IN HONOUR OF NELSON AND TRAFALGAR

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 16, 21 October 1905, Page 2

IN HONOUR OF NELSON AND TRAFALGAR

A Pictorial Centenary Souvenir

/&. over the Englishspeaking world this week the subjects of the King and units in the greatest of Empires are || || n 11 II : uniting in honouring the name of Nelson, “the greatest sailor since the 11 LU W hX'T” New Zealand we are in our own little way taking part in these celebrations, and it is fitting that in such a journal as the “Graphic” some small remembrance of the man and his victories should be given in the shape of a few pictures of Nelson and the battles he won, accompanied by a few brief lines about the hero and a longer account of the ever-glorious victory whose centenary we now celebrate. Early Years. There is always a natural tendency, says the admirable little book on Nelson published by the Navy League, to

endeavour to trace the elements of future greatness in the childhood and boyhood of a distinguished man. but too often such anecdotes are apocryphal, and in any case they are of small importance. Yet it will be usually found that the general opinion of the boy has its value, and that some at least of those who are associated with him in early

life have foreseen the future greatness of the youth entrusted to their eare. Nelson, as is well known, was the son of a country clergyman with a large family and a small income, the rector of Burnham Thorpe, in Norfolk, where he was born on September 29. 1758. Of his early years we know little, except that

he went to school and “at the age of twelve lie was small for his years, fragile in appearance, and with a spirit beyond his size.” But before giving details of Nelson's early career, it may be advisable to see under what auspices he entered the Navy, for interest counted for much

in those days, and unless a young man lad. like Peter Simple, a “Lord Prevelege” somewhere in the background he had little chance of early advancement. Horatio Nelson was, it is true, the son of a poor Norfolk parson, but his mother was a grand-niece of Sir Robert Walpole, the famous Prime Minister, Hora-

tio being a family name of the Walpole’s —so that he was well connected on his mother’s side, and in his uncle, Maurice Suckling, who subsequently held the high post of Comptroller of the Navy, he had good “service interest,’’ which, as Colomb remarks, “was then, as it is now, a stock of excellent quality.” For two years he was nominally in the Triumph, where, in his own words, he learnt to be a seaman and pilot in charge of “the cutter and decked long boat.” navigating the estuaries of the Thames and Medway; but Captain Suckling was determined to make a practical sailor of him, and in those days the distinction between the man-of-war’s man and the merchant seaman being much less than it is now. Nelson was sent for a year’s cruise to the West Indies in a merchant ship commanded by one of Suckling’s petty officers, returning. as our hero himself states, a “practical seaman, with a horror of the Koval Navy, and with a saying then constant with the seamen. ‘Aft the most honour, forward the bettor man.’”

In 1773 he proceeded to the North Pole, a summer’s voyage under Captain Phipps, afterwards Lord Mulgrave, who remained his fast friend. Of his adventure with the bear most people have heard, but it is scarcely worth repeating, though like all the anecdotes of Nelson’s early years it bears witness to his dauntless spirit. At the early age of twenty-one we find Nelson a post captain, and it is remarkable that up to this period, though lie had had no war service, he was well known and appreciated by all with whom he had served. It is remarkable that his extraordinary ability was universally acknowledged in spite of some weaknesses and even deficiencies; thus he had no sense of humour, his passionate patriotism and his burning ambition to attain honour and distinction would be likely to make enemies, and tradition tells us that Nelson’s purely seamanlike qualities were not valued highly. In Mahan’s words: “It is doubtful indeed whether Nelson ever possessed in a high degree the

delicate knack of handling a ship with the utmost dexterity and precision. . . . Codrington. though admitting himself to be a ‘thorough Nelsonian,’ used to say in later years Nelson was no seaman; even in the earlier stages of the profession his genius had soared higher, and all his energies were turned to becoming a great commander.” Yet we find Collingwood writing to him in comparatively early days as follows: “My regard for you. my dear Nelson, my respect and veneration for your character, 1 hope and believe will never lessen.”

