The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 1

Volume 1 — PREFACE. (continued 5)

Reading edition

"The enemy appeared to be moored in a strong and compact line of battle, close in with the shore; their line describing an obtuse angle in it's form, flanked by numerous gun-boats, four frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on an island in their van. This situation of the enemy seemed to secure to them the most decided advantages; as they had nothing to attend to but their artillery, in their superior skill in the use of which the French so much pride themselves, and to which, indeed, their splendid series of land victories are in general chiefly to be imputed.

"The position of the enemy presented the most formidable obstacles: but the admiral viewed them all with the eye of a seaman determined on attack; and it instantly struck his eager and penetrating mind, that "where there was room for an enemy's ship to swing, there was room for one of our's to anchor." No farther signals were necessary, than those which had already been made. The admiral's designs were fully known to his whole squadron; as was his determination to conquer, or perish in the attempt. The Goliah and Zealous had the honour to lead inside, and to receive the first fire from the van ships of the enemy, as well as from the batteries and gun-boats with which their van was strengthened. These two ships, with the Orion, Audacious, and Theseus, took their stations inside the enemy's line, and were immediately in close action. The Vanguard anchored the first on the outer side of the enemy; and was opposed, within half pistol-shot, to Le Spartiate, the third in the enemy's line. The shores of the Bay of Aboukir were soon lined with spectators, who beheld the approach of the English, and the awful conflict of the hostile fleets, in silent astonishment.

"Sir Horatio Nelson, as Rear-Admiral of the Blue, carried the blue flag at the mizen; but, from a standing order of the Earl of St. Vincent, the squadron wore the white, or St. George's ensign, in the action. This being white, with a red cross, the first quarter bearing the union, it occasioned the display of the cross on the renowned and ancient coast of Egypt.

"So entirely was the admiral resolved to conquer, or to perish in the attempt, that he led into action with six ensigns, or flags, viz. red, white, and blue, flying in different parts of the rigging. He could not bear to reflect on the possibility of his colours being carried away even by a random shot from the enemy.

"In standing in, the leading ships were unavoidably obliged to receive into their bows the whole fire of the broadsides of the French line, till they could take their respective stations: and it is but justice to observe, that the enemy received their opponents with great firmness and deliberation; no colours having been hoisted on either side, nor a gun fired, till our van ships were within half gun-shot. At this time, the necessary number of our men were engaged aloft in furling sails, and on deck in hauling the braces, and other requisite employments, preparatory to casting anchor. As soon as this took place, a most animated fire opened from the Vanguard; which ship covered the approach of those in the rear, who were following in a close line. The Minotaur, Defence, Bellerophon, Majestic, Swiftsure, and Alexander, came up in succession; and, passing within hail of the Vanguard, took their respective stations opposed to the enemy's line. All our ships anchored by the stern; by which means, the British line became inverted from van to rear. Captain Thompson, of the Leander of fifty guns, with a degree of judgment highly honourable to his professional character, advanced towards the enemy's line on the outside, and most judiciously dropped his anchor athwart hause of Le Franklin, raking her with great success; the shot, from the Leander's broadside, which passed that ship, all striking L'Orient, the flag-ship of the French commander in chief.

"The action commenced at sun-set, which was at thirty-one minutes past six, with an ardour and vigour which it is impossible to describe. In a few minutes, every man stationed at the first six guns in the fore part of the Vanguard's deck, was down, killed or wounded, and one gun in particular was repeatedly cleared: one of the midshipmen was just remarking the escapes he had experienced, when a shot came, and cut him in two. At about seven o'clock, total darkness had come on; but the whole hemisphere was, at intervals, illuminated by the fire of the hostile fleets. Our ships, as darkness came on, had all hoisted their distinguishing lights, by a signal from the admiral.

"The van ship of the enemy, Le Guerrier, was dismasted in less than twelve minutes; and, in ten minutes after, the second ship, Le Conquerant, and the third, Le Spartiate, very nearly at the same moment, experienced a similar fate. L'Aquilon, and Le Souverain Peuple, the fourth and fifth ships of the enemy's line, were taken possession of by the British at half past eight in the evening. Captain Berry, at that hour, sent Lieutenant Galway, of the Vanguard, with a party of marines, to take possession of Le Spartiate: and that officer returned, by the boat, the French captain's sword, which Captain Berry immediately delivered to the admiral; who was then below, in consequence of the severe wound which he had received in the head during the heat of the attack."

This wound seems to have been inflicted by langridge shot, or a piece of iron; which, cutting his forehead at right angles, the skin hung over his face, Captain Berry, fortunately happening to be sufficiently near, caught the admiral in his arms, and prevented him from falling. It was, at first, the universal opinion, that their beloved commander had been shot through the head; and, indeed, the appearance was rendered dreadfully alarming, by the hanging skin and the copious effusion of blood. Not a man on board was now solicitous for his own life; every brave fellow was alone anxious for that of the worthy admiral. This, however, far from repressing their ardour, served only to animate their fury, and prompt them, if possible, to still greater exertions. On being carried into the cockpit, where several of his gallant crew were stretched with their shattered limbs, and lacerated wounds, the surgeon, with the most respectful anxiety, quitted the poor fellow then under his hands, that he might instantly attend on the admiral.

"No," replied the heroic commander, with the utmost composure, though he had then no hope of surviving, "I will take my turn with my brave fellows."

"The agony of his wound, in the mean time, greatly increasing, he became satisfied that the idea which he had long indulged of dying in battle was now about to be accomplished. He desired to see his chaplain, the Reverend Mr. Comyn, and begged he would bear his remembrances to Lady Nelson; and, as the last beneficial office that he conceived he should be able to perform, he appointed Captain Hardy, of La Mutine, to be Captain of the Vanguard. Having expressed a wish to see Captain Louis, of the Minotaur, Captain Berry had hailed that ship, and the commander came on board. The admiral was desirous of personally thanking him for the assistance which he had, in the height of danger, been enabled to render the Vanguard. "My dear Louis," said the admiral, "farewel! I shall never, should I survive, forget the obligation I am under to you. Whatever may become of me, my mind is at peace." He, then, with the most pious composure, seemed resigning himself to death. As soon as the surgeon had, according to the express injunctions of the admiral, paid all necessary attention to every person previously wounded, he came forward to examine the wound of their commander. An awful silence prevailed; but it was of short duration, for the surgeon almost immediately pronounced it to be merely superficial, and of no dangerous consequence. The pleasing intelligence speedily circulated through the ship, and the excess of sorrow was instantaneously converted into the excess of joy: nor did the hero feel less delighted at hearing the grateful expressions of gladness from his generous crew, than at the unexpected announcement of his life's being considered, by the surgeon, as in no sort of danger. This circumstance, indeed, greatly tended to alleviate his sufferings during the painful operation of dressing his wounded forehead.

"At this time, it appeared that victory had already declared itself in our favour; for, though L'Orient, L'Heureux, and Le Tonnant, were not taken possession of, they were considered as completely in our power: which pleasing intelligence Captain Berry had likewise the satisfaction of communicating in person to the admiral.

"At ten minutes after nine, a fire was observed on board L'Orient, the French admiral's ship, which seemed to proceed from the after part of the cabin; and which increased with great rapidity, presently involving the whole of the after part of the ship in flames. This circumstance Captain Berry immediately communicated to the admiral; who, though suffering severely from his wound, came immediately on deck: where, the first consideration that struck his benevolent mind was, concern for the danger of so many lives; to save as many as possible of whom, he ordered Captain Berry to make every practicable exertion. A boat, the only one that could swim, was instantly dispatched from the Vanguard; and other ships, that were in a condition to do so, immediately followed the example: by which means, from the best possible information, the lives of about seventy Frenchmen were saved. The light thrown by the fire of L'Orient on the surrounding objects, enabled the commanders to perceive, with more certainty, the situation of the two fleets, the colours of both being clearly distinguishable. The cannonading was partially kept up to leeward of the centre till about ten o'clock, when L'Orient blew up with a most tremendous explosion.

"An awful pause, and death-like silence, for about three minutes, ensued; when the wreck of the masts, yards, &c. which had been carried to a vast height, fell down into the water, and on board the surrounding ships. A port fire from L'Orient fell into the main-royal of the Alexander; the fire occasioned by which was, however, extinguished in about two minutes, by the active exertions of Captain Ball.

"After this awful scene, the firing recommenced with the ships to leeward of the centre, till twenty minutes past ten; when there was a total cessation of firing, for about ten minutes: after which, it was revived till about three in the morning; when, it again ceased.

"After the victory had been secured in the van, such British ships as were in a condition to move, had gone down on the fresh ships of the enemy. At five minutes past five in the morning, the two rear ships of the enemy, Le Guillaume Tell and Le Genereux, were the only French ships of the line that had their colours flying. At fifty-four minutes past five, a French frigate, L'Artemise, fired a broadside, and struck her colours: but such was the unwarrantable and infamous conduct of the French captain, that after having thus surrendered, he set fire to his ship; and, with part of his crew, made his escape on shore. Another of the French frigates, La Serieuse, had been sunk by the fire from some of our ships; but, as her poop remained above water, her men were saved on it, and were taken off by our boats in the morning. The Bellerophon, whose masts and cables had been entirely shot away, could not retain her situation abreast of L'Orient, but had drifted out of the line to the lee side of the bay, a little before that ship blew up. The Audacious, in the morning, was detached to her assistance. At eleven o'clock Le Genereux and Guillaume Tell; with the two frigates, La Justice, and La Diane; cut their cables, and stood out to sea: pursued by the Zealous, Captain Hood, who handsomely endeavoured to prevent their escape. But, as there was no other ship in a condition to support the Zealous, she was recalled.

