His care to impart his ideas to his officers
Methods of intercourse with them
Exasperation at a statement of Latouche Treville
Endeavors to force or to lure the French to sea
Effect of worry upon his mind
His last promotion.—­Vice-Admiral of the White
Wearing effect of protracted monotony
Refuses to let Lady Hamilton join him
The daily life on board
Account of Nelson’s health and habits
Occupations in business hours
Diplomatic ability and conciliatory temper
Sharp reply to remonstrance about blockades
Difficulties with Algiers
Nelson’s diligent pursuit of information
Interest in listening to conversations
Examination of foreign journals and captured letters
Kindliness in intercourse with others
Exercise of official patronage
Protection of British trade
Want of frigates and small cruisers
Collection and protection of convoys
Nelson applies for sick leave
Desire to return to the station afterwards
Leave is granted by the Admiralty
The Mediterranean Station divided
Sir John Orde given the portion west of Gibraltar
Nelson’s dissatisfaction and complaints
His change of mind about going home
Learns Cornwallis’s order to seize Spanish treasure-ships
Directs captains under his orders not to obey
Letter illustrative of the characteristics of his orders
Adequacy of his measures to the requirements of the case
Determines not to use his leave of absence
Orde arrives off Cadiz
Indications of the French fleet leaving Toulon
Nelson receives word of the seizure of Spanish ships
Promptness of his measures.—­Reasons therefor
Rumors of French departure
Annoyances caused Nelson by Orde
The mission of the frigate “Amazon”
Nelson’s hope of meeting the French fleet
Opinions on general subjects
Sympathetic insight into Bonaparte’s purposes
The French fleet sails from Toulon

CHAPTER XX.

The escape and pursuit of the Toulon fleet.—­Nelson’s
return to England.

January-August, 1805.

Object of Napoleon’s combinations in 1805
Details of his plan
Nelson’s share in thwarting it
The difficulties of one dealing with Napoleon
Nelson’s guiding principle
The sailing of the Toulon fleet
Nelson’s movements and perplexities
Goes to Alexandria
Returns to Gulf of Palmas, Sardinia
British disasters in Western Mediterranean
Characteristic letter of Nelson in behalf of an officer
Explanations to the Admiralty about his own course
Makes a round off Toulon and Barcelona to deceive the enemy
Returns to the Gulf of Palmas
The Toulon fleet sails again
Its movements and those of Nelson
Distress and misfortunes of the latter
Learns that the French fleet has passed the Straits