must run to leeward of the British fleet.  If the enemy wear, the British fleet must place themselves between the enemy and the captured, and the disabled British ships; and, should the enemy close, I have no fear as to the result.  The second in command will, in all possible things, direct the movements of his line, by keeping them as compact as the nature of the circumstances will admit.  Captains are to look to their particular line as their rallying point; but, in case signals cannot be seen, or clearly understood, no captain can do wrong, if he places his ship alongside that of an enemy.

Advanced Squadron 8\
British Divisions { Weather Line ... 16 } 40.
\Lee Line ... 16

Enemy ... 46.

The Divisions of the British fleet will be brought nearly within gunshot of the enemy’s centre.  The signal will, most probably, then be made for the lee line to bear up together; to set all their sails, even the steering sails, in order to get as quickly as possible to the enemy’s line; and to cut through, begining at the twelfth ship from the enemy’s rear.  Some ships may not get through their expected place, but they will always be at hand to assist their friends.  If any are thrown in the rear of the enemy, they will compleat the business of twelve sail of the enemy.  Should the enemy wear together, or bear up and sail large, still the twelve ships composing in the first position the enemy’s rear, are to be the object of attack of the lee line, unless otherwise directed by the commander in chief; which is scarcely to be expected, as the entire management of the lee line, after the intentions of the commander in chief are signified, is intended to be left to the admiral commanding that line.  The remainder of the enemy’s fleet, thirty-five, sail of the line, are to be left to the management of the commander in chief, who will endeavour to take care that the movements of the second in command are as little interrupted as possible.

     “Nelson and Bronte.”

About this period, the following admired extract of a letter to Alexander Davison, Esq. his lordship’s most confidential friend, appears also to have been written; which, though published in most of the newspapers, and other periodical journals, cannot be too often reprinted.

“Day by day, my dear friend, I am expecting the fleet to put to sea; every day, hour, and moment:  and you may rely that, if it is in the power of man to get at them, it shall be done; and, I am sure, that all my brethren look to that day, as the finish of our laborious cruise.  The event, no man can say exactly; but I must think,—­or render great injustice to those under me, that let the battle be when it may, it will never have been surpassed!  My shattered frame, if I survive that day, will require rest, and that is all I shall ask for.  If I fall on such a glorious occasion, it shall be my pride to take care that my friends shall not