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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.its i*^- Ili i 1

Cliap.._..^... Copy^rigM No.

ShellJ{.A..C> 1.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICSEDITED BY

GEORGE RICE CARPENTER, A.B.,

Professor of Rhetoric and English Composition in Columbia College.

This series is designed for use in secondary schools in accordance

with the system of study recommended and outlined by the National

Committee of Ten, and in direct preparation for the uniform entrance

requirements in English, now adopted by the principal American colleges

and universities.

Each volume contains full Notes, Introductions, Bibliographies,

and other explanatory and illustrative matter. Crown 8vo, cloth.

Books Prescribed for the i8^y Examinations.

FOR READING.

Shakspere's As You Like It. With an introduction by BarrettWendell, A. B., Assistant Professor of English in Harvard Univer-sity, and notes by William Lyon Phelps, Ph.D., Instructor in

English Literature in Yale University.

Defoe's History of the Plague in London. Edited, with intro-

duction and notes, by Professor G. R. Carpenter, of ColumbiaCollege. With Portrait of Defoe.

Irving's Tales of a Traveller. With an introduction by BranderMatthews, Professor of Literature in Columbia College, and ex-

planatory notes by the general editor of the series. With Portrait of

Irving.

George Eliot's Silas Marner. Edited,with introduction and notes,

by Robert Herrick, A.B.. Assistant Professor of Rhetoric in theUniversity of Chicago. With Portrait of George Eliot.

FOR STUDY.

Shakspere's Merchant of Venice. Edited, wit«h introduction andnotes, by Francis B. Gummere, Ph.D., Professor of English in

Haverford College. With Portrait of Shakspere.

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited, withintroduction and notes, by Albert S. Cook, Ph.D., L.H.D.,Professor of the English Language and Literature in Yale University.With Portrait of Burke.

Scott's ^Marmion. Edited, with introduction and notes, by RobertMoRSS LovETT, A.B., Assistant Professor of English in the

University of Chicago. With Portrait of Sir Walter Scott.

Macaulay's Life of Samuel Johnson. Edited, with introduction

and notes, by the Rev. Huber Gray Buehler, of the HotchkissSchool, Lakeville, Conn. With Portrait of Johnson.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLkSSXCS—Continued.

Books Prescribed for the i8g8 Examinations,

FOR READING.

Milton's Paradise Lost. Books I. and II. Edited, with introduc-

tion and notes, by Edward Everett Hale, Jr., Ph.D., Professor

of Rhetoric and Logic in Union College. With Portrait of Milton.

Pope's Homer's Iliad. Books I., VI., XXII., and XXIV. Edited,

with introduction and notes, by William H. Maxwell, A.M.,Superintendent of Public Instruction, Brooklyn, N.Y,, and PercivalChubb, of the Manual Training High School, Brooklyn. WithPortrait of Pope.

The Sir Roger de Coverley Papers, from "The Spectator."

Edited, with introduction and notes, by D. O. S. Lowell, A.M.,English Master in the Roxbury Latin School, Roxbury, Mass. WithPortrait of Addison.

Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield. Edited, with introduction

and notes, by Mary A. Jordan, A.M., Professor of Rhetoric andOld Enghsh in Smith College. With Portrait of Goldsmith.

Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Edited, withintroduction and notes, by Herbert Bates, A.B., Instructor in

English in the University of Nebraska. With Portrait of Coleridge.

Southey's Life of Nelson. Edited, with introduction and notes, byEdwin L. Miller, A.M., of the Englewood High School, Illinois.

With Portrait of Nelson.

Carlyle's Essay on Burns. Edited, with introduction and notes, byWilson Farrand, A.M., Associate Principal of the Newark Acad-emy, Newark, N. J. With Portrait of Burns.

FOR STUDY.

Shakspere's Macbeth. Edited, with introduction and notes, byJohn Matthews Manly, Ph.D., Professor of the English Languagein Brown University. With Portrait of Shakspere.

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited, withintroduction and notes, by Albert S. Cook, Ph.D., L.H.D.,Professor of the English Language and Literature in Yale University.

With Portrait of Burke.

De Quincey's Flight of a Tartar Tribe. Edited, with introduc-

tion and notes, by Charles Sears Baldwin, Ph.D., Instructor in

Rhetoric in Yale University. With Portrait of De Quincey.

Tennyson's The Princess. Edited, with introduction and notes, byGeorge Edward Woodberry, A.B., Professor of Literature in

Columbia College. With Portrait of Tennyson.

*^* See list of the series at end of volume for books prescribedfor

iSgg and igoo.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

EDITED BY

GEORGE RICE CARPENTER, A.B.

PKOFESSOR OP RHETORIC AND ENGLISH COMPOSITION IN COLUMBIA COLLEGE

ROBERT SOUTHEY

THE LIFE OF NELSOE"

LOJSTGMAlSrS' EJN'GLISH CLASSICS

mh full Notes, Introductions, Bibliographies, and other Explanatory andIllustrative Matter. Crown Svo. Cloth.

Shakspere's Merchant of Venice.Edited by Frauds B. Gummere,Ph.D.,Professor of English in HaverfordCollege.

Shakspere's As You Like It. Withan Introduction by Barrett Wendell,A.B,, Assistant Professor of Englishin Harvard University, and Notes byWilliam Lyon Phelps, Ph.D., Instruc-tor in English Literature in YaleUniversity.

Shakspere's A Midsummer Night'sDream. Edited by George PierceBaker, A. B., Assistant Professor ofEnglish in Harvard University.

Shakspere's Macbeth. Edited byJohn Matthews Manly, Ph.D., Pro-fessor of the English Language inBrown University.

Milton's L'Allegro, II Penseboso,CoMus, AND Lycidas. Edited byWilliam P. Trent, A.M., Professor ofEnglish in the University of the South.

Milton's Paradise Lost. Books I.

AND II. Edited by Edward EverettHale, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Rhetoricand Logic in Union College.

Pope's Homer's Iliad. Books I.,

VI., XXII., AND XXIV. Edited byWilliam H. Maxwell, A.M., Ph.D.,Superintendent of Public Instruction,Brooklyn, N. Y., and Percival Chubb,Instructor in English, Manual TrainingHigh School, Brooklyn.

Defoe's History of the Plague inLondon. Edited by Professor G. R.Carpenter, of Columbia College.

The Sir Roger de Coverlet Papers,from "The Spectator." Edited byD, O. S. Lowell, A.M., of the RoxburyLatin School, Roxbury, Mass.

Goldsmith's The Vicar or Wakefield.Edited by Mary A. Jordan, A.M.,Professor of Rhetoric and Old Englishin Smith College.

Burke's Speech on Conciliation withAmerica. Edited by Albert S. Cook,Ph.D., L.H.D., Professor of the Eng-lish Language and Literature in TaleUniversity.

Scott's Woodstock. Edited by BlissPerry, A. M., Professor of Oratoryand jEsthetic Criticism in PrincetonCollege.

Scott's Marmion. Edited by RobertMorss Lovett, A.B., Assistant Pro-fessor of English in the University ofChicago.

Macaulay's Essay on Milton. Editedby James Greenleaf Croswell, A.B.,Head-master of the Brearley School,New York, formerly Assistant Pro-fessor of Greek in Harvard University.

Macaulay's Life of Samuel Johnson.Edited by the Rev. Huber GrayBuehler, of the Hotchkiss School,Lakeville, Conn.

Irving's Tales of a Traveller. Withan Introduction by Brander Matthews,Professor of Literature in ColumbiaCollege, and Explanatory Notes by thegeneral editor of the series.

Webster's First Bunker Hill Ora-tion, together with other Addressesrelating to the Revolution. Edited byFred Newton Scott, Ph.D., JuniorProfessor of Rhetoric in the Universityof Michigan.

Coleridge's The Rime of the AncientMariner. Edited by Herbert Bates,A.B., formerly Instructor m Englishin the University of Nebraska.

Southey's Life OF Nelson. Edited byEdwin L. Miller, A.M., of the Engle-wood High School, Illinois.

Carlyle's Essay on Burks. Editedby Wilson Farrand, A.M., AssociatePrincipal of the Newark Academy,Newark, N. J.

De Quincey's Flight of a TartarTribe (Revolt of the Tartars).Edited by Charles Sears Baldwin,Ph.D., Instructor in Rhetoric in YaleUniversity.

Tennyson's The Princess. Edited byGeorge Edward Woodberry, A.B.,Professor of Literature in ColumbiaCollege.

George Eliot's Silas Marner. Editedby Robert Herrick, A.B., AssistantProfessor of Rhetoric in the Universityof Chicago,

Other YoluTn,es are in Preparation.

ADMIRAL LORD NELSON

(After the painting by John Hoppner)

Congntang* @nglisli Qllasslcs

ROBERT SOUTHEY'S

LIFE OF NELSON

EDITED

WITH NOTES AND AN INTRODUCTION

BY

EDWIN L. MILLER, A.M.

INSTBTJCTOB IN ENGLISH IN THE ENGLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOIi, ILLINOIS

NEW YORKLONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

LONDON AND BOMBAY

1896

THE UBRA&YOV CONGREtS

WASfllNQTON

Copyright, 1896

BTLONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

All rights reserved

Press of J. J. Little & Co.

Aster Place, New York

?i6#

PEEFACE

A GOOD biography is calculated oftentimes to perform

for the young student a service which it would be vain to

expect from any other kind of book. It is the natural

stepping-stone from the lower to the higher realms _ of

literature. Possessing at once the attractiveness of fiction

and the sobriety of fact, it has 'the charm of the novel

combined with the usefulness of the history. It is easy

to read yet valuable to remember. Many a writer has

conceived a noble ideal, cherished throughout years of

earnest and successful toil, owing to a perusal of Trevel-

yan^s " Macaulay.'''' Many a successful scholar has caught

his first impulse from the pages of Franklin^s ^^ Autobi-

ography^^ or BoswelFs ^^Life of Johnson. ^^ Many a manof the world, who has risen high above his fellows, can

trace the inception of the resolve that led him onwardand upward to the inspiration that he drank in from the

old Plutarch with the battered cover. Lives of great menall remind us we can make our lives sublime. To boys

and girls at a certain period of development, therefore,

biography is more useful than any other branch of litera-

ture. And of English biographies, Southey's ^''Life of

Nelson " is probably better fitted than any other to interest,

to instruct, and to inspire the beginner.

In the reading of this book these three objects should

be kept in view ; all others are secondary. The student

should be led to feel that the story is real, human, better

than a bloody and impossible narrative of desperadoes

who never existed, and more interesting than a cheap

pursuit of the vulgar pastimes of the playground. Thedays of Nelson^s glory should be made to live in his

mind's eye. The example of the great sailor should set

his heart on fire with a burning wish, not, perhaps, to

fight and die if need be for his country's glory, but at

least to do what thing soever it may be his duty to do,

vi PREFACE

with such zeal, such enthusiasm, and such determinationas to wrest success, no matter how adverse the circum-stances may be, silence jealousy, and compel admiration.The teacher who is to succeed in this effort, like the

orator of old, will have need of three gifts. The first is

fire ; the second is fire ; and the third is fiee. Theinstructor thus endowed will melt down with little

trouble all the stubborn elements that oppose him. Thebook is so exactly calculated to promote the ends out-

lined that nothing save utter lack of enthusiasm andsympathy can lead to failure.

The text is reproduced, with the exception of one or twopalpable misprints, from the last edition published duringSouthey's lifetime. The punctuation and the capitaliza-

tion have not been modernized, as it has been felt that to

do so would be in some measure to destroy the flavor of

the book.EDvrm L. Miller.

Englewood, III., June, 1896.

CONTENTSIntroduction :

PAGE

I. Robert Southey ix

II. The Life of Nelson xx

Suggestions for Teachers and Students .... xxv

Chronological Table xxxiii

Author's Note 4

Chapter I. Nelson's Birth and Boyhood—He is entered onboard the Raisonnable—Goes to the West Indies in a Mer-chant-ship ; then serves in the Triumph—He sails in CaptainPhipp's Voyage of Discovery—Groes to the East Indies in theSeahorse, and returns in ill Health—Serves as acting Lieu-tenant in the Worcester, and is made Lieutenant into theLowestoffe, Commander into the Badger Brig, and Post intothe Hinchinbrooh—Expedition against the Spanish Main

—

Sent to the North Seas in the Albemarle—Services duringthe American War 5

Chapter II. Nelson goes to France during the peace—Re-ap-pointed to the Boreas, and stationed at the Leeward Islands—His firm conduct concerning the American interlopers andthe contractors—The West Indies—Marries and returns toEngland—Is on the point of quitting the service in disgust

—

Manner of life while unemployed—Appointed to the Aga-memnon on the breaking out of the war of the French Revo-lution 35

Chapter III. The Agamemnon sent to the Mediterranean

—

Commencement of Nelson's acquaintance with Sir W. Ham-ilton—He is sent to Corsica, to co-operate with Paoli—Stateof affairs in that island—Nelson undertakes the siege ofBastia, and reduces it—Takes a distinguished part in thesiege of Calvi, where he loses an eye—Admiral Hotham'saction—The Agamemnon ordered to Grenoa to co-operatewith the Austrian and Sardinian forces—Gross misconductof the Austrian General 54

Chapter IV. Sir J. Jervis takes the command—Genoa Joinsthe French—Buonaparte begins his career—Evacuation ofCorsica—Nelson hoists his broad pendant in the Minerve—

viii CONTENTS

PAGE

Action with the Sabina—Battle off Cape St. Vincent—Nel-son commands the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz—Boat action in the Bay of Cadiz—Expedition againstTeneriffe—Nelson loses an arm—His sufferings in England,and recovery 88

Chapter V. Nelson rejoins Earl St. Vincent in the Vanguard—Sails in pursuit of the French to Egypt—Returns to

Sicily, and sails again to Egypt—Battle of the Nile . .117

Chapter VI. Nelson returns to Naples—State of that Courtand Kingdom^General Mack—The French approach Naples—Flight of the Royal Family—Successes of the Allies inItaly—Transactions in the Bay of Naples—Expulsion of theFrench from the Neapolitan and Roman States—Nelson is

made Duke of Bronte—He leaves the Mediterranean andreturns to England 147

Chapter VII. Nelson separates himself from his wife—NorthernConfederacy—He goes to the Baltic under Sir Hyde Parker—Battle of Copenhagen, and subsequent Negotiation—Nel-son is made a Viscount 193

Chapter VIII, Sir Hyde Parker is recalled, and Nelson ap-pointed Commander—He goes to Revel—Settlement of

Affairs in the Baltic—Unsuccessful Attempt upon the Flo-tilla at Boulogne—Peace of Amiens—Nelson takes theCommand in the Mediterranean on the Renewal of the War—Escape of the Toulon Fleet—Nelson chases them to theWest Indies, and back—Delivers up his Squadron to Ad-miral Cornwallis, and lands in England .... 227

Chapter IX. Sir Robert Calder falls in with the combinedFleets—They form a Junction with the Ferrol Squadron,and get into Cadiz—Nelson is reappointed to the Com-mand—Battle of Trafalgar—Victory, and Death of Nelson. 267

Glossary, and Index to Notes 299

PLANS

Battle of Cape St. Vincent 100

Battle of the Nile 132

Battle of Copenhagen . 208

Battle op Trafalgar 280

INTRODUCTION

I. Egbert Southey.

Robert Southey ^ came into this world a little less

than one month before the first Continental Congress metat Philadelphia. Nelson was then a boy of six and Na-poleon had not reached the age of five. Before Southeywas ten, the Independence of America had been won;before he was sixteen, France was struggling to throw off

the yoke of her ancient kings and laws. At the age of

thirty-one he had witnessed the perversion of the princi-

ples of that inspiring struggle into a justification of all

that is low, bloody, and barbarous; had beheld the conver-

sion of the French Eepublic into a military despotism; hadstood aghast at the amazing conquests of Napoleon; andhad rejoiced in the brilliant victories of Nelson, while sor-

rowing at his untimely fall. Ten years later he was filled

with a fierce exultation at the news of Waterloo. In com-mon with all the literary men of his day he was deeplyinfluenced by these stupendous events. Indeed, it wouldnot be too much to say that the brilliant summer time of

literature which in England followed the close of Napoleon'scareer was in large measure due to the sense of national

security and national supremacy which the downfall of

Napoleon had produced. If to the battle of Trafalgar andthe battle of Waterloo we owe the present conformation of

the map of Europe, we owe to them no less the writings of

Coleridge and A¥ordsworth, Byron and Shelley, Macaulay,Scott, and Carlyle. In an especial degree do we owe to

them also the writings of Robert Southey.Southey was the son of a dreamy and impecunious

linen-draper of Bristol, in which city he was born August

^ Pronounced Sowth-ey or SWi-ey.

X INTRODUCTION

12, 1774. Through the kindness and generosity of anancient aunt of the Betsey Trotwood type, he was sent,

at the age of six, to a school the master of which compen-sated in some measure for his unorthodoxy as to the doc-trine of the Trinity by sound traditional views as to theuses of the cane. At this and other schools he imbibedmuch miscellaneous information, much French radicalism

dangerous for an English boy to possess, a startling liber-

ality of theological opinion, and a superficial knowledge of

the foreign languages in the curriculum; moreover, hewrote prose and verse with great industry and little appar-ent success. He found Oxford, whither he went to finish

his education, infested with men remarkable only for big

wigs and little wisdom. The vulgar riot of college life

had no charms for him; he was bored by lectures andnearly driven into rebellion by examinations; all, he said,

that he learned was a little swimming and a little boat-

ing. He did, indeed, make a few valued friends at Ox-ford, but he entered the place without enthusiasm and left

it without regret. His college years, however, were notfruitless ones. In his independent groping for intellectual

food he chanced upon the works of Epictetus, and the

stoical philosophy of the Greek slave entered into the

fibre of his being and colored all the aims and ideals of

his after career. Nor was his |)en idle. During his resi-

dence at Oxford he wrote a socialistic drama called "WatTyler," and shortly after bidding adieu to his Alma Materhe had an epic poem called "Joan of Arc," in twelvebooks, ready for the publisher.

Neither of these productions, both of which had beeninspired by the French Eevolution, was given at once to

the world. Already Southey 's radicalism was beginningto evaporate. The executions of Marie Antoinette, of

Madame Eoland, and of Brissot, followed hard as they

were by a carnival of butchery, gave fatal shocks to his

enthusiasm. For awhile he thought of organizing a

band of republicans to liberate Greece; for awhile he haddreams of a cottage in America, Financial reasons pre-

vented the realization of either plan. Though hardpressed for money, the strength of his conscience wouldnot, as Emerson's would not, permit him to obtain the

relief which he could have secured at once by taking

INTRODUCTION xi

orders; and the weakness of his nerves prevented himfrom seeking it in a profession which makes familiarity

with the dissecting room imperative. While he was in this

frame of mind there came to visit him one day in 1794 a

young man with a spirit as radical, a mind as fiery, and a

temperament as unpractical as his own. .This was SamuelTaylor Coleridge. He too had already suffered adversity

and written poetry. Between him and Southey a warmfriendship sprang up. Inspired by common aspirations

and common disappointments, they resolved to leave the

old world of rotten thrones and corrupt manners, seek the

young republic beyond the sea, and found on the banksof the Susquehanna a community which was to rest on the

two fundamental principles that all property should be

held in common and that each member should take unto

himself a wife. The second of these requirements waspromptly complied with by both of the projectors of Pan-tisocracy, by which fine word they designated their scheme,

Coleridge shortly afterward marrying an estimable youngwoman called Sara Fricker, and Southey becoming the hus-

band of her sister Edith; but the first, inasmuch as there

was no property to hold in common or otherwise, caused at

first the postponement, and, finally, the abandonment of

the plan. After various ineffectual efforts to raise funds,

it was laid aside; Southey, with a confidence in his ownpowers that is half heroic, in spite of the foolishness of the

transaction, borrowed money to defray the expenses of his

wedding; and directly after the ceremony, at the invitation

of an uncle who was chaplain of the English colony at Lis-

bon, sailed, without his wife, for Portugal, his intention

being to spend a year among strange people in the study of

new customs and foreign idioms.

He was always slow, however, to make new acquaint-

ances, either of men or places; he was naturally impa-tient to be at the side of his young wife; and though heluxuriated in the indolent glory of the southern clime,

and went eagerly to work to make himself familiar with

Portuguese books and babble, as he himself said, his

departure from the South was marked by no feeling of

regret.

In 1796, shortly after his return to England, his poem'* Joan of Arc " was published at Bristol, in an ambitious

xii INTRODUCTION

quarto, by his friend Cottle,^ the same who had lent himmoney to buy his wedding ring. It was praised in the re-

views and bought by the people, the effect on the author

being that he began to have a sort of " Helicon dropsy,"

as he said, and would rather leave off eating than poetizing

—certainly an alarming result. Poetizing, however, did

not produce pence, and the Penates being exacting in their

demands for'

' dues of fire and salt, for the firstlings of

fruits, and for offerings of fine flour," the bard made a

heroic effort to study law. To his own intense delight his

attempt ended in complete failure. Only one means of

support was left—the pen, and to the pen he betook him-self with an energy and an industry that remain unparal-

leled to this day. From this time on literature was his

sole financial resource.

For forty years he toiled at his desk, and his pen fell at

last from his wearied hand only when his tired brain hadceased to think. His punctuality, his precision, and his

energy in the labor of his chosen profession, indeed, havebecome proverbial. He himself has left us the record of it

all in a letter to a friend. " Three pages of history after

breakfast (equivalent to five in small quarto printing);

then to transcribe and copy for the press or to make myselections and biographies, or what else suits my humortill dinner-time; from dinner till tea I read, write letters,

see the newspaper. . . . After tea I go to poetry, andcorrect, and rewrite, and copy till I am tired." Fearful,

indeed, is the tribute of nerves and brain tissue whichApollo exacts from those who seek to win bread by the

pen; unremitting in a unique degree the slavish toil; andever imminent the danger of collapse physical or mental.

Of all this Southey was acutely conscious. As he couldnot afford to rest, his method of guarding against break-down was to have a variety of work always on hand.''You wonder," he wrote to Landor, "that I can thinkof two poems at once. It proceeds from weakness, not

' Byron paid his respects to this estimable gentleman, who some-times wooed the Muses himself, immortalizing him by one line inEnglish Bards and Scotch Reviewers

:

" O Amos Cottle ! Phoebus, what a name I

"

Once, he said, Cottle was a seller of books he did not write, andnow a writer of books he does not sell.

INTRODUCTION . xiii

from strength. I could not stand the continuous excite-

ment which you have gone through in your tragedy." Inspite of all his precautions, however, he found himself

threatened, after three years of this life, with completeprostration. Change seemed absolutely necessary; his

uncle invited him again to Lisbon; a friend gave him £100;and in April, 1800, he was once more on his way to Por-

tugal.

Complete restoration to health, a more thorough knowl-edge of Portuguese books, and a vast collection of mate-rials for a history of that country were the immediateresults of this vacation. On his return to England in

1801, a letter from Coleridge enticed him to Greta Hall,

Keswick (pronounced "Kessick"); and there, two years

later, among the misty hills, the picturesque little lakes, andthe foaming waterfalls of the charming region that JamesRussell Lowell in later years rechristened " Wordsworth

-

shire," he took up an abode, which he never quitted till

his death in 1843,During all that period he led a quiet, virtuous, and, in

the main, uneventful life of literary toil. Here his chil-

dren were born, and here, also, some of them died. Herehis books were written and here corrected. Hither, too,

came distinguished friends—Wordsworth, Shelley with his

mystical skepticism, William Taylor, full of Germany andthe Germans, Lamb and his puns, and Landor on fire withenthusiastic admiration for the sterling manhood of the

host. Honors were not denied to him. He was madepoet-laureate; he was elected a member of Parliament ; a

baronetcy was offered to him; pensions, liberal if not mu-nificent, rewarded his industrious toil. But it was chiefly

in his family and in his books that Southey sought for

happiness and found it. His devotion to the former is

perhaps the most engaging trait of his character. Whena daughter, " an Edithling," as he called her, '' very, veryugly, with no more beauty than a young dodo, '

' was bornto him in 1804, he was beside himself with joy. A fewyears later he resolved to abandon a journey to Spainwhich he had planned, for the reason that it meant that hemust forego a year's love of his wife and child. With the

sentiment of Wordsworth's " We Are Seven," he seems to

have been quite in sympathy. Writing in 1809, he said.

xiv INTRODUCTION

" I have five cliildren, three of them at home^ and twounder my mother's care in heaven." His fine lines onlove^ in tlie "Curse of Kehama/'^ are well known, andnobody who has read his biography can doubt that every

word was written from his heart.

His other passion, a passion equally mastering, wascentred upon his books. Books alone were able to betray

him into imprudent expenditure of hard-earned coins;

books alone, when the custom-house fees loomed large

before him, tempted him to evade the laws of the realm.

His collection gradually reached the grand total of four-

teen thousand volumes. Their preservation and arrange-

ment were a source of constant joy and constant care to

him. He learned the mysteries of the binder's art andtaught them to his daughters. One room was called Paul,

because Peter, the organ-room, had been robbed to furnish

it with books. He read, made excerpts, and classified the

knowledge thus acquired with incredible speed. If reduced

to twelve books, he declared that he w^ould elect to retain

Shakespeare, Chaucer, S^Dcnser, and Milton ; Jackson,

Jeremy Taylor, and South; Isaac A¥alton, Sidney's "Arca-dia," Fuller's " Church History," and Sir Thomas Browne.He was perpetually afraid that somebody would injure his

beloved volumes ; especially did he tremble at the approachof Wordsworth. " Letting him into one's library is," hesaid, "like letting a bear into a tulip garden." Rogerssaid that Southey Avas never happy except when reading a

book or making one. Coleridge declared that he could

not think of Southey without seeing him either using or

mending a pen. He himself, in some lines of touching andsingular beauty,^ has left us a record of how completely his

^ Beginning,

" They sin who tell lis Love can die,

With life all other passions fly,

All others are but vanity."

Beginning,

My days among the Dead are passed,

Around me I beholdWhere'er these casual eyes are cast,

The mighty minds of old;

My never failing friends are they,

With whom I converse day by day."

INTRODUCTION XV

daily thoughts and hopes and fears were bound up with his

books.

This unstinted devotion to books was not without its

drawbacks. It was said that he gave so much time to theminds of other men that he never had time to look into

his own. The charge is, in part, well founded. While heleft one hundred printed volumes and one hundred and fifty

book reviews, he bequeathed little that after generationshave not willingly let die. Most of his prose is little morethan a sublimated sort of compilation ; most of his poetryis far easier to admire than to enjoy.

From this defect one section of his verse may be pro-nounced comparatively free. Many of his short poemsare models of clear and graceful narration and easy ver-

sification. Some of them overflow with rollicking goodhumor; others are imbued with a pathos that is irresistibly

touching. He himself despised and condemned these

waifs and satyrs. A candid critic must insist, however,that his longer poems are not his happiest efforts. Theinscription which he wrote for his wife's coifee-pot, for

instance, is a bit of humorous pleasantry that will neverlose its point or its fun. Macaulay said that in all South-ey's attempts to be witty, he never succeeded in beinganything except quaintly and flippantly dull, certainly a

cruel charge, and a charge which may be refuted by the

laureate's lines on his serene highness, Auld Cloots, or bythe "March to Moscow." Southey, indeed, issued his

first volume of short poems with the motto, " ^N'os haecnovimus nihil," but posterity has reversed his decision.

Who does not know '

' Mary the Maid of the Inn, " " BishopBruno," "Bishop Hatto," who was eaten by the rats,

"Blenheim," and that admirable waterfall "Lodore,"where the waters still come down as of yore, in full view of

Southey's Keswick home, in the same charmingly jumbledeagerness which they exhibit in his verse ? On the other

hand, who now reads " Thalaba," that wild and wondroussong, or " Kehama," or " Madoc," or " Eoderick, the Lastof the Goths," which Byron thought the first poem of the

time ? The simple truth is, that, while Southey's longer

poems do mark the new birth of English narrative verse,

while they contain splendid description, noble and effect-

ive versification, abundant vigor and abundant fire, they

XYi INTRODUCTION

are fatally defective in one of the two fundamental requi-

sites of literature. It is tlie purpose of literature^ to unite

into an organic unity a spiritual conception and a material

form^ to solemnize the nuptials of the finite and the infin-

ite^ to embody what may be in terms of what is. Unlessliterature does this, there is no justification for its exist-

ence. In " Thalaba " and *^ Madoc/' and the " Curse of

Kehama " there is an abundance of the spiritual, the in-

finite, the may-be; but the is, the finite, the material are

wanting. They are like the giant whose strength vanished

when his feet were lifted from the earth. One touch of

Nature makes the whole world kin; unfortunately, in

Southey's longer poems, that touch is too often absent.

Of the verses which his official duties as laureate led himto write, the less that is said perhaps the better. He him-self described the yearly process of manufacturing stanzas

for New Year's as an ode-ous job. Two of his most fortu-

nate poems, however, were written in his official capacity

—the tender lines on the " Death of the Princess Char-lotte," and the noble burst of righteous wrath composedduring the negotiations with Napoleon in 1814. These,

however, were more than counterbalanced by the enormousfailure of the '' Vision of Judgment," a sort of apothe-

osis of the poor old crazy King, George III., which wasgreeted from all quarters with derisive comment, and paro-

died, with most admirable success, by the wicked andwitty Byron.

Southey's relations with Byron form, indeed, one of

the most readable chapters in his history. In " EnglishBards and Scotch Eeviewers," Byron had mischievously

remarked that "Thalaba" would be read when Homerand Virgil were forgotten, but—not till then ; had declared

that startled metre had fled before " Thalaba's " face; andhad ended his tirade against Southey with the pious ejac-

ulation, '^ God help thee, Southey, and thy readers, too!"

Later, however, they met amicably in London, throughthe intervention of Eogers. Byron was much pleased Avith

what he called Southey's "epic appearance." " To havehis head and shoulders, I would," he said, "almost havewritten his ' Sapphics. '

" He wrote in his diary: " South-

ey's talents are of the first order. His prose is perfect.

He has probably written too much of poetry for the present

INTRODUCTION xvii

generation; posterity will probably select; but he has pas-

sages equal to anything." However^ when he was aboutto give " Don Juan/' a strange compound of ribaldry andbeauty^ of wit and blasphemy, to the world, Byron, whodearly loved to shock people, saw and took the opportunityto do so by dedicating the offspring of his disreputable

Pegasus to Southey, who was the very personification of

propriety. The lines are familiar and droll ; they begin

:

"Bob Southey! You're a poet—Poet-laureate,

And representative of all the race,

Although 't is true that you turn'd out a Tory at

Last,—yours has lately been a common case ;"

and they angered Southey, who, in the preface to the

'^Vision of Judgment," written shortly after, said thatthe writings of the noble lord savored of Moloch and Belial

—most of all, of Satan; and referred to him as one of

those " men of diseased hearts and depraved imaginations,who, forming a system of opinions to suit their own un-happy course of conduct, have rebelled against the holiest

ordinances of human society; and, hating that revealed

religion which, with all their efforts and bravadoes, theyare unable entirely to disbelieve, labor to make others as

miserable as themselves, by infecting them with a moralvirus that eats into the soul." Byron's revenge was, as

has been hinted, an ample one; contemporaries are gener-ally ready to laugh with a wit, especially when he is laugh-ing at a saint, and they laughed immoderately with Byronat Southey; posterity may still smile, but it is forced to

acknowledge that Southey, in spite of his vehemence, wasmainly in the right, and Byron, in spite of his wit, mainlyin the wrong.The change in Southey's religion and politics alluded

to in the dedication to "Don Juan" laid him o]oen to

many bitter attacks as long as he lived, and has puzzledhis later critics not a little. In reality, there is nothingeither dishonourable or surprising in the transformationwhich his opinions underwent. Hundreds of cases mightbe cited of hot-headed and warm-hearted boys who haveheld opinions which in their after years they completelydisavowed; and Southey in his iconoclastic Oxford dayswas only a boy. Praed turned Tory. Macaulay turned

xviii INTRODUCTION-

Whig. Mr. Gladstone changed from Toryism to Liberal-

ism. A man is not bound by any moral obligation to be-

lieve in a thing after it is proved false. Southey himself

put the matter succinctly. Speaking in 1809 of the stead-

fast friends of France^ he said: "They had turned their

faces toward the east in the morning to worship the rising

sun^ and in the evening they were looking eastward, obsti-

nately affirming that the sun was still there." He, on thecontrary, altered his position as the world went round.To the last, however, he was the champion of grand

schemes for reform, and a dreamer of socialistic visions

which show that the fire which ins|)ired " Wat Tyler " still

smouldered in his breast. Those visions, or such of themas are embodied in the

'

' Colloquies on Society,'

' Macaulaydissected with much acumen and justice in one of his brill-

iant reviews, which is to be found in the first volume of

his collected essays, and which thoroughly deserves a pe-

rusal by every student of Southey. His other prose works,excepting always the " Life of J^elson," may be briefly dis-

missed. Their manner is, as Byron said, perfect. "Wefind," wrote Macaulay, "so great a charm in Mr. South-ey's style that, even when he writes nonsense, we generally

read it with pleasure. " " The only way to write like him is

to write well," is the verdict of a recent critic. But he wasunfortunate in his choice of subjects. Brazil and Portugaldid not interest the public. His "History of the Penin-sular War '

' was overshadowed by that of the eye-witness

Napier. Success in handling such a subject as he under-took to treat in his " Book of the Church " required great

critical powers, and great critical powers he did not possess.

With the lives of Cowper and Wesley, however, he suc-

ceeded passably; with that of ISTelson, transcendently.

Though it was not till 1834 that Southey was providedwith a year's expenditure ahead, his ceaseless industrybrought its reward at last, and it is pleasant to record the

fact that, beside his books, he was able to leave an estate

of £12,000. Competence would have come sooner to onewhose heart was less kindly than his; but he seldomresisted or cared to resist the call of a fellow-mortal for

aid. Among others who bore grateful testimony to his

kindly efforts in their behalf were Chatterton's sister,

Kirke White, Herbert Knowles, and Charlotte Bronte.

INTRODUCTION xix

Of Sonthey's personal appearance Carlyle has left us

some interesting memories. Speaking of one of his inter-

views with him^, he says: " I recollect nothing more of it,

except my astonishment when Southey at last completely

rose from his chair to shake hands. He had only half risen

and nodded on my coming in ; and all along I had countedhim a lean little man; but now he shot suddenly aloft into

a lean tall one, in shape and stature like a pair of tongs."

He records also the blush of the laureate—an " amiable red

blush, beautiful like a young girl's, when you touchedgenially the pleasant theme, and serpent-like flash of blue

or black blush (this far, very far, the rarer kind, though it

did recur too) when you struck upon the opposite.'

'

The sensibility which caused the blush thus noticed

by Carlyle ultimately led to the complete extinction of

Southey's faculties. In 1834 his wife became insane. In1835 she died. From the moment that she ceased to

breathe, Southey's mind began to fail. The first evidence

of this which he gave publicly was the contraction of a

marriage with a certain Miss Bowles, '^ given," as Carlyle

grimly tells us, "to scribbling, with its affectations, its

sentimentalities, and perhaps twenty years younger thanhe," who "had heroically volunteered to marry him, for

the purpose of consoling, etc., to which he heroically hadassented. " The dismal expedient succeeded no better thanwas to be expected; quarrels arose between wife anddaughters; the poet's mind grew daily weaker; and, in

1840, when Wordsworth went over to G-reta Hall, his old

friend did not recognize him till he was told. " Then,"his visitor tells us, "his eyes flashed for a moment withtheir former brightness, but he sank into the state in whichI had found him, patting with both hands his books affec-

tionately like a child." In this state he lingered for three

years, his mind growing gradually darker, until his death,

in March, 1843.

It would be easy to pick little flaws in Southey's char-

acter. He was womanish, quick to anger, keen rather

than deej), and as eager and egotistical as a child about his

own productions. But when these deductions have beenmade, there is nothing more to be said against him. Thestudy of his life is really more inspiring than the study of

his works. Piety; gentle, deep affection; reverence for

XX INTRODUCTION

God and man; a kind, sincere, and courteous manner; abso-

lute'

' reliability; '

'—these are the words which the severest

of critics—Coleridge and Oarlyle—use to characterize him.Sara Coleridge, who was intimately acquainted with Words-worth, was wont to declare emphatically that Southey was,

upon the whole, the best man she ever knew. Nobody, it

was said, could quarrel with him face to face. All of his

friends were in a pre-eminent degree good men. A con-

science clear of offence, the constantly recurring enjoy-

ments from his honorable industry, and the gratification

of his parental affection secured for him, said De Quincey,

a golden equanimity. Coleridge compared him to MarcusCato. But he was Marcus Cato without the grimness.

*'Take him for all in all," Henry Taylor writes,—"his

ardent and genial piety, his moral strength, the magni-tude and variety of his powers, the field which he covered

in literature, and the beauty of his life,—it may be said of

him justly, and with no straining of the truth, that of all

his contemporaries he was the greatest mak. '

'

11. The "Life of Nelsok."

How the " Life of Nelson " came to be written is told in

the eighteenth chapter of Southey 's " Life and Correspond-ence '

' :

" This, which was perhaps upon the whole the most popular of

any of my father's works, originated in an article in the fifth

number of the (Quarterly Review (February, 1810), which was en-

larged at Murray's request. My father received altogether £300for it—£100 for the Review ; £100 when the Life was enlarged

;

and £100 when it was published in the Family Library."

On February 1, 1813, Southey made the following entry

in his diary

:

''The 'Life of Nelson' was completed this morning. This is

a subject which I should never have dreamt of touching, if it hadnot been thrust upon me. I have walked among sea-terms as

carefully as a cat does among crockery ; but if I have succeededin making the narrative continuous and clear—the very reverse of

what it is in the lives before me—the materials are in themselves

INTRODUCTION xxi

so full of character, so picturesque and so sublime, that it cannotfail of being a good book." ^

Of the narratives thus referred to, the chief was the''Life of Nelson" by Clarke and M'Arthur, from whichSouthey drew most of his materials, even going so far in

many instances as to copy whole passages almost word for

word. From the desire on Southey's part to finish thework quickly, to which this wholesale appropriation of ma-terial points, arose doubtless the only serious defects of thebook—an occasional ambiguity and an occasional use of

technical terms which is out of place in a narrative intendedprimarily for the general reader.

The general reader, however, was pleased with Southey'slittle book, and bought up edition after edition with avid-

ity. It became equally the darling of the sailor and of

the schoolboy. A special edition was published by theAmerican government, and a copy issued to every seamanand every officer in the American navy. The greatest of

British reviewers summed up its merits in enthusiastic

^ The book was dedicated to John Wilson Croker (1780-1850), whowas a warm personal friend of Southey's, and famous for his connec-tion with the Quarterly Review. He was one of the best haters thatEnglish literature has produced. Political and literary reformerswere his pet aversion. He wrote the article which was long believedto have killed Keats, whom he called a copyist of Leigh Hunt,"more unintelligible, almost as rugged, twice as diffuse, and tentimes more tiresome and absurd than his prototype. " To this Byronrefers in. the familiar epigram

:

" Who kiird John Keats ?' I,' says the Quarterly,So savage and tartarly,

' 'Twas one of my feats,'"

Croker's favorite pastime consisted in exposing minute inaccura-cies in the statements of his contemporaries; but he was treated to ataste of his own dish when he published his edition of Boswell's Lifeof Johnson, which was reviewed by Macaulay in his most slashingstyle. He endeavored to revenge himself on the great essayist whenthe latter's History of England appeared, but, as Rogers said," attempted murder, but only committed suicide." Macaulay is saidto have remarked that he hated Croker worse than cold boiled veal.

Among Croker's other literary enmities were Madame d'Arblay (see

Macaulay's essay), Moore, and Disraeli. The last satirized him asRigby in his novel of Coningsby. Croker wrote a volume of poemscalled Songs of Trafalgar, and served as Secretary to the Admiraltyfor twenty-two years.

xxii INTRODUCTION

eulogy. It was in the Edinhurgli Revieiu for January,

1830^ that Macaulay wrote:

"No writer, perhaps, ever lived whose talents so precisely

quaUlied. him to write the history of the great naval warrior.

There were no fine riddles of the human heart to read, no theories

to propound, no hidden causes to develop, no remote consequences

to predict. The character of the hero lay on the surface. Theexploits were brilliant and picturesque. The necessity of adher-

ing to the real course of events saved Mr. Southey from those

faults which deform the original plan of almost every one of his

poems, and which his innumerable beauties of detail scarcely re-

deem. The subject did not require the exercise of those reason-

ing powers, the want of which is the blemish of his prose. It

would not be easy to find, in all literary history, an instance of a

more exact hit between wind and water."

Posterity has not reversed the dictum of Macaulay.

Specialists in nautical matters have indeed transferred

their allegiance to Sir Harris Nicolas, Captain Mahan, andJames's " Naval History; " the men who love to pry into

the dark places in human history have found more congen-

ial matter in Pettigrew and Jeafferson; and the general

reader has turned with pleasure to the picturesque pages of

Mr. Clark Russell and the scholarly and acute work of Pro-

fessor Laughton. These books enjoy a temporary advan-

tage because they embody the results of researches made in

recent years, but it can be only temporary. A few notes

suffice to make Southey equal to them in accuracy; nothing

can make them equal him in literary quality; and it is liter-

ary quality, and that alone, which makes a book live after

the generation in which it was produced has passed away.

Southey's "Life of Nelson " has stood this test for morethan fourscore years; it is already one of our classics, andone of our classics it seems destined to remain.

It remains to be said that there is a right way and a

wrong way to read this book, as, indeed, there is to read

any book whatsoever. It may be perused with a passive andmerely receptive mind, or with an active and discriminat-

ing one. The first process, it is almost needless to say,

will afford little pleasure, and less profit. The second will

make possible, and even necessary, in connection with

almost every paragraph, a stimulating, rational, and de-

lightful exercise of the judgment and the imagination.

INTRODUCTION xxiii

To the student who turns the following pages with amind alive and active, two questions will continually pre-

sent themselves and will have continually to be answered.Is it not possible or even probable that the views expressedby Southey are somewhat colored and distorted by his pa-triotism as an Englishman ? Is it not likely that, notbeing ourselves English, we shall fail, unless we keep thepoint constantly in mind, to appreciate to the full theheroic element in Nelson's career and the place which hemust hold in English hearts ?

Southey's remarks concerning our own war of independ-ence (p. 38) will serve, for instance, to put the studenton his guard when Southey condemns the French and Ital-

ians in unsparing terms, vilifies Napoleon, and speaks of

John Bull in words which imply, if they do not expressly

declare, that he can do no wrong. A perusal of Oarlyle's" French Revolution " or Abbott's " Napoleon " will showhim that there is another side to the picture that Southeypaints. He must not, however, hasten to condemn ourauthor as partial and unreliable. He should seek rather to

put himself in the writer's place, divine his thoughts, feel

as he felt, and by such means better understand his pointof view and account for his natural prejudices.

In this effort he will be powerfully assisted if he will

avail himself of the analogies afforded by American his-

tory. For Southey's unscrupulous French and degenerateItalians, let him substitute the British who burned thecapitol at Washington, and the Spaniards who are oppress-

ing Cuba; on Napoleon's throne of infamy let him set

Benedict Arnold, and for the sturdy self-respect of JohnBull let him substitute, in imagination, the no less sturdy,

and to us more familiar, self-respect of Uncle Sam.A similar process of comparison will enable the Ameri-

can student to understand how near and how dear the mem-ory of Nelson must be to every British heart. There are

scores of American seamen the mention of whose namesawakens a responsive thrill in the bosoms of their country-men. John Paul Jones and Decatur, Porter and Law-rence, Bainbridge and Hull, M'Donough, Stewart andPerry, are magic words to us. One of them won a repu-

tation for deeds of romantic daring; one of them died

nobly in the hour of a defeat that was no disgrace ; another

xxiv INTRODUCTION

was captured by a force thrice his own after a bloodystruggle; all were as brave as any men who ever stood

upon a quarter deck. For these reasons we honor their

names ; we cherish their memories ; we love to read of their

deeds; we are proud to be able to say: "These men are

countrymen of ours." Candor^ however, compels us to

admit that, great as they were, when placed side by side

with such a vast figure as that of Nelson, they seem small

indeed, and insignificant. In his first campaign he engagedin more actions and captured more men, guns, and ships

than any one of these great American seamen in his wholecareer. The importance of the prizes which he took in

the battle of the Nile alone was in excess of that of all

the warships captured by us from the British in the entire

war of 1812. Universal history affords no example of a

naval hero who equalled him in energy, in picturesque-

ness, and in brilliancy of achievement. But, tremendousas is the affection which these qualities secure and mustcontinue to secure for him, his hold upon the British heart

is based upon a deeper feeling still. To him England is

indebted not merely for a heroic name to adorn her rolls

of greatness but for her very existence as a Europeanpower. Had he not lived and fought and died no Englishfireside would be what it is to-day. For England he did

as much as Washington or Lincoln did for us. EveryEnglishman must realize that without his services his

country could not have been protected against the fury andthe ambition of Napoleon. Had it not been for Trafalgar,

Waterloo might never have been fought; the British em-pire in India might not exist; one half of Europe mightto-day be French and the other Eussian; and England,instead of owning an empire on which the sun never sets,

and ranking second to none of the powers, might occupya position somewhat inferior to that of Austria, and per-

haps a trifle more important than that of Holland.

SUGGESTIONS FOE TEACHEES ANDSTUDENTS

The following is a list of the best and most available

books on Nelson

:

Clark and M'Artlinr: Life of Nelson. 2 vols. 1809.

No longer regarded as anthority.—Hamilton, Lady: Mem-oirs. Anonymous. 1815. Abused (and used) by mostwriters on Nelson. Proved true in the main by otherbooks.—Hamilton : Nelson Papers. 2 vols. 1894. Printedfor private distribution.—Harrison: Life of Nelson. 1806.

Laughton calls it "a pack of lies." Mr. Clark Russellcharacterizes it as *^a romantic view of the hero from aDelia-Cruscan or Rosa-Matilda standpoint, a book inspired

by the bad taste and flighty imagination of Lady Hamil-ton."—James: Naval History. 6 vols. The standardauthority on English naval history for the period after

1793.—Jeafferson : Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson.1888. The Queen of Naples and Lord Nelson. 1889.

Engagingly written works on Nelson's private life.

—

Laughton: Nelson. English Men of Action. 1895. Athoroughly digested resume of Nelson's career, up to date.

—Captain Mahan : The Influence of Sea Power upon theFrench Revolution and Empire. 2 vols. 1892. Anadmirable work by a distinguished authority on naval his-

tory. The best book on the subject.—Nicolas: Dispatchesand Letters of Lord Nelson. 7 vols. 1844-46. Thestorehouse of facts concerning Nelson.—Pettigrew: Mem-oirs of the Life of Nelson. 2 vols. 1849. Containsmuch concerning Lady Hamilton.—Robinson: The British

Fleet. Information concerning the organization, history,

customs, personnel, ships, etc., of the British Navy.

—

Russell : Nelson. Heroes of the Nation Series. 1890. Apicturesque book, full of anecdotes and interesting infor-

mation.

xxvi SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

AYitli regard to Sontliey, consult the following books,

the best authorities likely to be in the reach of pupils in the

United States:

Allibone: Dictionary of British and American Authors,Yol. iii. A com|)lete bibliography and some critical matter.

—Bartlett: Familiar Quotations.—Bryant: Library of Po-etry and Song. Selections from Southey's poems.

—

Byron: Poems. Consult index.—Carlyle: Reminiscences,

p. 321.—Chambers: Encyclopasdia of English Literature,

vol. ii., p. 81. Well written critique and biography. Selec-

tions.—Dowden: Life of Southey. English Men of Let-

ters. A fascinating biography.—Macaulay: Essays, vol. i.

Southey's Colloquies on Society Reviewed. Eull of keenand brilliant analysis and noble rhetoric.—Russell, W.Clark: Book of Authors, p. 396. An interesting collec-

tion of the things said by great people about Southey.

—

Taine: English Literature. Consult index. Southey'srespectability as viewed by a Frenchman.—Ward: EnglishPoets, vol. iv., p. 155. The latest criticism. Selections

from Southey's poems.—Welsh: Develo|)ment of EnglishLanguage and Literature, vol. ii., j), 274. Brief criticism.

—Southey's "Commonplace-Book," edited by his son-in-

law, John Wood Warter, was published in 1849, and his

"Life and Correspondence," edited by his son, the Rev.Charles Cuthbert Southey, in 1850.

The amount of time which, in most schools, can bedevoted to the " Life of Nelson," will probably not exceedhalf a term. If so much ground is to be covered in sacli

a limited time with any appreciable gain, there is obviously

need of a caref ally planned and j)rearranged series of exer-

cises. The following suggestions are offered to teachers:

1. Organize the class at the outset into a literary club,

with officers, programme, committees, etc. This will

arouse the sense of individual responsibility, and give the

exercise life. Take yourself the office of critic. Let the

dominating |)rinci23le of the organization be the idea that

a liberal education can be secured from one book, if the

student is willing to follow out to the end every line of

thought and investigation which it suggests.

2, Take one chapter of the book for each recitation.

Let it be read at home one recitation in advance of the

class, and require a written synopsis from each pupil. Let

SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS xxvii

this be primarily an exercise in that sort of judgmentwhich is needed to seize and connect the salient points of anarrative, rejecting uninteresting and trivial details. Letit, above all, be brief

—

non multa sed multum. Supple-ment this work, and test the knowledge of the pupil con-tinually, by asking oral questions on the subject matter.

3. Insist that every word written be regarded as a partof the work in composition.

4. Refuse to receive papers defective in spelling, punctu-ation, capitalization, and neatness.

5. Encourage absolute freedom of thought and expres-

sion—always by example, never by precept. Rememberthat an ounce of praise is worth a pound of blame. Thegreat Nelson always declared that his officers and men werethe noblest set of fellows in the world.

6. Do not make the mistake of confining your attentionto three or four pupils at each recitation. No blunder is

commoner, and none is more exactly calculated to put aclass to sleep. Ask a great number of short, sharp ques-tions, calling upon each member of the class several times.

7. Divide the recitation as follows: First, ten minutes'quiz on the chapter assigned for the day; second, a pro-gramme of twenty minutes on topics suggested by the text;

last, a lecture of thirty minutes on the chapter for theensuing recitation. A liberal portion of the last should bedevoted to assigning the work in such definite form that

the student will not waste time or effort. One or twospecific things to be done may and should be based on eachpage. For example, " You are to answer this question bya quotation from the text; you will rewrite this sentence,the purpose being to convey the same idea in fewer andbetter words; you will select either a title or a motto for

the chapter; you will bring to the class a sentence care-

fully framed and embodying some bit of criticism on thetext."

8. Make use of all the methods of stimulating interest

that are within your reach. Get the doctor's children to

consult their father about Nelson's maladies, and the law-

yer's to go to theirs for information concerning the navi-

gation laws.

9. A few subjects suitable for the programmes suggestedwill be found scattered throughout the notes. Others,

xxviii SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

which it is hoped will suggest many more, are subjoined

:

The Nelson Touch. See page 274.—At what moment of

his life was ISTelson most to be envied ?—The Battle of theNile. (A description to be written from memory andafterwards compared vv^ith Southey's.)—Which do you pre-

fer as a battle painter—Southey or Clark Russell ?—If

you were about to paint a group of the characters in thebook, how would you arrange them ?—The names of thevessels mentioned in this book.—The physical characteris-

tics of men of genius.—Why are the English superior to

the French on the sea ?—Manners and conversation of great

men.—Are great men modest?—Why was Nelson longneglected by the Admiralty ?—Assassination as a political

power.—Theodore of Westphalia: a romance.—Military

organization as shown by military titles.—Nelson's egotism.

—Genius and titles of nobility.—Frigates and ships of the

line.—Nelson in Poetry.

10. Above all, avoid idle and aimless discussions aboutthings in general. Don't be afraid of earthy facts.

11. Before the book is begun, require each member of

the class to read in some short history of England the

story of the period from 1758 through 1805. Gardiner's

and Green's are the best. One of these and Duruy's*' History of France " should be kept for constant reference.

The preceding list of subjects for study and compositionwill indicate the editor's conception of the teacher's best

course in this respect. But the question is a puzzling one.

Two stumbling blocks seem to stand perpetually in the

way of the average pupil who would learn to write his

mother tongue with perspicuity and force. He finds little

to say and is at a loss how to say that little effectively.

The best efforts of many able teachers have long beendirected to the solution of the problems to which these

difficulties have given rise, with results which are not alto-

gether satisfactory.

The most definite progress made thus far has been in

the direction of removing the difficulty first alluded to.

This has been done by making a special effort to furnish

the student with something to say. Two methods of secur-

ing this result have met with wide approval. In somecases material has been drawn from the pupil's own obser-

vation of men and things; in others it has been obtained

SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS xxix

from books. Both plans have been prodnctiye of great

and lasting good, but each has brought with it certain evils.

In cases where pujDils have drawn their subjects for compo-sitions from what we may, for want of a better term, call

"life,"^ it has proved generally to be the case that, while

they found something to say, they were apt to make little

or no progress in the art of saying it effectively. Therewas a more serious fault still. The process did not lead

them out of their own narrow round of commonplace ideals

and aspirations. The practice of drawing subjects fromliterature has resulted in evils equally serious and moregenerally apparent. It is inimical to originality of thoughtand language. The pupil's writing is usually unsatisfac-

tory in one of two ways. If he has endeavored to thinkfor himself, his criticisms are painfully inadequate in ex-

pression. If he has taken his ideas from books, and tried to

put them into his own words, he has merely turned goodEnglish into English which, if not bad, is pretty sure to beinferior. Both results, it is scarcely necessary to add, are

comparatively fruitless and essentially disheartening.

Modern pedagogy has devised in connection with the

teaching of foreign languages the now widely recognizedprinciple of basing work in composition upon the text of

some author whose writing has been read and discussed.

In this way propriety of diction is secured, a high ideal of

thought cultivated, and the learner led to |)lace his hand,as it were, upon the very pulse of the living genius of the

language in its noblest forms. The same principle maybe applied, and applied with even more gratifying results,

to work in English composition.

To discuss thoroughly the detailed application of this

principle to actual classroom work would require a volume.A few suggestions are all that can be offered here.

Of course there are many English classics the style andspirit of which it would be folly to ask a class to imitate.

It would be a waste of time to set ordinary girls and boysto work upon effusions in the style of Spenser, or Milton,

or Shakspere. Abundant inspiration will be found, hoAv-

ever, in Chaucer and Pope, Bacon and Addison, Haw-thorne, Irving, and Macaulay. The method of procedurecan be illustrated by the last named author's review of

Kobert Montgomery's poems. First, this will be read and

XXX SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

commented on in class. Particular attention will be paidthroughout to the purity, the clearness, and the vigor of

the English, to the exquisite skill with which transition

from sentence to sentence and from paragraph to paragraphis managed, to the masterly alternation of long and short

groups of words, and above all to the manly directness of

the style. As soon as the reading of the review is finished,

the class is to be required to write a similar review of theworst book of poems that ingenuity can unearth and moneycan buy. Finally, the teacher will correct the papers,

referring the class to Macaulay first and the rhetoric

afterwards in the marginal notes in which he points outmistakes and makes suggestions.

It may be objected that the youthful critic will contract

many of the vices of Macaulay 's style as well as some of its

virtues. This is more than probable; but it may be con-

tended that it is better to have a faulty style than no style

at all. However, the danger from this source can be muchexaggerated. Of course any pupil by imitating one writer

to the exclusion of all others, could in a short time contract

a most objectionable style. But this plan contemplatesno such adherence to one man's manner. The influence

of many styles, of different opportunities for observation,

and of varying hereditary influences will, in the case of

each student, produce a characteristic and distinctive

result.

The range of subjects which may be treated in the man-ner described is as wide as the universe. Macaulay's

*^ Re-

view of Mitford's History of Greece" may be made the

basis of a similar review of any other history; his " Conver-sation between Cowley and Milton touching the GreatCivil War " will furnish hints for a conversation betweenJefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, or between WilliamWilson and William M'Kinley. Upon his critique of

Dante may be based a critique of the Sixth Book of the

"^neid; " upon his paper on Dryden, a paper on Pope;upon his article on the Civil Disabilities of the Jews, an

essay on the Civil Disabilities of Women; upon his bio-

graphy of Frederic, a biography of Napoleon or Alexan-

der; and upon his letters and journals, letters and journals

descriptive of the pupil's own thoughts and acts. Bos-

well's biography of Johnson will show the learner how to

SUGGESTIONS FOB TEACHERS AND STUDENTS xxxi

report the substance of a conversation. Webster's BunkerHill Monument oration will inspire an oration upon the

Soldier's Monument in Detroit or the statue of Lincoln in

Chicago. Macaulay's report of the speech of Burke at

the trial of Warren Hastings will show in what m_anner

the debate between Webster and Hayne may be effectively

described. A delightful exercise may be obtained byhaving the class produce portraits from life of people they

know, basing the work upon the character sketches in the

prologue to the "Canterbury Tales." The " Laocoon "

will supply a fund of ideas that may be utilized in review-

ing Mr. Howells's latest novel. Hawthorne's " Twice-Told Tales" will suggest similar transformations of other

mythological stories. Irving' s " Legend of Sleepy Hol-low " will show how any local saga may be worked up into

a polished and glittering gem. John Burroughs's " EoofTree" will render the task of criticising the architecture

of the town in which the pupil lives easy and interesting;

and his delectable treatise on the woodchuck will enable

a boy to write an appropriate essay on the house-dog or the

squirrel.

There are few books in the English language better fitted

than Southey's "Life of Nelson" to serve as a basis for

this sort of composition work. The .purity of the diction,

the simplicity of the style, the freedom of the work frommannerisms, and the exquisite taste of the author, whichequally eschews what is turgid and what is mean, make it

at once one of the easiest and one of the safest of model's.

It is often possible to imitate the author's methods directly;

his description of the battle of the Nile will show the learner

how to describe the battle of Lake Erie, for example.Oftener still his statements will inspire a line of reflection

which may with profit be worked up into a commentary onthe text or a digression from it; for instance, the justice of

his estimate of Napoleon may well furnish material for

investigation and debate. Suggestions along these lines andsome others will be found scattered throughout the notes. ^

^ The student is advised, as a matter of practical advantage, whenmaking the first draft of a composition, to write on small slips of

paper, one sentence to a slip. The processes of revision, excision,

and amplification are stripped by this simple expedient of half their

terrors.

xxxii SUGGESTIONSFOR TEACHERS AND STUDEN'TS

A trial of tlie principle contended for will reveal manyadvantages which the necessary limits of the present dis-

cussion make it imperative to dismiss with mere mention.It makes the pupil compose with his eye on the object. It

teaches the secrets of artistic writing. It refines instead of

degrading his ideas. It shows him how to think. It re-

moves the temptation^ nay, the possibility, of his beingdishonest. It causes him to read critically, to observe

accurately, and to describe with jDrecision. It makes himintolerant of slipshod work of any kind. It causes him to

take an interest in the higher possibilities of the language.

Best of all, it teaches him not only how to write well, but

also how to read well ; it improves his powers of expression,

and at the same time shows him a thousand subtle charmsand artistic allurements, the existence of which he never

dreamed of before, and the full effect of which mere read-

ing, however careful, can never reveal.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE xxxiil

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THE

LIFE OF NELSONBY

BOBEET SOUTHEY, ESQ., LL.D.

POET LAUREATE, ETC., ETC.

" Bursting through the gloom

With radiant glory from thy trophied tomb,

The sacred splendour of thy deathless nameShall grace and guard thy Country's martial fame.

Far-seen shall blaze the unextinguished ray,

A mighty beacon, lighting Glory's way;

With living lustre this proud Land adorn.

And shine, and save, through ages yet unborn."—Ulm and Trafalgar.

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 VOLUME

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

BY HIS FRIEND,

THE AUTHOR.

1

AUTHOK'S NOTE

Many lives of Nelson" have been written: one is yet

wanting, clear and concise enongli to become a manual for

the young sailor, which he may carry about with him, till

he has treasured up the example in his memory and in his

heart. In attempting such a work, I shall write the eulogyof our great naval Hero; for the best eulogy of Nelsokis the faithful history of his actions: the best history, that

which shall relate them most perspicuously.

THE LIFE OF NELSON.

CHAPTER I.

Nelson's Birth and Boyhood—He is entered on board the Raison-noble—Goes to the West Indies in a Merchant-ship ; then serves in

the Triumph—He sails in Captain Phipp's Voyage of Discovery—Goesto the East Indies in the Seahorse, and returns in ill Health—Servesas acting Ijientenant in the Worcester, and is made Lieutenant into

the Loivestoffe, Commander into the Badger Brig, and Post into the

ITinchinbrook—Expedition against the Spanish Main—Sent to the

North Seas in the Albemarle—Services during the American War.

Horatio/ son of Edmund and Catherine Nelson, wasborn September 29, 1758, in the parsonage-liouse of Burn-ham-Thorpe,^ a village in the county of Norfolk, of whicli

his father was rector. The maiden name of his motherwas Suckling: her grandmother was an elder sister of Sir

Robert Walpole,^ and this child was named after his god-

^ The introduction to a composition should serve as a sort of bridgefrom the mind of the reader to the subject in hand. When the

subject is of universal interest, as Nelson was when this bookappeared, no preliminary remarks are needed. The student of

composition should examine the introductory paragraphs of several

biographies. Those of Boswell's Johnson, Trevelyan's Macaulay,Froude's Cmsar, and McMaster's Fr'anhlin are suggested. After hehas done this, he should try his hand at composing an introduction

for a biography.^ The student should supply himself with a cheap outline map of

the world, and fill in on it, as his reading of the book progresses, all

the places mentioned, with references to the pages of the text, draw-ing lines to represent Nelson's various movements from place to

place. A railway or steamship "folder," which can be obtainedfree, will serve admirably for this purpose.

^ Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1757), first Earl of Orford, was the

head of the Whig party for more than twenty years. His youngestson, Horace Walpole, fourth Earl of Orford (1717-1797), was famousas a literary amateur. One of his novels, the Castle of Otranto, is

6 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1770

father^ tlie first ^ Lord AValpole. Mrs. Nelson died in 1767,

leaving eight out of eleven children. Her brother, Cap-tain Maurice Suckling,^ of the Navy/ visited the widowerupon this event, and promised to take care of one of the

boys. Three years afterwards, when Horatio was onlytwelve years of age, being at home during the Christmasholidays, he read m the county newspaper that his uncle

was appointed to the B^aisonnahle, of sixty-four guns.

'^Do, William," said he to a brother who was a year anda 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,^ Avhither he had gone for

the recovery of his health : his circumstances were strait-

ened, and he had no prospect of ever seeing them bettered

:

he knew that it was the wish of providing for himself bywhich Horatio was chiefly actuated; and did not opposehis resolution: he understood also the boy's character,

remarkable as having been the first attempt made to base a work of

fiction upon the mediaeval tales of chivalry. Macaulay's Essay onthe Earl of Chatham and his review of Horace Walpole's Letters to

Sir Horace 3Iann contain much interesting gossip concerning these

men.^ Sonthey must have meant the second Lord Walpole, as an exami-

nation of the dates will show.^ The Suckling family, like that of the Walpoles, was a famous

one. One member of it was Secretary of State to James I. His sonwas the poet. Sir John (1609-1641), the wittiest gallant, the mostreckless gambler, the best bowler and card-player of his day.^The English navy in 1760 consisted of 412 ships of 321,104 tons.

For its history and organization consult the Encyclopaedia Britannica,and W. Clark Eussell, Life of Nelson, p. 317. At this periodfirst-rate battle-ships registered from 1,814 to 2,508 tons, and car-

ried from 90 to 120 guns on three decks. Second-rates, in Nel-

son's day, had ceased to exist ; third-rates carried from 64 to 80guns, had two decks, and ranged from 1,342 to 2,143 tons ; fourth-

rates, also two-deckers, carried from 50 to 60 guns, and ranged from912 to 1,226 tons ; fifth-rates, known as frigates, had one deck,

carried from 32 to 44 guns, and ranged from 704 to 1,376 tons. Thestandard battle-ship carried 74 guns. There were also numerouslighter vessels. In general, British vessels were inferior to Frenchand Spanish ships of the same class. For example, a certain French80 threw a broadside weighing 1,287 pounds, while that of a British

98 threw only 1,012 pounds.* In the eighteenth century Bath became the most famous watering-

place in England. It has often been mentioned in literature;

the student will remember Pickwick and the Virginians in this

connection.

1770] THE LIFE OF NELSON 7

and had always said, that iu whatever station he mightbe placed, he would climb, if possible, to the very top of

the tree. Accordingly 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 oif his

head, and provide for him at once.'

'

It is manifest from these words, that Horatio w^as notthe boy whom his uncle would have chosen to bring up in

his own profession. He was never of a strong body; andthe ague, which at that time was one of the most commondiseases in England, had greatly reduced his strength; yet

he had already given proofs of that resolute heart and no-

bleness of mind, which, during his whole career of labourand of glory, so eminently distinguished him. When a

mere child, he strayed a bird's-nesting from his grand-mother's house in company with a cowboy: the dinner-

hour elapsed ; he was absent, and could not be found ; andthe alarm of the family became very great, for they apjore-

hended that he might have been carried off by gipsies. At\length, after search had been made for him in various direc-

'

tions, he was discovered alone, sitting composedly by the

side of a brook which he could not get over. "I wonder,j

child," said the old lady when she saw him, "that hun-ger and fear did not drive you home."—"Fear! grand- ,

mamma," replied the future hero, "I never saw fear:—

/

What is it?" Once, after the winter holidays, when heand his brother William had set oif on horseback to returnto 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 bethe case," said the father, " you certainly shall not go: butmake 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 deepenough to have afforded them a reasonable excuse: butHoratio was not to be prevailed upon to turn back. " Wemust 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; but the boldest among them were afraid to venture

8 THE LIFE OF NELSON [It^O

for the prize. Horatio volunteered upon this service : hewas lowered down at night from the bedroom window bysome sheets, plundered the tree, was drawn up with the

pears, and then distributed them among his schoolfellows

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'sservant arrived at this school,^ at North Walsham, withthe expected summons for Horatio to join his ship.^ Theparting 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 RaisonnaUe was lying in the Medway. Hewas put into the Chatham stage, and on its arrival wasset 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, tookhim home, and gave him some refreshments. When hegot on board. Captain Suckling was not in the ship, norhad any person been apprised of the boy's coming. Hepaced the deck the whole remainder of the day, withoutbeing noticed by any one; and it was not till the secondday that somebody, as he expressed it, "took compassionon him." The pain which is felt when we are first trans-

^ Have such anecdotes as these any literary value ? Do theyarouse your interest ? Do they cause you to wish to read further ?

What is the reason for introducing sucli trivial details into a serious

biography ? Do you suppose that these things really happened ?

Could they have originated as family jokes ? See page 7 of Mr. J.

K. Laughton's excellent Life of Nelson in the " English Men of

Action " series."^ Notice how this word produces a connection between this para-

graph and the preceding one. Study Macaulay's method of pro-

ducing paragraph sequences. Then, as an exercise, manufacturesequences for some of the paragraphs in the morning newspaper.^" He was a thorough clergyman's son," wrote his chaplain, Dr.

