Nelson availed himself of Blackwood’s presence to have him, together with Hardy, witness his signature to a paper, in which he bequeathed Lady Hamilton and the child Horatia to the care of the nation, and which consequently has been styled a Codicil to his Will.  Unless Blackwood’s memory a few years later was at fault, in stating that his signal was made at six o’clock,[137] it is likely enough that this early summons was for the special purpose of giving formal completeness, by the attestation of two of his closest friends, to a private duty which was the last to engage Nelson’s attention and affections; for, in addition to the date, the place and hour of his writing are fixed by the words, “In sight of the Combined Fleets of France and Spain, distant about ten miles.”  This was the common estimate of the relative positions, made by the British fleet at large at daybreak, and coincides fairly well with the inferences to be drawn, from the slow rate of speed at which the wind permitted the British to advance, and from the hour the conflict began.  Nor was there time, nor convenient room, for further delay.  A freshening breeze might readily have brought the fleet into action in a couple of hours, and it is the custom in preparing for battle—­the signal for which was made at 6.40—­to remove most of the conveniences, and arrangements for privacy, from the living spaces of the officers; partly to provide against their destruction, chiefly to clear away all impediments to fighting the guns, and to moving about the ship.  In the case of the admiral, of course, much might be postponed to the last moment, but in fact his cabin was cleared of fixtures immediately after he went on the poop in the early morning; for it is distinctly mentioned that while there he gave particular directions in the matter, and enjoined great care in handling the portrait of Lady Hamilton, saying, “Take care of my guardian angel.”

It seems, therefore, probable that this so-called Codicil was written in the quiet minutes of the morning, while the fleet was forming its order of sailing and bearing up for the enemy, but before the admiral’s cabin was cleared for battle.  In it Nelson first recounted, briefly but specifically, “the eminent services of Emma Hamilton” to the state, on two occasions, as believed by himself to have been rendered.  Into the actuality of these services it is not necessary here to inquire;[138] it is sufficient to say that Nelson’s knowledge of them could not have been at first hand, and that the credence he unquestionably gave to them must have depended upon the evidence of others,—­probably of Lady Hamilton herself, in whom he felt, and always expressed, the most unbounded confidence.  “Could I have rewarded these services,” the paper concludes, “I would not now call upon my Country; but as that has not been in my power, I leave Emma Lady Hamilton, therefore, a legacy to my King and Country, that they will give her an ample provision to maintain her rank