OF

LORD VISCOUNT NELSON.

THE illustrious Nelson was the fourth son of Edmund Nelson, rector of Burnham Thorpe, in the county of Norfolk. He was born September 29, 1758, in the parsonage-house; and at the High School, Norwich, he received the first rudiments of his education; from whence he was afterwards removed to North Walsham. It was during the Christmas recess, when he was only twelve years of age, that he read the account, in a newspaper, of his uncle, Captain Suckling, being appointed to the Raisonnable, when he requested his elder brother to solicit his father's permission to allow him to go to sea with his uncle. His parent not opposing his desire, Captain Suckling was written to, and Horatio was destined to grace our naval history as one of the brightest of its heroes. In the year 1770, he was received on board the Raisonnable, then lying in the Medway. The Raisonnable being paid off, in consequence of the subject in dispute between England and Spain having been adjusted, Nelson was sent by his uncle on a voyage to the West Indies. On his return, in 1772, he

was received by his uncle on board the Triumph.

In 1773, at his own earnest solicitation, Nelson accompanied Captain Lutwidge, as his coxswain, in a voyage of discovery to the North Pole, where he was particularly distinguished for coolness and intrepidity.

Shortly after the return of the expedition to England, the ships were paid off; and Nelson was placed by his uncle with Captain Farmer, in the Seahorse, then going out to the East Indies. During the period that Nelson was in the East Indies his health became so much impaired, that it was considered necessary to send him home; and he returned to England in the Dolphin, Captain Pigot. His depressed feelings at this time, was often the subject of his conversation, long afterwards, when his fame had become pre-eminent.

During his voyage home his health had materially improved; and on the Dolphin being paid off, in 1776, he was appointed acting-lieutenant in the Worcester, sixty-four guns, Captain Mark Robinson, then going out with convoy to Gibraltar.

Soon after his return, in April, 1777, he passed his examination for a lieutenancy, in a manner highly honourable; and next day received his commission as second-lieutenant of the Lowestoffe frigate, Captain William Locker, about to proceed to Jamaica. The soaring mind of Nelson soon found that even a frigate did not afford him sufficiently active employment; and he solicited, and often got appointed to, the command of one of the Lowestoffe's tenders, on the most perilous occasions.

In 1778, Rear-admiral Sir Peter Parker appointed Nelson third-lieutenant of the Bristol, his flag-ship; and under Sir Peter's flag in that ship, he completed his services in the rank of a lieutenant.

On the 8th December, 1778, he was appointed to the command of the

Badger brig, on the West India station; and whilst on this service, the settlers voted him their thanks as a mark of their admiration of his conduct. While commanding the Badger, H.M.S. Glasgow took fire; and by the unceasing exertions and presence of mind of Nelson, the whole of the crew were saved from the flames.

Nelson obtained his post-rank on the 11th of June, 1799, and was appointed to the Hinchinbroke. On the arrival of Count D'Estaing, at Hispaniola, with a numerous fleet and army, Nelson was intrusted with the command of the batteries of Port Royal; and which was considered the most important post in Jamaica.

In January, 1780, an expedition was sent against Fort Juan, and Nelson was appointed to command the naval department; and in effecting this arduous service, he displayed his wonted intrepidity: to Nelson's conduct principally is to be attributed our success in reducing Fort Juan. The extreme fatigue he endured on this expedition materially injured his his health.

He was soon afterwards appointed to the Janus, forty-four guns, at Jamaica, and took his passage thither in the Victor sloop, to join his ship. On his arrival, he received every attention and assistance; but his health so rapidly declined, that he was obliged to return to England.

In August, 1781, Nelson was appointed to the command of the Albemarle of twenty guns, and sailed with a convoy for Newfoundland and Quebec; when his delicate constitution underwent a severe trial.

Nelson was soon afterwards ordered to England, and on his arrival, the Albemarle was paid off, in July, 1783. In 1784, he was appointed to the command of the Boreas frigate, and was ordered to the Leeward Islands, where he rendered essential service. In 1787, he sailed for England, a few months after his marriage with Frances Herbert Nesbit, widow of Doctor Nesbit, of the island of Nevis, and niece of Mr. Herbert, president of that island. The bride was given away by his late majesty, William IV., who was on that station commanding the Pegasus frigate.