Nelson on tlie Albcnnarle. Let us conclude these few remarks of Nelson’s character as a young captain by one of his personal appearance when Captain of the Albermarle two years later. quoted by Mahan from ( lark ami McArthur's lift*, the narrator being Prince William Henry, afterwards William IV.. who was at the time a midshipman in Lord Hood’s flagship. He mentions that ‘‘Captain Nelson of the Albermarle came in his barge a’ong

aide, who appealed to be the merest boy of a captain I ever beheld, and his dress was worthy of attention. He had on a fall-laced uniform; his lank, unpowdered hair was tied in a stiff Hessian tail of an extraordinary length; the old-fashioned flaps of his waistcoat added to the general qnaintness of his figure, and produced an appearance which attracted my notice; for I had never seen anything like it before, nor could 1 imagine who he was or what he came about. My doubts were, however, removed when Lord Hood introduced me to him. There was something irresistibly pleasing in his address and conversation, and an enthusiasm when speaking on professional subjects which showed that be was no common being. . . . He had the honour of the King’s service and the independence of the British Navy particularly at lieart, and his mind flowed with this idea as much when lie was simply Captain of the Albermarle, and had obtained none of the honours of his country, as when lie was afterwards decorated with so much wellearned distinction.." We now return to the Hinehinbrojce, in which ship he took part in the expedition up the River San Juan, behaving with extreme gallantry, being “the first on every service whether by day or night” according to the report of Major Polson, commanding the land forces. The fort was taken, but subsequently evacuated, and of the crew of the Hinehiiibroke ISO out of 200 are said to have died owing to the pestilential nature of the climate, Nelson himself at death's door landing at Jamaica, whence he proceeded to England when sufficiently recovered. After his arrival in England he was presented to the King by Lord Hood, and in October he went to France to learn French, in which he cannot be said to have succeeded, returning to England somewhat abruptly in January, 1784, the cause of his return being probably an affair of the heart, as he had fallen violently in love with a young English girl living at St. Omer, as he had done previously with a young Canadian. Nelson's Loves. It is impossible to pass lightly over Nelson's loves, as they-are an important part of his character, and in both the cases above referred to life passion was of a violent and desperate character, as it subsequently was for Lady Hamilton. In the latter ease, while we may blame and condemn, it is undeniable that the flavour of romance thus added to our hero’s character has increased oilr interest, if indeed it has not done much to elucidate his varied character, showing out his patriotism and determination as eventually triumphant over the weaknesses of his moral nature. It has been pointed out that in his attachment to Mrs Nisbet, afterwards Lady Nelson, there is no mark of more than cool affection, and that she never really touched his heart. Writing to his brother at the time of bis engagement, he says: “Her sense, polite manners, and to you I may say beauty, you will much admire.” To such a woman the waywardness of genius must have been incomprehensible, if not antagonistic, and though they lived happily together till Lady Hamilton crossed his path and took him by storm, he had not that defence against the wiles of the syren which the sympathy and appreciation of a woman he truly’ loved would have afforded. A Brief Summary of Continued Success. It is not proposed to follow even in the scantiest detail the. rapid rise and splendid career of Nelson. Those who have not already read one or other of the fascinating lives of our great .admiral may repair the previously neglected opportunity in this the year of the centenary of Trafalgar, and Mahan’s monumental and fascinating work will afford them intense pleasure and interest. For those who have but little time, or who wish to refresh memories of what they have read, but half forgotten, the admirable booklet published by the Navy League, from which we have already quoted, may be strongly recommended. We shall therefore only glance at the more important engagements and battles royal in which he so greatly distinguished himself.. Thus, at St. Vincent, the Spanish defeat was’rendered the more decisive by the dash and gallantry of Commodore Nel•on on the Captain. He was in the