"The whole day of the 2d of August was employed in securing the French ships that had struck; and which were now all completely in our possession, Le Tonnant and Timoleon excepted. As these were both dismasted, and consequently could not escape, they were naturally the last of which it was necessary to think of taking possession.

"On the morning of the 3d, the Timoleon was set fire to; and Le Tonnant had cut her cable, and drifted on shore: but that active officer, Captain Miller, of the Theseus, soon got her off again, and secured her in the British line.

"The British force engaged, consisted of only twelve ships of seventy-four guns, and the Leander of fifty: for, from the over anxiety and zeal of Captain Troubridge to get into action, his ship, the Culloden, in standing in for the van of the enemy's line, had unfortunately grounded on the tail of a shoal, running off from the island on which were the mortar and gun batteries of the enemy; and, notwithstanding all the exertions of that able officer, and his ship's company, she could not be got off. This unfortunate circumstance was severely felt, at the moment, by the admiral, and all the officers of the squadron: but their feelings were nothing, compared to the anxiety, and even agony of mind, which the captain of the Culloden himself experienced for so many eventful hours. There was but one consolation which could offer itself to him, in the midst of the distresses of his situation—a feeble one, it is true—that his ship served as a beacon for three other ships, viz. the Alexander, Theseus, and Leander, which were advancing, with all possible sail set, close in his rear: and which, otherwise, might have experienced a similar misfortune; and thus, in a greater proportion still, have weakened our force. It was not till the morning of the 2d, that the Culloden could be got off: and it was then found, that she had suffered very considerable damage in her bottom; that her rudder was beat off; and the crew could scarcely keep her afloat, with all pumps going. The resources of Captain Troubridge's mind availed him much, and were admirably exerted, on this trying occasion. In four days, he had a new rudder made, on his own deck, which was immediately shipped; and the Culloden was again in a state for actual service, though still very leaky.

"The admiral, knowing that the wounded of his own ships had been well taken care of, bent his first attention to those of the enemy. He established a truce with the commandant of Aboukir; and, through him, made a communication to the commandant of Alexandria, that it was his intention to allow all the wounded Frenchmen to be taken ashore to proper hospitals, with their own surgeons to attend them: a proposal which was assented to by the French, and carried into effect the following day. The activity and generous consideration of Captain Troubridge were again exerted, at this time, for the general good. He communicated with the shore, and had the address to procure a supply of fresh provisions, onions, and other necessary refreshments, which were served out to the sick and wounded, and which proved of essential utility.

"On the 2d, the Arabs and Mamelukes, who had, during the battle, lined the shores of the bay, saw with transport that the victory was decisively on the part of the British fleet: an event, in which they participated, with an exultation almost equal to that of the conquerors; and, on that and the two following nights, the whole coast and country were illuminated as far as the eye could penetrate, in celebration of the happy event. This had a great effect on the minds of the prisoners; as they conceived that this illumination was the consequence not entirely of the defeat of their fleet, but of some signal success obtained by the Arabs and Mamelukes over Bonaparte.

"Though it is natural to suppose, that the time and attention of the admiral, and all the officers of his squadron, were very fully employed in repairing the damages sustained by their own ships, and in securing those of the enemy which their valour had subdued, yet the mind of that great and good man felt the strongest emotions of the most pious gratitude to the Supreme Being, for the signal success which, by the Divine favour, had crowned his endeavours in the cause of his country; and, in consequence, on the morning of the 2d, he issued the following memorandum to the different captains of his squadron—

"MEMORANDUM.

"Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 2d Aug. 1798.

"Almighty God having blessed his majesty's arms with victory, the admiral intends returning public thanksgiving for the same at two o'clock this day; and he recommends every ship doing the same, as soon as convenient."

"To the respective Captains of the Squadron."

"At two o'clock, accordingly, public service was performed on the quarter-deck of the Vanguard, by the Reverend Mr. Comyn; the other ships following the example of the admiral, though not all exactly at the same time. This solemn act of gratitude to Heaven, seemed to make a very deep impression on several of the prisoners, both officers and men: some of the former remarked—"That it was no wonder such order and discipline were preserved in the British navy, when the minds of our men could be impressed with such sentiments after a victory so great, and at a moment of such seeming confusion."

On the very same day, the following Memorandum was likewise issued to all the ships; expressive of the admiral's sentiments of the noble exertions of the different officers and men of his squadron—

"MEMORANDUM.

"Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, Aug. 2, 1798.

"The admiral most heartily congratulates the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, of the squadron he has had the honour to command, on the event of the late action; and he desires they will accept his most sincere and cordial thanks, for their very gallant behaviour in this glorious battle. It must strike, forcibly, every British seaman, how superior their conduct is, when in discipline and good order, to the riotous behaviour of lawless Frenchmen. The squadron may be assured, the admiral will not fail, with his dispatches, to represent their truly meritorious conduct, in the strongest terms, to the commander in chief."

"To the Captains of the Ships of the Squadron."

"The praise expressed in this memorandum, could not fail to be highly acceptable, and gratifying, to every individual in the squadron; and the observation which it endeavoured to impress on the minds of all, of the striking advantages derived from discipline and good order, was so much the effect of recent experience, that every bosom immediately assented to it's justice. The benefit of this important truth will not, we trust, be confined to any particular branch of the British navy: the sentiment of the Hero of the Nile must infuse itself into the heart of every British seaman, in whatever quarter of the globe he may be extending the glory and interests of his country; and will there produce the conviction, that courage alone will not lead him to conquest, without the aid and direction of exact discipline and order,

"Let those who desire to emulate, as every British seaman must, the glory acquired on this signal occasion, pursue the same means; which, principally, led to it's acquisition. Let them repose the most perfect reliance in the courage, judgment, and skill, of their superior officers; and let them aid the designs of these, by uniformly submissive obedience, and willing subordination: so shall the British navy continue to prove the admiration of the world, till time shall be no more.

"Immediately after the action, some Maltese, Genoese, and Spaniards, who had been serving on board the French fleet, offered their services in the British; and, being accepted, expressed the greatest happiness, at thus being freed, as they said, from the tyranny and cruelty of the French."

It has been thought proper to adopt the description of the battle of the Nile from this unadorned narrative, not only because it is said to have been originally sketched by Captain Berry; but because there seems no small degree of internal evidence that it was originally founded on the minutes of the hero himself, to whose most glorious victory it adverts with far less admiration and applause than it probably would have received from any other pen.

The following Journal of the 1st, 2d, and 3d days of August 1798, said to have been written by a French officer of high rank, will be found to comprehend a more just and animated picture of this grand naval engagement, and it's consequences, than could have been reasonably expected from what is usually seen of Gallic candour and impartiality.

