The wind was now from the west; but the breezes were very light, with a long heavy swell running.  The signal being made for bearing down upon the Enemy in two lines, the British Fleet set all possible sail.  The lee line, consisting of thirteen ships, was led by Admiral Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign; and the weather line, composed of fourteen ships, by the Commander in Chief in the Victory.  His Lordship had ascended the poop, to have a better view of both lines of the British Fleet; and while there, gave particular directions for taking down from his cabin the different fixtures, and for being very careful in removing the portrait of Lady Hamilton:  “Take care of my Guardian Angel,” said he, addressing himself to the persons to be employed in this business.  Immediately after this he quitted the poop, and retired to his cabin for a few minutes:  where he committed to paper the following short but devout and fervent ejaculation, which must be universally admired as truly characteristic of the Christian hero; and the codicil to his will, which follows it: 

“May the great god whom I worship grant to my Country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it, and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet!  For myself individually, I commit my life to Him that made me; and may His blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my Country faithfully!  To Him I resign myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend.  Amen, Amen, Amen.”

* * * * *

   “October 21st, 1805. Then in sight of the Combined Fleets of
   France and Spain, distant about ten miles.

“Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, widow of the Right Honourable Sir William Hamilton, have been of the very greatest service to my King and Country, to my knowledge, without ever receiving any reward from either our King or Country: 

“First, that she obtained the King of Spain’s letter, in 1796, to his brother the King of Naples, acquainting him of his intention to declare war against England; from which letter the ministry sent out orders to the then Sir John Jervis, to strike a stroke if opportunity offered, against either the arsenals of Spain or her fleets:—­that neither of these was done, is not the fault of Lady Hamilton; the opportunity might have been offered:[6]

“Secondly:  the British Fleet under my command could never have returned the second time to Egypt, had not Lady HAMILTON’S influence with the Queen of Naples caused letters to be wrote to the Governor of Syracuse, that he was to encourage the Fleet’s being supplied with every thing, should they put into any port in Sicily.  We put into Syracuse, and received