am anxious that not a moment of the services of the fleet should be lost. Amazon is the only frigate I take with me, and she has not joined from Gibraltar. I send her orders. I feel disappointed, my dear friend, at not seeing you, so does Admiral Murray, and many I am sure in the fleet. May God bless you, and send you alongside the Santissima Trinidad, and let me see you in perfect health. And ever believe me, My dear Collingwood, Your most faithful and affectionate friend, Four days sufficed for the anxious and zealous Admiral to complete his repairs and his stores, taking in his water at Tetuan. He sailed once more on the 24th, in search of his enemy, reaching Cape St. Vincent on the 3d of August. He hauled away to the northward, and on the 15th joined Admiral Cornwallis off Ushant, from whom he must have learnt the defeat of Villeneuve by Sir Robert Calder. Admiral Cornwallis seeing how much the health of his friend had suffered by labour and anxiety, hurried him away to Spithead in the Victory, and directing the Superb to attend, him, both ships arrived on the 18th, and Lord Nelson immediately set off for London. CHAP. XIV. Nelson reappointed to command the Mediterranean fleet, sails in the Victory-Writes to Collingwood-Arrives off Cape St. Mary's Arrangements - Departure of Rear-admiral Louis and five sail of the line for Gibraltar- Junction of five others from England-Sir Robert Calder parts company for England-The combined fleets in Cadiz appear to be coming out-Preparations to receive them-The British fleet steers for the Straits of Gibraltar-Last interview between Nelson and Collingwood-The 21st of October-Forces of the contending fleets-Error which induced Villeneuve to sail-Nelson's order of attack-His appearance on deck, dress, and decorations-Prayer-Preparatory arrangements— The immortal signal, "England expects," &c.-The combined fleet veer at a quarter before eight o'clock—The action begins by the Royal Sovereign-Slaughter on board the leading ships Victory and Temeraire-on board of Redoutable and Fougeux-Advantage of small arms in tops rejected by Nelson-He falls wounded-His orders-Last moments and death-His character-Anecdotes-Redoutable is takenView of the conduct of Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign -Destructive fire on the Santa Anna-She surrenders-The battle ends with a great victory-Nineteen sail of the line taken-Dumanoir escapes with four sail of the line-Graviua runs with the remainder of the fleet into Cadiz-Villeneuve made prisoner-Reflections on his conduct by French writers -Observations on his death made by Bonaparte Gross falsehoods and publications in French journals-Official and correct statements by Admiral Collingwood-His public letters-List of killed and wounded-Names of flag-officers of the enemy Anecdotes relative to the action and its succeeding events-Sequel to the battle of Trafalgar—Distinguished conduct of Captain Malcolm of the Donegal-Capture of El Rayo-Situation of Admiral Collingwood-Extract from Gibraltar Chronicle-Sinking of the Santissima Trinidad-Junction of Admiral Louis's squadron-Loss of the Donegal's officers and men in the Rayo-Conduct of Admiral Alava-Collingwood's Letter to him-Letter of Captain Hallowell to Captain Infernet-The Victory joins the fleet and proceeds to Spithead-Funeral of Nelson-Honours and rewards to Collingwood and his officers-Grant of money in compensation for prizes-Patriotic fund-Capture of Dumanoir and his squadron by Sir Richard Strachan-Particulars -Public letters, and official returns. SCARCELY had Nelson paid his respects to his sovereign and the admiralty, and had the satisfaction of hearing a general and unanimous approval of his conduct in pursuing his enemy to the West Indies, when he was roused from his retirement at Merton, to take the command of the fleet. Early in September, Captain Blackwood, on his way from Portsmouth to London, called and informed him that Villeneuve having refitted his fleet at Vigo and Ferrol, had arrived safe at Cadiz. No time was lost, and no entreaties were required to induce the hero to accept of the important command. The Victory was again prepared for him, and he departed for Portsmouth. The coffin, which had been given to him by Captain Hallowell, was sent down and put on board with the rest of his luggage; from which it has been inferred he had a presentiment that his great career was drawing to its termination, and resolved that the last act of his life should be worthy of his former deeds, and carry the fame of his country to the highest pinnacle of naval glory. He reached Portsmouth early in the morning of the 14th of September, and according to Mr. Southey, crowds of people pressed round the hero to take a farewell look, shedding tears at his departure, as if conscious that he was never to return. Previously to leaving London, he addressed the following letter to Admiral Collingwood: MY DEAR COLL, Admiralty, Sept. 7, 1805. I shall be with you in a very few days, and I hope you will remain second in command. You will change the Dreadnought for Royal Sovereign, which I hope you will like. Ever, my dear Collingwood, Vice-admiral Collingwood. NELSON and BRONTE. In this part of our history we are indebted to the valuable narrative of Dr. Beatty for much important information. Lord Nelson sailed from St. Helen's on the 15th of September. On the 18th, he appeared off Plymouth, whence, being joined by the Ajax and Thunderer, he proceeded on his voyage. On the 27th, he made Cape St. Vincent, and sent Blackwood ahead in the Euryalus, who had accompanied him from Portsmouth, with another letter to Admiral Collingwood, MY DEAR COLL, Victory, Sept. 25, 1805. I sent your letters, which I knew Lord Barham intended to have sent you, by a cutter from Plymouth, as he desired me. I sat down at the admiralty and wrote you a line, which Captain Lechmere has returned to me, and I send it with the others from the Thunderer by Euryalus; also I send forward to announce my approach, and I request that if you are in sight of Cadiz, that not only no salute may take place, but also that no colours may be hoisted; for it is as well not to proclaim to the enemy every ship which may join the fleet. I fell in with Decade on the 20th, twenty-seven leagues S. W. from Scilly, it blew then very strong at S. W. I saw Captain Stewart for a moment; Sir Richard Bickerton was far from well; I shall of course send to Gibraltar as soon as possible after my joining. If Euryalus joins before I am in sight, I wish you would make something look out for us towards Cape St.Vincent, which I shall endeavour to make if the wind is to the northward of west. I would not have any salute, even if out of sight of land. I am ever, my dear Coll, NELSON and BRONTE. His fleet, including the three ships which he had brought with him, amounted to twenty-seven sail of the line; he joined on the 29th, off Cape St. Mary's. The blockade of Cadiz, which had been begun by Sir John Jervis in 1797, had no intermission from that time till the peace of Amiens, and on the renewal of the war it was recommenced with all its former rigour. The fleet was distant from the town about fifteen miles; the combined fleets within its capacious harbour, and the British in-shore squadron, under the command of Rearadmiral Louis, closely watching their movements, and reporting every indication of their disposition to come to sea. The Euryalus and Hydra were at the mouth of the harbour, for the purpose of intercepting any supply of provisions for the enemy. Nelson said he knew no more certain means of bringing them out than starvation. Having completed these arrangements, the Admiral retired with the body of the fleet to the |