Scott, in after years, somewhat ambiguously, as Clark Russell says." I should think he never went to bed or got up without kneelingdown and saying his prayers." One of his schoolfellows rememberedhim as a lad who wore a green coat, and labored at the marketpump that he might sail paper boats in the gutter.

1772] THE LIFE OF NELSON 9

planted from our native soil, when the living branch is cutfrom the parent tree, is one of the most poignant whichwe 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 sometimesbreak the heart : but never do we feel so keenly the wantof love, the necessity of being loved, and the sense of utter

desertion, as when we first leave the haven of home, andare, as it were, pushed off upon the stream of life. Addedto these feelings, the sea-boy has to endure j^hysical hard-ships, and the privation of every comfort, even of sleep.

Nelson had a feeble body and an affectionate heart, and heremembered through life his first days of wretchedness in

the service. 1

The Raisonnahle having been commissioned on account of

the dispute respecting the Falkland Islands,^ was paid off as

soon as that difference with the court of Spain was accommo-dated, and Oa^Dtain Suckling was removed to the Triumioli,

seventy-four, then stationed as a guardship ^ in the Thames.This was considered as too inactive a station for a boy, andNelson was therefore sent a voyage to the West Indies in

a merchant-ship, commanded by Mr. John Eathbone, anexcellent seaman, who had served as Master's mate underCaptain Suckling in the Dreadnouglit. He returned apractical 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 mam>v' Eathbone hadprobably been disappointed and disgusted in the Navy;and, with no unfriendly intentions, warned Nelson against

a profession which he himself had found hopeless. Hisuncle received him on board the Triumpli on his return;

and discovering his dislike to the navy, took the best

^ Is the conclusion to this paragraph as satisfactory as if it hadbeen more definite ? Do you think it is susceptible of improvement?If so, try to improve it.

"^ The Falkland Islands were given up to England in 1771 by theSpaniards. See Massey's England, chap. xxii. ; Stanhope's England,chap. xlvi. ; Mahan, Influence of Sea-Poiver upon History, p. 335

;

Laughton, Nelson, p. 7.

^ A vessel of war appointed to superintend marine affairs in aharbor or river, to see that the ships not in commission have their

proper watch kept, by sending boats about them each night, and, intime of war, to receive impressed seamen.

10 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1773

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 hebecame a good pilot for vessels of that description^ fromChatham to the Tower/ and down the Swin^ Channel to

the ISTorth Foreland;, and acquired a confidence amongrocks and sands, of which he often felt the value. ^

JSTelson had not been many months on board the Tri-umph when his love of enterprise was excited by hearingthat two ships were fitting out for a voyage of discovery

toward the North Pole. In consequence of the difficulties

which were expected on such a service, these vessels wereto 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 admittedas coxswain ^ under Captain Lutwidge, second in command.The voyage Avas undertaken in compliance with an applica-

^ A single-masted vessel with fore-and-aft main-sail. So called

from its sharp lines,^ A large ship's boat, often from thirty to forty feet long.^ Why was this an inducement ?

^ The Tower of London, the Thames being spanned by bridg^es

above that point.^ The most important of the northern channels at the mouth of the

Thames. Southey makes a mistake in his geography. Discover it

by consulting a map.^ The life of a sailor at this time was anything but an enviable

one. He had probably been persuaded to enter it by the bludgeonsof a press-gang. The pay was small. The biscuits were hard as

adamant. The beef, familiarly and not affectionately known as

salt junk, was enough to corrode the soul of a patriot on fire withenthusiasm. But Jack was not a patriot. He was a slave. Theslightest infraction of discipline was punished with cruel blows.The ships were not only cheerless, but vermin-ridden and foul frombilge-water. There was nothing to drink but grog, it being im-possible with the means then employed to keep a supply of fresh

water for any length of time, and coffee and tea not yet having beenintroduced. Disease carried off ten men where one fell in battle.

In later years Nelson did much to ameliorate these dreadful con-ditions ; and his efforts in this direction undoubtedly contributed in

no small degree to his popularity and his fame.'' Influence.** The officei' in charge of the captain's barge. Like the master and

boatswain, he carried a whistle. The word " cog," from which cox-

swain is derived, meant originally a " ship," later a "boat."

1773] te:e life of nelson 11

tion from the Koyal Society.^ Captain the Hon. Constan-

tine John Phipps^, eldest son of Lord Mulgrave, volunteered

his services. The Racehorse and Carcass bombs ^ were se-

lected^ as the strongest ships,, and therefore best adapted

for such a voyage; and they were taken into dock andstrengthened 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 care-

fully 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 hadbeen completed to the wish of the officers. The ships were

provided with a simple and excellent apparatus for distill-

ing fresh from salt water, the invention of Dr. Irving, whoaccompanied the expedition. It consisted merely of fitting

a tube to the ship's kettle,^ and applying a wet mop to the

surface, as the vapour was passing. By these means, fromthirty-four to forty gallons were produced every day.

They sailed from the ISTore ^ on the 4th of June : on the

^ The Royal Society for Improving Natural Knowledge was foundedin 1660. It has ever since performed magnificent service in the further-

ance of that object. Owing to the long list of great men on its rolls

and its close official connection with the British government, it still

occupies a foremost place among British scientific organizations.

Some of the subjects to which the Society has directed its attention

are standard measures of length, arctic exploration, the best mannerof measuring tonnage in ships, gas-works, lightning-conductors,

Babbage's calculating-machine, and innumerable astronomical andgeological researches. It has at its disposal extensive funds for pro-

moting research, and several medals as rewards for eminent merit

in science and philosophy. Of these the Rumford, Copley, andDavy medals are best known. The most famous name on its rolls is

that of Sir Isaac Newton.^ Bombs, vessels on which mortars were mounted, mortars being

used to throw bombs.^ "It was conjectured that our former navigators had kept too

near land, and so had found the sea frozen far north, because the

land hinders the free motion of the tide ; but in the wide ocean,

where the waves tumble at their full convenience, it is imagined

that the frost does not take effect."—Boswell, Life of Johnson,

ch. xxxix. The voyage was for the purpose of finding a north-east

passage, a feat not performed until 1878-80, when Baron Norden-

skjold in the Vega accomplished it.

* The large kettle used for cooking the crew's food. Called" copper" in the American navy.

^ A lighthouse nearly east of Sheerness, and southeast of Southend.

12 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1773

6th of the following month they were in latitude 79 ° 56

'

39"; longitude 9 ° 43 ' 30 " 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 throughwith ice-anchors.^ Captain Phipps continued rangingalong the ice northward and westward till the 24th; hethen tried to the eastward. On the 30th he was in lati-

tude 80° 13 7 longitude 18° 48' E., among the islands

and in the ice, with no appearance of an opening for the

ships. The weather was line, mild, and unusually clear.

Here they were becalmed in a large bay, with three appa-rent openings between the islands which formed it; buteverywhere, 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 ^^ieces near the edge ; and the pools of water in

the middle of the ice-fields just crusted over with youngice. On the next day the ice closed upon them, and noopening was to be seen anywhere, except a hole, or lake,

as it might be called, of about a mile and a half in cir-

cumference, where the ships lay fast to the ice with their

ice-anchors. They filled their casks with water from these

ice-fields, which was very pure and soft. The men wereplaying on the ice all day; but the Greenland pilots, whowere further than they had ever been before, and con-

sidered that the season was far advancing, were alarmedat 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. Theice, which the day before had been flat, and almost level

^ An S-shaped bar of round iron, sharpened at the point of its

longer curve. A hawser is attached to the shorter curve, and theanchor holds by the sharpened point, being inserted in a hole madefor the purpose or in a crevice.

"^ The highest latitude yet reached, 83° 24' 0", was attained byLieutenant Lockwood of Greely's party, in 1884. The highest lati-

tude reached previous to the attempt mentioned in the test was in

1607 by Hudson, who went as far as 80° 23' 0".'"* The student should endeavor to get a definite picture from this

description, and try to see why it is effective and clear. Then, as anexercise, he should write a description of some winter scene from his

own observation.

1773] THE LIFE OF NELSON 13

with the water's edge, was now in many places forcedhigher than the mainyard/ by the pieces squeezing to-

gether. A day of thick fog followed : it was succeeded byclear weather, but the passage by which the ships had en-

tered from the westward was closed, and no open waterwas in sight, either in that or any other quarter. By the

pilots' advice the men were set to cut a passage, and warpthrough the small openings to the westward. They sawedthrough pieces of ice twelve feet thick, and this labourcontinued 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, andincorporated with them; and thus these larger pieces con-

tinued to grow by aggregation.^ Another day passed, andthere seemed no probability of getting the ships out, with-

out a strong E. or N.E. wind. The season was far ad-

vanced, 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 im-

minent danger. Some of the officers had fired at andwounded a walrus. As no other animal has so human-likean expression in its countenance, so also is there none that

seems to possess more of the passions of humanity. Thewounded animal dived immediately, and brought up a

number of its companions; and they all joined in an at-

tack upon the boat. They wrested an oar from one of the

men; and it was with the utmost difficulty that the crewcould 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

^ How high"? As high as the Herald Building in New York ?

Form the habit of testing figures by applying them to some object

familiar to you."^Aggregation, from the Latin ad, "to," &:n.di grex, "herd." Does

this information add to the clearness of the image that the word pro-

duces ? If so, why ?

^ Mid-watch, from midnight till 4 a. m. The watches are divided

14 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1773

his comrades, taking advantage of a rising fog, and set out

over the ice in pursuit of a bear. It was not long be-

fore they were missed. The fog thickened, and CaptainLutwidge 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 : ISTel-

son's comrade called upon him to obey it, but in vain;

his musket had flashed in the pan; their ammunition wasexpended; and a chasm in the ice, which divided him fromthe bear, probably preserved his life. "Never mind," hecried; "do but let me get a blow at this devil with the

butt-end of my musket, and we shall have him." CaptainLutwidge, however, seeing his danger, fired a gun, whichhad 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 de-

sired 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 mightcarry the skin to my father.

'

'^

A party were now sent to an island, about twelve miles

off (named Walden's Island in the chart, from the mid-shipman who was intrusted with this service), to see wherethe open water lay. They came back with informationthat the ice, though close all about them, was open to the

westward, round the point by which they came in. Theysaid 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

thus : from 8 p. m. till 12 midnight ; from 12 midnight till 4 a. m.;

from 4 a. m. till 8 a, m. ; from 8 a. m. till noon ; from noon till 4 p. m.;

from 4 p. M. till 6 p. m. ; from 6 p. m. till 8 p. m. The two short

watches are for the purpose of shifting the periods of duty.^ What is the literary value of such details ? Notice how carefully

the climax is reserved until the end. As an exercise turn an anecdote

into the best literary form you can, observing the principle of climaxwith all the care possible.

1773] THE LIFE OF NELSON I5

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 andsize, to transport, in case of emergency, the whole crew;and there were Dutch whalers upon the coast, in whichthey could all be conveyed to Europe. As for winteringwhere they were, that dreadful experiment had been al-

ready tried too often. No time was to be lost; the shipshad driven into shoal water, having but fourteen fathoms.Should they, or the ice to which they were fast, take theground, they must inevitably be lost: and at this timethey were driving fast towards some rocks on the N.E.Captain Phipps had sent for the officers of both ships, andtold them his intention of preparing the boats for goingaway. They were immediately hoisted out, and the fitting

begun. Canvas bread-bags were made, in case it shouldbe necessary suddenly to desert the vessels; and men weresent with the lead and line to the northward and east-

ward, to sound wherever they found cracks in the ice, thatthey might have notice before the ice took the ground; for,

in that case, the ships must have instantly been crushed oroverset.

On the 7th of August they began to haul the boats overthe ice, Nelson having command of the four-oared cutter.

The men behaved excellently well, like true British sea-

men: they seemed reconciled to the thought of leaving theships, and had full confidence in their officers. About noon,the ice appeared rather more open near the vessels; andas the wind was easterly, though there was but little of it,

the sails were set, and they got about a mile to the west-ward. They moved very slowly, and were not now nearlyso far to the westward as when they were first beset. How-ever, all sail was kept upon them, to force them throughwhenever the ice slacked the least. Whatever exertions

were made, it could not be possible to get the boats to thewater's edge before the 14th; and if the situation of theships 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 con-

stantly, and taking every opportunity of getting the ships

through. A joarty was sent out next day to the westward,to examine the state of the ice : they returned with tidings

16 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1773

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 hadbeen 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 con Id have been

expected to the westward, and that the ice itself had driven

still farther. 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.JN'.E. All sail was set, and the

ships forced their way through a great deal of very heavyice. They frequently struck, and with such force, that onestroke broke the shank of the Raceliorse's best boweranchor :

^ but the vessels made way ; and by noon they hadcleared 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 Eng-lish voyages of discovery.^

Here they remained for a few days, that the men mightrest after their fatigue. No insect was to be seen in this

dreary country, nor any species of reptile, not even the

common earthworm.^ 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

^ The anchor at the bow of the ship. The shank is that part of

the anchor between the stock or cross-piece and the arms or fluke.^ Richard Hakluyt (1553-1616) wrote the works which contain prac-

tically all the information we have concerning English naval mattersprior to his day. The title of his great compilation is The Princi-pal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of the EnglishNation, made hy Sea or over Land, to the Remote and FarthestDistant Quarters of the Earth, within the Compass of these 1500Years. It fills three volumes and contains accounts of 220 voyages.

The first volume is devoted to voyages to the north and northeast,

to Iceland, and to the defeat of the Spanish Armada; the second to

voyages to the south and southwest ; the third to voyages to NorthAmerica, the West Indies, and around the world.

^ Is this a mere trivial detail? If not, why is it introduced?What is the secret of its effect ?

* Do you infer from the insertion of this phrase that "iceberg"was a familiar word when the book was written ?

1776] THE LIFE OF NELSON 17

of tlie ice was a lively light green. Opposite to the place

where they had fixed their observatory was one of these

icebergs^ above three hundred feet high :^ its side towards

the sea was nearly perpendicular, and a stream of water

issued from it. Large pieces frequently broke off, androlled down into the sea. There was no thunder nor light-

ning during the whole time they were in these latitudes.

The sky was generally loaded with hard white clouds, fromwhich it was never entirely free, even in the clearest wea-

ther. They always knew when they were approachingthe 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, any-

thing 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^ be-

tween the latitudes of 80 ° and 81 °, without the smallest

appearance of any opening.

The ships were paid off shortly after their return to

England; and kelson 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 atten-

tion of the Master (afterwards Captain Surridge), in whosewatch 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 chmate, so perilous to Europeanconstitutions.^ The disease baffled all power of medicine;

^ Would it have been more effective to have said "twice as high

as the FaUs of Niagara"?^ " As far as from Buffalo to Xew York" would have conveyed to

us a far more definite image. Notice the effectiveness of employingconcrete rather than abstract terms.

^ "By which we are to tal^e it that he embarked as a foremasthand."—W. Clark Russell, Nelson, p. 11.

* The higher of the two grades of petty officers under instruction

on shipboard ; the other grade is naval cadet. On promotion the

midshipman becomes sub-lieutenant.^ During his stay in India he travelled extensively ; he said himself

that his wanderings extended from Bengal to Bussorah (Basra).

3

18 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1776

lie was reduced almost to a skeleton; the use of his limbs

was for some time entirely lost; and the only hope tliat

remained was from a voyage home. Accordingly he wasbrought home by Captain Pigot^ in the Doljjhin ; and hadit 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 withSir Charles Pole, Sir Thomas Troubridge/ and other dis-

tinguished officers, then, like himself, beginning their

career: he had left them pursuing that career in full enjoy-

ment of health and hope, and was returning from a coun-

try in which all things were to him new and interesting,

with a body broken down by sickness, and spirits which hadsunk with his strength. Long afterwards, when the nameof 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 witha view of the difficulties I had to surmount, and the little

interest I possessed. I could discover no means of reach-

ing the object of my ambition.^ After a long and gloomyreverie, in which I almost wished myself overboard, a sud-

den glow of patriotism was kindled within me, and pre-

sented my King and country as my patron. ' Well then,'

I exclaimed, 'I will be a hero! and, confiding in Provi-

dence, brave every danger! '"

Long afterwards, Nelson loved to speak of the feeling

of that moment: and from that time, he often said, a

The British occupation of India is a good subject for research andcomposition. Not a few great English writers have been connectedin one way and another with that country. Thackeray was bornthere. Two of Macaulay's most brilliant essays are based on Indianhistory. The beginnings of the great science of comparative phi-

lology are one fruit of the British conquest.^ Troubridge is one of the heroic figures of English naval history.

He served with great distinction under Lord Howe, and was madea baronet in 1799. His name will recur often in the pages that

follow. He sailed for the Cape of Good Hope in the Blenheim in

1807 and was never heard of again. Let some pupil make an induc-tive study of his actions as recorded in this book, write an essay, andreport his results to the class.

^ Ambition, from the Latin amhulare, "to walk," because Romanaspirants for political honors were wont to walk about soliciting

votes.

1777] THE LIFE OF NELSON 19

radiant orb was suspended in his mind's eye, which urgedhim 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 dift'erent direction, but its es-

sence was the same. He knew to what the previous state

of dejection w^as 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 madeComptroller of the Navy;^ his health had materially

improved upon the voyage; and, as soon as the DoljjMnwas paid off, he was appointed iVcting Lieutenant in the

Worcester, sixty-four. Captain Mark Kobinson, then going-

out with convoy to Gibraltar. Soon after his return, onthe 8tli of April, 1777, he passed his examination for a lieu-

tenant. 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 ex-

pressed 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> Thenext day Nelson received his commission as Second Lieu-

' Those who hold that impulse and not reason should lie at the

base of faith.^ " Light from heaven " is taken from Burns's Vision. The Muse

addresses the poet thus

:

" I saw thy pulse's maddening play,I Wild send thee Pleasure's devious way,/ Misled by Fancy's meteor ray,

! By passion driven

;

\ But yet the light that led astrayV Was light from Heaven."

^ Examiner of accounts;pronounced "controller."

* His certificate says, "He can splice, knot, reef a sail, etc., andis qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and Midshipman."In a letter to his brother he called this "taking his M.A. degree."

20 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1778

tenant of the Loiuestoffe frigate. Captain William Locker/then fitting out for Jamaica.American and French privateers, under American

colours, were at that time harassing our trade in theWest Indies: even a frigate was not sufficiently active

for Nelson, and he repeatedly got appointed to the com-mand of one of the Lowestojfe's'^ tenders.^ During one of

their cruises the Loiuestoffe 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 mis-laid; and, while he was seeking it, Captain Locker cameon deck. Perceiving the boat still alongside, and in dan-ger every moment of being swamped, and being ex-

tremely anxious that the privateer should be instantly

taken in charge, because he feared that it would otherwisefounder, he exclaimed, " Have I no officer in the ship whocan board the prize ?

'

' Jj^elson did not offer himself im-mediately, 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 turnnow; and if I come back, it is yours. 'j' The American,who had carried a heavy press of sail in' hope of escaping,

was so completely water-logged, that the Loiuestoffe's boatwent in on deck, and out again, with the sea.

About this time he lost his uncle. Captain Locker,

^ Captain Locker had served under the great Lord Hawke, whomay fairly be considered Nelson's predecessor as the darling of theEnglish navy, and it is interesting to speculate as to how much of

Hawke's theories, knowledge, and practice were transmitted throughLocker to his lieutenant. A comparison of Hawke's life with Nel-son's is suggested as a suitable subject for investigation and com-position. For Hawke, see Mahan, Lifluerice of Sea Power on His-tory, Index.

"^ The Loivestoffe was named after a naval victory of the Englishover the Dutch June 3, 1665.

^ A small vessel used to attend a ship.* A letter authorizing a private individual to prosecute hostilities

against a foreign nation. The captain of such a vessel must producehis letter of marque or be treated as a pirate. See Cons, of U. S.^

Art. i„ See. 8.

^ A short curved sword.^ A petty officer on a man-of-war ; he performs police duty, takes

charge of prisoners, enforces order on the berth-deck, and has com-mand of the ship's corporals.

17'r9] THE LIFE OF NELSON 21

however, who had perceived the excellent qualities of Nel-son, and formed a friendship for him, which continuedduring his life, recommended him warmly to Sir PeterParker, then Commander-in-Chief upon that station. Inconsequence of this recommendation he was removed intothe Bristol flag-ship, and Lieutenant Cuthbert Colling-

wood ^ succeeded him in the Loiuestojfe. He soon becameFirst Lieutenant; and, on the 8th of December, 1778, wasappointed Commander of the Badger brig; Collingwoodagain succeeding him in the Bristol. While the Bad-ger was lying in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the Glasgow, of

twenty guns, came in and anchored there, and in two hourswas in flames, the steward having set fire to her whilestealing rum out of the after-hold. Her crew were leapinginto the water, when Nelson came u|) in his boats, madethem throw their powder overboard, and point their gunsupward: and, by his presence of mind and personal ex-

ertions, prevented the loss of life which would otherwisehave ensued. On the 11th of June, 1779, he was madePost ^ into the Hinclmibrooh,^ of twenty-eight guns, an ene-my's merchantman, sheathed with wood, which had beentaken into the service. A short time after he left the

Lotvestoffe, that ship, with a small squadron, stormed thefort of St. Fernando de Omoa, on the south side of theBay of Honduras, and captured some register ships whichwere lying under its guns. Two hundred and fifty quin-tals^ of quicksilver, and three millions of piastres,^ werethe reward of this enterprise: and it is characteristic of

Nelson, that the chance by which he missed a share in sucha prize is never mentioned in any of his letters; nor is it

likely that it ever excited even a momentary feeling of

vexation.

^Collingwood, equally with Troubridge, makes a heroic figure

in British naval annals. He served in the battle of Bunker Hill

and in Lord Howe's victory over the French in 1794. In 1799 hewas made rear-admiral, in 1804 vice-admiral, and after the battle of

Trafalgar a peer. He died at sea in 1810. Like Troubridge, also, heis one of the conspicuous figures of this book, where his actions makean admirable subject for inductive study.

^ Post captain ; i. e., full captain.^ The Hinchinbrook was named after Lord Sandwich's country seat.^A quintal (Latin centum, a hundredweight) is 100 or 112 pounds.^A Spanish piastre is about one dollar.

22 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1779

ISTelson was fortunate in possessing good interest at the

time when it could be most serviceable to him : his promo-tion had been almost as rapid as it could be ; and before hehad 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 thoroughlymaster of his profession, and his zeal and ability wereacknowledged 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 Bailing, and was appointed to command the bat-

teries 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 themthey 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 this

formidable armament; and General Bailing was thus left

to execute a project which he had formed against the

Spanish colonies.

This project was, to take Eort 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 Grenada and Leon; and thus cut off the com-munication of the Spaniards between their northern andsouthern possessions in America. Here it is that a Canalbetween the two seas may most easily be formed ;

^—a workmore important in its consequences than any which has

^ Why is it that to-day in the American Navy young men do not so

soon gain high positions ? Can yon see any reasons why it is goodfor the service to have a man like Nelson in such a place at twenty-one ?

^ The student will remember the part played by this fleet in the

American history of this period.^ What did he mean ?

^The student should be asked to supply a note on the modernaspects of the Nicaragua Canal problem.

1780] THE LIFE OF NELSON 23

ever yet been effected by linman power. Lord GeorgeGermaine, at that time Secretary of State for the Ameri-can department, approved the plan: and as discontents

at that time were known to prevail in the JSTnevo Eeyno,^in Popayan^ and in Peru, the more sanguine ^ part of theEnglish began to dream of acquiring an empire in onepart of America more extensive than that which they wereon the point of losing in another.^ General Balling's plans

were well formed; but the history and the nature of the

country had not been studied as accurately as its geo-

graphy : 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 ^^Telson 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 Avith no other intent than that of enslaving

them, and sending them to Jamaica. After a while, how-ever, one of them ventured down, confiding in his know-ledge of one of the party; and by his means the neigh-

bouring tribes were conciliated with presents, and broughtin. The troops were encamped on a swampy and un-wholesome 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 distances of any fortification from its mouth:

^ Nuevo Reyno, the old name for Mexico, means "New Spain," or" New Realm." Popayan is a city in Colombia. Did Southey mis-

take it for a state ?

^ In what sense is sanguine used here ?

^ Is this a reference to the independence of the United States ?

Would the fact that the language and race of the people of SouthAmerica are different from those of the British make the realization

of this dream impossible ?

^4 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1780

and he^ not being one who would turn back when so muchwas to be done^, resolved to carry the soldiers up. Abouttwo hundred, therefore, were embarked in the Mosquitoshore-craft, and in tvyo of the Hinchinbrook'' s boats, andthey 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 throughnarrow channels between shoals and banks, and the menwere 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 Avas borne by them and by the sailors—men neveraccustomed 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 highwoods on botli sides of the river were frequently so close as

to prevent all refreshing circulation of air; and during the

night all were equally exposed to the heavy and unwhole-some dews.

On the 9th of April they reached an island in the river

called St. Bartolomeo, which the Spaniards had fortified,

as an out-post, with a small semi-circular battery, mountingnine 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 uponwhich he sprung was so muddy, that he had some difficulty

in extricating himself, and lost his shoes : bare-footed, how-ever, he advanced, and, in his own phrase, boarded the

battery. In this resolute attempt he was bravely supportedby the well-known Despard,^ at that time a captain in

^Why are soldiers less self-reliant ? Is it advisable, from a lit-

erary standpoint, to suggest queries with which the mind of the

reader will busy itself, or to explain everything completely ? Whichdoes Macaulay do ? Browning ? Tennyson ? Shakspere ?

^ A small cannon mounted so as to turn to the right or left.

^ Executed in 1803 for conspiring to assassinate George III.

1780] THE LIFE OF NELSON 25

the army. The Castle of St. Juan is situated about six-

teen miles higher up : the stores and ammunition, however,were landed a few miles below the castle, and the men hadto march through woods almost impassable. One of themen was bitten under the eye by a snake, which dartedupon 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 hadordered his hammock to be slung under some trees, beingexcessively fatigued, and was sleeping, when a monitory ^

lizard passed across his face. The Indians happily observedthe 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 someboughs 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 St. Juan is thirty-two miles below the

Lake of JSTicaragua, from which the river issues, and sixty-

nine from its mouth. Boats reach the sea from thence in

a day and a half; but their navigation back, even whenunladen, is the labour of nine days. The English ap-

peared before it on the 11th, two days after they had taken

St. 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 thanof danger; but fatigue was more to be dreaded thanthe enemy; the rains set in: and, could the garrison haveheld out a little longer, disease would have rid them of

their invaders. Even ^ the Indians sunk under it, the vic-

tims of unusual exertion, and of their own excesses. The

^Do not look up the meaning of monitory until you have read the

sentences following.'^ "I want words," wrote Colonel Poison, who commanded the ex-

pedition, "to express the obhgations I owe Captain Nelson. Hewas the first on every service, whether by night or day. There wasscarcely a gun but what was pointed by him or Lieutenant Despard."^Why "even"?

26 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1780

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 no-

thing which could contribute to the recovery of the sick,

or the preservation of those who were yet unaffected. Thehuts, which served for hospitals, were surrounded with filth

and with the putrefying hides of slaughtered cattle—almost

sufficient of themselves, to have engendered pestilence : andwhen, at last, orders Avere given to erect a convenient hos-

pital, 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 alh needful remedies; for, though the ex-

pedition 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 tur-

bulent, that its up ward navigation was almost impracticable.

At length, even the task of burying the dead was morethan 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 al-

ways 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 seemedproof against the climate, to retain the Castle till the Span-iards should choose to retake it, and make them prisoners.

The rest abandoned their baleful conquest. Eighteen hun-dred men were sent to different posts upon this wretchedexpedition: not more than three hundred and eighty ever

returned. The Hinc]iin'broo¥s complement consisted of

two hundred men; eighty-seven took to their beds in onenight, and of the whole crew not more than ten survived.

Nelson himself was saved by a timely removal. In a fewdays 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

^ Orderly means " on duty/'^ This was Richard Glover (1712-1785). The poem referred to in

1781] THE LIFE OF NELSON 27

appointed to succeed him in the Janus, of forty-four

guns. He returned to the liarbour the day before St.

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, thatwhen they reached Port Royal he was carried ashore in his

cot; and finding himself, after a partial amendment, un-able to retain the command of his new ship, he was com-pelled to ask leave to return to England, as the only meansof recovery. Captain (afterwards Admiral) Oornwallis^

took him home in the Lion ; and to his care and kindnessl^elson believed himself indebted for his life. He wentimmediately 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 Lon-don, 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 hadbeen purchased from the captors for the King's service.

His health was not yet thoroughly re-established; andwhile he was employed in getting his ship ready, he againbecame so ill as hardly to be able to keep out of bed. Yetin this state, still suffering from the fatal effect of a WestIndian climate, as if it might almost be supposed, he said,

to try his constitution, he was sent to the Baltic Sea, andkept there the whole winter. The asperity Avith whichhe mentioned this so many years afterwards, evinces how

the text is dignified and respectable, and enjoyed much popularity in

its day, but is now dead beyond recall. Its author deserves to beremembered and honored, however, as one who, amid the distractions

of London mercantile and political life, never lost his love of schol-

arly pursuits and lettered ease. Thomson, "who sang about the

seasons," sneered when he heard that Glover had high poetic designs :

"He write an epic poem, who never saw a mountain !" Instead of

referring in a naval book to Glover as the author of Leonidas,

Southey w^ould have done better if he had spoken of him as the

author of Admiral Hosier's Ghost, that popular ballad written in

commemoration of a commander iDrave, but not brave enough to

disobey a disastrous command, who allowed his men to perish bydisease rather than exceed his authority, and who died (1726), it is

said, of a broken heart in consequence. It will be interesting to

note how Nelson's conduct compares with Hosier's.^ Brother to Lord Cornwallis of Revolutionary fame.

28 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1?81

deeply lie 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 Elsi-

nore,2 the Danish Admiral sent on board, desiring to be in-

formed what ships had arrived, and to have their force

written down. "The Albemarle,'' said Nelson to the

messenger, Mj^s one of his Britannic Majesty's ships: you

are at liberty'Tsir, 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 haA^ng been made much too long for her.

On her return to England they were shortened, and someother improvements made, at Nelson's suggestion. Still

he always insisted that her first owners, the French, hadtaught 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 visit-

ing 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

^ The Armed Neutrality was a coalition formed by Russia, Sweden,

and Denmark in 1780, for the purpose of resisting the right claimed

by Great Britain to search the vessels of neutral nations as the only

method of preventing them from supplying her enemies with pro-

visions and munitions of war. This confederacy was based on the

contentions that free ships make free goods, that contraband arti-

cles must be described as such in a formal treaty, and that a block-

ade, to be recognized, must be strictly enforced. Holland, Prussia,

Spain, and France afterward joined the nations already mentioned,

but the Armed Neutrality never won its point. The Empress Cath-

erine of E-ussia called it, indeed, the Armed Nullity. It was revived

in 1801. See Gardiner, History of Englmid, p. 792 ; Mahan, In-

fluence of Sea Power on History, p. 405.2 If this word awakens no pleasing literary reminiscence in the

mind of the student, he should read Shakspere's Hamlet before heturns anothei' leaf in this book.

1782] THE LIFE OF NELSON 29

guineas :^ and, to the astonishment and fear of all the be-

holders, he embarked daring the height of the tempest.With great difficulty and imminent danger he succeededin reaching her. She lost her bowsprit and foremast, butescaped further injury. He was now ordered to Quebec;where, his surgeon told him, he would certainly be laid upby the climate. Many of his friends urged him to repre-

sent this to Admiral Kep|)el : but, having received his or-

ders from Lord Sandwich,^ there apjDcared to him an in-

delicacy in applying to his successor to have them altered.

Accordingly he sailed for Canada. During her first

cruise on that station, the Alhemo.rle captured a fishing

schooner, which contained, in her cargo, nearly all theproperty that her master possessed, and the poor fellow hada large family at home, anxiously expecting him, Nelsonemployed him as a pilot in Boston Bay, then restored himthe schoonel' and cargo, and gave him a certificate to secure

him against being captured by any other vessel. The mancame off afterwards to the Alhemarle, 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 rag-

ing on board : this was in the middle of August, and theship's company had not had a fresh meal since the begin-

ning of April. The certificate^ was preserved at Boston in

^ A guinea is 21 shillings ; a shilling is worth 24 cents."^ The Sandwich Islands were named after this peer. He is also

said to have been so fond of what we call sandwiches as to give themtheir name.

^ Owing to weather or to the Americans ?

* This certificate is at present in the possession of the Hon, WilliamT. Davis, of Plymouth, Mass., to whom the editor is indebted for thefollowing facts concerning it :

—" During the war of the Revolutionmy great-grandfather, Thomas Davis, who was extensively engagedin navigation, owned a schooner named the Harmony, which in thesummer of 1782 was on her return to Plymouth from North Caro-lina, and was captured in Massachusetts Bay by Horatio Nelson,then in command of His Majesty's ^hi\) Albemarle. The commanderof the French fleet, then lying in Boston harbor, learning of the

presence of Nelson in a single ship on the coast of Massachusetts,put out to effect, if possible, his capture. Captain Nathaniel Car-ver, of Plymouth, was the master of the Harmony, and throughhis aid as pilot Nelson passed through the intricate navigation of

Martha's Vineyard Sound, between Cape Cod and the Island of Nan-tucket, where the French admiral did not dare to venture with his

deep-draught ships, and thus escaped. In August, 1782, Nelson

30 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1782

memory of an act of unusual generosity; and now that the

fame of Nelson has given interest to everything connectedwith his name, it is regarded as a relic. The Albemarlehad a narrow escape upon this cruise. Four French sail of

the line and a frigate, which had come out of Boston Har-bour, 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 ^S'^^. Margaretta, had escaped the

re-entered Massachusetts Bay, still in possession of the Harmony,which he used as a tender, and, releasing Capt. Carver and his crew,

sent them into Plymouth in one of his own boats. My great-grand-father, Thomas Davis, above mentioned, when Capt. Carver re-

ported himself, determined to recover the vessel, if possible, andgetting together a boatload of meats and vegetables as a present to

Nelson, put out into the Bay and boarded the Albemarle. Nelsongratefully received the gift and invited my great-grandfather andCapt. Carver to join him at dinner. Not a word was said about the

return of the schooner, but at the close of the dinner Nelson called

for his writing desk and wrote the certificate in question, the correct

text of which is as follows :

—

' These are to certify that I took the Schooner Harmony NathanielCarver, Master, belonging to Plymouth, but on acct of his goodservices have given him up his vessel again.

Dated on bd His Majestys Ship Albemarle, 17 Aug. 1782 in

Boston Bay. Horatio Nelson.'

''It is a little singular that prior to 1852 no mention had everbeen made, in the various lives of Nelson, of his presence at anytime on the coast of Massachusetts, and indeed the archives of the

admiralty office contained no record of it. When Mr. Abbott Law-rence of Boston was our minister to the Court of St. James (1849 to

1852) he was entertained at a dinner, at which the Professor of

History of the University of Edinburgh was present, and the conver-sation turning on Nelson, Mr. Lawrence, who had seen the certifi-

cate which was then owned by my great-uncle, Isaac P. Davis of

Boston, referred to it, and the Professor insisted that he must havebeen mistaken, as no record existed showing that Nelson was everon the coast of New England. The Professor remained incredulousuntil Mr. Lawrence at a later time exhibited to him a fac-simile

which he had procured from my uncle. The fact was that Nelsonwas stationed for a time on the coast of Newfoundland and made the

excursion into the waters of Massachusetts without orders. Since1852 several new lives of Nelson, the last of which is the recent one byClark Russell, have alluded to the affair, with incorrect accounts of the

circumstances attending it. The certificate is a transmittendum in

our family and passes from me to my son, Howland Davis of New York.It is framed and hangs in my Library beneath a fine portrait of Nel-

son himself. Do you know of any other autograph in America ?"

1782] THE LIFE OF NELSON 3X

French fleet, by a similar manoeuvre^, not long before. Thefrigate alone continued warily to pursue him; but as soonas he perceived that his enemy was unsupported he short-

ened sail, and hove-to : upon which the Frenchman thoughtit advisable to give over the pursuit^ and sail in quest of

his consorts.

At Quebec^ Nelson became acquainted with AlexanderDavison ,

^ by whose interference he was prevented frommaking what would have been called an imprudent mar-riage. The Albemarle was about to leave the station, hercaptain had taken leave of his friends, and was gone downthe river to the place of anchorage: when^ the next morn-ings as Davison was walking on the beach, to his surprise

he saw Nelson coming back in his boat. Upon inquiringthe cause of this re-appearance, Nelson took his arm, to

walk towards the town, and told him he found it utterly

impossible to leave Quebec without again seeing the womanwhosj society had contributed so much to his happinessthere, and offering her his hand.—"If you do," said his

friend, " your utter ruin must inevitably follow."

—

" Thenlet 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 thanhis 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 herCaptain, "at this late season of the year" (October wasfar advanced), "for our sails are at this moment frozen to

the yards." On his arrival at Sandy Hook he waited onthe Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Digby, who told himhe was come on a fine station for making prize-money."Yes, sir," Nelson made answer; "but the West Indiesis the station for honour." Lord Hood, with a detachmentof Eodney's ^ victorious fleet, was at that time in SandyHook: he had been intimate with Captain Suckling; andNelson, who was desirous of nothing but honour,^ requested

* See p. 34 and p. 144.' Rodney had beaten Admiral de Grrasse in the West Indies April

12, 1782. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Poiver on History, pp. 481-

503 ; Gardiner, History of England, p. 795 ; Green, History of Eng-land, p. 786.

^A debate on the subject : ''Honor or material gain ?" will en-

liven the work at this point and perhaps cause healthy reflections in

32 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1783

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 |)rince, if he wished to ask any

question respecting naval tactics. Captain Nelson could give

him as much information as any officer in the fleet. Theduke, who, to his own honour, became from that time the

firm friend of Xelson, describes him as appearing the merest

boy of a captain he had ever seen, dressed in a full-lace uni-

form, an old-fashioned waistcoat with long flaps, and his

lank unpowdered hair tied in a stifl Hessian tail of extraor-

dinary 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 cameabout. 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 commonbeing." ^

It was expected that the French would attempt someof 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,

the money-loving, practical minds of some students. The learner

will also find diversion in looking up the reflections of Falstafl! in

Shakspere's King Henry IV., part 1 (Act V., Sc. i., end), concerning

honor. Nelson's ideas recall the story of the Swiss mercenary whowas reproached by a French cavalier, who remarked to him :

'

' Youare base. You fight for money. We fight for honor." ''That is

natural," was the reply. " Each. I presume, fights for what he mostlacks."

^Then a midshipman in the Barfleur ; afterwards King. KingGeorge had placed him in the navy with the design of popularizing

the service. As far as the nobility were concerned, the experiment

was successful. The quarter-decks of his Majesty's ships were

promptly filled with a miscellaneous collection of aristocratic toad-

eaters. A lieutenant of a man-of-war is said on one occasion, while

the navy was thus afflicted, to have hailed the mizzen-topsail-yard in

this respectful fashion : "My lords and gentlemen, and all youright honourable lubbers, bear a hand and roll up that sail and lay

down."—Clark Russell, Life of Nelson, p. 18.

^ After thorough study of this portrait and investigation of its

elements, let each student produce a portrait from life of someperson.

1783] THE LIFE OF NELSON 33

yoii must be a good pilot there ? " He replied, with that

constant readiness to render justice to every man, whichwas so conspicuous in all his conduct through life, that hewas well acquainted with them himself, but that in that

respect his second lieutenant was far his superior. TheFrench got into Puerto Oabello on the coast of Venezuela.

Nelson was cruising between that port and La Guayra,

under French colours, for the purpose of obtaining infor-

mation, 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'sships. The crew, however, were not a little surprised whenthey were taken on board, and found themselves prisoners.

One of the party went by the name of the Count de DeuxPouts. 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 menof science, who had been collecting specimens in the va-

rious branches of natural history. Nelson, having enter-

tained them with the best his table could afford, told themthey 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 lib-

erated : a circumstance which was not by any means likely

to happen. Tidings soon arrived that the preliminaries

of peace ^ had been signed ; and the A Ihemarle 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.

'IThe 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 the officers,

nor the officers care the least about the men." Yet hehimself 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

^Afterward king.

'What peace? See Grardiner, History of England, p. 798 ; Green,

History of England, p. 786.

3

34 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1783

court. After going tlirougli this ceremony, lie dined withhis friend Davison/ at Lincoln's Inn.^ As soon as he en-tered 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 thathad befallen them since they parted on the shore of theEiver St. Lawrence.

^Seep. 31.^ Lincoln's Inn is one of the famous London Inns of Court. Ben

Jonson is said to have helped build a part of it, trowel in hand andHorace in pocivet.

CHAPTER II.

Nelson goes to France during the peace—Re-appointecl to theBoreas, and stationed at the Leeward Islands—His firm conductconcerning the American interlopers and the contractors—The WestIndies—Marries and returns to England—Is on the point of quittingthe service in disgust—Manner of life while unemployed—Appointedto the Agamemnon on the breaking out of the war of the FrenchRevolution.

''(I HAVE closed the war," said Nelson, in one of his

letters, " without a fortune; but there is not a speck in mycharacter. True honour, I hope, predominates in my mindfar above riches." He did not apply for a ship, becausehe was not wealthy enough to live on board in the mannerwhich was then become customary. Finding it, therefore,

prudent to economise to his half-pay during the peace, hewent to France, in company with Captain Macnamara, of

the navy, and took lodgings at St. Omer's.^ The deathof his favourite sister, Anne, who died in consequence of

going out of the ball-room, at Bath, when heated withdancing, 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 ardentthan 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 accountsas the cause. This prevented him from accepting an in-

vitation from the Count of Deux Pouts ^ to visit him at

Paris, couched in the handsomest terms of acknowledg-ment for the treatment which he had received on boardthe Albemarle.

^St, Omer is a town (pop. 31,855) in almost the extreme northerncorner of France. ^ See p. 33.

36 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1784

The self-constraint which Nelson exerted in subduingthis attachment, made him naturally desire to be at sea:

and when, upon visiting Lord Howe ^ at the Admiralty, hewas 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 LeewardIslauds, as a cruiser, on the peace establishment. LadyHughes and her family ^ went out with him to Admiral Sir

Richard Hughes, who commanded on that station. Hisship was full of young Midshipmen, of whom there werenot less than thirty on board; and happy were they whoselot it was to be placed with such a captain. If he per-

ceived that a boy was afraid at first going aloft, he wouldsay to him, in a friendly manner: "iWell, sir, I am going

a race to the mast-head, and beg that I may meet youthere." The poor little fellow instantly began to climb,

and got up how he could,—Nelson never noticed in whatmanner, but, when they met in the top, spoke cheerfully

to him, and would say, how much any person was to be

pitied w^ho fancied that getting up was either dangerousor 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 of Barbadoes he took one of them in

his hand,* and presented him, saying, ''Your Excellency

mast excuse me for bringing one of my Midshipmen. I

make it a rule to introduce them to all the good company

^Lord Howe (1725-1799) commanded from 1776 to 1778 on the

coast of the United States. He was First Lord of the Admiralty in

1783. In 1794 he gained an important victory over the French, tak-

ing ten ships of the fine. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on

French Revolution and Empire, i., 125-160.^ Nelson did not like his passengers ; Lady Hughes he described in

characteristic language as having " an eternal clack." Sir Richardbowed and scraped too much to suit him ; lived in a boarding-house,

which jSFelson thought undignified, and, as he said, was a fiddler;

"therefore, as his time is taken up in tuning that instrument, the

squadron is cursedly out of tune."

^At sea the latitude and longitude are always taken, the clocks

rectified, and the progress of the vessel posted at noon.* "Sacra manu victosque deos parvumque nepotem

lose trahit. "

—

^neid, ii., 330.

1184:] THE LIFE OF NELSON 37

I can^ as tliey have few to look up to, besides myself, dur-

ing the time they are at sea."

When Nelson arrived in the West Indies he found him-self Senior Captain, and consequently second in commandon that station. Satisfactory as this was, it soon involved

him in a dispute with the Admiral, which a man less zea-

lous for the service might have avoided. He found the La-tona 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 anddirecting him to obey the orders of Eesident Commission-er Moutray, during the time he might have occasion to re-

main there; the said resident commissioner being, in conse-

quence, authorised to hoist a broad pendant on board anyof his Majesty's ships in that port that he might thinkproper. Nelson was never at a loss how to act in anyemergency. "I know of no superior officers," said he,

''besides the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty andmy seniors on the Post list." Concluding, therefore, that

it was not consistent with the service for a resident commis-sioner, who held only a civil situation, to hoist a broad pen-dant, the moment that he had anchored he sent an order to

the caj)tain of the Latona to strike it, and return it to the

dock-yard. He went on shore the same day, dined withthe commissioner, to show him that he was actuated by noother motive than. a sense of duty, and gave him the first

intelligence that this pendant had been struck. Sir Eich-ard sent an account of this to the Admiralty; but the case

could admit of no doubt, and Captain Nelson's conductwas approved.He displayed the same promptitude on another occa-

sion. While the Boreas, after the hurricane ^ months wereover, was riding at anchor in Nevis Roads, a French frigate

passed to leeward,^ close along shore. Nelson had obtainedinformation that this ship was sent from Martinique, with

^ The broad pendant, or pennant, is a square piece of bunting at

the mast-head of the vessel of the senior admiral, or commodorecaptain.

^ The word " hurricane " is Carib for "high wind." The monthsalluded to are August, September, and October.

^ Toward the sheltered side of the ship ; hence, in the direction of

the wind. "Lee" means shelter. Alee shore is the shore on thelee side of the ship ; that is, the shore toward which the wind blows.

38 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1784

two general officers and some engineers on board, to makea survey of our sugar islands. This purpose he was deter-

mined to prevent them from executing, and therefore hegave orders to follow them. The next day he came upwith them at anchor in the roads of St. Eustatia, and an-

chored at about two cables' length on the frigate's quarter.

Being afterwards invited by the Dutch governor to meetthe 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, lie

had taken the earliest opportunity in his power to accom-pany him, in his Majesty's ship the Boreas, in order that

such attention might be paid to the officers of his MostChristian 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 ]^elson, with the utmost po-

liteness, insisted upon paying them this compliment, fol-

lowed them close, in spite of all their attempts to elude his

vigilance, and never lost sight of them till, finding it im-

possible either to deceive or escape him, they gave up their

treacherous purpose in despair, and beat up for Martinique.

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 sub-

jects. Nelson knew that, by the Navigation Act,^ no for-

eigners, directly or indirectly, are permitted to carry onany trade with these possessions: he knew, also, that the

Americans had made themselves foreigners with regard to

England; they had broken the ties of blood and language,

and acquired the independence which they had been pro-

voked to claim, unhappily for themselves, before they werefit for it; and he was resolved that they should derive noprofit from those ties.^ Foreigners they had made them-

^ "I proved, and an Act of Parliament has since established it,

that a captain of a man-of-war is in duty bound to support all themaritime laws, by his Admiralty commission alone, without becom-ing a custom-house officer."

—

Nelson, See Mahan, Influence of Sea-Power upo7i History, pp. 60 and 251.

^ For the other side of the case read the Declaration of Independ-ence, and remember Lord Chatham's memorable words: "If I were

1784] THE LIFB OF NELSON 39

selves, and as foreigners tliey were to be treated.'

' If once, '

'

said he, " they are admitted to any kind of intercourse withour islands, the views ^ of the Loyalists, in settling at NovaScotia, are entirely done away; and when we are again em-broiled in a French war, the Americans will first becomethe carriers of these colonies, and then have possession of

them. Here they come, sell their cargoes for ready money,go to Martinique, 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 con-

nexion and by interest, and are inimical to Great Britain.

They are as great rebels as ever were in America, had theythe power to show it." In November, when the squad-ron, having arrived at Barbadoes, was to separate, with noother orders than those for examining anchorages, and theusual inquiries concerning wood and water, Nelson askedhis friend Collingwood,^ then Captain of the Mediator,whose opinions he knew upon the subject, to accompanyhim to the Commander-in-Chief, whom he then respect-

fully asked, whether they were not to attend to the com-merce of the country, and see that the Navigation Act ^ wasrespected—that appearing to him to be the intent of keep-ing men-of-war upon this station in time of peace ? Sir

Eichard 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 in-

cluded in the statutes of the Admiralty, with which every

captain was furnished, and that Act was directed to admi-rals, captains, &c.,^ to see it carried into execution. Sir

Eichard said, he had never seen the book. Upon this Nel-son produced the statutes, read the words of the Act, andapparently convinced the Commander-in-Chief, that men-

an American as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop waslanded in my country, I never woiikl lay down my arms—never, never,

never ! " Also consult Green, History of England, pp. 725-748.^ Views; i. e., expectations.

^See p. 21, note 1.

^ See the Encyclopmdia Britannica, under Navigation Laws andSea Laws ; Bright's England, ii., 699, 799 ; Gardiner, History ofEngland, pp. 565, 589, 936.

* As a point of style the use of this abbreviation is to be con-demned. It produces a feeling that the author, having reached apoint where he can think of no more particulars to enumerate, hasrecourse to a meaningless symbol.

40 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1785

of-war, as he said, "were sent abroad for some other pur-

pose 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 Gover-nor of the Leeward ^ Islands ; and when ISTelson waited onhim to inform him how he intended to act, and upon whatgrounds, 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 Eng-land,^ and think myself as capable of commanding one of

his Majesty's ships as that minister is of governing the

y 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 Ameri-cans, 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. TheAmericans, though they prudently decamped from St.

Kitt's, were emboldened by the support they met with, andresolved to resist his orders, alleging that the King's ships

had no legal power to seize them without having depu-tations ^ from the Customs. The planters Avere to a managainst him; the Governors and the Presidents of the dif-

ferent islands, with only a single exception, gave him nosupport; 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 Avas 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

^ The Leeward Islands lie between Martinique and Porto E,ico;

the Windward Islands are further south. Together they form the

group known as the Lesser Antilles. The Windward Islands are so

named because first exposed to the northeast trade-winds ; the Lee-ward are named in contrast,

^William Pitt. The article in the Encydopcedia Britannica onthis great man is from the pen of Macaulay. It appears also in thethird volume of Macaulay's Essays.

^ That is, unless invested with authority delegated by the customs.

1785] THE LIFE OF NELSON 4X

advice upon the pointy and the Americans were not to behindered from coming, and having free egress and regress,

if the Governor chose to permit them. An order to thesame purport had been sent round to the different Gov-ernors and Presidents; and General Shirley and others in-

formed him, in an authoritative manner, that they choseto admit American ships, as the Commander-in-Chief hadleft the decision to them. These persons, in his ownwords, he soon " trimmed up, and silenced; " but it was amore delicate business to deal with the Admiral. " I musteither," said he, " disobey my orders, or disobey acts of

Parliament. I determined upon the form*er, trusting to

the uprightness of my intentions, and believing that mycountry would not let me be ruined for protecting her com-merce. " 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 hehad an opportunity of seeing and conversing with him. Sir

Eichard's first feeling was that of anger, and he was aboutto supersede ]S[elson ; but having mentioned the affair to

his Captain, that officer told him he believed all the squad-ron thought the orders illegal, and therefore did not knowhow 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 vigourof mind to decide upon what was right, he was not obsti-

nate in wrong, and had even generosity enough in his na-

ture to thank Nelson afterwards for having shown himhis error.

^ Equivocation is truth outwardly, falsehood inwardly. Find anexample of it on p. 42. Compare Tennyson, The Orandmother, ,^ :

That a lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies;

That a lie which is all a lie may be met and fought with outriBut a lie which is part the truth is a harder matter to fight."

2 Is Southey's language exact ? Hemember Shakspere, Henry IV.,part 1, Act III., Sc. i., where Grlendower says :

" I can call spirits from the vasty deep,"

and Hotspur replies :

" Why, so can I and so can any man,But will they come when you do call for them ?

"

42 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1785

Oollingwood, in tlie Mediator, and his brother, WilfredCollingwood, in the Rattler, actively co-operated withNelson. The custom-houses were informed, that after a

certain day all foreign vessels found in the ports wouldbe seized; and many were in consequence seized, and con-

demned in the Admiralty Court. When the Boreas arrived

at Nevis, she found four American vessels deeply laden,

and with what are called the island colours flying—white,

with a red cross. They were ordered to hoist their proper ^

flag, and depart within eight-and-forty hours ; but they re-

fused to obey, denying that they were Americans. Someof their crews were then examined in Nelson's cabin, wherethe Judge of the Admiralty happened to be present. Thecase was plain; they confessed that they were Americans,and that the ships, hull and cargo, were wholly Ameri-can 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 andpresently ^ filled, for the purpose of carrying on the cause

in behalf of the American captains: and the Admiral,whose flag w^as at that time in the road, stood neutral. Butthe 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 go-

ing ashore; and those persons, by whose de|)ositions it

appeared that the vessels and cargoes were American pro-

perty, declared that they had given their testimony underbodily fear, for that a man with a drawn sword in his handhad stood over them the whole of the 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 £40,000; 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,

^Proper means "own." Cf. " 'Tis for my proper peace," Brown-ing, Paracelsus; "Love's proper hue, celestial rosy red," Milton,

Paradise Lost, viii., 618.^ At once.

1786] TEJE LIFE OF NELSON 43

but was always prevented by the address of tlie first lieuten-

ant, Mr. Wallis. Had lie been taken, such was the temperof 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, happenedto use the wordi 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 heremained under this state of duress. During that timethe trial respecting these 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 arrest-

ing him, and the merchants promised to indemnify him ^

for so doing. The Judge, however, did his duty, and threa-

tened to send the marshal to prison if he attempted to vio-

late the protection of the court. Mr. Herbert, the Presi-

dent of ISTevis, behaved with singular generosity upon this

occasion. Though no man was a greater sufferer by the

measures which JsTelson had pursued, he offered in court to

become his bail for £10,000, if he chose to suffer the

arrest. The lawyer whom he had chosen proved to be anable as well as an honest man; and, notwithstanding the

opinions and pleadings of most of the counsel of the diffe-

rent islands, who maintained that ships of war were notjustified in seizing American vessels without a deputationfrom the customs, the law was so explicit,^ the case so

clear, and Nelson pleaded his own cause so well, that thefour ships were condemned. During the progress of this

business he sent a memorial home to the King : in conse-

quence of which, orders were issued that he should be

defended at the expense of the crown. And upon the

representations which he made at the same time to the

secretary of state, and the suggestions with which he ac-

companied them, the Eegister Act^ was framed. The

^ To whom does liim refer ?

"^Explicit is from the Latin ex, "out of," and plica, "fold."Compare "simple," '' implicit," " implicate," and "inexplicable."An interesting essay on the etymologies of selected words fromthe book could be written as a student's exercise,

^ See note 1, p. 38. " An act for the further increase and encourag-ing of shipping and navigation," by requiring all ships sailing underthe British flag to register.

44 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1787

sanction of government, and the approbation of his con-

duct which it implied, were highly gratifying to him: buthe was offended, and not without just cause, that the Trea-

sury should have transmitted thanks to the Commander-in-Chief for his activity and zeal in protecting the commerceof Great Britain. ''.Had they known all," said he, " I donot think they would have bestowed thanks in that quar-

ter, and neglected me. I feel much hurt, that, after the loss

of health and risk of fortune, another should be thankedfor what I did against his orders. I either deserved to

be sent out of the service, or at least to have had somelittle notice taken of what I had done. They have thoughtit 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 havedone my duty, and have nothing to accuse myself of.'' ^

The anxiety he had suffered from the harassing uncer-

tainties of law, is ap23arent from these^ expressions. Hehad, 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, " Grood 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. IN^isbet's

child!" A few days afterwards Mrs. Msbet herself wasfirst introduced to him, and thanked him for the partiality

which he had shown her little boy. Her manners were mildand winning : and the Captain, whose heart was easily sus-

ceptible of attachment, found no such imperious necessity

for SLibduing his inclinations as had twice before withheldhim from marrying. They were married on March 11,

^ These efforts of Nelson will recall other heroic fights against cor-

ruption—Cicero's, for example. These will make good subjects for

composition.^ Notice the skill of the paragraph sequence.^ A friend of Mr. Herbert speaks of Nelson as silent and thought-

ful in company. He declined wine at dinner ; but when the healthsof the King, Queen, and Lord Hood were to be drunk, " this strangeman filled his glass and observed they were bumper toasts withhim." He was reserved and stern, speaking seldom and to the point.

1787] THE LIFE OF NELSON 45

1787 : Prince William Henry/ who had come out to the WestIndies the preceding winter, being present, by his owndesire, 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 wholefortune, which was very great, to his niece. But JSTelson,

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 anofficer should marry: had it not been for this, Nelsonwould 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 andduty upon a mind of the true heroic stamp.

''(3^0 are often separate," said Nelson, in a letter to Mrs.Nisbet, a few months before their marriage; " but our af-

fections are not by any means on that account diminished.Our country has the first demand for our services; andprivate 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, howeverpainful."" " Have you not often heard," says he, in an-

other letter,'

' that salt water and absence always wash awaylove ? Now, I am such a heretic as not to believe in that ar-

ticle : for behold, every morning I have had six pails of salt

water poured upon my head, and instead of finding whatseamen say to be true, it goes on so contrary to the prescrip-

^ See p. 32, note 1.

^In connection with this statement the student will find muchpleasure and profit in reading Bacon's two essays (both fill barely six

pages) on " Marriage " and " Love."^ Nelson sometimes talks like an antique Spartan. The laws of

ancient nations were based chiefly on the idea that a man should live

for the state rather than for himself. What probably gave rise to

this idea ? Was it because the ancient state was involved in almostconstant war to preserve itself ? Is a man's first duty to himself or

to society ? Can that whic^i is bad for the individual be good for

society ? What is the actual relation between happiness and duty ?

Are they two things, or two sides of the same thing ? Is there such athing as true pleasure unreconciled with duty, or real duty which canproduce anything but pleasure ? Keflect and write.

46 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1787

tioii, that you must, 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 1 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 every thing 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 maynever change! Nor do I think they wiU. Indeed there

is, as far as human knowledge can judge, a moral cer-

tainty that they cannot : for it must be real affection that

brings us together, and not interest or compulsion:" Such

were the feelings, and such the sense of duty, with which

ISTelson became a husband.During his stay upon this station ^ he had ample oppor-

tunity of observing the scandalous practices of the con-

tractors, 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 vouchers, that he might ex-

amine 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. Uponthis Nelson wrote to Sir Charles Middleton, then Comp-troller of the Navy, representing the abuses which were

likely to be practised in this manner. The answer whichhe received seemed to imply that the old forms were thoughtsufficient: and thus, having no alternative, he was com-pelled, with his eyes open, to submit to a practice originat-

ing in fraudulent intentions. Soon afterwards two Antiguamerchants 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

£500,000; at Lucia, £300,000; at Barbadoes, £250,000; at

Jamaica, upwards of a million. The informers were both

^ Is the paragraph sequence well managed ? Could it be bettered ?

If so, how ?

1787] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 47

shrewd, sensible men of business ; they did not affect to beactuated by a sense of justice, but required a per-centageupon so much as government should actually recoverthrough their means. Nelson examined the books andpapers which they produced, and was convinced that gov-ernment had been most infamously plundered. Vouchers,he found, in that country, were no check whatever: theprinciple 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 appear-ance of looking at the articles. These accounts he sent

home to the different departments which had been de-

frauded: but the peculators^ were too powerful; and theysucceeded not merely in impeding inquiry, but even in

raising prejudices against Nelson at the board of Admi-ralty, 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 Eng-land, in a manner which had nearly driven him from theservice.^ During the three years that the Boreas had re-

mained upon a station which is usually so fatal, not asingle officer or man of her whole complement had died.

This almost unexampled instance of good health, thoughmostly, no doubt, imputable to a healthy season, must in

some measure also be ascribed to the wise conduct of theCaptain. He never suffered the ships to remain more thanthree or four weeks at a time at any of the islands, and whenthe hurricane months confined him to English Harbour,^ heencouraged all kinds of useful amusements: music, danc-ing, and cudgelling among the men ; theatricals among the

officers : anything which could employ their attention, andkeep their spirits cheerful,^ The Boreas arrived in Englandin June. Nelson, who had many times been supposed to

be consumptive when in the West Indies, and perhaps wassaved from consumption by that climate, was still in a pre-

carious state of health : and the raw, wet weather of one of

^ From the Latin pecus, "herd," coming in time, in the form of

pecunia, to mean "money," because wealth consisted chiefly of cat-

tle in early times. Compare our phrase " goods and chattels."^ The unity of the paragraph is violated. How can it be restored ?

^ Antigua.^ The paragraph unity is violated.

48 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1788

our ungenial summers brought on cold, and sore throat,

and fever; yet his vessel was kept at the ISTore from the

end of June till the end of November, serving as a slop

and receiving ship.^ This unworthy^ treatment, whichmore probably proceeded from intention than from ne-

glect, excited in STelson the etrongest indignation. Duringthe whole five months he seldom or never quitted the ship,

but carried on his 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 unalter-

able 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 mycommission." The officer to whom he thus communicatedhis intentions behaved in the wisest and most friendly

manner; for finding it vain to dissuade him in his present

state of feeling, he secretly interfered with the First Lordto save him from a step so injurious to himself, little fore-

seeing how deeply the welfare and honour of England wereat 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 conversa-

tion, 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 AVilliam Henry. "Nothing is wanting,

sir," said Nelson in one of his letters, "to make you the

darling of the English nation, but truth. Sorry I am to

say, much to the contrary has been dispersed." This wasnot 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 Eoyal High-ness 's officers had applied for a court-martial upon a point

^ A ship for receiving impressed seamen. " Slops," in the British

navy, are clothing and other suppKes kept by the government to be

sold to seamen when away from port. ^ Undeserved.

1788] THE LIFE OF NELSON 49

in wliicli he was unquestionably wrong. His Royal High-ness, however, while he supported his own character andauthority, prevented the trial, which must have been in-

jurious to a brave and deserving man. "^Now that youare 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 somefuture day you will serve him. There only wants this to

place your conduct in the highest point of view.^ Noneof us are without failings; his, was being rather too hasty:

but that, put into 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 metwith. 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 andbest man this country ever produced."Encouraged by the conduct of Lord Howe, and by his re-

ception at court, Nelson renewed his attack upon the pecu-

lators with fresh spirit. He had interviews with Mr. Rose,

Mr. Pitt,2 and Sir Charles Middleton, to all of whom he

satisfactorily proved his charges. In consequence, it is

said, these very extensive public frauds were at length put

in a proper train to be provided against in future ; his re-

presentations 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 punish-

ment of some of the culprits; an immense saving was madeto government, and thus its attention was directed to similar

peculation in other parts of the colonies. But it is said

also, that no mark of commendation seems to have been

bestowed upon Nelson for his exertion. And it is justly

remarked,* that the spirit of the Navy cannot be preserved

^ This passage recalls the old storv about Prince Hal and JudgeGaseoigne. See Henry IV., part "2, Act V., Sc. ii. ; the student

would do well to read the whole of that great play.^ See page 40, note 2.

* Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i., p. 107 .—Southey's Note.

4

50 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1788

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 onlytheir integrity and zeal to bring them into notice. Ajunior officer, who had been left with the command at

Jamaica, received an additional allowance, for which N^el-

son had applied in vain. Double pay was allowed to every

artificer and seaman employed in the Naval Yard : Nelsonhad superintended the whole business of that yard withthe most rigid exactness, and he complained that he wasneglected. " It was most true," he said, " that the trouble

which he took to detect the fraudulent practices then car-

ried on, was no more than his duty; but he little thoughtthat the expenses attending his frequent journeys to St.

John's upon that duty (a distance of twelve miles), wouldhave fallen upon his pay as Captain of the Boreas,'''' Ne-vertheless, the sense of what he thought unworthy usagedid not diminish his zeal. '^I," said he, "must still

buffet the waves in seach of—What? Alas! that theycalled honour is now 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 temptthe virtuous, has made me offer, if any ships should besent to destroy his Majesty of Morocco's ports, to bethere: and I have some reason to think, that, should anymore 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, thanto give up his own fame. Posterity will do him justice. Auniform 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

' It is said that his private correspondence at this time showed nosign of the discontent here alluded to. Probably the stories that are

told grew out of some of his vehement chance remarks. Do yousuppose that his disobedience of orders had anything to do with the

unsatisfactory treatment of which he is said to have complained ?

Is it not possible that the Admiralty had marked him as a man likely

to cause trouble in time of peace by his excessive zeal ?

1788] THE LIFE OF NELSON 51

formed for the sake of acquiring a competent knowledgeof the French language. But his father could not bear to

lose him thus unnecessarily. Mr. Nelson had long been aninvalid^ 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 overby his physicians for this complaint nearly forty yearsbefore his death; and was, for many of his last years,

obliged to spend all his Avinters at Bath. The sight of his

son, he declared, had given him new life. "But, Hora-tio," said he, " it would have been better that I had not beenthus cheered, if I am so soon to be bereaved of you again.

Let me, my good son, see you whilst I can. My age andinfirmities increase, and I shall not last long." To suchan 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 busiedhimself with farming the glebe ;

^ sometimes spent thegreater part of the day in the garden, where he would digas if for the mere pleasure of wearying himself. Sometimeshe went a bird's-nesting like a boy: and in these expedi-tions Mrs. Nelson always, by his express desire, accompa-nied him. Coursing was his favourite amusement. Shoot-ing, as he practised it, was far too dangerous for his com-panions : for he carried his gun upon the full cock, as if hewere going to board an enemy; and the moment a birdrose, 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 vexa-tious cares to ruffle it. The affair of the American ships wasnot yet over, and he was again pestered with threats of prose-

cution.'

' I have written them word, '

' said he,'

' that I will

have nothing to do with them, and they must act as theythink proper. Government, I suppose, will do what is

^ Judge of the meaning of the word from this line in Gray's Elegy :

" Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke."

^ From 1788 to 1793 he was not in service, and spent his time in

reading, studying charts, drawing plans, and visiting his neighbors.

Monetary considerations, his half-pay as captain being only £120yearly, probably made him eager for a new commission, however.

52 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1792

rights and not leave me in the lurch. We have heard enoughlately of the consequence 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 en-

tered the parsonage, and inquired for him: they thenasked for Mrs. Nelson : and after they had made her re-

peatedly 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

£20,000, and they charged her to give it to her husband onhis return. Nelson having bought his pony, came home withit in high spirits. He called out his wife to admire his pur-

chase, 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 anxi-

eties of the suit, and the ruinous consequences which mightensue, he exclaimed, " This affront I did not deserve] ButI'll be trifled with no longer. I will write immediately to

tlie Treasury, and, if Grovernment will not support me,I am resolved to leave the country." Accordingly, heinformed the Treasury, that if a satisfactory answer werenot 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 every thing with his characteristic rapi-

dity of decision. It was settled that he should depart im-mediately, and Mrs. Nelson follow under the care of his

elder brother Maurice, ten days after him. But the answerwhich he received from Government quieted his fears: it

stated, that Captain Nelson was a very good officer, andneeded be under no apprehension, for he would assuredly

be supported.