rear of the line, and interpreting a movement of the Spanish admiral as an attempt to reunite two divisions into which it had been thrown, he wore out. of the line to meet the fleet, and for half an hour withstood single-handed the attack of the whole Spanish van. When support arrived, and the Spanish fled, the Captain had suffered severely and was unable to join in the pursuit, so he let his ship fall foul of the St. Nieolas, which he boarded and took possession of, and leading his men across to the San Joseph took possession of her also. The Battle of the Nile. Everyone knows, or should know, the story of the battle of the Nile at Aboukir Bay, where after a. long search he at last located’ the hated French fleet. His plans for the battle had long before been made and discussed with his captains, and when the fleet was sighted everything was ready, and no explanatory orders were needed. His fleet was numerically inferior to the French, and became still more so owing to the accident of the Culloden taking the ground and being unable to participate in the engagement. The wind was blowing along the French line, and by concentrating Iris attack on the weather end of it, it was crushed by superior force, while the leewardmost ships were un; able to offer any assistance, and thus creeping gradually down the line he captured or destroyed the whole, with, the exception of the two rearmost ships and two of the frigates which fled. Honours were showered on Nelson for this most, overwhelming defeat of the enemy. He was created a peer, under the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, the East India Company presented him with £lll,OOO, Turkey and Russia sent him valuable presents, aud the King of Naples made him Duke of Bronte. At Naples he contracted the liaison with Lady Hamilton, which need not be further referred to. One of the finest of the many pictures of this beautiful and famous woman is given amongst our pictures, and our splendid Supplement picture depicts one of the hundred fetes given in his honour at Naples at this period. The Bombardment of Copenhagen. In 1801 Nelson was promoted to be a vice-admiral, and though second in command to Sir Hyde Parker, it was he who was entrusted with the attack at the Baltic or bombardment of Copenhagen. After a furious combat of three to four hours the enemy’s ships were subdued, but the shore batteries continued to fire. Nelson under a flag of truce pointed out that the beaten ships were receiving the greater part of the fire of both parties. A suspension of hostilities was agreed on, and the battle was never renewed, as the news _of -the Czar’s death resulted in a declaration of peace. And now we come to the crowning glory, the battle of Trafalgar, which set the seal of immortality on Nelson’s name, and lost him to the nation. Departure to Take Command. His departure from Portsmouth, or rather from Southsea beach, to take command of the Mediterranean fleet, was marked by extraordinary demonstration of love and affection on the part of the crowd which followed him to the boat. In Southey’s words: “Many were iu tears, and many knelt down before him and blessed him as he passed. England has had many heroes, but never one who so entirely possessed the love of his fellow’’ countrymen as Nelson. Nelson’s arrival and assumption of command seems to have acted as a cordial on all. “The- reception I met with on joining the Fleet caused the sweetest sensation of my life,” he writes; “the officers who came on board to welcome my return forgot my rank as Corn-inander-in-Chief in the enthusiasm with which they greeted me.” Here is my grandfather’s account to the Marquis of Buckingham in a letter dated “Neptune, off Cadiz, September 30. We dined ■with Lord Nelson; the juniors and I never spent a pleasanter day” (the seniors had dined with the Commander-in-Chief the previous day). “I stayed with him till late at night. He would not let me leave before. He looks better than ever I saw him in my life, and is grown fatter.” Nor was this popularity due to any easy-going good nature, for the letter closes with the fol-

