FOOTNOTES: 

[1] BATTLE OF ABOUKIR.

At the battle of Aboukir Bay the British losses were reported to be 896 killed and wounded.  Only one captain fell. 5,225 of the French perished, and 3,105, including wounded, were sent on shore.

When the battle was over, Nelson gave instructions that thanksgiving aboard every ship should be offered to Almighty God for giving His Majesty’s forces the victory.  It is the author’s opinion that but for a good deal of slashing genius and not a little of the devil on the part of Nelson and his men the French would not have fared so badly.

[2] Portraits painted by poor Romney for L40, or less, sell for many thousands at Christie’s in these days.

[3] Italics are the author’s.

[4] Italics are the author’s.

[5] Some authorities speak of Sir William Hamilton as being an amiable, accomplished man, who left on record a letter which reads as follows:—­“My study of antiquities has kept me in constant thought of the perpetual fluctuation of everything.  The whole art is really to live all the days of our life.  Admire the Creator and all His works, to us incomprehensible, and do all the good you can on earth; and take the chance of eternity without dismay.”

[6] Sir Harris Nicolas is inclined to believe in the purity of Nelson’s attachment and Southey says there is no reason to believe that it was more than platonic.  But these views are certainly not borne out by those who knew Nelson and his connection with the Hamiltons intimately.

[7] The name by which Nelson speaks of her occasionally in his correspondence with Lady Hamilton.  His daughter bore this name before his death, but he desired that afterwards she should drop the name of Thompson.

[8] “Correspondence and Diaries of John Wilson Croker,” vol. ii. p. 233.

[9] O’Meara, vol. i. p. 308.

[10] O’Meara, “Voice from St. Helena,” vol. ii. p. 229.  “Talks of Napoleon at St. Helena,” Gourgand, p. 118.

[11] The body was first seen floating by a Neapolitan fisherman, who reported the matter, but his story was ridiculed.  Finally, in order to verify the statement, the principal actors in the shameful tragedy went for a sail in Naples Bay and soon met the body borne along by the swift current as though to meet them.  The incident created a profound impression at the time.

[12] This girl of twenty-two, who is known to fame and immortality, purchased a dagger, and called on Marat, who was the most infamous arch-butcher of the Reign of Terror.  He was in his bath at the time, but this did not prevent her from making her way to him.  He wrote down the names of the conspirators she told him of having seen in Normandy, and he told her he would swiftly have them guillotined.  The assurance had scarcely left his lips when in an instant she thrust the instrument of death through his heart.