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+Project Gutenberg's The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson, by Robert Southey
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson
+
+Author: Robert Southey
+
+Release Date: February 5, 2006 [EBook #947]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF HORATIO LORD NELSON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by John Hill and David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+THE LIFE
+
+OF
+
+HORATIO LORD NELSON
+
+
+
+
+
+BY ROBERT SOUTHEY (1774-1843)
+
+     TO JOHN WILSON CROKER ESQ.,
+     LL.D., F.R.S.,
+     SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY;
+     WHO, BY THE OFFICIAL SITUATION WHICH HE SO ABLY FILLS,
+     IS QUALIFIED TO APPRECIATE ITS HISTORICAL ACCURACY;
+     AND WHO,
+     AS A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLIC OF LETTERS,
+     IS EQUALLY QUALIFIED TO DECIDE UPON ITS
+     LITERARY MERITS,
+     THIS WORK
+     IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY HIS FRIEND,
+     THE AUTHOR
+
+
+
+Many Lives of Nelson have been written; one is yet wanting, clear and
+concise enough to become a manual for the young sailor, which he may
+carry about with him till he has treasured it up for example in his
+memory and in his heart. In attempting such a work I shall write the
+eulogy of our great national hero, for the best eulogy of NELSON is the
+faithful history of his actions, and the best history must be that which
+shall relate them most perspicuously.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+1758 - 1783
+
+
+Nelson's Birth and Boyhood--He is entered on Board the RAISONABLE--Goes
+to the West Indies in a Merchant-ship; then serves in the TRIUMPH--He
+sails in Captain Phipps' Voyage of Discovery--Goes to the East Indies in
+the SEAHORSE, and returns in ill Health--Serves as acting Lieutenant
+in the WORCESTER, and is made Lieutenant into the LOWESTOFFE, Commander
+into the BADGER Brig, and Post into the HINCHINBROKE--Expedition against
+the Spanish Main--Sent to the North Seas in the ALBERMARLE--Services
+during the American War.
+
+
+HORATIO, son of Edmund and Catherine Nelson, was born September 29,
+1758, in the parsonage-house of Burnham Thorpe, a village in the county
+of Norfolk, of which his father was rector. His mother was a daughter of
+Dr. Suckling, prebendary of Westminster, whose grandmother was sister
+of Sir Robert Walpole, and this child was named after his godfather,
+the first Lord Walpole. Mrs. Nelson died in 1767, leaving eight out
+of eleven children. Her brother, Captain Maurice Suckling, of the navy
+visited the widower upon this event, and promised to take care of one of
+the boys. Three years afterwards, when HORATIO was only twelve years of
+age, being at home during the Christmas holidays, he read in the county
+newspaper that his uncle was appointed to the RAISONNABLE, of sixty-four
+guns. "Do, William," said he to a brother who was a year and a half older
+than himself, "write to my father, and tell him that I should like to go
+to sea with uncle Maurice." Mr. Nelson was then at Bath, whither he had
+gone for the recovery of his health: his circumstances were straitened,
+and he had no prospect of ever seeing them bettered: he knew that it was
+the wish of providing for himself by which Horatio was chiefly actuated,
+and did not oppose his resolution; he understood also the boy's
+character, and had always said, that in whatever station he might be
+placed, he would climb if possible to the very top of the tree. Captain
+Suckling was written to. "What," said he in his answer, "has poor Horatio
+done, who is so weak, that he, above all the rest, should be sent to
+rough it out at sea?--But let him come; and the first time we go into
+action, a cannon-ball may knock off his head, and provide for him at
+once."
+
+It is manifest from these words that Horatio was not the boy whom his
+uncle would have chosen to bring up in his own profession. He was never
+of a strong body; and the ague, which at that time was one of the most
+common diseases in England, had greatly reduced his strength; yet he had
+already given proofs of that resolute heart and nobleness of mind
+which, during his whole career of labour and of glory, so eminently
+distinguished him. When a mere child, he strayed a-birds'-nesting
+from his grandmother's house in company with a cowboy: the dinner-hour
+elapsed; he was absent, and could not be found; and the alarm of the
+family became very great, for they apprehended that he might have been
+carried off by gipsies. At length, after search had been made for him in
+various directions, he was discovered alone, sitting composedly by the
+side of a brook which he could not get over. "I wonder, child," said the
+old lady when she saw him, "that hunger and fear did not drive you home."
+"Fear! grandmama:" replied the future hero, "I never saw fear:--What is
+it?" Once, after the winter holidays, when he and his brother William
+had set off on horseback to return to school, they came back, because
+there had been a fall of snow; and William, who did not much like the
+journey, said it was too deep for them to venture on. "If that be the
+case," said the father, "you certainly shall not go; but make another
+attempt, and I will leave it to your honour. If the road is dangerous
+you may return: but remember, boys, I leave it to your honour!" The snow
+was deep enough to have afforded them a reasonable excuse; but Horatio
+was not to be prevailed upon to turn back. "We must go on," said he:
+"remember, brother, it was left to our honour!"--There were some fine
+pears growing in the schoolmaster's garden, which the boys regarded as
+lawful booty, and in the highest degree tempting; but the boldest among
+them were afraid to venture for the prize. Horatio volunteered upon this
+service: he was lowered down at night from the bedroom window by some
+sheets, plundered the tree, was drawn up with the pears, and then
+distributed them among his school-fellows without reserving any for
+himself. "He only took them," he said, "because every other boy was
+afraid."
+
+Early on a cold and dark spring morning Mr. Nelson's servant arrived at
+this school, at North Walsham, with the expected summons for Horatio to
+join his ship. The parting from his brother William, who had been for
+so many years his playmate and bed-fellow, was a painful effort, and
+was the beginning of those privations which are the sailor's lot through
+life. He accompanied his father to London. The RAISONNABLE was lying in
+the Medway. He was put into the Chatham stage, and on its arrival was
+set down with the rest of the passengers, and left to find his way on
+board as he could. After wandering about in the cold, without being able
+to reach the ship, an officer observed the forlorn appearance of the
+boy, questioned him; and happening to be acquainted with his uncle, took
+him home and gave him some refreshments. When he got on board, Captain
+Suckling was not in the ship, nor had any person been apprised of the
+boy's coming. He paced the deck the whole remainder of the day without
+being noticed by any one; and it was not till the second day that
+somebody, as he expressed it, "took compassion on him." The pain which
+is felt when we are first transplanted from our native soil--when the
+living branch is cut from the parent tree is one of the most poignant
+which we have to endure through life. There are after-griefs which wound
+more deeply, which leave behind them scars never to be effaced, which
+bruise the spirit, and sometimes break the heart; but never do we feel
+so keenly the want of love, the necessity of being loved, and the sense
+of utter desertion, as when we first leave the haven of home, and are,
+as it were, pushed off upon the stream of life. Added to these feelings,
+the sea-boy has to endure physical hardships, and the privation of every
+comfort, even of sleep. Nelson had a feeble body and an affectionate
+heart, and he remembered through life his first days of wretchedness in
+the service.
+
+The RAISONNABLE having been commissioned on account of the dispute
+respecting the Falkland Islands, was paid off as soon as the difference
+with the court of Spain was accommodated, and Captain Suckling was
+removed to the TRIUMPH, seventy-four, then stationed as a guard-ship in
+the Thames. This was considered as too inactive a life for a boy,
+and Nelson was therefore sent a voyage to the West Indies in a
+merchant-ship, commanded by Mr. John Rathbone, an excellent seaman, who
+had served as master's mate under Captain Suckling in the Dreadnought.
+He returned a practical seaman, but with a hatred of the king's service,
+and a saying then common among the sailors--"Aft the most honour;
+forward the better man." Rathbone had probably been disappointed and
+disgusted in the navy; and, with no unfriendly intentions, warned Nelson
+against a profession which he himself had found hopeless. His uncle
+received him on board the TRIUMPH on his return, and discovering his
+dislike to the navy, took the best means of reconciling him to it. He
+held it out as a reward that, if he attended well to his navigation, he
+should go in the cutter and decked long-boat, which was attached to the
+commanding-officer's ship at Chatham. Thus he became a good pilot for
+vessels of that description from Chatham to the Tower, and down the Swin
+Channel to the North Foreland, and acquired a confidence among rocks and
+sands of which he often felt the value.
+
+Nelson had not been many months on board the TRIUMPH, when his love of
+enterprise was excited by hearing that two ships were fitting out for
+a voyage of discovery towards the North Pole. In consequence of the
+difficulties which were expected on such a service, these vessels were
+to take out effective men instead of the usual number of boys. This,
+however, did not deter him from soliciting to be received, and, by his
+uncle's interest, he was admitted as coxswain under Captain Lutwidge,
+second in command. The voyage was undertaken in compliance with an
+application from the Royal Society. The Hon. Captain Constantine John
+Phipps, eldest son of Lord Mulgrave, volunteered his services. The
+RACEHORSE and CARCASS bombs were selected as the strongest ships, and,
+therefore, best adapted for such a voyage; and they were taken into dock
+and strengthened, to render them as secure as possible against the ice.
+Two masters of Greenlandmen were employed as pilots for each ship. No
+expedition was ever more carefully fitted out; and the First Lord of
+the Admiralty, Lord Sandwich, with a laudable solicitude, went on
+board himself, before their departure, to see that everything had been
+completed to the wish of the officers. The ships were provided with a
+simple and excellent apparatus for distilling fresh from salt water, the
+invention of Dr. Irving, who accompanied the expedition. It consisted
+merely in fitting a tube to the ship's kettle, and applying a wet mop to
+the surface as the vapour was passing. By these means, from thirty-four
+to forty gallons were produced every day.
+
+They sailed from the Nore on the 4th of June. On the 6th of July they
+were in latitude 79d 56m 39s; longitude 9d 43m 30s E. The next day,
+about the place where most of the old discoverers had been stopped,
+the RACEHORSE was beset with ice; but they hove her through with
+ice-anchors. Captain Phipps continued ranging along the ice, northward
+and westward, till the 24th; he then tried to the eastward. On the 30th
+he was in latitude 80d 13m; longitude 18d 48m E. among the islands and
+in the ice, with no appearance of an opening for the ships. The weather
+was exceedingly fine, mild, and unusually clear. Here they were becalmed
+in a large bay, with three apparent openings between the islands which
+formed it; but everywhere, as far as they could see, surrounded with
+ice. There was not a breath of air, the water was perfectly smooth, the
+ice covered with snow, low and even, except a few broken pieces near
+the edge; and the pools of water in the middle of the ice-fields just
+crusted over with young ice. On the next day the ice closed upon them,
+and no opening was to be seen anywhere, except a hole, or lake as it
+might be called, of about a mile and a half in circumference, where the
+ships lay fast to the ice with their ice-anchors. From these ice-fields
+they filled their casks with water, which was very pure and soft. The
+men were playing on the ice all day; but the Greenland pilots, who were
+further than they had ever been before, and considered that the season
+was far advancing, were alarmed at being thus beset.
+
+The next day there was not the smallest opening; the ships were within
+less than two lengths of each other, separated by ice, and neither
+having room to turn. The ice, which the day before had been flat and
+almost level with the water's edge, was now in many places forced higher
+than the mainyard by the pieces squeezing together. A day of thick fog
+followed: it was succeeded by clear weather; but the passage by which
+the ships had entered from the westward was closed, and no open water
+was in sight, either in that or any other quarter. By the pilots' advice
+the men were set to cut a passage, and warp through the small openings
+to the westward. They sawed through pieces of ice twelve feet thick; and
+this labour continued the whole day, during which their utmost efforts
+did not move the ships above three hundred yards; while they were
+driven, together with the ice, far to the N.E. and E. by the current.
+Sometimes a field of several acres square would be lifted up between two
+larger islands, and incorporated with them; and thus these larger pieces
+continued to grow by aggregation. Another day passed, and there seemed
+no probability of getting the ships out without a strong E. or N.E.
+wind. The season was far advanced, and every hour lessened the chance of
+extricating themselves. Young as he was, Nelson was appointed to command
+one of the boats which were sent out to explore a passage into the open
+water. It was the means of saving a boat belonging to the RACEHORSE from
+a singular but imminent danger. Some of the officers had fired at and
+wounded a walrus. As no other animal has so human-like an expression in
+its countenance, so also is there none that seems to possess more of the
+passions of humanity. The wounded animal dived immediately, and brought
+up a number of its companions; and they all joined in an attack upon
+the boat. They wrested an oar from one of the men; and it was with
+the utmost difficulty that the crew could prevent them from staving
+or upsetting her, till the CARCASS's boat came up; and the walruses,
+finding their enemies thus reinforced, dispersed. Young Nelson exposed
+himself in a more daring manner. One night, during the mid-watch, he
+stole from the ship with one of his comrades, taking advantage of a
+rising fog, and set off over the ice in pursuit of a bear. It was not
+long before they were missed. The fog thickened, and Captain Lutwidge
+and his officers became exceedingly alarmed for their safety. Between
+three and four in the morning the weather cleared, and the two
+adventurers were seen, at a considerable distance from the ship,
+attacking a huge bear. The signal for them to return was immediately
+made; Nelson's comrade called upon him to obey it, but in vain; his
+musket had flashed in the pan; their ammunition was expended; and a
+chasm in the ice, which divided him from the bear, probably preserved
+his life. "Never mind," he cried; "do but let me get a blow at this
+devil with the butt-end of my musket, and we shall have him." Captain
+Lutwidge, however, seeing his danger, fired a gun, which had the desired
+effect of frightening the beast; and the boy then returned, somewhat
+afraid of the consequences of his trespass. The captain reprimanded
+him sternly for conduct so unworthy of the office which he filled, and
+desired to know what motive he could have for hunting a bear. "Sir,"
+said he, pouting his lip, as he was wont to do when agitated, "I wished
+to kill the bear, that I might carry the skin to my father."
+
+A party were now sent to an island, about twelve miles off (named
+Walden's Island in the charts, from the midshipman who was intrusted
+with this service), to see where the open water lay. They came back with
+information that the ice, though close all about them, was open to the
+westward, round the point by which they came in. They said also, that
+upon the island they had had a fresh east wind. This intelligence
+considerably abated the hopes of the crew; for where they lay it had
+been almost calm, and their main dependence had been upon the effect
+of an easterly wind in clearing the bay. There was but one alternative:
+either to wait the event of the weather upon the ships, or to betake
+themselves to the boats. The likelihood that it might be necessary
+to sacrifice the ships had been foreseen. The boats accordingly were
+adapted, both in number and size, to transport, in case of emergency,
+the whole crew; and there were Dutch whalers upon the coast, in which
+they could all be conveyed to Europe. As for wintering where they were,
+that dreadful experiment had been already tried too often. No time was
+to be lost; the ships had driven into shoal water, having but fourteen
+fathoms. Should they, or the ice to which they were fast, take the
+ground, they must inevitably be lost; and at this time they were driving
+fast toward some rocks on the N.E. Captain Phipps sent for the officers
+of both ships, and told them his intention of preparing the boats for
+going away. They were immediately hoisted out, and the fitting begun.
+Canvas bread-bags were made, in case it should be necessary suddenly to
+desert the vessels; and men were sent with the lead and line to N. and
+E., to sound wherever they found cracks in the ice, that they might have
+notice before the ice took the ground; for in that case the ships must
+instantly have been crushed or overset.
+
+On the 7th of August they began to haul the boats over the ice, Nelson
+having command of a four-oared cutter. The men behaved excellently
+well, like true British seamen: they seemed reconciled to the thought
+of leaving the ships, and had full confidence in their officers. About
+noon, the ice appeared rather more open near the vessels; and as the
+wind was easterly, though there was but little of it, the sails were
+set, and they got about a mile to the westward. They moved very slowly,
+and were not now nearly so far to the westward as when they were first
+beset. However, all sail was kept upon them, to force them through
+whenever the ice slacked the least. Whatever exertions were made, it
+could not be possible to get the boats to the water's edge before the
+14th; and if the situation of the ships should not alter by that time,
+it would not be justifiable to stay longer by them. The commander
+therefore resolved to carry on both attempts together, moving the boats
+constantly, and taking every opportunity of getting the ships through. A
+party was sent out next day to the westward to examine the state of
+the ice: they returned with tidings that it was very heavy and close,
+consisting chiefly of large fields. The ships, however, moved something,
+and the ice itself was drifting westward. There was a thick fog, so
+that it was impossible to ascertain what advantage had been gained. It
+continued on the 9th; but the ships were moved a little through some
+very small openings: the mist cleared off in the afternoon, and it
+was then perceived that they had driven much more than could have been
+expected to the westward, and that the ice itself had driven still
+further. In the course of the day they got past the boats, and took them
+on board again. On the morrow the wind sprang up to the N.N.E. All sail
+was set, and the ships forced their way through a great deal of very
+heavy ice. They frequently struck, and with such force that one stroke
+broke the shank of the RACEHORSE's best bower-anchor, but the vessels
+made way; and by noon they had cleared the ice, and were out at sea. The
+next day they anchored in Smeerenberg Harbour, close to that island of
+which the westernmost point is called Hakluyt's Headland, in honour of
+the great promoter and compiler of our English voyages of discovery.
+
+Here they remained a few days, that the men might rest after their
+fatigue. No insect was to be seen in this dreary country, nor any
+species of reptile--not even the common earth-worm. Large bodies of ice,
+called icebergs, filled up the valleys between high mountains, so dark
+as, when contrasted with the snow, to appear black. The colour of the
+ice was a lively light green. Opposite to the place where they fixed
+their observatory was one of these icebergs, above three hundred feet
+high; its side toward the sea was nearly perpendicular, and a stream of
+water issued from it. Large pieces frequently broke off and rolled down
+into the sea. There was no thunder nor lightning during the whole time
+they were in these latitudes. The sky was generally loaded with hard
+white clouds, from which it was never entirely free even in the clearest
+weather. They always knew when they were approaching the ice long
+before they saw it, by a bright appearance near the horizon, which the
+Greenlandmen called the blink of the ice. The season was now so far
+advanced that nothing more could have been attempted, if indeed anything
+had been left untried; but the summer had been unusually favourable,
+and they had carefully surveyed the wall of ice, extending for more
+than twenty degrees between the latitudes of 80d and 81d, without the
+smallest appearance of any opening.
+
+The ships were paid off shortly after their return to England; and
+Nelson was then placed by his uncle with Captain Farmer, in the
+SEAHORSE, of twenty guns, then going out to the East Indies in the
+squadron under Sir Edward Hughes. He was stationed in the foretop at
+watch and watch. His good conduct attracted the attention of the master
+(afterwards Captain Surridge), in whose watch he was; and upon his
+recommendation the captain rated him as midshipman. At this time his
+countenance was florid, and his appearance rather stout and athletic;
+but when he had been about eighteen months in India, he felt the effects
+of that climate, so perilous to European constitutions. The disease
+baffled all power of medicine; he was reduced almost to a skeleton; the
+use of his limbs was for some time entirely lost; and the only hope
+that remained was from a voyage home. Accordingly he was brought home by
+Captain Pigot, in the DOLPHIN; and had it not been for the attentive
+and careful kindness of that officer on the way, Nelson would never have
+lived to reach his native shores. He had formed an acquaintance with Sir
+Charles Pole, Sir Thomas Troubridge, and other distinguished officers,
+then, like himself, beginning their career: he had left them pursuing
+that career in full enjoyment of health and hope, and was returning,
+from a country in which all things were to him new and interesting,
+with a body broken down by sickness, and spirits which had sunk with his
+strength. Long afterwards, when the name of Nelson was known as widely
+as that of England itself, he spoke of the feelings which he at this
+time endured. "I felt impressed," said he, "with a feeling that I should
+never rise in my profession. My mind was staggered with a view of the
+difficulties I had to surmount and the little interest I possessed. I
+could discover no means of reaching the object of my ambition. After a
+long and gloomy reverie, in which I almost wished myself overboard, a
+sudden glow of patriotism was kindled within me, and presented my king
+and country as my patron. 'Well then,' I exclaimed, 'I will be a hero!
+and, confiding in Providence, I will brave every danger!'"
+
+Long afterwards Nelson loved to speak of the feelings of that moment;
+and from that time, he often said, a radiant orb was suspended in his
+mind's eye, which urged him onward to renown. The state of mind in
+which these feelings began, is what the mystics mean by their season of
+darkness and desertion. If the animal spirits fail, they represent it
+as an actual temptation. The enthusiasm of Nelson's nature had taken a
+different direction, but its essence was the same. He knew to what the
+previous state of dejection was to be attributed; that an enfeebled
+body, and a mind depressed, had cast this shade over his soul; but he
+always seemed willing to believe that the sunshine which succeeded
+bore with it a prophetic glory, and that the light which led him on was
+"light from heaven."
+
+His interest, however, was far better than he imagined, During his
+absence, Captain Suckling had been made Comptroller of the Navy; his
+health had materially improved upon the voyage; and as soon as the
+DOLPHIN was paid off, he was appointed acting lieutenant in the
+WORCESTER, sixty-four, Captain Mark Robinson, then going out with convoy
+to Gibraltar. Soon after his return, on the 8th of April 1777, he passed
+his examination for a lieutenancy. Captain Suckling sat at the head
+of the board; and when the examination had ended, in a manner highly
+honourable to Nelson, rose from his seat, and introduced him to the
+examining captains as his nephew. They expressed their wonder that he
+had not informed them of this relationship before; he replied that he
+did not wish the younker to be favoured; he knew his nephew would pass
+a good examination, and he had not been deceived. The next day Nelson
+received his commission as second lieutenant of the LOWESTOFFE frigate,
+Captain William Locker, then fitting out for Jamaica.
+
+American and French privateers, under American colours, were at that
+time harassing our trade in the West Indies: even a frigate was not
+sufficiently active for Nelson, and he repeatedly got appointed to the
+command of one of the LOWESTOFFE's tenders. During one of their cruises
+the LOWESTOFFE captured an American letter-of-marque: it was blowing
+a gale, and a heavy sea running. The first lieutenant being ordered
+to board the prize, went below to put on his hanger. It happened to
+be mislaid; and while he was seeking it, Captain Locker came on deck.
+Perceiving the boat still alongside, and in danger every moment of
+being swamped, and being extremely anxious that the privateer should
+be instantly taken in charge, because he feared that It would otherwise
+founder, he exclaimed, "Have I no officer in the ship who can board
+the prize?" Nelson did not offer himself immediately, waiting, with his
+usual sense of propriety, for the first lieutenant's return; but hearing
+the master volunteer, he jumped into the boat, saying, "It is my turn
+now; and if I come back, it is yours." The American, who had carried a
+heavy press of sail in hope of escaping, was so completely water-logged
+that the LOWESTOFFE's boat went in on deck and out again with the sea.
+
+About this time he lost his uncle. Captain Locker, however, who had
+perceived the excellent qualities of Nelson, and formed a friendship for
+him which continued during his life, recommended him warmly to Sir Peter
+Parker, then commander-in-chief upon that station. In consequence of
+this recommendation he was removed into the BRISTOL flag-ship, and
+Lieutenant Cuthbert Collingwood succeeded him in the LOWESTOFFE. Sir
+Peter Parker was the friend of both, and thus it happened that whenever
+Nelson got a step in rank, Collingwood succeeded him. The former soon
+became first lieutenant, and on the 8th of December 1778 was appointed
+commander of the BADGER brig; Collingwood taking his place in the
+BRISTOL. While the BADGER was lying in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the GLASGOW
+of twenty guns came in and anchored there, and in two hours was in
+flames, the steward having set fire to her while stealing rum out of the
+after-hold. Her crew were leaping into the water, when Nelson came up in
+his boats, made them throw their powder overboard and point their guns
+upward; and by his presence of mind and personal exertions prevented the
+loss of life which would otherwise have ensued. On the 11th of June 1779
+he was made post into the HINCHINBROOK, of twenty-eight guns, an enemy's
+merchantman, sheathed with wood, which had been taken into the service.
+Collingwood was then made commander into the BADGER. A short time after
+he left the LOWESTOFFE, that ship, with a small squadron, stormed the
+fort of St. Fernando de Omoa, on the south side of the Bay of Honduras,
+and captured some register ships which were lying under its guns. Two
+hundred and fifty quintals of quicksilver and three millions of piastres
+were the reward of this enterprise; and it is characteristic of Nelson
+that the chance by which he missed a share in such a prize is never
+mentioned in any of his letters; nor is it likely that it ever excited
+even a momentary feeling of vexation.
+
+Nelson was fortunate in possessing good interest at the time when it
+could be most serviceable to him: his promotion had been almost as rapid
+as it could be; and before he had attained the age of twenty-one he had
+gained that rank which brought all the honours of the service within his
+reach. No opportunity, indeed, had yet been given him of distinguishing
+himself; but he was thoroughly master of his profession, and his zeal
+and ability were acknowledged wherever he was known. Count d'Estaing,
+with a fleet of one hundred and twenty-five sail, men of war and
+transports, and a reputed force of five-and twenty thousand men,
+threatened Jamaica from St. Domingo. Nelson offered his services to the
+Admiral and to Governor-General Dalling, and was appointed to command
+the batteries of Fort Charles, at Port Royal. Not more than seven
+thousand men could be mustered for the defence of the island,--a number
+wholly inadequate to resist the force which threatened them. Of this
+Nelson was so well aware, that when he wrote to his friends in England,
+he told them they must not be surprised to hear of his learning to speak
+French. D'Estaing, however, was either not aware of his own superiority,
+or not equal to the command with which he was intrusted: he attempted
+nothing with his formidable armament; and General Dalling was thus left
+to execute a project which he had formed against the Spanish colonies.
+
+This project was, to take Fort San Juan on the river of that name, which
+flows from Lake Nicaragua into the Atlantic; make himself master of the
+lake itself, and of the cities of Granada and Leon; and thus cut off
+the communication of the Spaniards between their northern and southern
+possessions in America. Here it is that a canal between the two seas may
+most easily be formed--a work more important in its consequences
+than any which has ever yet been effected by human power. Lord George
+Germaine, at that time secretary of state for the American Department,
+approved the plan; and as discontents at that time were known to prevail
+in the Nuevo Reyno, in Popayan, and in Peru, the more sanguine part
+of the English began to dream of acquiring an empire in one part of
+America, more extensive than that which they were on the point of losing
+in another. General Dalling's plans were well formed; but the history
+and the nature of the country had not been studied as accurately as its
+geography: the difficulties which occurred in fitting out the expedition
+delayed it till the season was too far advanced; and the men were thus
+sent to adventure themselves, not so much against an enemy, whom they
+would have beaten, as against a climate which would do the enemy's work.
+
+Early in the year 1780, five hundred men destined for this service were
+convoyed by Nelson from Port Royal to Cape Gracias a Dios, in Honduras.
+Not a native was to be seen when they landed: they had been taught that
+the English came with no other intent than that of enslaving them, and
+sending them to Jamaica. After a while, however, one of them ventured
+down, confiding in his knowledge of one of the party; and by his means
+the neighbouring tribes were conciliated with presents, and brought in.
+The troops were encamped on a swampy and unwholesome plain, where they
+were joined by a party of the 79th regiment from Black River, who were
+already in a deplorable state of sickness. Having remained here a month,
+they proceeded, anchoring frequently, along the Mosquito shore, to
+collect their Indian allies, who were to furnish proper boats for the
+river, and to accompany them. They reached the river San Juan, March
+24th; and here, according to his orders, Nelson's services were to
+terminate; but not a man in the expedition had ever been up the river,
+or knew the distance of any fortification from its mouth; and he not
+being one who would turn back when so much was to be done, resolved to
+carry the soldiers up. About two hundred, therefore, were embarked in
+the Mosquito shore craft and in two of the HINCHINBROOK's boats, and
+they began their voyage. It was the latter end of the dry season, the
+worst time for such an expedition; the river was consequently low.
+Indians were sent forward through narrow channels between shoals and
+sandbanks, and the men were frequently obliged to quit the boats and
+exert their utmost strength to drag or thrust them along. This labour
+continued for several days; when they came into deeper water, they
+had then currents and rapids to contend with, which would have been
+insurmountable but for the skill of the Indians in such difficulties.
+The brunt of the labour was borne by them and by the sailors--men never
+accustomed to stand aloof when any exertion of strength or hardihood is
+required. The soldiers, less accustomed to rely upon themselves, were
+of little use. But all equally endured the violent heat of the sun,
+rendered more intense by being reflected from the white shoals; while
+the high woods, on both sides of the river, were frequently so close as
+to prevent any refreshing circulation of air; and during the night all
+were equally exposed to the heavy and unwholesome dews.
+
+On the 9th of April they reached an island in the river, called San
+Bartolomeo, which the Spaniards had fortified, as an outpost, with a
+small semicircular battery, mounting nine or ten swivels, and manned
+with sixteen or eighteen men. It commanded the river in a rapid and
+difficult part of the navigation. Nelson, at the head of a few of his
+seamen, leaped upon the beach. The ground upon which he sprung was so
+muddy that he had some difficulty in extricating himself, and lost
+his shoes: bare-footed, however, he advanced, and, in his own phrase,
+BOARDED THE BATTERY. In this resolute attempt he was bravely supported
+by Despard, at that time a captain in the army, afterward unhappily
+executed for his schemes of revolutionary treason. The castle of San
+Tuan is situated about 16 miles higher up; the stores and ammunition,
+however, were landed a few miles below the castle, and the men had to
+march through woods almost impassable. One of the men was bitten under
+the eye by a snake which darted upon him from the bough of a tree. He
+was unable to proceed from the violence of the pain; and when, after a
+short while, some of his comrades were sent back to assist him, he was
+dead, and the body already putrid. Nelson himself narrowly escaped a
+similar fate. He had ordered his hammock to be slung under some trees,
+being excessively fatigued, and was sleeping, when a monitory lizard
+passed across his face. The Indians happily observed the reptile; and
+knowing what it indicated, awoke him. He started up, and found one of
+the deadliest serpents of the country coiled up at his feet. He suffered
+from poison of another kind; for drinking at a spring in which some
+boughs of the manchineel had been thrown, the effects were so severe as,
+in the opinion of some of his friends, to inflict a lasting injury upon
+his constitution.
+
+The castle of San Juan is 32 miles below the point where the river
+issues from the Lake of Nicaragua, and 69 from its mouth. Boats reach
+the sea from thence in a day and a-half; but their navigation back, even
+when unladen, is the labour of nine days. The English appeared before
+it on the 11th, two days after they had taken San Bartolomeo. Nelson's
+advice was, that it should instantly be carried by assault; but Nelson
+was not the commander; and it was thought proper to observe all the
+formalities of a siege. Ten days were wasted before this could be
+commenced. It was a work more of fatigue than of danger; but fatigue
+was more to be dreaded than the enemy; the rains set in; and could the
+garrison have held out a little longer, diseases would have rid them of
+their invaders. Even the Indians sunk under it, the victims of unusual
+exertion, and of their own excesses. The place surrendered on the 24th.
+But victory procured to the conquerors none of that relief which had
+been expected; the castle was worse than a prison; and it contained
+nothing which could contribute to the recovery of the sick, or the
+preservation of those who were yet unaffected. The huts which served for
+hospitals were surrounded with filth, and with the putrefying hides of
+slaughtered cattle--almost sufficient of themselves to have engendered
+pestilence; and when at last orders were given to erect a convenient
+hospital, the contagion had become so general that there were none who
+could work at it; for besides the few who were able to perform garrison
+duty, there were not orderly men enough to assist the sick. Added to
+these evils, there was the want of all needful remedies; for though the
+expedition had been amply provided with hospital stores, river craft
+enough had not been procured for transporting the requisite baggage; and
+when much was to be left behind, provision for sickness was that which
+of all things men in health would be most ready to leave. Now, when
+these medicines were required, the river was swollen, and so turbulent
+that its upward navigation was almost impracticable. At length even the
+task of burying the dead was more than the living could perform, and the
+bodies were tossed into the stream, or left for beasts of prey, and for
+the gallinazos--those dreadful carrion birds, which do not always
+wait for death before they begin their work. Five months the English
+persisted in what may be called this war against nature; they then left
+a few men, who seemed proof against the climate, to retain the castle
+till the Spaniards should choose to retake it and make them prisoners.
+The rest abandoned their baleful conquest. Eighteen hundred men were
+sent to different posts upon this wretched expedition: not more than
+three hundred and eighty ever returned. The HINCHINBROOK's complement
+consisted of two hundred men; eighty-seven took to their beds in one
+night, and of the whole crew not more than ten survived.
+
+The transports' men all died, and some of the ships, having none left
+to take care of them, sunk in the harbour: but transport ships were not
+wanted, for the troops which they had brought were no more: they had
+fallen, not by the hand of an enemy, but by the deadly influence of the
+climate.
+
+Nelson himself was saved by a timely removal. In a few days after the
+commencement of the siege he was seized with the prevailing dysentery;
+meantime Captain Glover (son of the author of LEONIDAS) died, and
+Nelson was appointed to succeed him in the Janus, of forty-four guns;
+Collingwood being then made post into the HINCHINBROOK. He returned to
+the harbour the day before San Juan surrendered, and immediately sailed
+for Jamaica in the sloop which brought the news of his appointment. He
+was, however, so greatly reduced by the disorder, that when they reached
+Port Royal he was carried ashore in his cot; and finding himself, after
+a partial amendment, unable to retain the command of his new ship, he
+was compelled to ask leave to return to England, as the only means of
+recovery. Captain (afterwards Admiral) Cornwallis took him home in the
+LION; and to his fare and kindness Nelson believed himself indebted for
+his life. He went immediately to Bath, in a miserable state; so helpless
+that he was carried to and from his bed; and the act of moving him
+produced the most violent pain. In three months he recovered, and
+immediately hastened to London, and applied for employment. After an
+interval of about four months he was appointed to the ALBEMARLE, of
+twenty-eight guns, a French merchantman which had been purchased from
+the captors for the king's service.
+
+His health was not yet thoroughly re-established; and while he was
+employed in getting his ship ready, he again became so ill as hardly to
+be able to keep out of bed. Yet in this state, still suffering from
+the fatal effect of a West Indian climate, as if it might almost be
+supposed, he said, to try his constitution, he was sent to the North
+Seas, and kept there the whole winter. The asperity with which he
+mentioned this so many years afterwards evinces how deeply he resented
+a mode of conduct equally cruel to the individual and detrimental to the
+service. It was during the armed neutrality; and when they anchored off
+Elsinore, the Danish Admiral sent on board, desiring to be informed
+what ships had arrived, and to have their force written down. "The
+ALBEMARLE," said Nelson to the messenger, "is one of his Britannic
+Majesty's ships: you are at liberty, sir, to count the guns as you go
+down the side; and you may assure the Danish Admiral that, if necessary,
+they shall all be well served." During this voyage he gained a
+considerable knowledge of the Danish coast and its soundings, greatly
+to the advantage of his country in after-times. The ALBEMARLE was not
+a good ship, and was several times nearly overset in consequence of the
+masts having been made much too long for her. On her return to England
+they were shortened, and some other improvements made at Nelson's
+suggestion. Still he always insisted that her first owners, the French,
+had taught her to run away, as she was never a good sailer except when
+going directly before the wind.
+
+On their return to the Downs, while he was ashore visiting the senior
+officer, there came on so heavy a gale that almost all the vessels
+drove, and a store-ship came athwart-hawse of the ALBEMARLE. Nelson
+feared she would drive on the Goodwin Sands; he ran to the beach; but
+even the Deal boatmen thought it impossible to get on board, such was
+the violence of the storm. At length some of the most intrepid offered
+to make the attempt for fifteen guineas; and to the astonishment and
+fear of all the beholders, he embarked during the height of the tempest.
+With great difficulty and imminent danger he succeeded in reaching her.
+She lost her bowsprit and foremast, but escaped further injury. He was
+now ordered to Quebec, where his surgeon told him he would certainly be
+laid up by the climate. Many of his friends urged him to represent this
+to Admiral Keppel; but having received his orders from Lord Sandwich,
+there appeared to him an indelicacy in applying to his successor to have
+them altered.
+
+Accordingly he sailed for Canada. During her first cruise on that
+station the ALBEMARLE captured a fishing schooner which contained in her
+cargo nearly all the property that her master possessed, and the poor
+fellow had a large family at home, anxiously expecting him. Nelson
+employed him as a pilot in Boston Bay, then restored him the schooner
+and cargo, and gave him a certificate to secure him against being
+captured by any other vessel. The man came off afterwards to the
+ALBEMARLE, at the hazard of his life, with a present of sheep, poultry,
+and fresh provisions. A most valuable supply it proved, for the scurvy
+was raging on board: this was in the middle of August, and the ship's
+company had not had a fresh meal since the beginning of April. The
+certificate was preserved at Boston in memory of an act of unusual
+generosity; and now that the fame of Nelson has given interest to
+everything connected with his name, it is regarded as a relic. The
+ALBEMARLE had a narrow escape upon this cruise. Four French sail of the
+line and a frigate, which had come out of Boston harbour, gave chase to
+her; and Nelson, perceiving that they beat him in sailing, boldly ran
+among the numerous shoals of St. George's Bank, confiding in his own
+skill in pilotage. Captain Salter, in the STA. MARGARETTA, had escaped
+the French fleet by a similar manoeuvre not long before. The frigate
+alone continued warily to pursue him; but as soon as he perceived that
+this enemy was unsupported, he shortened sail and hove to; upon which
+the Frenchman thought it advisable to give over the pursuit, and sail in
+quest of his consorts.
+
+At Quebec Nelson became acquainted with Alexander Davison, by whose
+interference he was prevented from making what would have been called
+an imprudent marriage. The ALBEMARLE was about to leave the station, her
+captain had taken leave of his friends, and was gone down the river to
+the place of anchorage; when the next morning, as Davison was walking on
+the beach, to his surprise he saw Nelson coming back in his boat. Upon
+inquiring the cause of this reappearance, Nelson took his arm to walk
+towards the town, and told him that he found it utterly impossible
+to leave Quebec without again seeing the woman whose society had
+contributed so much to his happiness there, and offering her his hand.
+"If you do," said his friend, "your ruin must inevitably follow." "Then
+let it follow," cried Nelson, "for I am resolved to do it" "And I,"
+replied Davison, "am resolved you shall not." Nelson, however, upon this
+occasion, was less resolute than his friend, and suffered himself to be
+led back to the boat.
+
+The ALBEMARLE was under orders to convoy a fleet of transports to New
+York. "A very pretty job" said her captain, "at this late season of
+the year" (October was far advanced), "for our sails are at this moment
+frozen to the yards." On his arrival at Sandy Hook, he waited on the
+commander-in-chief, Admiral Digby, who told him he was come on a fine
+station for making prize-money. "Yes, sir," Nelson made answer, "but the
+West Indies is the station for honour." Lord Hood, with a detachment of
+Rodney's victorious fleet, was at that time at Sandy Hook: he had been
+intimate with Captain Suckling; and Nelson, who was desirous of nothing
+but honour, requested him to ask for the ALBEMARLE, that he might go
+to that station where it was most likely to be obtained. Admiral Digby
+reluctantly parted with him. His professional merit was already well
+known; and Lord Hood, on introducing him to Prince William Henry, as the
+Duke of Clarence was then called, told the prince, if he wished to ask
+any questions respecting naval tactics, Captain Nelson could give him as
+much information as any officer in the fleet. The Duke--who, to his own
+honour, became from that time the firm friend of Nelson--describes him
+as appearing the merest boy of a captain he had ever seen, dressed in a
+full laced uniform, an old-fashioned waistcoat with long flaps, and
+his lank unpowdered hair tied in a stiff Hessian tail of extraordinary
+length; making altogether so remarkable a figure, that, says the duke,
+"I had never seen anything like it before, nor could I imagine who
+he was, nor what he came about. But his address and conversation were
+irresistibly pleasing; and when he spoke on professional subjects, it
+was with an enthusiasm that showed he was no common being."
+
+It was expected that the French would attempt some of the passages
+between the Bahamas; and Lord Hood, thinking of this, said to Nelson, "I
+suppose, sir, from the length of time you were cruising among the Bahama
+Keys, you must be a good pilot there." He replied, with that constant
+readiness to render justice to every man which was so conspicuous in all
+his conduct through life, that he was well acquainted with them himself,
+but that in that respect his second lieutenant was far his superior. The
+French got into Puerto Cabello, on the coast of Venezuela. Nelson was
+cruising between that port and La Guapra, under French colours, for the
+purpose of obtaining information; when a king's launch, belonging to
+the Spaniards, passed near, and being hailed in French, came alongside
+without suspicion, and answered all questions that were asked concerning
+the number and force of the enemy's ships. The crew, however, were not
+a little surprised when they were taken on board and found themselves
+prisoners. One of the party went by the name of the Count de Deux-Ponts.
+He was, however, a prince of the German empire, and brother to the heir
+of the Electorate of Bavaria: his companions were French officers of
+distinction, and men of science, who had been collecting specimens in
+the various branches of natural history. Nelson, having entertained them
+with the best his table could afford, told them they were at liberty to
+depart with their boat, and all that it contained: he only required
+them to promise that they would consider themselves as prisoners if
+the commander-in-chief should refuse to acquiesce in their being thus
+liberated: a circumstance which was not likely to happen. Tidings
+soon arrived that the preliminaries of peace had been signed; and the
+ALBEMARLE returned to England and was paid off. Nelson's first business,
+after he got to London, even before he went to see his relations, was to
+attempt to get the wages due to his men for the various ships in which
+they had served during the war. "The disgust of seamen to the navy," he
+said, "was all owing to the infernal plan of turning them over from ship
+to ship; so that men could not be attached to their officers, nor the
+officers care the least about the men." Yet he himself was so beloved by
+his men that his whole ship's company offered, if he could get a ship,
+to enter for her immediately. He was now, for the first time, presented
+at court. After going through this ceremony, he dined with his friend
+Davison at Lincoln's Inn. As soon as he entered the chambers, he threw
+off what he called his iron-bound coat; and, putting himself at ease
+in a dressing gown, passed the remainder of the day in talking over all
+that had befallen them since they parted on the shore of the River St.
+Lawrence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+1784 - 1793
+
+Nelson goes to France--Reappointed to the BOREAS at the Leeward Islands
+in the BOREAS--His firm conduct concerning the American Interlopers
+and the Contractors--Marries and returns to England--Is on the point
+of quitting the Service in Disgust--Manner of Life while
+unemployed--Appointed to the AGAMEMNON on the breaking out of the War of
+the French Revolution.
+
+
+"I HAVE closed the war," said Nelson in one of his letters, "without a
+fortune; but there is not a speck in my character. True honour, I hope,
+predominates in my mind far above riches." He did not apply for a ship,
+because he was not wealthy enough to live on board in the manner which
+was then become customary. Finding it, therefore, prudent to economise
+on his half-pay during the peace, he went to France, in company with
+Captain Macnamara of the navy, and took lodgings at St. Omer's. The
+death of his favourite sister, Anne, who died in consequence of going
+out of the ball-room at Bath when heated with dancing, affected his
+father so much that it had nearly occasioned him to return in a few
+weeks. Time, however, and reason and religion, overcame this grief in
+the old man; and Nelson continued at St. Omer's long enough to fall in
+love with the daughter of an English clergyman. This second attachment
+appears to have been less ardent than the first, for upon weighing the
+evils of a straitened income to a married man, he thought it better to
+leave France, assigning to his friends something in his accounts as the
+cause. This prevented him from accepting an invitation from the Count
+of Deux-Ponts to visit him at Paris, couched in the handsomest terms
+of acknowledgment for the treatment which he had received on board the
+ALBEMARLE.
+
+The self-constraint which Nelson exerted in subduing this attachment
+made him naturally desire to be at sea; and when, upon visiting Lord
+Howe at the Admiralty, he was asked if he wished to be employed, he
+made answer that he did. Accordingly in March, he was appointed to the
+BOREAS, twenty-eight guns, going to the Leeward Islands as a cruiser on
+the peace establishment. Lady Hughes and her family went out with him to
+Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, who commanded on that station. His ship was
+full of young midshipmen, of whom there were not less than thirty on
+board; and happy were they whose lot it was to be placed with such a
+captain. If he perceived that a boy was afraid at first going aloft, he
+would say to him in a friendly manner, "Well, sir, I am going a race
+to the mast-head, and beg that I may meet you there." The poor little
+fellow instantly began to climb, and got up how he could,--Nelson never
+noticed in what manner, but when they met in the top, spoke cheerfully
+to him, and would say how much any person was to be pitied who fancied
+that getting up was either dangerous or difficult. Every day he went
+into the school-room to see that they were pursuing their nautical
+studies; and at noon he was always the first on deck with his quadrant.
+Whenever he paid a visit of ceremony, some of these youths accompanied
+him; and when he went to dine with the governor at Barbadoes, he took
+one of them in his hand, and presented him, saying, "Your Excellency
+must excuse me for bringing one of my midshipmen. I make it a rule to
+introduce them to all the good company I can, as they have few to look
+up to, besides myself, during the time they are at sea."
+
+When Nelson arrived in the West Indies, he found himself senior captain,
+and consequently second in command on that station. Satisfactory as this
+was, it soon involved him in a dispute with the admiral, which a man
+less zealous for the service might have avoided. He found the LATONA
+in English Harbour, Antigua, with a broad pendant hoisted; and upon
+inquiring the reason, was presented with a written order from Sir R.
+Hughes, requiring and directing him to obey the orders of Resident
+Commissioner Moutray during the time he might have occasion to remain
+there; the said resident commissioner being in consequence, authorised
+to hoist a broad pendant on board any of his Majesty's ships in that
+port that he might think proper. Nelson was never at a loss how to act
+in any emergency.
+
+"I know of no superior officers," said he, "besides the Lords
+Commissioners of the Admiralty, and my seniors on the post list."
+Concluding, therefore, that it was not consistent with the service for a
+resident commissioner, who held only a civil situation, to hoist a broad
+pendant, the moment that he had anchored he sent an order to the captain
+of the LATONA to strike it, and return it to the dock-yard. He went on
+shore the same day, dined with the commissioner, to show him that he was
+actuated by no other motive than a sense of duty, and gave him the
+first intelligence that his pendant had been struck. Sir Richard sent an
+account of this to the Admiralty; but the case could admit of no doubt,
+and Captain Nelson's conduct was approved.
+
+He displayed the same promptitude on another occasion. While the BOREAS,
+after the hurricane months were over, was riding at anchor in Nevis
+Roads, a French frigate passed to leeward, close along shore. Nelson had
+obtained information that this ship was sent from Martinico, with two
+general officers and some engineers on board, to make a survey of our
+sugar islands. This purpose he was determined to prevent them from
+executing, and therefore he gave orders to follow them. The next day he
+came up with them at anchor in the roads of St. Eustatia, and anchored
+at about two cables' length on the frigate's quarter. Being afterwards
+invited by the Dutch governor to meet the French officers at dinner, he
+seized that occasion of assuring the French captain that, understanding
+it was his intention to honour the British possessions with a visit, he
+had taken the earliest opportunity in his power to accompany him, in his
+Majesty's ship the BOREAS, in order that such attention might be paid
+to the officers of his Most Christian Majesty as every Englishman in
+the islands would be proud to show. The French, with equal courtesy,
+protested against giving him this trouble; especially, they said, as
+they intended merely to cruise round the islands without landing on any.
+But Nelson, with the utmost politeness, insisted upon paying them this
+compliment, followed them close in spite of all their attempts to elude
+his vigilance, and never lost sight of them; till, finding it impossible
+either to deceive or escape him, they gave up their treacherous purpose
+in despair, and beat up for Martinico.
+
+A business of more serious import soon engaged his attention. The
+Americans were at this time trading with our islands, taking advantage
+of the register of their ships, which had been issued while they
+were British subjects. Nelson knew that, by the Navigation Act, no
+foreigners, directly or indirectly, are permitted to carry on any trade
+with these possessions. He knew, also, that the Americans had made
+themselves foreigners with regard to England; they had disregarded the
+ties of blood and language when they acquired the independence which
+they had been led on to claim, unhappily for themselves before they were
+fit for it; and he was resolved that they should derive no profit from
+those ties now. Foreigners they had made themselves, and as foreigners
+they were to be treated. "If once," said he, "they are admitted to any
+kind of intercourse with our islands, the views of the loyalists, in
+settling at Nova Scotia, are entirely done away; and when we are again
+embroiled in a French war, the Americans will first become the carriers
+of these colonies, and then have possession of them. Here they come,
+sell their cargoes for ready money, go to Martinico, buy molasses, and
+so round and round. The loyalist cannot do this, and consequently must
+sell a little dearer. The residents here are Americans by connection and
+by interest, and are inimical to Great Britain. They are as great rebels
+as ever were in America, had they the power to show it." In November,
+when the squadron, having arrived at Barbadoes, was to separate, with
+no other orders than those for examining anchorages, and the
+usual inquiries concerning wood and water, Nelson asked his friend
+Collingwood, then captain of the MEDIATOR, whose opinions he knew upon
+the subject, to accompany him to the commander-in-chief, whom he then
+respectfully asked, whether they were not to attend to the commerce
+of the country, and see that the Navigation Act was respected--that
+appearing to him to be the intent of keeping men-of-war upon this
+station in time of peace? Sir Richard Hughes replied, he had no
+particular orders, neither had the Admiralty sent him any Acts of
+Parliament. But Nelson made answer, that the Navigation Act was
+included in the statutes of the Admiralty, with which every captain was
+furnished, and that Act was directed to admirals, captains, &c., to see
+it carried into execution. Sir Richard said he had never seen the book.
+Upon this Nelson produced the statutes, read the words of the Act, and
+apparently convinced the commander-in-chief, that men-of-war, as he
+said, "were sent abroad for some other purpose than to be made a show
+of." Accordingly orders were given to enforce the Navigation Act.
+
+Major-General Sir Thomas Shirley was at this time governor of the
+Leeward Islands; and when Nelson waited on him, to inform him how he
+intended to act, and upon what grounds, he replied, that "old generals
+were not in the habit of taking advice from young gentlemen." "Sir,"
+said the young officer, with that confidence in himself which never
+carried him too far, and always was equal to the occasion, "I am as
+old as the prime minister of England, and I think myself as capable of
+commanding one of his Majesty's ships as that minister is of governing
+the state." He was resolved to do his duty, whatever might be the
+opinion or conduct of others; and when he arrived upon his station at
+St. Kitt's, he sent away all the Americans, not choosing to seize them
+before they had been well apprised that the Act would be carried into
+effect, lest it might seem as if a trap had been laid for them.
+The Americans, though they prudently decamped from St. Kitt's, were
+emboldened by the support they met with, and resolved to resist his
+orders, alleging that king's ships had no legal power to seize them
+without having deputations from the customs. The planters were to a man
+against him; the governors and the presidents of the different islands,
+with only a single exception, gave him no support; and the admiral,
+afraid to act on either side, yet wishing to oblige the planters, sent
+him a note, advising him to be guided by the wishes of the president
+of the council. There was no danger in disregarding this, as it came
+unofficially, and in the form of advice. But scarcely a month after he
+had shown Sir Richard Hughes the law, and, as he supposed, satisfied him
+concerning it, he received an order from him, stating that he had now
+obtained good advice upon the point, and the Americans were not to
+be hindered from coming, and having free egress and regress, if the
+governor chose to permit them. An order to the same purport had been
+sent round to the different governors and presidents; and General
+Shirley and others informed him, in an authoritative manner, that they
+chose to admit American ships, as the commander-in-chief had left the
+decision to them. These persons, in his own words, he soon "trimmed
+up, and silenced;" but it was a more delicate business to deal with the
+admiral: "I must either," said he, "disobey my orders, or disobey Acts
+of Parliament. I determined upon the former, trusting to the uprightness
+of my intentions, and believing that my country would not let me be
+ruined for protecting her commerce." With this determination he wrote to
+Sir Richard; appealed again to the plain, literal, unequivocal sense of
+the Navigation Act; and in respectful language told him, he felt it
+his duty to decline obeying these orders till he had an opportunity of
+seeing and conversing with him. Sir Richard's first feeling was that of
+anger, and he was about to supersede Nelson; but having mentioned
+the affair to his captain, that officer told him he believed all the
+squadron thought the orders illegal, and therefore did not know how far
+they were bound to obey them. It was impossible, therefore, to bring
+Nelson to a court-martial, composed of men who agreed with him in
+opinion upon the point in dispute; and luckily, though the admiral
+wanted vigour of mind to decide upon what was right, he was not
+obstinate in wrong, and had even generosity enough in his nature to
+thank Nelson afterwards for having shown him his error.
+
+Collingwood in the MEDIATOR, and his brother, Wilfred Collingwood, in
+the RATTLER, actively co-operated with Nelson. The custom-houses were
+informed that after a certain day all foreign vessels found in the ports
+would be seized; and many were, in consequence, seized, and condemned
+in the Admiralty Court. When the BOREAS arrived at Nevis, she found four
+American vessels deeply laden, and what are called the island colours
+flying--white, with a red cross. They were ordered to hoist their proper
+flag, and depart within 48 hours; but they refused to obey, denying that
+they were Americans. Some of their crews were then examined in Nelson's
+cabin, where the Judge of Admiralty happened to be present. The case was
+plain; they confessed that they were Americans, and that the ships, hull
+and cargo, were wholly American property; upon which he seized them.
+This raised a storm: the planters, the custom-house, and the governor,
+were all against him. Subscriptions were opened, and presently filled,
+for the purpose of carrying on the cause in behalf of the American
+captains; and the admiral, whose flag was at that time in the roads,
+stood neutral. But the Americans and their abettors were not content
+with defensive law. The marines, whom he had sent to secure the ships,
+had prevented some of the masters from going ashore; and those persons,
+by whose depositions it appeared that the vessels and cargoes were
+American property, declared that they had given their testimony under
+bodily fear, for that a man with a drawn sword in his hand had stood
+over them the whole time. A rascally lawyer, whom the party employed,
+suggested this story; and as the sentry at the cabin door was a man
+with a drawn sword, the Americans made no scruple of swearing to
+this ridiculous falsehood, and commencing prosecutions against him
+accordingly. They laid their damages at the enormous amount of L40,000;
+and Nelson was obliged to keep close on board his own ship, lest he
+should be arrested for a sum for which it would have been impossible to
+find bail. The marshal frequently came on board to arrest him, but was
+always prevented by the address of the first lieutenant, Mr. Wallis. Had
+he been taken, such was the temper of the people that it was certain he
+would have been cast for the whole sum. One of his officers, one day,
+in speaking of the restraint which he was thus compelled to suffer,
+happened to use the word PITY! "Pity!" exclaimed Nelson: "Pity! did you
+say? I shall live, sir, to be envied! and to that point I shall always
+direct my course." Eight weeks remained in this state of duresse. During
+that time the trial respecting the detained ships came on in the court
+of Admiralty. He went on shore under a protection for the day from the
+judge; but, notwithstanding this, the marshal was called upon to
+take that opportunity of arresting him, and the merchants promised
+to indemnify him for so doing. The judge, however, did his duty, and
+threatened to send the marshal to prison if he attempted to violate the
+protection of the court. Mr. Herbert, the president of Nevis, behaved
+with singular generosity upon this occasion. Though no man was a greater
+sufferer by the measures which Nelson had pursued, he offered in court
+to become his bail for L10,000 if he chose to suffer the arrest. The
+lawyer whom he had chosen proved to be an able as well as an honest man;
+and notwithstanding the opinions and pleadings of most of the counsel
+of the different islands, who maintained that ships of war were not
+justified in seizing American vessels without a deputation from the
+customs, the law was so explicit, the case so clear, and Nelson pleaded
+his own cause so well, that the four ships were condemned. During
+the progress of this business he sent a memorial home to the king, in
+consequence of which orders were issued that he should be defended at
+the expense of the crown. And upon the representation which he made at
+the same time to the Secretary of State, and the suggestions with
+which he accompanied it, the Register Act was framed. The sanction of
+Government, and the approbation of his conduct which it implied, were
+highly gratifying to him; but he was offended, and not without
+just cause, that the Treasury should have transmitted thanks to the
+commander-in-chief for his activity and zeal in protecting the commerce
+of Great Britain. "Had they known all," said he, "I do not think they
+would have bestowed thanks in that quarter, and neglected me. I feel
+much hurt that, after the loss of health and risk of fortune, another
+should be thanked for what I did against his orders. I either deserved
+to be sent out of the service, or at least to have had some little
+notice taken of what I had done. They have thought it worthy of
+notice, and yet have neglected me. If this is the reward for a faithful
+discharge of my duty, I shall be careful, and never stand forward again.
+But I have done my duty, and have nothing to accuse myself of."
+
+The anxiety which he had suffered from the harassing uncertainties of
+law is apparent from these expressions. He had, however, something to
+console him, for he was at this time wooing the niece of his friend
+the president, then in her eighteenth year, the widow of Dr. Nisbet, a
+physician. She had one child, a son, by name Josiah, who was three
+years old. One day Mr. Herbert, who had hastened half-dressed to receive
+Nelson, exclaimed, on returning to his dressing-room, "Good God! if
+I did not find that great little man, of whom everybody is so afraid,
+playing in the next room, under the dining-table, with Mrs. Nisbet's
+child!" A few days afterwards Mrs. Nisbet herself was first introduced
+to him, and thanked him for the partiality which he had shown to her
+little boy. Her manners were mild and winning; and the captain, whose
+heart was easily susceptible of attachment, found no such imperious
+necessity for subduing his inclinations as had twice before withheld
+him from marrying. They were married on March 11, 1787: Prince William
+Henry, who had come out to the West Indies the preceding winter, being
+present, by his own desire, to give away the bride. Mr. Herbert, her
+uncle, was at this time so much displeased with his only daughter, that
+he had resolved to disinherit her, and leave his whole fortune, which
+was very great, to his niece. But Nelson, whose nature was too noble
+to let him profit by an act of injustice, interfered, and succeeded in
+reconciling the president to his child.