lowing testimony to the good order on board the Victory: “The energy aud activity on board the Victory will make those who are slack keep a better look out and preserve better discipline.” 1 now come to Nelson’s plans of attack, for on joining the fleet he at once endeavoured to imbue all his captains with his principles. His official orders have been preserved, but the real.“ Nelson touch” was his personal influence and the fact that his views were fully understood and appreciated by his captains. Speaking of his first meeting, he says: “As soon as these emotions were past, I laid before them the plan I had previously arranged for attacking the enemy, and it was not only my pleasure to find it generally approved, but clearly perceived and understood.” He was, indeed, surrounded by friends who thoroughly understood him. Among the Admirals, Collingwood, in the Royal Sovereign. Louis, in the Canopus, and, among the captain's, Berry, in the Agamemnon, Fremantle in the Neptune, Eliab Harvey in the “fighting” Temeraire, Israel Pellew, Hallowell, Pulte-ney-Malcolm, Duff, Codrington, and others, a glorious band of fighting men devoted to Nelson. But to return to “the plan.” It is, I regret, much too long to give here, and it naturally deal* with the methods to he adopted under various conditions of wind and position, but the principles were to be the same in each case. The memorandum dated October 9, off Cadiz, makes this perfectly clear. The order of sailing was to be the order of battle, the second, or lee division, was to endeavour to cut through the enemy’s line twelve ships from the rear, the Commander-iu-Chief was to take care that the movements of the second in command were as little interrupted as possible, and he was to cut through about the centre, the advanced squadron three or four ships further ahead, so as to ensure the capture of their Commander-iji-Chief. From these orders it will be seen that Nelson intended to have three lines, and that he assumed that he would find his enemy in line-of-battle. The memorandum supposed a force of forty British and forty-six allied ships, the British force being divided into two divisions of sixteen ships each, with an advance or reserve division consisting of eight ships. These were the means to be adopted, but there was to be no mistake as to the end aimed at, and the memorandum significantly closes the general instructions with the important words: “But in case signals can neither be seen nor perfectly understood, no captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of an enemy.” This, in Nelson's view, was “the conclusion of the whole matter.” but there were to be no “bull at a gate” tactics, and his endeavour would be to attack under favourable conditions. In dealing with the actual method adopted, I shall have to refer again to this memorandum, as the tactics employed differed somewhat in details, though not in principle. it is bow necessary to return to NeL son’s Fleet. On October 2 lie had detached Admiral Louis with five battleships to Gibraltar for provisions and water, but shortly afterwards he was joined by four ships from England. Then,

on the 14th. in accordance with orders from the Admiralty, he sent Sir K. Calder home to ata nd Ms trial, allowing him, with perhaps too chivalrous generosity, to proceed in his own flag-hip, the Prince of Wales, a three-decker, and on the 17th the Donegal proceeded to Gibraltar for water. His force was thus reduced to twenty-seven ships of the line on ...e morning of Trafalgar. On the Morning of Trafalgar. Before he joined the fleet he had directed that no salutes should be fired for fear of announcing his arrival to the enemy, and on taking command he moved the main body fifty miles west of Cadiz, keeping, however, fully informed of Villeneuve’s movements by a squadron of frigates under Blackwood and an inshore battle squadron. His dispositions are worth giving in some detail. Collingwood had kept nearer the port, so we find Nelson writing to him: “I think we are near enough, for if the weather is fine, the wind serves, and we are in sight, they will never move.” “I rely on you,” he writes to Blackwood, "that we cannot miss getting hold of them, and I will give them such shaking as they never yet experienced; at least I will lay down my life in the attempt.” It is important to note that notwithstanding these dispositions he was not satisfied that he had enough frigates—he had only five—and he urged the necessity for cruisers even more than battleships, endeavouring even to get the Prime Minister to press the Admiralty on the subject. Meanwhile, Villeneuve had become much straightened for provisions for the crews of his ships, owing to the rigorous blockade instituted by Collingwood and continued by Nelson, and this might in time have had the desired effect of driving him out of port, but Napoleon had issued positive orders for his Fleet to embark troops for Naples to sweep the Italian coast aud proceed to Toulon. To make sure of these orders being carried out, he writes to the Minister of Marine to send a “courier extraordinaire” to Admiral Villeneuve with the orders, but that as “son excessive pusillanimite” will prevent his carrying them out, he is to send Vice-Admiral Rosily to supersede him. Villeneuve heard ou October 18 of Rosily’s arrival at Madrid; and on the same day that six British ships were at Gibraltar. This decided, him, and on the 19th the combined fleetcommenced putting to sea, though it was not till the following day that the ships were all clear of the harbour. In comparing the two fleets, the allied force of French aud Spaniards consisted of thirtythree ships—eighteen being French and fifteen Spanish. Four of the latter were three-deckers, six of the combined squadron were 80’s, and they had one 64. I’he composition of Nelson’s twenty-qeven was as follows: Seven were thicedeekers, but there was only one 80. and ■three were fi4’s, the remainder of la>th fleets were 74's, which, as Malian says, “the experience of most of the navies of that day had fixed as best fitted for the general purposes of naval warfare.” On leaving Cadiz. Villeneuve had formed in five columns, and the wind being 8.8.W. he stood to the westward to clear the land, but the wind shifting tn W.N.W. on the afternoon of the 20th lie.

