Robert Southey's Life of Nelson

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N\,.~.. F'. W l ~e..\se~ LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

EDITED BY GEORGE RICE CARPENTER, A.B., Professor of Rhetoric and English Composition in Columbia College.

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EDITED BY • GEORGE RICE C~llPENTER, A.B. ~ PBOl"'B880B 01' RHETORIO AND BNGLISH. COllP08ITION IN COLUJlBU OOLLBGB

ROBERT SOUTHEY

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Dno.',. H'IJTOBT OP ft. PLACJ1r:& m CAllLYLlC'B EauY o. ~~8. Edited Lo.D(J.. Edited bv Profeesor G. B. by Wilson Farrand. A.M .. A880Ciate Carpenter. of Colum"bta College. Principal of the Newark Academy. Newark. N. J. T•• 8,. Roon D. COV'BBLBY' p~ DB QunrCBY'8 FuQII1' OP A- TAJtT.A.B flom "The 8~eetator." Edited by O. H. A.M .. TmBB (RBVoLT OP TJD T..&..BrAll8). D. Lowel ofthe Roxbury Sears Baldwin, LaUD School, Edited by Charles osbury,.Mase. Ph.D., Instructor in Rhetoric In Yale University • OOLDI'III'I'1I"TR. VIO"'. OP W "'~D. 1'mnIY80.'8 TIm PBmOali. Edited by f,~~~}:!o~~t~:~ortc·a~~r~~'E!l~ii George Edward Woodberry, A.B., In Hmlth Oolle,e. Professor of Llterature In Columbia College. nv ••• '. AplnOx O. OO.OJLUTIOK WITS A" •• WA. Edited by Albert 8. Cook. Gmu. ELIOT'8 SILA8 !riA-BlOB. Edited ISh.U.• 1,.11."., J'rofeMor of the Ene- U"h Lafl,ua,G and Llterature ID Yale ~o=r:f :::~~~~i:eU~S:=:; UblYOhlty. of Chicago.

0'''''' Volume, are in Preparation.

ADMIRAL LORD XELSO:S (After the painting by John Hoppner) Jtongmans' C!ngH6~ QI:lassicl

ROBERT SOUTHEY'S LIFE OF NELSON

EDITED

WITH NOTES AND AN INTRODUCTION

BY EDWIN L. MILLE~, A.M.

DftBUCTOB IN ENGLISH IN THE ENGLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, ILLINOIS

NEW YORK LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

LONDO·N AND BOMBAY 1896 OOPYlU9BTt 1896 BT LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO•

.AU ""Ata ruervea

Prese ot J. J. Little & Co. Astor Place, New York PREFACE

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 caugnr-- his first impulse from the pages of Franklin's "Autobi- ography" or Boswell's "Life of Johnson." Many ~ man _.... of .the world, who has risen high above his fellows, can trace the inception of the resolve that led him onward and upward to the inspiration that he drank in from the old Plutarch with the battered cover. Lives of great men all 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 literature. 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. The days 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 PREFAOE with such zeal, such enthusiasm, and such determination as to wrest success, no matter how adverse the circumstances 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 FIRE. The instructor thus endowed will melt down with little trouble all the stubborn elements that oppose him. The book is so exactly calculated to promote the ends outlined that nothing save utter lack of enthusiasm and sympathy can lead to failure. The text is reproduced, with the exception of one or two palpable misprints, from the last edition published during Southey's lifetime. The punctuation and the capitalization 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. EDWIN L. MILLER. ENGLEWOOD, ILL., J'U/II,B, 1896. CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION : PAGE I. Robert Southey ix II. The Life of Nelson xx

SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS A.ND STUDENTS • xxv

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE • . xxxiii

AUTHOR'S NOTE 4 CHAPTERI. Nelson's Birth and Boyhood-He is entered on board the Raisonnable-Goes to the West Indies in a Mer- chant-ship; then serves in the Triumph-He sails in Captain Phipp's Voyage of Discovery-Goes to the East Indies in the Seahorse, and returns in ill Health-Serves as acting Lieu- tenant in the Worcester, and is made Lieutenant into the Louestoffe, Commander into the Badger Brig, and Post into the Hinchinbrook-Expedition against the Spanish Main- Sent to the North Seas in the Albemarle-Services during the American War 5 CHAPTERII. Nelson goes to France during the peace-Re-appointed to the Boreas, and stationed at the Leeward Islands -His firm conduct concerning the American interlopers and the contractors-The West Indies-Man-ies and returns to England- 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- ~oo • M CHAPTERIII. 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-State of affairs in that island-Nelson undertakes the siege of Bastia, and reduces it-Takes a distinguished fart in the siege of Calvi, where he loses an eye-Admira Hotham's action-The Agamemnon ordered to Genoa to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian forces-Gross misconduct of the Austrian General . 54 CluPrn IV. Sir J. Jervis takes the command-Genoa joins the French-Buonaparte begins his career-Evacuation of Corsica-Nelson hoists his broad pendant in the Minerve- viii OONTENTS

PAGB Action with the Sabina-Battle oft Cape St. Vincent-Nel- son commands the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz -Boat action in the Bay of Cadiz-Expedition against Teneriffe-Nelson loses an arm-His sufferings in England, and recovery . . 88 CHAPTERV. 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 CHAPTERVI. Nelson returns to Naples-State of that Court and Kingdom-General Mack-The French approach Naples -Flight of the Royal Family-Successes of the Allies in Italy-Transactions in the Bay of Naples-Expulsion of the French from the Neapolitan and Roman States-Nelson is made Duke of Bronte-He leaves the Mediterranean and returns to England . 147 CHAPTERVII. Nelson separates himself from his wife-Northern Confederacy-He goes to the Baltic under Sir Hyde Parker -Battle of COffnhagenz and subsequent Negotiation-Nel- son Is MAde i §Count...... 198 CHAPTERVIII. Sir Hyde Parker is recalled, and Nelson appointed Commander-He goes to Revel-Settlement of A1fairs in the Baltic-Unsuccessful Attempt upon the Flo- tilla at Boulogne-Peace of Amiens-Nelson takes the Command in the Mediterranean on the Renewal of the War -Escape of the Toulon Fleet-Nelson chases them to the West Indies, and back-Delivers up his Squadron to Ad- miral Cornwallis, and lands in England . 227 CHAPTERIX. Sir Robert Calder falls in with the combined Fleets-They form a Junction with the Ferrol Squadron, and get into Cadiz-Nelson is reappointed to the Com- mand-Battle of Trafalgar-Victory, and Death of Nelson. 267

GLOSSARY,AND INDEX TO NOTES .299

PLANS BATTLEOF CAPE ST. VINCENT . • 100 BATTLEOF THE NILE . . 182 BATTLEOF COPENHAGEN .208 BATTLEOF TRAFALGAR .280 INTRODUCTION

I. ROBERTSOUTHEY.

RoBERT SOUTHEYt came into this world a little 1888 than one month before the first Continental Congress met at Philadelphia. Nelson was then a boy of six and Na- poleon had not reached the age of five. Before Southey was 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 principles of that inspiring struggle into a justification of all that is low, bloody, and barbarous; had beheld the conver- sion of the French Republic into a military despotism; had stood aghast at the amazing conquests of Napoleon; and had 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 common with all the literary men of his day he was deeply influenced by these stupendous events. Indeed, it would not be too much to say that the brilliant summer time of literature which in England followed the close of Napoleon's career was in lar~e measure due to the sense of national security and national supremacy which the downfall of Napoleon had produced. If to the battle of Trafalgar and the battle of Waterloo we owe the present conformation of the map of Europe, we owe to them no less the writings of Coleridge and Wordsworth, 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

I Pronounced Sowth-ey or S1fdh.ey. x INTRODUOTION

12, 1774. Through the kindness and generosity of an ancient 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 the uses of the cane. At this and other schools he imbibed much miscellaneous information, much French radicalism dangerous for an English boy to possess, a startling liberality of theological opinion, and a superficial knowledge of the foreign languages in the curriculum; moreover, he wrote prose and verse with great industry and little apparent 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 and nearly driven into rebellion by examinations; all, he said, that he learned was a little swimming and a little boating. 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 not fruitless 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 pen idle. During his residence at Oxford he wrote a socialistic drama called "Wat Tyler," and shortly after bidding adieu to his Alma Mater . he had an epic poem called "Joan of Arc," in twelve books, ready for the publisher. Neither of these productions, both of which had been inspired by the French Revolution, was given at once to the world. Already Southey's radicalism was beginning to evaporate. The executions of Marie Antoinette, of Madame Roland, and of Brissot, followed hard as they were by a carnival of butchery, gave fatal shocks to his I enthusiasm. For awhile he thought of organizing a band of republicans to liberate Greece; for awhile he had dreams of a cottage in America. Financial reasons prevented the realization of either plan. Though hard pressed for money, the strength of his conscience would not, as Emerson's would not, permit him to obtain the relief which he could have secured at once by taking INTRODUOTION xi orders; and the weakness of his nerves prevented him from 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 Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He too had already suffered adversity and written poetry. Between him and Southey a warm friendship 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 banks of 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 was promptly complied with by both of the projectors of Pan- tisocracy, by which fine word they designated their scheme, Ooleridge shortly afterward marrying an estimable young woman called Sara Fricker, and Southey becoming the husband 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 own powers that is hall 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 impatient to be at the side of his young wife; and though he luxuriated 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 INTBODUOTION quarto, by his ·friend Cottle,' the same who had lent him money to buy his wedding ring. It was praised in the reviews 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 =-eertainly 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 himself with an energy and an industry that remain unparalleled 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 had ceased to think. His punctuality, his precision, and his energy in the labor of his chosen profession, indeed, have become 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 my selections and biographies, or what else suits my humor till dinner-time; from dinner till tea I read, write letters, see the newspaper. . . . After tea I go to poetry, and correct, and rewrite, and copy till I am tired." Fearful, indeed, is the tribute of nerves and brain tissue which Apollo exacts from .those who seek to win bread by the pen; unremitting in a unique degree the slavish toil; and ever imminent tlie danger of collapse physical or mental. Of all this Southey was acutely conscious. As he could not 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 think of two poems at once. It proceeds from weakness, not

I Byron paid his respects to this estimable gentleman, who sometimes wooed the Muses himself, immortalizing him by one line in English Bord« and Scotch Reviewers: " 0 Amos Cottle 1 Phoebus, what a Dame 1" Once, he said, Cottle was a seller of books he did not write, and now a writer of books he does not sell. • INTRODUOTION xiii from strength. I could not stand the continuous excitement which you have gone through in your tragedy. " In spite of all his precautions, however, he found himself threatened, after three years of this life, with complete prostration. Change seemed absolutely necessary; his uncle invited him again to Lisbon; a friend gave bim £100; and in April, 1800, he was once more on his way to Por- tugal. Oomplete restoration to health, a more thorough knowledge of Portuguese books, and a vast collection of materials for a history of that country were the immediate results 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, and the foaming waterfalls of the charming region that James Russell 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 children were born, and here, also, some of them died. Here his books were written and here corrected. Hither, too, came distinguished friends- Wordsworth, Shelley with his mystical skepticism, William Taylor, full of Germany and the Germans, Lamb and his puns, and Landor on fire with enthusiastic admiration for the sterling manhood of the host, Honors were not denied to him. He was made poet-laureate; he was elected a member of Parliament; a baronetcy was offered to him; pensions, liberal if not munificent, 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, When a daughter, "an Edithling," as he called her, " very, very ugly, with no more beauty' than a young dodo," was born to him in 1804, he was beside himself with joy. A few years later he resolved to abandon a journey to Spain which he had planned, for the reason that it meant that he must 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 INTRODUOTION

"I have five children, three of them at home, and two under my mother's care in heaven." His fine lines on love, in the "Curse of Kehama," 1 are well known, and nobody who has read his biography can doubt that every rord was written from his heart. His o~~" ,-r nassion, a passion equally mastering, was centred upon 'iuS bo~l,:S. 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 fourteen thousand volumes. Their preservation and arrangement were a source of constant joy and constant care to him. He learned the mysteries of the binder's art and taught them to his daughters. One room was called Paul, \ because Peter, the organ-room, had been robbed to furnish i~' with books. He read, made excerpts, and classified the ki ~ .-{ledgethus acquired with incredible speed. If reduced to twelve books, he declared that he would elect to retain Shakespeare, Chaucer, Spenser, and Milton; Jackson, Jeremy Taylor, and South; Isaac Walton, 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 approach of Wordsworth. " Letting him into one's library is," he said, "like letting a bear into a tulip garden." Rogers said that Southey was never happy except when rending 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 and singular beauty,2 has left us a record of how completely his

1Beginning, " They sin who tell us Love can die, With life all other passions fly, All others are but vanity." .. t Beginning, " My days amonf the Dead are passed, Around me behold Where' er these casual eyes are cast, The mighty minds of old ; M_y never tailing friends are they, With whom I converse day by day." INTRODUOTION 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 the minds of other men that he never had time to look into his own. The charge is, in part, well founded. While he left one hundred printed volumes and one hundred and fifty book reviews, he bequeathed little that after generations have not willingly let die. Most of his prose is little more than a sublimated sort of compilation; most of his poetry is 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 poems are models of clear and graceful narration and easy versification. Some of them overflow with rollicking good humor; 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. The inscription which he wrote for his wife's coffee-pot, for instance, is a bit of humorous pleasantry that will never lose its point or its fun. Macaulay said that in all South- ey's attempts to be witty, he never succeeded in being anything 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 by the "March to Moscow." Southey, indeed, issued his first volume of short poems with the motto, "Nos haec novimus nihil," but posterity has reversed his decision. Who does not know" Mary the Maid of the Inn," " Bishop Bruno," "Bishop Ratto," 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 jumbled eagerness which they exhibit in his verse? On the other hand, who now reads " Thalaba," that wild and wondrous song, or " Kehama, " or " Madoc," or " Roderick, the Last of 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 effective versification, abundant vigor and abundant fire, they xvi INTRODUOTION

are fatally defective in one of the two fundamental requi- sites of literature. It is the 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 infinite, to embody what may be in terms of what is. Unless literature does this, there is no justification for its existence. In" Thalaba" and "Madoc," and the "Curse of Kehama " there is an abundance of the spiritual, the infinite, 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 him to write, the less that is said perhaps the better. He himself described the yearly process of manufacturing stanzas for New Year's as an ode-ous job. Two of his most fortunate 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 composed during the negotiations with Napoleon in 1814. These, however, were more than counterbalanced by the enormous failure of the "Vision of Judgment," a sort of apothe- osis of the poor old crazy King, George III., which was greeted from all quarters with derisive comment, and paro- died, with most admirable success, by the wicked and witty Byron. Southey's relations with Byron form, indeed, one of the most readable chapters in his history. In" English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," Byron had mischievously remarked that "Thalaba" would be read when Homer and Virgil were forgotten, but-not till then; had declared that startled metre had fled before" Thalaba's " face; and had 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, through the intervention of Rogers. Byron was much pleased with what he called Southey's "epic appearance." "'ro have his head and shoulders, I would," ne said, "almost have written 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 INTRODUOTION xvii generation; posterity will probably select; but he has passages equal to anything." However, when he was about to give" Don Juan," a strange compound of ribaldry and beauty, of wit and blasphemy, to the world, Byron, who dearly loved to shock people, saw and took the opportunity· to 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 SoutheyI You're a poet-Poet-Iaureate, 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 that the 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- hap.py course of conduct, have rebelled against the holiest ordinances of human society; and, hating that revealed religion which, with all their efforts and bravadoes, they are unable entirely to disbelieve, labor to make others as miserable as themselves, by infecting them with a moral virus that eats into the soul." Byron's revenge was, as has been hinted, an ample one; contemporaries are generally ready to laugh with a wit, especially when he is laugh- ing at a saint, and they laughed Immoderately with Byron at Southey; posterity may still smile, but it is forced to acknowledge that Southey, in spite of his vehemence, was mainly in the right, and Byron, in spite of his wit, mainly in the wrong. The change in Southey's religion and politics alluded to in the dedication to "Don Juan" laid him open to many bitter attacks as long as he lived, and has puzzled his later critics not a little. In reality, there is nothing either dishonourable or surprising in the transformation which his opinions underwent. Hundreds of cases might be cited of hot-headed and warm-hearted boys who have held opinions which in their after years they completely disavowed; and Southey in his iconoclastic Oxford days was only a boy. Praed turned Tory. Macaulay turned xviii INTRODUOTION

Whig. Mr. Gladstone changed from Toryism to Liberal- ism. A man is not bound by any moral obligation to believe 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, obstinately affirming that the sun was still there." He, on the contrary, altered his position as the world went round. To the last, however, he was the cham:pion of grand schemes for reform, and a dreamer of socialistic visions which show that the fire which inspired" Wat Tyler" still smouldered in his breast. Those visions, or such of them as are embodied in the" Colloquies on Society," Macaulay dissected with much acumen and justice in one of his brilliant reviews, which is to be found in the first volume of his collected essays, and which thoroughly deserves a perusal by every student of Southey. His other prose works, excepting always the" Life of Nelson," may be briefly dis- missed. Their manner is, as Byron said, perfect. "We find," 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 was unfortunate in his choice of subjects. Brazil and Portu~al did not interest the public. His" History of the Pemn- 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 succeeded passably; with that of Nelson, transcendently. "I'hough it was not till 1834 that Southey was provided with a year's expenditure ahead, his ceaseless industry brought 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 one whose heart was less kindly than his; but he seldom resisted 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. INTRODUOTION xix

Of Southey's personal appearance Carlyle has left us Borneinteresting memories. Speaking of one of his interviews 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 counted him 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 touched genially 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. In 1835 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 than he," who" had heroically volunteered to marry him, for the purpose of consoling, eto., to which he heroically had assented. " The dismal expedient succeeded no better than was to be expected; quarrels arose between wife and daughters; the poet's mind grew daily weaker; and, in 1840, when Wordsworth went over to Greta Hall, his old friend did not recognize him till he was told. " Then," his visitor tells us, "his eyes flashed for a moment with their former brightness, but he sank into the state in which I had found him, patting with both hands his books affectionately 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 character. He was womanish, quick to anger, keen rather than deep, and as eager and egotistical as a child about his own productions. But when these deductions have been made, there is nothing more to be said against him. The study of his life is really more inspiring than the study of his works. Piety; gentle, deep affection; reverence for xx INTRODUOTION

God and man; a kind, sincere, and courteous manner; absolute" reliability; "-these are the words which the severest of critics-Coleridge and Carlyle-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 conscience 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 Marcus Cato. 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. magnitude 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 MAN. "

II. THE "LIFE OF NELSON." Howthe "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 (luarterly ReDiew (February, 1810), which was enlarged at Murray's request. My father received altogether £300 for 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 had not been thrust upon me. I have walked among sea-terms as carefully as a cat does among crockery; but if I have succeeded in making the narrative continuous and clear-the very reverse of what it is in the lives before me-the materials are in themselves INTRODUOTION xxi

80 full of character, 80 picturesque and so sublime, that it cannot fail of being a good book." 1

Of the narratives thus referred to, the chief was the "Life of Nelson" by Clarke and M'Arthur, from which ~ Southey 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 the work quickly, to which this wholesale aPllropriation of material points, arose doubtless the only serIOUSdefects of the book-an occasional ambiguity and an occasional use of technical terms which is out of place in a narrative intended primarily for the general reader. '!'he general reader, however, was pleased with Southey's little 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 lublished by the American government, and a copy issue to every seaman and every officer in the American navy. The greatest of British reviewers Bummed up its merits in enthusiastic

I The book was dedicated to John Wilson Croker (1780-1850), who was a warm personal friend of Southey's, and famous for his connection with the Quarterly Review. He was one of the best haters that English literature has p_roduced. Political and literary reformers

were his pet aversion. He wrote the article which was long believed '# to have Killed Keats, whom he called a copyist of Leigh Hunt, "more unintelligible, almost as rugged, twice as diffuse, and ten times more tiresome and absurd than his prototype." To this Byron refers in the familiar epigram: "Who kill'd John Keats' , It' says the Q.oarterly, 80 savage ana tartarly , 'Twas one of my feats.' ,1 Croker's favorite pastime consisted in exposing minute inaccuracies in the statements of his contemporaries: but he was treated to a taste of his own dish when he published his edition of Boswell's Life of JolvnBoo, which was reviewed by Macaulay in his most slashing style. He endeavored to revenge himself on the great essayist when the latter's History of England appeared, but, as Rogers said, ,e attempted murder, but only committed suicide." Macaulay is said to 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 as Rigby in his novel of Ooningsby. Croker wrote a volume of poems called SongB of Trafalgar, and served as Secretary to the Admiralty for twenty-two years. xxii INTRODUCTION

eulogy. It was ·in the Edinburgh Review for January, 1830, that Macaulay wrote: "No writer, perhaps, ever lived whose talents so precisely qualified 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. The exploits 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 reasoning 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, and James's" Naval History;" the men who love to pry into the dark places in human history have found more congen- ial matter in Petti~rew 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 advantage 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 III literary quality; and it is literary 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 more than fourscore years; it is already one of our classics, and one 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 l>8BBiveand merely receptive mind, or with an active and discriminat- ing one. 'I'he first process, it is almost needless to 881., will afford Iittle pleasure, and less profit. The second will make possible, and even necessary, in connection with almost every paragraph, a stimulating, rational, and delightful exercise of the judgment and the imagination. INTRODUOTION xxiii

To the student who turns the following pages with a mind alive and active, two questions will continually present themselves and will have continually to be answered. Is it not possible or even probable that the views expressed bv Southey are somewhat colored and distorted by his pa- tnotism as an Englishman? Is it not likely that, not being ourselves English, we shall fail, unless we keey the point constantly in mind, to appreciate to the ful the heroic element in Nelson's career and the place which he must hold in English hearts ? Southey's remarks concerning our own war of independence (p. 3S) will serve, for instance, to put the student on 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 show him that there is another side to the picture that Southey paints. He must not, however, hasten to condemn our author as partial and unreliable. He should seek rather to put himself in the writer's place, divine his thoughts, feel 88 he felt, and by such means better understand his point of 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 history. For Southey's unscrupulous French and degenerate Italians, let him substitute the British who burned the capitol 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 John Bull 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 memory of Nelson must be to every British heart. There are scores of American seamen the mention of whose names awakens a responsive thrill in the bosoms of their countrymen. John Paul Jones and Decatur, Porter and Law- rence, Bainbridge and Hull, M'Donough, Stewart and Perry, are magic words to us. One of them won a reputation for deeds of romantic daring; one of them died nobly in the hour of a defeat that was no disgrace; another xxiv IN'1'RODUOTION

was captured by a force thrice his own after a bloody struggle; 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 engaged in more actions and captured more men, guns, and ships

I than anyone of these great American seamen in his whole . career. 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 III energy, in picturesque- ness, and in brilliancy of achievement. But, tremendous as is the affection which these qualities secure and must continue 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 European power. Had he not lived and fought and died no English fireside would be what it is to-day. For England he did 88 much as Washington or Lincoln did for us. Every Englishman must realize that without his services his country could not have been protected against the fury and the ambition of Napoleon. Had it not been for Trafalgar, Waterloo might never have been fought; the British empire in India might not exist; one half of Europe might to..day be French and the other Russian; and England, instead of owning an empire on which the sun never sets, and ranking second to none of the powers, might occupy a position somewhat inferior to that of Austria, and perhaps a trifle more important than that of Holland. SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

THE following is a list of the best and most available books on Nelson: Clark and M'Arthur: Life of Nelson. 2 vols, 1809. No longer regarded as authority.-Hamilton, Lady: Mem- oirs. Anonymous. 1815. Abused (and used) by most writers on Nelson. Proved true in the main by other books.-Hamilton: Nelson Papers. 2 vols, 1894. Printed for private distribution.-Harrison: Life of Nelson. 1806. Laughton calls it "a pack of lies." Mr. Clark Russell characterizes it as "a romantic view of the hero from a Della-Oruscanor Rosa-Matilda standpoint, a book inspired by the bad taste and flighty imagination of Lady Hamil- ton. "--James: Naval History. 6 vols. The standard authority 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. A thoroughly digested.resume of Nelson's career, up to date. -Captain Mahan: The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire. 2 vols. 1892. An admirable work by a distinguished authority on naval history. The best book on the subject.-Nicolas: Dispatches and Letters of Lord Nelson. 7 vols. 1844-46. The storehouse of facts concerning Nelson.-Pettigrew: Mem- oirs of the Life of Nelson. 2 vols. 1849. Contains much 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. A picturesque book, full of anecdotes and interesting information. xxvi SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

With regard to Southey, consult the followins.:books, the best authorities likely to be in the reach of pupila in the United States: Allibone: Dictionary of British and American Authors, vol. iii. A complete 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: Encyclopredia 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. Full of keen and brilliant analysis and noble rhetoric.-Russell, W. Clark: Book of Authors, p. 396. An interesting collection of the things said by great people about Southey.- Taine: English Literature. Consult index. Southey's respectability as viewed by a Frenchman.-Ward: English Poets, vol. iv., p. 155. The latest criticism. Selections from Southey's poems.-Welsh: Development of English Language and Literature, vol. ii., p. 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. 7 Charles Cuthbert Southey, in 1850. The amount of time which, in most schools, can be devoted to the " Life of Nelson," will probably not exceed half a term. If so much ground is to be covered in such a limited time with any appreciable gain, there is obviously need of a carefully planned and prearranged 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. 'rake yourself the office of critic. Let the dominating principle 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 TEAOHERS AND STUDENTS xxvii this be primarily an exercise in that sort of judgment which is needed to seize and connect the salient points of a narrative, rejecting uninteresting and trivial details. Let it, above all, be brief-non multa sed m'Ultum. Supple- ment this work, and test the knowledge of the pupil continually, by asking oral questions on the subject matter. 3. Insist that every word written be regarded as a part of the work in composition. 4. Refuse to receive papers defective in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and neatness. 5. Encourage absolute freedom of thought and expression-always by example, never by precept. Remember that an ounce of praise is worth a pound of blame. The great Nelson always declared that hIS officers and men were the noblest set of fellows in the world. 6. Do not make the mistake of confining your attention to three or four pupils at each recitation. No blunder is commoner, and none is more exactly calculated to put a class to sleep. Ask a great number of short, sharp questions, 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 programme of twenty minutes on topics suggested by the text; last, a lecture of thirty minutes on the chapter for the ensuing recitation. A liberal portion of the last should be devoted to assigning the work in such definite form that the student will not waste time or effort. One or two specific things to be done may and should be based on each page. For example, "You are to answer this question by a quotation from the text; you will rewrite this sentence, the purpose being to convey the same idea in fewer and better words; you will select either a title or a motto for the chapter; you will bring to the class a sentence carefully framed and embodying some bit of criticism on the text. " 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 lawyer's to go to theirs for information concerning the navigation laws, 9. A few subjects suitable for the programmes suggested will be found scattered throughout the notes. Others, xxviii BUGGESTIONS FOR TEAOHERS .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 Nelson most to be envied ?-'rhe Battle of the Nile. (A description to be written from memory and afterwards compared with Southey's.)-Which do you prefer as a battle painter-Southey or Clark Russell ?-If you were about to paint a group of the characters in the book, how would you arrange them ?-The names of the vessels 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 long neglected 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 about things 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 composition will 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 been directed to the solution of the problems to which these difficulties have given rise, with results which are not altogether 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 securing this result have met with wide approval. In some cases material has been drawn from the pupil's own observation of men and things; in others it has been obtained 8UGGBSPIONS FOB TEAOHERS .AND STUDENTS xxix from books. Both plans have been productive of great and lasting good, but each has brought with it certain evils. In cases where pupils have drawn their subjects for compositions 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 saymg it effectively. There was 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 from literature has resulted In evils equally serious and more generally apparent. It is inimical to originality of thought and language. 'I'he pupil's writing is usually unsatisfactory in one of two ways. If he has endeavored to think for himself, his criticisms are painfully inadequate in expression. If he has taken his ideas from books, and tried to put them into his own words, he has merely turned good English into English which, if not bad, is pretty sure to be inferior. 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 recognized principle 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 place his hand, as it were, upon the very pulse of the living genius of the language in its noblest forms. The same ~rinciple may be 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 and spirit of which it would be folly to ask a class to imitate. It would be a waste of time to set ordinary girls and boys to work upon effusions in the style of S~enser, or Milton, or Shakspere. Abundant inspiration will be found, however, in Chaucer and Pope, Bacon and Addison, Haw- thorne, Irving, and Macaulay. The method of procedure can be illustrated by the last named author's review of Robert Montgomery's poems. First, this will be read and xxx SU(}GESTIONS FOR TEAOHERB AND STUDENTS commented on in class. Particular attention will be paid throughout 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 paragraph is 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 the worst book of poems that ingenuity can unearth and money can 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 out mistakes 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 contended that it is better to have a faulty style than no style at all. However, the danger from this source can be much exaggerated. 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 contemplates no 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 manner 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 Great Civil War" will furnish hints for a conversation between Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, or between William Wilson and William M'Kinley. Upon his critique of Dante may be based a critique of the Sixth Book of the " .LEneid;" 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 biography 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 bow to BU(}(JES'1'IONS'FOR TEAOHERS AND STUDEN1'S'xxxi report the .substance of a conversation: Webster's Bunker Hill 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 manner the debate between Webster and Hayne may be effectively described. A delightful exercise may be obtained by having the class produce portraits from life of people they know, basing the work ~pon the character sketches in the prologue to the "Oanterbury 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' Roof Tree" 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. 'I'he purity of the diction, the simplicity of the style, the freedom of the work from mannerisms, and the exquisite taste of the author, which equally eschews what is turgid and what is mean, make it at once one of the easiest and one of the safest of models. 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 on the 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 and some others will be found scattered throughout the notes.'

1The student is advised, as a matter of practical advantage, when making 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 hall their terrors. xxxii SU(}(}EBPIONB lOB TEAOHERS AND STUDENTS

A trial of the principle contended for will reveal many advantages which the necessary limits of the present discussion 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 being dishonest. It causes him to read critically, to observe accurately, and to describe with precision. It makes him intolerant 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 charms and artistic allurements, the existence of which he never dreamed of before, and the full effect of which mere reading, however careful, can never reveal. OHRONOLOGIOAL TABLE xxxiii xxxiv OHRONOLOGIOAL TABLE

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'\ xxxviii OHRONOLOGICAL TABLE

..... o THE LIFE OF NELSON

BY ROBERT SOUTHEY, ESQ., LL.D.

POBT LAURBATB, BTO., BTC.

"Bursting through the gloom With radiant glory from thy trophied tomb, The sacred splendour of thy deathless name Shall grace and guard thy Country's martial fame. Far-seen shall blaze the unextinguish'd ray, A mighty beacon, lighting Glory's way; With Iiving lustre this proud Land adorn, And shine, and save, through ages yet unborn." -ULJI AND TRA.FALGAR.

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 QUALIi'IED TO DECIDE UPON ITS LITERARY MERITS,

THIS VOLUME

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

BY HIS FRIEND, THE AUTHOR. AUTHOR'S NOTE

MANY lives of NELSON have been written: one is yet wanting, clear and concise enough to become a manual for the young sailor, which he may carry about with him, till he has treasured up the example in his memory and in his heart. In attempting such a work, I shall write the eulogy of our great naval Hero; for the best eulogy of NELSON is 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 Baieon« nable-Goes to the West Indies in a Merchant-ship; then serves in the Triumph-He sails in Captain Phipp's Voyage of Discovery-Goes to the East Indies in the Seahorse, and returns in ill Health-Serves as acting Lieutenant in the Worcester, and is made Lieutenant into the Louestoffe, Commander into the Badger Brig, and Post into the Hinchinbrook-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, was born September 29, 1758, in the parsonage-house of Burn- ham-Thorpe.s a village in the county of Norfolk, of which his father was rector. The maiden name of his mother was Suckling: her grandmother was an elder sister of Sir Robert Walpole,s and this child was named after his god-

1 The introduction to a composition should serve as a sort of bridge from the mind of the reader to the subject in hand. When the subject is of universal interest, as Nelson was when this book appeared, no. preliminary remarks are needed. The student of composition should examine tho introductory paragraphs of several biographies. Those of Boswell's Johnson, Trevelyan's Macaulay, Froude's Oasar, and McMaster's Franklin are suggested. After he has done this, he should try his hand at composing an introduction for a biography. t 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, drawing lines to represent Nelson's various movements from place to place. A railway or steamship "folder," which can be obtained free, will serve admirably for this purpose. I Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1757), first Earl of Orford, was the head of the Whig party for more than twenty years. His youngest son, Horace Walpole, fourth Earl of Orford (1717-1797), was famous as a literary amateur. One of his novels, the Castle of Otranto, is 6 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1770 father, the first t Lord Walpole. Mrs, Nelson died in 1767, leaving eight out of eleven children. Her brother, Cap- tain Maurice Suckling," of the Navy," visited the widower upon this event, and promised to take care of one of the boys. 'I'hree years afterwards, when Horatio was only twelve years of age, being at home during the Christmas holidays, he read in the county newspaper that his uncle was appointed to the Raisonnable, of sixty-four guns. "Do, William," said he to a brother who was a year and a half older than himself, "write to my father and tell him that I should like to go to sea with uncle Maurice." Mr. Nelson was then at Bath;' whither he had gone for the recovery of his health: his circumstances were straitened, and he had no prospect of ever seeing them bettered: he knew that it was the wish of providing for himself by which Horatio was chiefly actuated; and did not oppose his resolution: he understood also tho boy's character, remarkable as having been the first attempt made to base a work of fiction upon the medireval tales of chivalry. Macaulay's E88ay 011, the Earl of Ohathom and his review of Horace W 81pole's Letters to Sir Horace Mann contain much interesting gossip concerning these men. 1 Southey must have meant the second Lord Walpole, as an examination of the dates will show. 2 The Suckling family, like that of the Walpoles, was a famous one. One member of it was Secretary of State to James I. His son was the poet. Sir John (1609-1641), the wittiest gallant, tho most reckless gambler, the best bowler and card-player of his day. I The English navy in 1760 consisted of 412 ships of 321,104 tons. For its history and organization consult the E1lCyclopcedia Britannica, and W. Clark Russell, Life of Nelson, p. 317. At this period first-rate battle-ships registered from 1,814 to 2,508 tons, and carried 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 80 guns, had two decks, and ranged from 1,842 to 2,143 tons; fourth- rates, also two-deckers, carried from 50 to 60 guns, and ranged from 912 to 1,226 tons; fifth-rates, known as frigates, had one deck, carried from 82 to 44 guns, and ranged from 704 to 1,876 tons. The standard battle-ship carried 74 guns. There were also numerous lighter vessels. In general, British vessels were inferior to French and Spanish ships of the same class. For example, a certain French 80 thrinr a broadside weighing 1,287 pounds, while that of a British 98 threw o~>: 1,019 pounds. • In the ~teentb cent~ Bath became the most famous watering- ~ in BiigJancL It hal often been mentioned in literature; the student 1rill remember .Pickwick and the YirginiaM in this OOIlI1eotloD. 1770] THE LIFE OF NELSON and had always said, that in whatever station he might be 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 off his head, and provide for him at once." It is manifest from these words, that Horatio was not the boy whom his uncle would have chosen to bring up in his own profession. He was never of a strong body; and the ague, which at that time was one of the most common diseases in England, had greatly reduced his strength; yet he had already given proofs of that resolute heart and no- bleness of mind, which, during his whole career of labour and of glory, so eminently distinguished him. When a mere child, he strayed a bird's-nesting from his grandmother's house in company with a cowboy: the dinner- hour elapsed; he was absent, aud could not be found; and the alarm of the family became very great, for they apprehended that he might have been carried off by gipsies. At length, after search had been made for him in various directions, he was discovered alone, sitting composedly by the side of a brook which he could not get over. " I wonder, child," said the old lady when she saw him, "that 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 he and his brother William had set off on horseback to return to school, they came back because there had been a fall of snow; and William, who did not much like the journey, said it was too deep for them to venture on. " If that be the case," said the father, "you certainly shall not go: but make another attempt, and I will leave it to your honour. If the road is dangerous, you may return: but remember, boys, I leave it to your honour." The snow was deep enough to have afforded them a reasonable excuse: but Horatio was not to be prevailed upon to turn back. "We must go on," said he: "remember, brother, it was left to our honour! "-There were some fine pears growing in the schoolmaster's garden, which the boys regarded as lawful booty; but the boldest among them were afraid to venture 8 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1770 for the prize. Horatio volunteered upon this service: he was lowered down at night from the bedroom window by some sheets, plundered the tree, was drawn up with the pears, and then distributed them among his schoolfellows without reserving any for himself.-" He only took them," he said, "because every other boy was afraid. " 1 Early on a cold and dark spring morning Mr. Nelson's servant arrived at this school," at North Walsham, with the expected summons for Horatio to join his ship. S The parting from his brother William, who had been for so many years his playmate and bed-fellow, was a painful effort, and was the beginning of those privations which are the sailor's lot through life. He accompanied his father to London. The Raisonnable was lying in the Medway. He was put into the Chatham stage, and on its arrival was set down with the rest of the passengers, and left to find his way on board as he could. After wandering about in the cold without being able to reach the ship, an officer observed the forlorn appearance of the boy; questioned him; and, happening to be acquainted with his uncle, took him home, and gave him some refreshments. When he got on board, Captain Suckling was not in the ship, nor had any person been apprised of the boy's coming. He paced the deck the whole remainder of the day, without being noticed by anyone; and it was not till the second day that somebody, as he expressed it, "took compassion on him." The pain which is felt when we are first trans-

1 Have such anecdotes as these any literary value? Do they arouse your interest? Do they cause you to wish to read further? What is the reason for introducing such 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 Nel80n in the "English Men of Action " series. 2 Notice how this word produces a connection between this para- gra{lh and the preceding one. Study Macaulay's method of pro- ducmg paragraph sequences. Then, as an exercise, manufacture se~uences 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 Dever went to bed or got up without kneeling down and saying his prayers." One of his schoolfellows remembered him as a lad who wore a green coat. and labored at the market pump 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 cut from the parent tree, is one of the most poignant which we have to endure through life. 'I'here are after griefs which wound more deeply, which leave behind them scars never to be effaced, which bruise the spirit and sometimes break the heart: but never do we feel so keenly the want of love, the necessity of being loved, and the sense of utter desertion, as when we first leave the haven of home, and are, as it were, pushed off upon the stream of life. Added to these feelings, the sea-boy has to endure physical hard- ships, and the privation of every comfort, even of sleep. Nelson had a feeble body and an affectionate heart, and he remembered through life his first days of wretchedness in the service.' The Raisonnable having been commissioned on account of the dispute respecting the Falkland Islands.s was paid off as soon as that difference with the court of Spain was accommo- dated, and Captain Suckling was removed to the Triumph, seventy-four, then stationed as a guardship 8 in the Thames. This was considered as too inactive a station for a boy, and Nelson was therefore sent a voyage to the West Indies in 8 merchant-ship, commanded by Mr, John Rathbone, an excellent seaman, who had served as Master's mate under Captain Suckling in the Dreadnouqlit. He returned a practical seaman, but with a hatred of the king's service, and a saying then common among the sailors---" Aft the most honour, forward the better man." Rathbone had probably been disappointed and disgusted in the Navy; and, with no unfriendly intentions, warned Nelson against a profession which he himself had found hopeless. His uncle received him on board the Triumplt on his return; and discovering his dislike to the navy, took the best

J Is the conclusion to this paragraph as satisfactory as if it had been more definite? Do you think it is susceptible of improvement? If so. try to improve it. t The Falkland Islands were given up to England in 1771 by the Spaniards. See Massey's England, chap. xxii. ; 8tanhoJM:'s England, chap. xlvi.; Mahan, Influence of Sea-Power 'upon HMtory, p. 835 ; Laughton, Nelson, p. 7. I A vessel of war appointed to superintend marine affairs in a harbor or river, to see that the ships not in commission have their proper watch kept, by sending boats about them each night, and, in time 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 1 and decked long-boat" which was attached to the commanding officer's ship at Chatham. S Thus he became 8 good pilot for vessels of that description, from Chatham to the Tower,' and down the Swin 5 Channel to the North Foreland, and acquired a confidence among rocks and sands, of which be often felt the value." Nelson had not been many months on board the Tri- umph when his love of enterprise was excited by hearing that two ships were fitting out for a voyage of discovery toward the North Pole. In consequence of tbe difficulties which were expected on such a service, these vessels were to take out effective men instead of the usual number of boys. This, however, did not deter him from soliciting to be received, and by his uncle's interest 7 he was admitted as coxswain 8 under Captain Lutwidge, second in command. The voyage was undertaken in compliance with an applica-

l.A. single-masted vessel with fore-and-aft main-sail. So called from its sharp lines. 2.A large ship's boat, often from thirty to forty feet long. 8 Why was this an inducement? 4 The Tower of London, the Thames being spanned by bridles above that point. 6 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. S The life of a sailor at this time was anything but an enviable one. Ile had probably been persuaded to enter it by the bludgeons of 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 with enthusiasm, But Jack was not a patriot, lIo was a slave. Tho slightest infraction of discipline was punished with cruel blows. The ships were not only cheerless, hut vermin-ridden and foul from bilge-water. There was nothing to drink but grog, it being impossible with the means then employed to keep a supply of fresh water for any lengt h of time, and coffee and tea. not yet having been introduced. Diseuse carried off ten men where one fell ill battle. In later years Nelson did much to ameliorate these dreadful conditions ; ·and his efforts in this direction undoubtedly contributed in no small degree to his popularity and his fame. 7 Influence. II The officer in charge of the captain's barge. Like the master and boatswain, he carried a whistle. The word "cog," from which cox- BtDain is derived, meant originally a " ship," later a "boat." 1773] THE LIFE OF NELSON 11 tion from the Royal Society.' Captain the Hon. Constan- tine John Phipps, eldest son of Lord Mulgrave, volunteered his services. The Racehorse and Carcass bombs 2 were selected, as the strongest ships, and therefore best adapted for such a voyage; and they were taken into dock and strengthened to render them as secure as possible against the ice. Two masters of Greenlandmen were employed as pilots for each ship. No expedition 3 was ever more carefully fitted out; and the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Sandwich, with a laudable solicitude, went on board himself before their departure, to see that everything had been completed to the wish of the officers. The ships were provided with a simple and excellent apparatus for distill- ing fresh from salt water, the invention of Dr. Irving, who accompanied 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, from thirty-four to forty gallons were produced every day. They sailed from the N ore 5 on the 4th of June: on the

1 The Royal Society for Improving Natural Knowledge was founded in 1660. It has ever since 1?erformed magnificent service in the furtherance 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 manner of measuring tonnage in ships, gas-works, lightning-conductors, Babbage's calculating-machine, and innumerable astronomical and geological 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, and Da vy medals are best known. The most famous name on its rolls is that of Sir Isaac Newton. 2 Bombs, vessels 011 which mortars were mounted, mortars being used to throw bornhs. I" 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. 4 The large kettle used for cooking the crew's food. Called "copper" in the American navy. I 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 0 56 ' 39"; longitude 9 0 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 through with ice-anchors. 1 Captain Phipps continued ranging along the ice northward and westward till the 24th; he then tried to the eastward. On the 30th he was in latitude 800 13 ',2 longitude 180 48' E., among the islands and in the ice, with no appearance of an opening for the ships. The weather was fine, mild, and unusually clear. Here they were becalmed in a large bay, with three apparent openings between the islands which formed it; but everywhere, as far as they could see, surrounded with ice. There was not a breath of air, the water was perfectly smooth, the ice covered with snow, low and even, except a few broken pieces near the edge; and the pools of water in the middle of the ice-fields just crusted over with young ice. On the next day the ice closed upon them, and no opening was to be seen anywhere, except a hole, or lake, as it might be called, of about a mile and a half in circumference, where the ships lay fast to the ice with their ice-anchors. They filled their casks with water from these ice-fields, which was very pure and soft. The men were playing on the ice all day; but the Greenland pilots, who were further than they had ever been before, and considered that the season was far advancing, were alarmed at being thus beset." The next day there was not the smallest opening, the ships were within less than two lengths of each other, separated by ice, and neither having room to turn. The ice, which the day before had been fiat, and almost level

1 An S-shaped bar of round iron, sharpened at the point of its longer curve. A hawser is attached to the shorter curve, and the anchor holds by the sharpened point, being inserted in a hole made for the purpose or in a crevice. t The highest latitude yet reached, 830 24' 0", was attained by Lieutenant Lockwood of Greely'S party, in 1884. The highest latitude reached previous to the attempt mentioned in the text was in 1607 by Hudson, who went as far as 80° 23' 0". I The student should endeavor to get a definite picture from this description, and try to see why it is effective and clear, Then, as an exercise, he should write a description of some winter scene from his own observation, 1778] THE LIFE OF NELSON 13 with the water's edge, was now in many places forced higher than the mainyard,' by the pieces squeezing together. A day of thick fog followed: it was succeeded by clear weather, but the passage by which the ships had entered from the westward was closed, and no open water was in sight, either in that or any other quarter. By the pilots' advice the men were set to cut a passage, and warp through the small openings to the westward. They sawed . through pieces of ice twelve feet thick, and this labour continued the whole day, during which their utmost efforts did not move the ships above three hundred yards; while they were driven, together with the ice, far to the N.E. and E. by the current. Sometimes a field of several acres square would be lifted up between two larger islands, and incorporated with them; and thus these larger pieces continued to grow by aggregation.t Another day passed, and there seemed no probability of getting the ShIpSout, without a strong E. or N.E. wind. 'I'he season was far advanced, and every hour lessened the chance of extricating themselves. Young as he was, Nelson was appointed to command one of the boats which were sent out to explore a passage into the open water. It was the means of saving a boat belonging to the Racehorse from a singular but imminent danger. Some of the officers had fired at and wounded a walrus. As no other animal has 80 human-like an expression in its countenance, so also is there none that seems to possess more of the passions of humanity. 'I'he wounded animal dived immediately, and brought up a number of its companions; and they all joined in an attack upon the boat. 'l'hey wrested an oar from one of the men; and it was with the utmost difficulty that the crew could prevent them from staving or upsetting her, till the Oarcass'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

1 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. t Aggregation, from the Latin ad, " to," and grex, "herd." Does this information add to the clearness of the image that the word produces? If so, why? I Mid-watch, from midnight till 4 A. M. The watches are divided 14 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1778 his comrades, taking advantage of a rising fog, and set out over the ice in pursuit of a bear, It was not long before they were missed. The fog thickened., and Captain Lutwidge and his officers became exceedingly alarmed for their safety. Between three and four in the morning the weather cleared, and the two ad venturers were seen, at a considerable distance from the ship, attacking a huge bear. The signal for them to return was immediately made: Nel- son's comrade called upon him to obey it, but in vain; his musket had flashed in the pan; their ammunition was expended; and a chasm in the ice, which divided him from the bear, probably preserved his life. "Never mind," he cried; "do but let me get a blow at this devil with the butt-end of my musket, and we shall have him. " Captain Lutwidge, however, seeing his danger, fired a gun, which had the desired effect of frightening the beast; and the boy then returned, somewhat afraid of the consequences of his trespass. 'I'he captain reprimanded him sternly for conduct so unworthy of the office which he filled, and desired to know what motive he could have for hunting a bear. " Sir," said he, pouting his lip, as he was wont to do when agitated, "I wished to kill the bear, that I might carry the skin to my father." 1 A party were now sent to an island, about twelve miles off (named Walden's Island in the chart, from the midshipman who was intrusted with this service), to see where the open water lay. They came back with information that the ice, though close all about them, was open to the westward, round the point by which they came in. They said also, that upon the island they had had a fresh east wind. This intelligence considerably abated the hopes of the crew, for where they lay it had been almost calm, and their main dependence had been upon the effect of an easterly wind in clearing the bay. There was but one alternative, either to wait the event of the weather upon the ships, or thus: from 8 P. ~. 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. lI.; from 6 P. M. till 8 P. M. The two short watches are for the purpose of shifting the periods of duty. 1 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 climax with all the care possi ble, 1773] THE LIFE OF NELSON 15 to betake themselves to the boats. The likelihood that it might be necessary to sacrifice the ships had been foreseen; the boats, accordingly, were adapted, both in number and size, to transport, in case of emergency, the whole crew; and there were Dutch, whalers upon the coast, in which they could all be conveyed .to Europe. As for wintering where they were, that dreadful experiment had been already tried too often. No time was to be lost; the ships had driven into shoal water, having but fourteen fathoms. Should they, or the ice to which they were fast, take the ground, they must inevitably be lost: and at this time they were driving fast towards some rocks on the N.E. Captain Phipps had sent for the officers of both ships, and told them his intention of preparing the -boats for going away. They were immediately hoisted out, and the fitting begun. Canvas bread-bags were made, in caseit should be necessary suddenly to desert the vessels; and men were sent with the lead and line to the northward and eastward, to sound wherever they found cracks in the ice, that they might have notice before the ice took the ground; for, in that case, the ships must have instantly been crushed or overset. On the 7th of August they began to haul the boats over the ice, Nelson having command of the four-oared cutter.

I The men behaved excellently well, like true British sea- 1" men: they seemed reconciled to the thought of leaving the ships, and had full confidence in their officers. About noon, the ice appeared rather more open near the vessels; and as the wind was easterly, though there was but little of it, the sails were set, and they got about a mile to the westward. They moved very slowly, and were not now nearly so far to the westward as when they were first beset. How- ever, all sail was kept upon them, to force them through whenever the ice slacked the least. Whatever exertions were made, it could not be possible to get the boats to the water's edge before the 14th; and if the situation of the ships should not alter by that time, it would not be justifiable to stay longer by them. The Commander therefore resolved to carryon both attempts together, moving the boats constantly, and taking every opportunity of getting the ships through. A party was sent out next day to the westward, to examine the state of the ice: they returned with tidings 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 had been gained. It continued on the 9th; but the ships were moved a little through some very small openings: the mist cleared off in the afternoon; and it was then perceived that they had driven much more than could have been expected to the westward, and that the ice itself had driven still 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.N.E. All sail was set, and the ships forced their way through a great deal of very heavy ice. They freqaently struck, and with such force, that one stroke broke the shank of the Racehorse's best bower anchor: 1 lmt the vessels made way; and by noon they had cleared the ice, and were out at sea. The next day they anchored in Smeerenberg Harbour, close to that island of which the westernmost point is called Hakluyt's Headland, in honour of the great promoter and compiler of onr Eng- lish voyages of discovery.f Here they remained for a few days, that the men might rest after their fatigue. No insect was to be seen in this dreary country, nor any species of reptile, not even the common earthworm." Large bodies of ice, called icebergs,' filled up the valleys between high mountains, so dark, 88, when contrasted with the snow, to appear black. The colour

1 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. 2 Richard Ilakluyt (1553-1616) wrote the works which contain prac- ticallyall the information we have concerning English naval matters prior to his day. The title of his great compilation is The Princi- f!lJl Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of the English Nation, made by Sea or orer Land, to the Remote and Farthest Distant Quarters of the Barth, within the Compass of these 1500 Years. [t 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 t he Spall ish A rmuda ; the second to voyages to the south and southwest; the third to voyages to North America, the West Indies, and around the world. I 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 OJ!'NELSON 17

of the 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: 1 its side towards the sea was nearly perpendicular, and a stream of water issued from it. Large pieces frequently broke off, and rolled down into the sea. There was no thunder nor lightning during the whole time they were in these latitudes. · The sky was generally loaded with hard white clouds, from which it was never entirely free, even in the clearest weather. They always knew when they were approaching the ice, long before they saw it, by a bright appearance near the horizon, which the Greenlandmen called the blink of the ice. The season was now so far advanced that nothing more could have been attempted, if, indeed, anything had been left untried: but the summer had been unusually favourable, and they had carefully surveyed the wall of ice extending for more than twenty degrees 2 be- 0 tween the latitudes of 80 and 81 0, without the smallest appearance of any opening. 'I'he ships were paid off shortly after their return to England; and Nelson was then placed by his uncle with Captain Farmer, in the Seahorse, of twenty guns, then going out to the East Indies in the squadron under Sir Edward Hughes. He was stationed In the foretop at watch and watch." His good conduct attracted the attention of the Master (afterwards Captain Surridge), in whose watch he was; and, upon his recommendation, the Captain rated him as Midshipman.! At this time his countenance was florid, and his appearance rather stout and athletic: but when he had been about eighteen months in India he felt the effects of that climate, so perilous to European constitutions. 5 The disease baffled all power of medicine;

1 Would it have been more effective to have said "twice as high as the Falls of Niagara"? 2 " As far as from Buffalo to New York" would have conveyed to us a lar more definite image. Notice the effectiveness of employing concrete rather than abstract terms. I" By which we are to take it that he embarked as a foremast hand."-W. Clark Russell, Nelson, p. 11. f 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. I During his stay in India he travelled extensively; he said himself that his wanderings extended from Bengal to Bussorah (Basra). 2 18 THE LIFE OF' NELSON .. [1776 he was reduced almost to a skeleton; the use of his limbs was for some time entirely lost; and the only hope that remained was from a voyage home. Accordingly he was brought home by Captain Pi got, in the Dolpliin ; and had it not been for the attenti ve and careful kindness of that officer on the way, Nelson would never have lived to reach his native shores. He had formed an acquaintance with Sir Charles Pole, Sir Thomas 'I'roubridge,! and other distinguished officers, then, like himself, beginning their career: he had left them pursuing that career in full enjoyment of health and hope, and was returning from a country in which all things were to him new and interesting, with a body broken down by sickness, and spirits which had sunk with his strength. Long afterwards, when the name of Nelson was known as widely as that of England itself, he spoke of the feelings which he at this time endured. " I felt impressed," said he, " with a feeling that I should never rise in my profession. My mind was staggered with a view of the difficulties I had to surmount, and the little interest I possessed. I could discover no means of reaching the object of my ambition," After a long and gloomy reverie, in which I almost wished myself overboard, a sudden glow of patriotism was kindled within me, and presented my King and country as my patron. ' Well then,' I exclaimed, 'I will be a hero! and, confiding in 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 and composition. Not a few great English writers have been connected in one way and another with that country. Thackeray was born there. Two of Macaulay's most brilliant essays are based on Indian history. The beginnings of the great science of comparative philology are one fruit of the British conquest. 1 'I'roubridge is one of the heroic figures of English naval history. He served with great distinction under Lord Howe, and was made a baronet in 17H9. 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 inductive study of his actions as recorded in this book, write an essay, and re~ort his results to the class. Ambition, from the Latin ambulare, " to walk," because Roman aspirants 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 urged him onward to renown. 'I'he state of mind in which these feelings began, is what the mystics 1 mean by their season of darkness and desertion. If the animal spirits fail, they represent it as an actual temptation. The enthusiasm of Nelson's nature had taken a different direction, but its es- sence was the same. He knew to what the previous state of dejection was to be attributed; that an enfeebled body, and a mind depressed, had cast this shade over his sou \: but he always seemed willin~ to believe, that the sunshine which succeeded bore with It a prophetic glory, and that the light which led him ori was" light from heaven." 2 His interest, however, was far better than he imagined. During his absence Captain Suckling had been made Comptroller of the Navy; S his health had materially improved upon the yoyage; and, as soon as the Dolphin was paid off, he was appointed Acting Lieutenant in the Worcester, sixty-four, Captain Mark Robinson, then going out with convoy to Gibraltar. Soon after his return, on the 8th of April, 1777, he passed his examination for a lieutenant. Captain Suckling sat at the head of the board; and when the examination had ended, in a manner highly honourable to Nelson, rose from his seat, and introduced him to the examining captains as his nephew. They expressed their wonder that he had not informed them of this relationshi p before; he replied, that he did not wish the younker to be favoured; he knew his nephew would pass a good examination, and he had not been deceived.' The next day Nelson received his commission as Second Lieu-

I Those who hold that impulse and not reason should lie at the base of faith. 2 "Light from heaven" is taken from Burns's Vi8ion. The Muse addresses the poet thus:

U I saw thy pulse's maddening play, Wild send thee Pleasure's devtous way, Misled by Fancy's meteor ray, By passion driven; But yet the light that led astral Was light from Heaven. '

I Examiner of accounts; pronounced" controller." f His certificate says, "He can splice, knot, reef a sail, etc., and is 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 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1778 tenant of the Louiestoffe frigate, Captain William Looker,' then fitting out for Jamaica. American and French privateers, under American colours, were at that time harassing our trade in the West Indies: even a frigate was not sufficiently active for Nelson, and he repeatedly got appointed to the command of one of the Ltnoestoffe's? tenders." During one of their cruises the Lowestoffe captured an American letter-of- marque: 4 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 came on deck. Perceiving the boat still alongside, and in danger every moment of being swamped, and being extremely anxious that the privateer should be instantly taken III charge, because he feared that it would otherwise founder, he exclaimed, " Have I no officer in the ship who can board the prize?" Nelson did not offer himself immediately, waiting, with his usual sense of propriety, for the First Lieutenant's return: but hearing the Master 6 volunteer, he jumped into the boat, saying, " It is my turn now; and if I come back, it is yours." The American, who had carried a heavy press of sail in hope of escaping, was so completely water-logged, that the Lotoestoffe's boat went in on deck, and out again, with the sen. About this time he lost his uncle. Captain Locker,

1 Captain Locker had served under the great Lord Hawke, who may fairly be considered Nelson's predecessor as the darling ot the English navy, and it is interesting to speculate as to how much of Hawke's theories, knowledge, and practice were transmitted through Locker to his lieutenant. A comparison of Hawke's life with Nel- son's is suggested as a suitable subject for investigation and composition. For Hawke, see Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on His- tory, Index. 2 The Loioestoffe was named after a naval victory of the English over the Duteh June 3, 1665. I A small vessel used to attend a ship. 6 A letter authorizing a private individual to prosecute hostilities a~ainst a foreign nation. The captain of such a vessel must produce his letter of marq ue or be treated us a pirate. See Cons. of U. s., Art. i., Sec. 8. • A short curved SWON. •A petty offleer on a man-of-war; he performs police duty, takes charge of prisoners, enforces order on the berth-deck, and has command of the ship's corporals. 1779] THE LIFE 0; 1{ELSON 21 however, who had perceived the excellent qualities of Nel- son, and formed a friendship for him, which continued during his life, recommended him warmly to Sir Peter Parker, then Commander-in-Chief upon that station. In consequence of this recommendation he was removed into the Bristol flag-ship, and Lieutenant Cuthbert Colling- wood 1 succeeded him in the Lowestoffe. He soon became First Lieutenant; and, on the 8th of December, 1778, was appointed Commander of the Badger brig; Collingwood again 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 hours was in flames, the steward having set fire to her while stealing rum out of the after-hold. Her crew were leaping into the water, when Nelson came up in his boats, made them throw their powder overboard, and point their guns upward: and, by his presence of mind and personal exertions, prevented the loss of life which would otherwise have ensued. On the 11th of June, 1779, he was made Post 2 into the Hincliinbrook, S of twenty-eight guns, an enemy's merchantman, sheathed with wood, which had been taken into the service. A short time after he left the Louiestoffe, that ship, with a small squadron, stormed the fort of St. Fernando de Omoa, on the south side of the Bay of Honduras, and captured some register ships which were lying under its guns. Two hundred and fifty quin- tals 4 of quicksilver, and three millions of piastres," were the reward of this enterprise: and it is characteristic of Nelson, that the chance by which he missed a share in such a prize is never mentioned in any of his letters; nor is it likely that it ever excited even a momentary feeling of vexation.

