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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too Iprge to be entirely included in one exposure ere filmed beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to right end top to bottom, es meny frames os required. The following diagrama illustrate the method: Les cartes, plenches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A des tsux de reduction diffArents. Lorsque ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul ciichA, II est filmA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en bas, en prenant Ie nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants lllustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 lU_f^ilr M \ HEN iiiipiiiiiiiippiawMppg t^" THE ^i^ OF liORB MEIii^OIV^ BY ROBERT ISOUTHI2T, ESISq. ULiDi POET LAUREATE, ETC. ETC. FIRST CANADA EDITION* HflAOABA: HENRY CHAPMAN, Publishir- SAMUiiiL HERON, Pbintii> 1831. ■ 'iflpIP"''-'' .„ ,.^r— ,...-..»jr- ,_^j^^^.j^^p»^ ■mmiaiMiHniii \s K- ? «-*;'. V :i. * v 6?^' •'« ■„- ■*& !# j^il Vi! .4, '''.n.l '.l MM^'i » fi'^SI » LifB lilFE! OF IVEIiSOM.. •■fT •I' T -l.. -., .■•^;- i: '.-?:,.■-. 7 - CHAPTER I. NehorCs Birth and Boyhood — He is entered on board the Raisonntt' bit— 'Goes to the West /ndtes in a Merchant-ship; then serves in the 2Viumph — He sails in Capt. Phipp^s Voyage of Diseovery-- Goes to the East Indies in the Seahorne, and returns in illHeaUh—' Serves as acting Lieutenant in the Worcester, and is made lAevM- tenant into the Lowestojfe, Commander in the Badger Brig, and Post into the Hinchinbrooh — Expedition against the Spanish Main — Sent to the South Seas in the Albermarle--'Servieejt du^ ring the American War. Horatio, son of Edmund anu Catharine Nelson, "oras born 6«pt 29, 1758, in the parsonage house of fiurnham Thorpe, a village in the county of Norfolk, of which his father was rector. The maiden nam* of his mother was Suckling; her grandmother was ah elder sister of Sir Robert Walpole, and this child was named after his grandfather, the- first Lord Walpole. Mrs. Nelson died in 1767,leaving etght,out of ele- en, children. Her brother, Capt. Maurice Suckling, of the B^y» visited the widower npon this event, and promised to take care of one of the boys. Three years afterward, when Horatio was only twelve years of age, being at nome during the Christmas holyd&ys, he read in the county newspaper that his uncle was appointed to the Raisonnable, of 64 guns. *' Do William," said he to a brother who was two years older than himself, '* write to ray father, and tell him I should like to go to sea with uncle Maurice." Mr. Nelson Was then at Bath, whither e 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 Horati» was chiefly actuated ; and did not oppose his resolution : he understood also the boy's character, and always said, that in whatever station he might be placed, he would climb, if possible, to the very top of the tree. Accordingly, Capt. Suckling was written to. '* What," said he in his answer, ** has poor Horatio done, who is so weak, that he, above all the rest, shouM 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 w§ti '^ »w- • ■««r.' •>r pjf' ^s^mmmmm m iWHn LIPE OF N£tSO}f. nerer ot' a strong body ; and the ague, which at that time was one of the most common diseases in England, hud greatly reduced his strength j yet ho had already given proofs of that resolute heart and nobteuess of mind, which, duriiig his whole career of labour and ofglory, so eminent- ly distinguished him. When a mere child, he strayed a bird's-nesting uom his grandmother's house in company with a cow-boy : the dinner h«ur elapsed ; he was absent, and could not be found ; and the alarm of the family became very great, for they Apprehended that he might have been carried off by gipsies. At length,afler scorch had been made for him it various directions,he was discovered alone, sitting composed- ly by the side of a brook in which he could not get over. ** I wonder, child," said the old lady, when she saw him, ''that hunger and fear did not drive you hohie." — " Fear! grandmamma," replied the future hero, *♦ I never saw fear: — What is iti" Once, after the winter holydays, when he and his brother William bad set off on horticback to return to school, thry came back, because there had been a fall of snow; and William, wh« did not much like the journey, said it was too deep for them to vr'qture on. *' If that be the case," said the father, ''you cer- tainly shall n«t go ; but make another attempt, and I will leave it to your honour. If the road is dangerous, you may return : but remember, bovs, I leave it to your honour.'' The snow was deep enough to have am>rdvd them a reasonable excuse : but Horatio was not to be prevail- ed, upou to tura back. ' far advancing, were alarmed at being, thus beset. The next day there was not the smallest opening; the ships wer& within less than two lengths of each other, separated by ice, and nei- ther having room to turn. The iee, which the day before had beea flat, and almost level with the water's edge, was now, in many places, forced higher than the main, by the pieces squeezing together. A day of thick fog followed: it was succeeded by clear weather; but the pas- sage 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 pilot's 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 coutinued the whole day, during which their utmost eflforts did not move the ship above three hundred yards; while they were driven, together with the ice, far to the N. E. and E. by the current. Sometimes afield 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. LTPE t)r NEL8(1>X. Another day passiod, and thero secmod no probability of getting the ships out, without a strong E. or N. E. wind. The season was far ad vanced, and every hour lessened the chance of extricating^ themselves. Young as he was, Nelson was appointed to command one of the boats which wote 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. 8ome of the odicers fired at and wounded a walrus. As no other animal has so human-like an expression in its countenance, so also is there none that seems to possess more of the passions of humanity. The wounded animal dived immediately, and Drought up a number -of its companions; and they all joined in an at- tack upon the boat. They wrested an oar from one of the men ; and it Wk.s with the utmost difficulty that the crew could prevent them from staviog or upsetting her, till the Carcass'8 boat came up; and the wal- ruses, finding their enemies thus reinforced, dispersed. Vour.g Nelson exposed himself m a more daring manner. One night, during the mid- watch, he stole from the ship with one of his comrades, taking advan*< tage of a rising fog, and set off over the ice in pursuit of a bear. It was not long before they were missed. The fog thickened, and Capt. Lutwidge and his officers became exceedingly alarmed for their safety. Between three and four in the morning the weather cleared, and the two adventurers were seen at a considerable distance from the ship, at- tacking a huge bear. The signal for them to return was immediate- ly made ; Nelson's comrade called upon him to obey, 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 saved his life. " Never mind," he cried ; " do but let me get a blow at the devil with the but-end of my musket, and we shall have hire." Capt. Lut- widge, however, seeing his danger, fired a gun, which had the desired effect of frightening the beast ; and the boy then returned, somewhat afraid of the consequences of his trespass. The captain reprimanded him sternly for conduct so unworthy of the office which he filled, and desired to know what motive he could have for hunting a bear. " Sir," said he, pouting his lips, as he was wont to do when agitated, '' lavish- ed to kill the bear, that I might carry the skin to my father." A party were now sent to an island, about twelve miles off fnamed Walden's Island in the charts, from tho midshipman who was intrusted with this service,) to see where the open water lay. They came back with information, that the ice, though closed 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 intelli- gence considerably abated tlie hopes of the crew ; for were they lay it had beea almost calm, and their main depend ance had been upon the effect of an easterly wind in clearing the bay. There was but one alter-' native ; either to wait the event of the weather upon the ships, or to be- , take themselves to the boats. The likelihood that it might be neces- sary to sacrifice the ships had been foreseen ; the boats, accordingly, were adapted, both in number and size, to transport, ia caae of emer- HPIH 8 LIFE OF NELSON. /?" gcncy, the whole crew ; and there wero Dutch whalera upon the coast, in which thoy could all be convoyed 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 iiad 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 uriving fast towards some rocks on the N. E. Captain Phipps sent for the officers of both ships, and told them his intention of preparing the boats for going away. They were immediately hoisted out, and the fit- ting begun. Canvass bread-bags wero made, in case it should bo ne- cessary 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 gronnd ; for, in that case, the ships must instantly have been crush- ed or overset. On the 7th of August they began to haul the boats over the ice, Nel- son having command of the four-oared cutter. The men behaved ex- cellently well, like true British seamen : they seemed reconciled to the thought of leaving the ships, and had full confldence 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 ao far to the westward as when they were first beset. However, all sail was kept upon them, to force them throu/^h whenever the ice slack' rl tJse least. Whatever exertions were made, it could not be possible %x, get the boats to the water edge before the 14th ; and if the situation of the ships should not alter by that time, it would not be justifiable to stay longer by them. The commander therefore resolved to carry on both attempts together, moving the boats constantly, and taking every opportunity of getting the ships through. A party was sent out next day to the westward, to examine the state of the ice ; they returned with tidings that it was very heavy and close, consisting chiefly of large fields.— The ships, however, moved something and the Ice itself was drifting westward. Thisre was a thick fog, so that it was impossible to ascer- tain what advantage had been gained. It continued on the 9th ; but the ships were moved a little through some very small openings : the roist cleared off in the afternoon ; and it was then perceived that they had driven much more than could have been expected to the west- ward, 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 frequently struck, and with such force, that one stroke broke the shank of the Racehorse's best bower anchor : but the vessels made way ; and by noon they had cleared the ice, and were out at sea.— The next day they anchored in Smeerenberg harbour, close to that island of which the westermost point is called Hadluyt's Headland, in ^ honour of the great promoter and compiler of our English voyages of discovery. , ;,.) . , ,.,^,, ;.;,:; •• // LU'E Oi: r^ELSON. 9 ITere thoy rcmainod a few days, Uiat the men migbt rest altex their fatigue. No insect was to be seen iu this dreary country, nor any spe- cies ofrcptile — not even the common oartu-wortn. Large bodiou of ice, called icebergs, tilled up the valleys between mountaiuit, so dark, as, when contrasted with the snow, to appear black. The colour of the ice WAS of a lively light green. Opposite to the place wnore thay fixed their observatory was one of these icebergs, above three hundred feet high. Its sides towards the tea was ne \rly perpendicular, and a stream of water issued from it. Large pieces frequently l»roke off, and rolled down into the sea. There was no thunder and lightaing during the whole time they were in these latitudes. The sky was generally loaded with hard white clouds, from which it was never entir«Iy fr^io even in the clearest weather. They always knew when tbey were ap- proaching the ice, long before they saw it, by a bright appearance near the horizon, which the Greanlandmeu called the bunk of tb« ics. Tha season was now so far advanced, that nothing more could hav« been attempted, if indeed any thing had been left untried : but th$ aummer had heon unusually favourable, and they had carefully 9urv«yed the wall of ice extending for more than twenty dogrees between the latitudes of SOdeg. and Sldeg. without the smallest appearance «f any opening. The ships were paid off shortly after their return to England; and Nelson was then placed by his uncle with Capt. Fram«r, m (he Sea- horse, of twenty guns, then going out to tlie fiaat Indies, in the squad- ron under Sir Edward Hugnes. He was stationed in the foretop at watch and watch. His good conduct attracted the attention of th9 master ^afterwards Captain Surridge) in whose watch he was ; a^d, 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, ha felt the effects of that climate, so perilous to European constitutions^ The disease bafHed all power of medicine; he was reduced almost to a skeleton ; the use of his limbs was for some time entirely lost; and thei only hope that remained was from a voyage home. AccprdiBgly, he was brought home by Capt. Pigot, in the Dolphin: and had it not beea for the attentive and careful kindness of that officer on the way, Nelson would never have lived to reach his native shores. He had formed fu| acquaintance with Sir Charles Pole, Sir Thomas Troubridge, and 0^« er distinguished oflicers, then, like himself, beginning their career : he had left them pursuing that^career in full enjoyment ei heaub aad hope, and was returning from a country, in which all things were to him aew and interesting, with a body broken down by sickness, and spirits whioll bad sunk with his strength. Long afterward, when the name of Nel« son was known as widely as that of England itself, he spoke of the feelings which he had at this time endured. ** I felt impressed,'^ aaid be, '* with a feeling that I should never rise in my profession. My niind was staggered with a view of the difficulties I had to surmount, and thct little interest I possessed. I could discover no means, of reacbing the object of my ambition. After a long and gloomy reverie, in which I 3 m 10 LIFE OF NELSON. almost wished myself overboard, a sudden glo ,v of patriotism was Itin- died trithin me, and presented my king and country as my patron. *Well, then," I exclaimed, ' I «vill bo a hero ! and, confiding in Provi- dence, I will bravo overy danger!' " Long afterward, Nelson loved to speak of the feelings of that moment: and from that time, he often said, a radiant orb was suspended in his itlind's eye, which urged him v^nward to renown. The state of mind in which ttiese feelings begun, is what the mystics mean hy their seasons of darknOsB and devertion. If the animal spirits fail, they represent it AS an aetual temptation. The enthusiasm of Nelson's nature had taken a difiSsrent direction, but its essence was the same. He knew to what the previous state of dejection was to be r.ttributed ; that an enfeebled body, and a mind depressed, had cast this shade over his soul : but he always gfiemed willii^g to believe, that the sunshine which succeeded, bore tyith it a prophetic glory, and that the light which led him on, was " light from heaven." His interest, however, was far better than he imagined. During his abseace, Capt. Suckling had been made comptroller of the navy ; his h«Jalth had materially improved upon the voyage ; and, as soon ao the Dolphin was paid off, he was appointed acting-lieutenant in the Wor- cester, sixty-four, Capt. Mark Robinson, then going out with convoy to Gibralter. Soon after his return, on the 8th of April, 1777, he pass- ed l^is examination for a lieutenancy. Captain Suckling sat at the head of the board; and when the examination was ended, in a manner high- ly honourable to Nelson, rose from his seat, and introduced him to the examining captain as his nephew. They expressed their wonder that ■ he bad not informed them of this relationship before; he replied, that he did not wish the younker to be favoured : ho knew his nephew would ' JmsB a g<))od examination, and he had not been deceived. The next day Nelsop f'Oeeived his commission as second lieutenant of the Lowesioffe frisato, Capt William Locker, then fitting out for Jamaica. Amorican 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 frequently got appointed to 'One of the LowstofTe's tenders. During one of their cruises, the Low- estofib captured an American letter-of-marque : it was blowing a gale, and a heavy sea running. The first Lieutenant being ordered to board the prize, went beiow to put on his hanger. It happened to be mislaid; and, itliile he was seeking it, Capt. Locker came on deck. Perceiving the boat.still alongside, and in danger every moment of being swamp- ed, abd being extremely anxious that the privateer should be instantly • taken in charge, because he feared that it would otherwise founder, he exclaioied, "Have I no officer in the saip who can board the prize 1" Nelson did not olBTer himself imn^sdiately, ivaiting, with his usual sense of propriety, for the first lieutenant's return ; but hearing the master volunteer, he jumped into the boat, saying, " It is my turn now ; and if I corse back it is yours." The American, who had carried a heavy , press i)f sail) in hope of escaping, was so completely water-logged, that LIFE OF NJELS.ON. I! the LowestoiTe's boat went in on deck, and out again with the sea. About this time he lost his uncle. Captain Locker, however, who had perceived the excellent (Qualities of Kelson, and forraed a friend- ship for him, which continued during his life, racommended him warm- ly to Sir Peter Parker, then commander-in-chtef upon that station. la consequence of this recommendation ho was removed into tho Bristol flag-ship, and Lieutenant Cuthbert Collingwood, who had long beon in habits of great friendship with him, succeeded him in the Lowsto^e. Sir Peter Parker was the friend of both ; and thus it happesMi, that whenever Nelson got a step in rank, Collingwood succeeded him. The former soon became first lieutenant ; and, on the 8th of Doo., 1786, was appointed commander of the Badgier brig; CoUinflwood takioig his place in tho Bristol. While the Badger was lying in Montego Bay,. Jamaica, tho Glasgow of twenty guns came in and anchored there^and in two hours was in dames, the steward having set fire td hen* yf\a\sf stealing rum out of the after-hold. Her crew were leaping into the water, when Nelson came up in his boats, made them threw their ptT- der overboard, and point their guns upfvard : acd, by his preaeaee at mind and personal exertions, prevented the loss of life which would otherwise have ensued. On the 11th of Jane, 1779, he was made poat into the Hinchinbrook, of twenty-eight guns, an enemy's mercbaatmai^ sheathed with wood, which had been taken into the service. Colling- wood was then made commander into the Badger. A short time afler he IcA tho Lowstoffc, that ship, with a ^mall squadron, stormed the fart of St. Fernando de Omoa, on the south side of the Bay of Rondoras^ and captured some register ships which were lying under its guns. Two hundred and fiOy quintals of quicksilver and three millions of piasfers were the rewards of the enterprize : and it is characteristic of Nelsdn^ that the chance by which he missed a share of such a prize is never mentioned in any of his letters; nor is it likely that it ever excitecl cfven a momentary feelmg of vexation. Nelson was fortunate in possessing good interest at the time when it could be most sorviceable to him : his promotion had been alnsst aa rapid as it eould be ; and before he had attained the age of twenty-enei 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 prefeBsioD, and his zeal and ability were acknowledged wherever he was knovo. Count d'Estaing, with a fleet of one hundred and twenty-five s^l, men of war and transports, and a reputed force of five-and4wenty thousand n^en, threatened Jamaica from St Domingo. Nelson offered his servi- ces tc the admiral and to Governor-general Dalling, and was appointed to command the batteries of Fort Charles, at Port Royal. Not m6tB than seven thousand menc<^nld be mustered for the defence of the island. — a number wholly inadequate to resist the force which threatened them. Of this Nelson wa&»o well aware, that when he wrete to hili friends in England, ho told them they must not be surprised to hdar of US' learning to speak French. D'Estaing, however, was either not a- n LIFE OF NELaOJi. ware of his own supferiority, or not equal (o the command with which he was intrusted ; he attempted nothing with this formidable armament; and General Daliing was thus hit to execute a project which he had formed against the Spanish Colonies. TUti^ project was, to take Fort San Juan, on the river of that name, itrhich flows from Lake Nicaragua into the Atlantic; make himself itiaiTter of the lake itself, and of the cities of Granada and Leon; and tiiuscutoflffhe communication of the Spaniards between their northern stnd Sotithcrn possessions in America. Here it is that a canal between the two sefts may most easily be fortned ; — a work more important in itsr consequences than any which has ever yet been effected by human powfer. Ldrd George Germaine, at that time Secretary of state for the Americ'an department approved the plan : and as discontentments were Jtnewn at that time to prevail in the Nuevo Iteyno, in Pompayan, and in Peru, the more san^-aine part of the English began to dream of ac- quiring an empire in onepiart of America more extensive than that which they were on the point of losing in another. General Dalling's plans were well formed ; but the history and the nature of the country had net been studied «s accurately as its geography : the difficulties which oceurred in fitting out the e.^pedition delayed it till the season was too far advanced; and the men were thus sent to adventure themselves, not so much tgaiust an enemy, whom they would have beaten, as a- gainst a climate, which would do the enemy's work. Early in the year 1780, five hundred men designed for this service, were conveyed by Nelson from Port Royal to Cape Gracias a Dios, in Hondurae^ Not a native was to be seen when they landed : they had (leen taught that the English came with no other intent than that of en- staving them, and sending them to Jamaica. After a while, howover, one of them veatured down, confiding in hi» knowledge of one of the party ; and by his nicans the neighboring tribes were ronciiiuted with |tresents, and brought in. The troops were encamped in a swampy and unwholesome plain, where they were joined by a party of tho seventy ninth regioicnt, from Black River, who were already in a deplorable etate of sickness. Having remained here a month, they proceeded, an- choriog frequently along the Mosquito shore, to collect their Indian allies, who were to furnish proper boats for tho river, and to accompa- ny them. They reached the river Snn Juan, March 24th : and here, according to his orders, Nelson's services were to terminate; but not a tirtan in the expedition had ever been up the river, or knew the dis- tlmOeof any fortifi'catioh frem its mouth : and he, not being one to turn back when so mticb was to be done, resolved to carry the soldiers up. jV^Ut two hundred, therefere, were embarked in the Mosquito shore craft, an4 in Ivq of the Hinchinbrook's boats, and they began their Voyikge. It Was the latter end of the dry season, (he wor<;t time fur fiuchaii expedition; the river was consequently low: Indians were sent forward through narrow channels between ehoals and pand banks, aild the men were frequently obliged to quit the boats, and exert their Utmost strength to drag or thrust them along. This labour continued L1P4: OF litELiSON. 13 for several days when they camd into deeper water, they had then cur- rents and rapids to contend with, which would have been insurmounta- ble, 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 accus- tomed to stand aloof wMen any exertion of strength or hardihood is re- quired. The soldiers less accustomed to rely upon themselves, were of little use. But all equally endured the heat of the sun, rendered more intense by being reflected from the white shor/is, while the high woods, on both sides of the river, were frequently so close, as to prevent any refreshing circulation of air ; and during the night all were equally ex- posed to the heavy and unwholesome dews. On the 9th of April they reached an island in the river) called St. Bartholomeo, which the Spaniards had fortified, as an outpost, with a small semicircular battery, mounting nine or ten swivels, and manned with sixteen or eighteen men. It commanded the river in a rapid and difficult part ot the navigation. Nelson, at the head of a few of bis seamen leaped upon the beach. The ground upon which he sprung was so muddy, that be had some difficulty in extricating himself, and losthis shoes : barefooted, however, he advannced, and, in his own phrase, boarded the battery. In this resolute attempt he was bravely supported by Despard, at that time a captain in the army, aAerward un- happily known for his schemes of revolutionary treason. The castle of St. Juan is situated about sixteen aniles higher up : the stores and am- munition, 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, aAer a short while some of his comrades were sent back to assist him, ho was dead, and the body already putrid. Nelson himself narrowly escaped a simitar fate. He had ordered his hammock to be slung under some trees, being excessively fatigued, and was sleeping, when a monitory lizard passed across his face. The Indians happily observing the reptile, and, knowing what it indicated, a«voke him. He started up, and found one of the deadliest serpents of the country coiled up at his feet. He suffered from poison of another kind ; for, drinking at a spring in which some boughs of the manchineel had been thrown, the effects were so severe, as, in the opinion of some of his friends, to inflict a lasting injury upon his constitution. The castle ofSt. Juan is thirty-two miles below the Lake of Nicara- gua, (rora which it issues, and sixty-nine from the mouth of the river. Hoots reach the sea from thenre in a day and a hqlf; but their naviga- tion heck, even when unladen, is the labour of nine days. The Eng- lish appeared before it on the 11th, two days atler 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 was- ted before this could be commenced: it was a work more of fatigue tbaQ of danger ; but fatigue was more to be dreaded than the enemy; the rains set ',n ; and, coald not the garrison have held out a little Ion - ii 14 UF0 QF NilLSaN. m per, dlsBnpe wouM Have rid them of their invaders. Even the Indiana sunk under it, the viotims of unasual exertion, and of their own exces< 8e«. The plaro etirren "ered on the 34th. But victory procured to the conquerors none of that relief ^vhich had been expected : the castle was worse than a prison ; and it contained nothing which could contributo to the recovery of the sick, or the preservation of those who were yet unafieoted. The hut&, w^ich 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; Tor, besides the few who were able to perform garrison duty, there were notorHerly men enough to assist the sick. Added to these evils, there was the want of all needfid remedies; for, though the expedition had been amply provided with hospital stores, rivrr ctedt enough li'ath not been procured for transporting the requisite baggage *, and when much was to bo left behind, provision tor 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 turbu- lent, that its upward navigation was almost impracticable. At length, even the task of burying the dead was more than the living could per- form, and tht^ bodies were tossed into the stream, or left for beasts of prey, and for the gallinnzos — those dreadful carrion birds, which do not always wait for death before they begin their work. Five raoDths the English persisted in what may hi^ called this war against nature; they then left a few men, who seemed proof against the climate, to re> tain the castle till the Spaniards should choose to retake it, and make them prisoners. The restabandoned their balefulconquest. Eighteen hundred men were sent to diiTerent posts upon this wretched expedi- tion : not more than three hundred and eighty ever returned. TheHin- ohinbrook's complement consisted of two hundred men ; eighty-seven took to their beds in one night ; and of the whole crew not more than- ten survived. The transport's men a" died, and some of the ships, having none- lef) to take eare of them, sunk in thehnrbour: but transport ships were not wanted, for the troops which they had brought were no more; they had fallen, not by the hand of ai< enemy, but by the deadly influ- ence of the rlimnte. Nelson himself was saved by a timely removal. In a few days after the commencement of the siege he was seized with the prevailing dy- sentery ; meantime, Capt Clover (son of the author of Leonidas^ died, and Nelson was appointed to succeed him'in the Janus, of forty-four gniis ; Collingw^od being then made post mto the Hinchinhrook. He returned to the harbour the day before St. Juan surrendered, and im- mediately sailed for Jamaica in the sloop which brought the news of his appointment. Ho wns, however, so greatly reduced by the disor- der, that when they reached Port Royal he was carried ashore in his cot ; and finding hiniBcir, after u partial amendment, unable to retain the command of his now nhip, ho was compelled to ask leave to return to England, as the only means of recovery. Cnpt. (afterward Admir- al) Cornwfdiis took him home in the Lion; and to his care and kind- ness Nelson believed himselfind^bted forhi:^ life. He went immediate- ly to Bath, in a miserable state ; so helpless, that he was carried to an# 111 k| ot LUJE OP iVUiXSOx\. 15 'from his bed; and the actormovin<; him produced the most violent poin. In three months he recovered, and iininedintely hast:;ned to London, and applied for employment. After an intervul of about four months he was appointed to the Albemarle, of twonty-ei^ht ^uns, a French merchant-man, which had been puroiiased from the captors for the liinff's service. His health xvae 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 sufTering from the fatal effect of a West Indian climate, as if, it might almost be suppos- ed, he said, to try his constitution, he was sent to the North Sens, and kept there the whole winter. The asperity with which he mentioned this so many years afterward, evinces how deeply he resented a mode of conduct equally cruel to the individual and detrimental to the ser- vice. It was during the armed neutrality ; and when they anchored off Elsinore, the Danish Admiral sent on board, desiring to be informed what ships had arrived, and to have their force written down. " The Albemarle," said Nelson to the messenger, " is one of his Britannic Majesty's ship : you ore at libeity, sir, to count the guns as you go down the side; and you may assure the Danish Admiral, that, if ne- cessary, they shall all be well served." During this voyage he gained a considerable knowledge of the Danish coast, and its soundings : greatly to the advantoge of his country in after-times. The Albemarle was not a good ship, and was several times nearly overset, in conse- quence 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 Nel&on's suggestion. {Still he always insisted that her first owners, the French, bad taught her to run away, as she was never >i good sailer, except when going directly before the wind. On their return to the Downs, while he wns ashore visiting the senior officer, there came on so heavy u gale, thut almost all the vessels drove, and a store-ship came athwnrt-hmvse of the Albemarle. Nel- son feared she would drive on the Goodwin Hands : 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 ofibred to make the attempt for fifteen guineas ; and to the astonishish- ment and fear of all the beholders, he embarked during the height of the tempest. With great difficulty and imminent danger he succeeded in reaching her. 8he lost her bowsprit and foremast, bat escaped far- ther injury. He was now ordered to Quebec ; where, his surgeon told . him, he would certainly be laid up by the climate. I>lany of his friends urged him to represent this to Admiral Keppel : but, having received his orders from Lord Sandwich, there appeared to him an indelicacy in applying to his successor to have them altered. Accordingly, he sailed for Canada. During her first cruise on that station, the Albemnrie captured a fishing schooner which contained,, in her cargo, neaviy all the property that her master possessed, and)^, the poor fellow had a large family at huine,anxiously expecting him.-<- ' Nelson employed him a& a pilot in Boston Bay, then restored him the schooner ana cargo, and gave him a certificate to secure him against being captured by any other vessel, The man came olT afterward to the Aluemarle, at the hazard of his life, with a present of sheep, m>ul- itry, and frosh p^0^^8ions. A most valuable supply it proved ; for tht* il 16 LIKE OF NELSON. m sourvy was raging on board : this was in the middle of August, and the ship's company had not had n fre«h meal since the beginning of April. The certificate was preserved at Boston in memory of an act of unusual generosity ; and now that the fame of Nelson has given in- terest to every thing 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, tvhich had come out of Boston harbour, gave chase to her; and \elson, perceiving that they beat him in sail- ing, boldly ran among the numerous shoals of 8t. George's Bank, con- fiding in his own skill in pilotage. Capt. Salter, in the St. Alargaretta, had escaped the French fleet, by a similar manoeuvre, not long before. The frigate alone continued warily to pursue him ; but as soon as ha perceived that his enemy was unsupported, he shortened sail, and liove to: apon 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 ; hy whose interference he was prevented from making what would have been called an imprudent marriage. The Albemarle was about to leave the station, her captain had taken leave of his friends^ and w^as ^one down the river to the place of anchorage ; when, the next morn- ing, «6 Davison was walking on the beach, to bis surprise he saw Nelson coming back in his boat. Upon inquiring the cause of his re- appearance, Nelson took his arm, to walk towards the town, and told him he found it utterly impossible to leave Quebec without again seeing the woman whose society had contributed so much to this hap- piness there, and offering her his hand. — '■ If you do," saiJ his friend, *'yoar otter 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, npon this occasion was less resolute than his friends, and suffered himself to be led back to the boat. The Albemarle was under orders to convey a fleet of transports to New York. — " A pretty job," said her captain, "at this last season of the year" (October was far advanced), /' for our sails are at this mo- ment frozen to the yards." On his arrival at Sandy Hook, he waited on the commander-in-chief. Admiral Digby, who told him he was come on a fine station for making prize-money. ** Yes, sir," Nelson made answer ; " but the West ladies is the station for honor." Lord Hood, with a detachment of Rodney's victorious fleet, was at that time at San- dy Hook : he had been intimite with Capt. Suckling ; and Nelson, who was desirous of nothing but honour, requested him to ask £or the Albemarle, that he oti^ht 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 i and Lord Hood, on intro- ducing him to Prince WHliam Henry, as the Duke of Clarence was then called, told the prince, if he wished to ask any questions respect- iQg naval tactics, Captain Nelson could give him as much inforrjation .iu» any officer in the fleet. The Duke, who, to his own honour, became the firm friend of Nelson, describes him as appearingthe merest boy of a captain he had ever seen, dressed in a full laced uniform, an old- fashioned waistcoat with long flaps, and his lank unpowdered hair tied .A LIFE OP NEX3QN. 17 was ed- ition ame y of old- tied in a stiff Hessian tail of extraordinary length; making altogether so remarkable a figure, " that," says the Duke, " I had never seen any thing like it before, nor could I imagine who he was, nor what he came about. But his address and coversation were irresistibly pleasing ; and when he spoke on professional subjects, it was with an enthusiasm that showed he was no common being." It was expected that the French would attempt some of the passages between the Bahamas ; and Lord Hood, thinking of this, said to Nel- son, " I suppose, sir, from the length of time you was cruising amon g the Bahama Keys, you must be a goou 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 Gabello on the coast of Ve- nezuela. Nelson was cruising between that port and Laguary, 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 with'^it suspicion, and answered all questions that were asked concerning the number and force of the enomy'a shiptu The crew, however,, were not a little surprised when they were taken on board, and found themselves prisoners. One of the party tvent by the name of Count de Deux Fonts. He was, however, a ptince of the German empire, and brother to the heir of the Electorate tf Bava- ria: his companions weie 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 ta- ble could afford, told them they were at liberty to depart withtJieir boat and all that it contained : he only required them to promise that they would consider themselves prisoners, if the comm&nder-in-chief refused to acquiesce in their being thus liberated — a circumstance whiit of ceremony, some of these youths accompanied him : and when ho went to dine 4irith the governor at BarbadoeS) he took one of them in his hand, aad LIFE OF NELSON. Id presented him, sayings, '* Your Excellency roust excuse me forbriocing one of my midshipmen. I make it a rule to introduce them to alltho good company I can, as they have few to look up to, beside myself, du- ring the time they are at sea." When Nelson arrived in the West Indies he found himself senior captain, and consequently second in command on that station. Satis- ftictory as this was, it soon involved him in a dispute with the Admiral, which a man less zealous for the service might have avoided. He found the Latona in English Harbour, Antigua, with a broad penant hoisted ; and, upon inquiring the reason, was presented with an order from Sir Richard Hughes, requiring and directing him to obey the orders of resident commissioner Moutray, during the lime he might have occasion to stay there , the said resident commissioner being, in consequence, authorized to hoist a broad penant on board any of his Majesty's ships in that port that he might think proper. Nelson was never at a loss how to act in any emergency. " I know of no superior officers," said he, "besides tho lords commissioners of 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 penant, 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 motives than a sense of duty, and gave him the first intelligence that his penant had been struck. Sir Richard sent an account of tnis to the Admiralty ; but the case could admit of no doubt, and Captain Nelson's condnct was entirely approved. He displayed the same promptitude on another occasion.. While in the Boreas, aAer the hurricane months were over, was riding at anchor in Nevis Rhodes, a French frigate passed to leeward, close along shore. Nelson had obtained information that this ship was sent from Martinico, with two general officers and some engineers on board, to take a survey of our sugar islands. This purpose he was determiiied 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 road? of St. Eustatia, and anchored about two cable's length on the frigate's quarter. Being aAerward invited by the Dutch governor to meet the French officers at dinner, he seized that occasion of assuring the French captain, that understandmg it was his intention to honour Uie British possessions with a visit, he had taken the earliest opportunity 2, 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 Chris- tian Majesty, as eveiy Englishman in the islands would be proud to show. The French, with equal courtesy, protested aguinst giving him this trouble ; especially, they said, as they intended merely to cruise round the islands, without landing on any. But Nelson, with the utmost politeness, insisted upon paying them this compliment, followed them close, in spite of all their attempts to elude his vigilancei and ne- '/o LIFE OF NELS'ON. ■ / ver lost sight of tliem ; till, finding it imposssble either to deceive or escape him, they gave up their treacherous purpose ie despair, and beat up for Marti nice. A business of more serious import soon engaged his attention. The Americans were at this time trading with our islands, taking advantage of tlie register of their ships, which had been issued while thej were British subjects. Nelson knew, that by the navigation-act, no foreign- ers, directly er indirectly, are permitted to carry on any trade with these possessions : he knew, also, that the Americans had made themselves foreigners with regard to England ; they had disregarded the ties of blood and language when they acquired the independence which they had been led on te claim, unhappily for themselves, before they were fit for it ; and he was resolved that they should derive no profit from those ties now. Foreigners they had mnde themselves, and as foreigners they were to be treated. "If once,' said be, "they are admitted to any kind oflntercourse with our islands, the views of the loyalists, in settling at Nova Scotia, are entirely done away ; and when we are again ainhroiled in a French war, the Americans will first become the carriars of that* colonies, and then have possession of them. Here they cove, sail their oargoes for ready money, goto IVIartinico, buy molassae, and so round and round. The loyalist cannot do this, and coDseqasatly must sell a little dearer. The residents here ure Anieri* CMM by connexion and by interest, and are inimical to Great Britain. They areas gw&t rebels as ever were in America, had they tile pow- er to show it." In November, when the squadron, having arrived at Barbadoas, was to separate, with no other orders than those for ex- amining anchorages, and the usual inquiries concerning wood nnd water, Nelson asked his friend Colling wood, then captain of the Me- diator, whase opinions he knew upon the subject, to accompany him to the Commander-in-Chief: whom he then respectfully naked, whether they wer« not to attend to the commerce of the country, and see that the navigation-act was respected— that appearing to hint to be the in- tent of keeping men-of-war upon this station in time of peace? 