+
+"Yesterday," said one of his naval friends the day after the wedding,
+"the navy lost one of its greatest ornaments by Nelson's marriage. It is
+a national loss that such an officer should marry: had it not been for
+this, Nelson would have become the greatest man in the service." The
+man was rightly estimated; but he who delivered this opinion did not
+understand the effect of domestic love and duty upon a mind of the true
+heroic stamp.
+
+"We are often separate," said Nelson, in a letter to Mrs. Nisbet a few
+months before their marriage; "but our affections are not by any means
+on that account diminished. Our country has the first demand for our
+services; and private convenience or happiness must ever give way to the
+public good. Duty is the great business of a sea officer: all private
+considerations must give way to it, however painful." "Have you not
+often heard," says he in another letter, "that salt water and absence
+always wash away love? Now I am such a heretic as not to believe that
+article, for, behold, every morning I have had six pails of salt water
+poured upon my head, and instead of finding what seamen say to be true,
+it goes on so contrary to the prescription, that you may, perhaps, see
+me before the fixed time." More frequently his correspondence breathed a
+deeper strain. "To write letters to you," says he, "is the next greatest
+pleasure I feel to receiving them from you. What I experience when I
+read such as I am sure are the pure sentiments of your heart, my poor
+pen cannot express; nor, indeed, would I give much for any pen or head
+which could express feelings of that kind. Absent from you, I feel no
+pleasure: it is you who are everything to me. Without you, I care not
+for this world; for I have found, lately, nothing in it but vexation and
+trouble. These are my present sentiments. God Almighty grant they may
+never change! Nor do I think they will. Indeed there is, as far as human
+knowledge can judge, a moral certainty that they cannot; for it must
+be real affection that brings us together, not interest or compulsion."
+Such were the feelings, and such the sense of duty, with which Nelson
+became a husband.
+
+During his stay upon this station he had ample opportunity of observing
+the scandalous practices of the contractors, prize-agents, and other
+persons in the West Indies connected with the naval service. When he
+was first left with the command, and bills were brought him to sign for
+money which was owing for goods purchased for the navy, he required the
+original voucher, that he might examine whether those goods had been
+really purchased at the market price; but to produce vouchers would not
+have been convenient, and therefore was not the custom. Upon this
+Nelson wrote to Sir Charles Middleton, then Comptroller of the Navy,
+representing the abuses which were likely to be practised in this
+manner. The answer which he received seemed to imply that the old
+forms were thought sufficient; and thus, having no alternative, he was
+compelled, with his eyes open, to submit to a practice originating in
+fraudulent intentions. Soon afterwards two Antigua merchants informed
+him that they were privy to great frauds which had been committed upon
+government in various departments; at Antigua, to the amount of nearly
+L500,000; at Lucie, L300,000; at Barbadoes, L250,000; at Jamaica,
+upwards of a million. The informers were both shrewd sensible men of
+business; they did not affect to be actuated by a sense of justice,
+but required a percentage upon so much as government should actually
+recover through their means. Nelson examined the books and papers
+which they produced, and was convinced that government had been most
+infamously plundered. Vouchers, he found, in that country, were no check
+whatever: the principle was, that "a thing was always worth what it
+would bring;" and the merchants were in the habit of signing vouchers
+for each other, without even the appearance of looking at the articles.
+These accounts he sent home to the different departments which had been
+defrauded; but the peculators were too powerful, and they succeeded
+not merely in impeding inquiry, but even in raising prejudices against
+Nelson at the Board of Admiralty, which it was many years before he
+could subdue.
+
+Owing probably, to these prejudices, and the influence of the
+peculators, he was treated, on his return to England, in a manner which
+had nearly driven him from the service. During the three years that
+the BOREAS had remained upon a station which is usually so fatal, not
+a single officer or man of her whole complement had died. This almost
+unexampled instance of good health, though mostly, no doubt, imputable
+to a healthy season, must in some measure, also, be ascribed to the wise
+conduct of the captain. He never suffered the ships to remain more
+than three or four weeks at a time at any of the islands; and when the
+hurricane months confined him to English Harbour, he encouraged all
+kinds of useful amusements--music, dancing, and cudgelling among the
+men; theatricals among the officers; anything which could employ their
+attention, and keep their spirits cheerful. The BOREAS arrived in
+England in June. Nelson, who had many times been supposed to be
+consumptive when in the West Indies, and perhaps was saved from
+consumption by that climate, was still in a precarious state of health;
+and the raw wet weather of one of our ungenial summers brought on cold,
+and sore throat, and fever; yet his vessel was kept at the Nore from the
+end of June till the end of November, serving as a slop and receiving
+ship. This unworthy treatment, which more probably proceeded from
+inattention than from neglect, excited in Nelson the strongest
+indignation. During the whole five months he seldom or never quitted the
+ship, but carried on the duty with strict and sullen attention. On the
+morning when orders were received to prepare the BOREAS for being paid
+off, he expressed his joy to the senior officer in the Medway, saying,
+"It will release me for ever from an ungrateful service; for it is my
+firm and unalterable determination never again to set my foot on board
+a king's ship. Immediately after my arrival in town I shall wait on the
+First Lord of the Admiralty, and resign my commission." The officer to
+whom he thus communicated his intentions behaved in the wisest and most
+friendly manner; for finding it in vain to dissuade him in his present
+state of feeling, he secretly interfered with the First Lord to save him
+from a step so injurious to himself, little foreseeing how deeply
+the welfare and honour of England were at that moment at stake. This
+interference produced a letter from Lord Howe the day before the ship
+was paid off, intimating a wish to see Captain Nelson as soon as
+he arrived in town; when, being pleased with his conversation, and
+perfectly convinced, by what was then explained to him, of the propriety
+of his conduct, he desired that he might present him to the king on
+the first levee-day; and the gracious manner in which Nelson was then
+received effectually removed his resentment.
+
+Prejudices had been, in like manner, excited against his friend, Prince
+William Henry. "Nothing is wanting, sir," said Nelson, in one of his
+letters, "to make you the darling of the English nation but truth. Sorry
+am I to say, much to the contrary has been dispersed." This was not
+flattery, for Nelson was no flatterer. The letter in which this passage
+occurs shows in how wise and noble a manner he dealt with the prince.
+One of his royal highness's officers had applied for a court-martial
+upon a point in which he was unquestionably wrong. His royal highness,
+however, while he supported his own character and authority, prevented
+the trial, which must have been injurious to a brave and deserving man.
+"Now that you are parted," said Nelson, "pardon me, my prince, when I
+presume to recommend that he may stand in your royal favour as if he had
+never sailed with you, and that at some future day you will serve him.
+There only wants this to place your conduct in the highest point of
+view. None of us are without failings--his was being rather too hasty;
+but that, put in competition with his being a good officer, will not,
+I am bold to say, be taken in the scale against him. More able friends
+than myself your royal highness may easily find, and of more consequence
+in the state; but one more attached and affectionate is not so easily
+met with: Princes seldom, very seldom, find a disinterested person to
+communicate their thoughts to: I do not pretend to be that person; but
+of this be assured, by a man who, I trust, never did a dishonourable
+act, that I am interested only that your royal highness should be the
+greatest and best man this country ever produced."
+
+Encouraged by the conduct of Lord Howe, and by his reception at court,
+Nelson renewed his attack upon the peculators with fresh spirit. He had
+interviews with Mr. Rose, Mr. Pitt, and Sir Charles Middleton, to all of
+whom he satisfactorily proved his charges. In consequence, if is said,
+these very extensive public frauds were at length put in a proper train
+to be provided against in future; his representations were attended to;
+and every step which he recommended was adopted; the investigation was
+put into a proper course, which ended in the detection and punishment of
+some of the culprits; an immense saving was made to government, and thus
+its attention was directed to similar peculations in other arts of the
+colonies. But it is said also that no mark of commendation seems to have
+been bestowed upon Nelson for his exertion. It has been justly remarked
+that the spirit of the navy cannot be preserved so effectually by the
+liberal honours bestowed on officers when they are worn out in the
+service, as by an attention to those who, like Nelson at this part of
+his life, have only their integrity and zeal to bring them into notice.
+A junior officer, who had been left with the command at Jamaica,
+received an additional allowance, for which Nelson had applied in vain.
+Double pay was allowed to every artificer and seaman employed in the
+naval yard: Nelson had superintended the whole business of that yard
+with the most rigid exactness, and he complained that he was neglected.
+"It was most true," he said, "that the trouble which he took to detect
+the fraudulent practices then carried on was no more than his duty; but
+he little thought that the expenses attending his frequent journeys to
+St. John's upon that duty (a distance of twelve miles) would have fallen
+upon his pay as captain of the BOREAS." Nevertheless, the sense of what
+he thought unworthy usage did not diminish his zeal. "I," said he, "must
+buffet the waves in search of--What? Alas! that they called honour
+is thought of no more. My fortune, God knows, has grown worse for the
+service; so much for serving my country! But the devil, ever willing to
+tempt the virtuous, has made me offer, if any ships should be sent to
+destroy his Majesty of Morocco's ports, to be there; and I have some
+reason to think that, should any more come of it, my humble services
+will be accepted. I have invariably laid down, and followed close, a
+plan of what ought to be uppermost in the breast of an officer,--that
+it is much better to serve an ungrateful country than to give up his
+own fame. Posterity will do him justice. A uniform course of honour and
+integrity seldom fails of bringing a man to the goal of fame at last."
+
+The design against the Barbary pirates, like all other designs
+against them, was laid aside; and Nelson took his wife to his father's
+parsonage, meaning only to pay him a visit before they went to France;
+a project which he had formed for the sake of acquiring a competent
+knowledge of the French language. But his father could not bear to lose
+him thus unnecessarily. Mr. Nelson had long been an invalid, suffering
+under paralytic and asthmatic affections, which, for several hours after
+he rose in the morning, scarcely permitted him to speak. He had been
+given over by his physicians for this complaint nearly forty years
+before his death; and was, for many of his latter years, obliged to
+spend all his winters at Bath. The sight of his son, he declared, had
+given him new life. "But, Horatio," said he, "it would have been better
+that I had not been thus cheered, if I am so soon to be bereaved of you
+again. Let me, my good son, see you whilst I can. My age and infirmities
+increase, and I shall not last long." To such an appeal there could be
+no reply. Nelson took up his abode at the parsonage, and amused himself
+with the sports and occupations of the country. Sometimes he busied
+himself with farming the glebe; sometimes spent the greater part of the
+day in the garden, where he would dig as if for the mere pleasure of
+wearying himself. Sometimes he went a birds'-nesting, like a boy; and
+in these expeditions Mrs. Nelson always, by his expressed desire,
+accompanied him. Coursing was his favourite amusement. Shooting, as he
+practised it, was far too dangerous for his companions; for he carried
+his gun upon the full cock, as if he were going to board an enemy;
+and the moment a bird rose, he let fly without ever putting the
+fowling-piece to his shoulder. It is not, therefore, extraordinary that
+his having once shot a partridge should be remembered by his family
+among the remarkable events of his life.
+
+But his time did not pass away thus without some vexatious cares to
+ruffle it. The affair of the American ships was not yet over, and he was
+again pestered with threats of prosecution. "I have written them word,"
+said he, "that I will have nothing to do with them, and they must act as
+they think proper. Government, I suppose, will do what is right, and not
+leave me in the lurch. We have heard enough lately of the consequences
+of the Navigation Act to this country. They may take my person; but if
+sixpence would save me from a prosecution, I would not give it." It was
+his great ambition at this time to possess a pony; and having resolved
+to purchase one, he went to a fair for that purpose. During his absence
+two men abruptly entered the parsonage and inquired for him: they then
+asked for Mrs. Nelson; and after they had made her repeatedly declare
+that she was really and truly the captain's wife, presented her with
+a writ, or notification, on the part of the American captains, who now
+laid their damages at L20,000, and they charged her to give it to her
+husband on his return. Nelson, having bought his pony, came home with
+it in high spirits. He called out his wife to admire the purchase and
+listen to all its excellences: nor was it till his glee had in
+some measure subsided that the paper could be presented to him. His
+indignation was excessive; and in the apprehension that he should be
+exposed to the anxieties of the suit and the ruinous consequences which
+might ensue, he exclaimed, "This affront I did not deserve! But I'll be
+trifled with no longer. I will write immediately to the Treasury, and
+if government will not support me, I am resolved to leave the country."
+Accordingly, he informed the Treasury that, if a satisfactory answer
+were not sent him by return of post, he should take refuge in France.
+To this he expected he should be driven, and for this he arranged
+everything with his characteristic rapidity of decision. It was settled
+that he should depart immediately, and Mrs. Nelson follow, under the
+care of his elder brother Maurice, ten days after him. But the answer
+which he received from government quieted his fears: it stated that
+Captain Nelson was a very good officer, and needed to be under no
+apprehension, for he would assuredly be supported.
+
+Here his disquietude upon this subject seems to have ended. Still he
+was not at ease; he wanted employment, and was mortified that his
+applications for it produced no effect. "Not being a man of fortune," he
+said, "was a crime which he was unable to get over, and therefore none
+of the great cared about him." Repeatedly he requested the Admiralty
+that they would not leave him to rust in indolence. During the armament
+which was made upon occasion of the dispute concerning Nootka Sound, he
+renewed his application; and his steady friend, Prince William, who had
+then been created Duke of Clarence, recommended him to Lord Chatham.
+The failure of this recommendation wounded him so keenly that he again
+thought of retiring from the service in disgust; a resolution from which
+nothing but the urgent remonstrances of Lord Hood induced him to desist.
+Hearing that the RAISONNABLE, in which he had commenced his career,
+was to be commissioned, he asked for her. This also was in vain; and a
+coolness ensued, on his part, toward Lord Hood, because that excellent
+officer did not use his influence with Lord Chatham upon this
+occasion. Lord Hood, however, had certainly sufficient reasons for not
+interfering; for he ever continued his steady friend. In the winter of
+1792, when we were on the eve of the revolutionary war, Nelson once more
+offered his services, earnestly requested a ship, and added, that if
+their lordships should be pleased to appoint him to a cockle-boat he
+should feel satisfied. He was answered in the usual official form:
+"Sir, I have received your letter of the 5th instant, expressing your
+readiness to serve, and have read the same to my Lords Commissioners
+of the Admiralty." On the 12th of December he received this dry
+acknowledgment. The fresh mortification did not, however, affect him
+long; for, by the joint interest of the Duke and Lord Hood, he was
+appointed, on the 30th of January following, to the AGAMEMNON, of
+sixty-four guns.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+1793 - 1795
+
+
+The AGAMEMNON sent to the Mediterranean --Commencement of Nelson's
+Aquaintance with Sir W. Hamilton--He is sent to Corsica, to cooperate
+with Paoli--State of Affairs in that Island--Nelson undertakes the Siege
+of Bastia, and reduces it--Takes a distinguished Part in the Siege of
+Calvi, where he loses an Eye--Admiral Hotham's Action--The AGAMEMNON
+ordered to Genoa, to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian
+Forces--Gross Misconduct of the Austrian General.
+
+
+"THERE are three things, young gentleman," said Nelson to one of his
+midshipmen, "which you are constantly to bear in mind. First, you must
+always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of
+your own respecting their propriety; secondly, you must consider every
+man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and, thirdly, you must hate
+a Frenchman as you do the devil." With these feelings he engaged in the
+war. Josiah, his son-in-law, went with him as a midshipman.
+
+The AGAMEMNON was ordered to the Mediterranean under Lord Hood. The
+fleet arrived in those seas at a time when the south of France would
+willingly have formed itself into a separate republic, under the
+protection of England. But good principles had been at that time
+perilously abused by ignorant and profligate men; and, in its fear
+and hatred of democracy, the English Government abhorred whatever was
+republican. Lord Hood could not take advantage of the fair occasion
+which presented itself; and which, if it had been seized with vigour,
+might have ended in dividing France:--but he negotiated with the people
+of Toulon, to take possession provisionally of their port and city;
+which, fatally for themselves, was done. Before the British fleet
+entered, Nelson was sent with despatches to Sir William Hamilton, our
+envoy at the Court of Naples. Sir William, after his first interview
+with him, told Lady Hamilton he was about to introduce a little man to
+her, who could not boast of being very handsome; but such a man as, he
+believed, would one day astonish the world. "I have never before," he
+continued, "entertained an officer at my house; but I am determined
+to bring him here. Let him be put in the room prepared for Prince
+Augustus." Thus that acquaintance began which ended in the destruction
+of Nelson's domestic happiness. It seemed to threaten no such
+consequences at its commencement. He spoke of Lady Hamilton, in a letter
+to his wife, as a young woman of amiable manners, who did honour to the
+station to which she had been raised; and he remarked, that she had been
+exceedingly kind to Josiah. The activity with which the envoy exerted
+himself in procuring troops from Naples, to assist in garrisoning
+Toulon, so delighted him, that he is said to have exclaimed, "Sir
+William, you are a man after my own heart!--you do business in my own
+way:" and then to have added, "I am now only a captain; but I will, if I
+live, be at the top of the tree." Here, also, that acquaintance with
+the Neapolitan court commenced, which led to the only blot upon Nelson's
+public character. The king, who was sincere at that time in his enmity
+to the French, called the English the saviours of Italy, and of his
+dominions in particular. He paid the most flattering attentions to
+Nelson, made him dine with him, and seated him at his right hand.
+
+Having accomplished this mission, Nelson received orders to join
+Commodore Linzee at Tunis. On the way, five sail of the enemy were
+discovered off the coast of Sardinia, and he chased them. They proved to
+be three forty-four gun frigates, with a corvette of twenty-four and
+a brig of twelve. The AGAMEMNON had only 345 men at quarters, having
+landed part of her crew at Toulon, and others being absent in prizes.
+He came near enough one of the frigates to engage her, but at great
+disadvantage, the Frenchman manoeuvring well and sailing greatly better.
+A running fight of three hours ensued, during which the other ships,
+which were at some distance, made all speed to come up. By this time the
+enemy was almost silenced, when a favourable change of wind enabled her
+to get out of reach of the AGAMEMNON's guns; and that ship had received
+so much damage in the rigging that she could not follow her. Nelson,
+conceiving that this was but the forerunner of a far more serious
+engagement, called his officers together, and asked them if the ship was
+fit to go into action against such a superior force without some small
+refit and refreshment for the men. Their answer was, that she certainly
+was not. He then gave these orders,--"Veer the ship, and lay her head
+to the westward: let some of the best men be employed in refitting the
+rigging, and the carpenter in getting crows and capstan-bars to prevent
+our wounded spars from coming down: and get the wine up for the people,
+with some bread, for it may be half an hour good before we are again
+in action." But when the French came up, their comrade made signals of
+distress, and they all hoisted out their boats to go to her assistance,
+leaving the AGAMEMNON unmolested.
+
+Nelson found Commodore Linzee at Tunis, where he had been sent to
+expostulate with the dey upon the impolicy of his supporting the
+revolutionary government of France. Nelson represented to him the
+atrocity of that government. Such arguments were of little avail
+in Barbary; and when the Dey was told that the French had put their
+sovereign to death, he drily replied, that "Nothing could be more
+heinous; and yet, if historians told the truth, the English had once
+done the same." This answer had doubtless been suggested by the
+French about him: they had completely gained the ascendancy, and all
+negotiation on our part proved fruitless. Shortly afterward, Nelson was
+detached with a small squadron, to co-operate with General Paoli and the
+Anti-Gallican party in Corsica.
+
+Some thirty years before this time the heroic patriotism of the
+Corsicans, and of their leader Paoli, had been the admiration of
+England. The history of these brave people is but a melancholy tale. The
+island which they inhabit has been abundantly blessed by nature; it
+has many excellent harbours; and though the MALARIA, or pestilential
+atmosphere, which is so deadly in many parts of Italy and of the Italian
+islands, prevails on the eastern coast, the greater part of the country
+is mountainous and healthy. It is about 150 miles long, and from 40
+to 50 broad; in circumference, some 320; a country large enough, and
+sufficiently distant from the nearest shores, to have subsisted as an
+independent state, if the welfare and happiness of the human race
+had ever been considered as the end and aim of policy. The Moors, the
+Pisans, the kings of Aragon, and the Genoese, successively attempted,
+and each for a time effected its conquest. The yoke of the Genoese
+continued longest, and was the heaviest. These petty tyrants ruled
+with an iron rod; and when at any time a patriot rose to resist their
+oppressions, if they failed to subdue him by force they resorted to
+assassination. At the commencement of the last century they quelled one
+revolt by the aid of German auxiliaries, whom the Emperor Charles VI.
+sent against a people who had never offended him, and who were fighting
+for whatever is most dear to man. In 1734 the war was renewed; and
+Theodore, a Westphalian baron, then appeared upon the stage. In that
+age men were not accustomed to see adventurers play for kingdoms, and
+Theodore became the common talk of Europe. He had served in the
+French armies; and having afterwards been noticed both by Ripperda and
+Alberoni, their example, perhaps, inflamed a spirit as ambitious and as
+unprincipled as their own. He employed the whole of his means in raising
+money and procuring arms; then wrote to the leaders of the Corsican
+patriots, to offer them considerable assistance, if they would erect
+Corsica into an independent kingdom, and elect him king. When he landed
+among them, they were struck with his stately person, his dignified
+manners, and imposing talents. They believed the magnificent promises of
+foreign assistance which he held out, and elected him king accordingly.
+Had his means been as he represented them, they could not have acted
+more wisely than in thus at once fixing the government of their country,
+and putting an end to those rivalries among the leading families, which
+had so often proved pernicious to the public weal. He struck money,
+conferred titles, blocked up the fortified towns which were held by the
+Genoese, and amused the people with promises of assistance for about
+eight months: then, perceiving that they cooled in their affections
+towards him in proportion as their expectations were disappointed, he
+left the island, under the plea of expediting himself the succours which
+he had so long awaited. Such was his address, that he prevailed upon
+several rich merchants in Holland, particularly the Jews, to trust him
+with cannon and warlike stores to a great amount. They shipped these
+under the charge of a supercargo. Theodore returned with this supercargo
+to Corsica, and put him to death on his arrival, as the shortest way of
+settling the account. The remainder of his life was a series of deserved
+afflictions. He threw in the stores which he had thus fraudulently
+obtained; but he did not dare to land, for Genoa had now called in the
+French to their assistance, and a price had been set upon his head.
+His dreams of royalty were now at an end; he took refuge in London,
+contracted debts, and was thrown into the King's Bench. After lingering
+there many years, he was released under an act of insolvency, in
+consequence of which he made over the kingdom of Corsica for the use of
+his creditors, and died shortly after his deliverance.
+
+The French, who have never acted a generous part in the history of the
+world, readily entered into the views of the Genoese, which accorded
+with their own policy: for such was their ascendancy at Genoa, that in
+subduing Corsica for these allies, they were in fact subduing it for
+themselves. They entered into the contest, therefore, with their usual
+vigour, and their usual cruelty. It was in vain that the Corsicans
+addressed a most affecting memorial to the court of Versailles; that
+remorseless government persisted in its flagitious project. They poured
+in troops; dressed a part of them like the people of the country, by
+which means they deceived and destroyed many of the patriots; cut down
+the standing corn, the vines, and the olives; set fire to the villages,
+and hung all the most able and active men who fell into their hands.
+A war of this kind may be carried on with success against a country so
+small and so thinly peopled as Corsica. Having reduced the island to
+perfect servitude, which they called peace, the French withdrew their
+forces. As soon as they were gone, men, women, and boys rose at once
+against their oppressors. The circumstances of the times were now
+favourable to them; and some British ships, acting as allies of
+Sardinia, bombarded Bastia and San Fiorenzo, and delivered them into the
+hands of the patriots. This service was long remembered with gratitude:
+the impression made upon our own countrymen was less favourable. They
+had witnessed the heartburnings of rival chiefs, and the dissensions
+among the patriots; and perceiving the state of barbarism to which
+continual oppression, and habits of lawless turbulence, had reduced the
+nation, did not recollect that the vices of the people were owing to
+their unhappy circumstances, but that the virtues which they displayed
+arose from their own nature. This feeling, perhaps, influenced the
+British court, when, in 1746, Corsica offered to put herself under
+the protection of Great Britain: an answer was returned, expressing
+satisfaction at such a communication, hoping that the Corsicans would
+preserve the same sentiments, but signifying also that the present was
+not the time for such a measure.
+
+These brave islanders then formed a government for themselves, under two
+leaders, Gaffori and Matra, who had the title of protectors. The latter
+is represented as a partisan of Genoa, favouring the views of the
+oppressors of his country by the most treasonable means. Gaffori was
+a hero worthy of old times. His eloquence was long remembered with
+admiration. A band of assassins was once advancing against him; he heard
+of their approach, went out to meet them; and, with a serene dignity
+which overawed them, requested them to hear him. He then spake to them
+so forcibly of the distresses of their country, her intolerable wrongs,
+and the hopes and views of their brethren in arms, that the very men
+who had been hired to murder him, fell at his feet, implored his
+forgiveness, and joined his banner. While he was besieging the Genoese
+in Corte, a part of the garrison perceiving the nurse with his eldest
+son, then an infant in arms, straying at a little distance from the
+camp, suddenly sallied out and seized them. The use they made of their
+persons was in conformity to their usual execrable conduct. When Gaffori
+advanced to batter the walls, they held up the child directly over that
+part of the wall at which the guns were pointed. The Corsicans stopped:
+but Gaffori stood at their head, and ordered them to continue the fire.
+Providentially the child escaped, and lived to relate, with becoming
+feeling, a fact so honourable to his father. That father conducted
+the affairs of the island till 1753, when he was assassinated by some
+wretches, set on, it is believed, by Genoa, but certainly pensioned by
+that abominable government after the deed. He left the country in such a
+state that it was enabled to continue the war two years after his death
+without a leader: the Corsicans then found one worthy of their cause in
+Pasquale de Paoli.
+
+Paoli's father was one of the patriots who effected their escape from
+Corsica when the French reduced it to obedience. He retired to Naples,
+and brought up his youngest son in the Neapolitan service. The Corsicans
+heard of young Paoli's abilities, and solicited him to come over to
+his native country, and take the command. He did not hesitate long:
+his father, who was too far advanced in years to take an active part
+himself, encouraged him to go; and when they separated, the old man fell
+on his neck, and kissed him, and gave him his blessing. "My son," said
+he, "perhaps I may never see you more; but in my mind I shall ever be
+present with you. Your design is great and noble; and I doubt not
+but God will bless you in it. I shall devote to your cause the little
+remainder of my life in offering up my prayers for your success." When
+Paoli assumed the command, he found all things in confusion: he formed
+a democratical government, of which he was chosen chief: restored the
+authority of the laws; established a university; and took such measures,
+both for repressing abuses and moulding the rising generation, that, if
+France had not interfered, upon its wicked and detestable principle of
+usurpation, Corsica might at this day have been as free, and flourishing
+and happy a commonwealth as any of the Grecian states in the days of
+their prosperity. The Genoese were at this time driven out of their
+fortified towns, and must in a short time have been expelled. France was
+indebted some millions of livres to Genoa: it was not convenient to pay
+this money; so the French minister proposed to the Genoese, that she
+should discharge the debt by sending six battalions to serve in Corsica
+for four years. The indignation which this conduct excited in all
+generous hearts was forcibly expressed by Rousseau, who, with all his
+errors, was seldom deficient in feeling for the wrongs of humanity. "You
+Frenchmen," said he, writing to one of that people, "are a thoroughly
+servile nation, thoroughly sold to tyranny, thoroughly cruel and
+relentless in persecuting the unhappy. If you knew of a freeman at the
+other end of the world, I believe you would go thither for the mere
+pleasure of extirpating him."
+
+The immediate object of the French happened to be purely mercenary: they
+wanted to clear off their debt to Genoa; and as the presence of their
+troops in the island effected this, they aimed at doing the people no
+farther mischief. Would that the conduct of England had been at this
+time free from reproach! but a proclamation was issued by the English
+government, after the peace of Paris, prohibiting any intercourse with
+the rebels of Corsica. Paoli said, he did not expect this from Great
+Britain. This great man was deservedly proud of his country. "I defy
+Rome, Sparta, or Thebes," he would say, "to show me thirty years of such
+patriotism as Corsica can boast!" Availing himself of the respite which
+the inactivity of the French and the weakness of the Genoese allowed,
+he prosecuted his plans of civilising the people. He used to say, that
+though he had an unspeakable pride in the prospect of the fame to which
+he aspired; yet if he could but render his countrymen happy, he could
+be content to be forgotten. His own importance he never affected to
+undervalue. "We are now to our country," said he, "like the prophet
+Elisha stretched over the dead child of the Shunamite,--eye to eye, nose
+to nose, mouth to mouth. It begins to recover warmth, and to revive: I
+hope it will yet regain full health and vigour."
+
+But when the four years were expired, France purchased the sovereignty
+of Corsica from the Genoese for forty millions of livres; as if the
+Genoese had been entitled to sell it; as if any bargain and sale could
+justify one country in taking possession of another against the will of
+the inhabitants, and butchering all who oppose the usurpation! Among the
+enormities which France has committed, this action seems but as a
+speck; yet the foulest murderer that ever suffered by the hand of the
+executioner has infinitely less guilt upon his soul than the statesman
+who concluded this treaty, and the monarch who sanctioned and confirmed
+it. A desperate and glorious resistance was made, but it was in vain;
+no power interposed in behalf of these injured islanders, and the French
+poured in as many troops as were required. They offered to confirm Paoli
+in the supreme authority, only on condition that he would hold it under
+their government. His answer was, that "the rocks which surrounded him
+should melt away before he would betray a cause which he held in common
+with the poorest Corsican." This people then set a price upon his
+head. During two campaigns he kept them at bay: they overpowered him
+at length; he was driven to the shore, and having escaped on shipboard,
+took refuge in England. It is said that Lord Shelburne resigned his
+seat in the cabinet because the ministry looked on without attempting to
+prevent France from succeeding in this abominable and important act of
+aggrandizement. In one respect, however, our country acted as became
+her. Paoli was welcomed with the honours which he deserved, a pension of
+L1200 was immediately granted him, and provision was liberally made for
+his elder brother and his nephew.
+
+About twenty years Paoli remained in England, enjoying the friendship of
+the wise and the admiration of the good. But when the French Revolution
+began, it seemed as if the restoration of Corsica was at hand. The whole
+country, as if animated by one spirit, rose and demanded liberty;
+and the National Assembly passed a decree recognising the island as a
+department of France, and therefore entitled to all the privileges of
+the new French constitution. This satisfied the Corsicans, which it
+ought not to have done; and Paoli, in whom the ardour of youth was
+passed, seeing that his countrymen were contented, and believing that
+they were about to enjoy a state of freedom, naturally wished to return
+to his native country. He resigned his pension in the year 1790, and
+appeared at the bar of the Assembly with the Corsican deputies, when
+they took the oath of fidelity to France. But the course of events in
+France soon dispelled those hopes of a new and better order of things,
+which Paoli, in common with so many of the friends of human-kind, had
+indulged; and perceiving, after the execution of the king, that a civil
+war was about to ensue, of which no man could foresee the issue,
+he prepared to break the connection between Corsica and the French
+Republic. The convention suspecting such a design, and perhaps
+occasioning it by their suspicions, ordered him to their bar. That way
+he well knew led to the guillotine; and returning a respectful answer,
+he declared that he would never be found wanting in his duty, but
+pleaded age and infirmity as a reason for disobeying the summons.
+Their second order was more summary; and the French troops, who were in
+Corsica, aided by those of the natives, who were either influenced by
+hereditary party feelings, or who were sincere in Jacobinism, took the
+field against him. But the people were with him. He repaired to Corte,
+the capital of the island, and was again invested with the authority
+which he had held in the noonday of his fame. The convention upon this
+denounced him as a rebel, and set a price upon his head. It was not the
+first time that France had proscribed Paoli.
+
+Paoli now opened a correspondence with Lord Hood, promising, if the
+English would make an attack upon St. Fiorenzo from the sea, he would at
+the same time attack it by land. This promise he was unable to perform;
+and Commodore Linzee, who, in reliance upon it, was sent upon this
+service, was repulsed with some loss. Lord Hood, who had now been
+compelled to evacuate Toulon, suspected Paoli of intentionally deceiving
+him. This was an injurious suspicion. Shortly afterwards he dispatched
+Lieutenant-Colonel (afterward Sir John) Moore and Major Koehler
+to confer with him upon a plan of operations. Sir Gilbert Elliot
+accompanied them; and it was agreed that, in consideration of the
+succours, both military and naval, which his Britannic Majesty should
+afford for the purpose of expelling the French, the island of Corsica
+should be delivered into the immediate possession of his Majesty,
+and bind itself to acquiesce in any settlement he might approve of
+concerning its government, and its future relation with Great Britain.
+While this negotiation was going on, Nelson cruised off the island with
+a small squadron, to prevent the enemy from throwing in supplies. Close
+to St. Fiorenzo the French had a storehouse of flour near their only
+mill: he watched an opportunity, and landed 120 men, who threw the flour
+into the sea, burnt the mill, and re-embarked before 1000 men, who were
+sent against him, could occasion them the loss of a single man. While he
+exerted himself thus, keeping out all supplies, intercepting despatches,
+attacking their outposts and forts, and cutting out vessels from the
+bay,--a species of warfare which depresses the spirit of an enemy
+even more than it injures them, because of the sense of individual
+superiority which it indicates in the assailants--troops were landed,
+and St. Fiorenzo was besieged. The French finding themselves unable
+to maintain their post sunk one of their frigates, burnt another,
+and retreated to Bastia. Lord Hood submitted to General Dundas, who
+commanded the land forces, a plan for the reduction of this place:
+the general declined co-operating, thinking the attempt impracticable
+without a reinforcement of 2000 men, which he expected from Gibraltar.
+Upon this Lord Hood determined to reduce it with the naval force under
+his command; and leaving part of his fleet off Toulon, he came with the
+rest to Bastia.
+
+He showed a proper sense of respect for Nelson's services, and of
+confidence in his talents, by taking care not to bring with him any
+older captain. A few days before their arrival, Nelson had had what he
+called a brush with the enemy. "If I had had with me 500 troops," he
+said, "to a certainty I should have stormed the town; and I believe it
+might have been carried. Armies go so slow that seamen think they
+never mean to get forward; but I daresay they act on a surer principle,
+although we seldom fail." During this partial action our army appeared
+upon the heights; and having reconnoitered the place, returned to
+St. Fiorenzo. "What the general could have seen to make a retreat
+necessary," said Nelson, "I cannot comprehend. A thousand men would
+certainly take Bastia: with five hundred and the AGAMEMNON I would
+attempt it. My seamen are now what British seamen ought to be--almost
+invincible. They really mind shot no more than peas." General Dundas
+had not the same confidence. "After mature consideration," he said in a
+letter to Lord Hood, "and a personal inspection for several days of all
+circumstances, local as well as others, I consider the siege of Bastia,
+with our present means and force, to be a most visionary and rash
+attempt; such as no officer would be justified in undertaking." Lord
+Hood replied that nothing would be more gratifying to his feelings than
+to have the whole responsibility upon himself; and that he was ready and
+willing to undertake the reduction of the place at his own risk with
+the force and means at present there. General D'Aubant, who succeeded
+at this time to the command of the army, coincided in opinion with his
+predecessor, and did not think it right to furnish his lordship with a
+single soldier, cannon, or any stores. Lord Hood could only obtain a few
+artillerymen; and ordering on board that part of the troops who, having
+been embarked as marines, "were borne on the ships" books as part of
+their respective complements, he began the siege with 1183 soldiers,
+artillerymen, and marines, and 250 sailors. "We are but few," said
+Nelson, "but of the right sort; our general at St. Fiorenzo not giving
+us one of the five regiments he has there lying idle."
+
+These men were landed on the 4th of April, under Lieutenant-Colonel
+Villettes and Nelson, who had now acquired from the army the title of
+brigadier. Guns were dragged by the sailors up heights where it appeared
+almost impossible to convey them--a work of the greatest difficulty, and
+which Nelson said could never, in his opinion, have been accomplished
+by any but British seamen. The soldiers, though less dexterous in such
+service, because not accustomed, like sailors, to habitual dexterity.
+behaved with equal spirit. "Their zeal," said the brigadier, "is almost
+unexampled. There is not a man but considers himself as personally
+interested in the event, and deserted by the general. It has, I am
+persuaded, made them equal to double their numbers." This is one proof,
+of many, that for our soldiers to equal our seamen, it is only necessary
+for them to be equally well commanded. They have the same heart and
+soul, as well as the same flesh and blood. Too much may, indeed, be
+exacted from them in a retreat; but set their face toward a foe, and
+there is nothing within the reach of human achievement which they
+cannot perform. The French had improved the leisure which our military
+commander had allowed them; and before Lord Hood commenced his
+operations, he had the mortification of seeing that the enemy were
+every day erecting new works, strengthening old ones, and rendering the
+attempt more difficult. La Combe St. Michel, the commissioner from the
+national convention, who was in the city, replied in these terms to the
+summons of the British admiral--"I have hot shot for your ships, and
+bayonets for your troops. When two-thirds of our men are killed, I will
+then trust to the generosity of the English." The siege, however, was
+not sustained with the firmness which such a reply seemed to augur. On
+the 19th of May a treaty of capitulation was begun; that same evening
+the troops from St. Fiorenzo made their appearance on the hills; and, on
+the following morning, General d'Aubant arrived with the whole army to
+take possession of Bastia.
+
+The event of the siege had justified the confidence of the sailors; but
+they themselves excused the opinion of the generals when they saw what
+they had done. "I am all astonishment," said Nelson, "when I reflect on
+what we have achieved; 1000 regulars, 1500 national guards, and a large
+party of Corsican troops, 4000 in all, laying down their arms to 1200
+soldiers, marines, and seamen! I always was of opinion, have ever acted
+up to it, and never had any reason to repent it, that one Englishman was
+equal to three Frenchmen. Had this been an English town, I am sure it
+would not have been taken by them." When it had been resolved to attack
+the place, the enemy were supposed to be far inferior in number; and
+it was not till the whole had been arranged, and the siege publicly
+undertaken, that Nelson received certain information of the great
+superiority of the garrison. This intelligence he kept secret,
+fearing lest, if so fair a pretext were afforded, the attempt would be
+abandoned. "My own honour," said he to his wife, "Lord Hood's honour,
+and the honour of our country, must have been sacrificed had I mentioned
+what I knew; therefore you will believe what must have been my feelings
+during the whole siege, when I had often proposals made to me to write
+to Lord Hood to raise it." Those very persons who thus advised him, were
+rewarded for their conduct at the siege of Bastia: Nelson, by whom it
+may truly be affirmed that Bastia was taken, received no reward. Lord
+Hood's thanks to him, both public and private, were, as he himself said,
+the handsomest which man could give; but his signal merits were not so
+mentioned in the despatches as to make them sufficiently known to the
+nation, nor to obtain for him from government those honours to which
+they so amply entitled him. This could only have arisen from the haste
+in which the despatches were written; certainly not from any deliberate
+purpose, for Lord Hood was uniformly his steady and sincere friend.
+
+One of the cartel's ships, which carried the garrison of Bastia to
+Toulon, brought back intelligence that the French were about to sail
+from that port;-such exertions had they made to repair the damage done
+at the evacuation, and to fit out a fleet. The intelligence was speedily
+verified. Lord Hood sailed in quest of them toward the islands of
+Hieres. The AGAMEMNON was with him. "I pray God," said Nelson, writing
+to his wife, "that we may meet their fleet. If any accident should
+happen to me, I am sure my conduct will be such as will entitle you to
+the royal favour; not that I have the least idea but I shall return to
+you, and full of honour: if not, the Lord's will be done. My name shall
+never be a disgrace to those who may belong to me. The little I have,
+I have given to you, except a small annuity--I wish it was more; but
+I have never got a farthing dishonestly: it descends from clean hands.
+Whatever fate awaits me, I pray God to bless you, and preserve you, for
+your son's sake." With a mind thus prepared, and thus confident, his
+hopes and wishes seemed on the point of being gratified, when the enemy
+were discovered close under the land, near St. Tropez. The wind fell,
+and prevented Lord Hood from getting between them and the shore, as
+he designed: boats came out from Antibes and other places to their
+assistance, and towed them within the shoals in Gourjean Roads, where
+they were protected by the batteries on isles St. Honore and St.
+Marguerite, and on Cape Garousse. Here the English admiral planned a new
+mode of attack, meaning to double on five of the nearest ships; but the
+wind again died away, and it was found that they had anchored in compact
+order, guarding the only passage for large ships. There was no way of
+effecting this passage, except by towing or warping the vessels;
+and this rendered the attempt impracticable. For this time the enemy
+escaped; but Nelson bore in mind the admirable plan of attack which Lord
+Hood had devised, and there came a day when they felt its tremendous
+effects.
+
+The AGAMEMNON was now despatched to co-operate at the siege of Calvi
+with General Sir Charles Stuart; an officer who, unfortunately for his
+country, never had an adequate field allotted him far the display of
+those eminent talents which were, to all who knew him, so conspicuous.
+Nelson had less responsibility here than at Bastia; and was acting with
+a man after his own heart, who was never sparing of himself, and slept
+every night in the advanced battery. But the service was not less hard
+than that of the former siege. "We will fag ourselves to death," said he
+to Lord Hood, "before any blame shall lie at our doors. I trust it will
+not be forgotten, that twenty-five pieces of heavy ordnance have been
+dragged to the different batteries, mounted, and, all but three, fought
+by seamen, except one artilleryman to point the guns." The climate
+proved more destructive than the service; for this was during the lion
+sun, as they call our season of the dog-days. Of 2000 men, above half
+were sick, and the rest like so many phantoms. Nelson described himself
+as the reed among the oaks, bowing before the storm when they were laid
+low by it. "All the prevailing disorders have attacked me," said he,
+"but I have not strength enough for them to fasten on." The loss from
+the enemy was not great; but Nelson received a serious injury: a shot
+struck the ground near him, and drove the sand and small gravel into one
+of his eyes. He spoke of it slightly at the time: writing the same day
+to Lord Hood, he only said that he had got a little hurt that morning,
+not much; and the next day, he said, he should be able to attend his
+duty in the evening. In fact, he suffered it to confine him only one
+day; but the sight was lost.
+
+After the fall of Calvi, his services were, by a strange omission,
+altogether overlooked; and his name was not even mentioned in the list
+of wounded. This was no ways imputable to the admiral, for he sent
+home to government Nelson's journal of the siege, that they might fully
+understand the nature of his indefatigable and unequalled exertions. If
+those exertions were not rewarded in the conspicuous manner which they
+deserved, the fault was in the administration of the day, not in Lord
+Hood. Nelson felt himself neglected. "One hundred and ten days," said
+he, "I have been actually engaged at sea and on shore against the enemy;
+three actions against ships, two against Bastia in my ship, four boat
+actions, and two villages taken, and twelve sail of vessels burnt. I do
+not know that any one has done more. I have had the comfort to be always
+applauded by my Commander-in-Chief, but never to be rewarded; and, what
+is more mortifying, for services in which I have been wounded, others
+have been praised, who, at the same time, were actually in bed, far from
+the scene of action. They have not done me justice. But never mind,
+I'll have a GAZETTE of my own." How amply was this second-sight of glory
+realised!
+
+The health of his ship's company had now, in his own words, been
+miserably torn to pieces by as hard service as a ship's crew ever
+performed: 150 were in their beds when he left Calvi; of them he lost 54
+and believed that the constitutions of the rest were entirely destroyed.
+He was now sent with despatches to Mr. Drake, at Genoa, and had his
+first interview with the Doge. The French had, at this time, taken
+possession of Vado Bay, in the Genoese territory; and Nelson foresaw
+that, if their thoughts were bent on the invasion of Italy, they would
+accomplish it the ensuing spring. "The allied powers," he said, "were
+jealous of each other; and none but England was hearty in the cause."
+His wish was for peace on fair terms, because England he thought was
+draining herself to maintain allies who would not fight for themselves.
+Lord Hood had now returned to England, and the command devolved on
+Admiral Hotham. The affairs of the Mediterranean wore at this time a
+gloomy aspect. The arts, as well as the arms of the enemy, were gaining
+the ascendancy there. Tuscany concluded peace relying upon the faith of
+France, which was, in fact, placing itself at her mercy. Corsica was in
+danger. We had taken that island for ourselves, annexed it formally to
+the crown of Great Britain, and given it a constitution as free as our
+own. This was done with the consent of the majority of the inhabitants;
+and no transaction between two countries was ever more fairly or
+legitimately conducted: yet our conduct was unwise;--the island is large
+enough to form an independent state, and such we should have made
+it, under our protection, as long as protection might be needed; the
+Corsicans would then have felt as a nation; but when one party had given
+up the country to England, the natural consequence was that the other
+looked to France. The question proposed to the people was, to which
+would they belong? Our language and our religion were against us; our
+unaccommodating manners, it is to be feared, still more so. The French
+were better politicians. In intrigue they have ever been unrivalled; and
+it now became apparent that, in spite of old wrongs, which ought
+never to have been forgotten nor forgiven, their partisans were daily
+acquiring strength. It is part of the policy of France, and a wise
+policy it is, to impress upon other powers the opinion of its strength,
+by lofty language: and by threatening before it strikes; a system which,
+while it keeps up the spirit of its allies, and perpetually stimulates
+their hopes, tends also to dismay its enemies. Corsica was now loudly
+threatened. "The French, who had not yet been taught to feel their own
+inferiority upon the seas, braved us in contempt upon that element."
+They had a superior fleet in the Mediterranean, and they sent it out
+with express orders to seek the English and engage them. Accordingly,
+the Toulon fleet, consisting of seventeen ships of the line and five
+smaller vessels, put to sea. Admiral Hotham received this information
+at Leghorn, and sailed immediately in search of them. He had with him
+fourteen sail of the line, and one Neapolitan seventy-four; but his
+ships were only half-manned, containing but 7650 men, whereas the
+enemy had 16,900. He soon came in sight of them: a general action was
+expected; and Nelson, as was his custom on such occasions, wrote a
+hasty letter to his wife, as that which might possibly contain his last
+farewell. "The lives of all," said he, "are in the hand of Him who knows
+best whether to preserve mine or not; my character and good name are in
+my own keeping."
+
+But however confident the French government might be of their naval
+superiority, the officers had no such feeling; and after manoeuvring
+for a day in sight of the English fleet, they suffered themselves to
+be chased. One of their ships, the CA IRA, of eighty-four guns, carried
+away her main and fore top-masts. The INCONSTANT frigate fired at the
+disabled ship, but received so many shot that she was obliged to leave
+her. Soon afterwards a French frigate took the CA IRA in tow; and
+the SANS-CULOTTES, one hundred and twenty, and the JEAN BARRAS,
+seventy-four, kept about gunshot distance on her weather bow. The
+AGAMEMNON stood towards her, having no ship of the line to support her
+within several miles. As she drew near, the CA IRA fired her stern guns
+so truly, that not a shot missed some part of the ship; and latterly,
+the masts were struck by every shot. It had been Nelson's intention not
+to fire before he touched her stern; but seeing how impossible it was
+that he should be supported, and how certainly the AGAMEMNON must
+be severely cut up if her masts were disabled, he altered his plan
+according to the occasion. As soon, therefore, as he was within a
+hundred yards of her stern, he ordered the helm to be put a-starboard,
+and the driver and after-sails to be brailed up and shivered; and, as
+the ship fell off, gave the enemy her whole broadside. They instantly
+braced up the after-yards, put the helm a-port, and stood after her
+again. This manoeuvre he practised for two hours and a quarter, never
+allowing the CA IRA to get a single gun from either side to bear on him;
+and when the French fired their after-guns now, it was no longer with
+coolness and precision, for every shot went far ahead. By this time her
+sails were hanging in tatters, her mizen-top-mast, mizen-top-sail, and
+cross-jack-yards shot away. But the frigate which had her in tow hove in
+stays, and got her round. Both these French ships now brought their
+guns to bear, and opened their fire. The AGAMEMNON passed them within
+half-pistol shot; almost every shot passed over her, for the French had
+elevated their guns for the rigging, and for distant firing, and did not
+think of altering the elevation. As soon as the AGAMEMNON's after-guns
+ceased to bear, she hove in stays, keeping a constant fire as she came
+round; and being worked, said Nelson, with as much exactness as if
+she had been turning into Spithead. On getting round, he saw that the
+Sans-Culottes, which had wore, with many of the enemy's ships, was under
+his lee bow, and standing to leeward. The admiral, at the same time,
+made the signal for the van ships to join him. Upon this Nelson bore
+away, and prepared to set all sail; and the enemy, having saved their
+ship, hauled close to the wind, and opened upon him a distant and
+ineffectual fire. Only seven of the AGAMEMNON's men were hurt--a thing
+which Nelson himself remarked as wonderful: her sails and rigging were
+very much cut, and she had many shots in her hull, and some between wind
+and water. The CA IRA lost 110 men that day, and was so cut up that she
+could not get a top-mast aloft during the night.
+
+At daylight on the following morning, the English ships were taken aback
+with a fine breeze at N.W., while the enemy's fleet kept the southerly
+wind. The body of their fleet was about five miles distant; the CA IRA
+and the CENSEUR, seventy-four, which had her in tow, about three and
+a half. All sail was made to cut these ships off; and as the French
+attempted to save them, a partial action was brought on. The AGAMEMNON
+was again engaged with her yesterday's antagonist; but she had to fight
+on both sides the ship at the same time. The CA IRA and the CENSEUR
+fought most gallantly: the first lost nearly 300 men, in addition to
+her former loss; the last, 350. Both at length struck; and Lieutenant
+Andrews, of the AGAMEMNON, brother to the lady to whom Nelson had become
+attached in France, and, in Nelson's own words, "as gallant an officer
+as ever stepped a quarter-deck," hoisted English colours on board them
+both. The rest of the enemy's ships' behaved very ill. As soon as these
+vessels had struck, Nelson went to Admiral Hotham and proposed that the
+two prizes should be left with the ILLUSTRIOUS and COURAGEUX, which had
+been crippled in the action, and with four frigates, and that the rest
+of the fleet should pursue the enemy, and follow up the advantage to
+the utmost. But his reply was--"We must be contented: we have done very
+well."--"Now," said Nelson, "had we taken ten sail, and allowed the
+eleventh to escape, when it had been possible to have got at her, I
+could never have called it well done. Goodall backed me; I got him to
+write to the admiral; but it would not do. We should have had such a day
+as, I believe, the annals of England never produced." In this letter the
+character of Nelson fully manifests itself. "I wish," said he, "to be
+an admiral, and in the command of the English fleet: I should very soon
+either do much, or be ruined: my disposition cannot bear tame and slow
+measures. Sure I am, had I commanded on the 14th, that either the whole
+French fleet would have graced my triumph, or I should have been in a
+confounded scrape." What the event would have been, he knew from his
+prophetic feelings and his own consciousness of power; and we also know
+it now, for Aboukir and Trafalgar have told it.
+
+The CA IRA and CENSEUR probably defended themselves with more obstinacy
+in this action, from a persuasion that, if they struck, no quarter
+would be given; because they had fired red-hot shot, and had also a
+preparation sent, as they said, by the convention from Paris, which
+seems to have been of the nature of the Greek fire; for it became liquid
+when it was discharged, and water would not extinguish its flames. This
+combustible was concealed with great care in the captured ships; like
+the red-hot shot, it had been found useless in battle. Admiral Hotham's
+action saved Corsica for the time; but the victory had been incomplete,
+and the arrival at Toulon of six sail of the line, two frigates, and two
+cutters from Brest, gave the French a superiority which, had they
+known how to use it, would materially have endangered the British
+Mediterranean fleet. That fleet had been greatly neglected at the
+Admiralty during Lord Chatham's administration: and it did not, for some
+time, feel the beneficial effect of his removal. Lord Hood had gone
+home to represent the real state of affairs, and solicit reinforcements
+adequate to the exigencies of the time, and the importance of the scene
+of action. But that fatal error of under-proportioning the force to the
+service; that ruinous economy, which, by sparing a little, renders all
+that is spent useless, infected the British councils; and Lord Hood,
+not being able to obtain such reinforcements as he knew were necessary,
+resigned the command. "Surely," said Nelson, "the people at home have
+forgotten us." Another Neapolitan seventy-four joined Admiral Hotham,
+and Nelson observed with sorrow that this was matter of exultation to
+an English fleet. When the store-ships and victuallers from Gibraltar
+arrived, their escape from the enemy was thought wonderful; and yet, had
+they not escaped, "the game," said Nelson, "was up here. At this moment
+our operations are at a stand for want of ships to support the Austrians
+in getting possession of the sea-coast of the king of Sardinia; and
+behold our admiral does not feel himself equal to show himself, much
+less to give assistance in their operations." It was reported that
+the French were again out with 18 or 20 sail. The combined British and
+Neapolitan were but sixteen; should the enemy be only eighteen, Nelson
+made no doubt of a complete victory; but if they were twenty, he said,
+it was not to be expected; and a battle, without complete victory, would
+have been destruction, because another mast was not to be got on that
+side Gibraltar. At length Admiral Man arrived with a squadron from
+England. "What they can mean by sending him with only five sail of the
+line," said Nelson, "is truly astonishing; but all men are alike, and
+we in this country do not find any amendment or alteration from the old
+Board of Admiralty. They should know that half the ships in the
+fleet require to go to England; and that long ago they ought to have
+reinforced us."
+
+About this time Nelson was made colonel of marines; a mark of
+approbation which he had long wished for rather than expected. It came
+in good season, for his spirits were oppressed by the thought that his
+services had not been acknowledged as they deserved; and it abated the
+resentful feeling which would else have been excited by the answer to an
+application to the War-office. During his four months' land service in
+Corsica, he had lost all his ship furniture, owing to the movements of
+a camp. Upon this he wrote to the Secretary at War, briefly stating what
+his services on shore had been, and saying, he trusted it was not asking
+an improper thing to request that the same allowance might be made to
+him which would be made to a land officer of his rank, which, situated
+as he was, would be that of a brigadier-general: if this could not be
+accorded, he hoped that his additional expenses would be paid him. The
+answer which he received was, that "no pay had ever been issued under
+the direction of the War-office to officers of the navy serving with the
+army on shore."
+
+He now entered upon a new line of service. The Austrian and Sardinian
+armies, under General de Vins, required a British squadron to co-operate
+with them in driving the French from the Riviera di Genoa; and as Nelson
+had been so much in the habit of soldiering, it was immediately fixed
+that the brigadier should go. He sailed from St. Fiorenzo on this
+destination; but fell in, off Cape del Mele, with the enemy's fleet, who
+immediately gave his squadron chase. The chase lasted four-and-twenty
+hours; and, owing to the fickleness of the wind, the British ships were
+sometimes hard pressed; but the want of skill on the part of the French
+gave Nelson many advantages. Nelson bent his way back to St. Fiorenzo,
+where the fleet, which was in the midst of watering and refitting, had,
+for seven hours, the mortification of seeing him almost in possession
+of the enemy, before the wind would allow them to put out to his
+assistance. The French, however, at evening, went off, not choosing to
+approach nearer the shore. During the night, Admiral Hotham, by great
+exertions, got under weigh; and, having sought the enemy four days, came
+in sight of them on the fifth. Baffling winds and vexatious calms, so
+common in the Mediterranean, rendered it impossible to close with them;
+only a partial action could be brought on; and then the firing made
+a perfect calm. The French being to windward, drew inshore; and the
+English fleet was becalmed six or seven miles to the westward. L'ALCIDE,
+of seventy-four guns, struck; but before she could be taken possession
+of, a box of combustibles in her fore-top took fire, and the unhappy
+crew experienced how far more perilous their inventions were to
+themselves than to their enemies. So rapid was the conflagration, that
+the French in their official account say, the hull, the masts, and
+sails, all seemed to take fire at the same moment; and though the
+English boats were put out to the assistance of the poor wretches on
+board, not more than 200 could be saved. The AGAMEMNON, and Captain
+Rowley in the CUMBERLAND, were just getting into close action a second
+time, when the admiral called them off, the wind now blowing directly
+into the Gulf of Frejus, where the enemy anchored after the evening
+closed.
+
+Nelson now proceeded to his station with eight sail of frigates under
+his command. Arriving at Genoa, he had a conference with Mr. Drake, the
+British envoy to that state; the result of which was, that the object
+of the British must be to put an entire stop to all trade between Genoa,
+France, and the places occupied by the French troops; for unless this
+trade were stopped, it would be scarcely possible for the allied armies
+to hold their situation, and impossible for them to make any progress in
+driving the enemy out of the Riviera di Genoa. Mr. Drake was of opinion
+that even Nice might fall for want of supplies, if the trade with Genoa
+were cut off. This sort of blockade Nelson could not carry on without
+great risk to himself. A captain in the navy, as he represented to the
+envoy, is liable to prosecution for detention and damages. This danger
+was increased by an order which had then lately been issued; by which,
+when a neutral ship was detained, a complete specification of her cargo
+was directed to be sent to the secretary of the Admiralty, and no legal
+process instituted against her till the pleasure of that board should be
+communicated. This was requiring an impossibility. The cargoes of ships
+detained upon this station, consisting chiefly of corn, would be spoiled
+long before the orders of the Admiralty could be known; and then, if
+they should happen to release the vessel, the owners would look to
+the captain for damages. Even the only precaution which could be taken
+against this danger, involved another danger not less to be apprehended:
+for if the captain should direct the cargo to be taken out, the freight
+paid for, and the vessel released, the agent employed might prove
+fraudulent, and become bankrupt; and in that case the captain became
+responsible. Such things had happened: Nelson therefore required, as the
+only means for carrying on that service, which was judged essential
+to the common cause, without exposing the officers to ruin, that the
+British envoy should appoint agents to pay the freight, release the
+vessels, sell the cargo, and hold the amount till process was had upon
+it: government thus securing its officers. "I am acting," said Nelson.
