It was not in this matter only that maritime affairs in the East took a turn contrary to Nelson’s wishes.  Since he had persuaded himself that to bolster up the corrupt and tottering throne of Naples was the most important of his functions, he had become desirous that the isolation and blockade of the French army in Egypt,—­a factor so decisive by its numbers, its brilliant efficiency, and the singular genius and renown of its general and his lieutenants,—­should be assumed by some of the allies of Great Britain, although he was never slow to express his want of confidence in their navies.  He was urgent, both with the joint ministers and with the representatives of Russia and Turkey, that the fleets of these two powers should relieve Hood off Alexandria, in order to strengthen his own hands on the coast of Italy and off Malta.  Neither Russia nor Turkey was easily to be convinced.  Egypt was no affair of the former’s, except as it concerned the general cause; and from that point of view it was as much the business of Great Britain, already on the spot, as it was hers.  With twenty thousand troops about to enter into a campaign in Northern Italy, as allies of Austria, Russia had undeniable interests there, as well as in the Ionian Islands, which commanded the entrance to the Adriatic, a sea important to communications between Austria and Lombardy.  The islands also were, in the hands of France, a threat to the Turkish mainland.  It was against these, therefore, that the Russo-Turkish forces directed their efforts, greatly to Nelson’s disgust, and there they remained, chained by the obstinate resistance of Corfu, until the 1st of March, 1799, when it surrendered.  The fifty-gun ship “Leander,” which had been taken by the French seventy-four “Genereux,” when carrying Nelson’s despatches after the Nile, was here recaptured and restored to Great Britain.

Nelson viewed the progress and policy of Russia with a mind fully imbued with the distrust, which, for the last quarter of a century, had been supplanting gradually the previous friendly feeling of Great Britain toward that country.  As soon as he heard of the intention to attack the islands, in November, 1798, he hurried off Troubridge to anticipate a seizure which he expected to be more easy than it proved.  “You will proceed to sea without a moment’s loss of time,” his instructions ran, “and make the best of your way to the Island of Zante; and if the Russians have not taken possession of that island and Cephalonia, you will send on shore by the Priest I shall desire to accompany you, my Declaration.  If you can get possession of the islands before named, you will send my Declaration into the Island of Corfu, and use your utmost endeavours to get possession of it....  Should the Russians have taken possession of these Islands and be cruizing near with the Turkish fleet, you will pay a visit to the Turkish admiral, and by saluting him (if he consents to return gun for gun) and every other mark of respect and attention,