wore and headed to the southward, intending to bear away lor the Straits. Nelson had stood -outh on bring informed by his frigates uf Villeneuve's’move-’ wents, but on the 20th he wore to north-' ward to keep to windward. 'l'he fleets were not in sight of each other on the 20th, but the British lookout frigates were between the two fleets, keeping Nelson constantly informed. That night both fleets were Handing south, and the Eiiryalus, three miles from the allies, could see the loom of the lights of her own fleet. At 4 a.m. on the 21st Nelson again wore to Hie northward under eas\ sail, and at daylight, Cape Trafalgar bearing east by south about seven leagues, the combined fleet were semi to the eastward ten to twelve miles distant. At twenty minutes to seven, Nelson’s fleet being formed in two columns, he made the signal to prepare for battle ami to bear up. as we should now say ‘‘leaders first, the rest in succession;” this, at least, fs what happened, the Victory and Royal Sovereign, Collingwood’s flagship, •keeping away together, 1 he ships in each column following their respective leaders as they best could, for the wind was very light, with a long ground swell, and even with studding sails set the speed was only about three knots. Nelson’s column consisted of thirteen, Collingwood’s of fourteen ships, both columns steering east about one mile apart, Nelson’s being the northern column, and the Royal Sovereign rather in advance of the Victory. This is the position as shown in the diagram in James' “Naval History,*’ published . only twenty-one years after the battle, and in the plan at the United Service ■ Institution. In Nelson’s orders it had been contemplated that ships of both columns should bear up together, and Admiral Colomb* endeavours to show that this was intended if not actually done.. He points out that in 1805 there was only one signal, viz., “to hear up,” which did not specify whether together or in succession : but he is obliged to admit, that the formation of the two columns when bearing down on the enemy was in a rough quarter line,” which, as he says,., is shown in Admiral Ekins' diagram. Admiral Ekins. Ijowever. writing only 23 years after the battle, .is confident that “in the actual case they afterwards fell into , line ahead in obedience to signal.” Colomb rightly holds that “the direct approach in line abreast was the. most perfect form possible,” and he is unwilling to believe, in spite of strong evidence as to the real mode of attack, that Nelson would have adopted the less effective formation. The answer probably is, that under the circumstances, with the light, uncertain wind, he felt that a line ahead, however irregular, would best preserve some order: he was impatient not to lose a favourable moment, and it is probable that, seeing his enemy to leeward and prepared for action, in his ardour he led the attack himself, which he had not done at the Nile or Copenhagen, where his enemy was motionless. In loading in the Victory he was able to alter course as requisite t<> make sure of cutting the enemy’s line at the intended point, and it is stated that ho did alter course when bearing down with that object. He certainly was not tied to preconceived ideas in detail, and I doubt whether any other mode of attack would have proved more effective, though one may regret that, notwithstanding his own consent to the suggestion that the Temeraire should lead, his eagerness would not let him allow her to go ahead of the Victory. Eventually the FrancoSpanish line was cut «s proposed. Collingwood first rutting through at the twelfth ship from the rear, and Nelson himself breaking the line an hour later about the tenth ship from the van. Let us now turn to the Franco-Spanish fleet. At about .8.30 Villeneuve, seeing that an action was unavoidable, made the signal. to . wear together, and endeavoured io form line on the port tack, having Cadiz under his lee, but owing to the lightness of the wind the manoeuvre was not completed till near 10 o’clock, and even then it was very irregular, being curved or crescent-sba ped, the ships in many cases overlapping each other. He then hove to. keeping the main topsails shivering, the ships slowly forging ahead. Be was now heading north, and Gravina. who bad been in the van, was in the rear. Nelson had lieen on deck since daylight, but at about, seven he retired to

