I always perceived that he felt much more than he gave vent to, when dissatisfied with the conduct of others. He visited, on shore at Deal, his old friend Admiral Lutwidge.

"We sailed on the succeeding morning, and entered Yarmouth Roads on the 6th or 7th of March. The St. George was the first three-decker which had so done. The flag of Sir Hyde Parker, the Commander-in-Chief, was flying on board of one of the Ships of the station, but was removed to the London on her arrival next day. Sir Hyde was on shore, and I remember that Lord Nelson regretted this. He reported his arrival, and his intention of waiting on him the next morning. We breakfasted that morning, as usual, soon after six o'clock, for we were always up before daylight. We went on shore, so as to be at Sir Hyde's door by eight o'clock, Lord Nelson choosing to be amusingly exact to that hour, which he considered as a very late one for business.

"Lord Nelson's plan would have been to have proceeded with the utmost dispatch, and with such Ships as were in readiness, to the mouth of Copenhagen Harbour; then and there to have insisted on amity or war, and have brought the objects of Messrs. Drummond and Vansittart's negotiation to a speedy decision. He would have left orders for the remainder of the Fleet to have followed in succession, as they were ready, and by the rapidity of his proceedings have anticipated the for⚫ midable preparations for defence which the Danes had scarcely thought of at that early season. The delay in Yarmouth Roads did not accord with his views. An order from the Admiralty arrived on the 11th of March, in consequence of which the Fleet put to sea on the succeeding day. The land troops were equally distributed on board of the Line-of-Battle Ships, and I, repairing to the London, had not an opportunity of being with Lord Nelson, until our arrival off the Sound. Our Fleet consisted of about fifty Sail; of these forty were Pendants, sixteen being of the Line. On the 15th, we encountered a heavy gale of wind, which in some measure scattered the Fleet, and prevented our reaching the Naze until the 18th. On the next day, when off the Scaw, the whole were nearly collected; a northwest wind blew, and an opportunity appeared to have been lost of proceeding through the Cattegat. Every delay, however trifling, gave cause for regret, and favoured the views of the Northern Coalition. The openness of those seas had rarely been equalled at this season of the year, and in particular called for activity in our movements. The Commander-in-Chief had probably, however, instructions by which he acted; and if so, this, in addition to numerous instances of a similar nature, proves the propriety of discretionary powers, whenever success is to depend on energy and activity. Lord Nelson was, as I understood, greatly vexed at the delay.

"On the 21st it blew hard: we anchored for twenty four hours, and did not arrive off the point of Elsineur until the 24th. The Blanche Frigate, with Mr. Van sittart on board, preceded the Fleet from the Scaw, and, landing him at Elsineur on the 20th, he joined Mr. Drummond at Copenhagen. The terms demanded by these gentlemen having been rejected, they returned to our Fleet on the 24th, and left us for England on the succeeding day. The wind was again strong and favourable, and expectation was alive that we should have sailed through the Sound on the 25th: it was, however, generally understood, that the formidable reports which had been made by Mr. Vansittart, and by the Pilots whom we had brought with us, as to the state of the batteries at Elsineur, and of the defensive situation of Copenhagen, induced the Commander-in Chief to prefer the circuitous passage by the Great Belt. Lord Nelson, who was impatient for action, was not much deterred by these alarming representations; his object was to go to Copenhagen, and he said,