+"not only without the orders of my commander-in-chief, but, in some
+measure, contrary to him. However, I have not only the support of his
+Majesty's ministers, both at Turin and Genoa, but a consciousness that
+I am doing what is right and proper for the service of our king and
+country. Political courage, in an officer abroad, is as highly necessary
+as military courage."
+
+This quality, which is as much rarer than military courage as it is more
+valuable, and without which the soldier's bravery is often of little
+avail, Nelson possessed in an eminent degree. His representations were
+attended to as they deserved. Admiral Hotham commended him for what he
+had done; and the attention of government was awakened to the injury
+which the cause of the allies continually suffered from the frauds
+of neutral vessels. "What changes in my life of activity!" said the
+indefatigable man. "Here I am, having commenced a co-operation with an
+old Austrian general, almost fancying myself charging at the head of
+a troop of horse! I do not write less than from ten to twenty letters
+every day; which, with the Austrian general and aides-de-camp, and my
+own little squadron, fully employ my time. This I like; active service
+or none." It was Nelson's mind which supported his feeble body through
+these exertions. He was at this time almost blind, and wrote with very
+great pain. "Poor AGAMEMNON," he sometimes said, "was as nearly worn out
+as her captain; and both must soon be laid up to repair."
+
+When Nelson first saw General de Vins, he thought him an able man, who
+was willing to act with vigour. The general charged his inactivity upon
+the Piedmontese and Neapolitans, whom, he said, nothing could induce
+to act; and he concerted a plan with Nelson for embarking a part of the
+Austrian army, and landing it in the rear of the French. But the English
+commodore soon began to suspect that the Austrian general was little
+disposed to any active operations. In the hope of spurring him on, he
+wrote to him, telling him that he had surveyed the coast to the W. as
+far as Nice, and would undertake to embark 4000 or 5000 men, with their
+arms and a few days' provisions, on board the squadron, and land them
+within two miles of St. Remo, with their field-pieces. Respecting
+further provisions for the Austrian army, he would provide convoys, that
+they should arrive in safety; and if a re-embarkation should be found
+necessary, he would cover it with the squadron. The possession of St.
+Remo, as headquarters for magazines of every kind, would enable the
+Austrian general to turn his army to the eastward or westward. The enemy
+at Oneglia would be cut off from provisions, and men could be landed
+to attack that place whenever it was judged necessary. St. Remo was the
+only place between Vado and Ville Franche where the squadron could lie
+in safety, and anchor in almost all winds. The bay was not so good as
+Vado for large ships; but it had a mole, which Vado had not, where all
+small vessels could lie, and load and unload their cargoes. This bay
+being in possession of the allies, Nice could be completely blockaded by
+sea. General de Vins affecting, in his reply, to consider that Nelson's
+proposal had no other end than that of obtaining the bay of St. Remo as
+a station for the ships, told him, what he well knew, and had expressed
+before, that Vado Bay was a better anchorage; nevertheless, if MONSIEUR
+LE COMMANDANT NELSON was well assured that part of the fleet could
+winter there, there was no risk to which he would not expose himself
+with pleasure, for the sake of procuring a safe station for the vessels
+of his Britannic Majesty. Nelson soon assured the Austrian commander
+that this was not the object of his memorial. He now began to suspect
+that both the Austrian Court and their general had other ends in view
+than the cause of the allies. "This army," said he, "is slow beyond all
+description; and I begin to think that the Emperor is anxious to touch
+another L4,000,000 of English money. As for the German generals, war is
+their trade, and peace is ruin to them; therefore we cannot expect that
+they should have any wish to finish the war. The politics of courts are
+so mean, that private people would be ashamed to act in the same way;
+all is trick and finesse, to which the common cause is sacrificed. The
+general wants a loop-hole; it has for some time appeared to me that
+he means to go no further than his present position, and to lay the
+miscarriage of the enterprise against Nice, which has always been held
+out as the great object of his army, to the non-cooperation of the
+British fleet and of the Sardinians."
+
+To prevent this plea, Nelson again addressed De Vins, requesting only to
+know the time, and the number of troops ready to embark; then he would,
+he said, dispatch a ship to Admiral Hotham, requesting transports,
+having no doubt of obtaining them, and trusting that the plan would be
+successful to its fullest extent. Nelson thought at the time that, if
+the whole fleet were offered him for transports, he would find some
+other excuse; and Mr. Drake, who was now appointed to reside at the
+Austrian headquarters, entertained the same idea of the general's
+sincerity. It was not, however, put so clearly to the proof as it ought
+to have been. He replied that, as soon as Nelson could declare himself
+ready with the vessels necessary for conveying 10,000 men, with their
+artillery and baggage, he would put the army in motion. But Nelson was
+not enabled to do this: Admiral Hotham, who was highly meritorious in
+leaving such a man so much at his own discretion, pursued a cautious
+system, ill according with the bold and comprehensive views of Nelson,
+who continually regretted Lord Hood, saying that the nation had suffered
+much by his resignation of the Mediterranean command. The plan which
+had been concerted, he said, would astonish the French, and perhaps the
+English.
+
+There was no unity in the views of the allied powers, no cordiality
+in their co-operation, no energy in their councils. The neutral powers
+assisted France more effectually than the allies assisted each other.
+The Genoese ports were at this time filled with French privateers, which
+swarmed out every night, and covered the gulf; and French vessels were
+allowed to tow out of the port of Genoa itself, board vessels which were
+coming in, and then return into the mole. This was allowed without
+a remonstrance; while, though Nelson abstained most carefully from
+offering any offence to the Genoese territory or flag, complaints were
+so repeatedly made against his squadron, that, he says, it seemed a
+trial who should be tired first; they of complaining, or he of answering
+their complaints. But the question of neutrality was soon at an end. An
+Austrian commissary was travelling from Genoa towards Vado; it was known
+that he was to sleep at Voltri, and that he had L10,000 with him--a
+booty which the French minister in that city, and the captain of a
+French frigate in that port, considered as far more important than the
+word of honour of the one, the duties of the other, and the laws of
+neutrality. The boats of the frigate went out with some privateers,
+landed, robbed the commissary, and brought back the money to Genoa. The
+next day men were publicly enlisted in that city for the French army:
+700 men were embarked, with 7000 stand of arms, on board the frigates
+and other vessels, who were to land between Voltri and Savona. There
+a detachment from the French army was to join them, and the Genoese
+peasantry were to be invited to insurrection--a measure for which
+everything had been prepared. The night of the 13th was fixed for the
+sailing of this expedition; the Austrians called loudly for Nelson to
+prevent it; and he, on the evening of the 13th, arrived at Genoa. His
+presence checked the plan: the frigate, knowing her deserts, got within
+the merchant-ships, in the inner mole; and the Genoese government did
+not now even demand of Nelson respect to the neutral port, knowing that
+they had allowed, if not connived at, a flagrant breach of neutrality,
+and expecting the answer which he was prepared to return, that it was
+useless and impossible for him to respect it longer.
+
+But though this movement produced the immediate effect which was
+designed, it led to ill consequences, which Nelson foresaw, but for want
+of sufficient force was unable to prevent. His squadron was too small
+for the service which it had to perform. He required two seventy-fours
+and eight or ten frigates and sloops; but when he demanded this
+reinforcement, Admiral Hotham had left the command. Sir Hyde Parker
+had succeeded till the new commander should arrive; and he immediately
+reduced it to almost nothing, leaving him only one frigate and a brig.
+This was a fatal error. While the Austrian and Sardinian troops,
+whether from the imbecility or the treachery of their leaders, remained
+inactive, the French were preparing for the invasion of Italy. Not many
+days before Nelson was thus summoned to Genoa, he chased a large convoy
+into Alassio. Twelve vessels he had formerly destroyed in that port,
+though 2000 French troops occupied the town. This former attack had made
+them take new measures of defence; and there were now above 100 sail
+of victuallers, gun-boats, and ships of war. Nelson represented to the
+Admiral how important it was to destroy these vessels; and offered,
+with his squadron of frigates, and the CULLODEN and COURAGEUX, to lead
+himself in the AGAMEMNON, and take or destroy the whole. The attempt was
+not permitted; but it was Nelson's belief that, if it had been made, it
+would have prevented the attack upon the Austrian army, which took place
+almost immediately afterwards.
+
+General de Vins demanded satisfaction of the Genoese government for the
+seizure of his commissary; and then, without waiting for their reply,
+took possession of some empty magazines of the French, and pushed his
+sentinels to the very gates of Genoa. Had he done so at first, he
+would have found the magazines full; but, timed as the measure was, and
+useless as it was to the cause of the allies, it was in character with
+the whole of the Austrian general's conduct; and it is no small proof of
+the dexterity with which he served the enemy, that in such circumstances
+he could so act with Genoa as to contrive to put himself in the wrong.
+Nelson was at this time, according to his own expression, placed in a
+cleft stick. Mr. Drake, the Austrian minister, and the Austrian general,
+all joined in requiring him not to leave Genoa; if he left that port
+unguarded, they said, not only the imperial troops at St. Pier d'Arena
+and Voltri would be lost, but the French plan for taking post between
+Voltri and Savona would certainly succeed; if the Austrians should be
+worsted in the advanced posts, the retreat of the Bocchetta would be cut
+off; and if this happened, the loss of the army would be imputed to him,
+for having left Genoa. On the other hand, he knew that if he were not
+at Pietra, the enemy's gun-boats would harass the left flank of the
+Austrians, who, if they were defeated, as was to be expected, from the
+spirit of all their operations, would, very probably, lay their defeat
+to the want of assistance from the AGAMEMNON. Had the force for which
+Nelson applied been given him, he could have attended to both objects;
+and had he been permitted to attack the convoy in Alassio, he would have
+disconcerted the plans of the French, in spite of the Austrian general.
+He had foreseen the danger, and pointed out how it might be prevented;
+but the means of preventing it were withheld. The attack was made as
+he foresaw; and the gun-boats brought their fire to bear upon the
+Austrians. It so happened, however, that the left flank, which was
+exposed to them, was the only part of the army that behaved well: this
+division stood its ground till the centre and the right wing fled, and
+then retreated in a soldier-like manner. General de Vins gave up the
+command in the middle of the battle, pleading ill health. "From that
+moment," says Nelson, "not a soldier stayed at his post: it was the
+devil take the hindmost. Many thousands ran away who had never seen the
+enemy; some of them thirty miles from the advanced posts. Had I not,
+though I own, against my inclination, been kept at Genoa, from 8000 to
+10,000 men would have been taken prisoners, and, amongst the number,
+General de Vins himself; but by this means the pass of the Bocchetta
+was kept open. The purser of the ship, who was at Vado, ran with
+the Austrians eighteen miles without stopping; the men without arms,
+officers without soldiers, women without assistance. The oldest officers
+say they never heard of so complete a defeat, and certainly without
+any reason. Thus has ended my campaign. We have established the French
+republic: which but for us, I verily believe, would never have been
+settled by such a volatile, changeable people. I hate a Frenchman: they
+are equally objects of my detestation whether royalists or republicans:
+in some points, I believe, the latter are the best." Nelson had a
+lieutenant and two midshipmen taken at Vado: they told him, in their
+letter, that few of the French soldiers were more than three or four
+and twenty years old, a great many not more than fourteen, and all were
+nearly naked; they were sure, they said, his barge's crew could have
+beat a hundred of them; and that, had he himself seen them, he would not
+have thought, if the world had been covered with such people, that they
+could have beaten the Austrian army.
+
+The defeat of General de Vins gave the enemy possession of the Genoese
+coast from Savona to Voltri, and it deprived the Austrians of their
+direct communication with the English fleet. The AGAMEMNON, therefore,
+could no longer be useful on this station, and Nelson sailed for Leghorn
+to refit. When his ship went into dock, there was not a mast, yard,
+sail, or any part of the rigging, but what stood in need of repair,
+having been cut to pieces with shot. The hull was so damaged that it
+had for some time been secured by cables, which were served or thrapped
+round it.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+1796 - 1797
+
+
+Sir J. Jervis takes the Command--Genoa joins the French--Bounaparte
+begins his Career--Evacuation of Corsica--Nelson hoists his broad
+Pennant in the MINERVE--Action with the SABINA--Battle off Cape St.
+Vincent--Nelson commands the inner Squadron at the Blockade of Cadiz
+Boat Action in the Bay of Cadiz--Expedition against Teneriffe--Nelson
+loses an Arm--His Sufferings in England, and Recovery.
+
+
+SIR JOHN JERVIS had now arrived to take the command of the Mediterranean
+fleet. The AGAMEMNON having, as her captain said, been made as fit for
+sea as a rotten ship could be, Nelson sailed from Leghorn, and joined
+the admiral in Fiorenzo Bay. "I found him," said he, "anxious to know
+many things which I was a good deal surprised to find had not been
+communicated to him by others in the fleet; and it would appear that he
+was so well satisfied with my opinion of what is likely to happen, and
+the means of prevention to be taken, that he had no reserve with me
+respecting his information and ideas of what is likely to be done." The
+manner in which Nelson was received is said to have excited some envy.
+One captain observed to him: "You did just as you pleased in Lord Hood's
+time, the same in Admiral Hotham's, and now again with Sir John Jervis:
+it makes no difference to you who is commander-in-chief." A higher
+compliment could not have been paid to any commander-in-chief than to
+say of him that he understood the merits of Nelson, and left him, as far
+as possible, to act upon his own judgment.
+
+Sir John Jervis offered him the ST. GEORGE, ninety, or the ZEALOUS,
+seventy-four, and asked if he should have any objection to serve under
+him with his flag. He replied, that if the AGAMEMNON were ordered home,
+and his flag were not arrived, he should, on many accounts, wish to
+return to England; still, if the war continued, he should be very proud
+of hoisting his flag under Sir John's command, "We cannot spare you,"
+said Sir John, "either as captain or admiral." Accordingly, he resumed
+his station in the Gulf of Genoa. The French had not followed up their
+successes in that quarter with their usual celerity. Scherer, who
+commanded there, owed his advancement to any other cause than his merit:
+he was a favourite of the directory; but for the present, through
+the influence of Barras, he was removed from a command for which his
+incapacity was afterwards clearly proved, and Buonaparte was appointed
+to succeed him. Buonaparte had given indications of his military talents
+at Toulon, and of his remorseless nature at Paris; but the extent either
+of his ability or his wickedness was at this time known to none, and
+perhaps not even suspected by himself.
+
+Nelson supposed, from the information which he had obtained, that one
+column of the French army would take possession of Port Especia; either
+penetrating through the Genoese territory, or proceeding coast-ways in
+light vessels; our ships of war not being able to approach the coast,
+because of the shallowness of the water. To prevent this, he said; two
+things were necessary: the possession of Vado Bay, and the taking of
+Port Especia; if either of these points were secured, Italy would be
+safe from any attack of the French by sea. General Beaulieu, who had now
+superseded De Vins in the command of the allied Austrian and Sardinian
+army, sent his nephew and aide-de-camp to communicate with Nelson, and
+inquire whether he could anchor in any other place than Vado Bay. Nelson
+replied, that Vado was the only place where the British fleet could
+lie in safety, but all places would suit his squadron; and wherever the
+general came to the sea-coast, there he should find it. The Austrian
+repeatedly asked, if there was not a risk of losing the squadron? and
+was constantly answered, that if these ships should be lost, the admiral
+would find others. But all plans of co-operation with the Austrians were
+soon frustrated by the battle of Montenotte. Beaulieu ordered an attack
+to be made upon the post of Voltri. It was made twelve hours before
+the time which he had fixed, and before he arrived to direct it. In
+consequence, the French were enabled to effect their retreat, and fall
+back to Montenotte, thus giving the troops there a decisive superiority
+in number over the division which attacked them. This drew on the defeat
+of the Austrians. Buonaparte, with a celerity which had never before
+been witnessed in modern war, pursued his advantages; and, in the course
+of a fortnight, dictated to the court of Turin terms of peace, or rather
+of submission; by which all the strongest places of Piedmont were put
+into his bands.
+
+On one occasion, and only on one, Nelson was able to impede the
+progress of this new conqueror. Six vessels, laden with cannon and
+ordnance-stores for the siege of Mantua, sailed from Toulon for St. Pier
+d'Arena. Assisted by Captain Cockburn, in the MELEAGER, he drove them
+under a battery; pursued them, silenced the batteries, and captured
+the whole. Military books, plans and maps of Italy, with the different
+points marked upon them where former battles had been fought, sent by
+the directory for Buonaparte's use, were found in the convoy. The loss
+of this artillery was one of the chief causes which compelled the French
+to raise the siege of Mantua; but there was too much treachery, and too
+much imbecility, both in the councils and armies of the allied powers,
+for Austria to improve this momentary success. Buonaparte perceived that
+the conquest of Italy was within his reach; treaties, and the rights of
+neutral or of friendly powers, were as little regarded by him as by
+the government for which he acted. In open contempt of both he entered
+Tuscany, and took possession of Leghorn. In consequence of this
+movement, Nelson blockaded that port, and landed a British force in
+the Isle of Elba, to secure Porto Ferrajo. Soon afterwards he took the
+Island of Capraja, which had formerly belonged to Corsica, being less
+than forty miles distant from it; a distance, however, short as it was,
+which enabled the Genoese to retain it, after their infamous sale of
+Corsica to France. Genoa had now taken part with France: its government
+had long covertly assisted the French, and now willingly yielded to the
+first compulsory menace which required them to exclude the English from
+their ports. Capraja was seized in consequence; but this act of vigour
+was not followed up as it ought to have been. England at that time
+depended too much upon the feeble governments of the Continent, and too
+little upon itself. It was determined by the British cabinet to evacuate
+Corsica, as soon as Spain should form an offensive alliance with France.
+This event, which, from the moment that Spain had been compelled to make
+peace, was clearly foreseen, had now taken place; and orders for the
+evacuation of the island were immediately sent out. It was impolitic to
+annex this island to the British dominions; but having done so, it was
+disgraceful thus to abandon it. The disgrace would have been spared, and
+every advantage which could have been derived from the possession of
+the island secured, if the people had at first been left to form a
+government for themselves, and protected by us in the enjoyment of their
+independence.
+
+The viceroy, Sir Gilbert Elliott, deeply felt the impolicy and
+ignominy of this evacuation. The fleet also was ordered to leave the
+Mediterranean. This resolution was so contrary to the last instructions
+which had been received, that Nelson exclaimed, "Do his majesty's
+ministers know their own minds? They at home," said he, "do not know
+what this fleet is capable of performing--anything and everything.
+Much as I shall rejoice to see England, I lament our present orders in
+sackcloth and ashes, so dishonourable to the dignity of England, whose
+fleets are equal to meet the world in arms; and of all the fleets I ever
+saw, I never beheld one, in point of officers and men, equal to Sir John
+Jervis's, who is a commander-in-chief able to lead them to glory."
+Sir Gilbert Elliott believed that the great body of the Corsicans were
+perfectly satisfied, as they had good reason to be, with the British
+Government, sensible of its advantages, and attached to it. However this
+may have been, when they found that the English intended to evacuate the
+island, they naturally and necessarily sent to make their peace with the
+French. The partisans of France found none to oppose them. A committee
+of thirty took upon them the government of Bastia, and sequestrated all
+the British property; armed Corsicans mounted guard at every place, and
+a plan was laid for seizing the viceroy. Nelson, who was appointed to
+superintend the evacuation, frustrated these projects. At a time when
+every one else despaired of saving stores, cannon, provisions, or
+property of any kind, and a privateer was moored across the mole-head to
+prevent all boats from passing, he sent word to the committee, that
+if the slightest opposition were made to the embarkment and removal of
+British property, he would batter the town down. The privateer pointed
+her guns at the officer who carried this message, and muskets were
+levelled against his boats from the mole-head. Upon this Captain Sutton,
+of the EGMONT, pulling out his watch, gave them a quarter of an hour to
+deliberate upon their answer. In five minutes after the expiration of
+that time, the ships, he said, would open their fire. Upon this the
+very sentinels scampered off, and every vessel came out of the mole. A
+shipowner complained to the commodore that the municipality refused to
+let him take his goods out of the custom-house. Nelson directed him to
+say, that unless they were instantly delivered, he would open his fire.
+The committee turned pale, and, without answering a word, gave him the
+keys. Their last attempt was to levy a duty upon the things that were
+re-embarked. He sent them word, that he would pay them a disagreeable
+visit, if there were any more complaints. The committee then finding
+that they had to deal with a man who knew his own power, and was
+determined to make the British name respected, desisted from the
+insolent conduct which they had assumed; and it was acknowledged that
+Bastia never had been so quiet and orderly since the English were in
+possession of it. This was on the 14th of October; during the five
+following days the work of embarkation was carried on, the private
+property was saved, and public stores to the amount of L200,000. The
+French, favoured by the Spanish fleet, which was at that time within
+twelve leagues of Bastia, pushed over troops from Leghorn, who landed
+near Cape Corse on the 18th; and on the 20th, at one in the morning,
+entered the citadel, an hour only after the British had spiked the guns
+and evacuated it. Nelson embarked at daybreak, being the last person who
+left the shore; having thus, as he said, seen the first and the last
+of Corsica. Provoked at the conduct of the municipality, and the
+disposition which the populace had shown to profit by the confusion, he
+turned towards the shore, as he stepped into his boat, and exclaimed:
+"Now, John Corse, follow the natural bent of your detestable character
+--plunder and revenge." This, however, was not Nelson's deliberate
+opinion of the people of Corsica; he knew that their vices were the
+natural consequences of internal anarchy and foreign oppression, such
+as the same causes would produce in any people; and when he saw, that
+of all those who took leave of the viceroy there was not one who parted
+from him without tears, he acknowledged that they manifestly acted not
+from dislike of the English, but from fear of the French. England then
+might, with more reason, reproach her own rulers for pusillanimity than
+the Corsicans for ingratitude.
+
+Having thus ably effected this humiliating service, Nelson was ordered
+to hoist his broad pendant on board the MINERVE frigate, Captain George
+Cockburn, and with the BLANCHE under his command, proceed to Porto
+Ferrajo, and superintend the evacuation of that place also. On his way,
+he fell in with two Spanish frigates, the SABINA and the CERES. The
+MINERVE engaged the former, which was commanded by D. Jacobo Stuart,
+a descendent of the Duke of Berwick. After an action of three hours,
+during which the Spaniards lost 164 men, the SABINA struck. The Spanish
+captain, who was the only surviving officer, had hardly been conveyed on
+board the MINERVE, when another enemy's frigate came up, compelled her
+to cast off the prize, and brought her a second time into action. After
+half an hour's trial of strength, this new antagonist wore and hauled
+off; but a Spanish squadron of two ships of the line and two frigates
+came in sight. The BLANCHE, from which the CERES had got off, was far
+to windward, and the MINERVE escaped only by the anxiety of the enemy to
+recover their own ship. As soon as Nelson reached Porto Ferrajo he sent
+his prisoner in a flag of truce to Carthagena, having returned him
+his sword; this he did in honour of the gallantry which D. Jacobo had
+displayed, and not without some feeling of respect for his ancestry. "I
+felt it," said he, "consonant to the dignity of my country and I always
+act as I feel right, without regard to custom; he was reputed the best
+officer in Spain, and his men were worthy of such a commander." By
+the same flag of truce he sent back all the Spanish prisoners at Porto
+Ferrajo; in exchange for whom he received his own men who had been taken
+in the prize.
+
+General de Burgh, who commanded at the Isle of Elba, did not think
+himself authorised to abandon the place till he had received specific
+instructions from England to that effect; professing that he was unable
+to decide between the contradictory orders of government, or to guess at
+what their present intentions might be; but he said, his only motive for
+urging delay in this measure arose from a desire that his own conduct
+might be properly sanctioned, not from any opinion that Porto Ferrajo
+ought to be retained. But Naples having made peace, Sir John Jervis
+considered his business with Italy as concluded; and the protection of
+Portugal was the point to which he was now instructed to attend. Nelson,
+therefore, whose orders were perfectly clear and explicit, withdrew
+the whole naval establishment from that station, leaving the transports
+victualled, and so arranged that all the troops and stores could be
+embarked in three days. He was now about to leave the Mediterranean.
+Mr. Drake, who had been our minister at Genoa, expressed to him, on
+this occasion, the very high opinion which the allies entertained of his
+conspicuous merit; adding, that it was impossible for any one, who
+had the honour of co-operating with him, not to admire the activity,
+talents, and zeal which he had so eminently and constantly displayed.
+In fact, during this long course of services in the Mediterranean, the
+whole of his conduct had exhibited the same zeal, the same indefatigable
+energy, the same intuitive judgment, the same prompt and unerring
+decision which characterised his after-career of glory. His name was as
+yet hardly known to the English public; but it was feared and respected
+throughout Italy. A letter came to him, directed "Horatio Nelson,
+Genoa;" and the writer, when he was asked how he could direct it so
+vaguely, replied, "Sir, there is but one Horatio Nelson in the world."
+At Genoa, in particular, where he had so long been stationed, and where
+the nature of his duty first led him to continual disputes with the
+government, and afterwards compelled him to stop the trade of the port,
+he was equally respected by the doge and by the people; for, while
+he maintained the rights and interests of Great Britain with becoming
+firmness, he tempered the exercise of power with courtesy and humanity
+wherever duty would permit. "Had all my actions," said he, writing at
+this time to his wife, "been gazetted, not one fortnight would have
+passed, during the whole war, without a letter from me. One day or other
+I will have a long GAZETTE to myself. I feel that such an opportunity
+will be given me. I cannot, if I am in the field of glory, be kept out
+of sight; wherever there is anything to be done, there Providence is
+sure to direct my steps."
+
+These hopes and anticipations were soon to be fulfilled. Nelson's mind
+had long been irritated and depressed by the fear that a general action
+would take place before he could join the fleet. At length he sailed
+from Porto Ferrajo with a convoy for Gibraltar; and having reached that
+place, proceeded to the westward in search of the admiral. Off the mouth
+of the Straits he fell in with the Spanish fleet; and on the 13th of
+February reaching the station off Cape St. Vincent, communicated this
+intelligence to Sir John Jervis. He was now directed to shift his broad
+pendant on board the CAPTAIN, seventy-four, Captain R.W. Miller; and
+before sunset the signal was made to prepare for action, and to keep,
+during the night, in close order. At daybreak the enemy were in sight.
+The British force consisted of two ships of one hundred guns, two
+of ninety-eight, two of ninety, eight of seventy-four, and one
+sixty-four;-fifteen of the line in all; with four frigates, a sloop,
+and a cutter. The Spaniards had one four-decker, of one hundred and
+thirty-six guns; six three-deckers, of one hundred and twelve; two
+eighty-four, eighteen seventy-four--in all, twenty-seven ships of the
+line, with ten frigates and a brig. Their admiral, D. Joseph de Cordova,
+had learnt from an American on the 5th, that the English had only nine
+ships, which was indeed the case when his informer had seen them; for a
+reinforcement of five ships from England, under Admiral Parker, had not
+then joined, and the CULLODEN had parted company. Upon this information
+the Spanish commander, instead of going into Cadiz, as was his intention
+when he sailed from Carthagena, determined to seek an enemy so inferior
+in force; and relying, with fatal confidence, upon the American account,
+he suffered his ships to remain too far dispersed, and in some disorder.
+When the morning of the 14th broke, and discovered the English fleet,
+a fog for some time concealed their number. That fleet had heard their
+signal-guns during the night, the weather being fine though thick and
+hazy; soon after daylight they were seen very much scattered, while the
+British ships were in a compact little body. The look-out ship of the
+Spaniards, fancying that her signal was disregarded because so little
+notice seemed to be taken of it, made another signal, that the English
+force consisted of forty sail of the line. The captain afterwards said
+he did this to rouse the admiral; it had the effect of perplexing him
+and alarming the whole fleet. The absurdity of such an act shows what
+was the state of the Spanish navy under that miserable government by
+which Spain was so long oppressed and degraded, and finally betrayed. In
+reality, the general incapacity of the naval officers was so well known,
+that in a pasquinade, which about this time appeared at Madrid, wherein
+the different orders of the state were advertised for sale, the greater
+part of the sea-officers, with all their equipments, were offered as a
+gift; and it was added, that any person who would please to take them,
+should receive a handsome gratuity. When the probability that
+Spain would take part in the war, as an ally of France, was first
+contemplated, Nelson said that their fleet, if it were no better than
+when it acted in alliance with us, would "soon be done for."
+
+Before the enemy could form a regular order of battle, Sir J. Jervis, by
+carrying a press of sail, came up with them, passed through their fleet,
+then tacked, and thus cut off nine of their ships from the main body.
+These ships attempted to form on the larboard tack, either with a design
+of passing through the British line, or to leeward of it, and thus
+rejoining their friends. Only one of them succeeded in this attempt; and
+that only because she was so covered with smoke that her intention was
+not discovered till she had reached the rear: the others were so warmly
+received, that they put about, took to flight, and did not appear again
+in the action to its close. The admiral was now able to direct his
+attention to the enemy's main body, which was still superior in number
+to his whole fleet, and greatly so in weight of metal. He made signal to
+tack in succession. Nelson, whose station was in the rear of the British
+line, perceived that the Spaniards were bearing up before the wind,
+with an intention of forming their line, going large, and joining
+their separated ships, or else of getting off without an engagement.
+To prevent either of these schemes, he disobeyed the signal without
+a moment's hesitation: and ordered his ship to be wore. This at once
+brought him into action with the SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD, one hundred and
+thirty-six; the SAN JOSEPH, one hundred and twelve; the SALVADOR DEL
+MUNDO, one hundred and twelve; the SAN NICOLAS, eighty; the SAN ISIDRO,
+seventy-four, another seventy-four, and another first-rate. Troubridge,
+in the CULLODEN, immediately joined, and most nobly supported him; and
+for nearly an hour did the CULLODEN and CAPTAIN maintain what Nelson
+called "this apparently, but not really unequal contest;"--such was the
+advantage of skill and discipline, and the confidence which brave men
+derive from them. The BLENHEIM then passing between them and the enemy,
+gave them a respite, and poured in her fire upon the Spaniards. The
+SALVADOR DEL MUNDO and SAN ISIDRO dropped astern, and were fired into in
+a masterly style by the EXCELLENT, Captain Collingwood. The SAN
+ISIDRO struck; and Nelson thought that the SALVADOR struck also. "But
+Collingwood," says he, "disdaining the parade of taking possession of
+beaten enemies, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to
+save his old friend and messmate, who was to appearance in a critical
+situation;" for the CAPTAIN was at this time actually fired upon by
+three first-rates--by the SAN NICOLAS, and by a seventy-four, within
+about pistol-shot of that vessel. The BLENHEIM was ahead, the CULLODEN
+crippled and astern. Collingwood ranged up, and hauling up his mainsail
+just astern, passed within ten feet of the SAN NICOLAS, giving her a
+most tremendous fire, then passed on for the SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD. The
+SAN NICOLAS luffing up, the SAN JOSEPH fell on board her, and Nelson
+resumed his station abreast of them, and close alongside. The CAPTAIN
+was now incapable of further service, either in the line or in chase:
+she had lost her foretop-mast; not a sail, shroud, or rope was left, and
+her wheel was shot away. Nelson therefore directed Captain Miller to
+put the helm a-starboard, and calling for the boarders, ordered them to
+board.
+
+Captain Berry, who had lately been Nelson's first lieutenant, was the
+first man who leaped into the enemy's mizen chains. Miller, when in the
+very act of going, was ordered by Nelson to remain. Berry was supported
+from the spritsail-yard, which locked in the SAN NICOLAS's main rigging.
+A soldier of the 69th broke the upper quarter-gallery window, and jumped
+in, followed by the commodore himself and by the others as fast as
+possible. The cabin doors were fastened, and the Spanish officers fired
+their pistols at them through the window; the doors were soon forced,
+and the Spanish brigadier fell while retreating to the quarter-deck.
+Nelson pushed on, and found Berry in possession of the poop, and the
+Spanish ensign hauling down. He passed on to the forecastle, where
+he met two or three Spanish officers, and received their swords. The
+English were now in full possession of every part of the ship, when
+a fire of pistols and musketry opened upon them from the admiral's
+stern-gallery of the SAN JOSEPH. Nelson having placed sentinels at the
+different ladders, and ordered Captain Miller to send more men into the
+prize, gave orders for boarding that ship from the SAN NICOLAS. It
+was done in an instant, he himself leading the way, and exclaiming,
+"Westminster Abbey or victory!" Berry assisted him into the main chains;
+and at that moment a Spanish officer looked over the quarter-deck
+rail, and said they surrendered. It was not long before he was on the
+quarter-deck, where the Spanish captain presented to him his sword,
+and told him the admiral was below dying of his wounds. There, on the
+quarter-deck of an enemy's first-rate, he received the swords of the
+officers, giving them, as they were delivered, one by one to William
+Fearney, one of his old AGAMEMNONs, who, with the utmost coolness, put
+them under his arm, "bundling them up," in the lively expression of
+Collingwood, "with as much composure as he would have made a faggot,
+though twenty-two sail of their line were still within gunshot." One of
+his sailors came up, and with an Englishman's feeling took him by the
+hand, saying he might not soon have such another place to do it in, and
+he was heartily glad to see him there. Twenty-four of the CAPTAIN's men
+were killed, and fifty-six wounded; a fourth part of the loss sustained
+by the whole squadron falling upon this ship. Nelson received only a few
+bruises.
+
+The Spaniards had still eighteen or nineteen ships which had suffered
+little or no injury: that part of the fleet which had been separated
+from the main body in the morning was now coming up, and Sir John
+Jervis made signal to bring to. His ships could not have formed without
+abandoning those which they had captured, and running to leeward: the
+CAPTAIN was lying a perfect wreck on board her two prizes; and many of
+the other vessels were so shattered in their masts and rigging as to
+be wholly unmanageable. The Spanish admiral meantime, according to
+his official account, being altogether undecided in his own opinion
+respecting the state of the fleet, inquired of his captains whether it
+was proper to renew the action; nine of them answered explicitly that it
+was not; others replied that it was expedient to delay the business.
+The PELAYO and the PRINCE CONQUISTADOR were the only ships that were for
+fighting.
+
+As soon as the action was discontinued, Nelson went on board the
+admiral's ship. Sir John Jervis received him on the quarter-deck, took
+him in his arms, and said he could not sufficiently thank him. For this
+victory the commander-in-chief was rewarded with the title of Earl St.
+Vincent. Nelson, who before the action was known in England had been
+advanced to the rank of rear-admiral, had the Order of the Bath given
+him. The sword of the Spanish rear-admiral, which Sir John Jervis
+insisted upon his keeping, he presented to the Mayor and Corporation
+of Norwich, saying that he knew no place where it could give him or his
+family more pleasure to have it kept than in the capital city of the
+county where he was born. The freedom of that city was voted him on this
+occasion. But of all the numerous congratulations which he received,
+none could have affected him with deeper delight than that which came
+from his venerable father. "I thank my God," said this excellent man,
+"with all the power of a grateful soul, for the mercies he has
+most graciously bestowed on me in preserving you. Not only my few
+acquaintance here, but the people in general, met me at every corner
+with such handsome words, that I was obliged to retire from the public
+eye. The height of glory to which your professional judgment, united
+with a proper degree of bravery, guarded by Providence, has raised you,
+few sons, my dear child, attain to, and fewer fathers live to see. Tears
+of joy have involuntarily trickled down my furrowed cheeks: who could
+stand the force of such general congratulation? The name and services
+of Nelson have sounded through this city of Bath--from the common
+ballad-singer to the public theatre." The good old man concluded by
+telling him that the field of glory, in which he had so long been
+conspicuous, was still open, and by giving him his blessing.
+
+Sir Horatio, who had now hoisted his flag as rear-admiral of the blue,
+was sent to bring away the troops from Porto Ferrajo; having performed
+this, he shifted his flag to the THESEUS. That ship, had taken part in
+the mutiny in England, and being just arrived from home, some danger was
+apprehended from the temper of the men. This was one reason why Nelson
+was removed to her. He had not been on board many weeks before a
+paper, signed in the name of all the ship's company, was dropped on the
+quarter-deck, containing these words: "Success attend Admiral Nelson!
+God bless Captain Miller! We thank them for the officers they have
+placed over us. We are happy and comfortable, and will shed every drop
+of blood in our veins to support them; and the name of the THESEUS shall
+be immortalised as high as her captain's." Wherever Nelson commanded,
+the men soon became attached to him; in ten days' time he would have
+restored the most mutinous ship in the navy to order. Whenever an
+officer fails to win the affections of those who are under his command,
+he may be assured that the fault is chiefly in himself.
+
+While Sir Horatio was in the THESEUS, he was employed in the command of
+the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz. During this service, the
+most perilous action occurred in which he was ever engaged. Making a
+night attack upon the Spanish gun-boats, his barge was attacked by an
+armed launch, under their commander, D. Miguel Tregoyen, carrying 26
+men. Nelson had with him only his ten bargemen, Captain Freemantle, and
+his coxswain, John Sykes, an old and faithful follower, who twice saved
+the life of his admiral by parrying the blows that were aimed at him,
+and at last actually interposed his own head to receive the blow of a
+Spanish sabre, which he could not by any other means avert; thus dearly
+was Nelson beloved. This was a desperate service--hand to hand with
+swords; and Nelson always considered that his personal courage was more
+conspicuous on this occasion than on any other during his whole life.
+Notwithstanding the great disproportion of numbers, 18 of the enemy were
+killed, all the rest wounded, and their launch taken. Nelson would have
+asked for a lieutenancy for Sykes, if he had served long enough; his
+manner and conduct, he observed, were so entirely above his situation,
+that Nature certainly intended him for a gentleman; but though he
+recovered from the dangerous wound which he received in this act of
+heroic attachment, he did not live to profit by the gratitude and
+friendship of his commander.
+
+Twelve days after this rencontre, Nelson sailed at the head of an
+expedition against Teneriffe. A report had prevailed a few months
+before, that the viceroy of Mexico, With the treasure ships, had put
+into that island. This had led Nelson to meditate the plan of an attack
+upon it, which he communicated to Earl St. Vincent. He was perfectly
+aware of the difficulties of the attempt. "I do not," said he, "reckon
+myself equal to Blake; but, if I recollect right, he was more obliged
+to the wind coming off the land than to any exertions of his own. The
+approach by sea to the anchoring-place is under very high land, passing
+three valleys; therefore the wind is either in from the sea, or squally
+with calms from the mountains:" and he perceived that if the Spanish
+ships were won, the object would still be frustrated if the wind did
+not come off shore. The land force, he thought, would render success
+certain; and there were the troops from Elba, with all necessary stores
+and artillery, already embarked. "But here," said he, "soldiers must be
+consulted; and I know, from experience, they have not the same boldness
+in undertaking a political measure that we have: we look to the benefit
+of our country, and risk our own fame every day to serve her; a soldier
+obeys his orders, and no more." Nelson's experience at Corsica justified
+him in this harsh opinion: he did not live to see the glorious days of
+the British army under Wellington. The army from Elba, consisting of
+3700 men, would do the business, he said, in three days, probably in
+much less time; and he would undertake, with a very small squadron, to
+perform the naval part; for though the shore was not easy of access, the
+transports might run in and land the troops in one day.
+
+The report concerning the viceroy was unfounded: but a homeward-bound
+Manilla ship put into Santa Cruz at this time, and the expedition was
+determined upon. It was not fitted out upon the scale which Nelson had
+proposed. Four ships of the line, three frigates, and the FOX cutter,
+formed the squadron; and he was allowed to choose such ships and
+officers as he thought proper. No troops were embarked; the seamen and
+marines of the squadron being thought sufficient. His orders were, to
+make a vigorous attack; but on no account to land in person, unless his
+presence should be absolutely necessary. The plan was, that the boats
+should land in the night, between the fort on the N.E. side of Santa
+Cruz bay and the town, make themselves masters of that fort, and then
+send a summons to the governor. By midnight, the three frigates, having
+the force on board which was intended for this debarkation, approached
+within three miles of the place; but owing to a strong gale of wind in
+the offing, and a strong current against them in-shore, they were not
+able to get within a mile of the landing-place before daybreak; and then
+they were seen, and their intention discovered. Troubridge and Bowen,
+with Captain Oldfield, of the marines, went upon this to consult with
+the admiral what was to be done; and it was resolved that they should
+attempt to get possession of the heights above the fort. The
+frigates accordingly landed their men; and Nelson stood in with the
+line-of-battle ships, meaning to batter the fort for the purpose of
+distracting the attention of the garrison. A calm and contrary current
+hindered him from getting within a league of the shore; and the heights
+were by this time so secured, and manned with such a force, as to be
+judged impracticable. Thus foiled in his plans by circumstances of wind
+and tide, he still considered it a point of honour that some attempt
+should be made. This was on the 22nd of July: he re-embarked his men
+that night, got the ships on the 24th to anchor about two miles north of
+the town, and made show as if he intended to attack the heights. At six
+in the evening signal was made for the boats to prepare to proceed on
+the service as previously ordered.
+
+When this was done, Nelson addressed a letter to the
+commander-in-chief--the last which was ever written with his right
+hand. "I shall not," said he, "enter on the subject, why we are not in
+possession of Santa Cruz. Your partiality will give credit, that all has
+hitherto been done which was possible, but without effect. This night I,
+humble as I am, command the whole destined to land under the batteries
+of the town; and to-morrow my head will probably be crowned either with
+laurel or cypress. I have only to recommend Josiah Nisbet to you and my
+country. The Duke of Clarence, should I fall, will, I am confident,
+take a lively interest for my son-in-law, on his name being mentioned."
+Perfectly aware how desperate a service this was likely to prove, before
+he left the THESEUS he called Lieutenant Nisbet, who had the watch on
+deck, into the cabin, that he might assist in arranging and burning his
+mother's letters. Perceiving that the young man was armed, he earnestly
+begged him to remain behind. "Should we both fall, Josiah," said he,
+"what will become of your poor mother! The care of the THESEUS falls to
+you: stay, therefore, and take charge of her." Nisbet replied: "Sir, the
+ship must take care of herself: I will go with you to-night, if I never
+go again."
+
+He met his captains at supper on board the SEAHORSE, Captain Freemantle,
+whose wife, whom he had lately married in the Mediterranean, presided at
+table. At eleven o'clock the boats, containing between 600 and 700 men,
+with 180 on board the FOX cutter, and from 70 to 80 in a boat which had
+been taken the day before, proceeded in six divisions toward the town,
+conducted by all the captains of the squadron, except Freemantle and
+Bowen, who attended with Nelson to regulate and lead the way to the
+attack. They were to land on the mole, and thence hasten as fast as
+possible into the great square; then form and proceed as should be found
+expedient. They were not discovered till about half-past one o'clock,
+when, being within half gun-shot of the landing-place, Nelson directed
+the boats to cast off from each other, give a huzza, and push for the
+shore. But the Spaniards were exceedingly well prepared; the alarm-bells
+answered the huzza, and a fire of thirty or forty pieces of cannon,
+with musketry from one end of the town to the other, opened upon the
+invaders. Nothing, however, could check the intrepidity with which they
+advanced. The night was exceedingly dark: most of the boats missed the
+mole and went on shore through a raging surf, which stove all to the
+left of it. The Admiral, Freemantle, Thompson, Bowen, and four or five
+other boats, found the mole: they stormed it instantly, and carried it,
+though it was defended, as they imagined, by 400 or 500 men. Its guns,
+which were six-and-twenty pounders, were spiked; but such a heavy fire
+of musketry and grape was kept up from the citadel and the houses at the
+head of the mole, that the assailants could not advance, and nearly all
+of them were killed or wounded.
+
+In the act of stepping out of the boat, Nelson received a shot through
+the right elbow, and fell; but as he fell he caught the sword, which he
+had just drawn, in his left hand, determined never to part with it while
+he lived, for it had belonged to his uncle, Captain Suckling, and he
+valued it like a relic. Nisbet, who was close to him, placed him at the
+bottom of the boat, and laid his hat over the shattered arm, lest the
+sight of the blood, which gushed out in great abundance, should
+increase his faintness. He then examined the wound, and taking some silk
+handkerchiefs from his neck, bound them round tight above the lacerated
+vessels. Had it not been for this presence of mind in his son-in-law,
+Nelson must have perished. One of his bargemen, by name Level, tore his
+shirt into shreds, and made a sling with them for the broken limb. They
+then collected five other seamen, by whose assistance they succeeded at
+length in getting the boat afloat; for it had grounded with the falling
+tide. Nisbet took one of the oars and ordered the steersman to go
+close under the guns of the battery, that they might be safe from its
+tremendous fire. Hearing his voice, Nelson roused himself, and desired
+to be lifted up in the boat that he might look about him. Nisbet raised
+him up; but nothing could be seen except the firing of the guns on
+shore, and what could be discerned by their flashes upon a stormy sea.
+In a few minutes a general shriek was heard from the crew of the FOX,
+which had received a shot under water, and went down. Ninety-seven men
+were lost in her: 83 were saved, many by Nelson himself, whose exertions
+on this occasion greatly increased the pain and danger of his wound. The
+first ship which the boat could reach happened to be the SEAHORSE; but
+nothing could induce him to go on board, though he was assured that if
+they attempted to row to another ship it might be at the risk of
+his life. "I had rather suffer death," he replied, "than alarm Mrs.
+Freemantle, by letting her see me in this state, when I can give her no
+tidings whatever of her husband." They pushed on for the THESEUS. When
+they came alongside he peremptorily refused all assistance in getting on
+board, so impatient was he that the boat should return, in hopes that
+it might save a few more from the FOX. He desired to have only a single
+rope thrown over the side, which he twisted round his left hand, saying
+"Let me alone; I have yet my legs left and one arm. Tell the surgeon to
+make haste and get his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm,
+so the sooner it is off the better." The spirit which he displayed in
+jumping up the ship's side astonished everybody.
+
+Freemantle had been severely wounded in the right arm soon after the
+admiral. He was fortunate enough to find a boat on the beach, and got
+instantly to his ship. Thompson was wounded: Bowen killed, to the
+great regret of Nelson: as was also one of his own officers, Lieutenant
+Weatherhead, who had followed him from the AGAMEMNON, and whom he
+greatly and deservedly esteemed. Troubridge, meantime, fortunately for
+his party, missed the mole in the darkness, but pushed on shore under
+the batteries, close to the south end of the citadel. Captain Waller, of
+the EMERALD, and two or three other boats, landed at the same time. The
+surf was so high that many others put back. The boats were instantly
+filled with water and stove against the rocks; and most of the
+ammunition in the men's pouches was wetted. Having collected a few men
+they pushed on to the great square, hoping there to find the admiral
+and the rest of the force. The ladders were all lost, so that they could
+make no immediate attempt on the citadel; but they sent a sergeant with
+two of the town's-people to summon it: this messenger never returned;
+and Troubridge having waited about an hour in painful expectation of
+his friends, marched to join Captains Hood and Miller, who had effected
+their landing to the south-west. They then endeavoured to procure some
+intelligence of the admiral and the rest of the officers, but without
+success. By daybreak they had gathered together about eighty marines,
+eighty pikemen, and one hundred and eighty small-arm seamen; all the
+survivors of those who had made good their landing. They obtained some
+ammunition from the prisoners whom they had taken, and marched on to try
+what could be done at the citadel without ladders. They found all the
+streets commanded by field-pieces, and several thousand Spaniards, with
+about a hundred French, under arms, approaching by every avenue. Finding
+himself without provisions, the powder wet, and no possibility of
+obtaining either stores or reinforcements from the ships, the boats
+being lost, Troubridge with great presence of mind, sent Captain Samuel
+Hood with a flag of truce to the governor to say he was prepared to burn
+the town, and would instantly set fire to it if the Spaniards approached
+one inch nearer. This, however, if he were compelled to do it, he should
+do with regret, for he had no wish to injure the inhabitants; and he
+was ready to treat upon these terms--that the British troops should
+reembark, with all their arms of every kind, and take their own boats,
+if they were saved, or be provided with such others as might be wanting;
+they, on their part, engaging that the squadron should not molest the
+town, or any of the Canary Islands: all prisoners on both sides to be
+given up. When these terms were proposed the governor made answer, that
+the English ought to surrender as prisoners of war; but Captain Hood
+replied, he was instructed to say, that if the terms were not accepted
+in five minutes, Captain Troubridge would set the town on fire and
+attack the Spaniards at the point of the bayonet. Satisfied with his
+success, which was indeed sufficiently complete, and respecting, like
+a brave and honourable man, the gallantry of his enemy, the Spaniard
+acceded to the proposal, found boats to re-embark them, their own having
+all been dashed to pieces in landing, and before they parted gave every
+man a loaf and a pint of wine.
+
+"And here," says Nelson in his journal, "it is right we should notice
+the noble and generous conduct of Don Juan Antonio Gutierrez, the
+Spanish governor. The moment the terms were agreed to, he directed our
+wounded men to be received into the hospitals, and all our people to be
+supplied with the best provisions that could be procured; and made
+it known that the ships were at liberty to send on shore and purchase
+whatever refreshments they were in want of during the time they might
+be off the island." A youth, by name Don Bernardo Collagon, stripped
+himself of his shirt to make bandages for one of those Englishmen
+against whom, not an hour before, he had been engaged in battle. Nelson
+wrote to thank the governor for the humanity which he had displayed.
+Presents were interchanged between them. Sir Horatio offered to take
+charge of his despatches for the Spanish Government, and thus actually
+became the first messenger to Spain of his own defeat.
+
+The total loss of the English in killed, wounded, and drowned, amounted
+to 250. Nelson made no mention of his own wound in his official
+despatches; but in a private letter to Lord St. Vincent--the first
+which he wrote with his left hand--he shows himself to have been deeply
+affected by the failure of this enterprise. "I am become," he said, "a
+burthen to my friends, and useless to my country; but by my last letter
+you will perceive my anxiety for the promotion of my son-in-law, Josiah
+Nisbet. When I leave your command I become dead to the world--'I go
+hence, and am no more seen.' If from poor Bowen's loss, you think it
+proper to oblige me, I rest confident you will do it. The boy is under
+obligations to me, but he repaid me by bringing me from the mole of
+Santa Cruz. I hope you will be able to give me a frigate to convey the
+remains of my carcass to England." "A left-handed admiral," he said in a
+subsequent letter, "will never again be considered as useful; therefore
+the sooner I get to a very humble cottage the better, and make room for
+a sounder man to serve the state." His first letter to Lady Nelson was
+written under the same opinion, but in a more cheerful strain. "It was
+the chance of war," said he, "and I have great reason to be thankful:
+and I know it will add much to your pleasure to find that Josiah, under
+God's providence, was principally instrumental in saving my life. I
+shall not be surprised if I am neglected and forgotten: probably I
+shall no longer be considered as useful; however, I shall feel rich if
+I continue to enjoy your affection. I beg neither you nor my father
+will think much of this mishap; my mind has long been made up to such an
+event."
+
+His son-in-law, according to his wish, was immediately promoted; and
+honours enough to heal his wounded spirit awaited him in England.
+Letters were addressed to him by the first lord of the Admiralty, and
+by his steady friend the Duke of Clarence, to congratulate him on his
+return, covered as he was with glory. He assured the Duke, in his reply,
+that not a scrap of that ardour with which he had hitherto served his
+king had been shot away. The freedom of the cities of Bristol and London
+were transmitted to him; he was invested with the Order of the Bath, and
+received a pension of L1000 a-year. The memorial which, as a matter
+of form, he was called upon to present on this occasion, exhibited an
+extraordinary catalogue of services performed during the war. It stated
+that he had been in four actions with the fleets of the enemy, and
+in three actions with boats employed in cutting out of harbour, in
+destroying vessels, and in taking three towns. He had served on shore
+with the army four months, and commanded the batteries at the sieges
+of Basti and Calvi: he had assisted at the capture of seven sail of the
+line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven privateers: taken and
+destroyed near fifty sail of merchant vessels, and actually been engaged
+against the enemy upwards of a hundred and twenty times, in which
+service he had lost his right eye and right arm, and been severely
+wounded and bruised in his body.
+
+His sufferings from the lost limb were long and painful. A nerve had
+been taken up in one of the ligatures at the time of the operation; and
+the ligature, according to the practice of the French surgeons, was of
+silk instead of waxed thread; this produced a constant irritation and
+discharge; and the ends of the ligature being pulled every day, in
+hopes of bringing it away, occasioned fresh agony. He had scarcely any
+intermission of pain, day or night, for three months after his return to
+England. Lady Nelson, at his earnest request, attended the dressing of
+his arm, till she had acquired sufficient resolution and skill to dress
+it herself. One night, during this state of suffering, after a day of
+constant pain, Nelson retired early to bed, in hope of enloying some
+respite by means of laudanum. He was at that time lodging in Bond
+Street, and the family were soon disturbed by a mob knocking loudly
+and violently at the door. The news of Duncan's victory had been made
+public, and the house was not illuminated. But when the mob were told
+that Admiral Nelson lay there in bed, badly wounded, the foremost of
+them made answer: "You shall hear no more from us to-night:" and in
+fact, the feeling of respect and sympathy was communicated from one to
+another with such effect that, under the confusion of such a night, the
+house was not molested again.
+
+About the end of November, after a night of sound sleep, he found the
+arm nearly free from pain. The surgeon was immediately sent for to
+examine it; and the ligature came away with the slightest touch.
+From that time it began to heal. As soon as he thought his health
+established, he sent the following form of thanksgiving to the minister
+of St. George's, Hanover Square:--"An officer desires to return thanks
+to Almighty God for his perfect recovery from a severe wound, and also
+for the many mercies bestowed on him."
+
+Not having been in England till now, since he lost his eye, he went
+to receive a year's pay as smart money; but could not obtain payment,
+because he had neglected to bring a certificate from a surgeon that the
+sight was actually destroyed. A little irritated that this form should
+be insisted upon, because, though the fact was not apparent, he thought
+it was sufficiently notorious, he procured a certificate at the same
+time for the loss of his arm; saying, they might just as well doubt one
+as the other. This put him in good humour with himself, and with the
+clerk who had offended him. On his return to the office, the clerk,
+finding it was only the annual pay of a captain, observed, he thought it
+had been more. "Oh!" replied Nelson, "this is only for an eye. In a few
+days I shall come for an arm; and in a little time longer, God knows,
+most probably for a leg." Accordingly he soon afterwards went, and with
+perfect good humour exhibited the certificate of the loss of his arm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+1798
+
+Nelson rejoins Earl St. Vincent in the VANGUARD--Sails in Pursuit of the
+French in Egypt--Returns to Sicily, and sails again to Egypt--Battle of
+the Nile.
+
+
+EARLY in the year 1798, Sir Horatio Nelson hoisted his flag in
+the VANGUARD, and was ordered to rejoin Earl St. Vincent. Upon his
+departure, his father addressed him with that affectionate solemnity by
+which all his letters were distinguished. "I trust in the Lord," said
+he, "that He will prosper your going out and your coming in. I earnestly
+desired once more to see you, and that wish has been heard. If I should
+presume to say, I hope to see you again, the question would be readily
+asked, How old art thou? VALE! VALE! DOMINE, VALE!" It is said that a
+gloomy foreboding hung on the spirits of Lady Nelson at their parting.
+This could have arisen only from the dread of losing him by the chance
+of war. Any apprehension of losing his affections could hardly have
+existed, for all his correspondence to this time shows that he thought
+himself happy in his marriage; and his private character had hitherto
+been as spotless as his public conduct. One of the last things he said
+to her was, that his own ambition was satisfied, but that he went to
+raise her to that rank in which he had long wished to see her.
+
+Immediately on his rejoining the fleet, he was despatched to the
+Mediterranean with a small squadron, in order to ascertain, if possible,
+the object of the great expedition which at that time was fitting out
+under Buonaparte at Toulon. The defeat of this armament, whatever might
+be its destination, was deemed by the British government an object
+paramount to every other; and Earl St. Vincent was directed, if he
+thought it necessary, to take his whole force into the Mediterranean,
+to relinquish, for that purpose, the blockade of the Spanish fleet, as a
+thing of inferior moment; but if he should deem a detachment sufficient,
+"I think it almost necessary," said the first lord of the Admiralty in
+his secret instructions, "to suggest to you the propriety of putting it
+under Sir Horatio Nelson." It is to the honour of Earl St. Vincent that
+he had already made the same choice. This appointment to a service in
+which so much honour might be acquired, gave great offence to the senior
+admirals of the fleet. Sir William Parker, who was a very excellent
+naval officer, and as gallant a man as any in the navy, and Sir John
+Orde, who on all occasions of service had acquitted himself with
+great honour, each wrote to Lord Spencer, complaining that so marked a
+preference should have been given to a junior of the same fleet. This
+resentment is what most men in a like case would feel; and if the
+preference thus given to Nelson had not originated in a clear perception
+that (as his friend Collingwood said of him a little while before) his
+spirit was equal to all undertakings, and his resources fitted to all
+occasions, an injustice would have been done to them by his appointment.
+But if the service were conducted with undeviating respect to seniority,
+the naval and military character would soon be brought down to the dead
+level of mediocrity.
+
+The armament at Toulon consisted of thirteen ships of the line, seven
+forty-gun frigates, with twenty-four smaller vessels of war, and nearly
+200 transports. Mr. Udney, our consul at Leghorn, was the first person
+who procured certain intelligence of the enemy's design against Malta;
+and, from his own sagacity, foresaw that Egypt must be their after
+object. Nelson sailed from Gibraltar on the 9th of May, with the
+VANGUARD, ORION, and ALEXANDER, seventy-fours; the CAROLINE, FLORA,
+EMERALD, and TERPSICHORE, frigates; and the BONNE CITOYENNE, sloop of
+war, to watch this formidable armament. On the 19th, when they were in
+the Gulf of Lyons, a gale came on from the N.W. It moderated so much
+on the 20th as to enable them to get their top-gallant masts and yards
+aloft. After dark it again began to blow strong, but the ships had been
+prepared for a gale, and therefore Nelson's mind was easy. Shortly
+after midnight, however, his main-topmast went over the side, and the
+mizentopmast soon afterward. The night was so tempestuous that it
+was impossible for any signal either to be seen or heard; and Nelson
+determined, as soon as it should be daybreak, to wear, and scud before
+the gale; but at half-past three the fore-mast went in three pieces, and
+the bowsprit was found to be sprung in three places.
