered.
_Wednesday Evening._ We hear that the brave Captain Grim, having expended his powder, proposed to enter the Friseur sword in hand; but that his lieutenant, the nephew of a certain nobleman, remonstrated against it.
_Thursday Morning_. We wait impatiently for a full account of the late engagement between the Bull-dog and Friseur.
_Thursday Evening_. It is said the order of the Bath will be sent to Captain Grim.
_Friday Morning_. A certain Lord of the Admiralty has been heard to say of a certain Captain, that if he had done his duty, a certain French ship might have been taken. It was not thus that merit was rewarded in the days of Cromwell.
_Friday Evening_. There is certain information at the Admiralty, that the Friseur is taken, after a resistance of two hours.
_Saturday Morning_. A letter from one of the gunners of the Bull-dog mentions the taking of the Friseur, and attributes their success wholly to the bravery and resolution of Captain Grim, who never owed any of his advancement to borough-jobbers, or any other corrupters of the people.
_Saturday Evening_. Captain Grim arrived at the Admiralty, with an account that he engaged the Friseur, a ship of equal force with his own, off Cape Finisterre, and took her after an obstinate resistance, having killed one hundred and fifty of the French, with the loss of ninety-five of his own men.