'Let it be by the Sound, by the Belt, or anyhow, only lose not an hour.' On the 26th the whole Fleet accordingly sailed for the Great Belt; but after proceeding for a few leagues along the Coast of Zealand, the plan was suddenly changed.' This arose partly in consequence of some suggestions from Captain George Murray of the Edgar, who was to have led the Fleet through the intricate channels, partly on account of some difficulty appearing in our course, (one or two of the smaller craft being on the rocks,) but chiefly at the instigation of Lord Nelson, who went on board the London, about ten A.M. Be the reasons as they may, the Fleet returned to its former anchorage before sunset. As if a more than sufficient time had not been given for the Danes to prepare their defence, another message was sent, on the 27th of March, to the Governor of Elsineur, Stricker, to discover his intentions relative to opposing our Fleet, if it were to pass the Sound. He replied, I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that his Majesty the King of Denmark did not send away the Chargé d'Affaires; but that on his own demand he obtained a passport. As a Soldier, I cannot intermeddle with politics; but I am not at liberty to suffer a Fleet, whose intention is not yet known, to approach the guns of the Castle of Cronenburg, which I have the honour to command. In case your Excellency should think proper to make any proposals to the King of Denmark, I wish to be informed thereof before the Fleet approaches nearer to the Castle.' Sir Hyde Parker replied, that finding the intentions of the Court of Denmark to be hostile against his Britannic Majesty, he regarded his Excellency's answer as a declaration of war; and, therefore, agreeably to his instructions, could no longer refrain from hostilities, however reluctant it might be to his feelings. But, at the same time, the Admiral would be ready to attend to any proposals of the Court of Denmark for restoring the former amity and friendship which had for so many years subsisted between the two Courts.'

"On the 26th of March, the Elephant, Captain Foley, and another 74, had joined the Fleet, bringing the melancholy intelligence of the loss of the Invincible, 74 guns, Rear-Admiral Totty, Captain Rennie, one of our Squadron, on the sandbank called Hammond's Knowl. On the 29th, Lord Nelson shifted his Flag from the St. George to the Elephant, commanded by his intimate friend, Captain Foley, in order to carry on operations in a lighter Ship. Both the 28th and 29th of March were unfortunately calm: orders had, however, been given for the Fleet to pass through the Sound as soon as the wind should permit. At day-light, on the morning of the 30th, it blew a topsail breeze from N.W. The signal was made, and the Fleet proceeded in the order of Battle previously arranged; Lord Nelson's division in the Van, the Commander-in-Chief's in the Centre, and Admiral Graves's in the

1 It is stated in the Memoir of Admiral Sir Robert Waller Otway, Bart., G.C.B., in Ralfe's Naval Biography, (a copy of which was placed in the Editor's hands by that Officer,) that the alteration made in the approach of the Fleet to Copenhagen was suggested by him. He was then Captain of the London, after the Council of War, at which he was not present, broke up, he succeeded in convincing Sir Hyde Parker, that the Sound was the best route:-"The Fleet was again brought to, and Captain Otway was sent to apprise Lord Nelson of the reasons. On explaining to his Lordship the alteration that had been made in the route, he exclaimed I don't care a d-n by which passage we go, so that we fight them!' He determined to return with Captain Otway to the Commander-in-Chief, and in consequence of the wind blowing fresh, was hoisted out in one of the Boats; and on his arrival on board the London, everything was finally arranged agreeably to the plan suggested by Captain Otway."

Rear: Captain Murray in the Edgar, with the Fleet of Bomb and Gun vessels, took their station off Cronenburg Castle on the preceding morning; and, upon the first Danish shot, opened their fire upon the Castle. The semi-circular form of the land off Elsineur, which was thickly lined with batteries, caused our Fleet to pass in a form truly picturesque, and nearly similar. It had been our intention to have kept in mid-channel, the forbearance of the Swedes not having been counted upon, the lighter Vessels were on the larboard side of our Line of Battle, and were to have engaged the Helsinburg shore: not a shot, however, was fired, nor any batteries apparent, and our Fleet inclined accordingly to that side, so as completely to avoid the Danish shot which fell in showers, but at least a cable's length from our Ships. The Danish batteries opened a fire, as we understood, of nearly 100 pieces of cannon and mortars, as soon as our leading Ship, the Monarch, came abreast of them; and they continued in one uninterrupted blaze during the passage of the Fleet, to the no small amusement of our crews; none of whom received injury, except from the bursting of one of our own guns. Some of our leading Ships at first returned a few rounds, but, perceiving the inutility, desisted. The whole came to anchor about mid-day, between the Island of Huen and Copenhagen; the division under Captain Murray following, as soon as the main body had passed: as is usually the case in sea-bombardments, little or no damage was afterwards found to have been done by our shells. Our Fleet was no sooner at anchor, than the Commander-in Chief, accompanied by Lord Nelson, two or three Senior Captains, the Commanding Officer of the Artillery and of the troops, proceeded in a schooner to reconnoitre the harbour and channels. We soon perceived that our delay had been of important advantage to the Enemy, who had lined the northern edge of the shoals near the Crown batteries, and the front of the harbour and arsenal, with a formidable Flotilla. The Trekroner battery appeared, in particular, to have been strengthened, and all the buoys of the Northern and of the King's Channels had been removed. Having examined these points with some attention, the party returned to the London.