"The 1st of August 1798, wind west north-west, light breezes, and fair weather. The second division of the fleet sent a party of men on shore to dig wells. Every ship in the fleet sent twenty-five men, to protect the workmen from the continual attacks of the Bedouins and vagabonds of the country. At two in the afternoon, L'Heureux made the signal for twelve sail, west south-west; which we could easily distinguish, from the mast-heads, to be ships of war. The signal was then made, for all the boats, workmen, and guards, to repair on board their ships, which was only obeyed by a small number. At three o'clock, the admiral, not having any doubt that the ships in sight were the enemy, ordered the hammocks to be stowed for action; and directed L'Alert and Ruiller brigs of war to reconnoitre the enemy; who, we soon perceived, were steering for Bequier Bay, under a crowd of canvas, without observing any order of sailing. At four o'clock, we saw, over the fort of Aboukir, two ships, apparently waiting to join the squadron: without doubt, they had been sent to look into the port of Alexandria. We likewise saw a brig, with the twelve ships; so that they were, now, fourteen sail of the line, and a brig. L'Alert then began to put the admiral's orders into execution, viz. to stand toward the enemy till nearly within gun-shot, and then to manoeuvre, and endeavour to draw them towards the outer shoal lying off the island. But the English admiral, without doubt, had experienced pilots on board; as he did not pay any attention to the brig's track, but allowed her to go away, hauling well round all the dangers. At this time, a small boat, dispatched from Alexandria to Rosetta, voluntarily bore down to the English brig, which took possession of her, notwithstanding the repeated efforts of L'Alert to prevent it, by firing a great many shot at the boat. At five o'clock, the enemy came to the wind in succession. This manoeuvre convinced us, that they intended attacking us that evening. The admiral got the top-gallant yards across; but, soon after, made the signal, that he intended engaging the enemy at anchor. After this signal, each ship ought to have sent a stream-cable to the ship astern of her, and to have made a hawser fast to the cable about twenty fathoms in the water, and passed the opposite side to that intended as a spring; this was not generally executed. Orders were then given, to let go another bower anchor; and the broadsides of the ships were brought to bear upon the enemy, having the ships heads south-east from the Island of Bequier, forming a line about thirteen hundred fathoms north-west and south-east, distant from each other eighty fathoms, and with an anchor out south south-east At a quarter past five, one of the enemy's ships that was steering to get to windward of the headmost of the line, ran on the reef east north-east of the island. She had immediate assistance from the brig, and got afloat in the morning. The battery on the island opened a fire on the enemy, and their shells fell ahead of the second ship in the line. At half past five, the headmost ships of our line being within gun-shot of the English, the admiral made the signal to engage; which was not obeyed, till the enemy was within pistol-shot, and just doubling us. The action then became very warm. Le Conquerant began to fire, then Le Guerrier, Le Spartiate, L'Aquilon, Le Peuple Souverain, and Le Franklin. At six o'clock, La Serieuse frigate and L'Hercule bomb, cut their cables, and got under weigh, to avoid the enemy's fire. They got on shore; La Serieuse caught fire, and had part of her masts burnt; L'Artemise was obliged to get under weigh, and likewise got on shore. The two frigates sent their ships companies aboard the different line of battle ships. The sloops of war, two bombs, and several transports that were with the fleet, were more successful; as they got under weigh, and reached the anchorage under the protection of the fort of Aboukir. All the van were attacked on both sides by the enemy, who ranged close along our line. They had each an anchor out astern, which facilitated their motions, and enabled them to place themselves in the most advantageous position. At a quarter past six, Le Franklin opened her fire on the enemy from the starboard side; at three quarters past six, she was engaged on both sides. L'Orient, at this time, began firing from her starboard guns; and, at seven, Le Tonnant opened her fire. All the ships, from Le Guerrier to Le Tonnant, were now engaged against a superior force: this only redoubled the ardour of the French, who kept up a very heavy fire. At eight o'clock at night, the ship which was engaging L'Orient on the starboard quarter, notwithstanding her advantageous position, was dismasted; and so roughly treated, that she cut her cables, and drove farther from the line. This event gave Le Franklin hopes that L'Orient would now be able to assist her, by attacking one of the ships opposed to her; but, at this very moment, the two ships that had been observed astern of the fleet, and were quite fresh, steered right for the centre. One of them anchored on L'Orient's starboard bow; and the other cut the line astern of L'Orient, and anchored off her larboard quarter. The action, in this place, then became extremely warm. Admiral De Brueys, who had at this time been slightly wounded in the head and arm, very soon received a shot in the belly, which almost cut him in two. He desired not to be carried below, but to be left to die on deck: he lived but a quarter of an hour. Rear-Admiral Blanquet, as well as his aid-du-camp, were unacquainted with this melancholy event till the action was nearly over. Admiral Blanquet received a severe wound in the face, which knocked him down; he was carried off the deck, senseless. At a quarter past eight o'clock, Le Peuple Souverain drove to leeward of the line, and anchored a cable's length abreast of L'Orient: it was not known what unfortunate event occasioned this. The vacant place she made, placed Le Franklin in a more unfortunate position; and, it became very critical, from the manoeuvre of one of the enemy's fresh ships, which had been sent to the assistance of the ship on shore. She anchored athwart Le Franklin's bows, and commenced a very heavy raking fire. Notwithstanding the dreadful situation of the ships in the centre, they continually kept up a very heavy fire. At half past eight o'clock, the action was general from Le Guerrier to Le Mercure. The Admiral De Brueys's death, and the severe wounds of Admiral Blanquet, must have deeply affected the people who fought under them: but, it added to their ardour for revenge; and the action continued, on both sides, with great obstinacy. At nine o'clock, the ships in the van slackened their fire; and, soon after, totally ceased: and, with infinite sorrow, we supposed they had surrendered. They were dismasted very soon after the action began; and so much damaged that, it is to be presumed, they could not hold out any longer against an enemy so superior by an advantageous position, in placing several ships against one. At a quarter past nine o'clock, L'Orient caught fire in the cabin; it soon afterwards broke out on the poop. Every effort was made to extinguish it; but, without effect; and, very soon, it was so considerable, that there was no hope of saving the ship. At half past nine, Citoyen Gillet, Capitain de Pavilion of the Franklin, was very severely wounded, and was carried off the deck. At three quarters past nine, the arm-chest, filled with musket-cartridges, blew up, and set fire to several places in the poop and quarter-deck, but was fortunately extinguished. Her situation, however, was still very desperate; surrounded by enemies, and only eighty fathoms to windward of L'Orient entirely on fire, there could not be any other expectation, than falling a prey either to the enemy or the flames. At ten o'clock, the main and mizen masts fell, and all the guns on the main-deck were dismounted. At half past ten, Le Tonnant cut her cables, to avoid the fire of L'Orient. The English ship that was on L'Orient's larboard quarter, as soon as she had done firing at her, brought her broadside on Le Tonnant's bow, and kept up a very heavy raking fire. L'Heureux, and Le Mercure, conceived that they ought likewise to cut their cables. The manoeuvre created so much confusion amongst the rear ships, that they fired into each other, and did considerable damage. Le Tonnant anchored ahead of the Guillaume Tell; Le Genereux and Timoleon, the other two ships, got on shore. The ship that engaged Le Tonnant on her bow cut her cables; all her rigging and sails were cut to pieces; and she drove down, and anchored astern of the English ship, that had been engaging L'Heureux and Le Mercure before they changed their position. Those of the etat-major and ship's company of L'Orient, who had escaped death, convinced of the impossibility of extinguishing the fire, which had got down on the middle gun-deck, endeavoured to save themselves. Rear-Admiral Ganteaume saved himself in a boat, and went on board of Le Salamine; and, from thence, to Aboukir and Alexandria. The Adjutant-General Motard, though badly wounded, swam to the ship nearest L'Orient, which proved to be English. Commodore Casabianca, and his son, who was only ten years old, and who gave, during the action, proofs of bravery and intelligence far above his age, were not so fortunate. They were in the water, on the wreck of L'Orient's masts, not being able to swim, seeking each other, till three quarters past ten, when the ship blew up, and put an end to their hopes and fears. The explosion was dreadful, and spread the fire all around to a considerable distance. Le Franklin's decks were covered with red-hot seams, pieces of timber, and rope, on fire. She was on fire, but luckily got it under. Immediately after the tremendous explosion, the action ceased every where, and was succeeded by the most profound silence. The sky was darkened by clouds of black smoke, which seemed to threaten the destruction of the two fleets. It was a quarter of an hour before the ships crews recovered from the kind of stupor into which they had been thrown. Towards eleven o'clock, Le Franklin, anxious to preserve the trust confided to her, recommenced the action with a few of her lower-deck guns; all the rest were dismounted: two thirds of the ship's company were killed and wounded, and those who remained prodigiously fatigued. She was surrounded by enemy's ships, who mowed down the men every broadside. At half past eleven o'clock, having only three lower-deck guns that could defend the honour of the flag, it became necessary to put an end to so disproportioned a struggle, and Citoyen Martinet, captain of a frigate, ordered the colours to be struck.

"The action in the rear of the fleet was very trifling, till three quarters past eleven o'clock, when it became very warm. Three of the enemy's ships were engaging them, and two were very near. Le Tonnant, already badly treated, who was nearest the ships engaged, returned a very brisk fire. About three o'clock in the morning, she was dismasted, and obliged to cut her cables a second time; and, not having any more anchors left, she drove on shore. Le Guillaume Tell, Le Genereux, and Le Timoleon, shifted their births, and anchored farther down, out of gun-shot. These vessels were not much damaged. At half past three o'clock, the action ceased throughout the line. Early in the morning, the frigate La Justice got under weigh, and made several small tacks to keep near the Guillaume Tell; and, at nine o'clock, anchored: an English ship having got under weigh, and making small tacks to prevent her getting away. At six o'clock, two English ships joined those who had been engaging the rear, and began firing on L'Heureux and Le Mercure, which were aground. The former soon struck, and the latter followed the example, as they could not bring their broadsides to bear on the enemy. At half past seven, the ship's crew of L'Artemise frigate quitted her, and set her on fire: at eight o'clock, she blew up. The enemy, without doubt, had received great damage in their masts and yards, as they did not get under weigh to attack the remains of the French fleet. The French flag was flying on board four ships of the line and two frigates. This division made the most of their time; and, at three quarters past eleven, Le Guillaume Tell, Le Genereux, La Diane, and La Justice, got under weigh, and formed in line of battle. The English ship that was under sail stood towards her fleet, fearing that she might be cut off; but, two other enemy's ships were immediately under weigh to assist her. At noon, Le Timoleon, which probably was not in a state to put to sea, steered right for the shore, under her fore-sail; and, as soon as she struck the ground, her foremast fell. The French division joined the enemy's ships, which ranged along their line on opposite tacks, within pistol-shot, and received their broadsides, which it returned: they, then, each continued their route. The division was in sight at sun-set. Nothing remarkable passed, during the night of the 2d. The 3d of August, in the morning, the French colours were flying in Le Tonnant and Timoleon. The English admiral sent a flag of truce to the former, to know if she had struck; and, on being answered in the negative, he directed two ships to go against her. When they got within gun-shot of her, she struck, it being impossible to defend her any longer. Le Timoleon was aground, too near in for any ship to approach her. In the night of the 2d, they sent the greatest part of their ship's company on shore; and, at noon the next day, they quitted her, and set her on fire.

