The Life of Nelson, Volume 2 | Page 2

Discussion of the sending of the flag of truce The battle discontinued Nelson removes his ships Completeness of his success Merit of his conduct throughout He is advanced in the peerage to be a Viscount No other rewards, or medals, bestowed for this action Negotiations intrusted to Nelson by Parker The murder of the Czar Paul Armistice for fourteen weeks concluded with Denmark Qualified approval of the British Government The British fleet enters the Baltic Nelson's ardor and personal recklessness.--Anecdote Parker's sluggishness of action.--Nelson's impatience Russia intimates her purpose to abstain from hostilities Nelson's controversy with the Danish Commodore Fischer Parker ordered home, and Nelson left in command Dissatisfaction of the latter His longing to return to Lady Hamilton He insists upon being relieved, on account of his health He starts at once with the fleet for Revel Displeasure manifested by the Czar Alexander Nelson withdraws from Revel to Rostock The Czar thereupon raises the embargo on British merchant ships Nelson's elation over this result of his conduct Details of his life on board His avoidance of social relations outside the ship Relieved by Admiral Pole, and returns to England
CHAPTER XVII.
NELSON COMMANDS THE "SQUADRON ON A PARTICULAR SERVICE," FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE COAST OF ENGLAND AGAINST INVASION.--SIGNATURE OF PRELIMINARIES OF PEACE WITH FRANCE.
JULY-OCTOBER, 1801.
Nelson's longing for repose His services immediately required again His reluctant consent Bonaparte's threats of invasion Inadequacy of British preparations for coast-defence Nature of British apprehensions in 1801 Nelson's Memoranda for the Defence of the Thames Analysis and discussion of this paper St. Vincent's sagacious views on national defence Apparent divergence between him and Nelson Nelson hoists his flag again His tact and courtesy towards others Activity of his movements Satisfied that there can be no invasion Boat attack upon the vessels before Boulogne Its disastrous failure Nelson's distress His exasperation at being kept afloat His alienation from Troubridge Annoyances of his situation Death of Commander Parker.--Nelson's grief His liberality in money matters Pecuniary embarrassments Signature of the preliminaries of peace Nelson's satisfaction at the prospect of release His indignation at the excessive elation of others Receives leave of absence and goes home
CHAPTER XVIII.
RELEASE FROM ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE PEACE OF AMIENS.--HOME LIFE AT MERTON.--PUBLIC INCIDENTS.
OCTOBER, 1801--MAY, 1803.
Nelson makes his home with the Hamiltons His letter of final severance to his wife His relations to his stepson, Josiah Nisbet Desire to have a home of his own Lady Hamilton selects Merton for him The purchase effected, and the Hamiltons reside with him Position of Sir William and of Lady Hamilton in the house Differences between them Minto's account of the household at Merton Reminiscence of the same by Nelson's nephew Incident narrated by Lieutenant Layman Recollections of Nelson by the vicar's daughter Nelson's strong religious sense of Divine Providence Takes his place in the House of Lords His controversy about rewards for the Battle of Copenhagen His action justified Nelson's warm and avowed sympathy with his followers His consistent maintenance of the ground assumed His interest in public questions Dissatisfaction with the general conduct of the Admiralty His sense of neglect Embarrassment in money matters Inadequacy of his pension to his services His doubts as to the continuance of peace His antagonism to Bonaparte illustrated Speech in seconding the address to the throne Designated for the Mediterranean in case of war Volunteers his services Hoists his flag in the "Victory," and sails Breaks in his home-ties during this period Death of his father Death of Sir William Hamilton Hamilton's expressed confidence in Nelson Relations of Nelson's family to Lady Nelson and to Lady Hamilton
CHAPTER XIX.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.--THE LONG WATCH OFF TOULON.--OCCUPATIONS OF A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
MAY, 1803--JANUARY, 1805.
Changed political conditions in the Mediterranean Attitude of the Great Powers Situation of Spain and Portugal Policy of the Italian States Nelson's sense of the importance of the Mediterranean Bonaparte's policy The course advocated by Nelson Accuracy of his general forecast Impatience to reach his station Unwilling detention off Ushant Quits the "Victory," and proceeds in a frigate Momentary stop in Gibraltar Arrival at Malta Extensive correspondence Policy as regards the Two Sicilies His impatience with blind observance of orders Departure from Malta for Toulon Emotions at the sight of Naples Opinion on Malta's value to England Strategic importance of Malta and Gibraltar Nelson joins the fleet before Toulon Bad condition of the ships His skilful administration of the fleet Difficulty of obtaining supplies His attitude towards Spain Importance of Sardinia in Nelson's eyes The valuable anchorage at Madalena Station taken by him off Toulon Fears loss of Sardinia, and serious consequences Significance of Napoleon's inactivity in the Mediterranean The winter rendezvous of the fleet.--Number Seamanlike care of ships and spars Preserves health of seamen by constant activity Sanitary conditions of the fleet His personal health, and anxieties Fears a