8ir Richard Hughes replied, he had no particular orders, neither had the Admiralty sent him any acts of parliament. But Nelson made answer, that the navigation-act was included in the statutes of the Admiralty, with whieh every captain was furnished, and that act was directed to admirals, captains, &c., to sea it carried into execution, i^ir Rich- ard said he had never seen the book. Upon this Nelson produced the statutes, read the words of tlie act, and (ipparentty convinced the com- mander-in-chief, that men-of-war, as he said, "were sent abroad for 6Qme other purpose than to be made a show of." Accordingly, orders were given to eaforce the navigation-uct. Major-general Sir Thomas Bbirley was 'at this time governor of the Jjeeward Islands ; and when Nelson waited on him to inform him how he mtended to act, and upon what grounds, he replied, that " old gen- erals were not in the habit of taking advice from young gentlemen."'—. ^ Sir," said the young officer, with that confidence in himself whieh never carried him too far, and always was equal to the occasior , " I am as old as the prime minister of England, and think myself as oapu- ble of eommanding one of his Majesty's ships us that Minister is of go- LIVE OF NELSON, :ei gem- iapu- go. verning the state." He was resolved to do Iiis duty, whatever might be the opinion or conduct of others : and when he arrived upon hi» station at St. Kitt'«, he sent away all the Americans, not choosing to seize them before tliey had been well apprized that the act would be carried into effect, lest it might seem as if a trap had been lafd for them. The Americans, thougii they prudently decamped from St. Kitt's, were emboldened by the support they met with, and resolved to resist his orders, alleging that king's ships had no legal power to seize them without having deputations from the customs. Tiie planters were to u man against him: the governors and the presidents of the diflTereot 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 t.im to be guided by tite wisiihes of the presi- dent of the council. There was no danger in disregarding this, as it came unofficially, and in the ibmi of advice. But scarcely a month after he had shown Sir Richard Ilairhes the law, and, as he supposed, eatistied him concerning it, he received an order from him,8tatingthathe had now obtained good advire upon the point, and the Americans were not to be hindered from coming,and having free egress and regress if the governor chose to permit them An order to the same purport had been sent round to the different governors and presidents ; and General Shirley and others informed him, in an authoritative manner, that they chose to admit American ships, us the commander- in-chief had lef> the decision to them. These persons, in his own words, he soon '* trimmed up, and silenced ;" but it was a more delicate business to deal with the admiral. "I must either," said he, "disobey my or- ders, or disobey acts of Parliament. I determined upon the former, trusting to the uprightness of my intentions, and believing that my country would not let me be ruined for protecting her commerce." With this detertuinatiun ho wrote to Sir Richurd, appealed again to the plain, literal, unequivocal sense ofthe nuviagation-act; and in res- pectful languai^e told him, he felt it h\H duty tu decline obeying these orders till he had an opportunity of tiiopinif and conversing with him. Sir Richard's first feeling was thai of anger, and he was about to su- persede Nelson ; but having mentionvd the affair to his captain, that officer told him, he believed all the squadron thought the orders illegal, and therefore did not know how fur they were bound to obey them. — It was impossible, therefore, to bring Nelson, to a court-martial, com- posed of men who ag.-'eed with him in opinion upon the point In dispute ; and luckily, though the admiral wanted vigour of mind to decide upon what was right, be was not obstinate in wrong, and had even generos- ity enough iu his nature to thank Nelson afterward for having shown him his error. Coiling wood, in the IVIediator, 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 fbund in the ports would be seized ; and many were, in consequence seized, and con- demned in the Admiralty court. When the Boreas arrived at Nevis, she found 4 American vessels deeply iaden, ahd what are called theisland- colours flying — white, with a red cross. They were ordered to hoist their proper flag, and depart within eight-and forty hours, but they re- fused to obey, denying that they were Americans. Some of their crews were then examined in Nelson's cabin, where the judge of Admiralty f ^:':. ll'I \:n:\\ or nklsqn. hftppeMd to be pro«ent. Tlie nnoo wns plain; liiey conlussed that* they were Amei icane, nniJ that l\w ships, hull and cargo, were wholly American |»roperty ; upon which h^ seized them. This raised • etorm: the planters, the cu'<>toriihou»e, and the governor were all against him. Subscriptions were opened, and preMently Hlled, for the purpose ofoarrying on the causv in Ijehalf of the American captains : and the admiral, whose flag ^iii* at lliui time in thfc roadi*, stood neutral. But the Americans and their abetturo were not content with detensivo Jaw. The marines, whom he had ment to secure the ships, hod pre- v^ted some of the mafter^ IVom f^oing ashore; and those persons^ by whose depositions it a|M>cat*>il ttmt the vessels and cargoes were American' property, dcclaicil, t;uin wtiii a drawn sword in his hand had •tood over them the whulc liine. A ra. bert, the president of Nevin, behaved with singular generosity upon this occasion. Though no man was a greater sufferer by the measures which Nelson had pursued, he oflTored in court .o become his bail for £10,000, it he chose to sufier the arrest. The lawyer whom he had cho- sen proved to be an able as well as an honest man ; and, notwitbstand* ing the opinions and pleadings of most of the counsel of different islands, who maintained that ships of war were not justified in seizing American vessels withouta deputation from the customs, the law was so explicit, the case 80 clear, and Nelson pleaded his own cause sp 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 secre- tary of state, and the suggestions with which he accompanied it, the register-act was framed. The sanction of government, and the appro- l^atjioKi of his conduct whi<;b it implied, were highly gratifying to liim : L11»E OF NELSON. 33 U>ut he was ofrcndc(],and not withniit just cause, that tho treasury should have transmitted thnnks to the uommnnder-in-chief, fur his activity and zeal in protecting the cotntnerce of Great Britain. ** Had thev known • all," said he, «< I do not think they would have bestowed thank* in that quarter, and neglected mo. 1 feel much liurt, that, ufier the loas of health and risk of fortune, another nhould be thanked for what I did against his orders. I either deserved lo be sent out of the service, or at least to have sume little notice taken ol what I had done. They havo thought it worthy of notice, and yet huvo neglected me. If this is tho reward of a faithi'ul discharge of my duty, I shall be careful, and never stand forward again. But I have done my duty and have nothing to accuse myself of." The anxiety wbich he bad 9ulfere4 from'tii^'harrnAsing uncertainties oflaw is apparent from tbeise t>X|>rfMfcce of hia friend the president, then in her eiffhteenth year, the widow of Dr. Nisbet, a physician, i^he bad one child, a son, by name Josiah, who was three yeur^ old. Onoday, IVIr. Htrbert, who had hak^tened, half- dressed, to receive IVelaon, exrlaimcd, on returning to his dressing- room, •• Good God ! iff did not find that great little man, of whom every body is so afraid, playing in the next roomi under the dining- table, with Mrs. Nisbet'H child !" A fewdaysaAertvard Mrs. Nisbet herHcir was fiist introduced to him, and thtinked him for the partiality which behad Hhown to her IHtle boy. Her manners were mild and winning: and tiie captain, whose itenrt was eat«ily susceptible of at- lacbmeot, found no auch imperious nereosity for subduing bis inclina- tions as hud twice iiefore with held him from marrying. They were married oh March lith, ITK. : Prinre William Henry, who had come out to the West Indies the preceding winter, being present, by hi* own desire, to give away the bride. Mr. Herbert, her uncle, was at this time so mu0h displeased with bts only daugliter, that he had resolved to disinherit her, and leave his whole fortune, which wa^ very great, to his niec^. But Nelson, whose nature was too noble to let him pro- fit by an act of injustice, interfered, and succeeded in reconciling the president ip his child. " Yesterday," said one of his naval friends th* dayaAer the wed- ding, •' the navy lost one of its greatest ornaments, by Nelson's roar. rlage. It is a national loss that tiueh 4*n officer sbtnild marry; had it not been for this, Nelson would have become the greatest man in the service." The man was rightly estimated : but he who delivered this opinion did not understand the effect of domestic love and doty upon a mind of the true heroic stamp. " We are oAen separate," said Nelson, in a letter to Mrs. Nisbet a few months Hefore their marriage ; " but our affections are not by any means on that account diminished. Our country has the first demand for our services ; and privute conveneinre our happiness mo6t ever give way to the public good. Duty is the great business of a sea officer : all private considerations must give way to it, however painful."— " Havo you not often heard," says be, in another letter, ** that salt water and absence always will wash away love? Now 1 am such a heretic as not to believe that article : for behold, every morning I have had six pails of salt water poured upon my houd, and instead of find« 24 LIFE QF NEI^SON. Irg wliat seamen soy tube true, it sroes soon contrary to the prescrip- tion, tbat you most, perhaps, see me before the fixed time." Afore fre- quently his correspondence breathed a deeper strain. '* To write let- ters td£ you," says he, <' is the next greatest pleasure I feel to receiving* them fVom you. What I experience when I read such as I am sure are the pure sentiments of your heart, my poor pen cannot express: — -oor, indeed, would I ^ive mucli for any pen or head which could express feelings of that liind. 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 ne- ver change ! Nor do I think they will. Indeed there is, as far as hu- man knowledge can judge, a moral certainty that they cannot : for it must be real affection th{|t brings us together ; not interest or compul- sion. Such were the feefibgs, and such the sense of duty, with which Nelson became a husband. Daring his stay upon this station he had ample opportunity of obsei*- viag the scandalous practices of the contractors, prize-agents, and o- ther persons in the West Indies onnected with the naval service. — When he was first lei . ith the command, and bills were brought him to sign for money which was owing for goods purchased for the navy, he required the original voucher, that he might examine whether those gcods had been reaUy purchased at the market price : but to produce vouchers would not have been convenient, and therefore was net the custom. Upon this, Nelson wrote to Sir Charles Middlcton, ihcn comptroller of the navy, representing the abuses which were likely to be prk«ctised in this manner. The answer which be i-eceived 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 onginating in fraudulent intentions. Soon afterward two Antigua merchants informed him, that they were privy to great fVauds, ■which had been committed upon government in various departments ; at Anti«-oa, to the amount of nearly £500,000; at Lucie, £300,000; at Barbadoes, £230,000 ; at Jamaica, up'wp.rds of a million. The inform- ers were both shrewd, sensible men of business ; tbey did not afi*ect 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 Ihat country, were no check whatever : the principle was, thut " a thing was always worth what it would bring;" and the merchants .were in the habit of signing vc jchers for each other, without even the appearance of looking at the articles. Theso ac- counts ho sent home to the different deprrrtments which had been de- frauded : but the peculators were too powerful ; and they succeeded not merely in Impeding inquiry, but even in raising prejudices against Nelson at the board of Admiralty, which it was many years before he could subdue. Owing, probably, to these prejudices, and the influence of the pecula- tors, he wae treated, on his return to England, in a manner which had nearly driven him from the service. During the three years that the Doraas had remained upon a station which is vsually so fatal, not ti single officer or man of her whole complement had died. This almost tiuc gell ooul rea{ aupj ^avi of broi the slopl bly stroi iHe-E OF NELHtiV^ fs$ >'a9 le III iiuexampled instance; of good health, though mostly, no doubt, imputa* ble to a healthy season, must, in some measure, also, be ascribed to the wise conduct of the captain, lie never suffered any of the ships to remain iriore than three or four weeks at a time atany of the islands; and when the hurricane months confined him to English Harbour, h^ encouraged all kinds of useful amusements : music, dancing, and cud- gelling among the men ; theatricals among the officers : any thing which could employ their attention, and keep their spirits cheerful. The Bo- reas arrived in England in Jusa. Nelson, who had been many times suppiosed to be consumptive when in the West Indies, and perhaps was paved from consumption by that climate, was still in a precarious state of health; and the raw wet weather of one of oUr ungenial sumnucrs brought on cold, and sore throat, and fever : yet his vessel was kept at the Nore from the end of June till the end of November, serving as a slop and receiving ship. This unworthy treatment, which more proba- bly proceeded from intention than from neglect, excited ia Nelson the strongest indignation. During the whole five months he seldam or ne- ver quitted the ship, but carried on the duty with strict • nd salleo at- tentior^ On the morning when orders were received to prepare the Boreas for being paid ofi*, he expressed his joy to the senior officer in the IMedway, saying, "It will release mo forever from anuogrsteful service, for it is ray firm and unalterable determination never again to s t my foot upon a king's ship. Immediately af\er my arrival in town.I shall wait on the first lord of the Admiralty, and resign my commission.*' The oficer to whom he thus communicated his intentions, behaved in the wisest and roost friendly manner; for finding it in vain to dissuade him in his present state of feeling, he secretly interfered, with the first lord to save him from a step so injurious to himself, little foreseeing how deeply the welfare of England was that moment at stake. This interference produced a letter from Lord Howe, the day before the riiip was paid ofiT, intimating a wish to see Capt. Nelson as soon as he arrived in town: when, being pleased with his conversation, and perfectly con- vinced, by what was then explained to him, of the propriety of bis coi- duct, he desired that he might present him to the king on the first levee day : and the gracious manner in which he was then received effectually removed his resentment. Prejudices have been, in like manner excited against his friend, Priaca^ William Hr^nry. *' Nothing is wanting, sir," said Nelso4in one of hia letters, ** to make you the darling of the English nation, but truth. Sor- ry I am to say, much to the contrary, has been dispersed.'' This was not flattery ; for Nelson *vas no flatterF>>r. The letter in which this pas- sage occurs shows in how wi^ and noble a manner he dealt with the, prince. Oncof his royal highness's o0icers had applied for a court- martial upon a point in which he was unquestionably wrong. His roy- al highness, however, while he supported his own character and author- ity prevented the trial, which must have been injurious to a brave and deserving man. •* Now that you are parted," said Nelson, " pardon mc, my prince, when I presume to recommend that be may stand in 4 ■:rJ '''T- ,„ 213 LIKE OF NliLSON. ■>3 your royal favor as if }ie had never sailed with you, and that at Bome fu- ture day you will serve him. There only wantu this to place your con- dutt in the highest point of view. None of us are without failings ; his was rather being too hasty : but tuat put in competition with his be- ing a good officer, will not, I am bold to say, be taken in the scale a- gainst him. More able friends than myself your royal highness may easily find, and of more consequence in the state ; but one more at- tached 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 pereon : 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." , , ^,, - Encouragea by the conduct of Lord Howe, and by his reception at court, Nelson renewed his attack upon the peculators with ftveh spir- it. He had interviews with Mr. Rose, Mr. Pitt, and Sir Charles Mid- ilieton; to all of whom he satisfactorily proved his charges. In con- sequence it is said, these very extensive public frauds were at length put in a proper train to be provided against in future : his representa- tions were attended to ; and every step which he recommended was a- dopted : the investigation was put in a proper course, which ended in the detection and punishment of some of the culprits ; an immense sa- ving 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 Nel- son for bis exertions. And it is justly remarked,* that the snrit of the navy cannot be preserved so eH'eutually by the honour bestowed on of- fers, when they are worn out in the service, as by an attention to those who, like Nelson, in this part of his life, have only their integrity and fseal to bring them into notice. A junior oiTicer, who had been left with the comoiand at Jamaica, received an additional allowance, for which J^elson 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 ho complained that he was neglected. '' It wan most true," he said, ** that the trouble which he took to detect the fraudulent practices then car- ried on was no more than his duty ; but he little tliought that the expen- ses attending his frequent journeys to St. John's upon that duty (a dis- tance of twelve miles), would have fallen upon his pay as Captain of the Boreas." Nevertheless a sense of what he thought unworthy usage did not diminish his zeal. " I," said he, *' must still buffet the waves in search of— what ? Alas ! that they call honour, is now thought of no more. My fortune, God knows, has grown worse for the seivice : so much for serving my country. I3ut the Dcvii, ever willing to tempt the virtuous, has made me an ofler, if any ships should be sent to destroy bis majesty of Morocco's ports, to be there ; and I have some reason to •-Clark and M'ArUiur. vol !. p. 107. tU-THHsq' ri9 HFE OF NELSON. 27 'ice : 80 tiiink, that should any mdre como of it, my humble services will be aC' cepted. I have invariably laid down, and followed close, a plaa of ' what ought to be uppermost in the breast of an officer, that it ia 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 integri- ty seldom fails of bringing a man to the goal of fame at lasf ' The design against the barbary pirates, like &11 other designs against them, was laid aside ; and Nelson took his wife to his father's parson- age, meaning only to pay him a visit before they west to France ; a project which he had for the sake of acquiring a competent knowledge of the French language. But his father could not bear to lose him thus unnecessarily. Mr. Nelson ha'' long been an invalid, suffering under paralytic and asthmatic affections, whicli^ 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, obli- ged to spend all his winters at Bath. The sight of his son, he declared, had given him new life. *' But, Horatio," eaid he, ** it would have been better, that I had not been thus cheered, if I am so soon to be bereaved of you a^ain. Let me my good son, see you while I can. My age and infirmities increase, and I shall not last long." To such an appeal there could be no reply. Nelson took up his abode at the parsonage,and amused himself with the sports and occupations of the country. Sometimes he busied himself with farming the glebe ; some- times spent the greater part of the day in the garden, where he would digasif for the mere pleasure of wearying himself. SometiMiss 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. Shooting, as he practised it, was far too danger- ous 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, be let fly, without ever putting the fowlinj! -piece to his shoulder. It is net, therefore, extraordinary, that his having once shot a partridge should be remembered by his family among the remarkable evontB ofnis life. But his time did not pass away thus without some vexatious cares to ruffle it. The affair of the American ships was not yet over, and he was again pestered with threats of prosecution. " I have written lu.^i word," said he, *' that I will have nothing to do with them, and they must act as they think proper. Government, I suppose, will do what is right, and not leave me in the lurch. We have heard enough, lately of the consequences of the navigation-net to this country. They may take my person ; but if sixpence would save me from a prosecution, I would not give it ." It was his great ambition at this time to possess a pony ; and having resolved to purchase one, he went to a fair for that purpose. During his absence two men abruptly entered the parson- age, and mquired for him : they then asked for Mrs. Nelson ; and af- ter they had made her repeatedly declare that she was really and truly the captain's wite, presented her with a writ or notification, on the part im it^E or ^KLSjON. of the American captains, who now laid their daraagcs at £20,060, and thoy charged her to* giv« it to her husband on his return. Nelson, . having bought his pony came home with it in high spirits. He called out his wii'e to admire the purchase, and listen to ull its excellencies : nor was it till his glee had in some measure subsided that the paper could be presented to him. Ilis indignation was excesaive ; and, in the apprehensions that he should be exposed to the anxieties of the suit, and iji» ruinous consequences which might ensue, he exclaimed, *' This fiffrent I do not deserve ! But I'll be trifled with no longer. I will Avrite 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 I jpost, he should take refuge in France. To this he expected he should fy be driven, and for this he arranged every thing with his characteristic ra- pidity of decision. It was settled that he should depart immediately, '. and Airs. Nelson follow under the care of his elder brother, Maurice, ' ten days aAer him. But the answer which he received from Govern- ment qui«tttd his fears ; it stated, that Captain Nelson was a very good offiotr, and needed to be under no apprehension, for he would assuredly be supported. Here his disquietudes upon thie subject seems to have ended. Still Ilo was not at ease ; he wanted employmer.t, and was mortified that his applications for it produced no effect. '^ Not being a man of fortune," he sraid, *' was a erimo which he was unable to get over, and therefore none of the great eared about him." Repeatedly he requested the Admiralty that they would not leave him tu rust in indolence. During the arie&ment which wosmade upon occasion of the dispute concerning Noetka Sound, he renewed hi« application : and his steady friend, I'rince William, who had then been created Duke of Clarence, recom- mended him to Lord Chatham. The failure of this recommendation wounded him so keenly, that he again thought of retiring from the ser- vice in disgust : a resolution from which nothing but the urgent remon- strances of Lord Hood induced him to desist liearing that the Rai- sonnable, in which he had commenced his career, was about to be com- missioned, he asked for her. This also was in vain : and a coolness ensued, on his part, towards LorJ Hood, because that excellent officer did set use Lis influence witlt^Lord Chatham upon this occasion. Lord Hood, however, had certainly sufficient reasons for rot interfering ; for he ever continued his steady friend. In the winter of 1792, when wo W0r9 on the eve of the revolution war. Nelson unco more offered his serviees, earnestly requesting a ship, and added, that if th@ir lordships should be pleased to appoint him to a cockle-boat, ho should feel satis- fied. He was answered in the usual ofHcial form : " Sir, I have recei- ved your lefter.of the 5tb instant, expressing your readiness to serve, and have expressed the same to my Lords commissioners of the admi- ralty." On the 22d of December, he received this dry acknowledg- nnontt The fresh mertific8tioi>, did not, however, a^ect him long; for, ■'«i«. H13E OF iN£1.30N. 29 by the joint interest of the Duke and Lord Hood, he was appbinted oh the 30th of January following, to the Agamemnon, of sixty-four guns. '•■V r ■.'. t.i>i<'> >/,> CHAPTER HI. jT/ie Jlgametanon sent to the Mediterranean— Commencement ofJVelson^s jSc- Jucintance with Sir W. Hamilton — He ia sent to Corsica, to co-operate with *aoli — State of affairs in that Island — JVelso-n undertakes the siege of Bastia, and reduces it — Takes a distinguished Partinths Siege ofCahi, where he loses an Eye-'- Admiral Uotham's Action— -The Jlgamenynon or- dered to Genoa, to co-operate with the Austrian and iSdrdinian Forces'^ ■ Cross Misconduct of the Austnan General, ■ ' • 'V?. rj^u-ij* ■? " There are three things, youngs gentleman," said Nelson to one of his nnidsbiptnen, " which you are contitantly to bear in mind. Ist. you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting their propriety. 2diy. 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." Josiah, his son-in-law, went with him as a midshipman. The Agamemnon was ordered to the Mediterranean, under Lord Hood. The fleet arrived in those seas at a time when the south of France would willingly have formed itself into a separate republic,un- der the protection of England. But good principles had been at that time perilously abused by ignorant and profligate men ; and, in its fear and hatred of democracy, the English government abhorred whatever was republican. Lord Hood could not take advantage of the fbir oc- casion 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 Hamil- ton, ourenvoy at the court of Naples. Sir William, atker his first in- terview with him, told Lady Hamilton he was about to introduce a little man to her, who could not boast of being very handsome ; but such a man, as he believed, would one day astonish the world. ** I have never before," he continued, " entertained an otBcer at my house; 'but I am determined to bring him here. Let him be put in the room prepared for Prince Augustus." Thus that acquaintance begap which ended in the destruction of Nelson's domestic happiness. It sei^med to threaten no such consequences at itd 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 kin^to Josiah. The activity with which the envoy exerted himself in procuring troops from Naples, to assist in garrisoning Toulon, so delighted him, that he is eaid to have exclaimed : *'• Sir William, you are a man after my owo Jieart !— you do business in my own way ;" and then to have added, I ^ lijFk of nelson* H' <' I am now only a captain ; butlwil}, if I live, be at the top or the* tree." Here, also, that acquaintance with the Neapolitan court com>- menced, which led to the only blot upon Nelson's public charnnter. — The k\ngy who wa» sincere at that time in his enmity to the French, called the Elnglish the Haviours of Italy, and of his dor.tinions in par- ticular. He paid the most flattering attentions to Nelson, made him dine with-hin^ and seated him at his right hand. Having accomplished this mission, Nelson received orders to join Commodore Siinzee, at Tunis. On the way, five sail of the enojny were discovered off the voabt of Sardinia, and he chased thorn. They pro- ved to be tSree44gun frigates, with a corvette of 34 and a biig of 12. The Affamemnon had only 345 men at quarters, having Itmded part of her crew at Toulon, and others being absent in prizes, ile came near enouffb to one of the frigatea to engage her, but at great dif^ad vantage, the Frenchman manoeuvring well, and sailing greatly better. A run- ning figbt of three hours ensued ; during which the other »hips. which were at some distance, made all speed to come up. By this time the enemy was almost silenced, when a favourable <;hange of wind ena- bled her to get out of reach of the A/^amemnon's guns; and that ship bad 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 aerioaa engagement, callied his officers together, and asF.ed them if the ship was fit to go mto action against such a superior force, without aome small refit and refreshment for the men ? Their answer was, that she certainly was not. He then gave these orders : " Veer the ship, and lay her head to the westward : let some of the best men bo^ employed in refitting the rigging, and the carpenter getting crows and capatan-bars to prevent our wounded spars from coming ilown : 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 eomrade made signals of distresji, nnd they all hoisted out their boats to go to her assistance, leaving the Agamemnon unmolested. Nulson found Commodore Linzee at Tunis, where he had been sent to expostulate with the dey upon the impolicy of his supporting the revolution of France. Neision represented to him the atrocity of that government. Such arguments were of iittrle avail in Barbary : and when the dey was told that the French had put their sovereign to death, he dryly replied, that " Nothing could be more heinous ; and yet, If historians told the truth, the English had once done the same." This answer had doubtless been suggested by the French about him : they had completely gained the ascendancy, and all negotiation on our part proved fruitless. Shortly afterward Nelson was detached with a small squadron, to co-operate with General Paoli and Anti- Ctellioan party in Corsica. Some thirty years before this time, the heroic patriotism of the Cor- sioans, and of their leader, Paoli, had been the admiration of England. The history of these brave people is but a melancholy tale. The island which they inhabit has been abundantly blessed by nature : it has many excellent harbours ; and though the malaria, or pestilential 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 mr'intainous and healthy. It is about one hundred and fifty milies I' .,v and from forty to fifty broad : in circumference, some three bun- U^E OF JiELSON. 31 Ared and twenty :— a country Inr^c etrnugh, and siifficienlly distant from the nearest fihores, to hiive subsisted as an independent state, if the welfare and hnppiness of the human race had ever been consider- ed as the end and nim of policy. The Aloors, the Pisans, the kings of Arrugon, and the Genoese, successively attempted, and each for a time ell«cted, its conquest. The yoke of the Genoese continued longest, and wa^ the heavietit. These potty tyrants ruled with an ifon rod : and when ut any time a patriot rose to resist tiieir oppressions, if they fulled to subdue him by force, they resorted to assassinatian.— At the commencement of the last century they quelled one revolt by the aid of German auxiliaries, wiiom the Emperor Charles VI. sent n^ainst a people who had never oflTended him, and who were flg^htlnfjr for whatever is most dear to man. In 1784 the war was renewed ; and Theodore, a Whestphalian baron, then appeared upon the stage. In that asfe men were not nceiis^tomed to see adventurers play for kingf- doms, and Theodore became the common talk of Eurofie. He had st:rveJ in the French armies ; and having afterward been noticed bo*h by Ripperda and Alberom, tbeir example, perhaps, inflamed a spirit as ambitious and as unprincipled as their own. He employed thtt whole of his means in raising money and procuring arms : then wrote to the leaders of the Corsioan pntriots, to offer them considerable as- sistance, 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 impossing talents : they believed the magnificent promises of foreign assistance which he held out, and elected him accordingly. Hud his means been jas he reptae* seated them, they could not have acted more wisely, than in thus at once fixing the government of their country, and puttinganend to thoae rivalries among the leading families, which had so often proved perni« cious to the public weal, tie struck money, conferred tUlea, blocked up the fortified towns which wera held by the Genoese, and amused Uie people with promises of assistance for about eight months : then, per- ceiving that they cooled in their affections towards him, in proportion as their expectations, he lefl the island under the plea of expediting himself the succours which he had so long awaited. Such was his ad- dress, that he prevailed upon several rich merchants in Holland, par* ticularly the Jews, to trust him with cannon and warlike stores to a great amount. They shipped these under the charge of a surpercargo. Theodore returned with this supercargo to Corsica, and put him to death on iiis arrival, as the shortest way of eettting the account. Th« remamder of his life was a series of deserved afflictions. He threw in the stores which he had thus fraudulently obtained : but he did not dare to land ; for Genoa had called in the French to their assistance, and a price had been set upon his head. His dreams of royalty were novf at an end : he took refuge in London, contracted ^debts, and was t'lrown into the King's Bench. AAer lingertog there many years, he was re- leased under an act of insolvency : in consequence of which,he made o- ver the kingdom of Corsica for the use of his creditors, and died short- ly after his deliver ancr the wrongs of humanity. '* You Frenchmen," said he, writing to one of that people, ^* are a thoroughly servile nation, thoroughly sold to tyranny, thoroughly cruel and relentless in persecuting the un- happy. If they knew of a freeman at the other end of the world, I be- lieve they would go therefor the mere pleasure of exterpating him.'' The immediate object of the French happened to be purely mercena^ ry: they wanted to clear off their debt to Genoa; and as the presence of their troops in the islatids affected this, they aimed at doing the peo- ple no farther mischief. Would that the conduct of England bad been at this time Cree from reproach ! but a proclamation was issued by the 5 11 34 LIFE OF NELSON. English govoinmcnt, after tlio neucc of Paris,proliibitingany intercourse vith the rebels of Corsica, raoli said, he did not expect this from Gfeat Britain. This great man was deservndly proud ot his country : *'I defy Rome, Sparta, or Tliebes,'- he would say, " te show me thirty yenrs 6f such patriotism as Corsica can boast!" Availing himself of the respite which the inactivity of the French, and the weakness of the Genoese, allowed, he prosecuted his plans of civilizing the people. He used to say, that though ho had an unspeakable pride in the prospect of the fame to which he aspired; yet, if he could but render his country- men happy, ho could be content to bo forgotten. His own importance he never afiected to undervalue. " Wo are now to our country," said he, "like the prophet Ettsha, stretched over the dead child of the Shu- namifo— eye to eye, nose to nose, mouth to mouth : it begins to recover warmth, and ^o revive ; i hope it will yet regain full health and vigour." But when the four years were expired, France purchased the sove- reignty of Corsica from the Genoese for forty millions of livres ; as if the Genoese had been entitled to sell it; as if any bargain and sale could justify one country in taking possession of another against tho will of the inhabitants, and butchering all who oppose the usurpation ! Among the enormities which France has committed, this action seems but a speck ; yet the foulest murder jr that ever suffered by the hand of the executioner, has infmitely less guilt upon his soul than the stateiinan who concluded this treaty, and the monarch who sanctioned and con- firflled it. A desperate and glorioyi: resistance was made ; but it was in vain; no power interfered in behalf of these injured islanders, and the French poured in as many troops as were required. They ofiered to confirm Paoli in the supreme authority, only on condition that he would hold it under their government. His answer was, that " the rocks which surrounded him should melt away before he would betray a cause which he held in common with the poorest Corsican." This people then set a price upon his head. During two campaigns he kept them at bay: they overpowered him at length: he was driven to the shore, VBd, having escaped on ship-board, took reftige in England. It is said that Lord Shelburne resigned his seat in the cabinet, because the minis- -try looked on, without attempting to prevent France from succeeding in this abominable and important act of aggrandizement. In one respect, however, ear country acted as became her. Paoli was welcomed with the honours which he deserved, a pension of 1200Z. was immediately granted him; and provision was liberally made for his elder brother and hia nephew. '•:'^ 'x. itrn^ Above twenty years Paoli remained in England, enjoying the friend- ship of the wise, and ths admiration of the good. But when the French revolution began, it seemed as if the restoration of Corsica was at hand. • The whole country, as if animated by one spirit, rose and demanded . libierty; and the national assembly passed a decree, recognizing the island as a department of France, and therefore entitled to all the privi- .kge» of the new French cpustitution. This jsatisfied the Corsicans, youl lievil LiF'S OF NJiiiSOX^ 35 U'hicli it ought not to have done ; and Pnoli, in whom the ardour of youth was passed, seeing that his countrymen were contented, and be- lieving that they were about to enjoy a stale of freedom, naturally wish'd to return to his native country. Ho resigned his pension in the yetur 1790, and appeared at the bar of the assembly with the Corsican depu- ties, when they took the oath of fidelity to France. But the course of events in France soon dispelled tho^o hopes of a new and bottef order gf things, which Paoli, in common with so many of the friends of hanuia r^nd, had indulged ; and perceiving, after the execution of the king, that a civil war was about to ensue, of which no man could foresee the issue, he prepared to bl-cak the connexion between Corsica and the French republic. The convention, suspecting such a design, and per- haps occasioning it by their suspicions, ordered him to their bar. That way, he well knew, led to the guillotine ; and returning a respectful answer, he declared that he would never be wanting in his duty, bnt 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 i«flu- enced by hereditary party feelings, or who were sincere in jacobiniaia, , 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 ike ■ authority which he had held in the noonday of his fame. The conven- tion upon this denounced him as a rebel, and set a price upon his head, It was not the first time that France had disgracefully proscribed the patriotic Paoli. Paoli now opened a correspondence with Lord Hood, promising, if the English would make an attack upon St. Fiorenzo from the seq, 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 wilh some loss. Lord Hood, xvho had now been compelled to evacuate Toulon, suspected Paofi of intentionally deceiving him. This was an injurious suspicion.— Shortly afterward ho despatched Lieut. Col. (afterward Sir John) Moore and Major Koehler to confer with him upon a plan of opera- tions. It was agreed, that in consideration of the succours, which his Britannic majesty should afford for the expulsion of the French, the island of Corsica should be delivered into the possession of his majesty and bind itself to acquiesce in any settlement he might ap- prove of concerning its government in its future relaiion with Cireat Britain. While this negotiation was going on. Nelson crnised offthe island with a small squadron, to prevent the enemy from throwing in supplies. Close to St. Fiorenzo the French had a storehoase of flom", near their only mill : he watched an opportunity, and landed 190 men, who threw the flour into the sea, burnt the mill, and re-embarked, be- fore 1000 men, who were sent against him, could occasion them the loss of a single man. While he exerted himself thus, keeping oat all supplies, intercepting despatches, attacking their outposts and forts, and cutting out vessels from the bay, a species of warfare which de- presses the spirit of an enemy even more than it injures them, because of the sense of individual superiority which it indicates in the assailants V \1 2S LIF-L QF NKf.^tjN. m — troops were londecl, and St. Florenzo wns bcsciged. The Frcncli/ finding themselves unable to maintain that post, 9unk one of their flri - gatfB, burnt another, and retreated to Bn^t'a. Lord Hood submitted to Uen. Dundus, who communded the lund-forceB, a plan Tor the re* ductiojfi of this place : the general declined co-operalin/gri thinking the attempt impracticable, without a reinforcement ofSOVO men, which he expected from Gibraltar. Upon this Lord Hood determined to re- duce it %%ith the naval force upder his command ; and leaving part oi* his fleet off Toulon, he came with the rest to Bnstia. He showed a proper respect for Nelson's nervires, and of :'anfldenre in his talents, by taking care not to bring with him any older captain. A Vew days before their arrival, Nelson had had w'ha% he called n brush with the enemy. During this partial action our army appeared upon the heights; and having teconnoitred the place, returned to i^t^ Figrenzo. " What the geueral could have Keen to make n retreat ne- cessary," said Nelson, ** I cannot comprehend. A thonsand men would take Rastln; viilh d(K) and Agamemnon I would undertake it." CSen. Dundas bad nut the same confidence. " Alter many con»'idcrntionR,"hei said to Lord Hood, " and a personal inspection (br several weeks of all circumstances, 1 consider the siege ofBastia to be a most visiona- ry and rash attempt ; and such as no officer woifld be jostifled in un- dertaking." Lord Hood replied|that nothing would be more gratifying than to assume all the responsibility himself; and that he wa« really to undertake the reduction of tlie place at bis own risk, with the means at present there. Gen. d'Aubant, who succeeded to the comntand of the army, coincided in opinion with his prcdeeessnr, and did not thinic it right to furnish his Lordship with as^ii^le soldier, or cannon. Lord Hood codii! only obtain a few artillery tiien ; and ordering on board that part of the troops who, having been embarked as marines, were borne on the shipe' books as part of their respective complements, ho began the siege with IVstr soldiers.artillery men,marines.and 250 sailors. These men were landed on the 4th of April, under Lieutenant-Col- onel Villettes and Nelson, who had now acquired fro*ii the army the title of brigadier. Guns were dragged by the sailors up heights where it appe^rcKl almost impossible to convey them ;— -a work of the great- est difllcuUy ; and which, Neisbn (-aid, could never, in his opinion, have been accomplished by any but Bntii!