1Collingwood, 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 he was made rear-admiral, in 1804 vice-admiral, and after the battle of Trafalgar a peer. He died at sea in 1810. Like 'I'roubridge, also, he is one of the conspicuous figures of this book, where his actions make an admirable subject for inductive study. t Post captain; i. e., full captain. I The Hinchinbrook was named after Lord Sandwich's country seat. f A quintal (Latin centum, a hundredweight) is 100 or 112 pounds. I A Spanish piastre is about one dollar. 22 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1779

Nelson was fortunate in possessing good interest at the time when it could be most serviceable to him: his promotion had been almost as rapid as it could be; and before he had attained the age of twenty-one,' he had gained that rank which brought all the honours of the service within his reach. No opportunity, indeed, had yet been given \ him of distinguishing himself; but he was thoroughly master of his profession, and his zeal and ability were acknowledged wherever he was known. Count d'Estaing, with a fleet 2 of one hundred and twenty-five sail, men-of- war and transports, and a reputed force of five-and-twenty thousand men, threatened Jamaica from St. Domingo. Nelson offered his services to the Admiral and to Governor- general Dalling, and was appointed to command the batteries of Fort Charles at Port Royal. Not more than seven thousand men could be mustered for the defence of the island,-a number wholly inadequate to resist the force which threatened them. Of this Nelson was so well aware, that when he wrote to his friends in En~land, he told them they must not be surprised to hear of hIS learning to speak French." D'Estaing, however, was either not aware of his own superiority, or not equal to the command with which he was intrusted: he attempted nothing with this formidable armament; and General Dalling was thus left to execute a project which he had formed against the Spanish colonies. This project was, to take Fort San Juan on the river of that name, which flows from Lake Nicaragua into the Atlantic; make himself master of the lake itself, and of the cities of Grenada and Leon; and thus cut off the communication of the Spaniards between their northern and southern possessions in America. Here it is that a Canal between the two seas may most easily be formed; 4-a work more important in its consequences than any which has

1 Why is it that to-day in the American Navy young men do not so soon gain high positions? Can you see any reasons why it is good for the service to have a man like Nelson in such a place at twenty- one? 2 The student will remember the part played by this fleet in the American history of this period. I What did he mean ? f The student should be asked to supply a note on the modern aspects of the Nicaragua Canal problem. 1780] 1'HE LIFE OF NELSON 23 ever yet been effected by human power. Lord George Germaine, 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 Nuevo Reyno," in Popayan, and in Peru, the more sanguine 2 part of the English began to dream of acquiring an empire in one part of America more extensive than that which they were on the point of losing in another. S General Dalling's plans were well formed; but the history and the nature of the country had not been studied as accurately as its geography: the difficulties which occurred in fitting out the expedition delayed it till the season was too far advanced; and the men were thus sent to adventure themselves, not somuch against an enemy, whom they would have beaten, as against a climate which would do the enemy's work. Early in the year 1780, five hundred men, destined for this service, were convoyed by Nelson from Port Royal to Cape Gracias a Dios, in Honduras. Not a native was to be seen when they landed: they had been taught that the English came with no other intent than that of enslaving them, and sending them to Jamaica. After a while, however, one of them ventured down, confiding in his knowledge of one of the party; and by his means the neigh- bouring tribes were conciliated with presents, and brought in. 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 Mosq.uito 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, Ne1son'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:

1 Nuevo Reyno, the old name for Mexico, means" New Spain," or "New Realm." Popayan is a city in Colombia. Did Southey mistake it for a state? 2 In what sense is sanguine used here ? I Is this a reference to the independence of the United States? Would the fact that the language and race of the people of South America are different from those of the British make the realization of this dream impossible ? 24 PHE LIFE or NELSON [1780

and he, not being one who would turn back when so much was to be done, resolved to carry the soldiers up. About two hundred, therefore, were embarked in the Mosquito . shore-craft, and in two of the Hinobinbroalo's boats, and they began their voyage. It was the latter end of the dry season, the worst time for such an expedition; the river was consequently low: Indians were sent forward through narrow channels between shoals and banks, and the men were frequently obliged to quit the boats, and exert their utmost strength to drag or thrust them along. This labour continued for several days, when they came into deeper water; they had then currents and rapids to contend with, which would have been insurmountable, but for the skill of the Indians in such difficulties. The brunt of the labour was borne by them and by the sailors-men never accustomed to stand aloof when any exertion of strength or hardihood is required. The soldiers, less accustomed to rely upon themselves,' were of little use. But all equally endured the violent heat of the sun rendered more intense by being reflected from the white shoals, while the high woods on both sides of the river were frequently so close as to prevent 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, mounting nine or ten swivels," and manned with sixteen or ei~hteen men. It commanded the river in a rapid and difficult part of the navigation. Nelson, at the head of a few of his seamen, leaped upon the beach. The ground upon which he sprun~ was so muddy, that he had some difficulty in extricating himself, and lost his shoes: bare-footed, however, he advanced, and, in his own phrase, boarded the battery. In this resolute attempt he was bravely supported by the well-known Despard," at that time a captain in

1 Why are soldiers less self-reliant? Is it advisable, from a literary standpoint, to suggest queries with which the mind of the reader will busy itself, or to explain everything completely? Which does Macaulay do? Browning? Tennyson? Shakspere ? 2 A small cannon mounted so as to turn to the right or left. I Executed in 1803 for conspiring to assassinate George Ill. 1780] THE LIFE OF NELSON 25

the army. The Castle of St. Juan is situated about sixteen miles higher up: the stores and ammunition, however, were landed a few miles below the castle, and the men had to march through woods almost impassable. One of the men was bitten under the eye by a snake, which darted upon him from the bough of a tree. He was unable to proceed from the violence of the pain: and when, after a short while, some of his comrades were sent back to assist him, he was dead, and the body already putrid. Nelson himself narrowly escaped a similar fate. He had ordered his hammock to be slung under some trees, being excessively fatigued, and was sleepin~, when a monitory 1 lizard passed across his face. The Indians happily observed the reptile, and, knowing what it indicated, awoke him. He started up, and found one of the deadliest serpents of the country coiled up at his feet. He suffered from poison of another kind; for, drinking at a spring in which some boughs of the manchineel had been thrown, the effects were so severo, 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 Nicaragua, 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 when unladen, is the labour of nine days. The English appeared 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 than of danger; but fatigue was more to be dreaded than the enemy; the rains set in: and, could the garrison have held out a little longer, disease would have rid them of their invaders. Even 8 the Indians sunk under it, the victims of unusual exertion, and of their own excesses. The

1 Do not look up the meaning of monitory until you have read the sentences following. S" I want words," wrote Colonel Polson, who commanded the expedition, "to express the obligations lowe Captain Nelson. He was the first on every service, whether by night or day. There was scarcely a gun but what was pointed by him or Lieutenant Despard." 'Wh, "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 nothing which could contribute to the recovery of the sick, or the preservation of those who were yet unaffected. The huts, which served for hospitals, were surrounded with filth and with the putrefying hides of slaughtered cattle-almost sufficient of themselves, to have engendered pestilence: and when, at last, orders were given to erect a convenient hospital, the contagion had become so general, that there were none who could work at it; for, besides the few who were able to perform garrison duty, there were not orderly 1 men enough to assist the sick. Added to these evils, there was the want of all needful remedies; for, though the expedition had been amply provided with hospital stores, river craft enough had not been procured for transporting the requisite baggage; and when much was to be left behind, provision for sickness was that which of all things men in health would be most ready to leave. Now, when these medicines were required, the river was swollen, and so tur- bulent, that its upward navigation was almost impracticable. At length, even the task of burying the dead was more than the living could perform, and the bodies were tossed into the stream, or left for beasts of prey, and for the gallinazos-those dreadful carrion-birds, which do not always wait for death before they begin their work. Five months the English persisted in what may be called this war against nature; they then left a few men, who seemed proof against the climate, to retain the Castle till the Span- iards should choose to retake it, and make them prisoners. The rest abandoned their baleful conquest. Eighteen hundred men were sent to different posts upon this wretched expedition: not more than three hundred and eighty ever returned. The Hinchinbrook's complement consisted of two hundred men; eighty-seven took to their beds in one night, and of the whole crew not more than ten survived. Nelson himself was saved by a timely removal. In a few days after the commencement of the siege, he was seized with the prevailing dysentery: meantime Captain Glover (son of the author of " Leonidas" 2) died, and Nelson was

1 Orderly means ee on duty." t 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 harbour 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, that when they reached Port Royal he was carried ashore in his cot; and finding himself, after a partial amendment, unable to retain the command of his new ship, he was compelled to ask leave to return to England, as the only means of recovery. Captain (afterwards Admiral) Cornwallis 1 took him home in the Lion; and to his care and kindness Nelson believed himself indebted for his life. He went immediately to Bath, in a miserable state: so helpless, that he was carried to and from his bed; and the act of moving him produced the most violent pain. In three months he recovered, and immediately hastened to 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 had been purchased from the captors for the King's service. His health was not yet thoroughly re-established; and while he was employed in getting his ship ready, he again became so ill as hardly to be able to keep out of bed. Yet in this state, still suffering from the fatal effect of a West Indian climate, as if it might almost be supposed, he said, . to try his constitution, he was sent to the Baltic Sea, and kept there the whole winter. The asperity with which he 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 be remembered and honored, however. as one who, amid the distractions of London mercantile and political life, never lost his love of scholarly 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 would 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 brave, but not brave enough to disobey a disastrous command, who allowed his men to perish by disease 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. 1 Brother to Lord Cornwallis of Revolutionary fame. 28 THB LIFE OF NELSON [1781 deeply he resented a mode of conduct equally cruel to the individual and detrimental to the service. It was during the Armed Neutrality; 1 and when they anchored off Elsi- nore.t the Danish Admiral sent on board, desiring to be informed what ships had arrived, and to have their force written down. "The Albemarle," said Nelson to the messenger, "is one of his Britannic Majesty's ships: you are at liberty, sir, to count the guns as you go down the side; and you may assure the Danish Admiral, that, if necessary, they shall all be well served." During this voyage he gained a considerable knowledge of the Danish coast, and its soundings: greatly to the advantage of his country in after-times. 'I'he Albemarle was not a good ship, and was several times nearly overset, in consequence of the masts having been made much too long for her. On her return to England they were shortened, and some other improvements made, at Nelson's suggestion. Still he always insisted that her first owners, the French, had taught her to run away, as she was never a good sailer, except when going directly before the wind. On their return to the Downs, while he was ashore visiting the Senior Officer, there came on so heavy a gale that almost all the vessels drove, and a store-ship came athwart- hawse of the Albemarle. Nelson feared she would drive on the Good win 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

1 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 frOID supplying her enemies with provisions and munitions of war. This confederacy was based on the contentions that free ships make free goods, that contraband articles must be described as such in a formal treaty, and that a blockade, 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 Russia called it, indeed, the Armed Nul1ity. It was revived in 1801. See Gardiner, History of ,A'1l,gland, p. 792; Mahan, IlI,- fiuence of Sea Power on, Hi8tory, p. 405. t If this word awakens no pleasing Iiterarv reminiscence in the mind of the student, he should read Shakspere's Hamlet before he turns another leaf in this book. 1'782] THE LIFE OF NELSON 29 guineas: t and, to the astonishment and fear of all the be- holders, he embarked during the height of the tempest. With great difficulty and imminent danger he succeeded in reaching her. She lost her bowsprit and foremast, but escaped further injury. He was now ordered to Quebec; where, his surgeon told him, he would certainly be laid up by the climate. Many of his friends urged him to represent this to Admiral Keppel: but, having received his orders from Lord Sandwich," there appeared to him an in- delicacy in applying to his successor to have them altered. Accordingly he sailed for Canada. During her first cruise on that station, the Albemarle captured a fishing schooner, which contained, in her cargo, nearly all the property that her master possessed, and the poor fellow had a large family at home, anxiously expecting him. Nelson employed him as a pilot in Boston Bay, then restored him the schooner and cargo, and gave him a certificate to secure him against being captured by any other vessel. The man came off afterwards to the A lbemarle, 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- inS' on board: this was in the middle of August, and the ShIP'Scompany had not had a fresh meal since the beginning of April. The certificate 4 was preserved at Boston in

1 A guinea is 21 shillings; a shilling is worth 24 cents. trrhe Sandwich Islands were named after this peer. He is also said to have been so fwu of what we call sandwiches as to give them their name. lOwing to weather or to the Americans? • This certificate is at present in the possession of the Hon. William T. Davis, of Plymouth, -Mass., to whom the editor is indebted for the following facts concerning it :-" During the war of the Revolution my great-grandfather, Thomas Davis, who was extensively engaged in navigation, owned a schooner named the Harmony, which in the summer 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 ship Albemarle. The commander of 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 through his aid as pilot Nelson passed through the intricate navigation of Martha's Vmeyard Sound, between Cape Cod and the Island of Nan- tueket, 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 connected with his name, it is regarded as a relic. The Albemarle had a narrow escape upon this cruise. Four French sail of the line and a frigate, which had come out of Boston 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 St. 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-grandfather, Thomas Davis, above mentioned, when Capt. Carver reported himself, determined to recover the vessel, if possible, and getting together a boatload of meats and vegetables as a present to Nelson, put out into the Bay and boarded the Albemarle. Nelson gratefully received the gift and invited my great-gr andfather and Capt. 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 Nathaniel Carver, Master, belonging to Plymouth, but on acct of his good services have given him up his vessel again. Dated on bd His MaJcstys Ship Albemarle, 17 Aug. 1782 in Boston Bay. Horatio Nelson.' "It is a little singular that prior to 1852 no mention had ever been made, in the various lives of Nelson, of his presence at any time 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 ent-ertained at a dinner, at which the Professor of History of the University of Edinburgh was present, and the conversation turning on Nelson, Mr. Lawrence, who had seen the certificate which was then owned by my great-uncle, Isaac P. Davis of Boston, referred to it, and the Professor insisted that he must have been mistaken, as no record existed showing that Nelson was ever on the coast of New England. The Professor remained incredulous until Mr. Lawrence at a later time exhibited to him a fac-simile which he bad procured from mv uncle. The fact was that Nelson was stationed for a time on the coast of Newfoundland and made the excursion into the waters of Massachusetts without orders. Since 1852 several new lives of Nelson, the last of which is the recent one by Clark Russell, have alluded to the a1fair~with incorrect accounts of the circumstances attending it. The certificate is a transmitiendum 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 31

French fleet, by 8 similar manoouvre, not long before. The frigate alone continued warily to pursue him; but as Boon as he perceived that his enemy was unsupported he shortened sail, and hove-to: upon which the Frenchman thought it advisable to give over the pursuit, and sail in quest of his consorts. At Quebec, Nelson became acquainted with Alexander Davison,l by whose interference he was J>revented from making what would have been called an Imprudent marriage. 'l'he Albemarle was about to leave the station, her captain had taken leave of his friends, and was gone down the river to the place of anchorage: when, the next morning, as Davison was walking on the beach, to his surprise he saw Nelson coming back in his boat. Upon inquiring the cause of this re-appearance, Nelson took his arm, to walk towards the town, and told him he found it utterly impossible to leave Quebec without again seein~ the woman whose society had contributed so much to hIS happiness there, and offering her his hand.-" If you do," said his friend, "your utter ruin must inevitably follow. "-" Then let it follow," cried Nelson, "for I am resolved to do it." _" And I," replied Davison, " am resolved you shall not." Nelson, however, upon this occasion, was less resolute than . his friend, and suffered himself to be led back to the boat. The Albemarle was under orders to convoy a fleet of transports to New York.-" A very pretty job," said her Captain, "at this late season of the year" (October was far advanced), "for our sails are at this moment frozen to the yards." On his arrival at Sandy Hook he waited on the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Digby, who told him he was come on a fine station for making prize-money. " Yes, sir, " Nelson made answer; "bu t the West Indies is the station for honour." Lord Hood, with a detachment of Rodney's 2 victorious fleet, was at that time in Sandy Hook: he had been intimate with Captain Suckling; and Nelson, who was desirous of nothing but honour," requested • See p. 34 and p. 144. I Rodney had beaten Admiral de Grasse in the West Indies April 12, 1782. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on History, pp. 481- 503; Gardiner, History of England, p. 795; Green, Hi8tory of A"ngland, p. 786. I A debate on the subject : "Honor or material gain?" will en- liven the work at this point and perhaps cause healthy reflections in 32 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1788 him to ask for the Albemarle, that he might go to that station where it was most likely to be obtained. Admiral Digby reluctantly parted with him. His professional merit was already well known: and Lord Hood, on introducing him to Prince William Henry;' as the Duke of Clarence was then called, told the prince, if he wished to ask any question respecting naval tactics, Captain Nelson could give him as much information as any officer in the fleet. 'I'he duke, who, to his own honour, became from that time the firm friend of Nelson, describes him as appearing the merest boy of a captain he had ever seen, dressed in a full-lace uniform, an old-fashioned waistcoat with long flaps, and his lank unpowdered hair tied in a stiff Hessian tail of extraordinary length; making altogether so remarkable a figure, " that," says the duke, "I had never seen anything like it before, nor could I imagine who he was, nor what he came about. But his address and conversation were irresistibly pleasing; and when he spoke on professional subjects, it was with an enthusiasm that showed he was no common being." 2 It was expected that the French would attempt some of the passages between the Bahamas: and Lord Hood, thinking of this, said to Nelson, "I suppose, sir, from the length of time you were cruising among the Bahama Keys, the money-loving, practical minds of some students. The learner will also find diversion in looking up the reflections of :b'alsta1f 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 who was reproached by a French cavalier, who remarked to him: "You are base. You fight for money. \Ve fight for honor." "That is natural," was the reply. "Each~ I presume, fights for what he most lacks." I Then a midshipman in tho Barfieur ; afterwards King. King George 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 you right honourable lubbers, bear a hand and roll up that sail and lay down." -Clark Russell, Life of Nelson, p. 18. 2 After thorough study of this portrait and investigation of its elements, let each student produce a portrait from life of some person. 1783] THE LIFE OF NELSON 33 you must be a good pilot there? " He replied, with that constant readiness to render justice to every man, which was so conspicuous in all his conduct through life, that he was well acquainted with them himself, but that in that respect his second lieutenant was far his superior. The French got into Puerto Cabello on the coast of Venezuela. Nelson was cruising between that port and La Guayra, under French colours, for the purpose of obtaining information, when a king's launch, belonging to the Spaniards, passed near, and being hailed in French, came alongside without suspicion, and answered all questions that were asked concerning the number and force of the enemy's ships. The crew; however, were not a little surprised when they were taken on board, and found themselves prisoners. One of the party went by the name of the Count de Deux Ponts. He was, however, a prince of the German empire, and brother to the heir 1 of the Electorate of Bavaria: his companions were French officers of distinction, and men of science, who had been collecting specimens in the various branches of natural history. Nelson, having entertained them with the best his table could afford, told them they were at liberty to depart with their boat and all that it contained: he only required them to promise that they would consider themselves as prisoners, if .the Commander- in-Chief should refuse to acquiesce in their being thus liberated: a circumstance which was not by any means likely to happen. Tidings soon arrived that the preliminaries of peace 2 had been signed; and the A lbemarle returned to England, and was paid off. Nelson's first business, after he got to London, even before he went to see his relations, was to attempt to get the wages due to his men, for the various ships in which they had served during the war. "The disgust of seamen to the navy," he said, "was all owin~ 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 he himself was so beloved by his men, that his whole ship's company offered, if he could get a ship, to enter for her immediately. lIe was now, for the first time, presented at

1Afterward king. 'What peace? See Gardiner, History of England, p. 798 ; Green, Hi8tory of England, p. 786. 3 34 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1783 court. After going through this ceremony, he dined with his friend Davison,' at Lincoln's Inn.s As soon as he entered the chambers he threw off what he called his iron .. bound coat, and putting himself at ease in a dressing-gown, passed the remainder of the day in talking over all that had befallen them since they parted on the shore of the River St. Lawrence.

1 See p. 31. I 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 and Horace in pocket. CHAPTER II.

Nelson goes to France during the peace-Re-appointed to the Boreas, and stationed at the Leeward Islands-His firm conduct concerning the American interlopers and the contractors-The West Indies-Marries and returns to England-Is on the point of quitting the service in disgust-Manner of life while unemployed-Appointed to the Agamemnon on the breaking out of the war of the French Revolution.

"I HAVE closed the war," said Nelson, in one of his letters, "without a fortune; but there is not a speck in my character. True honour, I hope, predominates in my mind far above riches." He did not apply for a ship, because he was not wealthy enough to live on board in the manner which was then become customary. Finding it, therefore, prudent to economise to his half-pay during the peace, he went to France, in company with Captain Macnamara, of the navy, and took lodgings at St. Omer's.' The death of his favourite sister, Anne, who died in consequence of going out of the ball-room, at Bath, when heated with dancing, affected his father so much, that it had nearly occasioned him to return in a few weeks. Time, however, and reason and religion, overcame this grief in the old man; and Nelson continued at St. Omer's long enough to fall in love with the daughter of an English clergyman. ) This second attachment appears to have been less ardent than the first; for, upon weighing the evils of a straitened income to a married man, he thought it better to leave France, assigning to his friends something in his accounts as the cause. This prevented him from accepting an invitation from the Count of Deux Pouts+ to visit him at Paris, couched in the handsomest terms of acknowledgment for the treatment which he had received on board the Albemarle.

1St. Orner is a town (pop. 21,855) in almost the extreme northern corner of France. 2 See p. 33. 36 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1784

The self-constraint which Nelson exerted in subduing this attachment, made him naturally desire to be at sea: and when, upon visiting Lord Howe 1 at the Admiralty, he was asked if he wished to be employed, he made answer, that he did. Accordingly, in March, he was appointed to the Boreas, twenty-eight guns, going to the Leeward Islands, as a cruiser, on the peace establishment. Lady Hughes and her family 2 went out with him to Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, who commanded on that station. His ship was full of young Midshipmen, of whom there were not less than thirty on board; and happy were they whose lot it was to be placed with such a captain. If he perceived that a boy was afraid at first going aloft, he would say to him, in a friendly manner: " Well, sir, I am going a race to the mast-head, and beg that I may meet you there. " The poor little fellow instantly began to climb, and got up how he could,-Nelson never noticed in what manner, but, when they met in the top, spoke cheerfully to him, and would say, how much any person was to be pitied who fancied that getting up was either dangerous or difficult. Every day he went into the school-room, to see that they were pursuing their nautical studies; and at noon 3 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 must excuse me for bringing one of my Midshipmen. I make it a rule to introduce them to all the good company

1 Lord Howe (1725-1799) commanded from 1776 to 1778 on the coast of the United States. He was First Lord of the Admiralty in 1788. In 1794 he gained an important victory over the French, taking ten ships of the line. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on French Revolution and Empire, i., 125-160. t Nelson did not like his passengers; Lady Hughes he described in characteristic language as having "an eternal clack." Sir Richard bowed and scraped too much to suit him: lived in a boarding-house, which Nelson 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." I 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 parvuruque nepotem Ipse trahit. "-.&neid, ii., 320. 1784] THE LIFE OF NELSON 3'1

I can, as they have few to look up to, besides myself, during the time they are at sea. " . When Nelson arrived in the West Indies he found him- l self Senior Captain, and consequently second in command on that station. Satisfactory as this was, it soon involved . him in a dispute with the Admiral, which a man less zealous for the service might have avoided. He found the La- tona in English Harbour, Antigua, with a broad pendant 1 hoisted; and, upon inquiring the reason, was presented with a written order from Sir R. Hughes, requiring and directing him to obey the orders of Resident Commission- er Moutray, during the time he might have occasion to remain there; the said resident commissioner being, in consequence, authorised to hoist a broad pendant on board any of his Majesty's ships in that port that he might think proper. Nelson was never at a loss how to-act in any emer~ency. "I know of no superior officers," said he, "besIdes the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and my seniors on the Post list. " Concluding, therefore, that it was not consistent with the service for a resident commissioner, who held only a civil situation, to hoist a broad pendant, the moment that he had anchored he sent an order to the captain of the Latona to strike it, and return it to the dock-yard. He went on shore the same day, dined with the commissioner, to show him that he was actuated by no other motive than a sense of duty, and gave him the first intelligence that this pendant had been struck. Sir Rich- ard sent an account of this to the Admiralty; but the case could admit of no doubt, and Captain Nelson's conduct was approved. He displayed the same promptitude on another occasion. While the Boreas, after the hurricane 2 months were over, was riding at anchor in Nevis Roads, a French frigate passed to leeward," close along shore. Nelson had obtained Information that this ship was sent from Martinique, with

I The broad pendant, or pennant, is a square 'piece of bunting at the mast-head of the vessel of the senior admiral, or commodore captain. The word "hurricane" is Carib for" high wind." The months alluded to are August, September, and October. I Toward the sheltered side of the ship; hence, in the direction of the wind. ., Lee" means shelter. A lee shore is the shore on the lee 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 make a survey of our sugar islands. This J>urposehe was determined to prevent them from executing, and therefore he gave orders to follow them. The next day he came up with them at anchor in the roads of St. Eustatia, and anchored at about two cables' length on the frigate's quarter. Being afterwards invited by the Dutch governor to meet the French officers at dinner, he seized that occasion of assuring the French captain that, understanding it was his intention to honour the British l?ossessionswith a visit, he had taken the earliest opportunity in his power to accompany him, in his Majesty's ship the Boreas, in order that such attention might be paid to the officers of his Most Ohristian MajAsty as every Englishman in the islands would be proud to show. The French, with equal courtesy, protested against giving him this trouble; especially, they said, as they intended merely to cruise round the islands, without landing on any. But Nelson, with the utmost po- liteness, insisted upon paying them this compliment, followed them close, In spite of all their attempts to elude his vigilance, and never lost sight of them till, finding it impossible either to deceive or escape him, they gave up their treacherous purpose in despair, and beat up for 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 subjects. Nelson knew that, by the Navigation Act,' no foreigners, directly or indirectly, are permitted to carryon any 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 provoked to claim, unhappily for themselves, before they were fit for it; and he was resolved that they should derive no profit from those ties.2 Foreigners they had made them-

J "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 the maritime laws, by his Admiralty commission alone, without becoming a custom-house officer. "-NELSON. See Mahan, Influence of Sea- Power 'Upon History, pp. 60 and 251. t For the other side of the case read the Declaration of Inde_pend- enee, and remember Lord Chatham's memorable words: "If I were 1784] THE LIFE OF NELSON 39

selves, and as foreigners they were to be treated. "If once, "

said he, " they are admitted to any kind of intercourse with I our islands, the views 1 of the Loyalists, in settling at Nova Scotia, are entirely done away; and when we are again em- broiled in a French war, the Americans will first become the carriers of these colonies, and then have possession of them. Here they come, sell their cargoes for ready money, go to 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 connexion and by interest, and are inimical to Great Britain. They are as great rebels as ever were in America, had they the power to show it." In November, when the squadron, Daving arrived at Barbadoes, was to separate, with no other orders than those for examining anchorages, and the usual inquiries concerning wood and water, Nelson asked his friend Collingwood," then Captain of the Mediator, whose opinions he knew upon the subject, to accompany him to the Commander-in-Chief, whom he then respectfully asked, whether they were not to attend to the commerce of the country, and see that the Navigation Act S was respected-that appearin€: to him to be the intent of kee~- ing men-of-war upon this station in time of peace? SIr Richard Hughes re1?lied, he had no particular orders, neither had the Admiralty sent him any acts of parliament. But Nelson made answer, that the Navigation Act was included in the statutes of the Admiralty, with which every captain was furnished, and that Act was directed to admirals, captains, &C.,4 to see it carried into execution. Sir Richard said, he had never seen the book. Upon this Nel- son produced the statutes, read the words of the Act, and apparently convinced the Commander-in-Chief, that men- an American as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms---never, never, never!" Also consult Green, History of England, pp. 725-748. J View8,· i. e., expectations. t See p. 21, note 1. I See the Encyclopredia Britannica, under Navigation Laws and Sea Laws; Bright's England, ii.,699, 799 ; Gardiner, History of England, p~. 565, 589, 936. • As a pomt of style the use of this abbreviation is to be condemned, It produces a feeling that the author, having reached a point where he can think of no more particulars to enumerate, has recourse to a meaningless symbol. . 40 PHE LIFE OF NELSON [1785 of-war, as he said, "were sent abroad for some other purpose than to be made a show of." Accordingly, orders were given to enforce the Navigation Act. Major-General Sir 'I'homas Shirley was at this time Gover- nor of the Leeward 1 Islands; and when Nelson waited on him to inform him how he intended to act, and upon what grounds, he replied, that "Old generals were not in the habit of taking advice from young gentlemen. "_,, Sir," said the young officer, with that confidence in himself which never carried him too far, and always was. equal to the occasion, "I am as old as the Prime Minister of Eng- land.s and think myself as capable of commanding one of his Majesty's ships as that minister is of governing the state." He was resolved to do his duty, whatever might be the opinion or conduct of others; and when he arrived upon his station at St. Kitt's, he sent away all the 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. The Americans, though they prudently decamped from St. Kitt's, were emboldened by the support they met with, and resolved to resist his orders, alleging that the King's ships had no legal power to seize them without having depu- tatious" from the Customs. The planters were to a man against him; the Governors and the Presidents of the different islands, with only a single exception, gave him no support; and the Admiral, afraid to act on either side, yet wishing to oblige the planters, sent him a note, advising him to be guided by the wishes of the President of the Council. 'I'here was no danger in disregarding this, as it came unofficially, and in the form of .advice. But scarcely a month after he had shown Sir Richard Hughes the law, and, as he supposed, satisfied him concerning it, he received an order from him, stating that he had now obtained good

1 The Leeward Islands lie between Martinique and Porto Rico; 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. S William Pitt. The article in the Encyclopredia Britannica on this great man is from the pen of Macaulay. It appears also in the third volume of Macaulay's Efttsays. I That is, unless in vested with authority delegated by the customs. 1785] THE LIFE OF NELSON 41 advice upon the point, and the Americans were not to be hindered from coming, and having free egress and regress, if the Governor chose to permit them. An order to the same purport had been sent round to the different Gov- ernors and Presidents; and General Shirley and others informed him, in an authoritative manner, that they chose to admit American ships, as the Commander-in-Chief had left the decision to them. These persons, in his own words, he soon" trimmed up, and silenced; " but it was a more delicate business to dealwith the Admiral. "I must either," said he, "disobey my orders, or disobey acts of Parliament. I determined ullon the former, trusting to the uprightness of my intentions, and believing that my country would not let me be ruined for protecting her commerce." With this determination he wrote to Sir Richard, appealed again to the plain, literal, unequivocal.' sense of the Navigation Act, and in respectful language told him, he felt it his duty to decline obeying these orders till he had an opportunity of seeing and conversing with him. Sir Richard's first feeling was that of anger, and he was about to supersede Nelson; but having mentioned the affair to his Captain, that officer told him he believed all the squadron thought the orders illegal, and therefore did not know how far they were bound to obey them. It was impossible, therefore, to bring Nelson to a court-martial.s composed of men who agreed with him in opinion upon the point in • dispute; and luckily, though the Admiral wanted vigour of mind to decide upon what was right, he was not obstinate in wrong, and had even generosity enough in his nature to thank Nelson afterwards for having shown him his error.

1 Equivocation is truth outwardly, falsehood inwardly. Find an example of it on p. 42. Compare Tennyson, The Grandmother, 8 :

U 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 outright, But a lie which is part the truth Is a harder matter to fight. "

9 Is Southey's language exact? Remember Shakspere, Henry IV., part 1, Act IlL, Sc. i., where Glendower 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 f " 42 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1785

Collingwood, in the Mediator, and his brother, Wilfred Collingwood, in the Rattler, actively co-operated with Nelson. The custom-houses were informed, that after a certain day all foreign vessels found in the ports would be seized; and many were in consequence seized, and condemned in the Admiralty Court. When the Boreas arrived at N-e'V\&, she found four American vessels deeply laden, and with what Me called the island colours flying-white, with a red cross. They were ordered to hoist their proper 1 flag, and depart within eight-and-forty hours; but they refused to obey, denying that -they were Americans. Some of their crews were then examined in Nelson's cabin, where the Judge of the Admiralty happened to be present. The case 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 and, presently 2 filled, for the purpose of carrying on the cause in behalf of the American captains = and the Admiral, whose flag was at that time in the road, stood neutral. But the Americans and their abettors were not content with defensive law. The marines whom he had sent to secure the ships, had prevented some of the masters from going ashore; and those persons, by whose depositions it appeared that the vessels and cargoes were American property, declared that they had given their testimony under bodily fear, for that a man with a drawn sword in his hand had stood over them the whole 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,

1 Proper means" OWll." Cf, "'Tis for my {>roper peace," Brown- ing. Paraceleus : "Love's proper hue, celestial rosy red," Milton, Paradise Lost, viii., 618. t At once. 1786] THE LIFE OF NELSON 43 but was always prevented by the address of the first lieutenant, Mr. Wallis. Had he been taken, such was the temper of the people, that it was certain he would have been cast for the whole sum. One of his officers, one day, in speaking of the restraint which he was thus compelled to suffer, ha~pened tousethewordpity! "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 he remained under this state of duress. During that time the 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 1 for so doing. The Judge, however, did his duty, and threatened to send the marshal to prison if he attempted to violate the protection of the court. Mr. Herbert, the Presi- dent of Nevis, behaved with singular generosity upon this occasion. Though no man was a greater sufferer by the measures which Nelson had pursued, he offered in court to become his bail for £10,000, if he chose to suffer the arrest. The lawyer whom he had chosen proved to be an able as well as an honest man; and, notwithstanding the opinions and pleadings of most of the counsel of the different islands, who maintained that ships of war were not justified in seizing American vessels without 8 deputation from the customs, the law was so explieit.t the case so clear, and Nelson pleaded his own cause so well, that the four ships were condemned. During the progress of this business he sent a memorial home to the King: in consequence of which, orders were issued that he should be defended at the expense of the crown. And upon the representations which he made at the same time to the secretary of state, and the suggestions with which he accompanied them, the Register ActS was framed. The

I To whom does him refer? 2 Explicit is from the Latin ex, "out of," and plica, Ie fold." Compare "simple," "implicit,"" implicate," and "inexplicable." An interesting essay on the etymologies of selected words from the book could be written as a student's exercise. S Seenote 1, p. 38. "An act for the further increase and encouraging of shipping and navigation," by requiring all ships sailing under the 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: but he was offended, and not without just cause, that the Trea- sury should have transmitted thanks to the Commander-in- Chief for his acti vity and zeal in protecting the commerce of Great Britain. " Had they known all," said he, " I do not think they would have bestowed thanks in that quarter, and neglected me. I feel much hurt, that, after the loss of health and risk of fortune, another should be thanked for what I did against his orders. I either deserved to be sent out of the service, or at least to have had some little notice taken of what I had done. 1'hey have thought it worthy of notice, and yet have neglected me. If this is the reward for a faithful discharge of my duty, I shall be careful, and never stand forward again. But I have done my duty, and have nothing to accuse myself of." 1 'I'he anxiety he had suffered from the harassing uncer- tainties of law, is apparent from these 2 expressions. He had, however, something to console him, for he was at this time wooing the niece of his friend the President, then in her eighteenth year, the widow of Dr. Nisbet, a physician. She had one child, a son, by name Josiah, who was three years old. One day Mr. Herbert," who had hastened, half- dressed, to receive Nelson, exclaimed, on returning to his dressing-room, "Good God! if I did not find that great- little man, of whom everybody is so afraid, playing in the next room, under the dining-table, with Mrs. Nisbet's child! " A few days afterwards Mrs. Nisbet herself was first introduced to him, and thanked him for the partiality which he had shown her little boy. Her manners were mild and winning: and the Captain, whose heart was easily susceptible of attachment, found no such imperious necessity for subd uing his inclinations as had twice before withheld him from marrying. They were married on March 11,

1These efforts of Nelson will recall other heroic fights against cor- ruptiou=-Cicero's, for example. These will make good subjects for composition. ~Notice the skill of the paragraph ~e~uence. I A friend of Mr. Herbert speaks of Nelson as silent and thoughtful in company. lIe declined wine at dinner; but when the healths of the King, Queen, and Lord Hood were to be drunk, "this strange man filled his glass and observed they were bumper toasts with him." 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 West Indies the preceding winter, being present, by his own desire, to give away the bride. Mr. Herbert, her uncle, was at this time so much displeased with his only daughter, that he had resolved to disinherit her, and leave his whole fortune, which was very great, to his niece. But Nelson, whose nature was too noble to let him profit by an act of injustice, interfered, and succeeded in reconciling the President to his child. " Yesterday," said one of his naval friends the day after the wedding, "the Navy lost one of its greatest ornaments, by Nelson's marriage. It is a national loss that such an officer should marry: had it not been for this, Nelson would have become the greatest man in the service." 2 The man was rightly estimated: but he who delivered this opinion did not understand the effect of domestic love and duty npon a mind of the true heroic stamp. " Weare often separate," said Nelson, in a letter to Mra, Nisbet, a few months before their marriage;' "but our affections are not by any means on that account diminished. Our country has the first demand for our services; and private convenience or happiness must ever give way to the public good. Duty is the great business of a sea officer: j .• all private considerations must give way to it, however Y painful. " 8 "Have you not often heard," says he, in another letter, " that salt water and absence always wash away love? Now, I am such a heretic as not to believe in that article: for behold, every morning I have had six pails of salt water poured upon my head, and instead of finding what seamen say to be true, it goes on so contrary to the prescrip-

I See p. 32, note 1. I In connection with this statement the student will find much pleasure and profit in reading Bacon's two essays (both fill barely six par:es) on ":l\1arriage" 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 invol ved in almost constant war to preserve itself? Is a man's first duty to himself or to society? Can that which 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 a thing as true pleasure unreeonciled with duty, or real duty which can produce anything but pleasure? Reflect and write. 46 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1787 tion, 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 I give much for any pen or head which could express feelings of that kind. Absent from you I feel no pleasure: it is you who are 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 may never change ! Nor do I think they will. Indeed there is, as far as human knowledge can judge, a moral certainty that they cannot: for it must be real affection that brings us together, and not interest or compulsion. " Such were the feelings, and such the sense of duty, with which Nelson became a husband. During his stay upon this station 1 he had ample opportunity of observing the scandalous practices of the contractors, prize-agents, and other persons in the West Indies connected with the naval service. When he was first left with the command, and bills were brought him to sign for money which was owing for goods purchased for the navy, he required the original vouchers, that he might examine whether those goods had been really purchased at the market price: but to produce vouchers would not have been convenient, and therefore was not the custom. Upon this Nelson wrote to Sir Charles Middleton, then Comp- troller of the Navy, representing the abuses which were likely to be practised in this manner. The answer which he received seemed to imply that the old forms were thought sufficient: and thus, having no alternative, he was compelled, with his eyes open, to submit to a practice originat- mg in fraudulent intentions. Soon afterwards two Antigua merchants informed him that they were privy to great frauds, which had been committed upon government in various departments: at Antigua, to the amount of nearly £500,000; at Lucia, £300,000; at Barbadoes, £250,000; at Jamaica, upwards of a million. 'I'he informers were both

1 Is the paragraph sequence well managed? Could it be bettered ? If so, how? 1787] THE LIFE OF' NELSON 47 shrewd, sensible men of business; they did not affect to be actuated by a sense of justice, but required a per-centage upon so much as government should actually recover through their means. Nelson examined the books and papers which they produced, and was convinced that government had been most infamously plundered. Vouchers, he found, in that country, were no check whatever: the principle was, "that a thing was always worth what it would bring:" and the merchants were in the habit of signing vouchers for each other, without even the appearance of looking at the articles. These accounts he sent home to the different departments which had been de- frauded: but the peculators 1 were too powerful; and they succeeded 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 the service." During the three years that the Boreas had remained 11pon a station which is usually so fatal, not a sing-Ieofficer or man of her whole complement had died. This almost unexampled instance of good health, though mostly, no doubt, imputable to a healthy season, must in some measure also be ascribed to the wise conduct of the Captain. He never suffered the ships to remain more than three or four weeks at a time at any of the islands, and when the hurricane months confined him to English Harbour," he encouraged all kinds of useful amusements: music, dancing, and cudgelling among the men; theatricals among the officers: anything which could employ their attention, and keep their spirits cheerful. 4 The Boreas arrived in England in June. Nelson, who had many times been supposed to be consumptive when in the West Indies, and perhaps was saved from consumption by that climate, was still in a pre- carious state of health: and the raw, wet weather of one of

1From the Lati n peC'UB, "herd," coming in time, in the form of pecunia, to mean .;,money," because wealth consisted chiefly of cattle in early times. Compare our phrase " goods and chattels." "rhe unity of the paragraph is violated. How can it be restored? :a 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 Nore from the end of June till the end of November, serving as a slop and receiving ship.' This unworthy 2 treatment, which more probably proceeded from intention than from ne .. glect, excited in Nelson the etrongest indignation. During the 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 my commission." The officer to whom he thus communicated his 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 Lord to save him from a step so injurious to himself, little fore- seeing how deeply the welfare and honour of England were at that moment at stake. This interference produced a letter from Lord Howe, the day before the ship was paid off, intimating a wish to see Captain Nelson as soon as he arrived in town: when, being pleased with his conversation, and perfectly convinced by what was then explained to him, of the propriety of his conduct, he desired that he might present him to the King on the first levee day: and the gracious manner in which Nelson was then received effectually removed his resentment. Prejudices had been, in like manner, excited against his friend, Prince William Henry. "Nothing is wanting, sir," said Nelson in one of his letters, "to make IOU the darling of the English nation, but truth. Sorry am to say, much to the contrary has been dispersed." This was not flattery; for N elson was no flatterer. The letter in which this passage occurs shows in how wise and noble a manner he dealt with the prince. One of his Royal High- neBS'Sofficers had applied for a court-martial upon a point

1A ship for receiving impressed seamen. " Slops," in the British navy, are clothing and other supplies kept by the government to he sold to seamen when away from port. t Undeserved. 1788] THE LIFE OF NELSON 49 in which he was unquestionably wrong. His Royal High- ness, however, while he supported his own character and authority, prevented the trial, which must have been injurious to a brave and deserving man. " Now that you are parted," said Nelson, "pardon me, my Prince, when I presume to recommend that he may stand in your royal favour as if he had never sailed with you, and that at some future day you will serve him. There only wants this to place your conduct in the highest point of view.' None of us are without failings; his, was being rather too hasty: but that, put 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 met with. Princes seldom, very seldom, find a disinterested person to communicate their thoughts to: I do not pretend to be that persoIl; but of this be assured, by a man who, I trust, never did a dishonourable act, that I am interested only that your Royal Highness should be the greatest and best man this country ever produced." Encouraged by the conduct of Lord Howe, and by his reception at court, Nelson renewed his attack upon the peculators with fresh spirit. He had interviews with Mr. Rose, Mr. Pitt," and Sir Charles Middleton, to all of whom he satisfactorily proved his charse~. 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 representations were attended to; and every step which he recommended was adopted; the investigation was put into a proper course, which ended in the detection and punishment of some of the culprits; an immense saving was made to government, and thus its attention was directed to similar 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

1This passage recalls the old story about Prince Hal and Judge Gascoigne. 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 only their integrity and zeal to bring them into notice. A junior officer, who had been left with the command at Jamaica, received an additional allowance, for which Nel- son had applied in vain. Double pay was allowed to every artificer and seaman employed in the Naval Yard: Nelson had superintended the whole business of that yard with the most rigid exactness, and he complained that he was neglected. "It was most true," he said, "that the trouble which he took to detect the fraudulent practices then carried on, was no more than his duty; but he little thought that the expenses attending his frequent journeys to St. John's upon that duty (a distance of twelve miles), would have fallen upon his pay as Captain of the Boreas." Ne- vertheless, the sense of what he thought unworthy usage did not diminish his zeal. " I," said he, "must still buffet the waves in seach of-What? Alas! that they called 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 tempt the virtuous, has made me offer, if any ships should be sent to destroy his Majesty of Morocco's ports, to be there: and I have some reason to think, that, should any more come of it, my humble services will be accepted. I have invariably laid down, and followed close, a plan of what ought to be uppermost in the breast of an officer,- that it is much better to serve an ungrateful country, than to give up his own fame. Posterity will do him justice. A uniform course of honour and integrity seldom fails of bringing a man to the goal of fame at last." 1 The desig-n 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

1 It is said that his private correspondence at this time showed no sign of the discontent here alluded to. Probably the stories that are told grew out of some of his vehement chance remarks. Do you suppose 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 8, man likely to cause trouble in time of peace by his excessive zeal ? 1788] THE LIFE OF NELSON 51 formed for the sake of acquirin~ a competent knowledge of the French language. But hIS father could not bear to lose him thus unnecessarily. Mr. Nelson had long been an invalid, suffering under paralytic and asthmatic affections, which, for several hours after he rose in the morning, scarcely permitted him to speak. He had been given over by his physicians for this complaint nearly forty years before his death; and was, for many of his last years, obliged to spend all his winters 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 been thus cheered, if I am so soon to be bereaved of you again. Let me, my good son, see you whilst I can. My age and infirmities increase, and I shall not last long." To such an appeal there could be no reply. Nelson took up his abode l\t the parsonage, and amused himself with the sports and occupations of the country. Sometimes he busied himself with farming the glebe; 1 sometimes spent the greater part of the day in the garden, where he would dig as if for the mere pleasure of wearying himself. Sometimes he went a bird's-nesting like a boy: and in these expeditions Mrs. Nelson always, by his express desire, accompanied him. Coursing was his favourite amusement. Shoot- ing, as he practised it, was far too dangerous for his companions: for he carried his gun upon the full cock, as if he were going to board an enemy; and the moment a bird rose, he let fly, without ever putting the fowling-piece to his shoulder. It is not, therefore, extraordinary, that his having once shot a partridge should be remembered by his family among the remarkable events of his life.2 But his time did not pass away thus without some vexatious cares to ruffle it. 'I'he affair of the American ships was not yet over, and he wasagain pestered with threats of prosecution. "I have written them word," said he, "that I will have nothing to do with them, and they must act as they think proper. Government, I suppose, will do what is

1Judge of the meaning of the word from this line in Gray's Elegy:

U Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke."

I 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 £120 yearly, probably made him eager for a new commission, however. 52 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1792

right, and not leave me in the lurch. We have heard enough lately of the consequence of the Navigation Act to this country. They may take my person: but if sixpence 1 would save me from a prosecution, I would not give it. " It was his great ambition at this time to possess a pony; and having resolved to purchase one, he went to a fair for that purpose. During his absence two men abruptly entered the parsonage, and inquired for him: they then asked for Mrs. Nelson: and after they had made her repeatedly declare that she was really and truly the captain's wife, presented her with a writ, or notification, on the part of the American captains, who now laid their damages at £20,000, and they charged her to give it to her husband on his return. Nelson having bought his pony, came home with it in high spirits. He called out his wife to admire his purchase, and listen to all its excellences: nor was it. till his glee had in some measure subsided, that the paper could be presented to him. His indignation was excessive: and, in the apprehension that he should be exposed to the anxi- eties of the suit, and the ruinous consequences which might ensue, he exclaimed, "This affront I did not deserve! But I'll be trifled with no longer. I will write immediately to the Treasury, and, if Government will not support me, I am resolved to leave the country." Accordingly, he informed the Treasury, that if a satisfactory answer were not sent him by return of post, he should take refuge in France. 'I'o this he expected he should be driven, and for this he arranged every thing with his characteristic rapidity of decision. It was settled that he should depart immediately, and Mrs. Nelson follow under the care of his elder brother Maurice, ten days after him. But the answer which he received from Government quieted his fears: it stated, that Captain Nelson was a very good officer, and needed be under no apprehension, for he would assuredly be supported. Here his disquietude upon this subject seems to have ended. Still he was not at ease; he wanted employment, and was mortified that his applications for it produced no effect. " Not being a man of fortune," he said,

1 Twelve cents. Let some member of the class investigate and make s written report on the monetary systems of Great Britai n, France, Germany, and Italy. 1798] THE LIFE 011'NELSON 53

"was a crime which he was unable to get over, and therefore none of the great cared about him." Repeatedly he requested the Admiralty that they would not leave him to rust in indolence. During the armament which was made upon occasion of the dispute concerning Nootka Sound;' he renewed his application: and his steady friend, Prince William, who had then been created Duke of Clarence, recommended him to Lord Ohatham.f The failure of this recommendation wounded him so keenly, ..that he again thought of retiring from the service in disgust; a resolution from which nothing but the urgent remonstrances of Lord Hood induced him to desist. Hearing that the Rai- sonnable, in which he had commenced his career, was to be commissioned, he asked for her. This also was in vain: and a coolness ensued, on his part, toward Lord Hood, because that excellent officer did not use his influence with Lord Chatham upon this occasion. Lord Hood, however, had certainly sufficient reasons for not interfering; for he ever continued his steady friend. In the winter of 1792, when we were on the eve of the revolutionary 8 war, Nelson once more offered his services, earnestly requested a ship, and added, that if their lordships should be pleased to appoint him to a cockle-boat, he should feel satisfied. He was answered in the usual official form: "Sir, I have received your letter of the 5th instant, expressing your readiness to serve, and have read the same to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty." On the 12th of De- cember he received this dry acknowledgment. The fresh mortification did not, however, affect him long: for, by the joint interest of the Duke and Lord Hood, he was appointed, on the 30th of January following, to the .Aga- memnon 4 of sixty-four guns."

1 Nootka Sound lies to the west of Vancouver Island, which the Spaniards, who then held what is now California, Oregon, and Wash- initon, had seized. See Green, Hi8tory of England, p. 762. Lord Chatham was the eldest brother of William Pitt. a'rhe French Revolution. 4 The Agamemnon was s two-decker, and said by Nelson to be the finest ship of her class in the navy. Wrecked in 1809, she has had two successors in the name, the present one being a turret-ship. I The student should observe how excellently the last sentence in this chapter serves as a preparation for the first sentence in the next. CHAPTER III.

The Agamemnon sent to the l\Iediterranean-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-Nelson undertakes the siege of Bastia, and reduces it-Takes a distinguished part in the siege of Calvi, where he loses an eye-Admiral Hothsm's action-The Agamemnon ordered to Genoa to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian forces-Gross misconduct of the Austrian General.

" THERE are three things, young gentleman," said N elson to one of his midshipmen, "which you are constantly to bear in mind. First, you must always im"(>licitlyobey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king: and, thirdly, you must hate a Frenchman as you do the devil. " 1 With these feelings he engaged in the war. J0- siah, his step-son, went with him as a midshipman. The Agamemnoll12 was ordered to the Mediterranean, under Lord IIood. The fleet arri ved in those seas at a time when the south of France would willingly have formed itself into a separate republic, under the protection of England. But good: principles had been at that time peril-

I Subject for inductive study : IIow far did Nelson live up to this creed himself? t " The Agamemnon, or, as she was humorously styled by the seamen, the' Old Eggs-and-Bacon,' was wrecked when under the command of Captain Rose in Maldonsdo Bay, in the river Plate. This happened 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 n, furrowed countenance, as they were compelled to quit a ship so powerfully endeared to them by old associations. The address of ('llptu.in Hose, previously to their being distributed amongst. the fleet. (under Admiral de Conrey), 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] 1.'1lELIFE OF NELSON 55 ously abused by ignorant and profligate men; and, in its fear and hatred of democracy, the English government abhorred whatever was republican. Lord Hood could not take advantage of the fair occasion which presented itself; and which, if it had been seized with vigour, might have ended in dividing France :-but he negotiated with the people of Toulon, to take possession provisionally of their port and city; which, fatally for themselves, was done.! Before the British fleet entered, Nelson was sent with despatches to Sir William Hamilton, our Envoy at the court of Naples. Sir William,2 after his first interview with him, told Lady Hamilton 3 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, "entertained an officer a.t my house; but.I am determined to bring him here. Let him be put in the room prepared for Prince Augustus. "4 Thus that acquaintance began which ended

1It will be remembered that Toulon was re-taken by the French chiefly through the skill and energy of a young and then unknown artillery officer. Who was he? See Laughton, Nelson, pp. 50-58. 2 Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803) was the foster-brother of George III., and held the position of envoy at the Nea:politan court for 36 years (1764-1800). The Lady Hamilton here mentioned became his second wife in 1791. :a Lady Hamilton (1763-1815), whose maiden name was Emma Lyon, was of very humble birth. Being endowed with great beauty and talents, she came under the notice of various polished but unprincipled men of the world, and for some years led a dissipated life. Among her many admirers were the painter Romney, who delighted 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 some extent 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 immoral female." 4 It seems impossible that Sir William had never entertained an officer; he must have done so scores of times in the ordinary discharge of his duties as envoy. Prince Augustus was a son of George III. 56 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

in the destruction of Nelson's domestic happiness. It seemed to threaten no such consequences at its commencement. He spoke of Lady Hamilton, in a letter to his wife, as a young woman of amiable manners, who did honour to the station to which she had been raised: and he remarked, that she had been exceedingly kind to Josiah.' The activity with which the Envoy exerted himself in procuring troops from Naples to assist in garrisoning 'I'oulon, so delighted him, that he is said to have exclaimed, "Sjr Will- iam, you are a man after my own heart !-you do businesa in my own way:" and then to have added, "I am now only a captain; but I will, if I live, be at the top of the tree." Here, also, that acquaintance with the Neapolitan court 2 commenced, which led to the only blot 8 upon Nelson's public character. The King, who was sincere at that time in his enmity to the French, Galled the English the saviours of Italy, and of his dominions in particular. He paid the most flattering attention to Nelson, made him dine with him, and seated him at his right hand.

o Having accomplished this mission, Nelson received orders to join Commodore Linzee, at Tunis." On the way, five sail of the enemy were discovered off the coast of Sardinia, and he chased them. They proved to be three forty-four gun frigates, with a corvette of twenty-four, and a brig of twelve. 'I'he Aqamemnon had only three hundred and forty-five men at quarters, having landed part of her crew at Toulon, and others being absent in prizes. He came near enough one of the frigates to engage her, but at great disadvantage, the Frenchman manceu vring well, and sailing greatly better. A running fight of three hours en-

1Josiah Nisbet, the son of Mrs. Nelson, was, owing to his step- father's interest, employed us midshipman in the Agamemnon, as lieutenant in the Theseus, and as captain in the Dolpkin and Thalia. In a disastrous attack OIl Santa Cruz, July 24,1797, he saved Nelson's life by binding his arm after it had been shattered by a ball. As an officer he was a failure, however, even Nelson finding nothing to praise in his stepson. l\Ir. J. K. Laughton says: .. lie seems to have been of intemperate habits and boorish demeanor. When drunk, he was violent and insulting." t 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. I See pp. 169-175. 4 The success that attended this mission is not brought out with sufficient vi vidness, How may the passage be improved ? 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 57 sued; during which the other ships, which were at some distance, made all speed to come up. By this time the enemy were almost silenced, when a favourable change ~f wind enabled her to get out of reach of the Agamemnon 8 guns: and that ship had received so much damage in the rigging that she could not follow her. Nelson, conceiving that this was but the forerunner of a far more serious en- gsgement, 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? 'I'heir answer was, that she certainly was not. He then gave these orders: "Veer the ship, and lay her head to the westward; let some of the best men be employed in refitting the rigging, and the carpenter getting crows 1 and capstern-bars 2 to prevent our wounded spars from coming down; and get the wine up for the people, with some bread, for it may be half an hour good before we are again in action." But when the French came up, their comrade made signals of distress, and they all hoisted out their boats to go to her assistance, leaving the Aqamemnoti unmolested. Nelson found Commodore Linzee at Tunis, where he had been sent to expostUlate with the Dey upon the impolicy of his supporting the revolutionary government of France, Nelson represented to him the atrocity. of that government. Such arguments were of little avail in Bar- bary: and when the Dey was told that the French had put their sovereign to death, he dryly replied, that" Nothmg could be more heinous; and yet, if historians told the truth, the English had once done the same." 8 This answer had doubtless been susgested by the French about him: they had completely gamed the ascendancy, and all negotiation on our part proved fruitless. Shortly afterwards Nelson was detached with a small squadron, to co-operate with General Paoli and the anti-Gallican party in Corsica. Some thirty years before this time, the heroic patriotism of the Corsicans, and of their leader, Paoli;' had been the admiration of England. The history of these brave people

1 Iron bars used as levers ; called crow-bars in America. , Levers used in turning 8. capstern or capstan. ~To w hat English king is reference made? See Green, History of England, p. 572 ; Gardiner, Hist01y of England, p. 560. • Boswell, Johnson's biographer, wrote a famous book about Paoli. 58 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'194

is but a melancholy tale.! The island which they inhabit has been abundantly blessed by nature: it has many excellent harbours; and though the mal-aria, or pestilential at- mosphere, which is so deadly in many parts of Italy, and of the Italian islands, prevails on the eastern coast, the greater part of the country is mountainous and healthy. It is about 150 miles long, and from 40 to 50 broad: in circumference, some 320 :-a country large enough, and sufficiently distant from the nearest shores, to have subsisted as an independent state, if the welfare and happiness of the human race had ever been considered as the end and aim of policy. The Moors, the Pisans, the kings of Ara- gon, and the Genoese, successively attempted, and each for a time effected, its conquest. The yoke of the Genoese continued longest, and was the heaviest. These petty tyrants ruled with an iron rod: and when at any time a patriot rose to resist their oppressions, if they failed to subdue him by force, they resorted to assassination. At the commencement of the last century they quelled one revolt by the aid of German auxiliaries, whom the Emperor Charles VI. sent against a people who had never offended him, and who were fighting for whatever is most dear to man. In 1734 the war was renewed; and Theodore, a Westphalian baron, then appeared upon the stage. In that age men were not accustomed to see adventurers play for kingdoms," and Theodore became the common talk of Europe. He had served in the French armies; and having afterwards been noticed both by Ripperda " and Alberoni," their example, perhaps, inflamed a spirit as ambitious and as unprincipled as their own. He employed the whole of

1 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 and to gi ve endless variety and life to his work in this way. S At whom is this sarcastic allusion aimed? • ~Jan Willem Ripperda was a Dutch adventurer, who was in succession a Homan Catholic colonel, a Protestant deputy, an ambassador to Spain, a Roman Catholic, a Spanish duke, a prime minister of Spain, an outlaw, 8lrisoner, a fugitive, commander of the King of Morocco's army, an n 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 of England, p. 709; Green, Hi8tory of England, p. 706 ; Mahan, Influ- ence of Sea Power on History, pp. 238, 234-286, 238, 289. 1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 59 his means in raising money and procuring arms: then wrote to the leaders of the Corsican patriots, to offer them considerable assistance, if they would erect Corsica into an independent kingdom, and elect him king. When he landed among them, they were struck with his stately person, his dignified manners, and imposing talents: they believed the magnificent promises of foreign assistance which he held out, and elected him king accordingly. Had his means been as he represented them, they could not have acted more wisely than in thus at once fixing the government of their country, and putting an end to those rival- ries among the leading families, which had so often proved pernicious to the public weal. He struck 1 money, conferred titles, blocked up the fortified towns which were held by the Genoese, and amused the people with promises of assistance for about eight months: then, :perceiving that they cooled in their affections toward him, III proportion as their expectations were disappointed, he left the island, under the plea of expediting himself the succours which he had so long awaited. Such was his address, that he prevailed upon several rich merchants in Hol- land, particularly the Jews, to trust him with cannon and warlike stores to a great amount. They shipped these under the charge of a supercargo. Theodore returned with this supercargo to Corsica, and put him to death on his arrival, as the shortest way of settling the account. The remainder of his life was a series of deserved afflictions, He threw in 2 the stores which he had thus fraudulently obtained: but he did not dare to land; for Genoa had now called in the French to their assistance, and a price had been set upon his head. His dreams of royalty were now at an end: he took refuge in London, contracted debts, and was thrown into the King's Bench." After lingering there many years, he was released under an act of insol- vency: in consequence of which, he made over the kingdom of Corsica for the use of his creditors, and died shortly after his deliverance. 4

1 Coined. 2 Did he throw them into the sea or the town? 3 The student who desires to understand the condition of debtors in England in the good old times will read Dickens's Little Dorrii. • Sir Robert Walpole got up a subscription for him. UpODhis tomb was inscribed this epitaph: "~'ortune gave this man a kingdom and his old age denied him bread." 60 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'194

The French, who have never acted a generous part in the history of the world, readily entered into the views of the Genoese, which accorded 'with their own policy; for such was their ascendancy at Genoa, that in subduing Corsica for these allies, they were in fact subduing it for themselves. They entered into the contest, therefore, with their usual vigour, and their usual cruelty. It was in vain that the Corsicans addressed a most affecting memorial to the court of Versailles; that remorseless governmell t persisted in its flagitious project.' They poured in troops; dressed a part of them like the people of the country, by which means they deceived and destroyed many of the patriots; cut down the standing corn, the vines, and the ohves; set fire to the villages, and hung 2 all the most able and active men who fell into their hands. A war of this kind may be carried on with success against a country so small and so thinly peopled as Corsica," Having reduced the island to perfect servitude, which they called peace: the French withdrew their forces. As soon as they were gone, men, women, and boys rose at once against their oppressors. The circumstances of the times were now favourable to them; and some British ships, acting as allies of Sardinia, bombarded Bastia and San Fiorenzo, and delivered them into the hands of the patriots. 'I'his service was long remembered with gratitude: the impression made upon our own countrymen was less favourable. They had witnessed the heart-burning of ri val chiefs, and the dissensions among the patriots; and perceiving the state of barbarism to which continual oppression, and habits of lawless turbu- lence, had red uced the nation, did not recollect that the vices of the people were owing to their unhappy circumstances ; but that the virtues which they displayed arose from their own nature." This feeling, perhaps, influenced

1 Are Southey's charges against the French just? Are they natural? Answer these questions in a brief paper. j Remember this when you arc criticised for not saying" hanged." I Corsica has au area of 3,400 square miles, and at present a population of 270,000. • Students who have read Cassar's Gallic War will notice how that author several times uses an expression almost like this in speaking of his conquests: "Gallia pacata est," "Allobrogcs, qUI nuper pacati sunt," etc. • Is there any portion of the British Empire to which this sentence might be applied with great propriety to-day? 1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 61 the British court, when, in 1746, Corsica offered to put herself under the protection of Great Britain: an answer was returned expressing satisfaction at such a communication, hoping that the Oorsicans would preserve the same sentiments, but signifying also that the present was not the time ior such a measure. These brave islanders then formed a government for themselves, under two leaders, Gaffori and Matra, who had the title of protectors. The latter is represented as a partisan of Genoa, favouring the views of the oppressors of his country by the most treasonable means. Gaffori was a hero worthy of old times. His eloquence was long remembered with admiration. A band of assassins was once advancing against him; he heard of their approach, went out to meet them; and, with a serene dignity, which 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 brethren in arms, that the very men who had been hired to murder him fell at his feet, implored his forgiveness, and joined his banner. While he was besieging the Genoese in Corte, a part of the garrison perceiving the nurse with his eldest son, then an infant in arms, straying at a little distance from the camp, suddenly sallied out and seized them. The use they made of their persons was in conformity with their usual execrable 'conduct. When Gaffori advanced to batter the walls, they held up the child directly over that part of the wall at which the guns were pointed. The Corsicans stopped; but Gaffori stood at their head, and ordered them to continue the fire. Providentially the child escaped, and lived to relate, with becoming feeling, a fact so honourable to his father. That father conducted the affairs of the island till 1753, when he was assassinated by some wretches, set on, it is believed, by Genoa; but certainly pensioned by that abominable government after the deed. He left the country in such a state, that it was enabled to continue the war two years after his death without a leader: 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 obedience. He retired to Naples, and brought up this his 62 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794 youngest Bon in the Nea}?olitan service. The Corsicans heard of young Paoli's abilities, and solicited him to come over to his native country, and take the command. He did not hesitate long: his father, who was too far advanced in years to take an active part himself, encouraged him to go; and when they separated, the old man fell on his neck, and kissed him, and gave him his blessing. " My son," said he, "perhaps I may never see you more; but in my mind I shall ever be present with you. Your design is ~eat and noble; and I doubt not but God will bless you in It. I shall devote to your cause the little remainder of my life, in offering up my prayers for your success." When Paoli assumed the command, be found all things in confusion; he formed a democratical government, of which he was chosen chief; restored the authority of the laws; established 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 detestable 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 been expelled. France was indebted some millions of li vres to Genoa: it was not convenient to pay this money; so the French minister proposed to the Genoese, that she should discharge the debt by sending six battalions to serve in Corsica for four years. The indignation which this conduct excited in all generous hearts was forcibly expressed by Rousseau,' who, with all his errors, was seldom deficient in feeling for the wrongs of humanity. " You Frenchmen," said he, writing to one of that people, "are a thoroughly servile nation; thorou~hly sold to tyranny, thoroughly cruel, and relentless III persecuting the unhappy. If

IJean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) has been called by James Russell Lowell the father of modern democracy. "Without him," adds the same author, "our Declaration of Independence would have wanted 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 world might hear." Some member of the class may be detailed to read Rousseau's Di8CO'Urse em 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 ""T extirpating him." The immediate object of the French happened to be purely mercenary: they wanted to clear off their debt to Genoa; and as the presence of their troops in the island effected this, they aimed at doing the people no farther mischief. Would that the conduct of England had been at this time free from reproach! but a proclamation was issued by the English government, after the peace of Paris, prohibiting any intercourse with the rebels of Corsica. Paoli said, he did not expect this from Great Britain. This great man was deservedly proud of his country :-" I defy Rome, Sparta, or Thebes," he would say, "to show me thirty years of such patriotism as Corsica can boast!" 1 Availing himself of the respite which the inactivity of the French 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 prospect of the fame to which he aspired; yet, if he could but render his countrymen happy, he would be content to be forgotten. His own importance he never affected to under- value. " We are now to our country," said he, "like the prophet 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 yet regain full health and vigour." But when the four years were expired, France purchased the sovereignty of Corsica from the Genoese for forty millions of livres:" as if the Genoese had been entitled to sell it; as if any bargain or sale could justify one country in taking possession of another against the will of the inhabitants, and butchering all who oppose the usurpation! Among the enormities which France has committed, this action seems but as a speck; yet the foulest murderer that ever suffered by the hands of the executioner has infinitely less guilt upon his soul than the statesman who concluded this treaty, and the monarch who sanctioned and confirmed it. A desperate and glorious resistance was made; but it was in vain; no power interposed in behalf lOan they? 2 A livre is about twenty cents. 64 THE LIF'E 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 he would hold it under their government. His answer was, " That the rocks which surrounded him should melt away before he would betray a cause which he held in common with the poorest Corsican." 1 This people then set a price upon his head. During two campaigns he kept them at bay: they overpowered him at lensth: 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 attempting to prevent France from succeeding in this abominable and important act of aggrandisement.s In one respect, however, our country acted as became her. Paoli was welcomed with the honours which he deserved, a pension of £1200 per annum was immediately granted him; and provision was liberally made for his elder brother and his nephew. Above twenty years Paoli remained in England, enjoying the friendship of the wise, and the admiration of the good."