On Nelson's arrival in England, the Boreas was employed at the Nore for five months as a slop and receiving ship. This unworthy treatment, excited in Nelson the strongest indignation; and during the whole time, he seldom or ever quitted the ship.

On the 30th January, 1793, Nelson was appointed to the Agamemnon, sixty-four guns, and was placed under the orders of Lord Hood, in the Mediterranean, where he commenced a career of unexampled brilliancy, and finally of unequalled glory. It was at this period that Nelson was sent with dispatches to Sir William Hamilton, our envoy at the court of Naples. Thus commenced that acquaintance with Lady Hamilton, which ripened into affection-afterwards became an infatuation-and eventually imbittered his domestic happiness. Lord Hood entertained the highest opinion of his courage and abilities: and upon all hazardous and arduous services Nelson was foremost. At Toulon, and the victories achieved at Bastia and Calvi, Lord Hood bore ample testimony to the skill and unremitting exertions of Nelson. His services at Calvi, however, were, by an unaccountable omission, overlooked-his name did not even appear in the list of wounded, though he had lost an eye. He distinguished himself in various actions with the French fleet in 1795; and afterwards,

when Sir John Jervis (Earl St. Vincent) took the command, in April, 1796, he so highly approved of Nelson's conduct, that he was directed to carry a distinguishing pendant.

In May following he was removed from his old favourite ship, the Agamemnon, to the Captain, seventy-four guns; and, after performing the most essential services, during three years and a half, he was appointed commodore. From April until October Nelson was actively employed in the most arduous services, viz. the blockade of Leghorn, taking of Porto Ferrajo, with the island of Caprea, and in the evacuation of Bastia; and having joined the admiral in St. Fiorenzo Bay, proceeded with him to Gibraltar.

In December, 1796, Nelson hoisted his broad pendant on board the Minerva, Captain George Cockburn, and was despatched with the Blanche under his command to Porto Ferrajo. On his passage thither, he fell in with two Spanish frigates, the Sabina and Ceres. After an action of three hours the Sabina struck to the commodore; and the Ceres was silenced: but owing to the three more ships heaving in sight, she was not taken possession of.

On January 29, 1797, Nelson sailed from Porto Ferrajo, and after reconnoitering the principal ports in the Mediterranean, on the 13th of February, joined the admiral off Cape St. Vincent, and communicated the intelligence of the force and state of the Spanish fleet. He was now directed to shift his pendant to the Captain, his former ship; and had not done so but a short time, when the signal was made to prepare for action, and to keep in close order during the night. During the action, Nelson's valour and astonishing abilities shone most conspicuous; and at one period he was actually engaged with six ships of the line, one of which, the Santissima Trinidada, of one hundred and twenty-six guns, was supposed to be the largest ship in the world. For his distinguished conduct he received the Order of the Bath. He was also advanced to the rank of rear-admiral.

In April, 1797, Sir Horatio Nelson hoisted his flag, as rear-admiral of the blue, and was detached to bring away the troops from Porto Ferrajo. On the 27th of May, he shifted his flag to the Theseus, and was appointed to the command of the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz. During this service, his undaunted courage was remarkable.

On the 15th July, Nelson was detached with a small squadron against Teneriffe, and made a vigorous attack on the town of Santa Cruz, It was in this attack that he lost his right arm by a cannot-shot; and from the extent of injury received, it was not till the following December that he was pronounced by the surgeons fit for service.

On the 19th December, 1797, Nelson hoisted his flag on board the Vanguard. On the 9th of April, he sailed with a convoy to Lisbon, and shortly afterwards joined Earl St. Vincent off Cadiz. Immediately on rejoining the fleet, he was despatched to the Mediterranean, with a small squadron, to reconnoitre an expedition that was then fitting out at Toulon. Intelligence at length arrived of the destination of the French fleet; and Nelson determined at once to stand for the coast of Egypt. On the 1st of August, about ten, A.M., they came in sight of Alexandria. At four, P.M., Captain Samuel Hood, of the Zealous, made the signal for the

enemy's fleet; and at sun-set the action began. In this brilliant victory, of thirteen sail of the line of the enemy's, nine were taken and two burnt. Nelson was overwhelmed with congratulations; and rewards and honors were showered upon him by all the states, powers, and princes, to whom this victory gave a respite. He was created Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Burnham Thorpe, with an additional pension of £2,000.