>h seamen. The ai-Idiers, though less dexterous in such service, because not accustomed, like sailerij, to habitual dexterity, behaved with eq»«l spirit. 'Their zeal,' said the brigadier, '*is almot^t 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 ^qual to double their numbers." This is one proof, of many, that for ot r soldiers to equal our seamen, it is only necessary for them to be equally well com- manded. They have the same heart and soul, as A-ell as the same liesh and blood. Too much may, indeed, be exacted from them in a retrei&t ; but set their face towards 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 bad allowed them ; and before Lord Hood commenced bis operations, ho had the mortification of seeing that the enemy were ever erecting new Wtrks, strengthening old ones, and rendering the attempt more difficult. La Combe St. j^lichei* the r;Qmmis8ioner from the nationul but L1P£ or iNtLSO-V. 37 (•onvention, tvho wos in the city, replied in theno terms to the samtnons orthe Uritinh admiral : •' I have hot shot Cor your ship*, and liayoneta for your troops. When two-thirdu of our men are killed, 1 will then truvt to the generosity of the English." 'J'he seige, however, was not sustained with the flrinness which Huch a reply seemed to augnr. On t!)« lOlbofMay, a treaty of capitulation was begun: that same even- ing the troopei iVoni St. Florenzo made their appearance on the hills ; and, on the following morning, Ciieneral D'Aubant arrived with the whole army to take posstssiou of Bantia. The event of the siege had Justified the confidence of the sailors; but they themselves excused the opinion of the generals, when they saw what they had done. *' I um ail astonishment," said Nelson, " when I reflect on what we have achieved; one thousand regulars, liftcen hundred national guards, and a large party of Corsican troopo, four thousand in ail, laying dotvn their arms to t^velvo hundred sol- diers, murines and Hennion ! I always wa^ of opinion, have ever ac- ted up to it, and never had nny reaNon to repent it, that one English' man was equal to three Frenchmen. Had this l)een an Euglish town, I am sure it would not have itcen tnken by them. When it had been resolved to attack the place, the enemy were supposed to be far in- ferior in number; and it was not till the whole hud been arranged, and the siege publicly undertaken, that Nelnon received certain infor- mation of the great superiority ui' the gHrrison. This intelligence he kept secret, fearing lest, if so fair a pretext were afforded, the attempt wouM be atiandoned. "illy own hunoui*," said he to his wife, "Lord Hood's honour, and the honour of our country, must have been sacri- ficed, had 1 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 advined him were rewarded for the conduct at tho friege ofBastia: Nelson, by whom it may truly be affirmed that Bastia was taken, received no reward. Lord Hood's thanks to him, both public and private, were, as he himself said, the handsomest which, man could give; but his signal merits were not so mei^ticried in the despatches as to make them sutfleiently known to the nation, nor ta 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 pur- pose, for Lord Hood was uniformly his steady and sincere friend. The Aeantemiion was now despatched to co-operate at the siege of Calvi with Genera) Sir Charles Stuart ; an ofHcer, who, unfortunately fur his country, never had mi adequate field allotted hitn for the display of thoseeminent talents, which were, to all who knew him so conspicuous.* Nelson had less responsibility here t'lan at Bastia ; and was acting with a roan 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 * Lord Melville was fully sensible of tliese talents, and bore testimoay to them in (he handsomest manner af\er Sir Cbarle's death. 3g UKr- OV NJtLiiPA. % been dragged to the differ..nt batteries, mounted, and, a}\ but tbree^ fought by seameii, except one artillery njsin lo point the guns." The climate proved more destructive ihan the nervice ; for this was during the hon sunj'^as they there call our season of the dog-days. Of two thousand men, above half were sick, and the rest like so many phantoms. Nelson described himself as the reed among the oaks, bowing before tha storm when tbey wero laid low b^ i'. " All the prevailing disor- ders have attacked me," said he, " but oave not strength enough for them to fasten on." The loss from the enemy was not great : but Nel- son received a serious injury ; a shot struck the groand near him, and drove the sand and small gravel into one of his eye?. He spoke of it slightly at the time : v^riting the same day to Lord Hood, he only said, thui he got A little hurt tl.it morning, not much ; and the next day, he said; he should be able io attend his duty in the evening. In fact, he eufEered it to confine him only one day ; but the sight was lost. Alter the fall of Calvi, his sei viceb v/cre, by h strange omission, al- together overlooked ; and his name war not even mentioned in the list of wounded. This was no ways imputed to tlie Admiral, for h^ sent home to government Nelsoij's journal of the siege, that th^y might fully understand the nature of iiis inde^-.ugable and unequalled exertions. If those exertions were not rewarded ia the conspicuous manner which they deserved, the f^ult was ii the avimini-'tration of the day, not in Lord Hood. Nelson felt himself nej^lected. " One hundred and ton days," said he, "I have been actually eng.ged, at Kaa, and on shore against the enemy ; three actions against ships, two against Bastia in my ship, four boat actions, and two villages taken, and twelve sail of vessels burne ' I do not know that any one has done more. I have had the comfort to be always applauded by my commander-in-chief, but never to be rewardsd : and, what ia mortifying, for services in which I have been wounded, others have been praised, who, at the same time, were in bed, far from the scene of action. They have not done me justice. But, never raind; I'll have a Gazette of my own." How amply was this second sight of glory realized ! The health of his ship's company had now, in his own words, been iaisjrably torn to pieces by as hard service, as a ship's crev ever per- formed : onehundied and fifty were m their beds, when he left Calvi ; ofthemhelost fifty; and believed that the constitutions of the rest were entirely destroyed. He was now sent with despatches to Mr. Drhke, at Genoa, and had his fust intervcew with the doge. The French had, at this time, taken possession of Yado 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 powers," he said, were jealous of tach other ; and none but England was hearty in the cause." His wish was for peace, on fair terms, be- cause England, he thought, was draining herself to maintain allies who would not fight for themselves. L«»rd Hood had now returned to Eng- land, and the command devolved on Admiral Hotham. The affairs of the Mediterranean wore at this time a gloomy aspect. The arts as LWE OF NULSOxN. 39 Ibe- '"ff as well as the arms of the enemy wore gaininjj the ascundancy therts. Tuscany concluded peace, relying upon the faith of France, which war, in fact, placing itself at her mercy. Corsica was in danger. We had taken that island for ocrselvefi. annexed it formally to the c:own 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 couutrifs-: was ever more fairly or legitimately conducted : yet our conduct was unwise ; — fhe island is large enough to form an independant state, and such we should have made it, under pur protection, as long as protection might be heeded ; the Corsicans Woule* then havefeli«cj a nation; bur, when one pf.rty bad 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 un- accommodating manners, it is to be feaied, still lore so. The French were better politicians. In intrigue they have ever been unrivalled: and it now became apparent, that in spite ©fold vvrongei, which ought never to have been forg . t n or forgiven, their partizans were daily acquiring strength. It is part of the policy of France, and a wise poli- cy it is to impress upon other powers the opinion of its strength, by lofty language, and by threatening before it strikes; p system which, while it keeps up the spirit of its allies, and perpetually stimulates their hopec, tends also to dismay its enemies. Corsica was now loudly threatened. The French, who had not yet been taught to feel their own inferiority upon the seas, braved us, '.n contempt, upon that ebment. They had a superior fleet in the Mcditteranean, and they sent it out with express orders, to seek the English and enga^je them. Accordingly, the Tou- lon fleet, consisting of seventeen ships of the line, and five smaller ves- sels, put to sea. Admiral Hotham received this information at Leghorn, and sailed immediately in search of them. He had with him fourteen sail of the ''ae, and one Neapolitan seventy-four ; but his ships were only half-manned, contaifting but seven thousand six hundred and fifty men, whereas the enent\y had sixteen thousand nine hundred. 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 possibly might contain his last farewell. "The liveiofall,'* said he, "are in the hand of Him who knows best, whether to preserve mkijo or not ; my character and good name are in my own keeping." ;;. But .jowevep confident the French government might be of thelp nuvnl superiority, the officers had no such fe?lin^; n.id after mannavr- in^ for a day, in t ght of the English fleet, they suffered tl'emselves to bo chased. One of their shipiii, the Cn Ira, of i-ighty-four gans, carried nway her main and t'lretopmnsts. The Inconstant fVigate fired At the disabled ship, but received so many t^hot, that she was obliged to leave her. 8oun afterward a Fi'ench frigate took the Ca Ira in tow; and the Sans-Cuiotles, one hundred and twenty, and the Jean Barras, seventy-four, kept a ~ Both these French uhips now brought their guns to bear, and opened their fire. The Agamemnon passed them within half pistol-shot ; almost every shof passed over her, for thn French had elevated their guns for the rigging, und tor distant (iring, and did not think of altering the ele- vation. As soon as the Agomemnon'*^ alter guns ceased to Bear, she hove in stays, keeping a constant fire as she came round ; and iteing worked, said Nelson, with as much exactness as if she had been tui ning 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-bov/, w.^d standing to leeward. The admiral, st the same time, made the signal for the van-ships to jein him. Upoit this N'elson hore^away, and pre- pared to set all sail; and the enemy, having saved their ship, hauled close tc die wind, and opened upon him a distant and ineffectual fire. Only seven of the Agamemnon's men were hurt — a thing which Nel- son himself rematked as wonderful: her sails and rigging were very much cut, and she had many enots in her hull, and some between iviad and water. The Ca )ra lost one hundred and ten men that day, and was so cut up, that she could not get a topmast aloA during the night. At daylight, on the following morning, the English ships were taken aback with a fine breeze at N. W. while the enemy's fleet kept the southerly wind. The body of their fleet was about five miles distant ; the Ca Ira, and the Censeur, seventy-four, which had her in tow, about three and a half. All sail was made to cut these ships cfT; and, as the ^^ench attempted to save them, a partial action was brought on. The Agamemnon was again eogaged with her yesterday's anlagonisi; but she had to fight on both sides the ship at the same time. The Oa Ira and the Censeur fought most gallantly ; the first lost nearly three hun- dred men in addition to her former Joso; the last, three hnndred and flOy. Both at last struck : and Lieutenant Andrews, of the Aganiemn'>n, brother to the lady to whom Nelson had been attached in France, and, ;n Nelson's own words, ** as gallant an officer as ever stepped a quarter- deck,'' hoisted English colours on board them both. The rest of the LIFB OF NKLSffiiy. 41 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 bo left with the Illustrious and Courageux, which had been crippled in the action, and with four frigates, and that the rest of tlie . fleet shouh pursue the enemy, and follow up the advantage to the at^ most. But bis reply was — "VVe must be contented: we have done very well." — " Now," said Nelson, " had we taken ten sail, and allowed the eleventh to escape, when it bad been possible to have got at her, I coQld never have oalled it well done. Goodall backed me : I got him to write to the admiral ; but it would not do. We should have had such a day as, I believe the annals of England never produced." la; this letter the character of Nelson fully manifests itself. ^'Iwisb,''^ 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 dispositien can-* not bear tame and slow measures. Sure I am, had I conamanded oa # 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, forAboukir and Trafalgar have told it us. The Ca L>a ana Censeur probably defended themselves ^ith more obstinacy in this action, from a persuasion, that, if they strack, no qviarte? would be given ; because they had fired red-hot shot, sad had j'svt reparation sent, as they said, by the convention from Paris, i^ ems to have been of tlie nature of the Greek fire; for it be- come liqaid 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 bat- tle. Admiral Hotham's action saved Corsioa for the time ; but the vlf^tory had been incomplete, and the arrival at Toulon of six sail of the line, two frigates, and two cntt'"*"> from Brest, gave the French a superiority, which, had they known aow to use it, would materially have endangered the British Mediterraneon fleet. That fleet had been greatly neglected during Lord Chatham's administration at the Admi* ratty ; and it did not, for some time, feel the beneficial efl'ect of his i'emo"al. Lord Hood had gone home to represent the real state of afliiirs, and solicit reinfo.sements adequate to the exigenoies of the times, and the >f£LSOJr. dnamy be only 18, Nelson made no doubt of victory ; btit if they were 20, he said, it was not to be expected ; and a battle, withoat complete victory, tvoulu tiave been destruction, because another mast was not to be got on that ^ide Gibraltar. At length, Admiral Man arrived with « sqaadron from England. About this time IVelsno was made colonel of irarincs : — a mark of approbation which he bad long wished for rather than expected. It came in good season, for his spirits were oppressed by the thought ihat hit services had not been acknowledged as they deserved ; and it abated the resentful feeling which would else have been excited by tke ^answer to an application to the war-office. During his four moAths' land service in Corsica, he had lost all his ship furniture, owing to the movements of a camp. Upon this he wrote to the secretary at war, briefly stating what his services on shore had been, and saying, he trusted it was not asking an improper thing to request that the sameallowance might be made tobim which would be made to a land o0ieer of his rank, which, situated as he was, would be that of a brigadierrgeneral : if this could pot be accorded, he hoped that his additional expenses would be paid him. The answer which he re- caired was, that 'no pay had ever been issued under the direction of tilie war-offire to officers of the navy, serving with the army onshore." Ue now entered upon a new line of service. The Austrian and Sar- diaian armies, under General de p r^-quired a British squadron to co-aperate with them in driving then could be landed to attack the))laoe whenever it was judged necessary. St Rerao was the only place between Vadc and VilleFranche, where the squadron could lie in safety, and anchor in almost all winur: The bay was not as good as Yado for large ships ; but it had a mote, which Yndo had not, where all -mall vessels could lie, and load and unload their cargoes. This bay Im'ing in possession of the allies, Nice could be completely blockaded by sea. General ds Vies, affecting, in his reply, to consider that Nel- son's proposal had no other end than that of obtaiuinc the bay of St, Rsmo as a station for the ships, told him, what he well knew, and had expressed before, that Vado bay was a better anchorage ; iicverlheless, if Monsieur h Commandant Nelstm was well nifsurcd that part of the fleet oould winter (here, there was no risk to which he would not expose hinnself with pleasure, for the sake of obtaining a safe station for the vessels of his Britannic majesty. Nelson soon aKSured the Austrian commander,* that this was not the object of his memorial. He now began to suspect that both the Austrian court and their general had other ends in view than the cause of the allies. " This army," said he, •* j^s slow beyond ail description; and I begin to think tliut tlic emperor wh| nor iliji 1:1 .>v Llrt OF JNJiLSON. m is anxious to touch another four millions of English money. As for the German generals, war is their trade, and peace is ruin to them ; there* fore, 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 xo act in the same way ; all is trick and finesse, to which the commoQ Cfiuse 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, Avhich 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 Vins, requesting only to know the time, and the number of troops ready to embark ; then ha wuuld, he said, despatch a ship to Admiral Uotham, requesting transports, having no doubt of obtaining them, and trusting that the plan would be successful to its full extent. Nelson thought at the time, that if the whole fleet were oflerod him for transports, he would find some other excuse; and Mr.Drake, who was now appuinted to reside at the Austrian head-quarters, entertained the same idea ot the generate sincerity. It was not, however, put so clearly to the proof as it ought to have been. He replied, that as soon as Nelson could declare him- self ready with the vessels necessary for conveying ten thousand 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 disposal, pursued a cautious system, ill according with the bold and comprehensive views of Nelson, who contmually regretted Lord Hood, saying, that the na- tion had sufTered much by his resignation of the Mediterranean com- mand. The plan which had been concerted, he said, would astonish the French, and perhaps the English. There was no uuity in the views of the allied powers, no cordiality in their co-operation, no energy in their councils. The neutral powers assisted France more efiectuntly than the allies as!)isted 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 €k>noa itself, board vessels which were coming in, and then return into the mole. This was allowed without a reinonatance ; vvhile though Nelson abstained most carefully from oiTering any offence to the Genoese territory or flag, complaints were so repeatedly made against his squadron, that, he tfays, it seemed a trial who should be tired first ; they of complain- ing, or he of answering their complaints. But the question of neutra- lity was soon at an end. An Austrian commissary was travelling from G^noa towards Vado ; it was known that he was to sle«p at Voltri, Hiid that he had £10,000 with bini ; a booty which the French minister in that city, and the captain of a French frigate in that port considered as far more important than the word of honour of the one,, the duties of the other, and the laws of neutrality. The boats of the frigate went out with son^e privateers, landed, robbed the commissa- ry, and brought back the money to Genoa. The next day men were publicty enli;jted in that city for the French army ; seven handrcd men 46 1iI{:E QV M^f;SO^'. 'were embarked, vrith seven thousand stand of arms, on board the ftigates, and other were to land between Voltri and Savona : — there it detachment from the French army was to join them, and the Genoese peasantry weie to be invited to insurrection, — a measure for which eve^y thing had been prepared. The night of the 13th was Axed for the (failing of this expedition : the Austrians called loudly for Nelson to pk'event it; and he, on the evening of the 13th, nrrived at Genoa. His presence checked the plan : the frigate, knowing her deserts, got within the merchant ships, ia the Inner mode,* nnd the Genoese go- vernment 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 immediate effect which was de- signed, it led to ill consequences, which Nelson foresaw, but, for want of snflicient force, was unable to prevent. His squadron wa» too small for the service which it had to perform. He required two eevea- ty-fours, and eight or ten frigates and sloops ; but when he demanded this reinforcement, AtJmiral Hotbam had left the command ; Sir Hyde Parker succeeded till the new comnuinder should arrive ; and he immediately reduced it almost to nothing, leaving him only one frigate and a brig. This was a fatal error. While the Austrian and Sardinan troops whether from the imbecility or the treachery of their leaders, remained inactive, the French were preparing for the inva- sion of Italy. Not many days before Nelson was thus summoned to Genoa, he chased a large convoy into Alassio. Twelve vessels ho had formerly destroyed in that port, though two thousand French troops occupied the town : the former attack had made them take new measures of defence ; and there were now above one hundred «ail of victuallers, gun-boats, and ships of war. Nelson represented to the admiral how important it was to destroy these vessels ; and offered, with his squadron of frigates, and the CuUoden and Coura- geaux, to lead himself io' the Agememuon, and take or destroy the whole. The attempt was not permitted : but it was Nelson's belieH that, if it had been made, it would have prevented the attack upon the Austrian army which took place almost immediately afterward. Gen. de Vins demanded satisfaction of the Genoese government for the seiaure of his commissary ; and 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, be would have found the magaeines full ; but useless as it was to the cause of the allies, it was in character with the Austrian general's conduct : and it is no small proof of the dexterity with which he served the ene- my, that in such circumstances he could so act with Genoa, as to con- trive to put himself in the wrong. Nelson was at this time, in his awn words, placed in a clefl stick. The Austrian minister and the Austrian general joined in requiring him not to leave €tenoa : if he left that port unguarded, the French plan for taking post between Voltri and Savona would certainly succeed. On the other hand, if he wer^ not at Pietra, the enemy's gunboats would harass the lef\ flank of the Austrians, who, if they were defeated, would lay their defeat to the want of assistance from the Agamemnon. He had foreseen the dan- ger, and pointed out bow it might be prevented ; but the means of LIRE Of> SELSCUr. 47 preventin^^ it were withheld. The attack was mndo, rb he forssaw ; and gunboats brought to bear upon the Austrlans. It so happened that the lef\ flank was the only part which behaved well ; this division stood its /ground till the centre and right wing fled. Gen. deVins gave up the command in the middle of the battle, pleading ill health. "From that moment," says Nelson, " not a soldier staid at his post: — it was the devil take the hindmost. Many thousands ran away who had ne- ver seen the enemy ; some of them 30 miles from the advanced posts. Thus has ended my campaign. — We have established the French re- public; which would never have been laettled by such a volatile,change- able people. I hate a Frenchman : they are equally objects of my de- testation, whether royalists or republicans ; in some points, I believe, the latter are the best." The defeat of General de Vins gave the enemy possession of the Genoese coast from Savona to Voltri ; and it deprived the Austrians of their direct communication with the English fleet. The Agamem- non, therefore could no longer be useful on this station, and Nelson sailed fbr Leghorn to rcflt. When his ship went into dock, there was not a mast, yard, sail, or any part of the rigging, but. what stood in ueed of repair, having beeu cut to pieces with shot. The hull was so damaged, that it had for some lime been secured by cables, which were served or tnrapped round it. CHAPTER IV. V. ? ' Sir J. Jervis takes iJie Commund-'Genoa joins the French — Buonaparte be- gins his Career— 'Evacuation of Corsica — J^Telson hoists his broad Pennant in the MinervC'— Action with the Sabina — Battle off Cttpe St. Vincent — JVe/- son eommandi the inner Squadron at the Bbckuae of Cadiz— Boat Action in the Bay of Cadiz— Expedition asrainst Teneriffe—JVelson loses an Arm-— His Sufferings in England, and Recovery. Sir John Jervis had now arrived to take command of the Mediter- ranean fleet. Agamemnon having, as her captain said, been made as fit for sea as a rotten ship could be. Nelson sailed from Leghorn, and joined the admiral in Fiorenzo Bay. " I found him," said he, " anxious to know many things, which I was a good deal surprised to find had not been communicated to him by others in the fleet ; and it would ap- pear 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 re- serve with me respecting his information and ideas of what is likely to be done." The manner fh 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 Uotham's. and now again with Sir John Jervis : it makes no difference to you who is commander-in-ohief." A higher compliment could not have been paid to any commander-in-chief, than to say of him, that he un- derstood the merits of Nelson, and left him, as far as possible, to act upon hifi own judgment. ■ «^ . . , 4» LIFE QF NEL&ON. -*;'. 8ir John Jervia oflkTed him tho St. Gcorj^p, ninety, or tho zrnlous, seventy-four, and asked if ho shoald have any objection to nerve under hira with his fl»i^. He replied, that if the Agamemnon were ordered home, and hid flag were not arrived, he shoidd, on many accounts. wM\ to return to England: still, he should be very proud of hoisting his flag under 8ir .lohn's comninnd. " We cannot spare you," said Sir John. Acrorditigly, he re^-umod his station. Tho Freneh had not followed up their succossos there. Scherer, the commander, owed his advancement to any other cause than his merit ; but he was remo- ved fVom the command, and BuoRap>n*tc appointed to succeed him. — Buonaparte had given indications of his military talents at Toulon, and of his remorseless nature at Paris : hut the extent of his ability or hia wickedness was at this time known to nc ne, not even to himself, perhaps. Nelson supposed, from information, that one coluinn of the French army would take possession of Port Espeeia ; either penetrating thro' the Genoese territory, or proceeding coastwise in light vessels ; our ships of war not being able to approach the coast, because of the shal- lowness of the water. The possession of Vado Bay, and the taking of Port Espeeia, were necessary to prevent this ; then Italy wouhlbe safe from any attack of the French by sea. Gen. Beaulieu, who had superseded Vins,sent his nid-de-camp to communicate with Nelson, to see if he could anchor in any other place than Yado Bay. Nelson said that Vado was the only place where the British fleet could lie in safety: but all places wnuld suit his squadron. The Austrian asked, if there was not a risk of losing the inquadron? and was answered, if lost, the admiral would find others. But the battle of Montenotte, frustrated all co-operution nith the Austrians. Bcaulieu ordered an attack to be made upon Voltri ; — it was made 12 hours before the time fixed. la consequence, the French were enshled to effect their retreat upon Alon- tenotte ; thus giving the troops there a decisive superiority over tho division which attacked them. This drew on the defeat of the Austrf- aas. Bonaparte pursued his advantages; and, in the coarse of a fort- night, dictated to the court of Turin terms of peace ; by which all tho strongest places of Piedmont were put into his hands. Only on one occasion. Nelson was able to impede the progress of this new conqueror. Six vessels, laden with cannon, &t. sailed from Toulon for St. Pier d' Arena. Assisted by the Meleager, he drove them under a battery, and captured the whole. Military books, &c. maps of Italy, with the different points marked upon them where former bat- tles had been fought, for Buonaparte's use, were fooad in the convoy. This compelled the French to raise the siege of Mantua : but there was too much imbecility in the councils of the allied powers, for Aus- tria to improve this success. Bonaparte conceived that all Italy was within his reach : treaties of neutral 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 conse- quence, Nelson blockaded that port, and landed a British force in the Isle of Elba, to secure Porto Ferrajo. Soon afterward he took the island of Capraja, which had formerly belonged to Corsica, being less tb&ii forty miles distant from it ; which enabled the Genoese to retain it, after their infamous sale of Corsica to France. Genoa had now ta- ken part with France: its government willingly wished to Exclude the English from their ports. Coprqja was seized, in consequence ; but m LiFii; car nj&jubon. W tbi« net ufviffour was notfolloweil up. England depended too much upon tho feeble governments of the continent, and too littie upon itself. It waa determined by tho British cabinet to evacuate Corsica, as soon as Spain should form an oflfbusive alliance with France. I^hia event had now talcen place ; and orders for thaevaooation w(*re imniediataly sent out. It was impolitic to annex this island to the British Hnmioions; but having done so, it was disgraceAil thus to abandon it. The d'l?- groce would l>ave been spared, if the people of the island bad al>%^^ been leHt to tbrm a^ government for themselves, and protected ""^^^ - The \ iceroy, Sir Gilbert Elliot, deeply felt the impolicy atd ij of, ibis evacuation. Tho fleet also was Ordered to leave the AT noan. This resolution was So conirarjr to the last iQstrucmn had bi»en received, that Nelson exclaimed, "do his Mcgesty^sj knoW"their own minds? They at home/' said )ie, "do not ki this fleet ts capablo of performing-— a^ tbin^ and 4|Yfry thinf. as I tiball rejoice to see England, I lament our present orders in < cloth and jashes, so dishonourable to the dignity of Eo|[liM#'wboB6i fleets are equal to meet tho world in arms: and of all the flfdli^ ever saw, I never beh^d one, in point of oflieersand men, equalt^- Bir John Jer- viafs, who is a commander-in-chief able to lead them io glory.'' ^ir Gilbert Elliot believed that the Coraicans were perfectly satiefied, as theybadgeodrcrason tohG,.with the British ^overnpaent, sensibl«-«f its advantageoj and attached to it However this may have bsep, when vthey found that the English intended to evaeuate the islaiiid, they niitu* raUy and necessarily sent to make their peac% with the French. The pttr|h>aB8 of France^ found Bone to opsose them. A committee of thtrty took npon them the gpvernment of Bastia, and sequestered all the Bcltif h property : armtfd Qorsicans mounted guard at every plucei, and a plan was laid for seizing' the viceroy. NiAspn, \rbe was appointed to superintend th^evacuatioh. fruatrltec) these projects. At a time when evjsry one else despaired or saying stores, cannon, provisiorMi, or prop- erty.of any^kindy and a privateer .was moored across tlie mole-head to prevent allboatiB from passing, he sent word to the committee, that if the slightest opposition were made to the embkikatien and removal of British property, he would batter the town down. The privateer point- ed her guns at the offlcer who carn|d this niessage, aad muskets were levelled against his boats from the mele-bead. Upon this. Captain Sutton, of thcyBgmont, pulling out his watch^ gave them a quarter of an hour to d^Merate upon their answer. In five minutes after the ex- piration of t^at time, 'the sl|ips, ho said, would open their fire. Upon ^s the very sentinels sqanir^ered off, and every vessel ety of the enemy to recover their own ship. As soon as Nelson reached Porto Perrajo, he sent hie prisoner in a flag of truer t^ Carthagena, baying returned him his sword ; 4his he did in honour t)f the gallantry whieh D. Jacobo had displayed, and from respecf t« his ancestry '< I ieel it,?' said he, "consonant to the dignity <>finy country, ant} lalwaya act as I feel right, ivithout regard to cdstom : he was reputed the best officer in Spain, and his men were worthy of such a e^mmander." By the same flag of truce he sent back all tho Spanish prisoners to PortO; Ferrajo ; and received in exchange his own men tiyken in the prize. ^ General de Burgh, who command ;d at the Isle i»f Elba, did not think himself authorized to abandon the place, till be had received specifio instructions from England to that effect; professing that fie was unable io decide between the contradictory orders of government, or to gues^ A vu bail Ml hit LIFE OP NilLSON. X'- Al at what their present intentions might bo: but ho said, hi» only motive for urging delay in the measure arose from a desire that his own ooo- duct might be properly sanctioned, not from any opinion that Porto Ferri^o ought to he retained. But Naples having made peace, Sir.T. Jervis considered his business with Italy as concluded ; and the proteo- tion> of Portugal wan Uie paint to which be was now instructecl to at- tend. Nelson, therefore, whoso order" y^zn, perfectly clear, withdrew the' whole aaval establishment from the station, leaving the transports victualled, and so arranged, that all the troops and stores conld be em- barked in three days. He was now about to leave the Mediterranean. Mr. Drake, wfio had been our minister at Genoa, expressed to him the high opinion the allies entertained of his merit : adding;, that it was im- possible for any one, who had the honour of co-operating with him, not to admire the activity, talents, and zeal which he had displayed. lb facti the whole of, his conduct had okhibitod the same zeal and eittrgy^ the same intuitive judgment and unerring decision, which charaoterized bis af%er>oareer of glory. His name was as yet hardly known to the English publio ; but it was feared and respected tliroughout Italy. A letter canM to him, directed ''Horatio Neison, Genoa :'' and the writer, when askod how he co'.^ld direct it so vaiuely, replied, ** Sir, thbre is but one Horatio Nelson in the world." At Genoa, in particnlar, where he bad so long been stationed, he was equally respected by the dogo nnd» the people : for while he maintained the rights oi* Britain with be- coming firmness^ he tempered the exercise of power with courtesy and humanity; *'Had all my actions," said he, writing at- this timr to hia. wife;^been ffazetted,.notone fortnight would have passed, du ag the who' var, without 9 lettev from me. One day or other I will have a Ion Qtte to myself. I fe^l that such an opportunity will ba givMi to ma M cannot, if I am in the field of glory, be kept out of sight : whero* ever there is. anything to be done, there Providence is saro to direct my steps." ' ' These anticipations were soon to be fulfilled. Nelson's mfad bad long been irritated by the fear that a general aetion wonid take placo before he could join the fleet. At length he sailed with a convoy fbir Gibraltar ; and having reached that place, proceeded In search of the admiral. He fell in with the Spanish fleet ; and* reaehing the station ofi'Cape St. Vincent's, communicated this intelligence to Sir John Jer- vis. He was directed to shift his pennant on board the CapMifai, 74, Capt. Miller ; and, before sunset, the signal was made to prepare for action. At daybreak the enemy were in sight. The British force cpn- ststed'oftwo ships of 100 guns, two of 88, two of 90, eight of V^, and one €4; fifteen of tbe line in all ; wit^ f«;!r A-lgates, a sloop, and a ootter. The Spaniards had one four-docker, of 186 guns ; nix three- deckers, of 112 : twalM ; eighteen 74 ; in all, 27 ships of the line, wtth tenft-igates and abHg. Their admiral, de Cordova, had learned iVom an Ameriean that the English had only nine ships, which indeed vi^ the case When his informer bad seen them; for a reinforcement h»d not then joined. Upon this information, the Spanish commander Ab- termihed to seek an enemy so inferior in force: and relying npoa the American aoeount, he sullbred bis shipi tt> remain too far dispersed) m d3 Ui£ dF Nji:LaoN. am! in diftorder. When the morning, broke, nnd discovered the Eng- lisb fleet, a fog tbr some time concealed the> number. The fleet had heard tlreir signal guns during the night ; scon after dftylight they were feieen much soatterec', while the Bri ish ships were in a compnctbody. Thelooli-otrt ship of the Spaniards fancying her signal di8ret;<\rded, because so little notice seemed to W taken Of it, made another signal, that ihe English consisted or40' sail. The daptain did this to rouse the admiral : it had the effect of perplexing him. The absurdity of such an att sho^ys what was the state of the Spanish nary under thaC nils- crnble government. When it was contemplated that Spain would take part in the war, as an ally of France, NelsOn said that their fleet, if U were no better than with uS; wouM "soon be done tbr." Before the enemy could form battle,Sir J. Jervis came up with them, passed thro' their fleet, tacked, and cut off 9 ships from the main body. These nhips attei^ted to form on tlio larboiard tack, with a design to ptess through the British line, ortp leeward of it, and thus rejoin their friends. Only one succeeded ; and that because sl>e was 5o covered with sinoke that her intention was not discovered : the others Were so wartnly received, that they took to flight, and did not app^iar again till it* clqse. . The admiral was noVr ableto direct his attention to the •- nomy's main body, which was superior in every respect to his whole fleet; Herriadeeignal to.tack in sueceMion. Nelson perceived that the Spaniisrde were bearing up before the wind, with an intention of forming their line, and joining their separated ships ; or else, of get- ting off without an engagement. Tq prevent either of these schej^ee, the ditobeyed (he signal without a moment's hesitation, and order^his shifi to be wore. This at once brought him into action with thi6pan- issima Tritiidi^d, 100 and 3S, the San Joseph, one 100 and 12« the Salvador del Mundo, 100 and 13, the St. Nicolas, 80, the Sanisrdpr, 74/ another 74, and another ( ."st-rate. Trowbridge, in the Cu]tbdt>n, immediately joined, and most oobly suppqrtetd him; and for nearly an hour did the Oulioden and Captain maintain whv^.t Nelson called " this apparently, but iiot really, unequal contest ;"—^6uch \vn8 the a^vs^r.tage of skill and discipline, and the confidence which brave men derive from them.*^Thefilenhcimthen passing between them and the enemy, gave tbfmia re3pite, and poured in her flra rpoa the Spaniards. Tlio Sal- vador, del Mundo and S. Isidro dropped'aetern, and were flred into, in A masterly style, by tkw Exoelient, Capt. Colling wood. The S. Is- idor struck *, and Nelson thought that the Salvador struck also; "but CoUingwood," enysbe. "disdaining the parade of taking possession of l»9«ten,ene>i.iies, most gallantly pusked up, with every sail set, to save bis oljd, friend and messmates, wko Vras, tc appecranco, in a critical 8|ffi/9U0on ;", for the Captain was at this time actoplly fired upon by 8 flrat-rotes, by the B Nicolas, and by a 74 within about pistol-shot of thpl, Vessel. The Blenheim was ahead, the CulLoden crinpled and as- t^rilj GolUpgwoed ranged up, And hauling up his mamsail just astern, |N|Sae<|, within ten feet of the S. Nioolas, giving her a most tremendous fli^;^i«n i^assedon for the Santissima TriRidad.—The S. Nf colas luf- ting tfu>f the |^. Joseph fell on board her, and Nelson resumed his sta- tion f^biwast of them, and close along- side. The Captain was now in copaliiaof fhrther service, either in the line or in chase: she had lost ln^ fofeTtepmast ; a«t a sail, shroud, or rope was lei), and her wheel ^ras ahot fttray.' Nelson, therefore, directed Capt MiHor to put the helm a-starboard^ and, calling for the boarders, ordered them to baard. tbft sup mai gall and the doo to t of the thei of the ^ /^ UtE OF I^tELSQN. ^ Capt. I^orry, who had lately been Nelson's firet lieutenant, was the fiMt man who haped into the enemy's mizen-chains. Miller, when in tb$ very act of going, was ordered by Nelson to remain. Bftrry was supported from the spritsail-yard, whicH looked in the S Nicholases main rijging. A soldier of the sixty -i^fnth broke the uppejr quarter- gallery window, and jumped in, followed by the commodore 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 doora were soon forced, and the Spanish brigadier (ell while retreating to the quarter-deck; Nelson pushed on, and found Berry in possession of the poop, and the Spanish ensign hauling down. ■ He passed on to the forecastle, where he met two or three Spanish officers, and received their swords. The English were now in full possession of every part of the ship; and a fire of 'pistols and musketry opened upon them from the admiral's stern gallery of the San Joseph. Nelson, having jiiaced sentinels at the different ladders, and ordered Capt. Miller to send nriore men into the prize, gave orders for boarding that ship from th& San Nicholas. It v as done in an in«jtant, he himself leading the way, and exclaiming, "Westminster Abbey oi* victory !'