men in it.  Subsequent events showed this forecast of Nelson’s to be as erroneous as those of Napoleon were at times in regard to naval prospects.  “General Bonaparte,” he continues, “only wants a communication opened by sea, to march into Syria, that the transports with stores, &c., for the army, may go alongshore with him.”  This he had learned from French officers who were prisoners on board, and we know it corresponded with the facts.  “If the Sultan will not send anything, he will lose Syria.”  “Naples,” he tells St Vincent, “is saved in spite of herself.  They have evidently broken their treaty with France, and yet are afraid to assist in finishing the vast armament of the French.  Four hours with bomb vessels, would set all in a blaze, and we know what an army is without stores.”  This anticipation also proved deceptive; but the expressions quoted are fair examples of the general tenor of his letters between Aboukir and Naples, and show his feeling that the important points of his command lay to the east of Sicily.

The same tendency was shown upon the appearance of a Portuguese squadron of four ships-of-the-line, which entered the Mediterranean in July with orders to place themselves under his command.  He first learned the fact upon this passage, and at once sent a frigate to Alexandria to beg the Portuguese admiral, the Marquis de Niza, to assume the blockade, as the most important service to be rendered the common cause.  When the frigate reached its destination, Niza had come and gone, and Nelson then headed him off at the Strait of Messina, on his way to Naples, and sent him to blockade Malta.  It may be added that this squadron remained under his command until December, 1799, and was of substantial utility in the various operations.  Nelson professed no great confidence in its efficiency, which was not subjected to the severest tests; but he made a handsome acknowledgment to its commander when it was recalled to Lisbon.

On the 22d of September the flagship anchored at Naples.  On the 15th her foremast had been carried away in a squall, and the “poor wretched Vanguard,” as Nelson called her, having to be towed by a frigate, her two crippled consorts preceded her arrival by six days.  The news of the victory had been brought three weeks before by the “Mutine,” on the 1st of September.  The Court party had gone wild with joy, in which the populace, naturally hostile to the French, had joined with southern vivacity of expression.  Captain Capel, who commanded the brig, with Lieutenant Hoste, who was to succeed him when he departed with the despatches for England, had been at once taken to Court and presented.  When they left the palace they were met by Lady Hamilton, who made them get into her carriage, and with characteristic bad taste and love of notoriety paraded them until dark through the streets of this neutral capital, she wearing a bandeau round her forehead with the words, “Nelson and Victory.”  “The populace saw and understood what it meant,” wrote Hoste, “and ‘Viva Nelson!’ resounded through the streets.  You can have no idea of the rejoicings that were made throughout Naples.  Bonfires and illuminations all over the town; indeed, it would require an abler pen than I am master of to give you any account but what will fall infinitely short of what was the case.”