Here his disquietude upon this subject seems to haveended. Still he was not at ease; he wanted employ-ment, and was mortified that his applications for it pro-

duced no effect. " Not being a man of fortune," he said,

^ Twelve cents. Let some member of the class investigate andmake a written report on the monetary systems of Great Britain,

France, Glermany, and Italy.

1793] TEE LIFE OP NELSON 53

"was a crime wliicli lie was unable to get over, and there-

fore none of the great cared about him. " Eepeatedly he re-

quested the Admiralty that they would not leave him to

rust in indolence. During the armament which was madeupon occasion of the dispute concerning Nootka Sound/he renewed his application : and his steady friend, PrinceWilliam, who had then been created Duke of Clarence,recommended him to Lord Chatham.^ The failure of this

recommendation wounded him so keenly, that he againthought of retiring from the service in disgust; a resolu-

tion from which nothing but the urgent remonstrances of

Lord Hood induced him to desist. Hearing that the Rai-sonnable, in which he had commenced his career, was to becommissioned, he asked for her. This also was in vain:

and a coolness ensued, on his part, toward Lord Hood, be-

cause that excellent officer did not use his influence withLord Chatham upon this occasion. Lord Hood, however,had certainly sufficient reasons for not interfering; for heever continued his steady friend. In the winter of 1792,when we were on the eve of the revolutionary ^ war, Nelsononce more offered his services, earnestly requested a ship,

and added, that if their lordships should be pleased to ap-point him to a cockle-boat, he should feel satisfied. Hewas answered in the usual official form :

'

' Sir, I havereceived your letter of the 5th instant, expressing yourreadiness to serve, and have read the same to my LordsCommissioners of the Admiralty. " On the 12th of De-cember he received this dry acknowledgment. The fresh

mortification did not, however, affect him long: for, bythe joint interest of the Duke and Lord Hood, he was ap-pointed, on the 30th of January following, to the Aga-memnon^ of sixty-four guns.^

^ Nootka Sound lies to the west of Vancouver Island, which theSpaniards, who then held what is now California, Oregon, and Wash-ington, had seized. See Green, Eistory of England, p. 762.

^ Lord Chatham was the eldest brother of William Pitt.^ The French Revolution.^ The Agamem7ion was a two-decker, and said by Nelson to be the

finest ship of her class in the navy. Wrecked in 1809, she has hadtwo successors in the name, the present one being a turret-ship.

* The student should observe how excellently the last sentence in

this chapter serves as a preparation for the first sentence in thenext.

CHAPTER III.

The Agamemnon sent to the Mediterranean—Commencement of

Nelson's acquaintance with Sir W. Hamilton—He is sent to Cor-

sica, to co-operate with Paoli—State of affairs in that island—Nelsonundertakes the siege of Bastia, and reduces it—Takes a distinguished

part in the siege of Calvi, where he loses ah eye—Admiral Hotham'saction—The Agamemnon ordered to Genoa to co-operate with the

Austrian and Sardinian forces—Gross misconduct of the AustrianGeneral.

/^•

- There are three things^ yo^iig gentleman/' said Nel-

son to one of his midshipmen^ " which you are constantly

to bear in mind. First, yon must always implicitly obey

orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your

own respecting their propriety. Secondly, you must con-

sider 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. Jo-

siah, his step-son, 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 formeditself into a separate republic, under the protection of

England. But good principles had been at that time peril-

' Subject for inductive study : How far did Nelson live up to this

creed himself ?

^ " The Agamemnon, or, as she was humorously styled by the sea-

men, the 'Old Eggs-and-Bacon,' was wrecked when under the com-mand of Captain Rose in Maldonado Bay, in the river Plate. Thishappened on the 20th of June, in the year 1809. Many of Nelson's

hardy tars were still on board of her ; and I well remember witness-

ing the distress pictured on many a furrowed countenance, as they

were compelled to quit a ship so powerfully endeared to them byold associations. The address of Captain Rose, previously to their

being distributed amongst the fleet (under Admiral de Courcy),

drew tears from many an eye that had looked undismayed at danger,

even when death appeared inevitable."

—

The Old Sailor (quoted in

Bohn's edition).

1793] THE LIFE OF NELSON' 55

ously abused by ignorant and profligate men ; and, in its

fear and hatred of democracy, the English governmentabhorred whatever was republican. Lord Hood could nottake advantage of the fair occasion which presented itself;

and which, if it had been seized with vigour, might haveended 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, JSTelson was sent with de-

spatches to Sir William Hamilton, our Envoy at the court

of Naples. Sir William,^ after his first interview with him,told Lady Hamilton ^ that 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, '^ enter-

tained 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

^It will be remembered that Toulon was re-taken by the Frenchchiefly through the skill and energy of a young and then unknownartillery officer. Who was he ? See Laughton, Nelson, pp. 50-53.

=^Sir William Hamilton (1730-1808) was the foster-brother of

George HI., and held the position of envoy at the Neapolitan court

for 36 years (1764-1800). The Lady Hamilton here mentioned becamehis second wife in 1791.

^Lady Hamilton (1763-1815), whose maiden name was EmmaLyon, was of very humble birth. Being endowed with great beautyand talents, she came under the notice of various polished butunprincipled men of the world, and for some years led a dissipated

life. Among her many admirers were the painter Romney, whodelighted to represent her in many attitudes and characters, and Mr.Charles Greville, the nephew of Sir William Hamilton, by whom she

was introduced to that gentleman. She was a marvellous horse-

woman, an inimitable singer, an accomplished actress, clever, bold,

and fascinating. The defects of her early education were to someextent concealed by the polish which long intercourse with people

themselves polished always brings, but to the last she never learned

to spell ; these specimens of her orthography will show her weakness in

that direction :—" wright to me," " partriges," " shillins," *' Bor-

deux," " onely," " allsoe," " doats." Toward the close of her life,

she is said to have become enormously large ; one of Nelson's latest

biographers describes her trenchantly as a "fat, vulgar and immoralfemale."

^ It seems impossible that Sir William had never entertained anofficer ; he must have done so scores of times in the ordinary dis-

charge of his duties as envoy. Prince Augustus was a son of

George III.

56 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1793

in tlie destruction of Nelson's domestic happiness. It

seemed to threaten no such consequences at its commence-ment. 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 acti-

vity with which the Envoy exerted himself in procuring

troops from Naples to assist in garrisoning Toulon, so de-

lighted him, that he is said to have exclaimed, '' Sir Will-

iam, you are a man after my own heart !—you do business

in my own way: " and then to have added, "I am nowonly a captain; but I will, if I live, be at the top of the

tree." Here, also, that acquaintance with the Nea]3olitan

court 2 commenced, wliich led to the only blot^ u]3on

Nelson's public character. The King, who was sincere at

that time in his enmity to the French, called the Englishthe saviours of Italy, and of his dominions in particular.

He paid the most flattering attention to Nelson, made himdine 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 olf 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 three hundred andforty-five men at quarters, having landed part of her crewat Toulon, and others being absent in prizes. He camenear enough one of the frigates to engage her, but at

great disadvantage, the Frenchman mancBuvring well, andsailing greatly better. A running fight of three hours en-

^Josiah Nisbet, the son of Mrs. Nelson, was, owing to his step-

father's interest, employed as midshipman in the Agamemnon, as

lieutenant in the Theseus, and as captain in the Dol2')hi7i and Thalia.In a disastrous attack on Santa Cruz, July 24, 1797, he saved Nelson'slife by binding his arm after it had been shattered by a ball. As anofficer he was a failure, however, even Nelson finding nothing to

praise in his stepson. Mr. J. K. Laughton says : "He seems to

have been of intemperate habits and boorish demeanor. Whendrunk, he was violent and insulting."

2 Italy in 1793 was made up of a number of petty principalities.

Some member of the class should present a brief paper upon its state

at that time. See Knight's Historical Atlas. ^ See pp. 169-175.* The success that attended this mission is not brought out with

sufficient vividness. How may the passage be improved ?

1793] THE LIFE OF NELSON 57

sued; during which the other ships, which were at somedistance, made all speed to come up. By this time the

enemy were almost silenced, when a favourable change of

wind, enabled her to get out of reach of the Agamemnon'sguns: 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 en-

gagement, called his officers together, and asked them if the

ship was fit to go into action against such a superior force

without some small refreshment for the men ? Their an-

swer was, that she certainly was not. He then gave these v, ^orders: '^ Veer.'the ship, and lay her head to the westward; /)^clet some of the best men be employed in refitting the rig- <.

ging, and the carpenter getting crows ^ and capstern-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." Butwhen 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 hehad been sent to expostulate with the Dey upon the im-policy of his supporting the revolutionary government of

France. Nelson represented to him the atrocity of that

government. Such arguments were of little avail in Bar-bary : and when the Dey was told that the French.had puttheir sovereign to death, he dryly replied, that "Nothingcould be more heinous; and yet, if historians told the truth,

the English had once done the same." ^ This answer haddoubtless been suggested by the French about him : they

had completely gained the ascendancy, and all negotiation

on our part proved fruitless. Shortly afterwards Nelsonwas detached with a small squadron, to co-operate withGeneral 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

^ Iron bars used as levers ; called crow-bars in America.^ Levers used in turning a capstern or capstan.^ To what English king is reference made ? See Green, History

of England, p. 572 ; Gardiner, History of England, p. 560.* Boswell, Johnson's biographer, wrote a famous book about Paoli.

58 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

is but a melancholy tale.^ The island which they inhabit

has been abundantly blessed by nature : it has many excel-

lent harbours; and though the mal-aria, or pestilential at-

mosphere, which is so deadly in many parts of Italy, andof 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 cir-

cumference, some 320 :—a country large enough, and suffi-

ciently 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 andaim of policy. The Moors, the Pisans, the kings of Ara-

gon, and the G-enoese, successively attempted, and each for

a time eifected, its conquest. The yoke of the Genoesecontinued 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 EmperorCharles 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. Inthat 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 havingafterwards been noticed both by Ripperda ^ and Alberoni,"*

their example, perhaps, inflamed a spirit as ambitious andas unprincipled as their own. He employed the whole of

^ Macaulay's works are full of digressions like this one on Corsica.

Read a chapter of his history, and you will realize the value of the

practice. It is possible for a skilful writer to avoid foot-notes andto give endless variety and life to his work in this way.

^ At whom is this sarcastic allusion aimed ?

^ Jan Willem Ripperda was a Dutch adventurer, who was in suc-

cession a Roman Catholic colonel, a Protestant deputy, an ambassa-dor to Spain, a Roman Catholic, a Spanish duke, a prime minister of

Spain, an outlaw, a prisoner, a fugitive, commander of the King of

Morocco's army, and a Mohammedan. He died at Tetuan in 1737.^ Giulio Alberoni (1664-1752), from the son of a gardener rose to be

Prime Minister of Spain and a cardinal. See Gardiner, History ofEngland, p. 709 ; Green, History of England, p. 706 ; Mahan, Influ-ence of Sea Power on History, pp. 333, 234-236, 238, 239.

1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 59

his means in raising money and procuring arms: thenwrote to the leaders of the Oorsican patriots, to offer themconsiderable assistance, if they would erect Corsica into anindependent kingdom, and elect him king. When helanded among them, they were struck with his stately per-

son, his dignified manners, and imposing talents : they be-

lieyed the magnificent promises of foreign assistance whichhe 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 govern-

ment of their countr}^, and putting an end to those rival-

ries among the leading families, which had so often proved

pernicious to the public weal. He struck ^ money, con-

ferred 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 toward him, in propor-

tion 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 Hol-

land, particularly the Jews, to trust him with cannon andwarlike 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 ar-

rival, as the shortest way of settling the account. Theremainder 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 nowcalled in the French to their assistance, and a price hadbeen set upon his head. His dreams of royalty were nowat 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 insol-

vency : in consequence of which, he made over the kingdomof Corsica for the use of his creditors, and died shortly after

his deliverance.^

^ Coined. ^ Did he throw them into the sea or the town ?

^ The student who desires to understand the condition of debtors

in England in the good old times will read Dickens's Little Dorrit.

*Sir Robert Walpole got up a subscription for him. Upon his

tomb was inscribed this epitaph :" Fortune gave this man a king-

dom and his old age denied him bread."

60 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

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 them-selves. They entered into the contest, therefore, with their

usual vigour, and their usual cruelty. It was in vain that

the Oorsicans addressed a most afl:ecting 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 whichmeans 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 maybe carried on with success against a country so small andso thinly peopled as Corsica.^ Having reduced the island

to perfect servitude, which they called peace,^ the Frenchwithdrew 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 theminto the hands of the patriots. This service was long re-

membered with gratitude: the impression made upon ourown countrymen was less favourable. They had witnessed

the heart-burning of rival chiefs, and the dissensions amongthe patriots; and perceiving the state of barbarism to

which continual oppression, and habits of lawless turbu-

lence, had reduced the nation, did not recollect that the

vices of the people were owing to their unhaj)py circum-

stances; but that the virtues which they displayed arose

from their own nature.^ This feeling, perhaps, influenced

^ Are Southey's charges against the French just? Are theynatural? Answer these questions in a brief paper.

'^ Remember this when you are criticised for not saying " hanged."^ Corsica has an area of 3,400 square miles, and at present a popula-

tion of 270,000.* Students who have read Ceesar's Gallic War will notice how that

author several times uses an expression almost like this in speakingof his conquests : "Gallia pacata est," "Allobroges, qui nuperpacati sunt," etc.

^ Is tliere any portion of the British Empire to which this sentencemight be applied with great propriety to-day?

1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 61

the British court, when, in 1746, Corsica offered to put her-self under the protection of Great Britain : an answer wasreturned expressing satisfaction at such a communication,hoping that the Oorsicans would preserve the same senti-

ments, but signifying also that the present was not thetime for such a measure.

These brave islanders then formed a government for them-selves, under two leaders, Gaffori and Matra, who had thetitle 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. Gaifori was ahero worthy of old times. His eloquence was long remem-bered with admiration. A band of assassins was onceadvancing against him; he heard of their approach, wentout to meet them; and, with a serene dignity, which over-

awed them, requested them to hear him : he then spoke to

them so forcibly of the distresses of their country, her in-

tolerable wrongs, and the hopes and views of their brethrenin arms, that the very men who had been hired to murderhim feir at his feet, implored his forgiveness, and joinedhis 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 distancefrom the camp, suddenly sallied out and seized them. Theuse they made of their persons was in conformity withtheir usual execrable conduct. When Gaffori advanced to

batter the walls, they held up the child directly over thatpart of the wall at which the guns were pointed. TheOorsicans stopped; but Gaifori stood at their head, and or-

dered 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 theaffairs of the island till 1753, when he was assassinated bysome wretches, set on, it is believed, by Genoa; but cer-

tainly pensioned by that abominable government after thedeed. He left the country in such a state, that it was en-

abled to continue the war two years after his death withouta leader: then they 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 obe-

dience. He retired to Naples, and brought up this his

62 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

youngest son in the Neapolitan service. The Corsicans

heard of young Paoli's abilities, and solicited him. to comeover to his native country, and take the command. Hedid not hesitate long : his father, who was too far advancedin years to take an active part himself, encouraged him to

go; and when they separated, the old man fell on his neck,

and kissed hiui, and gave him his blessing. "My son,"

said he, "perhaps I may never see you more; but in mymind 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 mylife, in offering up my prayers for your success.

'

' WhenPaoli assumed the command, he found all things in confu-

sion; he formed a democratical government, of which hewas chosen chief; restored the authority of the laws; es-

tablished an university; and took such measures, both for

repressing abuses and moulding the rising generation, that,

if France had not interfered, upon its wicked and detest-

able principle of usurpation, Corsica might, at this day,

have been as free, and flourishing, and happy a common-wealth, 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 beenexpelled. 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 Avhich this conductexcited in all generous hearts was forcibly expressed byEousseau,^ Avho, 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

^Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) has been called by JamesRussell Lowell the father of modern democracy. " Without him,"adds the same author, " our Declaration of Independence would havewanted some of those sentences in which the immemorial longings of

the poor and the dreams of the solitary enthusiasts were at last

affirmed as axioms in the manifesto of a nation, so that all the worldmight hear." Some member of the class may be detailed to readRousseau's Discourse on the Origin of Inequality among Men, for

the purpose of discovering what are the phrases thus alluded to.

1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 63

you knew of a free man at the other end of the world;,

I believe you would go thither for the mere pleasure of

extirpating him. VThe 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 farthermischief. Would that the conduct of England had beenat this time free from reproach! but a proclamation wasissued 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:—" Idefy Eome, Sparta, or Thebes," he would say, ''to showme thirty years of such patriotism as Corsica can boast!" ^

Availing himself of the respite which the inactivity of theFrench and the weakness of the Genoese allowed, he prose-cuted his plans of civilising the people. He used to say,

that though he had an unspeakable pride in the prospectof the fame to which he aspired

;yet, if he could but ren-

der his countrymen happy, he would be content to be for-

gotten. His own importance he never affected to under-value. " We are now to our country," said he, " like theprophet Elisha, stretched over the dead body of the Shu-namite,—eye to eye, nose to nose, mouth to mouth. It

begins to recover warmth, and to revive : I hope it will yetregain full health and vigour."But when the four years were expired, France purchased

the sovereignty of Corsica from the Genoese for forty mill-ions of livres:^ as if the Genoese had been entitled'^to sell

it; as if any bargain or sale could justify one country intaking possession of another against the will of the in-

habitants, 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 thatever suffered by the hands of the executioner has infi-

nitely less guilt upon his soul than the statesman who con-cluded this treaty, and the monarch who sanctioned andconfirmed it. A desperate and glorious resistance wasmade; but it was in vain; no power interposed in behalf

^ Can they ?

^ A livre is about twenty cents.

64 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

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 hewould hold it under their government. His answer was," That the rocks which surrounded him should melt awaybefore he would betray a cause which he held in commonwith the poorest Oorsican. " ^ 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 ship-board, took refuge in

England. It is said that Lord Shelburne resigned his seat

in the cabinet because the ministry looked on, without at-

tempting to prevent France from succeeding in this abomi-nable and important act of aggrandisement.^ In one re-

spect, however, our country acted as became her. Paoli

was welcomed with the honours which he deserved, a pen-sion, of £1200 per annum was immediately granted him;and provision was liberally made for his elder brother andhig^nephew..{Above twenty years Paoli remained in England, enjoyingthe 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 coun-try, as if animated by one spirit, rose and demanded li-

berty; and the National Assembly passed a decree, recognis-

ing the island as a department of France, and therefore

entitled to all the privileges of the new French constitu-

tion. This satisfied the Oorsicans, which it ought not to

have done; and Paoli, in whom the ardour of youth waspast, seeing that his countrymen were contented, and be-

lieving that they were about to enjoy a state of freedom,naturally wished to return to his native country. He re-

signed his pension in the year 1790, and appeared at the

^ Do you remember a similar speech in Scott's Lady of the Lake f^ The statement is made by Burke in liis Thoughts on the Present

Discontents, but is based on insufficient evidence.^ Paoli was intimate with the circle that included Johnson,

Burke, Garrick, Reynolds, Goldsmith, and Boswell. Boswell's Lifeof Johnson contains many references to Paoli. Let one member of

the class make a collection of these, and another read Boswell's Tourin Corsica and present a brief abstract of its contents.

* Every student should, at his earliest opportunity, read Carlyle's

celebrated work on this subject.

1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON- 65

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 andbetter order of things, which Paoli, in common with so

many friends of humankind, had indulged: and perceiv-

ing, after the execution of the King,^ that a civil war wasabout to ensue, of which no man could foresee the issue,

he prepared to break the connexion between Corsica andthe 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 de-

clared 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 wasagain 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 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 : andCommodore Linzee, who, in reliance upon it, was sent

upon this service, was repulsed with some loss. Lord

^ King Louis XVI. of France.'The National Convention lasted from September 17, 1792, until

November 1, 1795. See Duruy, History of France, pp. 519, 553,

555, 5G5.

^Jacobinism was the most radical form taken by republicanismduring the French Revolution. The name is derived from the fact

that the meetings of the club to which the leaders Marat, Mirabeau,Danton, Barras, and Robespierre belonged were held in an old Jacobinor Dominican convent. See Duruy, History of France, pp. 536,

546, 548, 552, 559, 560, 571, 576, 581; and Guizot, History of France,vol. vi., Index.

^ Paoli again fled to England, dying there in 1807. See Guizot,

History of France, vol. vi., Index.

5

66 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

Hood, who had now been compelled to evacuate Toulon,

suspected Paoli of intentionally deceiving him. This was

an injurious ^ suspicion. Shortly afterwards he despatched

Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir John) Moore ^ and Ma-jor Koehler to confer with him upon a plan of opera-

tions. Sir Grilbert Elliot accompanied them: and it wasagreed, that, in consideration of the succours, both mili-

tary and naval, which his Britannic Majesty should af-

ford 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 settle-

ment he might approve of concerning its government andits future relation with Great Britain. While this negoti-

ation was going on, Nelson cruised off the island with a

small squadron, to prevent the enemy from throwing in sup-

plies. Close to St. Fiorenzo the French had a store-house

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, whowere sent against him, could occasion him the loss of a

single man. While he exerted himself thus, keeping out

all supplies, intercepting despatches, attacking their out-

posts and forts, and cutting out vessels from the bay,

—

a species of warfare which depresses the spirit of an enemymore than it injures them, because of the sense of indi-

vidual superiority which it indicates in the assailants,

—

troops were landed, and St. Fiorenzo was besieged. TheFrench, finding themselves unable to maintain their post,

sunk one of their frigates, burnt another, and retreated

to Bastia. Lord Hood submitted to General Dundas, whocommanded the land forces, a plan for the reduction of

this place : the general declined co-operating, thinking the

attempt impracticable, without a reinforcement of 2000men, which he expected from Gibraltar. Upon this LordHood determined to reduce it with the naval force underhis command; and leaving part of his fleet off Toulon, hecame with the rest to Bastia.

^Remember that this word means, etymologically, "full of in-

justice.""^ Sir John Moore has been immortalized by the Rev. Charles Wolfe

in one of the most familiar poems of the English language. SeeGardiner, History of Eiigland, p. 864.

1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 67

He showed a proper sense of respect for Nelson's ser-

vices, and of confidence in his talents, by taking care notto briu^ with him any older captain. A few days beforetheir arrival, l^elson had had what he called a brush withthe enemy. " If I had had with me five hundred, 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 weseldom fail." During this partial action our army ap-peared upon the heights; and having reconnoitred theplace, returned to St. Fiorenzo. " What the general couldhave seen to make a retreat necessary," said Nelson, "Icannot comprehend.^ A thousand men would certainly

take Bastia; with five hundred and Agamemnon I wouldattempt it. My seamen are noAV what British seamenought to be—^almost invincible. They really mind shotno more than peas, 'j General Dundas had not the sameconfidence. "After mature consideration," said he in a

letter to Lord Hood, " and a personal inspection for sev-

eral days of all circumstances, local as well as others, I

consider the siege of Bastia, with our present means andforce, to be a most visionary and rash attempt; such as noofficer would be justified in undertaking." Lord Hoodreplied, that nothing would be more gratifying to his feel-

ings than to have the whole responsibility upon himself;

and that he was ready and willing to undertake the reduc-tion of the place at his own risk, with the force and meansat 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 anystores. Lord Hood could only obtain a few artillerymen;

and ordering on board that part of the troops who, havingbeen embarked as marines, were borne on the ships' booksas part of their respective complements, he began the siege

with 1183 soldiers, artillerymen, and marines, and 250sailors. " We are but few," said Nelson, " but of the right

^ General Grant, in his 3Iemoirs, propounds an idea which is essen-

tially one with Nelson's. He says that it occurred to him, early in

his career, when awed by the presence of an enemy, that, in all

probability, that enemy was equally awed by the thought of him.

68 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

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 Lieu-tenant-Colonel Villettes and Nelson, who had now acquired,

from the army the title of Brigadier. Guns were draggedby the sailors up heights where it appeared almost impos-sible to convey them;—a work of the greatest difficulty;

and which Nelson said could never, in his opinion, havebeen accomplished by any but British seamen. The sol-

diers, though less dexterous in such service, because notaccustomed, like sailors, to habitual dexterity, behavedwith equal spirit. '' Their zeal," said the Brigadier, "isalmost 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 neces-

sary for them to be equally well commanded. They havethe same heart and soul, as well as the same flesh andblood. 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 whichthey cannot perform. The French had improved the lei-

sure which our military commander had allowed them, andbefore Lord Hood commenced his operations, he had the

mortification of seeing that the enemy were every day erect-

ing new works, strengthening old ones, and rendering the

attempt more difficult. La Oombe St. Michel, the com-missioner from the National Convention, who was in thecity, replied in these terms to the summons of the British

admiral: " I have hot shot for your ships, and bayonets for

your troops. A¥hen 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 areply seemed to augur. On the 19th of May a treaty of

capitulation was begun : that same evening the troops fromSt. Fiorenzo made their appearance on the hills; and, onthe following morning. General d'Aubant arrived with thewhole army to take possession of Bastia.

The event of this siege had justified the confidence of

the sailors; but they themselves excused the opinion of thegenerals, when they saw what they had done. " I am all

1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 69

astonishment/' said Nelson, "when I reflect upon whatwe have achieved : 1000 regulars, 1500 national guards, anda large party of Corsican troops, 4000 in all, laying downtheir arms to 1200 soldiers, marines, and seamen ! I alwayswas of opinion, have ever acted up to it, and never hadany reason to repent it, that one Englishman was equal to

three Frenchmen. V Had this been an English town, I amsure it would not have been taken by them." When it hadbeen resolved to attack the place, the enemy were supposedto be far inferior in number; and it was not till the wholehad been arranged, and the siege publicly undertaken, thatNelson received certain information of the great superiority

of the garrison. This intelligence he kept secret, fearinglest, if so fair a pretext were afforded, the attempt wouldbe 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 Avhat must have been my feelings

during the whole siege, when I had often proposals madeto me to write to Lord Hood to raise it." Those very per-

sons who thus advised him were rewarded for their conductat the siege of Bastia: Nelson, by whom it might be truly

affirmed that Bastia was taken, received no reward. LordHood's thanks to him, both public and j^rivate, were, as hehimself said, the handsomest which man could give: buthis 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 whichthey so amply entitled him. This could only have arisen

from the haste in which the despatches were written ; cer-

tainly not from any deliberate purpose, for Lord Hood wasuniformly his steady and sincere friend.^

'Compare Dr. Johnson, who, when some one sought to discourage''him with reference to his dictionary by saying that it had taken fortyFrenchmen twenty years to produce a dictionary, whereas he ex-pected to finish his in three, bravely replied: "As eight hundred is

to three, so is the proportion of an Englishman to a Frenchman."Is the boast justified by history ? Consult the histories with refer-

ence to the battles of Cressy, Poitiers, Agincourt, Blenheim, andWaterloo. Then write a paragraph in comment.

^ Probably Southey is mistaken. The likelihood is that Nelsonhad acted in violation of orders, or that to his commander his ser-

vices did not appear as great as to his biographer, not being then

70 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

One of the cartel's^ sliips^, which carried the garrison of

Bastia to Toulon, brought back intelligence that the Frenchwere about to sail from that port;—such exertions had theymade to repair the damage done at the evacuation, and to

fit out a fleet. The intelligence was speedily verified. LordHood sailed in quest of them toward the islands of the

Hieres. The Agamem?io?i 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 myconduct 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. Myname 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. Whateverfate awaits me, I pray God to bless you, and preserve you,

for your son's sake." With a mind thus prepared, andthus 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 pre-

vented Lord Hood from getting between them and the

shore, as he designed: boats came out from Antibes andother places, to their assistance, and towed them withinthe shoals in Gourjean Koads,^ where they were j)rotected

by batteries on isles St. Honore and St. Marguerite, andon 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 wasfound that they had anchored in compact order, guardingthe only passage for large ships. There was no way of

efiecting this passage, except by towing or warping the ves-

magnified by the brilliant reflection cast over them by his achieve-ments at Aboukir, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar.

^ A vessel carrying a flag of truce. Literally, a vessel carrying anagreement written on a little card (cartel). Is "cartel's ships" amisprint for cartel-ship, or is " cartel " here used in the sense of afleet carrying a flag of truce ?

^ " Si mihi quid accidat " is the true Roman for an allusion to thepossibility of death.

^ Properly Golie Jouan. ^ Cape Garoupe.® The plan was employed by Nelson at Aboukir. The tremendous

advantages it gave, when sails were the only method of propulsionand the attacking force was to windward, are self-evident.

1794] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 71

sels; and this rendered the attempt impracticable. Forthis 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; anofficer who, unfortunately for his country, never had anadequate field allotted him for the display of those eminenttalents, which were, to all who knew him, so conspicuous.*

N"elson had less responsibility here than at Bastia; and wasacting with a man after his own heart, who was never spar-

ing of himself, and slept every night in the advanced bat-

tery. But the service was not less hard than that of the

former siege. ^^ We will fag ourselves to death," said heto 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 batter-

ies, mounted, and all but three fought by seamen, except

one artillery-man to point the guns." The climate provedmore destructive than the service; for this was during the

period of the "lion sun,"^ as they there 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 wxre laid low by it. " All the prevailing disor-

ders have attacked me," said he, "but I have not strength

enough for them to fasten on." The loss from the enemywas not great; but Nelson received a serious injury: a

shot struck the ground near him, and drove the sand andsmall 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 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 himonly one day; but the sight was lost.^

* Lord Melville was fully sensible of these talents, and bore testi-

mony to them in the handsomest manner after Sir Charles's death.—Southey^s Note.

^Nelson spoke of the " lion sun'* in a letter to the Duke of Clar-

ence. The period when the dog-star Sirius rises and sets with the

sun is known as that of the " dog-days."^ Nelson wrote to Mrs. Nelson as follows, August 18, 1794 : "A

shot having hit our battery, the splinters and stones from it struck

72 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

After the fall of Calvi, liis services were, by a strange

omission, altogether overlooked: and his name was noteven mentioned in the list of wounded. This was nowaysimputable to the Admiral, for he sent home to Govern-ment Nelson's journal of the siege, that they might fully

understand the nature of his indefatigable and unequalledexertions. 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. Nelsonfelt himself neglected. "One hundred and ten days,"said he, "I have been actually engaged, at sea and onshore, against the enemy; three actions against ships, twoagainst Bastia in my ship, four boat actions, and two vil-

lages taken, and twelve sail of vessels burnt. I do notknow that any one has done more. I have had the comfortto be always applauded by my Commander-in-Chief, butnever to be rewarded: and, what is more mortifying, for

services in which I have been wounded, others have beenpraised, who, at the same time, were actually in bed far

from the scene of action. They have not done me jus-

tice. 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 ownwords, been miserably torn to pieces by as hard service as

a ship's crew ever performed : 150 were in their beds whenhe left Calvi; of them he lost fifty; and believed that the

constitutions of the rest were entirely destroyed. He wasnow sent with despatches to Mr. Drake,^ at Genoa, andhad his first interview with the Doge. The French had,at this time, taken possession of Vado Bay, in the Genoeseterritory ; and Nelson foresaw, that if their thoughts werebent on the invasion of Italy, they would accomplish it the

ensuing spring. "The allied powers," he said, "were

me with great violence on the face and breast. ... I most for-

tunately escaped, having only my right eye nearly deprived of sight.

It was cut down [diminished in size ?], but is so far recovered as for

me to be able to distinguish light from darkness. As to all purposesof use it is gone. However, the blemish is nothing, not to be per-ceived unless told. The pupil is nearly the size of the blue part ; 1

don't know the name."^ "It cost me," said Nelson, "£300, an eye, and a cut across the

back. I have said a great deal about myself, but it is all true."^ The English minister.

1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON. 73

jealous of each other; and none but England was heartyin the cause." His wish was for peace, on fair terms, be-

cause England, he thought, was draining herself, to main-tain allies who would not fight for themselves. Lord Hoodhad now returned to England, and the command devolvedon Admiral Hotham. The affairs of the Mediterraneanwore at this time a gloomy aspect. The arts, as well as thearms 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, andgiven it a constitution as free as our own. This was donewith the consent of the majority of the inhabitants: andno 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 wouldthen have felt as a nation; but, when one party had givenup the country to England, the natural consequence was,

that the other looked to Erance. The question proposedto the people was, to which would they belong ? Our lan-

guage and our religion were against us; our unaccommo-dating manners, it is to be feared, still more so. The Frenchwere better politicians. In intrigue they have ever beenunrivalled; and it now became apparent that, in spite of

old wrongs, which ought never to have been forgotten or

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 dismayits enemies. Corsica was now loudly threatened. TheFrench, who had not yet been taught to feel their own in-

feriority 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 Englishand engage them. Accordingly, the Toulon fleet, consist-

ing of seventeeu ships of the line, and five smaller vessels,

put to sea. Admiral Hotham received this information at

74 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1795

Leghorn, aud sailed immediately in searcli of tliem. Hehad with him fourteen sail of the line, and one IsTeapolitan

seventy-four; but his ships were only half manned, con-

taining but 7650 men, whereas the enemy had 16,900.

He soon came in sight of them: a general action was ex-

pected; and N"elson, as was his custom on such occasions,

wrote a hasty letter to his wife, as that which might pos-

sibly contain his last farewell. " The lives of all," said he,

''are in the hands 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 Englishfleet, they suffered themselves to be chased. One of their

ships, the (Ja 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 wasobliged to leave her. Soon afterwards a French frigate

took the (Ja Ira in tow; and the Sans Culottes, one hun-dred and twenty, and the Jean Barras, seventy-four, keptabout gunshot^ distance on her weather bow.^ The Aga-memnon stood towards her, having no ship of the line to

support her within several miles. As she drew near, the

(7a Ira fired her stern guns so truly, that not a shot missedsome part of the ship, and, latterly, the masts were struck

by every shot. It had been ISTelson's intention not to fire be-

fore he touched her stern; ^ but seeing how impossible it washe should be supported, and how certainly the Agamem7ionmust be severely cut up, if her masts were disabled, healtered his plan according to the occasion. As soon, there-

fore, as he was within a hundred yards of her stern, heordered the helm to be put a-starboard, and the driver andafter-sails to be brailed up and shivered; and, as the ship

fell off, gave the enemy her whole broadside.^ They in-

^ Lost overboard.^ About 250 yards.^ Opposite the bow, on the side of the ship toward the wind.* Came up with.^ Starboard is the right side of the ship, looking forward

;port, the

left. To put the helm a-starboard is to turn the ship's head to port.

A driver-sail is a fore-and-aft sail on the mizzen-mast. This wasbrailed up; i.e., tied up with the ropes called brails, used to pull

1795] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 75

stantly braced up the after-yards, l^nt the helm a-port, andstood after her again. This manoeiivre he practised for twohours and a quarter, never allowing the (^a Ira to get asingle gun from either side to bear on him; and whenthe French fired their after-guns now, it was no longerwith coolness and precision, for every shot went far a-head.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, andgot her round. 1 Both these French ships now broughttheir guns to bear, and opened their fire. The Agamem-non passed them within half-pistol shot; almost every shotpassed 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 constantfire 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 Cidottes,

which had wore, with many of the enemy's ships, wasunder his lee bow, and standing to leeward. The Admiral,^at the same time, made the signal for the van ships to joinhim. Upon this ISTelson 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: hersails and rigging were very much cut, and she had many

up the large sails. The after-sails are all those on the mizzen-mastand on the stays between the mainmast and mizzen-mast. These wereshivered ; i.e., the ropes holding them fast at the bottom were loos-

ened so that they offered no resistance to the wind. As the windblew toward the starboard side, and only the forward sails were left

in a position to offer resistance to it, the effect of thus manipulat-ing the sails was to aid the action of the rudder. The result wasthat the Agamemnon presented her starboard broadside to the sternof the ^a Ira. As soon as this was discharged the after-sails wereset again, and the Agamemnon pursued her antagonist until oncemore within range, when the manceuvre was repeated.

^ I.e., changed to the other tack, the result being that the broad-sides of both bore on the Agamemnon.

^ The English admiral. Some member of the class should make aspecial study of this page, construct diagrams of the action, andwrite a paper which should be read to the rest.

76 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1795

sliots in her hull, and some between wind and water. ^ The(7« 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 Englishships were taken aback with a fine breeze at JST.W., while

the enemy's fleet kept the southerly wind. The body of

their fleet was about five miles distant; the (7« Ira, andthe Censeur, seventy-four, which had her in tow, aboutthree 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 engaged with heryesterday's antagonist; but she^ had to fight on both sides

the ship at the same time. The (7« Ira and the Censeurfought most gallantly: the first lost nearly 300 men, in addi-

tion to her former loss; the last 350. Both at last 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 boardthem both. The rest of the enemy's ships behaved very

ill. As soon as these vessels had struck, ISTelson wentto Admiral Hotham,^ and proposed that the two prizes

should be left with the Illustrious and Courageux, whichhad 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

^Between wind and water; i.e., the space which, owing to therolling of the ship, is sometimes above and sometimes below the

water-line.^ Is the Agamemnon or her antagonist meant ? Point out on

pages 75 and 76 some other cases of ambiguity in the use of pro-

nouns. Rewrite the sentences in question so as to remove the fault.^ The quarter-deck is that part of a war-vessel's spar-deck between

the poop and the mainmast ; it is reserved for officers.

^ Hotham's timidity led to far-reaching results. It seems probablethat, had he attacked the French fleet as Nelson wished, nothingcould have saved it. With their fleet gone, the French could nothave invaded Italy ; Spain would have remained true to England

;

and Bonaparte's expedition to Egypt would not have been thoughtof. In the words of Mr. J. K. Laughton :

" That the rise and gran-deur of Bonaparte's career are thus bound up with Hotham's irreso-

lution on July 13th, has perhaps not been so generally noticed orunderstood as the interest of the fact deserves."

1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON 77

the eleventh to escape, when it had been possible to havegot at her, I coald never have called it well done.* Good-all backed me : I got him to write to the Admiral ; but it

would not do. We should have had such a day as, I be-

lieve, the annals of England never produced." In this

letter, the character of Nelson fully manifests itself. "Iwish," said he, ^^ to be an admiral, and in the command of

the English fleet : I should very soon either do much, or beruined : my disposition cannot bear tame and slow meas-ures. Sure I am, had I commanded on the 14th, thateither the whole Erench fleet would have graced my tri-

umph, or I should have been in a confounded scrape."What the event would have been, he knew from his pro-

phetic feelings and his own consciousness of power: andwe also know it now, for Aboukir and Trafalgar havetold it.

The (7« Ira and Censeur probably defended themselveswith more obstinacy in this action, from a persuasion that,

if they struck, no quarter would be given; because they hadfired red-hot shot, and had. also a preparation, sent, as theysaid, by the Convention from Paris, which seems to havebeen 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 founduseless 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, andtwo cutters, from Brest, gave the Erench a superiority

which, had they known how to use it, would materially

have endangered the British Mediterranean fleet. Thatfleet had been greatly neglected during Lord Chatham'sadministration at the Admiralty ; and it did not, for sometime, feel the beneficial effect of his removal. Lord Hoodhad gone home to represent the real state of affairs, andsolicit reinforcements adequate to the exigencies of the

time, and the importance of the scene of action. But that

* "I can, entre nous" says Sir William Hamilton, in a letter to

Nelson, "perceive that my old friend, Hotham, is not quite awakeenough for such a command as that of the king's fleet in the Medi-terranean, although he appears the best creature imaginable."

—

Southey's Note.^ See Gibbon, DecU?ie and Fall of the Roman Empire, ch. lii.

78 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1795

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; andLord Hood, not being able to obtain such reinforcements

as he knew were necessary, resigned the command. '' Sure-

ly," said Nelson, "the people at home have forgotten

us." Another !N"eapolitan seventy-four joined AdmiralHotham; and Nelson observed with sorrow, that this wasmatter 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 theynot escaped, " the game," said Nelson, " was up here. Atthis 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 Admiraldoes 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 eighteen or twenty sail.

The combined British and Neapolitan were but sixteen;

should the enemy be only eighteen, Nelson made no doubtof a complete victory, but if there were twenty, he said,

it was not to be expected : and a battle, without completevictory, would have been destruction, because another mastwas not to be got on that side Gibraltar. At length Admi-ral Man arrived with a squadron from England. '^ A¥hatthey 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 amendmentor alteration from the old Board of Admiralty. Theyshould know that half the ships in the fleet require to goto England; and that long ago they ought to have rein-

forced 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 wereoppressed by the thought that his services had not beenacknowledged as they deserved ; and it abated the resent-

ful feeling which would else have been excited by the an-

swer to an application to the War-Office. During his four

^ This post was a sinecure conferred upon four captains for goodservice, and relinquished when the incumbent was promoted. Pen-sions are now given instead.

1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON 79

months' land service in Corsica, he had lost all his ship-

furnitiire, 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 notasking an improper thing to request that the same allow-

ance might be made to him which would be made to a landofficer of his rank, which, situated as he was, would bethat of a Brigadier- Greneral: 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 offi-

cers of the navy serving with the army on shore."He now entered upon a ncAV line of service. The Aus-

trian and Sardinian armies, under General de Vins, re-

quired a British squadron to co-operate with them in driv-

ing the French from the Eiviera di Genoa; and as Nelsonhad been so much in the habit of soldiering, it was imme-diately fixed that the Brigadier should go. He sailed fromSt. 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 somewhat hard pressed : but the want of skill on thepart of the French gave them many advantages. Nelsonbeat his way back to St. Fiorenzo, where the fleet, whichwas in the midst of watering and refitting, had, for sevenhours, the mortification of seeing him almost in possession

of the enemy, before the wind would allow them to putout to his assistance. The French, however, at evening,went off, not choosing to approach nearer the shore. Dur-ing the night. Admiral Hotham, by great exertions, gotunder weigh; and, having sought the enemy four days,

came in sight of them on the fifth. Baffling winds andvexatious calms, so common in the Mediterranean, renderedit impossible to close with them; only a partial action

could be brought on ; and then the firing made a perfectcalm.i The French, being to windward, drew in shore;

and the English fleet was becalmed six or seven miles to

the westward. UAlcide, of seventy-four guns, struck; butbefore she could be taken possession of, a box of combusti-

^ Some member of the class should investigate and write up the

physics of this result.

80 TBE LIFE OF NELSON [1795

bles in her fore-top took fire^ and tlie unhappy crew ex-

perienced how far more perilous their inventions were to

themselves than to their enemies. So rapid was the con-

flao-ration^ 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 hoard, not morethan 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 being 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 hada conference with Mr. Drake, the British Envoy to that

state; the result of which was, that the object of the Brit-

ish must be, to put an entire stop to all trade between

Genoa, France, and the places occupied by the Frenchtroops; for, unless this trade were stopj)ed, it would be

scarcely possible for the allied armies to hold their situa-

tion, 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 wantof supplies, if the trade with Genoa were cut off. Thissort of blockade Nelson could not carry on without great

risk to himself. A captain in the Nav}^, as he rej^resented

to the Envoy, is liable to prosecution for detention anddamages. This danger was increased by an order whichhad then lately been issued; by which, when a neutral ship

was detained, a complete specification of her cargo wasdirected to be sent to the Secretary of the Admiralty, andno 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; andthen, if they should hapiDcn to release the vessel, the ownerswould look to the captain for damages. Even the only

precaution which could be taken against this danger in-

volved another danger not less to be apjDrehended ; for, if

the captain should direct the cargo to be taken out, the

freight paid for, and the vessel released, the agent em-

1795] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 81

ployed might prove fraudulent, and become bankrupt; andin 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 es-

sential 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, andhold the amount till process was had upon it : Governmentthus 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 havenot only the support of his Majesty's ministers, both at

Turin and Genoa, but a consciousness that I am doingwhat is right and proper for the service of our king andcountry. 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 wasawakened to the injury which the cause of the allies con-

tinually suffered from the frauds of neutral vessels.'' What changes in my life of activity! " said this indefat-

igable man. " Here I am; having commenced a co-oper-

ation 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 epaployed ^ 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. " PoorAgmnemnon,^^ 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 himan able man, who was willing to act with vigour. Thegeneral charged his inactivity upon the Piedmontese andNeapolitans, whom, he said, nothing could induce to act;

^ Do . . . employed : point out the fault of style, remedy it,

and state the principle violated.

6

82 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1795

and lie concerted a plan with ISTelson^ for embarking a part

of the Austrian army, and landing it in tlie rear of the

French. But the English Commodore soon began to sus-

pect that the Austrian General was little disposed to anyactive operations. In the hope of spurring him on^ hewrote to him, telling him that he had surveyed the coast

to the westward as far as Nice^ and would undertake to

embark four or five thousand men^ with their arms, and a

few days' provisions, on board the squadron, and land themwithin two miles of St. Eemo, with their field-pieces.

Respecting further provisions for the Austrian army, hewould provide convoys, that they should arrive in safety;

and if a re-embarkation should be found necessary, hewould cover it with the squadron. The possession of St.

Eemo, as head-quarters for magazines of every kind, wouldenable the Austrian G-eneral to turn his army to the east-

ward or westward. The enemy at Oneglia would be cut ofi

from provisions, and men could be landed to attack that

place whenever it was judged necessary. St. Eemo wasthe only place between Vado and Yille Franche where the

squadron could lie in safety, and anchor in almost all

winds. The bay was not as 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 com-pletely blockaded by sea. General de Vins, affecting, in

his reply, to consider that ISTelson's proposal had no other

end than that of obtaining the Bay of St. Eemo as a sta-

tion for the ships, told him, what he well knew, and hadexpressed 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 wasno risk to which he would not expose himself with plea-

sure, for the sake of procuring a safe station for the ves-

sels of his Britannic Majesty. Nelson soon assured the

Austrian commander that this was not the object of his me-morial. He now began to suspect that both the Austrian

court and their General had other ends in view than the

cause of their allies. "This army," said he, " is slow be-

yond all description; and I begin to think that the Emperoris anxious to touch another four millions of English

money. As for the German Generals, war is their trade,

1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON 83

and peace is ruin to them; therefore we cannot expect

that they should have any wish to finish the war. Thepolitics of courts are so mean^ that private people wouldbe ashamed to act in the same way: all is trick ^ndi finesse,

to which the common cause is sacrificed. The Generalwants a loophole ; it has for some time appeared to me that

he means to go no farther than his present position, and to

lay the miscarriage of the enterprise against Nice, whichhas always been held out as the great object of his army,to the non-co-operation 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, despatch

a ship to Admiral Hotham, requesting transports, havingno doubt of obtaining them, and trusting that the plan

would be successful to its fullest extent. Nelson thoughtat 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

head-quarters, 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 Nel-

son 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 meri-

torious in leaving such a man so much at his own discre-

tion, pursued a cautious system, ill-according with the bold

and comprehensive views of Nelson, who continually re-

gretted Lord Hood, saying, that the nation had sutlered

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, nocordiality in their co-operation, no energy in their coun-

cils. The neutral powers assisted France more effectually

than the allies assisted each other. The Genoese ports wereat this time filled with French privateers, which swarmedout 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

g4 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1795

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 complain-

ing, or he of answering their complaints. But the ques-

tion of neutrality was soon at an end. An Austrian com-missary was travelling from Glenoa towards Vado; it was

known that he was to sleep at Yoltri, and that he had£10,000 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 honourof the one, the duties of the other, and the laws of neutral-

ity. The boats of the frigate went out with some privateers,

landed, robbed the commissary, and brought back the moneyto Genoa. The next day men were publicly enlisted in that

city for the French army : 700 men were embarked, with

7,000 stand of arms, on board the frigates and other ves-

sels, who were to land between Voltri and Savona:—there

a detachment from the French army was to join them, andthe Genoese peasantry were to be invited to insurrection,

—a measure for which everything had been prepared. Thenight of the 13tli was fixed for the sailing of this expedi-

tion : 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 de-

serts, 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 hadallowed, if not connived at, a flagrant breach of neutral-

ity, and expecting the answer which he was prepared to

return, that it was useless and impossible for him to re-

spect it longer.

But though this movement produced the immediate

effect which Avas designed, it led to ill consequences, whichNelson foresaw, but, for want of sufficient force, was una-

ble 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 de-

manded this reinforcement. Admiral Hotham had left the

command; Sir Hyde Parker succeeded till the new com-mander should arrive; and he immediately reduced it

1795] TEE LIFE OF NELSON g5

almost to nothing, leaving liim 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 Nelsonwas thus summoned to Genoa, he chased a large convoyinto Alassio. Twelve vessels he had formerly destroyed in

that port, though 2,000 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,

gunboats, and ships of war. Nelson represented to the

admiral how important it was to destroy these vessels; andoffered, with his squadron of frigates, and the Culloden

and Courageux, to lead himself in the Agamemnon, andtake or destroy the whole. The attempt was not per-

mitted: but it was Nelson's belief, that, if it had been

made, it would have prevented the attack upon the Aus-trian army, which took place almost immediately after-

wards.

General de Vins demanded satisfaction of the Genoesegovernment for the seizure of his commissary; and then,

without waiting for their reply, took possession of someempty magazines of the French, and pushed his sentinels

to the very gates of Genoa. Had he done so at first, hewould have found the magazines full; but timed as the

measure was, and useless as it was to the cause of the al-

lies, it was in character with the whole of the Austrian

General's conduct: and it is no small proof of the dexter-

ity with which he served the enemy, that in such circum-

stances he could so act with Genoa, as to contrive to puthimself 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 Frenchplan for taking post between Voltri and Savona would cer-

tainly succeed : if the Austrians should be worsted in the

advanced posts, the retreat by 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

^ St. Pier d'Arena is a western suburb of Genoa.

86 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1795

liand^ lie knew, that if he were not at Pietra/ the enemy'sgunboats 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 beenpermitted to attack the convoy in Alassio, he would havedisconcerted the plans of the French, in spite of the Aus-trian General. He had foreseen the danger, and pointed

out how it might be prevented ; but the means of prevent-

ing it were withheld. The attack was made, as he foresaw

;

and the gunboats brought their fire to bear upon the Aus-trians. Jt so happened, however, that the left flank, whichwas 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 thousandsran away who had never seen the enemy; some of themthirty miles from the advanced posts. Had I not, though,I own, against my inclination, been kept at Genoa, fromeight to ten thousand 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 Yado, ran with the

Austrians eighteen miles without stopping: the men with-

out arms, officers without soldiers, women without assist-

ance. The oldest officer, say they, never heard of so com-plete a defeat, and certainly without any reason. Thus has

ended my campaign.—We have established the French re-

public; 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 detesta-

tion, 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

* Pietra is about six miles south of Cape Noli.

1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON 87

fourteen, and all were nearly naked : they were sure, tliey

said, his barge's crew^ could have beat a hundred of them;and that, had he himself seen them, he would not havethought, if the world had been covered with such people,

that they could have beaten the Austrian army.^

The defeat of General de Yins gave the enemy possession

of the Genoese coast from Savona to Voltri; and it de-

prived the Austrians of their direct communication withthe English fleet. ^ The Agamemno7i, therefore, could nolonger be useful on this station, and Nelson sailed for

Leghorn to refit (about December 8th). "When the ship

went into dock, there was not a mast, yard, sail, or anypart of the rigging, but what stood in need of repair,

having been cut to pieces with shot. The hull was so dam-aged, that it had for some time been secured by cables,

which were served or thrapped round it.

^ For a number in a barge's crew, see p. 106.^ A report of the battle from a French source and another from

an unprejudiced one should be studied, compared with this and each

other, and written up for the class. See Duruy, History of France,

p. 567 ; and Mahan, hiflueiice of Sea Poiver on French Revolution,

pp. 196-203.^ Let a member of the class be detailed to make a special study of

the geography of this campaign, to draw maps of Genoa and its

vicinity, and to explain Southey's text.

CHAPTER IV.

Sir J. Jervis takes the command—Genoa joins the French—Buo-naparte begins his career—Evacuation of Corsica—Nelson hoists his

broad pendant 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—Expeditionagainst Teneriffe—Nelson loses an arm—His sufferings in England,and recovery.

Sir Johk Jeryis ^ had now ^ arrived to take the com-mand of the Mediterranean fleet. The Agamemnon hav-

ing, 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, " anx-

ious to know many things, which I was a good deal sur-

prised to find had not been communicated to him by others

in the fleet; and it would appear that he was so well satis-

fied 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 don^. " ^ The manner in which Nelson was re-

ceived is said to have excited some envy. One captain

observed to him: ''You did just as you pleased in LordHood's time, the same in Admiral Hotham's, and nowagain with Sir John Jervis: it makes no difference to yoawho is Oommander-in- Chief. " A higher compliment could

not have been paid to any Commander-in-Chief, than to

^ Professor Laughton says that the arrival of Sir John Jervis was'

' the signal of a new order of things ; of a strictness of discipline

in all departments, of an activity on service and a restless energysuch as had never been equalled, and w^hich brought the fleet to apoint of unparalleled efficiency." For his character, see Mahan,Effect of Sea Power on French Revolution, Index. It will amplyreward inductive study.

"" November 30, 1795.

^January 19, 1796.* Do you think Nelson's literary style as good as his style of

fighting ?

1796] THE LIFE OF NELSON 89

say of liim^ that he understood the merits of Nelson, andleft 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 anyobjection 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 re-

turn 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 tlieir 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,'^ hewas removed from a command for which his incapacity

was afterwards clearly proved, and Buonaparte was ap-

pointed to succeed him. Buonaparte^ had given indica-

tions of his military talents at Toulon, and of his remorse-

less nature at Paris: but the extent either of his ability or

his wickedness was at this time known to none, and per-

haps not even suspected by himself.

Nelson supposed, from the information which he had

^ His admirars flag. See next sentence but one.^ Scherer (1750-1804) was the son of a butcher. He was a failure

both as general and statesman, but is said to have been full of patri-

otic zeal. More fortunate than most of the other leaders of theFrench Revolution, he did not pay the penalty of losing his head for

the crime of being eminent, but his escape was a narrow one. SeeMahan, Influence of Sea Poiver on French Revolution, Index.

^ The affairs of France were managed by this body, which wasexecutive and consisted of five members, from July 27, 1794, until

November 9, 1799, when it was ended by Napoleon. See Duruy, His-tory of France, pp. 566-578 ; Guizot, History of France, vol. vi..

Index.^ Barras (1755-1829) was the man who discovered Napoleon, and

brought him forward, October 5, 1795, just in time to save the Di-

rectory from the Parisian mob. His family was ancient, but he wasa violent and bloody Jacobin. It was largely through his efforts,

however, that Robespierre fell. He remained a member of the Di-

rectory until its fall, and then retired to private life. See Duruy,History of France, pp. 558, 566, 577 ; Guizot, History of France,vol. vi., pp. 208, 245, 358, 402, 407.

^ Why was he called Buonaparte and not Napoleon by Southey ?

90 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1796

obtained^ tliat one column of the French army would take

possession of Port Especia; either penetrating through the

Genoese territory ;, or proceeding coastways in light vessels;

our ships of war not being able to approach the coast be-

cause of the shallowness of the water. To prevent this,

he said, two things were necessary : the possession of YadoBay, 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 su-

perseded De Vins in the command of the allied Austrianand 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; andwherever the General came down to the sea-coast, there heshould 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 Admiralwould find others. But all j)lans 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 whichhe had fixed, and before he arrived to direct it. In con-

sequence, 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 whichattacked them. This drew on the defeat of the Austrians.

Buonaparte, with a celerity which had never before beenwitnessed in modern war, pursued his advantages, and, in

the course of a fortnight, dictated to the court of Turinterms of peace, or rather of submission; by which all thestrongest places of Piedmont were put into his hands.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. As-sisted by Captain Oockburn, in the Meleager, he drove themunder a battery, pursued them, silenced the batteries, andcaptured the whole. Military books, plans, and maps of

^ April 12, 1796. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on FrenchRevolution, vol. i., pp. 207-311.

1796] THE LIFE OF NELSON 91

Italy, with the different points marked upon them whereformer 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 compelledthe 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 all Italy was within his reach : treaties,

and the rights of neutral or 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 tookpossession 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 after-

wards he took the island of Capraja, which had formerlybelonged to Corsica, being less than forty miles distant

from it: a distance, however, short as it was, which ena-

bled the Genoese to retain it, after their infamous sale of

Corsica to France. Genoa had now taken part withFrance: its government had long covertly assisted theFrench, and now willingly yielded to the first compulsorymenace which required them to exclude the English fromtheir 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 Cor-

sica, 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 fore-

seen, 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

^ The capture was effected May 30. Nelson wrote June 2 :" I

have got the charts of Italy sent by the Directory to Bonaparte ; also

Maillebois' Wars in Italy, Vauban's Attack and Defence of Places, andPrince Eugene's History ; all sent for the General. If Bonaparte is

ignorant, the Directory, it would appear, wish to instruct him;pray

God he may remain ignorant."^ In the Captain ; the Agamemnon had been s€nt to England for

repairs.' October 19, 1796.

92 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1796

done so, it was disgraceful thus to abandon it. The dis-

grace would have been spared, and every advantage whichcould 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 en-

joyment of their independence.

The Viceroy, Sir Gilbert Elliot, deeply felt the impolicy

and ignominy of this evacuation. The fleet also was or-

dered 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—any-

thing and everything. Much as I shall rejoice to see Eng-land, 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 Elliot

believed that the great body of the Corsicans Avere per-

fectly satisfied, as they had good reason to be, with the

British government, sensible of its advantages, and at-

tached 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 withthe French. The partisans of France found none to opposethem. A committee of thirty took upon them the gov-

ernment of Bastia, and sequestrated ^ all the British prop-

erty: armed Corsicans mounted guard at every place, anda plan was laid for seizing the Viceroy. Nelson, who wasappointed to superintend the evacuation, frustrated these

projects. At a time when every one else despaired of sav-

ing stores, cannon, ^^I'O'^isions, or property of any kind,

and a privateer was moored across the mole-head to pre-

vent all boats from passing, he sent word to the Commit-tee, that if the slightest opposition were made to the em-barkation 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

* Seized for the use of the state.

1796] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 93

Sutton^ of the Egmont, pulling out his watch, gave thema quarter of an hour to deliberate upon their answer. Infive minutes after the expiration of that time, the ships, hesaid, would open their fire. Upon this the very sentinels

scampered off, and every vessel came out of the mole. Ashipowner complained to the Commodore, that the muni-cipality refused to let him take his goods out of the custom-house. Nelson directed him to say, that unless they wereinstantly delivered, he would open his fire. The Commit-tee turned pale; and, without answering a word, gave himthe 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 anymore complaints. The Committee then finding that they

had to deal with a man who knew his own power, and wasdetermined to make the British name respected, desisted

from the insolent conduct which they had assumed; and it

was acknowledged, that Bastia had never been so quiet andorderly since the English were in possession of it. Thiswas on the 14th of October: during the five following days

the work of embarkation was carried on, the private prop-erty was saved, and public stores to the amount of £200,-

000. The French, favoured by the Spanish fleet, whichwas at that time within twelve leagues of Bastia, pushedover troops from Leghorn, who landed near Cape Corse onthe 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 hesaid, seen the first and the last of Corsica. Provoked at

the conduct of the municipality, and the disposition whichthe populace had shown to profit by the confusion, heturned towards the shore, as he stepped into his boat, andexclaimed: ''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 con-

sequences of internal anarchy and foreign oppression, suchas the same causes would produce in any people : and whenhe 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

94 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1796

dislike of the English, but from fear of the French.England then might, with more reason, reproach her

own rulers for pusillanimity, than the Oorsicans for in-

gratitude.

Having thus ably effected this humiliating service, Nel-

son 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 Sahina andthe Ceres. The Minerve engaged the former, which wascommanded by Don Jacobo Stuart, a descendant of the

Dake of Berwick.^ After an action of three hours, duringwhich the Spaniards lost 164 men, the SaMna struck.

The Spanish Captain, who was the only surviving officer,

had hardly been conveyed on board the Minerve, whenanother enemy's frigate came up, compelled her to cast olf

the prize, and brought her a second time to action. After

half an hour's trial of strength, this new antagonist wore^and hauled off:^ but a Si^anish 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 enemyto recover their own ship. As soon as ISTelson 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 Don Jacobo had displayed,

and not Avithout some feeling of respect for his ancestry.

"I felt it," said he, "consonant to the dignity of mycountry, and I always act as I feel right, without regard

to custom: he was reputed the best officer in Spain, andhis 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 ownmen 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

^ The Duke of Berwick was an illegitimate son of James II. of

England. When Nelson demanded the surrender of Don Jacobo a

and threatened to fire into his ship, he replied :" This is a Spanish

j

frigate and you may begin as soon as you please." \J"^ Turned.^ Made ofE.

1796] THE LIFE OF NELSON 95

he had received specific instructions from England to that

effect; professing that he was unable to decide between thecontradictory orders of Government, or to guess at whattheir present intentions might be; but he said, his onlymotive for urging delay in this measure arose from a desire

that his own conduct might be properly sanctioned, notfrom 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 Avhich he was now instructed

to attend. ISTelson, 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 embarkedin three days. He was now about to leave the Mediterra-

nean. Mr. Drake, who had been our minister at Genoa,expressed to him, on this occasion, the very high opinionwhich the allies entertained of his conspicuous merit; add-ing, that it was impossible for any one, who had the hon-our 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 in-

tuitive judgment, the same prompt and unerring decision,

which characterised his after-career of glory. His namewas as yet hardly known to the English public, but it wasfeared and respected thoughout Italy. A letter came to

him, directed, " Horatio J^elson, Genoa: " and the writer,

when he was asked how he could direct it so vaguely, re-

plied, ^\ Sir, there is but one Horatio Nelson in the

world. ""^ At Genoa, in particular, where he had so longbeen stationed, and where the nature of his duty first led

him to continual disputes with the government, and after-

wards compelled him to stop the trade of the port, he wasequally respected by the Doge and by the people: for, whilehe maintained the rights and interests of Great Britain

with becoming firmness, he tempered the exercise of powerwith courtesy and humanity, wherever duty Avould 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

96 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

or other I will liave a long ' Gazette ' to myself. I feel that

such an opportunity will be given me. I cannot, if I amin the field of glory, be ke23t 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 Fer-

rajo 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 E.

W. Miller ; and, before sunset, the signal was made to pre-

pare 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 of

sixty-four guns: 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-fours, eighteen seventy-

fours : in all, twenty-seven ships of the line, with ten frig-

^On this occasion he narrowly escaped capture. The Spaniards

were pursuing the Ilinerve hotly when she lost a man overboard.

Lieutenant Hardy was at once lowered in the jolly-boat, but it wastoo late ; the man had sunk. The boat, however, immediatelydrifted far astern of the llinerve, a strong current made return seemimpossible, and the Spaniards were rapidly approaching. Nelson,

determined, cost what it might, not to abandon his friend, cried :

"By God, I'll not lose Hardy. Back the mizzen top-sail !" Theenemy could only interpret this proceeding as a sign that Nelson hadsighted the English fleet ; and desisted from further pursuit. " Thenight following that day was thick," says Clark Russell. "Col.Bethune, who shared the cabin with Sir Gilbert [Elliot], was lying

awake in his cot, when by the light burning in the fore-cabin he

observed a figure standing in the doorway. It was Nelson. Onlearning that Sir Gilbert was asleep he softly stole to the colonel's

side and whispered that ' he believed the Minerve was at that very

moment in the midst of the Spanish fleet. He was sure by the sig-

nals of the phantom craft, looming large in the thickness, that they

were not Jervis's ships.'"

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 97

ates and a brig.^ Their Admiral, Don Josef de Cordova,

had learnt from an American, on the 5th, that the Englishhad 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 thenjoined, 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 Cartha-

gena, determined to seek an enemy so inferior in force; andrelying, 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, anddiscovered the English fleet, a fog for some time concealed

their number. The look-out ship of the Spaniards, fancy-

ing 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 Cap-tain afterwards said he did this to rouse the Admiral : it

had the effect of perplexing him, and alarming the wholefleet. The absurdity of such an act shows what was the

state of the Spanish navy under that miserable govern-

ment, 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 dif-

ferent orders of the state were advertised for sale, the greater

part of the sea-officers, with all their equipments, were of-

fered as a gift ; and it was added, that any person who wouldplease to take them, should receive a handsome gratuity.^

^ This disparity in numbers terrified some hearts on board theBritish fleet, but not the iron heart of its commander. The enemy's^strength, as it became apparent, was reported to him by signal.

"There are 18 sail-of-the-line, Sir John." "Very well, sir."

"There are 20 sail-of-the-line, Sir John." " Very well, sir." " Thereare 25 sail-of-the-line." "Very well, sir." "There are 27 sail. Sir

John. The odds are too great." "Enough, sir, no more of that.

If there were 50 sail I would go through them." At this sturdy re-

joinder, Capt. Hallowell, who stood at the Admiral's side, was so

delighted that he clapped the grand old man on the back, and ex-

claimed :" That's right, Sir John, that's right ; by G , we shall

give them a d—d good licking !"

—

Edi7iburgli Review, 1844, p. 424.^ See Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, under "Pasquin."^ Only sixty or seventy seamen are said to have been in each ship

;

the rest were impressed peasants and seasick landsmen.

7

98 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

Wlien tlie probability that Spain would take part in the

war, as an ally of France, was first contemplated, Nelsonsaid 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 John 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 de-

sign of passing through the British line, or to the leeward

of it, aud thus rejoining their friends.^ Only one of themsucceeded in this attempt; and that only because she wasso covered with smoke that her intention was not discovered

till she had reached the rear : the others were so warmly re-

ceived, that they put about, took to flight, and did not

appear again in the action till its close. The Admiral wasnow able to direct his attention to the enemy's main body,

which was still superior in number to his whole fleet, andmore 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 upbefore 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'shesitation, and ordered his ship to be wore. This at oncebrought him into action with the Santissima Trinidad,

^ Sir John in so doing was keeping in mind the first principle of

warfare, whether on land or on sea,—never to be content to meet anenemy with an equal force, if by any effort or foresight he can bemet with a superior one.

^ With the wind on their larboard.^ This paragraph is one that requires concentrated study. Some

student should take it as a topic, work out the movements, makeplans, write a detailed explanation, and discourse to the class. SeeMahan, Influence of Sea Poiver on French Revolution, vol. i., p. 223

;

and the Century Magazine for February, 1896, p. 604.^ " There are many who think that what Jervis should have sig-

nalled in the circumstances was to tack all together, that is, eachship where she actually was when the signal was made; and hadthis been done, there can be little doubt that the battle wouldhave been much sharper and more decisive than it was. That it

was so in any degree was due not to Jervis but to Nelson."—J. K.Laughton, Nelson, English Men of Action Series, p. 86.