+
+When day broke they succeeded in wearing the ship with a remnant of the
+spritsail. This was hardly to have been expected. The VANGUARD was at
+that time twenty-five leagues south of the island of Hieres; with her
+head lying to the N.E., and if she had not wore, the ship must have
+drifted to Corsica. Captain Ball, in the ALEXANDER, took her in tow, to
+carry her into the Sardinian harbour of St. Pietro. Nelson, apprehensive
+that this attempt might endanger both vessels, ordered him to cast off;
+but that excellent officer, with a spirit like his commanders, replied,
+he was confident he could save the VANGUARD, and, by God's help, he
+would do it. There had been a previous coolness between these great men;
+but from this time Nelson became fully sensible of the extraordinary
+talents of Captain Ball, and a sincere friendship subsisted between them
+during the remainder of their lives. "I ought not," said the admiral,
+writing to his wife--"I ought not to call what has happened to the
+VANGUARD by the cold name of accident: I believe firmly it was the
+Almighty's goodness, to check my consummate vanity. I hope it has made
+me a better officer, as I feel confident it has made me a better man.
+Figure to yourself, on Sunday evening at sunset, a vain man walking in
+his cabin, with a squadron around him, who looked up to their chief to
+lead them to glory, and in whom their chief placed the firmest reliance
+that the proudest ships of equal numbers belonging to France would have
+lowered their flags; figure to yourself, on Monday morning, when the
+sun rose, this proud man, his ship dismasted, his fleet dispersed, and
+himself in such distress that the meanest frigate out of France would
+have been an unwelcome guest." Nelson had, indeed, more reason to refuse
+the cold name of accident to this tempest than he was then aware of,
+for on that very day the French fleet sailed from Toulon, and must
+have passed within a few leagues of his little squadron, which was thus
+preserved by the thick weather that came on.
+
+The British Government at this time, with a becoming spirit, gave orders
+that any port in the Mediterranean should be considered as hostile where
+the governor or chief magistrate should refuse to let our ships of
+war procure supplies of provisions, or of any article which they might
+require.
+
+In these orders the ports of Sardinia were excepted. The continental
+possessions of the King of Sardinia were at this time completely at the
+mercy of the French, and that prince was now discovering, when too late,
+that the terms to which he had consented, for the purpose of escaping
+immediate danger, necessarily involved the loss of the dominions which
+they were intended to preserve. The citadel of Turin was now occupied by
+French troops; and his wretched court feared to afford the common rights
+of humanity to British ships, lest it should give the French occasion
+to seize on the remainder of his dominions--a measure for which it was
+certain they would soon make a pretext, if they did not find one. Nelson
+was informed that he could not be permitted to enter the port of St
+Pietro. Regardless of this interdict, which, under his circumstances, it
+would have been an act of suicidal folly to have regarded, he anchored
+in the harbour; and, by the exertions of Sir James Saumarez, Captain
+Ball, and Captain Berry, the VANGUARD was refitted in four days; months
+would have been employed in refitting her in England. Nelson, with that
+proper sense of merit, wherever it was found, which proved at once the
+goodness and the greatness of his character, especially recommended to
+Earl St. Vincent the carpenter of the ALEXANDER, under whose directions
+the ship had been repaired; stating, that he was an old and faithful
+servant of the Crown, who had been nearly thirty years a warrant
+carpenter, and begging most earnestly that the Commander-in-Chief would
+recommend him to the particular notice of the Board of Admiralty. He
+did not leave the harbour without expressing his sense of the treatment
+which he had received there, in a letter to the Viceroy of Sardinia.
+"Sir," it said, "having, by a gale of wind, sustained some trifling
+damages, I anchored a small part of his Majesty's fleet under my orders
+off this island, and was surprised to hear, by an officer sent by the
+governor, that admittance was to be refused to the flag of his Britannic
+Majesty into this port. When I reflect, that my most gracious sovereign
+is the oldest, I believe, and certainly the most faithful ally which the
+King of Sardinia ever had, I could feel the sorrow which it must have
+been to his majesty to have given such an order; and also for your
+excellency, who had to direct its execution. I cannot but look at the
+African shore, where the followers of Mahomet are performing the part of
+the good Samaritan, which I look for in vain at St. Peter's, where it is
+said the Christian religion is professed."
+
+The delay which was thus occasioned was useful to him in many respects;
+it enabled him to complete his supply of water, and to receive a
+reinforcement which Earl St. Vincent, being himself reinforced from
+England, was enabled to send him. It consisted of the best ships of
+his fleet; the CULLODEN, seventy-four, Captain T. Troubridge; GOLIATH,
+seventy-four, Captain T. Foley; MINOTAUR, seventy-four, Captain T. Louis;
+DEFENCE, seventy-four, Captain John Peyton; BELLEROPHON, seventy-four,
+Captain H.D.E. Darby; MAJESTIC, seventy-four, Captain G. B. Westcott;
+ZEALOUS, seventy-four, Captain S. Hood; SWIFTSURE, seventy-four, Captain
+B. Hallowell; THESEUS, seventy-four, Captain R. W. Miller; AUDACIOUS,
+seventy-four, Captain Davidge Gould. The LEANDER, fifty, Captain T.
+E. Thompson, was afterwards added. These ships were made ready for the
+service as soon as Earl St. Vincent received advice from England that
+he was to be reinforced. As soon as the reinforcement was seen from the
+mast-head of the admiral's ship, off Cadiz Bay, signal was immediately
+made to Captain Troubridge to put to sea; and he was out of sight before
+the ships from home cast anchor in the British station. Troubridge took
+with him no instructions to Nelson as to the course he was to steer, nor
+any certain account of the enemy's destination; everything was left to
+his own judgment. Unfortunately, the frigates had been separated from
+him in the tempest and had not been able to rejoin: they sought him
+unsuccessfully in the Bay of Naples, where they obtained no tidings of
+his course: and he sailed without them.
+
+The first news of the enemy's armament was that it had surprised Malta,
+Nelson formed a plan for attacking it while at anchor at Gozo; but on
+the 22nd of June intelligence reached him that the French had left that
+island on the 16th, the day after their arrival. It was clear that
+their destination was eastward--he thought for Egypt--and for Egypt,
+therefore, he made all sail. Had the frigates been with him, he could
+scarcely have failed to gain information of the enemy; for want of them,
+he only spoke three vessels on the way: two came from Alexandria, one
+from the Archipelago, and neither of them had seen anything of the
+French. He arrived off Alexandria on the 28th, and the enemy were not
+there, neither was there any account of them; but the governor was
+endeavouring to put the city in a state of defence, having received
+advice from Leghorn that the French expedition was intended against
+Egypt, after it had taken Malta. Nelson then shaped his course to the
+northward for Caramania, and steered from thence along the southern side
+of Candia, carrying a press of sail both night and day, with a contrary
+wind. It would have been his delight, he said, to have tried Bonaparte
+on a wind. It would have been the delight of Europe, too, and the
+blessing of the world, if that fleet had been overtaken with its general
+on board. But of the myriads and millions of human beings who would
+have been preserved by that day's victory, there is not one to whom such
+essential benefit would have resulted as to Bonaparte himself. It would
+have spared him his defeat at Acre--his only disgrace; for to have been
+defeated by Nelson upon the seas would not have been disgraceful; it
+would have spared him all his after enormities. Hitherto his career had
+been glorious; the baneful principles of his heart had never yet passed
+his lips; history would have represented him as a soldier of fortune,
+who had faithfully served the cause in which he engaged; and whose
+career had been distinguished by a series of successes unexampled in
+modern times. A romantic obscurity would have hung over the expedition
+to Egypt, and he would have escaped the perpetration of those crimes
+which have incarnadined his soul with a deeper dye than that of the
+purple for which he committed them--those acts of perfidy, midnight
+murder, usurpation, and remorseless tyranny, which have consigned his
+name to universal execration, now and for ever.
+
+Conceiving that when an officer is not successful in his plans it is
+absolutely necessary that he should explain the motives upon which they
+were founded, Nelson wrote at this time an account and vindication of
+his conduct for having carried the fleet to Egypt. The objection which
+he anticipated was that he ought not to have made so long a voyage
+without more certain information. "My answer," said he, "is ready. Who
+was I to get it from? The governments of Naples and Sicily either knew
+not, or chose to keep me in ignorance. Was I to wait patiently until I
+heard certain accounts? If Egypt were their object, before I could hear
+of them they would have been in India. To do nothing was disgraceful;
+therefore I made use of my understanding. I am before your lordships'
+judgment; and if, under all circumstances, it is decided that I am
+wrong, I ought, for the sake of our country, to be superseded; for at
+this moment, when I know the French are not in Alexandria, I hold the
+same opinion as off Cape Passaro--that, under all circumstances, I was
+right in steering for Alexandria; and by that opinion I must stand or
+fall." Captain Ball, to whom he showed this paper, told him he should
+recommend a friend never to begin a defence of his conduct before he
+was accused of error: he might give the fullest reasons for what he had
+done, expressed in such terms as would evince that he had acted from the
+strongest conviction of being right; and of course he must expect that
+the public would view it in the same light. Captain Ball judged rightly
+of the public, whose first impulses, though, from want of sufficient
+information, they must frequently be erroneous, are generally founded
+upon just feelings. But the public are easily misled, and there are
+always persons ready to mislead them. Nelson had not yet attained that
+fame which compels envy to be silent; and when it was known in England
+that he had returned after an unsuccessful pursuit, it was said that
+he deserved impeachment; and Earl St. Vincent was severely censured for
+having sent so young an officer upon so important a service.
+
+Baffled in his pursuit, he returned to Sicily. The Neapolitan ministry
+had determined to give his squadron no assistance, being resolved to
+do nothing which could possibly endanger their peace with the French
+Directory; by means, however, of Lady Hamilton's influence at court, he
+procured secret orders to the Sicilian governors; and under those
+orders obtained everything which he wanted at Syracuse--a timely supply;
+without which, he always said, he could not have recommenced his pursuit
+with any hope of success. "It is an old saying," said he in his letter,
+"that the devil's children have the devil's luck. I cannot to this
+moment learn, beyond vague conjecture, where the French fleet have gone
+to; and having gone a round of 600 leagues, at this season of the year,
+with an expedition incredible, here I am, as ignorant of the situation
+of the enemy as I was twenty-seven days ago. Every moment I have to
+regret the frigates having left me; had one-half of them been with me,
+I could not have wanted information. Should the French be so strongly
+secured in port that I cannot get at them, I shall immediately shift
+my flag into some other ship, and send the VANGUARD to Naples to be
+refitted; for hardly any person but myself would have continued
+on service so long in such a wretched state." Vexed, however, and
+disappointed as he was, Nelson, with the true spirit of a hero, was
+still full of hope. "Thanks to your exertions," said he, writing to Sir.
+William and Lady Hamilton, "we have victualled and watered; and surely
+watering at the fountain of Arethusa, we must have victory. We shall
+sail with the first breeze; and be assured I will return either crowned
+with laurel or covered with cypress." Earl St. Vincent he assured, that
+if the French were above water he would find them out: he still held his
+opinion that they were bound for Egypt: "but," said he to the First Lord
+of the Admiralty, "be they bound to the Antipodes, your lordship may
+rely that I will not lose a moment in bringing them to action."
+
+On the 25th of July he sailed from Syracuse for the Morea. Anxious
+beyond measure, and irritated that the enemy should so long have eluded
+him, the tediousness of the nights made him impatient; and the officer
+of the watch was repeatedly called on to let him know the hour, and
+convince him, who measured time by his own eagerness, that it was
+not yet daybreak. The squadron made the Gulf of Coron on the 28th.
+Troubridge entered the port, and returned with intelligence that the
+French fleet had been seen about four weeks before steering to the S.E.
+from Candia. Nelson then determined immediately to return to Alexandria;
+and the British fleet accordingly, with every sail set, stood once more
+for the coast of Egypt. On the 1st of August, about 10 in the morning,
+they came in sight of Alexandria: the port had been vacant and solitary
+when they saw it last; it was now crowded with ships; and they perceived
+with exultation that the tri-coloured flag was flying upon the walls. At
+four in the afternoon, Captain Hood, in the ZEALOUS, made the signal
+for the enemy's fleet. For many preceding days Nelson had hardly taken
+either sleep or food: he now ordered his dinner to be served, while
+preparations were making for battle; and when his officers rose from
+table, and went to their separate stations, he said to them, "Before
+this time to-morrow I shall have gained a peerage or Westminster Abbey."
+
+The French, steering direct for Candia, had made an angular passage for
+Alexandria; whereas Nelson, in pursuit of them, made straight for that
+place, and thus materially shortened the distance. The comparative
+smallness of his force made it necessary to sail in close order, and it
+covered a less space than it would have done if the frigates had been
+with him: the weather also was constantly hazy. These circumstances
+prevented the English from discovering the enemy on the way to Egypt,
+though it appeared, upon examining the journals of the French officers
+taken in the action, that the two fleets must actually have crossed
+on the night of the 22nd of June. During the return to Syracuse, the
+chances of falling in with them were become fewer.
+
+Why Buonaparte, having effected his landing, should not have suffered
+the fleet to return, has never yet been explained. This much is certain,
+that it was detained by his command, though, with his accustomed
+falsehood, he accused Admiral Brueys, after that officer's death,
+of having lingered on the coast contrary to orders. The French fleet
+arrived at Alexandria on the 1st of July, and Brueys, not being able to
+enter the port, which time and neglect had ruined, moored his ships
+in Aboukir Bay, in a strong and compact line of battle; the headmost
+vessel, according to his own account, being as close as possible to a
+shoal on the N.W., and the rest of the fleet forming a kind of curve
+along the line of deep water, so as not to be turned by any means in the
+S.W. By Buonaparte's desire he had offered a reward of 10,000 livres to
+any pilot of the country who would carry the squadron in, but none could
+be found who would venture to take charge of a single vessel drawing
+more than twenty feet. He had therefore made the best of his situation,
+and chosen the strongest position which he could possibly take in an
+open road. The commissary of the fleet said they were moored in such a
+manner as to bid defiance to a force more than double their own. This
+presumption could not then be thought unreasonable. Admiral Barrington,
+when moored in a similar manner off St. Lucia, in the year 1778, beat
+off the Comte d'Estaign in three several attacks, though his force
+was inferior by almost one-third to that which assailed it. Here, the
+advantage in numbers, both in ships, guns, and men, was in favour of the
+French. They had thirteen ships of the line and four frigates, carrying
+1196 guns and 11,230 men. The English had the same number of ships of
+the line and one fifty-gun ship, carrying 1012 guns and 8068 men. The
+English ships were all seventy-fours; the French had three eighty-gun
+ships, and one three-decker of one hundred and twenty.
+
+During the whole pursuit it had been Nelson's practice, whenever
+circumstances would permit, to have his captains on board the VANGUARD,
+and explain to them his own ideas of the different and best modes of
+attack, and such plans as he proposed to execute on falling in with the
+enemy, whatever their situation might be. There is no possible position,
+it is said, which he did not take into calculation. His officers were
+thus fully acquainted with his principles of tactics; and such was his
+confidence in their abilities that the only thing determined upon, in
+case they should find the French at anchor, was for the ships to form
+as most convenient for their mutual support, and to anchor by the stern.
+"First gain the victory," he said, "and then make the best use of it you
+can." The moment he perceived the position of the French, that intuitive
+genius with which Nelson was endowed displayed itself; and it instantly
+struck him that where there was room for an enemy's ship to swing,
+there was room for one of ours to anchor. The plan which he intended to
+pursue, therefore, was to keep entirely on the outer side of the French
+line, and station his ships, as far as he was able, one on the outer
+bow, and another on the outer quarter, of each of the enemy's. This plan
+of doubling on the enemy's ships was projected by Lord Hood, when he
+designed to attack the French fleet at their anchorage in Gourjean Road.
+Lord Hood found it impossible to make the attempt; but the thought
+was not lost upon Nelson, who acknowledged himself, on this occasion,
+indebted for it to his old and excellent commander. Captain Berry, when
+he comprehended the scope of the design, exclaimed with transport, "If
+we succeed, what will the world say?" "There is no IF in the case,"
+replied the admiral: "that we shall succeed is certain; who may live to
+tell the story is a very different question."
+
+As the squadron advanced, they were assailed by a shower of shot and
+shells from the batteries on the island, and the enemy opened a steady
+fire from the starboard side of their whole line, within half gunshot
+distance, full into the bows of our van ships. It was received in
+silence: the men on board every ship were employed aloft in furling
+sails, and below in tending the braces and making ready for anchoring. A
+miserable sight for the French; who, with all their skill, and all their
+courage, and all their advantages of numbers and situation, were upon
+that element on which, when the hour of trial comes, a Frenchman has
+no hope. Admiral Brueys was a brave and able man; yet the indelible
+character of his country broke out in one of his letters, wherein he
+delivered it as his private opinion, that the English had missed him,
+because, not being superior in force, they did not think it prudent to
+try their strength with him. The moment was now come in which he was to
+be undeceived.
+
+A French brig was instructed to decoy the English by manoeuvring so as
+to tempt them toward a shoal lying off the island of Bekier; but Nelson
+either knew the danger or suspected some deceit; and the lure was
+unsuccessful. Captain Foley led the way in the GOLIATH, outsailing the
+ZEALOUS, which for some minutes disputed this post of honour with him.
+He had long conceived that if the enemy were moored in line of battle in
+with the land, the best plan of attack would be to lead between them and
+the shore, because the French guns on that side were not likely to be
+manned, nor even ready for action. Intending, therefore, to fix himself
+on the inner bow of the GUERRIER, he kept as near the edge of the bank
+as the depth of water would admit; but his anchor hung, and having
+opened his fire he drifted to the second ship, the CONQUERANT, before it
+was clear; then anchored by the stern inside of her, and in ten minutes
+shot away her mast. Hood, in the ZEALOUS, perceiving this, took the
+station which the GOLIATH intended to have occupied, and totally
+disabled the GUERRIER in twelve minutes. The third ship which doubled
+the enemy's van was the ORION, Sir J. Saumarez; she passed to windward
+of the ZEALOUS, and opened her larboard guns as long as they bore on
+GUERRIER; then, passing inside the GOLIATH, sunk a frigate which annoyed
+her, hauled round toward the French line, and anchoring inside, between
+the fifth and sixth ships from the GUERRIER, took her station on the
+larboard bow of the FRANKLIN and the quarter of the PEUPLE SOUVERAIN,
+receiving and returning the fire of both. The sun was now nearly down.
+The AUDACIOUS, Captain Could, pouring a heavy fire into the GUERRIER
+and the CONQUERANT, fixed herself on the larboard bow of the latter, and
+when that ship struck, passed on to the PEUPLE SOUVERAIN. The THESEUS,
+Capt Miller, followed, brought down the GUERRIER's remaining main and
+mizzen masts, then anchored inside of the SPARTIATE, the third in the
+French line.
+
+While these advanced ships doubled the French line, the VANGUARD was
+the first that anchored on the outer side of the enemy, within half
+pistol-shot of their third ship, the SPARTIATE. Nelson had six colours
+flying in different parts of his rigging, lest they should be shot
+away; that they should be struck, no British admiral considers as a
+possibility. He veered half a cable, and instantly opened a tremendous
+fire; under cover of which the other four ships of his division, the
+MINOTAUR, BELLEROPHON, DEFENCE, and MAJESTIC, sailed on ahead of the
+admiral. In a few minutes, every man stationed at the first six guns in
+the fore part of the VANGUARD's deck was killed or wounded. These guns
+were three times cleared. Captain Louis, in the MINOTAUR, anchored just
+ahead, and took off the fire of the AQUILON, the fourth in the enemy's
+line. The BELLEROPHON, Captain Darby, passed ahead, and dropped her
+stern anchor on the starboard bow of the ORIENT, seventh in the line,
+Brueys' own ship, of one hundred and twenty guns, whose difference of
+force was in proportion of more than seven to three, and whose weight of
+ball, from the lower deck alone, exceeded that from the whole broadside
+of the BELLEROPHON. Captain Peyton, in the DEFENCE, took his station
+ahead of the MINOTAUR, and engaged the FRANKLIN, the sixth in the line,
+by which judicious movement the British line remained unbroken. The
+MAJESTIC, Captain Westcott, got entangled with the main rigging of one
+of the French ships astern of the ORIENT, and suffered dreadfully from
+that three-decker's fire; but she swung clear, and closely engaging the
+HEUREUX, the ninth ship on the starboard bow, received also the fire of
+the TONNANT, which was the eighth in the line. The other four ships of
+the British squadron, having been detached previous to the discovery of
+the French, were at a considerable distance when the action began. It
+commenced at half after six; about seven night closed, and there was no
+other light than that from the fire of the contending fleets.
+
+Troubridge, in the CULLODEN, then foremost of the remaining ships, was
+two leagues astern. He came on sounding, as the others had done: as
+he advanced, the increasing darkness increased the difficulty of the
+navigation; and suddenly, after having found eleven fathoms water,
+before the lead could be hove again he was fast aground; nor could all
+his own exertions, joined with those of the LEANDER and the MUTINE brig,
+which came to his assistance, get him off in time to bear a part in
+the action. His ship, however, served as a beacon to the ALEXANDER and
+SWIFTSURE, which would else, from the course which they were holding,
+have gone considerably further on the reef, and must inevitably have
+been lost. These ships entered the bay, and took their stations in
+the darkness, in a manner still spoken of with admiration by all who
+remember it. Captain Hallowell, in the SWIFTSURE, as he was bearing
+down, fell in with what seemed to be a strange sail. Nelson had directed
+his ships to hoist four lights horizontally at the mizzen peak as soon
+as it became dark; and this vessel had no such distinction. Hallowell,
+however, with great judgment, ordered his men not to fire: if she was an
+enemy, he said, she was in too disabled a state to escape; but from her
+sails being loose, and the way in which her head was, it was probable
+she might be an English ship. It was the BELLEROPHON, overpowered by the
+huge ORIENT: her lights had gone overboard, nearly 200 of her crew were
+killed or wounded, all her masts and cables had been shot away; and she
+was drifting out of the line toward the leeside of the bay. Her station,
+at this important time, was occupied by the SWIFTSURE, which opened a
+steady fire on the quarter of the FRANKLIN and the bows of the French
+admiral. At the same instant, Captain Ball, with the ALEXANDER, passed
+under his stern, and anchored within-side on his larboard quarter,
+raking; him, and keeping up a severe fire of musketry upon his decks.
+The last ship which arrived to complete the destruction of the enemy was
+the LEANDER. Captain Thompson, finding that nothing could be done that
+night to get off the CULLODEN, advanced with the intention of anchoring
+athwart-hawse of the ORIENT. The FRANKLIN was so near her ahead that
+there was not room for him to pass clear of the two; he therefore took
+his station athwart-hawse of the latter in such a position as to rake
+both.
+
+The two first ships of the French line had been dismasted within a
+quarter of an hour after the commencement of the action; and the others
+had in that time suffered so severely that victory was already certain.
+The third, fourth, and fifth were taken possession of at half-past
+eight.
+
+Meantime Nelson received a severe wound on the head from a piece of
+langridge shot. Captain Berry caught him in his arms as he was falling.
+The great effusion of blood occasioned an apprehension that the wound
+was mortal: Nelson himself thought so; a large flap of the skin of the
+forehead, cut from the bone, had fallen over one eye; and the other
+being blind, he was in total darkness. When he was carried down, the
+surgeon--in the midst of a scene scarcely to be conceived by those who
+have never seen a cockpit in time of action, and the heroism which is
+displayed amid its horrors,--with a natural and pardonable eagerness,
+quitted the poor fellow then under his hands, that he might instantly
+attend the admiral. "No!" said Nelson, "I will take my turn with my
+brave fellows." Nor would he suffer his own wound to be examined till
+every man who had been previously wounded was properly attended to.
+Fully believing that the wound was mortal, and that he was about to
+die, as he had ever desired, in battle, and in victory, he called the
+chaplain, and desired him to deliver what he supposed to be his dying
+remembrance to lady Nelson; he then sent for Captain Louis on board
+from the MINOTAUR, that he might thank him personally for the great
+assistance which he had rendered to the VANGUARD; and ever mindful of
+those who deserved to be his friends, appointed Captain Hardy from the
+brig to the command of his own ship, Captain Berry having to go home
+with the news of the victory. When the surgeon came in due time to
+examine his wound (for it was in vain to entreat him to let it be
+examined sooner), the most anxious silence prevailed; and the joy of the
+wounded men, and of the whole crew, when they heard that the hurt was
+merely superficial, gave Nelson deeper pleasure than the unexpected
+assurance that his life was in no danger. The surgeon requested, and as
+far as he could, ordered him to remain quiet; but Nelson could not rest.
+He called for his secretary, Mr. Campbell, to write the despatches.
+Campbell had himself been wounded, and was so affected at the blind and
+suffering state of the admiral that he was unable to write. The chaplain
+was then sent for; but before he came, Nelson with his characteristic
+eagerness took the pen, and contrived to trace a few words, marking his
+devout sense of the success which had already been obtained. He was now
+left alone; when suddenly a cry was heard on the deck that the ORIENT
+was on fire. In the confusion he found his way up, unassisted and
+unnoticed; and, to the astonishment of every one, appeared on the
+quarter-decks where he immediately gave order that the boats should be
+sent to the relief of the enemy.
+
+It was soon after nine that the fire on, board the ORIENT broke out.
+Brueys was dead; he had received three wounds, yet would not leave
+his post: a fourth cut him almost in two. He desired not to be carried
+below, but to be left to die upon deck. The flames soon mastered his
+ship. Her sides had just been painted; and the oil-jars and paint
+buckets were lying on the poop. By the prodigious light of this
+conflagration, the situation of the two fleets could now be perceived,
+the colours of both being clearly distinguishable. About ten o'clock the
+ship blew up, with a shock which was felt to the very bottom of every
+vessel. Many of her officers and men jumped overboard, some clinging
+to the spars and pieces of wreck with which the sea was strewn, others
+swimming to escape from the destruction which they momently dreaded.
+Some were picked up by our boats; and some even in the heat and fury
+of the action were dragged into the lower ports of the nearest British
+ships by the British sailors. The greater part of her crew, however,
+stood the danger till the last, and continued to fire from the lower
+deck. This tremendous explosion was followed by a silence not less
+awful: the firing immediately ceased on both sides; and the first sound
+which broke the silence, was the dash of her shattered masts and yards,
+falling into the water from the vast height to which they had been
+exploded. It is upon record that a battle between two armies was once
+broken off by an earthquake. Such an event would be felt like a miracle;
+but no incident in war, produced by human means, has ever equalled the
+sublimity of this co-instantaneous pause, and all its circumstances.
+
+About seventy of the ORIENT's crew were saved by the English boats.
+Among the many hundreds who perished were the commodore, Casa-Bianca,
+and his son, a brave boy, only ten years old. They were seen floating
+on a shattered mast when the ship blew up. She had money on board (the
+plunder of Malta) to the amount of L600,000 sterling. The masses of
+burning wreck, which were scattered by the explosion, excited for some
+moments apprehensions in the English which they had never felt from any
+other danger. Two large pieces fell into the main and fore tops of the
+SWIFTSURE without injuring any person. A port-fire also fell into the
+main-royal of the ALEXANDER; the fire which it occasioned was speedily
+extinguished. Captain Ball had provided, as far as human foresight could
+provide, against any such danger. All the shrouds and sails of his ship,
+not absolutely necessary for its immediate management, were thoroughly
+wetted, and so rolled up that they were as hard and as little
+inflammable as so many solid cylinders.
+
+The firing recommenced with the ships to leeward of the centre, and
+continued till about three. At daybreak, the GUILLAUME TELL and the
+GENEREUX, the two rear ships of the enemy, were the only French ships
+of the line which had their colours flying; they cut their cables in
+the forenoon, not having been engaged, and stood out to sea, and two
+frigates with them. The ZEALOUS pursued; but as there was no other
+ship in a condition to support Captain Hood, he was recalled. It was
+generally believed by the officers that if Nelson had not been wounded,
+not one of these ships could have escaped. The four certainly could not
+if the CULLODEN had got into action; and if the frigates belonging to
+the squadron had been present, not one of the enemy's fleet would have
+left Aboukir Bay. These four vessels, however, were all that escaped;
+and the victory was the most complete and glorious in the annals of
+naval history. "Victory," said Nelson, "is not a name strong enough for
+such a scene:" he called it a conquest. Of thirteen sail of the line,
+nine were taken and two burned. Of the four frigates, one was sunk,
+another, the ARTEMISE, was burned in a villanous manner by her captain,
+M. Estandlet, who, having fired a broadside at the THESEUS, struck his
+colours, then set fire to the ship and escaped with most of his crew to
+shore. The British loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to 895 Westcott
+was the only captain who fell; 3105 of the French, including the
+wounded, were sent on shore by cartel, and 5225 perished.
+
+As soon as the conquest was completed, Nelson sent orders through the
+fleet to return thanksgiving in every ship for the victory with which
+Almighty God had blessed his majesty's arms. The French at Rosetta, who
+with miserable fear beheld the engagement, were at a loss to understand
+the stillness of the fleet during the performance of this solemn duty;
+but it seemed to affect many of the prisoners, officers as well as men;
+and graceless and godless as the officers were, some of them remarked
+that it was no wonder such order was Preserved in the British navy, when
+the minds of our men could be Impressed with such sentiments after
+so great a victory, and at a moment of such confusion. The French
+at Rosetta, seeing their four ships sail out of the bay unmolested,
+endeavoured to persuade themselves that they were in possession of the
+place of battle. But it was in vain thus to attempt, against their own
+secret and certain conviction, to deceive themselves; and even if they
+could have succeeded in this, the bonfires which the Arabs kindled along
+the whole coast, and over the country, for the three following nights,
+would soon have undeceived them. Thousands of Arabs and Egyptians lined
+the shore, and covered the house tops during the action, rejoicing
+in the destruction which had overtaken their invaders. Long after the
+battle, innumerable bodies were seen floating about the bay, in spite
+of all the exertions which were made to sink them, as well from fear of
+pestilence as from the loathing and horror which the sight occasioned.
+Great numbers were cast up upon the Isle of Bekier (Nelson's Island, as
+it has since been called), and our sailors raised mounds of sand over
+them. Even after an interval of nearly three years Dr. Clarke saw them,
+and assisted in interring heaps of human bodies, which, having been
+thrown up by the sea where there were no jackals to devour them,
+presented a sight loathsome to humanity. The shore, for an extent of
+four leagues, was covered with wreck; and the Arabs found employment for
+many days in burning on the beach the fragments which were cast up, for
+the sake of the iron. Part of the ORIENT's main-mast was picked up by
+the SWIFTSURE. Captain Hallowell ordered his carpenter to make a coffin
+of it; the iron, as well as the wood, was taken from the wreck of the
+same ship; it was finished as well and handsomely as the workman's skill
+and materials would permit; and Hallowell then sent it to the admiral
+with the following letter:--"Sir, I have taken the liberty of presenting
+you a coffin made from the main mast of L'ORIENT, that when you have
+finished your military career in this world you may be buried in one of
+your trophies. But that that period may be far distant is the earnest
+wish of your sincere friend, Benjamin Hallowell."--An offering so
+strange, and yet so suited to the occasion, was received by Nelson in
+the spirit with which it was sent. As if he felt it good for him, now
+that he was at the summit of his wishes, to have death before his eyes,
+he ordered the coffin to be placed upright in his cabin. Such a piece of
+furniture, however, was more suitable to his own feelings than to those
+of his guests and attendants; and an old favourite servant entreated him
+so earnestly to let it be removed, that at length he consented to have
+the coffin carried below; but he gave strict orders that it should be
+safely stowed, and reserved for the purpose for which its brave and
+worthy donor had designed it.
+
+The victory was complete; but Nelson could not pursue it as he would
+have done for want of means. Had he been provided with small craft,
+nothing could have prevented the destruction of the store-ships and
+transports in the port of Alexandria: four bomb-vessels would at that
+time have burned the whole in a few hours. "Were I to die this moment."
+said he in his despatches to the Admiralty, "WANT OF FRIGATES would
+be found stamped on my heart! No words of mine can express what I have
+suffered, and am suffering, for want of them." He had also to bear up
+against great bodily suffering: the blow had so shaken his head, that
+from its constant and violent aching, and the perpetual sickness which
+accompanied the pain, he could scarcely persuade himself that the skull
+was not fractured. Had it not been for Troubridge, Ball, Hood, and
+Hallowell, he declared that he should have sunk under the fatigue
+of refitting the squadron. "All," he said, "had done well; but these
+officers were his supporters." But, amidst his sufferings and exertions,
+Nelson could yet think of all the consequences of his victory; and that
+no advantage from it might be lost, he despatched an officer overland
+to India, with letters to the governor of Bombay, informing him of the
+arrival of the French in Egypt, the total destruction of their fleet,
+and the consequent preservation of India from any attempt against it on
+the part of this formidable armament. "He knew that Bombay," he said,
+"was their first object, if they could get there; but he trusted that
+Almighty God would overthrow in Egypt these pests of the human race.
+Buonaparte had never yet had to contend with an English officer, and he
+would endeavour to make him respect us." This despatch he sent upon his
+own responsibility, with letters of credit upon the East India Company,
+addressed to the British consuls, vice-consuls, and merchants on his
+route; Nelson saying, "that if he had done wrong, he hoped the bills
+would be paid, and he would repay the Company; for, as an Englishman, he
+should be proud that it had been in his power to put our settlements on
+their guard." The information which by this means reached India was
+of great importance. Orders had just been received for defensive
+preparations, upon a scale proportionate to the apprehended danger; and
+the extraordinary expenses which would otherwise have been incurred were
+thus prevented.
+
+Nelson was now at the summit of glory; congratulations, rewards, and
+honours were showered upon him by all the states, and princes, and
+powers to whom his victory gave a respite. The first communication of
+this nature which he received was from the Turkish sultan, who, as soon
+as the invasion of Egypt was known, had called upon "all true believers
+to take arms against those swinish infidels the French, that they might
+deliver these blessed habitations from their accursed hands;" and who
+had ordered his "pashas to turn night into day in their efforts to
+take vengeance." The present of "his imperial majesty, the powerful,
+formidable, and most magnificent Grand Seignior," was a pelisse
+of sables, with broad sleeves, valued at 5000 dols.; and a diamond
+aigrette, valued at 18,000 dols., the most honourable badge among the
+Turks; and in this instance more especially honourable, because it was
+taken from one of the royal turbans. "If it were worth a million," said
+Nelson to his wife, "my pleasure would be to see it in your possession."
+The sultan also sent, in a spirit worthy of imitation, a purse of 2000
+sequins, to be distributed among the wounded. The mother of the sultan
+sent him a box, set with diamonds, valued at L1000. The Czar Paul, in
+whom the better part of his strangely compounded nature at this time
+predominated, presented him with his portrait, set in diamonds, in a
+gold box, accompanied with a letter of congratulation, written by his
+own hand. The king of Sardinia also wrote to him, and sent a gold box
+set with diamonds. Honours in profusion were awaiting him at Naples. In
+his own country the king granted these honourable augmentations to his
+armorial ensign: a chief undulated, ARGENT: thereon waves of the sea;
+from which a palm tree issuant, between a disabled ship on the dexter,
+and a ruinous battery on the sinister all proper; and for his crest, on
+a naval crown, OR, the chelengk, or plume, presented to him by the Turk,
+with the motto, PALMAM QUI MERUIT FERAT. And to his supporters, being
+a sailor on the dexter, and a lion on the sinister, were given these
+honourable augmentations: a palm branch in the sailor's hand, and
+another in the paw of the lion, both proper; with a tri-coloured flag
+and staff in the lion's mouth. He was created Baron Nelson of the Nile,
+and of Burnham Thorpe, with a pension of L2000 for his own life, and
+those of his two immediate successors. When the grant was moved in the
+House of Commons, General Walpole expressed an opinion that a higher
+degree of rank ought to be conferred. Mr. Pitt made answer, that he
+thought it needless to enter into that question. "Admiral Nelson's
+fame," he said, "would be co-equal with the British name; and it would
+be remembered that he had obtained the greatest naval victory on record,
+when no man would think of asking whether he had been created a baron,
+a viscount, or an earl." It was strange that, in the very act of
+conferring a title, the minister should have excused himself for not
+having conferred a higher one, by representing all titles, on such an
+occasion, as nugatory and superfluous. True, indeed, whatever title had
+been bestowed, whether viscount, earl, marquis, duke, or prince, if our
+laws had so permitted, he who received it would have been Nelson still.
+That name he had ennobled beyond all addition of nobility; it was the
+name by which England loved him, France feared him, Italy, Egypt, and
+Turkey celebrated him, and by which he will continue to be known while
+the present kingdoms and languages of the world endure, and as long as
+their history after them shall be held in remembrance. It depended upon
+the degree of rank what should be the fashion of his coronet, in what
+page of the red book his name was to be inserted, and what precedency
+should be allowed his lady in the drawing-room and at the ball. That
+Nelson's honours were affected thus far, and no further, might be
+conceded to Mr. Pitt and his colleagues in administration; but the
+degree of rank which they thought proper to allot was the measure of
+their gratitude, though not of his service. This Nelson felt, and this
+he expressed, with indignation, among his friends.
+
+Whatever may have been the motives of the ministry, and whatever the
+formalities with which they excused their conduct to themselves, the
+importance and magnitude of the victory were universally acknowledged.
+A grant of L10,000 was voted to Nelson by the East India Company; the
+Turkish Company presented him with a piece of plate; the City of London
+presented a sword to him, and to each of his captains; gold medals were
+distributed to the captains; and the first lieutenants of all the ships
+were promoted, as had been done after Lord Howe's victory. Nelson
+was exceedingly anxious that the captain and first lieutenant of the
+CULLODEN should not be passed over because of their misfortune. To
+Troubridge himself he said, "Let us rejoice that the ship which got
+on shore was commanded by an officer whose character is so thoroughly
+established." To the Admiralty he stated that Captain Troubridge's
+conduct was as fully entitled to praise as that of any one officer in
+the squadron, and as highly deserving of reward. "It was Troubridge,"
+said he, "who equipped the squadron so soon at Syracuse; it was
+Troubridge who exerted himself for me after the action; it was
+Troubridge who saved the CULLODEN, when none that I know in the service
+would have attempted it." The gold medal, therefore, by the king's
+express desire, was given to Captain Troubridge, "for his services both
+before and since, and for the great and wonderful exertion which he
+made at the time of the action in saving and getting off his ship." The
+private letter from the Admiralty to Nelson informed him that the
+first lieutenants of all the ships ENGAGED were to be promoted. Nelson
+instantly wrote to the commander-in-chief: "I sincerely hope," said he,
+"this is not intended to exclude the first lieutenant of the CULLODEN.
+For heaven's sake--for my sake, if it be so--get it altered. Our dear
+friend Troubridge has endured enough. His sufferings were, in every
+respect, more than any of us." To the Admiralty he wrote in terms
+equally warm. "I hope, and believe, the word ENGAGED is not intended to
+exclude the CULLODEN. The merits of that ship, and her gallant Captain,
+are too well known to benefit by anything I could say. Her misfortune
+was great in getting aground, while her more fortunate companions were
+in the full tide of happiness. No: I am confident that my good Lord
+Spencer will never add misery to misfortune. Captain Troubridge on shore
+is superior to captains afloat: in the midst of his great misfortunes he
+made those signals which prevented certainly the ALEXANDER and SWIFTSURE
+from running on the shoals. I beg your pardon for writing on a subject
+which, I verily believe, has never entered your lordship's head; but my
+heart, as it ought to be, is warm to my gallant friends." Thus feelingly
+alive was Nelson to the claims, and interests, and feelings of others.
+The Admiralty replied, that the exception was necessary, as the ship had
+not been in action; but they desired the commander-in-chief to promote
+the lieutenant upon the first vacancy which should occur.
+
+Nelson, in remembrance of an old and uninterrupted friendship, appointed
+Alexander Davison sole prize agent for the captured ships: upon which
+Davison ordered medals to be struck in gold, for the captains; in
+silver, for the lieutenants and warrant officers; in gilt metal for the
+petty officers; and in copper for the seamen and marines. The cost of
+this act of liberality amounted nearly to L2000. It is worthy of record
+on another account;--for some of the gallant men, who received no other
+honorary badge of their conduct on that memorable day than this copper
+medal from a private individual, years afterwards, when they died upon
+a foreign station, made it their last request, that the medals might
+carefully be sent home to their respective friends. So sensible are
+brave men of honour, in whatever rank they may be placed.
+
+Three of the frigates, whose presence would have been so essential a few
+weeks sooner, joined the squadron on the twelfth day after the
+action. The fourth joined a few days after them. Nelson thus received
+despatches, which rendered it necessary for him to return to Naples.
+Before he left Egypt he burned three of the prizes; they could not have
+been fitted for a passage to Gibraltar in less than a month, and that at
+a great expense, and with the loss of the services of at least two sail
+of the line. "I rest assured," he said to the Admiralty, "that they will
+be paid for, and have held out that assurance to the squadron. For if an
+admiral, after a victory, is to look after the captured ships, and not
+to the distressing of the enemy, very dearly, indeed, must the nation
+pay for the prizes. I trust that L60,000 will be deemed a very moderate
+sum for them: and when the services, time, and men, with the expense
+of fitting the three ships for a voyage to England, are considered,
+government will save nearly as much as they are valued at. Paying for
+prizes," he continued, "is no new idea of mine, and would often prove an
+amazing saving to the state, even without taking into calculation what
+the nation loses by the attention of admirals to the property of the
+captors; an attention absolutely necessary, as a recompence for the
+exertions of the officers and men. An admiral may be amply rewarded
+by his own feelings, and by the approbation of his superiors; but what
+reward have the inferior officers and men but the value of the prizes?
+If an admiral takes that from them, on any consideration, he cannot
+expect to be well supported." To Earl St. Vincent he said, "If he could
+have been sure that government would have paid a reasonable value for
+them, he would have ordered two of the other prizes to be burnt, for
+they would cost more in refitting, and by the loss of ships attending
+them, than they were worth."
+
+Having sent the six remaining prizes forward, under Sir James Saumarez,
+Nelson left Captain Hood, in the ZEALOUS off Alexandria, with the
+SWIFTSURE, GOLIATH, Alcmene, ZEALOUS, and EMERALD, and stood out to sea
+himself on the seventeenth day after the battle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+1798 - 1800
+
+Nelson returns to Naples--State of that Court and Kingdom--General
+Mack--The French approach Naples--Flight of the Royal Family--Successes
+of the Allies in Italy--Transactions in the Bay of Naples--Expulsion of
+the French from the Neapolitan and Roman States--Nelson is made Duke of
+Bronte--He leaves the Mediterranean and returns to England.
+
+
+NELSON's health had suffered greatly while he was in the AGAMEMNON. "My
+complaint," he said, "is as if a girth were buckled taut over my breast,
+and my endeavour in the night is to get it loose." After the battle
+of Cape St. Vincent he felt a little rest to be so essential to his
+recovery, that he declared he would not continue to serve longer than
+the ensuing summer, unless it should be absolutely necessary; for in his
+own strong language, he had then been four years and nine months without
+one moment's repose for body or mind. A few months' intermission of
+labour he had obtained--not of rest, for it was purchased with the
+loss of a limb; and the greater part of the time had been a season of
+constant pain. As soon as his shattered frame had sufficiently recovered
+for him to resume his duties, he was called to services of greater
+importance than any on which he had hitherto been employed, which
+brought with them commensurate fatigue and care.
+
+The anxiety which he endured during his long pursuit of the enemy, was
+rather changed in its direction than abated by their defeat; and this
+constant wakefulness of thought, added to the effect of his wound, and
+the exertions from which it was not possible for one of so ardent and
+wide-reaching a mind to spare himself, nearly proved fatal. On his way
+back to Italy he was seized with fever. For eighteen hours his life was
+despaired of; and even when the disorder took a favourable turn, and he
+was so far recovered as again to appear on deck, he himself thought that
+his end was approaching--such was the weakness to which the fever and
+cough had reduced him. Writing to Earl St. Vincent on the passage, he
+said to him, "I never expect, my dear lord, to see your face again. It
+may please God that this will be the finish to that fever of anxiety
+which I have endured from the middle of June; but be that as it pleases
+his goodness. I am resigned to his will."
+
+The kindest attentions of the warmest friendship were awaiting him at
+Naples. "Come here," said Sir William Hamilton, "for God's sake, my dear
+friend, as soon as the service will permit you. A pleasant apartment
+is ready for you in my house, and Emma is looking out for the softest
+pillows to repose the few wearied limbs you have left." Happy would it
+have been for Nelson if warm and careful friendship had been all that
+waited him there. He himself saw at that time the character of the
+Neapolitan court, as it first struck an Englishman, in its true light;
+and when he was on the way, he declared that he detested the voyage to
+Naples, and that nothing but necessity could have forced him to it.
+But never was any hero, on his return from victory, welcomed with more
+heartfelt joy. Before the battle of Aboukir the Court at Naples had
+been trembling for its existence. The language which the Directory held
+towards it was well described by Sir William Hamilton as being exactly
+the language of a highwayman. The Neapolitans were told that Benevento
+might be added to their dominions, provided they would pay a large sum,
+sufficient to satisfy the Directory; and they were warned, that if the
+proposal were refused, or even if there were any delay in accepting it,
+the French would revolutionise all Italy. The joy, therefore, of the
+Court at Nelson's success was in proportion to the dismay from which
+that success relieved them. The queen was a daughter of Maria Theresa,
+and sister of Maria Antoinette. Had she been the wisest and gentlest of
+her sex, it would not have been possible for her to have regarded the
+French without hatred and horror; and the progress of revolutionary
+opinions, while it perpetually reminded her of her sister's fate,
+excited no unreasonable apprehensions for her own. Her feelings,
+naturally ardent, and little accustomed to restraint, were excited to
+the highest pitch when the news of the victory arrived. Lady Hamilton,
+her constant friend and favourite, who was present, says, "It is not
+possible to describe her transports; she wept, she kissed her husband,
+her children, walked frantically about the room, burst into tears again,
+and again kissed and embraced every person near her; exclaiming, 'O brave
+Nelson! O God! bless and protect our brave deliverer! O Nelson! Nelson!
+what do we not owe you! O conqueror--saviour of Italy! O that my swollen
+heart could now tell him personally what we owe to him!'" She herself
+wrote to the Neapolitan ambassador at London upon the occasion, in terms
+which show the fulness of her joy, and the height of the hopes which it
+had excited. "I wish I could give wings," said she, "to the bearer of
+the news, and at the same time to our most sincere gratitude. The whole
+of the sea-coast of Italy saved; and this is owing alone to the generous
+English. This battle, or, to speak more correctly, this total defeat of
+the regicide squadron, was obtained by the valour of this brave admiral,
+seconded by a navy which is the terror of its enemies. The victory is
+so complete that I can still scarcely believe it; and if it were not the
+brave English nation, which is accustomed to perform prodigies by sea, I
+could not persuade myself that it had happened. It would have moved you
+to have seen all my children, boys and girls, hanging on my neck, and
+crying for joy at the happy news. Recommend the hero to his master:
+he has filled the whole of Italy with admiration of the English. Great
+hopes were entertained of some advantages being gained by his bravery,
+but no one could look for so total a destruction. All here are drunk
+with joy."
+
+Such being the feelings of the royal family, it may well be supposed
+with what delight, and with what honours Nelson would be welcomed. Early
+on the 22nd of September the poor wretched VANGUARD, as he called
+his shattered vessel, appeared in sight of Naples. The CULLODEN and
+ALEXANDER had preceded her by some days, and given notice of her
+approach. Many hundred boats and barges were ready to go forth and
+meet him, with music and streamers and every demonstration of joy and
+triumph. Sir William and Lady Hamilton led the way in their state barge.
+They had seen Nelson only for a few days, four years ago, but they
+then perceived in him that heroic spirit which was now so fully and
+gloriously manifested to the world. Emma Lady Hamilton, who from this
+time so greatly influenced his future life, was a woman whose personal
+accomplishments have seldom been equalled, and whose powers of mind were
+not less fascinating than her person. She was passionately attached to
+the queen; and by her influence the British fleet had obtained those
+supplies at Syracuse, without which, Nelson always asserted, the battle
+of Aboukir could not have been fought. During the long interval which
+passed before any tidings were received, her anxiety had been hardly
+less than that of Nelson himself, while pursuing an enemy of whom he
+could obtain no information; and when the tidings were brought her by a
+joyful bearer, open-mouthed, its effect was such that she fell like one
+who had been shot. She and Sir William had literally been made ill by
+their hopes and fears, and joy at a catastrophe so far exceeding
+all that they had dared to hope for. Their admiration for the hero
+necessarily produced a degree of proportionate gratitude and affection;
+and when their barge came alongside the VANGUARD, at the sight of
+Nelson, Lady Hamilton sprang up the ship's side, and exclaiming, "O God!
+is it possible!" fell into his arms more, he says, like one dead than
+alive. He described the meeting as "terribly affecting." These friends
+had scarcely recovered from their tears, when the king, who went out to
+meet him three leagues in the royal barge, came on board and took him
+by the hand, calling him his deliverer and preserver. From all the boats
+around he was saluted with the same appellations: the multitude who
+surrounded him when he landed repeated the same enthusiastic cries;
+and the lazzaroni displayed their joy by holding up birds in cages, and
+giving them their liberty as he passed.
+
+His birth-day, which occurred a week after his arrival, was celebrated
+with one of the most splendid fetes ever beheld at Naples. But,
+notwithstanding the splendour with which he was encircled, and the
+flattering honours with which all ranks welcomed him, Nelson was fully
+sensible of the depravity, as well as weakness, of those by whom he was
+surrounded. "What precious moments," said he, "the courts of Naples and
+Vienna are losing! Three months would liberate Italy! but this court is
+so enervated that the happy moment will be lost. I am very unwell; and
+their miserable conduct is not likely to cool my irritable temper. It is
+a country of fiddlers and poets, whores and scoundrels." This sense of
+their ruinous weakness he always retained; nor was he ever blind to
+the mingled folly and treachery of the Neapolitan ministers, and the
+complication in iniquities under which the country groaned; but he
+insensibly, under the influence of Lady Hamilton, formed an affection
+for the court, to whose misgovernment the miserable condition of the
+country was so greatly to be imputed. By the kindness of her nature,
+as well as by her attractions, she had won his heart. Earl St. Vincent,
+writing to her at this time, says, "Pray do not let your fascinating
+Neapolitan dames approach too near our invaluable friend Nelson, for he
+is made of flesh and blood, and cannot resist their temptations." But
+this was addressed to the very person from whom he was in danger.
+
+The state of Naples may be described in few words. The king was one of
+the Spanish Bourbons. As the Caesars have shown us to what wickedness
+the moral nature of princes may be perverted, so in this family, the
+degradation to which their intellectual nature can be reduced has been
+not less conspicuously evinced. Ferdinand, like the rest of his race,
+was passionately fond of field sports, and cared for nothing else.
+His queen had all the vices of the house of Austria, with little to
+mitigate, and nothing to ennoble them--provided she could have her
+pleasures, and the king his sports, they cared not in what manner the
+revenue was raised or administered. Of course a system of favouritism
+existed at court, and the vilest and most impudent corruption prevailed
+in every department of state, and in every branch of administration,
+from the highest to the lowest. It is only the institutions of
+Christianity, and the vicinity of better-regulated states, which prevent
+kingdoms, under such circumstances of misrule, from sinking into a
+barbarism like that of Turkey. A sense of better things was kept alive
+in some of the Neapolitans by literature, and by their intercourse with
+happier countries. These persons naturally looked to France, at the
+commencement of the Revolution, and during all the horrors of that
+Revolution still cherished a hope that, by the aid of France, they
+might be enabled to establish a new order of things in Naples. They were
+grievously mistaken in supposing that the principles of liberty would
+ever be supported by France, but they were not mistaken in believing
+that no government could be worse than their own; and therefore they
+considered any change as desirable. In this opinion men of the most
+different characters agreed. Many of the nobles, who were not in favour,
+wished for a revolution, that they might obtain the ascendancy to which
+they thought themselves entitled; men of desperate fortunes desired
+it, in the hope of enriching themselves; knaves and intriguers sold
+themselves to the French to promote it; and a few enlightened men, and
+true lovers of their country, joined in the same cause, from the purest
+and noblest motives. All these were confounded under the common name of
+Jacobins; and the Jacobins of the continental kingdoms were regarded by
+the English with more hatred than they deserved. They were classed with
+Phillippe Egalite, Marat, and Hebert; whereas they deserved rather to be
+ranked, if not with Locke, and Sydney, and Russell, at least with Argyle
+and Monmouth, and those who, having the same object as the prime movers
+of our own Revolution, failed in their premature but not unworthy
+attempt.
+
+No circumstances could be more unfavourable to the best interests of
+Europe, than those which placed England in strict alliance with the
+superannuated and abominable governments of the continent. The subjects
+of those governments who wished for freedom thus became enemies to
+England, and dupes and agents of France. They looked to their own
+grinding grievances, and did not see the danger with which the liberties
+of the world were threatened. England, on the other hand, saw the danger
+in its true magnitude, but was blind to these grievances, and found
+herself compelled to support systems which had formerly been equally
+the object of her abhorrence and her contempt. This was the state of
+Nelson's mind; he knew that there could be no peace for Europe till the
+pride of France was humbled, and her strength broken; and he regarded
+all those who were the friends of France as traitors to the common
+cause, as well as to their own individual sovereigns. There are
+situations in which the most opposite and hostile parties may
+mean equally well, and yet act equally wrong. The court of Naples,
+unconscious of committing any crime by continuing the system of misrule
+to which they had succeeded, conceived that, in maintaining things as
+they were, they were maintaining their own rights, and preserving
+the people from such horrors as had been perpetrated in France. The
+Neapolitan revolutionists thought that without a total change of system,
+any relief from the present evils was impossible, and they believed
+themselves justified in bringing about that change by any means.
+Both parties knew that it was the fixed intention of the French to
+revolutionise Naples. The revolutionists supposed that it was for
+the purpose of establishing a free government; the court, and all
+disinterested persons, were perfectly aware that the enemy had no other
+object than conquest and plunder.
+
+The battle of the Nile shook the power of France. Her most successful
+general, and her finest army, were blocked up in Egypt--hopeless, as it
+appeared, of return; and the government was in the hands of men without
+talents, without character, and divided among themselves. Austria, whom
+Buonaparte had terrified into a peace, at a time when constancy on her
+part would probably have led to his destruction, took advantage of the
+crisis to renew the war. Russia also was preparing to enter the field
+with unbroken forces, led by a general, whose extraordinary military
+genius would have entitled him to a high and honourable rank in history,
+if it had not been sullied by all the ferocity of a barbarian. Naples,
+seeing its destruction at hand, and thinking that the only means of
+averting it was by meeting the danger, after long vacillations, which
+were produced by the fears and treachery of its council, agreed at last
+to join this new coalition with a numerical force of 80,000 men.
+Nelson told the king, in plain terms, that he had his choice, either to
+advance, trusting to God for his blessing on a just cause, and prepared
+to die sword in hand, or to remain quiet, and be kicked out of his
+kingdom; one of these things must happen. The king made answer he would
+go on, and trust in God and Nelson; and Nelson, who would else have
+returned to Egypt, for the purpose of destroying the French shipping in
+Alexandria, gave up his intention at the desire of the Neapolitan court,
+and resolved to remain on that station, in the hope that he might be
+useful to the movements of the army. He suspected also, with reason,
+that the continuance of his fleet was so earnestly requested, because
+the royal family thought their persons would be safer, in case of any
+mishap, under the British flag, than under their own.
+
+His first object was the recovery of Malta--an island which the King of
+Naples pretended to claim. The Maltese, whom the villanous knights of
+their order had betrayed to France, had taken up arms against their
+rapacious invaders, with a spirit and unanimity worthy of the highest
+praise. They blockaded the French garrison by land, and a small
+squadron, under Captain Ball, began to blockade them by sea, on the
+12th of October. Twelve days afterwards Nelson arrived. "It is as
+I suspected," he says: "the ministers at Naples know nothing of the
+situation of the island. Not a house or bastion of the town is in
+possession of the islanders: and the Marquis de Niza tells us they
+want arms, victuals, and support. He does not know that any Neapolitan
+officers are on the island; perhaps, although I have their names, none
+are arrived; and it is very certain, by the marquis's account, that no
+supplies have been sent by the governors of Syracuse and Messina." The
+little island of Gozo, dependent upon Malta, which had also been seized
+and garrisoned by the French, capitulated soon after his arrival, and
+was taken possession of by the British, in the name of his Sicilian
+Majesty--a power who had no better claim to it than France. Having seen
+this effected, and reinforced Captain Ball, he left that able officer
+to perform a most arduous and important part, and returned himself to
+cooperate with the intended movements of the Neapolitans.
+
+General Mack was at the head of the Neapolitan troops. All that is now
+doubtful concerning this man is, whether he was a coward or a traitor.