"Thus ends the journal of the 1st, 2d, and 3d, days of August; which will ever be remembered, with the deepest sorrow, by those Frenchmen who possess good hearts, and by all those true republicans who have survived this melancholy disaster."

To the above anonymous French account, may be added that of the celebrated scientific traveller, soldier, and artist, Monsieur Denon; who was one of the chief Scavans in the Egyptian expedition, and an anxious spectator of the interesting scene. It is to be remarked that, though his description of the battle, like that by which it is preceded, has less want of candour than is commonly found in French narratives of this nature, neither of them is altogether free from the characteristic partiality of that boastful nation. Both of them fail to state the true number of British ships; but, as frequently happens with those who are not remarkably tenacious of truth, though both make the number greater than it actually was, they do not agree with each other any more than with the fact, and thus mutually aid to produce a conviction of their own want of veracity. Our true force was fifteen sail only.

Denon, in order to gain an accurate view of the expected engagement, hastened to a lofty tower—

"When," says he, "we had reached the tower which commands the monastery, we descried a fleet of twenty sail. To come up, to range themselves in a line, and to attack, were the operations of a minute. The first shot was fired at five o'clock; and, shortly after, our view of the two fleets was intercepted by the smoke. When night came on, we could distinguish somewhat better; without, however, being able to give an account of what passed. The danger to which we were exposed, of falling into the hands of the smallest troop of Bedouins which might come that way, did not draw our attention from an event by which we were so strongly interested. Rolls of fire, incessantly gushing from the mouths of the cannon, evinced clearly that the combat was dreadful, and supported with an equal obstinacy on both sides. On our return to Rosetta, we climbed on the roofs of the houses; whence, at ten o'clock, we perceived a strong light, which indicated a fire. A few minutes afterwards, we heard a terrible explosion, which was followed by a profound silence. As we had seen a firing kept up, from the left to the right, on the object in flames, we drew a conclusion that it was one of the enemy's ships, which had been set fire to by our people; and we imputed the silence which ensued, to the retreat of the English: who, as our ships were moored, were exclusively in possession of the range of the bay; and who, consequently, could persevere in or discontinue the combat, at pleasure. At eleven o'clock, a slow fire was kept up; and, at midnight, the action again became general. It continued till two in the morning. At day-break, I was at the advanced posts; and, ten minutes after, the fleets were once more engaged. At nine o'clock, another ship blew up. At ten, four ships, the only ones which were not disabled, and which I could distinguish to be French, crouded their sails, and quitted the field of battle; in the possession of which they appeared to be, as they were neither attacked nor followed. Such was the phantom produced by the enthusiasm of hope!

"I took my station at the tower of Abumandur; whence I counted twenty-five vessels, half of which were shattered wrecks; and the others incapable of manoeuvring to afford them assistance.

"For three days, we remained in this state of cruel uncertainty. By the help of my spying-glass, I had made a drawing of this disastrous scene; that I might be enabled the better to ascertain, whether the morrow would be productive of any change.

"In this way we cherished illusion, and spurned at all evidence; till, at length, the passage across the bar being cut off; and the communication with Alexandria intercepted, we found that our situation was altered; and that, separated from the mother-country, we were become the inhabitants of a distant colony, where we should be obliged to depend on our own resources for subsistence, till the peace. We learned, that it was L'Orient which blew up at ten o'clock at night, and L'Hercule the following morning; and that the captains of the ships of the line, Le Guillaume Tell and Genereux—and of the frigates, La Diane and La Justice—perceiving that the rest of the fleet had fallen into the enemy's hands, had taken advantage of a moment of lassitude and inaction on the part of the English, to effect their escape. We learned, lastly, that the 1st of August had broken the unity of our forces; and that the destruction of our fleet, by which the lustre of our glory was tarnished, had restored to the enemy the empire of the Mediterranean: an empire which had been wrested from them by the matchless exploits of our armies, and which could only have been secured to us by the existence of our ships of war.

"The shore, to the extent of four leagues, was covered by wrecks, which enabled us to form an estimate of the loss that we had sustained at the battle of Aboukir. To procure a few nails, or a few iron hoops, the wandering Arabs were employed in burning on the beach the masts, gun-cariages, boats, &c. which had been constructed at so vast an expence in our ports."

In both these accounts it is sufficiently manifest, that the French were fully convinced there could be no possibility of denying their defeat, however they might seek to disguise the extent of their disaster. The grand designation of their expensive and numerous armament was thus, at a single blow, completely frustrated: and, instead of finding themselves, flushed with success, in a treacherously subjugated country, with a view of extending their conquest to India; they became, at once, reduced to depend on their own resources for even their subsistence, in a distant land, without any other hope of ever returning home, than what was afforded them by the remote prospect of a peace.

Though Admiral Nelson had written his dispatches for the commander in chief immediately after this glorious victory, he was unable to send Captain Berry, of the Vanguard, in the Leander of fifty guns, to the Earl of St. Vincent, off Cadiz, till the 5th of August.

In a few days after, as if the admiral had foreseen the fate of the Leander, which it will appear he certainly apprehended, he prepared a copy of these dispatches to the Earl of St. Vincent; and transmitted it to Evan Nepean, Esq. Secretary to the Admiralty, by the Honourable Captain Thomas Bladen Capel, in La Mutine brig, to which he had just been appointed on Captain Hardy's promotion to the Vanguard. In these will be seen his own modest and pious account of a victory, perhaps, without parallel, when duly considered in it's completeness and consequences.

"Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile, 7th August 1798.

"SIR,

"Herewith, I have the honour to transmit you a copy of my letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, together with a line of battle of the English and French squadrons; also, a list of the killed and wounded. I have the honour to inform you, that eight of our ships have already top-gallant yards across, and are ready for any service: the others, with the prizes, will soon be ready for sea. In an event of this importance, I have thought it right to send Captain Capel, with a copy of my letter to the commander in chief, overland; which, I hope, their lordships will approve: and I beg leave to refer them to Captain Capel, who is a most excellent officer, and fully able to give every information; and I beg leave to recommend him to their lordships notice.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson.

"P.S. The island I have taken possession of; and brought off the two thirteen-inch mortars, with all the brass guns, and destroyed the iron ones."

"Evan Nepean, Esq."

His celebrated letter to the Earl of St. Vincent was in the following words—

"Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 3d August 1798.

"MY LORD,

"Almighty God has blessed his majesty's arms, in the late battle, by a great victory over the fleet of the enemy; whom I attacked, at sun-set on the 1st of August, off the mouth of the Nile. The enemy were moored in a strong line of battle, for defending the entrance of this bay (of shoals;) flanked by numerous gun-boats, four frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on an island in their van: but nothing could withstand the squadron your lordship did me the honour to place under my command. Their high state of discipline is well known to you; and, with the judgment of the captains, together with their valour, and that of the officers and men of every description, it was absolutely irresistible. Could any thing from my pen add to the characters of the captains, I would write it with pleasure; but, that is impossible. I have to regret the loss of Captain Westcott, of the Majestic, who was killed early in the action; but the ship was continued to be so well fought by her first-lieutenant, Mr. Cuthbert, that I have given him an order to command her till your lordship's pleasure is known. The ships of the enemy, all but their two rear ships, are nearly dismasted; and these two, with two frigates, I am sorry to say, made their escape: nor was it, I assure you, in my power to prevent them. Captain Hood most handsomely endeavoured to do it; but I had no ship in a condition to support the Zealous, and I was obliged to call her in. The support and assistance I have received from Captain Berry cannot be sufficiently expressed. I was wounded in the head, and obliged to be carried off the deck; but, the service suffered no loss by that event. Captain Berry was fully equal to the important service then going on; and, to him, I must beg leave to refer you, for every information relative to this victory. He will present you with the flag of the second in command, that of the commander in chief being burnt in L'Orient. Herewith, I transmit you lists of the killed and wounded; and, the lines of battle of ourselves and the French.

"I have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

"To Admiral the Earl of St. Vincent, Commander in Chief, &c. off Cadiz."

BRITISH LINE OF BATTLE.

Ships. Captains. Guns. Men. 1. Culloden Thomas Troubridge 74 590 2. Theseus Ralph Willet Miller 74 590 3. Alexander Alexander John Ball 74 590 4. Vanguard {Rear-Adm. Sir H. Nelson, K.B.} {Edward Berry } 74 595 5. Minotaur Thomas Louis 74 640 6. Leander Thomas Boulden Thompson 50 343 7. Swiftsure Benjamin Hallowell 74 590 8. Audacious Davidge Gould 74 590 9. Defence John Peyton 74 590 10. Zealous Samuel Hood 74 590 11. Orion Sir James Saumarez 74 590 12. Goliath Thomas Foley 74 590 13. Majestic George B. Westcott 74 590 14. Bellerophon Henry D'E. Darby 74 590

BRIG.

15. La Mutine Thomas Hardy

Horatio Nelson.

Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 3d August 1798.

FRENCH LINE OF BATTLE.

How disposed Ships. Commanders. Guns. Men. of.

1. Le Guerrier 74 700 Taken. 2. Le Conquerant 74 700 Taken. 3. Le Spartiate 74 700 Taken. 4. L'Aquilon 74 700 Taken. 5. Le Souverain Peuple 74 700 Taken. 6. Le Franklin {Blanquet, 1st Contre } { Admiral } 80 800 Taken.