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 99

one hundred and tliirty-six^ the San Josef, one hundredand twelve, the Salvador' del Mundo, one hundred andtwelve, the San Nicolas, eighty, the San Isidro, seventy-

four, another seventy-four, and another first-rate. Trou-bridge, in the Culloden, immediately joined, and most noblysupported him; and for nearly an hour did the Cullodenand Caiotain maintain what Nelson called "this appar-ently, but not really, unequal contest; "—such was theadvantage of skill and discipline, and the confidence whichbrave men derive from them. The Blenlieim then passingbetween them and the enemy, gave them a respite, andpoured in her fire upon the Spaniards. The Salvador del

Mundo and San Isidro dropjoed a-stern, and were fired

into, in a masterly style, by the Excellent, Captain Colling-

wood. Th.Q Sail Isidro struck; and Nelson thought thatthe Salvador struck also. "But Collingwood," says he,

"disdaining the parade of taking possession of beatenenemies, 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 timeactually fired upon by three first-rates, by the San Nico-las, and by a seventy-four, within about pistol-shot of

that vessel. The Blenlieim was ahead, the Culloden crip-

pled and a-stern. Collingwood ranged up, and hauling uphis mainsaiP just a-stern, passed within ten feet of the

San Nicolas, giving her a most tremendous fire, thenpassed on for the Santissima Trinidad. The San Nico-las luffing up, the San Josef fell on board ^ her, and Nelsonresumed his station abreast of them, and close alongside.

The Captain was now incapable of farther 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 putthe helm a-starboard, and, calling for tho boarders, orderedthem to board.

Captain Berry, who had lately been Nelson's First Lieu-tenant, was the first man who leaped into the enemy'smizen-chains. Miller, when in the very act of going, was

^ Thus steadying the ship by lessening the surface exposed to thewind.

^ To " luff " is to keep close to the wind. To " fall on board " is torange close alongside.

i AZ'^

O <B

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 101

ordered by Nelson to remain. ^ Berry was supported fromthe spritsail-yard, wliicli locked in the San Nicolas's mainrigging. A soldier of the 69th broke the upper quarter-

gallery window, and jumped in, followed by the Commo-dore himself, and by others as fast as possible. The cabindoors were fastened, and the Spanish officers fired their

pistols at them through the window : the doors were soonforced, 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 haulingdown. He passed on to the forecastle, where he met twoor three Spanish officers, and received their swords. TheEnglish were now in full possession of every part of theship; and a fire of pistols and musketry opened upon themfrom the Admiral's stern gallery of the San Josef. Nelsonhaving placed the sentinels at different ladders, and orderedCaptain Miller to send more men into the prize, gave or-

ders for boarding that ship from the Sa7i Nicolas.'^ It

was done in an instant, he himself leading the way, andexclaiming—"Westminster Abbey, or victory!" Berryassisted him into the main-chains; and at that moment aSpanish 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 himhis sword, and told him the Admiral was below, dying of

his wounds. There, on the quarter-deck of an enemy'sfirst-rate, he received the swords of the officers; givingthem, as they were delivered, one by one, to William Fear-

^ The following interesting anecdote has been obligingly communi-cated by Captain Miller's sister, Mrs. Dairymple :

— " While CaptainMiller was leading his men to the San Nicolas, Commodore Nelsonsaid, ' No, Miller ; I must have that honour ; ' and on going into thecabin, after the contest, Nelson said :

' Miller, I am under the great-est obligations to you,' and presented him with the Spanish captain'ssword ; and then, as if he could not sufficiently show his sense of hiscaptain's services, he again expressed his obligations, and drawing aring from his finger, placed it on Captain Miller's. The ring, rathera large topaz, set round with diamonds, and the Spanish officer's

sword, are now in the possession of Miss Miller, Captain Miller's

only surviving child."—Nelson's Despatches.^ " There is a saying in the fleet too flattering for me to omit tell-

ing, viz., Nelson's Patent Bridge for boarding First-Rates ; alludingto my passing over an enemy's 80-gun ship."—Note to Nelson'sAutograph Account of the Battle.

102 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

ney, one of liis old " Agamemnons/' wlio^ with the utmostcoolness, put them under his arm; "bundling them up,"in the lively expression of CoUingwood, "with as muchcomposure as he would have made a faggot, though twenty-two sail of their line were within gunshot." One of his

sailors came up, and, with an Englishman's feeling, tookhim by the hand, saying, he might not soon have suchanother place to do it in, and he was heartily glad to see

him there. Twenty-fouT ^ of the Caftaints men were killed,

and fifty-six wounded; a fourth part of the loss sustained

by the whole squadron falling upon this ship. Nelsonreceived only a few bruises.^

The Spaniards still had eighteen or nineteen ships, whichhad suffered little or no injury : that part of the fleet whichhad been separated from the main body in the morning wasnow 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 Ca]^-

tain was lying a perfect wreck on board ^ her tAvo prizes;

and many of the other vessels were so shattered in their

masts and rigging as to be wholly unmanageable.^ The

^ The casualties in the Blenlieim were 12 killed and 49 wounded(for a time she had five ships on her at once) ; in the Culloden, tenkilled and 47 wounded. The Colossus also suffered. The total Bri-

tish loss in killed and wounded was about 400. The Spanish casual-ties in the captured ships were : Salvador del Ifimdo, 42 killed and124 wounded ; San Josef, 46 and 96 ; Sa7i Nicolas, 144 and 59

;

San Isidro, 29 and 63.^ " Even now, misled by exaggerated descriptions and imaginative

pictures, it is very commonly supposed that he captured the twoSpaniards in a desperate hand-to-hand conflict amid the clash of

cutlasses and dint of tomahawks : people do not stop now, any morethan they did then, to reflect that what Nelson did was, with greatresolution and vigour,but without any serious fighting, to take forci-

ble possession of two beaten ships, which but for his prompt actionwould very probably have gotten away, as the Santissima 'Trinidadand other beaten ships actually did."—Laughton, Nelsoti, p. 89.

^ Alongside.^ About fifty years since the Captain lay as a hulk in Hamoaze,

with the San Josef alongside fitting for sea. In the dead of thenight the inhabitants of Plymouth Dock were alarmed by a violent

cannonade, and the ringing of the Dockyard bell. It was then dis-

covered tliat the Captai7i had caught fire (through the drunkennessof a petty officer), and was now enveloped in one mass of flame,

illuminating the coasts of Devon and Cornwall for miles on either

side. For her own safety, as well as that of the ships in the harbour,

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 103

Spanish Admiral, meantime, according to his official ac-

count, being altogether undecided in his own oioinion respect-

ing 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 expe-

dient to delay the business. ^ The Pelayo and the Principe

Conquistador were the only ships that were for fighting.^

As soon as the action was discontinued, l^elson went onboard the Admiral's ship. Sir John Jervis received him onthe quarter-deck, took him in his arms, and said he could

not sufficiently thank him. For this victory the Com-mander-in-Chief was rewarded with the title of Earl St.

Vincent.* Nelson, who, before the action was known in

the 8an Josef fired into her, and ultimately sunk her : thus accom-phshing in Plymouth Harbour what she was unable to do at Cape St.

Vincent.—Quoted from Bohn's Edition of 1891.^ Many of the Spaniards were so crippled that, if Sir John Jervis

had pursued, he might have taken more. The huge Sa7itissi7na

Trinidad had struck, but was saved by some of the Spanish vancoming to her help. Cordova and his Captains were all punished

by their Government.—Bohn's Edition.^ Southey's account of the battle is founded on the " Narrative "

of Colonel Drinkwater, who was secretary to the Viceroy of Corsica,

and had come from that island with Nelson in the Minerve.* In the official letter of Sir John Jervis, Nelson was not men-

tioned. It is said, that the Admiral had seen an instance of the ill

consequences of such selections, after Lord Howe's victory ; and,

therefore, would not name any individual, thinking it proper to speak

to the public only in terms of general approbation. His private letter

to the First Lord of the Admiralty was, with his consent, published,

for the first time, in a Life of Nelson, by Mr. Harrison. Here it is

said, that "Commodore Nelson, who was in the rear, on the star-

board tack, took the lead on the larboard, and contributed very muchto the fortune of the day." It is also said, that he boarded the twoSpanish ships successively ; but the fact, that Nelson wore without

orders, and thus planned as well as accomplished the victory, is not

explicitly stated. Perhaps it was thought proper to pass over this

part of his conduct in silence, as a splendid fault : but such an ex-

ample is not dangerous. The author of the work in which this letter

was first made public protests against those over-zealous friends," who would make the action rather appear as Nelson's battle, thanthat of the illustrious Commander-in-Chief, who derives from it so

deservedly his title. No man," he says, "ever less needed, or less

desired, to strip a single leaf from the honoured wreath of any other

hero, with the vain hope of augmenting his own, than the immortalNelson : no man ever more merited the whole of that which a gen-

erous nation unanimously presented to Sir J. Jervis, than the Earl

of St. Vincent." Certainly Earl St. Vincent well deserved the re-

104 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

England, had been advanced to the rank of Eear-Admiral,^had the Order of the Bath ^ given him. The sword of the

Spanish Rear-Admiral, which Sir John Jervis insisted uponhis 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, thanin the capital city of the county where he was born. Thefreedom of that city was voted him on this occasion. Butof all the numerous congratulations which he received,

none could have affected him with deeper delight thanthat which came from his venerable father. " I thank myGod," said this excellent man, "with all the power of a

grateful soul, for the mercies He has most graciously be-

ward which he received ; but it is not detracting from his merit to

say, that Nelson is as fully entitled to as much fame from this action

as the Commander-in-Chief ; not because the brunt of the action fell

upon him ; not because he was engaged with all the four ships whichwere taken, and took two of them, it may almost be said, with his ownhand ; but because the decisive movement which enabled him toper-

form all this, and by which the action became a victory, was exe-

cuted in neglect of orders, upon his own judgment, and at his peril.

Earl St. Vincent deserved his earldofn : but it is not to the honourof those by whom titles were distributed in those days, that Nelsonnever obtained the rank of earl for either of those victories which helived to enjoy, though the one was the most complete aud glorious in

the annals of naval history, and the other the most important in its

consequences of any which was achieved during the whole war.

—

Southey''s Note." In the evening, while talking over the events of the day, Cap-

tain Calder hinted that the spontaneous manoeuvre which carried

those duo fulmina delli, Nelson and Collingwood, into the brunt of

the battle, was an unauthorized departure by the Commodore fromthe prescribed mode of attack. 'It certainly was so,' replied Sir

John Jervis, ' and if ever you commit such a breach of your orders,

I will forgive you also.' "—Tucker, 3Iemoirs of Earl of St. Vincent.^ Admirals are of three ranks, and are distinguished as admirals,

vice-admirals, and rear-admirals. The rear-admiral carried his flag

on the mizen-mast, the vice-admiral on the fore-mast, and the ad-

miral on the main-mast. "As, however, the admiral commandingin the centre was ... in command of . . . the whole fleet,

he flew, instead of the red flag, the Union at the main, and thus it

happened that there was no Admiral of the Eed. The second in

command flew a blue flag at the main and the Union at the fore ; the

third, a white flag at the main and the Union at the mizen."—Com-mander Robinson, Tlie British Fleet, p. 92.

2 Assign to some member of the class the task of studying, writingup, and reporting on the British orders. Webster's Dictionarywill furnish most of the facts needed.

1797] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 105

stowed on me in preserving yon. Not only my few ac-

qnaintances 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 properdegree 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 myfurrowed cheeks. Who could stand the force of such gen-eral congratulation ? The name and services of Nelsonhave sounded throughout this city of Bath—from thecommon ballad-singer to the public theatre." The goodold 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-Admi-ral of the Blue, was sent to bring away the troops fromPorto Ferrajo: having performed this, he shifted his flag

to the Theseus. That ship had taken part in the Mutinyin England, and being just arrived from home, some dan-ger was apprehended from the temper of the men.^ Thiswas one reason why Nelson was removed to her. He hadnot been on board many weeks before a paper, signed in

the name of all the ship's company, was dropped on thequarter-deck, containing these words: "_Success attendAdmiral Nelson! God bless Caj^tain Miller! We thank

^Nelson himself had very popular manners, but the "iron gripunder the velvet glove " was always present when he was in com-mand. It happened that on July 8 of this year two men of the St.

George were sentenced to be hanged for mutiny. For the sake of

celerity the execution took place on Sunday, Lord St. Vincent in

consequence being censured in strong language by Admiral Thomp-son. Nelson, on the other hand, wrote to him in warm commenda-tion of the act. Indeed, he declared that he would have executedthem, had' it been Christmas day instead of Sunday. Another mu-tiny, known as the "breeze at Spithead," also occurred this year,

and resulted in large concessions being made to the sailors. Thepay, which had remained stationary since the days of Charles I.,

was increased ; wounded men were given full wages until they re-

covered, or, being reported incurable, were admitted to GreenwichHospital ; the quality of provisions was improved ; better medicineswere provided ; and a more liberal system of " leaves " was intro-

duced. For some further anecdotes of St. Vincent's method of deal-

ing with refractory crews, see Mahan, Influence of Sea Foiver onFrench Revolution, i., 236.

106 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

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 the Captain's,''^

Wherever Nelson commanded, the men soon became at-

tached to him;—in ten days' time he would have restored

the most mutinous ship in the Navy to order. Wheneveran 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 oc-

curred in which he was ever engaged. Making a night at-

tack upon the Spanish gun-boats, his barge was attacked by

an armed launch, under their commander, Don Miguel

Tregoyen, carrying twenty-six men. Nelson had with himonly his ten bargemen. Captain Fremantle, and his cox-

swain, 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 Nel-

son beloved. This was a desperate service—hand to handwith swords : and Nelson always considered that his per-

sonal courage was more conspicuous on this occasion than

on any other during his whole life. Notwithstanding the

great disproportion of numbers, eighteen of the enemywere 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 ob-

served, were so entirely above his situation, that Naturecertainly 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.

^ This gallant fellow was a native of Lincoln, and was frequently

complimented by the admiral, who called him his "brave Lincoln

friend." He w^as soon after killed by the bursting of a cannon.—Bohn.^ The pupil may secure an excellent exercise in composition by

attempting to expand the event here mentioned into a chapter of a

novel in the manner of Walter Scott.^ Subject for paragraph-writing : What is a gentleman ?

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 107

Twelve days after this rencontre, Nelson sailed at the

head of an expedition against Teneriffe. A report hadprevailed a few months before, that the Viceroy of Mexico,with the treasure-ships, had put into that island. Thishad led Nelson to meditate the plan of an attack upon it,

which he communicated to Earl St. Vincent. He wasperfectly aware of the difficulties of the attempt. " I donot, " said he, '^ reckon myself equal to Blake :

^ but, if I rec-

ollect right, he was more obliged to the wind coming off

the land than to any exertions of his own. The approachby sea to the anchoring place is under very high land,

passing three valleys; therefore the wind is either in fromthe sea, or squally with calms from the mountains: " andhe 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 ne-

cessary stores and artillery, already embarked. ''Buthere," said he, "soldiers must be consulted; and I know,from experience, they have not the same boldness in un-dertaking 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." Nel-

son's experience at Corsica justified him in his harsh opin-

ion;—he did not live to see the glorious days of the British

army under Wellington. The army from Elba, consisting

of 3,700 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; buta homeward-bound Manilla ship put into Santa Cruz at

this time, and the expedition was determined upon. It wasnot fitted out upon the scale which Nelson had proposed.

Eour ships of the line, three frigates, and the Fox cutter,

^ " In April, 1657, Admiral Blake having received information that

six Spanish galleons laden with silver and ten other ships had putinto Santa Cruz at Teneriffe, immediately resolved to attempt de-

stroying them. He succeeded in the attack, and burnt the wholeSpanish fleet down to the water's edge, except two ships which sank

;

and then the wind veering to the southwest, he passed with the fleet

safe out of port again."—Campbell, Lives of the British Admirals.

108 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

formed the squadron; and lie was allowed to choose suchships and officers as he thought proper. No troops wereembarked: the seamen and the marines of the squadronbeing thought sufficient. His orders were^ to make a

vigorous attack; but on no account to land in person^ un-less his presence should be absolutely necessary. The planwas, that the boats should land in the night between the

fort on the I^.E. side of Santa Cruz bay and the town,make themselves masters of that fort, and then send asummons to the governor. By midnight, the three frig-

ates, 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 inshore, 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 ma-rines, went upon this to consult with the Admiral what wasto be done; and it was resolved that they should attemptto get possession of the heights above the fort. Thefrigates 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 garri-

son. A calm and contrary current hindered him from get-

ting within a league of the shore; and the heights were bythis time so secured, and manned with such a force as to

be judged impracticable. Thus foiled in his plans by cir-

cumstances of wind and tide, he still considered it a point

of honour that some attempt should be made. This wason the 22d of July: he re-embarked his men that night,

got the ships, on the 24th, to anchor about two miles northof 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 withhis right hand. "I shall not," said he, "enter on the

subject, why we are not in possession of Santa Cruz. Yourpartiality will give credit, that all has hitherto been donewhich was possible, but without effect. This night I,

humble as I am, command the whole, destined to land under

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 109

the batteries of the town: and, to-morrow, my head will

probably be crowned either with laurel or cypress. I haveonly to recommend Josiah ISTisbet to yon 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 ISTisbet, 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 wasarmed, he earnestly begged him to remain behind. " Shouldwe both fall, Josiah," said he, "what would become of

your poor mother ! The care of the Theseus falls to you

:

stay, therefore, and take charge of her." Msbet replied:

"Sir, the ship must take care of herself; I will go withyou to-night, if I never go again."

He met his captains at supper on board the Seahorse,

Captain Fremantle, whose wife, whom he had lately mar-ried 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 cap-

tains of the squadron, except Fremantle and Bowen, whoattended with Nelson to regulate and lead the way to the

attack. They were to land on the mole, and thence has-

ten, as fast as possible, into the great square; then form,

and proceed as should be found expedient. They werenot discovered till about half-past one o'clock, when, be-

ing within half gun-shot of the landing place, Nelsondirected the boats to cast off from each other, give a huzzaand push for the shore. But the Spaniards were excel-

lently well prepared : the alarm-bells answered the huzza,

and a fire of thirty or forty pieces of cannon, with mus-quetry from one end of the town to the other, openedupon the invaders. Nothing, however, could check the

intrepidity with which they advanced. The night was ex-

ceedingly dark; most of the boats missed the mole, andwent on shore through a raging surf, which stove all to

the left of it. The Admiral, Fremantle, Thompson,Bowen, and four or five other boats, found the mole : they

stormed it instantly, and carried it, though it was defended,

110 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

as they imagined^ by four or five liundred men. Its guns^

which were six-and-twenty pounders, were spiked; butsuch a heavy fire of musquetry and grape was kept upfrom 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, N'elson received

a shot through the right elbow, and fell ; but, as he fell, hecaught 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 hevalued it like a relic. Nisbet, who was close to him,placed him at tlie bottom of the boat, and laid his hat over

the shattered arm, lest the sight of the blood, which gushedout in great abundance, should increase his faintness. Hethen examined the wound; and taking some silk handker-chiefs from his neck, bound them round tight above the

lacerated vessels. Had it not been for this presence of mindin his son-in-law, Nelson must have perished. One of his

barge-men, by name Lovel, tore his shirt into shreds, andmade a sling with them for the broken limb. They thencollected, five other seamen, by whose assistance they suc-

ceeded, at length, in getting the boat afloat; for it hadgrounded with the falling tide. Nisbet took one of the

oars, and ordered the steersman to go close under the gunsof the battery, that they might be safe from its tremendousfire. Hearing his voice, Nelson roused himself, and desired

to be lifted up in the boat, that he might look about him.JSTisbet 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 the stormy sea. In a few minutes, a

general shriek was heard from the crew of the Fox, whichhad received a shot under water, and went down. Ninety-seven men were lost in her; eighty-three were saved, manyby 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 Sea-

liorse : 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 hadrather suffer death," he replied, ''than alarm Mrs. Fre-

mantle, by letting her see me in this state, when I can

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSOlSf mgive lier no tidings whatever of lier hnsband." Theypushed on for the Tlieseiis. "When they came along-side,

he peremptorily refused all assistance in getting on board,

so impatient was he that the boat should return, in hopesthat it might save a few more from the Fox. He desired

to have only a single rope thrown over the side, which hetwisted round his left hand, saying, " Let me alone: I haveyet my legs left, and one arm. Tell the surgeon to makehaste, and get his instruments. I know I must lose myright arm; so the sooner it is off the better." * The spirit

which he displayed, in jumping np the ship's side, aston-

ished everybody.

Fremantle had been severely wounded ^ in the right arm,soon after the Admiral. He was fortunate enough to find

a boat at the beach, and got instantly to his ship. Thompsonwas wounded ; Bowen f killed ; to the great regret of Nel-son; as was also one of his own officers. Lieutenant Weath-erhead, who had followed him from the Agamemnon, andwhom he greatly and deservedly esteemed. Troubridge,meantime, fortunately for his party, missed the mole in the

darkness, but pushed on shore nnder the batteries, close to

* During the peace of Amiens, when Nelson was passing throughSalisbury, and received there with those acclamations which fol-

lowed him everywhere, he recognised, amid the crowd, a man whohad assisted at the amputation, and attended him afterwards. Hebeckoned him up the stairs of the Council House, shook hands withhim, and made him a present, in remembrance of his services at thattime. The man took from his bosom a piece of lace, which he hadtorn from the sleeve of the amputated limb, saying he had preserved,

and would preserve, it to the last moment, in memory of his oldcommander.

—

Soutliey^s Note.^ JSTelson's very first lines written with his left hand were to Mrs.

Fremantle :" Tell me how Tom is, I hope he has saved his arm.

Mine is otf ; but I thank Grod I am as well as I hope he is." CaptainFremantle's history will reward careful study,

f" Captain Bowen's gold seals and chain, and sword, were pre-

served in the town house at Teneriife, i.e. at Santa Cruz, the chief

town in Teneriffe ; his watch and other valuables had been madebooty of by the populace. In 1810, the magistrates of the island

sent these memorials of the dead to his brother, CommissionerBowen, saying that they conceived it would be gratifying to his feel-

ings to receive them, and that as the two nations were now unitedin a cause which did equal honour to both, they did not wish to retain

a trophy which could remind them that they had ever been opposedto each other."

—

Naval Chronicle, vol. xxiv., p. 393.

—

[Soiithey's

Note].

112 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

the south end of the Citadel. Captain Waller, of theEmerald, and two or three other boats, landed at thesame time. The snrf was so high, that many others putback. The boats were instantly filled with water, andstove against the rocks; and most of the ammunition in

the men's pouches was wetted. Having collected a fewmen, 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 at-

tempt on the Citadel; but they sent a sergeant, with two of

the town's people, to summon it: this messenger never re-

turned; and Troubridge having waited about an hour, in

painful expectation of his friends, marched to join CaptainsHood and Miller, who had effected their landing to thesouth-west. They then endeavoured to procure some in-

telligence of the Admiral and the rest of the officers, butwithout success. By daybreak they had gathered togetherabout eighty marines, eighty pikemen, and one hundredand eighty small-arm seamen; all the survivors of those

who had made good their landing. They obtained someammunition from the prisoners whom they had taken ; andmarched on, to try what could be done at the Citadel with-out ladders. They found all the streets commanded byfield-pieces, and several thousand Spaniards, with about a

hundred French, under arms, approaching by every avenue.Finding himself without provisions, the powder wet, andno possibility of obtaining either stores or reinforcementsfrom 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 burnthe town, and would instantly set fire to it, if the Span-iards approached one inch nearer:—This, however, if hewere compelled to do it, he should do with regret, for hehad no wish to injure the inhabitants : and he was readyto treat upon these terms,—that the British troops shouldre-embark, with all their arms, of every kind, and take

their own boats, if they were saved, or be provided withsuch others as might be wanting; they, on their part, en-

gaging that the squadron should not molest the town, norany of the Canary Islands: all prisoners on both sides to

be given up. When these terms were proposed, the gov-

ernor made answer, that the English ought to surrender

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON I13

as prisoners of war : but Captain Hood, replied^, he was in-

structed 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 honourableman, the gallantry of his enemy, the Spaniard acceded to

the proposal, found, boats to re-embark them, their ownhaving been dashed to pieces in landing, and before theyparted gave every man a loaf of bread 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 ourwounded 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 wereat liberty to send on shore, and purchase whatever refresh-

ments they were in want of during the time they might beoff the island." A youth, by name Don Bernardo Colla-

gon, strip t himself of his shirt, to make bandages for oneof those Englishmen against whom, not an hour before,

he had been engaged in battle. Nelson wrote to thankthe governor for the humanity which he had displayed.

Presents were interchanged between them. Sir Horatiooffered to take charge of his despatches for the Spanishgovernment; and thus actually became the first messengerto Spain of his own defeat.

The total loss of the English, in killed, wounded, anddrowned, 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 withhis left hand—he shows himself to have been deeplyaffected by the failure of this enterprise. " I am become,"he said, "a burthen to my friends, and useless to mycountry: but by my last letter you will perceive my anxi-ety 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 con-fident you will do it. The boy is under obligations to me;

^ See John xvi. 5, 16. Was Nelson quoting from memory ?

8

114 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

but lie repaid me, by bringing me from tlie mole of SantaCruz. 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, "willnever 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 LadyNelson was written under the same opinion, but in a morecheerful 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, underGod's providence, was principally instrumental in saving

my life. I shall not be surprised if I am neglected andforgotten : probably I shall no longer be considered as use-

ful: however, I shall feel rich if I continue to enjoy youraffection. I beg neither you nor my father will thinkmuch of this mishap :—my mind has long been made upto such an event."

His son-in-law, according to his wish, was immediatelypromoted; and honours enough to heal his wounded spirit

awaited him in England. Letters were addressed to himby the Eirst 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 theduke, in his reply, that not a scrap of that ardour withwhich he had hitherto served his king had been shot away.The freedoms of the cities of Bristol and London ^ wereconferred on him : he was invested with the Order of the

Bath; and received a pension of £1,000 a year. TheMemorial which, as a matter of form, he was called uponto present on this occasion, exhibited an extraordinary cat-

alogue of services performed during the war. It stated,

t'hat he had been in four actions with the fleets of the

enemy, and in three actions with boats employed in cut-

ting out of harbour, in destroying vessels, and in takingthree towns: he had served on shore with the army four

months, and commanded the batteries at the sieges of

^ The chamberlain who presented him with the freedom of the city

of London was the much reviled and much admired champion of themob, John Wilkes. Many entertaining references to him are to befound in Boswell's Jolmson. See Gardiner, History of England,pp. 769-79 ; Green, History of England, pp. 767, 768, 773, 774.

1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 115

Bastia and Calvi; he had assisted at the capture of sevensail of the line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven pri-

vateers : taken and destroyed nearly fifty sail of merchantvessels; and actually been engaged against the enemy up-wards of one 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 dis-

charge; and the ends of the ligature being pulled everyday, 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 Nel-son, 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 enjoying some respite by means of laudanum. Hewas at that time lodging in Bond Street; and the familywas soon disturbed by a mob knocking loudly and violently

at the door. The news of Duncan's victory^ had beenmade public, and the house was not illuminated. Butwhen 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 communicatedfrom one to another with such effect, that, under the con-fusion of such a night, the house was not molested again.

About the end of November, after a night of soundsleep, he found the arm nearly free from pain: the sur-

geon was immediately sent for, to examine it; and the lig-

ature came away with the slightest touch. From that

time it began to heal. As soon as he thought his healthestablished, he sent the following form of thanksgivingto the minister of St. George's, Hanover Square: "An

^ The doctor's son should obtain from his father a commentary onthis passage for the benefit of the class.

'^ At Camperdown, October 11, 1797. See Green, History of Eng-land, p, 810 ; Gardiner, History of England, p. 837.

116 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797

officer desires to return thanks to Almiglity God for liis

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 actu-

ally 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; say-

ing, 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 after-

wards went; and with perfect good humour exhibited the

certificate of the loss of his arm.

^ Money paid for a wound.

CHAPTER V.

Nelson rejoins Earl St. Vincent in the Vanguard—Sails in pursuit

of the French to Egypt—Returns to Sicily, and sails again to Egypt—Battle of the Nile.

Early in the year 1798, Sir Horatio I^elson hoisted his

flag in the Vanguard, and was ordered to rejoin Earl St.

Vincent. Upon his departure, his father addressed himwith 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 readily be asked. How old

art thou ? Vale I 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 hith-

erto been as spotless as his public conduct. One of the

last things he said to her was, that his own ambition wassatisfied, 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 mo-ment: but, if he should deem a detachment sufficient, " I

118 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

think it almost unnecessary/' said the First Lord of the

Admiralty, in his secret instructions, 'Ho suggest to youthe propriety of putting it under Sir Horatio ^NTelson."

It is to the honour of Earl St. Vincent, that he had already

made the same choice. This ajDpointment to a service in

which so much honour might be acquired gave great

offence to the senior admirals of the fleet. Sir WilliamParker, who was a very excellent 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 Oollingwood 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 doneto them by his apiaointment. But if the services were con-

ducted with undeviating respect to seniority, the naval andmilitary character would soon be brought down to the deadlevel 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 procuredcertain 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 Vcmguard, Orion, and Alexander,seventy-fours; the Caroline, Flora, Emerald, and Terjp-

sicliore, frigates; and the Bonne Citoyenne sloop of war,

to watch this formidable armament. On the 19th, whenthey 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 top-mast wentover the side, and the mizen top-mast soon afterwards.

The night was so tempestuous, that it was impossible for

any signal either to be seen or heard; and Nelson deter-

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON ng

mined;, as soon as it should be daybreak^ to weai% and scudbefore the gale : but at half-past three the foremast wentinto three pieces, and the bowsprit was found to be sprungin three places.

When day broke, they succeeded in wearing ^ the ship

with a remnant of the sprit- sail : this was hardly to havebeen expected : the Vanguard was at that time twenty-five

leagues south of the islands of Hieres, with her head lying

to the N.E., and if she had not wore, the ship must havedrifted to Corsica. Captain Ball,^ in the Alexaiidei^, tookher in tow, to carry her into the Sardinian harbour of St.

Pietro. Nelson, apprehensive that this attem^Dt mightendanger both vessels, ordered him to cast off: but that

excellent officer, with a spirit like his commander's, re-

plied, he was confident he could save the Va^iguard, andby God's help he would do it. There had been a previous

coolness between these great men; but from this time Nel-son became fully sensible of the extraordinary talents of Cap-tain Ball, and a sincere friendship subsisted between themduring 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 mea 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 aroundhim, 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 Francewould have lowered their flags;—figure to yourself, onMonday morning, when the sun rose, this proud man, his

ship dismasted, his fleet dispersed, and himself in suchdistress, that the meanest frigate out of France would havebeen an unwelcome guest." Nelson had, indeed, morereason to refuse the cold name of accident to this tempest

^ To bring a vessel about by putting the helm up instead of down,as in tacking. The vessel is first run off before the wind, and thenbrought to on the new tack.

^ At St. Omer's, fourteen years before, Nelson had been disgustedwith Ball's airs and epaulets, the latter being at that time a Frenchornament and not to the hero's taste. Ball is an admirable subjectfor inductive study.

120 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

than lie was then aware of; for on that very day the Frenchfleet sailed from Toulon, and must have passed within a

few leagues of his little squadron, which was thus pre-

served by the thick weather that came on.

The British government at this time, with a becomingspirit, gave orders, that any port in the Mediterraneanshould be considered as hostile, where the governor or

chief magistrate should refuse to let our ships of war pro-

cure supplies of provisions, or of any article which theymight require.

In these orders the ports of Sardinia were excepted. Thecontinental possessions of the King of Sardinia wxre at this

time completely at the mercy of the French, and that

prince was now discovering, when too late, that the termsto which he had consented, for the purpose of escapingimmediate danger, necessarily involved the loss of the

dominions which they were intended to preserve. Thecitadel of Turin was now occupied by the French troops;

and his wretched court feared to afford the common rights

of humanity to British ships, lest it should give the Frenchoccasion to seize on the remainder of his dominions:—

a

measure for which, it was certain, they would soon makea pretext, if they did not find one. Nelson was informed,that he could not be permitted to enter the port of St.

Pietro. Eegardless of this interdict, which, under his cir-

cumstances, 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 Cap-tain Berry, the Vcmgiiard wsis refitted in four days; monthswould have been employed in refitting her in England.ISTelson, with that proper sense of merit wherever it wasfound, which proved at once the goodness and greatness of

his character, especially recommended to Earl St. Vincentthe carpeilter of the Alexmicler, under whose direction the

ship had been repaired; stating, that he was an old andfaithful 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

^ In the British navy there are two classes of officers—commissioned,including flag-officers, captains, and lieutenants ; and warrant, in-

cluding masters, boatswains, carpenters, etc.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 121

not leave the harbour without expressing his sense of thetreatment which he had received there, in a letter to theViceroy of Sardinia. " Sir," it said, "having, by a gale

of wind, sustained some trifling damages, I anchored asmall part of his Majesty's fleet under my orders off this

island, and was surprised to hear, by an officer sent by thegovernor, 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 musthave been to his Majesty to have given such an order;and also for your excellency, who had to direct its execu-tion. (^ I cannot but look at the African shore, where thefollowers of Mahomet are performing the part of thegood Samaritan, which I look for in vain at St. Peter's,

where it 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 supplyof water, and to receive a reinforcement, which Earl St.

Vincent, being himself reinforced from England, wasenabled to send him. It consisted of the best ships ofhis fleet: the Cullodeii, seventy-four. Captain T. Trou-bridge; Qoliath, seventy-four. Captain T. Foley; Minotaur,seventy-four. Captain T. Louis ; Defence, seventy-four.Captain John Peyton; Belleroplion, seventy-four. CaptainH. D. E. Darby; Majestic, seventy-four. Captain G. B.Westcott; Zealous, seventy-four, Captain S. Hood; Siuift-

sure, seventy-four, Captain B. Hallowell; Theseus, seventy-four. Captain R. W. Miller; Audacious, seventy-four.Captain Davidge Gould. The Leander, fifty. Captain T.B. Thompson, was afterwards added. These ships weremade ready for the service as soon as Earl St. Vincentreceived 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 wasimmediately made to Captain Troubridge to put to sea;and he was out of sight before the ships from home castanchor in the British station. Troubridge took with himno instructions to Nelson as to the course he was to steer,

nor any certain account of the enemy's destination: every-thing was left to his own judgment. Unfortunately, the

122 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

frigates had been separated from him in the tempest^ andhad not been able to rejoin: they songht him unsuccess-

fully in the Bay of IS'aples^ 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 22d of June intel-

ligence reached him that the French had left that island onthe 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 beenwith him he could scarcely have failed to gain informationof the enemy : for want of them, he only spoke three ves-

sels 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, andthe 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 thencealong the southern side of Candia, carrying a press of

sail, both night and day, with a contrary wind. It wouldhave been his delight, he said, to have tried Buonaparte ona wind.^ It would have been the delight of Europe, too,

and the blessing of the world, if that fleet had been over-

taken with its general on board. ^ But of the myriads^and millions of human beings who would have been pre-

served by that day's victory, there is not one to whom suchessential benefit would have resulted, as to Buonaparte him-self. 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 havespared him all his after enormities. Hitherto his career

^ See p. 156.^ " For he commands the fleet as well as army,"

—

Nelson. " On awind " means with the wind contrary.

^ A debate as to the probable result if Nelson and Napoleon hadmet will be a profitable exercise. ^ Ten thousands.

^ These words were written, it will be remembered, before the fall

of Napoleon, disgrace evidently meaning " defeat." For Acre, see

Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on French Revolution, i., 294.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 123

had been glorious; the baneful principles of his heart

had never yet passed his li^os; history would have repre-

sented him as a soldier of fortune, who had faithfully

served the cause in which he engaged ; and whose career hadbeen distinguished by a series of successes, unexampledin modern times. (A romantic obscurity would have hungover 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 whichhe committed them—those acts of perfidy, midnight mur-der, ^ usurpation, and remorseless tyranny, which have con-

signed his name to universal execration, now and forever.

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 fieet to Egypt. The objection whichhe 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 gov-

ernments 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, be-

fore 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' judg-

ment; 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 wasright in steering for Alexandria: and by that opinion I

must stand or fall." Captain Ball, to whom he showedthis paper, told him, he should recommend a friend never

to begin a defence of his conduct before he was accused of

^ A word icvented by Shakspere, who says, Macbeth, Act II.,

sc. ii.

:

" Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this bloodClean from my hand ? No, this my hand will ratherThe multitudinous seas incarnadine,Making the green one red."

Its root is car, the Latin for " flesh." ^ The imperial purple.^ A reference to the assassination of the Due d'Enghien, March

21, 1804.

124 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

error: he might give the fullest reasons for what he haddone^, expressed in such terms as would evince that he hadacted from the strongest conviction of being right; andof course he must expect that the public would viewit 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 gener-

ally 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 envyto be silent; and when it was known in England that hehad returned from an unsuccessful pursuit, it was said that

he deserved impeachment; and Earl St. Vincent was se-

verely censured for having sent so young an officer upon so

important a service.

Baffled in his pursuit, he returned to Sicily. The Nea-politan ministry had determined to give his squadron noassistance, being resolved to do nothing which could pos-

sibly endanger their peace with the French Directory; bymeans, however, of Lady Hamilton's influence at court,

he procured secret orders to the Sicilian governors; and,

under those orders, obtained every thing which he wantedat Syracuse:—a timely supply; without which, he always

said, he could not have recommenced his pursuit with anyhope 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 are gone to; and having gone a

round of six hundred 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 havewanted information. Should the French be so strongly

secured in port that I cannot get at them, I shall immedi-ately shift my flag into some other ship, and send the

Vangiicird 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 disap-

pointed as he was. Nelson, with the true spirit of a hero,

was full of hope. " Thanks to your exertions," said he,

writing to Sir William and Lady Hamilton, ^

' we have vict-

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 125

ualled and watered; and surely^ watering at the fountain

of Aretliusa/ we must have victory. We shall sail withthe first breeze; and be assured I will return either crownedwith laurel or covered with cypress. " ^ Earl St. Vincent heassured^ 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 eager-

ness, that it was not yet daybreak. The squadron madethe Gulf of Coron on the 28th. Troubridge entered the

port, and returned with intelligence that the French hadbeen seen about four weeks before steering to the S.E.

from Candia. J^elson 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 ten in the morning, they

came in sight of Alexandria; the port had been vacant andsolitary when they saw it last; it was now crowded withships, and they perceived with exultation that the tri-color

flag was flying upon the walls. At four in the afternoon.

Captain Hood, in the Zealous, made the signal for the ene-

my's fleet. For many preceding days Nelson had hardlytaken either sleep or food : he now ordered his dinner to beserved, while preparations were making for battle; and whenhis officers rose from the 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

^ See any good work on classical mythology. Gayley's is the best.^ This letter is probably a fabrication of Lady Hamilton's. It is

taken from the Life of Nelson by Harrison, which is full of lies

from beginning to end ; Nelson probably had never heard of Are-thusa, and if he had would not have referred to her ; and, finally, it

was produced at a time when Lady Hamilton was trying to obtaina pension from the British government for the services here said to

have been performed.

126 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

angular passage for Alexandria; whereas Nelson, in pur-

suit of tlieni;, made straight for that place, and thus mate-

rially 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 discover-

ing 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 22d of June. During the return to

Syracuse, the chances of falling in with them were fewer.

Why Buonaparte, having effected his landing, should not

have suffered the fleet to return, has never yet been ex-

plained. Thus much is certain, that it was detained by his

command; though, Avith his accustomed falsehood, he ac-

cused 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 hadruined, moored his ships in Aboukir Bay, in a strong andcompact 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 Avater, so as not to be turned by anymeans in the S. W. By Buonaparte's desire, he had offered

a rcAvard of 10,000 livres to any pilot of the country Avho

Avould carry the squadron in; but none could be found

Avho would venture to take charge of a single vessel draw-

ing 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 com-

missary of the fleet said, they were moored in such a man-ner as to bid defiance to a force more than double their

own. This presumption could not then be thought unrea-

sonable. Admiral Barrington, when moored in a similar

manner off St. Lucia, in the year 1778, beat off the Oomted'Estaing in three several attacks, though his force was

inferior by almost one-third to that which assailed it.

Here, the advantage of numbers, both in ships, guns,

and men, was in favour of the French. They had thirteen

ships of the line and four frigates, carrying 1,196 guns.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 127

and 11^230 men. The English had the same number of

ships of the line, and one fifty-gun ship, carrying 1,012guns, and 8,068 men. The English ships were all seventy-

fours; the Erench had three eighty-gun ships, and onethree-decker of 120.

During the Avhole 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 acquaiuted with his principles

of tactics: and such was his confidence in their abilities,

that the only thing determined upon, in case they shouldfind the Erench at anchor, was for the ships to form as

most convenient for their mutual support, and to anchorby^ the stern. "Eirst gain the victory," he said, "andthen make the best use of it you can." The moment heperceived the position of the Erench, that intuitive geniuswith which Nelson was endowed displayed itself; and it

instantly struck him, that where there was room for anenemy'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 Erench line,

and station his ships, as far as he was able, one on theouter 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 attackthe Erench fleet at their anchorage in Gourjean Road. ^ LordHood found it impossible to make the attempt; but thethought was not lost upon Nelson, who acknowledgedhimself, on this occasion, indebted for it to his old andexcellent commander. Captain Berry, when he compre-hended the scope * of the design, exclaimed with transport,

^ Does hy mean '' near " or " by means of a cable from the stern " ?

Suppose a ship were anchored from the bow when the wind wasblowing from the stern, what would the effect be ?

^ A ship at anchor must have room to swing about a circle theradius of which is the length of her cable plus the length of the ship.

Why? =Seep. 70.* Did Southey comprehend its scope ? Is his description clear ?

Does " double " mean to put two ships against each one of the ene-

128 THE LIFE OF NELSOlSf [1798

f'li we succeed^ wliat 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 difterent question."

As the squadron ad vanced, 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 gun-shot distance, full into the bowsof our van ships. It was received in silence : the men onboard every ship were employed aloft in furling sails, andbelow in tending the braces, and makiug ready for anchor-

ing. 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 onwhich, when the hour of trial comes, a Frenchman has nohope. 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 wasto be undeceived.

A French brig was instructed to decoy the English, bymanoeuvring so as to tempt them toward a shoal lying off

the island of Bekier;^ but JSTelson either knew the dan-

ger, or suspected some deceit; and the lure was unsuc-

cessful. Captain Foley led the way in the Goliath, out-

sailing 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 betweenthem 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

my's, or to sail between them and the shore, " doubling " the end of

their line ? Notice its use below. See Mahan, Influence of SeaPower on French devolution, I., pp. 273, 274 ; Laughton, Nelson,

pp. 115, 116.^ It is stated in the Nelson despatches on the authority of Lady

Berry, that Captain Berry never made this somewhat pusillanimous

remark, and was much troubled by the story.2 The name Aboukir is derived from the title of this island. Cap-

tain Ball rechristened it Nelson's Island.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 129

the Ouerrier, he kept as near the edge of the bank as the

depth of water would admit; but his anchor hung,^ andhaving 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 Ouerrier in twelve minutes. The third

ship which doubled the enemy's van was the Orion, Sir J.

Saumarez; she passed to Avindward of the Zealous, andopened her larboard guns as long as they bore on the Guer-rier ; 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 bowof the Franklin, and the quarter of the Peuple Souverain,receiving and returning the fire of both. 'The sun wasnow nearly down. The Audacious, Captain Gould, pour-ing a heavy fire into the Guerrier and the Conquerant,fixed herself on the larboard bow of the latter; and whenthat ship struck, passed on to the Petiple Souverain. TheTheseus, Captain Miller, followed, brought down the Guer-rier's remaining main and mizen masts, then anchoredinside of the Spartiate, the third in the French line.

While these advanced ships doubled the French line, the

Vangtcard was the first that anchored on the outer side

of the enemy, within half pistol shot of their third ship,

the 8partiaie. 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 openeda tremendous fire; under cover of which the other four

^ Became entangled so that it could not be lowered at once to thebottom,

^ As Sir Horatio Nelson was a Rear-Admiral of the Blue, the blueensign was the proper colors of his squadron. Pursuant, however,to an order from the Earl of St. Vincent, the white or St. George'sensign was used in the battle, because it was more distinct from the

French flag (the tricolor, blue, white, and red vertically) than either

a blue or a red ensign ; and thus the Red Cross of St. George, theancient banner of England, witnessed that glorious victory.

—

SirN. H. Nicolas.

^ Slackened it sixty fathoms.

9

130 th:e life of nelson [nm

ships of his division, tlie Minotaur, Bellero2)lion, Defence,

and Majestic, sailed on ahead of the Admiral. In a fewminutes, 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 next ahead, and took off the fire

of the Aquilofi, the fourth in the enemy's line. The Bel-

leropJion, Captain Darby, passed ahead and dropped herstern anchor on the starboard bow of the Orient, seventhin the line, Brueys' own ship, of one hundred and twentyguns, whose difference of force was in proportion of morethan seven to three, and whose weight of ball, from the

lower deck alone, exceeded that from the whole broadside

of the Belleroylion. Captain Peyton, in the Defence, tookhis station ahead of the Minotaur, and engaged theFranlclin, the sixth in the line; by which judicious move-ment 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 suff'ered

dreadfully from that three-decker's fire: but she swungclear, and closely engaging the Heureux, the ninth ship onthe 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 dis-

tance when the action began. It commenced at half after

six; about seven, night closed, and there was no other light

than that of the fire of the contending fleets.

Troubridge, in the Gulloden, then foremost of the re-

maining ships, was two leagues astern. He came on sound-ing, as the others had done : as he advanced, the increas-

ing darkness increased the difficulty of the navigation; andsuddenly, after having found eleven fathoms water, before

the lead could be hove again, he was fast aground: norcould all his own exertions, joined to those of the Leanderand the Mutine brig, which came to his assistance, get himoff in time to bear a part in the action.^ His ship, however,

^ In a letter to Captain Darby of the Belleroplio7i Troubridge de-

clared that he had fifty times rather have been wounded, as Darbywas, than kept out of the action ; that he had with diificulty beenrestrained from shooting himself ; and that even as he wrote he wasforced to shed tears. Captain Darby, and Captain Gould who waspresent when the letter was received, both wept.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 131

served as a beacon to the Alexander and Swiftsure, whichwould else, from the course which they were holding, havegone considerably farther on the reef, and must inevitably

have been lost. These ships entered the bay, and took

their stations, in the darkness, in a manner long spoken of

with admiration by all who remembered it. Captain Hal-lowell, in the Sioiftsure, 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 mizen-peak, as soon as it became dark; and this vessel had nosuch distinction. Hallowell, however, with great judg-ment, ordered his men not to fire: if she was an enemy,he said, she was in too disabled a state to escape; but, fromher 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 lee side of

the bay. Her station, at this important time, was occu-

pied by the Swiftsure, which opened a steady fire on thequarter of the Franklin, and the bows of the FrenchAdmiral. At the same instant. Captain Ball, with the

Alexander, passed under his stern, and anchored withinside 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 enemywas 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 FranMin 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 dismastedwithin a quarter of an hour after the commencement of

the action; and the others had in that time suffered so se-

verely, that victory was already certain. The third, fourth,

and fifth, were taken possession of at half-past eight.

^ Across the bow.^ To fire the length of ; to fire into the stern or bow, instead of into

the side of a vessel.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 133

Meantime Nelson received a severe wound on the headfrom a piece of landridge ^ shot. Captain Berry caughthim in his arms as he was falling. The great effusion of

blood occasioned an apprehension that the wound wasmortal: Nelson himself thought so: a large flap of theskin of the forehead, cut from the bone, had fallen overone eye : and the other being blind, he was in total dark-ness. When he was carried down, the surgeon,—in themidst of a scene scarcely to be conceived by those who havenever seen a cockpit in time of action, and the heroismwhich is displayed amid its horrors,—with a natural andpardonable eagerness, quitted the poor fellow then underhis hands, that he might instantly attend the Admiral." No! " said Nelson, " I will take my turn with my bravefellows." Nor would he suffer his own wound to be ex-amined till every man who had been previously woundedwas properly attended to. Fully believing that the woundwas mortal, and that he was about to die, as he had everdesired, 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 forCaptain Louis on board from the Minotaur, that he mightthank him personally for the great assistance which he hadrendered to the Vanguard ; and, ever mindful of thosewho deserved to be his friends, appointed Captain Hardyfrom the brig to the command of his own ship, CaptainBerry 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 examinedsooner), the most anxious silence prevailed; and the joy ofthe wounded men, and of the whole crew, when they heardthat the hurt was merely superficial, gave Nelson deeper

^ A kind of shot used to tear sails and rigging. It consists ofbolts, nails, and other pieces of iron fastened together.

^ Captain Berry went in the Leander, fifty guns, but unfortunatelyfell in with the Genereux, seventy-four guns, on the coast of Candia,and was captured after an obstinate defence. His despatches, how-ever, were thrown in good time into the sea. Copies of them hadbeen sent overland. It is said that when Nelson and CaptainBerry were presented at court, the king spoke of the loss of his rightarm. " But not my right hand, please your Majesty," said the hero,*' as I have the honor of presenting Captain Berry. And besides,please your Majesty, I have never thought that a loss which the per-formance of my duty had occasioned."

134 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

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 de-

spatches. Campbell had himself been wounded; and wasso 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. Inthe confusion, he found his way up, unassisted and unno-ticed,^ and, to the astonishment of every one, appeared onthe quarter-deck, where he immediately gave orders that

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 himalmost 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 pro-

digious light of this conflagration, the situation of the twofleets could now be perceived, the colours of both beingclearly distinguishable. About ten o'clock the ship blewup, with a shock which was felt to the very bottom of every

vessel.

Many of her officers and men jumped overboard, someclinging to the spars and pieces of wreck, with which the

sea was strewn, others swimming to escape from the de-

struction which they momentarily dreaded. Some werepicked up by our boats; and some, even in the heat andfury of the action, were dragged into the lower ports of

the nearest British vessel by the British sailors. Thegreater part of her crew, however, stood the danger till the

last, and continued to fire from the lower deck. Thistremendous explosion was followed by a silence not less

awful: the firing immediately ceased on both sides; andthe first sound which broke the silence was the dash of her

^ Lady Berry denied the truth of this. According to her, Cap-tain Berry led him up to witness the fire.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 135

shattered masts and yards^ falling into the water from tlie

vast height to which they had been exploded. It is uponrecord, that a battle between two armies was once brokenoif by an earthquake : such an event would be felt like amiracle; but no incident in war, produced by humanmeans, has ever equalled the sublimity of this co-instanta-

neous pause, and all its circumstances.

About seventy of the Orienfs crew were saved by theEnglish boats. Among the many hundreds who perishedwere the Commodore, Casa-Bianca,^ and his son, a braveboy, only ten years old. They were seen floating on ashattered mast when the ship blew up. She had moneyon board (the plunder of Malta) to the amount of 600,-

000/. sterling. The masses of burning wreck, which werescattered by the explosion, excited for some moments ap-

prehensions in the English which they had never felt fromany other danger. Two large pieces fell into the mainand fore tops of the 8tviftsure, without injuring anyperson. A port-fire ^ also fell into the main-royal of theAlexander: the fire which it occasioned was speedily ex-

tinguished. Captain Ball had provided, as far as humanforesight could provide, against any such danger. All theshrouds and sails of his ship, not absolutely necessary for

its immediate management, were throughly wetted, andso rolled up, that they were as hard and as little inflam-mable as so many solid cylinders.

The firing recommenced with the ships to leeward of

the centre, and continued till about three. At daybreak,the Ouillaume Tell, and the Qenereim, 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 theforenoon, not having been engaged, and stood out to sea,

and two frigates with them.^ The Zealous pursued; but

^ Casa-Bianca was Admiral Brueys' chief-of-staif. Probably bothhe and his son were below when the ship blew up. An eye-witnesstestifies to the heroic behaviour of the little boy. See Mrs. Hemans'spoem. Clark Russell tells us that the "fabric of L' Orient is

still, it is said, to be seen peacefully resting in green and sandyrepose under the glass-clear surface of the water of AboukirBay."

^ A tube full of inflammable matter used instead of a match tofire guns.

^ See pages 187 and 188.

136 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

as there was no otlier ship in a condition to support Cap-tain Hood, he was recalled. It was generally believed bythe officers, that if Nelson had not been wounded, notone of these ships could have escaped: the four certainly

could not, if the Cidlodeyi 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.'

' Yictory,'

' said Nelson, ^ ^ is not a namestrong enough for such a scene; " he called it a conquest.

Of thirteen sail of the line, nine were taken, and twoburnt: of the four frigates, one was sunk, another, the

Artemise, was burnt in a villanous manner by her captain,

M. Estandlet, who, having fired a broadside at the The-

seus, struck his colours, then set fire to the ship, andescaped with most of his crew to shore. The British loss,

in killed and wounded, amounted to 895. Westcott wasthe only captain who fell: 3,105 of the French, including

the wounded, were sent on shore by cartel, and 5,225perished.

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 Eosetta, who withmiserable fear beheld the engagement, were at a loss to

understand the stillness of the fleet during the perform-

ance of this solemn duty; but it seemed to affect many of

the prisoners, officers as well as men: and graceless andgodless 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 withsuch sentiments after so great a victory, and at a momentof such confusion.—The French at Eosetta, 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 them-

^ At one time during the Revolution in France, the Christian

religion was officially proscribed ; the Goddess of Reason, in theform of an actress, worshipped in the Cathedral of Notre Dame

;

Sunday abolished ; and the guillotine substituted for the cross.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 137

selves : and even if tliey could have succeeded in this, the

bonfires which the Arabs kindled along the whole coast,

and over the country, for the three following nights, wouldsoon have undeceived them. Thousands of Arabs andEgyptians lined the shore, and covered the house-tops

during the action, rejoicing in the destruction which hadovertaken their invaders. Long after the battle, innu-

merable 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 upupon the Island of Bekier (Nelson's Island, 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 loath-

some to humanity. The shore, for an extent of four

leagues, was covered with wreck; and the Arabs foundemployment for many days in burning on the beach the

fragments which were cast up, for the sake of the iron.*

Part of the Orienfs main-mast was picked up by the

Swiftsure.'^ Captain Hallowell ordered his carpenter to

make a coffin of it; the iron as well as wood was taken

from the wreck of the same ship ; it was finished as well

and handsomely as the workman's skill anc|. materials

would permit; and Hallowell then sent it to the Admiralwith 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

* During his long subsequent cruise off Alexandria, Captain Hal-

lowell kept his crew employed and amused in fishing up the small

anchors in the road, which, with the iron found on the masts, wasafterwards sold at Rhodes, and the produce applied to purchase vege-

tables and tobacco for the ship's company.

—

Southey's Note.^ " Did every British warship have a ship's colour or battle flag on

which to record its war services, as every regiment has its regimental

colour to bear an emblazoned record of the battles in which the regi-

ment has taken part, our present Swiftsure's ensign would show not

only more battle honours than any regimental colours of any Armycan, but also bear more names than a Hohenzollern or Hapsburg

138 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

of your sincere friend, Benjamin Hallowell." ^ An offer-

ing so strange, and yet so suited to the occasion, was re-

ceived by Nelson in the spirit with which it was sent. Ashe felt it good for him, now that he was at the summit of

his wishes, to have death before his eyes, he ordered the

cofhn 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 fa-

vourite servant entreated him so earnestly to let it be re-

moved, that at length he consented to have the cofhn car-

ried 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 pre-

vented the destruction of the store-ships and transports in

the port of Alexandria :—four bomb-vessels would at that

time have burnt the whole in a few hours. "Were I to

die this moment," said he in his despatches to the Admi-ralty, ^' luant of frigates would be found stamped on my

shield bears heraldic quarterings. Omitting several minor actions

it would read something like this :

Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 1588.

Capture of Cadiz, 1596.

West Indies, 1654 (Penn's flag-ship).

Santa Cruz, 1656 (Blake's flag-ship).

Battle of Lowestoft, 1665 (flag-ship).

Battle of June 1 to 3, 1666.

Prince Rupert's three battles with De Ruyter, 1673.

Victory over the French off La Hogue, 1692.

Battle of Vigo Bay, 1703.

Capture of Gibraltar, 1704.

Rooke's battle off Malaga, 1704.

Boscowen's victory at Lagos, 1759.

Hawke's victory in Quiberon Bay, 1759.

Battle of the Nile, 1798.

Calder's battle off Ferrol, 1805 (see p. 367).

Trafalgar, 1805."—Commander Robinson, The British Fleet, p.

192.^ Perhaps it is worth while to remark in passing that, owing to the

location of the battle, this strange gift may have been suggested to

the mind of Captain Hallowell by the ancient Egyptian custom of

bringing mummies into their feasts to remind them of the short-

ness of the period during which they could eat, drink, and be

merry.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 139

heart !^ No words of mine can express what I have suf-

fered, and am sufferings 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, andHallowell, he declared that he should have sunk under the

fatigue of refitting the squadron. "All," he said, "haddone well; but these officers were his sui^porters. " But,

amidst his sufferings and exertions, IN^elson could yet thinkof all the consequences of his victory; and that no advan-tage from it might be lost, he despatched an officer overland

to India, with letters to the Governor of Bombay, informinghim of the arrival of the French in Egypt, the total de-

struction of their fleet, and the consequent preservation of

India from any attempt against it on the part of this for-

midable armament. " He knew that Bombay," he said,

"was their first object, if they could get there ;^ but hetrusted that Almighty God would overthrow in Egypt these

pests of the human race. Buonaparte had never yet had to

contend Avith an English officer, and he would endeavourto make him respect us." This despatch he sent uponhis 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 bepaid, and he would repay the Company : for, as an Eng-lishman, he should be proud that it had been in his powerto put our settlements on their guard." The information

i " Italy, my Italy !

Queen Mary's saying serves for me(When fortune's maliceLost her Calais) :

Open my heart, and you will seeGraved inside of it ' Italy.'

"

—Browning, De Gustibus, ii.

^ How did the French intend to get to India ?

^ The ordinary letter of credit is a letter issued by a financial houseto a traveUer. It enables the traveller to obtain such funds as hemay desire up to the value of the letter by presenting it as occasionmay demand to the correspondents of the house. Being payableonly to the person named in it, it is useless to any other unless direct

forgery is attempted, and this is seldom done. How did Nelson'sletter differ from such a letter ?

140 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

which, by this means reached India was of great impor-tance. Orders had just been received for defensive pre-

parations, upon a scale proportionate to the apprehendeddanger; and the extraordinary expenses Avhich would other-

wise have been incurred were thus prevented,

z-— Nelson was now at the summit of glory: congratula-

tions, rewards, and honours were showered upon him byall the states, and princes, and powers to whom his vic-

tory 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, hadcalled 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 whohad 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 broadsleeves, valued at five thousand dollars; and a diamondaigrette, valued at eighteen thousand—the most honourablebadge among the Turks; and in this instance more espe-

cially honourable, because it was taken from one of the

royal turbans. "If it were worth a million," said J^elson

to his wife, ' ^ my pleasure would be to see it in your posses-

sion." The Sultan also sent, in a spirit worthy of imita-

tion, a purse of two thousand sequins,^ to be distributed

among the wounded. The mother of the Sultan sent hima box, set with diamonds, valued at one thousand pounds.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, ac-

companied with a letter of congratulation, written by his

own hand. The King of Sardinia also wrote to him, andsent a gold box, set with diamonds. Honours in profusion

were awaiting him at JSTaples. In his own country the kinggranted these honourable augmentations to his armorial

ensign :^ a chief undulated, argent; thereon waves of the

^ A sequin is nearly equivalent to $1.81.^ The chief {L. Caput, head) is the upper part of the shield, or

escutcheon ; undulated means marked in the edge with a wavingline ; argent signifies silver. Upon the chief, which is divided into

three parts, dexter, middle, and sinister, there appeared in the mid-dle a palm tree, emblematic of victory, with a ruined battery on the

1798] THE LIFE OF IiELSOJ\ 141

sea; from which a palm-tree issaant^ between a disabled

ship on the dextei% and a ruinous battery on the sinister^

all 2^7'oper ; and for his crest, on a naval crown, or, thechelengk, or plumC;, presented to him by the Turk, withthe motto, Palmam qui meruit ferat. "^ And to his sup-porters, being a sailor on the dexter, and a lion on thesinister, were given these honourable augmentations: apalm-branch in the sailor's hand, and another in the pawof the lion, both jprojj^er ; with a tri-coloured flag and staff

in the lion's mouth. He was created Baron Nelson of theMle and of Burnham Thorpe, with a pension of 2000/. 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 de-

gree of rank ought to be conferred. Mr. Pitt madeanswer, that he thought it needless to enter into thatquestion. " Admiral Nelson's fame," he said, "^ would beco-equal with the British name : and it would be remem-bered that he had obtained the greatest naval victory onrecord, when no man would think of asking whether hehad been created a baron, a viscount, or an earl! " It wasstrange that, in the very act of conferring a title, the min-ister should have excused himself for not having conferreda 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

left, and a disabled ship on the right, as being reminiscences of thebattle of the Nile ; all these were 'proper, that is, of their natural(own) color. The cred is an appendage to the escutcheon placedabove it and fastened by a wreath ; Nelson's was of gold, or. Thenaval crown signified that he had been victorious in those seas wherethe Romans first conferred the corona navalis. Supporters are fig-

ures on either side of the escutcheon and exterior to it. The palm-branch was a continuation of the palm-branch in the chief and anallusion to the motto. The tri-colored flag was the flag of the sub-dued foe.

* It has been erroneously said that the motto was selected by theking :—it was fixed on by Lord Grenville, and taken from an ode ofJortin's. The application was singularly fortunate ; and tlie ode itself

breathes a spirit, in which no man ever more truly sympathised thanNelson :

Concurrant paribus cum ratibus rates,

Spectent numina ponti, et

Palmam qui meruit fevat.—jSouihei/s Note,

142 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

would have been Nelson still. That name he had en-

nobled beyond all addition of nobility: it was the name bywhich 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 andlanguages of the world endure, and as long as their history

after them shall be held in remembrance. It dependedupon 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 hon-

ours were affected thus far, and no farther, might be con-

ceded to Mr. Pitt and his colleagues in administration : but

the degree of rank which they thought proper to allot wasthe measure of their gratitude,* though not of his services.

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

* Mr. Windham must be excepted from this well-deserved censure.

He, whose fate it seems to have been almost always to think and feel

more generously than those with whom he acted, declared, when hecontended against his own party for Lord Wehington's peerage, that

he always thought Lord Nelson had been inadequately rewarded.The case was the more flagrant, because an earldom had so lately

been granted for the battle of St. Vincent ; an action which could

never be compared with the battle of the Nile, if the very difl;erent

manner in which it was rewarded did not necessarily force a com-parison ; especially when the part which Nelson bore in it was con-

sidered.—Lords Duncan and St. Vincent had each a pension of

£1000 from the Irish government. This was not granted to Nelson,

in consequence of the Union ; though, surely, it would be more be-

coming to increase the British grant, than to save a thousand a year

by the Union in such cases.

—

Southey's Note.

Is it possible that Nelson's years, he being only forty while St.

Vincent was sixty-two, influenced the government in its award ?

^ When Napoleon heard the news of Aboukir he exclaimed :" To

France the fates have decreed the empire of the land—to England,that of the sea." " It was this battle," says Jurien de la Graviere,'

' which for two years delivered up the Mediterranean to the powerof England ; . . . left the French army isolated among a hostile

population ; decided the Porte in declaring against it ; saved India

from French enterprise ; and brought France to the brink of ruin byreviving the smouldering flames of war with Austria, and bringing

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 143

10,000/. 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 eachof his captains; gold medals were distributed to the Cap-tains; and the First Lieutenants of all the ships werepromoted, as had been done after Lord Howe's victory.

Nelson Avas exceedingly anxious that the Captain and First

Lieutenant of the Culloden should not be passed overbecause of their misfortune. To Troubridge himself hesaid, ''Let us rejoice that the ship which got on shorewas commanded by an officer whose character is so thor-

oughly 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 highlydeserving of reward. " It was Troubridge," said he, '' whoequipped the squadron so soon at Syracuse: it was Trou-bridge who exerted himself for me after the action : it wasTroubridge who saved the Culloden, when none that I

know in the service would have attempted it." The goldmedal, therefore, by the king's express desire, was givento Captain Troubridge, "for his services both before andsince, and for the great and Avonderful exertion whichhe 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 theships engaged were to be promoted. Nelson instantly wroteto 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 beso, get it altered. Our dear friend Troubridge has en-

dured 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 en-

gaged is not intended to exclude the Culloden. The meritof that ship, and her gallant captain, are too well knownto benefit by anything I could say. Her misfortune wasgreat in getting aground, while her more fortunate com-panions were in the full tide of happiness. No; I am confi-

Suwarrow and the Anstro-Russians to the French frontiers."

—

GuerresMaritimes, i., p. 229, quoted by Mahan. There are some interest-

ing comments on the Battle of the Nile by James Fenimore Cooper,in his Preface to The Two Admirals.

144 THE LIFE OF NELSQN [1798

dent tliat 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 hemade those signals which prevented certainly the Alex-

ander and Siviftsure from running on the shoals. I begyour 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 feel-

ingly alive was Nelson to the claims, and interests, andfeelings of others. The Admiralty replied, that the excep-

tion was necessary, as the ship had not been in action : but

they desired the Commander-in-Chief to promote the Lieu-

tenant upon the first vacancy which should occur.

Nelson, in remembrance of an old and uninterrupted

friendshijo, appointed Alexander Davison ^ sole prize-agent

for the cajDtured ships : upon which Davison ordered med-als to be struck in gold, for the captains; in silver, for the

lieutenants and warrant officers; in gilt metal, for petty

officers; and in copper, for the seamen and marines. Thecost of this act of liberality amounted to nearly 2000/. 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 whateverrank they may be placed.

Three of the frigates, whose presence would have beenso essential a few weeks sooner, joined the squadron on the

twelfth day after the action. The fourth joined a fewdays after them. Nelson thus received despatches, whichrendered it necessary for him to return to Naples. Before

he left Egypt he burnt 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 service of at least two sail of the line. "I rest as-

sured,'

' he said to the Admiralty, '

' that they will be paid

for, and have held out that assurance to the squadron. Forif an admiral, after a victory, is to look after the captured

ships, and not to the distressing of the enemy, very dearly

' See p. 34.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 145

indeed must the nation pay for the prizes. I trust that60,000?. 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 consid-

ered. Government will save nearly as mnch as they are

valued at. Paying for prizes," he continued, "is no newidea of mine, and would often prove an amazing saving to

the state, even without taking into calculation what thenation loses by the attention of the admirals to the prop-erty of the captors; an attention absolutely necessary, as arecompense for the exertions of the officers ajid men. Anadmiral may be amply rewarded by his own feelings, andby the approbation of his superiors; but what reward havethe 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. Vin-cent he said, "If he could have been sure that Govern-ment would have paid a reasonable value for them, hewould 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, underSir James Saumarez, Nelson left Captain Hood^ in theZealous, off Alexandria, with the Sioiftsiire, Goliath,

Alcmene, and Emerald, and stood out to sea himself onthe seventeenth day after the battle.*

^ In a letter to Lord Howe, Nelson used expressions concerning thebattle of the Nile, about which Mr. J. K. Laughton speaks as fol-

lows :" Nelson's reply is, however, most notable for its brief exposi-

tion of the plan on which the battle was fought, an exposition sufh-

cient in itself to demolish the popular theory that the chief charac-teristic of his genius was his courage ; that he won victories by thedirectness and impetuosity of his attack ; that his one .idea of tactics

was ' to go at 'em ;' and that fortune favored the brave. The more

closely Nelson's acts and letters are studied, the more clearly will it

be seen that the point on which his thoughts continually dwelt wasnot the mere ' going at 'em,' but the most advantageous way to ' go at'em ;

' and that, in every instance, the dash and impetuosity whichcaught the popular fancy were guided by genius, and controlled byprudence and foresight. On this occasion he wrote :

' By attackingthe enemy's van and centre, the wind blowing directly along theirline, I was enabled to throw what force I pleased on a few ships. '

"

—

Life of Nelson, p. 123.* "Some French officers, during the blockade of Alexandria, were

sent off to Captain Hallowell to offer a supply of vegetables, and

10

146 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

observe, of course, the state of the blockading squadron. They werereceived with all possible civility. In the course of conversation,

after dinner, one of them remarked that we had made use of unfair

weapons during the action, by which probably the Orient was burnt;

and that General Buonaparte had expressed great indignation at it.