+At that time he was assiduously extolled as a most consummate commander,
+to whom Europe might look for deliverance. And when he was introduced by
+the king and queen to the British admiral, the queen said to him, "Be to
+us by land, general, what my hero Nelson has been by sea." Mack, on
+his part, did not fail to praise the force which he was appointed to
+command. "It was," he said, "the finest army in Europe." Nelson agreed
+with him that there could not be finer men; but when the general, at a
+review, so directed the operations of a mock fight, that by an unhappy
+blunder his own troops were surrounded, instead of those of the enemy,
+he turned to his friends and exclaimed with bitterness, that the
+fellow did not understand his business. Another circumstance, not less
+characteristic, confirmed Nelson in his judgment. "General Mack:" said
+he, in one of his letters, "cannot move without five carriages! I have
+formed my opinion. I heartily pray I may be mistaken."
+
+While Mack, at the head of 32,000 men, marched into the Roman state,
+5000 Neapolitans were embarked on board the British and Portuguese
+squadron, to take possession of Leghorn. This was effected without
+opposition; and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, whose neutrality had been
+so outrageously violated by the French, was better satisfied with the
+measure than some of the Neapolitans themselves. Nasseli, their general,
+refused to seize the French vessels at Leghorn, because he and the Duke
+di Sangro, who was ambassador at the Tuscan court, maintained that the
+king of Naples was not at war with France. "What!" said Nelson, "has not
+the king received, as a conquest made by him, the republican flag taken
+at Gozo? Is not his own flag flying there, and at Malta, not only by his
+permission, but by his order? Is not his flag shot at every day by the
+French, and their shot returned from batteries which bear that flag? Are
+not two frigates and a corvette placed under my orders ready to fight
+the French, meet them where they may? Has not the king sent publicly
+from Naples guns, mortars, &c., with officers and artillery, against the
+French in Malta? If these acts are not tantamount to any written paper,
+I give up all knowledge of what is war." This reasoning was of less
+avail than argument addressed to the general's fears. Nelson told him
+that, if he permitted the many hundred French who were then in the mole
+to remain neutral, till they had a fair opportunity of being active,
+they had one sure resource, if all other schemes failed, which was to
+set one vessel on fire; the mole would be destroyed, probably the town
+also, and the port ruined for twenty years. This representation made
+Naselli agree to the half measure of laying an embargo on the vessels;
+among them were a great number of French privateers, some of which were
+of such force as to threaten the greatest mischief to our commerce, and
+about seventy sail of vessels belonging to the Ligurian republic, as
+Genoa was now called, laden with corn, and ready to sail for Genoa and
+France; where their arrival would have expedited the entrance of more
+French troops into Italy. "The general," said Nelson, "saw, I believe,
+the consequence of permitting these vessels to depart, in the same light
+as myself; but there is this difference between us: he prudently,
+and certainly safely, waits the orders of his court, taking no
+responsibility upon himself; I act from the circumstances of the moment,
+as I feel may be most advantageous for the cause which I serve, taking
+all responsibility on myself." It was in vain to hope for anything
+vigorous or manly from such men as Nelson was compelled to act with. The
+crews of the French ships and their allies were ordered to depart in two
+days. Four days elapsed and nobody obeyed the order; nor, in spite of
+the representations of the British minister, Mr. Wyndham, were any means
+taken to enforce it: the true Neapolitan shuffle, as Nelson called it,
+took place on all occasions. After an absence of ten days he returned
+to Naples; and receiving intelligence there from Mr. Wyndham that the
+privateers were at last to be disarmed, the corn landed, and the crews
+sent away, he expressed his satisfaction at the news in characteristic
+language, saying, "So far I am content. The enemy will be distressed;
+and, thank God, I shall get no money. The world, I know, think that
+money is our god; and now they will be undeceived as far as relates to
+us. Down, down with the French! is my constant prayer."
+
+Odes, sonnets, and congratulatory poems of every description were poured
+in upon Nelson on his arrival at Naples. An Irish Franciscan, who was
+one of the poets, not being content with panegyric upon this occasion,
+ventured on a flight of prophecy, and predicted that Lord Nelson would
+take Rome with his ships. His lordship reminded Father M'Cormick that
+ships could not ascend the Tiber; but the father, who had probably
+forgotten this circumstance, met the objection with a bold front, and
+declared he saw that it would come to pass notwithstanding. Rejoicings
+of this kind were of short duration. The King of Naples was with the
+army which had entered Rome; but the castle of St. Angelo was held by
+the French, and 13,000 French were strongly posted in the Roman states
+at Castallana. Mack had marched against them with 20,000 men. Nelson saw
+that the event was doubtful, or rather that there could be very little
+hope of the result. But the immediate fate of Naples, as he well knew,
+hung upon the issue. "If Mack is defeated," said he, "in fourteen days
+this country is lost; for the emperor has not yet moved his army, and
+Naples has not the power of resisting the enemy. It was not a case for
+choice, but of necessity, which induced the king to march out of his
+kingdom, and not wait till the French had collected a force sufficient
+to drive him out of it in a week." He had no reliance upon the
+Neapolitan officers, who, as he described them, seemed frightened at
+a drawn sword or a loaded gun; and he was perfectly aware of the
+consequences which the sluggish movements and deceitful policy of
+the Austrians were likely to bring down upon themselves and all their
+continental allies. "A delayed war on the part of the emperor," said he,
+writing to the British minister at Vienna, "will be destructive to this
+monarchy of Naples; and, of course, to the newly-acquired dominions of
+the Emperor in Italy. Had the war commenced in September or October, all
+Italy would, at this moment, have been liberated. This month is worse
+than the last; the next will render the contest doubtful; and, in six
+months, when the Neapolitan republic will be organised, armed, and
+with its numerous resources called forth, the emperor will not only be
+defeated in Italy, but will totter on his throne at Vienna. DOWN,
+DOWN WITH THE FRENCH! ought to be written in the council-room of every
+country in the world; and may Almighty God give right thoughts to
+every sovereign, is my constant prayer!" His perfect foresight of the
+immediate event was clearly shown in this letter, when he desired the
+ambassador to assure the empress (who was a daughter of the house of
+Naples) that, notwithstanding the councils which had shaken the throne
+of her father and mother, he would remain there, ready to save their
+persons, and her brothers and sisters; and that he had also left ships
+at Leghorn to save the lives of the grand duke and her sister: "For
+all," said he, "must be a republic, if the emperor does not act with
+expedition and vigour."
+
+His fears were soon verified. "The Neapolitan officers," said Nelson,
+"did not lose much honour, for, God knows, they had not much to lose;
+but they lost all they had." General St. Philip commanded the right
+wing, of 19,000 men. He fell in with 3000 of the enemy; and, as soon as
+he came near enough, deserted to them. One of his men had virtue enough
+to level a musket at him, and shot him through the arm; but the wound
+was not sufficient to prevent him from joining with the French in
+pursuit of his own countrymen. Cannon, tents, baggage, and military
+chest, were all forsaken by the runaways, though they lost only forty
+men; for the French having put them to flight and got possession of
+everything, did not pursue an army of more than three times their own
+number. The main body of the Neapolitans, under Mack, did not behave
+better. The king returned to Naples, where every day brought with it
+tidings of some new disgrace from the army and the discovery of some new
+treachery at home; till, four days after his return, the general sent
+him advice that there was no prospect of stopping the progress of the
+enemy, and that the royal family must look to their own personal safety.
+The state of the public mind at Naples was such, at this time, that
+neither the British minister nor the British Admiral thought it prudent
+to appear at court. Their motions were watched; and the revolutionists
+had even formed a plan for seizing and detaining them as hostages,
+to prevent an attack on the city after the French should have taken
+possession of it. A letter which Nelson addressed at this time to the
+First Lord of the Admiralty, shows in what manner he contemplated the
+possible issue of the storm, it was in these words:--"My dear lord,
+there is an old saying, that when things are at the worst they must
+mend: now the mind of man cannot fancy things worse than they are here.
+But, thank God! my health is better, my mind never firmer, and my heart
+in the right trim to comfort, relieve, and protect those whom it is
+my duty to afford assistance to. Pray, my lord, assure our gracious
+sovereign that while I live, I will support his glory; and that if I
+fall, it shall be in a manner worthy of your lordship's faithful and
+obliged Nelson. I must not write more. Every word may be a text for a
+long letter."
+
+Meantime Lady Hamilton arranged every thing for the removal of the royal
+family. This was conducted on her part with the greatest address,
+and without suspicion, because she had been in habits of constant
+correspondence with the queen. It was known that the removal could not
+be effected without danger; for the mob, and especially the lazzaroni,
+were attached to the king; and as at this time they felt a natural
+presumption in their own numbers and strength, they insisted that he
+should not leave Naples. Several persons fell victims to their fury;
+among others was a messenger from Vienna, whose body was dragged under
+the windows of the palace in the king's sight. The king and queen spoke
+to the mob, and pacified them; but it would not have been safe, while
+they were in this agitated state, to have embarked the effects of the
+royal family openly. Lady Hamilton, like a heroine of modern romance,
+explored with no little danger a subterraneous passage leading from the
+palace to the sea-side: through this passage the royal treasures, the
+choicest pieces of painting and sculpture, and other property to the
+amount of two millions and a half, were conveyed to the shore, and
+stowed safely on board the English ships. On the night of the 21st,
+at half-past eight, Nelson landed, brought out the whole royal family,
+embarked them in three barges, and carried them safely, through a
+tremendous sea, to the VANGUARD. Notice was then immediately given to
+the British merchants, that they would be received on board any ships in
+the squadron. Their property had previously been embarked in transports.
+Two days were passed in the bay, for the purpose of taking such persons
+on board as required an asylum; and, on the night of the 23rd, the fleet
+sailed. The next day a more violent storm arose than Nelson had ever
+before encountered. On the 25th, the youngest of the princes was taken
+ill, and died in Lady Hamilton's arms. During this whole trying season,
+Lady Hamilton waited upon the royal family with the zeal of the most
+devoted servant, at a time when, except one man, no person belonging to
+the court assisted them.
+
+On the morning of the 26th the royal family were landed at Palermo.
+It was soon seen that their flight had not been premature. Prince
+Pignatelli, who had been left as vicar-general and viceroy, with
+orders to defend the kingdom to the last rock in Calabria, sent
+plenipotentiaries to the French camp before Capua; and they, for the
+sake of saving the capital, signed an armistice, by which the
+greater part of the kingdom was given up to the enemy: a cession that
+necessarily led to the loss of the whole. This was on the 10th of
+January. The French advanced towards Naples. Mack, under pretext of
+taking shelter from the fury of the lazzaroni, fled to the French
+General Championet, who sent him under an escort to Milan; but as France
+hoped for further services from this wretched traitor, it was thought
+prudent to treat him apparently as a prisoner of war. The Neapolitan
+army disappeared in a few days: of the men, some, following their
+officers, deserted to the enemy; the greater part took the opportunity
+of disbanding themselves. The lazzaroni proved true to their country;
+they attacked the enemy's advanced posts, drove them in, and were not
+dispirited by the murderous defeat which they suffered from the main
+body. Flying into the city, they continued to defend it, even after the
+French had planted their artillery in the principal streets. Had there
+been a man of genius to have directed their enthusiasm, or had there
+been any correspondent feelings in the higher ranks, Naples might have
+set a glorious example to Europe, and have proved the grave of
+every Frenchman who entered it. But the vices of the government had
+extinguished all other patriotism than that of the rabble, who had no
+other than that sort of loyalty which was like the fidelity of a dog to
+its master. This fidelity the French and their adherents counteracted
+by another kind of devotion: the priests affirmed that St. Januarius
+had declared in favour of the revolution. The miracle of his blood was
+performed with the usual success, and more than usual effect, on the
+very evening when, after two days of desperate fighting, the French
+obtained possession of Naples. A French guard of honour was stationed
+at his church. Championet gave, "Respect for St. Januarius!" as the word
+for the army; and the next day TE DEUM was sung by the archbishop in the
+cathedral; and the inhabitants were invited to attend the ceremony, and
+join in thanksgiving for the glorious entry of the French; who, it was
+said, being under the peculiar protection of Providence, had regenerated
+the Neapolitans, and were come to establish and consolidate their
+happiness.
+
+It seems to have been Nelson's opinion that the Austrian cabinet
+regarded the conquest of Naples with complacency, and that its
+measures were directed so as designedly not to prevent the French from
+overrunning it. That cabinet was assuredly capable of any folly, and of
+any baseness; and it is not improbable that at this time, calculating
+upon the success of the new coalition, it indulged a dream of adding
+extensively to its former Italian possessions; and, therefore, left the
+few remaining powers of Italy to be overthrown, as a means which would
+facilitate its own ambitious views. The King of Sardinia, finding it
+impossible longer to endure the exactions of France and the insults
+of the French commissary, went to Leghorn, embarked on board a Danish
+frigate, and sailed, under British protection, to Sardinia--that part of
+his dominions which the maritime supremacy of England rendered a secure
+asylum. On his arrival he published a protest against the conduct of
+France, declaring, upon the faith and word of a king, that he had never
+infringed, even in the slightest degree, the treaties which he had made
+with the French republic. Tuscany was soon occupied by French troops--a
+fate which bolder policy might, perhaps, have failed to avert, but which
+its weak and timid neutrality rendered inevitable. Nelson began to
+fear even for Sicily. "Oh, my dear sir," said he, writing to Commodore
+Duckworth, "one thousand English troops would save Messina; and I fear
+General Stuart cannot give me men to save this most important island!"
+But his representations were not lost upon Sir Charles Stuart. This
+officer hastened immediately from Minorca with 1000 men, assisted in the
+measures of defence which were taken, and did not return before he
+had satisfied himself that, if the Neapolitans were excluded from
+the management of affairs, and the spirit of the peasantry properly
+directed, Sicily was safe. Before his coming, Nelson had offered the
+king, if no resources should arrive, to defend Messina with the ship's
+company of an English man-of-war.
+
+Russia had now entered into the war. Corfu, surrendered to a Russian and
+Turkish fleet, acting now, for the first time, in strange confederacy
+yet against a power which was certainly the common and worst enemy
+of both. Troubridge having given up the blockade of Alexandria to Sir
+Sidney Smith, joined Nelson, bringing with him a considerable addition
+of strength; and in himself what Nelson valued more, a man, upon whose
+sagacity, indefatigable zeal, and inexhaustible resources, he could
+place full reliance. Troubridge was intrusted to commence the operations
+against the French in the bay of Naples. Meantime Cardinal Ruffo, a man
+of questionable character, but of a temper fitted for such times, having
+landed in Calabria, raised what he called a Christian army, composed of
+the best and the vilest materials--loyal peasants, enthusiastic priests
+and friars, galley slaves, the emptying of the jails, and banditti.
+The islands in the bay of Naples were joyfully delivered up by the
+inhabitants, who were in a state of famine already, from the effect
+of this baleful revolution. Troubridge distributed among them all his
+flour, and Nelson pressed the Sicilian court incessantly for supplies;
+telling them that L10,000 given away in provisions would, at this time,
+purchase a kingdom. Money, he was told, they had not to give; and the
+wisdom and integrity which might have supplied its wants were not to be
+found. "There is nothing," said he, "which I propose, that is not,
+so far as orders go, implicitly complied with; but the execution is
+dreadful, and almost makes me mad. My desire to serve their majesties
+faithfully, as is my duty, has been such that I am almost blind and worn
+out; and cannot in my present state hold out much longer."
+
+Before any government can be overthrown by the consent of the people,
+the government must be intolerably oppressive, or the people thoroughly
+corrupted. Bad as the misrule at Naples had been, its consequences had
+been felt far less there than in Sicily; and the peasantry had that
+attachment to the soil which gives birth to so many of the noblest as
+well as of the happiest feelings. In all the islands the people were
+perfectly frantic with joy when they saw the Neapolitan colours hoisted.
+At Procida, Troubridge could not procure even a rag of the tri-coloured
+flag to lay at the king's feet: it was rent into ten thousand pieces by
+the inhabitants, and entirely destroyed. "The horrid treatment of the
+French," he said, "had made them mad." It exasperated the ferocity of a
+character which neither the laws nor the religion under which they lived
+tended to mitigate. Their hatred was especially directed against
+the Neapolitan revolutionists; and the fishermen, in concert among
+themselves, chose each his own victim, whom he would stiletto when the
+day of vengeance should arrive. The head of one was sent off one morning
+to Troubridge, with his basket of grapes for breakfast; and a note from
+the Italian who had, what he called, the glory of presenting it, saying,
+he had killed the man as he was running away, and begging his excellency
+to accept the head, and consider it as a proof of the writer's
+attachment to the crown. With the first successes of the court the work
+of punishment began. The judge at Ischia said it was necessary to have
+a bishop to degrade the traitorous priests before he could execute them;
+upon which Troubridge advised him to hang them first, and send them to
+him afterwards, if he did not think that degradation sufficient. This
+was said with the straightforward feeling of a sailor, who cared as
+little for canon-law as he knew about it; but when he discovered that
+the judge's orders were to go through the business in a summary manner,
+under his sanction, he told him at once that could not be, for the
+prisoners were not British subjects; and he declined having anything to
+do with it. There were manifestly persons about the court, who, while
+they thirsted for the pleasure of vengeance, were devising how to throw
+the odium of it upon the English. They wanted to employ an English
+man-of-war to carry the priests to Palermo for degradation, and then
+bring them back for execution; and they applied to Troubridge for
+a hangman, which he indignantly refused. He, meantime, was almost
+heartbroken by the situation in which he found himself. He had promised
+relief to the islanders, relying upon the queen's promise to him. He had
+distributed the whole of his private stock,--there was plenty of grain
+at Palermo, and in its neighbourhood, and yet none was sent him: the
+enemy, he complained, had more interest there than the king; and the
+distress for bread which he witnessed was such, he said, that it would
+move even a Frenchman to pity.
+
+Nelson's heart, too, was at this time a-shore. "To tell you," he says,
+writing to Lady Hamilton, "how dreary and uncomfortable the VANGUARD
+appears, is only telling you what it is to go from the pleasantest
+society to a solitary cell, or from the dearest friends to no friends. I
+am now perfectly the GREAT MAN--not a creature near me. From my heart I
+wish myself the little man again. You and good Sir William have spoiled
+me for any place but with you."
+
+His mind was not in a happier state respecting public affairs. "As to
+politics," said he, "at this time they are my abomination: the ministers
+of kings and princes are as great scoundrels as ever lived. The brother
+of the emperor is just going to marry the great Something of Russia, and
+it is more than expected that a kingdom is to be found for him in Italy,
+and that the king of Naples will be sacrificed." Had there been a wise
+and manly spirit in the Italian states, or had the conduct of Austria
+been directed by anything like a principle of honour, a more favourable
+opportunity could not have been desired for restoring order and
+prosperity in Europe, than the misconduct of the French Directory
+at this time afforded. But Nelson perceived selfishness and knavery
+wherever he looked; and even the pleasure of seeing a cause prosper,
+in which he was so zealously engaged, was poisoned by his sense of the
+rascality of those with whom he was compelled to act. At this juncture
+intelligence arrived that the French fleet had escaped from Brest, under
+cover of a fog, passed Cadiz unseen by Lord Keith's squadron, in hazy
+weather, and entered the Mediterranean. It was said to consist of
+twenty-four sail of the line, six frigates, and three sloops. The object
+of the French was to liberate the Spanish fleet, form a junction with
+them, act against Minorca and Sicily, and overpower our naval force
+in the Mediterranean, by falling in with detached squadrons, and
+thus destroying it in detail. When they arrived off Carthagena, they
+requested the Spanish ships to make sail and join; but the Spaniards
+replied they had not men to man them. To this it was answered that the
+French had men enough on board for that purpose. But the Spaniards seem
+to have been apprehensive of delivering up their ships thus entirely
+into the power of such allies, and refused to come out. The fleet from
+Cadiz, however, consisting of from seventeen to twenty sail of the line,
+got out, under Masaredo, a man who then bore an honourable name, which
+he has since rendered infamous by betraying his country. They met with
+a violent storm off the coast of Oran, which dismasted many of their
+ships, and so effectually disabled them as to prevent the junction, and
+frustrate a well-planned expedition.
+
+Before this occurred, and while the junction was as probable as it would
+have been formidable, Nelson was in a state of the greatest anxiety.
+"What a state am I in!" said he to Earl St. Vincent. "If I go, I risk,
+and more than risk, Sicily; for we know, from experience, that more
+depends upon opinion than upon acts themselves; and, as I stay, my heart
+is breaking." His first business was to summon Troubridge to join him,
+with all the ships of the line under his command, and a frigate, if
+possible. Then hearing that the French had entered the Mediterranean,
+and expecting them at Palermo, where he had only his own ship--with that
+single ship he prepared to make all the resistance possible. Troubridge
+having joined him, he left Captain E. J. Foote, of the SEAHORSE, to
+command the smaller vessels in the bay of Naples, and sailed with six
+ships--one a Portuguese, and a Portuguese corvette--telling Earl St.
+Vincent that the squadron should never fall into the hands of the enemy.
+"And before we are destroyed," said he, "I have little doubt but they
+will have their wings so completely clipped that they may be easily
+overtaken." It was just at this time that he received from Captain
+Hallowell the present of the coffin. Such a present was regarded by the
+men with natural astonishment. One of his old shipmates in the AGAMEMNON
+said, "We shall have hot work of it indeed! You see the admiral intends
+to fight till he is killed; and there he is to be buried." Nelson placed
+it upright against the bulkhead of his cabin, behind his chair, where he
+sat at dinner. The gift suited him at this time. It is said that he
+was disappointed in the step-son whom he had loved so dearly from his
+childhood, and who had saved his life at Teneriffe; and it is certain
+that he had now formed an infatuated attachment for Lady Hamilton, which
+totally weaned his affections from his wife. Farther than this, there is
+no reason to believe that this most unfortunate attachment was criminal;
+but this was criminality enough, and it brought with it its punishment.
+Nelson was dissatisfied with himself, and therefore weary of the world.
+This feeling he now frequently expressed. "There is no true happiness
+in this life," said he, "and in my present state I could quit it with a
+smile." And in a letter to his old friend Davison he said, "Believe me,
+my only wish is to sink with honour into the grave; and when that shall
+please God, I shall meet death with a smile. Not that I am insensible to
+the honours and riches my king and country have heaped upon me--so much
+more than any officer could deserve; yet am I ready to quit this world
+of trouble, and envy none but those of the estate six feet by two."
+
+Well had it been for Nelson if he had made no other sacrifices to this
+unhappy attachment than his peace of mind; but it led to the only
+blot upon his public character. While he sailed from Palermo, with
+the intention of collecting his whole force, and keeping off Maretimo,
+either to receive reinforcements there if the French were bound upwards,
+or to hasten to Minorca if that should be their destination, Captain
+Foote, in the Sea-horse, with the Neapolitan frigates, and some small
+vessels, under his command, was left to act with a land force consisting
+of a few regular troops, of four different nations, and with the armed
+rabble which Cardinal Ruffo called the Christian army. His directions
+were to co-operate to the utmost of his power with the royalists, at
+whose head Ruffo had been placed, and he had no other instructions
+whatever. Ruffo advancing without any plan, but relying upon the enemy's
+want of numbers, which prevented them from attempting to act upon the
+offensive, and ready to take advantage of any accident which might
+occur, approached Naples. Fort St. Elmo, which commands the town, was
+wholly garrisoned by the French troops; the castles of Uovo and Nuovo,
+which commanded the anchorage, were chiefly defended by Neapolitan
+revolutionists, the powerful men among them having taken shelter there.
+If these castles were taken, the reduction of Fort St. Elmo would be
+greatly expedited. They were strong places, and there was reason to
+apprehend that the French fleet might arrive to relieve them. Ruffo
+proposed to the garrison to capitulate, on condition that their persons
+and property should be guaranteed, and that they should, at their own
+option, either be sent to Toulon or remain at Naples, without being
+molested either in their persons or families. This capitulation was
+accepted: it was signed by the cardinal, and the Russian and Turkish
+commanders; and lastly, by Captain Foote, as commander of the British
+force. About six-and-thirty hours afterwards Nelson arrived in the
+bay with a force which had joined him during his cruise, consisting of
+seventeen sail of the line, with 1700 troops on board, and the Prince
+Royal of Naples in the admiral's ship. A flag of truce was flying on the
+castles, and on board the SEAHORSE. Nelson made a signal to annul the
+treaty; declaring that he would grant rebels no other terms than those
+of unconditional submission. The cardinal objected to this: nor could
+all the arguments of Nelson, Sir W. Hamilton, and Lady Hamilton, who
+took an active part in the conference, convince him that a treaty of
+such a nature, solemnly concluded, could honourably be set aside. He
+retired at last, silenced by Nelson's authority, but not convinced.
+Captain Foote was sent out of the bay; and the garrisons, taken out
+of the castles under pretence of carrying the treaty into effect, were
+delivered over as rebels to the vengeance of the Sicilian court. A
+deplorable transaction! a stain upon the memory of Nelson and the honour
+of England! To palliate it would be in vain; to justify it would be
+wicked: there is no alternative, for one who will not make himself a
+participator in guilt, but to record the disgraceful story with sorrow
+and with shame.
+
+Prince Francesco Caraccioli, a younger branch of one of the noblest
+Neapolitan families, escaped from one of these castles before it
+capitulated. He was at the head of the marine, and was nearly seventy
+years of age, bearing a high character, both for professional and
+personal merit. He had accompanied the court to Sicily; but when the
+revolutionary government, or Parthenopean Republic, as it was called,
+issued an edict, ordering all absent Neapolitans to return on pain of
+confiscation of their property, he solicited and obtained permission of
+the king to return, his estates being very great. It is said that the
+king, when he granted him this permission, warned him not to take any
+part in politics; expressing at the same time his own persuasion that he
+should recover his kingdom. But neither the king, nor he himself, ought
+to have imagined that, in such times, a man of such reputation would be
+permitted to remain inactive; and it soon appeared that Caraccioli was
+again in command of the navy, and serving under the republic against his
+late sovereign. The sailors reported that he was forced to act thus; and
+this was believed, till it was seen that he directed ably the offensive
+operations of the revolutionists, and did not avail himself of
+opportunities for escaping when they offered. When the recovery of
+Naples was evidently near, he applied to Cardinal Ruffo, and to the Duke
+of Calvirrano, for protection; expressing his hope that the few days
+during which he had been forced to obey the French would not outweigh
+forty years of faithful services; but perhaps not receiving such
+assurances as he wished, and knowing too well the temper of the Sicilian
+court, he endeavoured to secrete himself, and a price was set upon his
+head. More unfortunately for others than for himself, he was brought in
+alive, having been discovered in the disguise of a peasant, and carried
+one morning on board Lord Nelson's ship, with his hands tied behind him.
+
+Caraccioli was well known to the British officers, and had been
+ever highly esteemed by all who knew him. Captain Hardy ordered him
+immediately to be unbound, and to be treated with all those attentions
+which he felt due to a man who, when last on board the FOUDROYANT, had
+been received as an admiral and a prince. Sir William and Lady Hamilton
+were in the ship; but Nelson, it is affirmed, saw no one except his
+own officers during the tragedy which ensued. His own determination was
+made; and he issued an order to the Neapolitan commodore, Count Thurn,
+to assemble a court-martial of Neapolitan officers, on board the British
+flag-ship, proceed immediately to try the prisoner, and report to him,
+if the charges were proved, what punishment he ought to suffer. These
+proceedings were as rapid as possible; Caraccioli was brought on board
+at nine in the forenoon, and the trial began at ten. It lasted two
+hours: he averred in his defence that he had acted under compulsion,
+having been compelled to serve as a common soldier, till he consented to
+take command of the fleet. This, the apologists of Lord Nelson say, he
+failed in proving. They forget that the possibility of proving it was
+not allowed him, for he was brought to trial within an hour after he
+was legally in arrest; and how, in that time, was he to collect his
+witnesses? He was found guilty, and sentenced to death; and Nelson gave
+orders that the sentence should be carried into effect that evening, at
+five o'clock, on board the Sicilian frigate, LA MINERVA, by hanging him
+at the fore-yard-arm till sunset; when the body was to be cut down and
+thrown into the sea. Caraccioli requested Lieut. Parkinson, under
+whose custody he was placed, to intercede with Lord Nelson for a second
+trial--for this, among other reasons, that Count Thurn, who presided
+at the court-martial, was notoriously his personal enemy. Nelson made
+answer, that the prisoner had been fairly tried by the officers of his
+own country, and he could not interfere; forgetting that, if he felt
+himself justified in ordering the trial and the execution, no human
+being could ever have questioned the propriety of his interfering on the
+side of mercy. Caraccioli then entreated that he might be shot. "I am an
+old man, sir," said he: "I leave no family to lament me, and therefore
+cannot be supposed to be very anxious about prolonging my life; but the
+disgrace of being hanged is dreadful to me." When this was repeated
+to Nelson, he only told the lieutenant, with much agitation, to go and
+attend his duty. As a last hope, Caraccioli asked the lieutenant if he
+thought an application to Lady Hamilton would be beneficial? Parkinson
+went to seek her; she was not to be seen on this occasion; but she was
+present at the execution. She had the most devoted attachment to the
+Neapolitan court; and the hatred which she felt against those whom she
+regarded as its enemies, made her at this time forget what was due
+to the character of her sex as well as of her country. Here, also, a
+faithful historian is called upon to pronounce a severe and unqualified
+condemnation of Nelson's conduct. Had he the authority of his Sicilian
+majesty for proceeding as he did? If so, why was not that authority
+produced? If not, why were the proceedings hurried on without it? Why
+was the trial precipitated, so that it was impossible for the prisoner,
+if he had been innocent, to provide the witnesses, who might have proved
+him so? Why was a second trial refused, when the known animosity of the
+president of the court against the prisoner was considered? Why was the
+execution hastened, so as to preclude any appeal for mercy, and render
+the prerogative of mercy useless? Doubtless, the British Admiral seemed
+to himself to be acting under a rigid sense of justice; but to all
+other persons it was obvious that he was influenced by an infatuated
+attachment--a baneful passion, which destroyed his domestic happiness,
+and now, in a second instance, stained ineffaceably his public
+character.
+
+The body was carried out to a considerable distance, and sunk in the
+bay, with three double-headed shot, weighing 250 lbs., tied to its legs.
+Between two or three weeks afterward, when the king was on board the
+FOUDROYANT, a Neapolitan fisherman came to the ship, and solemnly
+declared that Caraccioli had risen from the bottom of the sea, and was
+coming as fast as he could to Naples, swimming half out of the water.
+Such an account was listened to like a tale of idle credulity. The day
+being fair, Nelson, to please the king, stood out to sea; but the ship
+had not proceeded far before a body was distinctly seen, upright in the
+water, and approaching them. It was soon recognised to be indeed the
+corpse of Caraccioli, which had risen and floated, while the great
+weights attached to the legs kept the body in a position like that of
+a living man. A fact so extraordinary astonished the king, and perhaps
+excited some feeling of superstitious fear, akin to regret. He gave
+permission for the body to be taken on shore and receive Christian
+burial. It produced no better effect. Naples exhibited more dreadful
+scenes than it had witnessed in the days of Massaniello. After the
+mob had had their fill of blood and plunder, the reins were given
+to justice--if that can be called justice which annuls its own
+stipulations, looks to the naked facts alone, disregarding all motives
+and all circumstances; and without considering character, or science, or
+sex, or youth, sacrifices its victims, not for the public weal, but for
+the gratification of greedy vengeance.
+
+The castles of St. Elmo, Gaieta, and Capua remained to be subdued. On
+the land side there was no danger that the French in these garrisons
+should be relieved, for Suvarof was now beginning to drive the enemy
+before him; but Nelson thought his presence necessary in the bay of
+Naples: and when Lord Keith, having received intelligence that the
+French and Spanish fleets had formed a junction, and sailed for
+Carthagena, ordered him to repair to Minorca with the whole or the
+greater part of his force, he sent Admiral Duckworth with a small part
+only. This was a dilemma which he had foreseen. "Should such an order
+come at this moment," he said, in a letter previously written to the
+Admiralty, "it would be a case for some consideration, whether Minorca
+is to be risked, or the two kingdoms of Naples and Sicily; I rather
+think my decision would be to risk the former." And after he had acted
+upon this opinion, he wrote in these terms to the Duke of Clarence, with
+whose high notions of obedience he was well acquainted: "I am well aware
+of the consequences of disobeying my orders; but as I have often
+before risked my life for the good cause, so I with cheerfulness did my
+commission; for although a military tribunal may think me criminal, the
+world will approve of my conduct; and I regard not my own safety when
+the honour of my king is at stake."
+
+Nelson was right in his judgment: no attempt was made on Minorca: and
+the expulsion of the French from Naples may rather be said to have been
+effected than accelerated by the English and Portuguese of the allied
+fleet, acting upon shore, under Troubridge. The French commandant at
+St. Elmo, relying upon the strength of the place, and the nature of
+the force which attacked it, had insulted Captain Foote in the
+grossest terms; but CITOYEN Mejan was soon taught better manners, when
+Troubridge, in spite of every obstacle, opened five batteries upon
+the fort. He was informed that none of his letters, with the insolent
+printed words at the top, LIBERTE EQALITE, GUERRE AUX TYRANS, &c. would
+be received; but that if he wrote like a soldier and a gentleman he
+would be answered in the same style. The Frenchman then began to flatter
+his antagonist upon the BIENFAISANCE and HUMANITE which, he said, were
+the least of the many virtues which distinguished Monsieur Troubridge.
+Monsieur Troubridge's BIENFAISANCE was at this time thinking of mining
+the fort. "If we can accomplish that," said he, "I am a strong advocate
+to send them, hostages and all, to Old Nick, and surprise him with a
+group of nobility and republicans. Meantime," he added, "it was some
+satisfaction to perceive that the shells fell well, and broke some
+of their shins." Finally, to complete his character, Mejan offered to
+surrender for 150,000 ducats. Great Britain, perhaps, has made but
+too little use of this kind of artillery, which France has found so
+effectual towards subjugating the continent: but Troubridge had the prey
+within his reach; and in the course of a few days, his last battery,
+"after much trouble and palaver," as he said, "brought the vagabonds to
+their senses."
+
+Troubridge had more difficulties to overcome this siege, from the
+character of the Neapolitans who pretended to assist him, and whom he
+made useful, than even from the strength of the place and the skill of
+the French. "Such damned cowards and villains," he declared, "he had
+never seen before." The men at the advanced posts carried on, what
+he called, "a diabolical good understanding" with the enemy, and the
+workmen would sometimes take fright and run away. "I make the best I
+can," said he, "of the degenerate race I have to deal with; the whole
+means of guns, ammunition, pioneers, &c., with all materials, rest with
+them. With fair promises to the men, and threats of instant death if I
+find any one erring, a little spur has been given." Nelson said of him
+with truth, upon this occasion, that he was a first-rate general. "I
+find, sir," said he afterwards in a letter to the Duke of Clarence,
+"that General Koehler does not approve of such irregular proceedings as
+naval officers attacking and defending fortifications. We have but one
+idea--to get close alongside. None but a sailor would have placed a
+battery only 180 yards from the Castle of St. Elmo; a soldier must have
+gone according to art, and the /\/\/\/\ way. My brave Troubridge went
+straight on, for we had no time to spare."
+
+Troubridge then proceeded to Capua, and took the command of the motley
+besieging force. One thousand of the best men in the fleet were sent
+to assist in the siege. Just at this time Nelson received a peremptory
+order from Lord Keith to sail with the whole of his force for the
+protection of Minorca; or, at least, to retain no more than was
+absolutely necessary at Sicily. "You will easily conceive my feelings,"
+said he in communicating this to Earl St. Vincent; "but my mind, as your
+lordship knows, was perfectly prepared for this order; and it is now,
+more than ever, made up. At this moment I will not part with a single
+ship; as I cannot do that without drawing a hundred and twenty men from
+each ship, now at the siege of Capua. I am fully aware of the act I
+have committed; but I am prepared for any fate which may await my
+disobedience. Capua and Gaieta will soon fall; and the moment the
+scoundrels of French are out of this kingdom I shall send eight or nine
+ships of the line to Minorca. I have done what I thought right--others
+may think differently; but it will be my consolation that I have gained
+a kingdom, seated a faithful ally of his Majesty firmly on his throne,
+and restored happiness to millions."
+
+At Capua, Troubridge had the same difficulties as at St. Elmo; and being
+farther from Naples, and from the fleet, was less able to overcome them.
+The powder was so bad that he suspected treachery; and when he asked
+Nelson to spare him forty casks from the ships, he told him it would be
+necessary that some Englishmen should accompany it, or they would steal
+one-half, and change the other. "All the men you see," said he, "gentle
+and simple, are such notorious villains, that it is misery to be
+with them." Capua, however, soon fell; Gaieta immediately afterwards
+surrendered to Captain Louis of the MINOTAUR. Here the commanding
+officer acted more unlike a Frenchman, Captain Louis said, than any
+one he had ever met; meaning that he acted like a man of honour. He
+required, however, that the garrison should carry away their horses,
+and other pillaged property: to which Nelson replied, "That no property
+which they did not bring with them into the country could be theirs: and
+that the greatest care should be taken to prevent them from carrying it
+away." "I am sorry," said he to Captain Louis, "that you have entered
+into any altercation. There is no way of dealing with a Frenchman but to
+knock him down; to be civil to them is only to be laughed at, when they
+are enemies."
+
+The whole kingdom of Naples was thus delivered by Nelson from the
+French. The Admiralty, however, thought it expedient to censure him for
+disobeying Lord Keith's orders, and thus hazarding Minorca, without, as
+it appeared to them, any sufficient reason; and also for having landed
+seamen for the siege of Capua, to form part of an army employed in
+operations at a distance from the coast; where, in case of defeat,
+they might have been prevented from returning to their ships; and they
+enjoined him, "not to employ the seamen in like manner in future." This
+reprimand was issued before the event was known; though, indeed, the
+event would not affect the principle upon which it proceeded. When
+Nelson communicated the tidings of his complete success, he said, in his
+public letter, "that it would not be the less acceptable for having
+been principally brought about by British sailors." His judgment in
+thus employing them had been justified by the result; and his joy was
+evidently heightened by the gratification of a professional and becoming
+pride. To the first lord he said, at the same time, "I certainly, from
+having only a left hand, cannot enter into details which may explain the
+motives that actuated my conduct. My principle is, to assist in driving
+the French to the devil, and in restoring peace and happiness to
+mankind. I feel that I am fitter to do the action than to describe it."
+He then added that he would take care of Minorca.
+
+In expelling the French from Naples, Nelson had, with characteristic
+zeal and ability, discharged his duty; but he deceived himself when he
+imagined that he had seated Ferdinand firmly on his throne, and that
+he had restored happiness to millions. These objects might have been
+accomplished if it had been possible to inspire virtue and wisdom into
+a vicious and infatuated court; and if Nelson's eyes had not been, as it
+were, spell-bound by that unhappy attachment, which had now completely
+mastered him, he would have seen things as they were; and might,
+perhaps, have awakened the Sicilian court to a sense of their interest,
+if not of their duty. That court employed itself in a miserable round
+of folly and festivity, while the prisons of Naples were filled with
+groans, and the scaffolds streamed with blood. St. Januarius was
+solemnly removed from his rank as patron saint of the kingdom, having
+been convicted of Jacobinism; and St. Antonio as solemnly installed in
+his place. The king, instead of re-establishing order at Naples by his
+presence, speedily returned to Palermo, to indulge in his favourite
+amusements. Nelson, and the ambassador's family, accompanied the court;
+and Troubridge remained, groaning over the villany and frivolity of
+those with whom he was compelled to deal. A party of officers applied to
+him for a passage to Palermo, to see the procession of St. Rosalia: he
+recommended them to exercise their troops, and not behave like children.
+It was grief enough for him that the court should be busied in these
+follies, and Nelson involved in them. "I dread, my lord," said he, "all
+the feasting, &c. at Palermo. I am sure your health will be hurt. If so,
+all their saints will be damned by the navy. The king would be better
+employed digesting a good government; everything gives way to their
+pleasures. The money spent at Palermo gives discontent here; fifty
+thousand people are unemployed, trade discouraged, manufactures at a
+stand. It is the interest of many here to keep the king away: they all
+dread reform. Their villanies are so deeply rooted, that if some method
+is not taken to dig them out, this government cannot hold together. Out
+of twenty millions of ducats, collected as the revenue, only thirteen
+millions reach the treasury; and the king pays four ducats where he
+should pay one. He is surrounded by thieves; and none of them have
+honour or honesty enough to tell him the real and true state of things."
+In another letter he expressed his sense of the miserable state of
+Naples. "There are upwards of forty thousand families," said he, "who
+have relations confined. If some act of oblivion is not passed, there
+will be no end of persecution; for the people of this country have
+no idea of anything but revenge, and to gain a point would swear ten
+thousand false oaths. Constant efforts are made to get a man taken up,
+in order to rob him. The confiscated property does not reach the king's
+treasury. All thieves! It is selling for nothing. His own people, whom
+he employs, are buying it up, and the vagabonds pocket the whole. I
+should not be surprised to hear that they brought a bill of expenses
+against him for the sale."
+
+The Sicilian court, however, were at this time duly sensible of the
+services which had been rendered them by the British fleet, and their
+gratitude to Nelson was shown with proper and princely munificence. They
+gave him the dukedom and domain of Bronte, worth about L3000 a year. It
+was some days before he could be persuaded to accept it; the argument
+which finally prevailed is said to have been suggested by the queen, and
+urged, at her request, by Lady Hamilton upon her knees. "He considered
+his own honour too much," she said, "if he persisted in refusing what
+the king and queen felt to be absolutely necessary for the preservation
+of theirs." The king himself, also, is said to have addressed him in
+words, which show that the sense of rank will sometimes confer a virtue
+upon those who seem to be most unworthy of the lot to which they have
+been born: "Lord Nelson, do you wish that your name alone should pass
+with honour to posterity; and that I, Ferdinand Bourbon, should
+appear ungrateful?" He gave him also, when the dukedom was accepted, a
+diamond-hilted sword, which his father, Char. III. of Spain, had given
+him on his accession to the throne of the two Sicilies. Nelson said,
+"the reward was magnificent, and worthy of a king, and he was determined
+that the inhabitants on the domain should be the happiest in all his
+Sicilian majesty's dominions. Yet," said he, speaking of these and
+the other remunerations which were made him for his services, "these
+presents, rich as they are, do not elevate me. My pride is, that at
+Constantinople, from the grand seignior to the lowest Turk, the name of
+Nelson is familiar in their mouths; and in this country I am everything
+which a grateful monarch and people can call me." Nelson, however, had a
+pardonable pride in the outward and visible signs of honour which he
+had so fairly won. He was fond of his Sicilian title; the signification,
+perhaps, pleased him; Duke of Thunder was what in Dahomy would be called
+a STRONG NAME; it was to a sailor's taste; and certainly, to no man
+could it ever be more applicable. But a simple offering, which he
+received not long afterwards, from the island of Zante, affected him
+with a deeper and finer feeling. The Greeks of that little community
+sent him a golden-headed sword and a truncheon, set round with all the
+diamonds that the island could furnish, in a single row. They thanked
+him "for having, by his victory, preserved that part of Greece from the
+horrors of anarchy; and prayed that his exploits might accelerate the
+day, in which, amidst the glory and peace of thrones, the miseries of
+the human race would cease." This unexpected tribute touched Nelson to
+the heart. "No officer," he said, "had ever received from any country a
+higher acknowledgment of his services."
+
+The French still occupied the Roman states; from which, according to
+their own admission, they had extorted in jewels, plate, specie, and
+requisitions of every kind, to the enormous amount of eight millions
+sterling; yet they affected to appear as deliverers among the people
+whom they were thus cruelly plundering; and they distributed portraits
+of Buonaparte, with the blasphemous inscription, "This is the true
+likeness of the holy saviour of the world!" The people, detesting the
+impiety, and groaning beneath the exactions of these perfidious
+robbers, were ready to join any regular force that should come to their
+assistance; but they dreaded Cardinal Ruffo's rabble, and declared
+they would resist him as a banditti, who came only for the purpose of
+pillage. Nelson perceived that no object was now so essential for the
+tranquillity of Naples as the recovery of Rome; which in the present
+state of things, when Suvarof was driving the French before him, would
+complete the deliverance of Italy. He applied, therefore, to Sir James
+St. Clair Erskine, who in the absence of General Fox commanded at
+Minorca, to assist in this great object with 1200 men. "The field of
+glory," said he, "is a large one, and was never more open to any one
+than at this moment to you. Rome would throw open her gates and receive
+you as her deliverer; and the pope would owe his restoration to a
+heretic." But Sir James Erskine looked only at the difficulties of the
+undertaking. "Twelve hundred men, he thought, would be too small a force
+to be committed in such an enterprise; for Civita Vecchia was a regular
+fortress; the local situation and climate also were such, that even if
+this force were adequate, it would be proper to delay the expedition
+till October. General Fox, too, was soon expected; and during his
+absence, and under existing circumstances, he did not feel justified in
+sending away such a detachment."
+
+What this general thought it imprudent to attempt, Nelson and Troubridge
+effected without his assistance, by a small detachment from the fleet.
+Troubridge first sent Captain Hallowell to Civita Vecchia to offer the
+garrison there and at Castle St. Angelo the same terms which had been
+granted to Gaieta. Hallowell perceived, by the overstrained civility of
+the officers who came off to him, and the compliments which they paid
+to the English nation, that they were sensible of their own weakness and
+their inability to offer any effectual resistance; but the French know,
+that while they are in a condition to serve their government, they can
+rely upon it for every possible exertion in their support; and this
+reliance gives them hope and confidence to the last. Upon Hallowell's
+report, Troubridge, who had now been made Sir Thomas for his services,
+sent Captain Louis with a squadron to enforce the terms which he had
+offered; and, as soon as he could leave Naples, he himself followed. The
+French, who had no longer any hope from the fate of arms, relied upon
+their skill in negotiation, and proposed terms to Troubridge with that
+effrontery which characterises their public proceedings; but which is as
+often successful as it is impudent. They had a man of the right stamp
+to deal with. Their ambassador at Rome began by saying, that the Roman
+territory was the property of the French by right of conquest. The
+British commodore settled that point, by replying, "It is mine by
+reconquest." A capitulation was soon concluded for all the Roman states,
+and Captain Louis rowed up the Tiber in his barge, hoisted English
+colours on the capitol, and acted for the time as governor of Rome. The
+prophecy of the Irish poet was thus accomplished, and the friar
+reaped the fruits; for Nelson, who was struck with the oddity of the
+circumstance, and not a little pleased with it, obtained preferment for
+him from the King of Sicily, and recommended him to the Pope.
+
+Having thus completed his work upon the continent of Italy, Nelson's
+whole attention was directed towards Malta; where Captain Ball, with
+most inadequate means, was besieging the French garrison. Never was
+any officer engaged in more anxious and painful service: the smallest
+reinforcement from France would, at any moment, have turned the scale
+against him; and had it not been for his consummate ability, and the
+love and veneration with which the Maltese regarded him, Malta must have
+remained in the hands of the enemy. Men, money, food--all things were
+wanting. The garrison consisted of 5000 troops; the besieging force of
+500 English and Portuguese marines, and about 1500 armed peasants. Long
+and repeatedly did Nelson solicit troops to effect the reduction of
+this important place. "It has been no fault of the navy," said he,
+"that Malta has not been attacked by land; but we have neither the
+means ourselves nor influence with those who have." The same causes of
+demurral existed which prevented British troops from assisting in the
+expulsion of the French from Rome. Sir James Erskine was expecting
+General Fox; he could not act without orders; and not having, like
+Nelson, that lively spring of hope within him, which partakes enough of
+the nature of faith to work miracles in war, he thought it "evident that
+unless a respectable land force, in numbers sufficient to undertake the
+siege of such a garrison, in one of the strongest places of Europe, and
+supplied with proportionate artillery and stores, were sent against
+it, no reasonable hope could be entertained of its surrender." Nelson
+groaned over the spirit of over-reasoning caution and unreasoning
+obedience. "My heart," said he, "is almost broken. If the enemy gets
+supplies in, we may bid adieu to Malta; all the force we can collect
+would then be of little use against the strongest place in Europe. To
+say that an officer is never, for any object, to alter his orders, is
+what I cannot comprehend. The circumstances of this war so often vary,
+that an officer has almost every moment to consider, what would my
+superiors direct, did they know what was passing under my nose?" "But,
+sir," said he writing to the Duke of Clarence, "I find few think as I
+do. To obey orders is all perfection. To serve my king, and to destroy
+the French, I consider as the great order of all, from which little
+ones spring; and if one of these militate against it (for who can tell
+exactly at a distance?) I go back and obey the great order and object,
+to down--down with the damned French villains!--my blood boils at the
+name of Frenchmen!"
+
+At length, General Fox arrived at Minorca--and at length permitted Col.
+Graham to go to Malta, but with means miserably limited. In fact, the
+expedition was at a stand for want of money; when Troubridge arriving at
+Messina to co-operate in it, and finding this fresh delay, immediately
+offered all that he could command of his own. "I procured him, my lord,"
+said he to Nelson,"1500 of my cobs--every farthing and every atom of me
+shall be devoted to the cause." "What can this mean?" said Nelson, when
+he learned that Col. Graham was ordered not to incur any expenses for
+stores, or any articles except provisions!--"the cause cannot stand
+still for want of a little money. If nobody will pay it, I will sell
+Bronte and the Emperor of Russia's box." And he actually pledged Bronte
+for L6600 if there should be any difficulty about paying the bills. The
+long-delayed expedition was thus, at last, sent forth; but Troubridge
+little imagined in what scenes of misery he was to bear his part. He
+looked to Sicily for supplies: it was the interest, as well as the duty
+of the Sicilian government to use every exertion for furnishing them;
+and Nelson and the British ambassador were on the spot to press upon
+them the necessity of exertion. But, though Nelson saw with what a
+knavish crew the Sicilian court was surrounded, he was blind to
+the vices of the court itself; and resigning himself wholly to Lady
+Hamilton's influence, never even suspected the crooked policy which
+it was remorselessly pursuing. The Maltese and the British in Malta
+severely felt it. Troubridge, who had the truest affection for Nelson,
+knew his infatuation, and feared that it might prove injurious to his
+character, as well as fatal to an enterprise which had begun so well,
+and been carried on so patiently.
+
+"My lord," said he, writing to him from the siege, "we are dying off
+fast for want. I learn that Sir William Hamilton says Prince Luzzi
+refused corn some time ago, and Sir William does not think it worth
+while making another application. If that be the case, I wish he
+commanded this distressing scene instead of me. Puglia had an immense
+harvest; near thirty sail left Messina before I did, to load corn. Will
+they let us have any? If not, a short time will decide the business. The
+German interest prevails. I wish I was at your Lordship's elbow for an
+hour. ALL, ALL, will be thrown on you!--I will parry the blow as much as
+in my power: I foresee much mischief brewing. God bless your Lordship; I
+am miserable I cannot assist your operations more. Many happy returns
+of the day to you--(it was the first of the new year)--I never spent so
+miserable a one. I am not very tender-hearted; but really the distress
+here would even move a Neapolitan." Soon afterwards he wrote, "I have
+this day saved thirty thousand people from starving; but with this day
+my ability ceases. As the government are bent on starving us, I see no
+alternative but to leave these poor unhappy people to perish, without
+our being witnesses of their distress. I curse the day I ever served
+the Neapolitan government. We have characters, my lord, to lose; these
+people have none. Do not suffer their infamous conduct to fall on us.
+Our country is just, but severe. Such is the fever of my brain this
+minute, that I assure you, on my honour, if the Palermo traitors were
+here, I would shoot them first, and then myself. Girgenti is full of
+corn; the money is ready to pay for it; we do not ask it as a gift. Oh!
+could you see the horrid distress I daily experience, something would be
+done. Some engine is at work against us at Naples; and I believe I hit
+on the proper person. If you complain he will be immediately promoted,
+agreeably to the Neapolitan custom. All I write to you is known at the
+queen's. For my own part, I look upon the Neapolitans as the worst of
+intriguing enemies: every hour shows me their infamy and duplicity. I
+pray your lordship be cautious: your honest, open manner of acting will
+be made a handle of. When I see you, and tell of their infamous tricks,
+you will be as much surprised as I am. The whole will fall on you."
+
+Nelson was not, and could not be, insensible to the distress which his
+friend so earnestly represented. He begged, almost on his knees,
+he said, small supplies of money and corn, to keep the Maltese from
+starving. And when the court granted a small supply, protesting their
+poverty, he believed their protestations, and was satisfied with
+their professions, instead of insisting that the restrictions upon the
+exportation of corn should be withdrawn. The anxiety, however, which he
+endured, affected him so deeply that he said it had broken his spirit
+for ever. Happily, all that Troubridge with so much reason foreboded,
+did not come to pass. For Captain Ball, with more decision than Nelson
+himself would have shown at that time and upon that occasion, ventured
+upon a resolute measure, for which his name would deserve always to be
+held in veneration by the Maltese, even if it had no other claims to the
+love and reverence of a grateful people. Finding it hopeless longer to
+look for succour or common humanity from the deceitful and infatuated
+court of Sicily, which persisted in prohibiting by sanguinary edicts the
+exportation of supplies, at his own risk, he sent his first lieutenant
+to the port of Girgenti, with orders to seize and bring with him to
+Malta the ships which were there lying laden with corn; of the numbers
+of which he had received accurate information. These orders were
+executed to the great delight and advantage of the shipowners and
+proprietors: the necessity of raising the siege was removed, and Captain
+Ball waited in calmness for the consequences to himself. The Neapolitan
+government complained to the English ambassador, and the complaint was
+communicated to Nelson, who, in return, requested Sir William Hamilton
+would fully and plainly state, that the act ought not to be considered
+as any intended disrespect to his Sicilian Majesty, but as of the
+most absolute and imperious necessity; the alternative being either of
+abandoning Malta to the French, or of anticipating the king's orders for
+carrying the corn in those vessels to Malta. "I trust," he added, "that
+the government of the country will never again force any of our royal
+master's servants to so unpleasant an alternative." Thus ended the
+complaint of the Neapolitan court. "The sole result was," says Mr.
+Coleridge, "that the governor of Malta became an especial object of its
+hatred, its fears, and its respect."
+
+Nelson himself, at the beginning of February, sailed for that island.
+On the way he fell in with a French squadron bound for its relief, and
+consisting of the GENEREUX seventy-four, three frigates, and a corvette.
+One of these frigates and the line-of-battle ship were taken; the
+others escaped, but failed in their purpose of reaching La Valette. This
+success was peculiarly gratifying to Nelson, for many reasons. During
+some months he had acted as commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean,
+while Lord Keith was in England. Lord Keith was now returned; and Nelson
+had, upon his own plan, and at his own risk, left him to sail for Malta,
+"for which," said he, "if I had not succeeded, I might have been broke:
+and if I had not acted thus, the GENEREUX never would have been taken."
+This ship was one of those which had escaped from Aboukir. Two frigates,
+and the GUILLAUME TELL, eighty-six were all that now remained of the
+fleet which Buonaparte had conducted to Egypt. The GUILLAUME TELL was
+at this time closely watched in the harbour of La Valette; and shortly
+afterwards, attempting to make her escape from thence, was taken after
+an action, in which greater skill was never displayed by British ships,
+nor greater gallantry by an enemy. She was taken by the FOUDROYANT,
+LION, and PENELOPE frigate. Nelson, rejoicing at what he called this
+glorious finish to the whole French Mediterranean fleet, rejoiced also
+that he was not present to have taken a sprig of these brave men's
+laurels. "They are," said he, "and I glory in them, my children; they
+served in my school; and all of us caught our professional zeal and
+fire from the great and good Earl St. Vincent. What a pleasure, what
+happiness, to have the Nile fleet all taken, under my orders and
+regulations!" The two frigates still remained in La Valette; before its
+surrender they stole out; one was taken in the attempt; the other was
+the only ship of the whole fleet which escaped capture or destruction.
+
+Letters were found on board the GUILLAUME TELL showing that the French
+were now become hopeless of preserving the conquest which they had so
+foully acquired. Troubridge and his brother officers were anxious that
+Nelson should have the honour of signing the capitulation. They told,
+him that they absolutely, as far as they dared, insisted on his staying
+to do this; but their earnest and affectionate entreaties were vain.
+Sir William Hamilton had just been superseded: Nelson had no feeling of
+cordiality towards Lord Keith; and thinking that after Earl St. Vincent
+no man had so good a claim to the command in the Mediterranean as
+himself, he applied for permission to return to England; telling the
+First Lord of the Admiralty that his spirit could not submit patiently,
+and that he was a broken-hearted man. From the time of his return
+from Egypt, amid all the honours which were showered upon him, he had
+suffered many mortifications. Sir Sidney Smith had been sent to Egypt
+with orders to take under his command the squadron which Nelson had left
+there. Sir Sidney appears to have thought that this command was to be
+independent of Nelson; and Nelson himself thinking so, determined to
+return, saying to Earl St. Vincent, "I do feel, for I am a man, that
+it is impossible for me to serve in these seas with a squadron under a
+junior officer." Earl St. Vincent seems to have dissuaded him from
+this resolution: some heart-burnings, however, still remained, and some
+incautious expressions of Sir Sidney's were noticed by him in terms of
+evident displeasure. But this did not continue long, as no man bore more
+willing testimony than Nelson to the admirable defence of Acre.
+
+He differed from Sir Sidney as to the policy which ought to be pursued
+toward the French in Egypt; and strictly commanded him, in the strongest
+language, not, on any pretence, to permit a single Frenchman to leave
+the country, saying that he considered it nothing short of madness to
+permit that band of thieves to return to Europe. "No," said he, "to
+Egypt they went with their own consent, and there they shall remain
+while Nelson commands this squadron; for never, never, will he consent
+to the return of one ship or Frenchman. I wish them to perish in Egypt,
+and give an awful lesson to the world of the justice of the Almighty."