I But when the French Revolution 4 began, it seemed as if the restoration of Corsica was at hand. The whole country, as if animated by one spirit, rose and demanded liberty; and the National Assembly passed a decree, recognis- ing the island as a department of France, and therefore entitled to all the privileges of the new French constitution. This satisfied the Corsicans, which it ought not to have done; and Paoli, in whom the ardour of youth was past, seeing that his countrymen were contented, and believing that they were about to enjoy a state of freedom, naturally wished to return to his native country. He resigned his pension in the year 1790, and appeared at the

1Do you remember a similar speech in Scott's Lady of the Lake , ,.The statement is made by Burke in his Thought8 on the Present Discontent», but is based on insufficient evidence. S Paoli was intimate with the circle that included Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Reynolds, Goldsmith, and Boswell. Boswell's Life of Johnsow contains many references to Paoli. Let one member of the class make a collection of these, and another read Boswell's Tour in Corsica and present 8 brier abstract of its contents. 4 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 and better order of things, which Paoli, in common with so many friends of humankind, had indulged: and perceiving, after the execution of the King;' that a ci vil war was "f' about to ensue, of which no man could foresee the issue, he prepared to break the connexion between Corsica and

the French republic. The Oonvention.s suspecting such "t 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, be declared that he would never be found wanting in his duty, but pleaded age and infirmity as a reason for disobeying the summons. Their second order was more summary: and the French troops who were in Corsica, aided by those of the natives, who were either influenced by hereditary party feelings, or who were sincere in Jacobinism,8 took. the field against him. But the people were with him. " He repaired to Corte, the capital of the island, and was again invested with the authority which he had held in the noonday of his fame. The Convention, upon this, denounced him as a rebel, and set a price upon his head. lt was not the first time that France had proscribed Paoli. 4 Paoli now opened a correspondence with Lord Hood, promising, if the English would make an attack upon St. Fiorenzo from the sea, he would, at the same time, attack it by land. This promise he was unable to perform: and Commodore Linzee, who, in reliance upon it, was sent upon this service, was repulsed with Borne lOBS. Lord

1 King Louis XVI. of France. t The National Convention lasted from Septem her 17, 1792, until November 1, 1795. See Duruy, History of France, pp. 519, 553, 555, 565. I Jseobinism was the most radical form taken by republicanism during 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 Jacobin or 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. 6 Paoli again fled to England, dying there in 1807. See Guizot, Bi8tory 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 1 suspicion. Shortly afterwards he despatched Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir John) Moore 2 and Ma- jor Koehler to confer with him upon a plan of operations. Sir Gilbert Elliot accompanied them: and it was agreed, that, in consideration of the succours, both military and naval, which his Britannic Majesty should afford for the purpose of expelling the French, the island of Corsica should be delivered into the immediate possession of his Majesty, and bind itself to acquiesce in any settlement·he might approve of concerning its government and its future relation with Great Britain. While this negotiation was going on, Nelson cruised off the island with a small squadron, to prevent the enemy from throwing in supplies. Close to St. Fiorenzo the French had a 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, who were sent against him, could occasion him the lOBSof 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 enem,. more than it injures them, because of the sense of ~dl- vidual superiority which it indicates in the assailant&,- troops were landed, and St. Fiorenzo was besieged. The French, finding themselves unable to maintain their post, sunk one of their frigates, burnt another, and retreated to Bastia. Lord Hood submitted to General Dundas, who commanded the land forces, a plan for the reduction of this place: the general declined co-operating, thinking the attempt impracticable, without a reinforcement of 2000 men, which he expected from Gibraltar. Upon this Lord Hood determined to reduce it with the naval force under his command; and leaving part of his fleet off Toulon, he came with the rest to Bastia,

1Remember that this word means, etymologically, "full of injustice." t Sir John Moore has been immortalized bv the Rev. Charles Wolfe in one of the most familiar poems of the .English language. See Gardiner, Hi,8tory of England, p. 864. 1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 67

He showed a proper sense of respect for Nelson's services, and of confidence in his talents, by taking care not to bring with him any older captain. A few days before their arrival, Nelson had had what he called a brush with the enemy. "If I had had with me 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 we seldom fail." During this partial action our army appeared upon the heights; and having reconnoitred the place, returned to St. Fiorenzo. " What the general could have seen to make a retreat necessary," said Nelson, "I cannot comprehend." A thousand men would certainly take Bastia; with five hundred and Agamemnon I would attempt it. My· seamen are now what British seamen ought to be-almost invincible. They really mind shot no more than peas." General Dundas had not the same confidence. "After mature consideration," said he .in a letter to Lord Hood, "and a personal inspection for several days of all circumstances, local as well as others, I consider the siege of Bastia, with our present means and force, to be a most visionary and rash attempt; such as no officer would be justified in undertaking." Lord Hood replied, that nothing would be more gratifying to his feelings than to have the whole responsibility upon himself; and that he was ready and willing to undertake the reduction of the place at his own risk, with the force and means at present there. General d'Aubant, who succeeded at this time to the command of the army, coincided in opinion with bis predecessor, and did not think it right to furnish his lordship with a single soldier, cannon, or any stores. Lord Hood could only obtain a few artillerymen; and ordering on board that part of the troops who, having been embarked as marines, were borne on the ships' books as part of their respective complements, he began the siege with 1183 soldiers, artillerymen, and marines, and 250 sailors. "We are but few," said Nelson, "but of the right

1General Grant, in his Memoirs, propounds an idea which is essentially 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. GUDS were dragged by the sailors up heights where it appeared almost impossible to convey them;-a work of the greatest difficulty; and which Nelson said could never, in his opinion, have been accomplished by any but British seamen. The soldiers, though less dexterous in such service, because not accustomed, like sailors, to habitual dexterity, behaved with equal spirit. " Their zeal," said the Brigadier, "is almost unexampled. There is not a man but considers himself as personally interested in the event, and deserted by the general. It has, I am persuaded, made them equal to double their numbers." 'I'his is one :{>roof,of many, that for our soldiers to equal our seamen, It is only necessary for them to be equally well commanded. They have the same heart and soul, as well as the same flesh and blood. Too much may, indeed, be exacted from them in a retreat; but set their face toward a foe, and there is nothing within the reach of human achievement which they cannot perform. The French had improved the leisure which our military commander had allowed them, and, before Lord Hood commenced his operations, he had the mortification of seeing that the enemy were every day erecting new works, strengthening old ones, and rendering the attempt more difficult. La Combe St. Michel, the commissioner from the National Convention, who was in the city, replied in these terms to the summons of the British admiral: "I have hot shot for your ships, and bayonets for your troops. When two-thirds of our men are killed, I will then trust to the generosity of the English." The siege, however, was not sustained with the firmness which such a reply seemed to augur. On the 19th of Maya treaty of capitulation was begun: that same evening the troops from St. Fiorenzo made their appearance on the hills; and, on the following morning, General d'Aubant arrived with the whole army to take possession of Baatia, The event of this siege had justified the confidence of the sailors; but they themselves excused the opinion of the generals, when they saw what they had done. "I am all 1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 69 astonishment," said Nelson, "when I reflect upon what we have achieved: 1000 regulars, 1500 national guards, and a large party of Corsican troops, 4000 in all, laying down their arms to 1200 soldiers, marines, and seamen! I always was of opinion, have ever acted up to it, and never had any reason to repent it, that one Englishman was equal to three Frenchmen.' Had this been an English town, I am sure it would not have been taken by them." When it had been resolved to attack the place, the enemy were supposed to be far inferior in number; and it was not till the whole had been arranged, and the siege publicly undertaken, that Nelson received certain information of the great superiority of the garrison. This intelligence he kept secret, fearing lest, if so fair a pretext were afforded, the attempt would be abandoned. "My own honour," said he to his wife, "Lord Hood's honour, and the honour of our country, must have been sacrificed, had I mentioned what I knew: therefore you will believe what must have been my feelings during the whole siege, when I had often proposals made to me to write to Lord Hood to raise it. " Those very persons who thus advised him were rewarded for their conduct at the siege of Bastia: Nelson, by whom it might be truly affirmed that Bastia was taken, received no reward. Lord Hood's thanks to him, both public and private, were, as he himself said, the handsomest which man could give: but his signal merits were not so mentioned in the despatches, as to make them sufficiently known to the nation, nor to obtain for him from Government those honours to which they so amply entitled him. This could only have arisen from the haste in which the despatches were written; certainly not from any deliberate purpose, for Lord Hood was uniformly his steady and sincere friend.s

ICompare Dr. Johnson, who, when some one sought to discourage him with reference to his dictionary by saying that it had taken forty Frenchmen twenty years to produce a dictionary, whereas he expected 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 reference to the battles of Cressy, Poitiers, Agincourt, Blenheim. and Waterloo. Then write a paragraph in comment. 2 Probably Southey is mistaken. The likelihood is that Nelson had acted in violation of orders, or that to his commander his services did not appear as great as to his biographer, not being then 70 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1794

One of the cartel's 1 ships, which carried the garrison of Bastia to Toulon, brought back intelligence that the French were about to sail from that portj-s-such exertions had they made to repair the damage done at the evacuation, and to fit out a fleet. The intelligence was speedily verified. Lord Hood sailed in quest of them toward the islands of the Hieres. The Agamemnon was with him. "I pray God," said Nelson, writing to his wife, "that we may meet their fleet. If any accident should happen to me,2 I am sure my conduct will be such as will entitle you to the royal favour; -not that I have the least idea but I shall return to you, and full of honour:-if not, the Lord's will be done. My name shall never be a disgrace to those who may belong to me. The little I have, I have given to you, except a small annuity; I wish it was more; but I have never got a farthing dishonestly-it descends from clean hands. Whatever fate awaits me, I pray God to bless you, and preserve you, for your son's sake." With a mind thus prepared, and thus confident, his hopes and wishes seemed on the point of being gratified, when the enemy were discovered close under the land, near St. Tropez. The wind fell, and prevented Lord Hood from getting between them and the shore, as he designed: boats came out from Antibes and other places, to their assistance, and towed them within the shoals in Gourjean Roads," where they were protected by batteries on isles St. Honore and St. Marguerite, and on Cape Garousse.! Here the English admiral planned a new mode of attack, meaning to double 5 on five of the nearest ships; but the wind again died away, and it was found that they had anchored in compact order, guarding the only passage for large ships. There was no way of effecting this passage, except by towing or warping the ves- magnified by the brilliant reflection cast over them by his achieve- ments at Aboukir, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar. 1 A vessel carrying a Hag of truce. Literally, a vessel carrying an agreement written on a little card (cartel). Is" cartel's ships" a misprint for cartel-ship, or is "cartel" here used in the sense of a .fleetcarrying 8 llag of truce? I" Si mihi quid accidat" is the true Roman for an allusion to the possibility of death. S Properly Golie JOU8n. f Cape Garoupe, I The plan was employed by Nelson at Aboukir. The tremendous advantages it gave, when sails were the only method of propulsion and the attacking force was to windward, are self-evident. 1794] THE LIFE OF NELSON 71 sels; and this rendered the attempt impracticable. For this time the enemy escaped: but Nelson bore in mind the admirable plan of attack which Lord Hood had devised, and there came a day when they felt its tremendous effects. The Aqamemsun: was now despatched to co-operate at the siege of Calvi with General Sir Charles Stuart; an officer who, unfortunately for his country, never had an adequate field allotted him for the display of those eminent talents, which were, to all who knew him, so conspicuous." Nelson had less responsibility here than at Bastia; and was acting with a man after his own heart, who was never sparing of himself, and slept every night in the advanced battery. But the service was not less hard than that of the former siege. " We will fag ourselves to death," said he to Lord Hood, "before any blame shall lie at our doors. I trust it will not be forgotten that twenty-five pieces of .heavy ordnance have been dragged to the different batteries, mounted, and all but three fought by seamen, except one artillery-man to point the guns." The climate proved more destructive than the service; for this was during the period of the "lion snn," 1 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 were 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 enemy was not great; but Nelson received a serious injury: a shot struck the ground near him, and drove the sand and small gravel into one of his eyes. He spoke of it slightly at the time: writing the same day to Lord Hood, he only said, that he got a little hurt that morning, not much; and the next day he said, he should be able to attend his duty in the evening. In fact, he suffered it to confine him only one day; but the sight was lost.2 * Lord Melville was fully sensible of these talents, and bore testimony to them in the handsomest manner after Sir Charles's death. -Southey's Note. . 1Nelson 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." t 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 Cal vi, his services were, by a strange omission, altogether overlooked: and his name was not even mentioned in the list of wounded. This was noways imputable 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 unequalled exertions. If those exertions were not rewarded in the conspicuous manner which they deserved, the fault was in the administration of the day, not in Lord Hood. Nelson felt himself neglected. "One hundred and ten days," said he, "I have been actually engaged, at sea and on shore, against the enemy; three actions against ships, two against Bastin in my ship, four boat actions, and two villages taken, and twelve sail of vessels burnt. I do not know that anyone has done more. I have had the comfort to be always applauded by my Commander-in-Chief, but never to be rewarded: and, what is more mortifying, for services in which I have been wounded, others have been praised, who, at the same time, were actually in bed far from the scene of action. They have not done me justice. But, never mind, I'll have a ' Gazette' of my own." How amply was this second-sight of glory realised! 1 The health of his ship's company had now, in his own words, been miserably torn to pieces by as hard service as a ship's crew ever performed: 150 were in their beds when he left Cal vi; of them he lost fifty; and believed that the constitutions of the rest were entirely destroyed. He was now sent with despatches to Mr. Drake.s at Genoa, and had his first interview with tho Doge. The French had, at this time, taken possession of Vado Bay, in the Genoese territory; and Nelson foresaw, that if their thoughts were bent on the invasion of Italy, they would accomplish it the ensuing spring. "The allied powers," he said, "were me with great violence on tho f~\ce and breast. . . . I most fortunately escaped, having only my right eye nearly depri ved of sight. It W8$ cut down [diminished in size ?], but is so far recovered as for me to be able to distinguish light from darkness. As to all purposes of use it is gone. However, the blemish is nothing, not to be perceived unless told. The pupil is nearly the size of the blue part; I don't know the name." 1 "It cost me," said Nelson, "£300, an eye, and a cut across the back. I ha ve said a grea.t 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 hearty In the cause. " His wish was for peace, on fair terms, because England, he thought, was draining herself, to maintain allies who would not fight for themselves. Lord Hood had now returned to England, and the command devolved on Admiral Hotham. 'I'he affairs of the Mediterranean wore at this time a gloomy aspect. The arts, as well as the arms of the enemy, were gaining the ascendancy there. Tuscany concluded peace, relying upon the faith of France, which was, in fact, placing itself at her mercy. Corsica was in danger. We had taken that island for ourselves, annexed it formally to the crown of Great Britain, and given it a constitution as free as our own. This was done with the consent of the majority of the inhabitants: and no transaction between two countries was ever more fairly - or legitimately conducted: yet our conduct was un wise;- the island is large enough to form an independent state, and such we should have made it, under our protection, as long as protection might be needed. The Corsicans would then have felt as a nation; but, when one party had given up the country to England, the natural consequence was, that the other looked to France. The question proposed to the people was, to which would .they belong? Our language and our religion were against us; our unaccommo- dating manners, it is to be feared, still more so. The French were better politicians. In intrigue they have ever been unrivalled; and it now became apparent that, in spite of old wrongs, which ought never to have been forgotten or forgiven, their partisans were daily acquiring strength. It is part of the policy of France, and a wise p,0licy it is, to impress upon other powers the opinion of Its strength, by lofty language, and by threatening before it strikes; a system which, while it keeps up the spirit of its allies, and perpetually stimulates their hopes, tends also to dismay its enemies. Corsica was now loudly threatened. The French, who had not yet been taught to feel their own 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 English and engage them. Accordingly, the Toulon fleet, consisting of seventeen ships of the line, and five smaller vessels, put to sea. Admiral Hotham received this information at '14 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'195

Leghorn, and sailed immediately in search of them. He had with him fourteen sail of the line, and one Neapolitan seventy-four; but his ships were only half manned, containing but 7650 men, whereas the enemy had 16,900. He soon came in sight of them: a general action was expected; and Nelson, as was his custom on such occasions, wrote a hasty letter to his wife, as that which might possibly contain his last farewell. " The lives of all," said he, "are in the 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 English . fleet, they suffered themselves to be chased. One of their ships, the (Ja Ira, of eighty-four guns, carried away 1 her main and fore top-masts. The Inconstant frigate fired at the disabled ship, but received so many shot that she was obliged to leave her. Soon afterwards a French frigate took the (Ja Ira in tow; and the Sans Culottes, one hundred and twenty, and the Jean Barras, seventy-four, kept about gunshot ' distance on her weather bow." The Aga- memnon stood towards her, having 110 ship of the line to support her within several miles. As she drew near, the (Ja Ira fired her stern guns so truly, that not a shot missed some part of the ship, and, latterly, the masts were struck by every shot. It had been Nelson's intention not to fire before he touched her stern; 4 but seeing how impossible it was he should be supported, and how certainly the Apamemnon must be severely cut up, if her masts were disabled, he . altered his plan according to the occasion. As soon, there- . fore, as he was within a hundred yards of her stern, he ordered the helm to be put a-starboard, and the driver and after-sails to be brailed up and shivered; and, as the ship fell off, gave the enemy her whole broadside.! They in-

1 Lost overboard, 2 About 250 yards. I Opposite the bow, on the side of the ship toward the wind. 4 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 was brailed up; i.e., tied up with the ropes called bruils, used to pull 1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON 75

stantly braced up the after-yards, put the helm a-port, and .stood after her again. This manreuvre he practised for two hours and a quarter, never allowing the fJa Ira to get a single gun from either side to bear on him; and when the French fired their after-guns now, it was no longer with coolness and precision, for every shot went far 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, and got her round." Both these French ships now brought their guns to bear, and opened their fire. The Agamem- non passed them within half-pistol shot; almost every shot passed over her, for the French had elevated their guns for the rigging, and for distant firing, and did not think of altering the elevation. As soon as the Agamemnon's after- guns ceased to bear, she hove in stays, keeping a constant fire as she came round; and being worked, said Nelson, with as much exactness as if she had been turning into Spithead. On getting round, he saw that the Sans Culottes, which had wore, with many of the enemy's ships, was under his lee bow, and standing to leeward. The Admiral,2 at the same time, made the signal for the van ships to join him. Upon this Nelson bore away, and prepared toset all sail; and the enemy, having saved their ship, hauled close to the wind, and opened upon him a distant and ineffectual fire. Only seven of the Agamemnon's men were hurt--a thing which Nelson himself remarked as wonderful: her sails and rigging were very much cut, and she had many

up the large sails. The after-sails are all those on the mizzen-mast and on the stays between the mainmast and mizzen-mast. These were shivered; i.e., the ropes holding them fast at the bottom were loos- ened so that they offered no resistance to the wind. As the wind blew 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 was that the Agamemnon presented her starboard broadside to the stern of the qa Ira. As soon as this was discharged the after-sails were set again, and the Agamemnon pursued her antagonist until once more within range, when the manoeuvre was repeated. 1 Le., changed to the other tack, the result being that the broadsides of both bore on the Agamemnon. 2 The English admiral. Some member of the class should make a special study of this page, construct diagrams of the action, and write a paper which should be read to the rest. '16 THE LIFE OB' NELSON shots in her hull, and some between wind and water.1 The {Ja Ira lost 110 men that day, and was so cut up, that she could not get a top-mast aloft during the night. At daylight, on the following morning, the English ships were taken aback with a fine breeze at N.W., while the enemy's fleet kept the southerly wind. The body of their fleet was about five miles distant; the {Ja Ira, and the Oenseur, seventy-four, which had her in tow, about three and a half. All sail was made to cut these ships off; and, as the French attempted to save them, a partial action was brought on. The Aqamemsum was engaged with her yesterday's antagonist; but she 2 had to fight on both sides the ship at the same time. The (Ja Ira and the Oensee« fought most gallantly: the first lost nearly 300 men, in addition 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, " S hoisted English colours on board them both. The rest of the enemy's ships behaved very ill. As soon as these vessels had struck, Nelson went to Admiral Hotham," and proposed that the two prizes should be left with the Illustrious and Oouraqeua, which had been crippled in the action, and with four frigates, and that the rest of the fleet should pursue the enemy, and follow up the advantage to the utmost. But his refly was----"'Ve must be contented; we have done very well.' - " Now," said Nelson, "had we taken ten sail, and allowed

1 Between wind and wafer; i.e., the space which, owing to the rolling of the ship, is sometimes above and sometimes below the water-line. 2 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. I The quarter-deck is that part of a war-vessel's spar-deck between the poop and the mainmast; it is reserved for officers. 4 Hotham's timidity led to far-reaching results. I t seems probable that, had he attacked the French fleet as Nelson wished, nothing could have saved it. With their fleet gone, the French could not have invaded Italy; Spain would have remained true to England; and Bonaparte's expedition to Egypt would not have been thought of. 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 irresolution on July 13th, has perhaps not been so generally noticed or understood as the interest of the fact deserves." 1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON 77 the eleventh to escape, when it had been possible to have got at her, I could never have called it well done. * Good- all backed me: I got him to write to the Admiral; but it would Dot do. We should have had such a day as, I believe, the annals of England never produced." In this letter, the character of Nelson fully manifests itself. " I wish," said he, "to be an admiral, and in the command of the English fleet: I should very soon either do much, or be ruined: my disposition cannot bear tame and slow measures. Sure I am, had I commanded on the 14th, that either the whole French fleet would have graced my triumph, or I should have been in a confounded scrape." What the event would have been, he knew from his prophetic feelings and his own consciousness of power: and we also know it now, for Aboukir and Trafalgar have told it. • The 9a Ira and Censeur probably defended themselves with more obstinacy in this action, from a persuasion that, if they struck, no quarter would be given; because they had • fired red-hot shot, and had also a preparation, sent, as they said, by the Oonvention from Paris, which seems to have been of the nature of the Greek fire; 1 for it became liquid when it was discharged, and water would not extinguish its flames. This combustible was concealed with great care in the captured ships: like the red-hot shot, it had been found useless in battle. Admiral Hotham's action saved Corsica. for the time; but the victory had been incomplete, and the arrival at Toulon of six sail of the line, two frigates, and two cutters, from Brest, gave the French a superiority which, had they known how to use it, would materially have endangered the British Mediterranean fleet. That fleet had been greatly neglected during Lord Chatham's administration at the Admiralty; and it did not, for some time, feel the beneficial effect of his removal. Lord Hood had gone home to represent the real state of affairs, and solicit reinforcements adequate to the exigencies of the time, and the importance of the scene of action. But that * "I can, entre nous;" says Sir William Hamilton, in a letter to Nelson, "perceive that myoid friend, Hotham, is not quite awake enough 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. t See Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Raman Empire, eh, Iii. '18 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1795 fatal error of nnder-proportioning the force to the service -that ruinous economy, which, by sparing a little, renders all that is spent useless, infected the British councils; and Lord Hood, not being able to obtain such reinforcements as he knew were necessary, resigned the command. "Sure- ly," said Nelson, "the people at home have forgotten us." Another Neapolitan seventy-four joined Admiral Hotham; and Nelson observed with sorrow, that this was matter of exultation to an English fleet. When the store- ships and victuallers from Gibraltar arrived, their escape from the enemy was thought wonderful; and yet, had they not escaped, " the game," said Nelson, "was up here. At this moment our operations are at a stand for want of ships to support the Austrians in getting possession of the sea- coast of the King of Sardinia; and, behold, our Admiral does not feel himself equal to show himself, much less to give assistance in their operations." It was reported that the French were again out with eighteen or twenty sail. The combined British and Neapolitan were but sixteen; should the enemy be only eighteen, Nelson made no doubt of a complete victory, but if there were twenty, he said, it was not to be expected: and a battle, without complete victory, would have been destruction, because another mast was not to be got on that side Gibraltar. At length Admi- ral Man arrived with a squadron from England. "What they can mean by sending him with only five sail of the line," said Nelson, "is truly astonishing: but all men are alike, and we in this country do not find any amendment or alteration from the old Board of Admiralty. They should know that half the ships in the fleet require to go to England; and that long ago they ought to have reinforced us." About this time Nelson was made Colonel of Marines: 1 a mark of approbation which he had long wished for rather than expected. It came in good season, for his spirits were oppressed by the thought that his services had not been acknowledged as they deserved; and it abated the resent- ful feeling which would else have been excited by the answer to an application to the War-Office. During his four

1 This post was a sinecure conferred upon four captains for good service, and relinquished when the incumbent was promoted. Pen- sions are now given instead. 1793] THE LIFE OF' NELSON 79 months' land service in Corsica, he had lost all his ship- furniture, owing to the movements of a camp. Upon this he wrote to the Secretary-at- War, briefly stating what his services on shore had been, and saying, he trusted it wasnot asking an improper thing to request that the same allowance might be made to him which would be made to a land officer of his rank, which, situated as he was, would be that of a Brigadier-General: if this could not be accorded, he hoped that his additional expenses would be paid him. The answer which he received was, "that no pay had ever been issued under the direction of the War-Office to officers of the navy serving with the army on shore." He now entered upon a new line of service. The Aus- trian and Sardinian armies, under General de Vins, required a British squadron to co-operate with them in driving the French from the Riviera di Genoa; and as Nelson had been so much in the habit of soldiering, it was immediately fixed that the Brigadier should go. He sailed from St. Fiorenzo on this destination; but fell in, off Cape del Mele, with the enemy's fleet, who immediately gave his squadron chase. The chase lasted four-and-twenty hours; and owing to the fickleness of the wind, the British ships were somewhat hard pressed: but the want of skill on the part of the French gave them many advantages. Nelson beat his way back to St. Fiorenzo, where the fleet, which was in the midst of watering and refitting, had, for seven hours, the mortification of seeing him almost in possession of the enemy, before the wind would allow them to put out to his assistance. The French, however, at evening, went off, not choosing to approach nearer the shore. Dur- ing the night, Admiral Hotham, by great exertions, got under weigh; and, having sought the enemy four days, came in sight of them on the fifth. Baffling winds and vexatious calms, so common in the Mediterranean, rendered it impossible to close with them; only a partial action could be brought on; and then the firing made a perfect calm. 1 The French, being to windward, drew in shore; and the English fleet was becalmed six or seven miles to the westward. L' Alcide, of seventy-four guns, struck; but before she could be taken possession of, a box of combusti-

I Some member of the class should investigate and write up the physics of this result. 80 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1796 bles in her fore-top took fire, and the unhappy crew experienced how far more perilous their inventions were to themselves than to their enemies. So rapid was the conflagration, that the French in their officialaccount say, the hull, the masts, and sails, all seemed to take fire at the same moment; and though the English boats were put out to the assistance of the poor wretches on board, not more than 200 could be saved. The Agamemnon, and Captain Rowley in the Cumberland, were just getting into close action a second time, when the Admiral called them off, the wind now 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 had a 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 French troops; for, unless this trade were stopped, it would be scarcely possible for the allied armies to hold their situation, and impossible for them to make any progress in driving the enemy out of the Riviera di Genoa. Mr. Drake was of opinion, that even Nice might fall for want of supplies, if the trade with Genoa were cut off. This sort of blockade Nelson could not carryon without great risk to himself. A captain in the Navy, as he represented to the Envoy, is liable to prosecution for detention and damages. This danger was increased by an order which had then lately been issued; by which, when a neutralship was detained, a complete specification of her cargo was directed to be sent to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and no legal process instituted against her till the pleasure of that Board should be communicated. This was requiring an impossibility. The cargoes of ships detained upon this station, consisting chiefly of corn, 'Wouldbe spoiled long before the orders of the Admiralty could be known; and then, if they should happen to release the vessel,the owners would look to the captain for damages. Even the only precaution which could be taken against this danger involved another danger not less to be apprehended; for, if the captain should direct the cargo to be taken out, the freight paid for, and the vessel released, the agent em- 1795] THE LIFE OF' NELSON 81

ployed might prove fraudulent, and become bankrupt; and in that case the captain became responsible. Such things had happened ; Nelson therefore required, as the only means for carrying on that service, which was judged essential to the common cause, without exposing the officers to ruin, that the British Envoy should appoint agents to pay the freight, release the vessels, sell the cargo, and hold the amount till process was had upon it: Government thus securing its officers. "I am acting," said Nelson, " not only without the orders of my Commander-in-Chief, but, in some measure, contrary to him. However, I have not only the support of his Majesty's ministers, both at Turin and Genoa, but a consciousness that I am doing what is right and proper for the service of our king and country. Political courage, in an officer abroad, is as highly necessary as military courage. " This quality, which is as much rarer than military courage, as it is more valuable, and without which the soldier's bravery is often of little avail, Nelson possessed in an eminent degree. His representations were attended to as they deserved. Admiral Hotham commended him for what he had done; and the attention of Government was awakened to the injury which the cause of the allies continually suffered from the frauds of neutral vessels. "What changes in my life of activity!" said this indefatigable man. "Here I am; having commenced a co-operation with an old Austrian General, almost fancying myself charging at the head of a troop of horse! I do 1not 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 employed 1 my time. This I like;-active service, or none." It was Nelson's mind which supported his feeble body through these exertions. He was at this time almost blind, and wrote with very great pain. "Poor Agamemnon," he sometimes said, "was as nearly worn out as her Captain; and both must soon be laid up to repair." When Nelson first saw General de Vins, he thought him an able man, who was willing to act with vigour. The general charged his inactivity upon the Piedmontese and Neapolitans, whom, he said, nothing could induce to act;

1 Do . • . employed: point out the fault of style, remedy it, and state the principle violated. 6 82 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1790 and he concerted a plan with Nelson, for embarking a pad of the Austrian army, and landing it in the rear of the French. But the English Commodore soon began to sus- pect that the Austrian General was little disposed to any active operations. In the hope of spurring him on, he wrote to him, telling him that he had surveyed the coast to the 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 them within two miles of St. Remo, with their field-pieces. Respecting further provisions for the Austrian army, he would provide convoys, that they should arrive in safety; and if a re-embarkation should be found necessary, he would cover it with the squadron. The possession of St. Remo, as head-quarters for magaaines of every kind, would enable the Austrian General to turn his army to the eastward or westward. The enemy at Oneglia would be cut oft from provisions, and men could be landed to attack that place whenever it was judged necessary. St. Remo was the only place between Vado and Ville Franche where the s

and peace is ruin to them; therefore we cannot expect that they should have any wish to finish the war. The politics of courts are so mean, that private people would be ashamed to act in the same way: all is trick and finesse, to which the common cause is sacrificed. The General wants a 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, which has 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 ViliS, 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, having no doubt of obtaining them, and trusting that the plan would be successful to its fullest extent. Nelson thought at the time, that if the whole fleet were offered him for transports, he would find some other excuse; and Mr. Drake, who was now appointed to reside at the Austrian 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 meritorious 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 regretted Lord Hood, saying, that the nation had suffered much by his resignation of the Mediterranean command. The plan which had been concerted, he said, would astonish the French, and perhaps the English. There was no unity in the views of the allied powers, no cordiality in their co-operation, no energy in their councils. The neutral powers assisted France more effectually than the allies assisted each other. The Genoese ports were at this time filled with French privateers, which swarmed out every night, and covered the gulf; and French vessels were allowed to tow out of the port of Genoa itself, board vessels which were coming in, and then return into the 84 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 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 80 repeatedly made against his squadron, that, he says, it seemed a trial who should be tired first: they of complaining, or he of answering their complaints. But the question of neutrality was soon at an end. An Austrian commissary was travelling from Genoa towards Vado; it was known that he was to sleep at V oltri, 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 honour of the one, the duties of the other, and the laws of neutrality. The boats of the fri~ate went out with some privateers, landed, robbed the commissary, and brought back the money to Genoa. 'I'he 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 vessels, who were to land between Voltri and Savona:-there a detachment from the French army was to join them, and the Genoese peasantry were to be invited to insurrection, -a measure for which everything had been prepared. The night of the 13th was fixed for the sailing of this expedition: the Austrians called loudly for Nelson to prevent it; and he, on the evening of the 13th, arrived at Genoa. His presence checked the plan: the frigate, knowing her 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 had allowed, if not connived at, a flagrant breach of neutrality, and expecting the answer which he was prepared to return, that it was useless and impossible for him to respect it longer. But though this movement produced the immediate effect which was designed, it led to ill consequences, which Nelson foresaw, but, for want of sufficient force, was unable to J?revent. Ilis squadron was too small for the service which It had to perform. lIe required two seventy-fours, and eight or ten frigates and slooys; but when he demanded this reinforcement, Admira Hotham had left the command; Sir Hyde Parker succeeded till the new commander should arrive; and he immediately reduced. it 1795] 'l'Hll LIlI'E 011' NELSON 85 almost to nothing, leaving him only one frigate and a brig. This was a fatal error. While the Austrian and Sardinian troops, whether from the imbecility or the treachery of their leaders, remained inactive, the French were preparing for the invasion of Italy. Not many days before Nelson was thus summoned to Genoa, he chased a large convoy , into Alassio. Twelve vessels he had formerly destroyed in that port, though 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; and offered, with his squadron of frigates, and the Culloden and Courageux, te lead himself in the Agamemnon, and take or destroy the whole. The attempt was not permitted: but it was Nelson's belief, that, if it had been made, it would have prevented the attack upon the Aus- trian army, which took place almost immediately afterwards. General de Vins demanded satisfaction of the Genoese government for the seizure of his commissary; and then, without waiting for their reply, took possession of some empty magazines of the French, and pushed his sentinels to the' very gates of Genoa. Had he done so at first, he would have found the magazines full; but timed as the measure was, and useless as it was to the cause of the sl- lies, it was in character with the whole of the Austrian General's conduct: and it is no small proof of the dexterity with which he served the enemy, that in such circumstances he could so act with Genoa, as to contrive to rut himself in the wrong. Nelson was at this time, according to his own expression, placed in a cleft stick. Mr. Drake, the Austrian Minister, and the Austrian General, all joined in requiring him not to leave Genoa: if he left that port unguarded, they said, not only the imperial troops at St. Pier d' Arena 1 and Voltri would be lost, but the French plan for taking post between Voltri and Savona would certainly succeed: If the Austrians should be worsted in the advanced p'osts, 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

1 St. Pier d' Arena is a western suburb of Genoa. 86 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1796 hand, he knew, that if he were not at Pietra,' the enemy's gunboats would harass the left flank of the Austrians, who, if they were defeated, as was to be expected, from the spirit of all their operations, would very probably lay their defeat to the want of assistance from the Agamemnon. Had the force for which Nelson applied been given him, he could have attended to both objects: and had he been permitted to attack the convoy in Alassio, he would have disconcerted the plans of the French, in spite of the Aus- trian General. He had foreseen the danger, and pointed out how it might be prevented; but the means of preventing it were withheld. The attack was made, as he foresaw; and the gunboats brought their fire to bear upon the Aus- trians. It so happened, however, that the left flank, which was exposed to them, was the only part of the army that behaved well; this division stood its ground till the centre and the right wing fled, and then retreated in a soldier- like manner. General de Vins gave up the command in the middle of the battle, pleading ill health. "From that moment," says Nelson, ' not a soldier stayed at his post: -it was the devil take the hindmost. Many thousands ran away who had never seen the enemy; some of them thirty miles from the advanced posts. Had I not, though, I own, against my inclination, been kept at Genoa, from eight 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 Vado, ran with the Austrians eighteen miles without stopping: the men without arms, officers without soldiers, women without assistance. The oldest officer, say they, never heard of so complete a defeat, and certainly without any reason. Thus has ended my campaign.-We have established the French republic; which, but for us, I verily believe, would never have been settled by such a volatile, changeable people. I hate a Frenchman: they are equally objects of my 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

1 Pietra is about six miles south of Cape Noli. 1795] THE LIFE OF NELSON 87 fourteen, and all were nearly naked: they were sure, they said, his barge's crew ! could have beat a hundred of them; and that, had he himself seen them, he would not have thought, if the world had been covered with such people, that they could have beaten the Austrian army.2 The defeat of General de Vins gave the enemy possession of the Genoese coast from Savona to Voltri; and it deprived the Austrians of their direct communication with the English fleet.S The Agamemnon, therefore, could no longer 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 any part of the rigging, but what stood in need of repair, having been cut to pieces with shot. The hull was so damaged, that it had for some time been secured by cables, which were served or thrapped round it.

I For a number in a barge's crew, see p. 106. t A report of the battle from a French source and another from an unprejudiced one sbould be studied, compared with this and each other, and written up for the class. See Duruy, History of France, p. 567; and Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on French Revolution, pp. 196-203. I 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 oft Cape St. Vincent-Nelson commands the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz-Boat action in the Bay of Cadiz-Expedition against Teneriffe-Nelson loses an arm-His sufferings in :E!ngland, and recovery.

SIR JOHN JERVIS1 had now 2 arrived to take the command of the Mediterranean fleet. The Agamemnon hav- inS', 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. S "I found him," said he, " anxious to know many things, which I was a good deal surprised to find had not been communicated to him by others In the fleet; and it would appear that he was so well satisfied with my opinion of what is likely to happen, and the means of prevention to be taken, that he had no reserve with me respecting his information and ideas of what is likely to be done." -l 'rho manner in which Nelson was received is said to have excited some envy. One captain observed to him: "You did just as you pleased in Lord Hood's time, the same in Admiral IIotham's, and now again with Sir John Jervis: it makes no difference to you who is Uommauder-ill-Chief." A higher compliment could not have been paid to any Commander-in-Chief, than to

1 Professor Laughton says that the arrival of Sir John Jervis was "the signal of a new order of t hings ; of a strictness of discipline in all departments, of un activity on service and II restless energy such as had never been equalled, and which brought the fleet to a point of unparalleled eflieieuev." For his eharuetvr, see Mahan, Effect of Sea, Power 011, French. Revolution, Index. It will amply reward inductive study. t November 30, 1795. I January 19, 17U6. • Do you think Nelson's literary style 88 good U~ his st yle 01 fighting? .1796] THE LIFE OF NELSON. 89

Bayof him, that he understood the merits of Nelson, and left him, as far as possible, to act upon his own judgment. Sir John Jervis offered him the St. George, ninety, or the Zealous, seventy-four, and asked if he should have any objection to serve under him with his flag.! He replied, that if the Agamemnon were ordered home, and his flag were not arrived, he should, on many accounts, wish to return to England: still, if the war continued, he should be very proud of hoisting his flag under Sir John's command. " We cannot spare you, " said Sir John, "either as captain or admiral. " Accordingly, he resumed his station in the Gulf of Genoa. The French had not followed up their successesin that quarter with their usual celerity. Scherer,2 who commanded there, owed his advancement to any other cause than his merit; he was a favourite of the Directory; S but, for the present, through the influence of Barras,' he was removed from a command for which his incapacity was afterwards clearly proved, and Buonaparte was appointed to succeed him. Buonaparte 5 had given indica- tions of his military talents at Toulon, and of his remorseless nature at Paris: but the extent either of his ability or his wickedness was at this time known to none, and perhaps not even suspected by himself. Nelson supposed, from the information which be bad

1 His admiral's 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 rtri- otic zeal. More fortunate than most of the other leaders 0 the French Revolution, he did not pay the penalty of losing his head for the crime of being eminent, but his escape was a narrow one. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on French Revolution, Index. :I The affairs of France were managed by this body, which was executive 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. 4 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 was a violent and bloody Jaeobin. It was largely through his efforts, however, that Hobespierre fell. He remained a member of the Di- rectory until its fall, and then retired to private life. See Duruy, ii/story of France, pp. 558, 506, 577; Guizot, Hi~tory of France, vol. vi., pp. 208, 245, 358, 402, 407. 6 Why was he called Buonaparte and not Napoleon by Southey? 90 THS LIFE OF NELSON [1'196

obtained, that 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 because of the shallowness of the water. To prevent this, he said, two things were necessary: the possession of Vado Bay, and the taking of Port Especia; if either of these points were secured, Italy would be safe from any attack of the French by sea. General Beaulieu, who had now superseded De Vins in the command of the allied Austrian and Sardinian army, sent his nephew and aide-de-camp to communicate with Nelson, and inquire whether be could anchor in any other place than Vado Bay. Nelson replied, that Vado was the only place where the British fleet could lie in safety: but all places would suit his squadron; and wherever the General came down to the sea-coast, there be should find it. The Austrian repeatedly asked, if there was not a risk of losing the squadron; and was constantly answered, that if these ships should be lost, the Admiral would find others. But all plans of co-operation with the Austrians were soon frustrated by the battle of Montenotte.! Beaulieu ordered an attack to be made upon the post of Voltri:-it was made twelve hours before the time which he had fixed, and before he arrived to direct it. In consequence, the French were enabled to effect their retreat, and fall back to lIolltenotte; thus giving tho troops there a decisive superiority in number over the division which attacked them. '!'his drew on the defeat of tho Austrians. Buouaparte, with a celerity which had never before been witnessed in modern war, pursued his advantages, and, in the course of a fortnight, dictated to the court of Turin terms of peace, or rather of submission; by which all the strongest places of Piedmont were put into his 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 'I'onlon for Ht. Pier d'Arena. As- sisted by Captain Cockburn, in the J.1Jdeager, he drove them under a battery, pursued them, silenced the butteries, and captured the whole. llilitary books, plans, and maps of

1 ~pri~ 12, ..179~. See91.!a~an, Influence of Sea Power on French Revolution, '01. 1., pp ... 0,- ..11. 1796] THE LIFE OF NELSON 91

Italy, with the different points marked upon them where former battles had been fought, sent by the Directory for Buonaparte's use, were found in the convoy.' The loss of this artillery was one of the chief causes which compelled the French to raise the siege of Mantua: but there was too much treachery, and too much imbecility, both in the councils and armies of the allied powers, for Austria to improve this momentary success. Buonaparte perceived that the conquest of 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 took possession of Leghorn. In consequence of this movement, Nelson blockaded that port, and landed a British force in the Isle of Elba, to secure Porto Ferrajo.s Soon afterwards he took the island of Capraja, which had formerly belonged to Corsica, being less than forty miles distant from it: a distance, however, short as it was, which enabled the Genoese to retain it, after their infamous sale of Corsica to France. Genoa had now taken part with France: its government had long covertly assisted the French, and now willingly yielded to the first compulsory menace which required them to exclude the English from their ports. Capraja was seized, in consequence: but this act of vigour was not followed up as it ought to have been. England at that time depended too much upon the feeble governments of the Continent, and too little upon itself. It was determined by the British Cabinet to evacuate 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 foreseen, had now taken place; 3 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

1 The capture was effected May 30. Nelson wrote June 2: "I have got the charts of Italy sent by the Directory to Bonaparte; also Maille bois' Wars in Italy,Vauban's Attack and Defence of Places, and Prince 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." 2 In the Oaptain,. the Agamemnon had been sent to England for re~airs. October 19, 1796. 92 'l'HE LIFE OF NELSON [1796

done so, it was disgraceful thus to abandon it. The disgrace would have been spared, and every advantage which could have been derived from the possession of the island secured, if the people had at first been left to form a government for themselves, and protected by us in the enjoyment of their independence. The Viceroy, Sir Gilbert Elliot, deeply felt the impolicy and ignominy of this evacuation. The fleet also was ordered to leave the Mediterranean. This resolution was so contrary to the last instructions which had been received, that Nelson exclaimed :-" Do his Majesty's ministers know their own minds? They at home," said he, "do not know what this fleet is capable of performing-anything and everything. Much as I shall rejoice to see 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 were perfectly satisfied, as they had good reason to be, with the British government, sensible of its advantages, and attached to it. However this may have been, when they found that the English intended to evacuate the island, they naturally and necessarily sent to make their peace with the French. The partisans of France found none to oppose them. A committee of thirty took upon them the government of Bastia, and sequestrated 1 all the British property: armed Corsicans mounted guard at every place, and a plan was laid for seizing the Viceroy. Nelson, who was appointed to superintend the evacuation, frustrated these projects. At a time when everyone else despaired of sav- mg stores, cannon, provisions, or property of any kind, and a privateer was moored across the mole-head to prevent all boats from passing, he sent word to the Commit- tee, that if the slightest opposition were made to the embarkation 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

1 Seized for the use of the state. 1796] THE LIFE OF NELSON 93

Sutton, of the Egmont, pulling out his watch, gave them a quarter of an hour to deliberate upon their answer. In five minutes after the expiration of that time, the ships, he said, would open their fire. Upon this the very sentinels scampered off, and every vessel came oub of the mole. A shipowner complained to the Commodore, that the municipality refused to let him take his goods out of the custom- house. Nelson directed him to say, that unless they were instantly delivered, he would open his fire. The Commit- tee turned ~ale; and, without answering a word, gave him the keys. Their last attempt was to levy a duty upon the things that were re-embarked. He sent them word, that he would pay them a disagreeable visit, if there were any more complaints. The Committee then finding that they{, had to deal with a man who knew his own power, and w8if'J determined 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 and orderly since the English were in possession of it. This was on the 14th of October: during the five following days the work of embarkation was carried on, the private property was saved, and public stores to the amount of £200,- 000. The French, favoured by the Spanish fleet, which was at that time within twelve leagues of Bastia, pushed over troops from Leghorn, who landed near Cape Corse on tho 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 be said, seen the first and the last of Corsica. Provoked at the conduct of the municipality, and the disposition which the populace had shown to profit by the confusion, he turned towards the shore, as he stepped into his boat, and exclaimed: "Now, John Corse, follow the natural bent of your detestable character-plunder and revenge." This, however, was not Nelson's deliberate opinion of the people of Corsica; he know that their vices were the natural consequences of internal anarchy and foreign oppression, such 88 the same causes would produce in any people: and when he saw, that of all those who took leave of the Viceroy, there was not one who parted from him without tears, he acknowledged that they manifestly acted, not from 94 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'796 dislike of the English, but from fear of the French. England then might, with more reason, reproach her own rulers for pusillanimity, than the Corsicans for 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 o£ that place also. On his way, he fell in with two Spanish frigates, the Sabina and the Ceres. The Minm·ve engaged the former, which was commanded by Don Jacobo Stuart, a descendant of the Duke of Berwick.' After an action of three hours, during which the Spaniards lost 164 men, the Sabina struck. The Spanish Captain, who was the only surviving officer, had hardly been conveyed on board the Minerue, when another enemy's frigate came up, compelled her to cast off the prize, and brought her a second time to action. After half an hour's trial of strength, this new antagonist wore 2 and hauled off: S but a Spanish squadron of two ships of the line and two frigates came in sight. The Blanche, from which the Oeres had got off, was far to windward, and the Minerve escaped only by the anxiety of the enemy to recover their own shi~. As soon as Nelson reached Porto Ferrajo, he sent hIS prisoner in a :flagof truce to Carthagena, having returned him his sword; this he did in honour of the gallantry which Don Jacobo had displayed, and not without some feeling of respect for his ancestry. "I felt it," said he, "consonant to the dignity of my country, and I always act as I feel right, without regard to custom: he was reputed the best officer in Spain, and his men were worthy of such a commander." By the same flag of truce he sent back all the Spanish prisoners at Porto Ferrajo, in exchange for whom he received his own men who had been taken in the prize. General de Burgh, who commanded at the Isle of Elba, did not think himself authorised to abandon the place, till

1 The Duke of Berwick was an illegitimate son of James II. of England. When Nelson demanded the surrender of Don Jacobo and threatened to fire into his ship, he replied: "This is a Spanish frigate and you may begin as soon as you please." i Turned. a Made off. 1796] THE LIFE OF NELSON 95 he had received specific instructions from England to that effect; professing that he was unable to decide between the contradictory orders of Government, or to guess at what their present intentions might be; but he said, his only motive for urging delay in this measure arose from a desire that his own conduct might be properly sanctioned, not from any opinion that Porto Ferrajo ought to be retained. But Naples having made peace, Sir John Jervis considered his business with Italy as concluded; and the protection of Portugal was the point to which he was now Instructed to attend. Nelson, therefore, whose orders were perfectly clear and explicit, withdrew the whole naval establishment from that station, leaving the transports victualled, and so arranged, that all the troops and stores could be embarked in three days. He was now about to leave the Mediterra- nean. Mr. Drake, who had been our minister at Genoa, expressed to him, on this occasion, the very high opinion which the allies entertained of his conspicuous merit; adding, that it was impossible "for anyone, who had the honour of co-operating with him, not to admire the activity, talents, and zeal, which he had so eminently and constantly displayed. In fact, during this long course of services in the Mediterranean, the whole of his conduct had exhibited the same zeal, the same indefatigable energy, the same intuitive judgment, the same prompt and unerring decision, which characterised his after-career of glory. His name was as yet hardly known to the English public, but it WM feared and respected thoughout Italy. A letter came to him, directed, "Horatio Nelson, Genoa: " and the writer, when he was asked how he could direct it so vaguely, replied, "Sir, there is but one Horatio Nelson in the world." At Genoa, in particular, where he had so long been stationed, and where the nature of his duty first led him to continual disputes with the government, and afterwards compelled him to stop the trade of the port, he was equally respected by the Doge and by the people: for, while he maintained the rights and interests of Great Britain with becoming firmness, he tempered the exercise of power with courtesy and humanity, wherever duty would permit. " Had all my actions," said he, writing at this time to his wife, "been gazetted, not one fortnight would have passed, during the whole war, without a letter from me. One day 96 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797 or other I will have a long' Gazette' to myself. I feel that such an opportunity will be given me. I cannot, if I am in the field of glory, be kept out of sight: wherever there is anything to be done, there Providence is sure to direct my steps." These hopes and anticipations were soon to be fulfilled. Nelson's mind had long been irritated and depressed by the fear that a general action would take place before he could join the fleet. At length he sailed from Porto 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; 1 and, on the 13th of February, reaching the station off Cape St. Vincent, communicated this intelligence to Sir John Jervis. He was now directed to shift his broad pendant on board the Captain, seventy-four, Captain R. W. Miller; and, before sunset, the signal was made to prepare for action, and to keep, during the night, in close order. At daybreak the enemy were in sight. The British force consisted of two ships of one hundred guns, two of ninety-eight, two of ninety, eight of seventy-four, and one 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- IOn this occasion he narrowly escaped capture. The Spaniards were pursuing the Minerve hotly when she lost a man overboard. Lieutenant Hardy was at once lowered in the jolly-boat, but it was too late; the man had sunk. The boat, however, immediately drifted far astern of the Minerve, a strong current made return seem impossible, 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!" The enemy could only interpret this proceeding as a sign that Nelson had sighted the English fleet; and desisted from further pursuit. "The night 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. On learning that Sir Gilbert was asleep he softly stole to the colonel's side and whispered that' he believed the Minert'e was at that very moment in the midst of the Spanish fleet. He was sure by the signals 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 English had only nine ships, which was indeed the case when his informer had seen them; for a reinforcement of five ships from England, under Admiral Parker, had not then Joined, and the Culloden had parted company. Upon this mformation, 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; and relying, with fatal confidence, upon the American account, he suffered his ships to remain too far dispersed, and in Bornedisorder. When the morning of the 14th broke, and discovered the English fleet, a fog for some time concealed their number. The look-out ship of the Spaniards, fancying that her signal was disregarded, because so little notice seemed to be taken of it, made another signal, that the English force consisted of forty sail of the line. The Cap- tain afterwards said he did this to rouse the Admiral: it had the effect of perplexing him, and alarming the whole fleet. The absurdity of such an act shows what was the state of the Spanish navy under that miserable government, by which Spain was so long oppressed and degraded, and finally betrayed. In reality, the general incapacity of the naval officers was so well known, that in a pasquinade.t which about this time appeared at Madrid, wherein the different orders of the state were advertised for sale, the greater part of the sea-officers, with all their equipments, were offered as a gift; and it was added, that any person who would please to take them, should receive a handsome gratuity,"

1 This disparity in numbers terrified some hearts on board the British 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." "There are 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 exclaimed: "That's right, Sir John, that's right; by G-, we shall give them a d-d good licking ! "~Edinburgh Review, 1844, p. 424. 2 See Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, under" Pasquin." s Ouly 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

When the probability that Spain would take part in the war, as an ally of France, was first contemplated, Nelson said that their fleet, if it were no better than when it acted in alliance with us, would " soon be done for." Before the enemy could form a regular order of battle, Sir 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 design of passing through the British line, or to the leeward of it, and thus rejoining their friends." Only one of them succeeded in this attempt; and that only because she was so covered with smoke that her intention was not discovered till she had reached the rear: the others were so warmly received, that they put about, took to flight, and did not appear again in the action till its close. The Admiral was now able to direct his attention to the enemy's main body, which was still superior in number to his whole fleet, and more so in weight of metal. He made signal to tack in succession.! Nelson, whose station was in the rear of the British line, perceived that the Spaniards were bearing up before the wind, with an intention of forming their line, going large, and joining their separated ships; or else, of getting off without an engagement. To prevent either of these schemes, he disobeyed the signal without a moment's hesitation, and ordered his ship to be wore. This at once brought him into action with the Santissima Trinidad,

1 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 an enemy with an equal force, if by any effort or foresight he can be met with a superior one. . i With the wind on their larboard. S This paragraph is one that requires concentrated study. Some student should take it as a topic, work out the movements, make plans, write a detailed explanation, and discourse to the class. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on French Reoolution, 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, each ship where she actually was when the signal was made; and had this been done, there can be little doubt that the battle would have 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 thirty-six, the San Josef, one hundred and twelve, the Salvador del Mundo, one hundred and twelve, the San Nicolas, eighty, the San Isidro, seventy- four, another seventy-four, and another first-rate. 'I'roubridge, in the Oulloden, immediately joined, and most nobly supported him; and for nearly an hour did the Oulloden and Captain maintain what Nelson called" this apparently, but not really, unequal contest; "-such was the advantage of skill and discipline, and the confidence which brave men derive from them. The Blenheim then passing between them and the enemy, gave them a respite, and poured in her fire upon the Spaniards. The Salvador del Mundo and San Isidro dropped a-stern, and were fired into, in a masterly style, by the Excellent, Captain Colling- wood. The San Isidro struck; and Nelson thought that the Salvador struck also. " But Collingwood," says he, "disdaining the parade of taking possession of beaten enemies, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to save his old friend and messmate, who was, to appearance, in a critical situation; " for the Captain was at this time actually fired upon by three first-rates, by the San Nico- las, and by a seventy-four, within about pistol-shot of that vessel. The Blenheim was ahead, the Culloden crippled and a-stern. Collingwood ranged up, and hauling up his mainsail.' just a-stern, passed within ten feet of the San Nicolas, giving her a most tremendous fire, then passed on for the Sautissima Trinidad. The San Nico- las luffing up, the San Josef fell on board 2 her, and Nelson resumed his station abreast of them, and close alongside. 'I'he Captain was now incapable of farther service, either in the line or ill chase: she had lost her foretop-mast; not a sail, shroud, or rope, was left, and her wheel was shot away. Nelson, therefore, directed Captain Miller to put the helm a-starboard, and, calling for tho boarders, ordered them to board. Captain Berry, who had lately been Nelson's First Lieu- tenant, was the first man who leaped into the enemy's mizen-chains. Miller, when ill the very act of going, was

1Thus steadying the ship by lessening the surface exposed to the wind. iTo " luff" is to keep close to the wind. To" fall on board" is to range close alongside.

1'797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 101 ordered by Nelson to remain.' Berry was supported from the spritsail-yard, which locked in the San Nicolas's main rigging. A soldier of the 69th broke the upper quarter- gallery window, and jumped in, followed by the Commo- dore himself, and by others as fast as possible. The cabin doors were fastened, and the Spanish officers fired their pistols at them through the window: the doors were soon forced, and the Spanish Brigadier fell while retreating to the quarter-deck. Nelson pushed on, and found Berry in possession of the poop, and the Spanish ensign hauling down. He passed on to the forecastle, where he. met two or three Spanish officers, and received their swords. 'I'he English were now in full possession of every part of the ship; and a fire of pistols and musketry opened upon them from the Admiral's stern gallery of the San Josef. Nelson having placed the sentinels at different ladders, and ordered Captain Miller to send more men into the prize, gave orders for boarding that ship from the San Nicolas.2 It was done in an instant, he himself leading the way, and exclaiming-" Westminster Abbey, or victory!" Berry assisted him into the main-chains; and at that moment a Spanish officer looked over the quarter-deck rail, and said they surrendered. It was not long before he was on the quarter-deck, where the Spanish Captain presented to him his sword, and told him the Admiral was below, dying of his wounds. There, on the quarter-deck of an enemy's first-rate, he received the swords of the officers; giving them, as they were delivered, one by one, to William Fear-

1 The following interesting anecdote bas been obligingly communicated by Captain Miller's sister, Mrs. Dalrymple :-" While Captain Miller was leading his men to the San Nicolas, Commodore Nelson said, ' No, Miller; I must have that honour; , and on going into the cabin, after the contest, Nelson said : 'Miller, I am under the greatest obligations to you,' and presented him with the Spanish captain's sword ; and then, as if he could not sufficiently show his sense of his captain's services, he again expressed his obligations, and drawing a ring from his finger, placed it on Captain Miller's. The ring, rather a large topaz, set round with diamonds, and the Spanish officer's sword, are now in the possession of Miss Miller, Captain Millers only surviving chilu."-Nelson's Despatches. i "There is a saying in the fleet too flattering for me to omit telling, viz., Nelson's Patent Bridge for boarding First-Rates; alluding to my passing over an enemy's SO-gun ship."-Note to Nelson's Autograph Account of the Battle. 102 THE LIFE 0[1'NELSON [179'1 ney, one of his old" Agamemnons," who, with the utmost coolness, put them under his arm; "bundling them up," in the lively expression of Collingwood, "with 8S much composure 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, took him by the hand, saying, he might not soon have such another place to do it in, and he was heartily glad to see him there. Twenty-four 1 of the Captain's men were killed, and fifty-six wounded; a fourth part of the loss sustained by the whole squadron falling upon this ship. Nelson received only a few bruises." The Spaniards still had eighteen or nineteen ships, which had suffered little or no injury: that part of the fleet which had been separated from the main body in the morning was now coming up, and Sir John Jervis made signal to bring to. His ships could not have formed without abandoning those which they had captured, and running to leeward: the Gap- tain was lying a perfect wreck on board S her two prizes; and many of the other vessels were so shattered in their masts and rigging as to be wholly unmanageable.! The

1 The casualties in the Blenheim were 12 killed and 49 wounded (for a time she had five ships on her at once) : in the Cullodetl" ten killed and 47 wounded. The Colossus abo suffered. The total Bri- tish loss in killed and wounded was about 400. The Spanish casualties in the captured shi ps were: Salvador del Mundo, 42 killed and 124 wounded; Saa: Josef, 46 and 96; San Nicolas, 144 and 59 ; San Isidro, 29 and 63. 2 " Even now, misled by exaggerated descriptions and imaginative pictures, it is very commonly supposed that he captured the two Spaniards in a desperate hand-to-hand conflict amid the clash of cutlasses and dint of tomahawks : people do 110tstop now, any more than they did then, to reflect that what Nelson did was, with great resolution and vigour, hut without any serious fighting, to take forei- ble possession of two beaten ships, which hut for his prompt action would very probably have gotten away, as the Samtiseima 1'rillidad and other beaten ships actually did. "-Laughton, Nelson, p. 89. 3 Alongside. 4 About fifty years since the Captain lay as a hulk in IIamoaze, with the San Josef alongside fit t ing for sea, In the dead of the night the inhabitants of Plymouth Dock were alarmed by a violent cannonade, and the ringing of the Dockyard bell. It was then discovered that the Captain had caught fire (through the drunkenness of 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 ill the harbour, 1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 103

Spanish Admiral, meantime, according to his official RC- con nt, being altogether undecided in his own opinion respecting the state of the fleet, inquired of his captains whether it was proper to renew the action: nine of them answered explicitly, that it was not; 'others replied that it was expedient to delay the business.! The Pelayo and the Principe Oonquistador were the only ships that were for fighting.t As soon as the action was discontinued, Nelson went on board the Admiral's ship. Sir John Jervis received him on the quarter-deck, took him in his arms, and said he could not sufficiently thank him. For this victory the Com- mander-in-Chief was rewarded with the title of Earl St. Vincent. * Nelson, who, before the action was known in the San Josef fired into her, and ultimately sunk her: thus accomplishing in Plymouth Harbour what she was unable to do at Cape St. "Vincent.c-Quoted from Bohn's Edition of 1891. 1 Many of the Spaniards were so crippled that, if Sir John Jervis had pursued, he might have taken more. The huge Santissima Trinidad had struck, but was saved by some of the Spanish van coming to her help. Cordova and his Captains were all punished by their Government.-Bohn's Edition. 2 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 mentioned. 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 starboard tack, took the lead on the larboard, and contributed very much to the fortune of the day." It is also said, that he boarded the two Spanish 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 example 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, than that 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 immortal Nelson: no man ever more merited the whole of that which a generous nation unanimously presented to Sir J. Jervis, than the Earl of St. Vincent." Certainly Earl St. Vincent well deserved the re- i04 THE LIFE 0]1' NELSON [1797

England, had been 'advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral,' had the Order of the Bath 2 given him. The sword of the Spanish Rear-Admiral, which Sir John Jervis insisted upon his keeping, he presented to the mayor and corporation of Norwich, saying that he knew no place where it could give him or his family more pleasure to have it kept, than in the capital city of the county where he was born. The freedom of that city was voted him on this occasion. But of all the numerous congratulations which he received, none could have affected him with deeper delight than that which came from his venerable father. "I thank my God," said this excellent man, "with all the power of a grateful soul, for the mercies He has most graciously 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 felf upon him; not because he was engaged with all the four ships which were taken, and took two of them, it may almost be said, with his own hand; but because the decisive movement which enabled him to perform all this, and by which the action became a victory, was executed in neglect of orders, upon his own judgment, and at his peril. Earl St. Vincent deserved his earldom : but it is not to the honour of those by whom titles were distributed in those days, that Nelson never obtained the rank of earl for either of those victories which be lived to enjoy, though the one was the most complete and 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 belli, Nelson and Collingwood, into the brunt of the battle, was an unauthorized departure by the Commodore from the 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, Memoirs of Earl of St. Vincent. I Adm irals are of tbree ranks, and are distinguished as admirals, vice-admirals, and rear-admirals. The rear-admiral carried bis flag on the mizen-mast, the vice-admiral on the fore-mast, and the admiral on the main-mast. "As, however, the admiral commanding in 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 Red. The second in command flew a blue flag at the main and the Union at the fore; tbe third, a white flag at the main and the Union at the mizen."-Com- mander Robinson, The British Fleet, p. 92. 9 Assign to some member of the class the task of studying, writing up, and reporting on the British orders. Webster's Dictionary will furnish most of the facts needed. 1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 105 •

stowed on me in preserving you. Not only my few ac- quaintances here, but the people in general, met me at every corner with such handsome words, that I was obliged to retire from the public eye. The height of glory to which your professional judgment, united with a proper degree of bravery, guarded by Providence, has raised you, few sons, my dear child, attain to, and fewer fathers live to see. Tears of joy have involuntarily trickled down my furrowed cheeks. Who could stand the force of such general congratulation? The name and services of Nelson have sounded throughout this city of Bath-from the common ballad-singer to the public theatre." The good old man concluded by telling him, that the field of glory, . in which he had so long been couapicuous, 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 from Porto Ferrajo: having performed this, he shifted his flag to the Theseus. That ship had taken part in the Mutiny in England, and being just arrived from home, some danger was apprehended from the temper of the men.! This was one reason why Nelson was removed to her. He had not been on board many weeks before a paper, signed in the name of all the ship's company, was dropped on the quarter-deck, containing these words: "Success attend Admiral Nelson! God bless Captain Miller! We thank

1 Nelson himself had very popular manners, but the "iron grip under the velvet glove" was always present when he was in command. 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 conseq uence being censured in strong language by Admiral Thomp- son. N elson, on the other hand, wrote to him in warm commendation of the act. Indeed, he declared that he would have executed them, had it been Christmas day instead of Sunday. Another mutiny, known as the "breeze at Spithead," also occurred this year, and resulted in large concessions being made to the sailors. The pay, which had remained stationary since the days of Charles I., was increased; wounded men were given full wages until they recovered, or, being reported incurable, were admitted to Greenwich Hospital ; the quality of provisions was improved; better medicines were provided ; and a more liberal system of "leaves" was introduced. For some further anecdotes of St. Vincent's method of dealing with refractory crews, see Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on French Revolution, L, 236. 106 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'79'1 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 Oaptain's." Wherever Nelson commanded, the men soon became attached to him;-in ten days' time he would have restored the most mutinous ship in the Navy to order. Whenever an officer fails to win the affections of those who are under his command, he may be assured that the fault is chiefly in himself. While Sir Horatio was in the Theseus, he was employed in the command of the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz. During this service, the most perilous action occurred in which he was ever engaged. Making a night attack upon the Spanish gun-boats, his barge was attacked by an armed launch, under their commander, Don Miguel Tregoyen, carrying twenty-six men. Nelson had with him only his ten bargemen, Captain Fremantle, and his coxswain, John Sykes,' an old and faithful follower, who twice saved the life of his Admiral, by parrying the blows that were aimed at him, and, at last, actually interposed his own head to receive the blow of a Spanish sabre, which he could 'not by any other means avert;-thus dearly was Nel- son beloved. This was a desperate service-hand to hand with swords: and Nelson always considered that his personal courage was more conspicuous on this occasion than on any other during his whole life. Notwithstanding the great disproportion of numbers, eighteen of the enemy were killed, all the rest wounded, and their launch taken.s Nelson would have asked for a lieutenancy for Sykes, if he had served long enough: his manner and conduct, he observed, were so entirely above his situation, that Nature certainly intended him for a gentleman: S 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.

1 This gallant fellow was a native of Lincoln, and was frequently complimented by the admiral, who called him his" brave Lincoln friend." He was soon after killed by the bursting of a cannon.-Bohn. 2 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. 3 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 had prevailed a few months before, that the Viceroy of Mexico, with the treasure-ships, had put into that island. This had led Nelson to meditate the plan of an attack upon it, which he communicated to Earl St. Vincent. He was perfectly aware of the difficulties of the attempt. "I do not," said he, "reckon myself equal to Blake: 1 but, if I recollect right, he was more obliged to the wind coming off the land than to any exertions of his own. The approach by sea to the anchoring place is under very high land, passing three valleys; therefore the wind is either in from the sea, or squally with calms from the mountains:" and he perceived, that if the Spanish ships were won the object would still be frustrated, if the wind did not come off shore. 'I'he land force, he thought, would -render success certain; and there were the troops from Elba, with all necessary stores and artillery, already embarked. " But here," said he, "soldiers must be consulted; and I know, from experience, they have not the same boldness in undertaking a political measure that we have: we look to the benefit of our country, and risk our own fame every day to serve her;-a soldier obeys his orders, and no more." Nel- son's experience at Corsica justified him in his harsh opinion ;-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; but a homeward-bound Manilla ship put into Santa Cruz at this time, and the expedition was determined upon. It was not fitted out upon the scale which Nelson had proposed. Four ships of the line, three frigates, and the Fox cutter,

1 " In April, 1657, Admiral Blake having received information that six Spanish galleons laden with silver and ten other ships had put into Santa Cruz at Teneriffe, immediately resolved to attempt destroying them. He succeeded in the attack, and burnt the whole Spanish 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 THE LIll'E OF NELSON [1797 formed the squadron; and he was allowed to choose such ships and officers as he thought proper. No troops were embarked: the seamen and the marines of the squadron being thought sufficient. His orders were, to make a vigorous attack; but on no account to land in person, unless his presence should be absolutely necessary. The plan was, that the boats should land in the night between the fort on the N.E. side of Santa Cruz bay and the town, make themselves masters of that fort, and then send a summons to the governor. By midnight, the three frigates, having the force on board which was intended for this debarkation, approached within three miles of the place; but owing to a strong gale of wind in the offing, and a strong current against them 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. 'I'roubridge and Bowen, with Captain Oldfield, of the marines, went upon this to consult with the Admiral what was to be done; and it was resolved that they should attempt to get possession of the heights above the fort. The frigates accordingly landed their men; and Nelson stood in with the line-of-battle ships, meaning to batter the fort, for the purpose of distracting the attention of the garrison. A calm and contrary current hindered him from getting within a league of the shore; and the heights were by this time so secured, and manned with such a force as to be judged impracticable. Thus foiled in his plans by circumstances of wind and tide, he still considered it a point of honour that some attempt should be made. This was on the 22d of July: he re-embarked his men that night, got the ships, on the 24th, to anchor about two miles north of the town, and made show as if he intended to attack the heights. At six in the evening, signal was made for the boats to prepare to proceed on the service, as previously ordered. When this was done, Nelson addressed a letter to the Commander-in-Chief-the last which was ever written with his right 11and. "I shall not," said he, "enter on the subject, why we are not in possession of Santa Cruz. Your partiality will give credit, that all has hitherto been done which was possible, but without effect. This night I, bumble 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 have only to recommend Josiah Nisbet to you and my country. The Duke of Clarence, should I fall, will, I am confident, take a lively interest for my son-in-law, on his name being mentioned." Perfectly aware how desperate a service this was likely to prove, before he left the Theseus, he called Lieutenant Nisbet, who had the watch on deck, into the cabin, that he might assist in arranging and burning his mother's letters. Perceiving that the young man was armed, he earnestly begged him to remain behind. "Should we both fall, Josiah," said he, "what would become of your poor mother! The care of the Theseus falls to you: stay, therefore, and take charge of her." Nisbet replied: " Sir, the ship must take care of herself; I will go with you to-night, if I never go again." He met his captains at supper on board the Seahorse, Captain Fremantle, whose wife, whom he had lately married in the Mediterranean, presided at table. At eleven o'clock, the boats, containing between 600 and 700 men, with 180 on board the Fox cutter, and from 70 to 80 in a boat which had been taken the day before, proceeded in six divisions toward the town, conducted by all the captains of the squadron, except Fremantle and Bowen, who attended with Nelson to regulate and lead the way to the attack. They were to land on the mole, and thence hasten, as fast as possible, into the great square; then form, and proceed as should be found expedient. They were not discovered till about half-past one o'clock, when, being within half gun-shot of the landing place, Nelson directed the boats to cast off from each other, give a huzza and push for the shore. But the Spaniards were excellently well prepared: the alarm-bells answered the huzza, and a fire of thirty or forty pieces of cannon, with musquetry from one end of the town to the other, opened upon the invaders. Nothing, however, could check the intrepidity with which they advanced. The night was exceedingly dark; most of the boats missed the mole, and went on shore through a raging surf, which stove all to the left of it. The Admiral, 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 hundred men. Its guns, which were six-and-twenty pounders, were spiked; but such a heavy fire of musquetry and grape was kept up from the Citadel, and the houses at the head of the mole, that the assailants could not advance, and nearly all of them were killed or wounded. In the act of stepping out of the boat, Nelson received a shot through the right elbow, and fell; but, as he fell, he caught the sword, which he had just drawn, in his left hand, determined never to part with it while he lived, for it had belonged to his uncle, Captain Suckling, and he valued it like a relic. Nisbet, who was close to him, placed him at the bottom of the boat, and laid his hat over the shattered arm, lest the sight of the blood, which gushed out in great abundance, should increase his faintness. He then examined the wound; and taking some silk handker- chiefs from his neck, bound them round tight above the lacerated vessels. Had it not been for this presence of mind in his son-in-law, Nelson must have perished. One of his barge-men, by name Lovel, tore his shirt into shreds, and made a sling with them for the broken limb. They then collected five other seamen, by whose assistance they succeeded, at length, in getting the boat afloat; for it had grounded with the falling tide. Nisbet took one of the oars, and ordered the steersman to go close under the guns of the battery, that they might be safe from its tremendous fire. Hearing his voice, Nelson roused himself, and desired to be lifted up in the boat, that he might look about him. Nisbet raised him up; but nothing could be seen; except the firing of the guns on shore, and what could be discerned by their flashes upon the stormy sea. In a few minutes, a general shriek was heard from the crew of the Fox, which had received a shot under water, and went down. Ninety- seven men were lost in her; eighty-three were saved, many by Nelson himself, whose exertions on this occasion greatly increased the pain and danger of his wound. The first ship which the boat could reach happened to be the Sea- horse: but nothing could induce him to go on board, though he was assured, that if they attempted to row to another ship, it might be at the risk of his life. " I had rather suffer death," he replied, "than alarm Mrs. Fre- mantle, by letting her see me in this state, when I can 1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 111 give her no tidings whatever of her husband." They pushed on for the Theseus. When they came along-side, he peremptorily refused all assistance in getting on board, so impatient was he that the boat should return, in hopes that it might save a few more from the Fox. He desired to have only a single rope thrown over the side, which he twisted round his left hand, saying, " Let me alone: I have yet my legs left, and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste, and get his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm; so the sooner it is off the better." * The spirit which he displayed, in jumping up the ship's Bide, astonished everybody. Fremantle had been severely wounded 1in the right arm, Boon after the Admiral. He was fortunate enough to find a boat at the beach, and got instantly to his ship. Thompson was wounded; Bowen t 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, and whom he greatly and deservedly esteemed. Troubridge, meantime, fortunately for his party, missed the mole in the darkness, but pushed on shore under the batteries, close to * During the peace of Amiens, when Nelson was passing through Salisbury, and received there with those acclamations which followed him everywhere, he recognised, amid the crowd, a man who had assisted at the amputation, and attended him afterwards. He beckoned him up the stairs of the Council House, shook hands with him, and made him a present, in remembrance of his services at that time. The man took from his bosom a piece of lace, which he had torn from the sleeve of the amputated limb, saying he had preserved, and would preserve, it to the last moment, in memory of his old commander.-Southey's Note. 1 Nelson's very first lines written with his left hand were to Mrs. Fremantle: "rrell me how Tom is. I hope he has saved his arm. Mine is off; but I thank God I am as well as I hope he is." Captain Fremantle's history will reward careful study. t" Captain Bowen's gold seals and chain, and sword, were preserved in the town house at 'I'eneriffe, i,e. at Santa Cruz, the chief town in Teneriffe ; his watch and other valuables had been made booty of by the populace. In 1810, the magistrates. of the island sent these memorials of the dead to his brother, Commissioner Bowen, saying that they conceived it would be gratifying to his feelings to receive them, and that as the two nations were now united in a cause which did equal honour to both, they did not wish to retain a trophy which could remind them that they had eyer been opposed to each other."-Naval Chronicle, vol. xxiv., p. 393.-[Southey'B Note]. 112 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1797 the south end of the Citadel. Captain Waller, of the Emerald, and two or three other boats, landed at the same time. The surf was so high, that many others put back. The boats were instantly filled with water, and stove against the rocks; and most of the ammunition in the men's pouches was wetted. Having collected a few men, they pushed on to the great square, hoping there to find the Admiral, and the rest of the force. The ladders were all lost, so that they could make no immediate attempt on the Citadel; but they sent a sergeant, with two of the town's people, to summon it: this messenger never returned; and '1'rou bridge having waited about an hour, in painful expectation of his friends, marched to join Captains Hood and Miller, who had effected their landing to the south-west. They then endeavoured to procure some intelligence of the Admiral and the rest of the officers, but without success. By daybreak they had gathered together about eighty marines, eighty pikemen, and one hundred and eighty small-arm seamen; all the survivors of those who had made good their landing. They obtained some ammunition from the prisoners whom they had taken; and marched on, to try what could be done at the Citadel without ladders. They found all the streets commanded by field -pieces, and several thousand Spaniards, with about a hundred French, under arms, approaching by every avenue. Finding himself without provisions, the powder wet, and no possibility of obtaining either stores or reinforcements from the ships, the boats being lost, Troubridge, with great presence of mind, sent Captain Samuel Hood with a flag of truce to the governor, to say he was prepared to burn the town, and would instantly set fire to it, if the Span- iards approached one inch nearer:-This, however, if he were compelled to do it, he should do with regret, for he had no wish to injure the inhabitants: and he was ready to treat upon these terms,-that the British troops should re-embark, with all their arms, of every kind, and take their own boats, if they were saved, or be provided with such others as might be wanting; they, on their part, engaging that the squadron should not molest the town, nor any of the Canary Islands: all prisoners on both sides to be given up. When these terms were proposed, the governor made answer, that the English ought to surrender 1797] THE LIFE OF NELSON 113 as prisoners of war: but Captain Hood replied, he was instructed to say, that if the terms were not accepted in five minutes, Captain Troubridge would set the town on fire, and attack the Spaniards at the point of the bayonet. Satisfied with his success, which was indeed sufficiently complete, and respecting, like a brave and honourable man, the gallantry of his enemy, the Spaniard acceded to the proposal, found boats to re-embark them, their own having been dashed to pieces in landing, and before they parted gave every man a loaf of bread and a ~int of wine. "And here," says Nelson in his journal, 'it is right we should notice the noble and generous conduct of Don Juan Antonio Gutierrez, the Spanish governor. The moment the terms were agreed to, he directed our wounded men to be received into the hospitals, and all our -people to be supplied with the best provisions that could be procured; and made it known, that the ships were at liberty to send OI;l shore, and purchase whatever refreshments tliey were in wnnt of during the time they might be off the island." A youth, by name Don Bernardo Colla- gon, stript himself of his shirt, to make bandages for one of those Englishmen against whom, not an hour before, he had been engaged in battle. Nelson wrote to thank the governor for the humanity which he had displayed. Presents were interchanged between them. Sir Horatio offered to take charge of his despatches for the Spanish government; and thus actually became the first messenger to Spain of his own defeat. • The total loss of the English, in killed, wounded, and drowned, amounted to 250. Nelson made no mention of his own wound in his official despatches; but in a private letter to Lord St. Vincent-the first which he wrote with his left hand-he shows himself to have been deeply affected by the failure of this enterprise. " I am become," he said, "a burthen to my friends, and useless to my country: but by my last letter you will perceive myanxi- 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.' 1 If from poor Bowen's 1088 you think it proper to oblige me, I rest confident you will do it. The boy is under obligations to me;

1 See John xvi. 5, 16. Was Nelson quoting from memory? 8 114 THE LIFE or NELSON [1797 but he repaid me, by bringing me from the mole of Santa Cruz. I hope you will be able to give me a frigate, to convey the remains of my carcass to England. "_,, A left- handed admiral," he said in a subsequent letter, "will never again be considered as useful; therefore, the sooner I get to a very humble cottage the better; and make room for a sounder man to serve the state. " His first letter to Lady Nelson was written under the same opinion, but in a more cheerful strain. "It was the chance of war," said he, " and I have great reason to be thankful: and I know it will add much to your pleasure to find that Josiah, under God's providence, was principally instrumental in saving my life. I shall not be surprised if I am neglected and forgotten: probably I shall no longer be considered as useful: however, I shall feel rich if I continue to enjoy your affection. I beg neither you nor my father will think much of this mishap :-my mind has long been made np to such an event." His son-in-law, according to his wish, was immediately promoted; and honours enough to heal his wounded spirit awaited him in England. Letters were addressed to him by the First Lord of the Admiralty, and by his steady friend, the Duke of Clarence, to congratulate him on his return, covered as he was with glory. He assured the duke, in his reply, that not a scrap of that ardour with which he had hitherto served his king had been shot away. The freedoms of the cities of Bristol and London 1 were conferred ·on him: he was invested with the Order of the Bath; and received a pension of £1,000 a year. The Memorial which, as a matter of form, he was called upon to present on this occasion, exhibited an extraordinary cat- alogue of services performed during the war. It stated, that he had been in four actions with the fleets of the enemy, and in three actions with boats employed in cutting out of harbour, in destroying vessels, and in taking three towns: he had served on shore with the army four months, and commanded the batteries at the sieges of

1 The chamberlain who presented him with tbe freedom of the city of London was the much reviled and much admired champion of the mob, John Wilkes. Many entertaining references to bim are to be found in Boswell's Johnson. 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 seven Bail of the line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven pri- . vateers: taken and destroyed nearly fifty sail of merchant vessels; and actually been engaged against the enemy upwards 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 discharge; and the ends of the ligature being pulled every day, in hopes of bringing it away, occasioned fresh agony.' He had scarcely any intermission of pain, day or night, for three months after his return to England. Lady 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. He was at that time lodging in Bond Street; and the family was soon disturbed by a mob knocking loudly and violently at the door. The news of Duncan's victory" had been made public, and the house was not illuminated. But .. when the mob were told that Admiral Nelson lay there in bed, badly wounded, the foremost of them made answer: " You shall bear no more from us to-night; " and, in fact, the feeling of respect and sympathy was communicated from one to another with such effect, that, under the confusion of such a night, the house was not molested again. About the end of November, after a night of sound sleep, he found the arm nearly free from pain: the surgeon was immediately sent for, to examine it; and the ligature came away with the slightest touch. From that time it began to heal. As soon as he thought his health established, he sent the following form of thanksgiving to the minister of St. George's, Hanover Square: "An

1 The doctor's son should obtain from his father a commentary on this passage for the benefit of the class. t 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 Almighty God for his perfect recovery from a severe wound, and also for the many mercies bestowed on him." Not having been in England till now, since he lost.his eye, he went to receive a year's pay, as smart money; 1 but could not obtain payment, because he had neglected to bring a certificate from a surgeon, that the sight was actually destroyed. A little irritated that this form should be insisted upon; because, though the fact was not apparent, he thought it was sufficiently notorious, he procured a certificate, at the same time, for the loss of his arm; saying, they might just as well doubt one as the other. This put him in good humour with himself, and with the clerk who had offended him. On his return to the office,the clerk, finding it was only the annual pay of a captain, observed, he thought it had been more. " Oh! " replied Nelson, "this is only for an eye. In a few days I shall come for an arm; and in a little time longer, God knows, most probably for a leg." Accordingly, he soon afterwards went; and with perfect good humour exhibited the certificate of the loss of his arm. .