"The night of the 30th of March was employed by some of the intelligent Masters and Pilots, under the direction of Captain Brisbane, in ascertaining the Channels round the great shoal called the Middle Ground, and in laying down fresh buoys, the Danes having either removed or misplaced the former ones. On the next day, the Commander-in-Chief and Lord Nelson, attended, as before, with the addition of all the Artillery Officers, proceeded in the Amazon Frigate, Captain Riou, to the examination of the Northern Channel, and of the Flotilla from the eastward. Captain Riou became on this occasion first known to Lord Nelson, who was struck with admiration at the superior discipline and seamanship, that were observable on board the Amazon during the proceedings of this day. The Danish Line of Defence was formed in a direct line eastward from the Trekroner Battery, and extended at least two miles along the Coast of Amak: it was ascertained to consist of the hulls of seven Line-of-Battle Ships with jury masts, two only being fully rigged, ten Pontoons or Floating Batteries, one Bomb-ship rigged, and two or three Smaller craft. On the Trekroner, appeared to be nearly seventy guns; on the smaller battery, in-shore, six or seven guns; and on the Coast of Amak, several batteries which were within a long range of the King's Channel. Off the Harbour's mouth, which was to the westward of the Trekroner, were moored four Line-of-Battle Ships and a Frigate; two of the former and the latter were fully rigged. Their whole Line of Defence, from one extreme point to the other, might embrace an extent of nearly four miles. The Dockyard and Arsenal were in line nearly south, within the Trekroner, about half a mile distant. A few shot were

fired at the Amazon whenever we approached the leading Ship of their Line. The Officers of Artillery were desired to ascertain, whether, in the event of the Line of Defence being in part or wholly removed, they could place their Bomb-ships, of which there were seven, so as to play with effect on the Dockyards and Arsenal. After some hours' survey, the Amazon returned to the Fleet, when the opinions of the Artillery Officers were given in the affirmative, if the Flotilla to the eastward of the Crown Batteries were only removed. A Council of War was held in the afternoon, and the mode which might be advisable for the Attack was considered: that from the eastward appeared to be preferred. Lord Nelson offered his services, requiring ten Line-of-Battle Ships, and the whole of the Smaller Craft. The Commander-inChief, with sound discretion, and in a handsome manner, not only left everything to Lord Nelson for this detached service, but gave two more Line-of-Battle Ships than he demanded. During this Council of War, the energy of Lord Nelson's character was remarked: certain difficulties had been started by some of the members, relative to each of the three Powers we should either have to engage, in succession or united, in those seas. The number of the Russians was, in particular, represented as formidable. Lord Nelson kept pacing the cabin, mortified at everything which savoured either of alarm or irresolution. When the above remark was applied to the Swedes, he sharply observed, 'The more numerous the better;' and when to the Russians, he repeatedly said, 'So much the better, I wish they were twice as many, the easier the victory, depend on it.' He alluded, as he afterwards explained in private, to the total want of tactique among the Northern Fleets; and to his intention, whenever he should bring either the Swedes or Russians to Action, of attacking the head of their Line, and confusing their movements as much as possible. He used to say, 'Close with a Frenchman, but out-manoeuvre a Russian.' The night of the 31st of March was employed, as the preceding, in ascertaining, even by buoy lights, the course of the upper channel. Captain Brisbane was particularly active on this service, conducted under Lord Nelson's immediate directions.