He arrived in England in November, and in the January following received orders to embark again. During this interval he separated from Lady Nelson. He was now sent to the Baltic, under Sir Hyde Parker. At Copenhagen, Nelson appeared not less conspicuous as a statesman than as an admiral; and for his signal service he was raised to the rank of Viscount.

At the time that Napoleon was making preparations for his boasted invasion of England, Nelson hoisted his flag in the Medusa frigate, and went to reconnoitre Boulogne, the point from which it was supposed the great attempt would be made. He approached near enough to sink two of their floating batteries, and destroy some of the gun-boats, besides doing other damage.

The peace of Amiens was shortly after concluded, and Nelson retired to a house he had purchased at Merton, in Surrey. He did not long enjoy his retirement, for war again breaking out, he departed to take the command of the Mediterranean fleet; and for a very considerable period blockaded Toulon.

He now returned to England, but had not been a month ere news of the combined fleets arrived, when he offered his services, which were willingly accepted. He hoisted his flag on board the Victory, and arrived at Cadiz on his birth-day, September 29th; and from that time till the battle of Trafalgar, he kept constantly at sea. On the 19th of October the signal was made that the combined fleet was at sea. He had arranged his plan of attack.

Nelson and Collingwood, each leading his line, advanced; and our ships crowding all sail moved majestically forward. Nelson's column was steered about two points more to the north than Collingwood's, in order to cut off the enemy's escape into Cadiz. The Victory at length opened her fire from both sides of her deck. The master was ordered to put the helm to port, and the Victory ran on board the Redoubtable. Twice had Nelson given orders to cease firing upon the Redoubtable, supposing that she had struck, as her guns were silent, and as she carried no flag it was difficult to be ascertained. From this ship, which his humanity had twice spared, he received his death-wound. A ball fired from the mizentop, struck the epaulette on his left shoulder, and he fell upon his face. They have done for me at last, Hardy," said he; "my back-bone is shot through." It was soon ascertained, upon examination, that the wound was mortal. This he felt himself perfectly assured of, and insisted that the surgeon should leave him to attend to those whom he might be useful. For," he said, "you can do nothing for me."

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The last words uttered by Nelson were, "Thank God, I have done my duty." Thus expired the greatest naval hero that this or any other country had ever produced, at thirty-eight minutes after four; three hours and a quarter after he had received his mortal wound,

[COMMODORE DANCE BEATING OFF THE FRENCH FLEET.]

THE Indian Ocean, which, in 1803, had been the theatre of operations so disastrous to Great Britain, was, in the following year, destined to be a scene of honour and glory, presenting nothing but trophies to our naval commanders. In consequence of the former success experienced by the French admiral Linois, he became remarkably daring and enterprising Flushed with victory, he sailed early in the year 1804, directing his attention to the capture of our East India fleets. His force consisted of the Marengo,of eighty-four guns, two frigates, a corvette, and a brig.

The China fleet, which it was the object of Admiral Linois to intercept, consisted of fifteen of the company's ships, twelve country ships, a Portuguese East Indiaman, and a fast-sailing brig; of VOL. III.

these, Captain Dance, of the Earl Camden, as the senior captain, was appointed commodore. When off the straits of Malacca, on the 14th of February, four strange sail were seen in the south-west. Captain Dance, with great judgment, put his ships' heads towards the enemy: four of his best sailers he sent down to reconnoitre; and, having ascertained what they were, called in his look-out, and formed the line of battle in close order, under easy sail. As soon as the French ships could fetch into the wake of ours, they put about, and at sun-set were close in the rear of the India fleet, which was in momentary expectation of an attack; but at the close of day the French admiral hauled his wind. Lieutenant Fowler, of the Royal Navy, who was a passenger with Captain Dance,

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