+If Nelson had not thoroughly understood the character of the enemy
+against whom he was engaged, their conduct in Egypt would have disclosed
+it. After the battle of the Nile he had landed all his prisoners, upon a
+solemn engagement made between Troubridge on one side and Captain Barre
+on the other, that none of them should serve until regularly exchanged.
+They were no sooner on shore than part of them were drafted into the
+different regiments, and the remainder formed into a corps, called the
+Nautic Legion. This occasioned Captain Hallowell to say that the French
+had forfeited all claim to respect from us. "The army of Buonaparte,"
+said he, "are entirely destitute of every principle of honour: they have
+always acted like licentious thieves." Buonaparte's escape was the more
+regretted by Nelson, because, if he had had sufficient force, he thought
+it would certainly have been prevented. He wished to keep ships upon
+the watch to intercept anything coming from Egypt; but the Admiralty
+calculated upon the assistance of the Russian fleet, which failed when
+it was most wanted. The ships which should have been thus employed were
+then required for more pressing services; and the bloody Corsican was
+thus enabled to reach Europe in safety; there to become the guilty
+instrument of a wider-spreading destruction than any with which the
+world had ever before been visited.
+
+Nelson had other causes of chagrin. Earl St. Vincent, for whom he felt
+such high respect, and whom Sir John Orde had challenged for having
+nominated Nelson instead of himself to the command of the Nile squadron,
+laid claim to prize money, as commander-in-chief, after he had quitted
+the station. The point was contested, and decided against him. Nelson,
+perhaps, felt this the more, because his own feelings, with regard to
+money, were so different. An opinion had been given by Dr. Lawrence,
+which would have excluded the junior flag-officers from prize-money.
+When this was made known to him, his reply was in these words:
+"Notwithstanding Dr. Lawrence's opinion, I do not believe I have any
+right to exclude the junior flag-officers; and if I have, I desire that
+no such claim may be made: no, not if it were sixty times the sum--and,
+poor as I am, I were never to see prize-money."
+
+A ship could not be spared to convey him to England; he therefore
+travelled through Germany to Hamburgh, in company with his inseparable
+friends, Sir William and Lady Hamilton. The Queen of Naples went with
+them to Vienna. While they were at Leghorn, upon a report that the
+French were approaching (for, through the folly of weak courts and the
+treachery of venal cabinets, they had now recovered their ascendancy
+in Italy), the people rose tumultuously, and would fain have persuaded
+Nelson to lead them against the enemy. Public honours, and yet more
+gratifying testimonials of public admiration, awaited Nelson wherever
+he went. The Prince of Esterhazy entertained him in a style of Hungarian
+magnificence--a hundred grenadiers, each six feet in height, constantly
+waiting at table. At Madgeburgh, the master of the hotel where he was
+entertained contrived to show him for money--admitting the curious to
+mount a ladder, and peep at him through a small window. A wine merchant
+at Hamburgh, who was above seventy years of age, requested to speak with
+Lady Hamilton; and told her he had some Rhenish wine, of the vintage of
+1625, which had been in his own possession more than half-a-century: he
+had preserved it for some extraordinary occasion; and that which had now
+arrived was far beyond any that he could ever have expected. His request
+was, that her ladyship would prevail upon Lord Nelson to accept six
+dozen of this incomparable wine: part of it would then have the honour
+to flow into the heart's blood of that immortal hero; and this thought
+would make him happy during the remainder of his life. Nelson, when this
+singular request was reported to him, went into the room, and taking
+the worthy old gentleman kindly by the hand, consented to receive six
+bottles, provided the donor would dine with him next day. Twelve were
+sent; and Nelson, saying that he hoped yet to win half-a-dozen more
+great victories, promised to lay by six bottles of his Hamburgh friend's
+wine, for the purpose of drinking one after each. A German pastor,
+between seventy and eighty years of age, travelled forty miles, with the
+Bible of his parish church, to request that Nelson would write his name
+on the first leaf of it. He called him the Saviour of the Christian
+world. The old man's hope deceived him. There was no Nelson upon shore,
+or Europe would have been saved; but in his foresight of the horrors
+with which all Germany and all Christendom were threatened by France,
+the pastor could not possibly have apprehended more than has actually
+taken place.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+1800 - 1801
+
+Nelson separates himself from his Wife--Northern Confederacy--He goes to
+the Baltic, under Sir Hyde Parker--Battle of Copenhagen, and subsequent
+Negotiation--Nelson is made a Viscount.
+
+
+NELSON was welcomed in England with every mark of popular honour.
+At Yarmouth, where he landed, every ship in the harbour hoisted her
+colours. The mayor and corporation waited upon him with the freedom
+of the town, and accompanied him in procession to church, with all the
+naval officers on shore, and the principal inhabitants. Bonfires and
+illuminations concluded the day; and on the morrow, the volunteer
+cavalry drew up, and saluted him as he departed, and followed the
+carriage to the borders of the county. At Ipswich, the people came out
+to meet him, drew him a mile into the town, and three miles out. When he
+was in the AGAMEMNON, he wished to represent this place in parliament,
+and some of his friends had consulted the leading men of the
+corporation--the result was not successful; and Nelson, observing that
+he would endeavour to find out a preferable path into parliament, said
+there might come a time when the people of Ipswich would think it an
+honour to have had him for their representative. In London, he was
+feasted by the City, drawn by the populace from Ludgate-hill to
+Guildhall, and received the thanks of the common-council for his great
+victory, and a golden-hilted sword studded with diamonds. Nelson had
+every earthly blessing except domestic happiness; he had forfeited that
+for ever. Before he had been three months in England he separated from
+Lady Nelson. Some of his last words to her were--"I call God to witness,
+there is nothing in you, or your conduct, that I wish otherwise." This
+was the consequence of his infatuated attachment to Lady Hamilton.
+It had before caused a quarrel with his son-in-law, and occasioned
+remonstrances from his truest friends, which produced no other effect
+than that of making him displeased with them, and more dissatisfied with
+himself.
+
+The Addington administration was just at this time formed; and Nelson,
+who had solicited employment, and been made vice-admiral of the blue,
+was sent to the Baltic, as second in command, under Sir Hyde Parker,
+by Earl St. Vincent, the new First Lord of the Admiralty. The three
+Northern courts had formed a confederacy for making England resign her
+naval rights. Of these courts, Russia was guided by the passions of its
+emperor, Paul, a man not without fits of generosity, and some natural
+goodness, but subject to the wildest humours of caprice, and erased
+by the possession of greater power than can ever be safely, or perhaps
+innocently, possessed by weak humanity. Denmark was French at heart:
+ready to co-operate in all the views of France, to recognise all her
+usurpations, and obey all her injunctions. Sweden, under a king whose
+principles were right, and whose feelings were generous, but who had a
+taint of hereditary insanity, acted in acquiescence with the dictates
+of two powers whom it feared to offend. The Danish navy, at this time,
+consisted of 23 ships of the line, with about 31 frigates and smaller
+vessels, exclusive of guard-ships. The Swedes had 18 ships of the
+line, 14 frigates and sloops, seventy-four galleys and smaller vessels,
+besides gun-boats; and this force was in a far better state of equipment
+than the Danish. The Russians had 82 sail of the line and 40
+frigates. Of these there were 47 sail of the line at Cronstadt, Revel,
+Petersburgh, and Archangel; but the Russian fleet was ill-manned,
+ill-officered, and ill-equipped. Such a combination under the influence
+of France would soon have become formidable; and never did the British
+Cabinet display more decision than in instantly preparing to crush it.
+They erred, however, in permitting any petty consideration to prevent
+them from appointing Nelson to the command. The public properly murmured
+at seeing it intrusted to another; and he himself said to Earl St.
+Vincent that, circumstanced as he was, this expedition would probably
+be the last service that he should ever perform. The earl, in reply,
+besought him, for God's sake, not to suffer himself to be carried away
+by any sudden impulse.
+
+The season happened to be unusually favourable; so mild a winter had not
+been known in the Baltic for many years. When Nelson joined the fleet at
+Yarmouth, he found the admiral "a little nervous about dark nights and
+fields of ice." "But we must brace up," said he; "these are not times
+for nervous systems. I hope we shall give our northern enemies that
+hailstorm of bullets which gives our dear country the dominion of the
+sea. We have it, and all the devils in the north cannot take it from us,
+if our wooden walls have fair play." Before the fleet left Yarmouth, it
+was sufficiently known that its destination was against Denmark. Some
+Danes, who belonged to the AMAZON frigate, went to Captain Riou, and
+telling him what they had heard, begged that he would get them exchanged
+into a ship bound on some other destination. "They had no wish," they
+said, "to quit the British service; but they entreated that they might
+not be forced to fight against their own country." There was not in our
+whole navy a man who had a higher and more chivalrous sense of duty
+than Riou. Tears came into his eyes while the men were speaking. Without
+making any reply, he instantly ordered his boat, and did not return to
+the AMAZON till he could tell them that their wish was effected. The
+fleet sailed on the 12th of March. Mr. Vansittart sailed in it; the
+British Cabinet still hoping to attain its end by negotiation. It was
+well for England that Sir Hyde Parker placed a fuller confidence in
+Nelson than the government seems to have done at this most important
+crisis. Her enemies might well have been astonished at learning that any
+other man should for a moment have been thought of for the command. But
+so little deference was paid, even at this time, to his intuitive
+and all-commanding genius, that when the fleet had reached its first
+rendezvous, at the entrance of the Cattegat, he had received no official
+communication whatever of the intended operations. His own mind had been
+made up upon them with its accustomed decision. "All I have gathered of
+our first plans," said he, "I disapprove most exceedingly. Honour may
+arise from them; good cannot. I hear we are likely to anchor outside of
+Cronenburgh Castle, instead of Copenhagen, which would give weight to
+our negotiation. A Danish minister would think twice before he would put
+his name to war with England, when the next moment he would probably see
+his master's fleet in flames, and his capital in ruins. The Dane should
+see our flag every moment he lifted up his head."
+
+Mr Vansittart left the fleet at the Scaw, and preceded it in a frigate
+with a flag of truce. Precious time was lost by this delay, which was to
+be purchased by the dearest blood of Britain and Denmark: according to
+the Danes themselves, the intelligence that a British fleet was seen
+off the Sound produced a much more general alarm in Copenhagen than its
+actual arrival in the Roads; for the means of defence were at that time
+in such a state that they could hardly hope to resist, still less to
+repel an enemy. On the 21st Nelson had a long conference with Sir Hyde;
+and the next day addressed a letter to him, worthy of himself and of the
+occasion. Mr. Vansittart's report had then been received. It represented
+the Danish government as in the highest degree hostile, and their state
+of preparation as exceeding what our cabinet had supposed possible;
+for Denmark had profited with all activity of the leisure which had so
+impoliticly been given her. "The more I have reflected," said Nelson to
+his commander, "the more I am confirmed in opinion, that not a moment
+should be lost in attacking the enemy. They will every day and every
+hour be stronger; we shall never be so good a match for them as at this
+moment. The only consideration is, how to get at them with the least
+risk to our ships. Here you are, with almost the safety, certainly with
+the honour of England, more entrusted to you than ever yet fell to the
+lot of any British officer. On your decision depends whether our country
+shall be degraded in the eyes of Europe, or whether she shall rear her
+head higher than ever. Again, I do repeat, never did our country depend
+so much upon the success of any fleet as on this. How best to honour her
+and abate the pride of her enemies, must be the subject of your deepest
+consideration."
+
+Supposing him to force the passage of the Sound, Nelson thought some
+damage might be done among the masts and yards; though, perhaps, not one
+of them but would be serviceable again. "If the wind be fair," said
+he, "and you determined to attack the ships and Crown Islands, you must
+expect the natural issue of such a battle--ships crippled, and perhaps
+one or two lost for the wind which carries you in will most probably
+not bring out a crippled ship. This mode I call taking the bull by the
+horns. It, however, will not prevent the Revel ships, or the Swedes,
+from joining the Danes and to prevent this is, in my humble opinion, a
+measure absolutely necessary, and still to attack Copenhagen." For this
+he proposed two modes. One was to pass Cronenburg, taking the risk
+of danger; take the deepest and straightest channel along the middle
+grounds, and then coming down to Garbar, or King's Channel, attack
+the Danish line of floating batteries and ships as might be found
+convenient. This would prevent a junction, and might give an opportunity
+of bombarding Copenhagen. Or to take the passage of the Belt, which
+might be accomplished in four or five days; and then the attack by Draco
+might be made, and the junction of the Russians prevented. Supposing
+them through the Belt, he proposed that a detachment of the fleet should
+be sent to destroy the Russian squadron at Revel; and that the business
+at Copenhagen should be attempted with the remainder. "The measure," he
+said, "might be thought bold; but the boldest measures are the safest."
+
+The pilots, as men who had nothing but safety to think of, were
+terrified by the formidable report of the batteries of Elsinore, and
+the tremendous preparations which our negotiators, who were now returned
+from their fruitless mission, had witnessed. They, therefore, persuaded
+Sir Hyde to prefer the passage of the Belt. "Let it be by the Sound, by
+the Belt, or anyhow," cried Nelson, "only lose not an hour!" On the 26th
+they sailed for the Belt. Such was the habitual reserve of Sir Hyde that
+his own captain, the captain of the fleet, did not know which course
+he had resolved to take till the fleet were getting under weigh. When
+Captain Domett was thus apprised of it, he felt it his duty to represent
+to the admiral his belief that if that course were persevered in, the
+ultimate object would be totally defeated: it was liable to long delays,
+and to accidents of ships grounding; in the whole fleet there were only
+one captain and one pilot who knew anything of this formidable passage
+(as it was then deemed), and their knowledge was very slight--their
+instructions did not authorise them to attempt it. Supposing them safe
+through the Belts, the heavy ships could not come over the GROUNDS to
+attack Copenhagen; and light vessels would have no effect on such a line
+of defence as had been prepared against them. Domett urged these reasons
+so forcibly that Sir Hyde's opinion was shaken, and he consented to
+bring the fleet to and send for Nelson on board. There can be little
+doubt but that the expedition would have failed if Captain Domett had
+not thus timeously and earnestly given his advice. Nelson entirely
+agreed with him; and it was finally determined to take the passage of
+the Sound, and the fleet returned to its former anchorage.
+
+The next day was more idly expended in despatching a flag of truce to
+the governor of Cronenburg Castle, to ask whether he had received orders
+to fire at the British fleet; as the admiral must consider the first gun
+to be a declaration of war on the part of Denmark. A soldier-like and
+becoming answer was returned to this formality. The governor said that
+the British minister had not been sent away from Copenhagen, but had
+obtained a passport at his own demand. He himself, as a soldier, could
+not meddle with politics; but he was not at liberty to suffer a fleet,
+of which the intention was not yet known, to approach the guns of the
+castle which he had the honour to command: and he requested, "if the
+British admiral should think proper to make any proposals to the King
+of Denmark, that he might be apprised of it before the fleet approached
+nearer." During this intercourse, a Dane, who came on board the
+commander's ship, having occasion to express his business in writing,
+found the pen blunt; and, holding it up, sarcastically said, "If
+your guns are not better pointed than your pens, you will make little
+impression on Copenhagen!"
+
+On that day intelligence reached the admiral of the loss of one of his
+fleet, the INVINCIBLE, seventy-four, wrecked on a sand-bank, as she was
+coming out of Yarmouth: four hundred of her men perished in her. Nelson,
+who was now appointed to lead the van, shifted his flag to the ELEPHANT,
+Captain Foley--a lighter ship than the ST. GEORGE, and, therefore,
+fitter for the expected operations. The two following days were calm.
+Orders had been given to pass the Sound as soon as the wind would
+permit; and, on the afternoon of the 29th, the ships were cleared for
+action, with an alacrity characteristic of British seamen. At daybreak
+on the 30th it blew a topsail breeze from N.W. The signal was made, and
+the fleet moved on in order of battle; Nelson's division in the van, Sir
+Hyde's in the centre, and Admiral Graves' in the rear.
+
+Great actions, whether military or naval, have generally given celebrity
+to the scenes from whence they are denominated; and thus petty villages,
+and capes and bays known only to the coasting trader, become associated
+with mighty deeds, and their names are made conspicuous in the history
+of the world. Here, however, the scene was every way worthy of the
+drama. The political importance of the Sound is such, that grand objects
+are not needed there to impress the imagination; yet is the channel full
+of grand and interesting objects, both of art and nature. This passage,
+which Denmark had so long considered as the key of the Baltic, is,
+in its narrowest part, about three miles wide; and here the city of
+Elsinore is situated; except Copenhagen, the most flourishing of the
+Danish towns. Every vessel which passes lowers her top-gallant sails and
+pays toll at Elsinore; a toll which is believed to have had its origin
+in the consent of the traders to that sea, Denmark taking upon itself
+the charge of constructing lighthouses, and erecting signals, to mark
+the shoals and rocks from the Cattegat to the Baltic; and they, on their
+part, agreeing that all ships should pass this way in order that all
+might pay their shares: none from that time using the passage of the
+Belt, because it was not fitting that they who enjoyed the benefit of
+the beacons in dark and stormy weather, should evade contributing to
+them in fair seasons and summer nights. Of late years about ten thousand
+vessels had annually paid this contribution in time of peace. Adjoining
+Elsinore, and at the edge of the peninsular promontory, upon the nearest
+point of land to the Swedish coast, stands Cronenburgh Castle, built
+after Tycho Brahe's design; a magnificent pile--at once a palace,
+and fortress, and state-prison, with its spires, and towers, and
+battlements, and batteries. On the left of the strait is the old Swedish
+city of Helsinburg, at the foot, and on the side of a hill. To the north
+of Helsinburg the shores are steep and rocky; they lower to the south;
+and the distant spires of Lanscrona, Lund, and Malmoe are seen in the
+flat country. The Danish shores consist partly of ridges of sand; but
+more frequently they are diversified with cornfields, meadows, slopes,
+and are covered with rich wood, and villages, and villas, and summer
+palaces belonging to the king and the nobility, and denoting the
+vicinity of a great capital. The isles of Huen, Statholm, and Amak,
+appear in the widening channel; and at the distance of twenty miles from
+Elsinore stands Copenhagen in full view; the best city of the north, and
+one of the finest capitals of Europe, visible, with its stately spires,
+far off. Amid these magnificent objects there are some which possess a
+peculiar interest for the recollections which they call forth. The isle
+of Huen, a lovely domain, about six miles in circumference, had been the
+munificent gift of Frederick the Second to Tycho Brahe. It has higher
+shores than the near coast of Zealand, or than the Swedish coast in that
+part. Here most of his discoveries were made; and here the ruins are to
+be seen of his observatory, and of the mansion where he was visited by
+princes; and where, with a princely spirit, he received and entertained
+all comers from all parts, and promoted science by his liberality as
+well as by his labours. Elsinore is a name familiar to English ears,
+being inseparably associated with HAMLET, and one of the noblest works
+of human genius. Cronenburgh had been the scene of deeper tragedy: here
+Queen Matilda was confined, the victim of a foul and murderous court
+intrigue. Here, amid heart-breaking griefs, she found consolation in
+nursing her infant. Here she took her everlasting leave of that infant,
+when, by the interference of England, her own deliverance was
+obtained; and as the ship bore her away from a country where the venial
+indiscretions of youth and unsuspicious gaiety had been so cruelly
+punished, upon these towers she fixed her eyes, and stood upon the deck,
+obstinately gazing toward them till the last speck had disappeared.
+
+The Sound being the only frequented entrance to the Baltic, the great
+Mediterranean of the North, few parts of the sea display so frequent a
+navigation. In the height of the season not fewer than a hundred vessels
+pass every four-and-twenty hours for many weeks in succession; but never
+had so busy or so splendid a scene been exhibited there as on this day,
+when the British fleet prepared to force that passage where, till now,
+all ships had vailed their topsails to the flag of Denmark. The whole
+force consisted of fifty-one sail of various descriptions, of which
+sixteen were of the line. The greater part of the bomb and gun vessels
+took their stations off Cronenburgh Castle, to cover the fleet; while
+others on the larboard were ready to engage the Swedish shore. The
+Danes, having improved every moment which ill-timed negotiation and
+baffling weather gave them, had lined their shores with batteries; and
+as soon as the MONARCH, which was the leading ship, came abreast of
+them, a fire was opened from about a hundred pieces of cannon and
+mortars; our light vessels immediately, in return, opened their fire
+upon the castle. Here was all the pompous circumstance and exciting
+reality of war, without its effects; for this ostentatious display was
+but a bloodless prelude to the wide and sweeping destruction which was
+soon to follow. The enemy's shot fell near enough to splash the water
+on board our ships: not relying upon any forbearance of the Swedes, they
+meant to have kept the mid channel; but when they perceived that not a
+shot was fired from Helsinburg, and that no batteries were to be seen on
+the Swedish shore, they inclined to that side, so as completely to get
+out of reach of the Danish guns. The uninterrupted blaze which was kept
+up from them till the fleet had passed, served only to exhilarate our
+sailors, and afford them matter for jest, as the shot fell in showers
+a full cable's length short of its destined aim. A few rounds were
+returned from some of our leading ships, till they perceived its
+inutility: this, however, occasioned the only bloodshed of the day, some
+of our men being killed and wounded by the bursting of a gun. As soon as
+the main body had passed, the gun vessels followed, desisting from their
+bombardment, which had been as innocent as that of the enemy; and,
+about mid-day, the whole fleet anchored between the island of Huen and
+Copenhagen. Sir Hyde, with Nelson, Admiral Graves, some of the senior
+captains, and the commanding officers of the artillery and the troops,
+then proceeded in a lugger to reconnoitre the enemy's means of defence;
+a formidable line of ships, radeaus, pontoons, galleys, fire-ships and
+gun-boats, flanked and supported by extensive batteries, and occupying,
+from one extreme point to the other, an extent of nearly four miles.
+
+A council of war was held In the afternoon. It was apparent that the
+Danes could not be attacked without great difficulty and risk; and some
+of the members of the council spoke of the number of the Swedes and the
+Russians whom they should afterwards have to engage, as a consideration
+which ought to be borne in mind. Nelson, who kept pacing the cabin,
+impatient as he ever was of anything which savoured of irresolution,
+repeatedly said, "The more numerous the better: I wish they were twice
+as many,--the easier the victory, depend on it." The plan upon which he
+had determined; if ever it should be his fortune to bring a Baltic
+fleet to action, was, to attack the head of their line and confuse their
+movements. "Close with a Frenchman," he used to say, "but out manoeuvre
+a Russian." He offered his services for the attack, requiring ten sail
+of the line and the whole of the smaller craft. Sir Hyde gave him two
+more line-of-battle ships than he asked, and left everything to his
+judgment.
+
+The enemy's force was not the only, nor the greatest, obstacle with
+which the British fleet had to contend: there was another to be overcome
+before they could come in contact with it. The channel was little known
+and extremely intricate: all the buoys had been removed; and the Danes
+considered this difficulty as almost insuperable, thinking the channel
+impracticable for so large a fleet. Nelson himself saw the soundings
+made and the buoys laid down, boating it upon this exhausting service,
+day and night, till it was effected. When this was done he thanked God
+for having enabled him to get through this difficult part of his duty.
+"It had worn him down," he said, "and was infinitely more grievous to
+him than any resistance which he could experience from the enemy."
+
+At the first council of war, opinions inclined to an attack from the
+eastward; but the next day, the wind being southerly, after a second
+examination of the Danish position, it was determined to attack from the
+south, approaching in the manner which Nelson had suggested in his first
+thoughts. On the morning of the 1st of April the whole fleet removed to
+an anchorage within two leagues of the town, and off the N.W. end of
+the Middle Ground; a shoal lying exactly before the town, at about three
+quarters of a mile distance, and extending along its whole sea-front.
+The King's Channel, where there is deep water, is between this shoal and
+the town; and here the Danes had arranged their line of defence, as near
+the shore as possible: nineteen ships and floating batteries, flanked,
+at the end nearest the town, by the Crown Batteries, which were two
+artificial islands, at the mouth of the harbour--most formidable works;
+the larger one having, by the Danish account, 66 guns; but, as Nelson
+believed, 88. The fleet having anchored, Nelson, with Riou, in the
+AMAZON, made his last examination of the ground; and about one o'clock,
+returning to his own ship, threw out the signal to weigh. It was
+received with a shout throughout the whole division; they weighed with
+a light and favourable wind: the narrow channel between the island of
+Saltholm and the Middle Ground had been accurately buoyed; the small
+craft pointed out the course distinctly; Riou led the way: the whole
+division coasted along the outer edge of the shoal, doubled its further
+extremity, and anchored there off Draco Point, just as the darkness
+closed--the headmost of the enemy's line not being more than two miles
+distant. The signal to prepare for action had been made early in the
+evening; and as his own anchor dropt, Nelson called out, "I will fight
+them the moment I have a fair wind!" It had been agreed that Sir Hyde,
+with the remaining ships, should weigh on the following morning, at the
+same time as Nelson, to menace the Crown Batteries on his side, and the
+four ships of the line which lay at the entrance of the arsenal; and to
+cover our own disabled ships as they came out of action.
+
+The Danes, meantime, had not been idle: no sooner did the guns of
+Cronenburgh make it known to the whole city that all negotiation was
+at an end, that the British fleet was passing the Sound, and that the
+dispute between the two crowns must now be decided by arms, than a
+spirit displayed itself most honourable to the Danish character. All
+ranks offered themselves to the service of their country; the university
+furnished a corps of 1200 youth, the flower of Denmark--it was one of
+those emergencies in which little drilling or discipline is necessary
+to render courage available: they had nothing to learn but how to manage
+the guns, and day and night were employed in practising them. When the
+movements of Nelson's squadron were perceived, it was known when and
+where the attack was to be expected, and the line of defence was manned
+indiscriminately by soldiers, sailors, and citizens. Had not the whole
+attention of the Danes been directed to strengthen their own means of
+defence, they might most materially have annoyed the invading squadron,
+and perhaps frustrated the impending attack; for the British ships were
+crowded in an anchoring ground of little extent:--it was calm, so that
+mortar-boats might have acted against them to the utmost advantage;
+and they were within range of shells from Amak Island. A few fell among
+them; but the enemy soon ceased to fire. It was learned afterwards,
+that, fortunately for the fleet, the bed of the mortar had given way;
+and the Danes either could not get it replaced, or, in the darkness,
+lost the direction.
+
+This was an awful night for Copenhagen--far more so than for the British
+fleet, where the men were accustomed to battle and victory, and had none
+of those objects before their eyes which rendered death terrible. Nelson
+sat down to table with a large party of his officers: he was, as he was
+ever wont to be when on the eve of action, in high spirits, and drank
+to a leading wind, and to the success of the morrow. After supper they
+returned to their respective ships, except Riou, who remained to arrange
+the order of battle with Nelson and Foley, and to draw up instructions.
+Hardy, meantime, went in a small boat to examine the channel between
+them and the enemy; approaching so near that he sounded round their
+leading ship with a pole, lest the noise of throwing the lead should
+discover him. The incessant fatigue of body, as well as mind, which
+Nelson had undergone during the last three days, had so exhausted him
+that he was earnestly urged to go to his cot; and his old servant,
+Allen, using that kind of authority which long and affectionate services
+entitled and enabled him to assume on such occasions, insisted upon his
+complying. The cot was placed on the floor, and he continued to dictate
+from it. About eleven Hardy returned, and reported the practicability
+of the channel, and the depth of water up to the enemy's line. About
+one the orders were completed; and half-a-dozen clerks, in the foremost
+cabin, proceeded to transcribe them, Nelson frequently calling out to
+them from his cot to hasten their work, for the wind was becoming fair.
+Instead of attempting to get a few hours' sleep, he was constantly
+receiving reports on this important point. At daybreak it was announced
+as becoming perfectly fair. The clerks finished their work about
+six. Nelson, who was already up, breakfasted, and made signal for
+all captains. The land forces and five hundred seamen, under Captain
+Freemantle and the Hon. Colonel Stewart, were to storm the Crown Battery
+as soon as its fire should be silenced: and Riou--whom Nelson had never
+seen till this expedition, but whose worth he had instantly perceived,
+and appreciated as it deserved--had the BLANCHE and ALCMENE frigates,
+the DART and ARROW sloops, and the ZEPHYR and OTTER fire-ships, given
+him, with a special command to act as circumstances might require--every
+other ship had its station appointed.
+
+Between eight and nine, the pilots and masters were ordered on board the
+admirals' ships. The pilots were mostly men who had been mates in Baltic
+traders; and their hesitation about the bearing of the east end of the
+shoal, and the exact line of deep water, gave ominous warning of how
+little their knowledge was to be trusted. The signal for action had been
+made, the wind was fair--not a moment to be lost. Nelson urged them
+to be steady, to be resolute, and to decide; but they wanted the only
+ground for steadiness and decision in such cases; and Nelson had reason
+to regret that he had not trusted to Hardy's single report. This was one
+of the most painful moments of his life; and he always spoke of it with
+bitterness. "I experienced in the Sound," said he, "the misery of having
+the honour of our country entrusted to a set of pilots, who have no
+other thought than to keep the ships clear of danger, and their own
+silly heads clear of shot. Everybody knows what I must have suffered;
+and if any merit attaches itself to me, it was for combating the dangers
+of the shallows in defiance of them." At length Mr. Bryerly, the master
+of the BELLONA, declared that he was prepared to lead the fleet; his
+judgment was acceded to by the rest; they returned to their ships; and
+at half-past nine the signal was made to weigh in succession.
+
+Captain Murray, in the EDGAR, led the way; the AGAMEMNON was next in
+order; but on the first attempt to leave her anchorage, she could not
+weather the edge of the shoal; and Nelson had the grief to see his
+old ship, in which he had performed so many years' gallant services,
+immovably aground at a moment when her help was so greatly required.
+Signal was then made for the POLYPHEMUS; and this change in the order of
+sailing was executed with the utmost promptitude: yet so much delay
+had thus been unavoidably occasioned, that the EDGAR was for some time
+unsupported, and the POLYPHEMUS, whose place should have been at the end
+of the enemy's line, where their strength was the greatest, could get
+no further than the beginning, owing to the difficulty of the channel:
+there she occupied, indeed, an efficient station, but one where her
+presence was less required. The ISIS followed with better fortune, and
+took her own berth. The BELLONA, Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson, kept too
+close on the starboard shoal, and grounded abreast of the outer ship of
+the enemy: this was the more vexatious, inasmuch as the wind was fair,
+the room ample, and three ships had led the way. The RUSSELL, following
+the BELLONA, grounded in like manner: both were within reach of shot;
+but their absence from their intended stations was severely felt. Each
+ship had been ordered to pass her leader on the starboard side, because
+the water was supposed to shoal on the larboard shore. Nelson, who
+came next after these two ships, thought they had kept too far on the
+starboard direction, and made signal for them to close with the enemy,
+not knowing that they were aground; but when he perceived that they did
+not obey the signal, he ordered the ELEPHANT's helm to starboard, and
+went within these ships: thus quitting the appointed order of sailing,
+and guiding those which were to follow. The greater part of the fleet
+were probably, by this act of promptitude on his part, saved from going
+on shore. Each ship, as she arrived nearly opposite to her appointed
+station, let her anchor go by the stern, and presented her broadside to
+the Danes. The distance between each was about half a cable. The action
+was fought nearly at the distance of a cable's length from the enemy.
+This, which rendered its continuance so long, was owing to the ignorance
+and consequent indecision of the pilots. In pursuance of the same error
+which had led the BELLONA and the RUSSELL aground, they, when the lead
+was at a quarter less five, refused to approach nearer, in dread of
+shoaling their water on the larboard shore: a fear altogether erroneous,
+for the water deepened up to the very side of the enemy's line of
+battle.
+
+At five minutes after ten the action began. The first half of our fleet
+was engaged in about half an hour; and by half-past eleven the battle
+became general. The plan of the attack had been complete: but seldom has
+any plan been more disconcerted by untoward accidents. Of twelve ships
+of the line, one was entirely useless, and two others in a situation
+where they could not render half the service which was required of them.
+Of the squadron of gun-brigs, only one could get into action; the rest
+were prevented, by baffling currents, from weathering the eastern end of
+the shoal; and only two of the bomb-vessels could reach their station
+on the Middle Ground, and open their mortars on the arsenal, firing over
+both fleets. Riou took the vacant station against the Crown Battery,
+with his frigates: attempting, with that unequal force, a service in
+which three sail of the line had been directed to assist.
+
+Nelson's agitation had been extreme when he saw himself, before the
+action began, deprived of a fourth part of his ships of the line; but no
+sooner was he in battle, where his squadron was received with the fire
+of more than a thousand guns, than, as if that artillery, like
+music, had driven away all care and painful thoughts, his countenance
+brightened; and, as a bystander describes him, his conversation became
+joyous, animated, elevated, and delightful. The Commander-in-Chief
+meantime, near enough to the scene of action to know the unfavourable
+accidents which had so materially weakened Nelson, and yet too distant
+to know the real state of the contending parties, suffered the most
+dreadful anxiety. To get to his assistance was impossible; both wind
+and current were against him. Fear for the event, in such circumstances,
+would naturally preponderate in the bravest mind; and at one o'clock,
+perceiving that, after three hours' endurance, the enemy's fire was
+unslackened, he began to despair of success. "I will make the signal
+of recall," said he to his captain, "for Nelson's sake. If he is in a
+condition to continue the action successfully, he will disregard it;
+if he is not, it will be an excuse for his retreat, and no blame can be
+imputed to him." Captain Domett urged him at least to delay the signal
+till he could communicate with Nelson; but in Sir Hyde's opinion the
+danger was too pressing for delay. "The fire," he said, "was too hot for
+Nelson to oppose; a retreat he thought must be made; he was aware of the
+consequences to his own personal reputation, but it would be cowardly in
+him to leave Nelson to bear the whole shame of the failure, if shame it
+should be deemed." Under, a mistaken judgment, therefore, but with this
+disinterested and generous feeling, he made the signal for retreat.
+
+Nelson was at this time, in all the excitement of action, pacing the
+quarter-deck. A shot through the mainmast knocked the splinters about;
+and he observed to one of his officers with a smile, "It is warm work,
+and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment:"--and then
+stopping short at the gangway, added, with emotion--"But mark you!
+I would not be elsewhere for thousands." About this time the
+signal-lieutenant called out that number Thirty-nine (the signal for
+discontinuing the action) was thrown out by the Commander-in-Chief. He
+continued to walk the deck, and appeared to take no notice of it. The
+signal officer met him at the next turn, and asked if he should repeat
+it. "No," he replied, "acknowledge it." Presently he called after him
+to know if the signal for close action was still hoisted; and being
+answered in the affirmative, said, "Mind you keep it so." He now paced
+the deck, moving the stump of his lost arm in a manner which always
+indicated great emotion. "Do you know," said he to Mr. Ferguson, "what
+is shown on board the Commander-in-Chief? Number Thirty-nine!" Mr.
+Ferguson asked what that meant. "Why, to leave off action!" Then
+shrugging up his shoulders, he repeated the words--"Leave off action?
+Now, damn me if I do! You know, Foley," turning to the captain, "I have
+only one eye,--I have a right to be blind sometimes:" and then putting
+the glass to his blind eye, in that mood of mind which sports with
+bitterness, he exclaimed, "I really do not see the signal!" Presently he
+exclaimed, "Damn the signal! Keep mine for closer battle flying! That's
+the way I answer signals! Nail mine to the mast!" Admiral Graves, who
+was so situated that he could not discern what was done on board
+the ELEPHANT, disobeyed Sir Hyde's signal in like manner; whether by
+fortunate mistake, or by a like brave intention, has not been made
+known. The other ships of the line, looking only to Nelson, continued
+the action. The signal, however, saved Riou's little squadron, but
+did not save its heroic leader. This squadron, which was nearest the
+Commander-in-Chief, obeyed and hauled off. It had suffered severely in
+its most unequal contest. For a long time the AMAZON had been firing,
+enveloped in smoke, when Riou desired his men to stand fast, and let
+the smoke clear off, that they might see what they were about. A fatal
+order--for the Danes then got clear sight of her from the batteries,
+and pointed their guns with such tremendous effect that nothing but
+the signal for retreat saved this frigate from destruction. "What will
+Nelson think of us?" was Riou's mournful exclamation when he unwillingly
+drew off. He had been wounded in the head by a splinter, and was sitting
+on a gun, encouraging his men, when, just as the AMAZON showed her stern
+to the Trekroner battery, his clerk was killed by his side; and another
+shot swept away several marines who were hauling in the main-brace.
+"Come, then, my boys!" cried Riou; "let us die all together!" The words
+had scarcely been uttered before a raking shot cut him in two. Except
+it had been Nelson himself, the British navy could not have suffered a
+severer loss.
+
+The action continued along the line with unabated vigour on our side,
+and with the most determined resolution on the part of the Danes. They
+fought to great advantage, because most of the vessels in their line
+of defence were without masts; the few which had any standing had their
+top-masts struck, and the hulls could not be seen at intervals. The ISIS
+must have been destroyed by the superior weight of her enemy's fire,
+if Captain Inman, in the DESIREE frigate, had not judiciously taken a
+situation which enabled him to rake the Dane, if the POLYPHEMUS had not
+also relieved her. Both in the BELLONA and the ISIS many men were lost
+by the bursting of their guns. The former ship was about forty years
+old, and these guns were believed to be the same which she had first
+taken to sea: they were, probably, originally faulty, for the fragments
+were full of little air-holes. The BELLONA lost 75 men; the ISIS, 110;
+the MONARCH, 210. She was, more than any other line-of-battle ship,
+exposed to the great battery; and supporting, at the same time, the
+united fire of the HOLSTEIN and the ZEALAND, her loss this day exceeded
+that of any single ship during the whole war. Amid the tremendous
+carnage in this vessel, some of the men displayed a singular instance of
+coolness: the pork and peas happened to be in the kettle; a shot knocked
+its contents about; they picked up the pieces, and ate and fought at the
+same time.
+
+The Prince-Royal had taken his station upon one of the batteries, from
+whence he beheld the action and issued his orders. Denmark had never
+been engaged in so arduous a contest, and never did the Danes more
+nobly display their national courage--a courage not more unhappily
+than impolitically exerted in subserviency to the interests of France.
+Captain Thura, of the INDFOEDSRETTEN, fell early in the action; and all
+his officers, except one lieutenant and one marine officer, were either
+killed or wounded In the confusion, the colours were either struck or
+shot away; but she was moored athwart one of the batteries in such a
+situation that the British made no attempt to board her; and a boat was
+despatched to the prince, to inform him of her situation. He turned to
+those about him, and said, "Gentlemen, Thura is killed; which of you
+will take the command?" Schroedersee, a captain who had lately resigned
+on account of extreme ill-health, answered in a feeble voice, "I will!"
+and hastened on board. The crew, perceiving a new commander coming
+alongside, hoisted their colours again, and fired a broadside.
+Schroedersee, when he came on deck, found himself surrounded by the dead
+and wounded, and called to those in the boat to get quickly on board: a
+ball struck him at that moment. A lieutenant, who had accompanied him,
+then took the command, and continued to fight the ship. A youth of
+seventeen, by name Villemoes, particularly distinguished himself on
+this memorable day. He had volunteered to take the command of a floating
+battery, which was a raft, consisting merely of a number of beams nailed
+together, with a flooring to support the guns: it was square, with a
+breast-work full of port-holes, and without masts--carrying twenty-four
+guns, and one hundred and twenty men. With this he got under the stern
+of the ELEPHANT, below the reach of the stern-chasers; and under a heavy
+fire of small-arms from the marines, fought his raft, till the truce
+was announced, with such skill as well as courage, as to excite Nelson's
+warmest admiration.
+
+Between one and two the fire of the Danes slackened; about two it ceased
+from the greater part of their line, and some of their lighter ships
+were adrift. It was, however, difficult to take possession of those
+which struck, because the batteries on Amak Island protected them; and
+because an irregular fire was kept up from the ships themselves as the
+boats approached. This arose from the nature of the action: the crews
+were continually reinforced from the shore; and fresh men coming on
+board, did not inquire whether the flag had been struck, or, perhaps,
+did not heed it; many or most of them never having been engaged in war
+before--knowing nothing, therefore, of its laws, and thinking only of
+defending their country to the last extremity. The DANBROG fired upon
+the ELEPHANT's boats in this manner, though her commodore had removed
+her pendant and deserted her, though she had struck, and though she was
+in flames. After she had been abandoned by the commodore, Braun fought
+her till he lost his right hand, and then Captain Lemming took the
+command. This unexpected renewal of her fire made the ELEPHANT and
+GLATTON renew theirs, till she was not only silenced, but nearly every
+man in the praams, ahead and astern of her, was killed. When the smoke
+of their guns died away, she was seen drifting in flames before
+the wind: those of her crew who remained alive, and able to exert
+themselves, throwing themselves out at her port-holes. Captain Bertie
+of the ARDENT sent his launch to their assistance, and saved
+three-and-twenty of them.
+
+Captain Rothe commanded the NYEBORG praam; and perceiving that she could
+not much longer be kept afloat, made for the inner road. As he passed
+the line, he found the AGGERSHUUS praam in a more miserable condition
+than his own; her masts had all gone by the board, and she was on the
+point of sinking. Rothe made fast a cable to her stern, and towed her
+off; but he could get her no further than a shoal called Stubben,
+when she sunk, and soon after he had worked the NYEBORG up to the
+landing-place, that vessel also sunk to her gunwale. Never did any
+vessel come out of action in a more dreadful plight. The stump of her
+foremast was the only stick standing; her cabin had been stove in; every
+gun, except a single one, was dismounted; and her deck was covered with
+shattered limbs and dead bodies.
+
+By half-past two the action had ceased along that part of the line which
+was astern of the ELEPHANT, but not with the ships ahead and the Crown
+Batteries. Nelson, seeing the manner in which his boats were fired upon
+when they went to take possession of the prizes, became angry, and said
+he must either send ashore to have this irregular proceeding stopped,
+or send a fire-ship and burn them. Half the shot from the Trekroner, and
+from the batteries at Amak, at this time, struck the surrendered ships,
+four of which had got close together; and the fire of the English,
+in return, was equally or even more destructive to these poor devoted
+Danes. Nelson, who was as humane as he was brave, was shocked at the
+massacre--for such he called it; and with a presence of mind peculiar to
+himself, and never more signally displayed than now, he retired into the
+stern gallery, and wrote thus to the Crown Prince:--"Vice-Admiral Lord
+Nelson has been commanded to spare Denmark when she no longer resists.
+The line of defence which covered her shores has struck to the British
+flag; but if the firing is continued on the part of Denmark, he must set
+on fire all the prizes that he has taken, without having the power of
+saving the men who have so nobly defended them. The brave Danes are the
+brothers, and should never be the enemies, of the English." A wafer was
+given him, but he ordered a candle to be brought from the cockpit, and
+sealed the letter with wax, affixing a larger seal than he ordinarily
+used. "This," said he, "is no time to appear hurried and informal."
+Captain Sir Frederick Thesiger, who acted as his aide-de-camp, carried
+this letter with a flag of truce. Meantime the fire of the ships ahead,
+and the approach of the RAMILLIES and DEFENCE from Sir Hyde's division,
+which had now worked near enough to alarm the enemy, though not to
+injure them, silenced the remainder of the Danish line to the eastward
+of the Trekroner. That battery, however, continued its fire. This
+formidable work, owing to the want of the ships which had been destined
+to attack it, and the inadequate force of Riou's little squadron, was
+comparatively uninjured. Towards the close of the action it had been
+manned with nearly fifteen hundred men; and the intention of storming
+it, for which every preparation had been made, was abandoned as
+impracticable.
+
+During Thesiger's absence, Nelson sent for Freemantle, from the GANGES,
+and consulted with him and Foley whether it was advisable to advance,
+with those ships which had sustained least damage, against the yet
+uninjured part of the Danish line. They were decidedly of opinion that
+the best thing which could be done was, while the wind continued fair,
+to remove the fleet out of the intricate channel from which it had to
+retreat. In somewhat more than half an hour after Thesiger had been
+despatched, the Danish adjutant-general, Lindholm came, bearing a
+flag of truce, upon which the Trekroner ceased to fire, and the action
+closed, after four hours' continuance. He brought an inquiry from the
+prince,--What was the object of Nelson's note? The British admiral
+wrote in reply:--"Lord Nelson's object in sending the flag of truce was
+humanity; he therefore consents that hostilities shall cease, and that
+the wounded Danes may be taken on shore. And Lord Nelson will take his
+prisoners out of the vessels, and burn or carry off his prizes as he
+shall think fit. Lord Nelson, with humble duty to his royal highness the
+prince, will consider this the greatest victory he has ever gained, if
+it may be the cause of a happy reconciliation and union between his
+own most gracious sovereign and his majesty the King of Denmark." Sir
+Frederick Thesiger was despatched a second time with the reply; and the
+Danish adjutant-general was referred to the commander-in-chief for a
+conference upon this overture. Lindholm assenting to this, proceeded to
+the LONDON, which was riding at anchor full four miles off and Nelson,
+losing not one of the critical moments which he had thus gained, made
+signal for his leading ships to weigh in succession; they had the shoal
+to clear, they were much crippled, and their course was immediately
+under the guns of the Trekroner.
+
+The MONARCH led the way. This ship had received six-and-twenty shot
+between wind and water. She had not a shroud standing; there was a
+double-headed shot in the heart of her foremast, and the slightest wind
+would have sent every mast over her side. The imminent danger from which
+Nelson had extricated himself soon became apparent: the MONARCH touched
+immediately upon a shoal, over which she was pushed by the GANGES taking
+her amidships; the GLATTON went clear; but the other two, the DEFIANCE
+and the ELEPHANT, grounded about a mile from the Trekroner, and there
+remained fixed for many hours, in spite of all the exertions of their
+wearied crews. The DESIREE frigate also, at the other end of the line,
+having gone toward the close of the action to assist the BELLONA, became
+fast on the same shoal. Nelson left the ELEPHANT soon after she took the
+ground, to follow Lindholm. The heat of the action was over, and that
+kind of feeling which the surrounding scene of havoc was so well fitted
+to produce, pressed heavily upon his exhausted spirits. The sky had
+suddenly become overcast; white flags were waving from the mast-heads of
+so many shattered ships; the slaughter had ceased, but the grief was to
+come; for the account of the dead was not yet made up, and no man could
+tell for what friends he might have to mourn. The very silence which
+follows the cessation of such a battle becomes a weight upon the
+heart at first, rather than a relief; and though the work of mutual
+destruction was at an end, the DANBROG was at this time drifting about
+in flames; presently she blew up; while our boats, which had put off in
+all directions to assist her, were endeavouring to pick up her devoted
+crew, few of whom could be saved. The fate of these men, after the
+gallantry which they had displayed, particularly affected Nelson; for
+there was nothing in this action of that indignation against the enemy,
+and that impression of retributive justice, which at the Nile had
+given a sterner temper to his mind, and a sense of austere delight in
+beholding the vengeance of which he was the appointed minister. The
+Danes were an honourable foe; they were of English mould as well as
+English blood; and now that the battle had ceased, he regarded them
+rather as brethren than as enemies. There was another reflection also
+which mingled with these melancholy thoughts, and predisposed him to
+receive them. He was not here master of his own movements, as at Egypt;
+he had won the day by disobeying his orders; and in so far as he had
+been successful, had convicted the commander-in-chief of an error in
+judgment. "Well," said he, as he left the ELEPHANT, "I have fought
+contrary to orders, and I shall perhaps be hanged. Never mind: let
+them!"
+
+This was the language of a man who, while he is giving utterance to
+uneasy thought, clothes it half in jest, because he half repents that it
+has been disclosed. His services had been too eminent on that day, his
+judgment too conspicuous, his success too signal, for any commander,
+however jealous of his own authority, or envious of another's merits, to
+express anything but satisfaction and gratitude: which Sir Hyde heartily
+felt, and sincerely expressed. It was speedily agreed that there should
+be a suspension of hostilities for four-and-twenty hours; that all the
+prizes should be surrendered, and the wounded Danes carried on shore.
+There was a pressing necessity for this, for the Danes, either from too
+much confidence in the strength of their position and the difficulty
+of the channel, or supposing that the wounded might be carried on shore
+during the action, which was found totally impracticable, or perhaps
+from the confusion which the attack excited, had provided no surgeons;
+so that, when our men boarded the captured ships, they found many of
+the mangled and mutilated Danes bleeding to death for want of proper
+assistance--a scene, of all others, the most shocking to a brave man's
+feelings.
+
+The boats of Sir Hyde's division were actively employed all night in
+bringing out the prizes, and in getting afloat the ships which were
+on shore. At daybreak, Nelson, who had slept in his own ship, the St.
+George, rowed to the ELEPHANT; and his delight at finding her afloat
+seemed to give him new life. There he took a hasty breakfast, praising
+the men for their exertions, and then pushed off to the prizes, which
+had not yet been removed. The ZEALAND, seventy-four, the last which
+struck, had drifted on the shoal under the Trekroner; and relying, as
+it seems, upon the protection which that battery might have afforded,
+refused to acknowledge herself captured; saying, that though it was
+true her flag was not to be seen, her pendant was still flying. Nelson
+ordered one of our brigs and three long-boats to approach her, and
+rowed up himself to one of the enemy's ships, to communicate with the
+commodore. This officer proved to be an old acquaintance, whom he had
+known in the West Indies; so he invited himself on board, and with that
+urbanity as well as decision which always characterised him, urged his
+claim to the ZEALAND so well that it was admitted. The men from the
+boats lashed a cable round her bowsprit, and the gun-vessel towed her
+away. It is affirmed, and probably with truth, that the Danes felt more
+pain at beholding this than at all their misfortunes on the preceding
+day; and one of the officers, Commodore Steen Rille, went to the
+Trekroner battery, and asked the commander why he had not sunk the
+ZEALAND, rather than suffer her thus to be carried off by the enemy?
+
+This was, indeed, a mournful day for Copenhagen! It was Good Friday; but
+the general agitation, and the mourning which was in every house,
+made all distinction of days be forgotten. There were, at that hour,
+thousands in that city who felt, and more perhaps who needed, the
+consolations of Christianity, but few or none who could be calm enough
+to think of its observances. The English were actively employed in
+refitting their own ships, securing the prizes, and distributing the
+prisoners; the Danes, in carrying on shore and disposing of the wounded
+and the dead. It had been a murderous action. Our loss, in killed and
+wounded, was 953. Part of this slaughter might have been spared. The
+commanding officer of the troops on board one of our ships asked where
+his men should be stationed? He was told that they could be of no use!
+that they were not near enough for musketry, and were not wanted at
+the guns; they had, therefore, better go below. This, he said, was
+impossible; it would be a disgrace that could never be wiped away. They
+were, therefore, drawn up upon the gangway, to satisfy this cruel point
+of honour; and there, without the possibility of annoying the enemy,
+they were mowed down! The loss of the Danes, including prisoners,
+amounted to about six thousand. The negotiations, meantime, went on; and
+it was agreed that Nelson should have an interview with the prince the
+following day. Hardy and Freemantle landed with him. This was a thing as
+unexampled as the other circumstances of the battle. A strong guard
+was appointed to escort him to the palace, as much for the purpose of
+security as of honour. The populace, according to the British account,
+showed a mixture of admiration, curiosity, and displeasure, at beholding
+that man in the midst of them who had inflicted such wounds upon
+Denmark. But there were neither acclamations nor murmurs. "The people,"
+says a Dane, "did not degrade themselves with the former, nor disgrace
+themselves with the latter: the admiral was received as one brave
+enemy ever ought to receive another--he was received with respect." The
+preliminaries of the negotiation were adjusted at this interview.
+During the repast which followed, Nelson, with all the sincerity of his
+character, bore willing testimony to the valour of his foes. He told the
+prince that he had been in a hundred and five engagements, but that this
+was the most tremendous of all. "The French," he said, "fought bravely;
+but they could not have stood for one hour the fight which the Danes had
+supported for four." He requested that Villemoes might be introduced to
+him; and, shaking hands with the youth, told the prince that he ought to
+be made an admiral. The prince replied: "If, my lord, I am to make all
+my brave officers admirals, I should have no captains or lieutenants in
+my service."
+
+The sympathy of the Danes for their countrymen who had bled in their
+defence, was not weakened by distance of time or place in this instance.
+Things needful for the service, or the comfort of the wounded, were
+sent in profusion to the hospitals, till the superintendents gave public
+notice that they could receive no more. On the third day after the
+action, the dead were buried in the naval churchyard: the ceremony was
+made as public and as solemn as the occasion required; such a procession
+had never before been seen in that, or perhaps in any other city. A
+public monument was erected upon the spot where the slain were gathered
+together. A subscription was opened on the day of the funeral for the
+relief of the sufferers, and collections in aid of it made throughout
+all the churches in the kingdom. This appeal to the feelings of the
+people was made with circumstances which gave it full effect. A monument
+was raised in the midst of the church, surmounted by the Danish colours:
+young maidens, dressed in white, stood round it, with either one who had
+been wounded in the battle, or the widow and orphans of some one who had
+fallen: a suitable oration was delivered from the pulpit, and patriotic
+hymns and songs were afterwards performed. Medals were distributed to
+all the officers, and to the men who had distinguished themselves.
+Poets and painters vied with each other in celebrating a battle which,
+disastrous as it was, had yet been honourable to their country: some,
+with pardonable sophistry, represented the advantage of the day as
+on their own side. One writer discovered a more curious, but less
+disputable ground of satisfaction, in the reflection that Nelson, as
+may be inferred from his name, was of Danish descent, and his actions
+therefore, the Dane argued, were attributable to Danish valour.
+
+The negotiation was continued during the five following days; and in
+that interval the prizes were disposed of, in a manner which was little
+approved by Nelson. Six line-of-battle ships and eight praams had been
+taken. Of these the HOLSTEIN, sixty-four, was the only one which was
+sent home. The ZEALAND was a finer ship; but the ZEALAND and all the
+others were burned, and their brass battering cannon sunk with the hulls
+in such shoal water, that, when the fleet returned from Revel, they
+found the Danes, with craft over the wrecks, employed in getting the
+guns up again. Nelson, though he forbore from any public expression of
+displeasure at seeing the proofs and trophies of his victory destroyed,
+did not forget to represent to the Admiralty the case of those who
+were thus deprived of their prize-money. "Whether," said he to Earl St.
+Vincent, "Sir Hyde Parker may mention the subject to you, I know not;
+for he is rich, and does not want it: nor is it, you will believe me,
+any desire to get a few hundred pounds that actuates me to address this
+letter to you; but justice to the brave officers and men who fought
+on that day. It is true our opponents were in hulks and floats, only
+adapted for the position they were in; but that made our battle so much
+the harder, and victory so much the more difficult to obtain. Believe
+me, I have weighed all circumstances; and, in my conscience, I think
+that the king should send a gracious message to the House of Commons
+for a gift to this fleet; for what must be the natural feelings of the
+officers and men belonging to it, to see their rich commander-in-chief
+burn all the fruits of their victory, which, if fitted up and sent to
+England (as many of them might have been by dismantling part of our
+fleet), would have sold for a good round sum."
+
+On the 9th, Nelson landed again, to conclude the terms of the armistice.
+During its continuance the armed ships and vessels of Denmark were to
+remain in their actual situation, as to armament, equipment, and hostile
+position; and the treaty of armed neutrality, as far as related to the
+co-operation of Denmark, was suspended. The prisoners were to be sent on
+shore; an acknowledgment being given for them, and for the wounded also,
+that: they might be carried to Great Britain's credit in the account
+of war, in case hostilities should be renewed. The British fleet was
+allowed to provide itself with all things requisite for the health and
+comfort of its men. A difficulty arose respecting the duration of the
+armistice. The Danish commissioners fairly stated their fears of Russia;
+and Nelson, with that frankness which sound policy and the sense of
+power seem often to require as well as justify in diplomacy, told them
+his reason for demanding a long term was, that he might have time to act
+against the Russian fleet, and then return to Copenhagen. Neither party
+would yield upon this point; and one of the Danes hinted at the
+renewal of hostilities. "Renew hostilities!" cried Nelson to one of his
+friends--for he understood French enough to comprehend what was said,
+though not to answer it in the same language--"tell him we are ready
+at a moment! ready to bombard this very night!" The conference, however,
+proceeded amicably on both sides; and as the commissioners could not
+agree on this head, they broke up, leaving Nelson to settle it with the
+prince. A levee was held forthwith in one of the state-rooms, a scene
+well suited for such a consultation; for all these rooms had been
+stripped of their furniture, in fear of a bombardment. To a bombardment
+also Nelson was looking at this time: fatigue and anxiety, and vexation
+at the dilatory measures of the commander-in-chief, combined to make
+him irritable; and as he was on his way to the prince's dining-room,
+he whispered to the officer on whose arm he was leaning, "Though I have
+only one eye, I can see that all this will burn well." After dinner he
+was closeted with the prince; and they agreed that the armistice should
+continue fourteen weeks; and that, at its termination, fourteen days'
+notice should be given before the recommencement of hostilities.
+
+An official account of the battle was published by Olfert Fischer, the
+Danish commander-in-chief in which it was asserted that our force was
+greatly superior; nevertheless, that two of our ships of the line had
+struck; that the others were so weakened, and especially Lord Nelson's
+own ship, as to fire only single shots for an hour before the end of the
+action; and that this hero himself, in the middle and very heat of
+the conflict, sent a flag of truce on shore, to propose a cessation
+of hostilities. For the truth of this account the Dane appealed to the
+prince, and all those who, like him, had been eyewitnesses of the scene.
+Nelson was exceedingly indignant at such a statement, and addressed a
+letter in confutation of it to the Adjutant-General Lindholm; thinking
+this incumbent on him for the information of the prince, since His Royal
+Highness had been appealed to as a witness: "Otherwise," said he, "had
+Commodore Fischer confined himself to his own veracity, I should have
+treated his official letter with the contempt it deserved, and allowed
+the world to appreciate the merits of the two commanding officers."
