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705 Miscellaneous Observations. 7^^ boldly forward to the assembled people, and during a debate upon the question, flatly denounces the officers employed in the service as cowards^; "if they were men^ they ought to capture the Spartans ; that if he were put in command, he would with even an inconsiderable force bring them to Athens alive or dead, and that too within twenty days.'' Nicias the generalissimo, stung by his reproaches, takes him at his word ; — "he might have the necessary force and go;"' — auguring, no doubt, with others of his party ^, that one of two things must happen : that they should either be quit of the trouble- some opposition of Cleon, upon his failure ; or that the Lace- daemonians would fall into their hands, should he succeed. The people applaud his bold proposal, and insist on his going to redeem his word, whether he would or not. He goes, and is completely successful, bringing the captives to Athens within the specified twenty days. The applause of the citi- zens exceeded all moderation, with which party spirit had perhaps something to do. Cleon was esteemed a first-rate general, and accordingly sent out to match the incomparable Brasidas. The temper of the English public, at the period to which we are about to refer, is well evinced by the uncommon popularity of Glover's ballad, entitled Admiral Hosier's Ghost, which was a political squib. Hosier had been sent out to protect the West Indian trade against the Spaniards, who were a terror to our merchantmen in those seas. Their principal station was Porto-bello ; off which accordingly Hosier cruised. But he had instructions not to make aggres- sions on the enemy ; and he remained inactive at sea, insulted and despised by the Spaniards, till his crews became diseased, and he at last died of a broken heart. He was a brave sailor, but his orders kept him inactive. This state of things, so disgraceful to our naval power, continued till 1739; when Admiral Vernon, — who was a fierce and not ineloquent assailant in debate, and the delight of his party in the House of Commons from his blunt impudence and harassing hostility to ministers, — came prominently before the public. He was esteemed a pretty good officer; but his boisterous manner in
 * Thuc. IV. 27, 28. ^ Ibid, 28.