walked among sea-terms as carefully as a cat does among crockery; but if I have succeeded in making the narrative continuous and clear—the very reverse of what it is in the lives before me-the materials are in themselves so full of character, so picturesque and so sublime, that it cannot fail of being a good book." (Id. Feb. I, 1813-) "I met a Mr. Brandreth at my brother's a few days ago, who has lately returned from the West Indies. He says the American Government has printed an edition of your Life of Nelson, sufficiently numerous for a distribution on fine paper to every officer, and on coarse paper to every man in their fleet. This is what should have been done here long ago, and would have been done, if our statesmen had been anything better than politicians, or considered the people of the country as anything but mere machines, unendowed with feelings or motives of action. It ought to be in the chest of every seaman, from the admiral to the cabin-boy."-Grosvenor C. Bedford to R. Southey. (Id. ch. xxxi.) CONTENTS PAGE SUMMARY OF EVENTS CHAPTER I. 1758-1783. Nelson's Birth and Boyhood-He is entered on board the Raisonnable-Goes to the West Indies in a Merchantship; then serves in the Triumph-He sails in Captain Phipps's Voyage of Discovery Goes to the East Indies in the Seahorse, and returns in ill-health-Serves as Acting-Lieutenant in the Worcester, and is made Lieutenant into the Lowestoffe, Commander into the Badger brig, and Post into the Hinchinbrook-Expedition against the Spanish Main-Sent to the North Seas in the Albemarle -Services during the American War CHAPTER II. 1784-1792. Nelson goes to France during the Peace-Reappointed to the Boreas, and stationed at the Leeward Islands-His firm conduct concerning the American Interlopers and the Contractors-Marries and returns to England-Is on the point of quitting the Service in Disgust-Manner of Life while unemployed-Appointed to the Agamemnon on the breaking out of the War of the French Revolution CHAPTER III. 1793-1795. The Agamemnon sent to the Mediterranean-Commencement of Nelson's acquaintance with Sir William Hamilton -He is sent to Corsica, to co-operate with Paoli-State of affairs in that Island-Nelson undertakes the Siege of Bastia, and reduces it-Takes a distinguished part in the Siege of Calvi, where he loses an Eye-Admiral Hotham's action-The Agamemnon ordered to Genoa, to coöperate with the Austrian and Sardinian forces-Gross misconduct of the Austrian General . X I 27 45 CHAPTER IV. 1795-1797. Sir J. Jervis takes the Command-Genoa joins the French -Buonaparte begins his Career-Evacuation of Corsica -Nelson hoists his Broad Pendant in the MinerveAction with the Sabina-Battle off Cape St. Vincent— Nelson commands the Inner Squadron at the Blockade of Cadiz-Boat Action in the Bay of Cadiz-Expedition against Teneriffe-Nelson loses an Arm-His Sufferings in England, and Recovery CHAPTER V. 1798. Nelson rejoins Earl St. Vincent in the Vanguard-Sails in pursuit of the French to Egypt-Returns to Sicily, and sails again to Egypt-Battle of Aboukir . Nelson returns to Naples-State of that Court and Kingdom-General Mack-The French approach NaplesFlight of the Royal Family-Successes of the Allies in Italy-Transactions in the Bay of Naples-Expulsion of the French from the Neapolitan and Roman States-Nelson is made Duke of Bronte-He leaves the Mediterranean and returns to England PAGE 78 104 132 Nelson separates himself from his Wife-Northern Con- CHAPTER VIII. 1801-1805. Sir Hyde Parker is recalled, and Nelson appointed Commander-He goes to Revel-Settlement of affairs in the Baltic-Unsuccessful attempt upon the Flotilla at Boulogne-Peace of Amiens-Nelson takes the Command in the Mediterranean on the renewal of the WarEscape of the Toulon Fleet-Nelson chases them to the West Indies and back-Delivers up his Squadron to Admiral Cornwallis, and lands in England 176 210 Contents. CHAPTER IX. 1805. Sir Robert Calder falls in with the combined Fleets-They form a junction with the Ferrol Squadron, and get into Cadiz-Nelson is reappointed to the Command-Battle of Trafalgar-Victory, and Death of Nelson MEMOIR OF NELSON'S SERVICES ix PAGE 248 273 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. The "Victory" Map of the West Indies Manoeuvre between the Agamemnon and Ca Ira Nelson's Rough Sketch of the Mole of Santa Cruz Frontispiece 21 64 72 97 116 180 188 |