1 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 Nelson hoisted his flag in the Vanguard, and was ordered to rejoin Earl St. Vincent. Upon his departure, his father addressed him with that affectionate solemnity by which all his letters were distinguished. " I trust in the Lord, " said he, "that He will prosper your going out and your coming in. I earnestly desired once more to see you, and that wish has been heard. If I should presume to say I hope to see yon again, the question would readily be asked, How old art thou? Vale! vale! Domine, vale!" It is said that a gloomy foreboding hung on the spirits of Lady Nelson at their parting. This could have arisen only from the dread of losing him by the chance of war. Any apprehension of losing his affections could hardly have existed; for all his correspondence to this time shows that he thought himself happy in his marriage; and his private character had hitherto been as spotless as his public conduct. One of the last things he said to her was, that his own ambition was satisfied, but that he went to raise her to that rank in which he had long wished to see her. Immediately on his rejoining the fleet, he was despatched to the Mediterranean, with a small squadron, in order to ascertain, if possible, the object of the great expedition which at that time was fitting out, under Buonaparte, at Toulon. The defeat of this armament, whatever might be its destination, was deemed by the British government an object paramount to every other; and Earl St. Vincent was directed, if he thought it necessary, to take his whole force into the Mediterranean, to relinquish, for that purpose, the blockade of the Spanish fleet, as a thing of inferior moment: but, if he should deem a detachment sufficient, "I 118 THE LIFE OF' NELSON [1798 think it almost unnecessary," said the First Lord of the Admiralty, in his, secret instructions, "to su~gest to you the propriety of putting it under Sir Horatio Nelson. " It is to the honour of Earl St. Vincent, that he had already made the same choice. This appointment to a service in which so much honour might be acquired ~ave great offence to the senior admirals of the fleet. SIr William Parker, 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 Collingwood said of him a little while before) his spirit was equal to all undertakings, and his resources fitted to all occasions, an injustice would have been done to them by his appointment. But if the services were conducted with undeviating respect to seniority, the naval and militarl character would soon be brought down to the dead level 0 mediocrity. The armament at Toulon consisted of thirteen ships of the line, seven forty-gun frigates, with twenty-four smaller vessels of war, and nearly 200 transports. Mr. Udney, our consul at Leghorn, was the first person who procured certain intelligence of the enemy's design against Malta; and, from his own sagacity, foresaw that Egypt must be their after object. Nelson sailed from Gibraltar on the 9th of May, with the Vanguard, Orion, and Alexander, seventy-fours; the Caroline, Flora, Emerald, and Terp- sicliore, frigates; and the Bonne Oitouenne sloop of war, to watch this formidable armament. On the 19th, when they were in the Gulf of Lyons, a gale came on from the N. w. It moderated so much on the 20th, as to enable them to get their top-gallant-masts and yards nloft. After dark, it again begun 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-must went over the side, und 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 119 mined, as soon as it should be daybreak, to wear, and scud before the gale: but at half-past three the foremast went into three pieces, and the bowsprit was found to be sprung in three places. When day broke, they succeeded in wearing 1 the ship with a remnant of the sprit-sail: this was hardly to have been 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 have drifted to Corsica. Captain Ball,2 in the Alexander, took her in tow, to carry her into the Sardinian harbour of St. Pietro. Nelson, apprehensive that this attempt might endanger both vessels, ordered him to cast off: but that excellent officer, with a spirit like his commander's, replied, he was confident he could save the Vanguard, and by God's help he would do it. There had been a previous coolness between these great men; but from this time Nel- son became fully sensible of the extraordinary talents of Cap- tain Ball, and a sincere friendship subsisted between them during the remainder of their lives. "I ought not," said the Admiral, writing to his wife, "I ought riot to call what has happened to the Vanguard by the cold name of accident: I believe firmly it was the Almighty's goodness, to check my consummate vanity. I hope it has made me a better officer, as I feel confident it has made me a better man. Figure to yourself, on Sunday evening, at sunset, a vain man walking in his cabin, with a squadron around him, who looked up to their chief to lead them to glory, and in whom their chief placed the firmest reliance that the proudest ships of equal numbers belonging to France would have lowered their flags;-figure to yourself, on Monday morning, when the sun rose, this proud man, his ship dismasted, his fleet dispersed, and himself in such distress, that the meanest frigate out of France would have been an unwelcome guest." Nelson had, indeed, more reason to refuse the cold name of accident to this tempest

1 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 then brought to on the new tack. t At St. Orner's, fourteen years before, Nelson had been disgusted with Ball's airs and epaulets, the latter being at that time a French ornament and not to the hero's taste. Ball is an admirable subject for inductive study. 120 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 than he was then aware of; for on that very day the French fleet sailed from Toulon, and must have passed within a few leagues of his little squadron, which was thus preserved by the thick weather that came on. The British government at this time, with a becoming spirit, gave orders, that any port in the Mediterranean should be considered as hostile, where the governor or chief magistrate should refuse to let our ships of war procure supplies of provisions, or of any article which they might require. In these orders the ports of Sardinia were excepted. The continental possessions of the King of Sardinia were at this time completely at the mercy of the French, and that prince was now discovering, when too late, that the terms to which he had consented, for the purpose of escaping immediate danger, necessarily involved the loss of the dominions which they were mtended to preserve. The citadel 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 French occasion to seize on the remainder of his dominions :-& measure for which, it was certain, they would Boonmake a pretext, if they did not find one. Nelson was informed, that he could not be permitted to enter the port of St. Pietro. Regardless of this interdict, which, under his circumstances, it would have been an act of suicidal folly to have regarded, he anchored in the harbour; and, by the exertions of Sir James Saumarez, Captain Ball, and Cap- tain Berry, the Vanguard was refitted in four days; months would have been employed in refitting her in England. Nelson, with that proper sense of merit wherever it was found, which proved at once the goodness and g-reatnessof his character, especially recommended to Earl St. Vincent the carpenter of the Alexander, under whose direction the ship had been repaired; stating, that he was an old and faithful servant of the crown, who had been nearly thirty years a warrant 1 carpenter; and Legging most earnestly that the Commander-in-Chief would recommend him to the particular notice of the Board of Adrn irul ty. lIe did

1 In the British navy there are two classes of offlcers-vcommissioned, including .ftag-ofticers, captains, and lieutenants ; ami warrant, including masters, boatswaius, carpenters, ctc. 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 121 not leave the barbour without expressing his sense of the treatment which he had received there, in a letter to the Viceroy of Sardinia. " Sir," it said, "having, by a gale of wind, sustained some trifling damages, I anchored a small part of his Majesty's fleet under my orders off this island, and was surprised to hear, by an officer sent by the governor, that admittance was to be refused to the flag of his Britannic Majesty into this port. When I reflect, that my most gracious sovereign is the oldest, I believe, and certainly the most faithful ally which the King of Sardinia ever bad, I could feel the sorrow which it must have been to his Majesty to have given such an order; and also for your excellency, who had to direct its execution. I cannot but look at the African shore, where the followers of Mahomet are performing the part of the good Samaritan, which I look for in vain at St. Peter's, where it said the Christian religion is professed. " The delay which was thus occasioned was useful to him in many respects: it enabled him to complete his supply of water, and to receive a reinforcement, which Earl St. Vincent, being himself reinforced from England, was enabled to send him. It consisted of the best ships of his fleet: the Culloden, seventy-four, Captain T. Trou- bridge; Goliath, seventy-four, Captain T. Foley; Minotaur, seventy-four, Captain T. Louis; Defence, seventy-four, Captain John Peyton; Bellerophon, seventy-four, Captain H. D. E. Darby; Majestic, seventy-four, Captain G. B. Westcott; Zealous, seventy-four, Captain S. Hood; SWift- 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 were made ready for the service as soon as Earl St. Vincent received advice from England that he was to be reinforced. As soon as the reinforcement was seen from the mast- head of the Admiral's ship, off Cadiz Bay, signal" was immediately made to Captain Troubridge to put to sea; and he was out of sight before the shi~s from home cast anchor in the British station. 'I'roubridge took with him no instructions to Nelson as to the course he was to steer, nor any certain account of the enemy's destination: everything was left to his own judgment. Unfortunately, the 122 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 frigates had been separated from him in the tempest, and had not been able to rejoin: they sought him unsuccess- fully in the Bay of Naples, where they obtained no tidings of his course: and he sailed without them. The first news of the enemy's armament was, that it had surprised Malta.1 Nelson formed a plan for attacking it while at anchor at Gozo: but on the 22d of June intelligence reached him that the French had left that island on the 16th, the day after their arrival. It was clear that their destination was eastward-he thought for Egypt-and for Egypt, therefore, he made all sail. Had the frigates been with him he could scarcely have failed to gain information of the enemy: for want of them, he only spoke three vessels on the way; two came from Alexandria, one from the Archipelago; and neither of them had seen anything of the French. He arrived off Alexandria on the 28th, and the enemy were not there, neither was there any account of them; but the governor was endeavouring to put the city in a state of defence, having- received advice from Leghorn, that the French expedition was intended against Egypt, after it had taken Malta. Nelson then shaped his course to the north ward, for Caramania, and steered from thence along the southern side of Candia, carrying a press of sail, both night and day, with a contrary wind. It would have been his delight, he said, to have tried Buonaparte on a wind." It would have been the delight of Europe, too, and the blessing of tho world, if that fleet had been overtaken with its general 011 board." But of the myriads' and millions of human beings who would have been preserved by that day's victory, there is not one to whom such essential benefit would have resulted, as to Buonaparte himself. It would have spared him his defeat at Acre-his only disgrace; 5 for to have beeu defeated by Nelson upon the seas would not have been disgraceful: it would have spare_dhim all his after enormities. IIi therto his career

1 See p. 156. · T t " For he communds t he fleet as we11us arm v."-1\ elson. " On & wind" means with the wind contrary. . I A debate as to the probable result if Nelson and Napoleon had met will be a profltable exercise. • Ten thousands, • These words were written, it will be renu-mbered, before the fall of Napoleon, disgrace evidently meaning .. defeat." For Acre, see Mahan, Influence of Sea Power 0'" Erencb Revolution; i., 294. 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 123 had been glorious; the baneful principles of his heart had never yet passed his lips; history would have represented him as a soldier of fortune, who had faithfully served the cause in which he engaged; and whose career had been distinguished by a series of successes, unexampled in modern times. A romantic obscurity would have hung over the expedition to Egypt, and he would have escaped the perpetration of those crimes which have incarnadined 1 his soul with a deeper dye than that of the purple 2 for which he committed them-those acts of perfidy, midnight murder," 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 fleet to Egypt. The objection which he anticipated was, that he ought not to have made so long a voyage without more certain information. "My answer," said he, "is ready-Who was I to get it from? The governments of Naples and Sicily either knew not, or chose to keep me in ignorance. Was I to wait patiently until I heard certain accounts? If Egypt were their object, before I could hear of them they would have been in India. To do nothing was disgraceful; therefore I made use of my understanding. I am before your lordships' judgment; and if, under all circumstances, it is decided that I am wrong, I ought, for the sake of our country, to be superseded; for at this moment, when I know the French are not in Alexandria, I hold the same opinion 88 off Cape Passaro-that, under all circumstances, I was right in steering for Alexandria: and by that opinion I must stand or fall." Captain Ball, to whom he showed this paper, told him, he should recommend a friend never to begin a defence of his conduct before he was accused of

1 A word invented by Shakspere, who says, Macbeth, Act IL, se. ii.: "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red."

Its root is car, the Latin for" flesh." 2 The imperial purple. S 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 had done, expressed in such terms as would evince that he had acted from the strongest conviction of being right; and of course he must expect that the public would view it in the same light. Captain Ball judged rightly of the public, whose first impulses, though from want of sufficient information they must frequently be erroneous, are generally founded upon just feelings. But the public are easily misled, and there are always persons ready to mislead them. Nelson had not yet attained that fame which compels envy to be silent; and when it was known in England that he had returned from an unsuccessful pursuit, it was said that he deserved impeachment; and Earl St. Vincent was severely censured for having sent so young an officer upon so important a service. Baffled in his pursuit, hereturned to Sicily. The Nea- politan ministry had determined to give his squadron no assistance, being resolved to do nothing which could pos- siblyendanger their peace with the French Directory; by means, however, of Lady Hamilton's influence at court, he procured secret orders to the Sicilian governors; and, under those orders, obtained every thing which he wanted at Syracuse:-a timely supply; without which, he always said, he could not have recommenced his pursuit with any hope of success. "It is an old saying," said he in his letter, "that the devil's children have the devil's luck. I cannot to this moment learn, beyond vague conjecture, where tl.; 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 have wanted information. Should the French be so strongly secured in port that I cannot get at them, I shall immediately shift my flag into some other ship, and send the Vanguard to Naples to be refitted; for hardly any person but myself would have continued on service so long in such a wretched state." Vexed, however, and disappointed as he was, Nelson, with the true spirit of a hero, was full of hope. " Thanks to your exertions," said he, writing to Sir William and Lady Hamilton, "we have viet- 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 125 ualled and watered; and surely, watering at the fountain of Arethusa,' we must have victory. We shall sail with the first breeze; and be assured I will return either crowned with laurel or covered with cypress. " 2 Earl St. Vincent he assured, that if the French were above water he would find them out :-he still held his opinion that they were bound for Egypt: "but," said he to the First Lord of the Admiralty, " be they bound to the antipodes, your lordship may rely that I will not lose a moment in bringing them to action. " On the 25th of July he sailed from Syracuse for the Morea. Anxious beyond measure, and irritated that the enemy should so long have eluded him, the tediousness of the nights made him impatient; and the officer of the watch was repeatedly called on to let him know the hour, and convince him, who measured time by his own eagerness, that it was not yet daybreak. The squadron made the Gulf of Coron on the 28th. Troubridge entered the port, and returned with intelligence that the French had been seen about four weeks before steering to the S.E. from Candia. Nelson then determined immediately to return to Alexandria, and the British fleet accordingly, with every sail set, stood once more for the coast of Egypt. On the 1st of August, about ten in the morning, they came in sight of Alexandria; the port had been vacant and solitary when they saw it last; it was now crowded with ships, and they perceived with exultation that the tri-color flag was flying upon the walls. At four in the afternoon, Captain Hood, in the Zealous, made the signal for the enemy's fleet. For many preceding days Nelson had hardly taken either sleep or food: he now ordered his dinner to be served, while preparations were making for battle; and when his officers rose from 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

1 See any good work on classical mythology. Gayley's is the best. 2 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 obtain a 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 pursuit of them, made straight for that place, and thus materially shortened the distance. The comparative smallness of his force made it necessary to sail in close order, and it covered a less space than it would have done if the frigates had been with him: the weather also was constantly hazy. 'l'hese circumstances prevented the English from discovering the enemy on the way to Egypt, though it appeared, upon examining the journals of the French officers taken in the action, that the two fleets must actually have crossed on the night of the 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 explained. Thus much is certain, that it was detained by his command; though, with his accustomed falsehood, he accused Admiral Brueys, after that officer's death, of having lingered on the coast, contrary to orders. The French fleet arrived at Alexandria on the 1st of July; and Brueys, not being able to enter the port, which time and neglect had ruined, moored his ships in Aboukir Bay, in a strong and compact line of battle; the headmost vessel, according to his own account, being as close as possible to a shoal on the N. W., and the rest of the fleet forming a kind of curve along the line of deep water, so as not to be turned by any means in the S.W. By Buonaparte's desire, he had offered a reward of 10,000 livres to any pilot of the country who would carry the squadron in; but none could be found who would venture to take charge of a single vessel drawing more than twenty feet. He had, therefore, made the best of his situation, and chosen the strongest position which he could possibly take in an open road. The commissary of the fleet said, they were moored in such a manner as to bid defiance to a force more than double their own. This presumption could not then be thought unreasonable. Admiral Barrington, when moored in a similar manner off St. Lucia, in the year 1778, beat off the Comte d'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 1,012 gUDS,and 8,068 men. The English ships were all seventy- fours; the French had three eighty-gun ships, and one three-decker of 120. During the whole pursuit, it had been Nelson's practice, whenever circumstances would permit, to have his captains on board the Vanguard, and explain to them his own ideas of the different and best modes of attack, and such plans as he proposed to execute, on falling in with the enemy, whatever their situation might be. There is no possible position, it is said, which he did not take into calculation. His officers were thus fully acquainted with his principles of tactics: and such was his confidence in their abilities, that the only thing determined upon, in case they should find the French at anchor, was for the ships to form 88 most convenient for their mutual support, and to anchor by 1 the stern. "First gain the victory," he said, "and then make the best use of it you can." The moment he perceived the position of the French, that intuitive genius with which Nelson was endowed displayed itself; and it instantly struck him, that where there was room for an enemy's ship to swing, there was room for one of ours to anchor. 2 The plan which he intended to pursue, therefore, was to keep entirely on the outer side of the French line, and station his ships, as far as he was able, one on the outer bow, and another on the outer quarter, of each of the enemy's. This plan of doubling on the enemy's ships was projected by Lord Hood, when he designed to attack the French fleet at their anchorage in Gourjean Road." Lord Hood found it impossible to make the attempt; but the thought was not lost upon Nelson, who acknowledged himself, on this occasion, indebted for it to his old and excellent commander. Captain Berry, when he compre- hended the scope 4 of the design, exclaimed with transport,

1 Does by mean " near" or " by means of a cable from the stem" ? Suppose a ship were anchored from the bow when the wind was blowing from the stern, what would the effect be ? I A ship at anchor must have room to swing about a circle the radius of which is the length of her cable plus the length of the ship. Why? sSee p. 70. t 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 NELSON [1798

"If we succeed, what will the world say!" 1_" There is no if in the case," replied the Admiral: "that we shall succeed, is certain: who may live to tell the story, is a very different question." As the squadron advanced, they were assailed by a shower of shot and shells from the batteries on the island, and the enemy opened a steady fire from the starboard side of their whole line, within half gun-shot distance, full into the bows of our van ships. It was received in silence: the men on board every ship were employed aloft in furling sails, and below in tending the braces, and making ready for anchoring. A miserable sight for the French; who, with all their skill, and all their courage, and all their advantages of numbers and situation, were upon that element on which, when the hour of trial comes, a Frenchman has no hope. Admiral Brueys was a brave and able man; yet the indelible character of his country broke out in one of his letters, wherein he delivered it as his private opinion, that the English had missed him, because, not being superior in force, they did not think it prudent to try their strength with him.-The moment was now come in which he was to be undeceived. A French brig was instructed to decoy the English, by manceuvring.so as to tempt them toward a shoal lying off the island of Bekier; 2 but Nelson either knew the danger, or suspected some deceit; and the lure was unsuccessful. Captain Foley led the way in the Goliath, out- sailing the Zealous, WhICh for some minutes disputed this rost of honour with him. He had long conceived that If the enemy were moored in line of battle in with the land, the best plan of attack would be to lead between them and the shore, because the French guns on that side were not likely to be manned, nor even ready for action. Intending, therefore, to fix himself on the inner bow of my's, or to sail between them and the shore, " doubling" the end of their line? Notice its use below. See Mahan, Influence of Sea Power on French Revolution, I., pp. 273, 274 ; Laughton, GelMm, pp. 115, 116. 1 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. t 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 Guerrier, he kept as near the edge of the bank 88 the depth of water would admit; but his anchor hung,' and having opened his fire, he drifted to the second ship, the Oonquerant, before it wasclear; then anchored by the stern, inside of her, and in ten minutes shot away her mast. Hood, in the Zealous, perceiving this, took the station which the Goliath intended to have occupied, and totally disabled the Guerrier in twelve minutes. The third ship which doubled the enemy's van was the Orion, Sir J. Saumarez; she passed to windward of the Zealous, and opened her larboard guns as long as they bore on the (hier- rier ; then passing inside the 'Goliath, sunk a fri~te which annoyed her, hauled round toward the French line, and anchormg inside, between the fifth and sixth ships from the Guerrier, took her station on the larboard bow of the Franklin, and the quarter of the Peuple Souverain, receiving and returning the fire of both. The sun was now nearly down. The Audacious, Captain Gould, pour- ing a heavy fire into the Guerrier and the Conquerant, fixed herself on the larboard bow of the latter; and when that ship struck, passed on to the Peuple Souverain. The Theseus, Captain Miller, followed, brought down the Guer- rier's remaining main and mizen masts, then anchored inside of the Spartiate, the third in the French line. While these advanced ships doubled the French line, the Vanguard was the first that anchored on the outer side of the enemy, within half pistol shot of their third ship, the Spartiate. Nelson had six colours 2 flying in different parts of his rigging, lest they should be shot away;-that they should be struck, no British Admiral considers as a possibility. He veered half a cable," and instantly opened a tremendous fire; under cover of which the other four

1 Became entangled so that it could not be lowered at once to the bottom. S As Sir Horatio Nelson was 8, Rear-Admiral of the Blue, the blue ensign was the proper colors of his squadron. Pursuant, however, to an order from the Earl of St. Vincent, the white or St. George's ensign 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, the ancient banner of England, witnessed that glorious victory.-Sir N. H. Nicolas. S Slackened it sixty fathoms. 9 130 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 ships of his division, the Minotaur, Bellerophon, Defence, and Majestic, sailed on ahead of the Admiral. In a few minutes, every man stationed at the first six guns in the fore part of the Vanguard's deck was killed or wounded -these guns were three times cleared. Captain Louis, in the Minotaur, anchored next ahead, and took off the fire of the Aquilon, the fourth in the enemy's line. The Bel- lerophon, Captain Darby, passed ahead and dropped her stern anchor on the starboard bow of the Orient, seventh in the line, Brneys' own ship, of one hundred and twenty guns, whose difference of force was in proportion of more than seven to three, and whose weight of bally-from the lower deck alone, exceeded that from the whole broadside of the Bellerophon; Captain Peyton, in the Defence, took his station ahead of the .MI~llotaur, and engaged the Franklin, the sixth in the line; by which judicious movement the British line remained unbroken. The Majestic, Captain Westcott, got entangled with the main rigging of one of the French ships astern of the Orient, and suffered dreadfully from that three-decker's fire: but she swung clear, and closely engaging the Heureux, the ninth ship on the starboard bow, received also the fire of the Tennant, which was the eighth in the line. The other four ships of the British squadron, having been detached previous to the discovery of the French, were at a considerable distance when the action began. It commenced at half after six; about seven, night closed, and there was no other light than that of the fire of the contending fleets. Troubridge, in the Oullodeu, then foremost of the remaining ships, was two leagues astern. He came on BOund- ing, as the others had done: as he advanced, the increas- ing darkness increased the difficulty of the navigation; and suddenly, after having found eleven fathoms water, before the lead could be hove again, he was fast aground: nor could all his own exertions, joined to those of the Leander and the MutinJJ brig, which came to his assistance, get him off in time to bear a part in the action.! His ship, however,

1 In a letter to Captain Darby of the Bellerophot» Troubridge declared that he had fifty times rather have been wounded, as Darby was, than kept out of the action ; that he had with difficulty been restrained from shooting himself ; and that even as he wrote he was forced to shed tears. Captain Darby, and Captain Gould who ". present when the letter was received, both wept. 1798] THE LIFE OF NBLSON 131 served as a beacon to the Alexander and 8wijtsure, which would else, from the course which they were holding, have gone 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 Stoiftsure, 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 no such distinction. Hallowell, however, with great judgment, ordered his men not to fire: if she was an enemy, he said, she was in too disabled a state to. escape; but, from her sails being loose, and the way in which her head was, it was probable she might be an English ship. It was the Bellerophon, overpowered by the huge Orient: her lights had gone overboard, nearly 200 of her crew were killed or wounded, all her masts and cables had been shot away; and she was driftin~ out of the line, toward the lee side of the bay. Her station, at this important time, was occupied by the Stoiftsure, which opened a steady fire on the quarter of the Franklin, and the bows of the French Admiral. At the same instant, Captain Ball, with the Alexander, passed under his stern, and anchored within side on his larboard quarter, raking him, and keeping up a severe fire of musketry upon his decks. The last ship which arrived to complete the destruction of the enemy was the Leander. Captain Thompson, finding that nothing could be done that night to get off the Oullode», advanced with the intention of anchoring athwart-hawse 1 of the Orient. The Franklin was so near her ahead, that there was not room for him to pass clear of the two; he, therefore, took his station athwart-hawse of the latter, in such a position as to rake 2 both. 'I'he two first ships of the French line had been dismasted within a quarter of an hour after the commencement of the action; and the others had in that time suffered so severely, that victory was already certain. The third, fourth, and fifth, were taken possession of at half-past eight.

1 Across the bow. t To fire the length of ; to fire into the stern or bow, instead of into the side of a vessel. o 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 133

Meantime Nelson received a severe wound on the head from a 1?ieceof landridge 1 shot. Captain Berry caught him in hISarms as he was falling, The great effusion of blood occasioned an apprehension that the wound was mortal: Nelson himself thought so: a large flap of the skin of the forehead, cut from the bone, had fallen over one eye: and the other being blind, he was in total darkness. When he was carried down, the surgeon,-in the midst of a scene scarcely to be conceived by those who have never seen a cockpit in time of action, and the heroism which is displayed amid its horrors,-with a natural and pardonable eagerness, quitted the poor fellow then under his hands, that he might instantly attend the Admiral. "No! " said Nelson, "I will take my turn with my brave fellows." Nor would he suffer his own wound to be examined till every man who had been previously wounded was properly attended to. Fully believing that the wound was mortal, and that he was about to die, 8S he had ever desired, in battle and in victory, he called the chaplain, and desired him to deliver what he supposed to be his dying remembrance to Lady Nelson: he then sent for Captain Louis on board from the Minotaur, that he might thank him personally for the great assistance which he had rendered to the Vanf/umod; and, ever mindful of those who deserved to be hIS friends, appointed Captain Hardy from the brig to the command of his own ship, Captain Berry having to go home with the news of the viotory.s When the surgeon came in due time to examine his wound (for it was in vain to entreat him to let it be examined sooner), the most anxious silence prevailed; and the joy of the wounded men, and of the whole crew, when they heard that the hurt was merely superficial, gave Nelson deeper

J A kind of shot used to tear sails. and rigging. It consists of bolts, nails, and other pieces of iron fastened together. ~Captain Berry went in the Leander, fifty guns, but unfortunately fell in with the Genereux, seventy-four guns, on the coast of Candia, and was captured after an obstinate defence. His despatches, however, were thrown in good time into the sea. Copies of them had been sent overland. It is said that when Nelson and Captain Berry were presented at court, the king spoke of the loss of his right arm. " 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 performance 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 despatches. Campbell had himself been wounded; and was so affected at the blind and suffering state of the Admiral, that he was unable to write. The chaplain was then sent for; but, before he came, Nelson, with his characteristic eagerness, took the pen, and contrived to trace a few words, marking his devout sense of the success which had already been obtained. He was now left alone; when suddenly a cry was heard on the deck, that the Orient was on fire. In the confusion, he found his way up, unassisted and unno- ticed,' and, to the astonishment of every one, appeared on the 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 him almost in two. lIe desired not to be carried below, but to be left to die upon deck. Tho 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 two fleets could now be perceived, the colours of both being clearly distinguishable. About ten o'clock the ship blew up, with a shock which was felt to the very bottom of every vessel. Many of her officers and men jumped overboard, some clinging to the spars and pieces of wreck, with which the sea was strewn, others swimming to escape from the destruction which they momentarily dreaded. Some were picked up by our boats; and some, even in the heat and fury of the action, were dragged in to the lower ports of the nearest British vessel by the British sailors. The greater part of her crew, however, stood the danger till the last, and continued to fire from the lower deck. This tremendous explosion was followed by a silence not less awful: the firing immediately ceased on both sides; and the first sound which broke the silence WU,8 the dash of her

1 Lady Berry denied the truth of this. According to her, Cap- tain Berry led him up to witness the fire. • 1'798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 135 shattered masts and yards, falling into the water from the vast height to which they had been exploded. It is upon record, that a battle between two armtes was once broken off by an earthquake: such an event would be felt like a miracle; but no incident in war, produced by human means, has ever equalled the sublimity of this co-instanta- neous pause, and all its circumstances. About seventy of the Orient's crew were saved by the English boats. Among the many hundreds who perished were the Commodore, Casa-Bience,' and his son, a brave boy, only ten years old. They were seen floating on a shattered mast when the ship blew up. She had money on board (the plunder of Malta) to the amount of 600,- 0001. sterling. The masses of burning wreck, which were scattered by the explosion, excited for some moments apprehensions in the English which they had never felt from any other danger. Two large pieces fell into the main and fore tops of the Suriftsure, without injuring any person. A port-fire 2 also fell into the main-royal of the Alexander: the fire which it occasioned was speedily extinguished. Captain Ball had provided, as far as human foresight could provide, against any such danger. All the shrouds and sails of his ship, not absolutely necessary for its immediate management, were throughly wetted, and so rolled up, that they were as hard and as little inflammable as so many solid cylinders. The firing recommenced with tho ships to leeward of the centre, and continued till about three. At daybreak, the G'lt'illaume Tell, and the Genereux, the two rear ships of the enemy, were the only French ships of the line which had their colours flying; they cut their cables in the forenoon, not having been engaged, and stood out to sea, and two frigates with them." The Zealous pursued; but

1 Casa-Blanca was Admiral Brueys' chief-of-staff. Probably both he and his son were below when the ship blew up. An eye-witness testifies to the heroic behaviour of the little boy. See Mrs. IIemans's poem. Clark Russell tells us that the "fabric of L'Orient is still, it is said, to be seen peacefully resting in green and sandy repose under the glass-clear surface of the water of Aboukir Bay." t A tube full of inflammable matter used instead of a match to fire guns. I See pages 187 and 188. • 136 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 as there was no other ship in a condition to support Cap- tain Hood, he was recalled. It was generally believed by the officers, that if Nelson had not been wounded, not one of these ships could have escaped: the four certainly could not, if the Culloden had got into action; and if the frigates belonging to the squadron had been present, not one of the enemy's fleet would have left Aboukir Bay. These four vessels, however, were all that escaped; and the victory was the most complete and glorious in the annals of naval history. "Victory," said Nelson, "is not a name strong enough for such a scene; " he called it a conquest. Of thirteen sail of the line, nine were taken, and two burnt: 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 tho ship, and escaped with most of his crew to shore. The British loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to 895. Westcott was the only captain who fell: 3,105 of the French, including the wounded, were sent on shore by cartel, and 5,225 perished. As soon as the conquest was completed, Nelson sent. orders through the fleet, to return thanksgiving in every ship for the victory with which Almighty God had blessed his Majesty's arms. The French at Rosetta, who with miserable fear beheld the engagement, were at a loss to understand the stillness of the fleet during the performance of this solemn duty; but it seemed to affect many of the prisoners, officers as well as men: and graceless and godless as the officers were,' some of them remarked, that it was no wonder such order was preserved in the British navy, when the minds of our men could be impressed with such sentiments after so great a victory, and at a moment of such confusion.-The French at Rosetta, seeing their four ships sail out of the bay unmolested, endeavoured to persuade themselves that they were in possession of the place of battle. But it was in vain thus to attempt, against their own secret and certain conviction, to deceive them-

1 A t one time during the Revolution in France, the Christian religion was officially proscribed; the Goddess of Reason, in the form of an actress, worshipped in the Cathedral of Notre Dame; Sunday abolished ; and the guillotine substituted for the cross. 1798] TlIE LIFE OF NELSON 137 selves: and even if they could have succeeded in this, the bonfires which the Arabs kindled along the whole coast, and over the country, for the three following nights, would soon have undeceived them. 'I'honsands of Arabs and Egyptians lined the shore, and covered the house-tops during the action, rejoicing in the destruction which had overtaken their invaders. Long after the battle, innumerable bodies were seen floating about the bay, in spite of all the exertions which were made to sink them, as well from fear of pestilence, as from the loathing and horror which the sight occasioned. Great numbers were cast up upon the 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. 'I'he shore, for an extent of four leagues, was covered with wreck; and the Arabs found employment for many days in burning on the beach the fragments which were cast up, for the sake of the iron. * Part of the Orient's main-mast was licked up by the Sunftsure.: Captain Hallowell ordere 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 and materials would permit; and IIallowell then sent it to the Admiral with the following letter,-" Sir, I have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin made from the main-mast of L' Orient, that when you have finished your military career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies. But that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish

* 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, was afterwards sold at Rhodes, and the produce applied to purchase vegetables and tobacco for the ship's company.-Southey'B 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 t.o bear an emblazoned record of the battles in which the regiment has taken part, our present Siciftsure:« ensign would show not only more battle honours than any regimental colours of any Army can, but also bear more names than a Hohcnzollern or Hapsburg 138 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

of your sincere friend, Benjamin Hallowell." 1 An offering so strange, and yet so suited to the occasion, was received by Nelson in the spirit with which it was sent. As he felt it good for him, now that he was at the summit of his wishes, to have death before his eyes, he ordered the coffin to be placed upright in his cabin. Such a piece of furniture, however, was more suitable to his own feelings than to those of his guests and attendants; and an old favourite servant entreated him so earnestly to let it be removed, that at length he consented to have the coffin carried below: but he gave strict orders that- it should be safely stowed, and reserved for the purpose for which its brave and worthy donor had designed it. The victory was complete; but Nelson could not pursue it as he would have done, for want of means. Had he been provided with small craft, nothing could have pre- ven ted 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, "want 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, 1702. 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. 267). Trafalgar, 1805."-Commander Robinson, The British Fleet, p. 192. 1 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 heartP No words of mine can express what I have suffered, and am suffering, for want of them. " He had also to bear up against great bodily suffering; the blow had so shaken his head, that from its constant and violent aching, and the perpetual sickness which accompanied the pain, he could scarcely persuade himself that the skull was not fractured. Had it not been for 'l'roubridge, Ball, Hood, and Hallowell, he declared that he should have sunk under the fatigue of refitting the squadron. "All," he said, "had done well; but these officers were his supporters." But, amidst his sufferings and exertions, Nelson could yet think of all the consequences of his victory; and that no advantage from it might be lost, he despatched an officer overland to India, with letters to the Governor of Bombay, informing him of the arrival of the French in Egypt, the total destruction of their fleet, and the consequent preservation of India from any attempt against it on the part of this formidable armament. " He knew that Bombay," he said, "was their first object, if they could get there; 2 but he trusted that Almighty God would overthrow in Egypt these pests of the human race. Buonaparte had never yet had to contend with an English officer, and he would endeavour to make him respect us." This despatch he sent upon his own responsibility, with letters of credit S upon the East India Company, addressed to the British consuls, vice-consuls, and merchants on his route; Nelson saying, " that if he had done wrong, he hoped the bills would be paid, and he would repay the Company: for, as an Eng- lishman, he should be proud that it had been in his power to put our settlements on their guard." The information

1 "Italy, my Italy J Queen Mary'8 saying serves for me (When fortune's malice Lost her Calals) : Open my heart, and yon will see Graved Inslde of it ' Italy.' " -BROWNING, De GustUJus, ii.

I How did the French intend to get to India? 2 The ordinary letter of credit is a letter issued by a financial house to a traveller. It enables the traveller to obtain such funds as he may desire uf to the value of the letter by presenting it as occasion may dernanc to the correspondents of the house. Being payable only 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's letter differ from such a letter ? 140 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 which by this means reached India was of great importance. Orders had just been received for defensive preparations, upon a scale proportionate to the apprehended danger; and the extraordinary expenses which would otherwise have been incurred were thus prevented. Nelson was now at the summit of glory: congratulations, rewards, and honours were showered upon him by all the states, and psinces, and powers to whom his victory gave a respite. . The first communication of this nature which he received was from the Turkish Sultan: who, as soon as the invasion of Egypt was known, had called upon " all true believers to take arms against those swinish infidels the French, that they might deliver these blessed habitations from their accursed hands; " and who had ordered his" Pashas to tum night into day in their efforts to take vengeance." The present of "his Imperial Majesty, the powerful, formidable, and most magnificent Grand Seignior," was a pelisse of sables, with broad sleeves, valued at five thousand dollars; and a diamond aigrette, valued at eighteen thousand-the most honourable badge among the Turks; and in this instance more especially honourable, because it was taken from one of the royal turbans. "If it were worth a million," said Nelson to his wife, "my pleasure would be to see it in your possession." The Sultan also sent, in 8 spirit worthy of imitation, a purse of two thousand sequins,' to be distributed among the wounded. The mother of the Sultan sent him a box, set with diamonds, valued at one thousand pounds. The Ozar Paul, in whom the better part of his strangely compounded nature at this time predominated, presented him with his portrait, set in diamonds, in a gold box, accompanied with a letter of congratulation, written by his own hand. The King of Sardinia also wrote to him, and sent a gold box, set with diamonds. Honours in profusion were awaiting him at Naples. In his own country the king granted these honourable augmentations to his armorial ensign: 2 a chief undulated, argent; thereon waves of the

J A sequin is nearly equivalent to $1.81. 2 The chief (L. Caput, head) is the upper part of the shield, or escutcheon; undulated means marked In the edge with a waving line ; argent signifies silver. Upon the chief, which is divided into three parts, dexter, middle, and sinister, there appeared in the middle a palm tree, emblematic of victory, with a ruined battery on the 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSOb 141 sea; from which a palm-tree issuant, between 8 disabled ship on the dexter, and a ruinous battery on the sinister, all proper.; and for his crest, on a naval crown, or, the chelengk, or plume, presented to him by the Turk, with the motto, Palmam qui meruit ferat. * And to his supporters, being a sailor on the dexter, and a lion on the sinister, were given these honourable augmentations: a palm-branch in tho sailor's hand, and another in the paw of the lion, both proper ; with a tri-coloured flag and staff in tho lion's mouth. lIo was created Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Burnham 'I'horpe, with a pension of 20001. for his own life, and those of his two immediate successors. When the grant was moved in the House of Commons, General Walpole expressed an opinion, that a higher degree of rank ought to be conferred. Mr. Pitt made answer, that he thought it needless to enter into that question. " Admiral Nelson '8 fame," he said, " would be co-equal with the British name: and it would be remembered that he had obtained tho greatest naval victory on record, when no mun would think of asking whether he had been created a baron, a viscount, or an earl!" It was strange that, in the very act of conferring a title, the minister should have excused himself for not having conferred a higher one, by representing all titles, on such an occasion, as nugatory and superfluous. True, indeed, whatever title had been bestowed, whether viscount, earl, marquis, duke, or prince, if our laws had so permitted, he who received it left, and a disabled ship on the right, as being reminiscences of the battle of the Nile; all these were proper, that is, of their natural (own) color. The crest is an appendage to the escutcheon placed above it and Iastened hy a wreath; Nelson's was of gold, or. The naval crown signified that he had been victorious in those seas where the Romans first conferred the corona naoali«. Supporters are figures on either side of the escutcheon and exterior to it. The palm- branch was a continuation of the palm-branch in the chief and an allusion to the motto. The tri-colored flag was the flag of the subdued foe. . * It has been erroneously said that the motto was selected by the king :-it was fixed on by Lord Grenville, and taken from an ode of Jortin's, The application was singularly fortunate; and the ode itself breathes a spirit, in which 110 man ever more truly sympathised than Nelson: Concurrant paribus cum ratlbus rates, 8pcctcnt numina pontl, et Palmam qui meruit ferat.-Southe!l" Note. · 142 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

would have been Nelson still. That name he had ennobled beyond all addition of nobility: it was the name by which England loved him, France feared him, Italy, Egypt, and Turkey celebrated him; and by which he will continue to be known while the present kingdoms and languages of the world endure, and as long as their history after them shall be held in remembrance. It depended upon the degree of rank what should be the fashion of his coronet, in what page of the red book his name was to be inserted, and what precedency should be allowed his lady in the drawing-room and at the ball. 'l'hat Nelson's honours were affected thus far, and no farther, might be conceded to Mr. Pitt and his colleagues in administration: but the degree of rank which they thought proper to allot was the measure of their gratitude, * though not of his 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. 1 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 he contended against his own party for Lord Wellington'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 different manner in which it was rewarded did not necessarily force a comparison ; especially when the part which Nelson bore in it was considered.-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 becoming to increase the British grant, than to save a thousand a year by the Union in such cases.-Sou,they'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? 1 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 Ia Graviere, " which for two years delivered up the Mediterranean to the power of 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 by reviving the smouldering flames of war with Austria, and bringing 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 143

10,000l. was voted to Nelson by the East India Company; the Turkish Company presented him with a piece of plata; the City of London presented a sword to him, and to each of his captains; gold medals were distributed to the Cap- tains; and the First Lieutenants of all the ships were promoted, as had been done after Lord Howe's victory. Nelson was exceedingly anxious that the Captain and First Lieutenant of the Oulloden should not be passed over because of their misfortune. To Trouhridge himself he said, "Let us rejoice that the ship which got on shore was commanded by an officer whose character is so thoroughly established." To the Admiralty he stated, that Captain Tronbridge's conduct was as fully entitled to praise as that of anyone officer in the squadron, and as highly deserving of reward. "It was Troubridge, " said he, "who equipped the squadron so soon at Syracuse: it was Trou- bridge who exerted himself for me after the action: it was 'I'roubridgo who saved the Culloden, when none that I know in the service would have attempted it." The gold medal, therefore, by the king's express desire, was given to Captain Troubridge, "for his services both before and since, and for the great and wonderful exertion which he made at the time of the action, in saving and getting off his ship." The private letter from the Admiralty to Nelson informed him, that the First Lieutenants of all the ships engaged were to be promoted. Nelson instantly wrote to the Commander-in-Chief. " I sincerely hope," said he, " this is not intended to exclude the First Lieutenant of the Culloden. For lIeaven's sake-for my sake-if it be so, get it altered. Our dear friend 'I'roubridgo has endured enough. His sufferings were, in every respect, more than any of us." To the Admiralty he wrote in terms equally warm. "I hope, and believe, the word engaged is not intended to exclude the Oulloden, 'J1llC merit of that ship, and her gallant captain, are too well known to benefit by anything I could say. TIer misfortune was great in getting aground, while her more fortunate companions were in the full tide of happiness. No; I am confi-

Suwarrow and the Austro-Russians to the French frontiers. "-Guerre8 Marit'irnes, i., p. 229, quoted by Mahan. There are some interesting comments on the Battle of tho Nile by James Fenimore Cooper, in his Preface to The Two Admi'ralB. 144 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 dent that my good Lord Spencer will never add misery to misfortune. Captain Troubridge on shore is superior to captains afloat: in the midst of his great misfortunes he made those signals which prevented certainly the Alex- ander and Suiiftsure from running on the shoals. I beg your pardon for writing on a subject which, I verily believe, has never entered your lordship's head; but my heart, as it ought to be, is warm to my gallant friends." 'I'hus feel- ingly alive was Nelson to the claims, and interests, and feelings of others. The Admiralty replied, that the exception was necessary, as the ship had not been in action: but they desired the Commander-m-Chief to promote the Lieu- tenant upon the first vacancy which should occur. Nelson, in remembrance of an old and uninterrupted friendship, appointed Alexander Davison 1 sole prize-agent for the captured ships: upon which Davison ordered medals to be struck in gold, for the captains; in silver, for the lieutenants and warrant officers; in gilt metal, for petty officers; and in copper, for the seamen and marines. The cost of this act of liberality amounted to nearly 2000l. It is worthy of record on another account :-for some of the gallant men, who received no other honorary badge of their conduct on that memorable day, than this copper medal, from a private individual, years afterwards, when they died upon a foreign station, made it their last request, that the medals might carefully be sent home to their respective friends. So sensible are brave men of honour, in whatever rank they may be placed. 'I'hree of the frigates, whose presence would have been so essential a few weeks sooner, joined the squadron on the twelfth day after the action. 'I'he fourth joined a few days after them. Nelson thus received despatches, which rendered it necessary for him to return to Naples. Before he left Egypt he 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 1088 of the service of at least two sail of the line, "I rest assured," he said to the Admiralty, ,,' that they will be paid for, and have held out that assurance to the squadron. For if an admiral, after a victory, is to look aftcr the captured ships, and not to the distressing of the enemy, very dearly

J See p. 34. 1798] THE LIFE OF' NELSON 145

indeed must the nation pay for the prizes. I trust that 60,0001. will be deemed a very moderate sum for them: and when the services, time, and men, with the expense of fitting the three ships for a voyage to England, are considered, Government will save nearly as much as they are valued at. Paying for prizes," he continued, "is no new idea of mine, and would often prove an amazing saving to the state, even without taking into calculation what the nation loses by the attention of the admirals to the prop- ertyof the captors; an attention absolutely necessary, as a recompense for the exertions of the officers and men. An admiral may be amply rewarded by his own feelings, and by the approbation of his superiors; but what reward have the inferior officers and men, but the value of the prizes? If an admiral takes that from them, on any consideration, he cannot expect to be well-supported." To Earl St. Vin- cent he said, "If he could have been sure that Govern- ment would have paid a reasonable value for them, he would have ordered two of the other prizes to be burnt: for they would cost more in refitting, and by the loss of ships attending them, than they were worth. " 1 Having sent the six remaining prizes forward, under Sir James Saumarez, Nelson left Captain Hood, in the Zealous, off Alexandria, with the Sunftsure, ,Goliatlt, Alcmene, and Emerald, and stood out to sea himself on the seventeenth day after the battle. *

1 In a letter to Lord I1owe, Nelson used expressions concerning the battle of the Nile, about which Mr. J. K. Laughton speaks as follows: "Nelson's reply is, however, most notable for its brief exposition of the plan on which the battle was fought, an exposition sufficient in itself to demolish the popular theory that the chief characteristic of his genius was his courage; that he won victories by the directness 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 was not the mere' going at 'em,' but the most advantageous way to ' go at 'em;' and that. in every instance, the dash and impetuosity which caught the popular fancy were guided by genius, and controlled by prudence and foresight. On this occasion he wrote : 'By attacking the enemy's van and centre, the wind blowing directly along their line, 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 were received with all possible civility. In the course of conversation, alter 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 hy balls of unextinguishable matter which were fired from one of the English boats. Captain Hallowell instantly ordered the gunner to bring up some of those balls, and asked him from whence he had them. 'I'o 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 were distinguished by particular marks, though in other respects alike, the Captain ordered an experiment to be made, in order to ascertain the nature of them. The next morning, says Mr. Willyams, I accompanied Mr. Parr, the gunner, to the island; the first we tried proved to be a fire-ball, but of what materials composed we could not ascertain. As it did not explode (which at first we apprehended), we rolled it into the sea, where it continued to burn under water; a black pitchy substance exuding from it till only an iron skeleton of a shell remained. The whole had been carefully crusted over with a substance 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 happened on 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 the Bellerophon, which she most probably received from the first fire of £'Orient."-WILLYAMS'S Voyages in the .Medite"anean, p. 145.- Southey's Note. CHAPTER VI.

Nelson returns to Naples-St.ate of that Court and Kingdom- General Mack-The French approach Naples-Flight of the Royal Family-Successes of the Allies in Italy-Transactions in the Bay of Naples-Expulsion of the French from the Neapolitan and Roman States-N elson 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 myendeav- 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 be absolutely necessary; for, in his own strong language, he had then been four years and nine months without one moment's repose for body or mind. A few months' intermission of labour he had obtained-not of rest, for it was purchased with the loss of a limb; and the greater part of the time had been a season of constant pain. As soon as his shattered frame had sufficiently recovered for him to resume his duties, he was called to services of greater importance than any on which he had hitherto been employed, and they brought with them commensurate fatigue and care. 'I'he anxiety which he endured during his long pursuit of the enemy was rather changed in its direction, than abated, by their defeat: and this constant wakefulness of thought, added to the effect of his wound, and tho exertions from which it was not possible for one of so ardent and wide-reaching a mind to spare himself, nearly proved fatal. On his way back to Italy he was seized with fever. For eighteen hours his life was despaired of; and even when the disorder took a favourable turn, and he was so far recovered as again to appear on deck, he himself thought that his end was approaching,-such was the 148 THE LIFE OF' NELSON [1798 weakness to which the fever and cough had reduced him. Writin¥ to Earl St. Vincent, on the passage, he said to him, ' I never expect, my dear lord, to see your face again. It may please God that this will be the finish to that fever of anxiety which I have endured from the middle of June; but be that as it pleases His goodness. I am resigned to His will. " The kindest attentions of the warmest friendship were awaiting him at Naples. "Come here," said Sir William Hamilton, " for God's sake, my dear friend, as Boon 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 himself saw at that time the character of the Neapolitan court, as it first struck an Englishman, in its true light: and when he was on the way, he declared that he detested the voyage to Naples, and that nothing but necessity could have forced him to it. But never was any hero, on his return from victory, welcomed with more heartfelt joy. Before the battle of Aboukir the court of Naples had been trem- bling for its existence. 'I'he language which the Directo11.: 1 held towards it was well described by Sir William Hamil- ton, as being exactly the language of a highwayman. The Neapolitans were told, that Benevento 2 might be added to their dominions, provided they would pay a large sum, sufficient to satisfy the Directory; and they were warned, that if the proposal were refused, or even if there were any delay in accepting it, the French would revolutionise all Italy. The joy, therefore, of the court at Nelson's success was in proportion to the dismay from which that success relieved them. The Queen was a daughter of }Iaria The- resa," and sister of Marie Antoinette. Had she been the

1 See p. 89, note 3. j Benevento belonged to the Pope, to whom it was restored after the battle of Waterloo. 3 Maria Theresa should be studied from the noble pages of Macau- Jay's essay 011 Frederic the Great : und ::\Iarie Antoinette ought always to be associated with the great words of Burke : .. It is now sixteen or seventeen years since J 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 149

wisest and gentlest of her sex, it would not have been possible for her to have regarded the French without hatred and horror: and the progress of revolutionary opinions, while it perpetually reminded her of her sister's fate, excited no unreasonable apprehensions for her own. Her feelings, naturally ardent, and little accustomed to restraint, were excited to the highest pitch when the news of the victory arrived. Lady Hamilton, her constant friend and favourite, who was present, says, "It is not possible to describe her transports: she wept, she kissed ; her husband, her children, walked frantically about the ~ room, burst into tears again, and again kissed and em- braced every person near her; exclaiming, '0 brave Nel- son! 0 God! bless and protect our brave deliverer! 0 Nelson! Nelson! what do we not owe you! 0 conqueror- saviour of Italy! 0 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 height of the hopes which it had excited. " I wish I could give wings," said she, "to the bearer of the news, and, at the same time, to our most sincere gratitude. The whole of the sea-coast of Italy is saved; and this is owing alone to the generous English. This battle, or, to speak more correctly, this total defeat, of the regicide squadron, was obtained by the valour of this brave Admiral, seconded by a navy which is the terror of its enemies. The victory is her just. above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she just began to move in,-glittering like t he morning star full of life and splendor and joy. . . . l..ittle did I dream that I should have li ved to see such disasters fallen upon her ina nation of gallant men,-in a nation of men of honour and of cavaliers. I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. But the age of 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 and sex, that proud submission, that dignified obedience, that subordination of the heart which kept alive, even in servitude itself, the spirit of an exalted freedom. Tho unhought grace of lite, the cheap defence 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 u stain like a wound, which inspired courage whilst it mitignted ferocity, which ennobled whatever it touched, and under which vice itself lost half its evil by losing all its grossness." 150 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'198 so complete, that I can still scarcely believe it: and if it were not the brave English nation, which is accustomed to perform prodigies by sea, I could not persuade myself that it had happened. It would have moved you to have seen all my children, boys and girls, hanging on my neck and crying for joy at the happy news.-Recommend the hero to his master: he has filled the whole of Italy with admiration of the English. Great hopes were entertained of some advantages being gained by his bravery, but no one could look for so total a destruction. All here are drunk with joy." Such being the feelings of the royal family, it may well be supposed with what delight, and with what honours, Nelson would be welcomed. Early on the 22d of Septem- ber the poor, wretched Vanguard, as he called his shattered vessel, appeared in sight of Naples. The Oulloden and .A lezander had preceded her by some days, and given notice of her approach. Many hundred boats and barges were ready to go forth and meet him, with music and streamers, and every demonstration of joy and triumph. Sir William and Lady Hamilton led the way in their state barge. They had seen Nelson only for a few days four years ago, but they then perceived in him that heroic spirit which was now so fully and gloriously manifested to the world. Emma Lady Hamilton;' who from this time 80 greatly influenced his future life, was a woman whose personal accomplishments have seldom been equalled, and whose powers of mind were not less fascinating than her person. She was passionately attached to the Queen: and by her influence the British fleet had obtained those supplies at Syracuse, without which, Nelson always asserted, the battle of Aboukir could not have been fought. Dur- ing the long interval which passed before any tidings were received, her anxiety had been hardly less than that of Nelson himself, while pursuing an enemy of whom he could obtain no information: and when the tidings were brought her by a joyful bearer, open-mouthed, its effect was such, that she fell like 011e who had been shot. She and Sir William had literally been made ill by their hopes and fears, and joy at a catastrophe so fur exceeding all that they had dared to hope for. Their admiration for the

I See p. 55. 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 151 hero necessarily produced a degree of proportionate gratitude and affection; and when their barge came alongside the Vanguard, at the sight of Nelson, Lady Hamilton sprang up the ship's side, and exclaiming, "0 God! is it possible! " fell into his arms, more, he says, like one dead than alive. He described the meeting as " terriblyaffect- ing. " 1 These friends had scarcely recovered from their tears, when the King, who went out to meet him three leagues in the royal barge, came on board and took him by the hand, calling him his deliverer and preserver; from all the boats around he was saluted with the same appella- tions; the multitude who surrounded him when he landed, repeated the same en th usiastic cries; and tho lazzaroni 2 displayed their joy by holding up birds in cages, and giving them their liberty as he passed. His birthday, which occurred a week after his arrival, was celebrated with one of the most splendid fetes ever beheld at Naples." But, notwithstanding the splendour with which he was encircled, and the flattering honours with which all ranks welcomed him, Nelson was fully sensible of the depravity, as well as weakness, of those by whom he was surrounded. " What precious moments," said he, "the courts of Naples and Vienna are losing! Three months would liberate Italy! but this court is so enervated, that the happy moment will be lost. I am very unwell; and their miserable conduct is not likely to cool my irritable temper. It is a country of fiddlers and poets, whores and scoundrels." 4 'I'his sense of their ruinous

1 Was this acting on Lady Hamilton's part, or was it real emotion? 2 The lazzaroni are the beggars of Naples, being so called from the hospital of St. Lazarus, which is located there, and is their natural refuge. . 3 'I'his celebration cost Sir William Hamilton about 2,000 ducats ($2,000). lIe entertained 1,800 people. Endless songs and sonnets were composed in the hero's honor; he was saluted with the motto " Yeni, Yidi, Vici,'" and to crown all a new stanza of "God Save the King" was written by Miss Knight in his honor: " .Join we great Nelson's name }"irst on the rolls of Fame, llim let us sing, Spread we his fame around, Honour of British ground, Who made Nile's shores resound, God save the king." 4 Lady Hamilton indicated the Neapolitan gentry who came on board Nelson's ship for a banquet on one occasion, and told a promi- 152 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'198

weakness he always retained; nor was he ever blind to the mingled folly and treachery of the Neapolitan ministers, and the complication of iniquities under which the country groaned: but he insensibly, under the influence of Lady Hamilton, formed an affection for tho court, to whose misgovernment the miserable condition of the country was so greatly to be imputed. By the kindness of her nature, as well as by her 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 remaining governments of Europe, whose system has not' been deranged by these devils, depends. Pray do not let your fascinating Neapolitan dames approach 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 Cre- sars have shown us to what wickedness the moral nature of princes may be perverted, so in this family the degradation to which their intellectual nature can be reduced has been not less conspicuously evinced. Ferdinand, like the rest of his race, was passionately fond of field-sports, * and cared for nothing else. His queen had all the vices of .nent officer who sat near her that in all the company there was not a woman who was virtuous or It, man who did not deserve the gal- lows.-Lady Hamilton's Memoirs, p. 163. I Ferdinand IV. was a son of Charles III. of Spain and 8 'grandson of Louis XIV. of France. He was King of Naples and Sicily from 1759 to 1806, when he was dispossessed of Naples by Bonaparte, who made his own brother Joseph King. After the full of Napoleon, Ferdi- nand recovered Naples, united the two kingdoms, and assumed the title of Ferdinand I., King of the Two Sieilies. I Ie 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 beat the wood, and began at t.he wrong end, by which t.he wolves and boars escaped. The king's face is very long at t his 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 wild cat, and his face is a yard long. However, his :\Iajt'!'\t y has vowed vengeance on the boars to-morrow, and will go according to his own fancy; 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 nothing to ennoble them :-provided she could have her pleasures, and the King his sports, they cared not in what manner the revenne was raised or administered. Of course 8; system of favouritism existed at court, and the vilest and most impudent corruption prevailed in every department of state, and in every branch of administration, from the highest to the lowest. It is only the institutions of Chris- tianity, and the vicinity of better-regulated states, which prevent kingdoms, under such circumstances of misrule, from sinking into a barbarism like that of Turkey. A sense of better things was kept alive in some of the N ea- politans by literature, and by their intercourse with happier countries. These persons naturally looked to France, at the commencement of the revolution; and, during all the horrors of that revolution, still cherished a hope, that, by 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 a miserable cold day, but good sport. I killed two boars and a doe; the king nineteen boars, two does, and a porcupine. He is happy beyond expression."-" Only think of his not being satisfied with killing more than thirty yesterday! He said, if the wind had favored him, he should have killed sixty at least."-" The king has killed eighty-one animals of one sort or other to-day, and amongst them a wolf and some stags. He fell asleep in the coach ; and, waking, told me he had been dreaming of shooting. One would have thought he had shed blood enough."-" It is a long-faced day with 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 obliged to whitewash the walls to take away the blood. There were more than 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 1 meet with the whole day, till I retire to my volumes of the old Gentleman's Magazine, which just keeps my mind from starv- incr."-Soutltey's Note. In spite of these expressions of disgust there is ample evidence that the Neapolitan looseness and immorality affected Sir William Hamilton's dews 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 the threatened tidal wave of French Jaeobinism seem to have caused him no distress or apprehension; but he was wont to complain like a querulous child if the hunting was bad and rave hysterically at the discovery of a Roman vase. 154 THE LIFE OF NELSON . [1798

the aid of France, they might be enabled to establish a new order of things in Naples. They were grievously mistaken in supposing that the principles of liberty would ever be supported by France, but they were not mistaken in believing that no government could be worse than their own; and, therefore, they considered any change as desirable. In this opinion men of the most different characters agreed. Many of the nobles, who were not in favour, wished for a revolution, that they might obtain the ascendancy to which they thought themselves entitled: men of desperate fortunes desired it, in the hope of enriching themselves; knaves and intriguers sold themselves to the French, to promote it; and a few enlightened men, and true lovers of their country, joined in the same cause, from the purest and noblest motives. All these were confounded under the common name of Jacobins; and the Jacobins of the Continental kingdoms were regarded by the English with more hatred than they deserved. They were classed with Philippe Egalite, Marat, and Hebertj=-whereas they deserved rather to be ranked, if not with Locke, and Sydney, and Russell, at least with Argyle and Monmouth, and those who, having the same object as the prime movers of our own revolution, failed in their premature, but not unworthy attempt.! No circumstances could be more unfavourable to the best interests of Europe, than those which placed England

1 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 (1632-1704) taught that all political authority emanates from the governed, that all power is to be used solely for the good of the governed, that resistance to princes is lawful when princes betray 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. Lord William 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] THE LIFE OF NELSUN 155 in strict alliance with the superannuated t and abominable governments of the Continent. The subjects of those governments who wished for freedom thus became enemies to England, and dupes and agents of France. 'l'hey looked to their own grinding ~rievances, and did not see the danger with which the liberties of the world were threatened: England, on the other hand, saw the danger in its true magnitude, but was blind to these grievances, and found herself compelled to support systems which had formerly been equally the object of her abhorrence and her contempt. This was the state of Nelson's mind: he knew that there could be no peace for Europe till the pride of France was humbled, and her strength broken; 2 and he regarded all those who were the friends of France as traitors ~ to the common cause, as well as to their own individual t sovereigns. There are situations in which the most opposite and hostile parties may mean equally well, and yet act equally wrong. 'I'he court of Naples, unconscious of committing any crime by continuing the system of misrule to which they had succeeded, conceived that, in maintaining things as they were, they were maintaining their own rights, and preserving the people from such horrors as had been perpetrated in France, The Neapolitan revolutionists thought that, without a total change of system, any relief from the present evils was impossible, and they believed themselves justified in bringmg about that change by any means. Both parties knew that it was the fixed intention of the French to .cvolutionize Naples. The revolutionists supposed that it was for the purpose of establishing a free government: the court, and all disinter- csted persons, were perfectly aware that the enemy had no other object than conquest and plunder. . The battle of the Nile shook the power of France. Her most successful general, and her finest army, were blocked up in Egypt-hopeless, as it appeared, of return; and the

1 The English revolution of 1640 swept away abuses that lingered in every continental government until the closing years of the eighteenth century. , The French proclaimed to all Europe that they proposed to break down feudal rights and erect republics on the ruins of every existing state. Was the French Revolution a. blessing to mankind? Wns it 8 necessity? See Carlyle'S French Recolution, ami Burke's ltrflections 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 with unbroken forces; led by a general! whose extraordinary military genius would have entitled him to a high and honourable rank in history, if it had not been sullied by all the ferocity of a barbarian. 2 Naples, seeing its destruction at hand, and thinking that the only means of averting it was by meeting the danger, after long vacillations, which were produced by the fears, and weakness, and treachery of its council, agreed at last to join this new coalition," with a numerical force of 80,000 men. Nelson told the King, in plain terms, that he had his choice, either to advance, trusting to God for His blessing on a just cause, and prepared to die sword in hand-or to remain quiet, and be kicked out of his kingdom :-one of these things must happen. 'I'he King made answer, he would go on and trust in God and Nelson: and Nelson, who would else have returned to Egypt, for the purpose of destroying the French shipping in Alexandria, gave up his intention, at the desire of the Neapolitan court, and resolved to remain on that station, in the hope that he might be useful to the movements of the army. He suspected also, with reason, that the continuance of his fleet was so earnestly requested, because the royal family thought their persons would be safer, in case of any mishap, under the British flag, than under their own. His first object was the recovery of 1\Ialta-an island which the King of Naples pretended to claim. 'I'he Mal- tese, whom the villanous Knights of their order' had betrayed to Prance, had taken up arms against their rapa-

1 Suwarrow (1730-1800) is said never to have lost a battle, 2 Probably a reference to the storming of Ismail on Christmas Day, 1790, where 30,000 Turks and 20,000 Russiuns are said to have perished. I This coalition, formed by Pitt in 179U, included Great Britaill, Germany, Russia, Naples, Portugal, and Turkey. 4 This order, known originally as Knights Hospitullers, or Knights of St. John, was founded about 1099. Charles V. of Germany gave them Malta in 1530. 1798] THE LIFE OF NELSON 157

cious invaders, with a spirit and unanimity worthy the highest praise. They blockaded the French garrison by land, and a small squadron, under Captain Ball, began to blockade them by sea, on the 12th of October. Twelve days afterwards Nelson arrived. "It is as I suspected," he says: "the ministers at Naples know nothing of the situation of the island. Not a house or bastion of the town is in possession of the islanders; and the Marquis de Niza tells us, they wan t arms, victuals, and support. He- does 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, dependent upon Malta, which had also been seized and garrisoned by the French, capitulated soon after his arrival, and was taken possession of by the British, in the name of his Sicilian Majesty-a power who had no better claim to it than France. Having seen this effected, and reinforced Captain Ball, he left that able officer to perform a most arduous and important part, and returned himself to 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 whether he was a coward or a traitor. At that time he was assidu- ously extolled as a most consummate commander, to whom Europe might look for deliverance: and when he was introduced by the King and Queen to the British Admiral, the Queen said to him, "Be to us by land, General, what my hero Nelson has been by sea." Mack, on his part, did not fail to praise the force which he was appointed to command. " It was," he said, "the finest army in Europe." Nelson agreed with him, that there could not be finer men: but when the General, at a review, so directed the operations of a mock fight, that, by an unhappy blunder, his own troops were surrounded instead of those of the enemy, he turned to his friends and exclaimed, with bitterness, that the fellow did not understand his business. Another circumstance, not less characteristic, confirmed Nelson in his judgment. "General Mack," said he, in one of his letters, ,,;cannot move without five carriages! I have formed my opinion. I heartily pray I may be mistaken. " 158 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798

While Mack, at the head of 32,000 men, marched into the Roman state, 5,000 Neapolitans were embarked on board the British and Portuguese squadron, to take possession of Leghorn. This was effected without opposition; and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, whose neutrality had been so outrageously violated by the French, was better satisfied with the measure than some of the Neapoli- tans themselves. N aselli, their General, refused to seize . the French vessels at Leghorn, because he and the Duke di Sangro, who was ambassador at the Tuscan court, maintained that the King of Naples WaR not at war with France. "What! " said Nelson, "has not the King received, as a conquest made by him, the republican flag taken at Gozo? Is not his own flag flying there, and at )Ialta, not only by his permission, but by his order? Is not his flag shot at every day by the French, and their shot returned from batteries which bear that flag? Are not two frigates and a corvette placed under my orders ready to fight the French, meet them where they may? Has not the King sent publicly from Naples guns, mortars, etc., with officers and artillery, against the French in Malta? If these acts are not tantamount to any written paper, I give up all knowledge of what is war." This reasoning was of less avail than argument addressed to the General's fears. Nelson told him, that if he permitted the many hundred French who were in the mole to remain neutral, till they had a fair opportunity of being active, they had one sure resource, if all other schemes failed, which was, to set one vessel on fire; the mole would be destroyed, probably the town also; and the port ruined for twenty years. This representation made Naselli agree to the half measure of laying an embargo on the vessels. Among them were a great number of French privateers, some of which were of such force as to threaten the greatest mischief to our commerce, and about seventy sail of vessels belonging to the Ligurian Republic, as Genoa was now called, laden with corn, and ready to sail for Genoa and France; where their arrival would have expedited the entrance of more French troops into Italy. "'fhe General," said Nelson, "saw, I believe, the consequence of permitting these vessels to depart in the same light as myself: but there is this difference between us-he prudently, and certainly safely, waits 1798] THE LIFliJ OF NELSON 159 the orders of his court, taking no responsibility upon himself; I act from the circumstances of the moment, as I feel may be most advantageous for the cause which I serve, taking all responsibility on myself." It was in vain to hope for anything vigorous or manly from such men as Nelson was compelled to act with. The crews of the French ships and their allies were ordered to depart in two days. Four days elapsed, and nobody obeyed the order; nor, in spite of the representations of the British Minister, Mr. Wyndham, were any means taken to enforce it:-the true Neapolitan shuffle, as Nelson called it, took place on all occasions. After an absence of ten days, he returned to Naples: and receiving intelligence there, from Mr. Wynd- ham, that the privateers were at last to be disarmed, the corn landed, and the crews sent away, he expressed his satisfaction at the news in characteristic language, saying, " So far I am content. The enemy will be distressed; and, thank God, I shall get no money. The world, I know, think that money is our God; and now they will be undeceived, as far as relates to us. Down, down with the French! is my constant prayer. " Odes, sonnets, and congratulatory poems, of every description, were poured in upon Nelson, on his arrival at Naples. An Irish Franciscan, who was one of the poets, not being content with panegyric, upon this occasion ventured upon a flight of prophecy, and predicted that Lord Nelson would take Rome with his ships. His lordship reminded Father l\I'Cormick that ships could not ascend the Tiber: but the father, who had :probably forgotten this circumstance, met the objection with a bold front, and declared he saw that it would come to pass notwithstanding. Rejoicings of this kind were of short duration. 'I'he King of Naples was with the army which had en tered Rome; but the castle of St. Angelo 1 was held by the French, and 13,000 French were strongly posted in the Roman states at Castallana. Mack had marched against them with 20,000 men. Nelson saw that the event was doubtful ;-or rather, that there could be very little hope of the result. But the immediate fate of Naples, as he well knew, hung upon the issue. "If Mack is de-

l This fort, originally built to be the tomb of Hadrian, was forti- fled by Belisarius against the Goths. 160 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1798 feated," said he, "in fourteen days this country is lost; for the Emperor 1 has not yet moved his army, and Naples has not the power of resisting the enemy. It was not a case for choice, but of necessity, which induced the King to march out of his kingdom, and not wait till the French had collected a force sufficient to drive him out of it in a week." He had no reliance upon the Neapolitan officers; who, as he described them, seemed frightened at a drawn sword or a loaded gun; and he was perfectly aware of the consequences which the sluggish movements and deceitful policy of the Austrians were likely to bring down upon themselves, and all their Continental allies. " A delayed war, on the part of the Emperor," said he, writing to the British Minister at Vienna, "will be destructive to this monarchy of Naples; and, of course, to the newly-acquired dominions of the Emperor in Italy. Had the war commenced in September or October, all Italy would, at this moment, have been liberated. This month is worse than the last: the next will render the contest doubtful: and, in six months, when the Neapolitan Republic will be organised, armed, and with its numerous resources called forth, the Emperor will not only be defeated in Italy, but will totter on his throne at Vienna. Doum, down with the Frenoh l ought to be written in the council-room of every country in the world: and may Almighty God give right thoughts to every sovereign, is my constant prayer! " His perfect foresight of the immediate event was clearly shown in this letter, when he desired the ambassador to assure the Empress (who was a daughter of the house of Naples) that, notwithstanding the councils which had shaken the throne of her father and mother, he would remain there, ready to save their persons, and her brothers and sisters; and that he had also left ships at Leghorn, to save the lives of the grand duke and her sister: "For all," said he, "must be a republic, if the Emperor does not act with expedition and vigour."

