while nothing was too trivial for his attention where there existed a possibility of its contributing a clue to the problems of his command.  Not the least onerous of the doctor’s duties was the deciphering of private letters found in prizes, a channel by which important public interests are often betrayed.  Nelson’s quickness to see the bearing and value of an apparently trifling mention, dropped by the way by a careless pen, rendered such an exercise of his ingenuity at once a pleasure and a profit.  The public secretary, Mr. Scott, was equally struck with the alertness and sagacity of his employer’s mind.  “I have heard much of Lord Nelson’s abilities as an officer and statesman, but the account of the latter is infinitely short.  In my travels through the service I have met with no character in any degree equal to his Lordship; his penetration is quick, judgment clear, wisdom great, and his decisions correct and decided:  nor does he in company appear to bear any weight on his mind.”  It was with difficulty, after a prolonged session, that the doctor could at times beg off, and leave, stuffed in the arm-chair pockets, for another day’s work, a dozen or two of such letters, sealed to Nelson by his imperfect eyesight and inadequate mastery of other tongues.  The arm-chairs, lashed together, formed at times a couch upon which the admiral “slept those brief slumbers for which he was remarkable;” in those moments, doubtless, when anxiety about the enemy’s movements did not permit him to go regularly to bed.

In common with all those closely associated with Nelson, Dr. Scott was particularly struck with the kindliness and cordiality of his bearing and actions; which is the more to be noted, because no one, probably, had more occasion to see the movements of irritability, of impatience, which lay very near the surface, than did his secretaries, through whom his most vexatious work must be done.  That he was vehement to express annoyance has appeared frequently in these pages.  The first Lord Radstock, who was senior to him in the service, and knew him well, writing to his son, then a midshipman in the “Victory,” is constant and extreme in his admiration of Nelson; but he gives the caution to be careful of impressions made upon a chief upon whom advancement depends.  Quick in all his ways, a moment’s heedlessness, possibly misunderstood or misrepresented, may produce lasting injury.  “Lord Nelson is of so hasty a temper, that in spite of all his natural goodness, I should fear that he would too readily give ear to those in whom he had placed his confidence.  He is a man of strong passions, and his prejudices are proportionate.”  “On many occasions,” says another writer, “Lord Nelson evinced an impatience that has been considered as irreconcileable with magnanimity; but the secret workings of his soul have not been received into the account or analysis of character, for we find the same individual, while employed in watching the French fleet off Toulon,