situation of Naples since the negotiations with Russia,” he wrote to Elliot in October, “are perfectly clear; but the times are such that kingdoms must not be played with.  So far from Russia assisting Naples, it may involve her, without the greatest care and circumspection, in total ruin.  Naples must not be hastily involved in war with France.  Sicily must be saved.  The Calabrians must be kept from the entrance of French troops.  If we are consulted, we must assist Naples in keeping off the blow as long as possible.”  That Napoleon’s action would have been as here surmised, had his purposes then tended towards the Mediterranean instead of the English Channel, we have his own assertion.  “At the solicitation of your ambassador at St. Petersburg,” wrote he to the Queen of Naples, three months later, referring to the same subject, “ten thousand Russians have been sent to Corfu....  If it had entered into my plans to make war upon the King of Naples, I should have done it on the entrance of the first Russian in Corfu, but I wish for peace with Naples, with Europe entire, with England even.”  Napoleon’s wishes for peace, except on the condition of having his own way, are scarcely to be taken seriously; but his care to keep things quiet in the South corroborates the other indications of his firm purpose to invade England.  He was too astute to precipitate troubles elsewhere while that was pending.  The appearance of the Russians in Corfu, although unwise in Nelson’s view, relieved his fears for the islands and the Morea, and enabled him to reduce a little his detachment about the heel of Italy.

Towards the middle of December Nelson had received information, which was substantially correct, “from various places, and amongst others, from the King of Sardinia [then in Gaeta], that the French were assembling troops near Toulon, and had taken some of the best troops and a corps of cavalry from the Riviera of Genoa.  Every seaman was pressed and sent to Toulon.  On the 16th the Active spoke a vessel from Marseilles, who reported that seven thousand troops had embarked on board the French fleet.”

It was in Madalena Roads that the long-expected summons came at last.  In the afternoon of January 19, 1805, blowing a heavy gale of wind from the northwest, the two lookout frigates from off Toulon came in sight, with the signal flying that the French fleet was at sea.  At 3 P.M. they anchored near the “Victory.”  Three hours later Nelson had left Madalena forever.

FOOTNOTES: 

[59] This sentence refers to the governor; not to Villettes, as the construction might indicate.

[60] Unfit for sea, and kept at Naples for political reasons.

[61] The Honourable Mr. Waldegrave, afterwards Admiral Lord Eadstock.

[62] Five French ships-of-the-line, returning from the West Indies, had taken refuge in Ferrol.

[63] Life of Rev. A.J.  Scott, p. 124.