In proof of this assertion he stated that in the late gunboat attacks,

their camp had twice been set on fire by balls of unextinguishable

matter which were fired from one of the English boats. CaptainHallowell instantly ordered the gunner to bring up some of those

balls, and asked him from whence he had them. To the confusion of

the accusers he related that they were found on board of the Spartiate,

one of the ships captured on the 1st of August ; as these balls weredistinguished by particular marks, though in other respects alike, theCaptain ordered an experiment to be made, in order to ascertain the

nature of them. The next morning, says Mr. Willyams, I accom-panied Mr. Parr, the gunner, to the island ; the first we tried provedto be a fire-ball, but of what materials composed we could not ascer-

tain. As it did not explode (which at first we apprehended), werolled it into the sea, where it continued to burn under water ; ablack pitchy substance exuding from it till only an iron skeleton of

a shell remained. The whole had been carefully crusted over with asubstance that gave it the appearance of a perfect shell. On setting

fire to the fusee of the other, which was differently marked, it burst

into many pieces ; though somewhat alarmed, fortunately none of

us were hurt. People account differently for the fire that happenedon board of the French Admiral ; but why may it not have arisen

from some of these fire-balls left, perhaps carelessly, on the poop or

cabin, where it first broke out ? and what confirms my opinion on this

head is, that several pieces of such shells were found sticking in theLetterojpho7i, which she most probably received from the first fire of

L' Orient."—Willyams's Voyages in the Mediterranean, p. 145.

—

Southey^s Note.

CHAPTEK VI.

Nelson returns to Naples—State of that Court and Kingdom

—

General Mack—The French approach Naples—Flight of the RoyalFamily—Successes of the Allies in Italy—Transactions in the Bay of

Naples—Expulsion of the French from the Neapolitan and RomanStates—Nelson is made Duke of Bronte—He leaves the Mediterra-nean 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 endeav-

our 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 beabsolutely necessary; for, in his own strong language, hehad then been four years and nine months without onemoment's rej^ose for body or mind. A few months' inter-

mission of labour he had obtained—not of rest, for it waspurchased 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 im-portance than any on which he had hitherto been employed,and they brought with them commensurate fatigue andcare. The anxiety which he endured during his long pur-

suit of the enemy was rather changed in its direction, thanabated, by their defeat : and this constant wakefulness of

thought, added to the effect of his wound, and the exer-

tions from which it was not possible for one of so ardent

and wide-reaching a mind to spare himself, nearly provedfatal. On his way back to Italy he was seized with fever.

For eighteen hours his life was despaired of; and evenwhen 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

148 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

weakness to wliicli the fever and congli had reduced him.

Writing to Earl St. Vincent^ on the passage, he said to

him, ^^-1 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 wereawaiting him at Naples. '^Come here," said Sir WilliamHamilton, '' for God's sake,Sny 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 awaited him there ! He him-self saw at that time the character of the Neapolitan court,

as it first struck an Englishman, in its true light; andwhen 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 of Naples had been trem-

bling for its existence. The language which the Directory ^

held towards it was well described by Sir William Hamil-ton, as being exactly the language of a highwayman. TheNeapolitans 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 anydelay 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 Avhich that success

relieved them. The Queen was a daughter of Maria The-resa,^ and sister of Marie Antoinette. Had she been the

^ See p. 89, note 3.

2 Benevento belonged to the Pope, to whom it was restored after

the battle of Waterloo.^ Maria Theresa should be studied from the noble pages of Maeau-

lay's essay on Frederic the Great ; and Marie Antoinette oughtalways to be associated with the great words of Burke : "It is nowsixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then the

Dauphiness, at Versailles ; and surely never lighted on this orb,

which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON I49

wisest and gentlest of her sex^ it would not have been pos-

sible for her to have regarded the French without hatredand horro]': and the progress of revolutionary opinions,

while it perpetually reminded her of her sister's fate, ex-

cited no unreasonable apprehensions for her own. Herfeelings, naturally ardent, and little accustomed to re-

straint, were excited to the highest pitch when the newsof the victory arrived. Lady Hamilton, her constant

friend and favourite, who was present, says, "It is notpossible 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 em-braced every person near her; exclaiming, '0 brave Nel-son! God! bless and protect our brave deliverer!

Nelson! Nelson! what do we not owe you! conqueror

—

saviour of Italy! that my swoln heart could now tell

him personally what we owe to him !' " She wrote to the

Neapolitan ambassador at London upon the occasion in

terms which show the fulness of her joy, and the heightof 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 is saved; and this is owing alone to

the generous English. This battle, or, to speak morecorrectly, this total defeat, of the regicide squadron, wasobtained by the valour of this brave Admiral, seconded bya navy which is the terror of its enemies. The victory is

her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated

sphere she just began to move in,—glittering like the morning star

full of life and splendor and joy. . . . Little did I dream that I

should have lived to see such disasters fallen upon her in a nation of

gallant men,—in a nation of men of honour and of cavaliers. I

thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbardsto avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. But the ageof chivalry is gone ; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators

has succeeded ; and the glory of Europe is extinguished forever.

Never, never more shall we behold that generous loyalty to rank andsex, that proud submission, that dignified obedience, that subordina-tion of the heart which kept alive, even in servitude itself, the spirit

of an exalted freedom. The unbought grace of life, the cheap de-

fence of nations, the nurse of manly sentiment and heroic enterprise is

gone ! It is gone that sensibility of principle, that chastity of honour,which felt a stain like a wound, which inspired courage whilst it

mitigated ferocity, which ennobled whatever it touched, and underwhich vice itself lost half its evil by losing all its grossness."

150 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

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 andcrying for joy at the happy news.—Recommend the hero

to his master : he has filled the whole of Italy with admira-

tion of the English. Great hopes were entertained of someadvantages 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 22d of Septem-ber the poor, wretched Vanguard, as he called his shat-

tered 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 andstreamers, 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 per-

sonal accomplishments have seldom been equalled, andwhose powers of mind were not less fascinating than herperson. She was passionately attached to the Queen : andby her influence the British fleet had obtained those sup-

plies at Syracuse, without Avhich, Nelson always asserted,

the battle of Aboukir could not have been fought. Dur-ing the long interval which passed before any tidings werereceived, her anxiety had been hardly less than that of

Nelson himself, while pursuing an enemy of whom hecould obtain no information: and when the tidings werebrought her by a joyful bearer, open-mouthed, its effect

was such, that she fell like one who had been shot. Sheand Sir William had literally been made ill by their hopesand fears, and joy at a catastrophe so far exceeding all

that they had dared to hope for. Their admiration for the

^ See p. 55.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 151

hero necessarily produced a degree of jDroportionate grati-

tude and affection; and when their barge came alongside

the Vanguard, at the sight of Nelson, Lady Hamiltonsprang up the ship's side, and exclaiming, " God! is it

possible! " fell into his arms, more, he says, like one deadthan alive. He described the meeting as " terribly affect-

ing. "^ These friends had scarcely recovered from their

tears, when the King, who went out to meet him threeleagues in the royal barge, came on board and took him bythe hand, calling him his deliverer and preserver; fromall the boats around he was saluted with the same appella-

tions; 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, andgiving them their liberty as he passed.

His birthday, which occurred a week after his arrival,

was celebrated with one of the most splendid fetes everbeheld at Naples.^ But, notwithstanding the splendourwith which he was encircled, and the flattering honourswith which all ranks welcomed him, Nelson was fully sen-

sible of the depravity, as well as weakness, of those bywhom 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 veryunwell ; 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

^ Was this acting- on Lady Hamilton's part, or was it real emotion?'•^ The lazzaroni are the beggars of Naples, being so called from the

hospital of St. Lazarus, which is located there, and is their naturalrefuge.

^ This celebration cost Sir William Hamilton about 2,000 ducats($3,000). He entertained 1,800 people. Endless songs and sonnetswere composed in the hero's honor ; he was saluted with the motto'* Yeiii, Vidi, Vici ;" and to crown alia new stanza of "God Savethe King " was written by Miss Knight in his honor :

" Join we great Nelson's nameFirst on the rolls of Fame,Him let us sing.

Spread we his fame around.Honour of British ground,Who made Nile's shores resound,God save the king."

^ Lady Hamilton indicated the Neapolitan gentry who came onboard Nelson's ship for a banquet on one occasion, and told a promi-

152 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

weakness "he always retained; nor was lie ever blind to tlie

mingled folly and treachery of the Neapolitan ministers,

and the complication of iniqnities under which the countrygroaned: but he insensibly, under the influence of LadyHamilton, formed an affection for the court, to whose mis-

government the miserable condition of the country wasso greatly to be imputed.

By the kindness of her nature, as well as by her attrac-

tions, she had won his heart. Earl St. Vincent, writing

to her at this time, says, " Ten thousand most grateful

thanks are due to your ladyship for restoring the health of

our invaluable friend, on whose life the fate of the remain-ing governments of Europe, whose system has not beenderanged by these devils, depends. Pray do not let yourfascinating Neapolitan dames ajDproach too near him, 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 Cae-

sars have shown us to what wickedness the moral nature

of princes may be perverted, so in this family the degra-

dation 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,* andcared for nothing else. His queen had all tlie vices of

nent officer who sat near her that in all the company there was not\ a woman who was virtuous or a man who did not deserve the gal-

Uows.

—

Lady Hamiltori's llemoirs, p. 163.^ Ferdinand IV. was a son of Charles HI. of Spain and a grandson

of Louis XIV. of France. He was King of Naples and Sicily from1759 to 1806, when he was dispossessed of Naples by Bonaparte, whomade his own brother J oseph King. After the fall of Napoleon, Ferdi-nand recovered Naples, united the two kingdoms, and assumed thetitle of Ferdinand I., King of the Two Sicilies. He died in 1825.

* Sir William Hamilton's letters give the history of one of this

sovereign's campaigns against the wolves and boars. "Our first

chase has not succeeded ; the king would direct how we should beatthe wood, and began at the wrong end, by which the wolves andboars escaped. The king's face is very long at this moment, but I

dare say to-morrow's good sport will shorten it again."—" No sport

again ! He has no other comfort to-day, than having killed a wildcat, and his face is a yard long. However, his Majesty has vowedvengeance on the boars to-morrow, and will go according to his ownfancy ; and I dare say there will be a terrible slaughter."—"To-day

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 153

the house of Austria, with little to mitigate, and nothingto ennoble them :—provided she could have her pleasures,

and the King his sports, they cared not in what manner therevenue was raised or administered. Of course a systemof favouritism existed at court, and the vilest and mostimpudent corruption prevailed in every department of

state, and in every branch of administration, from thehighest to the lowest. It is only the institutions of Chris-

tianity, and the vicinity of better-regulated states, whichprevent kingdoms, under such circumstances of misrule,

from sinking into a barbarism like that of Turkey. Asense of better things was kept alive in some of the Nea-politans by literature, and by their intercourse with happiercountries. These persons naturally looked to France, at

the commencement of the revolution; and, during all thehorrors of that revolution, still cherished a hope, that, by

has been so thoroughly bad that we have not been able to stir out,

and the King, of course, is in bad humor."—" The King has killed

twenty-one boars to-day, and is quite happy."—"We have had amiserable cold day, but good sport. I killed two boars and a doe

;

the king nineteen boars, two does, and a porcupine. He is happybeyond expression."—"Only think of his not being satisfied withkilling more than thirty yesterday ! He said, if the wind hadfavored him, he should have killed sixty at least."

—" The king has

killed eighty-one animals of one sort or other to-day, and amongstthem a wolf and some stags. He fell asleep in the coach ; and,waking, told me he had been dreaming of shooting. One wouldhave thought he had shed blood enough."— " It is a long-faced daywith the King. We went far ; the weather was bad ; and after all,

met with little or no game. Yesterday, when we brought home all

we killed, it filled the house completely, and to-day they are obligedto whitewash the walls to take away the blood. There were morethan four hundred boars, deer, stags, and all. To-morrow we are

to have another slaughter ; and not a word of reason or common-sense do I meet with the whole day, till I retire to my volumes of the

old Gentleman''s Magazine, which Just keeps my mind from starv-

ing."

—

Southey^s Note.In spite of these expressions of disgust there is ample evidence

that the Neapolitan looseness and immorality affected Sir WilliamHamilton's views in a manner most deleterious to his efficiency as a

British ambassador. He seems from his letters to have lived on the

principle of " Bibamus et manducemus, nam eras moriemur."The sufferings of the people, the corruption of morals, and thethreatened tidal wave of French Jacobinism seem to have caused himno distress or apprehension ; but he was wont to complain like aquerulous child if the hunting was bad and rave hysterically at the

discovery of a Roman vase.

154 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

the aid of France, they might be enabled to establish a

new order of things in Naples. They were grievously mis-

taken in supposing that the principles of liberty wouldever 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 desir-

able. 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 ascend-

ancy 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 confoundedunder 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 Philippe Egalite, Marat, and Hebert;—whereas they

deserved rather to be ranked, if not with Locke, andSydney, and Kussell, 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. ^

ISTo circumstances could be more unfavourable to the

best interests of Europe, than those which placed England

^ Philippe Egalite was a prince of the blood royal, but voted for the

death of Louis XIV. Louis Philippe, King of the French (1830-1848),

was his son. Marat was the favorite of the Paris mob. Hideous, foul,

wearing wooden shoes and a red liberty-cap even in the Convention,

he was always clamorous for fresh heads to feed the guillotine.

He met a fate richly deserved in 1793, however, being assassinated

by Charlotte Corday. Hebert was a professed and intolerant

atheist. He was executed in 1793, as was also Philippe Egalite.

John Locke (163.3-1704) taught that all political authority emanatesfrom the governed, that all power is to be used solely for the good of

the governed, that resistance to princes is lawful when princes be-

tray their trust, and that legislative bodies, being the voice of the

people, are supreme. Algernon Sidney (1622-1683), one of the noblest

and most disinterested of English patriots, was implicated in the

Rye-House Plot to assassinate Charles II., and executed. LordWilliam Russell (1639-1683) was a man of the same temper as Sidney

and perished in the same way at the same time. The Earl of Argyle

and the Duke of Monmouth, who was a natural son of Charles II.,

were both executed in 1685 for attempting to overthrow James II.

1798] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 155

in strict alliance witli tlie snperannnated ^ and abominablegovernments of the Continent. The subjects of thosegovernments who wished for freedom thus became enemiesto England^ and dupes and agents of France. Theylooked to their own grinding grievances, and did not see

the danger with which the liberties of the world were threat-

ened : England, on the other hand, saw the danger in its

true magnitude, but was blind to these grievances, andfound herself compelled to support systems which had for-

merly been equally the object of her abhorrence and hercontempt. 'This was the state of Nelson's mind: he knewthat there could be no peace for Europe till the pride of

France was humbled, and her strength broken ;2 and he re-

garded all those who were the friends of France as traitors

to the common cause, as well as to their own individualsovereigns. There are situations in which the most oppo-site and hostile parties may mean equally well, and yet act

equally wrong. The court of JN^aples, unconscious of

committing any crime by continuing the system of misruleto which they had succeeded, conceived that, in maintain-ing things as they were, they were maintaining their ownrights, and preserving the peo^ole from such horrors as hadbeen perjoetrated in France. The Neapolitan revolution-

ists thought that, without a total change of system, anyrelief from the present evils was impossible, and they be-

lieved themselves justified in bringing about that changeby any means. Both parties knew that it was the fixed

intention of the French to revolutionize Naples. Therevolutionists supposed that it was for the purpose of es-

tablishing a free government: the court, and all disinter-

ested persons, were perfectly aware that the enemy hadno other object than conquest and plunder.

The battle of the Nile shook the power of France. Hermost successful general, and her finest army, were blockedup in Egypt—hopeless, as it ajDpeared, of return; and the

^The English resolution of 1640 swept away abuses that lingeredin every continental government until the closing years of theeighteenth century.

^ The French proclaimed to all Europe that they proposed to breakdown feudal rights and erect republics on the ruins of every exist-

ing state. Was the French Revolution a blessing to mankind ?

Was it a necessity ? See Carlyle's French Revolution, and Burke'sReflections on the French Revolution.

156 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

government was in the hands of men without talents,

without character, and divided among themselves. Aus-tria, 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 withunbroken forces ; led by a general ^ whose extraordinary

military genius would have entitled him to a high andhonourable 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, whichwere produced by the fears, and weakness, and treachery

of its council, agreed at last to join this new coalition,^ witha 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 pre-

pared to die sword in hand—or to remain quiet, and bekicked out of his kingdom:—one of these things musthappen. The King made answer, he would go on and trust

in (xod and Nelson : and Nelson, who would else have re-

turned to Egypt, for the purpose of destroying the Frenchshipping in Alexandria, gave up his intention, at the de-

sire of the Neapolitan court, and resolved to remain onthat 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, thanunder their own.

His first object was the recovery of Malta—an island

which the King of Naples pretended to claim. The Mal-tese, whom the villanous Knights of their order ^ hadbetrayed to France, had taken up arms against their rapa-

^ Suwarrow (1730-1800) is said never to have lost a battle."^ Probably a reference to the storming of Ismail on Christmas Day,

1790, where 30,000 Turks and 20,000 Russians are said to haveperished.

^ This coalition, formed by Pitt in 1799, included Great Britain,

Germany, Russia, Naples, Portugal, and Turkey.^ This order, known originally as Knights Hospitallers, or Knights

of St. John, was founded about 1099. Charles V. of Germany gavethem Malta in 1530.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON I57

cions invaders^ witli a spirit and unanimity worthy the

highest praise. They blockaded the French garrison byland, and a small squadron^ under Captain Ball, began to

blockade them by sea, on the 12th of October. Twelvedays afterwards Nelson arrived. "It is as I suspected,"

he says: "the ministers at Naples knoAV 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

Mza tells us, they Avant arms, victuals, and support. Hedoes not know that any Neapolitan officers are in 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 Syra-

cuse or Messina." The little island of Gozo, dependentupon Malta, which had also been seized and garrisoned bythe French, capitulated soon after his arrival, and wastaken 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 mostarduous and important part, and returned himself to co-

operate 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 whetherhe was a coward or a traitor. At that time he was assidu-

ously extolled as a most consummate commander, to whomEurope might look for deliverance : and when he was in-

troduced by the King and Queen to the British Admiral,the Queen said to him, " Be to us by land. General, whatmy hero Nelson has been by sea.

'

' Mack, on his part, did

not fail to praise the force which he was appointed to com-mand. " 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 owntroops 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 cir-

cumstance, not less characteristic, confirmed Nelson in his

judgment. "General Mack," said he, in one of his let-

ters, " cannot move without five carriages! I have formedmy opinion. I heartily pray I may be mistaken."

158 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

While Mack, at the head of 32,000 men, marched into

the Koman state, 5,000 Neapolitans were embarked on

board the British and Portuguese squadron, to take pos-

session of Leghorn. This was effected without opposi-

tion; 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 Neapoli-

tans themselves. ISTaselli, their General, refused to seize

the French vessels at Leghorn, because he and the Dukedi Sangro, who was ambassador at the Tuscan court, main-

tained that the King of Naples was not at war with France." A¥hat! " 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 byhis permission, but by his order? Is not his flag shot at

every day by the French, and their shot returned frombatteries 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 pub-

licly from Naples guns, mortars, etc., with officers andartillery, against the French in Malta ? If these acts are

not tantamount to any written paper, I give up all knowl-

edge 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 Frenchwho were in the mole to remain neutral, till they had a

fair opportunity of being active, they had one sure re-

source, 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 com-merce, and about seventy sail of vessels belonging to the

Ligurian Eej)ublic, 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 Frenchtroops 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 differ-

ence between us—he prudently, and certainly safely, waits

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 159

the orders of his court, taking no responsibility upon him-

self ; 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 Frenchships and their allies were ordered to depart in two days.

Eour 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. Wynd-ham, that the privateers were at last to be disarmed, the

corn landed, and the crews sent away, he expressed his satis-

faction 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 unde-

ceived, as far as relates to us. Down, down with the

French! is my constant prayer."

Odes, sonnets, and congratulatory poems, of every de-

scription, 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 upon a flight of prophecy, and predicted that

Lord Nelson would take Eome with his ships. His lord-

ship reminded Father M'Oormick that ships could not

ascend the Tiber : but the father, who had probably forgot-

ten this circumstance, met the objection with a bold front,

and declared he saw that it would come to pass not-

withstanding. Eejoicings of this kind were of short dura-

tion. The King of Naples was with the army which hadentered Eome; but the castle of St. Angelo^ was held bythe French, and 13,000 French were strongly posted in

the Eoman states at Castallana. Mack had marchedagainst 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 de-

^ This fort, originally built to be the tomb of Hadrian, was forti-

fied by Belisarius against the Goths.

160 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

feated," said lie^ "in fourteen days this country is lost;

for the Emperor ^ has not yet moved his army^ and Napleshas not the power of resisting the enemy. It was not a

case for choice^, but of necessity, which induced the Kingto march out of his kingdom, and not wait till the Frenchhad 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 drawnsword 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 uponthemselves, and all their Continental allies. ''A delayedwar, on the part of the Emperor," said he, writing to theBritish Minister at Vienna, '' will be destructive to this

monarchy of Naples; and, of course, to the newly-ac-quired dominions of the Emj^eror in Italy. Had the warcommenced in September or October, all Italy would, at

this moment, have been liberated. This month is worsethan the last: the next will render the contest doubtful:and, in six months, when the Neapolitan Eepublic will beorganised, armed, and with its numerous resources called

forth, the Emperor will not only be defeated in Italy, butwill totter on his throne at Vienna. Doivn, down withthe 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 hadshaken the throne of her father and mother, he would re-

main there, ready to save their persons, and her brothersand sisters; and that he had also left ships at Leghorn, to

save the lives of the grand duke and her sister: "Forall," said he, "must be a republic, if the Emperor doesnot 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 19,000men. He fell in with 3,000 of the enemy; and, as soon as

^ The emperor referred to was Francis II. of Germany.

1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 161

he came near enough, deserted to them. One of his menhad virtue enough to level a musket at him, and shot himthrough 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 mili-

tary chest were all forsaken by the runaways, thoughthey lost only forty men: for the French, having putthem to flight, and got possession of everything, did notpursue an army of more than three times their own num-ber. The main body of the Neapolitans, under Mack, didnot behave better. The King returned to Naples; whereevery day brought with it the 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 prog-

ress 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 pru-dent 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 any attack onthe 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 contem-plated 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, neverfirmer, 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 lordshij^'s faithful

and obliged Nelson. I must not write more. Every wordmay be a text for a long letter."

Meantime Lady Hamilton arranged everything for the

removal of the royal family. This was conducted, on herpart, with the greatest address, and without suspicion, be-

cause she had been in habits of constant correspondencewith the Queen. It was known that the removal could not

11

162 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

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 numbersand 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 draggedunder the windows of the palace in the King's sight. TheKing and Queen spoke to the mob, and ]3acified them ; butit would not have been safe, while they were in this agi-

tated state, to have embarked the eifects of the royal fam-ily openly. Lady Hamilton, like a heroine of modernromance, explored, with no little danger, a subterraneous

passage, leading from the palace to the seaside: throughthis passage the royal treasures, the choicest pieces of

painting and sculpture, and other property, to the amountof two millions and a half, were conveyed to the shore, andstowed safely on board the English ships. On the nightof the 21st, at half-past eight, Xelson 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 boardany ship 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 boardas required an asylum; and, on the night of the 23d, the

fleet sailed. The next day a more violent storm arose thanNelson had ever before encountered. On the 25th, the

youngest of the princes was taken ill, and- died in LadyHamilton's arms. During this whole trying season. LadyHamilton 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 hadnot been premature. Prince Pignatelli, who had been left

as vicar-general and viceroy, with orders to defend the

^ Mr. W. Clark Russell remarks acutely but ungallantly that

Lady Hamilton's early training as nurse-maid was probably thecause of her usefulness at this crisis. Sir William, determined notto drown, got a pistol to shoot himself as soon as the ship shouldbegin to sink.

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 163

kingdom to the last rock in Calabria^ sent plenipotentia-ries to the French camp before Capua; and they, for thesake of saving the capital, signed an armistice, by whichthe greater part of the kingdom was given up to the enemy

:

a cession that necessarily led to the loss of the whole. Thiswas on the 10th of January. The French advanced towardNaples. Mack, under pretext of taking shelter from, thefuryof the lazzaroni, fled to the French General Championet,who sent him under an escort to Milan: but as Francehoped for further services from this wretched traitor, it

was thought prudent to treat him apparently as a prisonerof war. The Neapolitan army disappeared in a few days

:

of the men, some, following their officers, deserted to theenemy : the greater part took the opportunity of disband-ing themselves. (The lazzaroni proved true to their coun-try: they attacked the enemy's advanced posts, drove themin, and were not dispirited by the murderous defeatwhich they suffered from the main body. Flying into thecity, they continued to defend it, even after the Frenchhad planted their artillery in the principal streets. Hadthere been a man of genius to have directed their enthusi-asm, or had there been any correspondent feelings in thehigher ranks, Naples might have set a glorious example to

Europe, and have jDroved the grave of every Frenchmanwho entered it. But the vices of the government had ex-

tinguished all other patriotism than that of a rabble, whohad no other virtue than that sort of loyalty which \yas

like the fidelity of a dog to its master. This fidelity theFrench and their adherents counteracted by another kindof devotion: the priests affirmed that St. Januarius Hiaddeclared in favour of the revolution. The miracle of his

blood was performed with the usual success, and more thanusual effect, on the very evening v/hen, after two days of

desperate fighting, the French obtained possession of Na-ples. A French guard of honour was stationed at his

church. Championet gave, " Respect for St. Januarius! "

^ St. Januarius, Bishop of Beuevento, was beheaded about 300 a.d.,

by Diocletian. Some of his blood is preserved, it is said, in twosmall bottles, and becomes liquid whenever brought near the head ofthe saint, which is buried in the cathedral at Naples. If the bloodfails to liquefy disasters are at hand. The miracle is performedSeptember 19, the traditional day of his martyrdom.

164 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

as the word for the army; and the next day Te Deum wassung by the archbishop, in the cathedral; and the inhab-

itants 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 Provi-

dence, 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 an}" folly and of any baseness : andit is not improbable that, at this time, calculating uponthe 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 ambi-tious 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 onboard a Danish frigate, and sailed, under British protec-

tion, 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 conductof 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 whichbolder policy might, perhaps, have failed to avert, butwhich 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 thousandEnglish troops would save Messina,—and I fear Greneral

Stuart cannot give me men to save this most importantisland! " But his representations were not lost upon Sir

Charles Stuart: this officer hastened immediately fromMinorca, with a thousand men, assisted in the measuresof defence which were taken, and did not return before hehad satisfied himself, that, if the Neapolitans were ex-

cluded 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

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 165

slionld arrive, to defend Messina with the ship's companyof an English man-of-war.

Enssia had now entered into the war. Corfu surren-

dered to a Eussian and Turkish fleet, acting noW;, for thefirst time, in strange confederacy; yet against a powerwhich was certainly the common and worst enemy of both.

Troubridge, having given up the blockade of Alexandriato Sir Sidney Smith, joined JSTelson, bringing with him a

considerable addition of strength; and in himself, whatIsTelson valued more, a man upon whose sagacity, indefatig-

able zeal, and inexhaustible resources, he could place full

reliance. Troubridge was instructed to commence the

operations against the French in the Bay of N^aples. Mean-time Cardinal Euffo, a man of questionable character, butof a temper fitted for such times, having landed in Calabria,

raised what he called a Christian army, composed of thebest 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 joy-

fully 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 Nel-son pressed the Sicilian court incessantly for supplies, tell-

ing them, that 10,000/. given away in provisions would, at

this time, purchase a kingdom. Money, he was told, theyhad not to give; and the wisdom and intregrity whichmight have supplied its want, were not to be found."There is nothing," said he, "which I propose that is

not, as far as orders go, implicitly complied with : but theexecution is dreadful, and almost makes me mad. Mydesire to serve their Majesties faithfully, as is my duty,has been such, that I am almost blind and worn out; andcannot, in my present state, hold much longer."

Before any government can be overthrown by the con-sent of the people, the government must be intolerably

oppressive, or the people thoroughly corrupted. Bad as

the misrule of Naples had been, its consequences had beenfelt far less there than in Sicily; and the peasantry hadthat attachment to the soil, which gives birth to so manyof the noblest, as well as of the happiest feelings. In all

the islands the people were joerfectly frantic with joy, whenthey saw the Neapolitan colours hoisted. At Procida,

166 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

Troubridge could not procure even a rag of the tri-col-

oured 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^ "hadmade them mad." It exasperated the ferocity of a char-

acter which neither the laws nor the religion under whichthey lived tended to mitigate. Their hatred, was especially

directed against the N^eapolitan revolutionists; and the

fishermen, in concert among themselves, chose each his

own victim, whom he would stiletto when the day of venge-

ance should arrive. The head of one was sent off onemorning to Troubridge, with his basket of grapes for break-

fast ;—and a note from the Italian who had what he called

the glory of presenting it, saying, he had killed the manas he was running away, and begging his Excellency to ac-

cept the head, and consider it as a proof of the writer's

attachment to the crown. With the first success of thecourt the work of punishment began. The judge at Ischia

said it was necessary to have a bishop to degrade the trait-

orous priests before he could execute them: upon whichTroubridge advised him to hang them first, and send themto him afterwards, if he did not think that degradationsufficient. This was said with the straightforward feeling

of a sailor, who cared as little for canon law as he knewabout 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 declinedhaving anything to do with it. There w^ere manifestly

persons about the court, who, while they thirsted for thepleasure of vengeance, were devising how to throw theodium of it ujoon the English. They wanted to employ anEnglish 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 heindignantly refused. He, meantime, was almost heart-

broken by the situation in which he found himself. Hehad promised relief to the islanders, relying upon theQueen'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 : theenemy, he complained, had more interest there than the

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 167

King; and the distress for breads, which he witnessed^, wassuch, he said, that it would move even a Frenchman to

pity.

Nelson's heart too was at this time ashore. " To tell

you," he says, writing to Lady Hamilton, ^'^how drearyand uncomfortable the Vanguard appears, is only telling

you what it is to go from the pleasantest society to a soli-

tary cell; or from the dearest friends to no friends. I amnow perfectly the great man,—not a creature near me.From my heart I wish myself the little man again. Youand good Sir William have spoiled me for any place, butwith you."

His mind was not in a happier state respecting pub-lic affairs. '^' As to politics," said he, "at this time theyare 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 Napleswill be sacrificed." Had there been a wise and manlyspirit in the Italian states, or had the conduct of Austriabeen 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 mis-

conduct of the French Directory at this time afforded.

But Nelson saw selfishness and knavery wherever helooked; 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 compelledto 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 hazyweather, and entered the Mediterranean. It was said to

consist of twenty-four sail of the line, six frigates, andthree 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 theMediterranean by falling in with detached squadrons, andthus destroying it in detail. When they arrived at Cartha-gena, they requested the Spanish ships to make sail andjoin; but the Spaniards replied, they had not men to manthem. To this it was answered, that the French had men

168 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

enongli on board for that purpose. But the Spaniardsseem 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, underMasaredo, 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 effect-

ually disabled them, as to prevent the junction, and frus-

trate a well planned expedition.

Before this occurred, and while the junction was as prob-

able 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 thanrisk Sicily: for we know, from experience, that more de-

pends 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. Thenhearing that the French had entered the Mediterranean,and expecting them at Palermo, where he had only his ownshi|), with that single ship he prepared to make all the re-

sistance possible. Troubridge having joined him, he left

Ca|)tain 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; tell-

ing Earl St. Vincent that the squadron should never fall

into the hands of the enemy. '

' And before we are de-

stroyed," said he, " I have little doubt but they will havetheir wings so completely clipped, that they may be easily

overtaken. " It was just at this time that he received fromCaptain Hallowell the present of the coffin. ^ Such a pres-

ent was regarded by the men with natural astonishment

:

one of his old shipmates in the Agamemnon said: "Weshall have hot work of it indeed! You see the Admiralintends to fight till he is killed; and there he is to beburied." Nelson placed it upright against the bulkheadof his cabin, behind his chair, where he sat at dinner. Thegift suited him at this time. It is said that he was disap-

pointed in the step-son whom he had loved so dearly fromI See p. 137.

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 169

his childliood, and who had saved his life at Teneriffe :^ and

it is certain that he had now formed an infatuated attach-

ment for Lady Hamilton^ which totally weaned his affec-

tions from his wife. Further than this, there is no reason

to believe that this most unfortunate attachment was crim-

inal : 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 nowfrequently 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 honourinto the grave; and when that shall please God, I shall

meet death with a smile, l^ot that I am insensible to the

honours and riches my King and country have heapedupon me—so much more than any officer could deserve;

yet am I ready to quit this world of trouble, and envy nonebut those of the estate six feet by two."

Well had it been for ]S[elson 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 char-

acter. 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 werebound upwards, or to hasten to Minorca, if that should betheir destination. Captain Foote, in the Seahorse, withthe N^eapolitan 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 Euffo called the Christian

army." His directions were, to co-operate to the utmost of

his power with the royalists, at whose head Rnffo had beenplaced ; and he had no other instructions whatever. Ruffo

advancing, without any plan, but relying upon the enemy'swant of numbers, which prevented them from attempting to

act upon the offensive, and ready to take advantage of anyaccident which might occur, approached Naples. Fort St.

Elmo, which commands the town, was wholly garrisoned bythe French troops; the castles of Uovo and Suovo, which

' See p. 56, Note 1.

'^Nelson called Ruffo "the great devil who commanded theChristian army."

170 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

commanded the ancliorage, were chiefly defended by Nea-politan revolutionists, the powerful men among them hav-

ing 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 appre-

hend that the French fleet might arrive to relieve them.

Kulfo proposed to the garrison to capitulate, on condition

that their persons and property should be guaranteed, andthat 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 ac-

cepted : 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 seven-

teen sail of the line, with seventeen hundred troops onboard, and the prince-royal of Naples in the Admiral's

ship. A flag of truce was flying on the castles, and onboard 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 Car-

dinal objected to this; nor could all the arguments of Nel-

son, Sir William 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 au-

thority, 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 efl^ect, were de-

livered 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.j

alternative for one who will not make himself a participator//

in guilt, but to record the disgraceful story* with sorrowand with shame. ^

* In one of his letters to Lady Hamilton, written a few weeksbefore this fatal transaction, Nelson says in speaking of the Queen :

" I declare to God, my whole study is how to meet her approbation."—Southey^s Note.^ In spite of what Southey says, it is possible to defend Nelson.

To his mind the revolutionists were traitors, and to make terms with

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON I71

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 revo-

lutionary government, or Parthenopsean ^ Eepublic, as it wascalled, issued an edict, ordering all absent I^eapolitans 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 re^^utation 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 opportu-

nities for escaping when they offered. When the recovery

of ISTaples was evidently near, he applied to Cardinal Ruffo,

and to the Duke of Calvirrano, for j)rotection; expressing

his hope, that the few days during which he had beenforced to obey the French would not outweigh forty years

of faithful services; but, perhaps not receiving such assur-

ances as he wished, and knowing too well the temper of

the Sicilian court, he endeavoured to secrete himself, anda price was set upon his head. More unfortunately for

others than for himself, he was brought in alive, havingbeen discovered in the disguise of a |)easant, and carried

one morning on board Lord N'elson's ship, with his handstied behind him.

traitors was almost as bad as treason itself. Terms granted by a

military officer are always conditional upon the approval of his

superior, unless he has been granted special authority to negotiate.

No such authority had been delegated to Ruifo. He had been given

express orders, indeed, not to do so.

^ He was forty-seven.^ So called from Parthenope, the ancient name of Naples. Nelson

called it the Vesuvian Republic.

172 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

Caraccioli was well known to the British officers^ andhad been ever highly esteemed by all who knew him. Cap-tain Hardy ordered him immediately to be unbound, andto be treated with all those attentions which he felt due to

a man who, when last on board the Foudroymit, had beenreceived as an admiral and a prince. Sir William andLady Hamilton were in the ship, but Nelson, it is affirmed,

saw no one except his own officers during the tragedy whichensued. His own determination was made; and he issued

an order to the ISTeapolitan commodore. Count Thurn, to

assemble a court-martial of l^eapolitan officers, on board

the British flag-ship, proceed immediately to try the pris-

oner, and report to him, if the charges were proved, whatpunishment he ought to suiier. 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 anhour after he was legally in arrest; and how, in that time,

was he to collect his witnesses ? He was found guilty, andsentenced to death; and Nelson gave orders that the sen-

tence should be carried into effect that evening, at five

o'clock, on board the Sicilian frigate. La Minerva,'^ byhanging him at the fore-yard-arm till sunset; when the

body was to be cut down and thrown into the sea. Carac-

cioli requested Lieutenant 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 per-

sonal enemy. ^ Nelson made answer, that the prisoner hadbeen fairly tried by the officers of his own country, and hecould not interfere—forgetting that, if he felt himself

justified in ordering the trial and the execution, no human

' He had himself commanded this ship while in the service of Ferdi-

nand ; and it is almost certain that, while in command of the re-

publican navy, he had fired upon her as well as upon the town of

Annunciata.^ This is very doubtful.

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 173

being conld ever have questioned the propriety of liis in-

terfering on the side of mercy. Oaraccioli 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 besupposed to be very anxious about prolonging my life; butthe disgrace of being hanged is dreadful to me." Whenthis was repeated to JSTelson, he only told the Lieutenant,

with much agitation, to go and attend to his duty. As a

last hope, Oaraccioli asked the Lieutenant if he thought anapplication to Lady Hamilton would be beneficial ? Park-inson went to seek her. She was not to be seen on this

occasion,—but she was present at the execution.^ She hadthe most devoted attachment to the ISTeapolitan court; andthe hatred which she felt against those whom she regardedas its enemies made her, at this time, forget what was dueto the character of her sex, as well as of her country.

Here, also, a faithful historian is called upon to pronouncea severe and unqualified condemnation of JSTelson's con-

duct. Had he the authority of his Sicilian Majesty for

proceeding as he did ? H so, why was not that authority

produced ? If not, why were the proceedings hurried onwithout it ? Why was the trial precipitated so that it wasimpossible 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 con-

sidered ? Why was the execution hastened so as to pre-

clude 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, whichdestroyed his domestic happiness, and now, in a secondinstance, stained inefCaceably, his public character.^

^ Lady Hamilton did not witness the execution.^ " The prompt trial, sentence, and execution of this notorious

traitor filled the Italian Jacobins with mingled rage and terror.

They sputtered venom and lies, which found their way into print,

and were introduced into literature by Southey, whose story waslong supposed, and is by many still supposed, to be a faithful narra-tive of facts, . . . With the morality of Lady Hamilton we are

not here concerned. With all her faults she was a kindly, soft-hearted

woman ; but even if she had been the cruel, bloody-minded monster

174 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

The body was carried out to a considerable distance^ andsunk in the bay, with three double-headed shot, weighing

two hundred and fifty pounds, tied to its legs. Between

two and three weeks afterwards, when the King was on

board the Foudroyant, a Neapolitan fisherman came to

the ship, and solemnly declared that Oaraccioli had risen

from the bottom of the sea, and was coming, as fast as he

could, to Naples, swimming half out of the water. Suchan account was listened to like a tale of idle credulity. Theday 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 recognized to be, indeed, the corpse of

Oaraccioli, which had risen and floated, while the great

weights attached to the legs kept the body in a position

like that of a liying man. A fact so extraordinary aston-

ished the King, and perhaps excited some feeling of super-

stitious 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 dread-

ful 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,

she has been represented, it is sufficiently well attested that she

neither spoke to nor saw Nelson between the time of Caracciolo's

being brought on board and his execution. That in cases of mutinyNelson considered clemency misplaced, and prompt execution ad-

visable, has already been shown ; and rebellion such as Caracciolo's

was to him the worst form of mutiny. In hanging him the sameevening he was strictly following the precedent of St. Vincent's

determination off Cadiz only a couple of years before ; and to those

who carefully consider the circumstances at Naples, and the pain

which this rigid execution of his duty must have given a man of

kindly nature, Nelson's conduct at this period, far from being

judged blaraable, disgraceful, ' a stain upon his memory,' will appear

rather most honourable and meritorious."—Laughton, Nelson, p.

138.^ Massaniello, a name contracted from Tommaso Aniello (1623-

1647), in the latter year headed a successful revolt against the viceroy

of Philip IV. of Spain. His victory was disgraced by the shedding

of the blood of innocent people and the destruction of some of the

finest buildings in the city.

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON I75

sacrifices its victims^ not for the public weal, but for the

gratification of greedy vengeance.^

The castles of St. Elmo, Gaeta, and Capua, remained

to be subdued. On the land side, there was no danger that

the French in these garrisons should be relieved, for Suva-

rof 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 Oarthagena, ordered him to repair to Mi-norca, 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 writ-

ten to the Admiralty, ' ^ it would be a case for some consid-

eration, whether Minorca is to be risked, or the two king-

doms 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 waswell 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 mycommission, 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 Kingis at stake."

Nelson was right in his judgment : no attempt was madeupon Minorca; and the expulsion of the French fromNaples may rather be said to have been eifected, than ac-

celerated, by the English and Portuguese of the allied

fleet, acting upon shore, under Troubridge. The Frenchcommandant at St. Elmo, relying upon the strength of

the place, and the nature of the force Avhicli attacked it,

had insulted Captain Foote in the grossest terms: butCitoyen Mejan was soon taught better manners, when

^ " The RoyaKsts had been too thoroughly frightened to be in amerciful humour ; and asssuredly the Jacobins, whether of Italy or

France, had not set them an example of clemency. ... Intruth, the executions, about seventy, with which the NeapolitanRoyalists took vengeance for their terror and losses, fade into insig-

nificance when compared with Jacobin enormities."—Laughton,Nelson, p. 130.

176 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

Troubridge, in spite of every obstacle^ opened five batter-

ies upon the fort. He was informed, that none of his

letterS;, with the insolent printed words at the top, Liherte,

Egalite, Guerre aux Tyrans, etc., would be received; but

that, if he wrote like a soldier and a gentleman, he should

be answered in the sam.e style. The Frenchman then be-

gan to flatter his antagonist upon the Menfaisance andliumanite, which, he said, were the least of the many vir-

tues which distinguished Monsieur Troubridge. MonsieurTroubridge's Menfaisance 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 somesatisfaction to perceive that the shells fell well, and brokesome 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 kindof artillery, which France has found so effectual towardssubjugating 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 in this

siege, from the character of the JSTeapolitans who pretended

to assist him, and whom he made useful, than even fromthe strength of the place and the skill of the French.

"Such damned cowards and villains," he declared, "hehad never seen before." The men at the advanced posts

carried on, what he called, "a diabolical good understand-

ing " ^ with the enemy, and the workmen would sometimestake fright and run away. " I make the best I can," said

he, " of the degenerate race I have to deal with: the wholemeans of guns, ammunition, pioneers, etc., with all mate-rials, rest with them. With fair promises to the men, andthreats of instant death if I found any one erring, a little

spur has been given." Nelson said of him, with trutii,

upon this occasion, that he was a first-rate general, f ' I

^ Some pupil should get some old soldier of the Civil War to tell himhow the pickets, Union and Confederate, used to visit, trade tobaccofor coffee, and shoot one another directly afterward. Then he shouldwrite up his conversation for the class.

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 177

find, sir/' said lie afterwards, in a letter to the Duke of

Clarence, " that General Koehler does not approve of such

irregular proceedings as naval officers attacking and de-

fending fortifications. We have but one idea,—to get

close alongside. JSTone but a sailor Avould have placed a

battery only one hundred and eighty yards from the castle

of St. Elmo : a soldier must have gone according to art,

and the WWWW way.^ My brave Troubridge went straight

on, for we had no time to spare."

Troubridge then proceeded to Capua, and took the com-mand 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 LordKeith, to sail with the whole of his force for the protection

of Minorca; or, at least, to retain no more than was abso-

lutely necessary at Sicily. 'CYou will easily conceive myfeelings," said he, in communicating this to Earl St. Vin-cent: " 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 andtwenty men from each ship, now at the siege of Capua.I am fully aware of the act I have committed; but I amprepared for any fate which may await my disobedience.

Capua ^ and Gaeta^ 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 donewhat I thought right : others may think differently : butit 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 Nel-

son to spare him forty casks from the ships, he told himit would be necessary that some Englishmen should accom-pany it, or they would steal one half, and change the

other. "Every man you see," said he, "gentle and

^ This is, by zig-zag trenches.^ As an exercise, write a paragraph on Capua like that on Elsinore

on p. 301. Do the same on Aboukir. ^See ^neid, vii., 1-4.

12

178 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

simple, are siicli notorious villains, fclaat it is a misery to be

with them." Oapna, however, soon fell. Gaeta imme-diately afterwards surrendered to Captain Louis of the

Minotcmr. Here the commanding officer acted more un-

like a Frenchman, Captain Louis said, than any one he

had ever met; meaning that he acted like a man of hon-

our. He required, however, that the garrison should carry

away their horses and other pillaged property: to v/hich

Nelson replied, ^'That no property wliich they did not

bring with them into the country could be theirs; and that

the greatest care should be taken to prevent them fromcarrying it away."—"I am sorry," said he to Captain

TLouis,'

' 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 Nel-

son from the French. The Admiralty, hoAvever, 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 armyemployed in operations at a distance from the coast ; where,

in case of defeat, they might have been prevented fromreturning to their ships; and the}^ 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 uponAvhich 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 beenprincipally brought about by British sailors." His judg-

ment in thus employing them had been justiiied by the

result; and his joy was evidently heightened by the gratifica-

tion of a professional and becoming pride. To the First

Lord he said, at the same time, " I certainly, from havingonly a left hand, cannot enter into details which may ex-

plain 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.

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 179

In expelling the French from Naples, Nelson had, withcharacteristic zeal and ability, discharged his duty; but hedeceived 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 ac-

complished if it had been possible to inspire virtue andwisdom into a vicious and infatuated court; and if Nel-

son'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 employeditself 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 removedfrom his rank as patron saint of the kingdom, having been

convicted of Jacobinism; and St. Antonio as solemnly in-

stalled in his place. The King, instead of re-establishing

order at Naples by his presence, speedily returned to Pal-

ermo, to indulge in his favourite amusements.^ Nelson,

^ " Sometimes the fleet made short trips to sea ; not to look after

the enemy, but to gratify the king and Lady Hamilton;particularly

the last, who appeared in the Admiral's barge like Cleopatra. (See

Antony and Cleopatra, Act II., Sc. ii.) . . . One of these dis-

graceful scenes is thus described by an eye-witness : The ships wereall decorated with flags, firing salutes, and manning the yards, as

the royal party sailed along, followed by above 1,000 boats, in

many of which were bands of music playing, Nelson and LadyHamilton leading the van, in a twelve-oared barge. The king, in

one of eight oars, was not paid much attention to ; but he amusedhimself with the princely sport of shooting sea-gulls. The wholeparty visited the Minotaur, . . . where they partook of a cold

collation, and returned in procession to the Foudroyaiit. . . . Thedinner on board was served on tables reaching the whole length of

two decks ; the cannon being even removed to make way for fruit

and chocolate tables on each side. This degrading spectacle, so

unbecoming a British ship of war, afl:ected Lord Nelson very seri-

ously ; and he could not help showing his feelings, though unfor-

tunately his resentment was soon dispelled by that charm whichthen bound him in spite of his understanding. He left the dinnerparty very early ; and, taking a turn or two upon the quarter-deckwith one of his officers, appeared for a little while extremely agi-

tated ; and, at last, as he looked at the strange scene before him,he muttered :

' Curse upon such doings ! I wish there was an endof them. My ship looks for all the world like a pastry-cook's shop !

'"

—Lady Hamilton's Ilemoirs, p. 308. The historian Mitford, who

180 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

and the ambassador's family^ accompanied the court; andTroubridge remained^, groaning over the villany and friv-

olity of those with whom he was compelled to deal. Aparty of officers applied to him for a passage to Palermo,to see the procession of St. Eosalia:—he recommendedthem to exercise their troops, and not behave like children.

It was grief enough for him that the court should be bus-

ied in these follies, and Nelson involved in them. "Idread, my Lord," said he, ''all the feasting, etc., at Pal-

ermo. I am sure your health will be hurt. If so, all their

saints will be damned by the ISTavy. The King would bebetter 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 twentymillions of ducats, collected as the revenue, only thirteen

millions reach the treasury ; and the King pays four ducatswhere 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 re-

venge; and, to gain a point, would swear ten thousandfalse oaths. Constant efforts are made to get a man takenup in order to rob him. The confiscated property does notreach the King's treasury.—All thieves! It is selling for

nothing. His own people, whom he employs, are buyingit up, and the vagabonds pocket the whole. I should notbe surprised to hear that they brought a bill of expensesagainst him for the sale."

The Sicilian court, however, were at this time dulysensible of the services which had been rendered them by

had evidently seen what he related, said that " Lady Hamilton at

Palermo frequently accompanied Nelson in nocturnal rambles, dressedin sailor's clothes."

^ What is the difference between honor and honesty ?

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 181

the British fleet, and their gratitude to Nelson was shownwith proper and princely munificence.—They gave himthe dukedom and domain of Bronte,^ worth about 3000?.

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 con-

sidered his own honour too much, '

' she said,'

' if he per-

sisted in refusing what the King and Queen felt to be

absolutely necessary for the preservation of theirs." TheKing 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 pos-

terity; and that I, Ferdinand Bourbon, should appear un-

grateful ? " He gave him also, when the dukedom wasaccepted, a diamond-hilted sword, which his father, Charles

III. of Spain, had given him, on his accession to the throne

of the Two Sicilies. Nelson said, " The reward was mag-nificent, 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 Constanti-

nople, 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 Thunderwas what in Dahomy would be called a strong name ; ^ it

^ Bronte is Greek for " thunder."2 Did Scott have this title in mind when he wrote in the Introduc-

tion to Marmion, 1. 78, the following lines about Nelson ?

" To him, as to the burning levin,

Short, bright, resistless course was given,

Where'er his country's foes were found,Was heard the fated thunder's sound.Till burst the bolt on yonder shore,

Eoll'd, blazed, destroyed,—and was no more."

Why should the name be called a strong one in Dahomy more than

elsewhere ?

18S TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

was to a sailor's taste; and, certainly, to no man could

it ever be more applicable. But a simple offering, whichhe received not long afterwards, from the island of Zante,

affected him with a deeper and finer feeling. The Grreeks

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 andpeace of thrones, the miseries of the human race wouldcease." This unexpected tribute touched N"elson to the

heart. "No officer," he said, "had ever received fromany country a higher acknowledgment of his services."

The French still occupied the Eoman 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 whomthey 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, wereready to join any regular force that should come to their

assistance; bat they dreaded Cardinal Ruffo's rabble, anddeclared they would resist them as 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 Eome; which, in the present state of things,

when Suvarof was driving the Erench before him, wouldcomplete the deliverance of Italy. He applied, there-

fore, to Sir James St. Clair Erskine, who, in the absence

of G-eneral Fox, commanded at Minorca, to assist in this

great object with twelve hundred men. " The field of

glory," said he, "is a large one, and was never more opento any one than at this moment to you. Eome wouldthrow open her gates, and receive you as her deliverer : andthe Pope would owe his restoration to a heretic." But Sir

James Erskine looked only at the difficulties of the under-

taking. " Twelve hundred men, he thought, would be

too small a force to be committed in such an enterprise;

1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 183

for Civita Veccliia was a regular fortress. The local situ-

ation and climate, also, were such, that, even if this force

were adequate, it would be proper to delay the expedi-

tion till October. General Fox, too, was soon expected ; andduring 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 hadbeen granted to Gaeta. Hallowell perceived, by the over-

strained civility of the officers who came off to him, andthe 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 Erencli

know, that while they are in a condition to serve their gov-

ernment, they can rely upon it for every possible exertion

in their support; and this reliance gives them hope andconfidence to the last. Upon Hallowell 's report, Trou-

bridge, who had now been made Sir Thomas for his ser-

vices, 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 pro-

ceedings; but which is as often successful as it is impu-dent. They had a man of the right stamp to deal with.

Their ambassador at Eome began by saying, that the Eomanterritory was the property of the French by right of con-

quest. The British Commodore settled that point, by re-

plying, "It is mine by reconquest." A capitulation wassoon concluded for all the Eoman states, and Ca]3tain Louis

rowed up the Tiber in his barge, hoisted English colours

on the capitol, and acted, for the time, as governor of

Eome. The prophecy of the Irish poet ^ w^as thus accom-plished, and the friar reaped the fruits: for Nelson, whowas 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.

* See page 159.

184 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

Having thus completed liis work upon the continent of

Italy^ N'elson's whole attention was directed towards Malta,

where Captain Ball, with most inadequate means, wasbesieging the French garrison. Never was any officer en-

gaged in a more anxious and painful service : the smallest

reinforcement from France would, at any moment, haveturned the scale against him; and had it not been for his

consummate ability, and the love and veneration withwhich the Maltese regarded him, Malta must have re-

mained in the hands of the enemy. Men, money, food,

—all things were wanting. The garrison consisted of five

thousand troops, the besieging force of five hundred Eng-lish and Portuguese marines, and about fifteen hundredarmed 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, "thatMalta has not been attacked by land, but we have neither

the means ourselves, nor influence with those who have."Tlie same causes of demurral existed which prevented

British troops from assisting in the expulsion of the

French from Eome. 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 mir-

acles in war, he thought it'

' evident, that unless a respect-

able 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 andstores, were sent against it, no reasonable hope could be

entertained of its surrender." Nelson groaned over the

spirit of over-reasoning caution, and unreasoning obedi-

ence. "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 com-prehend. The circumstances of this war so often vary,

that an officer has almost every moment to consider. Whatwould my superiors direct did they know what is passing

under my nose? But, sir," said he, writing to the Dukeof Clarence, "I find few think as I do. To obey orders

is all perfection. To serve my king, and to destroy the

1800] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 185

French, I consider as the great order of all, from whichlittle ones spring; and if one of these militate against it

(for who can tell exactly at a distance ?) I go back andobey the great order and object, to down—down with the

damned French villains! My blood boils at the name of

Frenchman ! '

'

At length General Fox arrived at Minorca,—and, at

length, permitted Colonel 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 Mes-sina, to co-operate in it, and finding this fresh delay, im-

mediately offered all that he could command of his own."I procured him, my lord," said he to Nelson, "fifteen

thousand of my cobs '}—every farthing, and every atom of meshall be devoted to the cause." " What can this mean ?

"

said Nelson, when he learnt that Colonel Graham wasordered not to incur any expense 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 Eussia's box.'

'^ And he actually pledged

Bronte for 6600/., if there should be any difficulty aboutpaying the bills. The long delayed expedition was thus, at

last, set forth; but Troubridge little imagined in whatscenes 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 onthe spot to press upon them the necessity of exertion. Butthough 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 Hamil-ton's influence, never even suspected the crooked policy

which it was remorselessly pursuing. The Maltese, andthe British in Malta, severely felt it. Troubridge, whohad 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,

^ Nautical slang for " dollars ; " some of the sailors had been paidin Spanish dollars taken from Spanish ships ; it is said that the term" cob " is still common in Gibraltar for Spanish dollars.

' See p. 140.

186 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1800

writing to him from the siege, " we are dying off fast fromwant. I learn that Sir William Hamilton says Prince Luzzirefnsed corn some time agO;, and Sir William does notthink 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: nearthirty sail left Messina, before I did, to load corn. Willthey 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 thrownon you ! I will parry the blow as much as is 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 iirst of

the new year); I never spent so miserable a one. I amnot very tender-hearted, but really the distress here wouldeven move a Neapolitan." Soon afterwards he wrote, "Ihave this day saved thirty thousand people from starving,

but with this day my ability ceases. As the governmentare bent on starving us, I see no alternative but to leave

these poor, unhappy people to perish without our beingwitnesses of their distress. I curse the day I ever servedthe Neapolitan government.—We have characters, myLord, to lose; these people have none. Do not suffer their

infamous conduct to fall on us. Our country is just, butsevere. Such is the fever of my brain this minute, that

I assure you, on my honour, if the Palermo traitors werehere, I would shoot them first and then myself. Girgenti

is full of corn; the money is ready to pay for it; we donot ask it as a gift. Oh ! could you see the horrid distress

I daily experience, something would be done.—Some en-

gine is at work against us at Naples, and I believe I hit

on the proper person. If you complain, he will be imme-diately 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 man-ner of acting will be made a handle of. When I see you,

and tell of their infamous tricks, you will be as much sur-

prised as I am. The whole will fall on you."Nelson was not, and could not be, insensible to the dis-

1800] THE LIFE OF NELSON 187

tress 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 uponthe exportation of corn should be withdrawn. The anx-

iety, 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 uponthat occasion, ventured upon a resolute measure, for whichhis name would deserve always to be held in veneration bythe Maltese, even if it had no other claims to the love andreverence of a grateful people. Finding it hopeless longer

to look for succour or common humanity from the deceit-

ful and infatuated court of Sicily, which persisted in pro-

hibiting, by sanguinary edicts, the exportation of supplies,

at his own risk he sent his First Lieutenant to the port of

Messina, with orders to seize, and bring with him to Malta,

the ships which were there lying laden with corn,—of the

number of which he had received accurate information.^

These orders were executed to the great delight and advan-

tage of the shipowners and proprietors; the necessity of

raising the siege was removed, and Captain Ball waited in

calmness for the consequences to himself. " But, " said Mr.Coleridge,^ ''^not a complaint, not a murmur, proceeded

from the court of I^aples: the sole result was, that the

governor of Malta became an especial object of its hatred,

its fear, and its respect.'

'

E"elson himself, at the beginning of February, sailed for

that island. On the way he fell in with a French squadronbound 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 Valetta.

^ It was done by Nelson's orders.2 Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), the great author of the

Rime of the Ancient Marmer. In 1804, for nine months, he acted

as private secretary to Captain Ball.^ W. Clark Russell gives an admirable description of the capture

of Le Genereux. See his Life of Nelsofi, pp. 150-153.

188 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1800

This success was peculiarly gratifying to Nelson^ for manyreasons. During some months he had acted as Com-mander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean^ while Lord Keithwas in England. Lord Keith was now returned^ and Nel-son had, upon his own plan and at his own risk, left him,to sail for Malta; "for which," said he, " if I had notsucceeded, I might have been broke; and if I had not acted

thus, the Genereux never would have been taken." Thisship 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 con-

ducted to Egypt. The Guillmime Tell was at this timeclosely watched in the harbour of La Yaletta; and shortly

afterwards, attempting to make her escape from thence,

was taken, after an action in which greater skill was neverdisplayed by British ships, nor greater gallantry by anenemy. ^ She was taken by the Foudroyant, Lion, andPenelojoe frigate. JSTelson, 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, " andI 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, whathappiness, to have the ISTile fleet all taken under my orders

and regulations ! '' The two frigates still remained in La

Valetta : before its surrender they stole out : one was takenin the attempt; the other was the only ship of the wholefleet which escaped capture or destruction.

Letters were found on board the Guillaume Tell showingthat the French were now becoming hopeless of preserving

the conquest which they had so foully acquired. Trou-

^ As the Guillaume Tell ran out of the harbor she was discoveredby the Penelope, which pursued at great risk, keeping up a constantfire to attract the other ships. As the frigate outsailed the hugeFrenchman, Captain Blackwood was enabled to manoeuvre as Nelsonhad done with the (^a Ira on a similar occasion (p. 74) ; and, byremaining under her stern, yawing now to port and now to star-

board, damaged her much and escaped destruction himself, as theenemy did not dare to come to and fire his broadside at his punyantagonist. Toward morning the Lion, sixty-four guns, engagedthe foe yard-arm to yard-arm, but was quickly forced to drop astern.

It was only when the Foudroyant also appeared that she was finally

taken. Study Capt. Blackwood's career inductively.

1800] THE LIFE OF NELSON 189

bridge and his brother officers were anxious that Nelsonshould have the honour of signing the capitulation. Theytold 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 beensuperseded; Nelson had no feeling of cordiality towardsLord Keith; and thinking that, after Earl St. Vincent,

no man had so good a claim to the command in the Medi-terranean 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 uponhim, he had suffered many mortifications. Sir SidneySmith had been sent to Egypt, with orders to take underhis command the squadron which Nelson had left there.

Sir Sidney appears to have thought that this command wasto be independent of Nelson : and Nelson himself think-

ing so, determined to return, saying to Earl St. Vincent,

"I do feel, for I am a man, that it is impossible for meto serve in these seas with a squadron under a junior offi-

cer." Earl St. Vincent seems to have dissuaded himfrom 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. Butthis 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 oughtto be pursued towards the French in Egypt; and strictly

commanded him, in the strongest language, not, on anypretence, to permit a single Frenchman to leave the coun-try, 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, andthere 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

^ Sh Sidney commanded a mixed force of Turks and English at

the siege of this place, the failure of which ruined Bonaparte's plansof conquest in the East. Indeed, he himself said of Sir Sidney

:

" That man made me miss my destiny."

190 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1800

of the Almighty." If Nelson had not thoroughly under-

stood the character of the enemy against whom he wasengaged, their conduct in Egypt would have disclosed it.

After the battle of the Nile, he had landed all his prison-

ers, upon a solemn engagement, made between Trou-

bridge on one side and Captain Barre on the other, that

none of them should serve till regularly exchanged.

They were no sooner on shore than part of them weredrafted into the different regiments, and the remainderformed into a corps called the nautic legion. This occa-

sioned Captain Hallowell to say that the French had for-

feited all claim to respect from us. " Tlie army of Buona-parte," 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, be-

cause, if he had had sufficient force, he thought it wouldcertainly have been prevented. He wished to keep shijDs

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. QTheships which should have been thus employed were thenl^e-,

quired for more pressing services, and the bloody Corsicanj

was thus enabled to reach Europe in safety, there to be-i

come the guilty instrument of a wider-spreading destruc-

tion than any with which the world had ever before beenvisited.

Nelson had other causes of chagrin. Earl St. Vincent,

for whom he felt such high respect, and whom Sir JohnOrde 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 hehad quitted the station. The point was contested, and de-

cided 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 fromprize-money. When this was made known to him, his

reply was in these words: "Notwithstanding Dr. Law-

^ He returned to France in 1799, leaving his army behind in

Egypt.^ The decision was finally reversed, in 1803, an award of £13,000

being made to Nelson.

1800] THE LIFE OF NELSON 191

rence's opinion, I do not believe I have any right to excludethe junior Flag officers: and if I have, I desire that nosuch claim may be made : no, not if it were sixty times thesum, 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 andLady Hamilton. The Queen of Naples went with themto Vienna. While they were at Leghorn, upon a reportthat the French were approaching (for, through the folly

of weak courts, and the treachery of venal cabinets, theyhad now recovered their ascendancy in Italy), the peoplerose tumultuously, and would fain have persuaded Nelsonto lead them against the enemy. Public honours, and yetmore gratifying testimonials of public admiration, awaitedJSTelson wherever he went. The Prince of Esterhazy en-tertained him in a style of Hungarian magnificence—

a

hundred grenadiers, each six feet in height, constantlywaiting at table. ^ At Magdeburgh, 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 himthrough a small window. A wine-merchant at Hamburgh,who was above seventy years of age, requested to speakwith Lady Hamilton; and told her he had some Rhenishwine, of the vintage of 1625, which had been in his ownpossession more than half a century : he had preserved it

for some extraordinary occasion; and that which had nowarrived was far beyond any that he could ever have ex-

pected. His request was, that her ladyship would prevail

upon Lord Nelson to accept six dozen of this incomparablewine : part of it would then have the honour to flow into

the heart's blood of that immortal hero; and this thought

' Miss Knight tells us that at this time Nelson's cabin was adornedwith a huge three-cornered wooden plume taken from the figure-headof the Guillaume Tell, four muskets from the San Josef, and theflag-staff of U Orient.

^ " A grand concert was also given in the chapel, under the direc-tion of Haydn, whose oratorio of the Creation was performed inhonor of the guests."

—

Memoirs of Lady Hamilton, p. 215. AtPrague the hotel where the travellers stopped was splendidly illu-

minated in honor of the hero ; and the host, in a spirit of generositythat would delight Mark Twain, sent in a bill in which Nelson wascharged for every candle thus used.

192 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1800

would make liim happy during the remainder of his life.

Nelson, when this singular request was reported to him,went into the room, and taking tlie worthy old gentlemankindly by the hand, consented to receive six bottles, pro-

vided the donor would dine with him next day. Twelvewere sent; and ]S[elson, saying that he hoped yet to winhalf 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, betweenseventy and eighty years of age, travelled forty miles, withthe Bible of his parish church, to request that JSTelson

would write his name on the first leaf of it. He called

him the Saviour of the Christian world. The old man'shope 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 werethreatened by France, the pastor could not possibly haveapprehended more than has actually taken place.

CHAPTEE VII.

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. 1 At Yarmouth, where he landed, everyship in the harbour hoisted her colours. The mayor andcorporation waited upon him with the freedom of thetown, and accompanied him in procession to church, withall the naval officers on shore, and the principal inhabi-

tants. 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 bordersof the county. At Ipswich, the people came out to meet^im, drew him a mile into the town, and three miles out.

When he was in the Agamemnon, he wished to repr§sentthis place in Parliament, and some of his friends had con-sulted the leading men of the corporation ; the result wasnot successful: and Nelson observing, that he would en-

deavour to find out a preferable path into Parliament, said

there might come a time when the people of Ipswichwould think it an honour to have had him for their repre-

sentative.^ In London, he was feasted by the city, drawnby the populace from Ludgate-hill to Guildhall, and re-

ceived the thanks of the Common Council for his great

victory, and a golden-hilted sword studded with diamonds.

^ His reception by the king was a cold one. CoUingwood, writingJanuary 25, 1801, says : "His Majesty merely asked him if he hadrecovered his health, and then, without waiting for an answer,turned to Gen. , and talked to him for near half an hour ingreat good humour. It could not have been about his successes !

"

^ Macaulay was similarly treated by the city of Edinburgh, and in

like manner lived to see the day when the people who had passedhim by were most eager to do him honor. Consult the biography of

him by George Otto Trevelyan, a model of all that a life should be,

vol. ii., chaps, x. and xiii.

13

194 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

ISTelson had every earthly blessing, except domestic happi-

ness : he had forfeited that forever. Before he had beenthree months in England, he separated from Lady Nelson.