7. L'Orient {Admiral Brueys, } {Commander in Chief }120 1010 Burnt. 8. Le Tonnant 80 800 Taken. 9. L'Heureux 74 700 Taken. 10. Le Timoleon 74 700 Burnt. 11. Le Mercure 74 700 Taken. 12. Le Guillaume Tell {Villeneave, 2d Contre} { Admiral } 80 800 Escaped. 13. Le Genereux 74 300 Escaped.

FRIGATES.

14. La Diane 48 300 Escaped. 15. La Justice 44 300 Escaped. 16. L'Artemise 36 250 Burnt. 17. Le Serieuse 36 250 Dismasted and sunk.

Horatio Nelson.

Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 3d August 1798.

No mention is made, in the above French List, of the numerous gun-boats employed by the enemy; while the Culloden, though not engaged, is preserved in the British Line of Battle.

A Return of the Killed and Wounded in his Majesty's Ships under the Command of Sir Horatio Nelson, K. B. Rear-Admiral of the Blue, &c. in Action with the French Fleet, at Anchor, on the 1st of August 1798, off the Mouth of the Nile.

+——————-++———————-++———————-++———-+ | || Killed || Wounded || T K W | | |+———————-++———————-+| o i o | | || O | S | M | T || O | S | M | T || t l u | | || f | e | a | o || f | e | a | o || a l n | | || f | a | r | t || f | a | r | t || l e d | | || i | m | i | a || i | m | i | a || d e | | || c | e | n | l || c | e | n | l || d | | || e | n | e | || e | n | e | || a | | || r | | r | || r | | r | || n | |Ships Names. || s | | s | || s | | s | || d | +——————-++—-+—-+—-+—-++—-+—-+—-+—-++———-+ |Theseus || | 5| | 5|| 1| 24| 5| 30|| 35 | |Alexander || 1| 13| | 14|| 5| 48| 5| 58|| 72 | |Vanguard || 3| 20| 7| 30|| 7| 60| 8| 75|| 105 | |Minotaur || 2| 18| 3| 23|| 4| 54| 6| 64|| 87 | |Swiftsure || | 7| | 7|| 1| 19| 2| 22|| 29 | |Audacious || | 1| | 1|| 2| 31| 2| 35|| 36 | |Defence || | 3| 1| 4|| | 9| 2| 11|| 15 | |Zealous || | 1| | 1|| | 7| | 7|| 8 | |Orion || 1| 11| 1| 13|| 5| 18| 6| 29|| 42 | |Goliath || 2| 12| 7| 21|| 4| 28| 9| 41|| 62 | |Majestic || 3| 33| 14| 50|| 3|124| 16|143|| 193 | |Bellerophon || 4| 32| 13| 49|| 5|126| 17|148|| 197 | |Leander || | | | || | 14| | 14|| 14 | | |+—-+—-+—-+—-++—-+—-+—-+—-++———-+ | || 16|156| 46|218|| 37|562| 78|677|| 895 | +——————-++—-+—-+—-+—-++—-+—-+—-+—-++———-+

OFFICERS KILLED

OFFICERS WOUNDED

Horatio Nelson.

It appears, from these lists, that sixteen officers, one hundred and fifty-six seamen, and forty-six marines, making in all two hundred and eighteen persons, lost their lives; and that thirty-seven officers, five hundred and sixty-two seamen, and seventy-eight marines, amounting to six hundred and seventy-seven persons, were wounded: forming a total, in killed and wounded, on board the British fleet, if the admiral be included, who has, as usual, omitted himself, of eight hundred and ninety-six. Such was the dreadful price paid by the conquerors for this glorious victory; to the vanquished, the loss was incalculable. On a moderate estimate, for the exact number has not been ascertained, there could scarcely be less than three thousand French killed and wounded in this most memorable conflict. Certain it is, that the Bay of Aboukir, for many days after the battle, was so covered with the floating bodies of the slain, as to exhibit a most horrid and painful spectacle; and, though all possible endeavours were exerted to keep sinking them whenever they appeared, the shot used for this intention so frequently slipped off, that many of the bodies perpetually rose again to the surface. Indeed, from the excessive heat of the weather, the survivors, besides the offensive disgusts naturally excited, felt very alarming apprehensions of some pestilential visitation; which, however, they happily escaped. The numerous prisoners, including all the wounded, were immediately restored, on condition of not serving against England till exchanged.

In the mean time, from parts of the floating wreck of L'Orient, the officers of the fleet vied with each other in causing numerous articles to be manufactured, as commemorations of this glorious victory, which they most affectionately presented to their respected commander. Captain Hallowell, in particular, with singular zeal and attachment, procured a coffin to be made, by his carpenter, on board the Swiftsure, entirely from the wreck of L'Orient, iron as well as wood, in the most elegant manner that the workman could effect with such limited materials, and so little skill in that particular branch of business; which was delivered to Admiral Nelson with the following letter.

Swiftsure, August 1798.

"SIR,

"I Have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin made from the mainmast of L'Orient; that, when you have finished your military career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies: but, that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of your sincere friend,

"Benjamin Hallowell."

The present of this worthy and brave officer, however singular, was received with an affectionate regard equal to that felt by himself. So highly, indeed, did the hero prize this gift, that he had it immediately placed upright in his cabin; and, though he was at length prevailed on, by the intreaties of an old and favourite servant, to have the coffin carried below, nothing could possibly prevent his resolution to have it finally made use of for the purpose originally intended by the gallant and esteemed donor.

While the various dispatches were preparing to be sent by Captain Capel to England, as soon as La Mutine could be got ready for sailing, those of Bonaparte to France were fortunately intercepted; as appears in the continuation of the following letter from Admiral Nelson to Sir William Hamilton.

"Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile, 8th August 1798.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"Almighty God has made me the happy instrument of destroying the enemy's fleet; which, I hope, will be a blessing to Europe. You will have the goodness to communicate this happy event to all the courts in Italy; for my head is so indifferent, that I can scarcely scrawl this letter. Captain Capel, who is charged with my dispatches for England, will give you every information. Pray, put him in the quickest mode of getting home. You will not send, by post, any particulars of this action; as I should be sorry to have any accounts get home before my dispatches. I hope there will be no difficulty in our getting refitted at Naples. Culloden must be instantly hove down, and Vanguard have all new masts and bowsprit. Not more than four or five sail of the line will probably come to Naples: the rest will go with the prizes to Gibraltar. As this army never will return, I hope to hear the emperor has regained the whole of Italy. With every good wish, believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged, and affectionate,

"Horatio Nelson.

"9th August. I have intercepted all Bonaparte's dispatches going to France. The army is in a scrape, and will not get out of it."

These intercepted dispatches were transmitted to Earl Spencer, as First Lord of the Admiralty, with the following letter.

"Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1798,

"MY LORD,

"Were I to die this moment, want of frigates would be found stamped on my heart. No words of mine, can express what I have suffered, and am suffering, for want of them. Having only La Mutine brig, I cannot yet send off Captain Capel, which I am very anxious to do: for, as an accident may happen to Captain Berry, it is of some importance, I think, for your lordship to be informed of our success as speedily as possible. If the King of Naples had joined us, nothing at this moment could prevent the destruction of the store ships, and all the transports, in the port of Alexandria; four bomb vessels would burn the whole in a few hours: but, as I have not the means, I can only regret the circumstance. I send you a pacquet of intercepted letters, some of them of great importance; in particular, one from Bonaparte to his brother. He writes such a scrawl, as no one not used to it can read: but, luckily, we have got a man who has wrote in his office to decypher it. Bonaparte has differed with his generals here: and he did want—and, if I understand his meaning, does want, and will strive to be, the Washington of France. "Ma mere," is evidently meant for "my country." But, I beg pardon: all this is, I have no doubt, well known to administration. I believe, our victory will, in it's consequences, destroy this army; at least, my endeavours shall not be wanting. I shall remain here for some time. I have thought it right to send an officer (by Alexandretta, Aleppo, and Bussorah) over land, to India, with an account of what I have gathered from these dispatches; which, I hope, will be approved. I have sent a copy of my letter to the Board of Controul, that they may give the necessary directions for paying the officers bills. If it should have gone to the East India Company, I hope that board will forward it. Ever believe me, your lordship's most obliged and obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

The letter thus mentioned, as being addressed to the Board of Controul, was written to the Right Honourable Henry Dundas, then President of that Board, the present celebrated Lord Melville, in these words—

"Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1798.

"SIR,

"As President of the Board of Controul for India, I have addressed this letter to you: if I ought to have addressed it to the India House, I request you will have the goodness to send it to the Chairman of the Company; and, that you will excuse the trouble I have given you. I have thought it right to send an officer, Lieutenant Duval, who very handsomely offered his services, by Alexandretta, Aleppo, and Bussorah, to Bombay, to give all the accounts I know of the movements of the French army, and their future intentions. Herewith, I send a copy of my letter; and of the orders I have given him, to draw for money on the East India Company, &c. If I have done wrong, I hope the bills will be paid, and I will repay the company; for, as an Englishman, I shall be proud that it has been in my power to be the means of putting our settlements on their guard. Mr. Baldwin not having been for some months at Alexandria, has been a great misfortune. I have the honour to be, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

With a hundred dollars, in cash, and letters of credit to his Britannic majesty's consuls, vice-consuls, and even British merchants, on his prescribed route, Lieutenant Duval was this day dispatched by Admiral Nelson, as bearer of the following letter to his Excellency the Governor of Bombay.

"Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1798.

"SIR,

"Although, I hope, the consuls who are, or ought to be, in Egypt, have sent you an express of the situation of affairs here; yet, as I know Mr. Baldwin has, some months, left Alexandria; it is possible you may not be regularly informed. I shall therefore relate to you, briefly, that a French army of forty thousand men, in three hundred transports, with thirteen sail of the line, eleven frigates, bomb vessels, gun-boats, &c. arrived at Alexandria on the 1st of July. On the 7th they left it, for Cairo; where they arrived on the 22d. During their march, they had some actions with the Mamelukes, which the French call grand victories. As I have Bonaparte's dispatches before me, which I took yesterday, I speak positively. He says—"I am now going to send off, to take Suez and Damietta." He does not speak very favourable of either the country or people; but there is so much bombast in his letters, that it is difficult to get near the truth. He does not mention India, in these dispatches. He is what he calls organizing the country: but, you may be assured, is master only of what his army covers. From all the enquiries which I have been able to make, I cannot learn that any French vessels are at Suez, to carry any part of the army to India. Bombay, I know, if they can get there, is their first object. But, I trust, Almighty God will, in Egypt, overthrow these pests of the human race. It has been in my power to prevent twelve thousand men from leaving Genoa; and, also, to take eleven sail of the line, and two frigates: in short, only two sail of the line, and two frigates, have escaped us. This glorious battle was fought at the mouth of the Nile, at anchor. It begun at sun-set, August 1st, and was not finished at three the next morning. It has been severe, but God blessed our endeavours with a great victory. I am now at anchor between Alexandria and Rosetta, to prevent their communication by water; and nothing, under a regiment, can pass by land. But, I should have informed you that the French have four thousand men posted at Rosetta, to keep open the mouth of the Nile. Alexandria, both town and shipping, are so distressed for provisions, which they can only get from the Nile, by water, that I cannot guess the good success which may attend my holding our present position; for Bonaparte writes his distress for stores, artillery, things for their hospitals, &c. All useful communication is at an end, between Alexandria and Cairo. You may be assured, I shall remain here as long as possible. Bonaparte had never yet to contend with an English officer, and I shall endeavour to make him respect us. This is all I have to communicate. I am confident, every precaution will be taken to prevent, in future, any vessels going to Suez, which may be able to carry troops to India. If my letter is not so correct as might be expected, I trust for your excuse; when I tell you, that my brain is so shook with the wound in my head, that I am sensible I am not always so clear as could be wished: But, while a ray of reason remains, my heart and my hand shall ever be exerted for the benefit of our king and country. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

"Horatio Nelson.

"The officer, Lieutenant Duval, who carries this dispatch voluntarily to you, will—I trust—be immediately sent to England, with such recommendations as his conduct will deserve."

The importance of thus sending this information to India, which few other naval commanders would have thought necessary, proved prodigiously great. Expensive preparations were at that moment making, by the East India Company, for a most powerful armament to oppose any force which the French might be enabled to send against their possessions, in conjunction with Tippoo Saib: and this timely intelligence, by instantly quieting every apprehension of that sort, suddenly arrested the progress of all extraordinary warlike operations, and consequently saved a vast sum of money to the company; which, without the wonderful circumspection of this great man, must necessarily have been expended.

The dispatches to England, however, were unable to be forwarded, for several days. In the mean time, on the morning of the 11th, the Swiftsure brought into the fleet a captured French corvette of eighteen guns, and seventy men, called La Fortune. On the 12th, Sir James Saumarez, captain of the Orion, was directed to take the Bellerophon, Minotaur, Defence, Audacious, Theseus, and Majestic, under his command; and proceed with the prizes, Le Souverain Peuple, Conquerant, Spartiate, Aquilon, Franklin, and Tonnant, for Gibraltar: where, if he found no orders, he was to join the commander in chief off Cadiz, or go to Lisbon. Sir James sailed, accordingly, on the 15th; and Admiral Nelson having, on this very day, received secret orders and letters from the Earl of St. Vincent, found it requisite to destroy the other French prizes. The necessity of this measure is explained in the following letter of the succeeding day, addressed to Evan Nepean, Esq. for the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

"SIR,

"Six of the prizes sailed yesterday, under Sir James Saumarez. Three others, viz. Guerrier, Heureux, and Mercure, are in the act of repairing. In this state, I last evening received the Earl of St. Vincent's most secret orders, and most secret and confidential letters, relative to the important operations intended to be pursued in the Mediterranean. Thus situated, it became an important part of my duty, to do justice between my king and country, and the brave officers and men who captured those ships at the Battle of the Nile. It would have taken one month, at least, to have fitted those ships for a passage to Gibraltar; and not only at a great expence to government, but with the loss of the services of at least two sail of the line. I, therefore, confiding that the lords commissioners will, under the present circumstances, direct that a fair value shall be paid for these ships, ordered them to be burnt, after saving such stores as would not take too much time out of them: and, I have farther thought it my duty to tell the squadron the necessity I am under, for the benefit of the king's service, of directing their property to be destroyed; but, that I had no doubt government would make them a liberal allowance. All which, I hope, their lordships will approve.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

La Mutine being at length ready, these letters were dispatched to England, by the way of Naples, on the 16th of August.

The sword of the captured French Admiral Blanquet was also sent, by Captain Capel, from Admiral Nelson to the city of London, with the following letter, which he had several days previously written for the lord-mayor.

"Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile, 8th August 1798.

"MY LORD,

"Having the honour of being a freeman of the city of London, I take the liberty of sending to your lordship the sword of the commanding French admiral, Monsieur Blanquet, who survived after the battle of the 1st, off the Nile; and request that the city of London will honour me by the acceptance of it, as a remembrance that Britannia still rules the waves: which, that she may for ever do, is the fervent prayer of your lordship's most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

"Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London."

On the 13th, the Alcmene, Emerald, and Bonne Citoyenne frigates, at length, joined the squadron; and, on the 17th, the Seahorse.

Admiral Nelson now arranged every thing necessary with Captain Samuel Hood, who was to remain with his own ship, the Zealous; the Swiftsure, Captain Hallowell; the Goliah, Captain Foley; the Alcmene, Captain Hope; the Seahorse, Captain Edward James Foote; and the Emerald, Captain Waller: for the purpose of cruising off Alexandria, or continuing at anchor, as he might judge most proper, more effectually to prevent any supplies being thrown into that port for the French fleet; and, also, to intercept an expected French convoy with provisions, as well as to prevent, if possible, all communication between the French army at Rosetta, and their fleet at Alexandria. This business being settled, he sailed, on the 18th, from Alexandria; and having, on that day, received a letter from the Honourable William Windham, the British minister at the court of Florence, he wrote the following answer, dated on board the Vanguard, 21st August 1798, which presents some additional information respecting the glorious victory off the Nile, and it's beneficial effects.

"My Dear Sir,

"I received, three days ago, your letter of June 20th, and I beg leave to thank you for it. I send you a paper, which will inform you of the extent of our victory. My health, from my wound, is become so indifferent, that I think of going down the Mediterranean as soon as I arrive at Naples; unless I should find any thing very extraordinary to detain me, when my health is of no consequence. The command, in my absence, will devolve on Captain Troubridge; than whom, the king has not a better sea-officer. Sir James Saumarez is on his way to Gibraltar, with six of our prizes: the others I burnt, that the Mediterranean might not be left without ships; for each prize takes a ship of the line to man her, and attend to her wants. This you will believe, when I tell you that only two masts are standing, out of nine sail of the line. L'Orient certainly struck her colours, and did not fire a shot, for a quarter of an hour before, unfortunately for us, she took fire: but, though we suffer, our country is equally benefitted. She had on board nearly six hundred thousand pounds sterling: so says the adjutant-general of the fleet, who was saved out of her; and, although he does not say she struck her colours, yet he allows that all resistance on her part was in vain. Admiral Brueys was killed early in the battle; and, from the commencement of the fight, declared all was lost. They were moored in a strong position, in a line of battle, with gun-boats, bomb-vessels, frigates, and a gun and mortar battery on an island in their van; but, my band of friends was irresistible. The French army is in possession of Alexandria, Aboukir, Rosetta, Damietta, and Cairo; and Bonaparte writes, that he is sending a detachment to take possession of Suez and Fayume. By the intercepted letters from the army, for we took the vessel with Bonaparte's courier, they are grievously disappointed, the country between their posts being completely hostile. I have little doubt but that army will be destroyed, by plague, pestilence, and famine, and battle and murder; which, that it may soon be, God grant. The Turks will soon send an army into Syria; and as, for the present, we block them up by sea, they must soon experience great distress. I hope to find, on my arrival at Naples, that the emperor, and many other powers, are at war with the French; for, till they are reduced, there can be no peace in this world."

This letter appears to have remained unfinished, for want, probably, of an opportunity of sending it away, about three weeks. It then received the following conclusion.