His fears were soon verified. · 6. The Neapolitan officers," said Nelson, "did not lose much honour, for, God knows, they had not much to lose;-but thcy lost all they had." General St. Philip commanded the right wing, of 19,000 melle He fell in with 3,000 of the enemy; and, as soon as

1 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 men had virtue enough to level a musket at him, and shot him through the arm; but the wound was not sufficient to prevent him from joining with the French 'in pursuit of his own countrymen. Cannon, tents, baggage, and military chest were all forsaken by the runaways, though they lost only forty men: for the French, having put them to flight, and got possession of everything, did not pursue an army of more than three times their own number. The main body of the Neapolitans, under Mack, did not behave better. The King returned to Naples; where every day brought with it 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 progress of the enemy, and that the royal family must look to their own personal safety. The state of the public mind at Naples was such, at this time, that neither the British Minister nor the British Admiral thought it prudent to appear at court. Their motions were watched; and the revolutionists had even formed a plan for seizing and detaining them as hostages, to prevent any attack on the city after the French should have taken possession of it. A letter, which Nelson addressed at this time to the First Lord of the Admiralty, shows in what manner he contemplated the possible issue of the storm. It was in these words:-" My dear Lord,-There is an old saying, that when things are at the worst they must mend :-now the mind of man cannot fancy things worse than they are here. But, thank God! my health is better, my mind never firmer, and my heart in the right trim to comfort, relieve, and protect those whom it is my duty to afford assistance to. Pray, my lord, assure onr gracious sovereign that, while I live, I will support his glory: and that, if I fall, it shall be in a manner worthy of your lordship'S faithful and obliged Nelson. I must not write more. Every word may be a text for a long letter." Meantime Lady Hamilton arranged everything for the removal of the royal family. This was conducted, on her part, with the greatest address, and without suspicion, because she had been in habits of constant correspondence with the Queen. It was known that the removal could not 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 numbers and strength, they insisted that he should not leave Naples. Several persons fell victims to their fury: among others was a messenger from Vienna, whose body was dragged under the windows of the palace in the King's sight. The King and Queen spoke to the mob, and pacified them; but it would not have been safe, while they were in this agitated state, to have embarked the effects of the royal family openly. Lady Hamilton, like a heroine of modern romance, explored, with no little danger, a subterraneous passage, leading from the palace to the seaside: through this passage the royal treasures, the choicest pieces of painting and sculpture, and other property, to the amount of two millions and a half, were conveyed to the shore, and stowed safely on board the English ships. On the night of the 21st, at half-past eight, Nelson landed, brought out the whole royal family, embarked them in three barges, and carried them safely, through a tremendous sea, to the Vanquard. Notice was then immediately given to the British merchants, that they would be received on board any 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 board as required an asylum; and, on the night of the 23d, the fleet sailed. The next day a more violent storm arose than Nelson had ever before encountered. On tho 25th, the youngest of the princes was taken ill, and died in Lady Hamilton's arms. During this whole trying season, Lady Hamilton waited upon the royal family with the zeal of the most devoted servant, at a time when, except one man, no person belonging to the court assisted thern.! On the morning of the 2Gth, the royal family were landed at Palermo. It was soon seen that their flight had not been premature. Prince Pignatelli, who had been left as vicar-general and viceroy, with orders to defend the

1 Mr. W. Clark Russell remarks acutely hut ungullantly that Lady Hamilton's curly training ns nurse-maid was probably the cause of her usefulness at this crisis. Sir Wlllinm, determined not to drown, got a pistol to shoot himself us soon us the ship should begin to sink. 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 163 kingdom to the last rock in Calabria, sent plenipoteutia- IS rica to the French camp before Capua; and they, for the sake of saving the capital, signed an armistice, by which the greater part of the kingdom was given up to the enemy: a cession that necessarily led to the loss of the whole. This was on the 10th of January. The French advanced toward Naples. Mack, under pretext of taking shelter from the furyof the lazzaroni, fled to the French General Championet, who sent him under an escort to Milan: but us "France hoped for further services from this wretched traitor, it was thought prudent to treat him apparently as a prisoner of war. 'I'he Neapolitan army disappeared in a few days: of the meu, some, following their officers, deserted to the enemy: the greater part took the opportunity of disband- ing themselves. 'I'he lazzaroni proved true to their country: they attacked the enemy's advanced posts, drove them in, and were not dispirited by the murderous defcat which they suffered from the main body. Flying into the city, they continued to defend it, even after the French had planted their artillery in the principal streets. lIad there been a man of genius to have directed their enthusiasm, or had there been any correspondent feelings in the higher ranks, Naples might have set a glorious example to Europe, and have proved the grave of every Frenchman who entered it. But the vices of the government had extinguished all other patriotism than that of a rabble, who had no other virtue than that sort of loyalty which was like the fidelity of a dog to its master. This fidelity the French and their adherents counteracted by another kind of devotion: tho priests affirmed that St. Januarins 1 had declared in favour of the revolution. The miracle of his blood was performed with the usual success, and more than usual effect, on the very evening when, after two days of desperate fighting, the French obtained possession of Na- ples. A French guard of honour was stationed at his church. Championet gave, " Respect for St. Jammrius! "

1 St. Januarius, Bishop of Benevento, was beheaded about 300 A.D., by Dioclct.inn. Some of his blood is preserved, it is said, in two small bottles. and becomes liquid whenever brought near the head of the saint, which is buried in the cathedral at Naples. If the blood fails to liquefy disasters arc at hand. The miracle is performed September H), the traditional day of his martyrdom. 164 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799 as the word for the army; and the next day Te Deum was sung by the archbishop, in the cathedral; and the inhabitants were invited to attend the ceremony, and join in thanksgiving for the glorious entry of the French; who, it was said, being under the peculiar protection of 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 any folly and of any baseness: and it is not improbable that, at this time, calculating upon the success of the new coalition, it indulged a dream of adding extensively to its former Italian possessions; and, therefore, left the few remaining powers of Italy to be overthrown, as a means which would facilitate its own ambitious views. The King of Sardinia, finding it impossible longer to endure the exactions of France, and the insults of the French commissary, went to Leghorn, embarked on board a Danish frigate, and sailed, under British protection, to Sardinia-that part of his dominions which the maritime supremacy of England rendered a secure asylum. On his arrival he published a protest against the conduct of France; declaring, upon the faith and word of a king, that he had never infringed, even in the slightest degree, the treaties which he had made with the French republic. 'I'uscany was soon occupied by French troops: a fate which bolder policy might, perhaps, have failed to avert, but which its weak and timid neutrality rendered inevitable. Nelson began to fear even for Sicily. " Oh, my dear sir," said he, writing to Commodore Duckworth, " one thousand English troops would save Messilla,-and I fear General Stuart cannot give me men to save this most important island!" But his representations were not lost upon Sir Charles Stuart: this officer hastened immediately from Minorca, with a tlrousand men, assisted in the measures of defence which were taken, and did not return before he had satisfied himself, that, if the Neapolitans were excluded from the management of affairs, and the spirit of the peasantry properly directed, Sicily was safe. Before his coming, Nelson had offered the King, if no resources 1799] TIlE LIFE OF' NELSON 165

should arrive, to defend Messina with the ship's company of an English man-of-war. Russia had now entered into the war. Corfu surrendered to a Russian and Turkish fleet, acting now, for the first time, in strange confederacy; yet against a power which was certainly the common and worst enemy of both. Troubridge, having given up the blockade of Alexandria to Sir Sidney Smith, joined Nelson, bringing with him 8 considerable addition of strength; and in himself, what Nelson valued more, a man upon whose sagacity, indefatigable zeal, and inexhaustible resources, he could place full reliance. Troubric1ge was instructed to commence the operations against the French in the Bay of Naples. Mean- time Cardinal Ruffo, a man of questionable character, but of a temper fitted for such times, having landed in Calabria, raised what he called a Christian army, composed of the best and the vilest materials; loyal peasants, enthusiastic priests and friars, galley slaves, the emptying of the jails, and banditti. 'I'he 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, telling them, that 10,000l. given away in provisions would, at this time, purchase a kingdom. Money, he was told, they had not to give; and the wisdom and intregrity which might have supplied its want, were not to be found. "rj_'here is nothing," said he, "which I propose that is not, as far as orders go, implicitly complied with: but the execution is dreadful, and almost makes me mad. My desire to serve their Majesties faithfully, as is my duty, has been such, that I am almost blind and worn out; and cannot, in my present state, hold much longer. " Before any government can be overthrown by the consent of the people, the government must be intolerably oppressive, or the people thoroughly corrupted. Bad as the misrule of Naples had been, its consequences had been felt far less there than in Sicily; and the peasantry had that attachment to the soil, which gives birth to so many of the noblest, as well as of the happiest feelings. In all the islands the people were perfectly frantic with joy, when they saw the Neapolitan colours hoisted. At Procida, 166 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

Troubridge could not procure even a rag of the tri-coloured flag to lay at the King's feet; it was rent into ten thousand pieces by the inhabitants, and entirely destroyed. "'fhe horrid treatment of the French," he said, "had made them mad." It exasperated the ferocity of a character which neither the laws nor the religion under which they lived tended to mitigate. Their hatred was especially directed against the Neapolitan revolutionists; and the fishermen, in concert among themselves, chose each his own victim, whom he would stiletto when the day of vengeance should arrive. The head of one was sent off one morning to 'I'roubridge, with his basket of grapes for breakfast;-and a note from the Italian who had what he called the glory of presenting it, saying, he had killed the man as he was running away, and begging his Excellency to accept the head, and consider it as a proof of the writer's attachment to the crown. With the first success of the court 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 which 'I'roubridge advised him to hang them first, and send them to him afterwards, if he did not think that degradation sufficient. 'I'his was said with the straightforward feeling of a sailor, who cared as little for canon law as he knew about it: but when he discovered that the judge's orders were to go through the business in a summary manner, under his sanction, he told him at once, that could not be, for the prisoners were not British subjects; and he declined having anything to do with it. There were manifestly persons about the court, who, while they thirsted for the pleasure of vengeance, were devising how to throw the odium of it upon the English. They wanted to employ an English man-of-war to carry the priests to Palermo, for degradation, and then bring them back for executionj-« and they applied to 'I'roubridge for a hangman, which he indignantly refused. He, meantime, was almost heart- broken by the situation in which he found himself. He had promised relief to the islanders, relying npon the Queen's promise to him. He had distributed the whole of his private stock,-there was plenty of grain at Palermo, and in its neighbourhood, and yet none was sent him: the enemy, he complained, had more interest there than the 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 167

King; and the distress for bread, which he witnessed, was such, he said, that it would move even a Frenchman to pity. Nelson's heart too was at this time ashore. "To tell you," he says, writing to Lady Hamilton, "how dreary and uncomfortable the Vanguard appears, is only telling you what it is to go from the pleasantest society to a solitary cell; or from the dearest friends to no friends. I am now perfectly the qreat man,-not a creature near me. "From my heart I wish myself the little man again. You and good Sir William have spoiled me for any place, but with you." His mind was not in a happier state respecting public affairs. "As to politics," said he, "at this time they " are my abomination :-the ministers of kings and princes are as great scoundrels as ever lived. The brother of the Emperor is just going to "marry the great something of - Russia, and. it is more than expected that a kingdom is to be found for him in Italy, and that the King of Naples will be sacrificed." Had there been a wise and manly spirit in the Italian states, or had the conduct of Austria been directed by anything like a principle of honour, a more favourable opportunity could not have been desired, for restoring order and prosperity in Europe, than the misconduct of the French Directory at this time. afforded. But Nelson saw selfishness and knavery wherever he looked; and even the pleasure of seeing a cause prosper, in which he was so zealously engaged, was poisoned by his sense of the rascality of those with whom he was compelled to act. At this juncture intelligence arrived that the French fleet had. escaped from Brest, under cover of a fog, passed Cadiz unseen by Lord Keith's squadron, in hazy weather, and entered the Mediterranean. It was said to consist of twenty-four sail of the line, six frigates, and three sloops. The object of the French was to liberate the Spanish fleet, form a junction with them, act a~ainst l\finorca and Sicily, and overpower our naval force In the Mediterranean by falling in with detached squadrons, and thus destroying it in detail. When they arrived at Cartha- gena, they requested the Spanish ships to make sail and join; but the Spaniards replied, they had not men to man them. 'I'o this it was answered, that the French had men 168 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

enough on board for that purpose. But the Spaniards seem to have been apprehensive of delivering up their ships thus entirely into the power of such allies, and refused to come out. The fleet from Cadiz, however, consisting of from seventeen to twenty sail of the line, got out, under Masaredo, a man who then bore an honourable name, which he has since rendered infamous by betraying his .1 country. They met with a violent storm off the coast of ~.Oran, which dismasted many of their ships, and so effectually disabled them, as to prevent the junction, and frustrate a well planned expedition. Before this occnrred, and while the junction was as probable as it would have been formidable, Nelson was in a state of the greatest anxiety. "What a state am I in! " said he to Earl St. Vincent. "If I go, I risk, and more than risk Sicily: for we know, from experience, that more depends upon opinion than upon acts themselves: and as I stay, my heart is breaking." His first business was to summon Troubridge to join him, with all the ships of the line under his command, and a frigate, if possible. Then hearing that the French had entered the Mediterranean, and expecting them at Palermo, where he had only his own ship, with that single ship he prepared to make all the resistance possible. Troubridge having joined him, he left Captain E. J. Foote, of the Seahorse, to command the smaller vessels in the Bay of Naples, and sailed with six ships, one a Portuguese, and a Portuguese corvette; telling Earl St. Vincent that the squadron should never fall into the hands of the enemy. "And before we are destroyed, " said be, "I have little doubt but they will have . their wings so completely clipped, that they may be easily overtaken." It was just at this time that he received from Captain Hallowell the present of the coffin.' Such a present was regarded by the men with natural astonishment: one of his old shipmates in the Agamemnon said: " We shall have hot work of it indeed! You see the Admiral in tends to fight till he is killed; and there he is to be buried." Nelson placed it upright against the bulkhead of his cabin, behind his chair, where he sat at dinner. The gift suited him at this time. It is said that he was disappointed in the step-Bon whom he had loved 80 dearly from

I See p. 137. 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 169 his childhood, and who had saved his life at Teneriffe: 1 and it is certain that he had now formed an infatuated attachment for Lady Hamilton, which totally weaned his affections from his wife. Further than this, there is no reason to believe that this most unfortunate attachment was criminal: but this was criminality enough, and it brought with it its punishment. Nelson was dissatisfied with himself, and therefore weary of the world. This feeling he now frequently expressed. " There is no true happiness in this life," said he; "and in my present state I could quit it with a smile." And in a letter to his old friend Davison, he said: " Believe me, my only wish is to sink with honour into the grave; and when that shall please God, I shall meet death with a smile. Not that I am insensible to the honours and riches my King and country have heaped upon me-so much more than any officer could deserve; yet am I ready to quit this world of trouble, and envy none bu t those of the estate six feet by two." Well had it been for Nelson if he had made no other sacrifices to this unhappy attachment than his peace of mind; but it led to the only blot upon his public char- actor. While he sailed from Palermo, with the intention of collecting his whole force, and keeping off Maretimo, either to receive reinforcements there, if the French were bound upwards, or to hasten to Minorca, if that should be their destination, Captain Foote, in the Seahorse, with the Neapolitan frigates and some small vessels under his command, was left to act with a land force consisting of a few regular troops, of four different nations, and with the armed rabble which Cardinal Ruffo called the Christian army." His directions were, to co-operate to the utmost of his power with the royalists, at whose head Ruffo had been placed; and he had no other instructions whatever. Ruffo advancing, without any plan, but relying upon the enemy's want of numbers, which prevented them from attempting to act upon the offensive, and ready to take advantage of any accident which might occur, approached Naples. Fort St. Elmo, which commands the town, was wholly garrisoned by the French troops; the castles of U ovo and N uovo, which

1 See p. 56, N ote l. 2 Nelson called Ruffo "the great devil who commanded the Christian army." 170 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799 commanded the anchorage, were chiefly defended by N as- politan revolutionists, the powerful men among them hav- mg 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. Ruffo proposed to the garrison to capitulate, on condition that their persons and property should be guaranteed, and that they should, at their own option, either be sent to Toulon or remain at Naples, without being molested either in their persons or families. This capitulation was accepted: it was signed by the Cardinal, and the Russian and Turkish commanders; and, lastly, by Oaptain Foote, as commander of the British force. About six-and-thirty hours afterwards Nelson arrived in the Bay, with a force, which had joined him during his cruise, consisting of seventeen sail of the line, with seventeen hundred troops on board, and the prince-royal of Naples in the Admiral's ship. A Hag of truce was flying on the castles, and on board the Seahorse. Nelson made a signal to annul the treaty, declaring that he would grant rebels no other terms than those of unconditional submission. 'The Oar- dinal objected to this; nor could all the arguments of N cl- 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. lie retired at last, silenced by Nelson's authority, but not convinced. Captain Foote was sent out of the Bay; and the garrisous, taken out of the castles, under pretence of carrying the treaty into effect, were delivered over as rebels to the vengeance of the Sicilian court.-A deplorable transaction! a stain upon the memory of Nelson, and the honour of Englund! 'I'o palliate it would be in vain ; to justify it would be wicked: there is no alternative for one who will not make himself a participator .in guilt, but to record the disgraceful story * with Borrow and with shame.! * In one of his letters to Lady Hamilton, written a few weeks before this fatul transaction, Nelson says in speaking or the Queen: " I declare to God, my whole study is how to meet her approbation." -Soutlley's Note. 1 In spite of what Southey says, it is possible to defend Nelson. To his mind the revolutionists were traitors, und to make terms with 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 171

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 1 of age, bearing a high character, both for professional and personal merit. He had accompanied the court to Sicily: but when the revolutionary government, or Parthenoprean 2 Republic, as it was called, issued an edict, ordering all absent Neapolitans to return, on pain of confiscation of their property, he solicited and obtained permission of the King to return, his estates being very great. It is said that the King, when he granted him this permission, warned him not to take any part in politics; expressing, at the same time, his own persuasion that he should recover his kingdom. But neither the King, nor he himself, ought to have imagined that, in such times, a man of such reputation would be permitted to remain inactive; and it soon appeared that Caraccioli was again in command of the navy, and serving under the republic against his late sovereign. The sailors reported that he was forced to act thus; and this was believed, till it was seen that he directed. ably the offensive operations of the revolutionists, and did not avail himself of opportunities for escaping when they offered. When the recovery of Naples was evidently near, he applied to Cardinal Ruffo, and to the Duke of Calvirrano, for protection; expressing his hope, that the few days during which he had been forced to obey the French would not outweigh forty years of faithful services; but, perhaps not receiving such assur- ances as he wished, and knowing too well the temper of the Sicilian court, he endeavoured to secrete himself, and a price was set upon his head. More unfortunately for others than for himself, he was brought in alive, having been discovered in the disguise of a peasant, and carried one morning on board Lord Nelson's ship, with his hands tied behind him. 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 Ruffo. He had been given exprcss orders, indeed, not to do so. 1 lIe was forty-seven. 2 So culled from Parthenope, the ancient name of Naples, Nelson called it the Vesuvian Republic. 172 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

Oaraccioli was well known to the British officers, and had been ever highly esteemed by all who knew him. Oap- tain Hardy ordered him immediately to be unbound, and to be treated with all those attentions which he felt due to a man who, when last on board the Foudroyant, had been received as an admiral and a prince. Sir William and Lady Hamilton were in the ship, but Nelson, it is affirmed, saw no one except his own officers during the tragedy which ensued. His own determination was made; and he issued an order to the Neapolitan commodore, Oount Thurn, to assemble a court-martial of Neapolitan officers, on board the British flag-ship, proceed immediately to try the prisoner, and report to him, if the charges were proved, what punishment he ought to suffer. These proceedings were as rapid as possible; Oaraccioli 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. 'I'hey forget that tho possibility of proving it was not allowed him; for he was brought to trial within an hour after he was legally in arrest; and how, in that time, was he to collect his witnesses? He was found guilty, and sentenced to death; and Nelson gave orders that the sentence should be carried into effect that evening, at five o'clock, on board the Sicilian frigate, La Minerva,1 by hanging him at the fore-yard-arm till sunset; when the body was to be cut down and thrown into the sea. Oarac- cioh 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 personal enemy.P Nelson made answer, that the prisoner 1100 been fairly tried by the offlcors of his own country, and he could not interfere-forgetting that, if he felt himself justified in ordering the trial and the execution, no human

J He had himself commanded this ship while ill the service of Ferdi- nand; and it is almost certain that, while ill command of the republican navy, he had fired upon her us well as upon the town of Annunciata. I This is very doubtful. 1799] 'l'HE LIFE OF NELSON 173 being could ever have questioned the propriety of his interfering 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 be supposed to be very anxious about prolonging my life; but the disgrace of being hanged is dreadful to me." When this was repeated to Nelson, he only told the Lieutenant, with much agitation, to go and attend to his duty. As a last hope, Caraccioli asked the Lieutenant if he thought an application to Lady IIamilton 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. 1 She had the most devoted attachment to the Neapolitan court; and the hatred which she felt against those whom she regarded as its enemies made her, at this time, forget what was due to the character of her sex, as weli as of her country. IIere, also, a faithful historian is called upon to pronounce a severe and unqualified condemnation of Nelson's conduct. Had he the authority of his Sicilian Majesty for proceeding as he did? If so, why was not that authority produced? If not, why were the proceedings hurried on without it ? Why was the trial precipitated so that it was impossiblo 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 Presiden t of the court against the prisoner was considered? 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, which destroyed his domestic happiness, and now, in a second instance, stained ineffaceably, his public character.s

1 Lady Hamilton did not witness the execution. 2" 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 iuto print, and were introduced into literature by Southey, whose story was long supposed, and is by many still sup~sed, to be a faithful narrative 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 011' NELSON [1'199

The body was carried out to a considerable distance, and sunk 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 Caraccioli had risen from the bottom of the sea, and was coming, as fast as he could, to Naples, swimming half out of the water. Such an account was listened to like a tale of idle credulity. The day being fair, Nelson, to please the King, stood out to sea; but the ship had not proceeded far before a body was distinctly seen, upright in the water, and approaching them. It was soon recognized to be, indeed, the corpse of Oaraccioli, which had risen and floated, while the ~reat weights attached to. the legs kept tho body in a position like that of a living man. A fact so extraordinary astonished 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 dreadful scenes than it had witnessed in the days of Massaniello.! After the mob had had their fill of blood and plunder, the reins were given to justice-if that can be called justice which annuls its own stipulations, looks to the naked facts alone, disregarding all motives and all circumstances; and, without considering character or science, or sex, or youth, 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. 'I'hat in cases of mutiny Nelson considered clemency misplaced, and prompt execution advisable, has already been shown; and rebellion such as Caracciolo's was to him the worst form of mutiny. In hanging him tho same evening 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 tho 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 blamable, disgraceful, • a stain upon 'his memory,' will appear rather most honourable and meritorious."-Lnughton, Nelson, p, 138. J Massaniello, a name contracted from Tommaso Aniello (1628- 1647), in the latter year headed a successful revolt aguinst the '''iceroy of Philip IV. of Spain. His victory was disgraced by the shedding of the blood of innocent people and the destruction or some of tho finest buildings in the city. 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 175 sacrifices its victims, not for the public weal, but for the gratification of greedy vengeance.' The castles of St. Elmo, Gaeta, and Oapua, 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 Carthagena, 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 written to the Admiralty, "it would be a case for some consideration, whether l\Iinorca is to be risked, or the two kingdoms of Naples and Sicily: I rather think my decision would be to risk the former. " And, after he had acted upon this opinion, he wrote in these terms to the Duke of Clarence, with whose high notions of obedience he was well acquainted: "I am well aware of the consequences of disobeying my orders; but as I have often before risked my life for the good cause, so I, with cheerfulness, did my commission, for, although a military tribunal may think me criminal, the world will approve of my conduct: and I regard not my own safety, when the honour of my King is at stake. " Nelson was right in his judgment: no attempt was made upon Minorca; and the expulsion of the French from Naples may rather be said to have-been effected, than ac- celerated, by the English and Portuguese of the allied fleet, acting upon shore, under 'I'roubridge, The French commandant at St. Elmo, relying upon the strength of the place, and the nature of the force which attacked it, had insulted Captain Foote in the grossest terms: but Oitouen. Mejan was soon taught better manners, when

1 "The Royalists had been too thoroughly frightened to be in a, merciful humour; and asssuredly the Jacobins, whether of Italy or France, had not set them an example of clemency. . • . In truth, the executions, about seventy, with which the Neapolitan Royalists took vengeance for their terror and losses, fade into insig- nificance when compared with Jaeobin enormities.v=-Laughton, Nelson, p. iso, 176 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

'I'roubridge, in spite of every obstacle, opened five batteries upon the fort. He was informed, that none of his letters, with the insolent printed words at the top, LilJsrte, Ega lit e, Guerre au» Tyrans, eto., would be received; but that, if he wrote like a soldier and a gentleman, he should be answered in the same style. The Frenchman then began to flatter his antagonist upon the bienfaisanoe and l/,umanUe, which, he said, were the least of the many virtues which distinguished Monsieur Troubridge. Monsieur Troubridge's bienfaisance was, at this time, thinking of mining the fort.-" If we can accomplish that," said he, "I am a strong advocate to send them, hostages and all, to Old Nick, and surprise him with a grouJ? of nobility and republicans. Meantime," he added, "It was some satisfaction to perceive that the shells fell well, and broke some of their shins." Finally, to complete his character, Mejan offered to surrender for 150,000 ducats. Great Britain, perhaps, has made but too little use of this kind of artillery, which France has found so effectual towards subjugating the continent: but Troubridge had the prey within his reach; and, in the course of a few days, his last battery, "after much trouble and palaver," as he said, "brought the vagabonds to their senses." 'I'roubridge had more difficulties to overcome in this siege, from the character of the Neapolitans who pretended to assist him, and whom he made useful, than even from the strength of the place and the skill of the French. "Such dam ned cowards and villains," he declared, "he had never seen before." 'I'he men at the advanced posts carried on, what he called, "a diabolical good understanding" 1 with the enemy, and the workmen would sometimes take fright und run away. " I make the best I can," said he, " of the degenerate race I have to deal with: the whole means of guns, ammunition, pioneers, etc., with all materials, rest with them. With fair promises to the men, and threats of instant death if I found anyone erring, a little spur has been given." Nelson said of him, with truth, upon this occasion, that he was a first-rate general. " I

1Some pupil should get some old soldier of the Civil War to tell him how the pickets, Union and Confederate, used to visit, trade tobacco for coffee, and shoot one another directly afterward. '!'hen he should write up his conversation lor the class, 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 177 find, sir," said he afterwards, in a letter to the Duke of Clarence, " that General Koehler does not approve of such irregular proceedings as naval officers attacking and defending fortifications. We have but one idea,-to get close alongside. None but a sailor would have placed a battery only 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 command of the motley besieging force. One thousand of the best men in the fleet were sent to assist in the siege. Just at this time Nelson received a peremptory order from Lord Keith, to sail with the whole of his force for the protection of Minorca; or, at least, to retain no more than was absolutely necessary at Sicily. "You will easily conceive my feelings," said he, in communicating this to Earl St. 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 and twenty men from each ship, now at the siege of Capua. I am fully aware of the act I have committed; but I am prepared for any fate which may await my disobedience. Oapua 2 and Gaeta 8 will soon fall; and the moment the scoundrels of French are out of this kingdom, I shall send eight or nine ships of the line to Minorca, I have done what I thought right: others may think differently: but it will be my consolation that I have gained a kingdom, seated a faithful ally of his Majesty firmly on his throne, and restored happiness to millions." At Capua, Troubridge had the same difficulties as at St. Elmo; and being farther from Naples, and from the fleet, was less able to overcome them. The powder was so bad that he suspected treachery: and when he asked Nel- son to spare him forty casks from the ships, he told him it would be necessary that some Englishmen should accompany it, or they would steal one half, and change the other. "Every man you see," said he, "gentle and

1 This is, by zig-zag trenches. 2 As an exercise, write a paragraph on Capua like that on Elsinore on p. 201. Do the same on Aboukir. I See 2Eneid, vii., 1-4. 12 178 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799 simple, are such notorious villains, that it is a misery to be with them." Oapua, however, soon fell. Gaeta immediately afterwards surrendered to Captain Louis of' the Minotaur. Here the commanding officer acted more un- like a Frenchman, Captain Louis said, than anyone he had ever met; meaning that he acted like a man of honour. He required, however, that the garrison should carry away their horses and other pillaged property: to which Nelson replied, "That no property which they did not bring with them into the country could be theirs; and that the greatest care should be taken to prevent them from carrying it away."-"I am sorry," said he to Captain Louis, " that you have entered into any altercation. There is no way of dealing with a Frenchman but to knock him down: to be ci vil 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, however, thought it expedient to censure him for disobeying Lord Keith's orders, and thus hazarding Minorca, without, as it appeared to them, any sufficient reason; and also for having landed seamen for the siege of Capua, to form part of an army employed in operations at a distance from the coast; where, in case of defeat, they might have been prevented from returning to their ships; and they enjoined him" not to employ the seamen in like manner in future." This reprimand wus issued before the event was known; though, indeed, the event would not affect the principle upon which it proceeded. When Nelson communicated the tidings of his complete success he said, in his public letter, " that it would not he the less acceptable for having been principally brought ubout hy British sailors." His judgment in thus employing them had been justified by tlie result; and his joy was evidently heightened hy the gratification of a professional and becoming pride. 'I'o the First Lord he said, at the same time, "I certainly, from having only a left hand, cannot enter into details which mayex- plam the motives that actuated my cond net. ~[y principle IS, to assist in driving the French to the devil, and in restoring peace and happiness to munkim 1. I feel that I am fitter to do the action than to describe it." He then added, that he would take care of Minoreu, 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 179

In expelling the French from Naples, Nelson had, with characteristic zeal and ability, discharged his duty; but he deceived himself, when he imagined that he had seated Ferdinand firmly on his throne, and that he had restored happiness to millions. These objects might have been accomplished if it had been \lossible to inspire virtue and wisdom 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 mterest, if not of their duty. That court emEloyed itself in a miserable round of folly and festivity, while the prisons of Naples were filled with groans, and the scaffolds streamed with blood. St. Januarius was solemnly removed from his rank as patron saint of the kingdom, having been convicted of Jacobinism; and St. Antonio as solemnly 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,

1 " Sometimes the fleet made short trips to sea ; not. to look after the enemy t but to gratify the king and Lady Hamilton; particularly the lust, who appeared in the Admiral's barge like Cleopatra. (See Antony and Cleopatra, Act II., Sc. ii.) . . • One of these disgraceful scenes is thus described by an eye-witness: The ships were all decorated with Hugs, 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 Lady Hamilton leading the van, in a twelve-oared barge. The king, in one of eight oars, was not paid much attention to ; but he amused himself with the princely sport of shooting sea-gulls. The whole party visited tho Minotaur, . . . where they partook of a cold collution, and returned in procession to the Foudroyant. . . . The dinner 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, 80 unbecoming a British ship of war, affected Lord Nelson very seriously ; und he could not help showing his feelings, though unfortunately his resentment was soon dispelled by that charm which then bound him in spite of his understanding. He left the dinner party very early ; and, taking a turn or two upon the quarter-deck with one of his officers, appeared for a little while extremely agitated ; and, at last, as he looked at the strange scene before him, he muttered : 'Curse upon such doings! I wish there was an end of them. 1\1y ship looks for all the world like apastry-cook'sshop! J" -Lady Hamilton's Memoirs, p. 208. The historian Mitford, who 180 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1'199 and the ambassador's family, accompanied the court; and 'I'roubridge remained, groaning over the villany and friv- olity of those with whom he was compelled to deal. A party of officers applied to him for a passage to Palermo, to see the procession of St. Rosalia :-he recommended them to exercise their troops, and not behave like children. It was grief enough for him that the court should be busied in these follies, and Nelson involved in them. "I dread, my Lord," said he, "all the feasting, etc., at Pal- ermo. I am sure your health will be hurt. If so, all their saints will be damned by the Navy. The King would be better employed digesting a good government: every thing 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 villames are so deeply rooted, that, if some method is not taken to dig them out, this government cannot hold together. Out of twenty millions of ducats, collected as the revenue, only thirteen millions reach the treasury; and the King pays four ducats where he should pay one. lIe is surrounded by thieves; and none of them have honour or honesty 1 enough to tell him the real and true state of things." In another letter, he expressed his sense of the miserable state of Naples. " 'I'here 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 110 idea of anything but revenge; and, to gain a point, would swear ten thousand fnlse oaths. Constant efforts are made to get a man taken up in order to rob him. The confiscated property does not reach the King's treasury.-All thieves! It is selling for nothing. His own people, whom he employs, are buying it up, and the vagabonds pocket the whole. I should not be surprised to hear that they brought n hill of expenses against him for the sale." 'I'he Sicilian court, however, were ut this time duly sensible of the services which hud been rendered them by had evidently seen what he related, said that ., Lady Hamilton at Palermo frequently accompanied Nelson in nocturnal rambles, dressed in sailor's clothes." 1 What is the differcnce between honor and honesty? 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 181

the British fleet, and their gratitude to Nelson was shown with proper and princely munificence.-They gave him the dukedom and domain of Bronte,' worth about 3000l. a-year. It was some days before he could be persuaded to accept it: the argument which finally prevailed is said to have been suggested by the Queen, and urged, at her request, by Lady Hamilton, upon her knees. "He considered his own honour too much," she said, "if he persisted in refusing what the King and Queen felt to be absolutely necessary for the preservation of theirs." The King himself, also, is said to have addressed him in words which show that the sense of rank will sometimes confer a virtue upon those who seem to be most unworthy of the lot to which they have been born: "Lord Nelson, do you wish that your name alone should pass with honour to posterity; and that I, Ferdinand Bourbon, should appear ungrateful? " He gave him also, when the dukedom was accepted, a diamond-hilted sword, which his father, Charles III. of Spain, had given him, on his accession to the throne of the Two Sicilies. Nelson said, "The reward was magnificent, and worthy of a king, and he was determined that the inhabitants on the domain should be the happiest in all his Sicilian Majesty's dominions.- Yet," said he, speaking of these and the other remunerations which were made him for his services, "these presents, rich as they are, do not elevate me. My pride is, that, at 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 Thunder was what in Dahomy would be called a strong name; 2 it

1 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, Wherc'er his country's foes were found, Was heard the fated thunder'S sound, Till burst the bolt on yonder shore, Roll'd, blazed, destroyed,-and was no more." Why should the name be called a strong one in Dahomy more than elsewhere? 182 THE 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, which he received not long afterwards, from the island of Zante, affected him with a deeper and finer feeling. The Greeks of that little community sent him a golden-headed sword, and a truncheon, set round with all the diamonds that the island could furnish, in a single row. They thanked him "for having, by his victory, preserved that part of Greece from the horrors of anarchy; and prayed that his exploits might accelerate the day, in which, amidst the glory and peace of thrones, the miseries of the human race would cease." This unexpected tribute touched Nelson to the heart. " No officer," he said, "had ever received from any country a higher acknowledgment of his services." The French still occupied the Roman states; from which, according to their own admission, they had extorted, in jewels, plate, specie, and requisitions of every kind, to the enormous amount of eight millions sterling: yet they affected to appear as deliverers among the people whom they were thus cruelly plundering; and they distributed portraits of Buonaparte, with the blasphemous inscription _" This is the true likeness of the IIoly Saviour of the world!" The people, detesting the impiety, and groaning beneath the exactions, of these perfidious robbers, were ready to join any regular force that should come to their assistance; but they dreaded Cardinal Ruffo's rabble, and declared they would resist 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 Rome; which, in the present state of things, when Suvarof was driving the French before him, would complete the deliverance of Italy. He applied, therefore, to Sir James St. Clair Erskine, who, in the absence of General Fox, commanded at Minorca, to assist in this great object with twelve hundred men. "The field of glory," said he, "is a large one, and was never more open to anyone than at this moment to you. Rome would throw open her gates, and receive you as her deliverer: and the Pope would owe his restoration to a heretic." But Sir James Erskine looked only at the difficulties of the undertaking. "Twelve hundred men, he thought, would be too small a force to be committed in such an enterprise; 1799] THE LIFE OF NELSON 183 for Civita Vecchia was a regular fortress. The local situation and climate, also, were snch, that, even if this force were adequate, it would be proper to delay the expedition till October. General Fox, too, was soon expected; and during his absence, and under existing circumstances, he did not feel justified in sending away such a detachment. " What this general thought it imprudent to attempt, Nelson and Troubridge effected without his assistance, by a small detachment from the fleet. Tronbridge first sent Captain Hallowell to Civita Vecchia, to offer the garrison there, and at Castle St. Angelo, the same terms which had been granted to Gaeta. Hallowell perceived, by the over- strained civili ty of the officers who came off to him, and the compliments which they llaid to the English nation, that they were sensible of their own weakness, and their inability to offer any effectual resistance; but the French know, that while they are in a condition to serve their government, they can rely upon it for every possible exertion in their support; and this reliance gives them hope and confidence to the last. Upon Hallowell's report, 'I'roubridge, who had now been made Sir Thomas for his services, sent Captain Louis, with a squadron, to enforce the terms which he had offered; and, as soon as he could leave Naples, he himself followed. The French, who had no longer any hope from the fate of arms, relied upon their skill in negotiation, and proposed terms to Troubridge with that effrontery which characterises their public proceedings; but which is as often successful as it is impn- dent. 'riley had a man of the right stamp to deal with. Their ambassador at Rome began by saying, that the Roman terri tory was the property of the French by right of conquest. The British Commodore settled that point, by re- plying, "It is mine by reconquest." A capitulation was soon concluded for all the Roman states, and Ca{ltain Louis rowed up the Tiber in his barge, hoisted English colours on the capitol, and acted, for the time, as governor of Home. 'I'he prophecy of the Irish poet 1 was thus accomplished, and the friar reaped the fruits: for Nelson, who was struck with the oddity of the circumstance, and not a li ttle pleased with it, obtained preferment for him from the King of Sicily, and recommended him to the Pope.

I See page 159. 184 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1799

Having thus completed his work upon the continent of Italy, Nelson's whole attention was directed towards Malta, where Captain BaH, with most inadequate means, was besieging the French garrison. Never was any officer engaged in a more anxious and painful service: the smallest reinforcement from France would, at any moment, have .. turned the scale against him; and had it not been for his consummate ability, and the love and veneration with which the Maltese regarded him, Malta must have remained in the hands of the enemy. Men, money, food, -all things were wanting. The garrison consisted of five thousand troops, the besieging force of five hundred Eng- lish and Portuguese marines, and about fifteen hundred armed peasants. Long and repeatedly did Nelson solicit troops to effect the reduction of this important place. "It has been 110 fault of the Navy," said he, "that Malta has not been attacked by land, but we have neither the means ourselves, nor influence with those who have." 'I'he same causes of demurral existed which prevented. Bri tish troops from assisti ng in the expulsion of the French from Home. Sir James Erskine was expecting General Pox; 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 thonght it " evident, that unless a respectable laud 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 sud stores, were sent against it, 110 reasonable hope could be entertained of its surrender." Nelson groaned over the spirit of over-reasoning caution, and unreasoning obedience. " :lly heart," said he, " is almost broken. If the enemy gets supplies ill, we may hid adieu to .Malta; all the force we can collect would then be of little use against the strongest pluce in Europe. To ~ay that au officer is never, for any object, to alter his orders, is what I cannot comprehend. 'I'he circumstances of this wur so often vary, that an officer has almost every momen t to consider, What would my superiors direct did they know what is passing under my nose? But. sir," 8Clid he. writing to the Duke of Clarence, "I find few think l~ 1 do. 'I'o obey orders is all perfection. To serve my king, and to destroy the 1800] THE LIFE OF NELSON 185

French, I consider as the great order of all, from which little ones spring; and if one of these militate against it (for who can tell exactly at a distance?) I go hack and obey 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, immediately offered all that he could command of his own. "I procured him, my lord," said he to Nelson, "fifteen thousand of my cobs :l-every farthing, and every atom of me shall be devoted to the cause." "What can this mean?" said Nelson, when he learnt that Colonel Graham was ordered 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, awl the Emperor of Russia's box." 2 And he actually pledged Bronte for 6600l., if there should be any difficulty about paying the bills. The long delayed expedition was thus, at last, set forth; but Trouhridge little imagined in what scenes of misery he was to bear hIS part. He looked to Sicily for supplies; it was the interest, as well as the duty, of the Sicilian government to use every exertion for furnishing them; and Nelson and the British Ambassador were on the spot to press upon them the necessity of exertion. But though Nelson saw with what a knavish crew the Sicilian court was surrounded, he was blind to the vices of the court itself, and resigning himself wholly to Lady Hamil- ton's influence, never even suspected the crooked policy which it was remorselessly pursuing. The Maltese, and the British in Malta, severely felt it. Troubridge, who had the truest affection for Nelson, knew his infatuation, and feared that it might prove injurious to his character, at; well as fatal to an enterprise which had begun so well, and been carried on ~o patiently. " My Lord," said he,

1 Nautical slang for" dollars;" some of the sailors had been paid in 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 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1~

writing to him from the sie~e, " we are dying off fast from want. I learn that Sir Wilham Hamilton says Prince Luzzi refused corn some time ago, and Sir William does not think it worth while making another allplication. If that be the case, I wish he commanded this distressing scene instead of me. Puglia had an immense harvest: near thirty sail left Messina, before I did, to load corn. Will they let us have any? If not, a short time will decide the business. The German interest prevails. I wish I was at your lordship'S elbow for an hour. All, all, will be thrown on you! I will parry tho blow as much as is in my power. Iforesee much mischief brewing. God bless your lordship! I am miserable; I cannot assist your operations more. Many happy returns of the day to you (it was the first of the new year); I never spent so miserable a one. I am not very tender-hearted, but really the distress here would even move a Neapolitan." Soon afterwards he wrote, "I have this day saved thirty thousand people from starving, but with this day my ability ceases. As the government are bent on starving us, I see no alternative but to leave these poor, unhappy people to perish without our being witnesses of their distress. I curse tho day I ever served the Neapolitan government.-We have characters, my Lord, to lose; these people have none. Do not suffer their infamous conduct to fall on us. Our country is just, but severe. Such is the fever of my brain this minute, that I assure you, on my honou r, if the Palermo traitors were here, [ would shoot them first and then myself. Girgenti is full of corn; the money iA ready to pn,y for it; we do not ask it UH a g-ift. ()h! could you see the horrid distress I daily experience, something would be done.-Some en- gine is at work aguinst 1I8 at Naples .. and I believe I hit on the proper l)er~()n. If you complain .. he will be immediately promoted, ugroeuhly to the ~ oupolitan custom. AIl I write to you is known at the Queen '8. 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 he cautious: your honest, open manner of acting will be made a, handle of. Whcn I see you, and tell of their iufumous tricks .. yon will be as much surprised as I am. The whole will f:~ll on you. " N olson was not, awl 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 upon the exportation of corn should be withdrawn. The anxiety, however, which he endured affected him so deeply, that he said it had broken his spirit for ever. Happily all that Troubridge, with so much reason, foreboded, did not come to pass. For Captain Ball, with more decision than Nelson himself would have shown at that time and upon that occasion, ventured upon a resolute measure, for which his name would deserve always to be held in veneration by the Maltese, even if it had no other claims to the love and reverence of u, grateful people. Finding it hopeless longer to look for succour or common humanity from the deceitful and infatuated court of Sicily, which persisted in prohibiting, by sanguinary edicts, the exportation of supplies, at his own risk he sent his First Lieutenant to the port of Messina, with orders to seize, and bring with him toMalta, 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 advantage of the shipowners and proprietors; the necessity of raising the siege was removed, and Captain Ball waited in calmness for the consequences to himself. "But," said Mr. Coleridge," "not a complaint, not a murmur, proceeded from the court of Naples: the sole result was, that the governor of Malta became an especial object of its hatred, its fear, and its respect." Nelson himself, at the beginning of February, sailed for that island. On the way he fell in with a French squadron bound for its relief, and consisting of the Genereux, seventy-four, three frigates, and a corvette. One of these frigates and the line of battle ship were taken; a the others escaped, btl t failed in their purpose of reaching La Valetta,

1 It was done bv Nelson's orders. 2 Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), the great author of the Rime of the Ancient .J.llariner. In 1804, for nine months, he acted as private secretary to Captain Ball. s W. Clark Russell gives an admirable description of the capture of Le Genereux. See his Life of Nelson, pp. 100-153. 188 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1800

This success was peculiarly gratifying to Nelson, for many reasons. During some months he had acted as Oom- mander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, while Lord Keith was in England. Lord Keith was now returned, and N elson had, upon his own plan and at his own risk, left him, to sail for Malta; "for which," said he, "if I had not succeeded, I might have been broke; and if I had not acted thus, the Genere'ltx never would have been taken." This ship was one of those which had escaped from Aboukir. Two frigates and the Guillaume Tell, eighty-six, were all that now remained of the fleet which Buonaparte had conducted to Egypt. The G~tilla'ltme Tell was at this time closely watched in the harbour of La Valetta; and shortly afterwards, attempting to make her escape from thence, was taken, after an action in which greater skill was never displayed by British ships, nor greater gallant~ by an enemy. 1 She was taken by the Foudroyant, Lion, and Penelope frigate, N elson, 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. " 'I'hey are," said he, "and I glory in them, my children; they served in my school; and all of us caught our professional zeal and fire from the great and good Earl St. Vincent. What a pleasure, what happiness, to have the Nile fleet all taken under my orders and regulations!" The two frigates still remained in La Vuletta: before its surrender they stole out: one was taken in the attempt; the other was the only ship of the whole fleet which escaped capture or destruction. Letters were found on board the Guillaume Tell showing that the French were now becoming hopeless of preserving the conquest which they had so foully acquired. Trou-

1 As the Guillaume Tell ran out of the harbor she was discovered by the Penelope, which pursued at. great risk, keeping up a constant fire to at tract the ot her ships, As the frigate outsailed the huge Frenchman, Captain Blackwood was enabled to manoeuvre as Nell:JOn had done wit h the qa. Ira, on u. similar occasion (p. 74) ; and, by remaining under hef stern, yawing now to port and now to starboard, damaged IIPr much aud escaped destruct ion himself, &8 the enemy did not duro to come to and fire his hroadside at his puol antagonist. Toward morning the Lion, sixty-four guns, engaged the foe yard-arm to yard-arm, hut was quickly for('pel to drop astern. It was only when the F'tJudro.'1flllt also nppPil.rpt! t hat she was finally taken. Study Capt. Blackwood's career inductively. 1800] THE LIFE OF NELSON 189 bridge and his brother officers were anxious that Nelson should have the honour of signing the capitulation. They told him that they absolutely, as far as they dared, insisted on his staying to do this; but their earnest and affectionate entreaties were vain. Sir William Hamilton had just been superseded; Nelson had no feeling of cordiality towards Lord Keith; and thinking that, after Earl St. Vincent, no man had so good a claim to the command in the 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 upon him, he had suffered many mortifications. Sir Sidney Smith had been sent to Egypt, with orders to take under his command the squadron which Nelson had left there. Sir Sidney appears to have thought that this command was to be independent of Nelson: and Nelson himself thinking so, determined to return, saying to Earl St. Vincent, "I do feel, for I am a man, that it is impossible for me to serve in these seas with a squadron under a junior officer." Earl St. Vincent seems to have dissuaded him from this resolution: some heart-burnings, however, still remained, and some incautious expressions of Sir Sidney's were noticed by him in terms of evident displeasure. But this did not continue long, as no man bore more willing testimony than Nelson to the admirable defence of Acre.! He differed from Sir Sidney as to the policy which ought to be pursued towards the French in Egypt; and strictly commanded him, in the strongest language, not, on any pretence, to permit a single Frenchman to leave the country, saying that he considered it nothing short of madness to permit that band of thieves to return to Europe. "N 0," said he, "to Egypt they went with their own consent, and there they shall remain, while Nelson commands this squadron; for never, never will he consent to the return of one ship or Frenchman. I wish them to perish in Egypt, and give an awful lesson to the world of the justice

1 Sir Sidney commanded a mixed force of Turks and English at the siege of this place, the failure of which ruined Bonaparte's plans of 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 understood the character of the enemy against whom he was engaged, their conduct in Egypt would have disclosed it. After the battle of the Nile, he had landed all his prisoners, upon a solemn engagement, made between Tron- 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 were drafted into the different regiments, and the remainder formed into a corps called the nautic legion. This occasioned Captain Hallowell to say that the French had forfeited all claim to respect from us. " The army of Buona- parte," said he, "are entirely destitute of every principle of honour: they have always acted like licentious thieves. " Buonaparte's escape 1 was the more regretted by Nelson, because, if he had had sufficient force, he thought it would certainly have been prevented. He wished to keep ships upon the watch to intercept anything corning from Egypt; but the Admiralty calculated upon the assistance of the Russian fleet, which failed when it was most wanted. The ships which should have been thus employed were then required for more pressing services, and the bloody Corsican was thus enabled to reach Europe in safety, there to become the guilty instrument of a wider-spreading destruction than any with which the world had ever before been visited. Nelson had other causes of chagrin. Earl St. Vincent, for whom he felt such high respect, and whom Sir John Orde had challenged for having nominated Nelson instead of himself to the command of the Nile squadron, laid claim to prize-money, as Commander-in-Chief, after he had quitted the station. The point was contested, and decided against him." Nelson, perhaps, felt this the more, because his own feelings, with regard to money, were so different. An opinion had been given by Dr. Lawrence, which would have excluded the junior Flag officers from prize-money. When this was made known to him, his reply was in these words: " Notwithstanding Dr. Law-

) He returned to France in 1799, leaving his army behind in Egypt. ~'I'he decision was finally reversed, in 1803, an award of £18,000 being made to Nelson. 1800] THE LIFE OF NELSON 191 renee's opinion, I do not believe I have any right to exclude the junior :Flag officers: and if I have, I desire that no such claim may be made: no, not if it were sixty times the sum, and, poor as I am, I were never to see prize-money." 1 A ship could not be spared to convey him to England; he, therefore, travelled through Germany to Hamburgh, in company with his inseparable friends, Sir William and Lady Hamilton. 'I'he Queen of Naples went with them to Vienna. While they were at Leghorn, upon a report that the French were approaching (for, through the folly of weak courts, and the treachery of venal cabinets, they had now recovered their ascendancy in Italy), the people rose tumultuously, and would fain have persuaded Nelson to lead them against the enemy. Public honours, and yet more gratifying testimonials of public admiration, awaited Nelson wherever he went. The Prince of Esterhazyen- tertained him in a style of Hungarian magnificence-a hundred grenadiers, each six feet in hcight, constantly waiting 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 him through a small window. A wine-merchant at Hamburgh, who was above seventy years of age, requested to speak with Lady Hamilton; and told her he had some Rhenish wine, of the vintage of IG25, which had been in his own possession more than half a century: he had preserved it for some extraordinary occasion; and that which had now arrived was far beyond any that he could ever have expected. His request was, that her ladyship would prevail upon Lord Nelson to accept six dozen of this incomparable wine: part of it would then have the honour to flow into the heart's blood of that immortal hero; and this thought

1 Miss Knight tells us that at this time Nelson's cabin was adorned with a huge three-cornered wooden plume taken from the figure-head of the Guitlaunie Tell, four muskets from the San Josef, and the flag-staff of L' Orient. 2 " A grand concert was also given in the chapel, under the direction of Haydn, whose oratorio of the Creation was performed in honor of the guests. "-.Memoirs of Lady Hamilton, p. 215. At Prague the hotel where the travellers stopped was splendidly illuminated in honor of the hero; and the host, in a spirit of_generosity that would delight .i\1ark Twain, sent in a bill in which Nelson was charged for every candle thus used. 192 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1800 would make him happy during the remainder of his life. Nelson, when this singular request was reported to him, went into the room, and taking the worthy old gentleman kindly by the hand, consented to receive six bottles, provided the donor would dine with him next day. Twelve were sent; and Nelson, saying that he hoped yet to win half a dozen more great VIctories, promised to lay by six bottles of his Hamburgh friend's wine for the purpose of drinking one after each.-A German pastor, between seventy and eighty years of age, travelled forty miles, with the Bible of his parish church, to request that Nelson would write his name on the first leaf of it. He called him the Saviour of the Christian world. The old man's hope deceived him. There was no Nelson upon shore, or Europe would have been saved; but, in his foresight of the horrors with which all Germany and all Christendom were threatened by France, the pastor could not possibly have apprehended more than has actually taken place. CHAPTER VII.

Nclson separates himself from his wife-Northern Confederacy- He goes to the Baltic under Sir Hyde Parker-Battle of Copenhagen, and subsequent Negotiation-Nelson is made a Viscount.

NELSON was welcomed in England with every mark of popular honour.' At Yarmouth, where he landed, every ship in the harbour hoisted her colours. The mayor and corporation waited upon him with the freedom of the town, and accompanied him in procession to church, with all the naval officers on shore, and the principal inhabitants. Bonfires and illuminations concluded the day; and, 011 the morrow, the volunteer cavalry drew up and saluted him as he departed, and followed the carriage to the borders of the county. At Ipswich, the people came out to meet him, drew him a mile into the town, and three miles out. When he was in the Agamemnon, he wished to represent this place in Parliament, and some of his friends had consulted the leading men of the corporation; the result was not successful: and Nelson observing, that he would endeavour to find out a preferable path into Parliament, said there mi~ht come a time when the people of Ipswich would think it an honour to have had him for their representative.s In London, he was feasted by the city, drawn by the populace from Ludgate-hill to Guildhall, and re- cei ved the thanks of the Common Council for his great victory, and a golden-hilted sword studded with diamonds.

I II is reception by the king was a cold one. Collingwood, writing January 25, 1801, says: "His Majesty merely asked him if he had recovered his health, and then, without waiting for an answer, turned to Gen. -, and talked to him for near half an hour in great good humour. It could not have been about his suceesses l " t :Macaulay was similarly treated by the city of Edinburgh, and in like manner Iived to see the day when the people who had passed him 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

Nelson had every earthly blessing, except domestic happiness: he had forfeited that forever. Before he had. been three months in England, he separated from Lady Nelson. Some of his last words to her were: "I call God to witness, there is nothing in you, or your conduct, that I wish otherwise. " 'I'his was the consequence of his infatuated attachment to Lady IIamilton. It had before caused a quarrel with his son-in-law, and occasioned remonstrances from his truest friends; which produced no other effect than that of making him displeased with them, and more diasatisfied with himself.'