Some of his last words to her were: "I call God to wit-

ness, there is nothing in you, or your conduct, that I wishotherwise." This was the consequence of his infatuated

attachment to Lady Hamilton. It had before caused a

quarrel with his son-in-law, and occasioned remonstrancesfrom his truest friends; which produced no other effect

than that of making him displeased with them, and moredissatisfied with himself.^

^ Upon his arrival in England, after an absence during which hehad made her a peeress and himself famous, to say nothing of win-ning a fortune, Nelson had the right to expect a cordial welcomefrom Lady Nelson. But he received no welcome at all. When hewas sick and wounded a loving wife would have gone to Italy to

nurse him, instead of writing frigid epistles in the style of a copy-

book and leaving him, who was vain and susceptible as a child, to

the designing arts of an unprincipled and fascinating woman.Lady Nelson did not even meet her husband at Yarmouth, where helanded. Undoubtedly rumors of his attachment to Lady Hamiltonhad reached her ears already. Probably she had already condemnedhim on hearsay. That there was abundant cause on her part for

indignation and disgust there is not the shadow of a doubt. Theresult^ was that husband and wife met with feelings of mutual weari-

ness and distrust. The wretched drama drew quickly to its melan-choly close. Four acts in it are recorded. Shortly after his return

the Nelsons and Hamiltons attended the theatre together. During the

performance Lady Nelson, unable to control her feelings, fainted in

the box in which they were sitting. On one occasion, when the Nel-

sons were entertaining a numerous company at dinner, Lady Hamilton,being ill or enraged, it is uncertain which, retired to a private roomand remained there until Nelson grew impatient at her absence, andharshly demanded of Lady Nelson where she was and who was withher. Lady Nelson replied that her own woman had been sent to

attend her ladyship, whereupon he flew into a passion and insisted

that she should herself go instantly to wait upon Lady Hamilton.Lady Nelson meekly complied ; but soon Nelson, full of impatience,

followed and found his wife performing a service for Lady Hamil-ton which was certainly a mark of extreme humility and condescen-

sion. Instead of being mollified by this sight, Nelson roughly ac-

cused Lady Nelson of causing Lady Hamilton's sickness by her cruel

treatment. Thereupon the unfortunate wife appealed to the sick

woman, asking her if she had in any way used her ill. Even LadyHamilton was unable to resist such a plea. She roused herself fromher lethargy and declared that there was no cause for her to be dis-

satisfied with the treatment that she had received. This produceda fresh outburst of wrath from Nelson, who turned upon his visitor

1801] TEE LIFE OF NELSON I95

The Adclington Administration^ was jnst at this timeformed; and Nelson^ who had solicited employment, andbeen made Vice-Admiral of the Blue, was sent to the Baltic,

as second in command, under Sir Hyde Parker, by EarlSt. Vincent, the new First Lord of the Admiralty.^

The three JSTorthern 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 good-ness, but subject to the Avildest humours of caprice, and

and accused her of basely deceiving him by telling him tales of his

wife's incivility to her. At this Lady Hamilton Jumped up, seized

Lady Nelson by the arm, swung her about the room, and tauntinglysaid :

" There, madam, serve him as I have served you, and he will

know better how to behave himself." On December 19, Nelson set

out with the Hamiltons to visit Mr. Beckford, the author of Vathek,at Fonthill in Wiltshire, leaving Lady Nelson to spend her Christ-

mas in London alone. On December 29 he returned to London, andshortly after the final rupture with Lady Nelson came. It is said to

have happened as follows : One morning, when a friend w^as break-fasting with the Nelsons, the host happened to speak of somethingthat had been said or done by 'dear Lady Hamilton,' whereuponLady Nelson rose from her chair and exclaimed :

" I am sick of hear-ing of ' dear Lady Hamilton ' and am resolved that you shall give upeither her or me." Nelson replied : "Take care, Fanny, what yousay ; I love you sincerely, but cannot forget my obligations to LadyHamilton, or speak of her otherwise than with respect and admira-tion." Declaring that her mind was made up Lady Nelson left theroom and soon after drove from the house. Nelson probably sawher for the last time January 13, 1800, the day when he left Londonfor the Baltic. His last letter to her was written from the St. Georgeoff Copenhagen, March 1, 1801. On April 25, 1801, he wrote to

Alexander Davison as follov/s :" You will, at a proper time, and

before my arrival in England, signify to Lady Nelson that I expect,and for w^hich 1 have made such a very liberal allowance to her(£1,600 a year), to be left to myself, and without any inquiries fromher, for sooner than live the unhappy life I did when I last came to

England, I would stay abroad forever."

—

Eispatclies, vol. vii., pp.209, 391 ; Laughton, Life of Nelson, pp. 152, 154 ; Memoirs of LadyEamilton, pp. 221-225.

^ For the Addington Administration, see Gardiner, Eistory ofE7igland, p. 843 ; Green, Eistory of Efigland, pp. 818, 820. For theimmediate occasion of the rupture, consult Bussell's Nelso7i, p. 168

;

and Mahan's Infltience of Sea Poiver on French Revolution, vol. ii.,

pp. 26-38. See also Laughton, Nelson, p. 156, and the note on p. 28of this book.

^ At first he was given for his flag-ship the San Josef, which waschosen for him by Earl St. Vincent because he had himself cap-tured her. (See p. 101.) Then he shifted to the St. George.

196 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

crazed by tlie possession of greater power than can ever be

safely, or perhaps innocently, possessed by weak human-ity. 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 kingwhose principles were right, and whose feelings were gen-

erous, but who had a taint of hereditary insanity, acted

in acquiescence with the dictates of two powers whom it

feared to oifend. The Danish Navy, at this time, consisted

of twenty-three ships of the line, with about thirty-one

frigates and smaller vessels, exclusive of guard shijDS. TheSwedes had eighteen ships of the line, fourteen frigates

and sloops, seventy-four galleys^ and smaller vessels, be-

sides gun boats; and this force was in a far better state of

equipment than the Danish. The Kussians had eighty-

two sail of the line and forty frigates. Of these, there

were forty-seven sail of the line at Cronstadt, Eevel,

Petersburg, and Archangel : but the Eussian fleet was ill

manned, ill officered, and ill equi23ped. Such a combina-tion, under the influence of France, would soon have be-

come formidable; and never did the British cabinet dis-

play more decision than in instantly preparing to crush it.

They erred, however, in permitting any petty consideration

to prevent them from appointing JSTelson to the command.The public properly murmured at seeing it entrusted 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. TheEarl, in reply, besought him, for Grod'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 manyyears. When Nelson joined the fleet at Yarmouth, hefound the Admiral " a little nervous about dark nights andfields 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, whichgives our dear country the dominion of the sea. We have

^ Do you recall any passages in Hamlet which imply that Francewas dear to the Danish heart ?

^ Sea-going vessels propelled partly or wholly by oars.^ Is Southey guilty of using slang ?

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 197

it, and all the devils in tlie north cannot take it from lis,

if our wooden walls ^ have fair play." Before the fleet

left Yarmouth, it was sufficiently known that its destina-

tion was against Denmark. Some Danes, who belonged to

the Amazon frigate, went to Captain Eiou,^ and telling

him what they had heard, begged that he would get themexchanged into a ship bound on some other destination.'^ They had no wish," they said, '' to quit the British ser-

vice; 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 Eiou. Tears came into his eyes while

the men were speaking : without making any reply, he in-

stantly ordered his boat, and did not return to the Amazonuntil he could tell them that their wish was effected.

The fleet sailed on the 12th of March. Mr. Vansit-

tart 2 sailed in it ; the British cabinet still hoping to obtain

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 importantcrisis. Tier enemies might well have been astonished at

learning, that any other man should for a moment havebeen thought of for the command. But so little deference

was paid, even at this time, to his intuitive and all-com-

manding genius, that when the fleet had reached its first

rendezvous, at the entrance of the Cattegat, he had re-

ceived no official communication whatever of the intended

operations. His own mind had been made up upon themwith 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 Oronenburgh 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

^"The credite of the Realme, by defending the same with our

Wodden Walles, as Themistocles called the Ships of Athens."—Pre-

face to the English translation of Linschoten. Quoted in Bartlett's

Familiar Quotations, p. 861.^ See Campbell's Battle of the Baltic.^ Mr. Vansittart is called an old woman by Macaulay. He was

ultimately made a lord.

198 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

capital in ruins. The Dane sliould see our flag every

moment lie 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 waslost by this delay, which was to be purchased by the dear-

est blood of Britain and Denmark : according to the Danesthemselves, the intelligence that a British fleet was seen off

the Sound produced a much more general alarm in Copen-hagen than its actual arrival in the roads; for their meansof 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 him-self and of the occasion. Mr. Vansittart's report had thenbeen received. It represented the Danish government as

in the highest degree hostile; and their state of prepara-

tion as exceeding what our cabinet had supposed possible;

for Denmark had ]3i'ofited, with all activity, of the leisure

which had so im2:)oliticly been given her. "The morelhave reflected," said l^elson to his commander, " the moreI am confirmed in opinion, that not a moment should be

lost in attacking the enemy. They will every day andevery hour be stronger: we shall never be so good a matchfor them as at this moment. The only consideration is,

how to get at them with the least risk to our ships.—Hereyou 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 dependswhether our country shall be degraded in the eyes of

Europe, or whether she shall rear her head higher thanever. 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, mustbe the subject of your deepest consideration." ^

Supposing him to force the passage of the Sound, Nel-

son thought some damage might be done among the

masts and yards ; though, perhaps, not one of them but

^"This letter is a full and masterly exposition of the prospects

before them, and should be studied in detail by everyone who wishes

to obtain an insight into Nelson's manner of considering not merely

how to get at the enemy, but, in his own words, ' how to get at them

with the least risk to our ships.' "—Laughton, Nelson, p. 157.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 199

would be serviceable again. "If the wind be fair/' said

he, "and you determine to attack the ships and CrownIslands, you must expect the natural issue of such a battle

—ships crippled, and, perhaps, one or two lost; for thewind which carries you in will most probably not bringout a crippled ship. This mode I call taking the bull bythe horns. It, however, will not prevent the Eevel ships,

or the Swedes, from joining the Danes: and to preventthis, is, in my humble opinion, a measure absolutely neces-

sary; and still to attack Copenhagen." For this he pro-

posed two modes. One was, to pass Cronenburgh, takingthe risk of danger; take the deepest and straightest chan-nel along the Middle G-rounds ; and then, coming down theGarbar, or King's Channel, attack the Danish line of float-

ing batteries and ships, as might be found convenient.

This would prevent a junction, and might give an oppor-tunity of bombarding Copenhagen. Or to take the passageof the Belt, which might be accomplished in four or five

days; and then the attack by Draco might be made, andthe junction of the Eussians prevented. Supposing themthrough the Belt, he proposed that a detachment of thefleet should be sent to destroy the Russian squadron at Revel

;

and that the business at Copenhagen should be attemptedwith the remainder. " The measure," he said, " might bethought bold; but the boldest measures are the safest." ^

The pilots, as men who had nothing but safety to thinkof, were terrified by the formidable report of the batteries

of Elsineur, and the tremendous preparations which ournegotiators, 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 bythe Sound, by the Belt, or any how," cried ISTelson, " only

lose not an hour! " On the 26th they sailed for the Belt:

such was the habitual reserve of Sir Hyde that his owncaptain—the captain of the fleet—did not know whichcourse 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

^ " It is of this last suggestion, ' a suggestion worthy of Napoleonhimself,' that Captain Mahan has weU said :

' If adopted, it wouldhave brought down the Baltic Confederacy with a crash that wouldhave resounded throughout Europe.' "—Laughton, Nelson, p. 159.

200 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

belief that, if that course were persevered in, the ultimate

object would be totall}^ defeated: it was liable to long de-

lays, and to accidents of ships grounding; in the wholefleet there were only one captain and one pilot who knewanything of this formidable passage (as it was thendeemed), and their knowledge was very slight: their in-

structions did not authorise them to attempt it;—suppos-

ing them safe through the Belts, the heavy shijDS could notcome 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, andhe consented to bring the fleet to, and send for ^Nelson onboard. There can be little doubt but that the expedition

would have failed, if Captain Domett had not thus timely

and earnestly given his advice.—ISTelson entirely agreed withhim; 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 Cronenburgh 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 declar-

ation of war on the part of Denmark. A soldier-like andbecoming answer was returned to this formality. TheGovernor 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 meddlewith 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 thinkproper to make any proposals to the King of Denmark,that he might be apprised of it before the fleet approachednearer. During this intercourse, a Dane, who came onboard the commander's ship, having occasion to express

his business in writing, found the pen blunt ; and, holdingit up, sarcastically said, " If your guns are not better

pointed than your pens, you will make little impression onCopenhagen! " ^

^Nelson called him a "young coxcomb." He asked who com-manded the various ships, and when Nelson was mentioned, heexclaimed : "What, is he here? I would give a hundred guineasto see him. Then I suppose it is no joke if he has come!

"

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 201

On that day intelligence reached the Admiral of theloss of one of his fleet, the Invincible, seventy-four,

wrecked on a sand-bank, as she was coming out of Yar-mouth: 400 of her men perished in her. Nelson, who wasnow appointed to lead the van, shifted his flag to the Ele-phant, Captain Foley ^—a lighter ship than the 8t. George,and, therefore, fitter for the expected operations.^ ThetAvo following days were calm. Orders had been given to

pass the Sound as soon as the wind, would permit; and, onthe afternoon of the 29th, the ships were cleared for actionwith an alacrity characteristic of British seamen. At day-break, on the 30th, it blew a topsail breeze^ from JST.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 cen-tre, and Admiral Graves' in the rear.

G-reat actions, whether military or naval, have generallygiven celebrity to the scenes from whence they are denomi-nated; and thus petty villages, and capes, and bays,

known only to the coasting trader, become associated withmighty deeds, and their names are made conspicuous in

the history of the world. Here, however, the scene wasevery way worthy of the drama. The political importanceof the Sound is such, that grand objects are not neededthere 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 threemiles wide, and here the city of Elsineur is situated;

except Copenhagen, the most flourishing of the Danishtowns. Every vessel which passes lowers her top-gallant-

sails ^ and pays toll at Elsineur ; 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 construct-

ing lighthouses and erecting signals to mark the shoals androcks from the Cattegat to the Baltic, and they, on their

part, agreeing that all ships should pass this way, in orderthat all might pay their shares : none from that time using

^Seep. 128.^ He took with him his two portraits of Lady Hamilton, whom he

called Santa Emma.^ A breeze light enough to permit top-sails to be spread, but too

heavy to justify the use of top-gallant sails.

* This custom continued until 1829.

202 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

the passage of the Belt ; because it was not fitting that they,

who enjoyed the benefit of the beacons in dark and stormyweather, should evade contributing to them in fair seasons

and summer nights. Of late years about ten thousandvessels had annually paid this contribution in time of

peace. Adjoining Elsineur, and at the edge of the penin-

sular promontory, upon the nearest point of land to the

Swedish coast, stands Cronenburgh Castle, built after TychoBrahe's ^ design; a magnificent pile—at once a palace, andfortress, and state-prison, with its spires and towers, andbattlements 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 Landscrona, Lund, and Malmoe, are seen in the flat

country. The Danish shores consist j)artly of ridges of

sand; but more frequently they are diversified with corn-

fields, meadows, slopes, and are covered with rich wood, andvillages and villas, and summer palaces belonging to the

King and the nobility, and denoting the vicinity of a

great capital. The isles of Huen, Saltholm, and Amak,appear in the widening channel; and, at the distance of

twenty miles from Elsineur, stands Copenhagen in full view;

the best city of the north, and one of the finest caj)itals

of Europe, visible, with its stately spires, far off. Amidthese magnificent objects there are some which possess a

peculiar interest from 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. Here most of his discov-

eries were made, and here the ruins are to be seen of his

observatory, and of the mansion where he was visited byprinces, and where, with a princely spirit, he received andentertained all comers from all parts, and promoted science

by his liberality as well as by his labours. Elsineur is a

name familiar to English ears, being inseparably associated

with Hamlet, and one of the noblest works of human genius.

^ Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) was a great Danish astronomer. " Hewill not be thought to have lived in vain by anyone who has ever

found his longitude at sea, or slept in quiet while a comet was in the

heavens, without fear of the once supposed minister of God's anger.

His observations form the first great step in modern astronomy."Quoted in MuUin's edition of Southey's Life of Nelson, p. 184,

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 20$

Cronenburgli had been the scene of deeper tragedy. HereQueen Matilda ^ was confined, the victim of a foul and mur-derous 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 in-

terference 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 hadbeen so cruelly punished, upon these towers she fixed hereyes, and stood upon the deck, obstinately gazing towardthem 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 heightof the season not fewer than a hundred vessels pass every

four-and-twenty hours, for many weeks in succession : butnever 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 top-sails to the flag of Denmark. The whole force

consisted of fifty-one sail of various descriptions; of whichsixteen were of the line. The greater part of the bomband gun vessels took their stations off Cronenburgli Castle,

to cover the fleet, while others on the larboard were readyto engage the Swedish shore. The Danes, having im-proved every moment which ill-timed negotiation andbaffling weather gave them, had lined their shore withbatteries; and as soon as the Monarch, which was the lead-

ing ship, came abreast of them, a fire was opened fromabout 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 excit-

ing reality of war without its efl:ects, for this ostentatious

display was but a bloodless prelude to the wide and sweep-

ing destruction which was soon to follow. The enemy'sshot fell near enough to splash the water on board ourships : not relying upon any forbearance of the Swedes,

^ Caroline Matilda was a daughter of Frederick Prince of Wales,a sister of George III., and wife of Christian VII. of Denmark.

^ Byron calls Scott "the Ariosto of the North." Invent someanalogous phrases for statesmen and cities.

^ Does his use of this word indicate that Southey knew Latin ?

^ Lowered.

204 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

they meant to have kept the mid-channel; bnt when theyperceived that not a shot was fired from Helsinbnrg, andthat 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 passedserved only to exhilarate our sailors and afford them mat-ter for jest, as the shot fell in showers a full cable's length ^

short of its destined aim. A few rounds were returnedfrom some of our leading ships till they perceived its in-

utility :—this, however, occasioned the only bloodshed of

the clay, some of our men being killed and wounded bythe bursting of a gun. As soon as the main body hadpassed, the gun-vessels followed, desisting from their

bombardment, which had been as innocent^ as that of theenemy; and, about mid-day, the whole fleet anchored be-

tween the island of Huen and Copenhagen. Sir Hyde,with Nelson, Admiral Graves, some of the senior cap-

tains, and the commanding officers of the artillery andthe troops, then proceeded in a lugger^ to reconnoitre theenemy's means of defence; a formidable line of ships,

radeaus,^ pontoons,^ galleys, fire-ships, and gun-boats,flanked and supported by extensive batteries, and occupy-ing from one extreme point to the other, an extent of

nearly four miles.

A council of war was held in the afternoon. It was ap-parent that the Danes could not be attacked without great

difficulty and risk; and some of the members of the coun-cil spoke of the number of the Swedes and Eussians whomthey should afterwards have to engage, as a considerationwhich ought to be borne in mind. Nelson, who kept pac-ing the cabin, impatient as he ever was of anything whichsavoured of irresolution, repeatedly said, "The more nu-merous the better: I wish they .were twice as many,—theeasier the victory, depend on it.'^") The plan upon whichhe had determined, if ever it should be his fortune to

bring a Baltic fleet to action, was to attack the head of

' A cable's length is 720 feet.

^Innocent ; etyinology?^ A small vessel with two or three masts and lug sails. A lug sail

is a square sail hung upon a yard fastened obliquely to the mast.* A raft.'A low, flat barge.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 205

their line and confuse tlieir movements.—" Close with a

Frenchman/' he used to say^ "but out manoeuvre a Eus-sian^'' 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 heasked, and left everythingto 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 comein contact with it. The channel was little knoAvn andextremely intricate ; all the buoys had been removed ; andthe 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 andnight, till it was effected, v. When this was done, hethanked Grod for having enabled him to get through this

difficult part of his duty. " It had worn him down," hesaid, ''and was infinitely more grievous to him than anyresistance which he could experience from the enemy."At the first council of war, opinions inclined to an at-

tack from the eastward: but the next day, the windbeing southerly, after a second examination of the Danishposition, it was determined to attack from the south, ap-

proaching 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 twoleagues^ of the town, and off the N.AV. end of the MiddleGround; a shoal lying exactly before the town, at aboutthree-quarters of a mile's 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 Bat-

teries, which were two artificial islands at the mouth of the

harbour—most formidable works; the larger one having,

by the Danish account, sixty-six guns; but, as Nelson be-

lieved, eighty-eight. The fleet having anchored. Nelson,

with Eiou, in the Amazon, made his last examination of

the ground; and, about one o'clock, returning to his own^ A league is three nautical miles.

206 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

ship, threw out the signal to weigh. It was received witha shout throughout the whole division; they weighed witha light and favourable wind : the narrow channel betweenthe island of Saltliolm and the Middle Ground had beenaccurately 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 south ex-

tremity, and anchored there off Draco Point, just as the

darkness closed—the headmost of the enemy's line notbeing more than two miles distant. The signal to prepare

for action had been made early in the evening; and, as his

own anchor dropioed, Nelson called out, " I will fight themthe 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 menacethe 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 dis-

played itself most honourable to the Danish character. All

ranks offered themselves to the service of their country;

the University furnished a corps of twelve hundred youth,

the flower of Denmark :—it was one of those emergenciesin which little drilling or discipline is necessary to render

courage available : they had nothing to learn but how to

manage the guns, and were employed day and night in

practising them. When the movements of Nelson's squad-

ron were perceived, it was known when and where the at-

tack was to be expected, and the line of defence wasmanned indiscriminately by soldiers, sailors, and citizens.

Had not the whole attention of the Danes been directed

to strengthen their own means of defence, they mightmost materially have annoyed the invading squadron, and,

perhaps, frustrated the impending attack; for the British

ships were crowded in an anchoring ground of little ex-

tent:—it was calm, so that mortar-boats might have acted

against them to the utmost advantage; and they werewithin range of shells from Amak Island. A few fell among

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON ^07

them; but the enemy soon ceased to fire. It was learntafterwards, that, fortunately for the fleet, the bed of themortar ^ had given way ; and the Danes either could not getit 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 accustomedto battle and victory, and had none of those objects beforetheir eyes which render death terrible. ^J^elson sat downto table with a large party of his officers; he was, as hewas ever wont to be when on the eve of action, in highspirits, 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 theorder of battle with Nelson and Foley, and to draw up in-

structions: Hardy, meantime, went in a small boat to ex-

amine the channel between them and the enemy ; approach-ing so near, that he sounded round their leading ship witha pole, lest the noise of throwing the lead should discoverhim. 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 andenabled him to assume on such occasions, insisted upon his

complying. The cot was placed on the floor, and he con-tinued to dictate from it. About eleven Hardy returned,and reported the practicability of the channel, and thedepth of water up to the enemy's line. About one, theorders were completed; and half-a-dozen clerks, in the fore-

most cabin, proceeded to transcribe them: Nelson fre-

quently calling out to them from his cot to hasten their

work, for the wind was becoming fair. Instead of attempt-ing to get a few hours of sleep, he was constantly receivingreports on this important point. At daybreak it was an-nounced as becoming perfectly fair. The clerks finished

their work about six. Nelson, who was already up, break-fasted, and made signal for all captains. The land forces,

and five hundred seamen, under Captain Fremantle andthe Hon. Col. Stewart, were to storm the Crown Battery

^ A short piece of ordnance with a large bore ; for firing sliells atgreat angles of elevation, forty-five degrees or more.

^ A.wind that blows on the beam or on the quarter,; a fair wind.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 209

as soon as its fire should be silenced: and Rion—whomNelson had never seen till this expedition^, but whoseworth he had instantly perceived, and appreciated as it de-

served—had the Blanche and Alcmene frigates, the Dartand Arrow sloops, and Zephyr and Otter fire-ships, givenhim, with a special command to act as circumstances mightrequire:—every other ship had its station appointed.Between eight and nine, the pilots and masters were

ordered on board the Admiral's ship. The pilots weremostly men who had been mates in Baltic traders; andtheir hesitation about the bearing of the east end of theshoal, and the exact line of deep water, gave ominouswarning 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. ISTelson urged them to be steady,

—to be resolute, and to decide : but they wanted the onlyground for steadiness and decision in such cases; and Nel-son had reason to regret that he had not trusted to Hardy'ssingle report. This was one of the most painful momentsof his life; and he always spoke of it with bitterness. " I

experienced in the Sound," said he, " the misery of havingthe honour of our country entrusted to a set of pilots,

who had no other thought than to keep the ships clear of

danger, and their own silly heads clear of shot. Every-body knows what I must have suffered : and if any meritattaches 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 preparedto 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 Aga-memnon 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 Inade for the Polyphe-mus : and this change in the order of sailing was executedwith the utmost promptitude : yet so much delay had thusbeen unavoidably occasioned, that the Edgar was for sometime unsupported: and the Polyphemus, whose place

14

210 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

should have been at the end of the enemy's line^, wheretheir strength was the greatest, could get no farther thanthe beginning, owing to the difficulty of the channel : there

she occui)ied, indeed, an efficient station, but one whereher presence was less required. The Isis followed, withbetter 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 wasfair, the room ample, and three ships had led the way.The Russell, following the Bellona, grounded in like man-ner; both were within reach of shot; but their absencefrom 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, notknowing that they were aground : but, when he perceived

that they did not obey the signal, he ordered the Eleplianfs

helm to starboard, and went within these ships: thus quit-

ting the appointed order of sailing, and guiding those

which were to follow. The greater part of the fleet wereprobably, 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. Thedistance between each was about a half-cable. The action

was fought nearly at the distance of a cable's length fromthe 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 veryside of the enemy's line.

At five minutes after ten the action began. The first

half of our fleet was engaged in about half an hour; and,

^Larboard is now called "port" to avoid the danger that it maybe misunderstood for starboard in an oral order.

^ Four fathoms and three-quarters.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 211

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 Avas required of them. Of the squadron of gun-brigs only one could get into action : the rest were pre-

vented, 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 tookthe vacant station against the Crown Battery, with his frig-

ates; 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 him-self, before the action began, deprived of a fourth part of

his ships of the line; but no sooner was he in battle, wherehis squadron was received with the fire of more than athousand guns, than, as if that artillery, like music, haddriven away all care and painful thoughts, his counte-

nance brightened; and as a bystander describes him, his

conversation became joyous, animated, elevated, and de-

lightful. The Commander-in-Chief, meantime, nearenough to the scene of action to know the unfavourableaccidents which had so materially weakened Nelson, andyet too distant to know the real state of the contendingparties, suffered the most dreadful anxiety. To get to his

assistance was impossible; both wind and current wereagainst 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' endur-ance, 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 blamecan be imputed to him." Captain Domett urged him at

least to delay the signal, till he could communicate withNelson; 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

212 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

reputation^ but it would be cowardly in liim to leave Nel-

son to bear the whole shame of the failure, if shame it

should be deemed." Under a mistaken judgment,* there-

fore, but with this disinterested and generous feeling, hemade the signal for retreat.

Nelson was at this time, in all the excitement of action,

pacing the quarter-deck. A shot through the mainmastknocked the s|)linters about; and he observed to one of his

officers with a smile, "It is warm work; and this day maybe the last to any of us at a moment: "—and then stop-

ping short at the gang-way, added with emotion—"But,mark you! I would not be elsewhere for thousands."

About this time the signal-lieutenant called out, that No.

39 (the signal for discontinuing the action) was thrownout by the Commander-in-Chief. He continued to walkthe deck, and appeared to take no notice of it. The signal-

officer met him at the next turn, and asked him if heshould 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 mannerwhich always indicated great emotion. " Ho you know,"said he to Mr. Ferguson, " what is shown on board the

Commander-in-Chief? No. 39!" Mr. Ferguson asked

what that meant.—"Why, to leave off action!" Then,shrugging u]^ 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 whichsports 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 an-

swer such signals ! Nail mine to the mast! "^ Admiral

* I have great pleasure in rendering this justice to Sir Hyde Par-

ker's reasoning. Tliis fact is here stated upon the highest and mostunquestionable authority.

—

Southey's Note.^ The story is told on the evidence of Colonel Stewart, who was

with Nelson at the time. It is well established, however, that Parkersent a message to Nelson that the signal >vas to be understood as per-

missive. Nelson did not choose to avail himself of the permission.

The conversation was probably a joke quite understood by Foley,

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 213

Graves^ who was so situated that he could not discern whatwas done on board the Elepliant, disobeyed Sir Hyde'ssignal in like manner : whether by a fortunate mistake, or

by a like brave intention, has not been made knoAvn. Theother ships of the line, looking only to Nelson, continuedthe action. The signal, however, saved Eiou's little squad-

ron, but did not save its heroic leader. This squadron,which was nearest the Commander-in-Chief, obeyed, andhauled off. It had suffered severely in its most unequalcontest. 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 whatthey were about. A fatal order; for the Danes then got

clear sight of her from the batteries, and pointed their gunswith such tremendous effect, that nothing but the signal

for retreat saved this frigate from destruction. "^ Whatwill Nelson think of us ? " was Eiou's mournful exclama-tion, when he unwillingly drew off. He had been woundedin the head by a splinter, and Avas sitting on a gun, en-

couraging his men, when, just as the Amazo?i showed herstern to the Trekroner Battery, his clerk was killed by his

side; and another shot swept away several marines, whowere 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.

Tlie action continued along the line with unabated vig-

our on our side, and with the most determined resolution

on the part of the Danes. They fought to great advan-tage, because most of the vessels in their line of defencewere Avithout masts : the few which had any standing hadtheir top-masts struck, and the hulls could only be seen at

intervals. The Isis must have been destroyed by the supe-

rior weight of her enemy's fire, if Captain Inman in the

Desires frigate, had not judiciously taken a situation

which enabled him to rake the Dane, and if the Folyphe-

but not intelligible to Stewart. Such, at least, is Mr. Laughton'sopinion. The question, however, arises. Was the fear which Nelsonexpressed of being hanged for disobeying orders, also assumed as ajoke ? (See p. 219.) And if there was no dissatisfaction with his

conduct, why was he not inore liberally rewarded for his victory ?

(See pp. 226 and 244.)

214 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

mus had not also relieved her. Both in the Bellona andthe Isis many men were lost by the bursting of their guns.

The former ship was about forty years old^ and these gunswere believed to be the same which she had first taken to

sea: they were, probably, originally faulty, for the frag-

ments were full of little air-holes. The Bellona lost

seventy-five men; the Isis, one hundred and ten; the

Monarcli, two hundred and ten. She was, more than anyother line of battle ship, exposed to the great battery : andsupporting, at the same time, the united fire of the Hol-

stein and the Zealand, her loss this day exceeded that of

any single ship during the whole war. Amid the tremen-

dous carnage in this vessel, some of the men displayed a

singular instance of coolness : the pork and peas happenedto be in the kettle; a shot knocked its contents about;

they picked ujd the pieces, and ate and fought at the sametime.

The Prince Eoyal 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 ardu-

ous a contest, and never did the Danes more nobly display

their national courage:—a courage not more unhappily,

than impoliticly, exerted in subserviency to the interests

of France. Captain Thura, of the hidfoedsretten, fell

early in the action; and all his officers, exce|)t one lieuten-

ant 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, andsaid, '^ G-entlemen, 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. Thecrew, perceiving a new commander coming alongside,

hoisted their colours again, and fired a broadside. Schroe-

dersee, 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 sliip> (\ youth of

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 215

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

breastwork full of port-holes, and without masts, carrying

24 guns, and 120 men. With this he got under the stern

of the Eleylmnt, below the reach of the stern-chasers; andunder a heavy fire of small arms from the marines, foughthis 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, andsome of their lighter ships were adrift. It was, however,difficult to take possession of those which struck, becausethe 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 en-

gaged in war before—knowing nothing, therefore, of its

laws, and thinking only of defending their country to the

last extremity. The Daiibrog fired upon the Eleplianfs

boats in this manner, though her Commodore had re-

moved her pendant and deserted her, though she hadstruck, and though she was in flames. After she had beenabandoned by the Commodore, Braun fought her till helost 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 andastern of her was killed. When the smoke of their gunsdied 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 of her port-holes.

Captain Rothe commanded the Nyehorg praam; and,

perceiving that she could not much longer be kept afloat,

made for the inner road. As he passed the line, he found

^ Floating battery ; in the Baltic large flat boats used for loadingand unloading vessels are called praams.

216 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

the Aggershuus praam in a more miserable condition thanhis own ; her masts had all gone by the boards and she wason the point of sinking. Eothe made fast a cable to her

stern^ and towed her olf : but he could get her no farther

than a shoal, called Stubben, when she sunk ; and soon

after he had worked the Nyehorg up to the landing place,

that vessel also sunk to her gunwale. Never did any ves-

sel come out of action in a more dreadful plight. Thestump 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 Elepliant, 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, andsaid, he must either send on shore to have this irregular

proceeding stopt, 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 hewas brave, was shocked at this massacre, for such hecalled 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, hemust 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, andshould never be the enemies, of the English." A. wafer

was given him, but he ordered a candle to be brought fromthe cockpit, 1 and sealed the letter with wax, affixing a

^ " The person dispatched for the was had his head taken off by a

cannon-ball ; which fact being reported to the Admiral, he merely

said: ' Send another messenger for the wax.' "— Nelson's Dispatches.

Why was he so particular about having the wax ?

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 217

larger seal than lie ordinarily used. " This/' said he^ " is

no time to appear hurried and informal." Captain Sir

Frederic Thesiger^ who acted as his aide-de-camp^ carried

this letter with a flag of truce. Meantime the fire of theships ahead;, and the approach of the Ramillies and De-fence, from Sir Hyde's division^ which had now workednear enough to alarm the enemy^ though not to injure

them, silenced the remainder of the Danish line to theeastward of the Trekroner. That battery, however, con-tinued its fire. This formidable work, owing to the wantof the ships which had been destined to attack it, and theinadequate force of Riou's little squadron, was compara-tively uninjured; towards the close of the action it hadbeen manned with nearly fifteen hundred men, and the in-

tention of storming it, for which every preparation hadbeen made, was abandoned as impracticable.

Daring Thesiger's absence, Nelson sent for Fremantlefrom 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 unin-jured 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. Insomewhat more than half an hour after Thesiger had beendespatched, the Danish Adjutant-General, Lindholm, camebearing a flag of truce: upon which the Trekroner ceasedto fire, and the action closed, after four hours' continu-ance. He brought an inquiry from the Prince, What wasthe object of Nelson's note ? The British Admiral wrotein reply: '^ Lord Nelson's object in sending a flag of trucewas 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. LordINelson, 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 unionbetween his own most gracious sovereign and his majestythe King of Denmark."—Sir Frederic Thesiger was de-spatched a second time with the reply; and the DanishAdjutant-General was referred to the Commander-in-Chief

218 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

for a conference npon 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, madesignal 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 Mo7iarc]i 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 the foremast, and the slightest wind would havesent every mast over her side.* The imminent dangerfrom which J^elson had extricated himself soon becameapparent; the Monarch touched immediately upon a shoal,

over which she was pushed by the Ganges taking heramidships; the Glatton went clear; but the other two,

the Defiance and the Ele])liant, grounded about a mile fromthe Trekroner, and there remained fixed, for many hours,

in spite of all the exertions of their wearied crews. TheDesiree frigate also, at the other end of the line, havinggone toward the close of the action to assist the Bellona,

became fast on the same shoal. Nelson left the Ele/pliant,

soon after she took the ground, to follow Lindholm. Theheat of action was over; and that kind of feeling, whichthe surrounding scene of havoc was so well fitted to pro-

duce, pressed heavily upon his exhausted spirits : the skyhad suddenly become overcast; white flags were waving at

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 whatfriends he would have to mourn. The very silence which fol-

lows the cessation of such a battle becomes a weight uponthe heart at first, rather than a relief ; and though the work

^ Double-headed shot : a projectile formed by uniting two shots at

their bases.* It would have been well if the fleet, before they went under the

batteries, had left their spare spars moored out of reach of shot.

Many would have been saved which were destroyed lying on thebooms, and the hurt done by their splinters would have been savedalso. Small craft could have towed them up when they were re-

quired ; and, after such an action, so many must necessarily bewanted, that, if those which were not in use were wounded, it mighthave rendered it impossible to refit the ships.

—

Southey's Note.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 219

of mutual destruction was at an end, the Danhrog 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, fewof 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 indig-

nation against the enemy, and that impression of retribu-

tive justice, which at the Nile had given a sterner temperto his mind, and a sense of austere delight, in beholdingthe vengeance of which he was the appointed minister.

The Danes were an honourable foe; they were of Englishmould 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 mingledwith these melancholy thoughts, and predisposed him to

receive them. He was not here master of his own move-ments, as at Egypt; he had won the day by disobeying his

orders; and in so far as he had been successful, had con-

victed the Commander-in-Chief of an error in judgment."i^^Well," said he, as he left the Elephant, " I have foughtcontrary to orders, and I shall perhaps be hanged ! Nevermind : let them !,

'

'

This was the language of a man who, while he is givingutterance to an uneasy thought, clothes it half in jest, be-

cause he half repents that it has been disclosed. His ser-

vices 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 an-

other's merits, to express anything but satisfaction andgratitude, which Sir Hyde heartily felt and sincerely ex-

pressed. 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 woundedDanes carried on shore. There was a pressing necessity

for this; for the Danes, either from too much confidencein the strength of their positions, and the difficulty of thechannel; or, supposing that the wounded might be car-

ried 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^ See Green's Short History of England, p. 39.

220 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

our men boarded the captured sliips^ they found many of

the mangled and mutilated Danes bleeding to death for

want of proper assistance; a scene, of all others, the mostshocking to a brave man's feelings.

The boats of Sir Hyde's division were actively employedall night in bringing out the prizes, and in getting afloat

the ships which were on shore. At daybreak, Nelson, whohad slept in his own ship, the St. George, rowed to the

Eleplicmt, and his delight at finding her afloat seemed to

give him new life. There he took a hasty breakfast, prais-

ing the men for their exertions, and then pushed off to the

prizes which had not yet been removed. The Zealand,

74, the last which struck, had drifted on the shoal underthe Trekroner; and relying, as it seems, upon the protec-

tion which that battery might have afforded, refused to

acknowledge herself captured, saying that, though it wastrue 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. Thisofficer proved to be an old acquaintance, whom he hadknown in the West Indies ; so he invited himself on board

;

and with that urbanity,^ as well as decision, which alwayscharacterised 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 heraway. It is affirmed, and probably with truth, that theDanes felt more pain at beholding this than at all their mis-

fortunes on the preceding day; and one of the officers.

Commodore Steen Bille, went to the Trekroner battery,

and asked the commander why he had not sunk the Zea-land, rather than suffer her thus to be carried off by the

enemy ? ^

^Does urbanity mean " cityfiedness " ?

^ Mr. Russell tells a good story of this capture, quoting from Bren-ton's Naval History (vol. i., p. 533). The Zealand had surrenderedearly in the action ; but as her pennant was still tlying at its close,

though she had drifted under the Crown Battery, the Danes refused

to give her up. Repeated embassies to her deck having availed

nothing, as a last resort, Captain Otway was sent. In his boat's

crew was a brazen-faced coxswain, whom he ordered, as soon as theycame alongside the Zealand, to go up to the mast-head and bringdown the pennant. While Captain Otway engaged the Captain of the

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 221

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, thousandsin 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, secur-

ing the prizes, and distributing the prisoners; the Danes,in carrying on shore and disposing of the wounded andthe dead. It had been a murderous action. Our loss, in

killed and wounded, was nine hundred and fifty-three.

Part of this slaughter might have been spared. The com-manding 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, wasimpossible—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 weremowed down! The loss of the Danes, including prison-

ers, 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 Fremantle 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. Thepopulace, according to the British account, showed a mix-ture of admiration, curiosity, and displeasure, at beholdingthat man in the midst of them who had inflicted such

Zealand in conversation, the man executed this commission andreturned to his seat in the boat with the bunting concealed in

his blouse. After much futile argument on Captain Otway's part,

one of the Danish officers, to clinch the matter, declared that the

vessel's pennant was still floating and invited him to look up and see

it for himself. To the great surprise and mortification of the

Danes, they were obliged to confess that the pennant was gone ; the

ship must therefore, they were forced to acknowledge, have surren-

dered ; and before the trick practised on them had been discovered,

she was towed out of the harbor.

222 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

wounds upon Denmark. But tliere were neither acclama-tions nor murmnrs. "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 re-

ceived with respect." The preliminaries of the negotia-

tions were adjusted at this interview. During the repast

which followed, Nelson, with all the sincerity of his char-

acter, bore willing testimony to the valour of his foes. Hetold the Prince that he had been in a hundred and five en-

gagements, but that this was the most tremendous of all.

'' The French," he said, " fought bravely; but they couldnot have stood for one hour the fight which the Danes hadsupported for four." He requested that Villemoes mightbe introduced to him; and, shaking hands with the youth,

told the Prince that he ought to be made an admiral. ThePrince 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 whohad. 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 profu-

sion to the hospitals, till the superintendents gave public

notice that they could receive no more. On the third dayafter the action the dead were buried in the JSTaval church-yard : 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 weregathered together. A subscription was opened on the dayof the funeral for the relief of the sufferers, and collec-

tions in aid of it made throughout all the churches in the

kingdom. This appeal to the feelings of the people wasmade with circumstances which gave it full effect. Amonument was raised in the midst of the church, sur-

mounted by the Danish colours : young maidens, dressed in

white, stood round it, with either one who had beenwounded in the battle, or the widow and orphans of someone who had fallen : a suitable oration was delivered fromthe pulpit, and patriotic hymns and songs were afterwards

' See p. 369.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 223

performed. Medals were distributed to all the officers, andto 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 dis-

covered a more curious, but less disputable, ground of sat-

isfaction, 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 Danishvalour.^

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, 64, was the only one which was sent home.The Zealand was a finer ship : but the Zealand, and all the

others, were burnt, and their brass battering cannon sunkwith the hulls in such shoal water, that, when the fleet re-

turned from Eevel, they found the Danes with craft over

the wrecks employed in getting the guns up again. Nelson,

though he forebore from any public expression of displeas-

ure 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 Par-

ker 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 andmen who fought on that day. It is true our opponentswere in hulks and floats, only adapted for the position they

were in ; but that made our battle so much the harder, andvictory so much the more difficult to obtain. Believe me,I have weighed all the circumstances; and, in my con-

science, I think that the King should send a gracious mes-sage to the House of Commons for a gift to this fleet : for

what must be the natural feelings of the officers and menbelonging to it, to see their rich Commander-in-Chief burnall the fruits of their victory,—which, if fitted up and sent

^ They translated "Nelson" into a true Scandinavian patro-

nymic, calling him " Neal's son."

224 THE LIFE OF NELSON , [1801

to England (as many of them might have been by disman-tling part of our fleet), would have sold for a good roundsum ? '

'

On the 9th, Nelson landed again, to conclude the termsof the armistice. During its continuance the armedships and vessels of Denmark were to remain in their

then actual situation, as to armament, equipment, andhostile position; and the treaty of armed neutrality, as

far as related to the co-operation of Denmark, was sus-

pended. The prisoners were to be sent on shore; an ac-

knowledgment being given for them, and for the woundedalso, that they might be carried to Great Britain's credit

in the account of war, in case hostilities should be re-

newed. 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 Eussia; and JSTelson, with that frankness whichsound 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 Copen-hagen, Neither party would yield upon this point; andone of the Danes hinted at the renewal of hostilities.

(*' Renew hostilities! " cried Nelson to one of his friends,'i—for he understood French enough to comprehend whatwas said, though not to answer it in the same language,

—

"tell him we are ready at a moment!—ready to bombardthis very night! " The conference, however, proceededamicably on both sides; and as the commissioners could

not agree upon 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 con-

sultation : for all these rooms had been stript of their fur-

niture, in fear of a bombardment. To a bombardmentalso 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 wason the way to the Prince's dining-room, he whispered to

the officer on whose arm he was leaning, '* Though I haveonly one eye, I can see that all this will burn well." After

dinner he was closeted with the Prince; and they agreed

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 225

that the armistice should continue fourteen weeks; andthat, 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 wasasserted 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 l^elson'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 pro-

pose a cessation of hostilities. For the truth of this ac-

count the Dane appealed to the Prince, and all those who,like him, had been eye-witnesses of the scene. Nelson wasexceedingly indignant at such a statement, and addressed

a letter in confutation of it, to the Adjutant-G-eneral, Lind-

holm; thinking this incumbent upon him, for the infor-

mation of the Prince, since his Koyal Highness had beenappealed 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 contemptit deserved, and allowed the world to appreciate the merits

of the two contending officers.'

' After pointing out anddetecting some of the misstatements in the account, heproceeds: "As to his nonsense about victory, his EoyalHighness will not much credit him. I sunk, burned, cap-

tured, 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 pos-

session of them ? I took possession of his as fast as they

struck. The reason is clear, that he did not believe it : hemust 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 liis 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

^ There is an interesting account of the battle by Niebuhr, the

celebrated historian, the same who distinguished himself by provingthat much of our knowledge of early Roman history is mythical.

15

226 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

at tlie shore, it could only be in the same manner. Godforbid that I should destroy an unresisting Dane ! Whenthey became my prisoners, I became their protector."

This letter was written in terms of great asperity against

the Danish commander. Lindholm replied in a mannerevery way honourable to himself. He vindicated the Com-modore in some points, and excused him in others, remind-ing ISTelson that every commander-in-chief was liable to

receive incorrect reports. With a natural desire to repre-

sent the action in a most favourable light to Denmark, hetook 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 uponAmak Island. He disclaimed all idea of claiming as a

victory, "what to every intent and j)urpose," said he,

'^was a defeat,—but not an inglorious one. As to yourlordship's motive for sending a flag of truce, it never can

be misconstrued ; and your subsequent conduct has suffi-

ciently shown that humanity is always the companion of

true valour. You have done more : you have shown your-

self a friend to the re-establishment of peace and goodharmony between this country and Great Britain. It is,

tlierefore, with the sincerest esteem I shall alv/ays feel my-self attached to your lordship." Thus handsomely wind-

ing 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 samemanly and honourable strain, he would have been the last

man to have noticed any little inaccuracies which mightget into a commander-in-chief's public letter.

Eor the battle of Copenhagen, Nelson was raised to the

rank of Viscount : an inadequate mark of reward for ser-

vices so splendid, and of such paramount im|)ortance to the

dearest interests of England. ^ There was, however, someprudence in dealing out honours to him step by step; hadhe lived long enough, he would have fought his way up to

a Dukedom.

^ The greatest of Nelson's rewards for this victory, a reward be-

side which even a dukedom would have seemed poor, was bestowedupon him by Thomas Campbell in his noble poem, the Battle of the

Baltic.

CHAPTER VIIL

Sir Hyde Parker is recalled, and Nelson appointed Commander—He goes to Eevel—Settlement of Affairs in the Baltic—UnsuccessfulAttempt upon the Flotilla at Boulogne—Peace of Amiens—Nelsontakes the Command in the Mediterranean on the Renewal of theWar—Escape of the Toulon Fleet—Nelson chases thern to the WestIndies, and back—Delivers up his Squadron to Admiral Cornwallis,and lands in England.

When" Nelson informed Earl St. Vincent that the ar-

mistice had been concluded^ he told him also^, without re-

serve^, 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

haye gone through, and do sutler. I make no scruple in

saying, that I would have been at Reyel fourteen days ago

!

that, without this armistice, the fleet would never havegone, 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 theEevel ships from getting in. I said I would not go to

Revel to take any of those laurels which I was sure hewould reap there. Think for me, my dear lord;—and if

I have deserved well, let me return: if ill, for Heaven'ssake supersede me,—for I cannot exist in this state."

Eatigue, incessant anxiety, and a climate little suited to

one of a tender constitution, which had now for manyyears 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 thenorth had cut him to the heart." He felt the want of ac-

tivity and decision in the Commander-in-Ohief more keenly;and this affected his spirits, and consequently his health,more than the inclemency of the Baltic. ^ Soon after the

^ Colonel Stewart, who was with him at this time, tells us thatNelson was perpetually active in looking after stores and providing

228 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

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 Salt-

holm, most of the ships touched the ground, and some of

them stuck fast for a while; no serious injury, however,

was sustained. It Avas intended to act against the Rus-sians first, before the breaking up of the frost should en-

able 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 pre-

pared, 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 andBritish 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. Heordered his boat immediately and stepped into it. Nightwas setting in,—one of the cold spring nights of the north,

for the health of his men, and gives lis the following account of his

personal habits :" His hour of rising was four or five o'clock, and of

going to rest about ten ; breakfast was never later than six, and gen-

erally nearer to five o'clock. A midshipman or two were always of

the party ; and I have known him send during the middle watch(from 2 to 4 a.m.), to invite the little fellows to breakfast with himwhen relieved. At table with them, he would enter into their boyish

jokes, and be the most youthful of the party. At dinner he invariably

had every officer of the ship in their turn, and was both a polite andhospitable host. The whole ordinary business of the fleet was invari-

ably despatched . . . before eight o'clock. The great commandof time which Lord Nelson thus gave himself, and the alertness whichthis example imparted throughout the fleet, can only be understood

by those who witnessed it, or who know the value of early hours."

He is said to have remarked to General Twiss :*' Time, Twiss, time

is everything. Five minutes make the difference between a victory

and a defeat."

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 229

—and it was discovered, soon after tliey had left theship, that, in their haste, they had forgotten to providehim 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, hereplied, "I thank you very much,—but, to tell youthe 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 Carls-

crona." About midnight he reached it, and once moregot on board the Eleplicmt. On the following morningthe Swedes were discovered; as soon, however, as they per-

ceived the Engii-sh approaching, they retired, and tookshelter in Carlscrona, behind the batteries on the island,

at the entrance of the 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 inter-

ests of Great Britain ? The commander. Vice-AdmiralOronstadt, replied, ^'that he could not answer a questionwhich did not come within the particular circle of his

duty; but that the King was then at Maloe, and wouldsoon be at Carlscrona." Gustavus shortly afterwards ar-

rived, 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 hehad entered into with his allies; but he would not re-

fuse to listen to equitable proposals made by deputies fur-

nished with proper authority by the King of Great Britainto the united JSTorthern Powers. '

' Satisfied with this an-swer, and with the known disposition of the Swedishcourt, Sir Hyde sailed for the Gulf of Finland; but hehad not proceeded far before a despatch boat, from theRussian Ambassador at Copenhagen, arrived, bringing intel-

ligence of the death of the Emperor Paul; and that his

successor, Alexander, had accepted the offer made by Eng-land to his father, of terminating the dispute by a conven-tion; the British Admiral was therefore required to desist

from all further hostilities.

It was Nelson's maxim that, to negotiate with effect,

230 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

force should be at hand, and in a situation to act.^ Thefleet, having been reinforced from England, amounted to

eighteen sail of the line ; and the wind was fair for Eevel.

There he would have sailed immediately, to place himself

between that division of the Russian fleet and the squad-

ron at Oronstadt, in case this oft'er should prove insincere.

Sir Hyde, on the other hand, believed that the death of

Paul had effected all that was necessary. The manner of

that death,^ indeed, rendered it apparent that a changeof policy would take place in the cabinet of Petersburg;

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 mortifica-

tion 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 despatches arrived from

home, on the 5th of May, recalling Sir Hyde, and ai^point-

ing 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 someperson 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 wouldnow be under sail." On the day when this was written

he received news of his appointment. Not a momentwas now lost. His first signal, as Commander-in-Chief,was to hoist in all launches, and prepare to weigh: andon the 7th he sailed from Kioge. Part of his fleet wasleft at Bornholm to watch the Swedes: from whom he re-

quired, 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 anythingshould happen which might, for a moment, disturb the

returning harmony between Sweden and Great Britaki, heapprised them that he was not directed to abstain from hos-

^ " To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual ways of pre-

serving peace." Washington, Speech to both Eouses of Congress,

January 8, 1790.2 He was strangled by conspirators.

1801] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 231

tilities sliould lie meet with the Swedish fleet at sea. Mean-time 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 Knssia, and even considered British sub-

jects as his prisoners. " I will have all the English ship-

ping and property restored,'

' said Nelson, ' ^ but I will donothing violently,—neither commit the affairs of my coun-try, nor suffer Kussia to mix the affairs of Denmark or

Sweden with the detention of our ships." The wind wasfair, and carried him in four days to Revel Roads. Butthe bay had been clear of firm ice on the 29tli of April,

while the English were lying idly at Kioge. The Russianshad cut through the ice in the mole six feet thick, and their

whole squadron had sailed for Cronstadt on the 3d. Beforethat time it had lain at the mercy of the English.

—

^' JSTothing," Nelson said, "if it had been right to makethe attack, could have saved one ship of them in twohours after our entering the bay."

It so happened that there was no cause to regret the

opportunity which had been lost, and Nelson immediatelyput the intentions of Russia to the proof. He sent onshore to say, that he came with friendly views, and wasready to return a salute. On their part the salute was de-

layed, till a message was sent to them to inquire for whatreason: and the officer, whose neglect had occasioned the

delay, was put under arrest. Nelson wrote to the Em-peror, proposing to wait on him jDersonally, and congratu-late 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, hadexchanged visits with the Governor, and the most friendly

intercourse had subsisted between the shijDS and the shore.

Alexander's ministers, in their reply, expressed their sur-

prise at the arrival of a British fleet in a Russian port,

and their wish that it should return: they professed, onthe part of Russia, the most friendly disposition towardsGreat Britain, but declined the personal visit of Lord Nel-son, unless he came in a single ship. There was a suspi-

cion implied in this which stung Nelson; and he said theRussian ministers would never have written thus if their

fleet had been at Revel. He wrote an immediate reply,

232 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

expressing what lie felt : lie told the court of Petersburg," that the word of a British Admiral, when given in ex-

planation of any part of his condnct, was as sacred as that

of any sovereign 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, andsigned 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 oif the provisions whichhad been contracted for, and to settle the accounts. "Ihope 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 Rus-

sian 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 wassuch as had been wished and expected : and these negoti-

ators going, seaman-like, straight to their object, satisfied

each other of the friendly intentions of their respective

governments. Nelson then anchored off Rostock; andthere he received an answer to his last despatch fromRevel, 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 himto Petersburg in whatever mode might be most agreeable

to himself. Other honours awaited him:—the Duke of

Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen's brother, came to visit

him on board his ship; and towns of the inland parts of

Mecklenburg sent deputations, with their public books of

record, that they might have the name of Nelson in themwritten 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, f^ In this nation," said he, " weshall not be forgiven for having the upper hand of them:

I only thank God we have, or they would try to humbleus to the dust." He saw also that the Danish cabinet was

completely subservient to France : a French officer was at

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 233

this time the companion and counsellor of the CrownPrince; 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 Ad-miralty, 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 Eoyal at

the head of it. Ships have been masted, guns taken onboard, floating batteries prepared, and, except hauling out

and completing their rigging, everything is done in defi-

ance of the treaty. My heart burns at seeing the word of

a Prince, nearly allied to our good king, so falsified; buthis conduct is such, that he will lose his kingdom if hegoes on, for Jacobins rule in Denmark. I have made norepresentations 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 him-self before British generosity."

Nelson was not deceived in his judgment of the DanishCabinet, but the battle of Copenhagen had crippled its

power. The death of the Czar Paul had broken the con-

federacy; and that Cabinet, therefore, was compelled to

defer, till a more convenient season, the indulgence of its

enmity towards Great Britain. Soon afterwards, Vice-

Admiral Sir Charles Maurice Pole arrived to take the com-mand. 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, how-ever, made the short time of his command memorable, bypassing the G-reat Belt, for the first time, with line of bat-

tle ships; working through the channel against adverse

winds. When Nelson left the fleet, this speedy termina-tion of the expedition, though confidently expected, wasnot certain; and he, in his unwillingness to weaken theBritish force, thought at one time of traversing Jutlandin his boat, by the canal, to Tonningen on the Eyder, andfinding his way home from thence. This intention was

234 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

not executed ; but lie returned in a brig, declining to accept

a frigate : wliicli few admirals would have done, especially

if, like liim, tliey suffered from seasickness in a small ves-

sel.^ On liis 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 addeda new glory to the name of Nelson, and which was of moreimportance, 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 ex-

pect,'

' he says,'

' what we know well, and often said before,

that Nelson ioas, is, and to the last will ever le, 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 ex-

traordinary, 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. Nel-

son, and Horace dined with us. Your brother was moreextraordinary than ever. He would get up suddenly, andcut a caper; rubbing his hands every time that the thought

of your fresh laurels came into his head. In short, except

myself (and your Lordship knows that I have some phlegm)

,

all the company, which was considerable after dinner, were

mad with joy. 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 plu's^ ultra !

that he has had another opportunity of rendering his coun-

try the most important service, and manifesting again his

judgment, his intrepidity, and his humanity."

'"Leaving," says Mr. Laughton, "a farewell address to the

admirals, captains, officers, and men, thanking them for the noble

and honorable support they had given him, and attributing the

extraordinary good health of the fleet ' to the regularity, exact dis-

cipline, and cheerful obedience of every individual in it ;' but, as if

to mark that his praise was not a mere complimentary form, he

specially excepted the officers of two of the gun-brigs and a bomb."

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 235

He had not been many weeks on shore before he was called

upon to undertake a service for which no Nelson was re-

quired. 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 schemesin 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 'or policy : in Buonaparte they weresincere: for this adventurer, intoxicated with success, al-

ready began to imagine that all things were to be submit-

ted to his fortune. We had not at that time proved the

superiority of our soldiers over the French; and the unre-

flecting multitude were not to be persuaded that an inva-

sion could only be effected by numerous and powerfulfleets. A general alarm was excited: and, in condescen-

sion to this unworthy feeling, Nelson was appointed to a

command extending from Orfordness to Beachy Head, onboth shores;—a sort of service, he said, for which he felt noother ability than what might be found in his zeal.

To this service, however, such as it was, he applied withhis 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 bringabout an honourable peace, nothing should prevent mybeing 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 de-

fence of our King, laws, religion, and all that is dear to us.

—It is your sex that makes us go forth, and seems to tell us,' None but the brave deserve the fair; '—and if we fall, westill 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. Youknow how to reward virtue, honour, and courage, andnever to ask if it is placed in a prince, duke, lord, or peas-

236 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

ant." 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 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 townis 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 wassatisfied, 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 w^e

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 under-

taking! " said he: " consider cross tides, etc. As for row-

ing, tliat 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 imj)racticable.

"

That force had been got together with an alacrity whichhas 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^ ofl' Harwich; and when Nelson wished to get to

the Nore in her, the wind rendered it impossible to pro-

ceed 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, andthinking 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 whom he had

^ An exposed anchorage in shallow water, a combination whichproduces a very choppy sea.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 237

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 con-

sultation with the Admiralty; and that something mightbe done meantime, he resolved upon attacking the flotilla

in the mouth of Boulogne Harbour. This resolution was

made in deference to the opinion of others, and to the

public feeling which was so preposterously excited. Hehimself scrupled not to assert, that the French army wouldnever embark at Boulogne for the invasion of England;and he owned, that this boat-warfare Avas not exactly con-

genial 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 mystrength, 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, Ootgrave,

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 hourbefore midnight; but, owing to the darkness, and tide andhalf-tide,^ which must always make night-attacks^ so un-certain on the coasts of the Channel, the divisions sepa-

rated. One could not arrive at all; another not till neardaybreak. The others made their attack gallantly; butthe enemy were fully prepared : every vessel was defended

^ When the stream continues to flow up for three hours after it is

high water, it is said to make tide and half-tide.^ " At lucem multnm per se pudorem omnium oculis, multum

etiam tribunorum militum et centurionum pra^sentiam afferre;

quibus rebus coerceri milites et in officio contineri soleant."—Cassar,

T)e Bello Civili, i., 67. The student will remember how much trouble

the Channel tides caused Caesar when he invaded Britain.

238 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

by long poles^ lieaded with iron spikes, projecting fromtheir sides : strong nettings were braced np to their lower

yards; they were moored by the bottom to the shore,* andchained one to another; they were strongly manned withsoldiers, and protected by land-batteries, and the shore waslined with troops. Many were taken possession of; and,

though they could not have been brought out, would havebeen burned, had not the French resorted to a mode of

oifence, which they have often used, but which no other

people have ever been wicked enough to employ. Themoment the firing ceased on board one of their own ves-

sels, 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 ap-

proached, and cried out in English, "Let me advise you,

my brave Englishmen, to keep your distance : you can donothing here; and it is only uselessly shedding the bloodof 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 pri-

vate letters to the Admiralty, Nelson affirmed that had ourforce arrived as he intended, it was not all the chains in

France which could have prevented our men from bring-

ing off the whole of the vessels. There had been no error

committed, and never did Englishmen display more cour-

age.^ Upon this point Nelson was fully satisfied; but hesaid he should never bring himself again to allow any

* In the former editions I had stated, upon what appeared authen-tic information, that the boats were chained one to another. Nelsonhimself believed this. But I have been assured that it was not thecase, by M. de Bercet, who, when I had the pleasure of seeing himin 1825, was (and I hope still is) Commandant of Boulogne. Theword of this brave and loyal soldier is as little to be doubted as his

worth. He is the last survivor of Charette's band ; and his ownmemoirs, could he be persuaded to write them (a duty which he owesto his country as well as to himself) would form a redeeming episodein the history of the French Hevolution.

—

Southey^s Note.^"The most astonishing bravery," he wrote, "was evinced by

many of our officers and men. No person can be blamed for send-ing them to the attack but myself."

1801] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 239

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^ andwho had an aged father looking to him for assistance. Histhigh was shattered in the action, and the wound provedmortal, after some weeks of suffering and manly resigna-

tion. During this interval, Nelson's anxiety was verygreat. " Hear Parker is my child," said he, " for I foundhim 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 wascontent, I should lie; but I shall endeavour to submitwith 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 Ham-

ilton, " if I am going on more expeditions? and even if

I v/as to forfeit your friendship, which is dearer to me thanall the world, I can tell you nothing. For, I go out: if I

see the enemy, and can get at them, it is my duty : and youwould, 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 lulien, tvliere, or

hoiu, it is impossible, your own good sense must tell you, for

me or mortal man to say.'

' Yet he now wished to be re-

lieved from this service. The country, he said, had at-

tached a confidence to his name, which he had submittedto, and therefore had cheerfully repaired to the station;

but this boat business, though it might be part of a greatplan of invasion, could never be the only one, and he didnot think it was a command for a Vice-Admiral. It wasnot that he wanted a more lucrative situation ;—for, seriously

indisposed as he was, and low-spirited from private consid-

erations, he did not know, if the Mediterranean were va-

cant, that he should be equal to undertake it. He wasoffended with the Admiralty for refusing him leave to goto town when he had solicited; in reply to a friendly letter

from Troubridge he says, " I am at this moment as firmly

^ It is said that Parker used to sit next him at table to cut up hismeat.

240 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

of opinion as evei% that Lord St. Vincent and yourself

should have allowed of my coming to town for my ownaffairs^, 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 hecare for me ? i^o : but never mind. They shall workhard to get me again. The cold has settled in my bowels.

I wish the Admiralty had my complaint : but they have nobowels, at least for me.—I dare say 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 complainedthat he was not able to promote those whom he thoughtdeserving: "Troubridge," he says, ''has so com23letely

prevented my ever mentioning anybody's service, that I

am become a cipher, and he has gained a victory over Nel-

son's spirit. I am kept here, for what ?—he may be able to

tell, I cannot. But long it cannot—shall not be." Anend 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. 1 Nelson rejoiced that the experiment was made,but was well aware that it was an experiment; he sawwhat he called the misery of peace, unless the utmost vigil-

ance 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 brough,t

the ratification: saying, "that they made him ashamed of _a

his country." il

He had purchased a house and estate at Merton, in Sur- f

^Preliminaries of peace were signed October 1. "No person,"wrote Nelson, " rejoices more in the peace than I do ; but I wouldsooner burst than let a Frenchman know it." He was impatientbecause he was not at once relieved. Probably, as Mr. Laughtonremarks, both Troubridge and St. Vincent understood well enoughthat Nelson's chief malady was a discontented longing to be withLady Hamilton. For the Peace of Amiens, see Gardiner, History ofEyigland, p. 846 ; Green, History of England, p. 819; Duruy, His-tory of France, p. 585.

1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 241

rey; meaning to pass his days there in tlie society of Sir

William and Lady Hamilton. ^ He had indulged in pleas-

ant dreams when looking on to this as his place of resi-

dence and rest.^ " To be sure/' he says^ " we shall employthe tradespeople of our village in preference to any others^

^ Merton is famous as the place where the statutes of Merton wereframed, 1236, in an old abbey, of which a few walls remain. It is

situated in Surrey, about eight miles from the heart of London, Theproperty was purchased by Nelson for Lady Hamilton, and the trans-

action was attended to in all its details by her. She appears to havebeen a good business woman ; Nelson indeed put implicit faith in

her judgment. " You may rely upon one thing," he wrote, " that I

shall like Merton ; therefore do not be uneasy on that account. I

have that opinion of your taste and judgment, that I do not believe

it can fail in pleasing me. ... I am sure you will soon make it

the prettiest place in the world." On October 16, 1801, Sir WilliamHamilton wrote to him from Merton :

'

' We have now inhabited

your Lordship's premises some days, and I can now speak with somecertainty. I have lived with our dear Emma several years. I knowher merit, have a great opinion of the head and heart that GodAlmighty has been pleased to give her, but a seaman alone could

have given a fine woman full power to choose and fit up a residence

for him without seeing it himself. You are in luck, for in my con-

science I verily believe that a place so suitable to your views could

not have been found, and at so cheap a rate—you might get a thou-

sand pounds to-morrow for your bargain. It would make you laughto see Emma and her mother fitting up pig-styes and hen-coops."

From October, 1801, to May, 1803, Nelson and the Hamiltons lived

together here and at 23 Piccadilly. An interesting picture of himhas been left us by the lawyer who prepared the lease of the latter

place. " At the time," says he, " when I went over the house withthe upholsterer and a servant, who showed us the rooms for the pur-

pose of taking a schedule of the fixtures, I observed an emaciatedweather-beaten person, rather shabbily dressed, follow us from roomto room with seeming anxiety. At length he said, ' Pray, gentlemen,

what is it you are about ? ' I answered, ' We are taking a list of the

fixtures in the house to annex by way of schedule to the lease.'

' Oh, oh,' he replied, ' if that be the case, I think you should include

me in the list.' He then seemed satisfied and left us. After his

departure I inquired of the servant who this person was, when, to

my great surprise, he told me it was Lord Nelson. I had looked butcursorily at him, and from the old crumpled hat he wore, and the

striped old brown great-coat thrown over his shoulders, and his gen-

eral appearance, I took him for some foreign refugee and hanger-onof Sir William's, as he had much the appearance of the Frenchpriests with whom the streets at that time were crowded."

^ During this period of rest, Nelson and his friends took a journey

to Wales, passing through Oxford, at which place both Sir Williamand himself were honored with the degree of D.C.L.

