the sword which he had surrendered.  “I felt this consonant to the dignity of my Country, and I always act as I feel right, without regard to custom.”  By the 16th of January all the naval establishment was embarked, ready for departure, though some of the ships of war had not yet returned, nor had the Viceroy arrived.  The delay allowed the “Minerve” to be completely refitted, two of her masts and most of her rigging having to be renewed.

When Elliot came, it was decided in a consultation between him, Nelson, and De Burgh, that the troops should remain.  The transports had been completely victualled, and so prepared that every soldier could be embarked in three days.  With them were left two frigates and a few smaller ships of war.  On the 29th of January, Nelson sailed with the rest of his force and the convoy, divided into three sections, which proceeded for the Straits by different routes, to diminish the chances of total loss by capture.  Nelson himself, with another frigate, the “Romulus,” in company, intended to make a round of the enemy’s ports, in order to bring the admiral the latest information of the number of ships in each, and their state of preparation.  “I hope to arrive safe in Lisbon with my charge,” he wrote to his wife on the eve of sailing, “but in war much is left to Providence:  however, as I have hitherto been most successful, confidence tells me I shall not fail:  and as nothing will be left undone by me, should I not always succeed, my mind will not suffer; nor will the world, I trust, be willing to attach blame, where my heart tells me none would be due.”  The habit of taking risks had wrought its beneficial influence upon mind and temper, when he thus calmly and simply reasoned from the experience of the past to the prospective fortnight, to be passed in sight of a hostile coast, and in waters where he could meet no friendly sail.  “It has ever pleased Almighty God to give his blessing to my endeavours,” was his New Year greeting to his father at this time.

During this month in Elba a slight political reference shows how his views and purpose were changing with the rapidly shifting political scene.  In this hour of deepening adversity he no longer looks for peace, nor seeks the reason for the current war, which a few months before he had failed to find.  “As to peace, I do not expect it; Lord Malmesbury will come back as he went.  But the people of England will, I trust, be more vigorous for the prosecution of the war, which can alone insure an honourable peace.”

The “Minerve” and the “Romulus” looked first into the old British anchorage in San Fiorenzo Bay, which was found deserted.  Standing thence to Toulon, they remained forty-eight hours off that port, in which were to be seen no ships in condition for sailing.  From there they passed off Barcelona, showing French colors, but without succeeding in drawing out any vessel there lying.  The wind not being fair for Minorca, where Nelson had purposed to reconnoitre