+After pointing out and detecting some of the misstatements in the
+account, he proceeds: "As to his nonsense about victory, His Royal
+Highness will not much credit him. I sunk, burnt, captured, or drove
+into the harbour, the whole line of defence to the southward of the
+Crown Islands. He says he is told that two British ships struck. Why did
+he not take possession of them? I took possession of his as fast as they
+struck. The reason is clear, that he did not believe it: he must have
+known the falsity of the report. He states that the ship in which I had
+the honour to hoist my flag fired latterly only single guns. It is true;
+for steady and cool were my brave fellows, and did not wish to throw
+away a single shot. He seems to exult that I sent on shore a flag of
+truce. You know, and His Royal Highness knows, that the guns fired
+from the shore could only fire through the Danish ships which had
+surrendered; and that, if I fired at the shore, it could only be in the
+same manner. God forbid that I should destroy an unresisting Dane! When
+they become my prisoners, I become their protector."
+
+This letter was written in terms of great asperity to the Danish
+commander. Lindholm replied in a manner every way honourable to himself.
+He vindicated the commodore in some points, and excused him in others;
+reminding Nelson that every commander-in-chief was liable to receive
+incorrect reports. With a natural desire to represent the action in the
+most favourable light to Denmark, he took into the comparative strength
+of the two parties the ships which were aground, and which could not
+get into action; and omitted the Trekroner and the batteries upon Amak
+Island. He disclaimed all idea of claiming as a victory, "what, to every
+intent and purpose," said he, "was a defeat--but not an inglorious one.
+As to your lordship's motive for sending a flag of truce, it never can
+be misconstrued and your subsequent conduct has sufficiently shown that
+humanity is always the companion of true valour. You have done more: you
+have shown yourself a friend to the re-establishment of peace and good
+harmony between this country and Great Britain. It is, therefore,
+with the sincerest esteem I shall always feel myself attached to
+your lordship." Thus handsomely winding up his reply, he soothed and
+contented Nelson; who drawing up a memorandum of the comparative force
+of the two parties for his own satisfaction, assured Lindholm that,
+if the commodore's statement had been in the same manly and honourable
+strain, he would have been the last man to have noticed any little
+inaccuracies which might get into a commander-in-chiefs public letter.
+
+For the battle of Copenhagen Nelson was raised to the rank of
+viscount--an inadequate mark of reward for services so splendid, and
+of such paramount importance to the dearest interests of England. There
+was, however, some prudence in dealing out honours to him step by step:
+had he lived long enough, he would have fought his way up to a dukedom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+1801 - 1805
+
+Sir Hyde Parker is recalled and Nelson appointed Commander--He goes to
+Revel--Settlement of Affairs in the Baltic--Unsuccessful Attempt upon
+the Flotilla at Boulogne--Peace of Amiens--Nelson takes Command in
+the Mediterranean on the Renewal of the War--Escape of the Toulon
+Fleet--Nelson chases them to the West Indies and back--Delivers up his
+Squadron to Admiral Cornwallis and lands in England.
+
+
+WHEN Nelson informed Earl St. Vincent that the armistice had been
+concluded, he told him also, without reserve, his own discontent at the
+dilatoriness and indecision which he witnessed, and could not remedy.
+"No man," said he, "but those who are on the spot, can tell what I have
+gone through, and do suffer. I make no scruple in saying, that I would
+have been at Revel fourteen days ago! that, without this armistice, the
+fleet would never have gone, but by order of the Admiralty; and with it,
+I daresay, we shall not go this week. I wanted Sir Hyde to let me, at
+least, go and cruise off Carlscrona, to prevent the Revel ships from
+getting in. I said I would not go to Revel to take any of those laurels
+which I was sure he would reap there. Think for me, my dear lord: and if
+I have deserved well, let me return; if ill, for Heaven's sake supersede
+me, for I cannot exist in this state."
+
+Fatigue, incessant anxiety, and a climate little suited to one of a
+tender constitution, which had now for many years been accustomed to
+more genial latitudes, made him at this time seriously determine
+upon returning home. "If the northern business were not settled," he
+said, "they must send more admirals; for the keen air of the north had
+cut him to the heart." He felt the want of activity and decision in
+the commander-in-chief more keenly; and this affected his spirits, and,
+consequently, his health, more than the inclemency of the Baltic. Soon
+after the armistice was signed, Sir Hyde proceeded to the eastward with
+such ships as were fit for service, leaving Nelson to follow with the
+rest, as soon as those which had received slight damages should be
+repaired, and the rest sent to England. In passing between the isles
+of Amak and Saltholm, most of the ships touched the ground, and some of
+them stuck fast for a while: no serious injury, however, was sustained.
+It was intended to act against the Russians first, before the breaking
+up of the frost should enable them to leave Revel; but learning on the
+way that the Swedes had put to sea to effect a junction with them,
+Sir Hyde altered his course, in hopes of intercepting this part of the
+enemy's force. Nelson had, at this time, provided for the more pressing
+emergencies of the service, and prepared on the 18th to follow the
+fleet. The ST. GEORGE drew too much water to pass the channel between
+the isles without being lightened; the guns were therefore taken out,
+and put on board an American vessel; a contrary wind, however, prevented
+Nelson from moving; and on that same evening, while he was thus delayed,
+information reached him of the relative situation of the Swedish and
+British fleets, and the probability of an action. The fleet was nearly
+ten leagues distant, and both wind and current contrary, but it was not
+possible that Nelson could wait for a favourable season under such an
+expectation. He ordered his boat immediately, and stepped into it. Night
+was setting in, one of the cold spring nights of the north; and it was
+discovered, soon after they left the ship, that in their haste they had
+forgotten to provide him with a boat-cloak. He, however, forbade them
+to return for one; and when one of his companions offered his own
+great-coat, and urged him to make use of it, he replied, "I thank you
+very much; but, to tell you the truth, my anxiety keeps me sufficiently
+warm at present."
+
+"Do you think," said he presently, "that our fleet has quitted Bornholm?
+If it has, we must follow it to Carlscrona." About midnight he reached
+it, and once more got on board the ELEPHANT. On the following morning
+the Swedes were discovered; as soon, however, as they perceived the
+English approaching, they retired, and took shelter in Carlscrona,
+behind the batteries on the island, at the entrance of that port. Sir
+Hyde sent in a flag of truce, stating that Denmark had concluded an
+armistice, and requiring an explicit declaration from the court of
+Sweden, whether it would adhere to or abandon the hostile measures which
+it had taken against the rights and interests of Great Britain? The
+commander, Vice-Admiral Cronstadt, replied, "That he could not answer
+a question which did not come within the particular circle of his duty;
+but that the king was then at Maloe, and would soon be at Carlscrona."
+Gustavus shortly afterwards arrived, and an answer was then returned to
+this effect: "That his Swedish majesty would not, for a moment, fail to
+fulfil, with fidelity and sincerity, the engagements he had entered
+into with his allies; but he would not refuse to listen to equitable
+proposals made by deputies furnished with proper authority by the King
+of Great Britain to the united northern powers." Satisfied with this
+answer, and with the known disposition of the Swedish court, Sir Hyde
+sailed for the Gulf of Finland; but he had not proceeded far before
+a despatch boat from the Russian ambassador at Copenhagen arrived,
+bringing intelligence of the death of the Emperor Paul, and that his
+successor Alexander had accepted the offer made by England to his father
+of terminating the dispute by a convention: the British admiral was,
+therefore, required to desist from all further hostilities.
+
+It was Nelson's maxim, that, to negotiate with effect, force should be
+at hand, and in a situation to act. The fleet, having been reinforced
+from England, amounted to eighteen sail of the line, and the wind was
+fair for Revel. There he would have sailed immediately to place
+himself between that division of the Russian fleet and the squadron at
+Cronstadt, in case this offer should prove insincere. Sir Hyde, on the
+other hand, believed that the death of Paul had effected all which was
+necessary. The manner of that death, indeed, rendered it apparent that
+a change of policy would take place in the cabinet of Petersburgh; but
+Nelson never trusted anything to the uncertain events of time, which
+could possibly be secured by promptitude or resolution. It was
+not, therefore, without severe mortification, that he saw the
+commander-in-chief return to the coast of Zealand, and anchor in Kioge
+Bay, there to wait patiently for what might happen.
+
+There the fleet remained till dispatches arrived from home, on the 5th
+of May, recalling Sir Hyde, and appointing Nelson commander-in-chief.
+
+Nelson wrote to Earl St. Vincent that he was unable to hold this
+honourable station. Admiral Graves also was so ill as to be confined to
+his bed; and he entreated that some person might come out and take the
+command. "I will endeavour," said he, "to do my best while I remain;
+but, my dear lord, I shall either soon go to heaven, I hope, or must
+rest quiet for a time. If Sir Hyde were gone, I would now be under
+sail." On the day when this was written, he received news of
+his appointment. Not a moment was now lost. His first signal, as
+commander-in-chief, was to hoist in all launches and prepare to weigh;
+and on the 7th he sailed from Kioge. Part of his fleet was left at
+Bornholm, to watch the Swedes, from whom he required and obtained an
+assurance that the British trade in the Cattegat and in the Baltic
+should not be molested; and saying how unpleasant it would be to him if
+anything should happen which might for a moment disturb the returning
+harmony between Sweden and Great Britain, he apprised them that he was
+not directed to abstain from hostilities should he meet with the Swedish
+fleet at sea. Meantime he himself; with ten sail of the line, two
+frigates, a brig, and a schooner, made for the Gulf of Finland. Paul,
+in one of the freaks of his tyranny, had seized upon all the British
+effects in Russia, and even considered British subjects as his
+prisoners. "I will have all the English shipping and property restored,"
+said Nelson, "but I will do nothing violently, neither commit the
+affairs of my country, nor suffer Russia to mix the affairs of Denmark
+or Sweden with the detention of our ships." The wind was fair, and
+carried him in four days to Revel Roads. But the Bay had been clear
+of firm ice on the 29th of April, while the English were lying idly at
+Kioge. The Russians had cut through the ice in the mole six feet thick,
+and their whole squadron had sailed for Cronstadt on the 3rd. Before
+that time it had lain at the mercy of the English. "Nothing," Nelson
+said, "if it had been right to make the attack, could have saved one
+ship of them in two hours after our entering the bay."
+
+It so happened that there was no cause to regret the opportunity which
+had been lost, and Nelson immediately put the intentions of Russia to
+the proof. He sent on shore, to say that he came with friendly views,
+and was ready to return a salute. On their part the salute was delayed,
+till a message was sent to them to inquire for what reason; and the
+officer whose neglect had occasioned the delay, was put under arrest.
+Nelson wrote to the emperor, proposing to wait on him personally and
+congratulate him on his accession, and urged the immediate release of
+British subjects, and restoration of British property.
+
+The answer arrived on the 16th: Nelson, meantime, had exchanged visits
+with the governor, and the most friendly intercourse had subsisted
+between the ships and the shore. Alexander's ministers, in their reply,
+expressed their surprise at the arrival of a British fleet in a Russian
+port, and their wish that it should return: they professed, on the part
+of Russia, the most friendly disposition towards Great Britain; but
+declined the personal visit of Lord Nelson, unless he came in a single
+ship. There was a suspicion implied in this which stung Nelson; and he
+said the Russian ministers would never have written thus if their fleet
+had been at Revel. He wrote an immediate reply, expressing what he felt;
+he told the court of Petersburgh, "That the word of a British admiral,
+when given in explanation of any part of his conduct, was as sacred as
+that of any sovereign's in Europe." And he repeated, "that, under other
+circumstances, it would have been his anxious wish to have paid his
+personal respects to the emperor, and signed with his own hand the act
+of amity between the two countries." Having despatched this, he stood
+out to sea immediately, leaving a brig to bring off the provisions which
+had been contracted for, and to settle the accounts. "I hope all is
+right," said he, writing to our ambassador at Berlin; "but seamen are
+but bad negotiators; for we put to issue in five minutes what diplomatic
+forms would be five months doing."
+
+On his way down the Baltic, however, he met the Russian admiral,
+Tchitchagof, whom the emperor, in reply to Sir Hyde's overtures, had
+sent to communicate personally with the British commander-in-chief. The
+reply was such as had been wished and expected; and these negotiators
+going, seamen-like, straight to their object, satisfied each other of
+the friendly intentions of their respective governments. Nelson then
+anchored off Rostock; and there he received an answer to his last
+despatch from Revel, in which the Russian court expressed their regret
+that there should have been any misconception between them; informed
+him that the British vessels which Paul had detained were ordered to
+be liberated, and invited him to Petersburgh, in whatever mode might
+be most agreeable to himself. Other honours awaited him: the Duke of
+Mecklenburgh Strelitz, the queen's brother, came to visit him on
+board his ship; and towns of the inland parts of Mecklenburgh sent
+deputations, with their public books of record, that they might have the
+name of Nelson in them written by his own hand.
+
+From Rostock the fleet returned to Kioge Bay. Nelson saw that the
+temper of the Danes towards England was such as naturally arose from the
+chastisement which they had so recently received. "In this nation," said
+he, "we shall not be forgiven for having the upper hand of them: I only
+thank God we have, or they would try to humble us to the dust." He saw
+also that the Danish cabinet was completely subservient to France: a
+French officer was at this time the companion and counsellor of the
+Crown Prince; and things were done in such open violation of the
+armistice, that Nelson thought a second infliction of vengeance would
+soon be necessary. He wrote to the Admiralty, requesting a clear and
+explicit reply to his inquiry, Whether the commander-in-chief was at
+liberty to hold the language becoming a British admiral? "Which, very
+probably," said he, "if I am here, will break the armistice, and set
+Copenhagen in a blaze. I see everything which is dirty and mean going
+on, and the Prince Royal at the head of it. Ships have been masted, guns
+taken on board, floating batteries prepared, and except hauling out and
+completing their rigging, everything is done in defiance of the treaty.
+My heart burns at seeing the word of a prince, nearly allied to our
+good king, so falsified; but his conduct is such, that he will lose
+his kingdom if he goes on; for Jacobins rule in Denmark. I have made no
+representations yet, as it would be useless to do so until I have
+the power of correction. All I beg, in the name of the future
+commander-in-chief, is, that the orders may be clear; for enough is done
+to break twenty treaties, if it should be wished, or to make the Prince
+Royal humble himself before British generosity."
+
+Nelson was not deceived in his judgment of the Danish cabinet, but the
+battle of Copenhagen had crippled its power. The death of the Czar Paul
+had broken the confederacy; and that cabinet, therefore, was compelled
+to defer till a more convenient season the indulgence of its enmity
+towards Great Britain. Soon afterwards Admiral Sir Charles Maurice Pole
+arrived to take the command. The business, military and political, had
+by that time been so far completed that the presence of the British
+fleet soon became no longer necessary. Sir Charles, however, made the
+short time of his command memorable, by passing the Great Belt for
+the first time with line-of-battle ships, working through the channel
+against adverse winds. When Nelson left the fleet, this speedy
+termination of the expedition, though confidently expected, was not
+certain; and he, in his unwillingness to weaken the British force,
+thought at one time of traversing Jutland in his boat, by the canal
+to Tonningen on the Eyder and finding his way home from thence. This
+intention was not executed; but he returned in a brig, declining to
+accept a frigate, which few admirals would have done, especially if,
+like him, they suffered from sea-sickness in a small vessel. On his
+arrival at Yarmouth, the first thing he did was to visit the hospital
+and see the men who had been wounded in the late battle--that victory
+which had added new glory to the name of Nelson, and which was of more
+importance even than the battle of the Nile to the honour, the strength,
+and security of England.
+
+The feelings of Nelson's friends, upon the news of his great victory at
+Copenhagen, were highly described by Sir William Hamilton in a letter to
+him. "We can only expect," he says, "what me know well, and often said
+before, that Nelson WAS, IS, and to the LAST WILL EVER BE, THE FIRST.
+Emma did not know whether she was on her head or heels--in such a hurry
+to tell your great news, that she could utter nothing but tears of joy
+and tenderness. I went to Davison, and found him still in bed, having
+had a severe fit of the gout, and with your letter, which he had just
+received; and he cried like a child; but, what was very extraordinary,
+assured me that, from the instant he had read your letter, all pain had
+left him, and that he felt himself able to get up and walk about. Your
+brother, Mrs. Nelson, and Horace dined with us. Your brother was more
+extraordinary than ever. He would get up suddenly and cut a caper,
+rubbing his hands every time that the thought of your fresh laurels came
+into his head. But I am sure that no one really rejoiced more at heart
+than I did. I have lived too long to have ecstasies! But with calm
+reflection, I felt for my friend having got to the very summit of glory!
+the NE PLUS ULTRA! that he has had another opportunity of rendering his
+country the most important service, and manifesting again his judgment,
+his intrepidity, and his humanity."
+
+He had not been many weeks on shore before he was called upon to
+undertake a service, for which no Nelson was required. Buonaparte, who
+was now first consul, and in reality sole ruler of France, was making
+preparations, upon a great scale, for invading England; but his schemes
+in the Baltic had been baffled; fleets could not be created as they were
+wanted; and his armies, therefore, were to come over in gun-boats,
+and such small craft as could be rapidly built or collected for the
+occasion. From the former governments of France such threats have only
+been matter of insult and policy: in Buonaparte they were sincere; for
+this adventurer, intoxicated with success, already began to imagine that
+all things were to be submitted to his fortune. We had not at that
+time proved the superiority of our soldiers over the French; and the
+unreflecting multitude were not to be persuaded that an invasion could
+only be effected by numerous and powerful fleets. A general alarm was
+excited; and, in condescension to this unworthy feeling, Nelson was
+appointed to a command, extending from Orfordness to Beachy Head, on
+both shores--a sort of service, he said, for which he felt no other
+ability than what might be found in his zeal.
+
+To this service, however, such as it was, he applied with his wonted
+alacrity; though in no cheerful frame of mind. To Lady Hamilton, his
+only female correspondent, he says at this time; "I am not in very
+good spirits; and, except that our country demands all our services and
+abilities to bring about an honourable peace, nothing should prevent my
+being the bearer of my own letter. But, my dear friend, I know you are
+so true and loyal an Englishwoman, that you would hate those who would
+not stand forth in defence of our king, laws, religion, and all that is
+dear to us. It is your sex that makes us go forth, and seem to tell us,
+'None but the brave deserve the fair'; and if we fall, we still live in
+the hearts of those females. It is your sex that rewards us; it is your
+sex who cherish our memories; and you, my dear honoured friend, are,
+believe me, the first, the best of your sex. I have been the world
+around, and in every corner of it, and never yet saw your equal, or
+even one who could be put in comparison with you. You know how to reward
+virtue, honour, and courage, and never to ask if it is placed in a
+prince, duke, lord, or peasant." Having hoisted his flag in the MEDUSA
+frigate, he went to reconnoitre Boulogne the point from which it was
+supposed the great attempt would be made, and which the French, in fear
+of an attack themselves, were fortifying with all care. He approached
+near enough to sink two of their floating batteries, and to destroy a
+few gun-boats which were without the pier. What damage was done within
+could not be ascertained. "Boulogne," he said, "was certainly not a
+very pleasant place that morning; but," he added, "it is not my wish
+to injure the poor inhabitants; and the town is spared as much as the
+nature of the service will admit." Enough was done to show the enemy
+that they could not, with impunity, come outside their own ports. Nelson
+was satisfied by what he saw, that they meant to make an attempt from
+this place, but that it was impracticable; for the least wind at W.N.W.
+and they were lost. The ports of Flushing and Flanders were better
+points: there we could not tell by our eyes what means of transport
+were provided. From thence, therefore, if it came forth at all, the
+expedition would come. "And what a forlorn undertaking!" said he:
+"consider cross tides, &c. As for rowing, that is impossible. It Is
+perfectly right to be prepared for a mad government; but with the active
+force which has been given me, I may pronounce it almost impracticable."
+
+That force had been got together with an alacrity which has seldom been
+equalled. On the 28th of July, we were, in Nelson's own words, literally
+at the foundation of our fabric of defence, and twelve days afterwards
+we were so prepared on the enemy's coast that he did not believe they
+could get three miles from their ports. The MEDUSA, returning to our
+own shores, anchored in the rolling ground off Harwich; and when Nelson
+wished to get to the Nore in her, the wind rendered it impossible
+to proceed there by the usual channel. In haste to be at the Nore,
+remembering that he had been a tolerable pilot for the mouth of the
+Thames in his younger days, and thinking it necessary that he should
+know all that could be known of the navigation, he requested the
+maritime surveyor of the coast, Mr. Spence, to get him into the Swin
+by any channel; for neither the pilots which he had on board, nor the
+Harwich ones, would take charge of the ship. No vessel drawing more
+than fourteen feet had ever before ventured over the Naze. Mr. Spence,
+however, who had surveyed the channel, carried her safely through. The
+channel has since been called Nelson's, though he himself wished it to
+be named after the MEDUSA: his name needed no new memorial.
+
+Nelson's eye was upon Flushing. "To take possession of that place," he
+said, "would be a week's expedition for four or five thousand troops."
+This, however, required a consultation with the Admiralty; and that
+something might be done, meantime he resolved upon attacking the
+flotilla in the mouth of the Boulogne harbour. This resolution was made
+in deference to the opinion of others, and to the public feeling, which
+was so preposterously excited. He himself scrupled not to assert that
+the French army would never embark at Boulogne for the invasion of
+England; and he owned that this boat warfare was not exactly congenial
+to his feelings. Into Helvoet or Flushing he should be happy to lead, if
+Government turned their thoughts that way. "While I serve," said he,
+"I will do it actively, and to the very best of my abilities. I require
+nursing like a child," he added; "my mind carries me beyond my strength,
+and will do me up; but such is my nature."
+
+The attack was made by the boats of the squadron in five divisions,
+under Captains Somerville, Parker, Cotgrave, Jones, and Conn. The
+previous essay had taught the French the weak parts of their position;
+and they omitted no means of strengthening it, and of guarding against
+the expected attempt. The boats put off about half-an-hour before
+midnight; but, owing to the darkness, and tide and half-tide, which must
+always make night attacks so uncertain on the coasts of the Channel, the
+divisions separated. One could not arrive at all; another not till near
+daybreak. The others made their attack gallantly; but the enemy were
+fully prepared: every vessel was defended by long poles, headed with
+iron spikes, projecting from their sides: strong nettings were braced up
+to their lower yards; they were moored by the bottom to the shore, they
+were strongly manned with soldiers, and protected by land batteries,
+and the shore was lined with troops. Many were taken possession of; and,
+though they could not have been brought out, would have been burned,
+had not the French resorted to a mode of offence, which they have often
+used, but which no other people have ever been wicked enough to employ.
+The moment the firing ceased on board one of their own vessels they
+fired upon it from the shore, perfectly regardless of their own men.
+
+The commander of one of the French divisions acted like a generous
+enemy. He hailed the boats as they approached, and cried out in English:
+"Let me advise you, my brave Englishmen, to keep your distance: you can
+do nothing here; and it is only uselessly shedding the blood of brave
+men to make the attempt." The French official account boasted of the
+victory. "The combat," it said, "took place in sight of both countries;
+it was the first of the kind, and the historian would have cause to make
+this remark." They guessed our loss at four or five hundred; it amounted
+to one hundred and seventy-two. In his private letters to the Admiralty,
+Nelson affirmed, that had our force arrived as he intended, it was
+not all the chains in France which could have prevented our men
+from bringing off the whole of the vessels. There had been no error
+committed, and never did Englishmen display more courage. Upon this
+point Nelson was fully satisfied; but he said he should never bring
+himself again to allow any attack wherein he was not personally
+concerned; and that his mind suffered more than if he had had a leg
+shot off in the affair. He grieved particularly for Captain Parker, an
+excellent officer, to whom he was greatly attached, and who had an aged
+father looking to him for assistance. His thigh was shattered in the
+action; and the wound proved mortal, after some weeks of suffering
+and manly resignation. During this interval, Nelson's anxiety was
+very great. "Dear Parker is my child," said he; "for I found him in
+distress." And when he received the tidings of his death, he replied:
+"You will judge of my feelings: God's will be done. I beg that his hair
+may be cut off and given me; it shall be buried in my grave. Poor Mr.
+Parker! What a son has he lost! If I were to say I was content, I should
+lie; but I shall endeavour to submit with all the fortitude in my power.
+His loss has made a wound in my heart, which time will hardly heal."
+
+"You ask me, my dear friend," he says to Lady Hamilton, "if I am going
+on more expeditions? and even if I was to forfeit your friendship, which
+is dearer to me than all the world, I can tell you nothing. For, I go
+out: I see the enemy, and can get at them, it is my duty: and you would
+naturally hate me, if I kept back one moment. I long to pay them for
+their tricks t'other day, the debt of a drubbing, which surely I'll pay:
+but WHEN, WHERE or HOW, it is impossible, your own good sense must tell
+you, for me or mortal man to say." Yet he now wished to be relieved from
+this service. The country, he said, had attached a confidence to his
+name, which he had submitted to, and therefore had cheerfully repaired
+to the station; but this boat business, though it might be part of a
+great plan of invasion, could never be the only one, and he did not
+think it was a command for a vice-admiral. It was not that he wanted
+a more lucrative situation; for, seriously indisposed as he was, and
+low-spirited from private considerations, he did not know, if the
+Mediterranean were vacant, that he should be equal to undertake it. He
+was offended with the Admiralty for refusing him leave to go to town
+when he had solicited: in reply to a friendly letter from Troubridge he
+says, "I am at this moment as firmly of opinion as ever, that Lord St.
+Vincent and yourself should have allowed of my coming to town for my own
+affairs, for every one knows I left it without a thought for myself."
+
+His letters at this time breathe an angry feeling toward Troubridge, who
+was now become, he said, one of his lords and masters. "I have a letter
+from him," he says, "recommending me to wear flannel shirts. Does he
+care for me? NO: but never mind. They shall work hard to get me
+again. The cold has settled in my bowels. I wish the Admiralty had my
+complaint: but they have no bowels, at least for me. I daresay Master
+Troubridge is grown fat; I know I am grown lean with my complaint,
+which, but for their indifference about my health, could never have
+happened; or, at least, I should have got well long ago in a warm room
+with a good fire and sincere friend." In the same tone of bitterness
+he complained that he was not able to promote those whom he thought
+deserving. "Troubridge," he says, "has so completely prevented my ever
+mentioning anybody's service, that I am become a cipher, and he has
+gained a victory over Nelson's spirit. I am kept here, for what?--he may
+be able to tell, I cannot. But long it cannot, shall not be." An end
+was put to this uncomfortable state of mind when, fortunately (on that
+account) for him, as well as happily for the nation, the peace of Amiens
+was just at this time signed. Nelson rejoiced that the experiment was
+made, but was well aware that it was an experiment. He saw what he
+called the misery of peace, unless the utmost vigilance and prudence
+were exerted; and he expressed, in bitter terms, his proper indignation
+at the manner in which the mob of London welcomed the French general
+who brought the ratification saying, "that they made him ashamed of his
+country."
+
+He had purchased a house and estate at Merton, in Surrey, meaning to
+pass his days there in the society of Sir William and Lady Hamilton. He
+had indulged in pleasant dreams when looking on to this as his place
+of residence and rest. "To be sure," he says, "we shall employ the
+tradespeople of our village in preference to any others in what we
+want for common use, and give them every encouragement to be kind and
+attentive to us." "Have we a nice church at Merton? We will set an
+example of goodness to the under-parishioners. I admire the pigs and
+poultry. Sheep are certainly most beneficial to eat off the grass. Do
+you get paid for them, and take care that they are kept on the premises
+all night, for that is the time they do good to the land. They should
+be folded. Is your head-man a good person, and true to our interest? I
+intend to have a farming-book. I expect that all animals will increase
+where you are, for I never expect that you will suffer any to be killed.
+No person can take amiss our not visiting. The answer from me will
+always be very civil thanks, but that I wish to live retired. We shall
+have our sea-friends; and I know Sir William thinks they are the best."
+This place he had never seen till he was now welcomed there by the
+friends to whom he had so passionately devoted himself, and who were
+not less sincerely attached to him. The place, and everything which Lady
+Hamilton had done to it, delighted him; and he declared that the longest
+liver should possess it all. Here he amused himself with angling in the
+Wandle, having been a good fly-fisher in former days, and learning
+now to practise with his left hand what he could no longer pursue as a
+solitary diversion. His pensions for his victories, and for the loss of
+his eye and arm, amounted with his half-pay to about L3400 a-year. From
+this he gave L1800 to Lady Nelson, L200 to a brother's widow, and
+L150 for the education of his children; and he paid L500 interest for
+borrowed money; so that Nelson was comparatively a poor man; and though
+much of the pecuniary embarrassment which he endured was occasioned by
+the separation from his wife--even if that cause had not existed, his
+income would not have been sufficient for the rank which he held,
+and the claims which would necessarily be made upon his bounty. The
+depression of spirits under which he had long laboured arose partly from
+this state of his circumstances, and partly from the other disquietudes
+in which his connection with Lady Hamilton had involved him--a
+connection which it was not possible his father could behold without
+sorrow and displeasure. Mr. Nelson, however, was soon persuaded that
+the attachment, which Lady Nelson regarded with natural jealousy and
+resentment, did not in reality pass the bounds of ardent and romantic
+admiration: a passion which the manners and accomplishments of Lady
+Hamilton, fascinating as they were, would not have been able to
+excite, if they had not been accompanied by more uncommon intellectual
+endowments, and by a character which, both in its strength and in
+its weakness, resembled his own. It did not, therefore, require much
+explanation to reconcile him to his son--an event the more essential to
+Nelson's happiness, because, a few months afterwards, the good old man
+died at the age of seventy-nine.
+
+Soon after the conclusion of peace, tidings arrived of our final and
+decisive successes in Egypt; in consequence of which, the common council
+voted their thanks to the army and navy for bringing the campaign to
+so glorious a conclusion. When Nelson, after the action of Cape St.
+Vincent, had been entertained at a city feast, he had observed to the
+lord mayor, "that, if the city continued its generosity, the navy would
+ruin them in gifts." To which the lord mayor replied, putting his hand
+upon the admiral's shoulder: "Do you find victories and we will find
+rewards." Nelson, as he said, had kept his word, had doubly fulfilled
+his part of the contract, but no thanks had been voted for the battle of
+Copenhagen; and feeling that he and his companions in that day's glory
+had a fair and honourable claim to this reward, he took the present
+opportunity of addressing a letter to the lord mayor, complaining of the
+omission and the injustice. "The smallest services," said he, "rendered
+by the army or navy to the country, have always been noticed by the
+great city of London with one exception--the glorious 2nd of April--a
+day when the greatest dangers of navigation were overcome; and
+the Danish force, which they thought impregnable, totally taken or
+destroyed, by the consummate skill of our commanders, and by the
+undaunted bravery of as gallant a band as ever defended the rights of
+this country. For myself, if I were only personally concerned, I should
+bear the stigma, attempted to be now first placed upon my brow, with
+humility. But, my lord, I am the natural guardian of the fame of all
+the officers of the navy, army, and marines who fought, and so profusely
+bled, under my command on that day. Again I disclaim for myself more
+merit than naturally falls to a successful commander; but when I am
+called upon to speak of the merits of the captains of his Majesty's
+ships, and of the officers and men, whether seamen, marines, or
+soldiers, whom I that day had the happiness to command, I then say, that
+never was the glory of this country upheld with more determined bravery
+than on that occasion: and if I may be allowed to give an opinion as a
+Briton, then I say, that more important service was never rendered to
+our king and country. It is my duty, my lord, to prove to the brave
+fellows, my companions in danger, that I have not failed at every proper
+place to represent, as well as I am able, their bravery and meritorious
+conduct."
+
+Another honour, of greater import, was withheld from the conquerors. The
+king had given medals to those captains who were engaged in the battles
+of the 1st of June, of Cape St. Vincent, of Camperdown, and of the Nile.
+Then came the victory at Copenhagen, which Nelson truly called the most
+difficult achievement, the hardest-fought battle, the most glorious
+result that ever graced the annals of our country. He, of course,
+expected the medal; and in writing to Earl St. Vincent, said, "He longed
+to have it, and would not give it up to be made an English duke." The
+medal, however, was not given:--"For what reason," said Nelson, "Lord
+St. Vincent best knows." Words plainly implying a suspicion that it was
+withheld by some feeling of jealousy; and that suspicion estranged him,
+during the remaining period of his life, from one who had at one
+time been essentially, as well as sincerely, his friend; and of whose
+professional abilities he ever entertained the highest opinion.
+
+The happiness which Nelson enjoyed in the society of his chosen friends
+was of no long continuance. Sir William Hamilton, who was far advanced
+in years, died early in 1803; a mild, amiable, and accomplished man,
+who has thus in a letter described his own philosophy: "My study of
+antiquities," he says, "has kept me in constant thought of the perpetual
+fluctuation of everything. The whole art is really to live all the DAYS
+of our life; and not with anxious care disturb the sweetest hour that
+life affords--which is the present. Admire the Creator, and all His
+works, to us incomprehensible; and do all the good you can upon earth;
+and take the chance of eternity without dismay." He expired in his
+wife's arms, holding Nelson by the hand; and almost in his last words,
+left her to his protection; requesting him that he would see justice
+done her by the government, as he knew what she had done for her
+country. He left him her portrait in enamel, calling him his dearest
+friend; the most virtuous, loyal, and truly brave character he had ever
+known. The codicil, containing this bequest, concluded with these
+words, "God bless him, and shame fall on those who do not say amen." Sir
+William's pension of L1200 a year ceased with his death. Nelson applied
+to Mr. Addington in Lady Hamilton's behalf, stating the important
+service which she had rendered to the fleet at Syracuse; and Mr.
+Addington, it is said, acknowledged that she had a just claim upon the
+gratitude of the country. This barren acknowledgment was all that was
+obtained; but a sum, equal to the pension which her husband had enjoyed,
+was settled on her by Nelson, and paid in monthly payments during his
+life. A few weeks after this event, the war was renewed; and the day
+after his Majesty's message to Parliament, Nelson departed to take the
+command of the Mediterranean fleet. The war he thought, could not be
+long; just enough to make him independent in pecuniary matters.
+
+He took his station immediately off Toulon; and there, with incessant
+vigilance, waited for the coming out of the enemy. The expectation of
+acquiring a competent fortune did not last long. "Somehow," he says, "my
+mind is not sharp enough for prize-money. Lord Keith would have made
+L20,000, and I have not made L6000." More than once he says that the
+prizes taken in the Mediterranean had not paid his expenses; and once
+he expresses himself as if it were a consolation to think that some ball
+might soon close all his accounts with this world of care and vexation.
+At this time the widow of his brother, being then blind and advanced in
+years, was distressed for money, and about to sell her plate; he wrote
+to Lady Hamilton, requesting of her to find out what her debts were, and
+saying that, if the amount was within his power, he would certainly pay
+it, and rather pinch himself than that she should want. Before he had
+finished the letter, an account arrived that a sum was payable to him
+for some neutral taken four years before, which enabled him to do this
+without being the poorer; and he seems to have felt at the moment that
+what was thus disposed of by a cheerful giver, shall be paid to him
+again. One from whom he had looked for very different conduct, had
+compared his own wealth, in no becoming manner, with Nelson's limited
+means. "I know," said he to Lady Hamilton, "the full extent of the
+obligation I owe him, and he may be useful to me again; but I can never
+forget his unkindness to you. But, I guess many reasons influenced his
+conduct in bragging of his riches and my honourable poverty; but, as I
+have often said, and with honest pride, what I have is my own: it never
+cost the widow a tear, or the nation a farthing. I got what I have with
+my pure blood, from the enemies of my country. Our house, my own Emma,
+is built upon a solid foundation; and will last to us, when his houses
+and lands may belong to others than his children."
+
+His hope was that peace might soon be made, or that he should be
+relieved from his command, and retire to Merton, where at that distance
+he was planning and directing improvements. On his birthday he writes,
+"This day, my dearest Emma, I consider as more fortunate than common
+days, as by my coming into this world it has brought me so intimately
+acquainted with you. I well know that you will keep it, and have my dear
+Horatio to drink my health. Forty-six years of toil and trouble! How few
+more the common lot of mankind leads us to expect! and therefore it
+is almost time to think of spending the few last years in peace and
+quietness." It is painful to think that this language was not addressed
+to his wife, but to one with whom he promised himself "many many happy
+years, when that impediment," as he calls her, "shall be removed, if God
+pleased; and they might be surrounded by their children's children."
+
+When he had been fourteen months off Toulon, he received a vote of
+thanks from the city of London for his skill and perseverance in
+blockading that port, so as to prevent the French from putting to sea.
+Nelson had not forgotten the wrong which the city had done to the Baltic
+fleet by their omission, and did not lose the opportunity which this
+vote afforded of recurring to that point. "I do assure your lordship,"
+said he, in his answer to the lord mayor, "that there is not that man
+breathing who sets a higher value upon the thanks of his fellow-citizens
+of London than myself; but I should feel as much ashamed to receive them
+for a particular service marked in the resolution, if I felt that I did
+not come within that line of service, as I should feel hurt at having a
+great victory passed over without notice. I beg to inform your lordship,
+that the port of Toulon has never been blockaded by me; quite the
+reverse. Every opportunity has been offered the enemy to put to sea; for
+it is there that we hope to realise the hopes and expectations of our
+country." Nelson then remarked that the junior flag-officers of his
+fleet had been omitted in this vote of thanks; and his surprise at the
+omission was expressed with more asperity, perhaps, than an offence so
+entirely and manifestly unintentional deserved; but it arose from that
+generous regard for the feelings as well as the interests of all who
+were under his command, which made him as much beloved in the fleets of
+Britain as he was dreaded in those of the enemy.
+
+Never was any commander more beloved. He governed men by their reason
+and their affections; they knew that he was incapable of caprice or
+tyranny and they obeyed him with alacrity and joy, because he possessed
+their confidence as well as their love. "Our Nel," they used to say,
+"is as brave as a lion and as gentle as a lamb." Severe discipline he
+detested, though he had been bred in a severe school. He never inflicted
+corporal punishment if it were possible to avoid it; and when compelled
+to enforce it, he, who was familiar with wounds and death, suffered
+like a woman. In his whole life, Nelson was never known to act unkindly
+towards an officer. If he was asked to prosecute one for ill behaviour,
+he used to answer, "That there was no occasion for him to ruin a poor
+devil who was sufficiently his own enemy to ruin himself." But in Nelson
+there was more than the easiness and humanity of a happy nature: he
+did not merely abstain from injury; his was an active and watchful
+benevolence, ever desirous not only to render justice, but to do good.
+During the peace he had spoken in parliament upon the abuses respecting
+prize-money, and had submitted plans to government for more easily
+manning the navy, and preventing desertion from it, by bettering the
+condition of the seamen. He proposed that their certificates should be
+registered, and that every man who had served, with a good character,
+five years in war, should receive a bounty of two guineas annually
+after that time, and of four guineas after eight years. "This," he said,
+"might, at first sight, appear an enormous sum for the state to pay;
+but the average life of seamen is, from hard service, finished at
+forty-five. He cannot, therefore, enjoy the annuity many years, and the
+interest of the money saved by their not deserting would go far to pay
+the whole expense."
+
+To his midshipmen he ever showed the most winning kindness, encouraging
+the diffident, tempering the hasty, counselling and befriending both.
+"Recollect," he used to say, "that you must be a seaman to be an
+officer; and also that you cannot be a good officer without being a
+gentleman." A lieutenant wrote to him to say that he was dissatisfied
+with his captain. Nelson's answer was in that spirit of perfect wisdom
+and perfect goodness which regulated his whole conduct towards those who
+were under his command. "I have just received your letter, and am truly
+sorry that any difference should arise between your captain, who has
+the reputation of being one of the bright officers of the service, and
+yourself, a very young man, and a very young officer, who must naturally
+have much to learn; therefore the chance is that you are perfectly wrong
+in the disagreement. However, as your present situation must be very
+disagreeable, I will certainly take an early opportunity of removing
+you, provided your conduct to your present captain be such that another
+may not refuse to receive you." The gentleness and benignity of his
+disposition never made him forget what was due to discipline. Being on
+one occasion applied to, to save a young officer from a court-martial,
+which he had provoked by his misconduct, his reply was, "That he would
+do everything in his power to oblige so gallant and good an officer as
+Sir John Warren," in whose name the intercession had been made. "But
+what," he added, "would he do if he were here? Exactly what I have done,
+and am still willing to do. The young man must write such a letter of
+contrition as would be an acknowledgment of his great fault; and with a
+sincere promise, if his captain will intercede to prevent the impending
+court-martial, never to so misbehave again. On his captain's enclosing
+me such a letter, with a request to cancel the order for the trial, I
+might be induced to do it; but the letters and reprimand will be given
+in the public order-book of the fleet, and read to all the officers.
+The young man has pushed himself forward to notice, and he must take
+the consequence. It was upon the quarter-deck, in the face of the ship's
+company, that he treated his captain with contempt; and I am in duty
+bound to support the authority and consequence of every officer under my
+command. A poor ignorant seaman is for ever punished for contempt to HIS
+superiors."
+
+A dispute occurred in the fleet while it was off Toulon, which called
+forth Nelson's zeal for the rights and interests of the navy. Some young
+artillery officers, serving on board the bomb vessels, refused to let
+their men perform any other duty but what related to the mortars. They
+wished to have it established that their corps was not subject to the
+captain's authority. The same pretensions were made in the Channel fleet
+about the same time, and the artillery rested their claims to separate
+and independent authority on board, upon a clause in the act, which they
+interpreted in their favour. Nelson took up the subject with all the
+earnestness which its importance deserved. "There is no real happiness
+in this world," said he, writing to Earl St. Vincent, as first lord.
+"With all content and smiles around me, up start these artillery boys
+(I understand they are not beyond that age), and set us at defiance;
+speaking in the most disrespectful manner of the navy and its
+commanders. I know you, my dear lord, so well, that with your quickness
+the matter would have been settled, and perhaps some of them been broke.
+I am perhaps more patient, but I do assure you not less resolved, if
+my plan of conciliation is not attended to. You and I are on the eve
+of quitting the theatre of our exploits; but we hold it due to our
+successors never, whilst we have a tongue to speak or a hand to write,
+to allow the navy to be in the smallest degree injured in its discipline
+by our conduct." To Troubridge he wrote in the same spirit: "It is the
+old history, trying to do away the act of parliament; but I trust they
+will never succeed; for when they do, farewell to our naval superiority.
+We should be prettily commanded! Let them once gain the step of being
+independent of the navy on board a ship, and they will soon have the
+other, and command us. But, thank God! my dear Troubridge, the king
+himself cannot do away the act of parliament. Although my career is
+nearly run, yet it would embitter my future days, and expiring moments,
+to hear of our navy being sacrificed to the army." As the surest way of
+preventing such disputes, he suggested that the navy should have it's
+own corps of artillery; and a corps of marine artillery was accordingly
+established.
+
+Instead of lessening the power of the commander, Nelson would have
+wished to see it increased: it was absolutely necessary, he thought,
+that merit should be rewarded at the moment, and that the officers of
+the fleet should look up to the commander-in-chief for their reward. He
+himself was never more happy than when he could promote those who were
+deserving of promotion. Many were the services which he thus rendered
+unsolicited; and frequently the officer, in whose behalf he had
+interested himself with the Admiralty, did not know to whose friendly
+interference he was indebted for his good fortune. He used to say, "I
+wish it to appear as a God-send." The love which he bore the navy made
+him promote the interests, and honour the memory, of all who had added
+to its glories. "The near relations of brother officers," he said, "he
+considered as legacies to the service." Upon mention being made to him
+of a son of Rodney, by the Duke of Clarence, his reply was: "I agree
+with your Royal Highness most entirely, that the son of a Rodney ought
+to be the PROTEGE of every person in the kingdom, and particularly of
+the sea-officers. Had I known that there had been this claimant, some
+of my own lieutenants must have given way to such a name, and he should
+have been placed in the VICTORY: she is full, and I have twenty on my
+list; but, whatever numbers I have, the name of Rodney must cut many of
+them out." Such was the proper sense which Nelson felt of what was due
+to splendid services and illustrious names. His feelings toward the
+brave men who had served with him are shown by a note in his diary,
+which was probably not intended for any other eye than his own: "Nov.
+7. I had the comfort of making an old AGAMEMNON, George Jones, a gunner
+into the CHAMELEON brig."
+
+When Nelson took the command, it was expected that the Mediterranean
+would be an active scene. Nelson well understood the character of the
+perfidious Corsican, who was now sole tyrant of France; and knowing that
+he was as ready to attack his friends as his enemies, knew, therefore,
+that nothing could be more uncertain than the direction of the
+fleet from Toulon, whenever it should put to sea. "It had as many
+destinations," he said, "as there were countries." The momentous
+revolutions of the last ten years had given him ample matter for
+reflection, as well as opportunities for observation: the film was
+cleared from his eyes; and now, when the French no longer went abroad
+with the cry of liberty and equality, he saw that the oppression and
+misrule of the powers which had been opposed to them, had been the main
+causes of their success, and that those causes would still prepare the
+way before them. Even in Sicily, where, if it had been possible longer
+to blind himself, Nelson would willingly have seen no evil, he perceived
+that the people wished for a change, and acknowledged that they had
+reason to wish for it. In Sardinia the same burden of misgovernment
+was felt; and the people, like the Sicilians, were impoverished by
+a government so utterly incompetent to perform its first and most
+essential duties that it did not protect its own coasts from the Barbary
+pirates. He would fain have had us purchase this island (the finest in
+the Mediterranean) from its sovereign, who did not receive L5000 a year
+from it after its wretched establishment was paid. There was reason to
+think that France was preparing to possess herself of this important
+point, which afforded our fleet facilities for watching Toulon, not to
+be obtained elsewhere. An expedition was preparing at Corsica for the
+purpose; and all the Sardes, who had taken part with revolutionary
+France, were ordered to assemble there. It was certain that if the
+attack were made it would succeed. Nelson thought that the only means to
+prevent Sardinia from becoming French was to make it English, and that
+half a million would give the king a rich price, and England a cheap
+purchase. A better, and therefore a wiser policy, would have been
+to exert our influence in removing the abuses of the government, for
+foreign dominion is always, in some degree, an evil and allegiance
+neither can nor ought to be made a thing of bargain and sale. Sardinia,
+like Sicily and Corsica, is large enough to form a separate state. Let
+us hope that these islands may one day be made free and independent.
+Freedom and independence will bring with them industry and
+prosperity; and wherever these are found, arts and letters will flourish,
+and the improvement of the human race proceed.
+
+The proposed attack was postponed. Views of wider ambition were opening
+upon Buonaparte, who now almost undisguisedldy aspired to make himself
+master of the continent of Europe; and Austria was preparing for another
+struggle, to be conducted as weakly and terminated as miserably as the
+former. Spain, too, was once more to be involved in war by the policy of
+France: that perfidious government having in view the double object of
+employing the Spanish resources against England, and exhausting them in
+order to render Spain herself finally its prey. Nelson, who knew that
+England and the Peninsula ought to be in alliance, for the common
+interest of both, frequently expressed his hopes that Spain might resume
+her natural rank among the nations. "We ought," he said, "by mutual
+consent, to be the very best friends, and both to be ever hostile to
+France." But he saw that Buonaparte was meditating the destruction of
+Spain; and that, while the wretched court of Madrid professed to remain
+neutral, the appearances of neutrality were scarcely preserved, An order
+of the year 1771, excluding British ships of war from the Spanish ports,
+was revived, and put in force: while French privateers, from these very
+ports, annoyed the British trade, carried their prizes in, and sold them
+even at Barcelona. Nelson complained of this to the captain-general
+of Catalonia, informing him that he claimed, for every British ship or
+squadron, the right of lying, as long as it pleased, in the ports of
+Spain, while that right was allowed to other powers. To the British
+Ambassador he said: "I am ready to make large allowances for the
+miserable situation Spain has placed herself in; but there is a certain
+line, beyond which I cannot submit to be treated with disrespect. We
+have given up French vessels taken within gunshot of the Spanish shore,
+and yet French vessels are permitted to attack our ships from the
+Spanish shore. Your excellency may assure the Spanish government that,
+in whatever place the Spaniards allow the French to attack us, in that
+place I shall order the French to be attacked."
+
+During this state of things, to which the weakness of Spain, and not her
+will, consented, the enemy's fleet did not venture to put to sea. Nelson
+watched it with unremitting and almost unexampled perseverance. The
+station off Toulon he called his home. "We are in the right fighting
+trim," said he: "let them come as soon as they please. I never saw a
+fleet altogether so well officered and manned; would to God the
+ships were half as good! The finest ones in the service would soon be
+destroyed by such terrible weather. I know well enough that if I were to
+go into Malta I should save the ships during this bad season; but if I
+am to watch the French I must be at sea; and if at sea, must have bad
+weather; and if the ships are not fit to stand bad weather, they are
+useless." Then only he was satisfied and at ease when he had the enemy
+in view. Mr. Elliot, our minister at Naples, seems at this time to have
+proposed to send a confidential Frenchman to him with information. "I
+should be very happy," he replied, "to receive authentic intelligence
+of the destination of the French squadron, their route, and time
+of sailing. Anything short of this is useless; and I assure your
+excellency, that I would not upon any consideration have a Frenchman in
+the fleet, except as a prisoner. I put no confidence in them. You think
+yours good; the queen thinks the same; I believe they are all alike.
+Whatever information you can get me I shall be very thankful for; but
+not a Frenchman comes here. Forgive me, but my mother hated the French."
+
+M. Latouche Treville, who had commanded at Boulogne, commanded now at
+Toulon. "He was sent for on purpose," said Nelson, "as he BEAT ME at
+Boulogne, to beat me again; but he seems very loath to try." One day,
+while the main body of our fleet was out of sight of land, Rear-Admiral
+Campbell, reconnoitring with the CANOPUS, DONEGAL, and AMAZON, stood in
+close to the port; and M. Latouche, taking advantage of a breeze which
+sprung up, pushed out with four ships of the line and three heavy
+frigates, and chased him about four leagues. The Frenchman, delighted
+at having found himself in so novel a situation, published a boastful
+account, affirming that he had given chase to the whole British fleet,
+and that Nelson had fled before him! Nelson thought it due to the
+Admiralty to send home a copy of the VICTORY's log upon this occasion.
+"As for himself," he said, "if his character was not established by that
+time for not being apt to run away, it was not worth his while to put
+the world right."--"If this fleet gets fairly up with M. Latouche," said
+he to one of his correspondents, "his letter, with all his ingenuity,
+must be different from his last. We had fancied that we chased him into
+Toulon; for, blind as I am, I could see his water line, when he clued
+his topsails up, shutting in Sepet. But from the time of his meeting
+Captain Hawker in the ISIS, I never heard of his acting otherwise than
+as a poltroon and a liar. Contempt is the best mode of treating such
+a miscreant." In spite, however, of contempt, the impudence of this
+Frenchman half angered him. He said to his brother: "You will have seen
+Latouche's letter; how he chased me and how I ran. I keep it; and if I
+take him, by God he shall eat it."
+
+Nelson, who used to say, that in sea affairs nothing is impossible, and
+nothing improbable, feared the more that this Frenchman might get
+out and elude his vigilance; because he was so especially desirous
+of catching him, and administering to him his own lying letter in a
+sandwich. M. Latouche, however, escaped him in another way. He died,
+according to the French papers, in consequence of walking so often up
+to the signal-post upon Sepet, to watch the British fleet. "I always
+pronounced that would be his death," said Nelson. "If he had come out
+and fought me, it would at least have added ten years to my life." The
+patience with which he had watched Toulon, he spoke of, truly, as a
+perseverance at sea which had never been surpassed. From May, 1803, to
+August, 1805, he himself went out of his ship but three times; each of
+those times was upon the king's service, and neither time of absence
+exceeded an hour. In 1804 the SWIFT cutter going out with despatches
+was taken, and all the despatches and letters fell into the hands of the
+enemy. "A very pretty piece of work," says Nelson; "I am not surprised
+at the capture, but am very much so that any despatches should be sent
+in a vessel with twenty-three men, not equal to cope with any row-boat
+privateer. The loss of the HINDOSTAN was great enough; but for
+importance it is lost in comparison to the probable knowledge the enemy
+will obtain of our connexions with foreign countries. Foreigners for
+ever say, and it is true, we dare not trust England: one way or other we
+are sure to be committed." In a subsequent letter he says, speaking of
+the same capture: "I find, my dearest Emma, that your picture is very
+much admired by the French Consul at Barcelona, and that he has not
+sent it to be admired, which I am sure it would be, by Buonaparte. They
+pretend that there were three pictures taken. I wish I had them; but
+they are all gone as irretrievably as the despatches, unless we may read
+them in a book, as we printed their correspondence from Egypt. But from
+us what can they find out? That I love you most dearly, and hate the
+French most damnably. Dr. Scott went to Barcelona to try to get the
+private letters, but I fancy they are all gone to Paris. The Swedish and
+American Consuls told him that the French Consul had your picture and
+read your letters; and the Doctor thinks one of them, probably, read the
+letters. By the master's account of the cutter, I would not have trusted
+an old pair of shoes in her. He tells me she did not sail, but was a
+good sea-boat. I hope Mr. Marsden will not trust any more of my private
+letters in such a conveyance: if they choose to trust the affairs of the
+public in such a thing, I cannot help it."
+
+While he was on this station, the weather had been so unusually severe
+that he said the Mediterranean seemed altered. It was his rule never to
+contend with the gales; but either run to the southward to escape their
+violence, or furl all the sails, and make the ships as easy as possible.
+The men, though he said flesh and blood could hardly stand it, continued
+in excellent health, which he ascribed, in great measure, to a plentiful
+supply of lemons and onions. For himself, he thought he could only last
+till the battle was over. One battle more it was his hope that he might
+fight. "However," said he, "whatever happens, I have run a glorious
+race." "A few months rest," he says, "I must have very soon. If I am in
+my grave, what are the mines of Peru to me? But to say the truth, I have
+no idea of killing myself. I may, with care, live yet to do good service
+to the state. My cough is very bad, and my side, where I was struck on
+the 14th of February, is very much swelled: at times a lump as large
+as my fist, brought on occasionally by violent coughing. But I hope and
+believe my lungs are yet safe." He was afraid of blindness and this was
+the only evil which he could not contemplate without unhappiness. More
+alarming symptoms he regarded with less apprehension, describing his own
+"shattered carcass" as in the worst plight of any in the fleet; and he
+says, "I have felt the blood gushing up the left side of my head; and,
+the moment it covers the brain, I am fast asleep." The fleet was in
+worse trim than the men; but when he compared it with the enemy's, it
+was with a right English feeling. "The French fleet yesterday," said he,
+in one of his letters, "was to appearance in high feather, and as fine
+as paint could make them; but when they may sail, or where they may
+go, I am very sorry to say is a secret I am not acquainted with. Our
+weather-beaten ships, I have no fear, will make their sides like
+a plum-pudding." "Yesterday," he says, on another occasion, "a
+rear-admiral and seven sail of ships put their nose outside the harbour.
+If they go on playing this game, some day we shall lay salt on their
+tails."
+
+Hostilities at length commenced between Great Britain and Spain. That
+country, whose miserable government made her subservient to France, was
+once more destined to lavish her resources and her blood in furtherance
+of the designs of a perfidious ally. The immediate occasion of the
+war was the seizure of four treasure-ships by the English. The act was
+perfectly justifiable, for those treasures were intended to furnish
+means for France; but the circumstances which attended it were as
+unhappy as they were unforeseen. Four frigates had been despatched to
+intercept them. They met with an equal force. Resistance, therefore,
+became a point of honour on the part of the Spaniards, and one of their
+ships soon blew up with all on board. Had a stronger squadron been sent,
+this deplorable catastrophe might have been spared: a catastrophe which
+excited not more indignation in Spain than it did grief in those who
+were its unwilling instruments, in the English government, and in the
+English people. On the 5th of October this unhappy affair occurred, and
+Nelson was not apprised of it till the twelfth of the ensuing month.
+He had, indeed, sufficient mortification at the breaking out of this
+Spanish war; an event which, it might reasonably have been supposed,
+would amply enrich the officers of the Mediterranean fleet, and repay
+them for the severe and unremitting duty on which they had been so long
+employed. But of this harvest they were deprived; for Sir John Orde was
+sent with a small squadron, and a separate command, to Cadiz. Nelson's
+feelings were never wounded so deeply as now. "I had thought," said he,
+writing in the first flow and freshness of indignation; "Fancied--but
+nay; it must have been a dream, an idle dream; yet I confess it, I DID
+fancy that I had done my country service; and thus they use me! And
+under what circumstances, and with what pointed aggravation? Yet, if
+I know my own thoughts, it is not for myself, or on my own account
+chiefly, that I feel the sting and the disappointment. No! it is for my
+brave officers: for my noble minded friends and comrades. Such a gallant
+set of fellows! Such a band of brothers! My heart swells at the thought
+of them."
+
+War between Spain and England was now declared; and on the eighteenth of
+January, the Toulon fleet, having the Spaniards to co-operate with them,
+put to sea. Nelson was at anchor off the coast of Sardinia, where the
+Madelena islands form one of the finest harbours in the world, when,
+at three in the afternoon of the nineteenth, the ACTIVE and SEAHORSE
+frigates brought this long-hoped-for intelligence. They had been close
+to the enemy at ten on the preceding night, but lost sight of them in
+about four hours. The fleet immediately unmoored and weighed, and at
+six in the evening ran through the strait between Biche and Sardinia:
+a passage so narrow that the ships could only pass one at a time, each
+following the stern-lights of its leader. From the position of the
+enemy, when they were last seen, it was inferred that they must be bound
+round the southern end of Sardinia. Signal was made the next morning to
+prepare for battle. Bad weather came on, baffling the one fleet in its
+object, and the other in its pursuit. Nelson beat about the Sicilian
+seas for ten days, without obtaining any other information of the enemy
+than that one of their ships had put into Ajaccio, dismasted; and having
+seen that Sardinia, Naples, and Sicily were safe, believing Egypt to
+be their destination, for Egypt he ran. The disappointment and distress
+which he had experienced in his former pursuits of the French through
+the same seas were now renewed; but Nelson, while he endured these
+anxious and unhappy feelings, was still consoled by the same confidence
+as on the former occasion--that, though his judgment might be erroneous,
+under all circumstances he was right in having formed it. "I have
+consulted no man," said he to the Admiralty; "therefore the whole blame
+of ignorance in forming my judgment must rest with me. I would allow no
+man to take from me an atom of my glory had I fallen in with the French
+fleet; nor do I desire any man to partake any of the responsibility.