* Berry assisted hiin into the tnain-chains ; and that monient a Spanieh officer looked over the quarte^deck-rail, and said they surrendered. It was not long befoi'd he was on the quarter-deck, where the Spanish ci4>tain presented' to him.'htH sword, and told him the admiral wa9 below, dying of his wounds. There^ on the quarter-deck of ari enemy's first-^rate, he rieceived the swnrdd of the officers; giviiig them, as they were delivered, one by oni^t^lo/William Fearney, one of his old Agamemnon's, who, with the utmost coolness, put them under his arm ; '* bundling them up," in the lively expression ^of Collingwood, ** with as much composure 'm he <.vould have tnstde a faggot, though twenty-two sail of thoir lHoe were still within gun-shot." One of his sailors came up, andv #itlivanEn^ glishman's feeling, to6k him by the hand, saying, he ntight not soon have such another place to d* it in, and he was heartily glad to see him there. Twenty-four jf the Captuin's men were killed, and fifty-six wounded ; a fourth p?irt of the loss sustained by the whole squadron falling upon this ship. Nelson reeeived only a few bruises. The Spaniards had still eighteen or nineteen ships, which had suflfered little or no injury : that part of the fleet separated from th6 meia body in the morning was now coming up, and Sir John Jervis made signal to brin^^ to. His sb'ps could not have formed without abandoning those they had captured, and running to leeward : the Cnntain was lymg a perfect wreck en board her two prizes; and many of u>e other vessels were so shatteied in their masts and rigging, as to be wholly unmapage- ab! . The Spanish admiral, meantime, according to his officii' account^ being altogether undecided :n bis own opinion respecting the state tjf the fl«et,!nquiired of his captains whether it was not proper to ren^w the action : nine of them answ&re^ explicitly, that i^. was not ; others replied that it was expedient to delay the business. The Peiayo and th^ Print cipe Conquistador were the only ships that ^ere for fighting. '\i*^ 54 LIFE QF^NfiLSOW; 1; : As sooQ as the action was discoattnued, Nelson wont on board tfae- adthkriil'fl ship. Sir John Jervts receive 1 him on the quarter-deekj took him in his arms, and said he could not ^''efficiently thank him. For this victory the commander-in-chief was rewarded with the title of Earl 8t. Vincept. Nelson had the order of Bath given him. The Spanish reiar^iidiniral'e sword he presented to the mayor and corporation of •No|tWieh, saying,. that he knew of no place where it could give him or hi^ family more pleasure to have it kept, than in the capital city of the county where he Was born, lue freedom of that city was voted him; But I. jrse of the congratulations which he received affected him with deeper deii/{ht than that which came from his father. '*I thank my God,^' said this excellent man, ** with. all the power of a grateful soul, for the mercitss he has mo^at graciously bestowed en me in preser\'ing youi N^qIIouIj my fewacquaintancisa here, but the people in general, met me at every corner witb such hapdsome woNrde, that I was obliged to retire from the public eye. The height of glory ,3 wliich your pi-ofessional judgment, united with a proper degree of bravery, guarded by Provi- dence, has raised you^ few 8oa», my^ear child, atlaiirto^ and few fath- era iij'e to see. Tears of joy have involiitarily trickled down my furrowed' cheeks. Who could stand the force of such general congratulation f The name and services of Nelson have sounded through this city to Bath---froro tfa& cemor.da ballad-singer tq the public theatre.'^ The good old man concluded by* telliipg himj that the field of glory, in which he bad salbng been, conspicuous, Vras still open, and by giving Hli^his blessing; . ' , . Sir Horatio, who had -now hoisted • his- flag as rear-admin^al jg^^tjhe blue, was sent to bring away the troops from Porto Ferr^jo : haVihg performed this, he shiAed his flag to .he Theseus. That ship had taken part in the mutiny in England, and being just arrived froDn home, some danger w4s apprehended from the tamper of the' men. This ,w«s one reason why Nelson was. removed to her. ^He'had no| been on board many weeks befot^ a paper, signed in the name of the whole ship^s company, was dropped on the quarter-deck, containing these words: - *^ Success attend Admiral Nelson ! God bless Capt. Miller ! We thank them for the officers they have placed over us. We are happy and comfortable ; and will shed every drop of blood in our veins to support them ; and the name of the Theseus shall be . immortalized as high as her captain's." Wherever Nelson commanded, the men soon becume attached to him : in teq days' time he would have restored the most mnti.ious ship in the navy to order. While Sir Horatio was in the Theseus, he was employed in t^a qom^- raand of the inner squadron at the blockade, of Cadiz. Dui'ing this service, the most perilous notion occurred ic w^ich he was ever enga- ged. Making a night attack upon the Spanish gunboats, bis harge was Attacked by an armed launch, under the command of 0. l!i||guel Trego* yen, carrymg twenty-six men. Nelson had with him only hit ten barge- men, Capt Freemantle^ and his coxswain, John Bykes, an old and faith- ful followolr, wh twice saved the life of his admiral, by parrying the LIFE OF NELSON. 55 this jnga- iwas •blows that were aimed at him, arid, at last, actually interpoiscd his own head to receive the blow of a (Spanish sahre, which he could not by any other means avert. This was a desper?ite service ; and Nelaon always, considered that Ins personal c«uragrj was more conspibuous on this occasion than on any other. liightc^r. of -the pneinjr v">re kilted, and the rest wounded, and their launch ta'ien. Nelson would have asked for a lieutenancy for Sykes, if had s^rvfcd long enough : his manner and conduct, he dbserved, weie so entirely nboVe his situation^ that Nature certainly intended him for a gentleman : but though he recovered from the dangerous wound which he had received in this heroi<; act of attachment, he did set live to profit by the gratitude and'frfendship of his commander. Twelve days af^erthis rencontre, Nelson sailed at thia head of an ex- pedition against Tenerifie, A rdport had prevailed a few months before, that the viceroy of Mexiot«, with the treasure-ships had put into that island. This had led Neloon to^fneditate tin attack upon it, which he^ communicated to Earl St. Vincent. He was' perfectly aware of the SiC- ficulties oj the attempt. " I do not,'^ said he* " reckon myself eqiial to Blake : butif I recollect right, he was^ore obliged to the wind coihihg off the land than to any exertions oi his own. The approach by s^a to the anchoring-plaoe is under very high land, passing three valleys ; therefore the wind is either jn frtm the sea, or squally with calms A'pra the mountains :'' and he perceived, that if 'th6 Spanish ships were woA^' the phjiBct would stiHbe frustrated, if the wifid did not come ofiTshQire. The IftiihJl fprce, he thought, would render success certain ; and there were th«i troops from Elba, with all necessary stores and artillery, al- ready enibavked. '* But^here," said he, '* soldiers must bo consulted ; and i know froin exporioiijcj^, they have not thesamo boldness in under- taking a jiolitical nieasure^bat we have : wo look to the benefit of our country, andtfiek our own fame to serve her; — a soldier obeya hie or- deri, oi^d no more." Nelson's experience at Corsica jiisfiAed Uiis harsh opinion. The army from Elba, consisting of 3700 men, would do the business, he said, ill three days, ptobably in much less timo;anfihe would unortake, with a very small squadron, to perform the naval part; for, thbbfh the shore was not eas^ of access,^ the transports j^ht run in and land the 'troops in one day. ' The report ooncemng the viceroy was unfounded : but a, home ward bound Manilla ship put into Santa Cruz at this time, ana the ex|)edi tion was determined upon. It was not Jltted out upon the scale whieh Ncisoa had proposed. Four ships of the line, tlhree A'igates, and the Fox cutter formed the squadron; and he was Allowed to choosasuoh ships and 'officers as he thought proper. No troops were eiqbarked ; the »eomen and mariners of the squadron beinff tbong-ht suffloient. His orders were, to make a vigorous atjtaok; but on no account to Iimd in person, unless hlb pretitencie should be aosolutely necessary. The plan was, that the boats shonld.iand in the Aight, between the fort on the northeast side ofSantaCroa bay and the town, make tbemsel vnt-s inastei's of tbayfort, and send a summons to the governor. By mid- night, the three frigates approached within three miles of the place ; but, owing to a gale in the ofRng, a!^d a strong current against them in 56 UlCB QF N£LSON, kv t»hor«V^ey were not ftble to get withtii^ii laSlle of their landing plaee be" fortf id|V&^eak ; ^fl^'lhen they wrere 8eett» nnd their intention ^tecover- cd. 'Ko.wbridge artd Bowen, with Capt. Oldfield, of the mkrine^ went ujion thie to constilic Vith the admiral what waa tobe d6iie; aiid it was resolved t}iat thf^ should attempt to get possession of the heights above .tholfefjl, Thefogi^w »ccordintjg^J«nd«d their men; and Nelson stood in wUli the lino-oi^liattle ships, teeaning to batter the fbft, for fho pttr- poso of dtstritotingihijgarH A ;alm and contrary current hindored hin fropl gefttihg witlim a l«aird imprtiisltei^* Thus foiled in his plans by circumstances Of wihd aad tim, ih« 8ttli,J!onsiderod it a point of honour that seme attempt' shotifd bon^^de. ^hiswas the 22nd of ^uly; he re-embarked his meni that nighf, got the ships, on the 24th, to anchor about two miles ti«rth of tbetown, end made show as if he ir^li^ded to attack the hs^hfii. At six in the evening, signaV was madiis Mthe boats to prepare tt» proceed Ofi thtetservice as prevismdy orderod. " ; , llhen this w#s done« Nelbon addressed a lettd| to the odepiiander- io-ohief— the hi^t whiQh was ever written with bis irtjght ba»d« "I shall npt^'^' said he, "' enter on the subject, why we are dot in possession of |iaiit«r iprii?* Your partielity will givjp credit, that all hfts hitherto bft^n done which was possible j but Without eBbct This ntpiht I, huflb- bl& Its i am, command the whole, destined to liOid under the batielriee of tixelown; and to-morro«r, my head will probably be erowjBe4i^iiMr with l^tircil Or 4jy press. 1 have only to recomaaend Joiil&h limiN^t to you mdiny country. The Puke of OlareQce, should I fali, vTiU. Ilim ciHitfiident, teke & lively interest for my son4tl4B^^ isboiild his Qwie be mentioned." Perfectly aware how desperaM #rvice thi? irip MItoly to prove, before he left the Tlieseus, heoai^d lteuteu4|i| Ntsbet into the cabin, that he ini^ht a^ist in arranging and, buriiiii|^is nibther's letters. Pereisiving that the young man was armed, hCeHtiiestty Big- ged him t^ remain behind. ^ ,' \.U,9 met his captains at supper, onboard the Seahorse, Capt.Freeman- tto ) whose wife presided at table. Atl:^ o'clock, tbo boats, contiining between 600 and 700 men, with 18t Ml board the f'ox^ciitter, and from 70 to 80 in 9 boat which had boon taken the day b^fcii^, proe«ttded in •ii divisions towards the town, conducted by ill the captaifNN»f the squadron, except Freemantle and Bowenj who attended with Ne»on to relate the attack. They. Wf|e to land on the mole, and thenelB'faas- ten, Ml fast as possible, into the j|reat square; then form anil pl^»Bd, aajdiould be J^und expedient. Tkkey were not discovered ti^ sbdntnalf past one o'clock, when, beL^ within half gun-shot o^ the laHduig place, I^^ison directed the boats to cast off ffom each dther, give li hus^a, miA pt|t^ for the shore. But the Spaniards were excellently weil pre- p«i;ed : ike alwm-bellsJimswer^ the hii^za, and a fit© of 30 or 40 pie- ces ef eannon, with musketry from one end of the town to the «*ther, opened upon the invaders. Nothing, however, ciould check the intre- pidity with which they advanced. The night was exceedingly dark : LIPE OF NELSON. 57 most of the boats miesed the mole, and went on shore through a raging surf, which stove all to the left of it. The admiral, Freemantle, Thomp- son, Bowen, and four or five other boats, found the mole : they stormed it instantly^ and carried it, though defended, they imagined, by 400 or 500 meri. Its guns, 26 pounders, were spiked; but such a heavy fire of musketry and grape was kept up from the citadel and the houses at the head of the mole, that the assailants could not advance, and nearly all of them were killed or wounded. In the act of stepping out of the boat, Nelson received a shot through the right elbow, and fell; but as he fell, he caught the sword, which he bad just drawn, in his lefl hand, and determined never to part with it while he lived, for it belonged to his uncle, Capt. Suckling, and he valued it like a relic. Nesbit, ^ho 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 in« crease bis faintness. He then examined the wound, and taking some silk handkerchiefs from his neck, bound fnem round tight above the la- cerated vessels. Had it not been for this presence of mind in his son-in- law. Nelson must have perished. One of his bargemen, by name Lpvel, tore his shirt into shreds, and made a sling with them for the broken Hmb. They then collected, five other seamen, by whose assistance they succeeded in getting the boat afloat ; for it had grounded with the falling tide. Nisbet got 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 lifled up in the boat. Nisbet raised him up, but nothing could be seen, except the firing of the guns on shore, and what could be seen by the flashes on the stormy sea. In a few minutes, a general shriek was heard from the crew of the Fox, which had re- ceived a shot under water, and went down. Ninety-seven men were lost in her; 83 were saved, many by Nelso.i himself, whose exertiona greatly increased the danger of his wound. The first ship which the boat could reach happened to be the Seahorse: but nothing could in- duce him to go on board, though assured that if they attempted to row to another ship, it might be at the risk of his life. " I had rather suf- fer death," he replied, " than alarm Mrs. Freemantle, by letting her see me in this state, when I can give her no tidinjTs whatever of her hus- band." They pushed on for the Theseus. When they came dong- side, he peremptorily refused all assistance is getting on board, so im- patient 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 leA and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and get his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm; §• the sooner it is off the better." Freemantle had been severely wounded in the right arm, soon ajfler the admiral. He was fortunate enough to find a boat at the beach, and got instantly to thf* i^hip. Thompson was wounded: Bowen killed, to the great regret of Nelson ; as was also one of hie own offic«r% Lie*^ LllK OF NBL80N. m Weatherhead. Trowbridge missed the mole in the darkness, butpush- ed on shore under the batteries, close to the south end of the citadel Capt. 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 tilled with water, and stove against the rocks; and roost of the ammunition in the mens' pouches was wetted. Having collected a few men, they pushed on to the great square, hoping there to Snd the admiral and the rest of the force. The ladders were all lost, eo 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 mes- senger never returned; and Trowbridge, having waited about an hour, marched to join captains Hood and Miller, who had landed to the south- west. They then endeavoured to procure some intelligence of the ad- miral and the rest of the officers, but without success. By daybreak they had gathered about 80 marines, 80 pikemen, and 180 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 reinforce- ments from the ships, Trowbridge sent Capt. Samuel Hood with a flag of truce to the governour, to say he was prepared to burn the town, and would instantly set fire to it if the Spaniards approached one inch near- er: this, however, if he were compelled to do it,he should do with re- gret, for he had no wish to injure the inhabitants; and he was ready io 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 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 replied, that the English ought to surrender as prisoners of war ; but Capt. Hood returned, he was in- structed to say, that if the terms were not accepted in five minutes, Capt. Trowbridge would set the town on fire and attack the Spaniards at the point of the bayonet. Satisfied with his success^ and respecting the gallantry of his enemy, the Spaniard acceded to the proposal, found boats to re-embark them, and before they parted gave every man a loaf and a pmt of wine. The total 'oss of the English Amounted to 250. Nelson made no men- tion of his own wound in his official despatches : but in a private letter to Lord St. Vincent — the first which hewrotowith his left hand — he shows himself to 1iave been deeply afTjcted by the failure of this enter- prise. " I am become," he said, " a burden to my friends, and useless to my country: but by my last letier you will perceive my anxiety for the promotion of mj son-in-law, Josiah Nisbet. When I leave your 4«9mmand, I become dead to the world — 'I go hence, aud am uo more toen.' confid repai( will b( toEn^ "will to a V€ to eery the sai war," will ad dence prisec consic affactic hap: n His heal hii to him Duke ( ry. H which dom o LIFE OF NELIOIf. s» and loen.' If from poor Bowen's loss you think proper to oblige me, I rest confident yon will do it. The boy is under obligations to me; but he repaid me, by bringing me from the mole of Santa Cruz. I hope you will be able to give me a frigate, to convey the remains of my carcass to England." *'A lefl-handed admir ^ ," he said, in a subflequent letter, " will never again be considered as iful ; therefore, the sooner 1 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 ihe 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 provi- dence, was chiefly instrumental in saving my life. I should not be sur- prised if 1 am neglected and forgotten : probably I shall no longer bo considered useful; however, I shall feel rich if I continue to enjoy your affflction. I beg neither you nor my father will think much of this mii- hap : my mind has long been made up to such an event." His son-in-law was immediately promoted ; and honours enough to heal his wounded spirit awaited him in England. Letters w'ere addressed to him by the first lord of the Admiralty, and by his steady friend, tho Duke of Clarence, to congratulate him on his return, covered with glo- ry. He assured the duke, in his reply, that no scrap of that ardor, with which he had hitherto served his king, had been shot away. The free- dom of the cities of Bristol and London were transmitted to him : he was invested with the order of the Bath ; and received a pension of £1000 a year. The memorial which, as a matter of form, he was called upon to present on this occasion, exhibited an extraordinary catalogue of services rendered during the war. It stated that he had'been in four actions with the fleets of the enemy, and in three actions with boati employed in cutting out of harbor, in destroying vessels, and in taking three towns : he had served on shore with the army four months, and commanded the batteries during the close sieges of Bastia and Calvi ^ he had assisted at the capture of seven sail of tho line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven privateers : taken and destroyed near fitly sail of merchant vessj^ls ; and actually been engaged against the enemy upwards of a hundred and twenty times; in which service he had lost hii right eye and right arm, and been severely wounded 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, oc<;asioned a fresh agony. He had scarcely any intermission of pain, day or night, for three months afler his return to England. Lady Nelson, at his earnest request, attended the dressing his arm, till she had acquired sufficient resolution and skill to dress it herself. One night, during this state of suffering, Nelson retired early to bed, in hope ot eiyoy some respite by means of laudanum. He was- at that time lodging in Bond-street ; and the family wsre soon diiturfa«d *''"■ m M, ,; .4 k LIFE OF NELSON. bjr a mob knocking loudly and violently at the door. The news of Dun* can's victory had been made public, and the house was not illuminated. But when the the mob were told that Admiral Nelson lay there in bed, badly wounded, the foremost of them answered, " You shall hear no more from us to-night:" and, in fact, the feeling of sympathy and re- spect was comniunicated from one to another with such effect, that, under the confusion of such a night, the house was not molested again. About the end of November, after a night of sound sleep, he found the arm nearly free from pain : the surgeon was immediately sent for to examine it; and the ligature came away with the slightest touch. From that time it began to heal. As soon as he thought his health established, he sent the following form of thanksgiving to the minister of St.George's — Hanover-square : **An officer desires to return thanks to Almighty God for his perfect recovery from a severe wound, and also for the ma- ny mercies bestowed on him." Not having been in England till now, since he lost his eye, he went to receive a year's pay, as smart money ; but could not obtain payment, because he had neglected to bring a certificate from a surgeon, that the sight was destroyed. A little irritated that this form should be in- cisted upon, because, though the fact was not apparent, he thought it 'Was sufficiently notorious, he procured a certificate, at the same time, for the ioas 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 hi.ii. On his return to the ofHce, the clerk find- ing 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 aAerward went ; and with perfect good humour exhibited the certificate of the loss of his CHAPTER V Ntlsonrojoins 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. Earlt in the year 1796, Sir Horatio Nelson hoisted his fla^ in the Vanguard, and was ordered to rejoin Earl 8t. Vincent. Upon his de- parture, hie father addressed him with that afiectionato 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 ahould presume to say, I hope to see you again, the question will readi- ly be asked, How old art thou?" It is said that a gloomy foreboding liBOg on the spirits of Lady Nelson at their parting. This could have ■riara onlj frem the dread of losing him by the chance of war. Any LIFE OF NELSON. 61 Apprehension of losing his aflTectionB could htirdly have existed ; for ail his correspondence to this time shows that lie thought himself hap- py in his marriaiEre; and his private character had hitherto been as spotless as his public conduct. One of the lust things he said to her was, that his own ambition was satisfied, but vhat he went to raise her to that ranli in which he had long wished to see 'ler. Immediately on rejoining the fleet, he was despatched to the Medit- erranean, with a small squadron, in order to asceriiAin the object of the great expedition which at that time was fitting out, uDar ; and by the exertions of Sir J. Sumarez, Gapts. Ball and Berry, the Vanguard was refltted in four days ; months would have been em- ployed in refitting her in England. Nelson especially recommended ta SSarl St. Vincent the carpenter of the Alexander, under whose direct tions the ship had been repaired ; and begging most earnestly that the commander-in-chief would recommend him to the notice of the board of admiralty. He did not leave the harbour without expressin*? his sense of the treatment he had received, in a letter to the Viceroy : — " Sir, having sutained some damages, I anchored a small part of his majesty's fleet off* this island, and was surprised to hear that admit- tance was to be refused to the flag of his Britannic majesty into this port. ViTucn I reflect that my most gracious sovereign is the oldest, and certainly (he most faithful ally which the king of Sardinia ever iiad, I could feel the sorrow which it must have been to his majesty to have given such an order. I cannot but look at the African shore, where- the followers of Mahomet are performing the part of the good Samar- itan, which I look in vain at St. Peter's, where it is said the Christian religion is prolessed." The delay thus occasioned was useful to himv In many respects : it enabled' him to complete his supply of water, and. to receive a reinforcement, which Earl St. Vincent was enabled to send him. It consisted of the best ships of his fleet ; the Culloden, 74^ m LTT£ or NELSON. 63 I Capt. Trowbridge ; Goliath, 74, Capt. T. Foley ; Minotaur, 74, CapU liouis ; Defence, 74, Capt. Peyton ; Bellorophon, 74, Capt. Darby ; Majestic, 74, Capt. Westcott ; Zealous, 74, Capt. Hood ; Swiftsure^ 74, Cupt. Ualiowell ; Theseus, 74, Capt. N^ilier; Audacious, 74, Capt« Gould. The Leander, 50, Thompson, was afterward added. Thes* shipH were made ready tor the service os soon as Earl St. Vincent re- ceived advice from England that he was to be relnturced. As soon aa the reinforcement was seen, off' Cadiz Buy, sigroal was immediately made to Cupt. Trowbridge to put to sea. He took no instructions to Nelson as to the course he was to steer, nor any certain account of the enemy's destination : every thing was left to his own judgment.-^- The frigates had been separated from him in the tempest, and had not been able to rejoin: they sought him unsuccessfully in the Bay of Na- ples, where they obtained no tidings of his course ; and he sailed with- out them. The first news of t.e enemy's armament was, that it had surprised Malta. Nelson formed a plan for attacking it while at anchor at Gozo ; but on the 22d June, intelligence reached him that the French bad lefl that island on the 16th. It was clear that their destination was eastward — he thought for Egypt — and for Egypt, he made sail. Had the frigates been with him he could scarcely have failed to gain infor- mation of the enemy : for want of them be only spoke three vessels on the way ; and neither of them had seen any thing of the French. He arrived off Alexandria on the 28th, and the enemy were not there, neither was there any account of them ; but (lie governor was endea- vouring to put the city in a state of defence, having received advica from Leghorn, that the French expedition was intended against E- gypt, after it had taken Malta. Nelson then shaped his course to the northward, for Caramania, and steered from thence along the south'^rn side of Candia, carrying a press of sail. It would have been his de- light, he said, to have tried Buonaparte on a wind. It would have been the delight of Europe, too, if that fleet had been overtaken with its general on board. It would have spared him his defeat at Acre— his only disgrace; for to have been defeated by Nelson upon the seas would not have been disgraceful : it would have spared him al! his af- ter-enormities. Hitherlo his career has been glorious ; the baneful principles of his heart had never yet passed his lips : history would have represented him as a soldier of fortune. 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 lime 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! beard 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." Capt. Ball, to whom he showed this paper, told him, be should recommend a friend never to begin a defence of his conduct he- fore he was accused of error : he might give the ^fulIe6t reasons for what he had done, expressed in such terms as would evince that be had acted from the strongest conviction of being right ; and pf course t, 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 ilfst sound which broke the silence, was the dash of her shattered masts and yards, falling into the water from the vast height to which they had been expended. It is upon record^ that a battle between two armie» was once broken off'by an earthquake : — such an event would be felt like a miracle; but no incident in war, produced by human meansi has ever equalled the sublimity ofthis co-instantaneous panse, and ail its circumstances. About 70 ef the Orient's crew were saved by the English boats. Among the many hundreds who perished, were the commodore, Casa-Biauca, and his son, a brave boy, only ten years •Id. They were seen floating on a shattered mast when the ship blew up. 8he had money on board (the plunder of Malta) to the amount of J&50(i,000 sterling. Two large pieces of burning wreck fell into the main and foro-tops of the Swiftsure without injuring any person. — \ ■ *i '■*■ LIFE OF NELSON. 63 1 wound ded was 'ttil, and >l in vic- he sup- Kent for I assist- ed Capt. t. Berry surgeon nee pre- the hurt le unex- request- for his himself state of hen sent to tractt already as heard way up, one, ap- der that fter nine he had i cutbitn die upon ous light r be per- hipblew i^essel. — ig to the rs 8 wi in- vaded. — ?r crew, from the silence and the battered o which een two It would human 6 pause, 'e sBTed ;d, were en year« lip blew nountof into the son.— 4 port fire also fell into the Alexander. Capt. Ball had provided against any such danger. All the shrouds and sails of his ship, not absolutely necessary for its immediate management, were thoroughly wetted, and so rolled up, that they were as hard and as little inflammable as so many solid cylinders. The firing recommenced with the ships t» leeward of the centre, and continued till about 3. It was generally believed by the officers,, thnt 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 squad- ron had been present, not one of the enemy's fleet would have lef> Aboukir Bay. Four vessels were all that escaped ; and the victory was the most complete and glorious in the annals of naval history.— i " Victory," said Nelson, " is not a name strong enough for such • scene;" he called it a conquest. Of 13 sail of the line 9 were taken and 2 burned : of the 4 frigates, one was sunk, another, the Artemise, was burned in a villainous manner by her captain, who, having fired a broadside at the Theseus', struck his colours, then set fire to the ship, and escaped with most of his orewto shore. The British loss, in kil- led and wounded, amounted to 895. Westcott was the only captain who fell; 3,105 i-: he French, including the wounded, were sent on shore by cartel, and 5,225 perished. As soon as the conquest was completed, Nelson sent orders througk the fleet, to return thanksgiving in every ship for the victory. Th« French at Rosetta, who with miserable fear behold the engagement, were at a loss to understand the stillness of the fleet during the perform- ance of this solemn duty ; but it seemed to affect many of the prisoners, officers as well as men: and graceless and godless as the oflicers wora, sofne of them remarked, that it was no wonder such order was preserved in the British navy, when the minds of our men could be impresseil with such sentiments after such a great victory. The French at Roset- ta, seeing their ships sail out of the bay unmolested, endeavoured te persuade themselves that they were in possession of the place of battle. But it was in vain thus to attempt to deceive themselves : and could they have succeeded, the bonfires which the Arabs kindled along th« whole coast, and over the country, for three following nights, would kare undeceived them. LongaAer the battle, innumerable dead bodies were seen floating about the bay. Great numbers were cast upon the Isle of Bekier, (since called Nelson's Island,) and otir sailors raispiS mounds of sand over them. Even after three years. Dr. Clarke saw them, and assisted in interring heaps of human bodies, which, where there were no jackals to devour them, presented a sight loathsome to humanity. The shore, for an extent of four leagues, was covered witk wreck ; and the Arabs found employment for many days in burning on the beach the fragments for the sake of the iron. Part of the Orient's mainmast was picked up ky the Swiflsura. Capt. Hallowel ordered kis carpenter to make a cofiin of it ; it was finished as well as the work- man's skill and materials would permit; and Hallowell thenoont it to the admiral with the following letter : — ** Sir, I have taken the libertr of presenting you a coflin, made from the mainmast of I'Orient, tk«t wkciB you hare finished your military earoer in this world, you may ko 70 LIFE or NELSOJr. >«• buried in one of your trophies. I5ut that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of your sincere friend, Benjamin Hallowell." — An offering so strange, and yet so suited to the occasion, was received by Nelson in the spirit in which it was sent. As he felt it good for him to liave death beibre his eyes, he ordered the coffin to be placed upright in his cabin. An old favorite servant entreated him so earnestly to let it be removed, that at length he consented to have the coffin carried be- low ; but he gave strict orders that it should be safely stowed, and re- served for the purpose for which its donor had designed it. The victory was complete; hut Nelson could not pursue it aa h» would have done, for want of means. Had he been provided with small craft, nothing could have prevented the destruction of the store-ship* «nd transports in the port of Alexandria : four bomb-vessels would have destroyed the whole in a few hours. " Were I to die Jhis moment," ■aid he, " want of frigates would be found stamped on my heart! Np words of mute can express what I 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 accompanid the pain, he could scarce- ly persuade himself that tlie skull was not fractured. Had it not bee* for Trowbridge, Ball, Hood, he declared he should have sunk un- der the fatigue of refitting the squadron. *'AII," he said, " had done well; but these officers were his supporters." But, amid his suffer- ings 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 ovei land to India, with letters to the governor of Bombay, informing hun of the t.rrival of the Fren;.h in Egypt, the total cestrue- tion of their fleet, and the consequent preservation of India fronr any attempt against it. This despatch he sent upon his own responsibility," with letters of credit upon the East India Company, addressed to the British consuls, vice-consuls, and rnerehants on his route; Nelson say- ing, '*that if he had done wrong, he hoped the bills would be paid, and he would repay the company : for, as an Englishman, he should be proud that it had been in his power to put our settlements on their guard." I'his information was of great importance. Orders had juet been received for defensive prepartions; and the extraordinary expen- ses which would otherwise have been incurred, were thus prevented. Nelson was now at the summit of glory : cpngratulations, reward*, and honours, were showered upon him by all the states, and princes, and powers to whom his victory gave a respite. The first communicatioa •f this nature was from the Turkish suitan; who had called upon all true believers to take arms against those swinish infidel? the French, that they might deliver these blessed habitations from their accursed hands ; and who had ordered his pachas to turn night intq day in their efforts to take vengeance. The present was a pelisse of sables, with broad sleeves, valued at $5000; and a diamond aigrette, valued at 18000 : the most honorable badge among the Turks ; and in thie instano* ai*re especially honorable, because it was taken from one of the royal LITE OF NELSON. 71 turbans. "If it were worth a raiilion," said Nelannto his wife, *' my pleasure would be to see it in your possession." The su'tan also sent, in a spirit worthy of imitation, a purse of 2000 sequins, to be distribu- ted amorg the wounded. The mother of the sultan sent him a box, set with diamonds, valued at £1000. The czar Paul, m whom the better part of his strangely compounded nature at this time predominated, j)resented him with his portrait, ^at in diamonds, in a gold box, accom- panied by a letter of congratulation, written with his own hand. Tho king o( Sardinia also wrote to him, and sent a gold box set with dia- monds. Honours in profusion were awaiting him at Naples. In his own country tl»e king granted these honorable augmentations to his ar- morial ensign : a chief undulated, argent; thereon waves of the sea; from which a palm tree issuant, between a disabled ship on the dexter, and a ruined battery on the sinister, all proper : and for his crest, on a Kaval crown, or, the chelengk, or plume, presented to him by the 'J'urk, 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 hon- ourable augmentations : a palm branch in the sailor's hand, and anoth- er in the paw of the lion, both proper; with a tricoloured flag and stafi* in the lion's mouth. lie was created Baron Nelson of the Nile, and and of Burnham Thorpe, with a pension of £2000 for his own life, and those of two immediate successors. When the grant was moved in the house of commons, General Walpole expressed an opinion, that a high- «r degree of rank ought to he conferred. Mr. Pitt made answer that he thought it needless to enter into that question. "Admiral Nelson'* fame," he said, "would be co-equal with tho British name; and it would be remembered that he had obtained the greatest naval victory on record, when no man would think of asking whether he had beeia created a baron, a viscount, 0r an earl." It depended upon the deijree of rank what should be the H^shion of his coronet, in what page of th« red book his name should be inserted, and what precedency should b% allowed his lady in the <^rawing-room and the ball. That Nelson'* 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 might have been the motives of the minisjtry, the impor-^ tance and magnitude of the victory were universally acknowledged. A grant of £10,000 was voted to Nelson by the East India Company ; the Turkish company presented him with a piece of plate V the city of London presented a sword to him and to each of his captains; gold me- dals were presented to the captains, and the first lieutenants were pra- aioted, as had been done after Lord Howe's victory. Nelson was ex- seedingly anxious that the captain and first lieutenant of the Culloden should not be passed over because of their misfortune. The private letter from the Admiralty to Nelson informed him, that tho first lieuten- ants of all the ships engaged were to be promoted. Nelson instantly 72 LIFE OF N£L80N. ■ f ' 'i.( wrote to the commander-in-chief. " I sincerely hope," said he, " this i« not intended to exclude the first lieut. of the Culloden. For heaven's for my sake, if it be so, get it altered. Our dear friend Trowbridge has endured enough. His sufferings were, in every respect, more than any of us." T© the Admiralty he wrote in terms equally warm. " I hope, and believe, the word, engaged, is not intended to exclude the Culloden. The merit of that ship, and her gallant captain, are too well known to profit by any thing I could say. Her misfortune was great in getting aground, while her more fortunate companions were in the full tide of happiness. No ; 1 am confident that my good Lord Spencer will never add misery to misfortune. CapL Trowbridge on snore is superior to captains afloat : in the midst of his^reat misfortunes he made those signals which prevented certainly the Alexander and Swif>«ure from running' on the shoals. I beg your pardon for writing on a subject which, I verily believe, has never entered his lordship's head ; but my heart, as it ought to be, is warm to my gallant friends." Thus feelingly alive was Nelson to the claims, and interests, and feel- ings oC Others. The Admiralty replied that the exception was necessary ''as the ship hiadnot been in action: but they desired the commander-in- chief to promote the lieutenant upon the first vacancy that should ^ocour. Nelson, in remembrance of an old and uninterrupted friendship, ap- poipted Alexander Davison sole prize agent for the captured ships : up*(fiih which Davison ordered medals to be struck in gold, for th« «aptain«; in silver for the lieutenants and warrant officers, in gilt metal for the petty officers ; and in copper, for the seamen and marines. The «osi of this act of liberality omounted nearly to £20OO. It is worthy of record on another account; for some of the gallant men, who recei- "ved no other honorary badge of their conduct than this copper medal, when they died upon a foreign station, made it their last request, that iSie medals might carefully be sent home to their respective friends. Three of the fngates, whose presence would have been so essential a few weeks sooner, joined the squadron on the 12th day afler action. The fourth joined a few days afler them. Nelson thus received de- spatches which rendered it necessary for him to return to, Naples. Before ho left EJgypt, he burned three of the prizes : they could not have been fitted for a passage to Gibraltar in less than a month, and that at a great expense, and with the loss to the service of at least two •ail 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, ailer a victory, is to look af\erthe captured ships, and not to the distressing of the enemy, very dearly, indeed, must the aation pay for the prizes. I trust that 3^60,000 will be deemed a very moderate sum for them : and when the services, time, and men, with the expense of fitting three ships for a voyage to England, are consi- dered, government will save nearly as much as they are valued at." To Earl St.Vincent 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 burned : for they would cost more in refitting, and by the loss of ships attending them, than they were worth." Having sent the six prizes forward, under Sir James t^aumarez, Nelson left Capt. Hood in the Zealous, off Alexandria, and ijkiod out to sea himself on the 17th day after the battle. LIFE or NELSON. 73 A very ^ith lonsi- at." vern- have cost they ain«s and CHAPTER VI. Nelson returns to Naples — State of the Court and Kingdom — General Mack — The French approach Naples — Flight of the Royal Fa- mily — 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 Europe. Nelson's health had sutTered greatly while he tvas jnthe A^ameiQ- non. "My complaint," he suid, "is as if a girth were buclcled taat over my.breast; and my endeavour in the night is to get it loose." Af- ter the battle of Capo 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 ab.