1 Upon his arrival in England, after an absence during which he had made her a peeress and himself famous, to say nothing of winning a fortune, Nelson had the right to expect a cordial welcome from Lady Nelson. But he received no welcome at all. When he was 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 min and susceptible as a child, to _ the designing arts of un unprincipled and fascinating woman. Lady Nelson did not even meet her husband nt Yarmouth, where he landed. Undoubtedly rumors or his uttachment to Lady Hamilton had reached her ears already. Probably she had already condemned him on hearsay. That there was ubuudant cause on hcr part tor indignation and disgust there is not the shadow of a doubt. The result was that husband nnd wife met with ft~elings of mutual weari- ness und distrust. The wretched drnmu drew quickly to its melancholy close. Four nets in it. moe recorded. Shortly after his return the Nelsons and Humilt.ons uttvudod 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 lL numerous company nt dinner, Lady Hamilton, being ill or enraged, it is uncortuin which, retired to a private room and remained there unt il Nelson gTt.'W impatient at her absence, and harshlv demanded or Ladv Xelson where she was und who was with her. l.m,dy Nolson r('pliecl t hut. her own woman had been sent to attend her ladyship, whereupon he flew into a passion and insisted that she should herself ~o instant ly to wait upon Lady Hamilton. Lady Nelson nu-eklv ('omplit·cl : hut. soon Xelsou. full of impatienee, followed unci Iound his wile pe'r(ormillgo a sorvk-o for I..awy BaJDil- ton which was eertuinlv u. mark of extreme humilit v and eondeseen- sion. Instead or he·ill·go mollilk-l by this l'\ight, Ncl~on roughly ae- oused Lady Nel~()11 or cuusing Laely Hamilton's sickness by her cruel treatment, Thereupon the unfortunate wife uppealed to the sick womam, asking her if she hurl in any WHy used lu-r ill. ~~,·enLady Hamilton was unuhle to rt'~i~t· such u plenl :-;hl' roused herself from her lethargy una dr-elured thut there was no (':lllSI' for her to be dissatisfied with the treatment. thuf she luul received. This produced a fresh outburst of wrath from Xolson, who t urued upon his daitor 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 195

The Addington Administration 1 was just at this time formed; and Nelson, who had solicited employment, and been made Vice-Admiral of the Blue, was sent to the Baltic, as second in command, under Sir Hyde Parker, by Earl St. Vincent, the new First Lord of the Admiralty. 2 The three Northern Courts had formed a confederacy for making England resign her naval rights. Of these courts Russia was guided by the passions of its Emperor, Paul, a man not without fits of generosity, and some natural goodness, but subject to the wildest humours of caprice, and 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 tauntingly said : "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, and shortly after the final rupture with Lady Nelson came. It is said to have happened as follows: One morning, when 8, friend was break- fasting with the Nelsons, the host happened to speak of something that had been said or done by 'dear Lady Hamilton,' whereupon Lady Nelson rose from her chair and exclaimed : "I am sick of bearing of 'dear Lady Hamilton' and am resolved that you shall give up either her or me." Nelson replied: "Take care, Fanny, what you say; I love you sincerely, but cannot forget my obligations to Lady Hamilton, or speak of her otherwise than with respect and admiration." Declaring that her mind was made up Lady Nelson left the room and soon after drove from the house. Nelson probably saw her for the last time January 13, 1800, the day when he left London for the Baltic. His last letter to her was written from the St. George off Copenhagen, March 1, 1801. On April 25, 1801, he wrote to Alexander Davison as follows: " You will, at a proper time, and before my arrival in England, signify to Lady Nelson that I expect, and for which I have made such a very liberal allowance to her (£1,600 a year), to be left to myself, and without any inquiries from her, for sooner than live the unhappy life I did when I last came to England, I would stay abroad forcver."-Dispatches, vol. vii., pp. 209, 391 ; Laughton, Life of Nelson, pp. 152, 154 ; Memoirs of Lady Hamilton, pp. 221-225. 1 For the Addington Administration, see Gardiner, HiBtory of Engla''Ild, p. 843 ; Green, History of England, pp. 818, 820. For the immediate occasion of tho rupture, consult Russell's Nelson, p. 168 ; and Mahan's Influence of Sea Potoer on French Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 26-38. See also Laughton, Nelson, p. 156, and the note on p. 28 of this book. 2 At first he was given for his flag-ship the San Josef, which was chosen for him by Earl St. Vincent because he had himself captured her. (See p. 101.) Then he shifted to the St. George. 196 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 crazed by the possession of greater power than can ever be safely, or perhaps innocently, possessed by weak humanity.. Denmark was French at heart; ready to co-operate in all the views of France, to recognise all her usurpations, and obey all her injunctions. 1 Sweden, under a king whose principles were right, and whose feelings were generous, but who had a taint of hereditary insanity, acted in acquiescence with the dictates of two powers whom it feared to offend. The Danish Navy, at this time, consisted of twenty-three ships of the line, with about thirty-one frigates and smaller vessels, exclusive of guard ships. The Swedes had eighteen ships of the line, fourteen frigates and sloops, seventy-four galleys 2 and smaller vessels, besides gun boats; and this force was in a far better state of equipment than the Danish. The Russians had eighty- two sail of the line and forty frigates. Of these, there were forty-seven sail of the line at Cronstadt, Revel, Petersburg, and Archangel: but the Russian fleet was ill manned, ill officered, and ill equipped. Such a combina- tion, under the influence of France, would soon have become formidable; and never did the British cabinet display more decision than in instantly preparing to crush it. 'I'hey erred, however, in permitting any petty consideration to prevent them from appointing Nelson 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. The Earl, in reply, besought him, for God's sake, not to su1ler himself to be carried away by any sudden impulse. 'I'he season happened to be unusually favourable; so mild a winter had not been known in the Baltic for many years. When Kelson joined the fleet ut Yarmouth, he found the Admiral" a little nervous about dark nights and fields of ice. "_,, But we must brace U})," S said he, "these are not times for nervous systcmR.-l hope we shall give our northern enemies that hailstorm of bullets, which gives our dear country the dominion of the sea. We have

1Do you recall any passages in Hamlet which imply that France was dear to the Danish heart ~ t Sea-going vessels propelled partly or wholly by oars, I Is Southey guilty of using slang? 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 197 it, and all the devils in the north cannot take it from UB, if our wooden walls ' have fair play." Before the fleet left Yarmouth, it was sufficiently known that its destination was against Denmark. Some Danes, who belonged to the Amazon frigate, went to Captain Riou,2 and telling him what they had heard, begged that he would get them exchanged into a ship bound on some other destination. " They had no wish," they said, "to quit the British service; but they entreated that they might not be forced to fi~ht against their own country." There was not in our whole navy a man who had a higher and more chivalrous sense of duty than Riou. Tears came into his eyes while the men were speaking: without making any reply, he instantly ordered his boat, and did not return to the Amazon until he could tell them that their wish was effected. The fleet sailed on the 12th of March. Mr. Vansit- tart 3 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 important crisis. lIer enemies might well have been astonished at learning, that any other man should for a moment have been thought of for the command. But so little deference was paid, even at this time, to his intuitive and all-commanding genius, that when the fleet had reached its first rendezvous, at the entrance of the Cattegat, he had received 110 official communication whatever of the intended operations. His own mind had been made up upon them with its accustomed decision. "All I have gathered of on r first plans," said he, "I disapprove most exceedingly. Honour may arise from them ; good cannot. I hear we are likely to anchor outside of Cronenburgh Castle, instead of Copenhagen, which would give weight to our negotiation. A Danish minister would think twice before he would put his name to war with England, when the next moment he would probably see his master's fleet in flames, and his

1 "The credite of the Realme, by defending the same with our Wodden Walles, as Themistocles called the Ships of Athens. "-Pre- far-e to the English translation of Linschoten. Quoted in Bartlett's Pam iliar Quotation8, p. 861. 2 See Campbell's Battle of the Baltic. a 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 should see our flag every moment he lifted up his head. " Mr. Vansittart left the fleet at the Scaw, and preceded it in a frigate, with a flag of truce. Precious time was lost by this delay, which was to be purchased by the dearest blood of Britain and Denmark: according to the Danes themselves, the intelligence that a British fleet was seen off the Sound produced a much more general alarm in Copen- hagen than its actual arrival in the roads; for their means of defence were, at that time, in such a state, that they could hardly hope to resist, still less to repel, an enemy. On the 21st, Nelson had a long conference with Sir Hyde; and the next day addressed a letter to him, worthy of himself and of the occasion. Mr. Vansittart's report had then been received. It represented the Danish government as in the highest degree hostile; and their state of preparation as exceeding what our cabinet had supposed possible; for Denmark had profited, with all activity, of the leisure which had so impoliticly been given her. "The more I have reflected," said Nelson to his commander, "the more I am confirmed in opinion, that not a moment should be lost in attacking the enemy. They will every day and every hour be stronger: we shall never be so good a match for them as at this moment. The only consideration is, how to get at them with the least risk to our ships.-Here you are, with almost the safety, certainly with the honour, of England, more entrusted to you than ever yet fell to the lot of any British officer. On your decision depends whether our country shall be degraded in the eyes of Europe, or whether she shall rear her head higher than ever. Again, I do repeat, never did our country depend so much upon the success of any fleet as on this. How best to honour her, and abate the pride of her enemies, must be the subject of your deepest consideration." 1 Supposing him to force the passage of the Sound, Nel- son thought Borne damage might be done among the masts and yards; though, perhaps, not one of them but

1 "This letter is a full and masterly ex~sition of the p~cts 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, Nel8on, 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 Crown Islands, you must expect the natural issue of such a battle -ships crippled, and, perhaps, one or two lost; for the wind which carries you in will most probably not bring out a crippled ship. This mode I call taking the bull by the horns. It, however, will not prevent the Revel ships, or the Swedes, from joining the Danes: and to prevent this, is, in my humble opinion, a measure absolutely necessary; and still to attack Copenhagen." For this he proposed two modes. One was, to pass Cronen burgh, taking the risk of danger; take the deepest and straightest channel along the Middle Grounds; and then, coming down the Garbar, or King's Channel, attack the Danish line of floating batteries and ships, as might be found convenient. This would prevent a junction, and might give an opportunity of bombarding Copenhagen. Or to take the passage of the Belt, which might be accomplished in four or five days; and then the attack by Draco might be made, and the junction of the Russians prevented. Supposing them through the Belt, he proposed that a detachment of the fleet should be sent to destroy the Russian squadron at Revel; and that the business at Copenhagen should be attempted with the remainder. " The measure," he said, "might be thought bold; but the boldest measures are the safest." 1 The pilots, as men who had nothing but safety to think of, were terrified by the formidable report of the batteries of Elsineur, and the tremendous preparations which our negotiators, who were now returned from their fruitless mission, had witnessed. They, therefore, persuaded Sir Hyde to prefer the passage of the Belt. " Let it be by the Sound, by the Belt, or any how," cried Nelson, "only lose not an hour!" On the 26th they sailed for the Belt: such was the habitual reserve of Sir Hyde that his own captain-the captain of the fleet-did Dot know which course he had resolved to take till the fleet were getting under weigh. When Captain Domett was thus apprised of it, he felt it his duty to represent to.the Admiral his

1 " It is of this last suggestion, 'a suggestion worthy of Napoleon himself,' that Captain Mahan has well said: 'If adopted, it would have brought down the Baltic Confederacy with a crash that would have resounded throughout Europe.' "-Laughton, Nel8on, p. 159. 200 THE LIFE OF XELSO~V [1801 belief that. if that course were persevered in, the ultimate object would be totally defeated: it was liable to long de- lays, and to aeeideuts of ships grounding; in the whole fleet there were only one captain and one pilot who knew anything of this formidable ~e (as it was then deemed}, and their knowledge W:lB ,""err slight: their instructions did not authorise them to attempt itj--snppos- ing them safe through the Belts, the heal! ships could not come m-er the Grounds to attack Copenhagen, and light vessels would have no effect on such a line of defence as had been prepared a~ain5t them. Domett urged these reasons 50 forcibly that Sir Hyde's opinion was shaken, and he consented to bring the fleet to. and send for Nelson on board. There C311 i;~ little doubt but that the expedition would hale failed!" if Captain Domett had not thus timely and earnestly given his ad \""ice.-X elson entirely agreed. with him; and it was finally determined to take the passage of the Sound, and the fleet returned to its former anchorage. The next day was more idly expended in despatching a flag of truce to the Governor of Cronenburgh Castle, to ask whether he had received orders to fire at the British Heet; as the Admiral must cousider the first gun to be a declaration of war on the part of Denmark. .A soldier-like and becoming answer was returned to this formality. The Governor said, that tho British )Iillister had not been sent away from Copenhagen, but had obtained a passport at his own demand. lIe himself', as a soldier, could not meddle with politics: bu t he was not at liberty to suffer a fleet, of which the intention wus not yet known, to approach the guns of the eastlo which he had tho honour to command: and he requested, if the Bri tish Admiral should think llroper to make any proposals to tho King of Denmark, that he might he app rised of it before tho fleet approached nearer, During this intercourse, a Dune, who came on board the conununder's ship, having occasion to express his business in writing, found the pen blunt; and, holding it u]>, snrcustieally said, "[f Jour guns are not better pointed than your pens, you will make little impression on Uopeuhagen l " t

1Nelson (lulled him n. "young coxcomb." lie asked who com- mantled tho various ships, awl when Nelson was mentioned, he exelaimed : "Whu.t, is IH~ hert>? Lwould ~in~ n hundred guineu to see him. Then I suppose it is 110 joke if Iw has come I" 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 201

On that day intelligence reached the Admiral of the lOBS 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 was now appointed to lead the van, shifted his flag to the Ele- phant, Captain Foley I-a lighter ship than the St. George, and, therefore, fitter for the expected operations.s The two following days were calm. Orders had been given to pass the Sound as soon as the wind would permit; and, on the afternoon of the 29th, the ships were cleared for action with an alacrity characteristic of British seamen. At daybreak, on the 30th, it blew a topsail breeze S from N. W. The signal was made, and the fleet moved on in order of battle; Nelson's division in tho van, Sir Hyde's in the centre, and Admiral Graves' in the rear. Great actions, whether military or naval, have generally given celobrity to the scenes from whence they are denomi- nated; and thus petty villages, and capes, and bay,s, known only to the coasting trader, become associated WIth mighty deeds, and their names are made conspicuous in the history of the world. Here, however, the scene was every way worthy of the drama. The political importance of the Sound is such, that grand objects are not needed there to impress the imagination, yet is the channel full of grand and interesting objects, both of art and nature. This passage, which Denmark had so long considered 88 the key of the Baltic, is, in its narrowest part, about three miles wide, and here the city of Elsineur is situated; except Copenhagen, the most flourishing of the Danish towns. Every vessel which passes lowers her top-gallant- sails 4 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 and rocks from the Cattegat to the Baltic, and they, on their part, agreeing that all ships should pass this way, in order that all might pay their shares: none from that time using

1 See p. 128. 2 He took with him his two portraits of Lady Hamilton, whom he called Santa Emma. S A breeze light enough to permit toe-sails to be spread, but too heavy to justify the use of top-gallant sails. . 6 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 stormy weather, should evade contributing to them in fair seasons and summer nights. Of late years about ten thousand vessels had annually paid this contribution in time of peace. Adjoining 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 Tycho Brahe's 1 design; a magnificent pile-at once a palace, and fortress, and state-prison, with its spires and towers, and battlements and batteries. On the left of the strait is the old Swedish city of Helsinburg, at the foot and on the side of a hill. To the north of Helsinburg the shores are steep and rocky; they lower to the south, and the distant spires of Landscrona, Lund, and Malmoe, are seen in the Hat country. The Danish shores consist partly of ridges of sand; but more frequently they are diversified with corn- fields, meadows, slopes, and are covered with rich wood, and villages and villas, and summer palaces belonging to the King and the nobility, and denoting the vicinity of a great capital. The isles of Huen, Saltholm, and Amak, appear in the widening channel; and, at tho distance of twenty miles from Elsineur, stands Copenhagen in full view; the best city of the north, and one of the finest capitals of Europe, visible, with its stately spires, far off. Amid these magnificent objects there are some which possess a peculiar interest from the recollections which they call forth. The isle of Huen, a lovely domain, about six niiles in circumference, had been the munificent gift of Frederick the Second to Tycho Brahe. Here most of his discoveries were made, and here the ruins are to be seen of his observatory, and of the mansion where he was visited by princes, and where, with a princely spirit, he received and entertained all comers from all parts, and promoted science by his liberality as well as by his labours. Elsineur is a name familiar to English ears, being inseparably associated with Hamlet, and one of the noblest works of human genius.

1 Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) was a great Danish astronomer. " He will not be thought to have lived in vain by anyone who has ever found his longitude at sea, or slept in quiet while 8, comet was in the heavens, without fear of the once supposed minister of God's anger. His observations Corm the first great ste_Ein modem astronomy." ~uoted in Mullin's edition of Southey's Life of Nel8on, p. 1~ 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 203

Cronenburgh had been the scene of deeper tragedy. Here Queen Matilda 1 was confined, the victim of a foul and murderous court intrigue. Here, amid heart-breaking griefs, she found consolation in nursing her infant. Here she took her everlasting leave of that infant, when, by the interference of England, ber own deliverance was obtained; and, as tbe ship bore her away from a country where the venial indiscretions of youth and unsuspicious gaiety had been so cruelly punished, upon these towers she fixed her eyes, and stood upon the deck, obstinately gazing toward them till the last speck had disappeared. The Sound being the only frequented entrance to the Baltic, the great Mediterranean of the North," few parts of the sea display so frequent S a navigation. In the height of tho season not fewer than a hundred vessels pass every four-and-twenty hours, for many weeks in succession: but never had so busy or so splendid a scene been exhibited there as on this day, when the British fleet prepared to force that passage where, till now, all ships had vailed ! their top-sails to the flag of Denmark. The whole force consisted of fifty-one sail of various descriptions; of which sixteen were of the line. The greater part of the bomb and gun vessels took their stations off Cronenburgh Castle, to cover the fleet, while others on the larboard were ready to engage the Swedish shore. The Danes, having improved every moment which ill-timed negotiation and baffling weather gave them, had lined their shore with batteries; and as soon as the Monarch, which was the leading ship, came abreast of them, a fire was opened from about a hundred pieces of cannon and mortars; our light vessels immediately, in return, opened their fire upon the Castle. Here was all the pompous circumstance and exciting reality of war without its effects, for this ostentatious display was but a bloodless prelude to the wide and sweeping destruction which was soon to follow. The enemy's shot fell near enough to splash the .water on board our ships: not relying upon any forbearance of the Swedes,

1Caroline Matilda was a daughter of .Frederick Prince of Wales, a sister of George IlL., and wife of Christian VII. of Denmark. 2 Byron calls Scott "the Ariosto of the North." Invent some analogous phrases for statesmen and cities. 3 Does his use of this word indicate that Southey knew Latin? 4 Lowered. 204 THE LIFE OF'NELSON [1801 they meant to have kept the mid-channel; but when they perceived that not a shot was fired from Helsinburg, and that no batteries were to be seen on the Swedish shore, they inclined to that side, so as completely to get out of reach of the Danish guns. The uninterrupted blaze which was kept up from them till the fleet had passed served only to exhilarate our sailors and afford them matter for jest, as the shot fell in showers a full cable's length 1 short of its destined aim. A few rounds were returned from some of our leading ships till they perceived its in- utility:-this, however, occasioned the only bloodshed of the day, some of our men being killed and wounded by the bursting of a gun. As soon as the main body had passed, the gun-vessels followed, desisting from their bombardment, which had been as innocent 2 as that of the enemy; and, about mid-day, the whole fleet anchored between the island of Huen and Copenhagen. Sir Hyde, with Nelson, Admiral Graves, some of the senior captains, and the commanding officers of the artillery and the troops, then proceeded in a lugger 3 to reconnoitre the enemy's means of defence; a formidable line of ships, radeaua.! 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 apparent that the Danes could not be attacked without great difficulty and risk; and some of the members of the council spoke of the number of the Swedes and Russians whom they should afterwards have to engage, as a consideration which ought to be borne in mind. Nelson, who kept pacing the cabin, impatient as he ever was of anything wliich savoured of irresolution, repeatedly said, "The more numerous the better: I wish they were twice as many,-the easier the victory, depend on it. " The plan upon which he had determined, if ever it should be his fortune to bring a Baltic fleet to action, was to attack the head of

1 A cable's length is 720 feet. 2 Innocent; etymology? 3 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 their movements.-" Close with a Frenchman," he used to say, "but out manoeuvre a Rus- sian. " He offered his services for the attack, requiring ten sail of the line, and the whole of the smaller craft. Sir IIyde gave him two more line-of-battle ships than he asked, and left everything to his judgment. The enemy's force was not the only, nor the greatest, obstacle with which the British fleet had to contend: there was another to be overcome before they could come in contact with it. '!'he channel was little known and extremely intricate; all the buoys had been removed; and the Danes considered this difficulty as almost insuperable, thinking the channel impracticable for so large a. fleet. Nelson himself saw the soundings made, and the buoys laid down, boating it upon this exhausting service, day and night, till it was effected. When this was done, he thanked God for having enabled him to get through this difficult part of his duty. " It had worn him down," he said, "and was infinitely more grievous to him than any resistance which he could experience from the enemy." At the first council of war, opinions inclined to an attack from the eastward: but the next day, the wind being southerly, after a second examination of the Danish position, it was determined to attack from the south, ap- lroaching in the manner which Nelson had suggested In llis first thoughts. On the morning of the 1st of April, the whole fleet removed to an anchorage within two leagues 1 of the town, and off the N. W. end of the Middle Ground; a shoal lying exactly before the town, at about three-quarters of a mile'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 believed, eighty-eight. The fleet having anchored, Nelson, with Hiou, in the Amazon, made his last examination of the ground; and, about one o'clock, returning to his own

1 A league is three nautical miles. 206 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 ship, threw out the signal to weigh. It was received with a shout throughout the whole division; they weighed with a light and favourable wind: the narrow channel between the island of Saltholm and the Middle Ground had been accurately buoyed; the small craft pointed out the course distinctly; Riou led the way: the whole division coasted along the outer edge of the shoal, doubled its south extremity, and anchored there off Draco Point, just as the darkness closed-the headmost of the enemy's line not being more than two miles distant. The signal to prepare for action had been made early in the evening; and, as his own anchor dropped, Nelson called out, "I will fight them the moment I have a fair wind. " It had been agreed that Sir Hyde, with the remaining ships, should weigh on the following morning, at the same time as Nelson, to menace the Crown Batteries on his side, and the four ships of the line which lay at the entrance of the arsenal; and to cover our own disabled shills as they came out of action. The Danes, meantime, had not been idle: no sooner did the guns of Cronenburgh make it known to the whole city that all negotiation was at an end, that the British :fleet was passing the Sound, and that the dispute between the two crowns must now be decided by arms, than a spirit displayed itself most honourable to the Danish character. All ranks offered themselves to the service of their country; the University furnished a corps of twelve hundred youth, the flower of Denmark :-it was one of those emergencies in which little drilling or discipline is necessary to render courage available: they had nothing to learn but how to manage the guns, and were employed day and night in practising them. When the movements of Nelson's squadron were perceived, it was known when and where the attack was to be expected, and the line of defence was manned indiscriminately by soldiers, sailors, and citizens. Had not the whole attention of the Danes been directed to strengthen their own means of defence, they might most materially have annoyed the invading squadron, and, perhaps, frustrated the impending attack; for the British ships were crowded in an anchoring ground of little extent:-it was calm, so that mortar-boats might have acted against them to tho utmost advantage; and they were within range of shells from Amak Island. A few fell among 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 201 them; but the enemy soon ceased to fire. It was learnt afterwards, that, fortunately for the fleet, the bed of the mortar 1 had given way; and the Danes either could not get it replaced, or, in the darkness, lost the direction. This was an awful night for Copenhagen-far more so than for the British fleet, where the men were accustomed to battle and victory, and had none of those objects before' their eyes which render death terrible. Nelson sat down to table with a large party of his officers; he was, as he was ever wont to be when on the eve of action, in high spirits, and drank to a leading wind,2 and to the success of the morrow. After supper they returned to their respective ships, except Riou, who remained to arrange the order of battle with Nelson and Foley, and to draw up instructions: Hardy, meantime, went in a small boat to examine the channel between them and the enemy; aPllroach- ing so near, that he sounded round their leading ship with a pole, lest the noise of throwing the lead should discover him. The incessant fatigue of body, as well as mind, which Nelson had undergone during the last three days, had so exhausted him, that he was earnestly urged to go to his cot; and his old servant, Allen, using that kind of authority which long and affectionate services entitled and enabled him to assume on such occasions, insisted upon his complying. The cot was placed on the floor, and he continued to dictate from it. About eleven Hardy returned, and reported the practicability of the channel, and the depth of water up to the enemy's line. About one, the orders were completed; and half-a-dozen clerks, in the foremost cabin, proceeded to transcribe them: Nelson frequently calling out to them from his cot to hasten their work, for the wind was becoming fair. Instead of attempting to get a few hours of sleell' he was constantly receiving reports on this important point, At daybreak it was announced as becoming perfectly fair. The clerks finished their work about six. Nelson, who was already up, break- fasted, and made signal for all captains. The land forces, and five hundred seamen, under Captain Fremantle and the lIon. Col. Stewart, were to storm the Crown Battery

1 A short piece of ordnance with a large bore; for firing shells at great angles of elevation, forty-five degrees or more. 2 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 Riou-whom Nelson had never seen till this expedition, but whose worth he had instantly perceived, and appreciated as it deserved-had the Blanche and A lcmene frigates, the Dart and A rrow sloops, and Zepltyr and Otter fire-ships, given him, with a special command to act as circumstances might require :-every other ship had its station appointed. Between eight and nme, the pilots and masters were ordered on board the Admiral's ship. The pilots were . mostly men who had been mates in Baltic traders; and their hesitation about the bearing of the east end of the shoal, and the exact line of deep water, gave ominous warning of how little their knowledge was to be trusted. The signal for action had been made, the wind was fair- not a moment to be lost. Nelson urged them to be steady, -to be resolute, and to decide: but they wanted the only ground for steadiness and decision in such cases; and Nel- son had reason to regret that he had not trusted to Hardy's single report. This was one of the most painful moments of his life; and he always spoke of it with bitterness. " I experienced in the Sound," said he, " tho misery of having the 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 merit attaches itself to me, it was for combating the dangers of the shallows in defiance of them." At length Mr. Bryerly, the master of the Bellona, declared that he was prepared to lead the fleet: his judgment was acceded to by the rest: they returned to their ships; and, at half-past nine, the signal was made to weigh in succession. Captain Murray, in the Edgar, led the way; the 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 made for tho Polyphe- mus : and this change in the order of sailing was executed with the utmost promptitude: yet so much delay had thus been unavoidably occasioned, that the Edgar was for some time unsupported: and the Polyphemus, whose place 14 210 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1~1 should have been at the end of the enemy's line, where their strength was the greatest, could get no farther than the beginning, owing to the difficulty of the channel: there she occupied, indeed, an efficient station, but one where her presence was less required. The Isis followed, with better fortune, and took her own berth. The Bellona, Sir 'l'homas Boulden Thompson, kept too close on the starboard shoal, and grounded abreast of the outer ship of the enemy: this was the more vexatious, inasmuch as the wind was fair, the room ample, and three ships had led the way. 'I'he Iiussell, following the Bellona, grounded in like manner; both were within reach of shot; but their absence from their intended stations was severely felt. Each ship had been ordered to pass her leader on the starboard side, because the water was supposed to shoal on the larboard 1 shore. Nelson, who came next after these two ships, thought they had kept too far on the starboard direction, and made signal for them to close with the enemy, not knowing that they were aground: but, when he perceived that they did not obey the signal, he ordered the Elephant's helm to starboard, and went within these ships: thus quitting the appointed order of sailing, and guiding those which were to follow. The greater part of the fleet were probably, by this act of promptitude on his part, saved from going on shore. Each ship, as she arrived nearly opposite to her appointed station, let her anchor go by the stern, and presented her broadside to the Danes. The distance between each was about a half-cable. The action was fought nearly ut the distance of a cable's length from the enemy. This, which rendered its continuance so long, was owing to the ignorance and consequent indecision of the pilots. In pursuance of the same error which had led the Bellona and the Ilussell aground, they, when the lead was at a quarter less 1iYe,2 refused to approach nearer, in dread of shoaling their water on the larboard shore: a fear altogether erroneous, for the water deepened up to the very side of the en em y' s 1ine. At five minutes after ten the action began. The first half of our fleet was engaged in about half all hour; and,

1 Larboard is now culled "I,urt " to amid the danger that it may . be misunderstood fur starboard ill nn oral order. :I Four lathoms aud three-q uarters, · 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 was required of them. Of the squadron of gun- brigs only one could get into action: the rest were prevented, by baffling currents, from weathering the eastern end of the shoal; and only two of the bomb-vessels could reach their station on the Middle Ground, and open their mortars on the arsenal, firing over both fleets. Riou took the vacant station against the Crown Battery, with his frigates; attempting, with that unequal force, a service in which three sail of the line had been directed to assist. Nelson's agitation had been extreme when he saw himself, before the action began, deprived of a fourth part of his ships of the line; but no sooner was he in battle, where his squadron was received with the fire of more than a thousand guns, than, as if that artillery, like music, had driven away all care and painful thoughts, his counte- nauce brightened; and as a bystander describes him, his conversation became joyous, animated, elevated, and delightful. The Commander-in-Chief, meantime, near · enough to the scene of action to know the unfavourable accidents which had so materially weakened Nelson, and yet too distant to know the real state of the contending parties, suffered the most dreadful anxiety. To get to his assistance was impossible; both wind and current were against him. Fear for the event, in such circumstances, would naturally preponderate in the bravest mind; and, at one o'clock, perceiving that, after three hours' 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 blame can be imputed to him." Captain Domett urged him at least to delay the signal, till he could communicate with Nelson ; but, in Sir Hyde's opinion, the danger was too pressing for delay:-" 'I'he fire," he said, " was too hot for Kelson 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 him. to leave Nel- son to bear the whole shame of the failure, if shame it should be deemed. " Under a mistaken judgment, * therefore, but with this disinterested and generous feeling, he made the signal for retreat. Nelson was at this time, in all the excitement of action, pacing the quarter-deck. A shot through the mainmast knocked the splinters about; and he observed to one of his officers with a smile, "It is warm work; and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment: "-and then stopping short at the 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 thrown out by the Commander-in-Chief. He continued to walk the deck, and appeared to take no notice of it. The si~al- officer met him at the next turn, and asked bim if he should repeat it. " No," he replied, "acknowledge it." Presently he called after him to know if the signal for close action was still hoisted; and being answered in the affirmative, said, "Mind you keep it so." He now paced the deck, moving the stump of his lost arm in a manner which always indicated great emotion. " Do you know," said he to )Ir. Ferguson, "what is shown on board the Commander-in-Chief? K o. 39!" ~Ir. Ferguson asked what that meant.-" 'Yhy, to leave off action!" Then, shrugging np his shoulders, he repeated the words- "Leaye off action? Now, damn me if I do! You know, Foley," turning to the Captain, "I have only one eye,-I have a right to be blind sometimes: "-and then, putting the glass to his blind eye, in that mood of mind which sports with bitterness, he exclaimed, "I really do not see the signal!" Presently be exclaimed, " Damn the signal! Keep mine for closer battle flying! That's the way 1 answer such signals! N nil mille to the mast! " 1 Admiral * I have great pleasure in rendering this justice to Sir Hyde Par- ker's reasoning. This fact is here stated upon the highest and most unquestionable authority.-Soldhey'8 Note. 1"I'he story is told on the evidence of Colonel Stewart, who was with Nelson at the time. It is well established, however, that Parker sent a message to Nelson that the signal was to be understood as ~r- missive. Nelson did not choose to avail himself of the permi8810D. The conversation was probably a joke quite understood by Foler, 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 213

Graves, who was so situated that he could not discern what was done on board the Elephant, disobeyed Sir Hyde's signal in like manner: whether by a fortunate mistake, or by a like brave intention, has not been made known. The other ships of the line, looking only to Nelson, continued the action. The signal, however, saved Riou's little squadron, but did not Have its heroic leader. This squadron, which was nearest the Commander-in-Chief, obeyed, and hauled off. It had suffered severely in its most unegual contest. For a long time the Amazon had been firing, enveloped in smoke, when Riou desired his men to stand fast, and let the smoke clear off, that they might see what they were about. A fatal order; for the Danes then got clear sight of her from the batteries, and pointed their guns with such tremendous effect, that nothing but the signal for retreat saved this frigate from destruction. " What will Nelson think of us?" was Riou's mournful exclamation, when he unwillingly drew off. He had been wounded in the head by a splinter, and was sitting on a gun, encouraging his men, when, just as the Amazon showed her stern to the 'I'rekroner Battery, his clerk was killed by his side; and another shot swept away several marines, who were hauling in the main brace. "Come, then, my boys! " cried Riou, "let us die all together!" The words had scarcely been uttered before a raking shot cut him in two. Except it had been Nelson himself, the British navy could not have suffered a severer loss. The action continued along the line with unabated vigour on our side, and with the most determined resolution on the part of the Danes. They fought to great advantage, because most of the vessels in their line of defence were without masts: the few which had any standing had their top-masts struck, and the hulls could only be seen at intervals. The Isis must have been destroyed by the superior weight of her enemy's fire, if Captain Inman in the Desiree frigate, had not judiciously taken a situation which enabled him to rake the Dane, and if the Polyphe- but not intelligible to Stewart. Such, at least, is Mr. Laughton's opinion. The question, however, arises, Was the fear which Nelson expressed of being hanged for disobeying orders, also assumed as a joke? (See p. 219.) And if there was no dissatisfaction with his conduct, why was he not more liberally rewarded for his victory ? (Sc(' pp. 226 and 244.) 214 .1.'l1ELIFE OF NELSON [1801

'lIUtS had not also relieved her. Both in the Bellona 'and the Isis many men were lost by the bursting of their guns. 'I'he former ship was about forty years old, and these guns were believed to be the same which she had :first taken to sea: they were, probably, originally faulty, for the .fI:ag- ments were full of little air-holes. The Bellona lost seventy-five men; the Isis, one hundred and ten; the Monarch, twq hundred and ten. She was, more than any other line of battle ship, exposed to the great battery: and supporting, at the same time, the united fire of the Hol- stein and the Zealand, her loss this day exceeded that of any single shill during the whole war. Amid the tremendous carnage in this vessel, some of the men .displayed a singular instance of coolness: the pork and peas happened. to be in the kettle; a shot knocked its contents about; they picked Ill) the pieces, and ate and fought at the same time. 'I'he Prince Royal had taken his station upon one of the batteries, from whence he beheld the action, and issued. his orders. Denmark had never been engaged in 80 arduous a con test, and never did the Danes more nobly display their national courage :-u courage not more unhappily, than impoliticly, exerted in subserviency to the interests of Prance. Captain 'I'hura, of the ludfoedsretten, fell early in the action; and all his officers, except one Iienten- nut and one marine officer, were either killed or wounded. In the confusion, the colours were either struck or shot uwuy ; 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 WUH despatched to the Prince, to inform him of her situation. lIe turned to those about him, and said, ,- Gentlemen, Thurn is killed; which of you will take the cornnuuul ? " Schrocdersco, u captain who had lately resigned, on account of extreme ill health, answered, in a feeble voice, ""I will!" and hastened on board. The crew, perceiving a new commander coming alongside, hoisted their colours again, and fired a broadside. Schroe- dersee, when he came on deck, found himself surrounded by the deud and wounded, und culled to those in the boat to g('t quickly 011 board: a ball struck him ut that moment. A lieutenant, who had accompanied him, then took the command, and continued to fight the ship, A 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 Elephasu, below the reach of the stern-chasers; and under a heavy fire of small arms from the marines, fought his raft, till the truce was announced, with such skill, 88 well as courage, as to excite Nelson's warmest admiration. Between one and two the fire of the Danes slackened; about two it ceased from the greater part of their line, and some of their lighter ships were adrift. It was, however, difficult to take possession of those which struck, because the batteries on Amak Island protected them; and because an irregular fire was kept up from the ships themselves as the boats approached. This arose from the nature of .the action; tho crews were continually reinforced from the shore; and fresh men coming on board, did not inquire whether the flag had been struck, or, perhaps, did not heed it;-many, or most of them, never having been engaged in war before-knowing nothing, therefore, of its laws, and thinking only of defending their country to the last extremity. 'I'he Danbroq fired upon the Elephant'« boats in this manner, though her Commodore had removed her pendant and deserted her, though she had struck, and though she was in flames. After she had been abandoned by the Commodore, Braun fought her till he lost his right hand, and then Captain Lemming took the command. This unexpected renewal of her fire made the Eleplutnt and Glatton renew theirs, till she was not only silenced, but nearly every man in the praams ! ahead and astern of her was killed. When the smoke of their guns died away, she was seen drifting in flames before the wind, those of her crew who remained alive, and able to exert themselves, throwing themselves out of her port-holes. Curtain Rothe commanded the Nyeborg praam; and, perceiving that she could not much longer be kept afloat, made for the inner road. As he passed the line, he found

1 Ploating battery ; in the Baltic large llat boats used for loading und unloading vessels are called prawns. 216 THE LIFE OF NELSON (1801 the Aggersltuus praam in a more miserable condition than his own; her masts had all gone by the board, and she was on the point of sinking. Rothe made fast a cable to her stern, and towed her off: but he could get her no farther than a shoal, called Stubben, when she sunk; and soon after he had worked the Nyeoorg up to the landing place, that vessel also sunk to her gunwale. Never did any vessel come out of action in a more dreadful plight. The stump of her foremast was the only stick standing; her cabin had been stove in; every gun, except a single one, was dismounted: and her deck was covered with shattered limbs and dead bodies. By half-past two the action had ceased along that part of the line which was astern of the Eleplumi, but not with the ships ahead and the Crown Batteries. Nelson, seeing the manner in which his boats were fired upon, when they went to take possession of the prizes, became angry, and said, ho must either send on shore to have this irregular proceeding stopt, or send a fire-ship and bum them. Half the shot from the Trekroner, and from the batteries at Amak, at this time struck the surrendered ships, four of which had got close together; and the fire of the English, in return, was equally, or even more, destructive to these poor devoted Danes. Nelson, who was as humane as he was brave, was shocked ut this massacre, for such he called it: and, with a presence of mind peculiar to himself, and never more signally displayed than now, he retired into the stern gallery, and wrote thus to the Crown Prince: " Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson has been commanded to spare Denmark, when she no longer resists. 'I'he line of defence which covered her shores hat) struck to the British flag; but if the firing is continued on the part of Denmark, he must set on fire all the prizes that he has taken, without having the power of saving the men who have so nobly defended them. The brave Dunes arc tho brothers, and should never be the enemies, of the English, " A wafer was given him, but he ordered a candle to be brought from the cockpit,' and sealed tho letter with wax, affixing a

1" The person dispatched for the wax had his head taken oft by • cannon-ball; which [net being reported to the Admiral, he merely said: 'Send another messenger for the wux.' ,,_ ~VellJu"'8 LJi8patC1te& 'Vhy was he so particular nbout having the wax ? 1801] 7'lIE LIFE OF NELSON 211 larger seal than he ordinarily used. " This," said he, "is no time to appear hurried and informal." Captain Sir Frederic 'I'hesiger, who acted as his aide-de-camp, carried this letter with a flag of truce. Meantime the fire of the ships ahead, and the approach of the Ramillies and De- fence, from Sir Hyde's division, which had now worked ncar enough to alarm the enemy, though not to injure them, silenced the remainder of the Danish line to the eastward of the Trekroner. That battery, however, continued its fire. This formidable work, owing to the want of the ships which had been destined to attack it, and the inadequate force of Riou's little squadron, was comparatively uninjured; towards the close of the action it had been manned with nearly fifteen hundred men, and the intention of storming it, for which every preparation had been made, was abandoned as impracticable. During Thesiger's absence, Nelson sent for Fremantle from the Ganges, and consulted with him and Foley, whether it was advisable to advance, with those ships which had sustained least damage, against the yet uninjured part of the Danish line. They were decidedly of opinion, that the best thing which could be done was, while the wind continued fair, to remove the fleet out of the intricate channel, from which it had to retreat. In somewhat more than half an hour after 'I'hesiger had been despatched, the Danish Adjutant-General, Lindholm, came bearing a flag of truce: upon which the Trekroner ceased to fire, and the action closed, after four hours' continu- ancc. lIe brought an inquiry from the Prince, What was the object of Nelson's note? The British Admiral wrote in reply: "Lord Nelson's object in sending a flag of truce was humanity; he therefore consents that hostilities shall cease, and that the wounded Danes may be taken on shore. And Lord Nelson will take his prisoners out of the vessels, and burn or carry off his prizes as he shall think fit. Lord Nelson, with humble duty to his royal highness the Prince, will consider this the greatest victery he has ever gained, if it may be the cause of a happy reconciliation and union between his own most gracious sovereign and his majesty the King of Denmark. "-Sir Frederic 'I'hesiger was despatched a second time with the reply; and the Danish Adjutant-General was referred to the Commander-in-Chief 218 THE LIPE OF NELSON [1801 for a conference upon this overture. Lindholm assenting to this, proceeded to the London, which was riding at anchor full four miles off; and Nelson, losing not one of the critical moments which he had thus gained, made signal for his leading ships to weigh in succession :-they had the shoal to clear, they were much crippled, and their course was immediately under the guns of the Trekroner. The Monarch led the way. This ship had received six- and-twenty shot between wind and water. She had not a shroud standing; there was a double-headed shot 1 in "the heart of the foremast, and the slightest wind would have sent every mast over her side. * The imminent danger from which Nelson had extricated himself soon became apparent; the Monarch touched immediately upon a shoal, over which she was pushed by the Ganges taking her. amidships; the Glatton went clear; but the other two, the Defiance and the Elephant, grounded about a mile from the Trekroner, and there remained fixed, for many hours, in spite of all the exertions of their wearied crews. The Desiree frigate also, at the other end of the line, having gone toward the close of the action to assist the Bellona, became fast on the same shoal. Nelson left the Elephant, soon after she took the ground, to follow Lindholm. The heat of action was over; and that kind of feeling, which the surrounding scene of havoc was so well fitted to produce, pressed heavily upon his exhausted spirits: the sky had suddenly become overcast; white flags were waving 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 what friends he would have to mourn. The very silence which follows the cessation of such a battle becomes a weight upon the heart at first, rather than a relief; and though the work

1Double-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 the booms, and the hurt done by their splinters would have been saved also. Small craft could have towed them up when they were required ; and, after such an action, so many must necessarily be wanted, that, if those which were not in use were wounded, it might have rendered it impossible to refit the shipS.-Southeg'B Note. 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 219 of mutual destruction was at an end, the Danbroq was, at this time, drifting about in flames; presently she blew u_p, while our boats, which had put off in all directions to assist her, were endeavouring to pick up her devoted crew, few of whom could be saved. The fate of these men, after the gallantry which they had dis'played, particularly affected Nelson; for there was nothing In this action of that indignation against the enemy, and that impression of retribu- tive Justice, which at the Nile had given a sterner temper to hIS mind, and a sense of austere delight, in beholding the vengeance of which he was the appointed minister. The Danes were an honourable foe; they were of English mould as well as English blood; 1 and now that the battle had ceased, he regarded them rather as brethren than as enemies. 'I'here was another reflection also, which mingled with these melancholy thoughts, and predisposed him to receive them. lIe was not here master of his own movements, as at Egypt; he had won the day by disobeying his orders; and in so far as he had been successful, had convicted the Commander-in-Chief of an error in judgment. " Well," said he, as he left the Elepluuu, "I have fought contrary to orders, and I shall perhaps be hanged! Never mind: let them! " This was the language of a man who, while he is giving utterance to an uneasy thought, clothes it half in jest, because he half repents that it has been disclosed. His services had been too eminent on that day, his judgment too conspicuous, his success too signal, for any commander, however jealous of his own authority, or envious of another's merits, to express anything but satisfaction and gratitude, which Sir Hyde heartily felt and sincerelyex- pressed. It was s:p'eedilyagreed that there should be a suspension of hostilities for four-and-twenty hours; that all the prizes should be surrendered, and the wounded Dunes carried on shore. There was a pressing necessity for this; for the Danes, either from too much confidence in the strength of their positions, and the difficulty of the channel; or, supposing that the wounded might be carried on shore during the action, which was found totally impracticable; or'lerhaps, from the confusion which the attack excited, ha provided no surgeons; so that, when

1See Green's Short Hi.ory of Englaoo, p. 89. 220 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 onr men boarded the captured ships, they found many of the mangled and mutilated Danes bleeding to death for want of proper assistance; a scene, of all others, the most shocking to a brave man's feelings. The boats of Sir Hyde's division were actively employed all night in bringing out the prizes, and in getting afloat the ships which were on shore. At daybreak, Nelson, who had slept in his own ship, the St. Ge019ge, rowed to the Elephant, and his delight at finding her afloat seemed to give him new life. There he took a hasty breakfast, prais- ing tho 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 under the Trekronor; and relying, as it seems, upon the protection which that battery might have afforded, refused to acknowledge herself captured, saying that, though it was true her flag was not to be seen, her pendant was still flying. Nelson ordered one of our brigs and three long- boats to approach her, and rowed up himself to one of the enemy's ships, to communicate with the Commodore. This officer proved to be an old acquaintance, whom he had known in tho West Indies; so he invited himself on board; and with that urbanity;' as well as decision, which always characterised him, urged his claim to the Zealand so well, that it was admitted. The men from the boats lashed a cable round her bowsprit, and the gun-vessel towed her away. It is affirmed, and probably with truth, that the Danes felt more pain at beholding this than at all their misfortunes on the preceding day; and one of the officers, Commodore Steen Bille, went to the Trekroner battery, and asked the commander why he had not sunk the Z6a- land, rather than suffer her thus to be carried off by the enemy?2

1Does urbanity mean "cityftedness" ? i Mr. Russell tells a good story of this capture, quoting from Bren- ton's Na'l'aJ, History (vol. i., p. 533). 'fhe Zenlmld had surrendered early in the action; but as her pennant was still flying 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 they 1UJlealongside the Zealand, to go up to the mast-bead and bring wn 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, thousands in that city who felt, and more, perhaps, who needed, the consolations of Christianity; but few or none who could be calm enough to think of its observances. The English were actively employed in refitting their own ships, securing the prizes, and distributing the prisoners; the Danes, in carrying on shore and disposing of the wounded and the dead. It had been a murderous action. Our loss, in killed and wounded, was nine hundred and fifty-three. Part of this slaughter might have been spared. The commanding officer of the troops on board one of our ships asked where his men should be stationed?· He was told that they could be of no use; that they were not near enough for musketry, and were not wanted at the guns; they had, therefore, better go below. This, he said, was impossible-it would be a disgrace that could never be wiped away. They were, therefore, drawn up upon the gangway, to satisfy this cruel point of honour; and there, without the possibility of annoying the enemy, they were mowed down! The 1088 of the Danes, including prisoners, amounted to about six thousand. 'I'he negotiations, meantime, went on; and it was a~reed 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. The populace, according to the British account, showed a mix- ture of admiration, curiosity, and displeasure, at beholding that man in the midst of them who had inflicted such

Zealand in conversation, the man executed this commission and returned 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 surrendered ; and before the trick practised on them had been discovered, she was towed out of the harbor. 222 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

wounds upon Denmark. But there were neither acclamations nor murmurs. "The people," says a Dane, "did not degrade themselves with the former, nor disgrace themselves with the latter: the Admiral was received 88 one brave enemy ever ought to receive another-he was received with respect." The preliminaries of the negotiations were adjusted at this interview. During the repast which followed, Nelson, with all the sincerity of his character, bore willing testimony to the valour of his foes. He told the Prince that he bad been ill a hundred and five engagements, but that this was the most tremendous of all. "The French," he said, "fought bravely; but they could not have stood for one hour the fight which the Danes had. supported for four." He requested that Villemoes might be introduced to him; and, shaking hands with the youth, told tho Prince that he ought to be made an admiral. The Prince replied: "If, my lord, I am to make all my brave officers admirals, I should have no captains or lieutenants in my service, " 1 'l'he sympathy of the Danes for their countrymen who .Iiad bled in their defence was not weakened by distance of time or place in this instance. 'I'hings needful for the service or the comfort of the wounded were sent in profusion to the hospitals, till the superintendents gave public notice that they could receive no more. On the third day after the action the dead were buried in the Naval church- yard: the ceremony was made as public and as solemn 88 the occasion required; such a procession had never before been seen in that or, perhaps, in allY other city. A publio monument was erected upon the spot where the Blain were gathered together. A subscription was opened on the day of 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 was made with circumstances which gave it full effect. A monument was raised in the midst of the church, surmounted by the Danish colours: yOUllg maidens, dressed. in white, stood round it, with either one who had been wounded in the battle, or the widow and orphans of some one who had fallen: a suitable oration was delivered from the pulpit, and patriotic hymns and songs were afterwards "See p. 269. 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 223 performed. Medals were distributed to all the officers, and to the men who had distinguished' themselves. Poets and painters vied with each other in celebrating a battle which, disastrous as it was, had yet been honourable to their country: some, with pardonable sophistry, represented the advantage of the day as on their own side. One writer discovered a more curious, but less disputable, ground of satisfaction, in the reflection that Nelson, as may be inferred. from his name, was of Danish descent, and his actions, therefore, the Dane argued, were attributable to Danish valour. 1 'I'he 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. 'I'he Zealand was a finer ship: but the Zealand, and all the others, were burnt, and their brass battering cannon sunk with the hulls in such shoal water, that, when the fleet returned from Revel, they found tho Danes with craft over the wrecks employed in getting the guns up again. Nelson, though he forebore from any public expression of displeasure at seeing the proofs and trophies of his victory destroyed, did not forget to represent to the Admiralty the case of those who were thus deprived of their prize-money. -, Whether," said he to Earl St. Vincent, "SIr Hyde Par- ker may mention the subject to yon, I know not; for he is rich, and does not want it: nor is it, you will believe me, any desire to get a few hundred pounds that actuates me to address this letter to you, but justice to the brave officers and men who fought on that day. It is true our opponents were in hulks and floats, only adapted for the position they were in; but that made our battle so much the harder, and victory so much the more difficult to obtain. Believe me, I have weighed all the circumstances; and, in my conscience, I think that the King should send a gracious message to the House of Commons for a gift to this fleet: for what must be the natural feelings of the officers and men belonging to it, to see their rich Commander-in-Chief burn all the fruits of their victory,-which, if fitted up and sent

1 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 round sum?" On the 9th, Nelson landed again, to conclude the terms of the armistice. During its continuance the armed ships and vessels of Denmark were to remain in their then actual situation, as to armament, equipment, and hostile position; and the treaty of armed neutrality, as far as related to the co-operation of Denmark, was suspended. The prisoners were to be sent on shore; an acknowledgment being given for them, and for the wounded also, that they might be carried to Great Britain's credit in the account of war, in case hostilities should be renewed. The British fleet was allowed to provide itself with all things requisite for the health and comfort of its melle A difficulty arose respecting the duration of the armistice. The Danish commissioners fairly stated their fears of Russia; and Nelson, with that frankness which sound policy and tho 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. Noither party would yield upon this point; and one of the Danes hinted at tho renewal of hostilities. "Renow hostilities! " cried Nelson to one of his friends, -for he understood. French enough to comprehend what was said, though not to answer it in the same language,- " tell him we are ready at a moment I-ready to bombard this vory night! " Tho conference, however, proceeded amicably on both sides; and as tho 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 tho state-rooms; a sceno well suited for such a con- sultation: for all these rooms had been stript of their furniture, in fear of a bombardment. To a bombardment also Nolson was looking at this timo: fatigue, and anxiety, and vexation at tho dilatory measures of the Commander- in-Chief, combined to make him irritable: and as he WB8 on the way to tho Prince's dining-room, he whispered to the officer on whose arm he was Imming, "'rhough I have only one eye, I can see that all this will burn well." After dinner he was closeted with the Prince; and they agreed 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 225 that the armistice should continue fourteen weeks; and that, at its termination, fourteen days' notice should be given before the recommencement of hostilities. An official account of the battle 1 was published by Olfert Fischer, the Danish Oommander-in-Chief, in which it was asserted that our force was greatly superior; nevertheless, that two of our ships of the line had struck, that the others were so weakened, and especially Lord Nelson's own ship, as to fire only single shots for an hour before the end of the action; and that this hero himself, in the middle and very heat of tho conflict, sent a flag of truce on shore to propose a cessation of hostilities. For the truth of this account the Dane appealed to the Prince, and all those who, like him, had been eye-witnesses of the scene. Nelson was exceedingly indignant at such a statement, and addressed a lettor in confutation of it, to the Adjutant-General, Lind- holm; thinking this incumbent upon him, for the information of the Prince, since his Royal Hi~hness had been appealed to as a witness: "Otherwise,' said he, "had Commodore Fischer confined himself to his own veracity, I should have treated his official letter with the contem~t it deserved, and allowed the world to appreciate the menta of the two contending officers." After pointing out and detecting some of the misstatements in the account, he proceeds: "As to his nonsense about victory, his Royal Highness will not much credit him. I sunk, burned, captured, or drove into the harbour, the whole line of defence to tho southward of the Crown Islands. He says he is told that two British ships struck. Why did he not take possession of them? I took possession of his as fast as they struck. 'The reason is clear, that he did not believe it: he must have known the falsity of the report.-He states, that the ship in which I had the honour to hoist my flag fired latterly only single guns. It is true; for steady and cool were my brave follows, and did not wish to throwaway a single shot. lIe seems to exult that I sent on shore a flag of truce.- You know, and his Royal Highness knows, that the guns fired from the shore could only fire through the Dunish ships which had surrendered; and that, if I fired

J There is an interesting account of the battle by Niebuhr, the celebrated historian, the same who distinguished himself by J>roving that much of our knowledge of early Roman history is mythical. 15 226 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 at the shore, it could only be in the same manner. God forbid that I should destroy an unresisting Dane! When they became my prisoners, I became their protector. " 'I'his letter was written in terms of great asperity against the Danish commander. Lindholm replied in a manner every way honourable to himself. He vindicated the Com- modore in some points, and excused him in others, remind- ing Nelson that every commander-in-chief was liable to receive incorrect reports. With a natural desire to represent the action in a most favourable light to Denmark, he took into the comparative strength of the two parties the ships which were aground, and which could not get into action: and omitted the Trekroner and the batteries upon Amak Island. He disclaimed all idea of claiming 88 a victory, "what to every intent and purpose," Bald he, "was a defeat,-but not an inglorious one. As to your lordship's motive for sending a flag of truce, it never can be misconstrued; and your subsequent conduct has sufficiently shown that humanity is always the companion of true valour. You have done more: you have shown yourself a friend to the re-establishment of peace and good harmony between this country and Great Britain. It is, therefore, with the sincerest esteem I shall always feel myself attached to your lordship. " Thus handsomely 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 same manly and honourable strain, he would have been the last man to have noticed any little inaccuracies which might get into a commander-in-chief's public letter, For the battle of Co})Cnlmgell,Kelson was raised to the rank of Viscount: an inadequate mark of reward for services so splendid, and of such paramount importance to the dearest interests of Englund.' There was, however, some prudence in dealing out honours to him step by step; had he lived long enough, he would have fought his way up to a Dukedom.

1 The greatest of Nelson's rewards lor this victory, a reward beside which even u dukedom would have seemed poor, was bestowed upon him by Thomas Campbell in his noble poem, the Battle 01 lAe Baltic. CHAPTER VIII.

Sir IIyde Parker is recalled, and Nelson appointed Commander- IIe goes to Revel-Settlement of Affairs in the Haltic- Unsuccessful Attempt upon the Flotilla at Boulogne-Peace of Amiens-Nelson takes the Command in the Mediterranean on the Renewal of the War-Escape of the Toulon Fleet-Nelson chases them to the West Indies, and back-Delivers up his Squadron to Admiral Cornwallis, and lands in England.

WHEN Nelson informed Earl St. Vincent that the armistice had been concluded, he told him also, without reserve, his own discontent at the dilatoriness and indecision which he witnessed, and could not remedy. " No man," said he, "but those who are on the spot, can tell what I have gone through, and do suffer. I make no scruple in saying, that I would have been at Revel fourteen days ago! that, without this armistice, the fleet would never have gone, but by order of the Admiralty; and with it, I dare say, we shall not go this week. I wanted Sir Hyde to let me, at least, go and cruise off Carlscrona, to prevent the Revel ships from getting in. I said I would not go to Revel to take any of those laurels which I was sure he would reap there. Think for me, my dear lord ;-and if I have deserved well, let me return: if ill, for Heaven's sake supersede me,-for I cannot exist in this state. "

I Colonel Stewart, who was with him at this time, tells us that Xelsou was perpetually acti '·0 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 was intended to act against the Rus- sians first, before the breaking up of the frost should enable them to leave Revel; but, learning on the way that the Swedes had put to sea to effect a junction with them, Sir Hyde altered his course, in hopes of intercepting this part of the enemy's force. Nelson had, at this time, provided for the more pressing emergencies of the service, and prepared, on the 18th, to follow the fleet. The St. George drew too much water to pass the channel between the isles without being lightened: the guns were therefore taken out, and put on board an American vessel: a contrary wind, however, prevented Nelson from moving; and on that same evening, while he was thus delayed, information reached him of the relative situation of the Swedish and British fleets, and the probability of an action. The fleet was nearly ten leagues distant; and both wind and current contrary; but it was not possible that Nelson could wait for a favourable season under such an expectation. He ordered his boat immediately and stepped into it. Night was setting in,-one of the cold spring nights of the north, for the health of his men, and gives us the following account of his personal hnbits : ., His hour of rising was four or five o'clock, and of going to rest about ten : breakfast was never later than six, and generally 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 him when 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 and hospitable host. The whole ordinary business of the fleet was in'\"'ari- ably despatched . . . before eight o'clock. The great command of time which Lord Nelson thus gave himself, and the alertness which this example imparted throughout the fleet, can only be understood by those who witnessed it, or who know the value of early hours." lie is said to have remarked to General Twiss: "Time, Twiss, time is everything. Five minutes make the di1ferencc between a victory and a defeat." 1801] THE LIFE OF' NELSON 229

-and it was discovered, soon after they had left the shi p, that, in their haste, they had forgotten to provide him with a boat-cloak. He, however, forbade them to return for one: and when one of his companions offered his own great-coat, and urged him to make use of it, he replied, "I thank you very much,-but, to tell you the truth, my anxiety keeps me sufficiently warm at present. " " Do you think," said he, presently, "that our fleet has . quitted Bornholm? If it has, we must follow it to Carls- crona." About midnight he reached it, and once more got on board the Elephant. On the following morning the Swedes were discovered; as soon, however, as they perceived the English approaching, they retired, and took shel ter 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 measnres which it bad taken against the rights and interests of Great Britain? The commander, Vice-Admiral Cronstadt, replied, "that he could not answer a question which did not come within the particular circle of his duty; but that the King was then at MaIoe, and would soon be at Carlscrona. " Gustavus shortly afterwards arrived, and an answer was then returned to this effect: " That his Swedish Majesty would not, for a moment, fail to fulfil, with fidelity and sincerity, the engagements he .had entered into with his allies; but he would not refuse to listen to equitable proposals made by deputies furnished with proper authority by the King of Great Britain to the united Northern Powers." Satisfied with this answer, and with the known disposition of the Swedish court, Sir Hyde sailed for the Gulf of Finland; but he had not proceeded far before a despatch boat, from the Russian Ambassador at Copenhagen, arrived, bringing intelligence of the death of the Emperor Paul; and that his successor, Alexander, had accepted the offer made by Eng- land to his father, of terminating the dispute by a convention; the British Admiral was therefore required to desist from all further hostilities. It was Nelson's maxim that, to negotiate with effect, 230 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801

force should be at hand, and in a situation to act.1 The fleet, having been reinforced from England, amounted to eighteen sail of the line; and the wind was fair for Revel. 'I'here he would have sailed immediately, to place himself between that division of the Russian fleet and the squadron at Cronstadt, in case this offer should prove insincere. Sir Hyde, on the other hand, believed that the death of Paul had effected all that was necessary. The manner of . that death.s indeed, rendered it apparent that a change of 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 mortiflcs- 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 ~Iay, recalling Sir Hyde, and appointing Nelson Commander-in-Chief. Nelson wrote to Earl St. Vincent that he was unable to hold this honourable station. Admiral Graves also was 80 ill, as to be confined to his bed; and he entreated that some person might come out and take the command. "I will endeavour," said he, "to do my best while I remain: but, my dear lord, I shall either soon go to heaven, I hope, or must rest quiet for a time. If Sir Hyde were gone, I would now be under sail." On the day when this was written he received news of his appointment. Not a moment was now lost. His first signal, as Commander-in-Chief, . was to hoist in all launches, and prepare to weigh: and on the 7th he sailed from Kioge, Part of his fleet was left at Bornholm to watch the Swedes: from whom he required, and obtained, an assurance, that the British trade in the Cattegat, and in the Baltic, should not be molested; and saying how unpleasant it would be to him if anything should happen which might, for a moment, disturb the returning harmony between Sweden and Great Britain, he apprised them that he was not. directed to abstain from hos-

1 "To be prcpnr£'d for war is one of the most effectual ways of preserving peace." Washington, Speech: to both HOUBU of VongreM, January 8, 1790. 2 Ile was strangled by conspirators. 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 231

tilities should he 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 Russia, and even considered British subjects as his prisoners. "I will have all the English shipping and property restored," said Nelson, "but I will do nothing violently,-neither commit the affairs of my country, nor suffer Russia to mix the affairs of Denmark or Sweden with the detention of our ships." The wind was fair, and carried him in four days to Revel Roads. But the bay had been clear of firm Ice on the 29th of April, while the English were lying idly at Kioge, The Russians had cut through the ice in the mole six feet thick, and their whole squadron had sailed for Cronstadt on the 3d. Before that time it had lain at the mercy of the English.- " Nothing," Nelson said, "if it had been right to make the attack, could have saved one ship of them in two hours after our entering the bay." It so happened that there was no cause to regret the opportunity which had been lost, and Nelson immediately put the intentions of Russia to the proof. He sent on shore to say, that he came with friendly views, and was ready to return a salute. On their part the salute was delayed, till a message was sent to them to inquire for what reason: and the officer, whose neglect had occasioned the delay, was put under arrest. Nelson wrote to the Em- poror, proposing to wait on him personally, and congratulate him on his accession, and urged the immediate release of British subjects, and restoration of British property. The answer arrived on the 16th: Nelson, meantime, had exchanged visits with the Governor, and the most friendly intercourse had subsisted between the ships and the shore. Alexander's ministers, in their reply, expressed their surprise at the arrival of a British fleet in a Russian port, and their wish that it should return: they professed, on the part of Russia, the most friendly disposItion towards Great Britain, but declined the personal VIsit of Lord Nel- SOIl, unless he came in a single ship. There was a suspicion implied in this which stung Nelson; and he said the Russian ministers would never have written thus if their fleet had been at Revel. He wrote an immediate reply, 232 TIlE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 expressing what he felt: he told the court of Petersburg, " that the word of a British Admiral, when given in explanation of any part of his conduct, was as sacred 88 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, and signed with his own hand the act of amity between the two countries. " Having despatched this, he stood out to sea immediately, leaving a brig to bring off the provisions which had been contracted for, and to settle the accounts. " I hope all is right," said he, writing to our Ambassador at Berlin; "but seamen are but bad negotiators; for we put to issue in five minutes what diplomatic forms would be five months doing. " On his way down the Baltic, however, he met the RUB- sian Admiral Tchitchagof, whom the Emperor, in reply to Sir IIyde's overtures, had sent to communicate personally with the British Commander-in-Chief. The reply was such as had been wished and expected: and these negotiators going, seaman-like, straight to their object, satisfied each other of the friendly intentions of their respective governmen ts, Nelson then anchored off Rostock; and there he received an answer to his last despatch from Revel, in which the Russian court expressed their regret that there should have been any misconception between them, informed him that the British vessels which Paul had detained were ordered to be liberated, and invited him to 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 them written by his own hand. From Rostock, the fleet returned to Kioge Bay. Nelson saw that the temper of the Danes towards England was such as naturally arose from the chastisement which they had so recently received. "In this nation," said he, "we shall not be forgiven for having the upper hand of them: I only thank God we have, or they would try to humble us to the dust." He saw also that the Danish cabinet WBB unpletely subservient to France: a French officer was at 1801] THE L1FE OF NELSON 233 this time tho companion and counsellor of the Crown Prince; and things were done in such open violation of the armistice, that Nelson thought a second infliction of vengeance would soon be necessary. He wrote to the 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 Royal at the head of it. Ships have been masted, guns taken on board, floating batteries prepared, and, except hauling out and completing their rigging, everything is done in defiance of the treaty. My heart burns at seeing the word of a Prince, nearly allied to our good king, so falsified; but his conduct is such, that he will lose his kingdom if he goes on, for Jacobins rule in Denmark. I have made no representations yet, as it would be useless to do so until I have the power of correction. All I beg, in the name of the future Commander-in-Chief, is, that the orders may be clear; for enough is done to break twenty treaties if it should be wished, or to make the Prince Royal humble himself before British generosity." Nelson was not deceived in his judgment of the Danish Cabinet, but the battle of Copenhagen had crippled its power. The death of the Czar Paul had broken the confederacy; and that Cabinet, therefore, was compelled to defer, till a more convenient season, the indulgence of its enmity towards Great Britain. Soon afterwards, Vice- Admiral Sir Charles Maurice Pole arrived to take the command. 'I'he business, military and political, had by that time been so far completed, that the presence of the British fleet soon became no longer necessary. Sir Charles, however, made the short time of his command memorable, by passing the Great Belt, for the first time, with line of battle ships; working through the channel against adverse winds, When Nelson left the fleet, this speedy termination of the expedition, though confidently expected, was not certain; and he, ill his unwilliugness to weaken the British force, thought at one time of traversing Jutland in his boat, by the canal, to Tonningen on the Eyder, and finding his way home from thence. This intention was 234 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 not executed; but he returned ina brig, declining to accept a frigate: which few admirals would have done, especially if, like him, they suffered from seasickness in a small ves- seLlOn his arrival at Yarmouth, the first thing he did was to visit the hospital, and see the men who had been wounded in the late battle :-that victory which had added a new glory to the name of Nelson, and which was of more importance, even than the battle of the Nile, to the honour, the strength, and security of England. The feelings of Nelson's friends, upon the news of his great victory at Copenhagen, were highlX described by Sir William Hamilton, in a letter to him. 'We can only expect," he says, " what we know well, and often said before, that Nelson teas, is, and to the last ,will ever be, the jirBl. Emma did not know whether she was on her head or heels -in such a hurry to tell your great news, that she could utter nothing but tears of joy and tenderness. I went to Davison, and found him still in bed, having had a severe fit of the gout, and with your letter, which he had just received; and he cried like a child: but what was very extraordinary, assured me that, from the instant he had read your letter, all pain had left him, and that he felt himself able to get up and walk about. Your brother, Mrs. Nel- son, and Horace dined with us. Your brother was more extraordinary than ever. He would get up suddenly, and cut a caper; rubbing his hands every time that the thought of your fresh laurels came into his head. In short, except myself (and your Lordship knows that I have somephlegm), all the company, which was considerable ,Iter 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 culm reflection, I felt for my friend having got to tho very summit of glory! the ne plu8 ultra I that he hus had another opportunity of rendering his country tho most important service, and manifesting again his judgment, his intrepidity, and his humanity. "

1 "J...lenving," says :\Ir. Laughton, "a fnrewell address to the admirals, captuins, officers. and men, thanking them for the noble and houorable support they had given him, and attributing the extraordinary ~oo(l health of the fleet 'to the rogularity, exact discipline, end cheerful obedience of every Individual ill it ;' but, as if to murk that his praise was not a mere complimentary fonn, he specially excepted the officers of two of the guu-brigs and a bomb. It 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 235

He had not been many weeks on shore before he wascalled upon to undertake a service for which no Nelson was required. Buonaparte, who was now First Consul, and in reality sole ruler of France, was making pre_parations, upon a great scale, for invading England: but hIS schemes in the Baltic had been baffled: fleets could not be created as they were wanted; and his armies, therefore, were to come over in gun-boats, and such small craft as could be rapidly built or collected for the occasion. From the former governments of France, such threats have only been matter of insult or policy: in Buonaparte they were sincere: for this adventurer, intoxicated with success, already began to imagine that all things were to be submitted to his fortune. We had not at that time proved the superiority of our soldiers over the French; and the unre- flecting multitude were not to be persuaded that an invasion could only be effected by numerous and powerful fleets. A general alarm was excited: and, in condescen- sion to this unworthy feeling, Nelson was appointed to a command extending from Orfordness to Beachy Head, on both shores;-a sort of service, he said, for which he felt no other ability than what might be found in his zeal. '1'0 this service, however, such as it was, he applied with his wonted alacrity, though in no cheerful frame of mind. To Lady Hamilton, his only female correspondent, he saysat this tima-" I am not in very good spirits; and except that our country demands all our services and abilities to bring about an honourable peace, nothing should prevent my being the bearer of my own letter. But, my dear friend, I know you are so true and loyal an Englishwoman, that you would hate those who would not stand forth in defence of our King, laws, religion, and all that is dear to us. -It is your sex that makes us go forth, and seems to tell UB, , None but the brave deserve the fair; '-and if we fall, we still live in the hearts of those females. It is your sex that rewards us, it is your sex who cherish our memories; and you, my dear honoured friend, are, believe me, the "first, the best of your sex. I have been the world around, and in every corner of it, and never yet saw your equal, or even one who could be put in comparison with you. You know how to reward virtue, honour, and courage, and never to ask if it is placed in a prince, duke, lord, or peas- 236 THE 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 town is spared as much as the nature of the service will admit." Enough was done to show the enemy that they could not, with impunity, come outside their own ports. Nelson was satisfied, by what he saw, that they meant to make an attempt from this place, but that it was impracticable; for the least wind at W.N. W., and they were lost. The ports of Flushing and Flanders were bettor points: there we could not tell by our eyes what means of transport were provided. From thence, therefore, if it came forth at all, the expedition would come:-" And what a forlorn undertaking!" said he: "consider cross tides, etc. As for rowing, that is impossible. It is perfectly right to be prepared for a mad government: but with the active force which has been given me, I may pronounce it almost impracticable." That force had been got together with an alacrity which has seldom been equalled. On the 28th of July we were, in Nelson's own words, literally at the foundation of our fabric of defence: uud twelve days afterwards we were 80 prepared on the enemy's coast, that he did not believe they could get three miles from their ports. 'I'he Medusa, returning to our own shores, anchored in the rolling ground 1 off Harwich; and when Nelson wished to get to the N ore in her, the wind rendered it impossible to proceed there by the usual channol. I II haste to be at the Nore, remembering that he had been a tolerable pilot for the mouth of the 'I'humes in his younger days, and thinking it ncecssary that he should know ull that could be known of the nu vigution, he requested the maritime surveyor of the coast, )[1'. Spence .. to get him into the Swin, by any channel: for neither the pilots whom he bad

I Au exposed nnchornge in shallow water, n combinatton which produces a nary choppy St'U. 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 Hell'usa: 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 mig:ht be 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. He himself scrupled not to assert, that the French army would never embark at Boulogne for the invasion of England; and he owned, that this boat-warfare was not exactly 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 my strength, and will do me up :-but such is my nature. " 'I'he attack was made by the boats of tho squadron in five divisions, under Captains Somerville, Parker, Cotgrave, .Iones, and Conn. The previous essay had taught the French the weak parts of their position; and they omitted 110 means of strengthening it, and of guarding against the expected attempt. The boats put off about half an bour before midnight; but, owing to the darkness, and tide and half-tide,' which must always make night-attacks t so uncertain on the coasts of the Channel, the divisions separated. One could not arrive at all; another not till near daybreak. The others made their attack gallantly; but the enemy were fully prepared: every vessel was defended

