much meaning, ’I know the Chief is fond of good living, and he shall have the turbot.’  That his Lordship was right appeared by the result, as the boat returned with a note of compliment and thanks from Parker.  The turbot having opened a communication, the effect was wonderful.  At Merton Mr. Layman told Lord Nelson that a man eminent in the naval profession had said to him, ’Do tell me how Parker came to take the laurel from his own brow, and place it on Nelson’s?’ ‘What did you say?’ asked Nelson.  ’That it was not a gift,’ replied Layman, ’as your Lordship had gained the victory by a turbot.’  ‘A turbot!’ ’Yes, my lord, I well recollect your great desire to catch a turbot, and your astonishing many, by insisting upon its being immediately sent to Sir Hyde, who condescended to return a civil note; without which opening your Lordship would not have been consulted in the Cattegat, and without such intercourse your Lordship would not have got the detached squadron; without which there would not have been any engagement, and consequently no victory.’  Lord Nelson smilingly said, ’You are right.’"[26]

On the 19th of March the fleet was collected off the northern point of Denmark, known as the Skaw.  From there the broad channel, called the Kattegat, extends southward, between Sweden and the northern part of the Danish peninsula, until it reaches the large Island of Zealand, upon the eastern shore of which Copenhagen lies.  The two principal entrances into the Baltic are on either side of Zealand.  The eastern one, separating it from Sweden, is called the Sound, that to the west is known as the Great Belt; each, from the military point of view, possessed its particular advantages and particular drawbacks.  “We are slow in our motions as ever,” wrote Nelson, whose impatient and decided character would have used the fair wind that was blowing to enter the Kattegat, and to proceed at once to Copenhagen, “but I hope all for the best.  I have not yet seen Sir Hyde, but I purpose going this morning; for no attention shall be wanting on my part.”  The next day he reports the result of the interview to his friend Davison:  “I staid an hour, and ground out something, but there was not that degree of openness which I should have shown to my second in command.”  The fleet advanced deliberately, a frigate being sent ahead to land the British envoy, Mr. Vansittart, whose instructions were that only forty-eight hours were to be allowed the Danes to accept the demands of Great Britain, and to withdraw from the coalition.  The slowness here, like every other delay, chafed Nelson, whose wish from the beginning was to proceed at the utmost speed, not merely from the Skaw, but from England, with whatever ships could be collected; for he reasoned perfectly accurately upon the safe general principle that delay favors the defence more than the offence.  “I only now long to be gone,” he wrote before leaving Yarmouth; “time is precious, and every hour makes more resistance; strike quick, and home.”  It was particularly true in this case, for Denmark, long used to peace, had not thought war possible, and every day was precious to her in restoring and increasing the neglected protection of Copenhagen.