^ ' tlutely necessary : for, in his own stroog language, he had then been four fyears and nine months without one moment's repose for body or mind. A few months' intermission of labor 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 sufficient' ly recovered to resume his duties, he was called to services of greater importance than any on which he had hitherto been employed. The anxiety which he endured during his long pursuit of the enemy was rather changed in its directioa, than abated by their defeat: and this constant wakefulness of thought, added to the effects of his wound, and his ardent exertions, nearly proved fatal. On his way back to Italy he was seized with fever. For eighteen hours his life was des- paired of; and even when the disorder took a favorable turn, and he was so far recovered as to again appear on deck, he himself thought that his end was approaching. Writing to £arl St. Vincent, he said, "I never expect, my dear lord, to see your face again. It may please God that this will be the finish of that fever of anxiety which I have endured from the middle of June: but be that as it pleases Jbis goodness, I um resigned iphis will." The kindest attentions of the warmest friendship were awaiting him ai Naples. « Come here," said Sir William Hamilton, " for God's sake, my dear friend, as soon as the service will permit you. A pleasant apartment is ready for you in my house, and Emma is looking out for the soflest pillowatcl repose the few wearied limbs you have left." Happy would it have been for Nelson if warm and careful friendship hnd been all that awaited him there ! He himself saw at that time tha character of the Neapolitan court, as it first struck an Englishman : and when on the way, he declared that he aetested the voyage to Na- ples, and that nothing but necessity could have forced him to it. Before the battle of Aboukir, the court of Naples had been trembling for its existence. The language which the directory held towards it wa« well described by 8ir William Hamilton, as being exactly the language of a highwayman. The joy, therefore, of the court at Nelson's success, was ia proportion to the dismay from which that success relieved them. The queen was a daughter of Maria Theresa, and sister ot Marie Antoinette. Her feelings, naturally ardent, and little accustom- ed to restraint, were excited to the highest pitch when the news of th» 10 m 74 LIFI or NELSON. s- victory prrired- Lady Hamilton, her constant fnencl and FavourUe, who was prefsent, sayf*, " It is not possible to describe her transports : ■he wept, slie kissed herhnsband, her children— w allied frnnticly about the room, burst into tears again, and again kissed and embraced every person near her; exclaiming, " O brave Nelson ! OGod! bless and protect our brave deliverer ! O Nelson ! Nelson! what do ive not owe you! O conqueror— saviour of Italy ! O that my swollen heart could now tell him personally what we owe to him." She herself wrote to the Neapolitan ambassador at London upon the orcnsion, in terms which show tho fullness of her joy, and tiie height of the hopes which it had excited. " I wish I could give him wings," said she, " to the bearer of the news, and, nt the same time,toournio8t sincere gratitude. The whole of the seucoast of Italy is saved ; and this is owing alono to the generous English. This total defeat of the regicide squadron, tvas obtained by the valour of this brave admiral, seconded by a navy which is the terror of his enemies. The victory is so complete, that i can still scarcely believe it : and if it were not the brave English na- tion, which is accustomed to perform prodigies at sea, I could not per- suade 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 forjoyatthe 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 brave- ry, 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 what honours Nelson would be welcomed. Early on the 22nd of September, the poor wretched Vanguard, as he called his shattered vessel, appeared in sight of Naples. The Cullo- den and Alexander had preneded her 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 demonstra- tion of joy and triumph. Sir William and Lady Hamilton led the way in their state-barge. Emma Lady Hamilton was a woman whoso personal accomplishments have seldom been equalled, and whose powers of mind were not less fascinating than her person. She wos passionately attachrd to the queen : and by her influeneo the British fleet had obtained those supplies at Syracuse, without which. Nelson always asserted, tho battle of Aboukir could not have been fought. Daring the long interval which passed before any tidings were recei- Ted, 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-mouth* ed, its efTect was such, that she fell like one who had been shot. She and Sir William had literally been made ill by their hopes and fears, and joy at a catastrophe so far exceeding all that they had dared to hope for. Their admiration for the hero necessarily produced a proportionate degree of gratitude and affection ; and when their barge came along- side the Vanguard, at the sight of Nelson, Lady Hamilton sprang up the ship's side, and exclaiming, *'0 God ! is it possible !" fell mto his arms, more, he says, like one dead than alive. He described the meet- ing as ** terribly affecting." These friends had scarcely recovered UTZ OF NELSON. 76 from their tears, when the king, who went out to meet him three leasuei in the royal barge, came on board and took him by the hand, calling him hia dehvcrer and preserver; from all the boats around he was sa- luted with the same appellations ; the multitude who surrounded hint when landed, repeated the same enthusiastic cries; and the lazznroni displayed their joy by holding up birds in cages, and giving them their liberty as he passed. His birth-day, which occurred a week after his arrival, was celebra- ted with one of the most splendid fetes ever beheld at Naples. But, notwithstanding the splendour with which ho was encircled, and the flattering honours with which all ranks welcomed him, Nelson was ful< ly 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 irri- table temper. It is a country of fiddlers and poets, whores and scoun- drels." This sen»e of their ruinous weakness he always retained ; nor was he ever blind tq the mingled folly and treachery of the Neapo- litan ministers, and the complicated iniquities under which the country groaned: but he insensibly, under the influence of Lady Hamilton, formed an nfiVction for the court, to whose misgovernment the misera- ble condition of the country was so greatly to be imputed. By the kindness of her nature, as well as by her attractions, she had won his heart. Earl St. Vincent, writing to her at the time, says, " Ten thou- sand most grateful thanks are due to your ladyship for restoring the health of our invaluable friend Nelson, on whose life the fate of the re- maining governments in 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. No circumstances could be more unfavourable to the best interests of Europe, than those which placed Edgiand in strict alliance with the superannuated and abominable governments of the continent. Th« subjects of those governments who wished for freedom thus became ene- mies to England, and dupes and agents to France. They looked to their own grinding grievances, and did not see the danger wiih 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 objects 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 bro- ken ; and he regarded all those who were the friends of France, as traitors to the common cause, as well as to their own individual sove- reigns. The court of Naples, unconscious of committing any crime by continuing the system of misrule to which he had suoceedt d, eoa- i 7« UfK or MEU.SON. r, M rim I 11 •eived that, iii maintaining things as they were, they were maintaining^ their own rights, and preserving the people from such iiorrors as had been perpetrated in France. The Neapolitan revolutionists thought, that without n total change of system, any relief from the present evils was impossible, and they believed themselves justified in bringing; about that change by any moans. Both parties knew that it was the fixed intention of the French to revolutionize Naples. The revolutionist^ supposed that it was for the purpose of establishing a free government: the court, and all disinterested persons, were perfectly aware that the •nemy had no other object than conquest and plunder. The battle of the Nile shook the power of France. Her most suc- cessful general and her finest army were blocked up in Egypt, hopeless, as it appeared, of return; and the government was in tlu hands of mei> without talents, without character, and divided among themselves. Austria, whom Buonaparte had terrified into a peace, at a time when constancy on her part would probably have led to his destruction, took advantage of the crisis to renew the war. Russia, also, was preparing to enter the field with unbroken forces; led by a general, whose extra- ordinary military genius would havo entitled him to a high and honora- ble rank in history, if it had not been sullied by all the ferocity of a barbarian. Naplcd, seeing its destruction at hand, and thinking that the only means of averting it was by meeting the danger, after long vacillations, wh ch were produced by the fears and weakness and trea- chery of its coi ncil, agreed at last to join this new coalition ^ith a numerical forcii of eighty thousand men. Nelson told the king, in plain terms, that he had his choice, cither to advance, tru to God for his blessing oi; a just cause, and prepared lo die, sword uj liand,— or lo remain quiet and be kicked out of his kingdom : — one of these things must happen. The king made answer, he would go on, and trust in God and Nelson; and Nelson, who would else have returned to Egypt, for the purpose of destroying the French shipping in Alexandria, gave up his intention at the desire of the Neapolitan court, and resolved to remain on that station, in the hope that he might be useful to tho movements of the army. He suspected also, with reason, that the con* tinuance of the fleet was so earnestly requested, because the royal family thought their persons would be safer in case of any niiahap, under the British flag, thaji under their own. * His first object was the recovery of Malta, an island which the king of Naples pretended to claim. The Maltese, whom the villainous knights of their order had betrayed to France, had taken up arms against their rapacious invaders, with a spirit and unanimity worthy the highest praise. They blockaded the French Garrison by land, and a small squadron under Capt. Ball, began to blockade them by sea, on the J2th of October. Twelve days afterward, Nelson arrived ; " It ts as Isus^ pected," he says: " the ministers at Naples know nothing of the situa- tion of the island. Not a house or bastion of the town is in possession of the islanders : and the Marquis de Niza tells us, they want arms, victuals, and support. He does not know that any Neapolitan officers ]*■ LIFE OF NELSON. 77 are iu the ialand ; perhaps, although I have their names, none are ar- rived ; and it is very certain, by the marquis's account, that no supp]iei» have been sent by the governors' of Syracuse and Messina." The lit- tie island of Gozo, dependent upon Malta, which had also been seized and garrisoned by the French, capitulated poon after his arrival, and was taken possession of by the British, in the name of his Sicilian ma- jesty, — a power who had no better claim to it than France. Having seen this effected, and reinforced Capt. Ball, he left that able officer to perform a most arduous and important part, and returned himself to c«- operate with the intended movements of the Neapolitanp. 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 assidiously 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, " Bo to us by land, general, what my hero Nelson hai* been by sea." Mtick, on his part, did not fail to praise the force which he was appointed to cammand : "It was," he said, '' the finest army in Europe." Nelson agreed with him, that there could be no 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 by ~ those of the enemy, he turned to his friends, and exclaimed, with bit- terness, that the fellow did not understand his business. Another cir- cumstance, not less characteristic, confirmed Nelson in his judgment. ♦'General Alack," said he, in one of his letters, "cannot move without five carriages! I have formed my opinion. I heartily pray I may be mistaken." While Mack, at the head of 32,000 men, marched into the Roman state, 5000 Neapolitans were embarked on board the British and Por- tuguese squadron, to take possession of Leghorn. This was effected without opposition ; and the grand duke of 1 uscany, whose neutrality had been so outrageously violated by the French, was better satisfied with the measure than some of the Neapolitans themselves. Naselli, their general, refused to seize the French vessels at Leghorn, because he, and the Duke di Sangro, who was ambassador at the Tuscan court, maintained, that the king of Naples was not at war with France. *'What!" said Nelson, "has not the king received, as a conquest made by him, the republican flag taken'at Gozo? Is not his own fl»g flying there, and at Malta, not only by his permission, but by his orilfer ? Is not his flag shot at every day by the French, and their shot returned from batteries which bear that flag 1 Are not two frigates and a cor- vette placed under my orders ready to fight the French, meet them where they may? Has not the king sent publicly, from Naples, guns, mortars, &c. with officers and artillery against the French in Malta? If these acts are not tantamount to any written paper, I give up all knowledge of what is war." This reasoning was of less avail than ar- gument addressed to the general's fears. Nelson told him, that if ho permitted the many hundred French, who were then in the mole, to re- 78 LIFE or NELSON. •i malo noutral, till they had a fair opportunity of l)oing active, they had ooo sure resource, if all other schemes laiU'J, which was tu set one ves- sel on fire; the mole would ho destroyed, probahly the town niso; and the port ruined for twenty years. This rcpresentution made Nasclli agroe to the half measure of laying an embargo on the vessels : among them were a great number of French privateers, some of which wore of such forue as to threaten the greatest mischief to our commerce; and about 70 sail of vessels belonging to ihe L.tguirian republic, as Genoa was now called, laden with corn, and ready to sail for Genoa and France; whore their arrival would have expedited the entrance of more French troops into Italy. *' The general," said Nelson, " saw, I believe, the consequence of lotting the vessels depart, in the same light as myself; but there is this difference butweon us — he prudently, and certainly safely, waits the orders of his court, taking no responsi- bility upon himself; I act from the circumstances of the moment, as I fael may bo most advantageous for the cause which I serve, taiiing all responsibility on myself." It was in vain to hope for any thing vigor- ous or manly from such men as Nelson was compelled to act witli. The crews of the French ships and their allies were ordered to depart in two days. Four 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 often days, he returned to Naples: and receiving intelligence there, from Mr. Windham, that that the privateers were at last to bo disarmed, the corn landed, and the crews sent away, he expressed his satisfaction at the news in charac- teristic language, saying, " So far I am content The enemy will bo distressed ; and, thank God, I shall get no money. The world, I know, think that money i'? 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 deseription were poured in upon Nelson, on his arrivul at Naples. An Irish Frnncis- oan, %vho was one of the poets, not being content with panegyric up- on this occasion, ventured npon a flight of prophecy, and predicted that Lord Nelson would take Rome with his ships. His Lordship remined Father M'Cormick, that ships could not ascend the Tiber ; but the father, who had probably forgotten this circumstance, met the objection with a bold front, and he declared he saw it would come to pass notwithstanding. Rejoicings of this kind were of short duration. The king of Naples was with the army which had entered Rome ; but theeastle of St. Angelo was held by the French, and thirteen thousand French were strongly posted in the Roman Htates at Castellana. 111 ack had marched against them with twenty thousand men. Nel- son 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 ho knew, hung upon the issue. <' If Mack is defeated," said he, in four- teen days this country is lost ; for the Emperor has not yet moved his army, and Naples has not the power of resisting the enemy. It was pot a ease for choice, but of necessity, which induced the king to march tat el Ms king donr, and not to wait till the French had collected a UTK or NtLUOK. 7* jy had 10 Vt'8- and Vasclli imoiig woro saino cntly, iponsi- . as I ing all force sufllcient to drive him out in b wepfc." He Iiad no rollnnre npou IheNrapolitan oflTicerii ; who, an he deocrihrd lliem, seemed frightened tit a drawn 8war>l or n loaded ^un; and he wnn perfectly nwnreof th« oonceqiipnces which the slujrgiHh movements anddeoeitfal policy ofth* Au8triiinf« weio likely to brin^ down upon themselves ond nil their con- tinentnl allies. *' A delnyed wnr on the part of theEmpcrur," said he, writing to the British minister nt Vienna, " will be destructive to this monarchy of IViipies; and, of course, to the newly-acquired domin- ions of the emperor of Italy. Had the war commenced in S?ptembep or October, nil Italy would, nt this mo'nent have been liberated. Thi» month is worne Ihiin the last : tlie next will render the contest doubt- ful; and, in six nionthp, when the Neapolitan repnhlick will be organ- ized, armed, juid with its numerous resources called forth, the cmperP!* will not only be defeated in Italy, but will totter on his throne at Vien- na. Doini, down iinlh the French ! ous^ht to bo written in the council room ofevery country in the world : and may Almighty God giv* rig'ht thoutrhts to every povorel(a:n, is my constant prayer !" His per- tect foresiprht of the immedinte event was clearly shown in his letter, whet's he desirerl the Ambassador to assure the empress (who was « daughter of the house of \aples/ that notwithstanding the couucils which had shalcen the throne of her father and mother, he would re- main there, ready to Bave their persons, and her brothers and sisters ; and that he had also leCl shii)s at Leghorn, to save the lives of the grand duke and her sister : " For all," said he, " must bo a republic, if the emperor does not net with expedition and vigour." His fears were soon voriftod. " The Neapolitan officers,*' said Nel- son, " did not loose much honour, for, God knows, they had not much to loose : but they lost all they hud." General 8t. Philip commanded the riglit wing, of nineteen thousand men. He fell in with three thou- sand of the enemy ; and, as soon as he came near enough, deserted to them. One of his men had virtue enough to level a musket at him, and shot him through the arm ; but the wound was not suflicient to pre- vcnthim from joining with the French in pursuit of his own country- men. Cannon, tents.and baggnffe, and military chest were all forsaken by the runawHys. though they lost only 40 men : for the French, hav- ing put them to flight, and got possession ofevery thing.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 re- turned to Naples, where every day brought with it the tidings of som* new disgrace from the army, and the discovery of some new treachery at home ; till, four days af^er 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 stateof the public mind at Naples was such that neither the British minister nor the British admiral thought it prudent to appear atcoort. Their motions were watched ; and the revolutionists had even formed- aplan for seizing and detaining them as hostages to prevent nny Rttoc4c, on the city nfter the Freneh should have taken possession ofit. A let- ter, which Nelson addressed at this time to the first lord of the Admi> ralty, shows in what manner he contemplated the possible igsne of the storm. It was in these words : — " [\Iy dear lord, there is an old sayiagr» that when things are at the worst they must mend :— now, the mind of man cannut fancy things worse than they are here. But, thank God! i4 ' V.'f 80 URE OF NELSON. . 1 w tny hoalih 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 Aeusistanoe. Pray, my Lord, assure our fi^racious sovereign, that while I live, I will support his glory ; and that if I fall, it shall in a manner be 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 ari-anged every thing for the removal of the royal family. This vas conducted, on her part, with the greatest address, and r/ithout sunpicton, because she had been inhabits of con- stant correspondence with the qaeen. It was known that the removal could not be effected without dangbr; for the mob, and especially the lazaroni, were attached to thu king, and as, at ihis time, they felt a na- tural presumption on their number^ and strength, they insisted that he should not leavA Naples. Several persons fell victims to their fury : among others was a messenger fi^m Vienna, whose body was drawn 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 embark the effects of the royal family openly. Lady Hamilton, like a heroine of modern ro- mance, explored, with no little danger, a subterraneous passage, lead- ing from the palace to the seaside : through this passage, the royal trea- si'i'es, the choicest pieces of painting and sculpture, and other property to the amount of two millions and a half, were conveyed to the shoret and stowed safely on board the English ships. On the night of the, 21st, at half past eigh* ?^elson landed, brought out the 'vhole royal family, embarked them in three barges, and carried them safely, through a tremendous sea, to the Vanguard. Notice was then immediately gi- ven to the British merchants, that they would be received on board any «hip in the squadron. Their property had been previously embarked in transports. Tw o 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 2Sd, the fleet sailed. The next day a more violent storm arose than Nelson had ever before encountered. On the 25th, the youngest of the princes was taken ill, and died in Lady Hamilton's arms. Du- ring this whole trying season, Lady Hamilton waited upon the royal family with the zeal of the most devoted servant, at a time when, e.xcept one man, no person belonging to the cdurt assisted them. On the morning of the 26th, the royiil family wore landed at Paler- mo. It was soon seen that their flight had not been premature. Prince Pignatelli, who had been left as vice-general and viceroy, with orders Wdsfend tho kingdom to the last rock in Calabria, sent plenipotentiaries to the French camp before Capua* and they, for the sake of saving tho capital, signed en 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 the 10th of January. The French advanced towards Naples. Mack, under pretence of taking shelter from the fu- ry of the lazzaroni, fied to the French general Championet, who sent him under an escort to Milan : but, as France hoped for further services fnorra this wretch«d traitor, it was thought prudent to trcut him appa- LIFE OF NELSON. Si' iciitly us u prisoner of war. The Neapolitan army disappeared in a (tiw days : of the men, some following their officers, deserted to the enemy : the greater part took the opportunity of disbanding themselves. The lazzroni proved true to their country : they attacked the enemy'w advanced posts, drove them in, and were not dispirited by the murder- ous defeat which they suffered from the main body. Flying into the city, they continued to defend it, even after the French had planted their artillery in the principal streets. The priests afHrmed, that St. Janua- rius had declared in favour of the revolution. The mircoie of his blood was performed with the usual success, and more than usual eflect, on the very evening when, after two days of desperate fighting, the French obtained possession of Naidcs. A French guard of honour '.vas sta- tioned at his church. Championet gave " Respect for St. Januarius !" ns the word for the army ; and the next day Te Deutn was sung by the archbishop in tiiu 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 Pro- vidence, had regenerated the Neapolitans, and were come tq 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 mea- sures 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 (o its former Italian possessions; and, therefore, it left the few remaining powers of Italy to be overthrown, as a means which would facilitate its own ambitious views. The king of Sar- dinia finding it impossible longer to endure the exactions of France, and the insults of the French commissary, went to Leghorn, embarked on bourd a Danish frigate, and sailed under British protection to Sar- dinia—that part of his dominions, which the maritime supremacy of England rendered a safe asylum. On his arrival, he published a pro- test against the conduct of France; declaring, upon the faith and word of a king, that he had never infringed the treaties which he had made with the French ropublic. Tuscany was soon occupied by French troops. Nelson began to fear even for Sicily. " Oh, my dear sir, said he, writing to Commodore Duckworth, *' one thousand English troops would save Messina, — and I tear 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 ftom Minorca, with 1000 men, assisted in the measures of defence which were taken, and did not return before he had satisfied himself, that if the Neapr>iitan8j were excluded from the management of affairis, and the spirit of the peasantry properly directed, Sicily was safe. Before his coming. Nelson had oflfered the king, if no resources should arrive, to defend Messina witli the ship's company of an English man-of-war. m ki 1,1 '* 11 8t •■"JTf LIFE OP M:LaoN. r 'i: f4' Russia had now entered the ^var. 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 greatest ene> my of both. Trowbridge, having given up the blockade of Alexandria to Sir Sidney Smith, joined Nelson, bringing with him a considerable addition of strength; and in himself, what Nelson valued more, a man upon whose sagacity, indefatigable zeal, and inexhaustible resources, he could place full reliance. Trowbridge was fntrusted to commence operations against the French in the bay of Naples : — meaptime. Car- dinal RufTo, a man of questionable character, but of a temper 6tted for such times, had landed at Calabria, raised what was called a Christian army, composed of the best and the vilest materials ; loyal peasants, enthusiastic priests and friars, galley slaves, the emptying ot the jails, and banditti. The islands in the bay of Naples were joyfully delivered by the inhabitants, who were in a state of famine already, from the ef- fect of this baleful revolution. Trowbridge distributed among them all his flour; and Nelson pressed the Sicilian court incessantly for sup- plies ; telling them that £10,000 given away in provisions, would, at this time purchase a kingdom. Money, he was told, they had not to give ; and the wisdom and integrity which might have supplied its want, were not to be found. "There is nothing," said he, " which I propose, that is not, as far as orders go, implicitly complied with : but the execu- tion is dreadful, and almost makes me mad. My desire to serve their mRJesties 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." Nelson's heart too was at this time ashore. " To tell you," he says, writing to Lady Hamilton, "how dreary and uncomfortable the Van- guard appears, is only telling you what it is to go from the pleasartest society to a solitary cell ; or from the dearest friends to no friends. I am now perfectly the great man, — not a creature near me. From my heart I wish myself the little man again. You and good Sir William have spoiled me for any place, but with you." His mind was not in a happnr state resoecting public affairs. " As to politics," said he, " at this time they are my abomination : the min- isters 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 to be more than expected that a kingdom is to be found •for him in Italy, and that the kingdom 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 any thing 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 whsrev^r he looked ; and even the pleasure ot seeing a cause prosper, in which he was so zealously engaged, was poisoned by his sf;nse of the rascality of those with whom he was compelled to act. jlit this juncture intelligence arrived that the French fleet had escaped LiPE OF VELSOTT.^ m from Brest, under cover pf a fog, passed Cadiz unseen by Lord Keith's squadron, in hazy weather, and entered the Mediterranean. It waiT said to consist of twenty-four sail of the line, six fngates and three sloops. The object of the French was to liberate the Spanish fleet, form a junction with them against Minorca and Scicily, and overpower onf49aval force in the Medittarranean, by falling in with detached squad^ rons, and thus destroying it in detail. When they arrived off Carthage- na, they requested the Spanish to make sail and join ; but the Span- iards replied, they had not men to man them. To this it warj answered, that the French had men enough on board for that purporie. But the Spaniards seems to have been apprehensive of delivering up their shipi 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 hon- ourable namo, which he has since rendered infamous by betraying his Go.mtry. They met with a violent storm off the coast of Oran, which dismasted many of their ships, and so effectually disabled them as to prevent the junction, and frustrate a well-planned expedition. Before this occurred, and while the junction was as probable as it would have been formidable. Nelson was in a state of the greatest anxie- ty. " What a state am I in !" said he to Earl St, Vincent. " If I go, I risk, and more than risk Siciiy : for we know, from experience, that more depends upon opmion than upon acts themselves : and as I stay, my heart is hrehki'ig." His first business was to summon Trowbridge to join him, with all the ships of the line under his command, and a frigate, if posstble. Then hearing (hat the French had entered the Mediterranean, and expecting them at Palmero, where he had only his own ship; — with that single ship ho prepared to make all the resistance possible. Trowbridge having joined him, he lefl Captain E. J. Foote, of the Seahorse, to command the sriaiier vessels in the Bay of Naples, and sailed with tix ?bips ; oae a Portuguese, and a Portuguese cor- vette ; telling Earl St. Vincent that the squadron should never fall into the hands of the enemy : *' And ii*,fore we are destroyed,'' said he, " I have little doubt but they will havo their wings so completely clipped, that they may be easily overt&ken.* ' It was just at this time that ne received from Capt. Hallowell the present ofthe coffin. Such a present was regarded by the men with natural astonishment : one of his old Ahiomates in the Agamemnon said — " We shall have hot work of it in- deed ! You see the admiral intends to fight unti4 he is killed ; and there he is to be buried." Nelson placed it upright against the bulk- head of his cabin, behind his chair, where he aat at dinner. The gifl suited him at this time. It is said he was disappointed in the son-in-law, whom he had loved, so dearly from his childhood, and who had saved his lite at Teneriffe : and it is certain that he had formed an infatuated attachment for Lady Hamilton, which totally weaned his affections from his wifV. Farther than this, there is no reason to believe that this unfortunate attachment was criminal : but this was criminality enough, and it brought with it its punishment Nelson w^s dissatisfied with '^■11 84 LIFE OF NELSON. ;i ; I himself; and, thcrefi)re, weary of the world. This feeling he frequent- ly expressed, " There is no true happiness in this life," said he, " niid 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 honor into the grave ; and when that shall please (iod, I shall meet death with a smile. Not that I am insensible to the honours and riches my kinjj and country have heaped upon me, — so mnoh more than any officer could deserve : yet I am ready to quit this world of trouble, and envy none but those of the estate six feet by two." Well had it been for Nelson if he had made no other sacrifices to this unhappy attachment than his peace of mind ; but it led to the only blot in Iiis public character. While he sailed from Palermo, with the inten- tion of collecting his whole force, and keeping ott* Maretirno, rithcr t ) receive reinforcements thcro, if the French were bound upwards, or \n hasten to Minorca, if that should be their destination ; Capt. Footc, in the Seahorse, with the Neapolitun frigates, and some small vessels un- der his command, was left to act with a land force ofa f«:w regular troops, offour different nations, and with the armed rabble which Cardinal Ruffo called the Christian army. His directions wore to ro-npciate to the utmost of his power with tlie royalists, at whose head Ruffo had been placed, and he had no instructions ivhatcvcr. Ruffo advancing, without any plan, but relying upon the enemy's want of numbers, winch |)revented them to act upon the offensive, and ready to take advuntage of" any accident which might occur, approached Naple:*. Fort Sf. Elmo, which commands the town, was wholly garrisoned by tho French troops : the castles of Uovo and Nuovo, whioh commanded the ancLoiage, were chiefly defended by Neapolitan revolutionises, the powerCiii raen nnmng them having taken shelter there. If the?c castles were t; ken, the reduction of Fort St. I'Imo would be greatly rxpodifed. Thoy were strong places, and t'.icre was reason to apprehend tlu)t the Ficuh fleet might arrive to relieve them. Ruffi) pro|)Osed to the garrison to capitulate, on condition that their persons and proprriy sshould be gttnr- nnteed, and that tliey fdiould, at their own option, eiilu r be st-nt lo Toulon, or remain at Naphs, without either being uiojeftcd either in their pereons or families. This rapitulalioii was accepted: it .was signed by the Cardinal, and the RusKian and Turkish Command(Ts ; and, lastly, by Capt. Foote, as commander of the Utitis^h force. About six-and-thirty hours afterward. Nelson arrived in the bay, with a force which had joined him during his cruise, consisting of sevcntctin sail of the line, with seventeen' hundred troops on bourd, an I the Prince Royal of Naples in the admiral's ship. A flag of truce was flying on the cas- tles, and on board the Seahorse. Nelson made a sigt.al to annulfhe treaty; declaring that he would grant rebels no other ttjrms than those of unconditional submisssion. The Car years of nije,l)eai'in;>' n bij;li eliHrarter. He bud accompanied llie cotJiJ to fciicily; but when the revoiutionai'y ^v>vt'njmrrit issueil an I'dicI, ordering all i\ea|>o!it>ins to return on pain of coidigic.ilion of their | ropeiiy, lie po- li(Mted iind i;J,it;jincd ptrinission of die kinpr to return. The king', win n be granted hitn ibib pei mi»?^ion. vvarufd him not to fnUe any ptwt isi I>oli{i(<>i IJul the liing f)Uj>'ht not to h:ive iiria^itud tliata man of f uch rep«t:jtiori would be permitted to remain iiiiictive ; tindOaniCrioli was ^non asrain in command of ihp navy, snid ^rrviajr under the ivpuhiic. When the recovfry of Xajdes ivas tvi< possihie ; Caraccioli was hrr»n^hl on lioard. !Sn hauffiny him at tiie fore yard-arm ; when the body wa» to be cut dow a. and throw a into the sea. C'araccioli reqtit sled liieiil. Parkinson, under wliose oustody be was placed, to inltfrce4le with Loi«l IVi'lson for ii o'cond trial. — forlhis, amon^ other reesons. that Count Thurn, who presided at the courtinartial, was notoriously hin peri^onal i-nnay. IV'ison made answer, thai the prisoner had he^n i'idrly triod hy the olfl(^ers of his own comilry, and he i nild not inter- fere: forret ting' that, if he frit himself justitied in ordeHn-.T the trial and the execution, no human being could ever have fjueslionc-d the propri- ■rt mi;ii : 86 LIFE OF NELSOIii. ety of his fnterPering on the side of mercy. Oaraccioli then entreateif that he might be shot. — " I am tin olted, than accelerated, by the Ensriisih and 'Portuguese of the allied fleet, anting upon shore, under Trowbridg'e. — The French commandant at tSt. Clmo, relyinfr upon the strength of the plane, and the nature of the force which attacked it, had insulted Capt. Foote, in the jgrronsest terms ; but citoyen Mejan was soon taught better mnnoers, when Trowbridge, in spite of every obstacle, opened five batteries upon the lort. He was informed, that none of his let- ters with the insolent printed words at the top. Liberie, Egalite, Guerre avx Ihjrans, &c. would be received ; but that, if he wrote like a soldier and u gentleman, he should be answered in the same style. The. Frenchman the began to flatter his nntagorist upon the hienfaisance and humaniie, Wt.ich, he said, were the least of the many virtues which distinguished Monsieur Trowbridge.) Monsieur Trowbridge's bienfais- ance was, at this time, thinking of mining the fort.— " If we ran ac- complish that," suid he, " I am a strong advocate to send them, hos- tages and nil, to Old IVirk, and surpri.$e him with a group of nobility and republicans. Meantime," he added, "it was some satisfaction to perceive that the shells fell well, and broke some of their shin*?." — Finally, to complete his character, Mejan offered to surrender for 15(),- 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 Trowbridge had the prey within his reach ; and in the coarse of a few days, his last battery, '< after much trouble and palaver," as he said, '* brought the vagabonds to their senses." Trowbridge had more difficulties to overcome in this siege, from the character of^the iVeapolituns who pretended to assist him, and whom he made useful, than even from the strength of the place and the skill of the French. "Such damned cowards and villians," he declared, " he had never seen before." The men at the advanced posts carried on, what he called, " a diabolical good nnderstanding" with the ene- my, and the workmen would sometimes take fright and run away.— " I make the best I can," said he, "of the degenerate race I have to deal with ; the whole means of guns, ammunition, pioneers. Sec. with all materials, rest with them. With fair promises to the men, and threats of instant death if I find any one erring, a little spur has been given." Nelson said of him. with truth, upon this occasion, that he was a flpst-rate general. " I find, sir," said he aflerward, in a letter to the Duke of Clarence, "that General Koehler does not appr>r)ve 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 8t. Elmo : a soldier must have gone according to art, and the way. .My brave Trowbridge went straight on, for we had no time to spared." tr. Trowbridge then proceeded to Capua, and took command of the motley besieging forhult i^end eight or nine shi|M of the line to Minoiea. ) have dune what I thought right: others may think diiFerently ; but it will be my conso' lution that I htive gained a kingdom, seated a faithful ally o( hi» ma- jesty firmly on hiit (hcouc, and rei^lored happiness to nullion«>." At Capua, 'JVowbridge had the same difficult ee as at 8t. Elmo; and being farther from [Vn,')le», and from the tleet, was (eHH altle to over-' come thorn. The powder was so bnd that he i«u$tpeeted treachery ; nnd when hi; asked 'Nelson to spare him forty ca&'ks f<-om the mhipb, hu toid him it wiudd be neceeisary that some Englishmen should ac- company it. or they would steal one half, and change the other. Ca- ptia, however, soon fell ; Gaieta immediately Hl\erward surrendered to Capt. Louis of the lUinotaur. Here t!»e commanding oflirer acted more unlike a Frenchmau, (Japt. liouii* said, than any one he had I'ver met; meaning that he had acteil like a man of honour. He rcqaired, however, that the garrison shouM carry away their horeies, and other pillaged property : to which Nelson replied, "That no properly which they did not bri^ig with them into the country could be theirs ; and that the greatest care should be taken to prevent them from carrying it away," The whole kingdom of Naples was thus delivered by Nelson from the French. The Admiralty, hoaever, thought it expedient to censure him for disobeying liord Keith's orders, and thus hazarding IMinorca, without, as it appeared to tiicni, any snllicient reason ; and niso from haviajT l.mded seaaien for the siege of C'apa:i, to form part of an army employed in operations at a distance from tlie roast; wbcv, in case of defeat, they might have been prevented from returning to their ship^s ; un(\ they enjoined him not to employ the seamen in like manner in foti.TC." When Nelson communicated the tidings of his complete suceesM, he said, in his public letter, •• that it would not he the less ac« cepUible {'or having been principally brought about l)y Hritish bailors." To the first lord, he said, nt the same lime, "I certainly, from having only a left hand, cannot I'liter into details which may explain themo- tivistliat artnnted my conduct. My principle is, to assiii-t in driving the French to the devil, and in restoring peace and happiness to man- kind. 1 feel that lam fitter to do the work than to describe it." He then added, that he would take cure of Minorca. In expelling the French from Naples, Nelson had, with characteris- tic zoa! and ability, dicharged his duty ; but ho deceived himself when ha imusined that he had tfcated Ferdinand firmly on iiis trone. and that he had restored iiappincss to millions. These objects might have been accomplished if it had been possible to inspire virtue and wisdom into a ricious and infatuated court ; and if Nelson's eyes haf! not been, as it were, spell-hound, by that unhappy attachment which hud now eooi- pletely mastered him, h«i would have seen things as they were ; and might, perhaps, have awakened the Sicilian court to a sense of their interest, ifnot of their duty. That court employed itself in a miserable LU^E OF NELSOM. W couiiil of Jolly and festivity, while the prison of Naples were filled with {groans, and the scatTolds streamed with blood. St. Januaris was 8ol-> utnnly removed from his rank as patron saint of the kingdom, having been convicted of Jacobinism ; and St. Antonio as solemnly installed in his place. The king, instead of re-establishinff order ut Naples by his presence, speedily returned to Palermo, to indulge in his favourite amusements. Nelson, and the ambassador's family accompanied the court ; and Trowbridge remained, groaning over the villainy and fri- volity of those with whom ho was compell«d to deal. A party of o|ii- oers applied to him for a passage to Palermo, to see the procession of v!).. Rosalia : — he recommended them to exercise their troops, and not behave like children. It was grief enough for him that the court should be busied in these follies, and Nelson involved in them. **I dread, my lord," said he, ** all the feasting, &c. at Palermo. I am sure your health will be hurt. If so, all their saints will be damned by the navy. The king would be better employed digesting a good government; ev- ery thing gives way to their pleasures. The money spent ut Palermo gives discontent here : fifty thousand people are unemployed, trade dis- couraged, manufactures at a stand. It is the interest of many here to keep the king away ; — they all dread reform : — their villainies are so deeply rooted, that, if some method is not taken to dig them out, this government cannot hold together. Out of twenty millions of ducats, collected as the revenue, only thirteen millions reach the treasury : and the king pays four ducats where he should pay one. He is surrounded by thieves ; and none of them have honour or honesty enough to tell lum the real and true state of things." lu another letter he expressed his sense of the miserable state of Naples. '^ There are upwards of forty thousand families," said he, *' who have relations confined. If some act of oblivion is not passed, there will be no end in persecution ; for the people of this country have no idea of any thing but revenge ; and, to gain a point, would swear ten thousand false oaths. Constant efforts are made to get a man taken up in order to rob him. The con- fiscated property does not res ch the king's treasury.