The Life of Nelson, Volume 1 | Page 5

COURT OF NAPLES.--WAR BETWEEN NAPLES AND FRANCE.--DEFEAT OF THE NEAPOLITANS.--FLIGHT OF THE COURT TO PALERMO.
SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER, 1798.
Voyage to Naples Recovery from wound His views as to future operations Change of view after reaching Naples Arrival at Naples Meeting with the Hamiltons Previous career of Lady Hamilton Her political influence in Naples Her characteristics Her influence over Nelson Rapid progress of the intimacy His association with the Court He urges Naples to declare war against France Political situation of Naples relatively to France Nelson goes off Malta Returns to Naples Neapolitans advance against the French in Rome Their overthrow and rout The royal family and Court fly to Palermo Nelson in Palermo Scandals about his residence there Troubridge's remonstrances with him
CHAPTER XII.
NELSON'S CAREER, AND GENERAL EVENTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND ITALY, FROM THE OVERTHROW OF THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT IN NAPLES TO THE INCURSION OF THE FRENCH FLEET UNDER ADMIRAL BRUIX.
JANUARY-MAY, 1799.
The French enter Naples Nelson's distress and comments The Sidney Smith mission Nelson's indignation Modification of Smith's orders Nelson's diplomatic capacity Jealousy of Russian progress in the Mediterranean His expectations of Russian assistance Precautions against Russians in Malta His poor opinion of the Neapolitan troops Difficulties with the Barbary States Nelson's dealings with them His hatred of the French Deep depression of spirits Fears for Sicily French reverses in Germany and Italy British and Neapolitan successes about Naples The French evacuate the kingdom of Naples News of the approach of the French fleet under Bruix
CHAPTER XIII.
FROM THE INCURSION OF THE FRENCH FLEET UNDER BRUIX TO THE RESTORATION OF THE ROYAL AUTHORITY AT NAPLES.--THE CARACCIOLO EXECUTION.--NELSON'S DISOBEDIENCE TO ADMIRAL LORD KEITH.
MAY-JULY, 1799.
Nelson's measures to meet Bruix's fleet His perplexity and mental distress Concentrates his division off Maritimo His sagacity and resolution Growing infatuation about Lady Hamilton Learns that Bruix has gone to Toulon Takes his squadron to Palermo Distress at St. Vincent's intention to go home Movements of St. Vincent and of Keith with the main fleet Nelson starts from Palermo for Naples News from Keith causes him to return off Maritimo Dissatisfaction with Keith's measures Resolves to go to Naples with the squadron Arrival at Naples State of affairs there Nelson's powers as representative of the King of Naples Annuls the existing armistice Capitulation of the castles Uovo and Nuovo Discussion of Nelson's action at this time Justification of his conduct The Caracciolo incident Execution of Caracciolo Discussion of Nelson's action in this case His profound attachment to the royal family of Naples The King establishes his court on board Nelson's flagship Mutual admiration of Nelson and the Hamiltons Castle of St. Elmo capitulates Troubridge sent against Capua Keith orders Nelson to send ships to Minorca Nelson disobeys Keith repeats his orders Nelson again refuses obedience Discussion of this incident The Admiralty censure Nelson Nelson's discontent His complaints of his health
CHAPTER I.
THE FIRST TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
1758-1783.
It is the appointed lot of some of History's chosen few to come upon the scene at the moment when a great tendency is nearing its crisis and culmination. Specially gifted with qualities needed to realize the fulness of its possibilities, they so identify themselves with it by their deeds that they thenceforth personify to the world the movement which brought them forth, and of which their own achievements are at once the climax and the most dazzling illustration. Fewer still, but happiest of all, viewed from the standpoint of fame, are those whose departure is as well timed as their appearance, who do not survive the instant of perfected success, to linger on subjected to the searching tests of common life, but pass from our ken in a blaze of glory which thenceforth forever encircles their names. In that evening light break away and vanish the ominous clouds wherewith human frailties or tyrant passions had threatened to darken their renown; and their sun goes down with a lustre which the lapse of time is powerless to dim. Such was the privilege of the stainless Wolfe; such, beyond all others, that of Nelson. Rarely has a man been more favored in the hour of his appearing; never one so fortunate in the moment of his death.
Yet, however accidental, or providential, this rarely allotted portion, this crowning incident of an heroic career, it is after all but an incident. It the man has not contrived; but to it he has contributed much, without which his passing hour would have faded to memory, undistinguished among those of the myriads, great and small, who have died as nobly and are forever forgotten. A sun has set; but before its setting it has run a course, be it long or short, and has gathered a radiance which fixes upon its parting beams the rapt attention of beholders. The man's self and the man's works, what he was and what he did, the