RESULTS OF THE VICTORY. 1798 419 with four frigates, included a complement of Ch. 39. eleven thousand two hundred and thirty men. The British killed and wounded were eight hundred and ninety-five. The loss of the French, including prisoners, was five thousand two hundred and twenty-five. plaint of want Such was the great battle of the Nile, the most Nelson's combrilliant, and the most important of the series of of frigates. naval engagements which had sustained the reputation and assured the safety of the British empire from the arrogance of the common enemy of Europe. The victory would have been complete, had any frigates and small craft been attached to the British squadron. With such auxiliaries, none of the French transports in the harbour of Alexandria could have escaped destruction. "Were I to die at this moment," writes Nelson in one of his despatches, "want of frigates would be found stamped on my heart." Though His presence suffering great anguish and prostration from the wound in his head, the admiral forgot nothing, and omitted nothing, which his duty required. At the same time that he sent his despatches home, he wrote to the Governor of Bombay, informing him that the French had invaded Egypt, with an ultimate view to the invasion of India; but that he had annihilated their fleet, and thus removed immediate danger. This communication, informal as it was, had the effect of saving the East India Company a vast expenditure in preparations, which had been ordered for the expected approach of mind. 420 Ch. 39. 1798 NELSON'S DESPATCH TO GOVERNMENT. of the French army. The Leander, his only frigate, which Nelson had sent home with the despatches, was taken, off Candia, on the 18th of August, by one of the French ships which escaped from Aboukir Bay; but Nelson had sent duplicate despatches by the brig Mutine. The glorious news, however, which in these days would have been rung through England in forty-eight hours, did not reach London until the 2nd of October, two months after the action. The joy and pride of the English people knew no bounds. The long and unsuccessful voyage in search of the enemy had given rise to murmurs; and wise people were heard to say, that the Government was unpardonable for having entrusted a command of such importance to a young rear-admiral. The public were slowly and reluctantly yielding to this opinion, when a Gazette Extraordinary announced in the concise and unadorned language PI have taken the account of the battle of the Nile from Nelson's despatches, and the accompanying statements of officers who were in the action. The true history of great deeds is commonly very unlike the dramatic version of them. One of the most striking particulars in SOUTHEY'S narration is a dialogue which Nelson is supposed to have held with his flag captain before the action. Captain Berry, when he comprehended the scope of the design, exclaimed with transport, "If we succeed, what will the world say?" "There is no if in the case," replied the Admiral, "that we shall succeed, is certain; who may live to tell the story, is a very different question." We are assured, however, on the authority of Captain Berry himself, that no such scene took place.-Nelson Despatches, vol. iii. p. 65. • Admiral Viscount Hood to Lord Nelson, Oct. 15, 1798. PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM. of a British commander, 'A great victory over the fleet of the enemy, at the mouth of the Nile.' The particulars were soon known. Thirteen out of seventeen ships burnt, sunk, or captured. The flag of England not lowered in a single ship. The name of Nelson and the Nile were in every mouth; and all men agreed that this was the greatest seafight England had yet won. There were not wanting competent judges deliberately to confirm the opinion which the multitude uttered in the fervency of their gratitude and joy. Lord Hood pronounced the victory the most complete and splendid history records." Admiral Sir Roger Curtis described it as an unparalleled victory;' s and Collingwood, one of the noblest of England's illustrious warriors, pronounced it 'the most decisive, and, in its consequences, perhaps, the most important to Europe that was ever won.'t Among the numerous letters of praise and homage which Nelson received from kings and princes, down to persons in a private and humble walk of life, some of the most touching, and probably not the least acceptable congratulations, were those which he received from women. Englishmen, from habitual reserve, or dislike of demonstration, commonly express less than they feel; but Englishwomen, of whatever rank, when their sense of reverence and admiration is deeply moved, can seldom restrain the generous effusions t * Nelson Despatches, vol. iii. p.85. Ibid, p.86. Ibid, p.87. 421 Ch. 39. 1798 422 Ch. 39. 1798 CONGRATULATIONS OF THE LADIES. of their hearts. There are two letters in the published collection of Nelson's correspondence which contrast forcibly with the measured and official style in which potentates, statesmen, and commanders convey their sense of the merits and services of the man who with just pride described his achievement as a conquest rather than a victory. They are letters of congratulation addressed to Nelson by the Countess Spencer, the wife of the First Lord of the Admiralty, and of Lady Parker, the wife of a gallant veteran, the Port-Admiral at Portsmouth. Joy, joy, joy to you, brave, gallant, immortalized Nelson'- thus wrote Lady Spencer, My heart is absolutely bursting with dif ferent sensations of joy, of gratitude, of pride; of every emotion that warmed the bosom of a British woman, on hearing of her country's glory—and all produced by you, my dear, my good friend.' In this strain the letter proceeds; and the English matron fondly associates the name of her husband with the fame of the hero of his choice. What a fair and splendid page have you and your heroic companions added to the records of his administration of the navy? and, as wife of that excellent man, what do I not feel for you all as executors of his schemes and plans!' Lady Parker, whose in the West Indies, husband, when commanding PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 423 what I feel upon your unparalleled victory. Cap- Ch. 39. tain Cochrane will tell you that I am not yet come 1798 very uneasy about the wound in your head. a peer. The honours and rewards which the Government Nelson created thought sufficient for the services of Nelson were far from satisfying the gratitude and admiration of the country. The great Admiral was raised to the Peerage by the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and received the pension of two thousand a year, which is generally conferred for eminent military services. Sir John Jervis had been thought worthy of an earldom for the victory of Cape St. Vincent, in which Nelson himself bore a leading part. Duncan was made a Viscount for Camperdown. Both Jervis and Duncan were well entitled to their advancement; but great as were the victories of St. Vincent and of Camperdown, the victory of the Nile was greater than either; yet Nelson was admitted only to the tail of the peerage. It is satisfactory to record that the Nelson Correspondence, vol. iii. pp. 74-83. |