On the forenoon of the 1st of April, the whole Fleet removed to an anchorage within two leagues of the Town, off the N.W. end of the Middle Ground. It was intended that the Division under Lord Nelson should proceed from this point through the Northern Channel. His Lordship, accompanied by a few chosen friends, made his last observations during that morning on board the Amazon, and about one o'clock returning to the Elephant, he threw out the wished for signal to weigh. The shout with which it was received throughout the Division was heard to a considerable distance; the Ships then weighed, and followed the Amazon in succession through the narrow channel. The wind was light, but favourable, and not one accident occurred. The buoys were accurately laid down, and the Smaller Craft distinctly pointed out the course: the gallant Riou led the way-the scene was perfect. About dark, the whole Fleet was at its anchorage off Draco point; the headmost of the Enemy's line not more than two miles distant. The small extent of the Anchoring-ground, as the Fleet did not consist of less than thirty-three Pendants, caused the Ships to be so much crowded, which the calmness of the evening increased, that had the Enemy but taken due advantage of it by shells from Mortar-boats, or from Amak Island, the greatest mischief might have ensued. They threw two or three about eight P.M., which served to show that we were within range. The Danes were, however, too much occupied during this night in manning their Ships, and strengthening their Line; not from immediate expectation, as we afterwards learned, of our Attack-conceiving the Channel impracticable to so large a Fleet, but as a precaution against our nearer approach, Our Guard-boats were

actively employed between us and the Enemy, and Captain Hardy even rowed to their leading Ship; sounding round her, and using a pole when he was apprehensive of being heard. His chief object was to ascertain the bearing of the eastern end of the Middle Ground-the greatest obstacle, as it proved, that we had to contend with.

"On board the Elephant, the night of the 1st of April was an important one. As soon as the Fleet was at anchor, the gallant Nelson sat down to table with a large party of his comrades in arms. He was in the highest spirits, and drank to a leading wind, and to the success of the ensuing day. Captains Foley, Hardy, Fremantle, Riou, Inman, his Lordship's Second in Command, Admiral Graves, and a few others to whom he was particular attached, were of this interesting party; from which every man separated with feelings of admiration for their great leader, and with anxious impatience to follow him to the approaching Battle. The signal to prepare for Action had been made early in the evening. All the Captains retired to their respective Ships, Riou excepted, who with Lord Nelson and Foley arranged the Order of Battle, and those instructions that were to be issued to each Ship on the succeeding day. These three Officers retired between nine and ten to the aftercabin, and drew up those orders that have been generally published, and which ought to be referred to as the best proof of the arduous nature of the enterprise in which the Fleet was about to be engaged. From the previous fatigue of this day, and of the two preceding, Lord Nelson was so much exhausted while dictating his instructions, that it was recommended to him by us all, and, indeed, insisted upon by his old servant, Allen, who assumed much command on these occasions, that he should go to his cot. It was placed on the floor, but from it he still continued to dictate. Captain Hardy returned about eleven, and reported the practicability of the Channel, and the depth of water up to the Ships of the Enemy's line. Had we abided by this report, in lieu of confiding in our Masters and Pilots, we should have acted better. The orders were completed about one o'clock, when half a dozen Clerks in the foremost cabin proceeded to transcribe them. Lord Nelson's impatience again showed itself; for instead of sleeping undisturbedly, as he might have done, he was every half hour calling from his cot to these Clerks to hasten their work, for that the wind was becoming fair: he was constantly receiving a report of this during the night. Their work being finished about six in the morning, his Lordship, who was previously up and dressed, breakfasted, and about seven made the signal for all Captains. The instructions were delivered to each by eight o'clock; and a special command was given to Captain Riou to act as circumstances might require. The Land-forces and a body of 500 seamen were to have been united under the command of Captain Fremantle and the Honourable Colonel Stewart, and as soon as the fire of the Crown Battery should be silenced, they were to storm the work and destroy it. The Division under the Commander in-Chief was to menace the Ships at the entrance of the Harbour, the intricacy of the Channel would, however, have prevented their entering; Captain Murray in the Edgar was to lead :"

ORDERS FOR THE ATTACK.

[From the "Naval Chronicle," vol. v. p. 335.]

As Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson cannot with precision mark the situation of the different descriptions of the Enemy's Floating Batteries and smaller Vessels, lying between their