Mr. Elliot's Letter to Nelson.

dria, from Alexandria to the West Indies, from the West Indies back again to Gibraltar; to have kept your ships afloat, your rigging standing, and your crews in health and spirits is an effort such as never was realised in former times, nor, I doubt, will ever again be repeated by any other admiral. You have protected us for two long years, and you saved the West Indies by only a few days."

Nelson at Merton.

CHAPTER XII.

1805.

NELSON AT MERTON HE IS RE-APPOINTED TO THE MEDITERRANEAN COMMAND HIS PECUNIARY CIRCUMSTANCES - HE SAILS FROM PORTSMOUTH IN THE VICTORY - JOINS THE FLEET OFF CADIZ COMMUNICATES HIS PLAN OF ATTACK- HIS METHOD OF STATIONING THE FLEET — HIS GENEROUS CONSIDERATION TOWARDS SIR ROBERT CALDER -DIRECTIONS ISSUED BY HIM IN EXPECTATION OF A BATTLE- THE COMBINED FLEET LEAVE CADIZ - PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE - REMARKABLE TESTAMENTARY DOCUMENT — BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR NELSON IS MORTALLY WOUNDED HIS DEATH - HIS BODY IS BROUGHT TO ENGLAND HIS FUNERAL CONCLUSION.

-

NELSON was now resolved to recruit his health, and to enjoy a little leisure with his family and friends in his retreat at Merton. All his stores were accordingly removed from the Victory. His brother, his two sisters, and their families, were collected around him; and, when the Duke of Clarence dined with him at Merton, he assured his royal highness, pointing to his nephews and nieces who were seated at a separate table, that the sight of those young persons assembled under his roof constituted the chief happiness of his life. Short, however, was the interval during which he was permitted to enjoy this gratification. He had not been many days on shore, when Captain Blackwood arrived with the news that the combined fleet of the enemy, reinforced by two more Spanish squadrons, and now amounting to 34 sail of the line, had left Ferrol and got safely into Cadiz, where they were blocked up by Admiral Collingwood.

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Captain Blackwood's Visit.

On his way to London with the despatches, Captain Blackwood called about five in the morning at Merton Place, where he found Nelson already up and dressed. "I am sure," he exclaimed, on seeing the captain, you bring me news of the French and Spanish fleets, and I think I shall yet have to beat them." Blackwood in reply gave as briefly as possible all the information of which he was the bearer, and, after expressing his wish that he should witness the intended drubbing, he left Merton for the Admiralty. This intelligence made a deep impression on the mind of Nelson, which he endeavoured to disguise from those around him. All this, however, he said was nothing to him "Let the man trudge it who has lost his budget," he added, with a forced gaiety, which did not escape the keen penetration of Lady Hamilton, any more than the deep thoughtfulness by which it was succeeded. In this state of mind he was pacing one of the walks in his garden, which he was accustomed to call the quarter-deck, when she joined him, and said that she perceived he was low and uneasy. "No," said he, smiling, "I am as happy as possible;" adding that he saw himself surrounded by his family; that he found his health improved since he had been at Merton; and that 'he would not give sixpence to call the king his uncle.' She replied that she did not believe what he said, and that she could tell what ailed him; that he was longing to get at those French and Spanish fleets, which he considered as his lawful property, and would be miserable if any other officer did the business; and therefore he must have them as the price of his long watching and the two years' hardships which he had gone through in the Mediterranean. Nelson,"

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said her ladyship, in concluding, "however we may lament your absence, and your leaving us so soon, offer your services immediately to go off Cadiz: they

Nelson re-appointed to the Mediterranean Command.

will be accepted, and you will gain a quiet heart by it. You will have a glorious victory, and then you may come hither, and take your repose and be happy." He looked at her in silence for some moments, and then with tears in his eyes exclaimed: "Brave Emma! good Emma! if there were more Emmas, there would be more Nelsons. You have penetrated my thoughts; I wish all you say, but was afraid to trust even myself with reflecting on the subject. However, I will go to town." He went accordingly; and, as his fair friend had foretold, his services were immediately accepted.

Lord Barham, then first Lord of the Admiralty, on receiving Nelson's journals of proceedings during his late command in the Mediterranean, had perused the whole with an attention which enabled him to form a more complete idea of the admiral's professional character; and he frankly acknowledged that he had not before sufficiently appreciated such extraordinary talents. This opinion he communicated to the Cabinet, with an assurance that unbounded confidence ought to be placed in Nelson, who was above all others the officer to be employed on the station which he had so ably watched, and the political relations of which he so thoroughly understood. this conviction, the Board not only accepted his lordship's services, but invested him with more extensive powers than were ever entrusted to any naval commander. He was directed to send home Sir Robert Calder, who had joined Collingwood off Cadiz, and to assume the chief command of all his majesty's ships and vessels throughout the whole of the Mediterranean; with full liberty to use his own discretion in following the enemy whithersoever he should think proper, without being liable to the slightest censure or control.

Under

Nelson was received at the Admiralty by Lord

Nelson's Pecuniary Circumstances.

lord,"

Barham, in a manner which corresponded with the opinion that he had given to ministers. The Navy List was put into his hands, and he was desired to choose his own officers. "Choose yourself, my replied Nelson, returning the list; "the same spirit actuates the whole profession; you cannot choose wrong." Lord Barham then requested him to dictate without reserve to his secretary the names of such ships as he wished to have, in addition to the squadron then off Cadiz, promising that they should follow at short intervals, as soon as each was ready. "Have no scruple, Lord Nelson," said he; "there is my secretary. I will leave the room; give your orders to him; and, rely on it, they shall be implicitly obeyed by me." To this wise and liberal conduct it was owing that the Mediterranean fleet received constant reinforcements of ships, which, not sailing in a body, arrived at their destination unknown to the enemy.

During the few days that he passed in England after his appointment to this important command, Nelson devoted the little leisure which his professional preparations allowed to his beloved family and friends. The improvements which he had planned in his house and grounds were by no means completed; and, in order to pay some debts and provide the requisites for his equipment, he was necessitated to dispose of many jewels and valuable presents. Though his income was considerable, it was wholly inadequate to the greatness of his character. We have seen to what deductions he had rendered it liable for Lady Nelson and the widow of his brother Maurice. On numberless occasions, the public service was promoted by his private purse. For this the dukedom of Bronte had been mortgaged; that debt was further increased; so that he says, in October, 1803, it was then 8000 ounces (£8,800) in debt, be