his cabin, making an entry in his diary Tglatifl- ?o the movements of the com* bined fleets, and it is then that he is said to have written the codicil to his will, in which he speaks of the “eminent services” of Lady Hamilton, and continuing: “I leave Emma, Lady Hamilton, therefore, a legacy to my king and country, that they will give her an ample provision to maintain her rank in life I also leave to the beneficence of my country, my adopted daughter, Horatia Nelson Thompson; and I desire that she will use in future the name of Nelson only.” His Last Prayer. About 10 a.m. (being found by Lieutenant Pasco, his flag, or, as it was then called, signal, lieutenant, on his knees) he entered in his journal his last prayer, which ran as follows: “May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country, and’ for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature’ in the British fleet. For myself individually I commit my life to Him who made me, and may His blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen.” He then went on deck and made his celebrated signal, intended originally to be “Nelson confides that every man will do his duty,” the words “expects” being substituted for “confides” at Pasco’s suggestion, as “confides” would have to be spelt, and the ships were then nearing the enemy. At about 9.30 Nelson, in reply to an appeal from Blackwood, who was on board the Victory, had given a conditional assent to a suggestion that the Temeraire should lead the line, and she was hailed to pass ahead of the Victory, but shortly afterwards Nelson hailed Captain Harvey, directing him “to keep his proper station,” which was astern of the Victory. The British ships were at that time under all possible sail, with studding sails set, and Nelson rated the lieutenant in charge of the forecastle for “delaying the ship,” by taking a lee lower studding sail in to reset it.; He wore as usual all his stars on his frock coat, and several of the officers round consulted as to how to represent to him the mark he thus afforded to the sharpshooters of the enemy, but none dared io do so. In the course of the morning he had gone round the decks, and spoken to the men at their quarters, cautioning them not to fire till they were sure of their object. His last signal had been received with cheers when made known to the fleet, and he had then hoisted the signal for close action, which remained flying till shot away. Blackwood, who had been on board most of the morning receiving Nelson’s orders, gives us Nelson’s last remarks to him before he left the Victory as the first shots were tired from the Bucentaure, Villeneuve’s flagship. “Now.” said Nelson, “I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events and to the justice of onr cause. 1 thank God for this great opportunity of doing my duty.” Blackwood on leaving him said. “ I trust, my Lord, that on my return to the Victory, which will be as soon as possible, 1 shall find your Lordship well and in possession of 20 prizes.” Nelson replied, “God bless you. Blackwood, I shall never speak to you again.” It was about noon that the first shotswere tired at the Royal Sovereign, then nearly three-quartprs of a mile ahead of her second astern, the Belleisle. thus commencing the action, on which the Ensigns and Admirals’ flags were hoisted in both fleets, tlv British ships also carrying “Jacks” on their main topmast and fore top-gallant stays. About twelve minutes past noon the Royal Sovereign passed under the stern of the Spanish ship Santa Ana, bearing Vice-Admiral Alava’s flag, and her double-shotted, raking broadside is said to'have ki’/’ed and wounded nearly 400 of the cr?w of the Santa Anna, and to have disabled fourteen of her guns. It was just before this that Nelson remarked, “See how that noble fellow' Collingwood takes his ship into action;” and Chili ng wood at about the same time said to his Flag-Captain, “Rotherham, what would Nelson give to bo h.?re?” This was the spirit which animated the twe t£7?fs. And this generous emulation and appreciation permeated the entire Flo?t, each captain feeling perfect con-