+All is mine, right or wrong." Then stating the grounds upon which he had
+proceeded, he added, "At this moment of sorrow, I still feel that I have
+acted right." In the same spirit he said to Sir Alexander Ball: "When
+I call to remembrance all the circumstances, I approve, if nobody else
+does, of my own conduct."
+
+Baffled thus, he bore up for Malta, and met intelligence from Naples
+that the French, having been dispersed in a gale, had put back to
+Toulon. From the same quarter he learned that a great number of saddles
+and muskets had been embarked; and this confirmed him in his opinion
+that Egypt was their destination. That they should have put him back in
+consequence of storms which he had weathered, gave him a consoling sense
+of British superiority. "These gentlemen," said he, "are not accustomed
+to a Gulf of Lyons gale: we have buffeted them for one-and-twenty
+months, and not carried away a spar." He, however, who had so often
+braved these gales, was now, though not mastered by them, vexatiously
+thwarted and impeded; and on February 27th he was compelled to anchor in
+Pula Bay in the Gulf of Cagliari. From the 21st of January the fleet
+had remained ready for battle, without a bulk-head up night or day. He
+anchored here that he might not be driven to leeward. As soon as the
+weather moderated he put to sea again; and after again beating about
+against contrary winds, another gale drove him to anchor in the Gulf of
+Palma on the 8th of March. This he made his rendezvous: he knew that the
+French troops still remained embarked; and wishing to lead them into
+a belief that he was stationed upon the Spanish coast, he made his
+appearance off Barcelona with that intent. About the end of the month he
+began to fear that the plan of the expedition was abandoned; and sailing
+once more towards his old station off Toulon on the 4th of April, he
+met the PHOEBE, with news that Villeneuve had put to sea on the last
+of March, with eleven ships of the line, seven frigates, and two brigs.
+When last seen they were steering towards the coast of Africa. Nelson
+first covered the channel between Sardinia and Barbary, so as to satisfy
+himself that Villeneuve was not taking the same route for Egypt
+which Gantheaume had taken before him, when he attempted to carry
+reinforcements thither. Certain of this, he bore up on the 7th for
+Palermo, lest the French should pass to the north of Corsica, and he
+despatched cruisers in all directions. On the 11th he felt assured that
+they were not gone down the Mediterranean; and sending off frigates
+to Gibraltar, to Lisbon, and to Admiral Cornwallis, who commanded the
+squadron off Brest, he endeavoured to get to the westward, beating
+against westerly winds. After five days a neutral gave intelligence that
+the French had been seen off Cape de Gatte on the 7th. It was soon after
+ascertained that they had passed the Straits of Gibraltar on the day
+following; and Nelson, knowing that they might already be half way to
+Ireland or to Jamaica, exclaimed that he was miserable. One gleam of
+comfort only came across him in the reflection, that his vigilance
+had rendered it impossible for them to undertake any expedition in the
+Mediterranean.
+
+Eight days after this certain intelligence had been obtained, he
+described his state of mind thus forcibly in writing to the governor of
+Malta: "My good fortune, my dear Ball, seems flown away. I cannot get
+a fair wind, or even a side-wind. Dead foul!--Dead foul! But my mind is
+fully made up what to do when I leave the supposing there is no certain
+account of the enemy's destination. I believe this ill-luck will go
+near to kill me; but as these are times for exertion, I must not be cast
+down, whatever I may feel." In spite of every exertion which could be
+made by all the zeal and all the skill of British seamen, he did not get
+in sight of Gibraltar till the 30th of April; and the wind was then so
+adverse that it was impossible to pass the Gut. He anchored in Mazari
+Bay, on the Barbary shore; obtained supplies from Tetuan; and when, on
+the 5th, a breeze from the eastward sprang up at last, sailed once more,
+hoping to hear of the enemy from Sir John Orde, who commanded off Cadiz,
+or from Lisbon. "If nothing is heard of them," said he to the Admiralty,
+"I shall probably think the rumours which have been spread are true,
+that their object is the West Indies; and, in that case, I think it my
+duty to follow them--or to the Antipodes, should I believe that to be
+their destination." At the time when this resolution was taken, the
+physician of the fleet had ordered him to return to England before the
+hot months.
+
+Nelson had formed his judgment of their destination, and made up his
+mind accordingly, when Donald Campbell, at that time an admiral in the
+Portuguese service, the same person who had given important tidings to
+Earl St. Vincent of the movements of that fleet from which he won his
+title, a second time gave timely and momentous intelligence to the flag
+of his country. He went on board the VICTORY, and communicated to Nelson
+his certain knowledge that the combined Spanish and French fleets were
+bound for the West Indies. Hitherto all things had favoured the enemy.
+While the British commander was beating up again strong southerly and
+westerly gales, they had wind to their wish from the N.E., and had done
+in nine days what he was a whole month in accomplishing. Villeneuve,
+finding the Spaniards at Carthagena were not in a fit state of equipment
+to join him, dared not wait, but hastened on to Cadiz. Sir John Orde
+necessarily retired at his approach. Admiral Gravina, with six Spanish
+ships of the line and two French, come out to him, and they sailed
+without a moment's loss of time. They had about three thousand French
+troops on board, and fifteen hundred Spanish: six hundred were under
+orders, expecting them at Martinique, and one thousand at Guadaloupe.
+General Lauriston commanded the troops. The combined fleet now consisted
+of eighteen sail of the line, six forty-four gun frigates, one
+of twenty-six guns, three corvettes, and a brig. They were joined
+afterwards by two new French line-of-battle ships, and one forty-four.
+Nelson pursued them with ten sail of the line and three frigates. "Take
+you a Frenchman apiece," said he to his captains, "and leave me the
+Spaniards: when I haul down my colours, I expect you to do the same, and
+not till then."
+
+The enemy had five-and-thirty days' start; but he calculated that he
+should gain eight or ten days upon them by his exertions. May 15th he
+made Madeira, and on June 4th reached Barbadoes, whither he had sent
+despatches before him; and where he found Admiral Cochrane, with two
+ships, part of our squadron in those seas being at Jamaica. He found
+here also accounts that the combined fleets had been seen from St. Lucia
+on the 28th, standing to the southward, and that Tobago and Trinidad
+were their objects. This Nelson doubted; but he was alone in his
+opinion, and yielded it with these foreboding words: "If your
+intelligence proves false, you lose me the French fleet." Sir W. Myers
+offered to embark here with 2000 troops; they were taken on board, and
+the next morning he sailed for Tobago. Here accident confirmed the false
+intelligence which had, whether from intention or error, misled him. A
+merchant at Tobago, in the general alarm, not knowing whether this fleet
+was friend or foe, sent out a schooner to reconnoitre, and acquaint him
+by signal. The signal which he had chosen happened to be the very one
+which had been appointed by Col. Shipley of the engineers to signify
+that the enemy were at Trinidad; and as this was at the close of the
+day, there was no opportunity of discovering the mistake. An American
+brig was met with about the same time, the master of which, with that
+propensity to deceive the English and assist the French in any manner
+which has been but too common among his countrymen, affirmed that he
+had been boarded off Granada a few days before by the French, who were
+standing towards the Bocas of Trinidad. This fresh intelligence removed
+all doubts. The ships were cleared for action before daylight, and
+Nelson entered the Bay of Paria on the 7th, hoping and expecting to make
+the mouths of the Orinoco as famous in the annals of the British navy
+as those of the Nile. Not an enemy was there; and it was discovered that
+accident and artifice had combined to lead him so far to leeward, that
+there could have been little hope of fetching to windward of Granada
+for any other fleet. Nelson, however, with skill and exertions never
+exceeded, and almost unexampled, bore for that island.
+
+Advices met him on the way, that the combined fleets, having captured
+the Diamond Rock, were then at Martinique on the fourth, and were
+expected to sail that night for the attack of Granada. On the 9th Nelson
+arrived off that island; and there learned that they had passed to
+leeward of Antigua the preceding day, and had taken a homeward-bound
+convoy. Had it not been for false information, upon which Nelson had
+acted reluctantly, and in opposition to his own judgment, he would have
+been off Port Royal just as they were leaving; it, and the battle would
+have been fought on the spot where Rodney defeated De Grasse. This he
+remembered in his vexation; but he had saved the colonies, and above 200
+ships laden for Europe, which would else have fallen into the enemy's
+hands; and he had the satisfaction of knowing that the mere terror of
+his name had effected this, and had put to flight the allied enemies,
+whose force nearly doubled that before which they fled. That they were
+flying back to Europe he believed, and for Europe he steered in pursuit
+on the 13th, having disembarked the troops at Antigua, and taking with
+him the SPARTIATE, seventy-four; the only addition to the squadron with
+which he was pursuing so superior a force. Five days afterwards the
+AMAZON brought intelligence that she had spoke a schooner who had
+seen them on the evening of the 15th, steering to the north; and by
+computation, eighty-seven leagues off. Nelson's diary at this time
+denotes his great anxiety and his perpetual and all-observing vigilance.
+"June 21. Midnight, nearly calm, saw three planks, which I think came
+from the French fleet. Very miserable, which is very foolish." On the
+17th of July he came in sight of Cape St. Vincent, and steered for
+Gibraltar. "June 18th," his diary says, "Cape Spartel in sight, but no
+French fleet, nor any information about them. How sorrowful this makes
+me! but I cannot help myself." The next day he anchored at Gibraltar;
+and on the 20th, says he, "I went on shore for the first time since June
+16, 1803; and from having my foot out of the VICTORY two years, wanting
+ten days."
+
+Here he communicated with his old friend Collingwood; who, having been
+detached with a squadron, when the disappearance of the combined fleets,
+and of Nelson in their pursuit, was known in England, had taken his
+station off Cadiz. He thought that Ireland was the enemy's ultimate
+object; that they would now liberate the Ferrol squadron, which was
+blocked up by Sir Robert Calder, call for the Rochefort ships, and then
+appear off Ushant with 33 or 34 sail; there to be joined: by the
+Brest fleet. With this great force he supposed they would make for
+Ireland--the real mark and bent of all their operations; and their
+flight to the West Indies, he thought, had been merely undertaken
+to take off Nelson's force, which was the great impediment to their
+undertaking.
+
+Collingwood was gifted with great political penetration. As yet,
+however, all was conjecture concerning the enemy; and Nelson, having
+victualled and watered at Tetuan, stood for Ceuta on the 24th, still
+without information of their course. Next day intelligence arrived that
+the CURIEUX brig had seen them on the 19th, standing to the northward.
+He proceeded off Cape St. Vincent, rather cruising for intelligence than
+knowing whither to betake himself; and here a case occurred that more
+than any other event in real history resembles those whimsical proofs of
+sagacity which Voltaire, in his Zadig, has borrowed from the Orientals.
+One of our frigates spoke an American, who, a little to the westward
+of the Azores, had fallen in with an armed vessel, appearing to be a
+dismasted privateer, deserted by her crew, which had been run on board
+by another ship, and had been set fire to; but the fire had gone out. A
+log-book and a few seamen's jackets were found in the cabin; and these
+were brought to Nelson. The log-book closed with these words: "Two large
+vessels in the W.N.W.:" and this led him to conclude that the vessel had
+been an English privateer, cruising off the Western Islands. But there
+was in this book a scrap of dirty paper, filled with figures. Nelson,
+immediately upon seeing it, observed that the figures were written by a
+Frenchman; and after studying this for a while, said, "I can explain
+the whole. The jackets are of French manufacture, and prove that the
+privateer was in possession of the enemy. She had been chased and taken
+by the two ships that were seen in the W.N.W. The prizemaster, going on
+board in a hurry, forgot to take with him his reckoning: there is none
+in the log-book; and the dirty paper contains her work for the number of
+days since the privateer last left Corvo; with an unaccounted-for run,
+which I take to have been the chase, in his endeavour to find out her
+situation by back reckonings. By some mismanagement, I conclude she was
+run on board of by one of the enemy's ships, and dismasted. Not liking
+delay (for I am satisfied that those two ships were the advanced ones
+of the French squadron), and fancying we were close at their heels,
+they set fire to the vessel, and abandoned her in a hurry. If this
+explanation be correct, I infer from it that they are gone more to the
+northward; and more to the northward I will look for them." This course
+accordingly he held, but still without success. Still persevering, and
+still disappointed, he returned near enough to Cadiz to ascertain that
+they were not there; traversed the Bay of Biscay; and then, as a last
+hope, stood over for the north-west coast of Ireland against adverse
+winds, till, on the evening of the 12th of August, he learned that they
+had not been heard of there. Frustrated thus in all his hopes, after
+a pursuit, to which, for its extent, rapidity, and perseverance, no
+parallel can be produced, he judged it best to reinforce the Channel
+fleet with his squadron, lest the enemy, as Collingwood apprehended,
+should bear down upon Brest with their whole collected force. On the
+15th he joined Admiral Cornwallis off Ushant. No news had yet been
+obtained of the enemy; and on the same evening he received orders to
+proceed, with the VICTORY and SUPERB, to Portsmouth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+1805
+
+Sir Robert Calder falls in with the combined Fleets--They form a
+Junction with the Ferrol Squadron, and get into Cadiz--Nelson is
+reappointed to the Command--Battle of Trafalgar--Victory, and Death of
+Nelson.
+
+
+At Portsmouth, Nelson at length found news of the combined fleet. Sir
+Robert Calder, who had been sent out to intercept their return,
+had fallen in with them on the 22nd of July, sixty leagues off Cape
+Finisterre. Their force consisted of twenty sail of the line, three
+fifty-gun ships, five frigates, and two brigs: his, of fifteen
+line-of-battle ships, two frigates, a cutter, and a lugger. After an
+action of four hours he had captured an eighty-four and a seventy-four,
+and then thought it necessary to bring-to the squadron, for the purpose
+of securing their prizes. The hostile fleets remained in sight of each
+other till the 26th, when the enemy bore away. The capture of two ships
+from so superior a force would have been considered as no inconsiderable
+victory, a few years earlier; but Nelson had introduced a new era in our
+naval history; and the nation felt respecting this action as he had felt
+on a somewhat similar occasion. They regretted that Nelson, with his
+eleven ships, had not been in Sir Robert Calder's place; and their
+disappointment was generally and loudly expressed.
+
+Frustrated as his own hopes had been, Nelson had yet the high
+satisfaction of knowing that his judgment had never been more
+conspicuously approved, and that he had rendered essential service to
+his country, by driving the enemy from those Islands where they expected
+there could be no force capable of opposing them. The West India
+merchants in London, as men whose interests were more immediately
+benefited, appointed a deputation to express their thanks for his great
+and judicious exertions. It was now his intention to rest awhile from
+his labours, and recruit himself, after all his fatigues and cares, in
+the society of those whom he loved. All his stores were brought up from
+the VICTORY; and he found in his house at Merton the enjoyment which he
+had anticipated. Many days had not elapsed before Captain Blackwood, on
+his way to London with despatches, called on him at five in the morning.
+Nelson, who was already dressed, exclaimed, the moment he saw him: "I am
+sure you bring me news of the French and Spanish fleets! I think I shall
+yet have to beat them!" They had refitted at Vigo, after the indecisive
+action with Sir Robert Calder; then proceeded to Ferrol, brought out the
+squadron from thence, and with it entered Cadiz in safety. "Depend on
+it, Blackwood:" he repeatedly said, "I shall yet give M. Villeneuve
+a drubbing." But when Blackwood had left him, he wanted resolution to
+declare his wishes to Lady Hamilton and his sisters, and endeavoured to
+drive away the thought. He had done enough, he said: "Let the man trudge
+it who has lost his budget!" His countenance belied his lips; and as
+he was pacing one of the walks in the garden, which he used to call the
+quarter-deck, Lady Hamilton came up to him, and told him she saw he was
+uneasy. He smiled, and said: "No, he was as happy as possible; he was
+surrounded by his family, his health was better since he had been an
+shore, and he would not give sixpence to call the king his uncle." She
+replied, that she did not believe him, that she knew that he was longing
+to get at the combined fleets, that he considered them as his own
+property, that he would be miserable if any man but himself did the
+business; and that he ought to have them, as the price and reward of
+his two years' long watching, and his hard chase. "Nelson," said she,
+"however we may lament your absence, offer your services; they will
+be accepted, and you will gain a quiet heart by it: you will have a
+glorious victory, and then you may return here, and be happy." He looked
+at her with tears in his eyes: "Brave Emma! Good Emma! If there were
+more Emmas there would be more Nelsons."
+
+His services were as willingly accepted as they were offered; and Lord
+Barham, giving him the list of the navy, desired him to choose his own
+officers. "Choose yourself, my lord," was his reply: "the same spirit
+actuates the whole profession: you cannot choose wrong." Lord Barham
+then desired him to say what ships, and how many, he would wish, in
+addition to the fleet which he was going to command, and said they
+should follow him as soon as each was ready. No appointment was ever
+more in unison with the feelings and judgment of the whole nation. They,
+like Lady Hamilton, thought that the destruction of the combined fleets
+ought properly to be Nelson's work; that he who had been
+
+     "Half around the sea-girt ball,
+     The hunter of the recreant Gaul,"
+
+ought to reap the spoils of the chase which he had watched so long, and
+so perseveringly pursued.
+
+Unremitting exertions were made to equip the ships which he had chosen,
+and especially to refit the VICTORY, which was once more to bear his
+flag. Before he left London he called at his upholsterer's, where the
+coffin which Captain Hallowell had given him was deposited; and desired
+that its history might be engraven upon the lid, saying that it was
+highly probable he might want it on his return. He seemed, indeed,
+to have been impressed with an expectation that he should fall in
+the battle. In a letter to his brother, written immediately after his
+return, he had said: "We must not talk of Sir Robert Calder's battle--I
+might not have done so much with my small force. If I had fallen in with
+them, you might probably have been a lord before I wished; for I know
+they meant to make a dead set at the VICTORY." Nelson had once
+regarded the prospect of death with gloomy satisfaction: it was when
+he anticipated the upbraidings of his wife, and the displeasure of his
+venerable father. The state of his feelings now was expressed in his
+private journal in these words: "Friday night (Sept. 13), at half-past
+ten, I drove from dear, dear Merton; where I left all which I hold dear
+in this world, to go and serve my king and country. May the great GOD,
+whom I adore, enable me to fulfil the expectations of my country! and if
+it is His good pleasure that I should return, my thanks will never
+cease being offered up to the throne of His mercy. If it is His good
+providence to cut short my days upon earth, I bow with the greatest
+submission; relying that he will protect those so dear to me whom I may
+leave behind! His will be done. Amen! Amen! Amen!"
+
+Early on the following morning he reached Portsmouth; and having
+despatched his business on shore, endeavoured to elude the populace
+by taking a by-way to the beach; but a crowd collected in his train,
+pressing forward to obtain a sight of his face: many were in tears, and
+many knelt down before him and blessed him as he passed. England has
+had many heroes; but never one who so entirely possessed the love of his
+fellow-countrymen as Nelson. All men knew that his heart was as humane
+as it was fearless; that there was not in his nature the slightest alloy
+of selfishness or cupidity; but that with perfect and entire devotion he
+served his country with all his heart, and with all his soul, and
+with all his strength; and, therefore, they loved him as truly and as
+fervently as he loved England. They pressed upon the parapet to gaze
+after him when his barge pushed off, and he was returning their cheers
+by waving his hat. The sentinels, who endeavoured to prevent them
+from trespassing upon this ground, were wedged among the crowd; and an
+officer who, not very prudently upon such an occasion, ordered them to
+drive the people down with their bayonets, was compelled speedily to
+retreat; for the people would not be debarred from gazing till the last
+moment upon the hero--the darling hero of England!
+
+He arrived off Cadiz on the 29th of September--his birthday. Fearing
+that if the enemy knew his force they might be deterred from venturing
+to sea, he kept out of sight of land, desired Collingwood to fire no
+salute and hoist no colours, and wrote to Gibraltar to request that
+the force of the fleet might not be inserted there in the GAZETTE. His
+reception in the Mediterranean fleet was as gratifying as the farewell
+of his countrymen at Portsmouth: the officers who came on board to
+welcome him forgot his rank as commander in their joy at seeing him
+again. On the day of his arrival, Villeneuve received orders to put to
+sea the first opportunity. Villeneuve, however, hesitated when he heard
+that Nelson had resumed the command. He called a council of war; and
+their determination was, that it would not be expedient to leave Cadiz,
+unless they had reason to believe themselves stronger by one-third than
+the British force. In the public measures of this country secrecy
+is seldom practicable, and seldomer attempted: here, however, by the
+precautions of Nelson and the wise measures of the Admiralty, the enemy
+were for once kept in ignorance; for as the ships appointed to reinforce
+the Mediterranean fleet were despatched singly, each as soon as it was
+ready, their collected number was not stated in the newspapers, and
+their arrival was not known to the enemy. But the enemy knew that
+Admiral Louis, with six sail, had been detached for stores and water to
+Gibraltar. Accident also contributed to make the French admiral doubt
+whether Nelson himself had actually taken the command. An American,
+lately arrived from England, maintained that it was impossible, for he
+had seen him only a few days before in London, and at that time there
+was no rumour of his going again to sea.
+
+The station which Nelson had chosen was some fifty or sixty miles to the
+west of Cadiz, near Cape St. Marys. At this distance, he hoped to decoy
+the enemy out while he guarded against the danger of being caught with a
+westerly wind near Cadiz and driven within the Straits. The blockade of
+the port was rigorously enforced, in hopes that the combined fleet might
+be forced to sea by want. The Danish vessels, therefore, which were
+carrying provisions from the French ports in the bay, under the name
+of Danish property, to all the little ports from Ayamonte to Algeziras,
+from whence they were conveyed in coasting boats to Cadiz, were seized.
+Without this proper exertion of power, the blockade would have been
+rendered nugatory by the advantage thus taken of the neutral flag. The
+supplies from France were thus effectually cut off. There was now every
+indication that the enemy would speedily venture out: officers and men
+were in the highest spirits at the prospects of giving them a decisive
+blow; such, indeed, as would put an end to all further contest upon the
+seas. Theatrical amusements were performed every evening in most of
+the ships; and God save the King was the hymn with which the sports
+concluded. "I verily believe," said Nelson (writing on the 6th of
+October), "that the country will soon be put to some expense on my
+account; either a monument, or a new pension and honours; for I have not
+the smallest doubt but that a very few days, almost hours, will put us
+in battle. The success no man can ensure; but for the fighting them, if
+they can be got at, I pledge myself. The sooner the better: I don't like
+to have these things upon my mind."
+
+At this time he was not without some cause of anxiety: he was in want
+of frigates, and the eyes of the fleet, as he always called them; to
+the want of which the enemy before were indebted for their escape, and
+Buonaparte for his arrival in Egypt. He had only twenty-three ships;
+others were on the way, but they might come too late; and though Nelson
+never doubted of victory, mere victory was not what he looked to; he
+wanted to annihilate the enemy's fleet. The Carthagena squadron might
+effect a junction with this fleet on the one side; and on the other it
+was to be expected that a similar attempt would be made by the French
+from Brest; in either case a formidable contingency to be apprehended
+by the blockading force. The Rochefort squadron did push out, and had
+nearly caught the AGAMEMNON and L'AIMABLE in their way to reinforce the
+British admiral. Yet Nelson at this time weakened his own fleet. He had
+the unpleasant task to perform of sending home Sir Robert Calder, whose
+conduct was to be made the subject of a court-martial, in consequence
+of the general dissatisfaction which had been felt and expressed at his
+imperfect victory. Sir Robert Calder and Sir John Orde, Nelson believed
+to be the only two enemies whom he had ever had in his profession; and
+from that sensitive delicacy which distinguished him, this made him the
+more scrupulously anxious to show every possible mark of respect and
+kindness to Sir Robert. He wished to detain him till after the expected
+action, when the services which he might perform, and the triumphant joy
+which would be excited, would leave nothing to be apprehended from
+an inquiry into the previous engagement. Sir Robert, however, whose
+situation was very painful, did not choose to delay a trial from the
+result of which he confidently expected a complete justification;
+and Nelson, instead of sending him home in a frigate, insisted on his
+returning in his own ninety-gun ship--ill as such a ship could at that
+time be spared. Nothing could be more honourable than the feeling by
+which Nelson was influenced; but, at such a crisis, it ought not to have
+been indulged.
+
+On the 9th Nelson sent Collingwood what he called, in his diary, the
+Nelson-touch. "I send you," said he, "my plan of attack, as far as a man
+dare venture to guess at the very uncertain position the enemy may
+be found in; but it is to place you perfectly at ease respecting my
+intentions, and to give full scope to your judgment for carrying them
+into effect. We can, my dear Coll, have no little jealousies. We have
+only one great object in view, that of annihilating our enemies, and
+getting a glorious peace for our country. No man has more confidence in
+another than I have in you; and no man will render your services more
+justice than your very old friend Nelson and Bronte." The order of
+sailing was to be the order of battle: the fleet in two lines, with
+an advanced squadron of eight of the fastest-sailing two-deckers. The
+second in command, having the entire direction of his line, was to break
+through the enemy, about the twelfth ship from their rear: he would lead
+through the centre, and the advanced squadron was to cut off three or
+four ahead of the centre. This plan was to be adapted to the strength
+of the enemy, so that they should always be one-fourth superior to those
+whom they cut off. Nelson said, "That his admirals and captains, knowing
+his precise object to be that of a close and decisive action, would
+supply any deficiency of signals, and act accordingly. In case signals
+cannot be seen or clearly understood, no captain can do wrong if he
+places his ship alongside that of an enemy." One of the last orders
+of this admirable man was, that the name and family of every officer,
+seaman, and marine, who might be killed or wounded in action, should be,
+as soon as possible, returned to him, in order to be transmitted to
+the chairman of the Patriotic Fund, that the case might be taken into
+consideration for the benefit of the sufferer or his family.
+
+About half-past nine in the morning of the 19th, the MARS, being the
+nearest to the fleet of the ships which formed the line of communication
+with the frigates inshore, repeated the signal that the enemy were
+coming out of port. The wind was at this time very light, with partial
+breezes, mostly from the S.S.W. Nelson ordered the signal to be made
+for a chase in the south-east quarter. About two, the repeating ships
+announced that the enemy were at sea. All night the British fleet
+continued under all sail, steering to the south-east. At daybreak they
+were in the entrance of the Straits, but the enemy were not in sight.
+About seven one of the frigates made signal that the enemy were bearing
+north. Upon this the VICTORY hove to; and shortly afterwards Nelson made
+sail again to the northward. In the afternoon-the wind blew fresh from
+the south-west, and the English began to fear that the foe might be
+forced to return to port. A little before sunset, however, Blackwood,
+in the EURYALUS, telegraphed that they appeared determined to go to the
+westward, "And that," said the admiral in his diary, "they shall not do,
+if it is in the power of Nelson and Bronte to prevent them." Nelson had
+signified to Blackwood that he depended upon him to keep sight of the
+enemy. They were observed so well that all their motions were made known
+to him; and as they wore twice, he inferred that they were aiming to
+keep the port of Cadiz open, and would retreat there as soon as they saw
+the British fleet; for this reason he was very careful not to approach
+near enough to be seen by them during the night. At daybreak the
+combined fleets were distinctly seen from the VICTORY's deck, formed in
+a close line of battle ahead, on the starboard tack, about twelve
+miles to leeward, and standing to the south. Our fleet consisted of
+twenty-seven sail of the line and four frigates; theirs of thirty-three
+and seven large frigates. Their superiority was greater in size and
+weight of metal than in numbers. They had four thousand troops on board;
+and the best riflemen who could be procured, many of them Tyrolese, were
+dispersed through the ships. Little did the Tyrolese, and little did the
+Spaniards, at that day, imagine what horrors the wicked tyrant whom they
+served was preparing for their country.
+
+Soon after daylight Nelson came upon deck. The 21st of October was a
+festival in his family, because on that day his uncle, Captain Suckling,
+in the DREADNOUGHT, with two other line-of-battle ships, had beaten off
+a French squadron of four sail of the line and three frigates. Nelson,
+with that sort of superstition from which few persons are entirely
+exempt, had more than once expressed his persuasion that this was to
+be the day of his battle also; and he was well pleased at seeing his
+prediction about to be verified. The wind was now from the west, light
+breezes, with a long heavy swell. Signal was made to bear down upon
+the enemy in two lines; and the fleet set all sail. Collingwood, in the
+ROYAL SOVEREIGN, led the leeline of thirteen ships; the VICTORY led
+the weather line of fourteen. Having seen that all was as it should be,
+Nelson retired to his cabin, and wrote the following prayer:--
+
+
+"May the great GOD whom I worship, grant to my country, and for the
+benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory, and may no
+misconduct in any one tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the
+predominant feature in the British fleet! For myself individually, I
+commit my life to Him that made me; and may His blessing alight on my
+endeavours for serving my country faithfully! To Him I resign myself,
+and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen! Amen!
+Amen!"
+
+
+Having thus discharged his devotional duties, he annexed, in the same
+diary, the following remarkable writing:--
+
+OCTOBER 21, 1805.--. THEN IN SIGHT OF THE COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE
+AND SPAIN, DISTANT ABOUT TEN MILES.
+
+"Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, widow of the Right Hon.
+Sir W. Hamilton, have been of the very greatest service to my king and
+country, to my knowledge, without ever receiving any reward from either
+our king or country.
+
+1. That she obtained the King of Spain's letter, in 1796, to his
+brother, the King of Naples, acquainting him of his intention to declare
+war against England from which letter the ministry sent out orders to
+the then Sir John Jervis to strike a stroke, if opportunity offered,
+against either the arsenals of Spain or her fleets. That neither of
+these was done is not the fault of Lady Hamilton; the opportunity might
+have been offered.
+
+2. The British fleet under my command could never have returned the
+second time to Egypt, had not Lady Hamilton's influence with the Queen
+of Naples caused letters to be wrote to the governor of Syracuse that he
+was to encourage the fleet's being supplied with everything, should they
+put into any port in Sicily. We put into Syracuse, and received every
+supply; went to Egypt and destroyed the French fleet.
+
+"Could I have rewarded these services, I would not now call upon
+my country; but as that has not been in my power, I leave Emma Lady
+Hamilton therefore a legacy to my king and country, that they will give
+her an ample provision to maintain her rank in life.
+
+"I also leave to the beneficence of my country my adopted daughter,
+Horatia Nelson Thompson; and I desire she will use in future the name of
+Nelson only.
+
+"These are the only favours I ask of my king and country, at this
+moment, when I am going to fight their battle. May God bless my king
+and country, and all those I hold dear! My relations it is needless to
+mention; they will of course be amply provided for.
+
+"NELSON AND BRONTE.
+
+"WITNESS, ( HENRY BLACKWOOD.
+          ( T.M.HARDY."
+
+
+The child of whom this writing Speaks was believed to be his daughter,
+and so, indeed, he called her the last time he pronounced her name. She
+was then about five years old, living at Merton, under Lady Hamilton's
+care. The last minutes which Nelson passed at Merton were employed
+in praying over this child, as she lay sleeping. A portrait of Lady
+Hamilton hung in his cabin; and no Catholic ever beheld the picture of
+his patron saint with devouter reverence. The undisguised and romantic
+passion with which he regarded it amounted almost to superstition; and
+when the portrait was now taken down in clearing for action, he desired
+the men who removed it to "take care of his guardian angel." In this
+manner he frequently spoke of it, as if he believed there were a virtue
+in the image. He wore a miniature of her, also, next his heart.
+
+Blackwood went on board the VICTORY about six. He found him in good
+spirits, but very calm; not in that exhilaration which he had felt upon
+entering into battle at Aboukir and Copenhagen: he knew that his own
+life would be particularly aimed at, and seems to have looked for death
+with almost as sure an expectation as for victory. His whole attention
+was fixed upon the enemy. They tacked to the northward, and formed their
+line on the larboard tack; thus bringing the shoals of Trafalgar and St.
+Pedro under the lee of the British, and keeping the port of Cadiz open
+for themselves. This was judiciously done; and Nelson, aware of all the
+advantages which it gave them made signal to prepare to anchor.
+
+Villeneuve was a skilful seaman: worthy of serving a better master,
+and a better cause. His plan of defence was as well conceived, and as
+original, as the plan of attack. He formed the fleet in a double line;
+every alternate ship being about a cable's length to windward of her
+second ahead and astern. Nelson, certain of a triumphant issue to the
+day, asked Blackwood what he should consider as a victory. That officer
+answered, that, considering the handsome way in which battle was offered
+by the enemy, their apparent determination for a fair trial of strength,
+and the situation of the land, he thought it would be a glorious result
+if fourteen were captured. He replied: "I shall not be satisfied with
+less than twenty." Soon afterwards he asked him if he did not think
+there was a signal wanting. Captain Blackwood made answer, that he
+thought the whole fleet seemed very clearly to understand what they were
+about. These words were scarcely spoken before that signal was made,
+which will be remembered as long as the language, or even the memory, of
+England shall endure; Nelson's last signal:--"ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN
+TO DO HIS DUTY!" It was received throughout the fleet with a shout of
+answering acclamation, made sublime by the spirit which it breathed, and
+the feeling which it expressed. "Now," said Lord Nelson, "I can do no
+more. We must trust to the great Disposer of all events, and the justice
+of our cause. I thank God for this great opportunity of doing my duty."
+
+He wore that day, as usual, his admiral's frock-coat, bearing on the
+left breast four stars, of the different orders with which he was
+invested. Ornaments which rendered him so conspicuous a mark for the
+enemy were beheld with ominous apprehensions by his officers. It was
+known that there were riflemen on board the French ships, and it could
+not be doubted but that his life would be particularly aimed at. They
+communicated their fears to each other; and the surgeon, Mr. Beatty,
+spoke to the chaplain Dr. Scott, and to Mr. Scott the public secretary,
+desiring that some person would entreat him to change his dress,
+or cover the stars; but they knew that such a request would highly
+displease him. "In honour I gained them," he had said when such a thing
+had been hinted to him formerly, "and in honour I will die with them."
+Mr. Beatty, however, would not have been deterred by any fear of
+exciting his displeasure from speaking to him himself upon a subject in
+which the weal of England, as well as the life of Nelson, was concerned;
+but he was ordered from the deck before he could find an opportunity.
+This was a point upon which Nelson's officers knew that it was hopeless
+to remonstrate or reason with him; but both Blackwood, and his own
+captain, Hardy, represented to him how advantageous to the fleet it
+would be for him to keep out of action as long as possible; and he
+consented at last to let the LEVIATHAN and the TEMERAIRE, which were
+sailing abreast of the VICTORY, he ordered to pass ahead. Yet even here
+the last infirmity of this noble mind was indulged, for these ships
+could not pass ahead if the VICTORY continued to carry all her sail;
+and so far was Nelson from shortening sail, that it was evident he took
+pleasure in pressing on, and rendering it impossible for them to obey
+his own orders. A long swell was setting into the bay of Cadiz: our
+ships, crowding all sail, moved majestically before it, with light winds
+from the south-west. The sun shone on the sails of the enemy; and their
+well-formed line, with their numerous three-deckers, made an appearance
+which any other assailants would have thought formidable; but the
+British sailors only admired the beauty and the splendour of the
+spectacle; and in full confidence of winning what they saw, remarked to
+each other what a fine sight yonder ships would make at Spithead!
+
+The French admiral, from the BUCENTAURE, beheld the new manner in which
+his enemy was advancing--Nelson and Collingwood each leading his line;
+and pointing them out; to his officers, he is said to have exclaimed
+that such conduct could not fail to be successful. Yet Villeneuve had
+made his own dispositions with the utmost skill and the fleets under his
+command waited for the attack with perfect coolness. Ten minutes before
+twelve they opened their fire. Eight or nine of the ships immediately
+ahead of the VICTORY, and across her bows, fired single guns at her,
+to ascertain whether she was yet within their range. As soon as Nelson
+perceived that their shot passed over him, he desired Blackwood and
+Captain Prowse, of the SIRIUS, to repair to their respective frigates;
+and, on their way, to tell all the captains of the line-of-battle ships
+that he depended on their exertions; and that if, by the prescribed mode
+of attack, they found it impracticable to get into action immediately,
+they might adopt whatever they thought best, provided it led them
+quickly and closely alongside an enemy. As they were standing on the
+front of the poop, Blackwood took him by the hand, saying, he hoped soon
+to return and find him in possession of twenty prizes. He replied, "God
+bless you, Blackwood; I shall never see you again."
+
+Nelson's column was steered about two points more to the north than
+Collingwood's, in order to cut off the enemy's escape into Cadiz: the
+lee line, therefore, was first engaged. "See," cried Nelson, pointing to
+the ROYAL SOVEREIGN, as she steered right for the centre of the enemy's
+line, cut through it astern of the SANTA ANNA three-decker, and engaged
+her at the muzzle of her guns on the starboard side--"see how that
+noble fellow, Collingwood, carries his ship into action!" Collingwood,
+delighted at being first in the heat of the fire, and knowing the
+feelings of his commander and old friend, turned to his captain, and
+exclaimed: "Rotherham, what would Nelson give to be here?" Both
+these brave officers, perhaps, at this moment, thought of Nelson with
+gratitude, for a circumstance which had occurred on the preceding day.
+Admiral Collingwood, with some of the captains, having gone on board
+the VICTORY to receive instructions, Nelson inquired of him where his
+captain was and was told, in reply, that they were not upon good terms
+with each other. "Terms!" said Nelson,--"good terms with each other!"
+Immediately he sent a boat for Captain Rotherham; led him, as soon as he
+arrived, to Collingwood; and saying, "Look; yonder are the enemy!" bade
+them shake hands like Englishmen.
+
+The enemy continued to fire a gun at a time at the VICTORY, till they
+saw that a shot had passed through her main-top-gallant sail; then they
+opened their broadsides, aiming chiefly at her rigging, in the hope of
+disabling her before she could close with them. Nelson, as usual, had
+hoisted several flags, lest one should be shot away. The enemy showed no
+colours till late in the action, when they began to feel the necessity
+of having them to strike. For this reason, the SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD,
+Nelson's old acquaintance, as he used to call her, was distinguishable
+only by her four decks; and to the bow of this opponent he ordered the
+VICTORY to be steered. Meantime an incessant raking fire was kept up
+upon the VICTORY. The admiral's secretary was one of the first who fell;
+he was killed by a cannon-shot while conversing with Hardy. Captain
+Adair of the marines, with the help of a sailor, endeavoured to remove
+the body from Nelson's sight, who had a great regard for Mr. Scott; but
+he anxiously asked: "Is that poor Scott that's gone?" and being informed
+that was indeed so, exclaimed: "Poor fellow!" Presently, a double-headed
+shot struck a party of marines who were drawn up on the poop, and killed
+eight of them; upon which Nelson immediately desired Captain Adair to
+disperse his men round the ship, that they might not suffer so much from
+being together. A few minutes afterwards a shot struck the four-brace
+bits on the quarter-deck, and passed between Nelson and Hardy, a
+splinter from the bit tearing off Hardy's buckle, and bruising his foot.
+Both stopped, and looked anxiously at each other, each supposed the
+other to be wounded. Nelson then smiled, and said, "This is too warm
+work, Hardy, to last long."
+
+The VICTORY had not yet returned a single gun: fifty of her men had
+been by this time killed or wounded, and her main-top-mast, with all her
+studding-sails and her booms, shot away. Nelson declared, that, in all
+his battles, he had seen nothing which surpassed the cool courage of his
+crew on this occasion. At four minutes after twelve she opened her fire
+from both sides of her deck. It was not possible to break the enemy's
+line without running on board one of their ships: Hardy informed him of
+this, and asked him which he would prefer. Nelson replied: "Take your
+choice, Hardy, it does not signify much." The master was ordered to put
+the helm to port, and the VICTORY ran on board the REDOUTABLE, just as
+her tiller ropes were shot away. The French ship received her with a
+broadside; then instantly let down her lower-deck ports, for fear of
+being bearded through them, and never afterwards fired a great gun
+during the action. Her tops, like those of all the enemy's ships, were
+filled with riflemen. Nelson never placed musketry in his tops; he had a
+strong dislike to the practice; not merely because it endangers setting
+fire to the sails, but also because it is a murderous sort of warfare,
+by which individuals may suffer, and a commander now and then be picked
+off; but which never can decide the fate of a general engagement.
+
+Captain Harvey, in the TEMERAIRE, fell on board the REDOUTABLE on the
+other side. Another enemy was in like manner on board the TEMERAIRE;
+so that these four ships formed as compact a tier as if they had been
+moored together, their heads lying all the same way. The lieutenants of
+the VICTORY, seeing this, depressed their guns of the middle and lower
+decks, and fired with a diminished charge, lest the shot should pass
+through, and injure the TEMERAIRE. And because there was danger that
+the REDOUBTABLE might take fire from the lower-deck guns, the muzzles of
+which touched her side when they were run out, the fireman of each
+gun stood ready with a bucket of water; which, as soon as the gun was
+discharged, he dashed into the hole made by the shot. An incessant fire
+was kept up from the VICTORY from both sides; her larboard guns playing
+upon the BUCENTAURE and the huge SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD.
+
+It had been part of Nelson's prayer that the British fleet might be
+distinguished by humanity in the victory which he expected. Setting
+an example himself, he twice gave orders to cease firing upon the
+REDOUTABLE, supposing that she had struck, because her great guns were
+silent; for as she carried no flag, there were no means of instantly
+ascertaining the fact. From this ship, which he had thus twice spared,
+he received his death. A ball fired from her mizzen-top, which, in the
+then situation of the two vessels, was not more than fifteen yards from
+that part of the deck where he was standing, struck the epaulette on his
+left shoulder, about a quarter after one, just in the heat of action.
+He fell upon his face, on the spot which was covered with his poor
+secretary's blood. Hardy, who was a few steps from him, turning round,
+saw three men raising him up.--"They have done for me at last, Hardy,"
+said he.--"I hope not," cried Hardy.--"Yes!" he replied, "my back-bone
+is shot through." Yet even now, not for a moment losing his presence of
+mind, he observed, as they were carrying him down the ladder, that
+the tiller ropes, which had been shot away, were not yet replaced, and
+ordered that new ones should be rove immediately. Then, that he might
+not be seen by the crew, he took out his handkerchief, and covered his
+face and his stars. Had he but concealed these badges of honour from the
+enemy, England, perhaps, would not have had cause to receive with
+sorrow the news of the battle of Trafalgar. The cockpit was crowded with
+wounded and dying men, over whose bodies he was with some difficulty
+conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the midshipmen's berth. It was soon
+perceived, upon examination, that the wound was mortal. This, however,
+was concealed from all except Captain Hardy, the chaplain, and the
+medical attendants. He himself being certain, from the sensation in his
+back, and the gush of blood he felt momently within his breast, that no
+human care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should leave him,
+and attend to those to whom he might be useful; "For," said he, "you can
+do nothing for me." All that could be done was to fan him with paper,
+and frequently to give him lemonade to alleviate his intense thirst.
+He was in great pain, and expressed much anxiety for the event of the
+action, which now began to declare itself. As often as a ship struck,
+the crew of the VICTORY hurrahed; and at every hurrah a visible
+expression of joy gleamed in the eyes, and marked the countenance of the
+dying hero. But he became impatient to see Captain Hardy; and as that
+officer, though often sent for, could not leave the deck, Nelson feared
+that some fatal cause prevented him, and repeatedly cried, "Will no one
+bring Hardy to me? He must be killed! He is surely dead!" An hour and
+ten minutes elapsed from the time when Nelson received his wound before
+Hardy could come to him. They shook hands in silence, Hardy in vain
+struggling to repress the feelings of that most painful and yet
+sublimest moment. "Well, Hardy," said Nelson, "how goes the day with
+us?"--"Very well," replied Hardy; "ten ships have struck, but five
+of the van have tacked, and show an intention to bear down upon the
+VICTORY, I have called two or three of our fresh ships round, and have
+no doubt of giving them a drubbing."--"I hope," said Nelson, "none of
+our ships have struck?" Hardy answered, "There was no fear of that."
+Then, and not till then, Nelson spoke of himself. "I am a dead man,
+Hardy," said he: "I am going fast: it will be all over with me soon.
+Come nearer to me. Let my dear Lady Hamilton have my hair, and all other
+things belonging to me." Hardy observed that he hoped Mr. Beatty
+could yet hold out some prospect of life. "Oh, no!" he replied, "it is
+impossible. My back is shot through. Beatty will tell you so." Captain
+Hardy then, once more, shook hands with him; and, with a heart almost
+bursting, hastened upon deck.
+
+By this time all feeling below the breast was gone; and Nelson, having
+made the surgeon ascertain this, said to him: "You know I am gone, I
+know it. I feel something rising in my breast,"--putting his hand on
+his left side,--"which tells me so." And upon Beatty's inquiring whether
+his pain was very great, he replied, "So great, that he wished he was
+dead. Yet," said he, in a lower voice, "one would like to live a
+little longer too!" And after a few minutes, in the same under tone,
+he added--"What would become of poor Lady Hamilton, if she knew my
+situation!" Next to his country she occupied his thoughts. Captain
+Hardy, some fifty minutes after he had left the cockpit, returned; and,
+again taking the hand of his dying friend and commander, congratulated
+him on having gained a complete victory. How many of the enemy were
+taken he did not know, as it was impossible to perceive them distinctly;
+but fourteen or fifteen at least. "That's well," cried Nelson, "but I
+bargained for twenty." And then, in a stronger voice, he said: "Anchor,
+Hardy; anchor." Hardy, upon this, hinted that Admiral Collingwood would
+take upon himself the direction of affairs. "Not while I live, Hardy,"
+said the dying Nelson, ineffectually endeavouring to raise himself from
+the bed: "Do you anchor." His previous order for preparing to anchor had
+shown how clearly he foresaw the necessity of this. Presently, calling
+Hardy back, he said to him in a low voice, "Don't throw me overboard:"
+and he desired that he might be buried by his parents, unless it should
+please the king to order otherwise. Then reverting to private feelings:
+"Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy take care of poor Lady
+Hamilton. Kiss me, Hardy," said he. Hardy knelt down and kissed his
+cheek; and Nelson: said, "Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my
+duty." Hardy stood over him in silence for a moment or two, then knelt
+again and kissed his forehead. "Who is that?" said Nelson; and being
+informed, he replied, "God bless you, Hardy." And Hardy then left him
+--for ever.
+
+Nelson now desired to be turned upon his right side, and said, "I wish
+I had not left the deck; for I shall soon be gone." Death was, indeed,
+rapidly approaching. He said to the chaplain, "Doctor, I have NOT been
+a GREAT sinner;" and after a short pause, "Remember that I leave
+Lady Hamilton and my daughter Horatia as a legacy to my country." His
+articulation now became difficult; but he was distinctly heard to say,
+"Thank God I have done my duty." These words he repeatedly pronounced;
+and they were the last words which he uttered. He expired at thirty
+minutes after four--three hours and a quarter after he had received his
+wound.
+
+Within a quarter of an hour after Nelson was wounded, above fifty of
+the VICTORY's men fell by the enemy's musketry. They, however, on their
+part, were not idle; and it was not long before there were only two
+Frenchmen left alive in the mizzen-top of the REDOUTABLE. One of them
+was the man who had given the fatal wound: he did not live to boast of
+what he had done. An old quarter-master had seen him fire; and easily
+recognised him, because he wore a glazed cocked hat and a white frock.
+This quarter-master and two midshipmen, Mr. Collingwood and Mr. Pollard,
+were the only persons left in the VICTORY's poop; the two midshipmen
+kept firing at the top, and he supplied them with cartridges. One of the
+Frenchmen, attempting to make his escape down the rigging, was shot by
+Mr. Pollard, and fell on the poop. But the old quarter-master, as he
+cried out, "That's he, that's he," and pointed at the other who was
+coming forward to fire again, received a shot in his mouth, and fell
+dead. Both the midshipmen then fired at the same time, and the fellow
+dropped in the top. When they took possession of the prize, they went
+into the mizzen-top, and found him dead, with one ball through his head,
+and another through his breast.
+
+The REDOUTABLE struck within twenty minutes after the fatal shot had
+been fired from her. During that time she had been twice on fire in her
+fore-chains and in her forecastle. The French, as they had done in
+other battles, made use in this, of fire-balls and other combustibles;
+implements of destruction which other nations, from a sense of honour
+and humanity, have laid aside; which add to the sufferings of the
+wounded, without determining the issue of the combat: which none but the
+cruel would employ, and which never can be successful against the brave.
+Once they succeeded in setting fire, from the REDOUTABLE, to some ropes
+and canvas on the VICTORY's booms. The cry ran through the ship, and
+reached the cockpit; but even this dreadful cry produced no confusion:
+the men displayed that perfect self-possession in danger by which
+English seamen are characterised; they extinguished the flames on board
+their own ship, and then hastened to extinguish them in the enemy, by
+throwing buckets of water from the gangway. When the REDOUTABLE had
+struck, it was not practicable to board her from the VICTORY; for,
+though the two ships touched, the upper works of both fell in so much,
+that there was a great space between their gangways; and she could not
+be boarded from the lower or middle decks because her ports were down.
+Some of our men went to Lieutenant Quilliam, and offered to swim under
+her bows, and get up there; but it was thought unfit to hazard brave
+lives in this manner.
+
+What our men would have done from gallantry, some of the crew of
+the SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD did to save themselves. Unable to stand the
+tremendous fire of the VICTORY, whose larboard guns played against this
+great four-decker, and not knowing how else to escape them, nor where
+else to betake themselves for protection, many of them leaped overboard
+and swam to the VICTORY; and were actually helped up her sides by the
+English during the action. The Spaniards began the battle with less
+vivacity than their unworthy allies, but they continued it with greater
+firmness. The ARGONAUTA and BAHAMA were defended till they had each lost
+about four hundred men; the SAN JUAN NEPOMUCENO lost three hundred
+and fifty. Often as the superiority of British courage has been proved
+against France upon the seas, it was never more conspicuous than in this
+decisive conflict. Five of our ships were engaged muzzle to muzzle with
+five of the French. In all five the Frenchmen lowered their lower-deck
+ports, and deserted their guns; while our men continued deliberately to
+load and fire till they had made the victory secure.
+
+Once, amidst his sufferings, Nelson had expressed a wish that he were
+dead; but immediately the spirit subdued the pains of death, and
+he wished to live a little longer, doubtless that he might hear the
+completion of the victory which he had seen so gloriously begun. That
+consolation, that joy, that triumph, was afforded him. He lived to know
+that the victory was decisive; and the last guns which were fired at
+the flying enemy were heard a minute or two before he expired. The ships
+which were thus flying were four of the enemy's van, all French, under
+Rear-Admiral Dumanoir. They had borne no part in the action; and now,
+when they were seeking safety in flight, they fired not only into the
+VICTORY and ROYAL SOVEREIGN as they passed, but poured their broadsides
+into the Spanish captured ships; and they were seen to back their
+topsails for the purpose of firing with more precision. The indignation
+of the Spaniards at this detestable cruelty from their allies, for
+whom they had fought so bravely, and so profusely bled, may well be
+conceived. It was such that when, two days after the action, seven of
+the ships which had escaped into Cadiz came out in hopes of re-taking
+some of the disabled prizes, the prisoners in the ARGONAUTA, in a body,
+offered their services to the British prize-master, to man the guns
+against any of the French ships, saying, that if a Spanish ship came
+alongside, they would quietly go below; but they requested that they
+might be allowed to fight the French in resentment for the murderous
+usage which they had suffered at their hands. Such was their
+earnestness, and such the implicit confidence which could be placed
+in Spanish honour, that the offer was accepted and they were actually
+stationed at the lower-deck guns. Dumanoir and his squadron were not
+more fortunate than the fleet from whose destruction they fled. They
+fell in with Sir Richard Strachan, who was cruising for the Rochefort
+squadron, and were all taken. In the better days of France, if such
+a crime could then have been committed, it would have received an
+exemplary punishment from the French government. Under Buonaparte it was
+sure of impunity, and perhaps might be thought deserving of reward. But
+if the Spanish court had been independent, it would have become us to
+have delivered Dumanoir and his captains up to Spain, that they might
+have been brought to trial, and hanged in sight of the remains of the
+Spanish fleet.
+
+The total British loss in the battle of Trafalgar amounted to 1587.
+Twenty of the enemy struck; but it was not possible to anchor the fleet,
+as Nelson had enjoined. A gale came on from the S.W., some of the prizes
+went down, some went on shore; one effected its escape into Cadiz;
+others were destroyed; four only were saved, and those by the greatest
+exertions. The wounded Spaniards were sent ashore, an assurance being
+given that they should not serve till regularly exchanged; and the
+Spaniards, with a generous feeling, which would not perhaps have been
+found in any other people, offered the use of their hospitals for our
+wounded, pledging the honour of Spain that they should be carefully
+attended there. When the storm, after the action, drove some of the
+prizes upon the coast, they declared that the English who were thus
+thrown into their hands should not be considered as prisoners of war;
+and the Spanish soldiers gave up their own beds to their shipwrecked
+enemies. The Spanish vice-admiral, Alva, died of his wounds. Villeneuve
+was sent to England, and permitted to return to France. The French
+Government say that he destroyed himself on the way to Paris, dreading
+the consequences of a court-martial; but there is every reason to
+believe that the tyrant, who never acknowledged the loss of the battle
+of Trafalgar, added Villeneuve to the numerous victims of his murderous
+policy.
+
+It is almost superfluous to add, that all the honours which a grateful
+country could bestow were heaped upon the memory of Nelson. His brother
+was made an earl, with a grant of L6000 a year. L10,000 were voted
+to each of his sisters; and L100,000 for the purchase of an estate. A
+public funeral was decreed, and a public monument. Statues and monuments
+also were voted by most of our principal cities. The leaden coffin in
+which he was brought home was cut in pieces, which were distributed as
+relics of Saint Nelson,--so the gunner of the VICTORY called them;
+and when, at his internment, his flag was about to be lowered into the
+grave, the sailors who assisted at the ceremony with one accord rent it
+in pieces, that each might preserve a fragment while he lived.
+
+The death of Nelson was felt in England as something more than a public
+calamity; men started at the intelligence, and turned pale, as if they
+had heard of the loss of a dear friend. An object of our admiration and
+affection, of our pride and of our hopes, was suddenly taken from us;
+and it seemed as if we had never, till then, known how deeply we
+loved and reverenced him. What the country had lost in its great naval
+hero--the greatest of our own, and of all former times--was scarcely
+taken into the account of grief. So perfectly, indeed, had he performed
+his part, that the maritime war, after the battle of Trafalgar, was
+considered at an end: the fleets of the enemy were not merely defeated
+but destroyed; new navies must be built, and a new race of seamen reared
+for them, before the possibility of their invading our shores could
+again be contemplated. It was not, therefore, from any selfish
+reflection upon the magnitude of our loss that we mourned for him: the
+general sorrow was of a higher character. The people of England grieved
+that funeral ceremonies, and public monuments, and posthumous rewards,
+were all which they could now bestow upon him, whom the king, the
+legislature, and the nation would have alike delighted to honour; whom
+every tongue would have blessed; whose presence in every village through
+which he might have passed would have wakened the church bells, have
+given schoolboys a holiday, have drawn children from their sports to
+gaze upon him, and "old men from the chimney corner" to look upon Nelson
+ere they died. The victory of Trafalgar was celebrated, indeed, with the
+usual forms of rejoicing, but they were without joy; for such already
+was the glory of the British navy, through Nelson's surpassing genius,
+that it scarcely seemed to receive any addition from the most signal
+victory that ever was achieved upon the seas: and the destruction of
+this mighty fleet, by which all the maritime schemes of France were
+totally frustrated, hardly appeared to add to our security or strength;
+for, while Nelson was living, to watch the combined squadrons of the
+enemy, we felt ourselves as secure as now, when they were no longer in
+existence.
+
+There was reason to suppose, from the appearances upon opening the body,
+that in the course of nature he might have attained, like his father, to
+a good old age. Yet he cannot be said to have fallen prematurely whose
+work was done; nor ought he to be lamented who died so full of honours,
+at the height of human fame. The most triumphant death is that of the
+martyr; the most awful that of the martyred patriot; the most splendid
+that of the hero in the hour of victory: and if the chariot and horses
+of fire had been vouchsafed for Nelson's translation, he could scarcely
+have departed in a brighter blaze of glory. He has left us, not indeed
+his mantle of inspiration, but a name and an example which are at this
+hour inspiring thousands of the youth of England: a name which is our
+pride, and an example which will continue to be our shield and our
+strength. Thus it is that the spirits of the great and the wise continue
+to live and to act after them; verifying, in this sense, the language of
+the old mythologist:--
+
+
+[The book ends with two lines of ancient Greek by the poet Hesiod. Their
+meaning is approximately that of the final lines above.]
+
+
+[In this text, to keep the character set to the minimum 'vanilla ASCII':
+italics have been converted to capitals, accents etc. have been omitted,
+and the British 'Pound' currency symbol has been written as 'L'. Where
+angles are given in degrees, minutes and seconds; the abbreviations d, m,
+s have been used.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson, by Robert Southey
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