— All thieves! It is selUng=for nothing. His own people whom he employs, are buying it up, and the vagabonds pocket the whole. I should not be surprised to hear that they brought a bill of expenses against him for the sale." Tbe Sicilian court, however, were at this lime duly sensible of the services which had been rendered them by the British fleet, and their gratitude to Nelson was shown with proper and princely munificence. They gave him the dukedom and domain of Bronte, worth about £3000 a year. It was some days before he could be persuaded to accept it: the argument which finally prevailed, is said to have been suggested, by the queen, and urged, ut 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 ne^ cessary for theirs." The king himself, ulso, is said to have addressed him in words which show that the sense of rank will sometimes confer j^ virtue upon thpse who seem to be most unworthy of t^e lot to which 12 1 ■■: -IP' • ii 90 s> LIFE OF NELSON. they have bccii born : ** Lord Nelson, do you wiwh tli.it yuur naiwe a> lone should pass with honour to posterity, and that I, Ferdinand Bour- bon, should appear ungrateful ?'' He gave him also, when the duke- dom 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 Siciliies. Nelson said, *' The reward was magnificent, and worthy of a king, and he was determined that the inhabitants on the domain should be the happiest in all his Sicilian majesty's dominions. Yet," said he, speaking of these and the other remunerations which were made him for his services, ** these presents, rich, as they are, do not elevate me. My pride is, that, at Constantinople, from the grand seignor to the low- est Turk, the name of Nelson is familiar in their mouths; and in this country I am every thing which a grateful monarch and people can call me." Nelson, however, hud 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 Dahamony would be called a strong name ; it «vaa to a sailor's taste ; and, certainly, to no man could it ever be muru applicable. But a simple ofieriog which he received not long afterward, from the island of Zante, afTected 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 smgle row. They thanked him *^ for having, by his victory, preserved that part of Greece from horrors of anarchy ; and prayed that his exploits might accellerate the day, in which, amid the glory and peace of thrones, the miseries of the human race would cease." 1'he 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, occor- dinjT to their own admiH^ion, they had extorted in jewels, plate, specie and requisitions of every kind, to the enormous amount of eight mil- lions sterling: yet they nfiected to nppear 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 ot the holy saviour of the world !" The people, de- testing the impiety, and groaning beneath the exactions, of these per- fidious, robbers, were ready to join any regular force that should come to their assistance ; but they dreaded Ordinal Ruftb's rabble, and de- clared they would resist him as a banditti, who came only for pillage. Nelson perceived that no object was now so esseuliul for the tranquility of Naples as the recovery of Rome. He applied, therefore, to Sir James 8t. Clair Erskine, who, in the absence of Gen. Fox, commanded at Minorca, to assist in this great object with 1300 men. " The field of glory," said he, is a large one, and was never more open to any one, than at this moment to you. Rome would throw open her gates and receive you as her deliverer ; and the pope would owe his restoration to«a heretic." But Sir James Erskine locked only at the difficulties of the undertaking. "Twelve hundred men, he thought, would be too small a force to be committed in such an ehterprize; for Civita Vec- ■^ LIFE QF NELSON. 91 cliiu was u regular fortress : the local situation ond climate also were Huch, that, even if this force were adfM|uate, it would be proper to de- lay the exprditidn till Octoher. Ueii. Fox, too, uaa soon expected ; and during his absence, and under exiii>tiiig circumstances, he did not feel justified in sending iiway such a detachment." What this general thought it imprudtnt to attempt, Nelson and Trowbridge effected without his assistance, by a small detachment from the fleet. Trowbridge first sent Capt. Ilallowel to Civita V^ccchia, to oflbr the garrison there, and at t'HeIult:i, but with means mliiierHbly limned. In fact, the expedition was at a stand for want of money ; when Trow- bridge, arriving at 3Ip«8iiia, toco-operate in it, and finding this fresh ilelay, immediately oflTerod all that h(- could comirand of hici own. ' I procured him, my lord," said he to Nelson, 15,(M)0 of my robs:— ovrry larthing and every atom of me shall be devoted to the caus>e."— 'What can this mean,^' said IVelson, when he learned that Col. Grnhn.n was ordered not to incur any expense for stores, or any nrtitrles except ptt v.sions!— " the cause cannot stand still for w nt of a little mrney. If nobody will pay it, I will yell Bronte, And the Emperor of Rusr^ia's box." And He uctualiy pledged Bronte for £(r(H'.0, if there should be any difficulty about fiayingthe bills. The long-delayed expedition was thus, nt last, sent forth : but Trowbridge little imagined in what scenes of misery he was to bear his part He looked to Si<^ily for soppliis : it was the interest, as well as the duty, of the f'ic'ilinu government to use every exertio"! for furnishing them: and Nelson and the British ambas:sador were on the spot to press upon them the necessity of ex- ertion. But though Xel.son saw with what a knavish crew the Sicilian court was surrounded, he tv;:-!* hlind to the vices of the court itself; and resigning himself wholly to Lady Hamilton's influence, never even suspected the crooked policy which it was remorselessly pursuing. The Maltese and the Britisih in Malta severely felt it. Trowliridge. who had the truest ufTection for Nelson, knew his infatuation, and feared that it miirht prove injurious to his character, as well as fatal to an enterprise which had begun so Well, and been carried on so pa- tiently. *' My lord," said he, writing to him Aom the siege, " we are dying off fast for want. I learn that Sir William Hamilton s.^ys Prince Luz- zi refused corn some time ago, and Sir William does not think it worth while making another application. If that be the case, I wish he com- manded this distressing scene instead of me. Pugnlia had an im- mense harvest ; near thirty sail left Messina, before I did', fo load corn. Will they let us have any ? if not, a short time will decide the htisiness.^ iThe German interest prevails. I wish 1 was at your Lodship's elbow for in hour. Altall will be thrown on you ! I will parry the blow as much Bfi in my power: 1 foresee much mischief brewing. — Cod bless your lord- ship; lam miserable, I cannot assist your operations more. Many hty>py retarns of the day to you — (it was the first of the new yenr)^M nn coile^^ Durope.— orders, is r so oAen hat would my nose. few think fig, and to om which • who ran >r and ob- My blood permitted niied. In en Traw- ihls fresh own. ' I 6 : — r very — What ihn.n was es except le mcney* Russia's should be Jition was lut scenes supplies : rnnient to he British ity of p\' iieSirllion urt itself; ever even pursuing*, owltridpe, ntion, and Hs fatiil to on so pa- are dying ince liuz- ik it wdrlh 1 he com- fid an im- load corn. ! hnsiness., I>'s elbow w as much your lord- e. Many year)^— T LIFE OF NELSON. 9^ ncfv6r spent 80 tnisei'able a one. I am not very tender hearied ; but re- ally the distress her*? would even move a Neapolitan." Soon afterward he wrote, " I lia'^j (his day saved thirty thousand people from starving ; but with this da} my ability ceases. As the Government are bent on starving U5, I see no alternative, but to leave these poor unhappy peo- ple to perish, without our being witnesses of their distress. I curse the day I ever served the Neapolitan government. We have characters, my lord, to lose ; these people have none. Do not suffer thei" infamous conduct to fall on us. Our country is just^ but severe. Such is the fev.r of my brain this minute, that 1 assure you, on my honour, if the Palermo trcitors were here, I would shoot them first, and then myself, Girgenti is full of corn ; the money is ready to pay for it ; we do not ask it as a gift. Oh ! could you see the horrid distress I daily expe- rience, something would be done. — Some engine is at work against us at Naples ; and I believe I hit on the proper person. If you complain, he will be immediately promoted, agreeably to the Neapolitan custom. All I write to you is iinown at the quern's. For my own part, I. look upon the Neapolitans as the norst of intrigruing enemies : every hour shows me their infamy and duplicity. I pray your lordshi^n be rau- tiouis: your honest, open manner of acting will be made n handle of. When I see you, and tell of their infamous tricks, you will be as much surprised us t am. The whole will full on you." Nelson was not insensible to the disti'Ccis which his friend so earnestly represented. He bec-gcd small supplies of money and corn, to keep the Maltese from starving. And when the court granted a small supply, protesting their ooveity, he believed them. The anxiety which he en- dured, affected him so dee(>ly, that he said it had broken his spirit forever. Happily, all that Trowbridge hud foreboded, diIal- tese, even if it had no other claims to the love and reverence of a grateful people. Finding it hopeless longer to look far oucoour from the infatuated court of Sicily, which persisted in prohibiting the ex- portation of supplies, at his own risk he sent his first Lieut, to the port of Girgenti, with orders to seize and bring with him to Malta, the ships which were there lying laden with corn. These orders were ^executed ; the necessity of raising the siege was removed, and Captv Hail waited for the consequences to himself. The NeapolittAi govern- ment complained to the English ambassador, and the complaint was communicated to Nelson, who M^quested Sir VV. Hamilton would fully a|)d plainly state that the act ought not to be considered as any intend- ed disrespect to his Sicilian majesty, but as of the most absolute and imperious necessity ; the alternation being either of abandoning i>2alta to the French, or of anticipating the king's orders for carrying the corn in those vessels to 'Malta. *' I trust," he added, '< that the government of the country will never again force any of our royal masters ser- vants to so unpleasant an alternative." Nelson himself sailed for IVTal- tn. He fell in with a French squadron, oound for its relief, consisting of a 74, Sfilg'ites, nnd a corvette. One frieate and the line-of- battle ship were taken ; and the others failed in their purpose of reaching La Valette. This success was peciilinrly gratifyiirg to Nelson for ma- '''M 94 LIEE OF NELSON. ny reuson<<. Two fiiKates, aid the Guillaume Tell, 86, were all thnt now remained of the fleet which Buonaparte had conducted to Egypt. The Guillaume Tell was at this time closely watched in the harbour of La Valette: and shortly afterward wan taken, ufler an action in which greater skill was never displayed by British ships, nor greater gallantry by an enemy. ISelson rejoiced at what he culled this glori- ous finish to the whole French Mediterranean fleet. '* What a plea- sure," siiid he " to have the IVile fleet all taken, under my orders and regulations !" The two frigates still remained in La Valette : before its surrender they stole out ; one was taken in the attempt ; the other was the only ship of the whole fleet which escaped cap lure or destruction. Letters were found on board the Tell, showing tliat the French were become hopeless of preserving the conquest which they had so foully acquired. The officers were anxious that Nelson should have the ho- nour of signing the capitulation. Sir W. Hamilton had just been su- perseded : Nelson had no feeling or cordiality towards Lord Keith ; and thinking that, afler Earl St. Vincent, no man had so good a claim to the command in the Mediterranean as himself, he applied for per- mission to return to England, telling the first lord of the Admiralty, that bis spirit could not submit patiently, and thnt 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 morti- fications. Sir Sidney Smith had been sent to Egypt, with orders to take under his command the squadron which Nelson had led thare. — Idh* Sidney appears to have thought that this command was to be in- dependent of Nelson : and Nelson himself thmking so, determined tO' return, saying to Earl St. Vincent, " I do feel, for I am a maUf^that it is impos«Tble f'>r me to serve in these seas with a squadron unoer s junior officer.'' He differed from Sir Sidney as to the policy which ought to be purifued towards thu French in Egypt; and strictly com- manded him not to permit a Frenchman to leave the country ; that he considered it madness to permit that band of thieves to return to En- rope. If Nelson had not thoroughly understood the character of the enemy, their conduct in Egypt would have disclosed it. AAer the bat- tle of the Nile he had landed all his prisoners, upon a solemn engage- ment that none of them should serve till regularly exchanged. They were no sooner on shore than part of them were drafted into different regiments, and the remainder formed into a corps. This occasioned Capt. Hallowell to say, that the French had forfeited all claim to res- pect from us. " The army of Buonaparte are entirely destitute of every principle of honour." Buonaparte's escape was the more regretted by Nelson, because, if he had h&d sufficient force, he thought it would certainly have been prevented. He wished to keep ships upon the watch, to intercept any thing coming from Egypt : but the Admiralty calculated upon the assistance of the Russian fleet, which fuiled>when it was most wanted. TBe bloody Corsican was thus enabled to rleach 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. A shipaould not be spared to convey Nelson to England ; he there- fore travelled through Germany to Hamburg!, in company with his inseparable friends, Sir W. and Lady Hamilton. The queen of Na- ples went with them to Yenna. When they were at Leghorn, upon ous LIFE OF NEL^OSr. 95 ;re.— a report that the French were appronchin^, the peo|»U? rose tumnlhi- ously, and would fain have persuaded Nelson to icud them uguinst the enemy. The prince of Csterhazy eutertained him in a style of Huu> ffarian magnificcnco. A wine merchant, above 70 years of ago, re- quested to speak with Lady liamilton, and told her be had some Hhe> nish whine, of the vintage of 1625, which had ^jeen in hts possession more than half a century : he bad presented it for some extraoi-dintuy occasion ; and that which had now arrived was far beyond any thif :- CHAPTER VL Nelson separates himself from his Wife — Northern Confederacy — He goes to the BalHr, under Sir Hyde Parker — Battle of Copenhagen^ and subsequent Negotiation^— Nelson is made a Viscount. Nelson ,wa8 welcomed in England with every mark of popular bo« nour. At Yarmouth, where he landed, every ship in the harbor hoist- ed her colours. The mayor and corporation waited upon him with the freedom of the town. In London, he was feasted by the city, and received the thanks of the common council for his jo-reat victory, and a goiden-hilted sword, studded with diamonds. Nelson had every earihly blessing, except domestic happiness : he had forfeited that for ever. Before he bad been three months in England he separated from Lndy Nelson. Some of his last words to her were : " I call God to witneBs,there is nothing in you or your conduct that I wish otherwise." This was the consi^quence of his infatuated attachment to Lady Ham-t ilton. It had before caused a quarrel with his son-in-law. The Addington administration was just at this time formed ; Dnd Nelson, who had been made vice-admiral of the blue, was sent to the Baltic, as second in command, under Sir Hyde Parker, by Earl St. Vincent, the new first lord of the Admiralty. The tbi:ee , northern courts had formed a confederacy for making England resign barnaval rights. Of these courts, Russia was guided by the passions of ito em- peror, Paul. Denmark wa«i French at heart : ready ta co-operate mn all the views of France, to recognise all heF|^ii9tirpation8. Swedeiv>i under a king whose principles were right, and whose feelings were^v generous, acted in acquiescence with the dictates of two powers whomi^ it feared to oif«>nd. The Danish navy consisted of 23 ships ( f the lin«'«! with about, 31 Irjgrttes and smaller vessels, exclusi\e ofguard-shlpa Sweden had 18 ships of the line, 14 frigates an^ sloops, 74 g-alleys and smaller vessels, besides gun-boats ; and this force was in a lar bettei^ J-UL^i , 96 XIFF OF NELSON. i:5 I state of equtpmeiit than the Danish. Thp Russians had 83 9ait oPtlte Jiae and 40,fi'igate8. But the Russian fleet was ill-manned, ill-offlcered, and ill-equipped. Such a combination under the influence of France would soon have become formidable : and never did the Brlti»h rabi- net display more decision than in instantly preparing to eriish it. They erred in permittinfr any petty consideration to prevent t lem from ap- pointing Nelson to the command. The public properly murmured at Heeing it intrusted to another. When Nelson Joined the fleet at Yar- mouth, he found the admiral " a little nervouH about dark nights and fields of ice." — ''But we must brace up," said he ; -these are nottiires for nervous systems. I hope we shall give our northern enemies that hailstorm of bullets, whichgives our dear country the dominion of the sea. We have it, and all the devils in the north cannot take it from us, if our wooden walls have fair play. The fleet sailed on the 12th of March. I\1r. A''Hnsittnrt sailed in it ; the British cabinet still hoping to obtain its end by nnaotiation. It wa6 well for England that Sir Hyde (^uraer placed a fuller confidence in Nelson than the government seems to have done at this most imf>ortant crisis. Mr. Vansittart left the ftcet at the Scaw, and precodcd it in a frigate with a flag of truce. Precious time was lost by thies delay, which was to be purchased by the dearest blood of Britain and Deninurk : according to the Danes themselves, tho intelligence that a British fleet was seen off* the Sound produced a much more general alarm in Co- penhagen than its arrival in tho Roads. Nelson had u long (conference with Sir Hyde ; and the next daf 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 de- gree hostile ; and their state of preparation as exceeding ivhat our cabinet had supposed possible : for Denmark had profited of the leis- vre which had so impoliticly been given her. " The more I have re- flected," said Nelson to his commander, '• the more I am confirmed in opinion, that not u moment shouUI be lost in attacking the enemy." Supposing him to force the passage ofthe Sound, Nelson tho't some damage might be done among the masts and yards ; though perhaps not one of them but would bo serviceable ugain. '' If the wind be fair," said he, " and you determine to attack the ships and Crown I- slands, you must expect the natural issue of such a battle— ships crip- pled, and perhaps one or two lost; for the wind which carries you in, will most probably not bring out a crippled ship. It will not prevent the Revel ships or the Swedes from Joining the Danes : and to prevent this is, a measure absolutely necessary : and still to attack Copenha- ' gen." For this he proposed two modes. One was, to pass Cronenbur^f, taking the risk of danger ; taking the deepest and straightest channel. This would prevent to Junction, and might give an opportunity of bom- barding Copenhagen. Or to take the passage ofthe Belt, which might be accomplished in four or five days ; and then the attack by Draco might be made, and the junction ofthe Russians prevented. Suppo- sing them thro' the Belt, lie proposed that a detachment of the jleet should be sent to destroy the Russian squadron at Revel ; and thin the business at Copenhagen should be attempted with the remainder. The pilots, as men who had nothing but safety to think of, were ter- rified by the formidable report ofthe batteries of Elsinore, and the tre- ihendouB preparations which our negotiators, who were now returned for ca Wo ed da' Th SOI LfFE OF IfELSOTT. 97 from their fruitless mir^i^iun, had witnessed. Tliey therefore persuaded Sir Hyde to prefer the pnssaiare of the Belt. " Let it he by the i^ound, by the Belt, or any how," cried Nelson, " only lose not an hour!" On the 27th they sailed for the Belt : such was the h^oitual reserve of 8ir Hyde, that bis own captain, the captain of the ileet, did not know which course he had resolved to take till the fieet were jpettinflr under way. Wh^^n Cupt. Domett was thus apprised of it, he felt it his duty to represent to the admiral his belief that if that course were persevered in, th? ultimate objert would be totally defeated : it was iiiible to long delays, and to accidents of ships' grounding; in the whole fleet there were only ope captain and one pilot who knew aay thingr of this for- midable passage, and (heir knowledge was very slight : their instruc- tions did not authorise them to attempt it; — supposing them safe thro' the Belts, the heavy ships could not come over the Grounds to attack Copenhagen; and light vessels would have no effect on such a line of def>?nce as had been prepared against them. Domett urged these rea- sooti so forcibly that 8ir Hyde was shaken in his opinion, and he con- sented to bring the fleet to, and send for Nelson on board. There can be liltle doubt but that the expedition would have ftiiled, if Captain Domett hud not thus timely and early given his advice. Nelson en- tirely agreed with him; and it wus finally determined to take the pas- saare of the Sound ; and the fleet returned to its former anchorage. The next dny was more idly expended in despatching a flag of truce to the Governor of Cronf nburg Castle, to ask whether he bad received orders to fire at the Biitish fleet; a& the admiral must consi- der the first gun to be a declaration of war on the part of Denmark. A solder-like and becoming answer wa« returned to this formality. The governor said, th>tt the British minister had not been sent away from Capenhagen, but had obtained a passport at his own demand. He himself, us a soldier, could not medJie with poliiics: but he was nut at liberty tosuflfer a fleet, of which the intention was not yet known, to approach the guns of the cai«tle which he had the honour to com- mand: and he requested, if the British admiral should think proper ta make any proposals to the king of Denmark, (hat he Cii^hi be appri- zed of it before the fleet approached nearer. During this intercourse, a Dane, who came on board the commander's ship, having occasion to express his business in writing, found the pen blunt ; and, holding it up, Sarcastically said, " If your guns are not better pointed than your pens, you will make little impression on Copenhagen !" On that day, intelligence reached the admiral of the loss of one of Win fleet, the Invincible, seventy-four, wrecked on a sandbank, as she wns coming out of Yarmouth ; 400 of her men perished in her. Nel- son, who was now appointed to lead the van, shifted his flag to the Elephant, Cupt. Foley — n lighter ship than the St. George, and there- fore fitter for the expected operations. The two following days were calm. Orders had been given to pass the Sound as soon as the wind would permit ; and on the afternoon of the 29th, the ships were clear- ed for action, with an alacrity characteristic of British seamen. At daybreak on the 30th, it blew a topsail breeze from the north-west. The signal was made, and the fleet moved on in order of battle ; Nel- son's division in the van, Sir Hyde's in the centre, and Admiral Gravels U) the rear. ^3 •■• ■• ^T 'i ' 98 V LIFE 07 NELSON. The Sound being the only frequented entrance to the Hal tic, the Jrreat Mediterranean of the North, few parts of ttie sea display so k'equent a navigation. In the height of the season not fewer than 100 vessels pass every 24 hours, for many weeks in succession : but never had so busy or so splendid a scene been exhibited there as on this day, Tvhen the British fleet prepared to force that passage, where, tiH now, all ships had veilecZ tlieir topsails to the flag of Denmark. The whole force consisted of 51 sail of various descriptions ; of which 16 were of the line. The greater part of the bomb and gun vessels took their stations ofi* Cronenburg 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 whs the leading ship, came abreast of them, a Are was opened from about 100 pieces of cannon and mortal's: our light vessels immediately, in return, opened their fire upon the cas- tle. Here was all the pompous circumstance, and exciting reality of war, without its effects; for this ostentatious display was but a blood< Jess prelude "of the wide and sweeping destruction which was soon to follow. The enemies' shot fell near enough to splash the water on board our ships : not relying upon any forbearance of the Swedes, they meant to have kept the mid channel ; but, when they perceived that not a shot was fired from Helsinburg, and that no batteries were to be seen on the Swedish shore, they inclined to that ^ide, so as com- pletely to get out of reach of the Danish guns. The uninterrupted blase which was kept up from them till the fleet had passed, served only to exhilerate our sailors, and afforded them matter of jest, as the •hot fell in showers a full cable's length from its destined aim. A few rounds were returned ftom some of our leading ships till they percei- ved the inutility of it;— >this, however, occasioned the only bloodshed of th9 day, some of our men being killed and wounded by the bursting ot a gun. As soon as the main body had passed, the gun vessels fol- lowed, desisting from their bombardment, which had been as innocent as that of the enemy, and about midday, the whole fleet aachored be- tween the island of Huen and Copenhagen. Sir Hyde, with Nelson, Admiral Graves, some of the senior captains, and the commanding ofllcers of the artillery and troops, then proceeded in a lugger, to rec- connoitrethe enemy's means of defence ; a formidable line of ships, redeaus, pontoons, galleys, fire-ships, and gun-bouts, flanked and sup- ported by extensive batteries, and occupying, from one extreme point to the other, an extent ol 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 i isk ; and some of the members of (he council spoke of the number of the Swedes and the Russians whom they should afterward have to engage, as a consideration which ought to be borne in mind. Nelson, who kept pa- cing the cabin, impatient as he ever was of any thing which savoured of irresolution, repeatedly said, " The more numerous the better ; I wish they were twice as many, — the easier tlie victory, depend on it" The plan upon which he had determined, if ever it sliould be his for- tune to bring a Baltic fleet to action, was, to attack the head of their line, &nd confuse their movements.—*' Close with a Frenchman," he , »^ LIFE OF NELSON. 99 laltio, thfe lispluy so r than 100 but never IS on tbie ■e, where, Denmark. of which in vessels et; while lore. The iation and ries ; and abreast of I mortal's : tn the cas- reality of t a blood- as soon to water on i fiBwedes, perceived fries were as com- iterrupted d, served }6t, as the 9. A few ey percei- bloodshed B burstfnr essels foU » innocent shored be- h Nelson, imandinjB^ er, to rec- of ships, 1 and sup- eme point It that the risk; and le Swedes age, as a kept pa- savoured better; I ad on it" his for- of their jiman," he Hted to say, " but out-manoeuvres a Russian.'' He offered his services for the attack, requiring ten sail of the line, and the whole of the smaller crafi Sir Hyde gave him two more line-of-battle ships than he asked, and left every thing to bis judgement. 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 over- come before they could come in contact with it The channel waa little known, and extremely intricate ; all the buoys had been removed,' and the Danes considered this difficulty as almost insurmountable thinking the channel impracticable for so large a fleet Nelson himself saw the soundings made, and the buoys laid down, boating it upon this exhaust- ing service, day and night, until it was eflected. When this was done,, he thanked God for having enabbd him to get through this difficult part of his duty. ** It had worn him down," he said, *' and was infinite- ly more grievous to him than any resistance which he could experience irom the enemy." At the first council of war opinions inclined to an attack from the- eastward : but the next day, the wind being southerly, after a second examination of the Danish position, it was determined to attack from the south, approaching in the manner which Nelson had suggested in his first thoughts. On the morning of the Ist of April, the whele fleet removed to an anchorage within two leagues of the town, and ofi* the N. W. end of the i^^iddle Ground : a shoal lying exactly before the town, about three quarters of a mile distant, and extending along ite whole sea front The King's channel, where there is deep water, is between this shonl and the town ; and here the Danes had arranged their line of Defence, as near the shores as possible ; nineteen ships and floating batteries, flanked at the end nearest the town by the Crown Batteries, which were two artifi< ial islands, at the mouth of the har- bour — 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 Rion, in the Amaaon, made his last examination on the ground ; and about one o'clock, returning to his own ship, threw out the signal to weigh. It was received with a •bout throughout the whole division ; they weighed with a lig!^t and fa- vourable wind: the narrow channel between the island of Saltholm and the Middle Ground had been actually bouyed ; the small craft pointed out the course distinctly ; Riou led the way ; the whole division coas^ cd along the outer edge of the shoal, doubled its farther extremity, and anchored there 00" Draco Point, just as the darkness closed — the head- most of the enemy's line not being more than two miles distant Tk9:; 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 ships as they came out of action.. 100 LIFE OF NEI.SON. p •( 'y •■ I • 1 The Danes, meantime, had not boen idle : no sooner did the guns oi Cronenburg muhe it known to the whole city that all negotiation was at an end, that the Biitiuh fluut was pasoing the Sound, and that the dis- pute between the two crowriH muHt now he derided by arms, than a spirit displaytid itMoir most honoiii able to the DaniHh character. All rankea offered ttiemvolves to the service of their country; the univer- sity furnished a corps of twelve hundred youths, the flower of Den- mark : it was one of those emergencies in which little drilling or dis- cipline is necessary to render courage available ; they had nothing to learn but how to manage the guns, and day and night were employed id practismg them. When the movements of Nelson^s squadron were perceived, it was kmtwn when and where the attack was to be expected, and the line of defence was manned indiscrimnately by soldiers, sailors, and citizens, llud not the whole attention of the Danes been dirpct«'d to strengthen their own means of defence, they might most materially have annoyed the invndinjw squadron, and, perhaps, frustrated the im- pending attack ; tor the British ships were crowded in an anchoring ground of little extent : — it v/as calm, so that mortar-boats might have acted against them to the utmost advantage; and they were within range of shells from Amak island. A few fell among them but ths en- emy ijuoii ceased to tire. It was learned afterward, that, fortunately for the floet, the bod of the mortar had given way ; and the Danes ei- ther could not get it replaced, or, in the darkness, lost their direction. This WHS an awful night tor Copenhact/n, — far more so than for the British fleet, where the men were necustomcd to battle and victory, and had noneofthosi' objects before their eyes which rendered death terri- ble. Nelson sat down to table with a large party of his officers : he was, as he was ever w.tnt to be when on the eve of action, in high spir- it, and drank to a leading wind, fnd tc the surc.ss of the morrow. After supper they returne' and nine, the pilots and masters were ordered on board the Admiral^ iips. The pilofs wore mostly men «*hohad been mates in Baltic traders ; and their hesitation about their bearing otf the cast end of the shoni, mA the exact line of deep water, gave omnious warn- ing of how little their i;nowledge was to be trusted. The signal for ac- tion had been made, the wind was fair — not a moment to be lost. Nel- son urged them to be steady, — to be resolute, and to decide : but they wanttul the only ground for steadiness and decision in such cases ; and Nelson hud 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 also spoke of it with bitterness. '' I experienced in the Sound,'' said ho, " the misery of having the honour of nnr country intrusted to a set of pilots, who have no other thought thnn to ke"p the ships clear of dan- ger, and their own silly heads clear of shot. Every body knows what I must have suffered : and If any nierit 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 Bellonu, declared that he was prepared to lead the fleet : his judgement was acceded to by the rest : they re- turned to their ships ; and, at half-past nine, the signal was made to weigh in succession. Captain Murray, in the Edgar, led the way ; the Agamemnon was next in order ; but on the first at'empt to leave her anchorage, she could not weather the edge of the shoal ; and Nelson had the grief to see his old ship, ih which he had performed so many years' gallant ser- vices, immoveably aground, at a moment when her help was so greatly required. Signal was then made for the Polyphemus : and this change in the order of sailing was executed with the utmort promptitude : yet so much delay had been thus unavoidably occasioned, that the Edgar was for some time unsuported : and the Polyphemus, whose place should have been at the head of the enemy's line where their strength was the greatest, could get no farther than the beginning, owing to the difficul- ty of the channel : there she occupied, indeed an efficient station, but one where his presence was less required. The Isis followed, with bet- ter fortune, and took her own birth. The Bellona, Sir Thoma» Boulde Thompson, kept too close on the Starboajd Shoal, and ground- ed abreast of the outer ship of the enemy : this was the more vexatious, inasmuch as the wind was fair, the room ample, and three ships had led the way. The Russell, following the Bellona, grounded in liku manner : both were within reach of shot : but their absence from their V' 102 LIFE OF IfELSUN. I m ■■ '■•■ M?! intended stations was severely fult. Eaf^h ship had been ordered to- pass her leader on the starboard side, becnuee the water was supposed too shallow on the larboard shore. Nelson, who came next after these two ships, thought they had kept too fur on the storboard direc- tion, 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 btarboard, aud went within these ships : thus quitting the appomtod 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 port, saved from going on shore. Bach ship as she arrived ncaily opposite her appointed station, let her anchor go by the 8tern, and presented her broadside to th» Danes. The distance between each was about half a cable. The ac- tion was fought nearly at the distance of a cable's length fronrf the ene- my. This, which rendered its continuance so long, was owing to tho ignorance and conHoqiicnt decision of the pilotx. In pursuance of tho same error which had led the Bellonaand the Russel aground, they,wheri tho lead was at a quarter less five, refused to approach nearer, in dread of shoaling their water onthe larboard shore : a fear altogether erroneous, for the water deepened up to the very side of the enemy's line. At 5 minutes after ten the action began ; and by half-past 11 the bat- tle become general. The plan of the attack had been complete. Of 12 ships of the line, one was entirely useless, and two others in a situa- tion where they could not render half the service which wns required of them. Of the squadron of gunbrigs, only one could get ' ' i actiou;^ the rest were prevented by balTling rurrenls from weathering the east- ern end of the shoal ; only two bomb-vessels rould reach their station- and open their mortars on the arsenal. Nelson's agitation had been extreme when he saw himself deprived of the fout th part of his ships or the line; hut no sooner was he in battle, where his squadron waa re- ceived with the fire of 1,000 ^^uns, than his oountenanoe brightened ; and, as a bystander describes him, his conversation became Joyous and animated. The commander in-chief suffered the most dreadfbl anxiety. To get to the assistance of Nelson was impossible ; both wind and cur- rent were against him. Fear of the event, in such circumstances, would naturally preponderute in the bravest mind ; and perceiving that, after three hours, the enemy's fire was nnslacked, he began to despair. '< 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 suc- cessfully, 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 Nel- son ; but, in Sir, Hyde's opinion, the danger was too pressing for delay : — ><'The Are," he said, " was too hot for Nelson to oppose; a retreat he thought must be made, — he was aware of tfie consequsnces to his own personal reputation, but it would be cowardly in him to leave Nelson to bear the whole shame of the failure, if shame it ahoald be deemed." Under a mistaken judgment, therefore, but with this disin^ terested 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 ths splinters m- Mi LIFE OF NELSONf. 103 boul; and he obnprved to one oPhh offlrcrs with n sniilr, "It is worm work ; anti this day may be the laHt to any of us at a moment :" — ond then, stopping short at the gnnfrway, ad9n one of the batteries, fronn whence he beheld the action, and issued hit!) oriirrn. Denmark had never been engaged in so arduous a contest, and never did the Danes more nobly display their national couragp ; a cnumge not more unhappily, than Impolitically exerted in guh?.erviency to the interest of France. Capt. Thura, of the Indfoedeiretten, fell early in the action ; ond all his officers, except one lieutenant and one marine officer, were eithyr killed or badly wouiuled. In the ccnfusion, the colors were ei- ther struck, or shot away ; but she was moored athwart one of the batteries, in such a situation that the British made no attempt to board her ; and a boat m as despatched to the prince, to inform him of her situation. He turned to those about him, and said, *' Cientlemen, Thura is killed; which of you will take the command ?" Suhroeder- see, a captain who had lately resigned, on account of extiemely ill health, answered in a feeble voice, "I will!" and hastened on board. The crew, perceiving a new ciaumander coming alongside, hoisted their colours again, and fired another broadside. Schroedersee, when he came on deck, found himself surroimded hy the dead and wounded, and called to those in the boat to get quickly on board : a ball struck him at that moment. A lieutenant, who had accompanied him, then took the command, and continued to fight the shi i. Between one and two, the fire of the enemy slackened ; about two, it ceased from the greater part of their line, and some of their lighter ships were adriA. It was, however, difficult to take possession of those who struck, because the batteries on Amak Island protected them ; and because an irregular fire was kept up from the ships themselves as the boi^ts approached. This arose from the nature of the action ; the crews were contmually reinforced from the shore; and fresh men co- ming on board, and not mquire whether the flag had been struck, or, perhaps, did not heed it ; many, or moPt of *hem, not having been en- gaged in war before, — knowing, therefore, of its laws, and thinking only of defending their country to tiie last extremity. The Danbrog fired upon the Elephant's boats in this manner, though the commodore had removed her penant and deserted her, though she was in flames. Aftsr she bad abandoned the commodore, Braum fought her until he lost his right hand, and then Capt. Lemming took the command. Thip unexpected renewal of her 6re, made the Elephant and Glatton renew LIFE OF NELSON. 