at the moment by the Dutch. Lahaye stormed it with the loss of only five men.
It has ever been the misfortune of the several Governments which have borne sway in France that they have judged almost entirely by results. Into the springs of action of their agent, of the resources at his disposal, of the mode in which he has availed himself of those resources, they are not careful to inquire. The result is what they look at, and if that is unfortunate, the agent is made the scapegoat. Thus it was with Caron. The enterprise against Ceylon, from which so much had been hoped, had failed, for the relieving Dutch fleet had retaken Trinkámalí, and had made prisoners of the garrison. The solitary results of a large expenditure of money and men were the settlement at Masulipatam, won by the dexterity of Mercara, and St. Thomé, of which but little was known. The Directors of the Company urged then on the Minister the recall of Caron. Caron was, not exactly recalled, but ordered in complimentary terms, covering other designs, to return to France. He set out accordingly, and had already passed Gibraltar when he learned from a stray vessel that he was doomed. He altered his course accordingly, and made for Lisbon. But, as he entered the Tagus, his ship struck on a rock, and almost immediately foundered. The only survivor of the disaster was one of the sons of Caron.
The departure of Caron for Europe had left the affairs of the Company in the hands of MM. Lahaye
