Bodily suffering was his constant attendant, to which he always remained subject, but at this time it was powerless to depress the moral energies which, under less stimulating conditions, at times lost something of their elastic force.  They never, indeed, failed to rise equal to imminent emergency, however obscured in hours of gloom, or perplexity, or mental conflict; but now, supported by the concurrence of every favoring influence, they carried him along in the full flow of prosperity and exhilaration.  Thanking Earl Spencer, the First Lord of the Admiralty, for a complimentary letter, he says:  “The unbounded praises Sir John Jervis has ever heaped, and continues to heap on me, are a noble reward for any services which an officer under his command could perform.  Nor is your Lordship less profuse in them.”  To his wife he writes:  “I assure you I never was better, and rich in the praises of every man, from the highest to the lowest in the fleet.”  “The imperious call of honour to serve my country, is the only thing that keeps me a moment from you, and a hope, that by staying a little longer, it may enable you to enjoy those little luxuries which you so highly merit.”  “My late affair here[58] will not, I believe, lower me in the opinion of the world.  I have had flattery enough to make me vain, and success enough to make me confident.”

FOOTNOTES: 

[41] It is evident that this must have involved a compliment personal to Nelson.

[42] See Plate, Figure 1.

[43] See Plate, Figure 2.

[44] Captured.

[45] That is, the weather division,—­the eighteen ships.

[46] That is, was left in.

[47] Shrouds are large ropes which support the masts.

[48] See Plate, Figure 3.

[49] The italics are the author’s.

[50] In his letter to Nelson this is thirteen, but evidently a slip.  His log of the action says forty-three.

[51] Both papers are headed:  “A few remarks relative to myself in the Captain,” etc.  It is unfortunate that Nicolas, in giving these two papers, puts first the one which, from internal indications, is (in the author’s judgment) the later in date.

[52] Author’s italics.

[53] Hailed to stop firing because the “San Nicolas” had surrendered.

[54] See ante, page 89.

[55] That is, at sea, the main fleet being still in the Tagus.

[56] Cut, or let go, the cables,—­leaving the anchor in haste, instead of raising it from the bottom.

[57] The British seamen.

[58] The night conflict with the Spanish launches.

CHAPTER IX.

THE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AGAINST TENERIFFE.—­NELSON LOSES HIS RIGHT ARM.—­RETURN TO ENGLAND.—­REJOINS ST. VINCENT’S FLEET, AND SENT INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN TO WATCH THE TOULON ARMAMENT.