105 nnd I$i<* ihip WH« he same y fHiilty, t iot»t 75 iny other ortinn;' ot her losii nio wnr. dij^plny- peneci tn »d up tii« Kitteries, Jen murk rdid the not mure iterest of action ; ter, were were ei- ne of the ttempt to m him of ntlemen, hroeder- emely ill an board. , hoisted lee, when grounded, ill struck lim, then bout two, lir lighter ™ of those d them ; iselves as tion ; the 1 men cO- truck, or, ; been en- 1 thinking Danbrog mmodore in flames. If until he jd. ThiP ton renew theirs, till she was not only silenced, but nearly every man in the prames, ahead and astern of her, were killed. When the smoke of her guns died away, she was seen drifting in flames before the wind : those of her crew who remanied alive, and able to exert themselves, throwing themselves out at our port-hoIei«. Capt. Bertie , of the Ardent, sent his launch to their assistance, and saved ihree-and-twenty of them. By half-past two the action had ceased along that part of the line which was astern of the Elephant, but not with the ships ahead and the Grown batteries. Ndition, seeing the manner in which his boats were flred upon, when they went to take possession of the prizes, beeame angry, and said, he must either send on shore to have this irregular proceeding stopped, or send a fircship and burn them. JUalf 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 biave, was shocked at this massacre, — lor such he called it ; and with a presence of tnind peculiar to himself, and never more sigually dis- played 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 uo longer reixists. The line of defence which covered her shores has struck to the Bt'itie>h fla^; hut if the firing if* continued on the part of Denmark, he must set on fire all the prizes th'at he ha^ taken, without Laving the po^ver of saving the men who have so nobly defended them. The brave Dnnes are the brothers, and should never be the enemies, of the English." A wafer was given him ; but he ordered a candle to be brought fr«m the cockpit, and sealed the letter with wax, affixing a larger seal than he ordinarily used. "This," said he, is no time to appear hurried and informal." Capt. Sir Frederic Thesiger, who acted as his aid de <^amp, carried this letter with a flag of truce. IVleantime, the fire of the i^hips ahead, and the approach of the RnniilHce and Dt* ft nre, from Sir Hyde's diTi- siot), which had now worked near enough to alarm tlir enemy, though not to injure them, silenced the remainder of the Danish line to the eastward of the Trckouer. That battery, however, continued its fire. This formidable work, owing to the want of the ships that l:nd heen destined to attack it. and the inadequate force of Kion's little squadron, was comparatively uninjured : towards the close of the action, it had been manned «vith nearly 15,000 mon ; and the intention of storming it, for which every preparation had been made, was abandoned as impracticable. Daring Thesiger^s absence. Nelson sent for Freemantle, from the Ganges, and con(oners out of the vessels, and burn or carry off his prizes as he ohall think fit. Lord Nelson, with humble duty to his royal highness the priace, tv ill consider this the greatest victory he has ever gained, if it may be the cause of a happy reconci- liation between his own most gracious sovereign and his majesty the king of Denmark." Sir Frederic Thesiger was despatched a second time with the reply ; and the Danish adjutant' general was referred to the commander-in-chief for a conference upon this overture. Lind- bolm assenting to this, proceeded to the London, which was riding at anchor full four miles off; and Nelson, losing not one of the precious 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 ijnmediately under the guns of the Trekroner. The Monarch led the way. This ship had received 26 shot between wind and water. She had not a shroud standing ; there was a double' headed shot in the heart of her foremast, and the slightest wind would have sent every mast over her side. The imminent danger from which Nelson had extricated himself soon became apparent : tht< Monarch touched immediately upon a shoal, over which it was pushed by the Ganges taking her amid ships; the Glatton went clear; but the other two, the Defiance and the Elephant, grounded about a mile from the Trekoner, and there remained fixed for many hours. The Desiree fri- gate also became fast on the same shoal. Nelson left the Elephant, goon after she took the ground, to follow Lindholm. The heat of action was over ; the sky had suddenly becom overcast ; white flags were waving from the mastheads of so many shattered ships; and though the work of mutual destruction was at an end, the Danborg was driv- ing in flames: presently she blew up; while our boats were endeavor- ing to pick up her devoted crew, few of whom could be saved. The fate of these men, aAer the gallantry which they had displayed, parti- cularly affected Nelson : for there was nothing in this action of that indignation against the enemy, and that impression of retributive jus- tice, which at the Nile had given a sterner temper to his mind. Nelson was not here master of his own movements, as in Egypt ; he had won the day by disobeying his orders ; and in so fur as he had been success- ful, had convicted the commander-in-chief of an error in judgment. " Well," said he, as he left the Elephant, *' I have fought contrary to ot'ders, and I shall perhaps be hanged. Never mind : let them !" ' This was the lahgaage 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 : which Sir Hyde heartily felt. — It was agreed that there should be a suspension of hostilities for 24 hours ; that all the prizes should be surrendered, and the wounded Danes carried on shore. The boats of Sir Hyde's division were ac- tively employed all niffht in bringing out the prizes, and in getting a float the ships which were on shore. .'ll Dn'8 note ? in sending hostilitiee hore. And id burn or th bumble i greatest y reconci- lajesty the ' a second referred to re. Lind- s riding at e precious ding ships pere much iins of the )t between i a double- ('ind would rem which ' Monarch ihed by the t the other e from the )e8iree fri- I Elephant, \i of action flags were ind though [ was drift- I endeavor- ived. The yed, parti- ion of that l>utive jus- I. Nelson le had won n success- judgment, jontrary to beni !" " utterance ilf repents >nt on that iiy felt— ies for 24 wounded were Be- getting a LIFE OF NELSON. 107 iii.i This was, indeed, a mournful day for Copenhagen ! It was Good Friday ; but the general ugitation mad(^ all distinction of days be for- gotton. There were, perhaps, thousands, and more, in that city, who felt the consolations of Christianity ; but few or none who could be calm enough to think of its observances. Our loss, in killed and wounded, was 953 Part of this slaughter might have been spared.— The commnnding officer of the troops on board one of our sb'ps 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 had better go below. This, he snid, was impossible — it would be a dis- grace that could never be wiped away. They were, therefore, drawn up upon the gangway, to satisfy this cruel point of honour: and there they were mowed down ! The Ions of the Danes, including prisoners, amounted to about 6,000. The negotiations, meantime, went on ; and it was agreed that Nelson should have an intc^rview with the prince the following day. Hnrdy and Freemantle landed with him. This was a thing as unexampled as the other circumstances of the. battle. A strong guard was appointed to escort him to the palace, as much for the purpose of security as of honour. The populace, according to the British account, showed u mixture of admiration, curiosity, and dis- pleasure, at beholding that man in the midst of them who had inflicted such wounds upon Denmark. But there were neither acclamations nor murmurs. " The people," saysn Dane, " did not degrade themselves with the former, nor disgrace tht-mselves with the latter : the admiral was received as one brave enemy evnr ought to receive another. The preliminaries of the negotiation were adjusted at this interview. Du- ring the repast which followed, Nelson bore willing testimony to the valour ofhis foes. He told the prince that he had been in a hundred and five engagements, but that this was the most tremendous of all." The negotiation was continued during the five following days; and the prizes were disposed of in a munner which was little approved by Nelson. Six line ul-battle ships and eight prames had been taken. Of these the Holstein, sixty-four, was the only one which was sent home. The Zealand was n finer ship : hut the Zealand, and all the others were burned, and their hras» battering cannon sunk with the hulls in such shoal water, that, whei the fleet returned from Revel, they fonnd the Danes, with orafi over the wrecks, employed in getting the guns. Nelsium." On the 9th Nelson landed again, to conclude the terms of the armis- tice. During its continuance the urmed ships and vessels of Denmark were to remain in their then actual situation, as to armament, equip- ment, and hostile position ; and the treaty ol armed neutrality; as far as related to the cooperation of Denmark, was suspended. The pris- oners were to be sent on shore ; an acknowledgment being given for them, and for the nrounded also, that they might be carried to Great Britain's ci>edit in the account of war in case hostilities should be re- newed. The British fleet was allowed to provide itself with all things re^isite for the health and comfort of its men. A difficulty rrose res- pecting (ho duration of the armistice. The Danish commissioners fuir> ly stated their fears of Russia ; and Nelson, with that frankness which sound policy and thevense 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 hive time to act against the Russian fleet, and then return to Copenhagen. Neither party would yield uf>on this point : and one of the Danes hinted at the renewal of hostilities. " Renew hostilities !" cried Nelson to one of his friends, — for he understood French well enough to comprehend what was said, though not to an- swer it in the same language : — •' tell him we are ready at a moment ! — ready to bombard this very night !" — The conference, however, pro- ceeded amicably on both sides ; and as the comnnit»sioners could not agree itpon this head, (hey broke up, leaving Nelson to settle it with the pr;nee. A levee wws held forthwith in one of the state rooms ; a scene well suited for such a consultation : for all these rooms had been stripped ot their furniture, In lirar of a bombardment. Ton bombard- ment also Nelson was looking at tliis tin^e : fatigue and anxiety, and vexation at the dilatory nieusiiros of the commander-in-chief, combined to make him irrilable : and as he was on the way to the prince's dining room, he whispered to the officer on whose arm he was leaning, — " Though I have only one eye, I can see that all this will burn well." After dinner he was closeted with the prince ; and they agreed that the armistice should continue 14 weeks ; and that, at its termination, 14 days' notice should be given l^fore the recommencement of hositilites. For the battle of Copenhagen, Nehion was raised to the rank of Vis- count :->-an inadequate mark of reward for services so splendid and of such paramount importance to the dearest interests of Kn.crland. 'inhere 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. ■ ( '• 'ii.,llHon never trusted any thing to the uncertain events of time, which could possibly be secured by promptitude or resolution. It was not, therefore, without severe mortification, that he saw the oommander-ia« LIFE OF NELSON. Ill as not 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 dospatches arrived from home, on the 5th of May, recalling Sir Hyde, and appointed Nelson cummunder- in-chief. Nelson wrote to Eurl St. Vincent that he was unable to hold this ho' nourable station. Admiral Graves also was so ill, as to be confined to his bed ; and he entreated tluit some person might come out and take the command. **I will endeavour," said he, *'t<> do my best while I remain : but, my dear lord, I shall cithpr soon go to heaven I hope, or inu«t rest quiet for a time. If Sir Hyde were gone, I would now be un- der sail." On the day when this was written ho received news of his appointment. Not a moment was now lost. His first signal, as com- m?nder-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 Born- holm, 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 any thing should happen which might, for a moment, disturb the re- turning harmony between Sweden and Great Britain, he apprized them that he was not directed to abstain (rom hostilities should he meet with the Sw«;bi8h fleet at sea. — Meantime, he himself, with ten sail of the line, two frigates, a brig, and a schooner, made for the Gulf of Finland. Paul, in one of the freaks of his tyranny, had seized upon all the British eflectsin Russia, and even considered British subjects as his prisoners. "I will have all the English shipping and property restored," said Nel- son, "bvit 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 Engli$>h were lying idle at Kioge. The Russians had cut through the ice in the mole six foet thirk and their vyhole squadron had sailed for Cronstadt on the third. Before t ml it had been at the mercy of the English. "Nothing." Nelson said, "if it had been right to make the attack, could have saved one ship of them in two hours after our entering the bay." It so happened that there was no cause to regret the opportunity which had been lost, and Nelson immediately put the intentions of Russia to the proof. He sent on shore, to say, that he came with friendly views, and was ready to return a salute. — On their part the salute was delayed, till a message was sent to them, to inquire for what reason ; and the officer, whose neglect had occasioned the delay, was put under arrest. Nelson wrote to the emperor, proposing to wait on him personally, and congratulate him on his accession, urged the immediate release of Brit- ish 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 subsist- ed between the ships and the shore. Alexander's ministers, in their re- i 112 LIFE OF NELSON. Ely, expressed their surprise at the arrival of a British fleet in a lusdian port, and their wish that it should return : they professed, on the part of Rjissia. the most friendly dieiposition towardB Great Bri- laiD ; hut declined the personal visit jf Lord Nelson, unless he cuine in a single ship. There was a suspicion implied in this, which stun^ Nelson : and hesuid, the Russian ministers would never have written thus if their fleet had been at Revel. — He wrote an immediate reply, expressing what he felt: he told the court of Petersburg, "that the word of a British admiral, was as sacred us that as any sovereign's in Europe." Havi :ig despatched this, he stood out to sea immediately, leaving a brig to bring oflT the provisions which had been contracted for, and to settle the accounts. On his way down the Baltic, however, he met the Russian aHmiral Tchitchagof, whom the Emperor, in reply to Sir Hyde's overtures, had sent to communicate perrionnlly with the British commander-in-chief The reply was such as had been wished and expected : and these negotiators going, seamen-like, straight to their object, satisfied each other of the friendly intentions of their res- pective governments. Nelson then anchored off" Rostock : and there he received an answer to his Inst 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 vetssels which Paul had detained wore ordered to be liberated, and invited him to Petersburg in whatever mode might be most agreeable to himself. r they would try to humble us to the dust." He saw also that the Danish cabinet was complete- ly subservient to France : a French officer was at this time the com- panion and counsellor of the crown prince ; and things were done in such open violation of the armistice, that Nelson thought a second in- fliction 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, win break the armistice, and set Copenhagen in a blaze. I see every thing 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 rig- ging, every thing is done in defiance of the treaty. IVIy heart burns at seeing the word o( a prince, nearly allied to our good king, do 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 corrections- 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." LIF£ or NELSON. 113 et in a Ked, on it Bri- f cuine I niiing w ritten > reply, lut the l^n's in JiHtely, tracted iwever, in reply vith the wished lifi^ht to eii* res- d there ilch the en any vessels invited enble to >nburgh lip; and ith their elson in sw that ly arose In tbip >er hand humble >mplete- le com- done in cond in- the Ad- 3ther the oming a m here, >.e every al at the floating leir rig- burns at alsified : ^oes on ; s yet, as Bction;— that the ities, if it f before Nelson MTUB 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 enniity towards Great Britain. Boon afterward. Admiral Sir Charles Maurice Pole arrive J to tuke the command. The business, military and political, had by that time been so far completed, that the presence of the British fleet soon became no longer necessary. Sir Charles, however, made the short time of his command memorable, by passing the Great Belt, for the first time, with line-of-battle ships; working through the channel against adverse winds. When Nelson left the fleet, this speedy termination of the expedition, though confi- dently expected, was not ce tain ; and he, in his unwillingness to wea- ken 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 vms not executed ; but he return- ed in a brig, declining to accept a frigate ; which few admirals would have done ; especially if, like him, they suffered from sea-siekness in a small vessel. On his arrival at Yarmouth, the first thing he did was to visit the hospital; and see the men who bad been wounded in the lute battle ; — that victory, which had added new glory to the name of Nelson, and which was of more importance even than the battle of the Nile, to the honour, the strength, and security ofEngland. The feelings of Nelson's friends, upon the news of his great victory at Copenhagen, were highly described by Sir William Hamilton, in a letter to him. <* We can only expect," he says, '' what we know well and often said, that Nelson was, is, and to the last will ever be the first.— • Emma did not know whether she was on her head or heels,->in such a hurry to tell your great news, that she could utter nothing but tears of joy and tenderness. I went to Davison, and found him still in bed, having hada severe fit of the gout,and your letter, which he had just re- ceived ; and he cried like a child : but what was very extraordinary, assured me that, from the instant he had read your letter, all pain had left him, and that he felt himself able to get up and walk about. Your brother, Mrs. Nelson, and Horace dined with us. Your brother was more extraordinary than ever. He would get up suddenly and cut a caper ; rubbing his hands every time that the thought of your fresh laurels came into his head. In short, except myself (and your lordship knows that I have some phlegm,) all the company, which was consid- erable after dinner, were mad with joy. But I am sure that no one really rejoiced more at heart than I did. I have lived too long to have ocstacies ! But with calm reflection I felt for my friend having got to the very summit of glory ! The ne plus ultra ! That be has had anoth- er opportunity of rendering his country the most important service ; and manifesting again his judgment, his intrepidity, and humanity." He had not been many weeks on shore before he was called upon to undertake a service, for which no Nelson was required. Buonaparte, who was now first consul, and in reality sole ruler of France, was ma- king preparations, upon a great scale, for invading England ; but his schemes in the Baltic had been bafHed ; fleets could not be created as they were wanted ; and his armies, therefore, were to come over in gun- 15 I* i :,iM' 114 LIFE OF NELSON. boats, nnd ttucli »mali craft, au could lie rapidly built or collected on the occuHiori, From the former governmonts of Frnnce auch thrtmli have only beoii mfitter of insult and policy : in Buonaparte they were sincere : for this adventurer, intoxicated with success, already hciran to imagine that all things were to be submitted to his fortune. Wc had not at that time proved the superiority of our soldiers over the French; and the unreflecting multitude were not to be persuaded that an inva- sion vould only bo eflected by numerous and powerful fleets. A gene- ral alarm was excited ; and, in condescension to this unworthy feeling, Nelson was appointed to command, extending from Orfurdness to Ben- cliy Head, on both 8hore8;->a sort uf service, he said, for which he felt no other ability than what might be found in his zeal. To this service, however, such as it was, he applied with his wonted alacrity : though in no cheerful fr|ime of mind. To Lady Hamilton, his only female correspondent, he says, at this time, — **]am not in very good spirits ; and except that our country demands all our services anil 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 un Englishwoman, that you would hate those who would not stand forth in defence of our king, laws, religion, and a! I that is dear to us. — It is your sex that makes us go forth, and seem to tull us, ** None but the brave deserve the fair ;'^'aud if we fall, wc still live in the hearts of those females. It is your sex who cherish our memo- ries ; and you, my dear honoured frienJ^ 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 com- parison with you. You know how to reward virtue, honour and courage, and never ask if it is placed in a prmce, duke, lord, or peasant." Having hoisted his flag in the Medusa frigate, he went to reconnoitre Boulogne ; the point from which it was supposed the great attempt would be made, and which the French, in fear of an attack themselves, were fortifying with all care. He approached near enough to sink two of their floating batteries^ and destroy a few gun-boats, which were without the pier : what damage was done tvithin could not be ascertain- ed. ** 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 serv- ice will admit." Enough was done to show the enemy that they could not, with impunity, come outside their own ports. Nelson was satisfied, hy what he saw, that they meant to make an attempt from this place, but that it was impracticable ; for the least wind at W. N. W., and they were lost. The ports of Flushing and Flanders were better points ; there we could not tdll by our eyes what meane of transport were pro- vided. From thence therefore, if it came forth at all, th& expedition would come: *' And what a forlorn undertaking!" said lie: "consider crois tides^ &c. As for rowing, that is impossible. It is perfectly right to be prepared for a mad government ; but with the active force which haa bean given me, I may pronounce it almost impracticable." v Jlec ted on |h tlir*mt.i Ihey were Idy licgan Wchad French; an invu- A gene- liy feeling, 1)9 to Bea- |ich he felt 8 wonted ilton, hiu t in very vices and Id prevent d, I know hate those on, and all Betn to tull '€ still live aur memo< le first, the y corner of »ut in com- id courage, peasant." reconnoitro at attempt liemselveH, sink two irhich were s ascertain- isant place e the poor f the serv- they could 18 satisfied, i place, hut , and they ter points; were pro- expedition ** consider fectly right irce which LIFE OF NF.LSO.V. J15 »» That force had been got together with an alacrity which has seldom been equalled. On the twenty>eighth of July, we were, in Nelson's own words, literally ai the foundation of our fabric of defence : ond twelve 1 J ' I Tif : ( ] 1 ^■ i ■;|i 4 ■ 1 •'. ."1 < i ■ i IIG LIFE OF WELSON. )' Bel« they flrod upon It from the shore, perfectly regordloi^ of their own men. The comn^ander orone of the French divisions acted lilte n generous enemy. He hniled the boats ns they approached, and cried in English: Let me advleo you, my brave Enjerlishmcn, to iiepp your distance : you can do nothing here; and it is only uselessly sheddiag the blood of brave men to make the attempt." The French offlcinl account boasted of the victory. <*The combat," it said, "took place in sight of both coun- tries; it was first of the kind,and the historian would have cause to make this remark." They guessed our loss at four or five hundred : — it am- ounted to one hundred and seventy- two. In his private letters to the ad- miralty Nelson afflrmed,that had our force arrived as heiLtended,it was not all the chains in France which could have prevented our men from bringing 0^" the whole of the vscsels. There had been no error com- mitted, nnd never did Englishmen display more courage\ Upon this point IVelson was fully satisfied; but he said he should never bring him- self again to allow any attack, wherein he was not personally concern- ed ; and that his mind suifered more than if he had had a leg shot off in the afiair. He grieved particularly for Captain Parker—an excellent oflScer, to whom he was greatly at^ched, 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 man- ly resignation. During this interval. Nelson's anxiety was very great. 'ly a poor man ; and thouffh much ofthe pecuniary embarrasHMient which he endured was occasioned by the separation from his wife — even it' that cause had not existed, his income would not have been ftutfirient for the rank which lie held, and the claims which would necessarily bo made upon his bounty. The depression of spirits under whivh he had Ion; laboured, arose partly from this state of his circumstances,and partly from the other disquietudes in which hii^ con- nection with Lady Ilauiilton had involved him : a connection which it was not possible his father could behold without sorrow and displea* sure. IVIr. Nelson, however, was soon persuaded that the attnchment, which Lady Nelson regarded with natural jealousy andresentmcnt,did not, in reality, pass the bounds of ardent and romantic admiration : a passion whicli the manners and accomplishments of Lady Hamilton, fascinatinsT as they were, would not have been able to excite, if they had not been accomponied by more uncommon intellectual endow- ments, and by a character which, both in its strength and in its weak- ness, resembled his own. It did not, therefore, require much explana- tion to reconcile him to his won;— an event the more essential to Nel- son's happiness, because, a few months afterward, the good old mftn died, at the age of seventy-nine. Soon after the conclusion of peace, tidings arrived of our final and de- cisive successes in Egypt: in consequence of which the common coun- cil voted their thanks to the army nnd navy f'»r bringing the campaign to so glories a conclusion. When Nelson, after the acfioh off Cape St. Vincent, had been entertained at a city continued its generosity, the navy would ruin them in gifts." To which the lord-mayor replied, put- ting 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 ofthe 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 glo- rious 2d of April : — a day, when the greatest dangers of navigation were overcome ; and the Danish force, which they thought impregnable, to- tally 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 con- corned, I should bear the stigma, attempted to bo now first placed upon my brow, with humility. But, my lord, I am the natural guardian ofthe 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 hia LIFE OP NELSON. .;.r/>^ : ( ( n:. majesty's ships, and of th« officers and men, whether seamen, marines, or soldiers, whom I that day had the Iiappiness to command, I then say, that never w«s 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 lailed, at every proper place, to represent, as well as I am able, their bravery and meritorious conduct." Another honour, of greater in^port, was withheld from the conquer- ors. The king had given medals to those captains who were engaged in the battles of the 1st of June, of Cape St. Vincent, of Camperdown, «nd of the Nile. Then came the victory at Copenhagen: which Nel- son truly called the most difficult achievement, ^he hardest fought battle, «he most glorious result, that eve. ^raced the annals of our country. Hcv of course, expected the medal : and, in writing to Earl St. Vincent, said, **[Ie longed to have it, and would not give it up to be made an Fnglish duke." The medal, however, was not given : — *'For what reason," said Nelson, '' Lord St. Vincent best knows." — Words plain* ly implying a suspicion, that it was withheld by some feeling ofjealous- y : and that suspicion estranged him, during the remaining part of bis life, from one who had at one time been essentially, as well as sincere- ly, his friend; and of whose professional abilities h? ever entertained the highest opinion. The happiness which Nelson enjoyed in the society of his chosen friends, was of no long continuance. Sir William Hamilton, who was far advanced in years, died early in 1803; a mild, amiable, accom- plished man, who has thus, in a letter, described his own philoso- phy: — ** My study of antiquities," he says, *'has kept me in constant thought of the perpetual fluctuation of every thing. The whole art is really to live all the days of our life ; and not with anxious care disturb the sweetest hour that life affords, — which is the present. Admire the Creator, and all his works, to us incomprehensible ; and do all the good you can upon earth : and take the chance of eternity." He ex- pired m his wife's arms, holding Nelson by the hand ; and ilmost in his last words lefl her to bis protection ; requesting him that he would see justice done her by the government, as he knew y'tat she had done for her country. He left him her portrait in enamel, calling him his dear- est fi-ieod ; the most virtuous, loyal, and truly brave character ho had ever hnown. The codicil, containing this request, concluded with these words : "God bless him, and shame fall on those who do not say amen." Sir William's pension, of £1200 a year, ceased with his death. Nelson applied to Mr. Addington in Lady Hamilton's behalf, stating the im- portant S9rvice which she had rendered to the fleet at -Syracuse : and Mr. Addington, it is said, acknowledged that she had a jus^ 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, LIFE or NELSON. 119 marines, then say, eterniined to give an was never o prove to Killed, at ravery and conquer- e engaged mperdown, which Nel- ght battle, iir country. It. Vincent, e made an 'For what ords plain* ; of jealous- part of his as sincere- ariained the 'his chosen )n, who was ,ble, Rccom- vn philoBO- in constant vhole art is ctae disturb Admire the do all the r." Heex- ilmost in his 9 would see ad done for im his dear- cter he had d with these t say amen." Ih. Nelson ting the im- 'acuse: and I claim upon : was all that lusband had [y paymenta during his life. A few weeks after this event, (he war was renewed ; and, the day after his majesty's message to parliament, Nelson departed to take the command of the Mediterranean fleet. The war, he thought, could not b«! long ; just enough to make him independent in pecuniary matters. He took his station immediately off Toulon ; and there, with incessant vigilance, waited for the coming out of the enemy. The expectation of acquiring a competent fortune did not last long. ** Somehow," he says, '* my mind is not sharp enough for prize-mo;iey. Lord Keith would have made £20,000, and I have not made £600." More than once he says that the prizes taken in the Mediterranean had not paid his expen- ses : and once he expresses himself as if it were a consolation to thmk that some ball might soon close all his accountu 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 the plate ; he wrote to Lady Hamilton, requesting of her to find out what her drbts were, andsayingt that if the amount was within his power he would certainly pay it, and rather pinch himself than that she should want. Before he had finished the letter, an account arrived that a t r.m was payable to him for some neutral taken four years before, which en- abled him to do this without being the poorer : and he seems to have felt at the moment that what is thus disposed of by a cheerful giver, shall foe paid to h i ogain. — One from whom he had looked for a very differ- ent conduct, had compared his own wealth in no becoming manner with Nelson's limited ^eans. **I know," said he to Lady Hamilton, "the full extent of the obligation I owe him, and fie may be useful |o me a- gain ; 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 of\en said, and with honest pride, what I have is my own ; it never cost the widow a tear, or the nation a farthing. I got what I have with my pure blood, from the enemies of my country. Our house, my own Emma, is built upon a solid founda- tion ; and will last to us, when his house and lands may belong to others than bis 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 birth-day he writes, '* This day, my dearest Emma,, I consider as more fortunate than common days, as by my coming into this world it has brought me so intimately acquainted with you. 1 well know that you will keep it, and have my dear Horatio to drink my health. Forty-six years of toil and trouble ! How few more the common tot of mankind leads us to expect ! and therefore it is almost time to think of spending the last few years in peace and quietness." It \•^ painful to think that this language was not addressed to his wife, |)Ut to one with whom he promised him- self " nmny hapr/ years, when that impediment," as he calls her, "shall be removed, ifG r'' pleajied ;" and they might be surrounded by their children's children. ! - , .. • ' . •,:..'. i r 120 LIFE OF NELSON. y. 1 When he had been fourteen months ofTToulon, he received a vote of thanks from the city of London, for his skill and perseverance in block- ading^ that port, so as to prevent the French from putting to sea. Nel- son had not forgotten the wrong which the city had Hone to the Baltic tleet by their omission, and did not lose the opportunity which this vote afforded of recurring to that point. ** I do assure your lordship," said he, in his answer to the lord-mayor, *^ that there is not that man breathr ing who sets a higher value upon the thanks of his fellow-citizens of London than myself; but I should feel as much ashamed to receive them for a particular service, marked in the resolution, if I felt that I did not come within that line of service, as I should feel hurt at having a great victory passed over without notice. I beg to inform your lord- ship, that the port of Toulon has never been blockaded by me : quite the reverse. Every opportunity has been ofiered the enemy to put to sea : for it is there that we hope to realize the hopes and expecttitions of our country." Nelson then reniarni.d, that the junior flag officei^ of his fleet had b^en omitted in this vote of thanks ; and his surprise at the omission was expressedVith more asperity, perhaps, than an offence, so entirely and uanifestly Unintentional, deserved : but it arose from that generous regard for the Ibeling as well as interests of all who were un- der his command, which made him as much beloved in the fleets of Britain as he was dreaded in these of ihe enemy. Never was any coihmander more beloved. He governed men by their aflections : that knew that he was incapable of caprice or tyran- ry ; and they obeyed him with alacrity and joy, because he possessed their confidence as well as their love. " Our Nel," they used to say, " is as brave as a lion, and as gentle as a lamb. Severe discipline he de- tested, uiough he had been bred in a severe school : he never inflicted corporeal punishment, if it were possible to avoid it, and when compelled io enforce it, he, who was familiar with wounds and death, suffered like a woman. In his whole life Nelson was never known to act unkindly towards an officer. If he was asked to prosecute one for ill-behaviour, he used to answer, "That there was no occasion for him to ruin a poor devil, who is sufficiently his own enemy to ruin himself." But in Nelson there was more than the easiness and humanity of a happy nature : he did not merely abstain from injury ; his was an active and watchful be- nevolence, ever desirous not only to render justice, but to do good. During the peace, he had spoken in parliament upon the abuses respect- ing prize-money ; and had submitted plans to government for more easi- ly manning the navy, and preventing desertion from it, "by bettering the cond tion of the seamen. He proposed that their certificates should be registered, and that every man who had served, with a good character, five years in war, should receive a bounty of two guineas annually af- ter that time, and of four guineas afler eight years. ''This," he said, *^ might, ct first sight, appear an enormous sum for the state to pay ; but \ the average life of seamen is, from hard service, finished at forty-iive : he cannot, therefore, enjoy the annuity many years ; and the interest of the money saved by their not deserting, would go far ilO pay the whol« ■expense." ^ LIFK OF NKLSON. 121 To his midshipnren he ever showed the most winning kindness, en- couraging the diffident, tempering the hasty, counselling and befriend- ing- both. "Recollect,'^ he used to say, '*lhat you must be a seaman fo 1)e an officer; and also, that you cannot be a good officer without be- ing a gonlleman." — A lientenant wrote to him to say, that he was dis- i^atisfied with his captain. Nelson's answer was in that spirit of per- fect wisdom and perfect goodness, which regulated bis whole conduct towards those who were under his command. " I have just received your letter ; and am truly sorry that any difference should arise between your captain, who has the repu*ntion of being one of the brightest officers of the service, and yourself, a very young man, and a \er young offi- cer, who must naturally have much to learn : therefore, the chance is, that you are perfectly wrong in the disagreement. However, as your present situation must be very disagreeable, I will certainly take an early opportunily of removing you, provided your conduct to the pre^- sent captain be such, that another may not refuse to receive you." The gentleness and benignity of his disposition never made him forget what was due to discipline. Being on one occaeton applied to, to save ,a young officer from court-martial, which he had provoked by his mis^ conduct, his reply was, *' That he would do every thing in his power to oblige so gallant and good an officer as Sir John Warren,'' in whose name the intercession had been made : — *' But \yhat," he added, " would Jie do if he were here? — Exactly what I have done, and am still willing to do. The young man must write such a letter of contrition as would be an acknowledgment of his great fault ; and with a sincere promise, if his captain will intercede to prevent the impending court-martial, ne- ver so to misbehave again. On his captain's enclosing me such a let- ter, 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 or^ dcr-book of the fleet, and read to all the officers. The young man lias pushed himself forward to notice, and he must take the con* sequence. — It was upon the quarter-deck, in the face of the ship's com- pany, that he treated his captain with contempt ; and I am in duty bound to support the authority and consequence of every officer under my command. A poor ignorant seaman is for ever punished for contempt to his superiors." A dispute occurred in the fleet, while 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 their mortars. They wished to have it established, that their corps was not subject to the captain's autiiority. The same pretensions were made in the chan- nel fleet about the same time : and the artillery rested their claims to separate and independent authority on board, upon a ckuse in the act, which they interpreted in their favour. Nelson took up the subject with all the earnestness its imoortance deserved.—" There is no real happiness in this world," said he, writing to Earl St. Vincent as first Xiord. " With «ill content, and smiles around me, up start thesQ artiU . )6 (I i I 122 LIFE OF NELSON. )ery boys, (I understand t!iey are not beyond that age,) and set us at de- fiance ; speaking in the most disrespectful manner of the navy, and its commanders. 1 know you, my dear iord, so well, that, with your quickness, the matter would have been settled, and perhaps soma of them been broke. I am, perhaps more patient : but I do assure you, not less resolved, if my plan of conciliation is not attended to. You and I are on the eve of quitting the theatre of our exploits ; but we hold it due to our successors, never, while 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 Trowbride he wrote in the same spirit *' It is the old history, trying to do away the act of parliament ; but I trust they will never succeed ; for, when they do, farewell to our naval superiority. We should be prettily commanded! Let them once gain the step of being independent of the navy on board a ship, and they will soon have the other and command us. — But, thank God ! my dear Trowbridge, the king himself cannot do away the act bf parliament Although my career is nearly run, yet it would embitter my future days and expiring moments, to hear of our navy being sacrificed to the ar- my." As the surest way of preventing such disputes, he suggested that tlio 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, Nelson would have wished to see it increased ; it was absolutely necessary, he thought, that merit should be rewarded at the moment, and that the officers of tho fleet should look up to the oommander-in-chief for their reward. Ho himself was never more happy than when he could promote those who were deserving of promotion. Alany 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 Icf^acics to the service." Upon mention being made to him of a son of Rodney, by the Duke of Clarence, his reply was, *' I agree with your royal highness most entirely, that the son of a Rodney ought to be the protege of every person in the kingdom, and particular- ly of the sea-ofnoers. Had 1 known that there had been this claimant, some of my own lieutenants must have given way to such a nunie, and he should have been placed in the Victory : she is full, and I have twen- ty on my list ; but, whatever numbers I have, the name nV Rodney must cut many of them out." Such was the proper sense wbib-h Nelson felt of what was due to splendid services and illustrious names. His feel- ings towards the men who had served with him, are shown by a note In his diary, which wns probably not intended for any other eye than his own. '* Nov. 7, I had the comfort of making an old Agamemmon, Geo. Jones, a gunner in tho Chameleon brig." When Nelson took the command, it was expected that the Mediter- ranean would be an active scene. Nelson well understood the charac- ter of the perfidious Corsican, who was now sole tyrant of France ; and koowiog that he was as ready to attack his friends as his enemies, knew th>;$refbre, that nothing uould be more uncertain than the direction of ill I LIFE OF NELSON. 