"September 7th. I feel myself so much recovered, that it is probable I shall not go home at present. The Turks have seized all French ships in the Levant, in consequence of their taking a Turkish sixty-gun ship at Alexandria, and seizing all Turkish property. This was done on the 14th of August. I shall always receive pleasure in hearing from you, both as a public and private man; and believe me, dear Sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

In the mean time, Admiral Nelson had written the following letter to Francis J. Jackson, Esq. his Britannic majesty's minister to the Ottoman Porte, dated on board the Vanguard, off the Isle of Rhodes, 27th August 1798.

"Sir,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, that I attacked the French fleet off the Mouth of the Nile, on the 1st inst. the result of which you will see by the inclosed paper; and that, on the 14th, the French took possession of the Turkish admiral's ship at Alexandria, hauled down her colours, and hoisted French colours, and seized on all the Turkish property on shore. The French are in possession of Alexandria, Aboukir, Rosetta, and Damietta, on the coast, and of Grand Cairo: but all communication is cut off between their army and their transports at Alexandria, by sea, by an English squadron of three ships of the line and four frigates, which I have left cruising there; and, by land, by the Bedouins. So that, if the Grand Signior will but send a few ships of the line, and some bombs, he may destroy all their transports in Alexandria; and an army of ten thousand men may retake Alexandria immediately, as the French have only four thousand men in it, and the whole French army are very sickly.

"I have been informed, that the French have put to death two hundred Turks at Alexandria, for rejoicing at our victory; and that General Bonaparte only wants a communication opened by sea, to march into Syria, that the transports with stores, &c. for the army may go along shore with him.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

The inclosed papers, mentioned in this and the preceding letter, were lists of the forces of the English and French fleets at the battle off the Nile shewing which were taken, burnt, &c. and copies of this last letter were sent to the Earl of St. Vincent and Earl Spencer.

On the 8th of September, at sea, he addressed a letter to the Marquis De Niza, commander of the Portuguese squadron; regretting that they had not joined him prior to the 1st of August, when not a single French ship could have escaped: but, as he observes, that being without remedy, it is necessary to look forward to the next important service for the common cause; which, in his opinion, is that of preventing the French from getting any supplies of stores, by water, from Alexandria. He concludes with observing, that the Grand Signior will, he hopes, not only send an army into Syria; but also send ships of war, with bomb-vessels, gallies, &c. in order to destroy all the vessels in Alexandria: and concludes with inviting his excellency to be a partaker in these joyful events.

In a very few days, however, he learned that the Marquis De Niza had returned from Alexandria; and he now, with equal address, sent him to Malta.

On the 14th, by La Mutine, he dispatched letters to the Earl of St. Vincent, in which he expresses his fear that it will be thought wrong, not to have returned any of the "numerous frigates, brigs, cutters, &c. which had been sent to Egypt "It was," says he, "only on the 13th of August, that the Alcmene, Emerald, and Bonne Citoyenne, joined me. On the 17th, the Seahorse joined; and, till September 7, I neither saw nor heard of any. The Earl of St. Vincent cutter then joined me, forty leagues from Messina; where I was informed that the Portuguese squadron, with the Lion and Terpsichore, had passed the Pharos, the 28th of August, on their way to Egypt. I therefore sent the cutter with a letter to the Marquis De Niza, and to Captain Hood." He then proceeds to state, that the Thalia had just brought him accounts from Captain Hood, which he sends; and considers the exertions of the officers as great, and highly to be approved. He thinks that the two men who saved the dispatches ought to have a pecuniary reward. "You will see," he adds, "by my second letter to the Marquis De Niza, that I have requested him to go off Malta, which may be the means of driving the French out of that island." After expressing his confidence that, with a little exertion, the French army in Egypt will fall a prey to plague, pestilence, famine, and Mamelukes, he concludes with praying that the earl will give him credit for his earnest endeavours to do what is right.

This day, the hero of the Nile received a letter from General Sir John Acton, transmitting the congratulations of the King and Queen of Naples; to which he returned the following most elegant epistolary acknowledgment, by the Culloden.

"Vanguard, at Sea, 15th September 1798.

"SIR,

I was yesterday honoured with your excellency's very handsome and flattering letter of the 9th, conveying to me their Sicilian Majesties congratulations on the victory obtained by my royal master's fleet over the enemy. I have to request, that your excellency will have the goodness to assure their majesties, that I am penetrated with their condescension in noticing this battle; which, I most fervently pray, may add security to their majesties throne, and peace and happiness to all mankind. The hand of God was visibly pressed upon the French; and, I hope, there is not a person in the British fleet, who does not attribute this great victory to the blessing of the Almighty on our exertions in a just cause. With every sentiment of respect, believe, me, your excellency's most obedient,

"Horatio Nelson." "Sir John Acton, Bart."

On the 16th, being off Strombolo, he inclosed General Acton's letter, which contained some state secrets of importance, in a private letter to Earl Spencer. The Portuguese, he observes, having been got, with no small difficulty, from Naples, went to Egypt; where, however, they would neither stay, nor give our ships water, which was all Captain Hood requested. Having watched for them off Messina, he had now sent them to Malta; but hoped that his lordship would not build hope on their exertions. "The moment," says he, "I can get ships, all aid shall be given the Maltese. What would I give for four bomb-ships! all the French armament would long since have been destroyed. Pray, if the service will admit of it, let me have them: I will only say, I shall endeavour to make a proper use of them."

He complains, also, in this letter, of the uncertainty of our situation with regard to Genoa; which, he says, has been at war with us during the two past years. Even at this period of our hero's glory, he seems to have been suffering under what he considered as legal persecution; and animadverts, with much severity, on the conduct of the Judge of the Admiralty.

"He has cited me to appear before him," complains the indignant hero, "and shew cause why I seized a Genoese ship; the accounts of which I long ago sent to the board of Admiralty, for the sale of her cargo, and which I have long wanted to be taken out of my hands. The ship was liberated, when our troops evacuated Porto Ferrajio. The seas are covered with Genoese ships; but the Judge of the Admiralty's conduct has, to me, so repeatedly militated against my duty in the service of my king and country, that I dare not do my duty. I have already been half ruined by him; and condemned, without knowing I was before him. The treasury, it is true, paid part of the expence, but that does not make the judge's conduct less grievous." In all this, there is much to regret; but the judge could scarcely entertain the smallest personal prejudice against our hero, though he might appear too favourable to the frauds of neutral powers from even a laudable anxiety to prevent any national embroilment. Nelson, on the spot, could better penetrate their artifices, than the judge on his distant bench of justice; and, fearing nothing, he spurned at every law subtlety which he perceived sanctioning fraud, to the present injury of his king, his country, and their brave defenders. It was, ever, far less for himself, than for others, that he was solicitous. In this very letter to Earl Spencer, he thus concludes—"I am looking, anxiously, for the Foudroyant; and, also, for your lordship's goodness to my son-in-law: I, of course, wish he had a good frigate."

Three days after, in another letter to Earl Spencer, the benignity of his excellent heart pleads powerfully for a son of the late Captain Faddy. It's perusal cannot fail to gratify every feeling reader.

"Vanguard, at Sea, 19th Sept. 1798.

"MY LORD,

"Captain Faddy, of the marines, who was killed on board the Vanguard, has a family of small children: his eldest son is now on board this ship, only fourteen years of age. I beg to solicit your lordship for a commission in the marines for him. I understand, it has been done; and the youth permitted to remain at school, till of a proper age to join the corps. If, however, this should, in the present instance, be thought wrong, may I request that his name may stand as an eleve of the Admiralty, and Mrs. Faddy acquainted of it; which must give her some relief, under her present misfortune.

"Ever your lordship's most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

With his mind thus humanely and diligently employed, amidst the toil and bustle inseparable from an active naval commander, on the 22d, early in the morning, the hero approached within view of Naples. No sooner was the Vanguard perceived, at the distance of several leagues, than upwards of five hundred boats and pleasure-barges, having been apprised of his coming, by the previous arrival of the Culloden and Alexander, on the 16th, immediately went out to meet him; with bands of music in most of them, and joy depicted on every countenance. Sir William and Lady Hamilton, in their state-barge, accompanied by several of the Neapolitan nobility, led the way, and were consequently his first visitors. The transports of Sir William, and his amiable lady, at seeing their friend return covered with laurels, and of the thus honoured hero, at once more beholding his estimable friends, can only be conceived by minds of equal susceptibility. The interview, indeed, was exquisitely impressive, and even affecting, to all by whom it was witnessed. While the company were partaking of some refreshment in his cabin, a small bird familiarly perched on his shoulder. On the circumstance being remarked—"It is," said he, "a very singular thing; this bird came on board the day before the battle off the Nile: and I have had other instances of a bird's coming into my cabin previously to former engagements." This is the more remarkable, as the same thing is said to have afterwards happened prior to the battle of Copenhagen. In superstitious times, some inference would probably have been made from such facts; but philosophy will not warrant any other deduction, than that, as birds of passage frequently seek shelter in ships, these visits were merely accidental. The coincidence, however, is certainly somewhat curious.

In a short time, the King of Naples, and his suite, who had also come out full three leagues, in the royal barge, to greet the victorious British admiral, went on board the Vanguard; where the king affectionately embraced the Hero of the Nile; and, taking him by the hand, expressed the effusions of his gratitude in terms of the most flattering regard for our king, our country, and the immortal Nelson: whom the sovereign of the two Sicilies, his ministers, and all classes of his subjects, hailed with the appellation of "Nostro Liberatore!"—"Our Deliverer!"