Science in his second, thus welding it into a perfect weapon of patriotic devotion in the day of trial. Nelson's Tactics. Nelson was meanwhile slowly moving towards the Franeo-Spanish line. At twenty minutes past noon the lirst shots were fired at the Victory, which was making scarcely a knot-and-a-half through the water, and before she reached the enemy’s line her mizen topmast, and all her studding sails had been shot away, her sails were in ribbons, her wheel was disabled, and she had lost some fifty killed and .wounded. Some difficulty was found in making out the flag of the French commander-in-chief, though the Spanish four-dick-er, the Santissiina Trinidad, bearing Rear-Admiral Cisnero’s flag, could plainly be distinguished, and Nelson assumed that the Buccntaure was one of the twodeckers not far astern of the fourdecker. He was right, and at one p.m. the Victory’s broadside was discharged into the Bucentaure’s stern, killing and wounding 400 of her men and dismounting twenty guns, reducing the Bue.cntaure to a comparatively defenceless state. The French ships had closed “like a forest,” to use James’ expression, round their commander-in-chief, and Hardy represented to Nelson that he could not round to under the Bueentaure’s stern or pass through the line without running on board one of them, his reply being, “Go on board which you please, take your choice.” The ship chosen was the Redoubtable, with which the Victory was locked by her studding sail boom being hooked into the leach of the fore topsail of her opponent. About 1.40 p.m. the Redoutable fell foul of the Temeraire as she approached, a little later the French Fougueux, whic Jihad been arranged with the Belleisle and Mars, fouled the Temeraire, and was shortly afterwards captured by boarding. This appears to have been about 2.10 p.m. On the English Neptune approaching, which James puts at 1.45 p.m., her log states, “observed four ships in a tier,” referring to the Victory, Redoutable, Temeraire, and Fougueux, surely a singular sight, showing the closeness of the as she came up. she, too, passed under the stern of the Bucentaure, shooting away her main and rniren masts, then engaging the Santissiina Trinidad, which was totally dismasted by her fire, and that of the Conqueror, which followed her. I have given this part of the general

action, but space will not allow of my following it further. The result of the action was that of the fourteen van ships six were taken, and of the nineteen rear ships twelve were taken—nine being French and nine Spanish, the Bucentaure. with the eommander-in-eliief, the Santissiina Trinidad, and the Santa. Ana being among those captured. The Fatal Shot. To return to Nelson. About fifteen minutes after the Victory had -fallen alongside the Redoutable he was walking on the port side of the’ quarter-deck with Hardy when he suddenly turned and fell on his left side, and on Hardy’s expressing a hope that he was not severely wounded, he answered, “They have done for me at last, Hardy. My backbone is shot through.” He wasthen carried below, himself covering his face and his decorations with his handkerchief to prevent his being recognised. The shot, which had been fired from th? Redoutalile’s mizentop, only about fifty feet above him had penetrated his left shoulder on the forward part of the epaulette, piercing the lung, where it severed a large artery, then passing through the spine it finally lodged in the muscles of his back. It is improbable that it was aimed at Nelson, who aaSifiq 11 ‘Ap.tUH A‘q pappiqs A[q.ißd sv.w and stouter man. Hardy being on his light and th? nearest ,to the Redoutable. Of the distressing cock-pit scene T. need say little. He was in great pain, and constantly called for water. He frequently asked how the battle went, and was urgent to see Hardy, who could not for some time leave the deck. About an hour after Nelson had received his wound. Hardy went to him, and in answer to his question, “How' goes.the day with us?” said, “Very well, my Lord, we have got twelve, or fourteen of the enemy’s ships in our possession,” and shortly before Nelson’s death he congratulated him on his “brilliant victory, ’’ saying that “fourteen or fifteen had surrendered,” on which Nelson said, “That is well, but I bargained for twenty-” On' his being brought below' it was at once recognised that the wound was mortal, Nelson himself saying to Dr. Beatty, “You can do nothing for -me, Beatty, I have but a. short time to live.” He. spoke frequently with the chaplain, Dr. Scott, saying,.: “Pray for me, doctor.”