123 tusatde- , and its vith your some of iuro you, to. You It we hold eak, or a tijured in the same irliament ; ell to our lem once I, and they " my dear arliament iture days to the ar- ested that of marine ^ould have >ught, that ers of tho rard. Ho those who ch he thus lalf he had Be friendly to say, " I I the navy II who had " he said, eing made ly was, '• I a Rodney larticular- i ciniinant, nuuie, and ave twen- dney must Velson telt His feel- I by a note > (.ye than imemmon, ) Mediler- le charac- ance ; and lies, knew rection pf the (loot from Toulon, whenever it should put to sea :— *' It has hod ma- ny destinations." Tho momentous revolutions of tho last ten years had given him an^ple matter for reflection, as well as opportunities for ob- servation : 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 op- posed to them had been the main causes of their success, and that those causes would still prepare the way before them. Even in Sicily, where, if it had been possible longer to blind himself. Nelson would Willingly have seen no evil, he perceived that the people %vished for a change, and acknowledged that they had reason to wish for it. In Sardinia the same burden of misgovern ment was felt; and the people, like the Si- cilians, were impoverished by a government so utterly incompetent to perform its first and most esaential duties, that it did not protect its own coasts from the Barbary pirates. He would fain have had us purchase this Island (the finest in the Mediterranean) from its sovereign, who did not receive £600 a year from it, after its wretched establishment was paid. There was reason to think that France was preparing to possess herself of this important point, which afforded our fleets facilities for watching Toulon, not to be obtained elsewhere. An expedition was pre- paring at Corsica for the purpose ; and all the Sardinians who had taken part with revolutionary France were ordered to assemble there. It wat^ certain that, if the attack were made, it would succeed. Nelson tho*t that the only means to prevent Sardinia from becoming French, was to make it English, and thai half a million would give the King a rich price, and England a cheap purchase. A better, and therefore a wiser, policy would have been to exert our influence in removing the abuses of the government : for foreign dominion is always, in some degree, an evil ; and allegiance neither can nor ought to be made a thing of bar- gain and sale. Sardinia, like Sicily and Corsica, is large enough to form a separate state. Let us hope that these Islands may one day be made free and independent. Freedom and independence will bring with them industry and prosperity ; and wherever these are found, arts and letters will flourish, and the improvement of the human race pro- ceed. The proposed attack was postponed. Views of wider opening upon Buonaparte, who now almost undisguisedly aspired to make himself master of the continent of Europe ; and Austria was preparing for one struggle, to be conducted as weakly and terminated as miserably as the former. Spain, too, was once more to be involved in war, by the policy of France: that perfidious government having in view the double ob- ject of employing the Spanish resources against England, and exhaust^- ing them, in order to render Spain herself finally its prey. Nelson, who knew that England and the Peninsula ought to be in allianoe, for the common interest of both, frequently expressed his hopes that Spain might resume her natural rank among the nations. " We ought," he said, " by mutual consent, to be the very best friends, and both to be ever hostile to France." But [he saw that Buonaparte was meditating the destruction of Spain ; and that, while the wretched court of Ma> dkiJ professed to remain neutral, the appearances of neutrality were scarcely preserved. An order ofthe 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, V < LI fiif-T at.-. 124 LIFE OF NELSON. cnrriet] tlit'ir prizes in, and sold them even at Bui'celonn. Nelson coni- plained of this to the captain-general ofCatulonia, informing him, that lie claimed, for every British ship or i^quadron the right of lying, an long as it pleased, in the ports of Spain, while that right was alloweii to other powers. To the British ambassador he sai^!, "I am ready to make large allowances for the miserable situation Spain has placed her- self in : but there is a certain line beyond which I cannot submit to he treated with disrespect. We have given up French vessels taken within gunshot of the tSpnnish shore, and yet French vessels are permitted to attack our ships from the Spanish shore. During the state of things, to which the weakness of Spain, and not her will, consented, the enemy's fleet did not venture to put to sea. Nelson watched it with unremitting and almost unexampled perseve- rance. The station off Toulon he called his home. "We are in the right fighting trim," said he : "let them come as soon as they please, I never saw a fleet, altogether, so well officered and manned : would to 'God the ships vi-ere half as good ! — The finest ones in the service would soon be destroyed by such terrible weather. I know well en- ough, that if I were to go into Malta I should save the ships during this bad season : but if 1 am to watch the French, I must be at sea ; and, if at sea, must have bad weathsr : and if the ships are not fit to stand bad weather, they are useless." Then only he was sati$ilied, and at ease,- when he had the enemy in view. IVIr. Elliot, our minister, at Naples, seems, at this time, to have proposed to send a confidential Prenchman 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. Any thing short of Ihis is useless ; and I assure your Excellency, tnat 1 would not, upon aioy occasion, have a Frenchman in the fleet, except as a prisoner. I ])iit no confidence in them. You think yours good, the queen think» the eame : I believe they are all alike. Whatever information you can get me I shall be very thankful for; but not a Frenchman comes here. Forgive me, but my mother hated the French." M. Latouohe Treviiie, who had commanded at Boulonge, commnnd- rd now at Toulon. " He was sent for on purpose," said Nelson, " as he beat me at Boulogne, to beat mc again : but he seems very loth to try " One day, while the main body of our fleet was out of sight of lane, ilear- Admiral Campbell, reconnoitering with the Canopus, Donne- gal, and Amazon, stood in close to the port ; and 31. Latouche, taking advantage of a breeze which sprung up, pushed out, with four ships of* the line, and three heavy frigates, and chased him about four leagues^ The Prenchman delighted in having found himself in so novel a situa- tion, published a -boastful account; affirming that he had given chane to the whole British fleet, and that Nelson had tied before him ! Nel- son thought it due to the Admiralty to send home a copy of the Vic- tory's log upon this occasion. " As for himself," he saitl, " if his char acter 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. Latouch 3." said he to one of his correspondents, " his letter, with all his ingenuity, must be different fi-om his last. We haIediterranean seemed altered. It was his rule never to contend with the gales ; but either ran to the southward to escape their voilence, or to furl all the sails, to make the ships ns easy as pos- sible. The men, though he said flesh and blood could hardly stand it, continued in excellent health, which he ascribed, in great measure, to u plentiful supply of lemons and onions. For himself, he thought he PI' I !.■■■ ■ ■wi^KMi^W^^ TT \i ;:i .' ! 12d LIFE OF NELSON. could only last till tlio battle was over. Ona battle more it was his hope that he inij^ht fight. — " However," said he, " whatever happens, I have run a glorious race.^ "A few months' rest," he says, *■! must have very soon. Iff am in my grave, what are the mines of Peru to me? But to soy the truth, I have no idea of killing myself. I may, with care, live to do good service to the state. My cough is very bad nnd my side, where I was struck on the 14th of February, is very much swelled ; at times, a lump, as large as my fist, brought on occasionally by violent coughing. But I hope ond believe my lungs are yet safe." He was afVahl of blindness; and this was the only evil which he could not contemplate without unhappiness. More alarming symptoms he regarded with less apprehension; describing his own "shattered carcass," as in the worst plight of any in the fleet; and he says. *tonis he hattered mye. "I the mo- ll worce it was said he, IS fine as ley may th. Our » a plumb '-admiral • they go lils." d Spain, rvient to ler blood diate oc- English. intended v^ere as spatched se, there- and one er squad- pared: a an it did I govern- unhappy th of the Dg out of teen sup- Seet, and hey had ved ; for >te com- eeply as reshness eani, an country oes, and tughts, it the sting my no- War between Spain and England was now declared ; and on the eigh- teenth of January, the Toulon fleet, having the Spaniards to co-operate with them, put to sea. Nelson was at anchor ofl* the coast of Sardinia, where the Madalena islands form one of the finest harbours in the world, when, at three in the ailernoon on the nineteenth, the Active and Seahorse frigates brought this long-hoped-for intelligence. They had been close to the enemy at ten on the preceding night, but lost sight of them in about four hours. The fleet immediately unmoored and weigh- ed, and at six in the evening ran through the strait between Biche and Sardinia : a passage so narrow, that the ships could only pass one at a time, each following the stern lights of its leader. From the position of the enemy, when they were last seen, it was inferred that they must be bound round the southern end of Sardinia. Signal was made the next morning to prepare for battle. Bad weather came on, baffling the one fleet in its object, and the other in its pursuit. Nelson beat about the Sicillian seas for ten days, without obtaining any other information of the enemy, than that of their ships had put into Ajaccio, dismasted ; and having seen that Sardinia, Naples, and Sicily were safe, believ- ing Egypt to be their destination, for Egypt he ran. The disappoint- ment 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 those anxious and unhappy feelings, was still consoled by the same confidence as on the former occasion — that, though his judg- ment might be erroneous, under all circumstaces he was right in hav- ing formed it. ** | have consulted no man," said he, to the Admiralty; *' therefore, the whole blame of ignorance in forming my judgment must rest with me. ' I would allow no man to take from me an atom of my glory had I fallen in with the French fleet; nor do I desire any man to partake any of the responsibility. All is mine, right or wrong." Then stating the grounds upon which he had proceeded, he added, " At this moment of sorrow, I still feel that I have acted right." In the same spirit he said to Sir Alexander Ball, ** When I call to remembrance all the circumstances, I approve, if nobody else does, of my own conduct." Baffled thus, he bore up for Malta, and met intelligence from Naples that the French having been dispersed in a gale, had put back to Tou- lon. From the same quarter he learned, that a great number of saddles aud 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 ^ale : 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 com- pelled to anchor in PuUa Bay, in the Gulfof Cagliari. From the 2l8t of January the fleet had remained ready for battle, without a bulk-head up, night or day. He anchored here, that he might not be driven to leeward. As soon as the weather moderated he put to sea again ; and 128 LIFE OF NELSON, I nAer again beating about against contrary windn, another gale drove him to anchor in the Gulf of Palma, on the Sth of March. This ho mndo his rendezvous ; he knew that the French troops still remained embarknd, and, wishing to lead them into a belief that he was stationed upon the Spanish coast, he made his appcnrancc off Barcelona with that intent. About the end of the month, he began to fear that the plan of the expe- dition was abandoned ; and, sailing once more towards his old station offToulon, on the 5th of April, he met the Phobe, with 'news that Vil- lenenve had put to eoa on the last of March with eleven ships of the line, seven frigates and two brigs. When last seen, they were steering towards the coast of Africa. Nelson first covered the oliannel between Sardinia and Barbary, so as to satisfy himself that Villenciive was not taking the same route for Egypt which Gantheaurne 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 pass to the north of Corsica, and he despatched cruisers in all direction?. On the llth, he felt assured that they were not gone down the Mediterranean ; and sending off frigates to Gibraltar, to Lisbon, and to Admiral Corn- wallis, who commanded the squadron off Brest, he endeavoured to get to the westward, beating agay;)st westerly winds. After five days, a neutral gave intelligence that the French had beeti seen off Cape do Gatte on the 7th. It was soon af\er 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 this vigilance had rendered it impossible for them to undertake any expedition in the Mediterranean. Eight days after this certain intelligence had been obtained, he de< scribed his state of mind thus forcible, in writing to the governor of Malta : " My good fortune, my dear Ball, seems flown away. I can- not 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, sup- posing there is no certain account of the enemy's destination. — I believe this ill lack will go near to kill me : but as these are times for exertion, I must not be cast down, whatever I may feel." In spite of every ex- ertion which cbuld be made, all the zeal and all the skill of British sea- men, he did not get in sight of Gibraltar till the 30th of April ; and the wind was then so adverse, that it was impossible to pass the Gut. He anchored in Mazari Bay, on the Barbary shore ; obtained supplies from Tetuan, and when, on the 5th^ a breeze from the eastward sprang up at last, sailed once more, hoping to hear of the enemy from Sir John Orde, who commanded off Cadiz, or from Lisbon. '• If nothing is heard of them," said he, to the admiralty, ** I shall probably think the rumours which had 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 that time when this resolution was taken, the physician of the fleet haci^ ordered him to return to England before the hot months. liha fall LIFE OF NELSON. 139 frustrated iu all hu hopei, aHsr a pursuit, to vhich, for iti extoni, raplditj, and perseverance, no parallel can be produuud, lie judf^ed it prudent to reinforce th« channel fleet with his squadron. Un the 15th no joined Admiral Cornwaliia off U< shant. No newa had yet been obtained of the enemy ; and on the same evening h« received orders to proceed to Portsmouth. At Portsmouth Nelson found news of tlia combined fleet. Sir R. Calder, who had been sent out to intercept their return, had fiillen in with them on the 22d July, 60 leagues west of Cape Finisterre. Their force consisted of 20 s^ad of the line, three 50 gun ships, 5 frigates, and 2 brigs : his, of 15 line-of-battle ships, 2 frigates, a cutter, and a lugger. After an action of 4 hours he had captured a 84 and a 74, 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 !2Gth, when the enemy bore away. The capture of 2 ships from so su- perior a force would have been considered as no inconsiderable victory a few years earlier ; but Nelson had introduced a new era in our naval history ; and the nation felt, respecting this action, as he had felt on a some what similar occasion. They re- gretted that Nelson, with his eleven ships, had nut been in Sir Robert Caldor's place ; and thoir disappointment was generally and loudly expressed. Frustrated as his own hopes had been. Nelson had yet the high satisfaction of know- ing that his judgment had never been more conspicuously proved, 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. It was now his intention to rest awhile from his labours. All his stores were brought up from the Victory ; and he found in his bouse at Merton the enjoyment which ho had antici- pated. As he was pacing one of the walks in the garden, Lady Hamilton came up to him, and told him she saw he was uneasy. He smiled, and said : " No." She said she did not believe him — that she knew he was longing to get at the combined fleets — that he considered them as his own property, — that Tie would be miserable if any man but himself did the business. "Nelson," said she, " however we may lament your absence, offer your services; — they will bo accepted." His services were as willingly accepted as they were offered ; and lord Barbam, giving him the list of the navy, desired him to choose his own oflicers. Unremitting exertions were made to equip the ships which he had chosen. Before he left London he called at his upholst- erer's, where the coffin, which Capt. Hallowoll had given him, was deposited ; and desired that its history might be engraven upon the lid, saying, that it was highly probable he might want it on his return. Early on the following morning he reached Portsmouth ; and having despatched his business on shore, endeavoured to elude the popuface by taking a by-way to the beach ; but a crowd collected in his train, press- ing forward to obtain sight of bis face : many were in tears, and many knelt down before him, and blessed oim as he passed. Nelson arrived oiT Cadiz on the 29th of Sep. his birthday. Fearing' tiiat, if the enemy linew his force, they might be deterred from venttir- in^ to sea, he liept out of sight of land, desired Collingwood to fire no salute, and hoist no colours ; and wrote to GibraUar,to request that the force of the fleet might not be inserted there in the Gazette. On the day of his arrival, Villeneuve received orders to put to sea the first opportunity. Villeneuve, however, hesitated,* when he heard that MTelson had resumed the command. He called a council of war; and their determination was that it would not be expedient to leave Ca- diz,unle8s they had reason to believe themselves stronger by one-third than the British force. In the public measures of this country secrecy is seldom practicable, and seldomer attempted : here, however, by the precautions of Nel8on,and the wise measures of the Admiralty, the ene- my were for once kept in ignorance ; for, as the ships appointed to re- inforce the Mediterranean fleet were despatched 8ingly,eaoh as soon as it was ready, their collected number was not stated in the newspapers and their arrival was not known to the enemy. The station which IVel- son had chosen was some 50 or 60 miles to the we8tofCadiz,nearCap« n I I? I 130 LIFE OF NEmO.N. I I Ht. Mary's. At this distance he hoped to tie* oy 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 rig^ orously enforced, in hopes that the combined fleet might be forced to sea by want. The Danish vessels, therefore, which were carrying provisi- ons from the French ports in the Bay, under the name of Danish pro- perty, to all the little ports from Ayamonte to Afgeziras, from whence they were conveyed in coa<9ting boats to Cadiz, were seized. Without this proper exertion of power,the blockade would have rendered nuga- tory,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 ; the offlcers 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 farther 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 con- cluded. At this time he was not without some cause of anxiety; he was in want of^igates,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 23 ships, others were on the way, but they might come too late : and, though IVelson never doubted of victory, mere victory was not what he loolied to, it was to annihilate the enemy's fleet. On the 9th, Nelson sent Colling wood what he called, in his diary, the Nelson-touch. "I send you," said he, " my plan of attack, as far as a man dare venture to guess at the very uncertain position the enemy may be found in : but it is to place you perfectly at ease respecting my intentions, and to give full scope to your judgment for carrying them into effect. We can my dear Coll, have no little jealousies. We have only one great object in view, that of annihilating our enemies, and getting a glorious peace for our country. No man hos mere confi- dence in another than I have in you ; and no man will render your user- vices more justice than your very old friend Nelson and Bronte." Tl>e order of sailing was to be the oi^der of battle : the fleet in two lines, with an advanced squadron of 8 of the fastest sailing t vko 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 Head through (he centre, and the advanced squadron was to cut offthreeor four ahead of the centre. This plan was to be adapted to the strength of the enemy, so that they should always be one-fourth superior to those whom they cutoff. Nelson said, " IPhat his admirals and captains, knowing his precise object to be that of a close and de- cisive action, would supply any deficiency of signals, and act accord- ingly. In case signals cannot be seen or clearly understood, no cap- tain can do wrong if he places his ship alongside that of an enf n^y." One of the last orders of this admirable man was, that the name and family of every officer, seaman, and marine, who might be kilied or wounded in action, should be as soon as pessible returned to him, in order to be transmitted to the chairman of the patriotic fund, that the case might be taken into consideration, for the benefit of the sufferer or his family. About half past nine in the morning of the 19th, the Mars, being the nearest to the fleet of the ships which formed the line of communica- .•4 •• ■ r ). . LIFE OF NELSON. :, while he vind near t wns rig)} ced to sea g provisi- inish pro- n whence Without red nuga- [>lies from ndication men were ive blow ; the seas, ost of the )orti!i con- ty; he was dm : to the cape, and hers were son never it was to his diary, :, as far as ie enemy ecting my ^ing them We have mies, and ore confi- • your ser- ite." Tl>e two lines, [crs. The le, was to ' rear : he vasto cut daptcd to one-fourth 9 admirals 3 and de- ;t accord- d, no €ap- n enf my." name and ! killed or to him, in I, that the sufferer or being the •mmunica- 131 tion with the frigate* in shore, repeated the signal, that the enemy were coming out of port. The wind waa at this time very light, with partial breezes, mostly from the S. S. W. Nelson ordered the signal to be made for a chase in the south-east quarter. About two, the repeating ships announced, that the enemy were at sea. All night the British fleet continued under all sail, steering to the south-east. At daybreak they were in the entrance of the Straits, but the enemy were not in sight. About seven, one of the frigates made signal that the enemy were bearing north. Upon this the Victory hove to ; and shortly af- terward Nelson made sail to the northward. In the afternoon the wind bleiT 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, Black- wood, in the Euryaius, 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 kee]^ sight of the enemy, Soon after daylight Nelson came upon deck. The 2l8t of October was a festival in his family, because on that day his uncle, Capt. Suck- ling, in the Dreadnought, with two other line-of- battle ships, had beat- en off a squadron of four sail of the line, and three frigates. Nelson, with that sort of superstition from which few persons are entirely ex- empt, 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 pre- diction 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 Uoyal Sovereign, led the lee line of thirteen ships; the Victory led the weather line of fourteen. Having seen that all was as it should be, Nelson retired to his cabin and wrote the following prayer: *'May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country, and for thebeoefitof Europe in general, a great and glorious victory, and may no misconduot in anv one tarnish it ; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet I For myself, individually, I commit my life no Him that made me; and may His blessings alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully ! To Him 1 resign myself, and the just cause which is intrusted to me to defend. Amen, Amen^ Amen." Having thus discharged his devotional duties, he annexed, in the same diary, the following remarkable writing : " Oct 21, 1805. — ^Then in sight of the combined fleets of France and and Spain." "Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, widow of the Right Honoar- able Sir William Hamilton, have been of the very greatest service to my king and country, to my knowledge, without ever receivmg any reward from either our king or country ; — "First, that she obtained the King of Spain's letter, in 1796, to his brother the king of Naples, acquainting him of bis intention to declare war against England ; from which letter the ministry sent ont orders to the then Sir John Jervis, to strike a stroke if opportunity offerea, against either the arsenals of Spain or her fleets. That neither of these was done ia not the fault of Lady Hamilton ; the oppor- tunity migtit have been offered. "Secondly, the British fleet under ray 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 written to the governor of Syracuse, that he was to encourage tlie fleets being supplied with every thing, should they put into any port in Sicily. We put into Syracuse, and received every supply ; wont to Egypt, and destroyed the French fleet. ! il '1 132 Ltl'E 01= Nr.LSUN. "Coulfl I Iiiva nnvardwd tlir«o serviocw, Iwoiiid not novr call npoa my country ; bu^ nit that liao nut bocii in iiy power,! leave Emma Lndy Hamilton, therefore, a legacy to my kin:; and country, thut they will givu her an umple orovitiion to maintain he: rank in life. " I uIro leave to the boweficence of my country my adopted (Iaughter,Horatia Nel- son Thomson ; and I desire she will use in fu ure the name of Nelson only. " These are the only favours I usk of my king and country, at thia moment when I am going to fight their battle. May God binss my king 6 id ':ountry, and all those I hold dear ! My relations it in needless to mention ; tliej wi jf cour&e, be amply provided for. " NELSON AND BRONTE. The child of whom tlie writing spoiiks, was helioved to bo his danghtcr, nnd ro indeed, he called her the Inet time that ho | -onounced her name. Siie w«h then aboui five years oI(\ living at Morton, under ^udy Hnmilfun's care. T»ie lastminntea with Nelson passed ;it Merton were employed in prajing over his chiul, as she lay sleeping. A portrait of I.ady Hamilton hung in his ral. judiciously done : and Nelscm, avi'are of ull the advantages which it gnvti them, mad" signal to pioparo to anchor. Villeneiive was a skilful seaman ; worthy of serving n hotter master. His plan of defence was as well cojiceivcd, and as original, as the pliin of attack. Ho formed the fleet in a double line ; every alternate ship being ahou' a cable's length to windward of her second ahead and astern. Neisim, certain of a triumphant is^iie to the day, asked Blackwood what he should considrr as u victory. That officer answered, that, con- sidering the hand«rme way in which battle « as offered by the enemy, and the situa- tion of tno land, he thought it would bea glorious result if 14 were captured. He replied, " I shall not be satisfied with less tha:; 30." Soon aflerwa«l he asked him, if he did not think there was a signal wanting. Capt. Blackwood made answer, that lie thought he whole fleet seemed very cle>;rly to understand what they were about. These words weresoarcety spoken before that signal was made, which will he rememhereji a« long ns the language, or even the memory of England nhall endure :— Nelson's last signal : England espects •tsrv m*k to do his duty !" It was received throughout the fleet with ta shout of answering acclamation, mode sublime by tho spirit which it breathed, and the feeling which it expressed. 'Now,' said Nelson, 'I cnn do no more.' We must tniEt tc the great Disposer of all eventri, and the justice of our cause. 1 thank God for this creat opportunity of doing my duty.' He wore that day, as usual, his admiral's frock cont, bearins; on the lefi breaat four ii>tar», of the different orders with which he was invented. Ornaments which rendered him so conspicioua a murk for the enemy, were beheld with ominoua PpprehenBionn by his officers. It was known there were riflemen on board the French ships ; and it could not be doubted but thnt his lite would be particularly aimed at. They commu- nicated their fears to each other ; and the stirgeon, Mr. Beatty,* spoke * In ihis part of the work I havo been chiefly indebted to this gentleman's Narrative of Lor^ Nelon'a Death— a Document as interesting as it is authentic. yr- 7 ■''* LIVF. or NEI-SOX. 13.3 to the chaplain, Dr. Scott, and Mr. 8cott, the public eecretarj, deeiring that some person would entreat him to change his dress, or cover the stars : but they knew that such a request vould highly displease hinu *' In honour 1 gained \hem," he had said, wiien such a thing had been hinted to him formerly, "and in honour I will die with ihem." Mr. 13eat- ty, however, would not have been deterred by any fear of exciting his displeasure, from speaking to himself upon a subject, in which the weal of England, as well as the life of Nelson, was concerned, — but he was ordered from the deck before be could find an opportunity. Thie was a point upon which Nelson's off^^ers knew that it w'as hopeless to rea- son with him ; but both Blackwood, and his own captain, Hardy, repre- sented to him how advantageous to the f.cet 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 tlip Victory be ordered to pass ahead. Yet even here the last infirmity of this noble mind was indulged, for these ships could not pass ahead if the Victory continued to carry all her sail ; and so far was Nelson from shortening sail, that it was evident he took pleasure in pressing on, and rendering it impofsible 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 nunnerous three-deckers, made an appearance which any other assailants would have thought formidable ; — but the 'British sailors only admired the beijty and the splendour of the spectacle ; and, in full confidence of winning what thoy saw, remarked to each other, what a line sight yon- ' der ships would make at Spithead ! The French admiral, from the Bucentaur, beheld the new manner in which his enemy was advancing — Nelson and CoUingwood each lead- ing his line; and, poin^'ng them out to his oflicers, he is said to havD exclaimed, that such conduct could not fail to be successful. Yet Vilieneuve 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 (heir fire. Eight or nine tX the ships immediately ahead of the Victory, and across her bows, fired single gnnsat her, to ascertain whether she was yet within their range. Ah soon ns Nelson perceived that their s.iot passed over him, he desired BiackwocH, and Oapt Prowso, of the Sirius, to repair to their respec- tive frigator.; afTid, on their way, to tell all the captains of the lipe-of-bot- tln ships that he depended oi. their exertions ; and that, if by the pres- cribed modn of attack they found it impracticable to get into action immediately, they ^riight adopt Mhatever they thought best, provided it led them quickly and closely alongside an eremy. As they were stand- ing on the front of the poop, Blackwood took him by hand, sayings he hoped doon to return and find him in possession of twenty prizes. He replied, "God olcssyou, Blackwood ; I shall nevei see you again. Nelson's column was steered by two points more to the north than C'ollingwood's in order to cut ofi the enemy's escape into Cadiz : the lee ■-,' w y^ 7 [! 13 4 LIFE OF NELSON. Ime, theref )re, was first engaged. "See," cried Nelson, pointing; to the Royal Sovereign, as si)e steered right for the centre of the enemy's line, cut through ittHtern of tlie Santa Anna, three-decker, and engaged her at the muzzle of her guii« on the starboard side : ''see how that noble fel- low, Collingwood carries his ship into action!" Collingwood, delight- ed at being first in the heut of the fire, and knowing the feelings of his commander and old friend, turned to his captain, and exclaimed : Ro- therlnifi, what would Nulson give to be here !" Both these brave officers perhaps, at this moment thought of Nelson with gratitude, for a circum- stance whiclj hrid cccured on the preceding day. Admiral Collingwood, with some fs, aiming chipfly at her ri'4'g'inj^, i'l the hopepf dis- abling her before she could close with them. Nelson, as usual, had hoist- ed several fla'Jfs. I«sl one should be!*hotaway. The enemy showed no rolours tilt late in the aotiun, when they be^an to feel the necessity of havings the', to sti'ike. For this reason, the !Santi:«isima Trinidad, Nel- son's Old Hcquantance, as he uset' to call her, was distinoruishable only by her four decks ; and to the bow ofthis opp:>nent he ordered the Victory to be steered. DIeantlme an inces^sant fire was ke|>t up upon the Victory. The adniial's se<;retary "'as one of the first who fell : he was killed by a cannon-shot while co..versiug with Hardy. Capt. Adair of the ma- rines, with the help of a sailor, endeavoured to remove the body from Nelson's sight, who haIr. Soott: but he anxious- ly asked: "Is that poor i^cott that's ;irone ? ar^d being informed that it was indeed so, exclaimed, "Pojr f.3llow !" Presently a double-headed shot struck a party of marines, who were drawn upon the poop, and killed eight of them : upon which, Nelson immediately desired Capt. Adair to disperse his men round the ship, that they might not suffer so much from being together. A few minutes atlerward 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 ami bruising his foot. Both stooped, and looked anxiously at each other, each sup- poi^d the other *■ be wounded. Nelson then smiled, and said, ''This is loo warm work, Hardy, to last long." The Victory had not yet returned a single gun ; 50 of her men had been by thib lime killed or wounded, and her main-topmast, with all her studding sails and her booms, shot away. Nelson declared, that in all his battles, he bad seen nothing which surpassed the cool courage of his crew on this oc jasion. At four minutes after twelve,she opened her lire ft'om both sif'tjs of her deck. It was not possible to break the ene- «»y's line withr «vas a few steps from, turning round, saw three men raising him up. — **They have done for me at last. Hardy," said he. — *' I hope not," cried Hardy. — " Yes !" he replied ; " my back-bone is shot through." Yet even now, not for a moment losing his presence of miad, he observed, as they were carrying hinj down the ladder, that the tiller ropbc*, 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, v/ould not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the battle of Trafalgar. The cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying meu ; over Avhose bodies he was with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the midshipmen's birth. It was soon percrrvcMJ, upon examination, that *' "^ wound was mortal. This, however - s T 138 LIFE OF NELSON. What our iiien would have done Trom gallantry, some oFtUo crew of the Santissiina Trinidad did to save themselves. Unable to stand the tremendous fire of the Victory, whose larboard guns played against this great four-decker, and not knowing how else to escape them, nor where else to betake themselves for protection, many of them leaped overboard, and swam to the Victory: and were actually helped up her sides by the English during (he action. The Spaniards began the bat- tle with less vivacity than their unworthy allies, but they continued it with greater firmness. The Argonauta and Bahama were defended till they had each lost about 400 men : the St. Juan Nepomuceno lost 350. Often as the superiority of British courage has been proved against {•ranee upon the seas, it was n^ver more conspicuous than in this deci- sive 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 tliey bad made the victory secure. Once, amid his sufTermgs, Nelson had expressed a wish that he were dead ; But immediately the spirit subdued the pains of death, and he wished tf live a little longer ; — doubtless that he mighthear the comple- tion of the victory which he had seen so gloriously begun. That con- solation— that joy — that triumph was afforded him. He lived to know that victory was decisive ; and the last guns which were fired at the fly- ing enemy were heard a minute or two before he expired. The ships which weVe thus flying were four of the enemy's van, all French, un- der Rear-Adrtiiral Dumanoir. They had borne no part in the action ; and now.iwhen they were seeking safety in flight, they fired not only in- to the Victory and Royal Sovereign as they passed, but poured their broadsides into the Spanish captured ships ; and they were seen to back their topsails, for the purpose of firing with more precision. The indig- nation of the Spaniards at this detestable cruelty from their allies, for whom they had fought so bravely, and so profusely bled, may well be conceived. It was such, that when, two days after the action, seven of the ships which had escaped into Cadiz came out, in hopes of retaking some of the di^^bled prizes, the prisoners, in the Argonauta, in a body, offered their Sc. /xes to the British prizemaster, to man the guns against any of the French ships : saying, that if a Spanish ship came alongside, they would quietly go below ; but they requested that they might be allowed to fight the French, in resentment for the murderous usage which they had suffered at their hands. Such was the implicit confidence which could be placed in Spanish honor, 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 de struction they fled ; they fell in with Sir Richard Strachan, who was cruisinp:ror 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 govern- ment; under Buonaparte, it was sure of impunity, and, perhaps, might • be t.iought deserving of reward. But, if the Spanish court had been independent, it would have become us to have delivered Dumanoir and his Captains up to^Spain, that they might have been brought to trial, and hanged in sight W the remains of the Spanish floet. LIFE OF NELSON. 139 The total British loss in the batt'e of Trafalgar amounted to one thou- »and five hundred and eighty-seven. Twenty of the eneniy struck ; but it was not possible to anchor the fleet, as Nelson bad 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 wound- ed Spaniards were sent ashore, an assurance being given that they should not serve till regularly exchanged ; and the Spaniards, with a generous feeling, which would not, perhaps, have been found in any other people offered the use of their hospitals for our wounded, pledging the honOr 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 per- mitted to return to France. The French government say that he destroy- ed himself on the way to Paris, dreading the consequences of a couri- martial : but there is every reason to believe that the tyrant, who never acknowledged the loss of the battle of Trafalgar, added Villeneuve to the numerous victims of his murderous policy. It is almost superfluous to add, that all the honors which a greateful country could bestow, were heaped upon the memory of Nelson. His brother was made an earl, with a grant of Ji^HOO a year ; £10,000 were voted to each of his sisters : and £100,000 for the purchase of an estate. A public funeral was decreed, and a public monumeot Sta- tues and monuments also were voted by most of our principal cities. The leaden coffin, in which he was ]}rought home, was cut in pieces, which were distributed as relics of Saint Nelson, — so the gunner of the Vic- tory 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 inteltigencp, and turned pale; as if they had heard ofthe loss of q dear friend. An object of our ad- miration and affection, of our pride und of our hopes, was suddenly taken from us ; and it seemed as if we had never, till them, known how deeply we loved and reverenced birn. What the country had loii|Jn its great naval hero — the greatest of our own, and of all for- mer times, was scarcely taken into the ncroimt. of grief. So perfectly, indeed, had had he performed his part, that the maritime war af%er the battle of Trafalgar, wns considered at an end : the fleets of the enemy were not merely defeated, but destroyed : new navies must be built and a new set of seamen reared for them, before the possibility of their in- vading our shores coutd again be contemplated. It was not, therefore, from any selfish reflection upon the magnitude of our loss that we mourned for him: the general sorrow was of a higher character. Thepeopleof England grieved that funeral ceremonies, and public monuments, and posthumous rewards were all which they now could I\ ) \ ^ K1 ?! If T 140 LIFE OF N£:L80N. bestow upon him, whom the king, the legislature, and iho notion would have alike delighted to honour ; whom every tongue would have blessed ; whose presence in every village through which he might have passed, would have wakened the church bells, have given schoolboys a holyday, have drawn children from their sports to gaze upon him, and *' old men from the chimney corner," to look upon Nel- son 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 surpas- sing genius, that it scarcely seemed to receive any addition iVom tho mAst signal victory that ever was achieved upon the seas : and the destruction of this mighty fleet, by which all the maritime schemes of France were totally frustrated, hardly appeared to add to our security or strength ; for while Nelson was living, 'to watch the combined squadrons of the enemy, we felt ourselves as secure as now, when they were no longer in existence. There was reason, to suppose, from the appearances upon opening the body, that, in the course of nature, he might have attained, like his father, to a good old age. Yet he cannot be said to have fallen pre- maturely whose work was done ; nor ought he to be lamented, who died so Aili of honours, and atthe height of human fame. The most triumphant death is that of the martyr; the most awful is tiiat of the martyred patriot ; the most splendid is that of the hero in the hour of vic- tory : and if the chariot and the horses of fire had been vouchsafed for Nelbon's translation, he could scarcely have ileparted in a brighter blaze of glory. He has left us, not indeed hisT mantle of inspiration, but a name and an example, which are at this time inspiring thousands of the youth of England: a name which is our pride, and an exam- ple which will continue to be our shield and strength. THE END. i4 '%4: r - ? . bo nation ue would which he ave given ) to gaae uponKel- A, indeed) for such 8 surpas- iVom tho E and the hemes of r security combined >w, when opening i, like his lUen pra- ted, who rhe most lat of the »ur of vic- isafed for brighter spiration, housands in exam-