the traces are clear that what was wanted, during the remainder of that eventful night, was just that concord of action which the head imparts to the members.  Messages went from ship to ship, captains consulted together and proposed to move together, and did move separately; there was no lack of good-will, nor, as Nelson says, of exertion; but men were not quite sure of what the other man would do, and felt no authority to command him; and there was hesitation over risks, and cautious delays about soundings and shaky spars, which, the author is persuaded, would not have deterred Nelson in such conditions, where victory was decisive, though not yet complete.  Illustrations would perhaps be invidious, as seeming to imply a blame upon individuals which Nelson expressly disavowed; blame that officers of exceptional professional capacity, concerning whom the measured professional opinion of Lord Howe affirmed that the Battle of the Nile “was unparalleled in this respect, that every captain distinguished himself,” fell short of the peculiar excellence attained by Nelson only among the men of his day.  Moreover, this work does not aim at a discussion of battles, except so far as they touch Nelson personally.  It may, however, be permissible to remark, that the incident here under discussion suggests a doubt about the opinion, too easily current, that an admiral’s powers of control cease when the battle joins.  Under the circumstances, it is probable that Nelson, being so far incapacitated as he thought himself, should have transferred the direction of affairs, formally, to the next senior officer, with general orders to secure the best results attainable.

The following morning it was found that the leading six ships of the French had already struck their colors.  The “Orient” having blown up, there were six survivors.  Of these, one, the “Tonnant,” next astern of the “Orient,” though dismasted, was still afloat, a mile behind her former position, having dropped there to avoid the explosion.  The “Heureux” and “Mercure,” which had slipped their cables for the same reason, were ashore and helpless.  The spars of the three rear ships, the “Guillaume Tell,” “Genereux,” and “Timoleon,” were still standing, and they had received little injury.  At about noon these vessels, commanded by Rear Admiral Villeneuve, got under way to go to sea; but the “Timoleon” cast with her head inshore, and, after an ineffectual attempt to wear, ran aground, bows on, her foremast going over the side as she struck.  The crew escaped to the beach, and she was then set on fire by her captain, her colors flying as she burned.  The two other ships escaped, with two frigates which accompanied them.  Only one British ship, the “Zealous,” was in condition to follow, and she did so; but Nelson, seeing that she could not be supported, recalled her from the unequal contest.