16

242 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

in what we want for common use, and give them every

encouragement to be kind and attentive to us."—"Havewe a nice church at Merton ? A¥e will set an example of

goodness to the under-parishioners. I admire the pigs andpoultry. 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 timethey do good to the land. They should be folded. Is yourhead man a good person, and true to our interest ? I in-

tend to have a farming-book. I expect that all animalswill increase where you are, for I never expect that youwill 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 oursea-friends; and I know Sir William thinks they are the

best." This place he had never seen till he was now wel-

comed 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 Hamiltonhad done to it, delighted him; and he declared that the

longest liver should possess it all. Here he amused him-self with angling in the Wandle, having been a good fly-

fisher in former days, and learning now to practise withhis 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£3,400 a year.i From this he gave £1,800 to Lady Nelson,

£200 to a brother's widow, and £150 for the education of

his children; and he paid £500 interest for borrowedmoney; so that Nelson was comparatively a poor man; andthough much of the pecuniary embarrassment which he en-

dured was occasioned by the separation from his wife—evenif that cause had not existed, his income would not havebeen sufficient for the rank which he held, and the claims

which would necessarily be made upon his bounty. Thedepression of spirits under which he had long laboured arose

* This is mentioned on the authority, and by the desire of Sir

Humphrey Davy {Sahnonia, p. 6), whose name I write with the re-

spect to which it is so justly entitled ; and, calling to mind the timewhen we were in habits of daily and intimate intercourse, with affec-

tionate regret.

—

Southey's Note.' But see p. 181.

1802] THE LIFE OF NELSON 243

partly from this state of his circumstances, and. partly

from the other disquietudes in which his connexion withLady Hamilton had involved him; a connexion which it

was not possible his father could behold without sorrow

and displeasure. Mr. ISTelson, however, was soon per-

suaded that the attachment, which Lady Nelson regardedwith natural jealousy and resentment, did not, in reality,

pass the bounds of ardent and romantic admiration; a

passion which the manners and accomplishments of LadyHamilton, fascinating as they were, would not have beenable to excite, if they had not been accompanied by moreuncommon intellectual endowments, and by a character

which, both in its strength and in its weakness, resembledhis 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 thearmy 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 ob-

served to the Lord Mayor, "That, if the city continuedits generosity, the navy would ruin them in gifts.

'

' Towhich the Lord Mayor replied, putting his hand upon theAdmiral'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 nothanks had been voted for the battle of Copenhagen; and,feeling that he and his companions in that day's glory hada fair and honouriible claim to this reward, he took the pres-

ent opportunity of addressing a letter to the Lord Mayor,complaining of the omission and the injustice. "Thesmallest services," said he, " rendered by the army or navyto the country have always been noticed by the great city

of London, with one exception :—the giorious 2nd of April

:

—a day when the greatest dangers of navigation were over-

^ The French were defeated, March 21, 1801, by Sir Ralph Aber-crombie at the battle of Alexandria, and driven out of the country.See Gardiner, History of England, p. 844 ; Green, History of Eng-land, p. 819 ; Duruy, History of France, p. 585.

244 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1802

come^ and the Danish force^ whicli tliey thought impreg-nable^ 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 shouldbear the stigma, attempted to be now first placed upon mybrow, Avith 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 |)rofusely bled, under mycommand on that day. Again I disclaim for myself moremerit than naturally falls to a successful commander; butwhen I am called upon to speak of the merits of the cap-

tains of His Majesty's ships, and of the officers and men,whether seamen, marines, or soldiers, whom I that day hadthe happiness to command, I then say, that never was theglory of this country upheld with more determined brav-

ery than on that occasion :—and, if I may be allowed to

give an opinion as a Briton, then I say, that more impor-tant service was never rendered to our King and country.

It is my duty, my lord, to prove to the brave fellows, mycompanions in danger, that I have not failed, at everyproper place, to represent, as well as I am able, their brav-ery and meritorious conduct."Another honour, of greater import, was withheld from

the conquerors. The King had given medals to those cap-

tains who were engaged in the battles of the 1st of June,^of Cape St. Vincent, of Oamjoerdown,^ and of the Mle.Then came the victory of Oo^Denhagen : which Nelson truly

called the most difficult achievement, the hardest foughtbattle, the most glorious result that ever graced the annalsof our country. He, of course, expected the medal: and,in writing to the Earl St. Vincent, said: "He longed to

have it, and would not give it up to be made an Englishduke." The medal, however, was not given:—"Forwhat reason," said Nelson, "Lord St. Vincent best

knows."—Words plainly implying a susjiicion, that it waswithheld by some feeling of jealousy: and that suspicion

^ Loi'd Howe's defeat of the French off Ushant, June 1, 1794.

See Mahan, Sea Power on Freiich Revolution, i., pp. 125-160.^ Admiral Duncan's defeat of the Dutch, October 11, 1797. See

Gardiner, History of England, p. 837 ; Green, History of Engla7id,

p. 810 ; Mahan, Sea Poiver on French Revolution, i., p. 378.

1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 245

estranged liim, during the remaining part of his life^ fromone who had been at one time essentially, as well as sin-

cerely, his friend, and of whose professional abilities heever entertained the highest opinion.^

The happiness which Nelson enjoyed in the society of his

chosen friends, was of no long continuance. Sir WilliamHamilton, who was far advanced in years, died early in

1803 ; a mild, amiable, accomplished man, who has thus in

a letter described his own philosophy:—" My study of an-

tiquities,'

' he says,'

' has kept me in constant thought of

the perpetual fluctuation of every thing. The whole art is

really to live all the clays of our life; and not with anxiouscare disturb the sweetest hour that life affords—which is

the present. Admire the Creator, and all his works, to usincomprehensible; and do all the good you can uponearth; and take the chance of eternity without dismay."He expired in his wife's arms, holding kelson by the hand;and almost in his last words left her to his protection; re-

questing him that he would see justice done her by thegovernment, as he knew what she had done for her coun-try. ^ He left him her portrait in enamel, calling him his

dearest friend; the most virtuous, loyal, and truly bravecharacter he had ever known. The codicil containing this

bequest concluded with these words: " God bless him, andshame fall on those who do not say Amen." Sir William'spension, of £1,200 a year, ceased with his death. Nelsonapplied to Mr. Addington in Lady Hamilton's behalf, stat-

ing the important service which she had rendered to thefleet at Syracuse; and Mr. Addington, it is said, acknowl-edged that she had a just claim upon the gratitude of thecountry. This barren acknowledgment was all that wasobtained : but a sum, equal to the pension which her hus-band had enjoyed, was settled on her by Nelson, and paidin monthly payments during his life. A few weeks after

this event, the war was renewed; and, the day after HisMajesty's message to Parliament, Nelson departed to take

^ It has been suspected that the neglect here mentioned proceededfrom the desire of George III., who was, like his father, "a snuffyold drone from the German hive, " to have his quarrel with his cousinsthe Danes as quickly as possible forgotten. It has also been ascribedto the king's disgust at Nelson's domestic affairs.

^ For the curious relations of these three, consult Laughton, Nel-son, p. 179.

246 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1803

command of the Mediterranean fleet. ^ The war, he thought,could not be long; just enough to make him independentin pecuniary matters.

He took his station immediately off Toulon; and there,withincessant yigilance, 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 notsharp enough for prize-money. Lord Keith would havemade £20,000, and I have not made £6,000." More thanonce he says that the prizes taken in the Mediterraneanhad not paid his expenses, and once he expresses himself as

if it were a consolation to think that some ball might soohclose 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 aboutto sell her plate ; he wrote to Lady Hamilton, requesting of

her to find out what her debts were, and saying, that if theamount was within his power, he would certainly pay it,

and rather pinch himself than that she should want. Be-fore 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 whatwas thus disposed of by a cheerful giver, shall be paid to

him again.—One from whom he had looked for very differ-

ent 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 obliga-

tion I owe him, and he may be useful to me again; but I

can never forget his unkindness to you. But I guessmany reasons influenced his conduct in bragging of his

riches and my honourable poverty ; but, as I have often

^ War was declared May 18, 1803. Nelson was present at thedebate in the House of Lords ; he did not address that body, but sentto Mr. Addington a note worded thus : "4 o'clock, March 9, 1803.

Whenever it is necessary, I am your Admiral." See Gardiner, His-tory of England, p. 846 ; Green, History of England, p. 820.

2 He was instructed to take such a position as he should considermost proper to enable him to take, sink, burn, or otherwise destroyany ships or vessels belonging to France or French traders ; todetain any Dutch ships he might meet with ; and to watch the move-ments of the Court of Spain, especially those pertaining to their

navy.

?5

1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 247

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 house andlands may belong to others than his children.

'

'

His hope was that peace might soon be made, or that heshould be relieved from his command, and retire to Merton,where, at that distance, he was planning and directing im-provements. On his birthday he writes: " This day, mydearest Emma, I consider as more fortunate than commondays, as by my coming into the world it has brought me so

intimately acquainted with you. I well know that you will

keep it and have my dear Horatia 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 withwhom he promised himself

'

' many, many happy years,

when that impediment," ^ as he calls her, " shall have beenremoved, if God pleased; " and they might be surroundedwith their children's children.

When he had been fourteen months thus employed, hereceived 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 notforgotten 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 LordMayor, ''that there is not that man breathing who sets a

higher value upon the thanks of his fellow-citizens of Lon-don than myself; but I should feel as much ashamed to

receive them for a particular service, marked in the resolu-

tion, if I felt that I did not come within that line of ser-

vice, as I should feel hurt at having a great victory passedover 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 enemyto put to sea; for it is there that we hope to realise the

^ Lady Nelson died May 4, 1831.

248 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1803

hopes and expectations of our country." Nelson then re-

marked^ that the junior flag officers of his fleet had beenomitted in this vote of thanks; and his surprise at the

omission was expressed with more asperity^ perhaps, thanan offence, so entirely and manifestly unintentional, de-

served : but it arose from that generous regard for the feel-

ings as well as 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.N^ever 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 confi-

dence 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 werepossible to avoid it; and when compelled to enforce it, he,

who was familiar with wounds and death, suffered like a

woman. 1 In his whole life Nelson was never known to act

unkindly tov/ards an officer. If he was asked to prosecute

one for ill behaviour, he used to answer: " That there wasno occasion for him to ruin a poor devil, who was suffi-

ciently his own enemy to ruin himself." But in Nelsonthere was more than the easiness and humanity of a happynature: he did not merely abstain from injury; his wasan active and watchful benevolence, ever desirous not only

to render justice, but to do good.) During the peace, hehad spoken in Parliament upon thfe abuses respecting prize-

money, and had submitted plans to Government for moreeasily 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 manwho 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, aj)pear an enormous sumfor the state to pay; but the average life of a seaman is,

^ During the long blockade of Toulon, it was only by the wisest

reguhition of diet and routine that the men were kept in good health

and spirits. To such matters of detail Nelson devoted minute andunwearied effort.—See Laughton, Nelson, p. 184.

1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 249

from hard service, finished at forty-five : he cannot, there-

fore, 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. " Eecollect, " he usedto say,

'

' that you must be a seaman to be an officer ; ^ andalso, that you cannot be a good officer without being a gen-tleman. "^ A lieutenant wrote to him to say, that he wasdissatisfied with his captain. Nelson's answer was in that

spirit of perfect wisdom and perfect goodness, which regu-

lated his whole cond act toward those who were under his

command. ''I have just received your letter; and lamtruly sorry that any difi'erence should arise between yourcaptain, who has the reputation of being one of the brightofficers of the service, and yourself, a very young manand a very young officer, who must naturally have much to

learn: therefore the chance is that you are perfectly wrongin 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 re-

fuse to receive you." The gentleness and benignity of his

disposition never made him forget what was due to disci-

pline. Being on one occasion applied to, to save a youngofficer from a court-martial, which he had provoked by his

^ " Nelson was rather too apt to interfere in the working of theship, and not always with the best success or judgment. Tlie wind,when off Dungeness, was scanty, and the ship must be put about,Lord Nelson would give the orders and caused lier to miss stays.

[If -a ship, in tacking, halts or falls off, instead of coming aroundinto the wind, she is said to miss stays.] Upon this he said ratherpeevishly to the Master or Officer of the Watch (I forget which) :

' Well, now see what we have done. Well, sir, what mean you to donow ?

' The officer saying, with hesitation, ' I don't exactly know,my Lord, I fear she won't do,' Lord Nelson turned sharply towardthe cabin, and replied :

' Well, I am sure if you do not know whatto do with her, no more do I either.' He weiit in, leaving the officer

to work the ship as he liked."—Stewart's Narrative of the BalticExpedition, quoted by Russell, Life of Nelson, p. 172.

^'

' There were gentlemen and there were seamen in the navy ofCharles II. But the gentlemen were not seamen and the seamenwere not gentlemen."—Macaulay, History of England, vol. i., p.

250 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1803

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 beenmade:—" But what," he added, " would he do if he werehere ?—Exactly what I have done, and am still willing to

do. The young man must write such a letter of contri-

tion as would be an acknowledgment of his great fault;

and with a sincere promise, if his captain will intercede to

prevent the im^DencIing court-martial, never to so misbehaveagain. 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, andhe 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 N"elson's zeal for the rights and inter-

ests of the navy. Some young artillery officers, serving onIjoard the bomb-vessels, refused to let their men performany other duty but what related to the mortars. Theywished to have it established, that their cor^DS was not sub-

ject 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 independentauthority on board, upon a clause in the Act, which they

interpreted in their favour. ISTelson took up the subject

with all the earnestness which its importance deserved.

—

" There is no real happiness in this world," said he, writ-

ing to Earl St. Vincent, as First Lord. " With all content

and smiles around me, up start these artillery boys (I un-

derstand they are not beyond that age), and set us at defi-

ance; 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 havebeen 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.

1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 251

You and I are on the eve of quitting the theatre of ourexploits ; 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 disci23line

by our conduct." To Troubridge he wrote in the samespirit:

—" It is the old history, trying to do away the Actof 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 l^avy on board a ship, and theywill soon have the other, and command us.—But, thankGod! my dear Troubridge, the King himself cannot doaway 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 thesurest way of preventing such disputes, he suggestedthat the Navy should have its own corps of artillery ; and a

corps of Marine Artillery was accordingly established.

Instead of lessening the poAver of the Commander, Nel-son 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 lookup 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 ser-

vices which he thus rendered unsolicited; and frequently

the officer, in whose behalf he had interested himself withthe 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 Grod-send. " The love which he borethe Navy made him promote the interests and honour the

memory of all who had added to its glories. " The nearrelations 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 Eoyal Highness most en- I

tirely, that the son of Eodney ought to be the iwoUge 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

' See p. 31, note 2.

252 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1803

is full;, and I have twenty on my list; but, whatever num-bers I have, the name of Rodney must cut many of themout." 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 withhim are shown by a note in his diary, which was probablynot intended for any other eye than his own.—"Nov. 7.

I had the comfort of making an old Agamemnoji, GeorgeJones, a gunner into the CJiameleon 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 Oorsican, whowas now sole tyrant of France; and knowing that he wasas ready to attack his friends as his enemies, knew, there-

fore, that nothing could be more uncertain than the direc-

tion 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 thelast ten years had given him ample matter for reflection,

as well as opportunities for observation: the film wascleared from his eyes; and now, when the French nolonger went abroad with the cry of liberty and equality, hesaw that the oppression and misrule of the powers whichhad been opposed to them had been the main causes of their

success, and that those causes would still prepare the waybefore them. Even in Sicil^^, where, if it had been possi-

ble longer to blind himself. Nelson would willingly haveseen 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 wasfelt; and the people, like the Sicilians, were imjooverished

by a government so utterly incom]3etent to perform its first

and most essential duties, that it did not protect its owncoasts from the Barbary pirates. He would fain have had uspurchase this island (the finest in the Mediterranean) fromits sovereign, who did not receive £5,000 a year from it,

after its wretched establishment Avas paid. There was reasonto think that France was preparing to possess herself of

this important j)oint, which afl^orded our fleet facilities for

watching Toulon not to be obtained elsewhere. An expe-dition was preparing at Corsica for the purpose; and all

the Sardes, who had taken |)art with revolutionary France,

1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 253

were ordered to assemble there. It was certain tliat if the

attack were made, it would succeed. Nelson thought that

the only means to prevent Sardinia from becoming Frenchwas to make it English, and that half a million would give

the King a rich price, and England a cheap purchase. Abetter, and therefore a wiser, policy Avould have been to

exert our influence in removing the abuses of the govern-

ment; for foreign dominion is always, in some degree, anevil; and allegiance neither can nor ought to be made a

thing of bargain and sale. Sardinia, like Sicily and Cor-

sica, is large enough to form a separate state. Let us hopethat these islands may, ere long, be made free and inde-

pendent. Freedom and independence will bring withthem industry and prosperity; and wherever these are

found, arts and letters will flourish, and the improvementof the human race proceed.

The proposed attack was postponed. Views of widerambition were opening before Buonaparte, who now almostundisguisedly aspired to make himself master of the con-

tinent of Europe; and Austria was preparing for anotherstruggle, to be conducted as weakly, and terminated as

miserably, as the former. , Spain, too, was once more to beinvolved in war by the policy of France; that perfidious

government having in view the double object of employingthe Spanish resources against England, and exhaustingthem, in order to render Spain herself finally its prey^x

Nelson, who knew that England and the Peninsula oughtto be in alliance, for the common interest of both, fre-

quently expressed his hopes that Spain might resume hernatural rank among the nations. ''We ought," he said," by mutual consent, to be the very best friends, and bothto be ever hostile to France. " But he saw that Buonapartewas meditating the destruction of Spain; and that, while theAvretched court of Madrid professed to remain neutral, the

api^earances of neutrality were scarcely preserved. Anorder of the year 1771, excluding British ships of war fromthe Spanish ports, was revived, and put in force; whileFrench privateers, from these very ports, annoyed theBritish trade, carried their prizes in, and sold them even at

Barcelona. Nelson complained of this to the CaptainGeneral of Catalonia, informing him that he claimed, for

every British ship or squadron, the right of lying, as long

254 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1803

as it pleased^ in tlie ports of Spain, while that right wasallowed to other powers. To the British Ambassador hesaid: "I am ready to make large allowances for the mis-

erable 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 gun-shot of the Spanish shore, and yet French ves-

sels are permitted to attack our ships from the Spanish

shore. Your Excellency may assure the Spanish govern-

ment, that in whatever place the Spaniards allow the

French to attack us, in that j)lace I shall order the Frenchto 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 ]out to sea. Nelson watched it with unre-

mitting and almost unexampled perseverance. The station

off Toulon he called his home. 'tWe 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 andmanned : would to Clod the ships were half so good !—Thefinest ones in the service would soon be destroyed, by suchterrible weather. I know well enough, that if I were to

go into Malta I should save the ships during this bad sea-

son; 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." Thenonly he was satisfied, and at ease, when he had the enemyin view. Mr. Elliot, our Minister at Naples, seems, at this

time, to have proposed to send a confidential Frenchmanto him with information, '' I should be very happy," hereplied, "to receive authentic intelligence of the destina-

tion of the French squadron, their route, and time of sail-

ing.—Anything short of this is useless; and I assure yourExcellency, that I would not, upon any consideration,

have a Frenchman in the fleet, except as a prisoner. I jout

no confidence in them. You think yours good; the

Queen thinks the same : I believe they are all alike. What-ever information you can get me, I shall be very thankful

for; but not a Frenchman comes here. Forgive me, butmy mother hated the French! " ^

' Nelson's secretary, Dr. Scott, preserved several interesting facts

about his habits during the blockade of Toulon. It was a point of

1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 255

M. Latoiiche Treville^ who liad commanclecl at Boulogne,commanded now at Tonlon. " He was sent for on pur-

pose/' said JSTelson, "as he deat me at Boulogne^ to beat

me again: but he seems very loth to try." One day, while

the main body of our fleet was out of sight of land, Rear-Admiral Campbell, reconnoitring with the Canopus, Don-egal, and Amazo7i, stood in close to the port, and M.Latouche, taking advantage of a breeeze which sprung up,

pushed out, with four ships of the line, and three heavyfrigates, and chased him about four leagues. The French-man, delighted at having found himself in so novel a situ-

ation, published a boastful account; affirming that he hadgiven chase to the Avhole British fleet, and that Nelson hadfled before him. ISTelson thought it due to the Admiraltyto send home a copy of the Victory'' s log upon this occa-

sion. "As for himself," he said, "if his character wasnot 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 oneof his correspondents, " his letter, with all his ingenuity,

must be different from his last. We had fancied that wehad chased him into Toulon; for, blind as I am, I couldsee his water-line, when he clewed ^ his topsails up, shut-

ting in Sepet.^ But, from the time of his meeting CaptainHawker in the Isis, I never heard of his acting otherwisethan as a poltroon and a liar.^ Contempt is the best mode

etiquette with him to send all of his communications to foreigncourts in English, accompanied by a translation. He was unweariedin reading all that came to hand ; even private letters found in cap-

/^tured ships Avere regularly perused ; like Dr. Johnson he tore the[•: heart out of a book in an incredibly short time ; and two hours of

sleep afforded him as much refreshment as a night of rest would givemost men. Sir Pultney Malcolm, who knew Napoleon, Wellington,and Nelson familiarly, used to say that "Nelson was the man tolove." On one occasion he promoted a midshipman for gallantlyjumping overboard and rescuing a drowning servant. The announce-ment was greeted with cheers by the young man's companions.Thereupon Nelson looked over the rail at them, and said with a sig-

nificant smile : '(Mind ! I'll have no more making lieutenants forservants falling overboard !

"

^ To draw up. '

^ A height near Toulon.^ The affair here referred to was a combat of frigates off New York

in June, 1780. Both sides claimed the victory. Which of the com-batants was probably in the right ?

256 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1804

of treating sucli a miscreant." In spite^ however^ of con-

tempt^ the impudence of this Frenchman half angered him.He said to his brother: "Yon will have seen Latouche'sletter; how he chased me^ and how I ran. I keep it; andif I take him^ by God he shall eat it !

"

Nelson, who used to say, that in sea affairs nothing is im-possible, 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 adminis-tering to him his own lying letter in a sandwich. M. La-touche, however, escaped him in another way. He died,

according to the French papers, in consequence of walkingso 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." Thepatience with which he had watched Toulon he spoke of,

truly, as a perseverance at sea which had never been sur-

passed. From May, 1803, to August, 1805, he himself wentout of his ship but three times; each of those times was uponthe King's service, and neither time of absence exceededan hour.' In 1804, the Swift cutter going out with de-

spatches 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 withany row-boat privateer. The loss of the Hindostan wasgreat enough; but for importance it is lost in comparisonwith the probable knowledge the enemy will obtain of ourconnections with foreign countries. Foreigners forever say,

and it is true, ' We dare not trust England : one way or

other we are sure to be committed.' " In a subsequentletter, speaking of the same capture, he says: " I find, mydearest Emma, that your picture is very much admired bythe French Consul at Barcelona; and that he has not sent;

it to be admired, which I am sure it would be, by Buonaparte. 1

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 1

printed their correspondence from Egypt. But from uswhat can they find out ? That I love you most dearly.

1804", THE LIFE OF NELSON 251'

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 andread 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 a pair of old 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 seemedaltered. 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 pos-

sible. The men, though he said flesh and blood could

hardly stand it, continued in excellent health, which heascribed, in great measure, to a plentiful supply of lemonsand onions. For himself, he thought he could only last

till the battle was over. One battle more it was his hopethat 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 mygrave, 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 Feb-ruary, is very much swelled ; at times a lump as large as myfist, 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 notcontemplate without unhappiness. More alarming symp-toms 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 thanthe men: but when he compared it with the enemy's, it

was with a right English feeling. " The French fleet, yes-

terday," said he, in one of his letters, " was to appearancein high feather, and as fine as paint could make them :—but

17

258 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1804

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 occa-

sion, "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 upon their tails."

Hostilities at length commenced between Great Britain

and Spain. That country, whose miserable governmentmade 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 Eng-lish,—The act was perfectly justifiable; for those treasures

were intended to furnish means for France; but the cir-

cumstances which attended it were as unhappy as they were

unforeseen. Four frigates had been despatched to intercept

them. They met with an equal force. Eesistance, there-

fore, became a point of honour on the part of the Span-iards, and one of their ships soon blew up with all onboard. Had a stronger squadron been sent, this deplor-

able 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 wasnot apprised of it till the 12th of the ensuing month. Hehad, indeed, sufficient mortification at the breaking out of

this Spanish war; an event which, it might reasonably havebeen sujoposed, would amply enrich the officers of the Med-iterranean fleet, and repay them for the severe and unre-

mitting duty on which they had been so long employed.

But of this harvest they were deprived ; for Sir John Ordewas sent with a small squadron, and a separate command,to Cadiz, l^elson's feelings were never wounded so deeply

as now. "I had thought," said he, writing in the first

flow and freshness of indignation; "I 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; andthus they use me! And under what circumstances, andwith what pointed aggravation ! Yet, if I know my ownthoughts, it is not for myself, or on my own account chiefly.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 259

that I feel the sting and disappointment. ISTo ! it is for mybrave 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 18th of January, the Toulon fleet, having the Span-iards to co-operate with them, put to sea. Nelson was at

anchor off the coast of Sardinia, where the Maddalenaislands form one of the finest harbours in the world, when,at three in the afternoon of the 19th, the Active and Sea-

liorse frigates brought this long hoped for intelligence.

They had been close to the enemy at ten on the precedingnight, but lost sight of them in about four hours. Thefleet immediately unmoored and weighed, and at six in theevening ran through the strait between Liscia and Sar-

dinia; 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 southernend of Sardinia. Signal was made the next morning to

prepare for battle. Bad weather came on, baffling the onefleet in its object, and the other in its pursuit. Nelsonbeat about the Sicilian seas for ten days, without obtainingany 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 disappoint-

ment and distress which he had experienced in his formerpursuits of the French through the same seas were nowrenewed; but Nelson, while he endured these anxious andunhappy feelings, was still consoled by the same confi-

dence as on the former occasion—that, though his judg-ment might be erroneous, under all circumstances he wasright 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 fieet; nor do I desire anyman to partake any of the responsibility. All is mine,right or wrong." Then stating the grounds upon whichhe had proceeded, he added: "At this moment of sorrow,

I still feel that I have acted right." In the same spirit he

260 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

said to Sir Alexander Ball: " When I call to remembranceall 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 helearned that a great number of saddles and muskets hadbeen embarked : and this confirmed him in his opinion that

Egypt was their destination. That they should have putback in consequence of storms which he had weathered,gave him a consoling sense of British superiority. " Thesegentlemen," said he, "are not accustomed to a Gulf of

Lyons gale; we have buffeted them for one-and-twentymonths, and not carried away a spar." He, however, Avho

had so often braved these gales, was now, though not mas-tered by them, vexatiously thwarted and impeded ; and, onFebruary 27th, he was compelled to anchor in Pulla Bay, in

the Gulf of Cagliari. From the 21st of January, the fl.eet

had remained ready for battle, without a bulkhead ^ up^night or day. He anchored here that he might not bedriven to leeward. As soon as the weather moderated heput to sea again; and, after again beating about against con-trary winds, another gale drove him to anchor in the Gulfof Palma, on the 8th of March. This he made his rendez-vous; he knew that the French troops still remained em-barked, and, wishing to lead them into a belief that he wasstationed upon the Spanish coast, he made his appearanceoff Barcelona with that intent. About the end of themonth, he began to fear that the plan of the expeditionwas abandoned; and, sailing once more towards his oldstation off Toulon, on the 4th of April, he met the Phmhe,with news that Villeneuve had put to sea on the last of

March with eleven shijDS of the line, seven frigates, andtwo brigs. When last seen, they were steering toward thecoast of Africa. Nelson first covered the channel betweenSardinia and Barbary, so as to satisfy himself that Ville-

neuve was not taking the same route for Egypt whichGantheaume had taken before him, when he attempted to

carry reinforcements there. Certain of this, he bore upon the 7th for Palermo, lest the French should pass to thenorth of Corsica, and he despatched cruisers in all direc-

^ A partition in a vessel to separate the deck into desired rooms.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 261

tions. 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 com-manded 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 as-

certained that they had passed the Straits of Gibraltar onthe day following; and Nelson, knowing that they mightalready be half way to Ireland, or to Jamaica, exclaimed,

that he was miserable. One gleam of comfort only cameacross 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 ob-

tained, he described his state of mind thus forcibly, in

writing to the Governor of Malta: ^' My good fortune, mydear Ball, seems flown away. I cannot get a fair wind, or

even a side wind. Dead foul ! Dead foul ! But my mindis fully made up what to do when I leave the Straits, sup-

posing there is no certain account of the enemy's destina-

tion. 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 whichcould 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 wasimpossible to pass the Gut. He anchored in Mazari Bay,

on the Barbary shore; obtained supplies from Tetuan; andwhen, on the 5 th, a breeze from the eastward sprang upat last, sailed once more, hoping to hear of the enemyfrom Sir John Orde, who commanded off Cadiz, or fromLisbon. "If nothing is heard of them," said he to the

Admiralty, " I shall probably think the rumours which havebeen 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 Camp-

262 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

bell, at that time an admiral in the Portuguese service, thesame person who had given important tidings to Earl St.

Vincent of the movements of that fleet from which hewon his title, a second time gave timely and momentousintelligence to the flag of his country. He went on boardthe Victory, and communicated to Nelson his certain

knowledge that the combined Spanish and French fleets

were bound for the West Indies. Hitherto all things hadfavoured the enemy. While the British Commander wasbeating up against strong southerly and westerly gales, theyhad wind to their wish from the IST.E., and had done in

nine days what he was a whole month in accomplishing.Villeneuve, finding the Spaniards at Carthagena were notin a state of equipment to join him, dared not wait, buthastened on to Cadiz. Sir John Orde necessarily retired

at his approach.^ Admiral Gravina, with six Spanishships of the line, and two French, came out to him, andthey sailed without a moment's loss of time. They hadabout three thousand French trooj)s on board, and fifteen

hundred Spanish: six hundred were under orders, expect-

ing them at Martinique, and one thousand at Gruadaloupe.

General Lauriston commanded the troops. The com-bined fleet now consisted of eighteen sail of the line, six

forty-four gun frigates, one of twenty-six guns, three cor-

vettes and a brig. They were joined afterwards by twonew French line of battle ships, and one forty-four. ISTel-

son pursued them with ten sail of the line and three frig-

ates. "J^ake you a Frenchman a-piece," said he to his

Captains, " and leave me the Spaniards,—when I haul downmy colours, I expect you to do the same,—and not till

then. '

'^

^ He had only five sail of the line.

^ It seems evident that the manoeuvres of Villenenve's fleet wereonly part of a grand design of Napoleon's for accomplishing his longcontemplated invasion of England. The French fleets, it appears,

were to break out of Brest, Rochefort, and Toulon at nearly thesame time ; rendezvous at Martinique ; return ; drive the Englishfrom the Channel ; and thus make it possible for the French armyto cross. Of the three squadrons only one, that of Missiessy, got to

sea in time ; Villeneuve as we have seen was delayed by bad weatherfor more than two months ; and the Brest squadron never got to sea

at all. Missiessy waited at Martinique forty-five days as ordered,

and then, Villeneuve not having yet appeared, returned to Prance.See Laughton, Nelson, p. 198.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 263

The enemy had five-and-thirty days' start; but he cal-

culated that he should gain eight or ten days upon themby his exertions. May 15th he made Madeira^ and on June4ith reached Barbados^ 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 combinedfleets had been seen from St. Lucia on the 28th, standingto 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—"Ifyour intelligence proves false, you lose me the Frenchfleet." Sir William Myers offered to embark here withtwo thousand troops:—they were taken on board, and thenext morning he sailed for Tobago. Here accident con-firmed the false intelligence which had, whether fromintention or error, misled him. A merchant at Tobago,in the general alarm, not knowing whether this fleet wasfriend or foe, sent out a schooner to reconnoitre, and ac-

quaint him by signal. The signal which he had chosenhappened to be the very one which had been appointed byColonel Shipley of the engineers to signify that the enemywere at Trinidad; and as this was at the close of day, therewas no opportunity of discovering the mistake. An Ameri-can brig was met with about the same time; the master of^

which, with that propensity to deceive the English andassist the French in any manner, which has been but toocommon among his countrymen, affirmed, that he had beenboarded off Granada a few days before by the French,

,

who were standing towards the Bocas of Trinidad.^ Thisfresh intelligence removed all doubts. The ships werecleared for action before daylight, and Nelson entered theBay of Paria on the 7th, hoping and expecting to makethe mouths of the Orinoco as famous in the annals of theBritish Navy as those of the Mle. Not an enemy was there

;

and it was discovered that accident and artifice had com-bined to lead him so far to leeward, that there couldhave been little hope of fetching to windward of G-ranada

^ The run out was 3,459 miles ; the run back 3,227 ; the averageper day 85. What does an Atlantic liner average now ?

^ Boca is Spanish for "mouth." Boca del Drago, or Dragon'sMouth, is the full name.

264 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

for any other fleet. Nelson, however, with skill and exer-

tions never exceeded, and almost unexampled, bore for thatisland.

Advices met him on the way, that the combined fleets,

having captured the Diamond Kock, were then at Martin-ique, on the 4th, and were exjoected to sail that night for

the attack of Granada. On the 9th, i^^elson arrived ofE

that island, and there learned that they had passed to lee-

ward of Antigua the preceding day, and taken a homeward-bound convoy. Had it not been for false information,upon which Nelson had acted reluctantly, and in opposi-

tion to his own judgment, he would have been off PortEoyal just as they were leaving it, and the battle wouldhave been fought on the spot where Eodney defeated DeGrasse.^ This he remembered in his vexation; but he hadsaved the colonies and above two hundred ships laden for

Europe, which would else have fallen into the enemy'shands; and he had the satisfaction of knowing that the mereterror 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 hebelieved, and for Europe he steered in pursuit on the 13th,

having disembarked the troops at Antigua, and takingwith him the Spartiate^ 74: the only addition to thesquadron 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 theevening of the 15th, steering to the north ; and, by compu-tation, eighty-seven leagues oif . Nelson's diary at this timedenotes his great anxiety, and his perpetual and all-observ-

ing vigilance. "June 21, Midnight.—Nearly calm; sawthree 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 Spar-tel in sight, but no French fleet, nor any information aboutthem. How sorrowful this makes me! but I cannot helpmyself." The next day he anchored at Gibraltar, and onthe 20th, says he, " I went on shore for the first time since

June 16th, 1803; and from having my foot out of the

Victory, two years, wanting ten days." \

^ See p. 31, note 2.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 265

Here he communicated with his old friend Collingwood,who, having been detached with a squadron, when the dis-

appearance of the combined fleets, and of JSTelson in their

pursuit, was known in England, had taken his station off

Cadiz. He thought that Ireland w:as the enemy's ulti-

mate object; that they would now liberate the Ferrol

squadron, which was blocked up by Sir Eobert Calder,

call for the Rochefort ships, and then appear off Ushantwith three or four and thirty sail; there to be joined bythe Brest fleet. With this great force he supposed theywould make for Ireland,—the real mark and bent of all

their operations; and their flight to the West Indies, hethought,, had been merely undertaken to take off Nelson's

force, which was the great impediment to their under-taking.

' CoUingwood 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 24:th, still without information of their

course. Next day intelligence arrived that the Ciirieux 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; andhere 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 anarmed 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. Alog-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 this vessel

had been an English privateer, cruising off the WesternIslands. 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

:

^ June 19, not July 19.^ If you were writing this sentence now, would you refer to Vol-

taire's Zadig, or to Dr. Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes 9 Why ?

266 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

and, after studying this for a wliile, said: ^'I can explainthe whole. The jackets are of French manufacture, andprove that the privateer was in possession of the enemy.She had been chased and taken by the two ships that wereseen in the W.N.W. The prize-master, 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 herwork for the number of days since the privateer last left

Corvo : with an unaccounted-for run, which I take to havebeen the chase, in his endeavour to find out her situation

by back-reckonings. By some mismanagement, I con-

clude, 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 Frenchsquadron), and fancying we were close at their heels, theyset 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 dis-

appointed, he returned near enough to Cadiz to ascertain

that they were not there; traversed the Bay of Biscay; andthen, 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 heardof there. Frustrated thus in all his hopes, after a pursuit

to which, for its extent, rapidity, and perseverance, noparallel can be produced, he judged it best to reinforce the

Channel fieet with his squadron, lest the enemy, as Colling-

wood apprehended, should bear down upon Brest with

their whole collected force. On the 15th, he joined Ad-miral Cornwallis off Ushant. I^o news had yet beenobtained of the enemy; and, on the same evening, hereceived orders to proceed, with the Victory and Suj)er'b,

to Portsmouth.

OHAPTEE IX.

Sir Robert Calder falls in with the Combined Fleets—They form aJunction with the Ferrol Squadron, and get into Cadiz—Nelson is

reappointed to the Command—Battle of Trafalgar—Victory, andDeath of Nelson.

At Portsmouth^ Nelson at length found news of tlie

combined fleet. ^ Sir Eobert Calder, who had been sent

out to intercept their return, had fallen in with them onthe 22d of July, sixty leagues west of 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 fieets 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 con-

sidered as no inconsiderable victory a few years earlier;

but Nelson had introduced a new ^ra 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 RobertCalder'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

^ Villeneuve's fleet.

^ What is the occasion referred to ? For a luminous and stirring

account of this exciting period consult Mahan, Influence of SeaPower on French Revolution, ii., pp. 161-174.

^ See p. 104^ Is the verb " frustrated " related in meaning to the noun " frus-

trum," used in geometry ; for example, the "frustrum of a cone" ?

Does this comparison make the image produced by " frustrated"

any more vivid ? What principle of rhetoric is involved ?

2QS THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

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 moreimmediately 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 re-

cruit himself, after all his fatigues and cares, in the society

of those whom he loved. All his stores were brought upfrom the Victory, and he found in his house at Mertonthe enjoyment which he had anticipated. ^ Many days hadnot elapsed before Captain Blackwood, on his way to Lon-

don with despatches, called on him at five in the morning.

Nelson, who was already dressed, exclaimed, the momenthe saw him: " I am sure you bring me news of the Frenchand Spanish fleets! I think I shall yet have to beat

them!" They had refitted at Vigo, after the indecisive

action with Sir Eobert Calder; then proceeded to Ferrol,

brought out the squadron from thence, and with it entered

Cadiz in safety! " Depend on it, Blackwood," he repeat- /O yedly said, "I shall yet give M. Villeneuve a drubbing. " z^^:^^

But, when Blackwood had left him, he wanted resolution

to declare his wishes to Lady Hamilton and his sisters, andendeavoured to drive away the thought. He had doneenough, he said: " Let the man trudge it who has lost his

budget! " His countenance belied his lips: and as he waspacing one of the walks in the garden, which he used to

call the quarter-deck. Lady Hamilton came up to him,

and said she saw he was uneasy. He smiled, and said:

^'No, he was as happy as possible; he was surrounded byhis family, his health was better since he had been onshore, and he would not give sixpence to call the King his

uncle." She replied, that she did not believe him, that

^ During this period, he went often to the Admiralty and the

office of the Secretary of State. At tlie latter he met on one of these

occasions, for the only time, the Duke of Wellington, who seems to

have formed a curious, and perhaps deserved, but not altogether

complimentary opinion of his character. Half vapouring and vain-

glorious charlatan, half well-informed officer and statesman, as vainas a child, and as fond of flattery as a woman—such was the judg^ment of England's greatest soldier regarding England's most illus

trious seaman.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 269

slie knew he was longing to get at the combined fleets,

that he considered them as his own property^ that he wouldbe miserable if any man but himself did the business, andthat 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, andthen 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 JSTel-

sons." ^

His services were as willingly accepted as they wereoffered; and Lord Barham, giving him the list of the

Navy, desired him to choose his own officers. " Chooseyourself, my lord," was his reply: "the same spirit actu-

ates the whole profession;you cannot choose wrong. '

'^

Lord Barham then desired him to say what ships, and howmany, he would wish in addition to the fleet which he wasgoing to command, and said they should follow him as

soon as each was ready. No appointment was ever morein unison with the feelings and judgment of the wholenation. They, like Lady Hamilton, thought that thedestruction of the combined fleets ought properly to beNelson's work; that he, who had been

*' Half around the sea-girt ball.

The hunter of the recreant Graul," *

ought to reap the spoils of the chase, which he had watchedso 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 Lon-

^ It is well established that Blackwood called by appointment, it

being already arranged that Nelson should take command as soon asthe proper moment arrived. Probably he did use some endearingepithets in addressing Lady Hamilton ; the rest of this pretty storyis one of Harrison's perversions of the truth.

' See p. 222.* Songs of Trafalgar,

—

Southey's Note. The Songs of Trafalgarwere written by John Wilson Croker, to whom South ey dedicatedthis book. See Dedication, p. 2, and Introduction, p. xxi.

270 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

don^ he called at Ms upholsterer's^ where the coffin whichCaptain Hallowell had given him was deposited^ and de-

sired that his history might be engraven upon the lid,

saying, it was highly probable he might want it on his

return. He seemed, indeed, to have been impressed withan expectation that he should fall in battle. In a letter to

his brother, written immediately after his return, he hadsaid: "We must not talk of Sir Eobert 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 beena lord before I wished; for I know they meant to make a

dead set at the Victory.'''' ISTelson had once regarded the

prospect of death with gloomy satisfaction: it was whenhe anticipated the upbraidings of his wife, and the dis-

pleasure of his venerable father. The state of his feelings

now was expressed, in his private journal, in these words

:

"Friday night (September 13th) at half-past ten, I drove

from dear, dear Merton ; where I left all which I hold dear

in this world, to go to serve my king and country. Maythe great God, whom I adore, enable me to fulfil the ex-

pectations of my country ! And, if it is His good pleasure

that I should return, my thanks will never cease beingoffered up to the throne of His mercy. If it is His goodprovidence 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, endeavouredto elude the populace by taking a by-way to the beach;

but a crowd collected in his train, pressing forward to ob-

tain a sight of his face: many were in tears, and manyknelt down before him, and blessed him as he passed.

England has had many heroes, but never one who so en-

tirely possessed the love of his fellow-countrymen as Nel-

son. 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 andentire devotion, he served his country with all his heart,

and with all his soul, and with all his strength; and, there-

fore, they loved him as truly and as fervently as he loved

England. They pressed upon the parapet, to gaze after

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 271

him when his barge pushed off, and he was returning their

cheers by waving his hat. The sentinels, who endeavouredto prevent them from trespassing upon this ground, wereA^edged 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 ! CHe arrived off Cadiz on the 29tli of September—his

birthday. Fearing that, if the enemy knew his force, theymight be deterred from venturing to sea, he kept out of

sight of land, desired Collingwood to fire no salute, andhoist no colours; and wrote to Gibraltar, to request that

the force of the fleet might not be inserted there in theGazette. His reception in the Mediterranean fleet was as

,^ratifying 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, hoAvever,

hesitated, when he heard that Nelson had resumed thecommand. He called a council of Avar; and. their deter-

mination Avas, that it would not be expedient to leave

Cadiz, unless they had reason to believe themseh^esstronger by one-third than the British force. In the pub-lic measures of this country, secrecy is seldom practicable,^

and seldomer attempted : here, hoAA^ever, by the precautionsof Nelson, and the wise measures of the Admiralty, theenemy were for once kept in ignorance; for, as the ships

^ The spot of English ground last trod by the hero's foot is nowmarked by a large anchor. On September 12, he called by invita-

tion on the Prince of Wales at Carlton House ; on September 14,

Mr. Rose and Mr. Canning dined with him aboard the Victory,'The latter impressed him as "a clever, deep-headed man," beforewhom "he did not mind letting out a little knowledge."

2 Some of this joy was perhaps due to the disgust which the irondiscipline of Collingwood had inspired. See Laughton, Nelsoii, 209.

^ These orders came from Napoleon, who, though he knew nothingabout sea affairs, took upon himself the responsibility of dictatingin insulting terms to ViUeneuve. It is not improbable, however,that the want of supplies would have ultimately forced the Frenchand Spanish to put to sea.

^ Is this because of the publicity of the debates in Parliament ?

272 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

appointed to reinforce the Mediterranean fleet were de-

spatched 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. Mary's. Atthis distance he hoped to decoy the enemy out, while he

guarded against the danger of being canght with a westerly

wind near Cadiz, and driven within the Straits. Theblockade of the port was rigourously enforced, in hopes

that the combined fleet might be forced to sea by want.

The Danish vessels, therefore, which were carrying pro-

visions from the French ports in the bay, under the nameof Danish property, to all the little ports from Ayamonteto 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. Thesupplies from France were thus effectually cut oif . There

was now every indication that the enemy would speedily

venture out : officers and men were in the highest spirits

at the prospect of giving them a decisive blow; such, in-

deed, as would put an end to all further contest upon the

seas. Theatrical amusements were performed every even--

ing 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 myaccount; either a monument, or a new pension and hon-

ours; 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 insure; 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. '

'

1805] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 273

At this time he was not without some cause of anxiety

:

he was in want of frigates^,—the eyes of the fleet, as he alwayscalled them :—to the want of which the enemy before wereindebted for their escape, and Buonaparte for his arrival in

Egypt. He had only twenty-three ships,—others were onthe way,—but they might come too late; and, though ISTel-

son never doubted of victory, mere victory was not whathe looked to, he wanted to annihilate the enemy's fleet.

The Oarthagena squadron ^ might effect a junction with this

fleet on the one side; and, on the other, it was to be ex-

pected that a similar attempt would be made by the Frenchfrom Brest; in either case a formidable contingency to beapprehended by the blockading force. The Eochefortsquadron did push out, and had nearly caught tlie Aga-memjion and VAimable 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 homeSir Robert Calder, whose conduct was to be made the sub-

ject of a court-martial, in consequence of the general dis-

satisfaction which had been felt and expressed at his im-perfect victory. Sir Robert Calder, and Sir John Orde,^

Nelson believed to be the only two enemies whom he hadever had in his profession;—and, from that sensitive deli-

cacy which distinguished him, this made him the morescrupulously 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 mightperform, 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 himhome' in a frigate, insisted^ on his returning in his own

^ It consisted of six Spanish ships."" See p. 104 and p. 190.^ Sir Robert was sentenced to be severely reprimanded for not

having done his utmost to renew the battle. Alison, in his historyof Europe (vi. 40 ; vii. 5, note), defends Sir Robert, however, de-claring that his action "completely frustrated Napoleon's design of

terminating the war in the British capital."* "Insisted" is too strong a word. Nelson, as is shown by other

evidence, parted very reluctantly with Calder's ship. Does the fact

18

274 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

ninety-gun ship; ill as such a ship could at that time bespared. JSTothing could be more honourable than the feel-

ing 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 JSTelson touch. ^ " I send you," said he, "myplan 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, andto 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 thanyour very old friend Nelson and Bronte. '

' ^ The order of

sailing was to be the order of battle; the fleet in two lines,

with an advance 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 shijD 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 theyshould always be one-fourth superior to those whom theycutoff. 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

that Sir Robert was willing thus to weaken his country's fleet at sucha crisis affect your estimate of his character ?

^ The student will find it a profitable exercise to collect all thespecimens of the " Nelson touch," of which mention can be found in

the book.^ "The dominant idea was that the lee line (of 16 ships), under

Collingwood, should concentrate its attack on the 12 ships in the

enemy's rear, while he himself, with the weather line and the ad-

vanced squadron, should overawe the enemy's van and fall on their

centre ; so that, when the battle was fairly joined, the whole 40 of

the English ships should be clustered on about 26 of the enemy. It

was most distinctly laid down that the lee line was to begin theaction, and that his own first care would be to prevent the enemy'svan interfering with the attack on their rear. No clearer exposition

of tactical principles was ever penned."—Laughton, Nelson, 214.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 275

understood, no captain can do wrong if lie places his shipalongside that of an enemy. " One of the last orders of this

admirable man was, that the name and family of everyofficer, seaman, and marine, who might be killed or woundedin 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, theMars, being the nearest to the fleet of the ships which formedthe line of communication with the frigates in shore, re-

peated 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 bemade for a chase in the south-east quarter. About two, therepeating ships announced that the enemy were at sea.

All night the British fleet continued under all sail, steer-

ing to the south-east. At daybreak they were in the en-

trance of the Straits, but the enemy were not in sight.

About seven, one of the frigates made signal that the en-

emy Avere bearing north. Upon this the Victory hove-to;and shortly afterwards Nelson made sail again to thenorthward. In the afternoon the wind blew fresh fromthe 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 thatthey appeared determined to go to the westward.—"Andthat," said the Admiral in his Diary, " they shall not do,

if it is in the power of Nelson and Bronte to preventthem." Nelson had signified to Blackwood that he de-

pended upon him to keep sight of the enemy. They wereobserved so well, that all their motions were made knownto him; and, as they wore twice, he inferred that theywere aiming to keep the port of Cadiz open, and would

^ The Belleisle and Polyphemus had recently joined the fleet. Thehoops on their masts were not painted yellow, as were those of all

his other vessels. At the last moment he ordered by signal thatthey be made to correspond in this respect, so as to be easily distin-

guishable from the French vessels, the hoops on the masts of whichwere painted black. Nelson was tlie first to introduce black ports to

break the yellow band along the ship's side. The interiors of ships atthis time were painted a dull red, perhaps to avoid as far as possiblethe ghastliness of blood-stains, by softening the contrast.

276 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

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 com-bined 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 thousandtroops on board; and the best riflemen who could be pro-

cured, many of them Tyrolese, were dispersed throughthe 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 dayhis uncle. Captain Suckling, in the Dreadnought, with

two other line of battle ships, had. beaten off a Frenchsquadron of four sail of the line and three frigates. Nel-

son, 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. Oollingwood, in the Royal Sovereign, led . the lee

line 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 :

^

^ Notice the different names applied by Southey to Napoleon andtheir fitness. When the Tyrolese revolted in 1809 Napoleon assisted

the Bavarians in subduing them, and was responsible for the execu-

tion of their leader Hofer.^ The student who will understand in its entirety the great drama

that ended at Trafalgar will read Mahan, Influence of Sea Power onFrench Revolution, ii., pp. 117-181.

^ He was found penning this upon his knees on his cabin floor byLieutenant Pasco, who had some little private grievance to present,

but was so struck with awe at his chief's occupation that he retired

without mentioning it.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON ^77

'^ May the great God, whom I worship, grant to mycountry, 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 pre-

dominant feature in the British fleet! For myself individ-

ually, I commit my life to Him that made me; and mayHis blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my coun-

try 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 an-

nexed, in the same diary, the following remarkable writ-

ing:

a October 21st, 1805.

—

Then in sight of the combined

fleets of France and Spain, distant ahout ten unites.

*' Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton,widow of the Right Honourable Sir William Hamilton,have been of the very greatest service to my King and mycountry, to my knowledge, without ever receiving any re-

ward from either our King or country.

"First, 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; fromwhich 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. Thatneither of these was done is not the fault of Lady Hamil-ton; the opportunity might have been offered.^

" Secondly: The British fleet under my command couldnever have returned the second time to Egypt, had notLady Hamilton's influence with the Queen of Naplescaused letters to be wrote to the governor of Syracuse, that

he was to encourage the fleet's being supplied with every-

thing, should they put into any port in Sicily. We put

^ That Lady Hamilton did secure such a letter may be regarded as

certain ; that her success in so doing was due entirely to the belief

of the Queen of Naples, that by giving the information it containedto the English Government she would be benefiting herself, is

almost equally certain ; Lady Hamilton's service on this occasionwas assuredly not of momentous importance.

278 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

into Syracuse, and received every supply; went to Egypt,and destroyed the French fleet. ^

" Could I have rewarded these services, I would not nowhave called uj^on my country; but as that has not been in

my power, I leave Emma Lady Hamilton therefore a leg-

acy to my King and country, that they will give her anample provision to maintain her rank in life.

'' I also leave to the beneficence of my country my

adopted daughter, Horatia Nelson Thompson; and I de-

sire she will use in future the name of Nelson only.'^ These are the only favours I ask of my King and coun-

try, 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 a.isj) BKOi^TE."

ii^T-> ( Hekkt Blackwood.Witness, j^.jjjj^j.py,,.

The child of whom this writing speaks was believed to

be his daughter, and so, indeed, he called her the last timethat he pronounced her name.^ She was then about five

years old, living at Merton, under Lady Hamilton's care.

^ It is probably true that the Queen did write such letters or cause

them to be written ; but how much Lady Hamilton's influence hadto do with the matter is doubtful.

^ Lady Hamilton charged Nelson's brother, the first Earl Nelson,

with concealing the existence of this important codicil till it could

be of no furtlier use to her. The accusation was probably un-founded. For a succinct presentation of the evidence see the note

on page 298 of the Ilemoirs of Lady Hamilton. After the death of

Nelson, Lady Hamilton's career was a melancholy one. She first

contrived to disgust most of her friends by going repeatedly to the

theatre to hear a song called the "Death of Nelson," and fainting

dramatically each time. Then, though she had been provided withabout £1,200 a year by Sir William and Nelson, she quickly ranthrough it all, and was cast into King's Bench for debt. Whenreleased in 1814 she retired to Calais, where she died January 15,

1815. Many stories are told of the destitution in which the closing

year of her life was passed ; her daughter Horatia in 1874 wrote,

however, that, " although often certainly under very distressing cir-

cumstances, she never experienced actual want." Horatia marriedRev. Philip Ward in 1822, reared a large family, and died March 6,

1881, aged eighty-one. Lady Nelson died May 4, 1831.^ There is no doubt of it, nor that Lady Hamilton was her mother.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 279

The last minutes which ISTelson passed at Merton were em-ployed in praying over this child, as she lay sleeping. Aportrait of Lady Hamilton hung in his cabin: and noCatholic ever beheld the picture of his patron saint withdevouter reverence. The undisguised and romantic pas-

sion with which he regarded it amounted almost to super-

stition; 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 hefrequently 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. Hefound him in good spirits, but very calm; not in that ex-

hilaration 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 lookedfor death with almost as sure an expectation as for vic-

tory. His whole attention was fixed upon the enemy.They tacked to the northward, and formed their line onthe larboard tack; thus bringing the shoals of Trafalgar

^

and St. Pedro under the lee of the British, and keepingthe port of Cadiz open for themselves. This was judi-

ciously done; and Nelson, aware of all the advantageswhich 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 i^'lan of defencewas as well conceived, and as original, as the plan of at-

tack. He formed the fleet in a double line; every alter-

nate ship being about a cable's length to windward of hersecond ahead and astern. Nelson, certain of a triumph-ant issue to the day, asked Blackwood what he should con-

^ The shoals of Trafalgar are about ten miles from Cape Trafalgar.The name should be accented on the last syllable, as in Byron's GhildeHarold (ii. 40) :

Oft did he mark the scene of vanished war,Actium, Lepanto, fatal Trafalgar,"

and (iv. 181) :

"Thy [the ocean's] yeast of waves, which marAlike the Armada's pride or spoils of Trafalgar."

In the old song, however, it is Trafalgar :

" 'Twas in Trafalgar's bay."

S-PANISH I^f^i

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 281

sider as a victory. That officer answered^ that, consider-

ing the handsome way in which battle was offered by theenemy, their apparent determination for a fair trial of

strength, and the situation of tiie land, he thought it

would be a glorious result if fourteen were captured. Hereplied: ''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 under-stand what they were about. These words were scarcely

spoken before that signal was made, which will be remem-bered as long as the language, or even the memory, of

England shall endure;—IN'elson's last signal :

—

" EnglandEXPECTS EVEEY MAN" TO DO HIS DUTY !

" ^ It was re-

ceived throughout the fleet with a shout of answeringacclamation, made sublime by the spirit which it breathed,and the feeling which it expressed. '^Now," said LordNelson, " 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

^ At first he proposed " Nelson confides, etc.," but somebody sug-gested "England confides," to which improvement he at once as-

sented with the words, "Certainly, certainly." "Confides" wasaltered to " expects " because there was no number for the former in

the Signal Book. The signal really read "will do his duty," not"to do." The method of telegraphing at sea is by flags of diiferent

shapes and colors, for dift'erent numbers, corresponding to an alpha-betical list of words in the Signal Book. This book is bound in acover of lead, to be thrown, in case of capture, into the sea. Thenumbers for this signal were :

253 269 863 261

England expects that every man willj do his d u

471 958 220 374 4 21 19 24

y-

Collingwood is said to have remarked to his flag-lieutenant withsome impatience when he saw the fiags going up, " I wish Nelsonwould make no more signals. We all know what we have to do."When the signal was translated, however, he was delighted, and hadit announced to the ship's company, among whom it created greatenthusiasm. Most of the captains announced it and most of thecrews received it in similar fashion. A colored plate representingthe flags used in making it will be found as the frontispiece to

W. Clark Russell's volume on Nelson.

282 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

with wliicli he was invested.^ Ornaments which renderedhim so conspicuous a mark for the enemy were beheld withominous apprehensions by his officers. It was known that

there were riflemen on board the French ships; and it could

not be doubted but tliat 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 wouldhighly displease him. "In honour I gained them," hehad said, when such a thing had been hinted to him for-

merly, " and in honour I will die with them. " Mr. Beatty,

however, would not have been deterred by any fear of ex-

citing 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 ^ andhis own captain. Hardy, represented to him how advan-tageous to the fleet it would be for him to keep out of ac-

tion as long as possible; and he consented at last to let the

Leviatlian and the Tmneraire, which were sailing abreast

of the Victory^ be ordered to pass ahead. Yet even herethe last infirmity of this noble mind ^ was indulged; for

these ships could not pass ahead if the Victory continued

^ It was a common undress blue coat. The orders were sewn to

it, not hung on. It is now preserved at Greenwich Hospital as arelic, together with his Nile coat.

*In this part of the work I have chiefly been indebted to this

gentleman's Narrative of Lord Nelson's Death—a document as in-

teresting as it is authentic.

—

Southey's Note.^ Blackwood endeavored to persuade him to go aboard the Eurya-

lus, a frigate which was to take no part in the action, but he wouldnot listen to it. Do you think that in a naval action it would be wellfor the commander-in-chief to remain at a distance from the sceneof combat, as a general in a land battle does ? Did Nelson go intothis fight because he felt that his example would be worth more thanhis precepts, or merely because he loved the smell of powder ? Orwas there a suspicion of suicide in the act, inspired by the fear, oftenexpressed in his letters, that he was fast becoming blind, a misfor-tune which, he said, he could not contemplate with equanimity ? Foranother possible motive see pp. 238, 239.

^ The pupil should find this phrase in Milton's Lycidas.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 283

to carry all her sail ; and so far was Nelson from shorteningsail, that it was evident he took pleasure in pressing on^

and rendering it impossible for them to obey his ownorders. 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 onthe sails of the enemy ; and their well-formed line, with their

numerous three-deckers, made an appearance which anyother assailants would have thought formidable;—but the

British sailors only admired the beauty and the splendourof the spectacle; and, in full confidence of winning whatthey saw, remarked to each other, what a fine sight yonderships would make at Spithead!The French Admiral, from the Bticentaure, beheld the

new manner in which his enemy was advancing—Nelsonand Collingwood each leading his line; and pointing themout to his officers, he is said to have exclaimed, that suchconduct could not fail to be successful. Yet Villeneuvehad made his own dispositions with the utmost skill, andthe fleets under his command waited for the attack withperfect coolness. Ten minutes before twelve they openedtheir fire. Eight or nine of the ships immediately aheadof 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 Sirms,to repair to their respective frigates; and, on their way, to

tell all the captains of the line of battle ships that he de-

pended on their exertions; and that, if by the prescribed

mode of attack they found it impracticable to get into ac-

tion immediately, they might adopt whatever they thoughtbest, provided it led them quickly and closely alongside anenemy. 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. Hereplied, '^ God bless you, Blackwood; I shall never see youagain! "

Nelson's column was steered about two points ^ more to

the north than Collingwood 's, in order to cut off the en-

emy's escape into Cadiz: the lee line, therefore, was first

engaged. "See," cried Nelson, pointing to the Royal

^ There are 33 points in the mariner's compass.

284 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

Sovereign,'^ as slie steered right for the centre of the en-

emy's line, cut through it astern of the Santa A^ia,

three-decker, and engaged her at the muzzle of her gunson the starboard side; "see how that noble fellow, Ool-

lingwood, carries his ship into action! " Collingwood,

delighted at being first in the heat of the fire, and know-ing the feelings of his Commander and old friend, turned

to his Captain, and exclaimed: " Rotherham, what wouldNelson give to be here? " Both these brave officers, per-

haps, 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 wastold, in reply, that they were not upon good terms witheach other. "Terms! " said Nelson;—"good terms witheach other! " Immediately he sent a boat for CaptainRotherham; led him, as soon as he arrived, to Colling-

wood, 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 Vic-

tory, till they saw that a shot had passed through her main-top-gallant sail ; then they opened their broadsides, aimingchiefly 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 enemyshowed no colours till late in the action, when they beganto feel the necessity of having them to strike. For this

reason, the Santissima Trinidad, Nelson's old acquaint-

ance, as he used to call her, was distinguishable only byher four decks ; ^ and to the bow of this opponent he or-

^ The Royal Sovereign, so bad was the enemy's gunnery, suffered

no loss of any importance, except that which drew from Cohingwoodthe mournful exclamation :

'

' Oh dear, oh dear ! I forgot to shift thatnew foretopsail. It won't be worth anything after this." She didnot fire a gun until about 12 : 20, when, as she passed slowly betweenthe stern of the Santa Ana and the bows of the Fougueux, a 68-

pound carronade on the port side of the forecastle, loaded with oneround shot and a keg of 500 musket balls, was slapped directly into

the stern of the Santa Ana. A second or two later, the starboardcarronade, loaded in the same way, was discharged into the bows of

the Fougueux. In like manner, all her guns as they bore were fired.

^ See p. 99. The Santissifna Trinidad really had only three decks,

guns being placed along her gangways.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 285

dered the Victory to be steered. Meantime, an incessant

raking fire was kept up upon the Victoiy. The Admiral'ssecretary was one of the first who fell; he was killed by acannon-shot while conversing with Hardy. Captain Adairof the marines, with the help of a sailor, endeavoured to

remove the body from Nelson's sight, who had a great re-

gard for Mr. Scott; but he anxiously asked: " Is that poorScott that's gone ? " and being informed that it was indeedso, exclaimed: "Poor fellow!" Presently, a double-headed shot struck a party of marines, who were drawnup on the poop, and killed eight of them: upon whichNelson immediately desired Captain Adair to disperse his

men round the ship, that they might not suffer so muchfrom being together. A few minutes afterwards a shot

struck the fore-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 Avarm work. Hardy, to last long.'

'

The Victo7'y had not yet returned a single gun; fifty of

her men had been by this time killed or wounded, and hermain-top-mast with all her studding-sails and their boomsshot away. Nelson declared, that, in all his battles, hehad 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 pos-

sible to break the enemy's line without running on boardone of their ships : Hardy informed him of this, and askedhim which he would prefer. Nelson replied: " Take yourchoice. Hardy, it does not signify much." The Master wasordered to put the helm to port, and the Victo7'y ^ ran onboard ^ the RedoutaUe, just as her tiller-ropes were shot

away. The French ship received her with a broadside ; theninstantly let down her lower-deck ports, for fear of beingboarded through them, and never afterwards fired a great

gun during the action. Her tops, like those of all the en-

^ She discharged her first broadside into the stern of the Bucen-taure exactly as the Royal Sovereigti had discharged hers into thestern of the Santa Ana. It is said that 400 men were killed andwounded, and 20 guns disabled by that one fearful volley.

^ To get alongside in a position for boarding.

286 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

emy's ships, were filled with riflemen, l^elson never placed

musketry in his tops; he had a strong dislike to the prac-

tice: not merely becanse it endangers setting fire to the

sails, but also because it is a murderous sort of warfare, bywhich individuals may suffer, and a commander now andthen be picked off, but which never can decide the fate of

a general engagement.^Captain Harvey, in the Temeraire, fell on board the Re-

doutable 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 to-

gether, their heads lying all the same way. The lieutenants

of the Victory, seeing this, depressed the 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 Re-doutable might take fire from the lower-deck guns, the

muzzles of which touched her side when they were runout, the fire-man of each gun stood ready with a bucket of

water; which, as soon as the gun was discharged, hedashed into the hole made by the shot.^ An incessant fire

was kept up from the Victory from both sides; her lar-

board guns playing upon the Biicentaure, and the hugeSantissima Trinidad.

It had been part of Nelson's prayer, that the British fleet

might be distinguished by humanity in the victory which heexpected. Setting an example himself, he twice gave or-

ders to cease firing upon the Redoutable, supposing that

she had struck, because her great guns were silent; for, as

she carried no flag, there was no means of instantly as-

certaining the fact. From this ship, which he had thustwice spared, he received his death. A ball fired from her

mizen-top, which, in the then situation of the two ves-

sels, was not more than fifteen yards from that part of the

^ At one time, the Victory's upper deck being almost cleared of

men by the musketry from the Frenchman's tops, the Redoutable,

endeavored to board ; but Mr. Wilmot, the boatswain, fired the

starboard forecastle carronade into the midst of their company, as it

crowded together in the gangway, causing fearful havoc, the gunbeing loaded with 500 musket balls in addition to its usual charge.

Out of 643 men on board the Redoutable 300 were killed and 222wounded.

2 The truth of this story is denied by James in his Naval History.

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 287

deck where lie was standings struck the epaulette on his

left shoulder, about a quarter after one, just in the heat

of the action. He fell upon his face, on the spot whichwas covered Avith his poor secretary's blood. Hardy, whowas a few steps from him, turning round, saw three menraising 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 evennow, not for a moment losing his presence of mind, heobserved, 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 imme-diately:—then, that he might not be seen by the crew, hetook out his handkerchief, and covered his face and his

stars. Had he but concealed these badges of honour fromthe 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 p)allet in the midshipmen's birth. It

was soon perceived, upon examination, that the wound wasmortal. 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 sur-

geon should leave him, and attend to those to whom hemight be useful; "For," said he, "you can do nothingfor me."—All that could be done was to fan him withpaper, 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 be-

gan to declare itself.' As often as a ship struck, the crew

of the Victory hurraed; and at every hurra, a visible

expression of joy gleamed in the eyes, and marked the

countenance, of the dying hero. But he became impa-tient to see Captain Hardy; and as that officer, thoughoften 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

288 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

Hardy could come to him. They shook hands in silence;

Hardy in vain struggling to suppress 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 shijos have struck, but five of the

van have tacked, and show an intention to bear down onthe 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 mydear Lady Hamilton have my hair, and all other things be-

longing to me." Hardy observed, that he hoped Mr.Beatty would 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; andNelson, having made the surgeon ascertain this, said to

him :

'

' You know I am gone. I know it. I feel some-

thing 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! " ^ Andafter a few minutes, in the same under tone, he added

—

" What would become of poor Lady Hamilton if she knewmy situation! " Next to his country, she occupied his

thoughts. Captain Hardy, some fifty minutes after he hadleft the cockpit, returned; and again taking the hand of

his dying friend and commander, congratulated him onhaving gained a complete victory. How many of the en-

^ Nelson's surgeon in the Victory ; afterwards Sir William Beatty,

M.D., Physician to the Fleet and Physician at Greenwich Hospital.

He wrote the best narrative of Trafalgar that we have, and kept the

fatal bullet, which was afterwards presented to Queen Victoria, andis now at Windsor Castle.