His patriotic interest was sustained throughout, but he also referred frequently to Lady Hamilton and his “adopted daughter Horatia” as a legacy to his country. After his last interview with Hardy, about 4.30 p.m., he became speechless, and expired a quarter of an hour later — the last words .beard ..by J)r. Scott, who was bending closely over him. being “God and my country.”

Thus appropriately was closed the career of one whose whole life was devoted to the service of his country, and he has I.oft her sons a hope of fame, They, too, shall rather die than shame. which has been the inspiration of the naval officer ever since. .-His intuition, his genius we riiaCr'ilbt possess, but we can all endeavour to copy his patriotism. his energy, his determination, his straightforward *hone«ty, his - self-devo-tion and''consideration for others, and his coufage, both moral and physical.

That he was intensely human is one of the qualities which most endeared him to the nation, and made him so beloved, in spite of moral failings and some weaknesses of character. Mourning for His Death. His death was mourned throughout the Fleet and in England, as never man was grieved for before. His influence is still with us, as Canning. who was a personal friend, writes in his poem on the funeral:

The sacred splendour of thy deathless name Shall grace and guard thy country’s martial fame; With living lustre this proud land adorn. And shine and save through ages yet unborn. In Mahan’s words: “Happy he who lives to finish all his task.” The words “1 have done my duty” sealed the closed book of Nelson’s story with “a truth broader and deeper than he himself could suspect. . . . The decisive supremacy of Great Britain’s sea power, the establishment of which beyond all ques-

tion or competition was Nelson's great achievement,” has been a legacy to his descendants, and has not been seriously disputed m the ninety-eight years which have since passed. It is a sacred heirloom, and while we cling to his memory we must see that our modern arms are not rusty, and unequal to keeping that command of the sea which we have inherited. A naval writer has said recently that we have had “too much Nelson,” as he thought that our appreciation of this great man led us to look back instead of looking forward; but this is a shallow view, based on a very slight acquaintance with his history and character. No one supposes that our tools can l>e similar to those of a hundred years ago, but we have much to ’earn from the spirit, the devotion to country, and even from the strategy and tactics of our great naval hero, while his directness of aim in the face of difficulties after a full survey of al 1 the points of the problem is the mi itary example of his brilliant career. There is one lesson to be drawn from Nelson’s life which should not be < verlooked by my brother officers, though it may appear trivial to those outside the service. It is that throughout Nelson’s career and in his voluminous correspondence, while duty and discipline are freely referred to as indispensable, uniform is never mentioned, and the very idea of what we now call routine was absent! Does not this show that uniform and routine are mere means to an end, and that in days we are inclined to attach too much value to them?

EPITAPH ON LORI) NELSON.

Written at the time by the Right lion. John I lookham Frere. The fragile texture of this earthly form. Which Death has stript aside and cast below* Must never more be shaken by the storm. Nor worn with care, 'nor shattered by the foe. At War’s grim sacrifice in fire and blood My living presence never must preside: The keen pursuit across the trackless flood My watchful spirit never more must guide. Britons, farewell! Our country’s utmost claims My life, my labours, all are past and paid; The tears of vain regret, the toys of fame. Are idle offerings to your champion’s shade. This only tribute to my memory give: Tn all your struggles, both by land and sea, L«*t N«lson’s name in emulation live. And in the hour of danger think on me.

• NHson. hy Vieo-Admiral P. IT. Coloiub. JTtvni Howard to Nclbou.