The King of Naples, who prides himself on being a seaman, went all over the ship, and examined every thing with apparent delight and satisfaction. His Neapolitan majesty sailed with Admiral Nelson, for about three hours, on board the Vanguard; which was saluted, as they passed, by all the forts. As soon as the Vanguard anchored in the bay, the King of Naples returned on board his own barge, and Admiral Nelson accompanied Sir William and Lady Hamilton.

Immediately on landing, Sir William's open carriage conveyed the hero, in triumph, to the house of his esteemed friends, surrounded by the enraptured Neapolitans; who gave every possible proof of their joy, admiration, and gratitude. The Lazzaroni, in particular, crowded round him in multitudes: vast numbers of them bearing birds of different species, in curious wicker baskets; which they displayed to the hero as he passed, and then giving them their liberty, watched their flight with all the anxiety and assumed importance of the ancient Roman augury.

The Queen of Naples had also gone out, with her numerous family, in another barge; but had, unfortunately, been too late to greet the hero on board his victorious vessel, from which he had taken his departure previously to her arrival. Her majesty, however, after being rowed round the Vanguard, no sooner returned on shore, than she immediately addressed a letter to Lady Hamilton; requesting to see, as soon as possible, the Hero of the Nile. Sir William and Lady Hamilton, accordingly, accompanied him to the palace, in the afternoon, where he experienced a most gracious and flattering reception. On this visit, Lady Hamilton acted as interpreter between the queen and Admiral Nelson, neither of them understanding each other's language sufficiently to converse together. The queen constantly addressed him by the appellation of "Our virtuous and brave admiral."

Such, in short, was the universal transport at Naples, on this occasion, that general illuminations, with apt and ingenious devices, and one grand scene of unbounded festivity and rejoicing, were continued for three successive days.

The Queen of Naples, immediately after her interview with Admiral Nelson, addressed a letter to the Marquis De Circello, the Neapolitan Ambassador at the court of London, from which the following is said to be a correctly translated extract—

"I write to you with joy inexpressible! The brave and enterprising British Admiral Nelson has obtained a most signal and decisive victory. My heart would fain give wings to the courier who is the bearer of these propitious tidings, to facilitate the earliest acknowledgments of our gratitude. So extensive is this victory in all it's relative circumstances, that were it not that the world has been accustomed to see prodigies of glory atchieved by the English on the seas, I should almost question the reality of the event. It has produced, among us, a general spirit of enthusiasm. It would have moved you much, to have seen my infant boys and girls hanging round my neck in tears, expressing their joy at the happy tidings, made doubly dear to us by the critical period at which they arrived. This news of the defeat of Bonaparte's Egyptian fleet has made many disaffected persons less daring, and improved the prospect of the general good. Make my highest respects acceptable to their majesties of England. Recommend the gallant hero, Nelson, to his royal master. He has raised, in the Italians, an enthusiastic reverence for the English nation. Great expectations were naturally founded on his enterprising talents, but no one could look for so total an overthrow of the enemy. All here are frantic with excess of joy!"

In a letter, of the 25th of September, written to Earl Spencer, by Admiral Nelson, after slightly mentioning the reception with which he had thus been honoured, particularly by their Sicilian majesties, he makes use of these modest and pious expressions—"You will not, my lord, I trust, think that one spark of vanity induces me to mention the most distinguished reception that ever, I believe, fell to the lot of a human being; but, that it is a measure of justice due to his Sicilian majesty and the nation. God knows, my heart is amongst the most humble of the creation, full of thankfulness and gratitude."

Even before Admiral Nelson's arrival at Naples, Lachavardiere, the French consul for Palermo, who had just escaped from Egypt, thus laments the decline of French influence, and announces the triumph of the English. "The French name," says he, "is heard here with horror. The king is arming eighty thousand men. The cabinet either refuses to answer, or answers with insolence, the notes presented by our Charge des Affaires, La Chaise, who is an excellent republican. The French are forbade to enter the country, and the most extravagant predilection prevails in favour of the English. The people of Sicily are still more incensed against us. Our vessels are driven out of their ports; and, wherever the French appear, the populace pelt them with stones, and sometimes fire on them. Not one French cockade is suffered. In a word, there only wants Frenchmen, in order to celebrate again Sicilian vespers. The day before yesterday"—(this letter is dated the 20th of September)—"two English vessels arrived; and Nelson himself is expected to-morrow, in a third. To give you some idea of the favour in which the enemies of our country are held here, you must know that, with my own eyes, I saw the King of Naples go more than two leagues to sea, to meet the English, to applaud and congratulate them. The two vessels which are arrived have brought two French officers with them, one of them is Vice-Admiral Blanquet." Lachavardiere also gives an account of the battle; which, however, contains nothing of peculiar importance. One circumstance, indeed, is sufficiently singular—"Admiral Brueys," he says, "was wounded in the head and the hand: but continued to command, till a cannon-ball cut him in two; and," adds this Frenchman, "he lived a quarter of an hour afterwards!"

The integrity of our heroic Nelson seems to have revolted at the characteristic falsehood and deceit so generally experienced in the French. He could not be prevailed on, by his friends at Naples, to visit Admiral Blanquet, who had his nose shot off, and was otherwise dreadfully wounded in the face. On this occasion, he seems to have adopted all the rough bluntness of a British tar. He had beaten him, he said, and would not insult him. "Seeing me," added the hero, "will only put him in mind of his misfortune. I have an antipathy to Frenchmen; which is so powerful, that I must, I think, have received it from my mother, at my birth."

He was, himself, at this period, though in excellent spirits, so corporeally weak and reduced, that he was obliged to be kept chiefly on ass's milk for some time after his arrival. Indeed, though excess of joy, at the first meeting of such friends as Admiral Nelson, and Sir William and Lady Hamilton, absorbed every other consideration, a most essential personal difference was manifest in the hero from that which had appeared on his former visit to Naples. It is to be recollected, that neither Sir William nor his lady had ever beheld him, prior to this period, except for a very few days, while the Neapolitan subsidiary troops were embarking for Toulon, when he was without any wound or disfigurement whatever, though always of a plain but pleasingly expressive countenance: he was now returned, in the short space of about four years, having atchieved victories which might have graced an age of absence; but, at what a price were they purchased! The vision of an eye had been completely extinguished, at Calvi; an arm totally lost, at Teneriffe; and a hideous wound, leaving it's indelible scar on his manly forehead, had recently been inflicted on their heroic friend, at the battle of the Nile. To say nothing of various slighter casualties; of the effect of climate; and of those incessant excessive cares, anxieties, and disappointments, which so soon and so deeply wrinkle the smoothest brow, and so cruelly furrow the comeliest countenance. If they were shocked, at reflecting what their incomparable but mutilated friend must have suffered, in the severe and disastrous fortune of war; they were enraptured to perceive him by no means impaired in any of those higher qualities which had given birth to their reciprocal attachments. Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, returning from his glorious victory off the Nile, was the same kind, affable, intelligent, and virtuous friend, as Captain Nelson had formerly been, when departing for Toulon. An amity thus founded on a union of superior intellect in the respective parties, could only be destroyed, however it might be envied, by the decay of that celestial principle which had served to cement it's origin.

The hero's birth-day occurring on the 29th, when he completed his fortieth year, a most splendid fete, with a ball and supper, were given by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, to the nobility and gentry of Naples, at which upwards of eighteen hundred persons are said to have been entertained. On this occasion, a grand rostral column was erected in the principal saloon, with the celebrated old Roman motto—

"VENI; VIDI; VICI!"

which was never more appropriately applied, since it's original adoption by Julius Caesar.

It is to be regretted, that the harmony of this festival, which cost Sir William Hamilton two thousand ducats, was considerably deranged, towards it's conclusion, by the hero's son-in-law; who, it seems, so far forgot himself, as grossly to offend the very man whom every other person was delighting to honour. To such a height, indeed, was this young gentleman's intemperance unfortunately carried, that Captain Troubridge and another officer felt themselves under the absolute necessity of conducting him out of the room. This disagreeable occurrence, naturally agitating the breast of the worthy admiral, who was at that very period soliciting the indiscreet young man's preferment, in a letter then on it's way to England, occasioned a violent return of those internal spasms to which all excesses of the passions had constantly subjected him since the time when this grievance first commenced, while his anxious mind was occupied in vainly pursuing the French fleet: indeed, he always said, and it seems highly probable, that the disappointment, had it much longer continued, and his expectation of encountering them been finally frustrated, would certainly have "broke his heart." It is from no disrespect to Captain Nisbet that this affair is mentioned: nor is it for the sake of observing, what that gentleman must be sensible is the undoubted fact, that he was indebted for a reconciliation with his father-in-law, shortly after, to the kind interference of Sir William and Lady Hamilton; who, very properly representing it as solely the effect of a young man's pardonable inebriety on so joyous an occasion, again introduced him to favour at their rural villa in the vicinity of Naples. The fact, in itself, is trivial; but, on subjects of domestic or family delicacy, the minutest thread of verity may chance to have it's use in conducting through the intricate labyrinth by which the temple of truth is generally found to be environed.