-*'The firing shook him so that he cried out, "0 Victory, Victory,

how you disturb my poor brain !

"

1805J THE LIFE OF NELSON 289

emy 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 :

'

' An-chor, Hardy; anchor." Hardy, upon this, hinted that

Admiral Oollingwood would take upon himself the direc-

tion of affairs. " Not while I live. Hardy," said the dyingJSTelson, ineffectually endeavouring to raise himself fromthe bed: " do you anchor." His previous order for pre-

paring to anchor had shown how clearly he foresaw thenecessity 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, un-less it should please the King to order otherwise. Thenreverting to private feelings: " Take care of my dear LadyHamilton, 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. ThankGod, 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 beinginformed, he replied: "God bless you. Hardy!" AndHardy then left him—for ever.

Nelson now desired to be turned upon his right side, andsaid, " I wish I had not left the deck; for I shall soon begone." Death was, indeed, rapidly approaching. Hesaid to the chaplain, " Doctor, I have not been a greatsinner: " 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; buthe was distinctly heard to say, " Thank God, I have donemy duty! " These words he repeatedly pronounced; andthey 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 mus-ketry. They, however, on their part, were not idle; andit was not long before there were only two Frenchmen left

^ " Everybody must remember the immortal scene on board the

Victory, at 4 p.m. of 21 October, 1805, and the farewell 'Kiss me,Hardy,' of the mighty Admiral."

—

De Quincey.

19

290 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

alive in the mizen-top of tlie RedoutaUe. One of themwas the man who had given the fatal wound; he did notlive to boast of what he had done.^ An old quarter-masterhad seen him fire; and easily recognised him^ because hewore a glazed cocked hat and a white frock. This quar-ter-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 sup-plied them with cartridges. One of the Frenchmen, at-

temiDting to make his escape down the rigging, was shot byMr. Pollard, and fell on the poop. But the old quarter-

master, as he cried out, " That's he—that's he," andpointed at the other, who was coming forward to fire again,

received a shot in his mouth, and fell dead. Both themidshipmen then fired at the same time, and the fellowdropped in the top. When they took possession of theprize, they went into the mizen-top, and found him dead;with one ball through his head, and another through his

breast.

The Redoutahle struck within twenty minutes after thefatal shot had been fired from her. During that time shehad been twice on fire,—in her fore-chains, and in her fore-

castle. The French, as they had done in other battles,

made use in this of fire-balls, and other combustibles; im-plements of destruction, which other nations, from a sense

of honour and humanity, have laid aside ; which add to thesufferings of the wounded, without determining the issue

^ This is at least open to doubt. In the Memoirs of Sergeant RobertGuillemard, who was stationed in the rigging of the Redoutahle,occurs the following remarkable passage : "In the stern of the Vic-tory stood an officer covered with decorations, who had only onearm. From what I had heard of Nelson, I had no doubt it was he.

As I had received no command to come down out of the rigging,and found myself forgotten in the top, I deemed it my duty to fire

into the stern of the English ship. ... I might have aimed at

particular individuals, but I preferred to fire into the separategroups which surrounded the different officers. All at once I per-ceived a great commotion on board the Victory. The people crowdedaround the officer in whom I believed I had recognized Lord Nelson.He had fallen to the deck, and they carried him away at once, cov-ered with a mantle. The excitement among the Victory^s crew con-firmed me in the belief that I had not been deceived, and that it wasindeed the British Admiral. A moment later the Victory ceasedfiring.

"

1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 291

of the combat: wliicli none but the cruel would employ,and which never can be successful against the brave. Oncethey succeeded in setting fire, from the RedoutaUe, to

some ropes and canvas on the Victory's booms. The cryran through the ship, and reached the cockpit: but eventhis dreadful cry produced no confusion: the men dis-

played that perfect self-possession in danger by which Eng-lish seamen are characterised ; they extinguished the flameson board their own ship, and then hastened to extinguishthem in the enemy, by throwing buckets of water fromthe gangway. When the Redoutahle had struck, it wasnot practicable to board her from the Victory, for, thoughthe two ships touched, the ujoper works of both fell in so

much that there was a great space between their gangways

;

and she could not be boarded from her lower or middledecks, because her ports were down. Some of our men

• went to Lieutenant Quilliam and offered to swim under herbows, and get up there; but it was thought unfit to hazardbrave lives in this manner.What our men would have done from gallantry, some of

the crew of the Santissima Trinidad did to save them-selves. Unable to stand the tremendous fire of the Vic-tory, whose larboard guns played against this great four-decker, and not knowing how else to escape them, norwhere else to betake themselves for protection, many of

them leapt overboard, and swam to the Victory ; and wereactually helped up her sides by the English during theaction. The Spaniards began the battle with less vivacity

than their unworthy allies, but they continued it with greaterfirmness. The Argo7iaiita and Baliama were defended till

they had each lost about four hundred men; the San JuanNepo7nuceno lost three hundred and fifty. Often as thesuperiority of British courage has been proved againstFrance upon the seas, it was never more conspicuous thanin this decisive conflict. Five of our ships were engagedmuzzle to muzzle with five of the French. In all five, theFrenchmen lowered their lower-deck ports, and desertedtheir guns; while our men continued deliberately to loadand fire, till they had made the victory secure.

Once, amidst his sufferings, Nelson had expressed a wishthat he were dead ; but immediately the spirit subdued thepains of death, and he wished to live a little longer;

—

293 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

doubtless that lie miglit 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 Vict07'y and Royal Sovereigyi as they

passed, but poured their broadsides into the Spanish cap--?/

tured ships; and they were seen to back their top-sails, fo//

the purpose of firing with more precision. The indigna-'

tion of the Spaniards at this detestable cruelty from their

allies, for whom they had fought so bravely, and so pro-

fusely bled, may well be conceived. It was such, that

when, two days after the action, seven of the ships whichhad escaped into Cadiz came out, in hopes of retaking

some of the disabled prizes, the prisoners in the Argo-

nauta, 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 wouldquietly go below; but they requested that they might be

allowed to fight the French, in resentment for the mur-derous usage which they had suffered at their hands.

Such was their earnestness, and such the implicit confi-

dence 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 wascruising 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 exemplarypunishment from the French government : under Buona-parte, it was sure of impunity, and, perhaps, might be

thought deserving of reward. But, if the Spanish court

had been independent, it would become us to have deliv-

ered 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

1805] TEE LIFE OF NELSON 293

to 1587. Twenty of the enemy struck; but it was notpossible to anchor the fleet,* as Nelson had enjoined;—

a

gale came on from the south-west; some of the prizes

went down, some went on shore; one effected its escapeinto Cadiz; others were destroyed; four only were saved,

and those by the greatest exertions. The wounded Span-iards were sent ashore, an assurance being given that theyshould not serve till regularly exchanged; and the Span-iards, 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. Whenthe storm, after the action, drove some of the prizes uponthe coast, they declared that the English, who were thusthrown into their hands, should not be considered as pris-

oners of war; and the Spanish soldiers gave up their ownbeds to their shipwrecked enemies. The Spanish Vice-Admiral, Alava, died of his wounds. Villeneuve was senl^

to England, and permitted to return to France. TheFrench government say that he destroyed himself on theway to Paris, dreading the consequences of a court-mar-tial : but there is every reason to believe that the tyrant,

who never acknowledged the loss of the battle of Trafal-gar, added Villeneuve to the numerous victims of his mur-derous policy.^

It is almost superfluous to add, that all the honourswhich a grateful country could bestow were heaped uponthe memory of Nelson. His brother was made an Earl,

with a grant of £6,000 a year; £10,000 were voted to each

* In the former editions it was said that unhappily the fleet did notanchor : implying an opinion that Nelson's orders ought to have beenfollowed by his successor. From the recently published Memoirsand Correspondence of Lord Collingwood, it appears that this wasnot practicable, and that if it had been, and had been done, the con-sequences, from the state of the weather (which Nelson could notforesee), would, in all likelihood, have been more disastrous than theywere.

Having thus referred to Lord CoUingwood's Life, I may be allowedto say that the publication of this volume is indeed a national good.It ought to be in every officer's cabin and in every statesman's cabi-net.

—

Southey's Note.^ " The naval power of France was, for the time, completely bro-

ken ; and during the rest of the war, which lasted for anotherten years, the command of the sea was held by us in a grip which

294 TEE LIFE OF NELSON [1806

of his sisters; and £100,000 for the purchase of an estate.^

A public Funeral was decreed,^ and a public monument.^

the enemy scarcely attempted to dispute."—Laughton, Nelson, p.

238." Trafalgar was not only the greatest naval victory, it was the

greatest and most momentous victory won either by land or by sea

during the whole of the Revolutionary War. No victory, and noseries of victories of Napoleon, produced the same effect upon Europe.. . . A generation passed after Trafalgar before France againseriously threatened England upon the sea. The prospect of crush-

ing the British Navy, so long as England had the means to equip anavy, vanished. Napoleon henceforth set his hopes on exhaustingEngland's resources, by compelling every state on the Continent to

exclude her commerce. Trafalgar forced him to impose his yokeupon all Europe, or to abandon the hope of conquering Great Britain.

. . Nelson's last triumph left England in such a position that

no means remained to injure her but those which must result in the

ultimate deliverance of the Continent."—Fyffe, History of IlodernEurope, i., p. 281.

^ This estate is Trafalgar Park, near Salisbury. The sum of

£320,000 was voted to the fleet as compensation for the prizes lost.

Admiral Collingwood was created a peer, and died 1810, on boardhis flag-ship, the Ville de Paris.

^ Lord St. Vincent said of Trafalgar that he "was prepared for

everything great from Nelson, but not for his death." The Victory,

being refitted, brought home the body, preserved in spirits, to Ports-mouth (December 4), from which it was taken round to Greenwich,where it lay in state in Captain Hallowell's coffin ; thence up theriver, headed by the Corporation barges, to the Admiralty. Fromhere, on January 9, 1806, it was attended by a great procession, in-

cluding the crew of the Victory, Greenwich pensioners, volunteers,

troops, city functionaries, and officers of state, headed by the Princeof Wales and the Duke of Clarence, to St. Paul's Cathedral ; whereNelson lies, next to the remains of Wellington.

In his noble Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington, Tennysonmakes Nelson ask the following question :

" Who is he that cometh like an honour'd guestWith banner, and witli music, witli soldier and with priest,

With a nation weeping and breaking on my rest ?"

And the poet replies :

" Mighty seaman, this is heWas great by land, as thou by sea.Thine island loves thee well, thou famous man,The greatest sailor since the world began.Now to the roll of muffled drums,To thee the greatest soldier comes

;

For this is heWas great by land as thou by sea."

Near by lie also Lord Collingwood, Lord Northesk, and CaptainFoley. Nelson was buried in a sarcophagus said to have been madefor Henry VIII. at the expense of Cardinal Wolsey.

^ This monument in the form of the Nelson column is found to-

1806] THE LIFE OF NELSON 295

Statues and monuments also were voted by most of ourprincipal cities. The leaden coffin, in which he wasbrought 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 interment, his flag wasabout 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 somethingmore than a public calamity: men started at the intelli-

gence, and turned pale ; as if they had heard of the loss of

day in Trafalgar Square, the most prominent spot in all London,pronounced by Chantrey to be "the most favorable site that couldbe found or imagined for any national work of art," and by Sir

Robert Peel, " one of the finest sites in Europe." The column waserected 1840-43, with funds raised by public subscription aided bythe government. It is said to be of the exact proportions of a col-

umn of the Corinthian Temple of Mars Ultor at Rome. It is of

Portland stone, 145 feet high, and was designed by Mr, Railton. Thecapital of this column is made of bronze obtained from cannon cap-tured by Nelson. The column is surmounted by a statue of Nelson,

17 feet high, sculptured by E. H. Bailey, R.A. The pedestal hasupon each of its four sides a relief in bronze. That on the northrepresents the Battle of the Nile. Nelson has just been wounded.The surgeon hastens to his relief, leaving a wounded sailor to attendhim. "No," said Nelson, "I will take my turn with my bravefellows." On the south the Death of Nelson at Trafalgar is repre-

sented. "Well, Hardy," said Nelson to his captain, "they havedone forme at last." " I hope not," was the reply. "Yes, theyhave shot me through the backbone." Beneath are the words,"England expects that every man will do his duty." On the east is

the Bombardment of Copenhagen, Nelson sealing his despatch to thePrince ; on the west the Battle of St. Vincent, Nelson on board the

San Josef receiving the swords of the Spanish admirals. Four mag-nificent bronze lions by Landseer guard the base of the column.

^ The Victory has been preserved, like our own Constitution, andlies to-day in Portsmouth Harbor. Upon her deck is marked thespot where Nelson fell. She was visited on Trafalgar Day, 1844,

by Queen Victoria. She has an extreme length of 226^ feet, a beamof 52, and a depth of hold of 21^. Her three gun-decks carry each80 guns. Her displacement was 2,200 tons. Her successors, theNile and Trafalgm^ are 345 feet long, 73 feet beam, 27^ feet draught,and 12,500 tons displacement. This great disparity in displacementis due to the added weight of engines, guns and material (steel in-

stead of wood) in the new ships. The Victory had 102 guns at Tra-falgar ; the Trafalgar and Nile carry only 26 ; but while the Vic-

tory's broadside threw only 1,180 pounds, one gun of the modernships will throw a shell weighing 1,250 pounds.

296 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1806

a dear friend.^ An object of our admiration and affec-

tion, of our pride and of our liopes^, was suddenly takenfrom us; and it seemed as if we had never, till then, knownhow deeply we loved and reverenced him. What the coun-try had lost in its great naval hero—the greatest of ourown and of all former times, was scarcely taken into the

account of grief. So perfectly, indeed, had he performedhis part, that the maritime war, after the battle of Trafal-

gar, was considered at an end : the fleets of the enemy werenot merely defeated, but destroyed: new navies must bebuilt, and a new race of seamen reared for them, beforethe possibility of their invading our shores could again becontemplated. It was not, therefore, from any selfish re-

flection upon the magnitude of our loss that we mournedfor 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, theLegislature, and the nation, would have alike delighted to

honour; whom every tongue would have blessed; whosepresence in every village through which he might havepassed would have wakened the church bells, have givenschoolboys a holiday, have drawn children from their sports

to gaze upon him, and " old men from the chimney cor-

ner,"^ 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 wasthe glory of the British Navy, through Nelson's surpassing

genius, that it scarcely seemed to receive any addition fromthe most signal victory that ever was achieved upon the

seas: and the destruction of this mighty fleet, by whichall the maritime schemes of France were totally frustrated,

hardly appeared to add to our security or strength; for,

^ Coleridge says (in The Friend), when he went to Naples, num-bers stopped and shook him by the hand, seeing the tears on his

cheeks, and that he was an Englishman. "Several burst into tears;

and it pleased and affected me as a proof of the goodness of human-ity, to find it was whispered about that Nelson had become a goodCatholic. The absurdity of the feeling was a sort of measurementof their affectionate esteem."—Note in Bohn's edition.

^ "He [the poet] cometh unto you with a tale which holdeth chil-

dren from play and old men from the chimney corner." Sir Philip

Sidney, Defence of Poesy.

1806] THE LIFE OF NELSON 297

while Nelson was living, to watcli the combined squadronsof the enemy, we felt ourselves as secure as now, whenthey were no longer in existence.

There was reason to suppose, from the appearances uponopening the body, that, in the course of nature, he mighthave attained, like his father, to a good old age. Yet hecannot be said to have fallen prematurely whose work wasdone; nor ought he to be lamented, who died so full of

honours, and at the height of human fame. The mosttriumphant death is that of the martyr; the most awfulthat of the martyred patriot; the most splendid that of thehero in the hour of victory: and if the chariot and thehorses 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 aname 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 ourshield and our strength. Thus it is that the spirits of thegreat and the wise continue to live and to act after them

;

verifying, in this sense, the language of the old mythol-ogist

:

Toi jii£y dai/iovs's sidt, Aidi UEyaXov did /3ovXdi,

^EdQXoi, ETtixOovioi, cpvAaKE<^ Bvrjzwv drQpGOTtGDv.^

^ These lines are from Hesiod's Woi^Jcs a7id Days (123, 123). Theymay be rendered thus: "Those god-like sphits, indeed, renderedpowerful for good through the purposes of infinite Zeus, shall remainupon this earth as protectors of men that die."

As an exercise, the student should read the conclusions of sev-eral biographies, especially those mentioned on p. 1, and of sev-eral essays of Macaulay, Johnson, Carlyle, or De Quincey. In all

cases he should mark that the closing sentences draw some largeconclusion ; and drive home, as it were, the moral of the dis-

course ; indeed, as the introduction establishes a connection betweenthe mind of the reader and the subject-matter, the conclusion shouldestablish a connection between the subject and the broader, nobler,

and more permanent interests of mankind. Construct a conclusionfor a biography of some man who has died recently.

It is suggested that, immediately after the Life ofNelson is finished,

a careful study of one of Macaulay's biographical essays be under-taken with special reference to its rhetorical effects ; and that, after

this, the biography of Nelson be condensed into the limits of aspirited essay.

GLOSSAEY AND INDEX TO NOTES

Abercrombie, Sir R., 243.

Aboukir, 128.

Acting Lieutenant : one who is

performing the duties, withoutholding the commission, of a lieu-

tenant. "Acting" is similarly

used of other officers.

Addington, the administration, 195.

Admiral, 104.

^neid, 36, 177.

After-sails, 74.

Agamemnon, the, 53, 54, 91.

Alberoni, 58.

Amiens, Peace of, 240.

Arctic Exploration, 11.

Argyle, Earl of, 154.

Armed neutrality, 28.

Athwart-hawse, 130.

Bacon, Lord, 47.

Ball, Sir Alexander, 119.

Barge, crew of, 87.

Barras, 89.

Bath, 3.

Beat up: tack or sail across thewind.

Beatty, Sir J., 288.

Berry, Captain, 128, 132, 133.

Berwick, Duke of, 94.

Between wind and water, 76.

Bits : the wooden framework towhich the cables are fastened.

Blackwood, Captain, 188, 269, 282.

Blake, Admiral, 107.

Bomb, 11.

Boom : a long pole used to extendthe lower corner of a sail.

Bowen, Captain, 111.

Bower-anchor, 16.

Brahe, Tycho, 202.

Brails, 74.

Brig : a two-masted, square-riggedvessel.

Broad-pendant, 37.

Bronte, 181.

Browning, Robert, 42, 139.

Bulkhead, 260.

Buonaparte, 55, 89, 91, 122, 142, 190,262, 271, 276.

Burke, Edmund, 64, 148.

Burns, Robert, 19.

Cable's-length, 204.

Cffisar, 60, 237.

Calder, Sir R., 271.

Campbell, Thomas, 197, 226.Camperdown, Battle of, 115.

Capstern-bar, 57.

Captain, the, 91, 102.

Captain of the Fleet : chief of staff

of commander-in-chief ; respons-ible for all routine

;part of his

duty is to keep the commanderinformed on all points of detail,

and to consult with him as tothe requirements of the different

ships ; he cannot issue orders ex-cept in subordination to the ad-miral, or originate plans ; he ranksas rear-admiral. See Laughton,Nelso7i, p. 185.

Caraccioli, 171, 172, 173.

Carlyle, Thomas, 64.

Caroline Matilda, 203.

Carry away, 174.

Cartel-ship, 70.

Casa-Bianca, 135.

Certificate, preserved at Plymouth,Mass., 30.

Charles I., 57.

Chatham, Earl of, 53.

Clear for action : When a ship wentinto action bulkheads were takendown and everything possibletaken below.

Clue, 255.

Cob, 181.

Coleridge, S. T., 187, 294.

Collingwood, 21, 193, 284, 293.

Colonel of Marines, 78.

Combustibles, 145.

Commissioned officers, 120.

300 GLOSSARY AND INDEX TO NOTES

Compass, mariner's, 283.

Composition, suggestions for workin, 5, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 17, 24, 31, 32,

39, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 54, 56, 58,

60, 69, 76, 79, 81, 87, 88, 98, 104,

106, 122, 177, 274, 297.

Comptroller, 19.

Convoy : a fleet of mereliant-vessels

protected by a man-of-war.Corsica, 60.

Corvette : a vessel resembling afrigate, and ranking next below it

among ships of war.Coxswain, 10.

Croker, J. W., 269.

Cross-jack-yard : the lower yard onthe mizzen-mast of a full-rigged

ship.

Crow, 57.

Cutter, 10.

Davy, Sir Humphrey, 242.

Deputations, 40.

De Quincey, 290.

Dickens, Charles, 59.

Directory, the, 89.

Double-headed shot, 218.

Drinkwater, Colonel, 103,

Driver-sail, 74.

Duncan, Admiral, 244.

Enghien, Due D', 123.

English Revolution, 155.

Explicit, 43.

Falkland Islands, 9.

Fall on board, 99.

Fathom : six feet.

Ferdinand IV. of Naples, 152.

Flags, 104, 129, 137, 281.

Flag-ship : the vessel bearing thecommander-in-chief.

Fore-brace : a rope fastened to thefore-yardarm used to change theposition of the sail.

Fore-top : the platform at the topof the fore-mast.

Francis II. of Germany, 160.

Fremantle, Captain, 111.

French Revolution, 136, 155.

Frigate, 6.

Frustrate, 267.

Galley, 196.

Genereux, Le, 187.

George III., 193, 245.

Gibbon, 87.

Glover, R., 24.

Grant, General U. S., 67.

Gray, Thomas, 51.

Guardship, 9.

Guillaume Tell, Le, 188.

Guinea, 29.

Gunshot distance, 74.

Hakluyt, R., 16.

Half-pay : half as much as full pay

;

the pay usually of an officer notin regular service or on the retired

list.

Hallowell, Captain, 97, 136, 138, 145.

Hamilton, Emma, Lady, 55, 125, 151,

162, 173, 179, 191, 194, 241, 245,277 278

Hamilton," Sir W., 55, 151, 152, 162,

241 245.

Hamlet, 28, 196.

Hang, 129.

Hanged, 60.

Hanger, 20.

Haul off, 94.

Haydn, 191.

Heave in stays, 75,

Heave to : to bring a vessel to withher head to the wind and with oneor more sails aback, so as to checkher progress.

Hebert, 154.

Heraldry, 140.

Hinchinbrook, 21.

Hotham, Admiral, 76, 77.

Howe, Lord, 36, 244.

Hughes, Sir R. and Lady, 36.

Ice anchor, 12.

Incarnadine, 123.

India, 18.

Ismail, 156.

Italy, 56.

Jacobinism, 65.

Jervis, Sir J., 88, 97, 98.

Johnson, Dr. Samuel, 69.

Landridge shot, 132.

Larboard, 98, 210.

Latitude and longitude, 36.

Launch : the largest of a man-ofwar's boats.

Lazzaroni, 151.

Leading wind, 207.

League, 205.

Leeward, 37.

Leeward Islands, 40.

Letter of Credit, 139.

Letter-of-Marque, 20.

Lincoln's Inn, 34.

Livre, 63.

GLOSSARY AND INDEX TO NOTES 301

Loano, Battle of, 87.

Locke, John, 154.

Locker, Captain, 20.

Long-boat, 10.

L'Orient, 135.

Louis XVI., 65.

Luff, 99.

Lugger, 204.

Macaulay, 5, 58, 193, 249.

Malta, Knights of, 156.

Marat, 154.

Maria Theresa, 148.

Marie Antoinette, 148.

Marine : soldier serving on boardship.

Massaniello, 174.

Master, 20.

Merton, 241.

Midshipman, 17.

Milton, John, 282.

Monmouth, Duke of, 154.

Moore, Sir John, 66.

Mortar, 207.

Myriad, 122.

Mystics, 18.

Naples, 171, 175.

Napoleon. See Buonaparte.National Convention, the, 65.

Naval Cadet, 17.

Navigation Act, 38, 39.

Navy, the English, 6.

Nelson, Horatio, Lord, 8, 44, 50, 51,

69, 70, 71, 96, 101, 103, 105, 111,

145, 170, 179, 190, 191, 193, 194, 198.

199, 200, 201, 212, 216, 223, 227,

234, 238, 246, 248, 249, 254, 268,

271, 274, 275, 276, 282, 289, 293,

294Nelson, Lady, 194, 247.

Nelson touch, the, 274.

Niebuhr, 225.

Nisbet, Josiah, 56.

Nootka Sound, 53.

Nuevo Reyno, 23.

On Boaed, 102.

Orderly, 26.

Paoli, 64, 65.

Parker, 239.

Pasquin, 97.

Pendant, 37.

Philippe Egalitd, 154.

Piastre, 21.

Pitt, 40, 156.

Pontoon, 204.

Poop : from Latin puppis; a short

deck built over the after part ofthe spar deck of a vessel of war

;

hence, generally, the stern of avessel.

Port-fire, 135.

Post, 20.

Praam, 215.

Quarter : the half of the ship to-ward the stern.

Quarter-deck, 76.

Quarter-less-five, a, 210.

Quintal, 21.

Radeau, 204.

Rake, 131.

Receiving-ship, 48.

Register Act, 43.

Register-ship : a vessel registeredunder the Register Act.

Ripperda, 58.

Rodney, 31.

Rolling ground, 236.

Rousseau, 62.

Royal Society, 11.

Ruffo, Cardinal, 169.

Run on board, 287.

Russell, Lord William, 154.

Sailor, the life of a, 10.

Sandwich, Earl of, 29,

San Josef, the, 195.

Santissima Trinidad, the, 103, 284.

Scherer, 89.

Scott, Sir W., 64, 181, 203.

Sequestrate, 92.

Sequin, 140.

Shakspere, 41.

Shank, 16.

Shilling, 29.

Ship's-kettle, 11.

Shiver, 75.

Sidney, Algernon, 154.

Sidney, Sir Philip, 296.

Sixpence, 52.

Slops, 48.

Smart money, 116.

Smith, Sir Sidney, 189.

St. Angelo, Castle of, 159.

Starboard, 74.

St. Januarius, 163.

St. Omer, 35.

St. Pier D'Arena, 85.

Studding sails : light sails set out-side a square sail.

Suckling, Sir John, 6.

Supercargo: an officer in a merchantship who attends to the buyingand selling of the cargo.

302 GLOSSARY AND INDEX TO NOTES

Suwarrow, 156.

Swiftsure, 137.

Swivel, 24.

Tender, 20.

Tennyson, 41, 42, 294.

Topsail breeze, 201.

Touch, 74.

Trafalgar, 279.

Treville, La Touche, 255.Troubridge, 18, 130.

Urbanity, 220.

Vail, 203.

Vansittart, 197.

Veer, 129.

Victory, the, 295.

Walpole, Sir Robert and Horace,5, 59.

Warp : to move a ship by means ofcables fastened to some other ob-ject.

Warrant-officers, 120.

Washington, 230.

Watch-and-watch, at, 17.

Watches, 13.

Water-line : a horizontal line sup-posed to be drawn about a ship

at the surface of the water.Wear, 94, 119.

Weather-bow, 74.

Wilkes, John, 115.

Windham, 142.

Wolfe, Rev. C, 66.

Wooden Walls, 196.

Zealand, Capture of the, 220,

Longmans' English Classics

Books prescribed for 1897 Examinations, p. 2.

Books prescribed for 1898 Examinations, p. 3.

Books prescribed for 1899 Examinations, p. 5.

Books prescribed for 1900 Examinations, p. 6.

Other Volumes in the Series, - - p. 7.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

EDITED BY

GEORGE RICE CARPENTER, A.B.,

Professor of Rhetoric and English Composition in Columbia College.

This series is designed for use in secondary schools

in accordance with the system of study recommended and

outlined by the National Committee of Ten, and in direct

preparation for the uniform entrance requirements in Eng-

lish, now adopted by the principal American colleges and

universities.

Each Volume contains full Notes, Introductions, Bibliographies,

and other explanatory and illustrative matter. Crown 8vo, cloth.

Books Prescribed for the i8gy Examinations.

FOR READING.Shakspere's As You Like It. With an introduction by Barrett

Wendell, A.B., Assistant Professor of EngHsh in Harvard

University, and notes by WilHam Lyon Phelps, Ph.D., Assistant

Professor of Eng-lish in Yale University. Portrait.

Defoe's History of the Plague in London. Edited, with

introduction and notes, by Professor G. R. Carpenter, of

Columbia College. With Portrait of Defoe.

Irving's Tales of a Traveller. With an introduction by

Brander Matthews, Professor of Literature in Columbia College,

and explanatory notes by the general editor of the series.

With Portrait of Irving.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

Books Prescribed for i8gy—Continued.

George Eliot's Silas Marker. Edited, with introduction and

notes, by Robert Herricl<, A.B., Assistant Professor of Rhetoric

in the University of Chicago. With Portrait of George Eliot.

FOR STUDY.

Shakspere's Merchant of Venice. Edited, with introduction

and notes, by Francis B. Gummere, Ph.D., Professor of English

in Haverford College; Member of the Conference on English

of the National Committee of Ten. With Portrait.

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited,

with introduction and notes, by Albert S. Cook, Ph.D., Professor

of the English Language and Literature in Yale University.

With Portrait of Burke.

Scott's Marmion. Edited, with introduction and notes, by

Robert Morss Lovett, A.B., Assistant Professor of English in

the University of Chicago. With Portrait of Sir Walter Scott,

Macaulay's Life of Samuel Johnson. Edited, with intro-

duction and notes, by the Rev. Huber Gray Buehler, of the

Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn. With Portrait of Johnson.

Books Prescribed for the i8g8 Examinations.

FOR READING.

Milton's Paradise Lost. Books I. and II. Edited, with

introduction and notes, by Edward Everett Hale, Jr., Ph.D.,

Professor of Rhetoric and Logic in Union College. With

Portrait of Milton.

Pope's Homer's Iliad. Books L, VL, XXII., and XXIV.Edited, with introduction and notes, by William H. Maxwell,

A.M., Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction, Brooklyn,

N. Y., and Percival Chubb, Instructor in English, ManualTraining High School, Brooklyn. With Portrait of Pope,

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

Books Prescribed for i8g8—Continued.

The Sir Roger de Coverley Papers, from "The Spectator."

Edited, with introduction and notes, by D. O. S. Lowell, A.M.,

of the Roxbury Latin School, Roxbury, Mass. With Portrait

of Addison.

Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield. Edited, with intro-

duction and notes, by Mary A. Jordan, A.M., Professor of

Rhetoric and Old English in Smith College. With Portrait of

Goldsmith.

Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Edited,

with introduction and notes, by Herbert Bates, A.B., Instructor

in English in the University of Nebraska. With Portrait of

Coleridge.

Southey's Life of Nelson. Edited, with introduction and

notes, by Edwin L. Miller, A.M., of the Englewood High

School, Illinois. With Portrait of Nelson and plans of battles.

Carlyle's Essay on Burns. Edited, with introduction and

notes, by Wilson Farrand, A.M., Associate Principal of the

Newark Academy, Newark, N. J. With Portrait of Burns.

FOR STUDY.

Shakspere's Macbeth. Edited, with introduction and notes,

by John Matthews Manly, Ph.D., Professor of the English

Language in Brown University. With Portrait of Shakspere.

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited,

with introduction and notes, by Albert S. Cook, Ph.D., Pro-

fessor of the English Language and Literature in Yale

University. With Portrait of Burke.

De Ouincey's Flight of a Tartar Tribe. Edited, with intro-

duction and notes, by Charles Sears Baldwin, Ph.D., Instructoif

in Rhetoric in Yale University. With Portrait of De Quincey.

Tennyson's The Princess. Edited with Introduction and

Notes by George Edward Wood berry, A.B., Professor of

Literature in Columbia College. With Portrait of Tennyson.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

^ooks Prescribed for the i8gg Examinations,

Pope's Homer's Iliad. Books I., VI., XXII. , and XXIV.Edited, with introduction and notes, by William H. Maxwell,

A.M., Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction, Brooklyn,

N. Y., and Percival Chubb, Instructor in English, Manual

Training High School, Brooklyn. With Portrait of Pope.

Dryden's Palamon and Arcite. Edited, with introduction

and notes, by James W. Bright, Ph.D., Professor of English

Philology in Johns Hopkins University. {^Preparing.

The Sir Roger de Coverley Papers, from "The Spectator."

Edited, with introduction and notes, by D. O. S. Lowell, A.M.,

of the Roxbury Latin School, Roxbury, Mass. With Portrait

of Addison.

Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield. Edited, with intro-

duction and notes, by Mary A. Jordan, A.M., Professor of

Rhetoric and Old English in Smith College. With Portrait of

Goldsmith.

Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Edited,

with introduction and notes, by Herbert Bates, A.B., Instructor

in English in the University of Nebraska. With Portrait of

Coleridge.

De Ouincey's Flight of a Tartar Tribe. Edited, with intro-

duction and notes, by Charles Sears Baldwin, Ph.D., Instructor

in Rhetoric in Yale University. With Portrait of De Ouincey.

Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. With introduction and

explanatory notes. \In preparation.

FOR STUDY.

Shakspere's Macbeth. Edited, with introduction and notes,

by John Matthews Manly, Ph.D., Professor of the English

Language in Brown University. With Portrait of Shakspere,

Milton's Paradise Lost. Books I. and II. Edited, with

introduction and notes, by Edward Everett Hale, Jr., Ph.D.,

Professor of Rhetoric and Logic in Union College. With

Portrait of Milton.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

Books Prescribed for i8gg—Continued.

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited,

with introduction and notes, by Albert S, Cook, Ph.D., Pro-

fessor of the Enghsh Language and Literature in Yale Univer-

sity. With Portrait of Burke.

Carlyle's Essay on Burns. Edited, with introduction and

notes, by Wilson Farrand, A.M., Associate Principal of the

Newark Academy, Newark, N. J. With Portrait of Burns.

Books Prescribed for the igoo Examinations.

(See also Preceding Lists.)

FOR READING.

Dryden's Palamon and Arcite. Edited by Professor J. W.Bright.

Pope's Homer's Iliad. Books L, VL, XXIL, and XXIV.Edited by Superintendent Maxwell and Percival Chubb.

The Sir Roger de Coverley Papers. Edited by Dr. D. O. S.

Lowell.

Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield. Edited by Professor

Mary A. Jordan.

De Quincey's Flight of a Tartar Tribe. Edited by Dr. C.

S. Baldwin.

Tennyson's The Princess. Edited by Professor G. E. Wood-berry.

Scott's Ivanhoe. \^In preparation.

Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. \In preparation.

FOR STUDY.

Shakspere's Macbeth. Edited by Professor Manly.

Milton's Paradise Lost. Books I. and II. Edited by Pro-

fessor E. E. Hale, Jr.

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited by

Dr. A. S. Cook.

Macaulay's Essays on Milton and Addison.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

Thefollowing volumes are also ready :

Scott's Woodstock. Edited, with introduction and notes, byBliss Perry, A.M., Professor of Oratory and Esthetic Criticism

in the College of New Jersey. With Portrait of Sir WalterScott.

Macaulay's Essay on Milton. Edited, with introduction andnotes, by James Greenleaf Croswell, A,B., Head-master of the

Brearley School, New York, formerly Assistant Professor of

Greek in Harvard University. With Portrait of Macaulay.

Shakspere's a Midsummer Night's Dream. Edited, with

introduction and notes, by George Pierce Baker, A.B., Assistant

Professor of English in Harvard University. With Frontispiece,

'Imitation of an Elizabethan Stage.'

Webster's First Bunker Hill Oration, together with other

Addresses relating to the Revolution. Edited, with introduction

and notes, by Fred Newton Scott, Ph.D., Junior Professor of

Rhetoric in the University of Michigan. With Portrait of

Daniel Webster.

Milton's L'Allegro, II Penseroso, Comus, and Lycidas.

Edited, with introductions and notes, by William P. Trent, A.M.,

Professor of English in the University of the South. WithPortrait of Milton.

" The series as a whole certainly marks . . . a clear advance

beyond all its predecessors."

—

The Educational Revieiv^ February, i8g6.

"We have seen no fitter school editions of these works which are

now included in the preparatory reading required by all the leading

colleges of the country."

—

The Critic^ New York," The Suggestions for Teachers are likely to be of great value, not

only because many teachers need assistance in such work, but also

because they must tend to introduce the uniformity of method that is

hardly less valuable than the uniformity of the courses themselves."

— The Educational Review^ February, i8g6.

"I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the twobeautiful volumes in your English Classics. . . . They are not

only thoroughly well edited, but excellent specimens of book-making,

such books as a student may take pleasure in having, not merely for a

task book but for a permanent possession. It is a wise project on your

part, I think, to accustom young students to value books for their

intrinsic worth, and that by the practical way of making the books good

and attractive."

—

Prof. John F. Genung, Amherst College.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

" You are to be congratulated upon the excellence of the series of

English Classics which you are now publishing, if I may judge of it

by the three numbers I have examined. ... Of these, the intro-

ductions, the suggestions to teachers, the chronological tables, and the

notes are most admirable in design and execution. The editor-in-chief

and his associates have rendered a distinct service to secondary schools,

and the publishers have done superior mechanical work in the issue of

this series."

—

Charles C. Ramsay, Principal of Durfee High School,

Fall River, Mass.

"With the two (volumes) I have already acknowledged and these

four, I find myself increasingly pleased as I examine. As a series the

books have two strong points: there is a unity of method in editing that

I have seen in no other series; the books are freer from objections in

regard to the amount and kind of editing than any other series I know."—Byron Groce, Master in English, Boston Latin School.

•* I am your debtor for two specimens of your series of English

Classics, designed for secondary schools in preparation for entrance

examinations to college. With their clear type, good paper, sober and

attractive binding—good enough for any library shelves—with their

introductions, suggestions to teachers, and notes at the bottom of the

pages, I do not see how much more could be desired."

—Prof. D. L. Maulsby, Tufts College.

" Admirably adapted to accomplish what you intend—to interest

young persons in thoughtful reading of noble literature. The help given

seems just what is needed; its generosity is not of the sort to make the

young student unable to help himself. I am greatly pleased with the plan

and with its execution."—Prof. C. B. Bradley, University of California;

Member of English Conference of the National Committee of Ten.

" Let me thank you for four more volumes of your excellent series

of English Classics. ... As specimens of book-making they are

among the most attractive books I have ever seen for school use; and the

careful editing supplies just enough information to stimulate a young

reader. I hope that the series may soon be completed and be widely

used."—Prof. W. E. Mead, Wesleyan University.

"The series is admirably planned, the ' Suggestions to Teachers'

being a peculiarly valuable feature. I welcome all books looking toward

better English teaching in the secondary schools."

—Prof. Katherine Lee Bates, Wellesley College.

" They are thoroughly edited and attractively presented, and cannot

fail to be welcome when used for the college entrance requirements in

English."—Prof. Charles F. Richardson, Dartmouth College.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

Irving's ' Tales of a Traveller.'" I feel bound to say that, if the series of English Classics is

carried out after the plan of this initial volume, it will contribute muchtoward making the study of literature a pure deHght."

—Prof. A. G. Newcomer, Iceland Stanford Jr. University.

*' I have looked through the first volume of your English Classics,

Irving's * Tales of a Traveller,' and do not see how literature could be

made more attractive to the secondary schools."—Prof. Edward A.

Allen, University of Missouri ; Member of the English Conference of

the National Committee of Ten.

" I have received your Irving's ' Tales of a Traveller' and examined

it with much pleasure. The helpful suggestions to teachers, the

judicious notes, the careful editing, and the substantial binding make it

the most desirable, volume for class use on the subject, that has come to

my notice."

—

Edwin Cornell, Principal of Central Valley UnionSchool. N. Y.

George Eliot's ' Silas Marner.'"This book is really attractive and inviting. The introduction,

particularly the suggestions to pupils and teachers, is a piece of real

helpfulness and wisdom."

—D, E. Bowman, Principal of High School, Waterville, Me.

"The edition of 'Silas Marner' recently sent out by you leaves

nothing undone. I find the book handsome, the notes sensible and

clear. I'm glad to see a book so well adapted to High School needs,

and I shall recommend it, without reserve, as a safe and clean book to

put before our pupils."

—James W. McLane, Central High School, Cleveland, O.

Scott's ' Woodstock.'" Scott's ' Woodstock,' edited by Professor Bliss Perry, deepens the

impression made by the earlier numbers that this series, Longmans'English Classics, is one of unusual excellence in the editing, and will

prove a valuable auxiliary in the reform of English teaching nowgenerally in progress. . . . We have, in addition to the unabridged

text of the novel, a careful editorial introduction ; the author's intro-

duction, preface and notes ; a reprint of ' The Just Devil of Woodstock';

and such foot-notes as the student will need as he turns from page to

page. Besides all this apparatus, many of the chapters have appended

a few suggestive hints for character-study, collateral reading and dis-

cussions of the art of fiction. All this matter is so skillfully distributed

that it does not weigh upon the conscience, and is not likely to make the

lo - LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

student forget that he is, after all, reading a novel chiefly for the

pleasure it affords. The entire aim of this volume and its companions

is literary rather than historical or linguistic, and in this fact their chief

value is to be found." — The Dial.

"I heartily approve of the manner in which the editor's work has

been done. This book, if properly used by the teacher and supple-

mented by the work so clearly suggested in the notes, may be made of

great value to students, not only as literature but as affording oppor-

tunity for historical research and exercise in composition."

—Lillian G. Kimball, State Normal School, Oshkosh, Wis.

Defoe's ' History of the Plague in London.'

"He gives an interesting biography of Defoe, an account of his

works, a discussion of their ethical influence (including that of this

'somewhat sensational' novel), some suggestions to teachers and students,

and a list of references for future study. This is all valuable and sugges-

tive. The reader wishes that there were more of it. Indeed, the criticism

I was about to offer on this series is perhaps their chief excellence.

One wishes that the introductions were longer and more exhaustive.

For, contrary to custom, as expressed in Gratiano's query, 'Who riseth

from a feast with that keen appetite that he sits down ?' the young

student will doubtless finish these introductions hungering for more.

And this, perhaps, was the editor's object in view, viz., that the intro-

ductory and explanatory matter should be suggestive and stimulating

rather than complete and exhaustive !

"

—

Educational Review.

" I have taken great pleasure in examining your edition of Defoe's

Plague in London.' The introduction and notes are beyond reproach,

and the binding and typography are ideal. The American school-boy

is to be congratulated that he at length may study his English from

books in so attractive a dress."

—

George N. McKnight, Instructor in

English, Cornell University.

" I am greatly obliged to you for the copy of the 'Journal of the

Plague.' I am' particularly pleased with Professor Carpenter's intro-

duction and his handling of the difficult points in Defoe's life."

—

PIam-

MOND Lamont, A.B., Associate Professor of Composition and Rhetoric

in Brown University.

Macaulay's ' Essay on Milton.'" I have examined the Milton and am much pleased with it ; it fully

sustains the high standard of the other works of this series ; the intro-

duction, the suggestions to teachers, and the notes are admirable."

—William Nichols, The Nichols School, Buffalo, N. Y.

LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS ii

"I beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of Macaulay's' Essay on Milton ' and Webster's ' First Bunker Hill Oration ' in yourseries of English Classics. These works for preparatory study are

nowhere better edited or presented in more artistic form. I am glad youfind it possible to publish so good a book for so little raoney."

—Prof. W. H. Crawshaw, Colgate University.

" I am especially pleased with Mr. Croswell's introduction to, andnotes at the bottom of the page of, his edition of Macaulay's ' Essay onMilton.' I have never seen notes on a text that were more admirable

than these. They contain just the inform.ation proper to impart, andare unusually well expressed."

—Charles C. Ramsay, Principal of Fall River High School.

Coleridge's 'Ancient Mariner.'" After an introduction which is well calculated to awaken interest

both in Coleridge himself and in poetry as a form of literature, the

poem is set before us with Coleridge's own glosses in the margin. Notes

are added at the bottom of each page. These notes are well worth

examination for the pedagogic skill they display. They provide, not so

much information about the text, though all necessary explanation does

appear, but suggestion and incitement to the discovery by the pupil for

himself of the elements in the poem which the hasty reader only feels, if

he does not lose them altogether. . . . Any good teacher will find

this edition a veritable help to the appreciation of poetry by his pupils."

—Principal Ray Greene Huling, English High School, Cambridge,

Mass.

" Mr. Bates is an interesting and charming writer of verse as well as

prose, and makes a helpful and appreciative teacher to follow through

the intricacies of the poem in question. In addition to extensive notes

and comments, the book has a well-planned, brightly written introduc-

tion, comprising a Coleridge biography, bibliography, and chronological

table, a definition of poetry in general, and a thoughtful study of the

origin, form, and criticisms of this particular poem, ' The Ancient

Mariner.' Teachers and students of English are to be congratulated on.

and Mr. Bates and his publishers thanked for, this acquisition to the

field of literary study."

—

Literary World, Boston.

Milton's • L'Allegro, II Penseroso, etc.'

" Professor Trent's sympathetic treatment on the literary side of

the subject matter, makes the introductions and notes of more than usual

interest and profit; and I think that it is just such editing as this that

our younger students need in approaching the works of the great poets."

—J. Russell Hayes, Assistant Professor of English, SwarthmoreCollege, Pa.

12 LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

It has been the aim of the publishers to secure editors

of high reputation for scholarship, experience, and skill,

and to provide a series thoroughly adapted, by uniformity

of plan and thoroughness of execution, to present educa-

tional needs. The chief distinguishing features of the

series are the following :

I. Each volume contains full "Suggestions for Teach-

ers and Students," with bibliographies, and, in manycases, lists of topics recommended for further reading or

study, subjects for themes and compositions, specimen

examination papers, etc. It is therefore hoped that the

series will contribute largely to the working out of sound

methods in teaching English.

2. The works prescribed for reading are treated, in every

case, as literature, not as texts for narrow linguistic study,

and edited with a view to interesting the student in the

book in question both in itself and as representative of a

literary type or of a period of literature, and of leading

him on to read other standard works of the same age or

kind understandingly and appreciatively.

3. These editions are not issued anonymously, nor are

they hackwork,—the result of mere compilation. Theyare the original work of scholars and men of letters whoare conversant with the topics of which they treat.

4. Colleges and preparatory schools are both repre-

sented in the list of editors (the preparatory schools moreprominently in the lists for 1897 and 1898), and it is in-

tended that the series shall exemplify the ripest methodsof American scholars for the teaching of English—the

result in some cases of years of actual experience in

secondary school work, and, in others, the formulation of

the experience acquired by professors who observe care-

fully the needs of students who present themselves for

admission to college.

5. The volumes are uniform in size and style, are well

printed and bound, and constitute a well-edited set of

standard works, fit for permanent use and possession—

a

nucleus for a library of English literature.

LONGMANS, GREEN, &- CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

EPOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY.MESSRS. LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO. have the pleasure to state

that they are now publishing a short series of books treating of the historyof America, under the general title Epochs of American History. Theseries is under the editorship of Dr. Albert Bushnell Hart, AssistantProfessor of History in Harvard College, who has also prepared all the mapsfor the several volumes. Each volume contains about 300 pages, similar insize and style to the page of the volumes in Messrs. Longmans' series,* Epochs of Modern History,' with full marginal analysis, working bibliogra-phies, maps, and index. The volumes are issued separately, and each is

complete in itself. The volumes now ready provide a continuous historyof the United States from the foundation of the Colonies to the presenttime, suited to and intended for class use as well as for general reading andreference.

*^* The volumes of this series already issued have been adoptedfor use as text-books in nearly all the leading Colleges and in many Normal Schools and otherinstitutions . A prospectus, showing Contents and scope of each volume, specimenpages, etc. , will be sent on application to the Publishers.

I. THE COLONIES, 1492-1750.

By Reuben Gold Thv^aites, Secretary of the State Historical Society of

Wisconsin ; author of " Historic Waterways," etc. With four colored

maps. pp. xviii.-30i. Cloth. $1.25.

CORNELL university.*' I beg leave to acknowledge your courtesy in sending me a copy of the first

volume in the series of ' Epochs of American History," which I have read withgreat interest and satisfaction. I am pleased, as everyone must be, with themechanical execution of the book, with the maps, and with the fresh and valua-ble 'Suggestions' and 'References.' .... The work itself appears tome to be quite remarkable for its comprehensiveness, and it presents a vastarray of subjects in a way that is admirably fair, clear and orderly."—ProfessorMoses Coit Tyler, Ithaca, N. Y.

WILLIAMS college." It is just the book needed for college students, not too brief to be uninter-

esting, admirable in its plan, and well furnished with references to accessibleauthorities."—Professor Richard A. Rice, Williamstown, Mass.

vassar college.•' Perhaps the best recommendation of ' Thwaites' American Colonies ' is

the fact that the day after it was received I ordered copies for class-room use.The book is admirable."—Professor Lucy M. Salmon, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

" All that could be desired. This volume is more like a fair treatment of thewhole subject of the colonies than any work of the sort yet produced.''

— The Critic.

" The subject is virtually a fresh one as approached by Mr. Thwaites. It is

a pleasure to call especial attention to some most helpful bibliographical notesprovided at the head of each chapter ''

—

The Nation.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.

LONGMANS, GREEN, &= CO:S PUBLICATIONS.

EPOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

II. FORMATION OF THE UNION, I75a-i829.

By Albert Bushnell Hart, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of History in

Harvard University, Member of the Massachusetts Historical Society,

Author of "Introduction to the Study of Federal Government,"

"Epoch Maps," etc. With five colored maps. pp. XX.-278. Cloth.

$1.25.

The second volume of the Epochs of American History aims to followout the principles laid down for "The Colonies,"—the study of causesrather than of events, the development of the American nation out of scatteredand inharmonious colonies. The throwing off of English control, the growthout of narrow political conditions, the struggle against foreign domination, andthe extension of popular government, are all parts of the uninterrupted processof the Formation of the Union.

LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY.

" The large and sweeping treatment of the subject, which shows the true re-

lations of the events preceding and following the revolution, to the revolutionitself, is a real addition to the literature of the subject ; while the bibliographyprefixed to each chapter, adds incalculably to the value of the work."

—

MarySheldon Barnes, Palo Alto, Cal.

" It is a careful and conscientious study of the period and its events, andshould find a place among the text-books of our public schools."—Boston Transcript.

" Professor Hart has compressed a vast deal of information into his volume,and makes many things most clear and striking. His maps, showing the terri-

torial growth of the United States, are extremely interesting."—AT'ew York Times.

". . The causes of the Revolution are clearly and cleverly condensed into

a few pages. . . The maps in the work are singularly useful even to adults.

There are five of these, which are alone worth the price of the volume,"—Magazine ofAmerican History.

"The formation period of our nation is treated with much care and with

great precision. Each chapter is prefaced with copious references to authori-

ties, which are valuable to the student who desires to pursue his reading moreextensively. There are five valuable maps showing the growth of our countryby successive stages and repeated acquisition of territory."—Boston Advertiser.

" Dr. Hart is not only a master of the art of condensation, . . . he is

what is even of greater importance, an interpreter of history. He perceives

the logic of historic events ; hence, in his condensation, he does not neglectproportion, and more than once he gives the student valuable clues to the

solution of historical problems."

—

Atlantic Monthly.

" A valuable volume of a valuable series. The author has written with afull knowledge of his subject, and we have little to say except in praise."—English Historical Review.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.

LONGMANS, GREEN, &- CO.'S PC/BL/CATIONS.

EPOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

III. DIVISION AND RE-UNION, 1829-1889.

By WooDROW Wilson, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of Jurisprudence in

Princeton College ; Author of "Congressional Government," "The

State—Elements of Historical and Practical Politics," etc., etc. With

five colored Maps. 346 pages. Cloth, $1.25.

"We regret that we have not space for more quotations from this uncommonly strong, impartial, interesting book. Giving only enough facts to

elucidate the matter discussed, it omits no important questions. It furnishes

the reader clear-cut views of the right and the wrong of them all. It gives ad-

mirable pen-portraits of the great personages of the period with as much free-

dom from bias, and as much pains to be just, as if the author were delineating

Pericles, or Alcibiades, Sulla, or Caesar. Dr. Wilson has earned the gratitude of

seekers after truth by his masterly production."—A^. C. Utiiversity Magazine.

" This admirable httle volume is one of the few books which nearly meet ourideal of history. It is causal history in the truest sense, tracing the workings of

latent influences and far-reaching conditions of their outcome in striking fact,

yet the whole current of events is kept in view, and the great personalities of

the time, the nerve-centers of history, live intensely and in due proportion in

these pages. We do not know the equal of this book for a brief and trust-

worthy, and, at the same time, a brilliantly written and sufficient history of these

sixty years. We heartily commend it, not only for general reading, but as anadmirable text-book."

—

Post-Graduate and Wooster Quarterly.

" Considered as a general history of the United States from 1829 to 1889,

his book is marked by excellent sense of proportion, extensive knowledge, im-partiality of judgment, unusual power of summarizing, and an acute political

sense. Few writers can more vividly set forth the views of parties,"—Atlantic Monthly.

" Students of United States history may thank Mr. Wilson for an extreme-ly clear and careful rendering of a period very difficult to handle . . . theywill find themselves materially aided in easy comprehension of the political

situation of the country by the excellent maps."

—

JV. Y. Times.

" Professor Wilson writes in a clear and forcible style. . . . The bibli-

ographical references at the head of each chapter are both well selected andwell arranged, and add greatly to the value of the work, which appears to beespecially designed for use in instruction in colleges and preparatory schools."

— Yale Review.

" It is written in a style admirably clear, vigorous, and attractive, a thoroughgrasp of the subject is shown, and the development of the theme is lucid andorderly, while the tone is judicial and fair, and the deductions sensible anddispassionate—so far as we can see. ... It would be difficult to construct

a better manual of the subject than this, and it adds greatly to the value of this

useful series."

—

Hartford Courant.

". . . One of the most valuable historical works that has appeared in

many years. The delicate period of our country's history, with which this

work is largely taken up, is treated by the author with an impartiality that is

almost unique."

—

Columbia Law Times.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.

LONGMANS, GREEN, 6- CO:S PUBLICATIONS.

ENGLISH HISTORY FOR AMERICANS.

By Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Author of "Young Folks' His-

tory of the United States," etc., and Edward Channing, Assistant

Professor of History in Harvard University. With 77 Illustrations, 6Colored Maps, Bibliography, a Chronological Table of Contents, andIndex. i2mo. Pp. xxxii-334. Teachers' price, $1.20.

The name " English History for Americans," which suggests the key-note of

this book, is based on the simple fact that it is not the practice of Americanreaders, old or young, to give to English history more than a limited portion of

their hours of study. ... It seems clear that such readers will use their

time to the best advantage if they devote it mainly to those events in Englishannals which have had the most direct influence on the history and institutions

of their own land. . . . The authors of this book have therefore boldlyventured to modify in their narrative the accustomed scale of proportion ; while

it has been their wish, in the treatment of every detail, to accept the best re-

sult of modern English investigation, and especially to avoid all unfair orone-sided judgments. , . . Extracts from Author's Preface.

DR. W. T. HARRIS, U. S. COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION." I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the book, and be-

lieve it to be the best introduction to English history hitherto made for the useof schools. It is just what is needed in the school and in the family. It is the

first history of England that I have seen which gives proper attention to socio-

logy and the evolution of political ideas, without neglecting what is picturesqueand interesting to the popular taste. The device of placing the four historical

maps at the beginning and end deserves special mention for its convenience.Allow me to congratulate you on the publication of so excellent a text-book.'*

ROXBURY LATIN SCHOOL.". . . The most noticeable and commendable feature in the book seems

to be its Unity. ... I felt the same reluctance to lay the volume down. . . that one experiences in reading a great play or a well-constructed

novel. Several things besides the unity conspire thus seductively to lead the

reader on. The page is open and attractive, the chapters are short, the type

is large and clear, the pictures are well chosen and significant, a surprising

number of anecdotes told in a crisp and masterful manner throw valuable side-

lights on the main narrative ; the philosophy of history is undeniably there, butsugar-coated, and the graceful style would do credit to a Macaulay. I shall

immediately recommend it for use in our school."

—

Dr. D. O. S, Low^ell.

LAV\^RENCEVILLE SCHOOL.

"In answer to your note of February 23d I beg to say that we have intro-

duced your Higginson's English History into our graduating class and are

much pleased with it. Therefore whatever endorsement I, as a member of the

Committee of Ten, could give the book has already been given by my action

in placing it in our classes."

—

James C. Mackenzie, Lawrenceville, N. J.

ANN ARBOR HIGH SCHOOL." It seems to me the book will do for English history in this country what

the 'Young Folks' History of the United States ' has done for the history of our

own country—and I consider this high praise."

—T. G. Pattengill, Ann Arbor, Mich.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.

LONGMANS, GREEN, &= CO:S PUBLICATIONS.

A STUDENT'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, fromthe Earliest Times to 1885.

By Samuel Rawson Gardiner, M.A., LL.D., Fellow of All Souls

College, Oxford, etc.; Author of "The History of England from the

Accession of James I. to 1642," etc. Illustrated under the superintend-

ence of Mr. W. H. St. John Hope, Assistant Secretary of the Society

of Antiquaries, and with the assistance in the choice of Portraits of

Mr. George Scharf, C.B., F.S.A., who is recognized as the highest

authority on the subject. In one Volume, with 378 Illustrations andfull Index. Crown 8vo, cloth, plain, $3.00.

The book is also published in three Volutnes {each with Index andTable of Contents') as follows :

VOLUME I.—B.C. 55-A.D. 1509. 410 pp. With 173 Illustrations and Index.Crown 8vo, $1.20.

VOLUME II.—A.D. 1509-1689. 332 pp. With 96 Illustrations and Index.Crown 8vo, $1.20.

VOLUME III.—A.D. 1689-1885. 374 pp. With 109 Illustrations and Index.Crown 8vo, ^1.20.

V Gardiner's "Student's History of England," through Part IX. (to

1789), is recommended by HARVARD UNIVERSITY as indicating therequirements for admission in this subject ; and the ENTIRE work is madsthe basis for English history study in the University.

YALE UNIVERSITY." Gardiner's ' Student's History of England ' seems to me an admirable

short history.''—Prof. C. H. Smith, New Haven, Conn.

TRINITY COLLEGE, HARTFORD." It is, in my opinion, by far the best advanced school history of England

that I have ever seen. It is clear, concise, and scientific, and, at the same time,attractive and interesting. The illustrations are very good and a valuableaddition to the book, as they are not mere pretty pictures, but of real historical

and archaeological interest."—Prof. Henry Ferguson.

"A unique feature consists of the very numerous illustrations. Theythrow light on almost every phase of English life in all ages. . . . Never,perhaps, in such a treatise has pictorial illustration been used with so goodeffect. The alert teacher will find here ample material for useful lessons byleading the pupil to draw the proper inferences and make the proper interpre-tations and comparisons. . . . The style is compact, vigorous, and inter-

esting. There is no lack of precision ; and, in the selection of the details, the

hand of the scholar thoroughly conversant with the source and with the results

of recent criticism is plainly revealed."

—

The Nation, N. Y,

". . . It is illustrated by pictures of real value ; and when accompanied

by the companion ' Atlas of English History' is all that need be desired for its

special purpose."

—

The Churchman, N. Y.

^'**^ prospectus and specimen pages of Gardiner^s *' Sttidenfs History

of England''"' will be sent free on application to the publishers.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91 and 93 Fifth Ave., New York.

LONGMANS, GREEN, &= CO:S PUBLICATIONS.

LONGMANS' SCHOOL GRAMMAR.By David Salmon. Part I., Parts of Speech ; Part II., Classification

and Inflection ; Part III., Analysis of Sentences ; Part IV., History

and Derivation. With Notes for Teachers and Index. New Edition,

Revised. With Preface by E. A. Allen, Professor of English in the

University of Missouri. i2mo. 272 pages. 75 cents.

"... One of the best working grammars we have ever seen, and this

applies to all its parts. Tt is excellently arranged and perfectly graded. PartIV., on History and Derivation, is as beautiful and interesting as it is valuable—but this might be said of the whole book."—New York Teacher.

" The Grammar deserves to supersede all others with which we are ac-quainted."—N. Y. Nation, July 2, 1891.

PREFACE TO AMERICAN EDITION.

It seems to be generally conceded that English grammar is worse taughtand less understood than any other subject in the school course. This is,

doubtless, largely due to the kind of text-books used, which, for the most part,

require methods that violate the laws of pedagogy as well as of language.There are, however, two or three English grammars that are admirable com-mentaries on the facts of the language, but, written from the point of view ofthe scholar rather than of the learner, they fail to awaken any interest in thesubject, and hence are not serviceable for the class-room.

My attention was first called to Longmans' School Grammar by a favorablenotice of it in the Nation. In hope of finding an answer to the inquiry of

numerous teachers for " the best school grammar," I sent to the Publishers for

a copy. An examination of the work, so far from resulting in the usual dis-

appointment, left the impression that a successful text-book in a field strewnwith failures had at last been produced. For the practical test of the class-

room, I placed it in the hands of an accomplished grammarian, who had tried

several of the best grammars published, and he declares the results to be mostsatisfactory.

The author's simplicity of method, the clear statement of facts, the orderlyarrangement, the wise restraint, manifest on every page, reveal the scholar andpractical teacher. No one who had not mastered the language in its early his-

torical development could have prepared a school grammar so free from sense-less rules and endless details. The most striking feature, minimum of precept,maximum of example, will commend itself to all teachers who follow rationalmethods. In this edition, the Publishers have adapted the illustrative sentencesto the ready comprehension of American pupils, and I take pleasure in recom-mending the book, in behalf of our mother tongue, to the teachers of our Pub-lic and Private Schools.

Edward A. Allen.University of Missouri, May, 1891.

MR. HALE'S school, BOSTON.

" I have used your Grammar and Composition during the last year in myschool, and like them both very much indeed. They are the best books of thekind I have ever seen, and supply a want I have felt for a good many years."

—

Albert Hale, Boston, Mass.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.

LONGMANS, GREEN, &- COr5 PUBLICATIONS.

LONGMANS' SCHOOL GRAMMAR.— 6)/'/iV7<9A^^.

girls' high school, boston, mass.

''When you put Longmans' School Grammar in my hands, some year ortwo ago, I used it a little while with a boy of nine years, with perfect satisfac-

tion and approval. The exigencies of the boy's school arrangements inter-

cepted that course in grammar and caused the book to be laid aside. To-dayI have taken the book and have examined it all, from cover to cover. It is;

simply a perfect grammar. Its beginnings are made with utmost gentlenessand reasonableness, and it goes at least quite as far as in any portion of ourpublic schools course it is, for the present, desirable to think of going. Theauthor has adjusted his book to the very best conceivable methods of teaching,and goes hand in hand with the instructor as a guide and a help. Grammarshould, so taught, become a pleasure to teacher and pupil. Especially do I

relish the author's pages of ' Notes for Teachers,' at the end of the book. Theman who could write these notes should enlarge them into a monograph on theteaching of English Grammar. He would, thereby, add a valuable contribu-tion to our stock of available pedagogic helps. I must add in closing, that

while the book in question has, of course, but small occasion to touch disputedpoints of English Grammar, it never incurs the censure that school grammarsare almost sure to deserve, of insufificient acquaintance with modern linguistic

science. In short, the writer has shown himself scientifically, as well as peda-gogically, altogether competent for his task."—Principal Samuel Thurber.

HIGH school, fort WAYNE, IND.

". . . . It is not often that one has occasion to be enthusiastic over a

school-book, especially over an English Grammar, but out of pure enthusiasm,I write to express my grateful appreciation of this one. It is, without exception,the best English Grammar that I have ever seen for children from twelve to

fifteen years of age. It is excellent in matter and method. Every page showsthe hand of a wise and skilful teacher. The author has been content to presentthe facts of English Grammar in a way intelligible to children. The book is sointelligible and so interesting from start to finish that only the genius of dulnesscan make it dry. There are no definitions inconsistent with the facts of ourlanguage, no facts at war with the definitions. There are other grammars that

are more '' complete " and as correct in teaching, but not one to be comparedwith it in adaptation to the needs of young students. It will not chloroform theintelhgence."

—

Principal C. T. Lane.

HIGH school, MINOOKA, ILL.

" We introduced your School Grammar into our schools the first of this

term, and are highly satisfied with the results. In my judgment there is nobetter work extant for the class of pupils for which it is designed."—Principal E. F. Adams.

NEWARK academy, NEWARK, N. J.

" We are using with much satisfaction your Longmans' School Grammar,adopted for use in our classes over a year since. Its strong points are simplic-ity of arrangement, and abundance of examples for practice. In these par-ticulars I know of no other book equal to it."

—

Dr. S. A. Farrand.

\*A Prospectus showing contents and specimen pages may be had of the Pub"Ushers.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.

LONGMANS, GREEN, of CO:S PUBLICATIONS

STUDIES IN AMERICAN EDUCATION.By Albert Bushnell Hart, Ph.D. i2mo, cloth, gilt top, $1.25.

Contents : Has the Teacher a Profession ?—Reform in the GrammarSchools—University Participation, a Substitute for University Extension

—

How to Study History—How to Teach History in Secondary Schools—TheStatus of Athletics in American Colleges—Index.

" This volume consists of six essays, each one excellent in its way."—Public Opinion, New York.

" Prof. Hart is a keen observer and a profound thinker ; he knows whatAmerican education is, and he knows what it ought to be . . . his wholetreatment of the subject is vigorous and original. . . . He has a most helpful

article on the study of history, and another equally significant on the teaching of

history in the secondary schools."

—

Beacon, Boston.

"The essays on 'How to Study and Teach History' are admirable. Aseducation is a unit, the same methods can be applied in all grades. The relation

of college curriculums to secondary schools is the underlying subject of the book,but it is still an open question whether secondary schools should justify their

methods because they prepare for college, or whether they should assume the

independent position, that they furnish such knowledge as is most requisite for

boys and girls who can study till they are eighteen, but are not going to college.

It is easily possible to take this attitude and yet have a preparatory class for

Harvard in the same high school."

—

Literary World, Boston.

"As for the essays themselves, however, only words of praise ought to bespoken. The style is clear, concise, active, enlivened by apt illustrations

;

' breezy ' may perhaps be the word. The thought is practical and clear-headed,

as Professor Hart always is, and the essays themselves have been ' brought downto date.' "

—

School Review, Hamilton, N. Y.

" This new volume from the experience and pen of Professor Hart is one of

practical interest, and a valuable addition to the rapidly increasing collection of

works on pedagogy. . . . While all the chapters are interesting, perhaps the

one most interesting to the general reader is that on ' How to Study History,' andhere Mr. Hart shows his decided preferences for the topical method of study.

This chapter should be read by aU students of history and especially by those

members of private classes, of which so many are to be found in our villages andclubs all through the country."

—

Transcript, Boston.

" His studies have a decidedly practical tendency, and together constitute anaddition to our steadily growing stock of good educational literature."—Dial, Chicago.

" The author is especially fitted to write a volume which has the rare merit of

treating current educational ideas not only from the standpoint of the teacher,

but also of the pupil, the board of education and the public at large. The bookwill prove specially interesting and instructive to the general reader."

Post Graduate, Wooster, Ohio,

"Whatever Dr. Hart contributes to educational or histoi'ical literature is

always worth reading, and teachers will find these essays very suggestive. '

'

School Review, Monroe, La.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

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