1 When the stream continues to flow uI>for three hours after it is high water, it is said to make tide and half-tide. 2 "At lucero multum per se pudorern omnium oculis, multum et iam tribunorum militum et centurionum pnesentiam afTerre; quibus rebus ceerceri milites et in officio contineri soleant."-Crosar, De Bello Cim1i, i., 67. The student will remember how much trouble the Channel tides caused Cresar when he invaded Britain. 238 THB LIFE OF NELSON [1801 by long poles, headed with iron spikes, projecting from their sides: strong nettings were braced up to their lower yards; they were moored by the bottom to the shore, * and chained one to another; they were strongly manned with soldiers, and protected by land-batteries, and the shore was lined with troops. Many-were taken possession of; and, though they could not have been brought out, would have beon burned, had not the French resorted to a mode of offence, which they have often used, but which no other people have ever been wicked enough to employ. The moment the firing ceased on board one of their own ves- sols, 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 88 theyap- preached, and cried out in English, "Let me advise you, my brave Englishmen, to keep your distance: you can do nothing here; and it is only uselessly shedding the blood of brave men to make the attempt." The French official account boasted of the victory. "The combat," it said, "took place in sight of both countries; it was the first of the kind, and the historian would have cause to make this remark. " They guessed our loss at four or fivehundred:- it amounted to one hundred and seventy-two. In his private letters to the Admiralty, Nelson affirmed that had our force arrived as he intended, it was not all the chains in France which could have prevented our men from bringing off the whole of the vessels. There had been no error committed, and never did Englishmen display more courage.! Upon this point Nelson was fully satisfied; but he said he should never bring himself again to allow any * Jn the former editions I had stated, upon what appeared authentic information, that the boats were chained one to another. Nelson himself believed this. But I have been assured that it was not the case, by M. de Bercet, who, when I had the pleasure of seeing him in 1825, was (and I ho_pe still is) Commandant of Boulogne. The word 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 own memoirs, could he be persuaded to write them (a duty which he owes to his country as well as to himself) would form a redeeming episode in the history of the French Revolution.-Southey'8 NoU. 1 "The most astonishing bravery, " he wrote, "was evinced~ many of our officers and men. No person can be blamed tor - ing them to the attack but myself." 1801] THE LIFB 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.t=- an excellent officer, to whom he was greatly attached, and who had an aged father looking to him for assistance. His thigh was shattered in the action, and the wound proved mortal, after some weeks of suffering and manly resignation. During this interval, Nelson's anxiety was very great. " Dear Parker is my child," said he, "for I found him in distress." And, when he received the tidings of his death, he replied:-" You will judge of my feelings: God's will be done. I beg that his hair may be cut off and given me;-it shall be buried in my grave. Poor Mr. Parker! What a son has he lost! If I were to say I was content, I should lie; but I shall endeavour to submit with all the fortitude in mr power.-His 1088 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 gomg on more expeditions? and even if I was to forfeit your friendship, which is dearer to me than all the world, I can tell you nothing. For, I go out: if I see the enemy, and can get at them, it is my duty: and you would naturally hate me, if I kept back one moment.-I long to pay them, for their tricks t'other day, the debt of a drubbing, which surely I'll pay: but uihen, where, or hoto, it is impossible, your own good sense must tell you, for me or mortal man to say.' , Yet he now wished to be relieved from this service. The country, he said, had attached a confidence to his name, which he had submitted .to, and therefore had cheerfully repaired to the station; but this boat business, though it might be part of a great plan of invasion, could never be the only one, and he did not think it was a command for a Vice-Admiral. It was not that he wanted a more lucrative situation ;-for, seriously indisposed 88 he was, and low-spirited from private considerations, he did not know, if the Mediterranean were vacant, that he should be equal to undertake it" He was offended with the Admiralty for refusing him leave to go to town when he had solicited; in reply to a friendly letter from Troubridge he says, "I am at this moment as firmly

1 It is said that Parker used to sit next him at table to cut up his meat. 240 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 of opinion as ever, that Lord St. Vincent and yourself should have allowed of my coming to town for my own affairs, for everyone knows I left it without a thought for myself. " His letters at this time breathe an angry feeling toward Troubridge, who was now become, he said, one of his lords and masters,-" I have a letter from him," he says, "recommending me to wear flannel shirts. Does he care for me? NO: but never mind. The, shall work hard to get me again. The cold has settled In my bowels. I wish the Admiralty had my complaint: but they have no bowels, at least for me.-I 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 complained that he was not able to promote those whom he thought deserving: "rrroubridge," he says, "has so completely prevented my ever mentioning anybody's service, that I am become a cipher, and he has gained a victory over Nel- son's spirit, I am kept here, for what P-he may be able to tell, I cannot. But long it cannot-Bhall not be." An end was put to this uncomfortable state of mind when, fortunately (on that account) for him, 8S well as happily for the nation, the peace of Amiens was, just at this time~ signed.' Nelson rejoiced that the experiment was msde, but was well aware that it was an experiment; be saw what he called the misery of peace, unless the utmost vigilance and prudence were exerted; and he expressed, in bitter terms, his proper indignation at the manner in which the mob of London welcomed the French General, who brought' the ratification: sayiug, "that they made him ashamed of his country." lIe had purchased a house and estate at Merton, in Sur-

1 Preliminaries of pence were signed October 1. "No p:erson, tI wrote Nelson, "r<'joit'es more in the peace than I do; but I would sooner burst than let a Frenchman know it." Ile was impatient because he was not at once relieved. Probably, as l\lr. Laughton remarks, both 'I'roubridgo and St.. Vincent understood well enoup' that Nelson's chief malady was a discontented l(m~iJ)g to be WIth Lady Hamilton. For the Peace of Arniens, see Gardiner, HiRtory_ oJ England, p. 846 ; Green, Ht"story of }!}ngland, p. 8IU; Duruy, Hill- torg of Prance, p. 585. 1801] THE LIFE OF NELSON 241 roy; meaning to pass his days there in the society of Sir William and Lady Hamilton.' He had indulged in pleasant dreams when looking on to this as his place of residence and rest." " To be sure," he says, "we shall employ the tradespeople of our village in preference to any others,

1 Merton is famous as the place where the statutes of Merton were framed, 1236, in an old abbey, of which a few walls remain. It is situated in Surrey, about eight miles from the heart of London. The property was purchased by Nelson for Lady Hamilton, and the transaction was attended to in all its details by her. She appears to have been a good business woman; Nelson indeed put implicit faith in her judgment. "Y ou 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 William Hamilton wrote to him from Merton : ' , We have now inhabited your Lordshi p's premises some days, and I can now speak with some certainty. I have lived with our dear Emma several years. I know her merit, have a great opinion of the head and heart that God Almighty 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 conscience 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 thousand pounds to-morrow for your bargain. It would make you laugh to 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 2:3 Piccadilly. An interesting picture of him has 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 with the upholsterer and a servant, who showed us the rooms for the purpose of taking a schedule of the fixtures, I observed an emaciated weather-beaten person, rather shabbily dressed, follow us from room to 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 depart ure I inquired of the servant who this person was, when, to Illy great surprise, he told me it was Lord Nelson. I had looked but cursorilv at him, and from the old crumpled hat he wore, and the striped old brown great-coat thrown over his shoulders, and bis general appearance, I took him for some foreign refugee and hanger-on of Sir William's, as he had much the appearance of the French priests with whom the streets at that time were crowded." 2 During' this period of rest, Nelson and his friends took a journey to Wales, passing through Oxford, at which E_laceboth Sir William and himself were honored with the degree of V.e.L. 16 242 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 in what we want for common use, and give them every encouragement to be kind and attentive to us. "_,, Have we a nice church at Merton? We will set an example of goodness to the under-parishioners. I admire the pigs and poultry. Sheep are certainly most beneficial to eat off the grass. Do you get paid for them, and take care that they are kept on the premises all night, for that is the time they do good to the land. They should be folded. Is your head man a good person, and true to our interest? I intend to have a farming-book. I expect that all animals will increase where you are, for I never expect that you will suffer any to be killed. No person can take amiss our not visiting. The answer from me will always be very civil thanks, but that I wish to live retired. We shall have our sea-friends; and I know Sir William thinks they are the bcst." This place he had never seen till he was now welcomed there by the friends to whom he had so passionately devoted himself, and who were not less sincerely attached to him. The place, and everything which Lady Hamilton had done to it, delighted him; and he declared that the longest liver should possess it all. Here he amused himself with angling in the WandIe, having been a good 11y- fisher in former days, and learning now to practise with his left hand, * what he could no longer pursue as a solitary diversion. His pensions for his victories, and for the loss of his eye and arm, amounted with his half-pay to about £3,400 a year.' 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 borrowed money; so that Nelson was comparatively a poor man; and though much of the pecuniary embarrassment which he endured was occasioned by the separation from his wife-even if that cause had not existed, his income would not have been sufficient for the rank which he held, and the claims which would necessarily be made upon his bounty. The depression of spirits under which he had long laboured arose

* This is mentioned on the authority, and by the desire of Sir Humphrey Davy (Salmonia, p. 6), whose name I write with the respect to which it is so justly entitled ; and, calling to mind the time when we were in habits of daily and intimate intercourse, with atreo- tionate regret.-Southey'8 Note. I 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 with Lady Hamilton had involved him; a connexion which it was not possible his father could behold without BOrrow and displeasure. Mr. Nelson, however, was soon persuaded that the attachment, which Lady Nelson regarded with natural jealousy and resentment, did not, in reality, pass the bounds of ardent and romantic admiration; a passion which the manners and accomplishments of Lady Hamilton, fascinating as they were, would not have been . able to excite, if they had not been accompanied by more uncommon intellectual endowments, and by a character which, both in its strength and in its weakness, resembled his own. It did not, therefore, require much explanation to reconcile him to his Bon;-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: 1 in consequence of which the Common Council voted their thanks to the army and navy for bringing the campaign to so glorious a conclusion. When Nelson, after the action of Cape St. Vincent, had been entertained at a city feast, he had observed to the Lord Mayor, "That, if the city continued its generosity, the navy would ruin them in gifts." To whicli the Lord Mayor replied, puttin~ his hand upon the Admiral's shoulder, "Do you find VIctories, and we will find rewards." Nelson, as he said, had kept his word,- had doubly fulfilled his part of the contract,-but no thanks had been voted for the battle of Copenhagen; and, feeling that he and his companions in that day's glory had a fair and honourable claim to this reward, he took the present opportunity of addressing a letter to the Lord Mayor, complaining of the omission and the injustice. "The smallest services," said he, " rendered by the army or navy to the country have always been noticed by the great city of London, with one exception :-the glorious 2nd of April: -a day when the greatest dangers of navigation were over-

I The French were defeated, March 21, 1801, by Sir Ralph Aber- crombie at the battle of Alexandria, and driven out of the country. Sl'C Gardiner, Hi8tory of. England, p. 844; Green, History of Eng- lund, p. 819 ; Duruy, Bi8tary of France, p. 580. 244 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1801 come, and the Danish force, which they thonght imp~- 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 should bear the stigma, attempted to be now first placed upon my brow, with humility. But, my lord, I am the natural guardian of the fame of all the officers of the navy, army, and marines, who fought, and so profusely bled, under my command on that day. Again I disclaim for myself more merit than naturally falls to a successful commander; but . when I am called upon to speak of the merits of the captains of His l\Iajesty's ships, and of the officers and men, whether seamen, marines, or soldiers, whom I that day had the huppiness to command, I then say, that never was the glory of this country upheld with more determined bravery than on that occasion :-and, if I may be allowed to give an opinion as a Briton, then I say, that more important service was never rendered to our King and country. It is my duty, my lord, to prove to the brave fellows, my companions in danger, that I have not failed, at every llro}lcr place, to represent, as well as I am able, their bravery und meritorious conduct." Another honour, of greater import, was withheld from the conquerors. The King had given medals to those captuins who were engaged in the battles of tho 1st of June,1 of Cape St. Vincent, of Camperdown.s and of the Nile. 'I'hen came the victory of Copenhagen: which Nelson truly called the most difficult achievement, the hardest fought battle, the most glorious result that ever graced the annals of our country. lIe, of course, expected the medal: and, in writing to the Earl St. Vincent, said: "lIe lon~etl to huvo it, und would not give it up to be made an EngliBh duke." The medal, however, was not given :-" For what renson," said Nelson, "Lord St. Vincent best knows."- Worlh~ plainly implying a suspicion, that it was withheld by some feeling of jealousy: and that suspicion

1 Lora Howe's defeat of the French off rshant, June 1, 1';94.. ~ Mahan, S,." Poirer on Frencl: Revolution, i., pp. 125-160. t Admiral Duncan's defeat of the Dutch. October 11, 1797. See Gardiner. ili8tory of England, p. 83; ; Green, Hi8tory of Engla,tttJ, p. 810; Mahan, Se« Poteer on French Ret'Olution, i., p. 878. 1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 245 estranged him, during the remaining part of his life, from one who had been at-one time essentially, as well as sincerely, his friend, and of whose professional abilities he over entertained the highest opinion.' The haJ>pinesswhich Nelson enjoyed in the society of his chosen friends, was of no long continuance. Sir William Hamilton, who was far advanced in years, died early in 1803; a mild, amiable, accomJ.>lishedman, who has thus in a letter described his own philosophy :-" My study of an- tiquitics," he says, "has kept me in constant thought of the perpetual fluctuation of every thing. The whele art is really to live all the days of our life; and not with anxious care disturb the sweetest hour that life affords-which is the present. Admire tho Creator, and all his works, to us incomprehensible; and do all the ~ood you can upon earth; and take the chance of eternity without dismay." lIe expired in his wife's arms, holding Nelson by the hand; and almost in his last words left her to his protection; requesting him that he would see justice done her by the government, as he knew what she had done for her country.2 He left him her portrait in enamel, calling him his dearest friend; the most virtuous, loyal, and truly brave character he had ever known. The codicil containing this bequest concluded with these words: "God bless him, and shame fall on those who do not say Amen." Sir William's pension, of £1,200 a year, ceased with his death. Nelson applied to Mr. Addington in Lady Hamilton's behalf, stating the important service which she had rendered to the fleet at Syracuse; and Mr. Addington, it is said, acknowledged that she had a just claim upon the gratitude of the country. This barren acknowledgment was all that was obtained: but a sum, equal to the pension which her husband had enjoyed, was settled on her by Nelson, and paid in monthly payments during his life. A few weeks after this event, the war was renewed; and, the day after His Majesty's message to Parliament, Nelson departed to take

1 It has been suspected that the neglect here mentioned proceeded from the desire of George IlL, who was, like his father, "a snuffy old drone from the German hive," to have his quarrel with his cousins the Danes as quickly as possible forgotten. It has also been ascribed to the king's disgust at Nelson's domestic affairs. 2 For the curious relations of these three, consult Laughton, NeZ- 80n, p. 179. 246 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1808 command of the Mediterranean fleet.! The war, he thought, could Dot be long; just enough to make him independent in pecuniary matters. He took his station immediately offToulon; and there, with incessant vigilance, waited for the coming out of the enemy.' The expectation of acquiring a competent fortune did not last long. " Somehow," he says, "my mind is not sharp enough for prize-money. Lord Keith would have made £20,000, and I have not made £6,000." More than once he says that the prizes taken in the Mediterranean had not paid his expenses, and once he expresses himself 88 if it were a consolation to think that some ball might soon close all his accounts with this world of care and vexation. At this time the widow of his brother, being then blind and advanced in years, was distressed for money, and about to sell her plate; he wrote to Lady Hamilton, requesting of her to find out what her debts were, and saying, that if the amount was within his power, he would certainly pay it, and rather pinch himself than that she should want. 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 what was thus disposed of by a cheerful giver, shall be paid to him again.-One from whom he had looked for very di1fer- 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 obligation I owe him, and he may be useful to me again; but I can never forget his unkindness to you. But I guess many reasons influenced his conduct in bragging of his riches and my honourable poverty; but, as I have often

1 War was declared ~Iay 18, 1803. Nolson was present at the debate in thc House of Lords ; he did not address that body, but sent to Mr. Addington a note worded thus: "4 o'clock, March 9. 1808. Whenever it is neccssarv, I urn vour Admiral," Rea Gardiner, Hu. to-ry of l!}lIglmul, p. ~4(f; (Ireen, J1ixfory of En.gland, p. 820. t lIc was inst ruetod to take such n position as he should consider most proper to enable him to take, sink, burn, or otherwise destroy any ships or vessels belonuing to France or French traders; to detain any Dutch ships he mig-ht meet with; and to watch tho movements of the Court of Spain, especially those pertaining to their navy. 1808] 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 farthin~. 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 and lands may belong to others than his children." His hope was that peace might soon be made, or that he should be relieved from his command, and retire to Merton, where, at that distance, he was planning and directing improvements, On his birthday he writes: "This day, my dearest Emma, I consider as more fortunate than common days, as by my coming into 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 with whom he promi~ed himself "many, many happy years, when that Impediment," 1as he calls her, " shall have been removed, if God pleased; " and they might be surrounded with their children's children. When he had been fourteen months thus employed, he received a vote of thanks from the city of London, for his skill and perseverance in blockading that port, so as to prevent the French from putting to sea. Nelson had not forgotten the wrong which the city had done to the Baltic fleet by their omission, and did not lose the opportunitl' which this vote afforded, of recurring to that point. 'I do assure your lordship," said he, in his answer to the Lord Mayor, "that there IS not that man breathing who sets a higher value upon the thanks of his fellow-citizens of Lon- don than myself; but I should feel as much ashamed to receive them for a particular service, marked in the resolution, if I felt that I did not come within that line of service, as I should feel hurt at having a great victory passed over without notice. I beg to inform your lordship, that the port of Toulon has never been blockaded by me: quite the reverse. Every opportunity has been offered the enemy to put to sea; for it is there that we hope to realise the

I Lady Nelson died May 4, 1831. 248 TIlE LIFE OF NELSON [1808 hopes and expectations of our country." Nelson then remarked, that the junior flag officers of his fleet had been omitted in this vote of thanks; and his surprise at the omission was expressed with more asperity, perhaps, than an offence, so entirely and manifestly unintentional, deserved: but it arose from that generous regard for the feelings as well as interests of all who were under his command, which made him as much beloved in the fleets of Britain as he was dreaded in those of the enemy. Never was any commander more beloved. He governed men by their reason and their affections; they knew that he was incapable of caprice or tyranny; and they obeyed him with alacrity and joy, because he pOBBeBSedtheir confidence as well as their love. " Our Nel," they used to say, "is as brave as a lion, and as gentle as a lamb." Severe discipline he detested, though he had been bred in a severe school: he never inflicted corporal punishment, if it were possible to avoid it; and when compelled to enforce it, he, who was familiar with wounds and death, Buffered like a woman. 1 In his whole life Nelson was never known to act unkindly towards an officer. If he was asked to prosecute 011efor ill behaviour, he used to answer: "Thnt there was no occasion for him to ruin a poor devil, who was sufficiently his own enemy to ruin himself." But in Nelson there was more than tho easiness and humanity of a happy nature: he did not merely abstain from inJury; his was an activo and watchful benevolence, ever desiroua not only to render justice, but to do good. During the peace, he had spoken in Parliament upon the abuses respecting prize- mOlley, nnd had submitted plans to Government for more easil;r manning the Navy, and preventing desertion from it, by bettering Ute condition of tho seamen. lIe proposed that their ccrtiflcutes should be registered, and that every man who had served, with a good churaeter, [lve years in war, should receive a bounty of two guinctlS unnuully after tllat time, awl of four gllinett8 after eight years. " 'I'his, " he said, ..It might, ut first sight, appear un enormous sum for the state to pn.y; hu t the average life of a seaman is,

1 During the long' hlockude or Toulon, it WU:-i oulv by the wiscst regulut ion of diet nnd rout inc t hut. the men were k(.'pt: in good health and spirits, To sin-h mutters or .1ptnil Nelson devoted minute and unwearied ('1TorL-Sce Laughton, .J.YI11~(mJ p. 184. 1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 249 from hard service, finished at forty-five: he cannot, therefore, enjoy the annuity many years; and the interest of the money saved by their not deserting, would go far to 11UY the whole expense. " To his midshipmen he ever showed the most winning kindness, encouraging the diffident, tempering the hasty, con nselling and befriending both. " Recollect," he used to say, "that you must be a seaman to be an officer; 1 and also, that you cannot be a good officer without being a gentleman." 2 A lieutenant wrote to him to say, that he was dissatisfied with his captain. Nelson's answer was in that spirit of perfect wisdom and perfect goodness, which regulated his whole conduct toward those who were under his command. "I have just received your letter; and I am truly sorry that any difference should arise between your captain, who has tho reputation of being one of the bright officers of the service, and yourself, a very young man and a very young officer, who must naturally have much to learn: therefore the chance is that you are perfectly wrong in the disagreement, However, as your present situation must be very disagreeable, I will certainly ta~ an early opportunity of removing you, provided your conduct to your present captain be such, that another may not refuse to receive you." Tho gentleness and benignity of his disposition never made him forget what was due to disci- pli nee Being on one occasion applied to, to save a young officer from a court-martial, which he had provoked by his

1 u Nelson was rather too apt to interfere in the working of the ship, and not always with the best success 01" judgment. The wind, when off Dungeness, was scanty, and the ship must be put about, I...ord Nelson would give the orders and caused her to miss stays. [I r u ship. in tacking, halts or falls off, instead of coming around mt o the win«l, she is said to miss stays.] Upon this he said rather peevishly to the ~laster or Officer of the Watch (I forget which): · Well, now see what we have done. Well, sir, what mean you to do JlIlW ?' The officer -saying, with hesitation, 'I don't exactly know, my Lord. I fear she won't do,' Lord Nelson turned sharply toward the cabin, and replied: 'Well, I am sure if you do not know what to do with her, no more do I either.' He went in, leaving the officer to work the ship as he liked."-Stewart's Narrative of the Baltic Erpedition, quoted by Russell, Life of Nel80n, p. 172. '.! ,. There were gentlemen and there were seamen in the navy of Charles II. But the gentlemen were not seamen and the seamen were not gentlemen. "-Macaulay, History of England, vol. L, p. 279. 250 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1808 misconduct, his reply was, "That he would do everythi!J.g in his power to oblige so gallant and good an officer 88 Sir John Warren," in whose name the intercession had been made:-" But what," he added, "would he do if he were here ?-Exactly what I have done, and am still .,nning to do. The young man must write such a letter of contri- tion as would be an acknowledgment of his ~eat fault; and with a sincere promise, if his captain will intercede to prevent the impending court-martial, never to so misbehave again. On his captain's enclosing me such a letter, with a request to cancel the order for the trial, I might be induced to do it: but the letters and reprimand will be given in the public order-book of the fleet, and read to all the officers. The young man has pushed himself forward to notice, and he must take the consequence.-It was upon the quarter- deck, in the face of the ship's company, that he treated his captain with contempt; and I am in duty bound to support the authority and consequence of every officer under my command. A poor ignorant seaman is for ever punished for contempt to Ids superiors." A dispute occurred in the fleet, while it was off Toulon, which called forth Nelson's zeal for the rights and interests of the navy. Some young artillery officers, serving on board the bomb-vessels, refused to let their men perform any other duty but what related to the mortars. They wished to have it established, that their corps was not BUD- 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 independent authority on board, upon u clause in the Act, which they interpreted in their favour. Nelson took up the subject with all the earnestness which its importance deserved.- " 'I'here is no real happiness in this world," said he, writing to Earl St. Vincent, as First Lord. " With all content and smiles around me, up start these artillery boys (I un- derstnnd they are not beyond that age), and set us at defiance; speaking in tho most disrespectful manner of the navy and its commanders. I know you, my dear lord, 80 well, that, with your quickness, the matter would have been settled, and perhaps some of them been broke. I am, perhuI)s, more patient; but, I do assure you, not 1.. resolved, If my plan of conciliation is not attended to. 1808] THE LIFE OF NELSON 251

You and I are on the eve of quitting the theatre of onr exploits; but we hold it due to our successors never, whilst we have a tongue to speak, or a hand to write, to allow the Navy to be, in the smallest degree, injured in its discipline by our conduct." To Troubridge he wrote in the same spirit:-" It is the old history, trying to do away the Act of Parliament: but I trust they will never succeed; for, when thoy do, farewell to our naval superiority. We should be prottily commanded! Let them once gain the step of being independent of the Navy on board a ship, and they will soon have the other, and command us.-But, thank God! my dear Troubridge, the King himself cannot do away the Act of Parliament. Although my career is nearly run, yet it would embitter my future days and expirin moments to hear of our Navy being sacrificed to the Army.R ' As the surest way of preventing such disputes, he suggested that the Navy should have its own corps of artillery; and a corps of Marine Artillery was accordingly established. Instead of lessening the power of the Commander, Nel- son would have wished to see it increased: it was absolutely necessary, he thought, that merit should be rewarded at tho moment, and that the officers of the fleet should look up to the Commander-in-Chief for their reward. He himself was never more happy than when he could promote those who were deserving of promotion. Many were the services which he thus rendered unsolicited; and frequently the officer, in whose behalf he had interested himself with the Admiralty, did not know to whose friendly interference he was indebted for his good fortune. He used to say, " I wish it to appear as a God-send. " The love which he bore the Navy made him promote the interests and honour the memory of all who had added to its glories. " The near relations of brother-officers," he said, "he considered as legacies to the service." Upon mention being made to him of a son of Rodney,' by the Duke of Clarence, his reply was: "I agree with your Royal Highness most entirely, that the son of Rodney ought to be the protege of every person in the kingdom, and particularly of the sea officers. Had I known that there had been this claimant, some of my own lieutenants must have given way to such a name, and he should have been placed in the Vtctory: she

I See p. 81, note 2. 252 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1808 is full, and I have twenty on my list; but, whatever numbers I have, the name of Rodney must cut many of them out." Such was the proper sense which Nelson felt of what was due to splendid services and illustrious names. I1is feelings toward the brave men who had served with him are shown by a note in his diary, which was probably not intended for any other eye than his own.-' Nov. '1. I had the comfort of making an old Aqamemnon, George Jones, a gunner into the Chameleon brig." When Nelson took the command, it was expected that the Mediterranean would be an active scene. Nelson well understood the character of the perfidious Corsican, who was now sole tyrant of France; and knowing that he was as ready to attack his friends as his enemies, knew, therefore, that nothing could be more uncertain than the direction of the fleet from 'I'oulon, whenever it should put to sea:-" It had as many destinations," he said, "as there were countries." The momentous revolutions of the last ten years had given him ample matter for reflection, as well as opportunities for observation: the film was cleared from his eyes; and now, when the French no longer went abroad with the cry of liberty and equality, he saw that the oppression and misrule of the powers which had been opposed to them had been the main causes of their success, and that those causes would still prepare the wa, before them. Even in Sicily, where, if it had been possible longer to blind himself, Nelson would willingly have seen no evil, he perceived that the people wished for a change, and acknowledged that they had reason to wish for it. In Sardinia, the same burden of misgovernment was felt; and the people, like the Sicilians, were impoverished by a government so utterly incompetent to perform its first and most essential duties, that it did not protect its own coasts from the Barbary pirates. He would fain have had U8 purchase this island (the finest in the Mediterranean) from its sovereign, who did not receive £5,000 a year from it, after its wretched establishment waspaid. There wasreason to think that France was preparing to ~88eS8 herself of this important point, which afforded our fleet facilities for watching Toulon not to be obtained elsewhere. An expedition was preparing at Corsica for the purpose; and aU the Sardes, who had taken part with revolutionary France, 1803] THE LIFE OF NELSON 253 were ordered to assemble there. It was certain that if the attack were made, it would succeed. Nelson thought that the only means to prevent Sardinia from becoming French WU,8 to make it English, and that half a million would give the King a rich price, and England a cheap purchase. A better, and therefore a wiser, policy would have been to exert our influence in removing the abuses of the government; for foreign dominion is always, in some degree, an evil; and allegiance neither can nor ought to be made a thi ng of bargain and sale. Sardinia, like Sicily and Cor- sica, -is large enough to form a separate state. Let us hope that these islands may, ere long, be made free and indo- _ pendent. Freedom and independence will bring with them industry and prosperity; and wherever these are found, arts and letters will flourish, and the improvement of the human race proceed. 'I'he proposed attack was postponed. Views of wider ambition were oponing before Buonaparte, who now almost '. und ieguisedly aspired to make himself master of the continent of Europe; and Austria was preparing for another struggle, to be conducted us weakly, and terminated as miserably, as the former. Spain, too, was once more to be in volved in war by the policy of France; that perfidious government having in view the double object of employing the Spanish resources against England, and exhausting them, in order to render Spain herself finally its prey. Nelson, who knew that England and the Peninsula ought to be in alliance, for the common interest of both, frequently expressed his hopes that Spain might resume her natural rank among the nations. " We ought," he said, 'Ii by mutual consent, to be the very best friends, and both to be ever hostile to France. " But he saw that Buonaparte wus meditating the destruction of Spain; and that, while the wretched court of Madrid professed to remain neutral, the appearances of neutrality were scarcely preserved. An order of the year 1771, excluding British ships of war from the Spanish ports, was revived, and put in force; while French privateers, from these very ports, annoyed the British trade, carried their prizes in, and sold them even at Barcelona. Nelson complained of this to the Captain (;eneral of Catalonia, informing him that he claimed, for every British ship or squadron, the right of lying, as long 254 THE LIFE OF' NELSON [1808 as it pleased, in the ports of Spain, while that right was allowed to other powers. To the British Ambassador he said: "I am ready to make large allowances for the miserable situation Spain has placed herself in; but there is a certain line beyond which I cannot submit to be treated with disrespect. We have given up French vessels taken within gun-shot of the Spanish shore, and yet French vessels are permitted to attack our ships from the Spanish shore. Your Excellency may assure the Spanish government, that in whatever place the Spaniards allow the French to attack us, in that place I shall order the French to be attacked." During this state of things, to which the weakness of Spain, and not her will, consented, the enemy's :fleetdid not venture to put to sea. Nelson watched it with unremitting and almost unexampled perseverance. The station off 'I'oulon he called his home. "We are in the right fighting trim," said he: "let them come as soon 88 they please. I never saw a fleet altogether so well officered and manned: would to God the ships were half so good !-The finest ones in the service would soon be destroy'ed by such terrible weather. I know well enough, that If I were to go into Malta I should save the ships during this bad Bea- son; but if I am to watch tho French, I must be at sea; and if at sea, must have bad weather: and if the ships are not fit to stand bad weather, they are useless." Then only he was satisfied, and at ease, when he had the enem] in view. Mr. Elliot, our Minister at Naples, seems, at thIS time, to have proposed to send a confidential Frenchman to him with information. " I should be very happy," he replied, "to receive authentic intelligence of the destination of the French squadron, their route, and time of sailing.-Anything short of this is useless; and I assure your Excellency, that I would not, upon any consideration, have a Frenchman in the fleet, except as a prisoner. I put no confidence in them. You think yours good; the Queen thinks the same: I believe they ure ull alike. What-' ever information you can get me, I shall be very thankful for; but not a Frenchman comes here. Forgive me, but my mother hated the French! " 1

I Nelson's secretary, Dr. Scott, preserved several interestiDg facta about his habits during the blockade of 'I'oulou, It was a point of 1808] THE LIFE OF NELSON 255

M. Latouche TrevilIe, who had commanded at Boulogne, commanded now at Toulon. "He W8B sent for on purpose," said Nelson, "as he beat me at Boulogne, to beat me again: but he seems very loth to try." One day, while the main body of our fleet W8B out of sight of land, Rear- Admiral Campbell, reconnoitring with the Oanopus, Don- eqal, and A mazon, stood in close to the port, and M. Latouohe, taking advanta~e of a breeeze which sprung up, pushed out, with four ShIpS of the line, and three heavy frigates, and chased him about four leagues. The French- man, delighted at having found himself in so novel a situation, published a boastful account; affirming that he had given chase to the whole British fleet, and that Nelson had fled before him. Nelson thought it due to the Admiralty to send home a coPy of the Victory's log upon this occasion. "As for 111m self, " he said, "if his character was not established by that time for not being apt to run away, it was not worth his while to put the world right. "_,, If this fleet gets fairly up with M. Latouche," said he to one of his correspondents, "his letter, with all his ingenuity, must De different from his last. We had fancied that we had chased him into Toulon; for, blind as I am, I could see his water-line, when he clewed 1 his topsails up, shut- ting in Sepet." But, from the time of his meeting Captain Hawker in the Isis, I never heard of his acting otherwise than as a poltroon and a liar." Contempt is the best mode etiquette with him to send all of his communications to foreign courts in English, accompanied by a translation. He was unwearied in reading all that came to hand; even private letters found in captured ships were 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 give most men. Sir Pultney Malcolm, who knew Napoleon, Wellington, and Nelson familiarly, used to say that " Nelson was the man to love." On one oecasron he promoted a midshipman for gallantly jum ping 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 significant smile: "Mind! I'll have no more making lieutenants for servants falling overboard! " 1 To draw up. 2 A height near Toulon. S 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 [18M of treating such 8 miscreant. " In spite, however, of contempt, the impudence of this Frenchman half angered him. He said to hIS brother: "Y ou will have seen Latouche's letter; how he chased me, and how I ran. I keep it; and if I take him, by God he shall eat it !" Nelson, who used to say, that in sea afiairs nothing is impossible, and nothing improbable, feared the more that this Frenchman might get out and elude his vigilance; because he was so especially desirous of catching him, and 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 walking so often up to the signal post upon Sepet, to watch the British fleet. "I always pronounced that would be his death," said N elsou, "If he had. come out and fought me, it would, at least, have added ten years to my life." The patience with which he had watched 'rOUIOll he spoke of, truly, as a perseverance at sea which had never been surpassed, Prom May, 1803, to August, 1805, he himself went out of his ship but three times; each of those times W88 upon the King's service, and neither time of absence exceeded an hour. In 1804, the Su'(ft cutter going out with de- spatchos was taken, and all the despatches and letters fell into the hands of the enemy. "A very pretty piece of work," says Nolson. "I am not surprised at the capture, but am very much so that any despatches should be sent in a vessel with twenty-three men, not equal to cope with any row-boat privateer. 'I'he loss of the Hi1l,dosta'll, was grout enough; but for importance it is.lost in comparison with the probable knowledge the enemy will obtain of our counect.ions with foreign countries. Foreigners forever say, and it it; true, ' W'e dure not trust England: one way or other we are sure to he committed.'" In a subsequent letter, speaking of the same capture, he says: ,. I flnd, my dearest Emma, that )'onr picture is very much admired by the French U01l8Ul ut Barcelonu; und that he has not sent it to be admired, which I am sure it would be..by Buonaparta, 'I'hey pretend that there were three pictures taken. I wish I had them; but they are all gone as irretrievably 8S the despatches, unless we may reud them ill a book, 8S we printed their correspondence from 14~gYI)t. But from us what can they find out? That I love you most dearly. 18041 TllE LIFE OF NELSoN 257 and hate the French most damnably. Dr. Scott went to Barcelona to try to get the private letters, but I fancy they are all gone to Paris. The Swedish and American Consuls told him that the French Consul had your picture and read your letters; and the doctor thinks one of them, probably, read the letters. By the master's account of the cutter I would not have trusted a pair of old shoes in her. lie 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 80 unusually severe, that, he said, the Mediterranean seemed altered. It was his rule never to contend with the gales; but either run to the southward, to escape their violence, or furl all the sails, and make the ships as easy as possible. The men, though he said flesh and blood could hardly stand it, continued in excellent health, which he ascribed, in great measure, to a plentiful supply of lemons and onions. For himself, he thought he could only last till the battle was over. One battle more it was his hope that he might fight. " However," said he, "whatever happens I have run a glorious race." "A few months' rest," he says, "I must have very soon. If I am in my grave, what are the mines of Peru to me P 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 my fist, brought on occasionally by violent coughing. But I hope and believe my lungs are yet safe. " He was afraid of blindness: and this was the only evil which he could not contemplate without unhappiness. More alarming 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 than the men: but when he com:pared it with the enemy's, it was with a light English feeling. " The French fleet, yesterday," said he, in one of his letters, "was to appearance in high feather, and as fine as paint could make them :-but 17 258 THE LIFE OF' NELSON [1804: when they may sail, or where they may go, I am very sorry to Bayis a secret I am not acquainted with. Our weather- beaten ships, I have no fear, will make their sides like a pIurn pudding." " Yesterday," he says, on another 0cca- 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 government made her subservient to France, was once more destined to lavish her resources and her blood in furtherance of the designs of a perfidious ally. 'I'he 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 circumstances which attended it were as unhappy 88 they were unforeseen. Four frigates had been despatched to intercept them. They met with an equal force. Resistance, therefore, became a point of honour on the part of the Span- iards, and one of their ships soon blew up with all on board. Had a stronger squadron been sent, this deplorable catastrophe might have been s:pared: a catastrophe which excited not more indignation III Spain, than it did grief in those who were its unwilling instruments, in the English government and in the English people. On the 5th of October this unhappy affair occurred, and Nelson was not apprised of it till the 12th of the ensuing month. He had, indeed, sufficient mortification at the breaking out of this Spanish war; an event which, it might reasonebly heve been supposed, would amply enrich the officersof the Med- iterranean fleet, and repay them for the severe and unremitting duty on which they had been so long employed. But of this harvest they were deprived; for Sir John Orde was sent with a small squadron, and a separate command, to Cadiz. Nelson's feelings were never wounded 80 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 confeIB it, I did fancy that I had done my country service; and thus they use me! And under what circumstances, and with what pointed aggravation! Yet, if I know my_ own thoughts, it is not for myself, or on my own account chiefly, 1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 259 that I feel the sting and disappointment. No! it is for my brave officers; for my noble-minded friends and comrades. Such a gallant set of fellows! Such a band of brothers! My heart swells at the thought of them!" War between Spain and England was now declared; and, on the 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 Maddalena islands form one of the finest harbours in the world, when, at three in the afternoon of the 19th, the Active and Sea- horse frigates brought this long hoped for intelligence. 'I'hey had been close to the enemy at ten on the preceding night, but lost sight of them in about four hours. The fleet immediately unmoored and weighed, and at six in the evening ran .through the strait between Liscia and Sar- dinia; a passage so narrow, that the shiJ>s could only pass one at a time, each following the stern lights of its leader. From the position of the enemy, when they were last seen, it was inferred that they must be bound round the southern end of Sardinia. Signal was made the next morning to prepare for battle. Bad weather came on, baffling the one fleet in its object, and the other in its pursuit. Nelson beat about the Sicilian seas for ten days, without obtaining any other information of the enemy, than that one of their ShIPS had put into Ajaccio dismasted; and having seen that Sardinia, Naples, and Sicily were safe, believing Egypt to be their destination, for Egypt he ran. The disappointment and distress which he had experienced in his former pursuits of the French through the same seas were now renewed; but Nelson, while he endured these anxious and unhappy feelings, was still consoled by the same confidence as on the former occasion-that, though his judgment might be erroneous, under all circumstances he was right in having formed it. "I have consulted no man," said he to the Admiralty: "therefore the whole blame of ignorance in forming my judgment must rest with me. I would allow no man to take from me an atom of my glory, had I fallen in with the French fleet; nor do I desire any man to partake any of the responsibility. All is mine, right or wrong." Then stating the grounds upon which he had proceeded, he added: "At this moment of sorrow, I still feel that I have acted right." In the same spirit he 260 THE LIFE OF NELSON [18015 said to Sir Alexander Ball: "When I call to remembrance all the circumstances,. I approve, if nobody else does, of my own conduct. " Baffled thus, he bore up for Malta, and met intelligence from Naples that the French, having been dispersed in a gale, had put back to Toulon. From the same quarter he learned that a great number of saddles and muskets had been embarked: and this confirmed him in his opinion that Egypt was their destination. That they should have put back in consequence of storms which he had weathered, gave him a consoling sense of British superiority. "These gentlemen," said he, "are not accustomed to a Gulf of Lyons gale; we have buffeted them for one-and-twenty months, and not carried away a spar." He, however, who had so often braved these gales, was now, though not mastered by them, vexatiously thwarted and impeded; and, on February 27th, he was compelled to anchor in Pulla Bay, in the Gulf of Cagliari. From the 21st of January, the fleet had remained ready for battle, without a bulkhead 1 up, ni~ht or day. He anchored here that he might not be driven to leeward. As soon as the weather moderated he put to sea again; and, after again beating about against contrary winds, another gale drove him to anchor in the Gulf of Palma, on the 8th of March. This he made his rendezvous; he knew that the French troops still remained embarked, and, wishing to lead them into a belief that he was stationed upon the Spanish coast, he made his appearance off Barcelona with that intent. About the end of the month, he begun to fear that the plan of the expedition was abandoned; and, sailing once more towards niB old station off 'I'oulon, on the 4th of April, he met the Pl,m66, with news that Villeneuve had put to sea on tho last of March with eleven ships of the line, seven frigates, and two brigs. When lust seen, they were steering toward the coast of Africa. Kelson first covered the channel between Sardinia and Barbary, so as to sntisfy himself that Ville- neuve was not taking the same route for }~gypt which Gantheaumo had taken before him, when he attempted to carry reinforcements there. Certain of this, he bore up on the 7th for Palermo, lest the French should 1)888 to the north of Corsica, and he despatched cruisers ill all dirac-

1 A partition ill a vessel to separate the deck into desired rooma. 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 commanded the squadron off Brest, he endeavoured to get to the westward, beating against westerly winds. After five days, a neutral gave intelligence that the French had been seen off Cape de Gatte on the 7th. It was soon after ascertained that they had passed the Straits of Gibraltar on the day following; and Nelson, knowing that they might already be half way to Ireland, or to Jamaica, exclaimed, that he was miserable. One gleam of comfort only came across him in the reflection, that his vigilance had rendered it impossible for them to undertake any expedition in the Med iterranean. Eight days after this certain intelligence had been obtained, he described his state of mind thus forcibly, in writing to the Governor of Malta: "My good fortune, my dear Ball, seems flown away. I cannot get a fair wind, or even a side wind. Dead foul! Dead foul! But my mind is fully made up what to do when I leave the Straits, supposing there is no certain account of the enemy's destination. I believe this ill-luck will go near to kill me; but, U,8 these are times for exertion, I must not be cast down, whatever I may feel." In spite of every exertion which could be made by all the zeal and all the skill of British seamen, he did not get in sight of Gibraltar till the 30th of April; and the wind was then so ad verse, that it was impossible to pass the Gut. He anchored in Mazari Bay, on the Barbary shore; obtained supplies from Tetuan; and when, on the 5th, a breeze from the eastward. sprang up at last, sailed once more, hoping to hear of the enemy from Hir John Orde, who commanded off Cadiz, or from Lisbon. "If nothing is heard of them," said he to the Admiralty, " I shall probably think the rumours which have been spread are true, that their object is the West Indies; and, in that case, I think it my duty to follow them,-or to the Antipodes, should I believe that to be their destination." At the time when this resolution was taken, the physician of the fleet had ordered him to return to England before the hot months. Nelson had formed his judgment of their destination, and made up his mind accordingly, when Donald Camp- 262 THE LIFE OF _YELSOX [1801 bell!"at that time an admiral in the Portuguese service, the same person who had given important tidings to Earl St. Vincent of the movements of that fleet from which he won his title, a second time gave timely and momentous intelligence to the flag of his country. He went on board the riclory, and communicated to Xelson his certain knowledge that the combined Spanish and French fleets were bound for the West Indies. Hitherto all things had favoured the enemy. While the British Commander was beating up against strong southerly and westerly gales, they had wind to their wish from the X.E., and had done in nine days what he was a whole month in accomplishing. Yilleneuve, finding the Spaniards at Carthagena were Dot in a state of equipment to join him, dared not wait, but hastened on to Cadiz. Sir John Orde necessarily retired at his approach. 1 Admiral Gravina, with six Spanish ships of the line, and two French, came out to him, and they sailed without a moment's loss of time. They had about three thousand French troops on board, and fifteen hundred Spanish: six hundred were under orders, expecting them at lIartinique, and one thousand at Guadaloupe. General Lauriston commanded the troops. The combined fleet now consisted of eighteen sail of the line, six forty-four gun frigates, one of twenty-six guns, three corvettes and a brig. They were joined afterwards by two new French line of battle ships, and one forty-four. Nel- son pursued them with ten sail of the line and three fri~- ates, "Take you a Frenchman a-piece," said he to h18 Captains, " and leave mo the Spaniards,-when Ihaul down my colours, I expect you to do the same,-and not till then." 2

1 ITe had only five sail of the line. s It seems evident that the manoeuvres of Villeneuve's fleet were only part of a grand design of Napoleon's for accomplishing his long eontcmpluted invasion of England. The French fleets, it appean, were to break out of Brest, Rochefort, and Toulon at nearly the same time ; rendezvous at Martinique; return; drive the English from the Channel ; and thus make It possible for the French army to crOS8. Of the three squadrons only one, that of l\{issi~, got to ~l'n in time ; Villeneuve as we have seen was delayed by bad weather for more t han two months; and the Brest squadron never got to 88& nt nll. Missiessy waited at Martinique fortv-flve days as ordered. Bud then, Villl11U.1\l\"C not having yet appeared, returned to Fraooe. Seo Laughton, ]!.'t!i807&, p. 19t:J. 1805] TIlE LIFE OF NELSON 263

The enemy had five-and-thirty days' start; but he calculated that he should gain eight or ten days upon them by his exertions. May 15th he made Madeira, and on June 4th reached 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 combined fleets had been seen from St. Lucia on the 28th,. standing to the southward, and that 'I'obago and 'I'rinidad were their objects. 1 This Nelson doubted; but he was alone in his opinion, and yielded it with these foreboding words-" If your intelligence proves false, you lose me the French fleet." Sir William Myers offered to embark here with two thousand troops :-they were taken on board, and the next morning he sailed for Tobago, Here accident confirmed the false intelligence which had, whether from intention or error, misled him. A merchant at Tobago, in the general alarm, not knowing whether this fleet was friend or foe, sent out a schooner to reconnoitre, and acquaint him by signal. 'I'he signal which he had chosen happened to be the very one which had been appointed by Colonel Shipley of the engineers to signify that the enemy were at Trinidad; and as this was at the close of day, there was 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 and assist the French in any manner, which has been 'but too common among his countrymen, affirmed, that he had. been boarded off Granada a few days before by the French, who were standing towards the Bocas of 'I'rinidad.s This fresh intelligence removed all doubts. The ships were cleared for action before daylight, and Nelson entered the Bay of Paria on the 7th, hoping and expecting to make the mouths of the Orinoco as famous in the annals of the British Navy as those of the Nile. Not an ene~ywas there; and it was discovered that accident and artifice ....had combined to lead him so far to leeward, that there could have been little hope of fetching to windward of Granada

1 The run out was 3,459 miles ; the run back 3,227 ; the average per day t;5. What does an Atlantic liner average now? 2 Bow is Spanish for "mouth." Boca del Drago, or Dragon's Mouth, is the full name. 264 THE LIFE OF NELSON [180& for any other fleet. Nelson, however, with skill and exertions never exceeded, and almost unexampled, bore for that island. Advices met him on the way, that the combined fleets, having captured the Diamond Rock, were then at Martin- ique, on the 4th, and were expected to sail that night for the attack of Granada. On the 9th, Nelson arrived off that island, and there learned that they had passed to leeward of Antigua the preceding day, and taken a homeward- bound convoy. Had it not been for false information, upon which Nelson had acted reluctantly, and in opposition to his own judgment, he would have been off Port Royal just as they were leaving it, and the battle would have been fought on the spot where Rodney defeated De Grasse.1 This he remembered in his vexation; but he had saved the colonies and above two hundred ships laden for Europe, which would else have fallen into the enemy's hands; and he had the satisfaction of knowing that the mere terror of his name had effected this, and had put to flight the allied enemies, whose force nearly doubled that before which they fled. That they were flying back to Europe he believed, and for Europe he steered in pursuit on the 13th, having disembarked the troops at Antigua, and taking with him the Spartiate, 74: the only addition to the squadron with which he was pursuing so superior a force. Five days afterwards the Amazon brought intelligence, that she had spoke a schooner who had seen them, on the evening of the 15th, steering to the north; and, by compu- tation, eighty-seven leagues off. Kolson's diary at this time denotes his great anxiety, and his perpetual and all-observing vigilance. "June 21, lIidnight.-Nearly calm; saw three planks which I think came from the French fleet. Very miserable, which is very foolish." On the 17th of July, he came in sight of Cape St. Vincent, and steered for Gibraltar. " June 18th," his diary says, "Cape Spar- tel in sight, but no French fleet, nor any information about them. How sorrowful this makes me! but I cannot help myself." The next day he anchored at Gibraltar, and on the 20th, says be, "I went on shore for the first ~e since June 16th, 1803; and from having my foot out of the Victory, two years, wanting ten days."

1 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 Nelson in their pursuit, was known in England, had taken his station off Cadiz. He thought that Ireland was the enemy's ultimate object; that they would now liberate the Ferrol squadron, which was blocked up by Sir Robert Calder, call for the Rochefort ships, and then appear off Ushant with three or four and thirty sail; there to be joined by the Brest fleet. With this great force he supposed they would make for Ireland,-the real mark and bent of all their operations; and their flight to the West Indies, he thought, had been merely undertaken to take off Nelson's force, which was the great impediment to their undertaking. Collingwood was gifted with great political penetration. As yet, however, all was conjecture concerning the enemy; and Nelson, having victualled and watered at Tetuan, stood for Oeuta on the 24th, still without information of their course. Next day intelligence arrived that the Curieu» brig had seen them on the 19th,l standing to the northward. lie proceeded off Cape St. Vincent, rather cruising for intelligence, than knowing whither to betake himself; and here a case occurred that, more than any other event in real history, resembles those whimsical proofs of sagacity which Voltaire, in his" Zadig," has borrowed from the Orientals." One of our frigates spoke an American who, a little to the westward of the Azores, had fallen in with an armed vessel, appearing to be a dismasted privateer, deserted by her crew, which had been run on board by another ship, and had been set fire to; but the fire had. gone out. A log-book, and a few seamen's jackets, were found in the cabin; and these were brought to Nelson. The log-book closed with these words: "Two large vessels in the W.N. W. ;" and this led him to conclude that this vessel had been an English privateer, cruising off the Western Islands. But there was in this book a scrap of dirty paper, filled with figures. Nelson, immediately upon seeing it, observed that the figures were written by a Frenchman:

1 J nne 19. not July 19. 2 If yon were writing this sentence now, would you refer to Vol- taire's Zadig, or to Dr. Conan Doyle'S Sherlock Holmes' Why? 266 THE LIFE OF' NELSON [18011 and, after studying this for a while, ssid : "I can explain the whole. The jackets are of French manufacture, and prove that the privateer was in possession of the enemy. She had been chased and taken by the two ships that were seen in the W.N.W. The 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 her work for the number of days since the privateer last left Corvo: with an unaccounted-for run, which I take to have been the chase, in his endeavour to find out her situation by back-reckonings. By some mismanagement, I conclude, she was run on board of by one of the enemy's ships, and dismasted. Not liking delay (for I am satisfied that those two ships were the advanced ones of the French squadron), and fancying we were close at their heels, th~y set fire to the vessel, and abandoned her in a hurry. If this explanation be correct, I infer from it, that they are gone more to the northward, and more to the northward I will look for them." This course accordingly he held, but still without success. Still persevering, and still disappointed, he returned near enough to Cadiz to ascertain that they were not there; traversed the Bay of Biscay; and then, as a last hope, stood over for the north-west coast of Ireland, against adverse winds; till, on the evening of the 12th of August, he learned that they had not been heard of there. Frustrated thus in all his hopes, after a pursuit to which, for its extent, rapidity, and perseverance, no parallel can be produced, he judged it best to reinforce the Channel fleet with his squadron, lest the enemy, 88 Colling- wood apprehended, should bear down upon Brest with their whole collected force. On the 15th, he joined Ad- miral Cornwallis off Ushant, No news had yet been obtained of the enemy; and, on the same evening, he received orders to proceed, with the Victory and BUpsr6, to Portsmouth. CHAPTER IX.

Sir Robert Calder falls in with the Combined Fleets-They form a Junction with the Ferrol Squadron, and get into Cadiz-Nelson is reappointed to the Command-Battle of 'frafalgar-Victory, and Death of Nelson.

AT Portsmouth, Nelson at length found news of the combined fleet.! Sir Robert Calder, who had been sent out to intercept their return, had fallen in with them on the 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 fleets remained In sight of each other till the 26th, when the enemy bore away. The capture of two ships from 80 su:perior a force, would have been considered as no inconsiderable victory a few years earlier; but Nelson had introduced a new rera in our naval history; and the nation felt, respecting this action, as he had felt on a somewhat similar occasion.2 They regretted that Nelson, with his eleven ships, had not been in Sir Robert Calder's place; and their disappointment was generally and loudly expressed.8 Frustrated" as his own hopes had been, Nelson had yet the high satisfaction of knowing that his judgment had

1 Villeneuve's fleet. t What is the occasion referred to? For a luminous and stirring account of this exciting period consult Mahan, Infiuenoe of Sea Pouer on French Revolution, ii., pp. 161-174. S See p. 104. 4 Is the verb "frustrated" related in meaning to the noun" frustrum," used in geometry; for example, the" frustrum of a cone " ? Docs this comparison make the image produced by" frustrated" any more vivid r What principle of rhetoric is involved ? .268 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 more immediately benefited, appointed a deputation to express their thanks for his great and judicious exertions. It was now his intention to rest awhile from his labours, and re- cruit himself, after all his fatigues and cares, in the society of those whom he loved. All his stores were brought up from the Victo'rg, and he found in his house at Merton the enjoyment which he had anticipated.' Many days had. not elapsed before Captain Blackwood, on his way to Lon- don with despatches, called on him at five in the morning. Nelson, who was already dressed, exclaimed, the moment he saw him: "I am sure you bring me news of the French and Spanish fleets! I think I shall yet have to beat them!" They had refitted at Vigo, after the indecisive action with Sir Robert Calder; then proceeded to Ferrel, brought out the squadron from thence, and with it entered Cadiz in safety! " Depend on it, Blackwood;" he repeatedly said, "I shall yet give M. Villeneuve a drubbing." But, when Blackwood had left him, he wanted resolution to declare his wishes to Lady IIamilton and his sisters, and endeavoured to drive away the thought. He had done enough, he said: "Let the man trudge it who has lost his budget!" His countenance belied his lips: and 88 he was pacing one of the walks in the garden, which he used to call the quarter-deck, Lady Hamilton came up to him, and said she saw he was uneasy. He smiled, and said: "No, he was as happy as possible; he was surrounded by his family, his health was better since he had been on shore, and he would not give sixpence to call the King his uncle." She replied, that she did not believe him, that

1 During this period, he went often to the Admiralty and the office of the Secretary of State. At the latter he met on ODe of these occasions, for the only time, the Duke of Wellington, who seems to have formed a curious, and perhaps deserved, but not altopther complimentary opinion of his character. Half vapouring anavain- glorious charlatan, half well-informed officer and statesman, &8 vain as a child, and as fond of flattery as a woman-such was the ~udg- ment of England's greatest soldier regarding England's moat illustrious seaman. 1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 269 she knew he was longing to get at the combined fleets, that he considered them as his own pro~erty, that he would be miserable if any man but himself did the business, and that he ought to have them, as the price and reward of his two years' long watching, and his hard chase. ' , Nelson, " said she, "however we may lament your absence, offer your services; they will be accepted, and you will gain a quiet heart by it; you will have a glorious victory, and then you may return here, and be happy. " He looked at her with tears in his eyes:-" Brave Emma!-Good Emma! -If there were more Emmas, there would be more Nel- sons." 1 His services were as willingly acceJlted 88 they were offered; and Lord Barham, giving hun the list of the. Navy, desired him to choose his own officers. "Choose yourself, my lord," was his reply: "the same spirit actuates the whole profession; you cannot choose wrong." 2 Lord Barham then desired him to say what ships, and how many, he would wish in addition to the fleet which he was going to command, and said they should follow him as soon as each was ready. No appointment was ever more in unison with the feelings and judgment of the whole nation. They, like Lady Hamilton, thought that the destruction of the combined fleets ought properly to be Nelson's work; that he, who had been

"Half around the sea-girt ball, The hunter of the recreant Gaul," * ought to reap the spoils of the chase, which he had watched so long, and so perseveringly pursued. Unremitting exertions were made to equip the ships which he had chosen, and especially to refit the Victory, which was once more to bear his flag. Before he left Lon-

1 It is well established that Blackwood called by appointment, it being already arranged that Nelson should take command as soon as the proper moment arrived. Probably he did use some endearing epithets in addressing Lady Hamilton ; the rest of this pretty story is one of Harrison's perversions of the truth. 2 See p. 222. * Songs of Trafalgar.-Southey's Note. The Songs of Trafalgar were written by John Wilson Croker, to whom Southey dedicated this book. See Dedication, p. 2, and Introduction, p. xxi, 270 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805 don, he called at his upholsterer's, where the coffin which Captain Hallowell had given him was deposited, and desired 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 with an expectation that he should fall in battle. In a letter to his brother, written immediately after his return, he had said: "We must not talk of SirRobert Calder's battle.- I might not have done so much with my small force. If I had fallen in with them, you might probably have been a lord before I wished; for I know they meant to make 8 dead set at the Victory." Nelson had once regarded. the prospect of death with gloomy satisfaction: it was when he anticipated the upbraidings of his wife, and the displeasure of his venerable father. The state of his feelings now was expressed, in his private journal, in these words: "Friday night (September 13th) at half-past ten, I drove from dear, dear Merton; where 1left all which I hold dear in this world, to go to serve my king and country. 118Y the great God, whom I adore, enable me to fulfil the expectations of my country! And, if it is His good pleasure that I should return, my thanks will never cease being offered up to the throne of His mercy. If it is His good providence to cut short my days upon earth, I bow with the greatest submission; relying that He will protect those 80 dear to me, whom I may leave behind! HIS will be done. Amen! A.men! Amen!" Early on the following morning he reached Portsmouth; and, having despatched his business on shore, endeavourecl to elude the populace by taking a by-way to the beach; but a crowd collected in his train, pressing forward to obtain a sight of his face: many were in tears, and many knelt down before him, and blessed him as he passed. England has had many heroes, but never one who so entirely possessed the love of his fellow-countrymen as Nel.. son. A.ll men knew that his heart was as humane as it was fearless; that there wus not in his nature the slightest alloy of selfishness or cuvidity; but that, with ljrfect and entire devotion, he served Ins country with al his heart, and with all his soul. and with all hit; strength; and, therefore, they loved him us truly and us fervently as he loved England. 'I'hey In'eBBcl~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 endeavoured to prevent them from trespassing upon this ground, were wedged among the crowd; and an officer, who, not very prudently upon such an occasion, ordered them to drive the people down with their bayonets, was compelled speedily to retreat; for the people would not be debarred from gazing, till the last moment, upon the hero-the darling hero of England! 1 He arrived off Cadiz on the 29th of September-his birthday. Fearing that, if the enemy knew his force, they might be deterred from venturing to sea, he kept out of sight of land, desired Collingwood to fire no salute, and hoist no colours; and wrote to Gibraltar, to request that the force of the fleet might not be inserted there in the Gazette. His reception in the Mediterranean fleet was as gratifying as the farewell of his countrymen at Portsmouth: the officers, who came on board to welcome him, forgot his rank as commander, in their joy at seeing him again.2 On the day of his arrival, Villeneuve received orders to put to sea the first opportunity." Villeneuve, however, hesitated, when he heard that Nelson had resumed the command. He called a council of war; and their determination was, that it would not be expedient to leave Cadiz, unless they had reason to believe themselves stronger by one-third than the British force. In the public measures of this country, secrecy is seldom praoticable.! and seldomer attempted: here, however, by the precautions of Nelson, and the wise measures of the Admiralty, the enemy were for once kept in ignorance; for, as the ships

1 The spot of English ground last trod by the hero's foot is now marked by a large anchor. On September 12, he called by invitation on the Prince of Wales at Carlton House; on September 14, 1\1r. Hose and Mr. Canning dined with him aboard the Victory. The latter impressed him as "a clever, deep-headed man," before whom" he did not mind letting out a little knowledge." ~ Some of this joy was perhaps due to the disgust which the iron discipline of Collingwood had inspired. See Laughton, Nelson, 209. 3 These orders came from Napoleon, who, though he knew nothing about sea affairs, took upon himself the responsibility of dictating in insulting terms to Villeneuve. It is not improbable, however, that the want of supplies would have ultimately forced the French and Spanish to put to sea. " Is this because of the publicity of the debates in Parliament? 272 THE LIFE DB' NELSON [1801 appointed to reinforce the Mediterranean fleet were despatched singly, each as soon as it was ready, their collected number was not stated in the newspapers, and their arrival was not known to the enemy. But the enemy knew that Admiral Louis, with six sail, had been detached for stores and water to Gibraltar. Accident also contributed to make the French Admiral doubt whether Nelson himself had actually taken the command. An American, lately arrived from England, maintained that it was impossible, -for he had seen him only a few days before in London; . and, at that time, there was no rumour of his going again to sea. Tho station which Nelson had chosen was Bornefifty or sixty miles to the west of Cadiz, near Cape St. Mary'S. At this distance he hoped to decoy the enemy out, while he guarded against the danger of being caught with a westerly wind near Cadiz, and driven within the Straits. The blockade of the port was rigourously enforced, in hopes that the combined fleet might be forced to sea by want. The Danish vessels, therefore, which were carrying provisions from the French ports in the bay, under the name of Danish property, to all the little ports from Ayamonte to Algeziras, from whence they were conveyed in coasting boats to Cadiz, were seized. Without this proper exertion of power, the blockade would have been rendered nugatory, by the advantage thus taken of the neutral flag. The supplies from France were thus effectually cut off. There was now every indication that the enemy would speedily venture out: officers and men were in the highest spirits at the prospect of giving them a decisive blow; such, indeed, as would put an end to all further contest upon the seas. Theatrical amusements were performed every evening in most of the ships: and God Save the King was the hymn with which the sports concluded. "I verily believe,' , said Nelson (writing on the 6th of October), " that the country will soon be put to some expense on my account; either a monument, or a new pension and honours; for I have not the smallest doubt but that a very few days, almost hours, will put us in battle. The success no man can 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." 1800] THE LI1I'E 011'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 always called them :-to the want of which the enemy before were indebted for their escape, and Buonaparte for his arrival in Egypt. He had only twenty-three ships,-others were on the way,-but they might come too late; and, though Nel- son never doubted of victory, mere victory was pot what he looked to, he wanted to annihilate the enemy's fleet. 'I'he Carthagena squadron 1 might effect a junction with this fleet on the one side; and, on the other, it was to be expected that a similar attempt would be made by the French from Brest; in either case a formidable contingency to be apprehended by the blockading force. The Rochefort squadron did push out, and had nearly caught the Aga- memnon and l' A imable in their way to reinforce the British Admiral. Yet Nelson at this time weakened his own fleet. He had the unpleasant task to perform of sending home Sir Robert Calder, whose conduct was to be made the subject of a court-martial, in consequence of the general dissatisfaction which had been felt and expressed at his im- perfect victory. Sir Robert Calder, and Sir John Orde," Nelson believed to be the only two enemies whom he had ever had in his J?rofession ;-and, from that sensitive delicacy which distinguished him, this made him the more scru pulously anxious to show every possible mark of respect and kindness to Sir Robert. He wished to detain him till after the expected action; when the services which he might perform, and the triumphant joy which would be excited, would leave nothing to be apprehended from an inquiry into the previous engagement. Sir Robert," however, whose situation was very painful, did not choose to delay a trial, from the result of which he confidently ex{>ected a com plete justification: and Nelson, instead of sendmg him home in a frigate, insisted 4 on his returning in his own

1 It consisted of six Spanish ships. 2 Sec p. 104 and p. 190. S Sir Robert was sentenced to be severely reprimanded for not having done his utmost to renew the battle. Alison, in his history of Europe (vi. 40; vii. 5, note), defends Sir Robert, however, declaring that his action" completely frustrated Napoleon's design of terminating the war in the British capital." 4 •• 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 [1801 ninety-gun ship; ill as such a ship could at that time be spared. Nothing could be more honourable than the feeling by which Nelson was influenced; but, at such a crisis, it ought not to have been indulged. On the 9th, Nelson sent Collingwood what he called, in his diary, the Nelson touch.' "I send you, " said he, ,, my plan of attack, as far as a man dare venture to guess at the very uncertain position the enemy may be found in: but it is to place you perfectly at ease respecting my intentions, and to give full scope to your judgment for carrying them into effect. We can, my dear ColI, have no little jealousies. We have only one great object in view, that of annihilating our enemies, and getting a glorious peace for our country. No man has more confidence in another than I have in you; and no man will render your services more justice than your very old friend Nelson and Bronte." 2 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 ship from their rear: he would lead through the centre, and the advanced squadron was to cut off three or four ahead of the centre. This plan was to be adapted to the strength of the enemy, 80 that they should always be one-fourth superior to those whom they cut off. Nelson said, "'l'hat 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 such a crisis affect your estimate of his character? 1 The student will find it a profitable exercise to collect all the specimens of the" Nelson touch," of which mention can be found in the book. 2 "rrhe dominant idea was that the lee line (of 16 ships), under Collingwood, should concentrate its attack on the 12 ShlPS in the enemy's rear, while he himself, with the weather line and the advanced squadron, should overawe the enemy's van and fall on their centre: 80 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 the action, and that his own first care would be to prevent the enem,,_ van interfering with the attack on their rear. No clearer e:SJ!08itioD of tactical principles was ever penned."-Laughton, NelMm,ll4. 18051 THE LIFE OF NELSON 275 understood, no captain can do wrong if he places his ship alon~side that of an enemy. " One of the last orders of this admirable man was, that the name and family of every officer, seaman, and marine, who might be killed or wounded in action, should be, as soon as possible, returned to him, in order to be transmitted to the Chairman of the Patriotic Fund, that the case might be taken into consideration, for the benefit of the sufferer or his family. 1 About half-past nine in the morning of the 19th, the Mars, being the nearest to the fleet of the ships which formed the line of communication with the frigates in shore, repeated the signal, that the enemy were coming out of port. The wind was at this time very light, with partial breezes, mostly from the S.S.W. Nelson ordered the signal to be made for a chase in the south-east quarter. About two, the repeating ships announced that the cnemy were at sea. All night the British fleet continued under all sail, steering to the south-east. At daybreak they were in the entrance of the Straits, but the enemy were not in sight. About seven, one of the frigates made signal that the enemy were bearing north. Upon this the Victory hove-to; and shortly afterwards Nelson made sail again to the north ward. In the afternoon the wind blew fresh from the south-west, and the English began to fear that the foe might be forced to return to port. A little before sunset, however, Blackwood, in the Euryalus, telegraphed that they appeared determined to go to the westward.-" And that," said the Admiral in his Diary, " they shall not do, if it is in the power of Nelson and Bronte to prevent them." Nelson had signified to Blackwood that he depended upon him to keep sight of the enemy. They were observed so well, that all their motions were made known to him; and, as they wore twice, he inferred that they were aiming to keep the port of Cadiz open, and would

1 The Belleisle and Polyphemu8 had recently joined the fleet. The hoops on their masts were not painted yellow, as were those of all his other vessels. At the last moment he ordered by signal that they be made to correspond in this respect, so as to be easily distinguishable from the French vessels, the hoops on the masts of which were painted black. Nelson was the first to introduce black ports to break the yellow band along the ship's side. The interiors of ships at this time were painted a dull red, perhaps to avoid as far as possible the ghastliness of blood-stains, by softening the contrast. 276 THE LIFE OF NELSON [18015 retreat there as soon as they saw the British fleet: for this reason he was very careful not to approach near enough to be seen by them during the night. At daybreak the combined fleets were distinctly seen from the ~tory'8 deck, formed in a close line of battle ahead, on the starboard tack, about twelve miles to leeward, and standing to the south. Our fleet consisted of twenty-seven sail of the line and four frigates; theirs of thirty-three and seven large frigates. Their superiority was greater in size and weight of metal than in numbers. They had four thousand troops on board; and the best riflemen who could be procured, many of them Tyrolese, were dispersed through the ships. Little did the Tyrolese, and little did the Spaniards, at that day, imagine what horrors the wicked. tyrant 1 whom they served was preparing for their country.t Soon after daylight Nelson came upon deck. The 21st of October was a festival in his family, because on that day his uncle, Captain Suckling, in tho Dreadnought, with two other line of battle ships, had beaten off a French squadron 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. Collingwood, in the Royal Sovereiqn, 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:s

1 Notice the different names applied by Southey to Napoleon and their ijtness. When the Tyrolese revolted in 1809 Napoleon assisted the Bavarians in subduing them, and was responsible for the execution 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 PoUJer Ott French Revolution, ii., pp. 117-181. 3 He was found penning this upon his knees on his cabin Boor by Lieutenant Pasco, who had some little private grievance to present, ·"11twas so struck with awe at his chiefs occupation that he retired ",bout mentioning it. 1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 277

" May the great God, whom I worship, grant 'to my country, and for the benefit of Euro:{>ein general, a great and glorious victory; and may no misconduct in anyone 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 may lIis blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully! 'I'o Him I resign myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen, Amen, Amen. " Having thus discharged his devotional duties, he annexed, in the same diary, the following remarkable writing:

"October 21st, 1805.-Tlten in sight of the combined fleets of France and Spain, distant about ten miles.

"Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, widow of the Right Honourable Sir William Hamilton, have been of the very greatest service to my King and my country, to my knowledge, without ever receiving any reward from either our King or country. "First, 'I'hat she obtained the King of Spain's letter, in 1796, to his brother, the King of Naples, acquainting him of his intention to declare war against England; from which letter the ministry sent out orders to the then Sir John Jervis, to strike a stroke, if opportunity offered, against either the arsenals of Spain or her fleets. 'I'hat neither of these was done is not the fault of Lady Hamil- ton; the opportunity might have been offered.' " Secondly: 'I'he British fleet under my command could never have returned the second time to Egypt, had not Lady Hamilton's influence with the Queen of Naples caused letters to be wrote to the governor of Syracuse, that he was to encourage the fleet's being supplied with everything, should they put into any port in Sicily. We put

1 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 contained to the English Government she would be benefiting herself, is almost equally certain; Lady Hamilton's service on this occasion was assuredly not of momentous importance. 278 THE LIFE OJ' 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 now have called upon my country; but as that has not been in my power, I leave Emma Lady Hamilton therefore a legacy to my King and country, that they will give her an amfle provision to maintain her rank in life. , I also leave to the beneficence of my country my adopted daughter, Horatia Nelson 'I'hompson ; and I desire she will use in future the name of Nelson only. " These are the only favours I ask of my King and country, at this moment when I am going to fight their battle. May God bless my King and country, and all those I bold dear! My relations it is needless to mention: they will, of course, be amply provided for. "NELSON AND BRONTE." " 'V·t J Ih~Nn.Y BLACKWOOD. 1 ness, ( '1'. .M. IIA1WY." 2

The child of whom this writing speaks was believed to be his daughter, and so, indeed, he called her the last time that he pronounced her name." She was then about five years old, living at Merton, under Lady Hamilton '8 care.

I I t is probably true that the Queen did write such letters or cause them to be written ; but how much Lady Hamilton's Influence had to do with the mutter is doubtful. 2 Lady lInmilton charged Nelson's brother, the ftrst F..arl Nelson. with concealing the existence of this important codicil till it. could be or no further use to her. The accusation was probably UD- founded. For a succinct presentation of the evidence see the note on page 208 of the Blemoirs of Lady lIam-ilton. After the death ot Nelson, Lady Hamilton's career was a melancholy one, Sho first contrived to disgust most of her friends by going repeatedly to the theatre to hear a song called the ., Death of Nelson," and tainting dramatienlly each time, Then, though she had been provided with about £1,200 a year hy Sir Willium nnd Nelson, she quickl_I__ran through it all, and was cast into King's Bench for debt. WIlen released in 1814 she retired to Calais, where "he died January 13. 1815. :\Iauy stories nrc told oC the destitution ill which the closillg year or her life was passed ; her daughter Horatia in 1874 wrote, however, t hut, 'I although often certainly under verv distressing elr- eumstunees, she never experieneed actual wunt." 1I0ratia marnN Rev. Philip Wurd in 1M22. reared u largl~ family, and died Mareh 8, 1~1. a,..redeighty-one. IJtLtly Nelson died .May 4, isai, :I There is uo doubt or it, nor that LBdy Ihnuilton was her mother. 1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 279

The last minutes which Nelson passed at Merton were employed in ,raying over this child, as she lay sleeping. A portrait 0 Lady Hamilton hung in his cabin: and no Catholic ever beheld the picture of his patron saint with devouter reverence. The undisguised and romantic passion with which he regarded it amounted almost to superstition; and when the portrait was now taken down, in clearing for action, he desired the men who removed it to "take care of his ~uardian angel." In this manner he frequently spoke of It, as if he believed there were a virtue in the image. He wore a miniature of her, also, next his heart. Blackwood went on board the Victory about six. He found him in good spirits, but very calm; not in that ex- hilaration which he had felt upon entering into battle at Aboukir and Copenha~en: he knew that his own life would be particularly aimed at, and seems to have looked for death with almost as sure an expectation as for victory. His whole attention was fixed upon the enemy. They tacked to the northward, and formed their line on the larboard tack; thus bringing the shoals of Trafalgar 1 and St. Pedro under the lee of the British, and keeping the port of Cadiz open for themselves. This was judiciously done; and Nelson, aware of all the advantages which it gave them, made signal to prepare to anchor. Villeneuve was a skilful seaman; worthy of serving a better master, and a better cause. His plan of defence was as well conceived, and as original, as the plan of attack. He formed the fleet in a double line; every alter- nate ship being about a cable's length to windward of her second ahead and astern. Nelson, certain of a triumphant issue to the day, asked Blackwood what he should con-

I The shoals of Trafalgar are about ten miles from Cape Trafalgar. The name should be accented on the last syllable, as in Byron's Ohilde Harold (ii. 40) :

U Oft did he mark the scene of vanished Waf, Actium, Lepanto, fatal Trafalgar," and (iv. 181) : "Thy [the ocean's] least of waves, which mar Alike the Armada s pride or spoils of Trafalgar." I n the old song, however, it is Trafal'gar: "'Twas in Trafalgar's bay."

1805] THE LIFE OB' NELSON 281 sider as a victory. That officer answered, that, considering the handsome way in which battle was offered by the enemy, their apparent determination for a fair trial of strength, and the situation of the land, he thought it would be a glorious result if fourteen were captured. He replied: "I shall not be satisfied with less than twenty." Soon afterwards he asked him, if he did not think there was a signal wanting. Captain Blackwood made answer, that he thought the whole fleet seemed very clearly to understand what they were about. These words were scarcely spoken before that signal was made, which will be remembered as long as the language, or cven the memory, of England shall endure;-Nelson'slast signal:-" ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY HAN TO DO HIS DUTY!" 1 It was received throughout the fleet with a shout of answering acclamation, made sublime by the spirit which it breathed, and the feeling which it expressed. "N ow," said Lord Nelson, "I can do no more. We must trust to the great Disposer of all events, and the justice of our cause. I thank God for this great opportunity of doing my duty." He wore that day, as usual, his Admiral's frock-coat, bearing on the left breast four stars, of the different orders

1At first he proposed " Nelson confides, etc.," but somebody suggested "England confides," to which improvement he at once assented with the words, "Certainly, certainly." "Confides" was altered 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 different shapes and colors, Cor different numbers, corresponding to an alpha- betical list of words in the Signal Book. This book is bound in a coyer of lead, to be thrown, in case of capture, into the sea. The numbers for this signal were:

253 I 269 18631261 147119581220137414121119/24 England expects that every man will do his d u t y. Collingwood is said to have remarked to his flag-lieutenant with some impatience when he saw the flags going up, "I wish Nelson would make no more signals. We all know what we have to do." When the signal was translated, however, he was delighted, and had it announced to the ship's company, among whom it created great enthusiasm. Most of the captains announced it and most of the crews received it in similar fashion. A colored plate representing the flags used in making it will be found as the frontispiece to W. Clark Russell's volume on Nelson. 282 THE LIFE OJ' NBLSON [1801 with which he was invested.' Ornaments which rendered him so conspicuous a mark for the enemy were beheld with ominous apprehensions by his officers. It was known that there were riflemen on board the French ships; and it could not be doubted but that his life would be particularly aimed at. They communicated their fears to each other; and the surgeon, lIre Beatty, * spoke to the chaplain, Dr. Scott, and to )Ir. Scott, the publio secretary, desiring that some person would entreat him to change his dress, or cover the stars: but they knew that such a request would highly displease him. "In honour I gained them," he had said, when such a thing had been hinted to him formerly, "and in honour I will die with them." Mr. Beatty, however, would not have been deterred by any fear of exciting displeasure, from speaking to him himself upon a subject in which the weal of England, as well as the life of Xolson, was concerned,-but he was ordered from the deck before he could find an opportunity. This wasa point npon which Kelson's officers knew that it was hopeless to remonstrate or reason with him; but both Blackwood 2 and his own captain, Hardy, represented to him how advantageous to the fleet it would be for him to keep out of action as long as possible; and he consented at last to let the Leviathan and the Temeraire, which were sailing abreast of the Victors], be ordered to pass ahead. Yet even here the last infirmity of this noble mind 8 was indulged; for these ships could not pass ahead if the Victory continued

1It was a common undress blue coat. The orders were sewn to it. not hung OIl. It is now preserved at Greenwich Hospital as a relic, together with his Nile coat. * In this part of the work I hale chiefly been indebted to this gentleman's Narraiiue of Lord Nelson'« Death-a document as interesting as it is authentic.-Southey's Note. 2 Blackwood endeavored to persuade him to go aboard the Eurya- lus, a frigate which was to take no part in the action, but he would not listen to it. Do you think that in a naval action it would be well for the commander-in-chief to remain at a distance from the scene of combat, as a general in a land battle does? Did Nelson go into this fight because he felt that his example would be worth morethan his precepts, or merely because he loved the smell of powder' Or was there a suspicion of suicide in the act, inspired by the fear, otten ex pressed in his letters, that he was fast becoming blind, a misfortune which, he said, he could not contemplate with equanimity? For another possible motive see pp. 238, 239. 3 The pupil should find this phrase in Milton's Lycidtu. 1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 283' to carryall her sail; and so far was Nelson from shortening sail, that it was evident he took pleasure in pressing on, and rendering it impossible for them to obey his own orders. A long swell was setting into the Bay of Cadiz: our ships, crowding all sail, moved majestically before it, with light winds from the south-west. The sun shone on the sails of the enemy; and their well-formed line, with their numerous three-deckers, made an appearance which any other assailants would have thought formidable;-but the British sailors only admired the beauty and the splendour of the spectacle; and, in full confidence of winning what they saw, remarked to each other, what a fine sight yonder ships would make at Spithead! rrhe French Admiral, from the Buceniaure, beheld the new manner in which his enemy was advancing-Nelson and Collingwood each leading his line; and pointing them out to his officers, he is said to have exclaimed, that such conduct could not fail to be successful. Yet Villeneuve had made his own dispositions with the utmost skill, and the fleets under his command waited for the attack with perfect coolness. Ten minutes before twelve they opened their fire. Eight or nine of the ships immediately ahead of the Victory, and across her bows, fired single guns at her, to ascertain whether she was yet within their range. As soon as Nelson perceived that their shot passed over him, he desired Blackwood, and Captain Prowse, of the Sirius, to repair to their respective frigates; and, on their way, to tell all the captains of the line of battle ships that he depended on their exertions; and that, if by the prescribed mode of attack they found it impracticable to get into action immediately, they might adopt whatever they thought best, provided it led them quickly and closely alongside an enemy. As they were standing on the front of the poop, Blackwood took him by the hand, saying, he hoped soon to return and find him in possession of twenty prizes. He replied, "God bless you, Blackwood; I shall never see you again! " N olson's column was steered about two points 1 more to the north than Collingwood's, in order to cut off the enemy's escape into Cadiz: the lee line, therefore, was first engaged. " See," cried Nelson, pointing to the Royal

1 There are 32 points in the mariner's compass. 284 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1805

Sovereign,l as she steered right for the centre of the enemy's line, cut through it astern of the Santa .Ana, three-decker, and engaged her at the muzzle of her guns on the starboard side; "soo how that noble fellow, Col- lin~wood, carries his ship into action!" Collingwood, delighted at being first in the heat of the :fire,and knowing the feelings of his Commander and old friend, turned to his Captain, and exclaimed: "Rotherham, what would Nelson give to be here? " Both these brave officers, perhaps, at this moment, thought of Nelson with gratitude, for a circumstance which had occurred on the preceding day. Admiral Oollingwood, with some of the captains, having ~one on board the Victory to receive instructions, Nelson inquired of him where his Captain was; and was told, in reply, that they were not upon good terms with each other. "'ferms!" said Nelaonj-s-' good terms with each other! " Immediately he sent a boat for Captain Rotherham; led him, as soon as he arrived, to Colling- wood, and saying,-" Look; yonder are the enemy I" bade them shake hands like Englishmen. The enemy continued to fire a gun at a time at the Vic- tory, till they sawthat a shot hadlassed through her main- tOl?-gallant sail; then they opene their broadsides, aiming chiefly at her rigging in the hope of disabling her before she could close with them. Nelson, 88 usual, had hoisted several flags, lest one should be shot away. The enemy showed no colours till late in the action, when they began to feel the necessity of having them to strike. For this reason, the Santissima Trinidad, Nelson's old acquaintance, as he used to call her, was distinguishable only by her four decks; 2 and to the bow of this opponent he or-

1 The Royal Souereiqn so bad was the enemy's gunnery, suffered no loss of any importance, except that which drew from Collingwood the mournful exclamation: "Oh dear, oh dear! I forgot to shift that new foretopsail. It won't be worth anything after this." She did not fire a gun until about 12: 20, when, as she passed slowly between the stern of the Santa .. Ana and the bows of the Fo"guetlZ, & 88- pound carronado on the port side of the forecastle, loaded with one round shot and a keg of 500 musket balls, was slapped directly into the stern of the Santa Ana. A second or two later, the starboanl carronade, loaded in the same way, was diseharged into the bow8 of the Fouqueux. In like manner, all her guns u:o; they bore were ftred. 2 See I? 00. The Santissima Trinidad really had only three decks, guns bemg 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 Victory. The Admiral's secretary was one of the first who fell; he was killed by a cannon-shot while conversing with Hardy. Captain Adair of the marines, with the help of a sailor, endeavoured to remove the body from Nelson's sight, who had a great regard for Mr. Scott; but he anxiously asked: "Is that poor Scott that's gone? " and being informed that it was indeed so, exclaimed: "Poor fellow!" Presently, a double- headed shot struck a party of marines, who were drawn up on the poop, and killed eight of them: ullon which Nelson immediately desired Captain Adair to disperse his men round the ship, that they might not suffer so much from being together. A few minutes afterwards a shot struck the 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 warm work, Hardy, to last long." The Victory had not yet returned a single gun; fifty of her men had been by this time killed or wounded, and her main-top-mast with a11 her studding-sails and their booms shot away. Nelson declared, that, in all his battles, he had seen nothing which surpassed the cool courage of his crew on this occasion. At four minutes after twelve, she opened her fire from both sides of her deck. It was not possible to break the enemy's line without running on board one of their ships: Hardy informed him of this, and asked him which he would prefer. Nelson replied: "Take your choice, Hardy, it does not signify much. " 'I'he Master was ordered to put the helm to port, and the Victory 1 ran on board 2 the Redouiable, just as her tiller-ropes were shot away. The French ship received her with a broadside; then instan tly let down her lower-deck ports, for fear of being boarded through them, and never afterwards fired a great gun during the action. Her tops, like those of all the en-

1 She discharged her first broadside into the stem of the Bucen- iaure exactly as the Royal Socereiq» had discharged hers into the stern of the Santa Ana.. It is said that 400 men were killed and wounded, and 20 guns disabled by that one fearful volley. 2 To get alongside in a position for boarding. 286 THE LIFE OF NELSON [180& cmy's ships, were filled with riflemen, Nelson never placed musketry ill his tops; he had a strong dislike to the practice: not merely because it endangers setting fire to the sails, but also because it is a murderous sort of warfare, by which individuals may suffer, and a commander now and then be picked off, but which never can decide the fate of a general engagement.! Captain Harvey, in the Temeraire, fell on board the Rs- 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 together, 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 Thneraire. And because there was danger that the Rs- doutable might take fire from the lower-deck guns, the muzzles of which touched her side when they were run out, the fire-mau of each gun stood ready with a bucket of water; which, as soon as the gun was discharged, he dashed into the hole made by the shot.2 An incessant fire was kept up from the Victory from both sides; her larboard guns playing upon the Bucentaure, and the huge Santissima Trinidad. It had been part of Nelson's prayer, that the British fleet migh t be distinguished by humanity in the victory which he expected. Setting an example himself, he twice gave orders to cease firing upon the Redoutable, 8up'posing that she had struck, because her great guns were SIlent; for, 88 she carried no flag, there was no means of instantly 88- certaining the fact. From this ship, which he had thus twice spared, he received his death. A ball fired from her mizen-top, which, in the then situation of the two vessels, was not moro than fifteen yards from that part of the

1 At one time, the l""i"'or.V's upror deck being almost cleared of men by the musket ry from the 11 renehman's tops, the Redouta6le endeavored to boanl ; but :\Ir. Wilmot. the boatswain, ft.red the stnrboard forecastle «urrounde into the midst of their company, as it crowded together in tho gn.ng'wBy-. (·n.nsing Cearful havoc, the gun being loaded with noo musket hulls in addition to its usual charge. Out of 643 men on board the Redoutable 300 were killed and III wounded. , The truth of this story is denied by James ill his NatJGl HUIory. 1805] THE LIFE OF' NELSON 287 deck where he was standing, 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 which was covered with his poor secretary's blood. Hardy, who was a few steps from him, turning round, saw three men raising him ur. "They have done for me at last, Hardy!" said he.-" hope not!" cried Hardy.-" Yes!" he replied; "my back-bone is shot through!" Yet even now, not for a moment losing his presence of mind, he observed, as they were carrying him down the ladder, that the tiller-ropes, which had been shot away, were not yet replaced, and ordered that new ones should be rove immediately:-then, that he might not be seen by the crew, he took out his handkerchief, and covered his face and his stars. Had he but concealed these badges of honour from the enemy, England, perhaps, would not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the battle of Trafalgar. 'I'he cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying men; oyer whose bodies he was with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the midshipmen's birth. It was soon perceived, upon examination, that the wound was mortal. This, however, was concealed from all except Captain Hardy, the cha}>lain, and the medical attendants. He himself being certain, from the sensation in his back, and the gush of blood he felt momently within his breast, that no human care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should leave him, and attend to those to whom he might be useful; "For," said he, "you can do nothing for me. "-All that could be done was to fan him with paper, and frequently to give him lemonade to alleviate his intense thirst. He was in great pain, and expressed much anxiety for the event of the action, which now began to declare itself. As often as a ship struck, the crew of the Victory 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 impatient to see Captain Hardy; and as that officer, though often sent for, could not leave the deck, Nelson feared that some fatal cause prevented him, and repeatedly cried: "Will no one bring Hardy to me? He must be killed! He is surely dead! "-An hour and ten minutes elapsed from the time when Nelson received his wound, before 288 THE 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 ships have struck, but five of the van have tacked, and show an intention to bear down on the Victory. I have called two or three of our fresh ships round, and have no doubt of giving them a drubbing."- "I hope," said Nelson, "none of our ships have struck? " Hardy answered, "There was no fear of that." Then, and not till then, Nelson spoke of himself. "I am a dead man, Hardy," said he: "I am going fast:-it will be all over with me soon. Oome nearer to me. Let my dear Lady Hamilton have my hair, and all other things belonging to me." Hardy observed, that he hoped Mr. Beatty would hold out some prospect of life. "Oh no!" he replied: "it is impossible; my back is shot through. Beatty will tell you so." Oaptain Hardy then, once more, shook hands with him; and with a heart almost bursting, hastened upon deck. By this time all feeling below the breast was gone; and Nelson, having made the surgeon ascertain this, said to him: "You know I am gone. I know it. I feel something rising in my breast "-putting his hand on his left sido-" which tells me so." And upon Beatty's 1 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! "I And after a few minutes, in the same under tone, he added- " What would become of poor Lady Hamilton if she knew my situation!" Next to his country, she occupied his thoughts. Oa:ptainHardy, some fifty minutes after he had left the COCkpIt,returned; and again taking the hand of his dying friend and commander, congratulated him on having gained a complete victory. How many of the en-

I Nelson's surgeon in the Victory,· afterwards Sir William Beatty, l\I.D., Physician to the Fleet and Physician at Greenwich Hospital lie wrote ·the hest narrative or 'I'rafalgar that we have, and kept the fatal bullet, which was afterwards presented to Queen Victoria, and is now at Windsor Castle. 2 The firing shook him so that he cried out, "0 Victor" ViGIorJ, how you disturb my poor brain I " . 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. "rrhat'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 Collingwood would take upon himself the direction of affairs. " Not while I live, Hardy," said the dying Nelson, ineffectually endeavouring to raise himself from the bed: "do you anchor." His previous order for preparing to anchor had shown 40w clearly he foresaw the necessity of this. Presently, calling Hardy back, he said to him, in a low voice, "Don't throw me overboard:" and he desired that he might be buried by his parents, unless it should please the King to order otherwise. Then reverting to private feelings: "Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy: take care of poor Lady Hamilton.- Kiss me, Hardy," said he.! Hardy knelt down and kissed his cheek: and Nelson said, "Now I am satisfied. Thank God, I have done my duty!" Hardy stood over him in silence for a moment or two, then knelt again, and kissed his forehead. "Who is that?" said Nelson; and being informed, he replied: "God bless you, Hardy!" And Hardy then left him-for ever. Nelson now desired to be turned upon his right side, and said, "I wish I had not left the deck; for I shall soon be gone. " Death was, indeed, rapidly approaching. He said to the chaplain, "Doctor, I have not been a great sinner: " and after a short pause, "remember that I leave Lady Hamilton, and my daughter Horatia as a legacy to my country." I1is articulation now became difficult; but he was distinctly heard to say, "Thank God, I have done my duty! " These words he repeatedly pronounced; and they were the last words which he uttered. He expired at thirty minutes after four,-three hours and a quarter after he had received his wound. Within a quarter of an hour after Nelson was wounded, above fifty of the Victory's men fell by the enemy's musketry. They, however, on their part, were not idle; and it was not long before there were only two Frenchmen left

1 "Everybody must remember the immortal scene on board the Victory, at 4 P.M. or 21 October, 1805, and the farewell' Kiss me, Hardy,' of the mighty Admiral."-De Quincey. 19 290 THE LIFE OF NELSON [lfDl alive in the mizen-top of the Redoutable. One of them was the man who had given the fatal wound; he did not live to boast of what he had done.! An old quarter-master had seen him fire; and easily recognised him, because he wore a glazed cocked hat and a white frock. This guar- ter-master and two midshipmen, Mr. Collingwood and Mr. Pollard, were the only persons left in the Victor1l's poop; -the two midshipmen kept firing at the top, ana. he supplied them with cartridges. One of the Frenchmen, attempting to make his escape down the rigging, was shot by Mr. Pollard, and fell on the poop. But the old quarter- master, as he cried out, "That's he-that's he," and pointed at the other, who was coming forward to fire again, received a shot ill his mouth, and fell dead. Both. the midshipmen then fired at the same time, and the fellow dropped in the top. When they took possession of the prize, they went into the mizen..top, and found him dead; with one ball through his head, and another through his breast. 'I'he Redoutable struck within twenty minutes after the fatal shot had been fired from her. During that time she had been twice on fire,-in her fore-chains, and in her forecastle. The French, as they had done in other battles, made use in this of fire-balls, and other combustibles; im- plements of destruction, which other nations, from a sense of honour and humanity, have laid aside; which add to the sufferings of the wounded, without determining the issue

1 This is at least opcn to doubt. In the MemoirB of Se~nt Robert Guillemard, who was stationed in the rigging of the RetlouIa1M, occurs the following remarkable ~ssage : ., In the stern of the Vic>- tory stood an officer covered WIth decorations, who had only ODe arm. From what I had heard of Nelson, I had no doubt it was he. As I had received no command to como down out of the ripg, and found myself forgotten in the top, I deemed it my duty to tie into the stern of t he EIl~lbh ship. . . . I might have aimed at particular Individuals, but I preferred to fire into the separate groups which surrounded the different officers. All at once 1~r- ceivcd a great commotion on bonrd the Vic/arg. The people crowded around the officer in whom 1 believed I had recognized LOrd Nelaon. He had fallen to the deck, and they carried him away at once, COy- ered with a mant lo. The excitement nrnong the Victory'B erew COD- firmed me in the belief that I had not been deceived, and that it was indeed the British Admiral. A moment later the Victory ceued firing. " 1805J TIlE LIFE OF NELSON 291 of the combat: which none but the cruel would employ, and which never can be successful against the brave. Once th ey succeeded in setting fire, from the Redouiable, to some ropes and canvas on the Victory's booms. The cry ran through the ship, and reached the cockpit: but even this dreadful cry produced no confusion: the men dis- l1ayedthat perfect self-possession in danger by which Eng- Iish seamen are characterised; they extinguished the flames on board their own ship, and then hastened to extinguish them in the enemy, by throwing buckets of water from the gangway. When the Redoutable had struck, it was not practicable to board her from the Victory, for, though the two ships touched, the upper works of both fell in so much that there was a great space between their gangways; and she could not be boarded from her lower or middle decks, because her ports were down. Some of our men went to Lieutenant Quilliam and offered to swim under her bows, and get HI? there; but it was thought unfit to hazard brave lives in this manner. What our men would have done from gallantry, some of the crew of the Santissima Trinidad did to save themselves. Unable to stand the tremendous fire of the Vic- tory, whose larboard guns played against this great four- decker, and not knowing how else to escape them, nor where else to betake themselves for protection, many of them leapt overboard, and swam to the Victory; and were actually helped up her sides by the English during the action. The Spaniards began the battle with less vivacity than their unworthy allies, but they continued it with greater firmness. The A rqonauta and Bahama were defended till they had each lost about four hundred men; the San Juan Nepomuceno lost three hundred and fifty. Often as the superiority of British courage has been proved against France upon the seas, it was never more conspicuous than in this decisive conflict. Five of our ships were engaged muzzle to muzzle with five of the French. In all five, the Frenchmen lowered their lower-deck ports, and deserted their guns; while our men continued deliberately to load and fire, till they had made the victory secure. Once, amidst his sufferings, Nelson had exyressed a wish that he were dead; but immediately the spirit subdued the pains of death, and he wished to live a, little longer;- 292 THE LIFE OF NELSON [18OG

doubtless that he might hear the completion of the victory which he had seen sogloriously 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. l'he shirs which were thus flying were four of the enemy's van, al French, under Rear-Admiral Dumanoir. They had borne no part in the action; and now, when they were seeking safety in flight, they fired not only into the Victory and Royal Sovereign 88 they passed, but poured their broadsides into the Spanisb captured ships; and they were seen to back their top-sails, for the purpose of firing with more precision. The indignation of the Spaniards at this detestable cruelty from their allies, for whom they had fought so bravely, and 80 profusely bled, may well be conceived. It was such, that when, two days after the action, seven of the ships which had escaped into Oadiz 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 would quietly go below; but they requested that they might be allowed to fight the French, in resentment for the murderous usage which they had suffered at their banda. Such was their earnestness, and such the implicit confidence which could be placed in Spanish honour, that the offer was accepted; and they were actually stationed at the lower-deck guns. Dumanoir and his squadron were not more fortunate than the fleet from whose destrnction they fled: they fell in with Sir Richard Strachan, who WIll cruising for the Rochefort squadron, and were all taken. In the better days of France, if such a crime could then have been committed, it would have received an exemplary punishment from the French government: under Buona- parte, it was sure of impunity, and, perhaps, might be thought deserving of reward. But, if the SpaniBli court had been independent, it would become us to have delivered Dumunoir and his captains up to Spain, that theI might have been brought to trial, and hanged in Bight ol the remains of the Spanish fleet. The total British 1086 in the battle of Trafalgar amounted 1805] THE LIFE OF NELSON 293 to 1587. Twenty of the enemy struck; but it was not possible to anchor the fleet, * as Nelson had enjoined ;-a gale came on from the south-west; some of the prizes went down, some went on shore; one effected its escape into Cadiz; others were destroyed; four only were saved, and those by the greatest exertions. The wounded Span- iards were sent ashore, an assurance being given that they should 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. When the storm, after the action, drove some of the prizes upon the coast, they declared that the English, who were thus thrown into their hands, should not be considered as prisoners of war; and the Spanish soldiers gave up their own beds to their shipwrecked enemies. The Spanish Vice- Admiral, Alava, died of his wounds. Villeneuve was sent to England, and permitted to return to France. The French government say that he destroyed himself on the way to Paris, dreading the consequences of a court-martial: but there is every reason to believe that the tyrant, who never acknowledged the loss of the battle of Trafal- gar, added Villeneuve to the numerous victims of his murderous policy.' It is almost superfluous to add, that all the honours which a grateful country could bestow were heaped upon the memory of Nelson. His brother was made an Earl, with a grant of £6,000 a year; £10,000 were voted to each * In the former editions it was said that unhappily the fleet did not anchor: implying an opinion that Nelson's orders ought to have been followed by his successor. From the recently published Memoirs and Correspondence of Lord Collingwood, it appears that this was not practicable, and that if it had been, and had been done, the consequences, from the state of the weather (which Nelson could not foresee), would, in all likelihood, have been more disastrous than they were. Ha ving thus referred to Lord Collingwood's Life, I may be allowed to 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 cabinet.-Soufhey's Note. 1 " The na val power of France was, for the time, completely broken; and during the rest of the war, which lasted for another ten years, the command of the sea was held by us in a grip which 294 THE LIFE OF' NELSON [1808 of his sisters; and £100,000 for the purchase of an estate.! .A public Funeral was decreed.! and a public monument.s the enemy scarcely attempted to dispute."-Laughton, ~"tl80n, 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. Xo victory, and no series of victories of Xapoleon, produced the same effect upon Europe. . . . A generation passed after Trafalgar before France again seriously threatened England upon the sea. The prospect of crush- ing the British Xavy, so long as England had the means to equip a navy, vanished. Xapoleon henceforth set his hopes on exhausting England's resources, by com pe1ling every state on the Continent to exclude her commerce. Trafalgar forced him to impose his yoke upon all Europe, or to abandon the hope of conquering Great Britain. . . . Xelson's last triumph left England in such a position that no means remained to injure her but those which must result in the ultimate deli verance of the Continent. "-Fyffe, Hi8tory of XOtkm Europe, i., p. 281. 1 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 board his flag-ship, the Ville de Paris. 2 Lord St. Vincent said of Trafalgar that Be "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 the ri ver, headed by the Corporation barges, to the Admiralty. From here, on January 9, 1806, it was attended by a great procession, in- eluding the crew of the Victory, Greenwich pensioners, volunteers, troops, city functionaries, and officers of state, headed by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence, to St. Paul's Cathedral; where Nelson lies, next. to the remains of Wellington. 111 his noble Ode on the Death of the Duke of lVelli1"gton, Tennyson makes Nelson ask the following question : " Who is he that cometh like an honour'd guest With banner, and with music, with soldier and with priest, With a nation weeping and breaking on my rest ?" And the poet replies: " l\lighty seaman, this IA he Was great by land, UM thou by sea. Thine island loves thee well, thou famous ma.n, The greatest sailor since the world began. Now to the roll of muffled drums, To thee the greatest soldier comes ; For this is he Was great by land as thou by sea." Ncar by lie also Lord Collingwood, Lord Nortbesk, and Captain Foley. Nelson was buried in a sarcophagus said to have been made for Henry VllT. at the expense of Cardinal Wolsey. 3 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 our principal cities. The leaden coffin, in which he was brought home, was cut in pieces, which were distributed as relics of Saint Nelson,-so the gunner of the Victory 1 called them ;-and when, at his interment, his flag was about to be lowered into the grave, the sailors, who assisted at the ceremony, with one accord rent it in pieces, that each might preserve a fragment while he lived. The death of Nelson was felt in England as something more than a public calamity: men started at the intelligence, and turned pale; as if they had heard of the loss of day in Trafalgar Square, the most prominent spot in all London, pronounced by Chantrey to be "the most favorable site that could be found or imagined for any national work of art," and by Sir Robert Peel, "one of the finest sites in Europe." The column was erected 1840-43, with funds raised by public subscription aided by the government. It is said to be of the exact proportions of a column of the Corinthian Temple of Mars Ultor at Rome. It is of Portland stone, 145feet high, and was designed by Mr. Railton. The capital of this column is made of bronze obtained from cannon captured by Nelson. The column is surmounted by a statue of Nelson, 17 feet high, sculptured by E. H. Bailey, R.A. The pedestal has upon each of its four sides a relief in bronze. That on the north represents the Battle of the Nile. Nelson has just been wounded. The surgeon hastens to his relief, leaving a wounded sailor to attend him. "No," said Nelson, "I will take my turn with my brave fellows." On the south the Death of Nelson at Trafalgar is represented. "Well, Hardy," said Nelson to his captain, "they have done for me at last." "I hope not," was the reply. " Yes, they have 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 the Prince ; on the west the Battle of St. Vincent, Nelson on board the San Josef receiving the swords of the Spanish admirals. Four magnificent bronze lions by Landseer guard the base of the column. 1 The Victory has been preserved, like our own ConBtitution, and lies to-day in Portsmouth Harbor. Upon her deck is marked the spot where Nelson fell. She was visited on Trafalgar Day, 1844, by Queen Victoria. She has an extreme length of 2261- feet, a beam of 52, and a depth of hold of 2lt. Her three gun-decks carry each 30 guns. Her displacement was 2,200 tons. Her successors, the Nile and Trafalqar are 345 feet long, 73 feet beam, 27i feet draught, and 12,500 tons displacement. This great disparity in displacement is due to the added weight of engines, guns and material (steel instead of wood) in the new ships. The Victory had 102 guns at Tra- falgar ; the Trafalgar and Nile carry only 26 ; but wliile the Vic- tory's broadside threw only 1,180 pounds, one gun of the modem ships will throw a shell weighing 1,250 pounds. 296 THE LIFE OF NELSON [1..,. a dear friend.' An object of our admiration and affection, of our :{lride and of our hopes, was suddenly taken from us; and It seemed as if we had never, till then, known how deeply we loved and reverenced him. What the country had lost in its great naval hero-the greatest of onr own and of all former times, was scarcely taken into the account of grief. So perfectly, indeed, had. he performed his part, that the maritime war, after the battle of Trafal- gar, was considered at an end: the fleets of the enemy were not merely defeated, but destroyed: new navies must be built, and a new race of seamen reared for them, before the possibility of their invading our shores could again be contemplated. It was not, therefore, from any selfish reflection upon the magnitude of our 1088 that we mourned for him: the general sorrow was of a higher character. The peo;I?leof England grieved that funeral ceremonies, and pubhc monuments, and posthumous rewards, were all which they could now bestow upon him, whom the King, the Legislature, and the nation, would have alike delighted to honour; whom every tongue would have blessed; whose presence in every village through which he might have passed would have wakened the church bells, have given schoolboysa holiday, have drawn children from their sports to gaze upon him, and "old men from the chimney corner," 2 to look npon Nelson ere they died. The victory of Trafalgar was celebrated, indeed, with the usual forms of rejoicing, but they were without joy; for such already was the glory of the British Navy, through Nelson's surpassing genius, that it scarcely seemed to receive any addition from the most signal victory that ever was achieved upon the seas: and the destruction of this mighty fleet, by which all the maritime schemes of France were totally frustrated, hardly appeared to add to our security or strength; for,

1 Coleridge says (in TIle Friend), when he went to Naples, Dum. bers stopped and shook him by the hand, seeing the te&n on hill cheeks, and that he was an Englishman. "Several burst into tean i and it pleased and affected me as a proof of the £OOdness of hum •• ity, to find it was whis~red about that Nelson liad become a pod Catholic. The absurdity of the feeling was a sort of ,meuuremeDt of their affectionate esteem. "-Note in Bohn's edition, I" He [the poet] cometh unto you with a tale which holdeth children 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 watch the combined squadrons of the enemy, we felt ourselves as secure as now, when they were no longer in existence. There was reason to suppose, from the appearances uyon opening the bod~> that, in the course of nature, he might have attained, like his father, to a good old age. Yet he cannot be said to have fallen prematurely whose work was done; nor ought he to be lamented, who died so full of honours, and at the height of human fame. The most triumphant death is that of the martyr; the most awful that of the martyred patriot; the most splendid that of the hero in the hour of victory: and if the chariot and the .~ horses of fire had been vouchsafed for Nelson's translation, he could scarcely have departed in a brighter blaze of glory. He has left us, not indeed his mantle of inspiration, but a name and an example, which are at this hour ins}!iring thousands of the youth of England :-a name which is our pride, and an example which will continue to be our > shield and our strength. Thus it is that the spirits of the great and the wise continue to live and to act after them; verifying, in this sense, the language of the old mythol- ogist:

To! /.lEY 6aiJ.,loyit; lid", .dldt; /.uyaAov But /JOVAa', 'tECSOAOi, i1tIXOOYIO", cpvAax8S 6YTI'rOOY ay6pC»1tODy.1

1These lines are from Hesiod's Warks and Day8 (122, 128). They may be rendered thus: "Those god-like spirits, indeed, rendered powerful for good through the purposes of infinite ZeUB, shall remain upon this earth as protectors of men that die." As an exercise, the student should read the conclusions of several biographies, especially those mentioned on p. 1, and of several essays of Macaulay, Johnson, Carlyle, or De Quincey. In all cases he should mark that the closing sentences draw some lar~e conclusion; and drive home, as it were, the moral of the dIS- course; indeed, as the introduction establishes a connection between the mind of the reader and the subject-matter, the conclusion should establish a connection between the subject and the broader, nobler, and more permanent interests of mankind. Construct a conclusion for a biography of some man who has died recently. It is suggested that, immediately after the Life of Nelson is finished, a careful study of one of Macaulay's biographical essays be undertaken with special reference to its rhetorical effects; and that, after this, the biography of Nelson be condensed into the limits of a spirited essay.

GLOSSARY AND INDEX TO NOTES

A RERCROMBlE, Sir R., 243. Bulkhead, 260. Ahoukir, 128. Buonaparte, 55, 89, 91, 122, 142, 190, Acting Lieutenant: one who is 262, 271 276. performing the duties, without Burke, Edmund, 64,148. holding the commission, of a lieu- Burns, Robert, 1D. tenant. "Acting" is similarly used of other officers. CABLE'S-LENGTR, 204. Addington1 ~he administration, 195. Ceesar, 60, 237. Admiral IlK. Calder, Sir R., 271. IEneid, 36, 177. Campbell, Thomas, 197 228. After-sails, 74. Camperdown, Battle of, 115. Agamemnon, the, 53, 54, 91. Capstern-bar, 57. Alberoni 58. Captain, the, Dl 102. Amiens Pea~c or, 240. Captain of the Fleet: chief of staff Arctic Exploration, 11. of commander-In-chlet ; respons- Argyle, Earl of, 154. ible for all routine; part of his Armed neutrality, 28. duty is to keep the commander Athwart-hawse, 130. informed on all points of detail, and to consult with him as to BACON, Lord, 47. the requirements of the different Ball, Sir Alexander, 119. ships; he cannot Issue orders ex- Barge, crew of, 87. cept In subordination to the ad- Barrasl89. miral, or originate plans; he ranks Bath, ~. as rear-admlra1. See Laughton, Heat up: tack or sall across the 1felson, p, 185. wind. Caraccioli! 171, 172, 178. Beatty, Sir J., 288. Carlyle, Thomas, M. Berry, Captain, 128, 132, 138. Caroline Matilda, 208. Berwick, Duke of, M. Carry away, 174. Between wind and water, 76. Cartel-ship, 7(). Hits: the wooden framework to Case-Blanca, 185. which the cables are fastened. Certiftcat!l preserved at Plymouth, Blackwood, Captain, 188, 269, 282. Mass., ~. Blake, Admiral, 107. Charles I., 57. Bomb, 11. Chatham, Earl of, 58. Boom: a 101lg pole used to extend Clear for action: When a ship went the lower comer of a salle into action bulkheads were taken Bowen, Captain, 111. down and everything posstble Bower-anchor, 16. taken below. Brahe, Tycho, 202. Clue, 255. Brails, 74. Cob, 181. Brig: a two-masted, square-rigged Coleridge, 8. T., 187, 294. vessel. Collingw~) 21, 193, 284, 293. Broad-pendant, 37. Colonel of Marines, 78. Bronte, 181. Combustibles, 145. Browning, Robert, 42, 139. Commissioned ofticers, 100. 300 GLOSSARY AND INDEX '1'0 NOTES

Compass, mariner's, 283. Gray, Thomas, lSI. Composition, suggestions for work Guardshlp, 9. in, 5, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 17, 24,81, 82, Guillaume TeD, Le, 188. 89,4S,44,45,46,47,5SA~54,56,58, Guinea, 29. 60, 69, 76, 79, 81, 87, ~, 98, 104, Gunshot distance, '7'- 106, 122i 177, 274, 297. Comptrol er 19. HAKLUYT, R. 16. Convoy: a fleet of merchant-vessels Half-pay: b;H as much as foll pay: protected by a man-of-war. the pay usually of an ofllcer Dot Corsica, 60. in regular service or on the retired Corvette: a vessel resembling a list. frigate, and ranking next below it Hallowell, Captain 97, ~ 1~ 141. among ships of war. Hamllto!t Emma L;iy,55, 12&,lSI, Coxswain, 10. 162, ira, 179,1 91, liK, 241, sa, Croker, J. W., 269. 277,278. Cross-jack-yard: the lower yard on Hamilton, Sir W., M, 161, us, 18B, the mizzen-mast of a full-rigged 241,245. ship. Hamlet, 28, 196. Crow, 57. Hang, 129. Cutter, 10. Hanged, 60. Hanger, 00. DAVY, Sir Humphrey, 242. Haul 011 94- Deputations, 40. Haydn, 191. De Quinc~y, 290. Heave In stays, 75. Dickens, Charles, 59. Heave to: to bring a veseel to with Directory, the, 89. her head to the wind and with ODe Dou ble-headed shot 218. or more salls aback, so aa to cheek Drinkwater, Colonel, 108. her progress. Driver-sail, 74. Hebert, 1M. Duncan, Admiral, 244. Heraldry, 140. Hincbin brook, 21. ENGHIEN Duc D', 123. Hotham, Admlral, 78, 77. English Revolution, 155. Howe, Lord, 88, ~. Explicit, 43. Hughes, 81r R. and Lady, 86.

FALKLAND ISLANDS, 9. ICB ANCHOR, 19. Fall on board, 99. Incarnadine, lIB. Fathom: six feet. India, 18. Ferdinand IV. of Naples, 152. Ismallz.l56. Flags, 104, 129, 137, 281. Italy, 00. Flag-ship: the vessel bearing the commander-in-chief. JACOBINISM 85. Fore-brace: a rope fastened to the Jervis, Sir J., 88, 97, 98. fore-yardarm used to change the Johnson, Dr. Samuel, 69. position of the sail. Fore-top: the platform at the top LANDRIDGB SUOT, 189. of the fore-mast. Larboard, 98, 910. Francis II. of GermanY 160. Latitude and longitude, 88. Fremantle, Captain, 11:i . Launch: the largest of .. IIlaD-Of French Revolution, 186, 155. war's boats. Frigate, 6. Lazzaroni,151. Frustrate, 267. Leading wind, 00'1. League, 205. GALLEY, 196. Leeward, 87. Genereux Le, 187. I..eeward Islands, 40. George 11i ., 193, 245. Letter of Credit, 139. Gibbon, 87. Letter-ot-Marque, 20. Glover, R., 24. Lincoln's Inn, Sf. Grant, General U. 8., 67. Livre, 68. GLOSSARY AND INDEX TO NO~PES 301

Loano, Battle of, 87. deck built over the after part of Locke, John, 154. the spar deck of a vessel of war; Locker, Captain, 20. hence, generally, the stern of a Long-boat, 10. vessel. L'Orient, 135. Port-fire, 135. Louis XV!., 65. Post, 20. Luff, 99. Praam,215. Lugger, 204. QUARTER: the half of the ship to- MACAULAY,5, 58, 193, 249. ward the stern. Malta, Knights of, 156. Quarter-deck, 76. Marat, 154. Quarter-less-five, a, 210. Maria Theresa, 14R. Quintal, 21. Marie Antoinette, 148. Marine: soldier serving on board RADEAU,204. ship. Rake, 131. Massaniello, 174. Receiving-ship, 48. Master, 20. Register Act, 43. Merton, 241. Register-ship: a vessel registered Midshipman, 17. under the Register Act. Milton, John 282. Ripperdal58. Monmouth, Duke of, 154. Rodney,iSl. Moore, Sir John, 66. Rolling ground, 236. Mortar, 207. Rousseau, 62. Myriad, 122. Royal Society, 11. Mystics, 18. Ruffo, Cardinal, 169. Run on board, 287. NAPLES, 171, 175. Russell, Lord William, 154. Napoleon. See Buonaparte. National Convention, the, 65. SAILOR, the life of !A 10. Naval Cadet 17. Sandwich, Earl of, w. Navigation Act, 38, 39. San Josef, the, 195. Navy, the English, 6. Santissima Trinidad, the, 103, 284. Nelson, Horatio, Lord, 8, 44, 50, 51, Scherer, 89. 69, 70, 71, 96, 101, 103, 105, 111, Scott, Sir W. L..64, 181, 208. 145,170, 179, 190, 191)..193,194, 198. Sequestrate, V~. 199, 200, 201, 212, l',16, 223, 227, Sequin, 140. 234, 238, 246, 248, 249, 254, 268, Shakspere, 41. 271, 274, 275, 276, 282, 289, 293, Shank, 16. 294. Shilling, 29. Nelson, Lady, 194, 247. Ship's-kettle, 11. Nelson touch, the, 274. Shiver, 75. Niebuhr, 225. Sidney, Algernon, 154. Nisbet, -Iosiah, 56. Sidney, Sir Philip, 296. Nootka Sound, 53. Sixpence, 52. Nuevo Reyno, 23. Slops, 48. Smart money, 116. ON BOARD, 102. Smith, Sir Sidney, 189. Orderly, 26. St. Angelo, Castle of, 159. Starboard, 74- PAOLI, 64, 65. St. Januarius, 168. Parker, 239. St. Ome~ 35. Pasquin, 97. St. Pier D'Arena, 85. Pendant, 37. Studding sails: light sails set out- Philippe Egalite, 154. side a square sail. Piastre, 21. Suckling, Sir John, 6. Pitt, 40, 156. Supercargo: an officer in a merchant Pontoon, 204. ship who attends to the buying Poop: from Latin puppis ; a short and selling of the cargo. 302 GLOSSARY.AND INDEX TO NOTES

Suwarrow, 156. W A LPOLB , Sir Robert and Horace, Swiftsu~el 187. 5,59. Swivel, He Warp: to move a ship by mean. of cables fastened to some other object. TENDER, 20. Warrant-officers, 120. Tennyson, 41, 42, 294. Washington, 280. Topsail breeze, 201. Watch-and-watch, at, 17. Touch, 74. Watches, 18. Trafalgar 279. Water-line: a horizontal line sup- Treville, La Touche, 255. posed to be drawn about a ship Troubridge, 18, 130. at the surface of the water. Wear, 94, 119. URBANITY, 220. Weather-bow, 74. Wilkes, Johnl. 115. Windham, 14~. VAILZ 208. Wolfe, Rev. C., 66. Vanslttart,197. Wooden Walls, 196. Veer, 129. Victory, the, 295. ZEALAND, Capture of the, ~. LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

Books prescribed for 1897 Examinations, p. 2. Books prescribed for 1898 Examinations, p. 3. Books prescribed for 1899 Examinations, p. S. 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 Collep.

Each Volume contains fun Notes, Introductions. Bibliographies. and other explanatory and illustrative matter. Crown 8vo. cloth.

Books Prescribed for the 1897 Examinations. FOR lU~"Aj)ING.

SHAKSPERE'S As You LIKE IT. With an introduction by Barrett Wendell, A. B., Assistant Professor of English in Harvard University, and notes by \Villiam Lyon Phelps, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English in Yale University. Portrait.

DEFol(s HISTORY ()Ie' THE PLAGUE IN LONDON. Edited, with introduction and notes, hy Professor G. R. Carpenter, or Columbia College. With Portrait of Defoe.

Iavrxc's TAI.ES ()It" A TRAVELLER. \Vith an introduction by Brander Mat thews, Professor of Literature in Columbia College. and explanatory notes by the general editor of the series. With Portrait of Irving. LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS 3

Books Prescribed for I897-Continued. GEORGE ELIOT'S SILAS MARNER. Edited, with introduction and notes, by Robert Herrick, 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 introduction and notes, by the Rev. Huber Gray Buehler, of the Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn. With Portrait of Johnson.

Books Prescribed for the 1898 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 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. LONGMANS- ENGLISH CLASSICS

Books Prescribed for I898-Continued.

THR 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 introduction and notes, by Mary A. Jordan, A.M., Professor or Rhetoric and Old English in Smith College. With Portrait of Goldsmith.

COLERIDGE'S THE RnlE 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, Il1inois. 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 Buros.

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,

BVRKE'S SPEECH ON CO~CILIATION WITH AMERICA. Edited, with introduction and notes, by Albert S. Cook, Ph.D., Pr0- fessor of the English Language and Literature in Yale University. With Portrait of Burke.

DE QUINCEY'S FLIGHT OF A TARTAR TRIBE. Edited, with intro- d uction and notes, by Charles Sears Bald win, Ph.D., Instructor in Rhetoric in Yale University. With Portrait of De Quincey.

TE~~YSON'S THE PRI~CESS. Edited with Introduction and Notes by George Edward Woodberry, A.B., proressor of Literature in Columbia College, With Portrait of Tennyson. L!)NGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS s

'Books Prescribed for the 1899 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 introduction 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 QUINCEY'S FLIGHT OF A TARTAR TRIBE. Edited, with introduction and notes, by Charles Sears Baldwin, Ph.D., Instructor in Rhetoric in Yale University. With Portrait of De Quincey. COOPER'S THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. With introduction and explanatory notes. [In preparati01l.

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. - 6 LONG.AfANS' ENGLISH CLASS/~S

Books Prescribed for I899-Continued. 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 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 1900 Examinations. (See also Preceding Lists.) FOR READING. DRYDEN'S PALAl\ION AND ARCITE. Edited by Professor J. W. Bright. POPE'S HOMER'S ILIAD. BOOKS I., VI., XXII., AND XXIV. Edited by Superintendent Maxwell and Percival Chubb. THE SIR ROGER DE COVERLEY PAPERS. Edited by Dr. D. O. S. Lowell. GOLDSl\IlTH'S THE VICAR or W AKEI"'IELD. Edited by Professor Mary A. Jordan. DE QUINCEY'S FLIGHT OF A TARTAR TRIBE. Edited by Dr. C. S. Baldwin. TEN~YSON'S THE PRINCESS. Edited by Professor G. E. Wood- berry. SCOTT'S IVANHm:. [In preparal;o". COOPER'S THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. [In pr,paralio". FOR STUDl": SHAKSPERE'S MACBETH. Edited by Professor Manly. l\hLTO~'S PARADISE LOST. BOOKS I. AND II. Edited by p~ fessor E. E. Hale, Jr.

BURKE'S SPEECH O~ COXCILIATIO~ WITH AMERICA. Edited by Dr. A. S. Cook.

l\-IACAV~f'\Y'S ESSAYS ox ;\111.TO~ AND ADDISON. LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS 7

Tltefollowing volumes are also read)': SCOTT'S WOODSTOCK. Edited, with introduction and notes, by Bliss Perry. A. M.• Professor of Oratory and }Esthetic Criticism in the College of New Jersey. With Portrait of Sir Walter Scott. MACAULAY'S ESSAY ON MILTON. Edited, with introduction and notes, hy 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,

C 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. 1\IILTON'S L'ALLEGRO, IL PENSEROSO, COMUS, AND LYCIDAS. Edited, with introductions and notes, by William P. Trent. A.M., Professor of English in the University of the South. With Portrait of Milton.

" The series as a whole certainly marks • • • a clear advance beyond all its predecessors."-The Educational Review, February, 1896. " 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.

II The Suggestions for 'reachers 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, 1896.

'l I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the two beautiful 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 at~ractiv~,"-PltOf. JOHN F, GENUNG, Amherst College. 8 LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS

"You are to be congratulated upon the excellence of the series of ENGLISH CLASSICSwhich you are now publishing, if I may judge of it by the three numbers 1 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."-CIIARLES 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 1 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." -llYRO:-l GROCE, Master in English, Boston Latin School.

" 1am your debtor for two specimens of your series of ENGUSH 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.

n Let me thank you for four more volumes of your excellent series of E:-lGLISHCLASSICS. . 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 rnay soon be completed and be widelJ 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 towatd better English teaching in the secondary schools." -Prof. KATHERI:\E LEE BATES, Wellesley Collece. " They are thoroughly edited and attractively presented, and canDDt fail to be welcome when used for the college entrance requirements ill English."-Prof. CHARLES F. RICHARDSON,Dartmouth College. LONGMANS' ENGLISH CLASSICS 9

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 much toward making the study of literature a pure delight." -Prof. A. G. NEWCOMER, Leland Stanford Jr. University. " 1 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 C 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."-EnWIN CORNELL, Principal of Central Valley Union School. 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 now generally in progress. We have, in addition to the unabridged text of the novel, a careful editorial introduction; the author's introduction, 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 discussions 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 10 LONGAIANS' 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." - Tht: 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 opportunity for historical research and exercise in composition. n -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 suggestive. 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, '\Yho 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 introductory and explanatory matter should be suggestive and stimulating rather than complete and exhaustive! "-Edttcational RrointJ. "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 iatro- duction and his handling of the difficult points in Defoe's life. "-HAK- !\[Q~D LA!\IO~T, 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 fall, sustains the high standard of the other works of this series; the iD~ duction, the suggestions to teachers, and the notes are admirable," -WILLlAll NICHOLS, The Nichols School, Buffalo, N. Y. LONGMANS ENGLISH CLASSICS II

U I beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of Macaulay's

I Essay on Milton' and Webster's I First Bunker Hill Oration' in your series of ENGLISH CLASSICS. These works for preparatory study are nowhere better edited or presented in more artistic form. I am glad you find it possible to publish so good a book for so little money." -Prof. W. H. CRAWSHAW, Colgate University.

H I am especially pleased with Mr. Croswell's introduction to, and notes at the bottom of the page of, his edition of Macaulay's' Essay on 1\1 ilton.' I have never seen notes on a text that were more admirable than these. They contain just the information proper to impart, and are unusually well expressed." -CHARLES C. RAMSAY, Principal of Fall River High School.

COLERIDGE'S 'ANCIENT MARINER.'

I. 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 coition a veritable help to the appreciation of poetry by his pupils." -Principal RAY GREENE HULlNG, English High School, Cambridge, Mass. ,. 1\1r. 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 introduction, comprising a Coleridge biography, bibliography, and chronological table, a definition of poetry in general, and a thoughtful study of the orig-in, form, and criticisms of this particular poem, 'The Ancient Mariner.' Teachers and students of English are to be congratulated on. and Mr. Hates and his publishers thanked for, this acquisition to the field of literary study. "-Literary World, Boston.

MILTON'S • L'ALLEGRO, IL 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, Swarthmore College, 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 educational 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 many cases, 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. They are the original work of scholars and men of letters who are conversant with the topics of which they treat. 4. Colleges and preparatory schools are both represented in the list of editors (the preparatory schools more prominently in the lists for 1897 and 1898), and it is intended that the series shall exemplify the ripest methods of 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 carefully the needs of students who present themselves for admission to college. s. The volumes are uniform in size and style, are wen 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~ GREE~·& 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 history of America, under the general title EpOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY. Th.e series is under the editorship of DR. ALBERT BUSHNELL HART, Assistant Professor of History in Harvard College, who has also prepared all the maps for the several volumes. Each volume contains about 300 pages, similar in size and style to the page of the volumes in Messrs. Longmans' series, , Epochs of Modern History,' with full marginal analysis, working bibliographies, maps, and index. The volumes are issued separately, and each is complete in itself. The volumes now ready provide a continuous history of the United States from the foundation of the Colonies to the present time, suited to and intended for class use as well as for general reading and reference .

... fI Tlte volumes of tltis series already issued Aave lem adopted for use as tezt- look:. in nearly all the leading Col/eges and in many Normal Schoots and ot,," institutions. A prospectus. skOUJing Contents and scope of each, volume. specimnt lages, etc., will be sent on application to tlte Publiskers.

I. THE COLONIES, 1492-175°. By REUBEN GOLD THWAITItS, Secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin; author of " Historic Waterways," etc. With four colored maps. pp. xviii.-30I. Cloth. tl.25. CORNELL UNIVERSITY. c'I beg leave to acknowledge your courtesy in sending me a copy of the first volume in the series of I Epochs of American History; which I have read with great interest and satisfaction. I am pleased. as everyone must be, with the mechanical execution of the book. with the maps, and with the fresh and valuable 'Suggestions' and 'References.' . • . . The work itself appears to me to be quite remarkable for its comprehensiveness, and it presents a vast array of subjects in a way that is admirably fair. clear and orderly."-ProCessor MOSES COlT TYLER, Ithaca, N. Y. WILLIAMS COLLEGE • .. It is just the book needed for college students. not too brief to be uninteresting, admirable in its plan, and well furnished with references to accessible authorities. it-ProCessor 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. it-ProCessor Lucy M. SALMON, Poughkeepsie, N. Y• ., All that could be desired. This volume is more like a fair treatment of the whole subject of the colonies than any work of the sort yet produced. ,. - Tlte Critic • ., The subject is virtnally a fresh one as approached by Mr. Thwaites. It is A pleasure to call especial attention to some most helpful bibliographical notes provided at the head of each chapter. ,.- Tlte Nation.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO.,91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York. LONGMANS, GREEN., &- CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

EPOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

II. FORMATION OF THE UNION, 175~18~.

By ALBERT BUSHNELL HART, PH.D. Assistant Professor of History iD Harvard University, Member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Author of "Introduction to the Study of Federal Government,"

U Epoch Maps," etc. With five colored maps. pp. D.-278. Cloth. '1.25· The second volume of the EpOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY aims to fonow out the principles laid down for" THE COLONIEs/'-the study of causes rather than of events. the development of the American nation out of scattered and inharmonious colonies. The throwing off of English control. the growth out of narrow political conditions, the struggle against foreip dominatioD, and the extension of popular_ government. are all parts of the UDlDterrupted proceu of the Formation of the Union. LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIV&RSITY.

" The large and sweeping treatment of the subject, which shOWI the true relations of the events preceding and following the revolution. to the re'Volutioa itself, is a real addition to the literature of the subject; while the bibliograph, prefixed to each chapter, adds incalculably to the value of the work. "_:MAa1" SHELDON BARNES. Palo Alto. Cal.

II It is a careful and conscientious study of the period and its events, aDd should find a place among the text-books of our public schools." -Bllsl. Trl6lUcrilL

II Professor Hart has compressed a vast deal of information into his volu~ and makes many things most clear and striking. His maps. showiog the te~ torial growth of the United States. are extremely interesting." -N"" YwJ Ti.. £

•I. • The causes of the Revolution are clearly and cleverly condensed iato a few pages. . . The maps in the work are singularly useful eVeD to adult&. There are five of these. which are alone worth the price of the volume." -Marau.e IIf .AtIUri~tJII Hu,.,., • •, The formation period of our nation is treated with much care ad willa great precision. Each chapter is prefaced with copious references to authorities, which are valuable to the student who desires to pursue his readiog more extensively. There are five valuable maps showing the growth or our countrr by successive stages and repeated acquisition of territory." --atnlM .Atlwrliur • .. Dr. Hart is not only a master of the art of condensatioD. • • • lie II what is even of greater importance, an interpreter of history. He percei.es the logic of historic events; hence. in his condensation. he does not Delled proportion, and more than once he gives the student valuable clues to the solution of historical problems. "-A tlanti«AlontAly • .. A valuable volume of a valuable series. The author has written with • {ull knowledge of his subject, and we have little to say except in .,raile." -Ellr/isj H;slwutllRftIiIw.

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., 91-93 Fifth AftDae. New York. LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

EPOCHS OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

III. DIVISION AND RE-UNION, 1829-188g. By WOODR.OW WILSON, Ph.D., LLD., Professor of Jurisprudence in Princeton College; Author of 'c Congressional Government," CC The State- Elements of Historical and Practical Politics," etc., etc. With five colored Maps. 346 pages. Cloth, '1.25. .. We regret that w~ haye not space for more .q~otations from this un co. monly strong, impartial, mtere.stmg. bock Giving only. enough fact;s 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 admirable pen-portraits of the great personages of the period with as much freedom from bias, and as much pains to be just, as if the author were delineating Pericles, or Alcibiades, Sulla, or Ceesar. Dr. Wilson has earned the gratitude of seekers after truth by his masterly production. "-N. C. University JI,[ara.ilU.

CI This admirable little volume is one of the lew books which nearly meet our ideal 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 J;reat personalities of the time, the nerve-centers of history, live intensely and m due proportion ill 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 aD admirable 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, impartiality of judgment. unusual power of summarizing, and an acute political sense. Few writers can more vividly set forth the views of parties." -Atlantic Montllly • .. Students of United States history may thank Mr. Wilson for an extremely clear and careful rendering of a period very difficult to handle • • • theI will find themselves materially aided in easy comprehension of the political situation of the country by the excellent maps." -N. Y. Times• .. Professor Wilson writes in a clear and forcible style. • • • The bibliographical references at the head of each chapter are both well selected and well arranged, and add greatly to the value of the work, which appears to be especially designed for use in instruction in colleges and preparatory schools." - Yale Revin.o. '1 It is written in a style admirably clear, vigorous, and attractive. a thorougb grasp of the subject is shown. and the development of the theme is lucid and orderly, while the tone is judicial and fair, and the deductions sensible and dispassionate-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. I.. . . 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."-ColumIJia Law Times.

LONGMANS, GREEN, Be CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York. LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO.'S PUBL.lCATIONS.

ENGLISH HISTORY FOR AMERICANS.

By THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON, Author of "Young Folks' Jr. tory of the United States," etc., and EDWARD CHANNING, Assistant Professor of History in Harvard University. With 77 mustrationl, 6 Colored Maps, Bibliography, a Chronological Table of Conteata, and Index. ramo, Pp. xxxii-334- Teachers' price, el.20. The name ••English History for Americans," which suggests t,he keY-DOte of this book. is based on the simple fact that it is not the practice of American readers, 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 uae their time to the best advantage if they devote it mainly to those events in EnClish annals which have had the most direct influence on the history and iDstitutions of their own land. . . . The authors of this book have thereCore boldJ, ventured 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 result of modem English investigation, and especially to avoid all unfair ar one-sided judgments. • • • Estra&ts /r()lll A.tJuw's Prifae,. DR. W. T. HARRIS, U. S. COMMISSIONER OF BDUCATIOJl • ..I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the book. ad ... lieve it to be the best introduction to English history hitherto made for the u. of schools. It is just what is needed in the school and in the famil,. It is tbe first history of England that I have seen which gives proper attention to soci~ logy and the evolution of political ideas, without neflecting what is picturesque and interesting to the popular taste. The device 0 placing the (our historiC81 maps at the beginning and end deserves special mention for its convenieDCe. Allow me to congratulate you on the publication of so excellent a tezt-book. n ROXBURY LATIN SCHOOL. .. . • • The most noticeable and commendable feature In the book IeeIIII to be its Unity. • . . I felt the same reluctance to lay the volume dcnna • • . 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 t,pe is large and clear, the pictures are well chosen and significant, a .~ number of anecdotes told in a crisp and masterful manner throw valuabfe .~ lights on the main narrative: the philosophy oChistory is undeniably there. bat sugar-coated, and the graceful style would do credit to a Macaulay. I IbaII immediately recommend it for use in our school.v-s-Da, D. O. S. LOw aLL. LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL. "In answer to your note of February 2;id I beg to say that we baft ID~ duced your Higginson's English History Into our gradu.ating class aDd ant much pleased with it Therefore whatever endorsement I, as a member of tbe Committee of Ten, could ~ive the book has already been giVeD by I!IY actioIa in placing it in our classes. '_ JAMES C. MACKENZIB, Lawrenceville. N. J. ANN ARBOR HIGH SCHOOL. Hit seems to me the hook will do for English history in this eouatl'J ..... the 'Young Folks' History of the United States' has done for the history ofoar own country-and I consider this high_praise. " -T. G. PATTENGILL. ADn Arbor. lOeb.

LONGMANS, GREEN, 6; CO.,91-93 Fifth AftDlIe. New Yorir. LONGMANS, GREEN, &-' CO.'S PUBLICA T10NS.

A STUDENT'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, from the Earliest Times to 1885. By SAMUEL RAWSON GAR.DINER, 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 and full Index. Crown 8vo, cloth, plain, $3.00. The book is also published in three Volumes (each with Index and Table of Contents) asfolknos : VOLUME I.-B.C. 55-A.D. 1509. 410 pp. With 113 Illustrations and Indez, 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 log Illustrations and Index, Crown Bvo, 81.20 • ••• Gardiner's" Student's History of England," through Part IX. (to 1789), is recommended by HABVABD UlIIVEBSI'fY &I indicating. the requirements for admission in this subject; and the EK'fIU work ie made the basis for English histol')' 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 valuable addition to the book, as they are not mere pretty pictures. but of real historical and archeeological interest. "-Prof. HENRY FERGUSON.

•I A unique feature consists of the very numerous illustrations. They throw light on almost every phase of English life in all ages. • • • Never. perhaps, in such a treatise has pictorial illustration been used with so good effect. The alert teacher will find here ample material for useful lessons by leading the pupil to draw the proper inferences and make the proper interpre- tations and comparisons. . . • The style is compact. vigorous. and interesting. 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. "-Tke Nation. N. Y. ". . . It is illustrated by pictures ofreal value; and when accompanied by the companion •Atlas of English History' is all that need be desired for its special purpose."-Tke Ckurckman. N. Y. *** A prospect us and specimenpagesof Gardiner's" Student's History 0/ England" will besent free on application to the pulJluJurs.

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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. 12mo. 272 pages. 7S cents. One of the best working grammars we have ever seen, and this applies to all its parts. It is excellently arranged and perfectly graded Part IV., on History and Derivation, is as beautiful and interesting as it is valuable -out this might be said of the whole book." -N ew York Teacher, " The Grammar deserves to supersede all others with which we are ac- quaintcd.t'-c-N, Y. Nation, July 2, 1891.

PREFACE TO AMERICAN EDITION. IT seems to be generally conceded that English grammar is worse taught and less understood than any other subject in the school course. This is, douhtless, 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 thc language, but, written from the point of view of the scholar rather than of the learner, they fail to awaken any interest in the subject, and hence arc not serviceable for the class-room. My attention was first called to Longmans' School Grammar by a favorable notice 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 disappointment. left the impression that a successful text-book in a field strewn with 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 most satisfactory. The author's simplicity of method, the clear statement of facts, the orderly arrangement. the wise restraint, manifest on every page, reveal the scholar and practical teacher. Noone who had not mastered the language in its early historical 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 rational methods. In this edition, the Publishers have adapted the illustrative sentences to the ready comprehension of American pupils, and I take pleasure in recommending the book, in behalf of our mother tongue, to the teachers of our Pub- lic and Private Schools. Eow ARD A. ALLEN. UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, May, 1891.

MR. HALE'S SCHOOL, BOSTON.

II I have used your Grammar and Composition during the last year in my school, and like them both very much indeed. They are the best books of the kind I have ever seen, and supply a want I have felt for a good many years."- ALBERT HALE, Boston, Mass.

LONGMANS, GREEN, Be CO., 91-93 Fifth Avenue, New York.