ORIGINAL PREFACE "MANY lives of NELSON have been written : one is yet wanting clear and concise enough to become a manual for the young sailor, which he may carry about with him till he has treasured up the example in his memory and in his heart. In attempting such a work, I shall write the eulogy of our great naval Hero; for the best eulogy of NELSON is the faithful history of his actions: the best history that which shall relate them most perspicuously." Preface to Southey's Life of Nelson. “This, which was perhaps upon the whole the most popular of any of my father's works, originated in an article in the fifth number of the Quarterly Review (Feb., 1810), which was enlarged at Murray's request. My father received altogether £300 for it,-£100 for the Review; £100 when the Life was enlarged; and £100 when it was published in the Family Library." Southey's Life and Correspondence, chap. xviii. "The Life of Nelson was completed this morning. This is a subject which I should never have dreamt of touching, if it had not been thrust upon me. I have walked among sea- terms as carefully as a cat does among crockery; but if I have succeeded in making the narrative continuous and clear—the very reverse of what it is in the lives before me-the materials are in themselves so full of character, so picturesque and so sublime, that it cannot fail of being a good book.” (Id. Feb. 1, 1813.) "I met a Mr. Brandreth at my brother's a few days ago, who has lately returned from the West Indies. He says the American Government has printed an edition of your Life of Nelson, sufficiently numerous for a distribution on fine paper to every officer, and on coarse paper to every man in their fleet. This is what should have been done here long ago, and would have been done, if our statesmen had been anything better than politicians, or considered the people of the country as anything but mere machines, unendowed with feelings or motives of action. It ought to be in the chest of every seaman, from the admiral to the cabin-boy.”—Grosvenor C. Bedford to R. Southey. (Id. ch. xxxi.) CONTENTS PAGE Nelson's Birth and Boyhood-He is entered on board the Raisonnable-Goes to the West Indies in a Merchant- ship; then serves in the Triumph-He sails in Captain Phipps's Voyage of Discovery-Goes to the East Indies in the Seahorse, and returns in ill-health-Serves as Act- ing-Lieutenant in the Worcester, and is made Lieutenant into the Lowestoffe, Commander into the Badger brig, and Post into the Hinchinbrook-Expedition against the Nelson goes to France during the Peace-Reappointed to the Boreas, and stationed at the Leeward Islands-His firm conduct concerning the American Interlopers and the Contractors-Marries and returns to England-Is on the point of quitting the Service in Disgust-Manner of The Agamemnon sent to the Mediterranean-Commence- ment of Nelson's acquaintance with Sir William Hamilton -He is sent to Corsica, to co-operate with Paoli-State of affairs in that Island-Nelson undertakes the Siege of Bastia, and reduces it-Takes a distinguished part in the Siege of Calvi, where he loses an Eye-Admiral Hotham's action-The Agamemnon ordered to Genoa, to coöperate Sir J. Jervis takes the Command-Genoa joins the French -Buonaparte begins his Career-Evacuation of Corsica -Nelson hoists his Broad Pendant in the Minerve- Action with the Sabina-Battle off Cape St. Vincent- Nelson commands the Inner Squadron at the Blockade of Cadiz-Boat Action in the Bay of Cadiz-Expedition Nelson rejoins Earl St. Vincent in the Vanguard-Sails in Nelson returns to Naples-State of that Court and King- dom-General Mack--The French approach Naples- Flight of the Royal Family-Successes of the Allies in Italy Transactions in the Bay of Naples-Expulsion of the French from the Neapolitan and Roman States- Nelson separates himself from his Wife-Northern Con- federacy-He goes to the Baltic, under Sir Hyde Parker Sir Hyde Parker is recalled, and Nelson appointed Com- mander-He goes to Revel-Settlement of affairs in the Baltic-Unsuccessful attempt upon the Flotilla at Bou- logne-Peace of Amiens-Nelson takes the Command in the Mediterranean on the renewal of the War- Escape of the Toulon Fleet-Nelson chases them to the |