Arrival of the party in England
Lady Nelson’s attitude at this time
Her letters to Nelson
His reception and conduct in London
Growing estrangement between him and Lady Nelson
Anecdote of his visit to Fonthill
Final breach with Lady Nelson
Her blameless character, and subsequent life
Nelson’s testimony to her conduct
Hoists his flag on board the “San Josef” at Plymouth
Birth of the child Horatia
Nelson’s care to conceal his relations with Lady Hamilton

CHAPTER XVI.

The expedition to the Baltic and battle of Copenhagen.—­Nelson
returns to England.

February—­June, 1801.

Origin of the trouble between Great Britain and Denmark
The entrance of the Czar Paul into the quarrel
Renewal of the Armed Neutrality of 1780
Relations of Bonaparte to this event
Nelson joins the fleet under Sir Hyde Parker, at Yarmouth
Relations between him and Parker
Nelson’s disapproval of the plans for the expedition
Evident change in his general disposition
Anecdote of Nelson and the turbot
The fleet collected off the Skaw
Parker’s slowness and Nelson’s impatience
Alarming reports of the Danes’ preparations
Nelson’s attitude and counsels
Accuracy of his judgment of the conditions
Tact and discretion in his dealings with Parker
His letter to Parker upon the general situation
Parker’s indecision
Nelson’s plans adopted
The fleet passes the Sound
Detail and discussion of Nelson’s plan of operations
His feelings and speech in the Council of War
Nelson’s division anchors south of Copenhagen
Nelson on the night before the battle
The Danish dispositions for defence
Nelson’s Plan of Attack—­Detail and discussion
The Battle of Copenhagen
Parker makes the signal to leave off action
Nelson refuses to repeat it
Discussion of this incident
Incidents of the battle
Nelson addresses a letter to the Crown Prince under a flag of
truce
Characteristic anecdote
Discussion of the sending of the flag of truce
The battle discontinued
Nelson removes his ships
Completeness of his success
Merit of his conduct throughout
He is advanced in the peerage to be a Viscount
No other rewards, or medals, bestowed for this action
Negotiations intrusted to Nelson by Parker
The murder of the Czar Paul
Armistice for fourteen weeks concluded with Denmark
Qualified approval of the British Government
The British fleet enters the Baltic
Nelson’s ardor and personal recklessness.—­Anecdote
Parker’s sluggishness of action.—­Nelson’s impatience
Russia intimates her purpose to abstain from hostilities
Nelson’s controversy with the Danish Commodore Fischer
Parker ordered home, and Nelson left in command