Drake, Nelson and Napoleon Part 8

16. French s.h.i.+p, Intrepide, 74 guns, Monsieur Infernet, burnt by the Britannia.

17. Spanish s.h.i.+p, San Augustin, 74 guns, Brigadier Don Felipe X. Cagigal, burnt by the Leviathan.

18. Spanish s.h.i.+p, Santissima Trinidad, 140 guns, Rear-Admiral Don Baltazar H. Cisneros, Brigadier Don F. Uriate, sunk by the Prince and Neptune.

19. French s.h.i.+p, Redoubtable, 74 guns, Monsieur Lucas, sunk astern of the Swiftsure; Temeraire lost 13, and Swiftsure 5 men, in her.

20. Spanish s.h.i.+p, Argonauta, 80 guns, Don Antonio Parejo, sunk by the Ajax.

21. Spanish s.h.i.+p, Santa Anna, 112 guns, Vice-Admiral Don Ignacio D'Alava, Captain Don Joseph de Guardequi, taken, but got into Cadiz in the gale, dismasted.

22. French s.h.i.+p, Algeziras, 74 guns, Rear-Admiral Magon (killed), Captain Monsieur Bruaro, taken, but got into Cadiz in the gale, dismasted.

23. French s.h.i.+p, Pluton, 74 guns. Monsieur Cosmao, returned to Cadiz in a sinking state.

24. Spanish s.h.i.+p, San Juste, 74 guns, Don Miguel Caston, returned to Cadiz, has a foremast only.

25. Spanish s.h.i.+p, San Leandro, 64 guns, Don Joseph de Quevedo, returned to Cadiz, dismasted.

26. French s.h.i.+p, Le Neptune, 84 guns, Monsieur Maistral, returned to Cadiz, perfect.

27. French s.h.i.+p, Le Heros, 74 guns, Monsieur Poulain, returned to Cadiz, lower masts standing, hoisted Admiral Rossily's flag.

28. Spanish s.h.i.+p, Principe de Asturias, 112 guns, Admiral Gravina, Captain Don Antonio Escano, returned to Cadiz, dismasted.

29. Spanish s.h.i.+p, Montanez, Don Francisco Alcedo, returned to Cadiz.

30. French s.h.i.+p. Formidable, 80 guns, Rear-Admiral Dumanoir, escaped to the southward, with the three following.

31. French s.h.i.+p, Montblanc, 74 guns, Monsieur Villegries.

32. French s.h.i.+p, Scipion, 74 guns. Monsieur Berouger.

33. French s.h.i.+p, Du Guay Trouin, 74 guns. Monsieur Toufflet.

ABSTRACT

At Gibraltar 4 Destroyed 15 In Cadiz 10 Escaped 4 -- 33 -- FOOTNOTES:

[1] BATTLE OF ABOUKIR.

At the battle of Aboukir Bay the British losses were reported to be 896 killed and wounded. Only one captain fell. 5,225 of the French perished, and 3,105, including wounded, were sent on sh.o.r.e.

When the battle was over, Nelson gave instructions that thanksgiving aboard every s.h.i.+p should be offered to Almighty G.o.d for giving His Majesty's forces the victory. It is the author's opinion that but for a good deal of slas.h.i.+ng genius and not a little of the devil on the part of Nelson and his men the French would not have fared so badly.

[2] Portraits painted by poor Romney for 40, or less, sell for many thousands at Christie's in these days.

[3] Italics are the author's.

[4] Italics are the author's.

[5] Some authorities speak of Sir William Hamilton as being an amiable, accomplished man, who left on record a letter which reads as follows:-"My study of antiquities has kept me in constant thought of the perpetual fluctuation of everything. The whole art is really to live all the days of our life. Admire the Creator and all His works, to us incomprehensible, and do all the good you can on earth; and take the chance of eternity without dismay."

[6] Sir Harris Nicolas is inclined to believe in the purity of Nelson's attachment and Southey says there is no reason to believe that it was more than platonic. But these views are certainly not borne out by those who knew Nelson and his connection with the Hamiltons intimately.

[7] The name by which Nelson speaks of her occasionally in his correspondence with Lady Hamilton. His daughter bore this name before his death, but he desired that afterwards she should drop the name of Thompson.

[8] "Correspondence and Diaries of John Wilson Croker," vol. ii. p. 233.

[9] O'Meara, vol. i. p. 308.

[10] O'Meara, "Voice from St. Helena," vol. ii. p. 229. "Talks of Napoleon at St. Helena," Gourgand, p. 118.

[11] The body was first seen floating by a Neapolitan fisherman, who reported the matter, but his story was ridiculed. Finally, in order to verify the statement, the princ.i.p.al actors in the shameful tragedy went for a sail in Naples Bay and soon met the body borne along by the swift current as though to meet them. The incident created a profound impression at the time.

[12] This girl of twenty-two, who is known to fame and immortality, purchased a dagger, and called on Marat, who was the most infamous arch-butcher of the Reign of Terror. He was in his bath at the time, but this did not prevent her from making her way to him. He wrote down the names of the conspirators she told him of having seen in Normandy, and he told her he would swiftly have them guillotined. The a.s.surance had scarcely left his lips when in an instant she thrust the instrument of death through his heart. She repudiated the stigma of being thought a murderess, and believed that her act would be the means of saving thousands of lives. She was dragged through the streets, taken to the executioner, and asked for the loan of his shears and cut off a lock of her hair. When asked if she found the journey long, she replied with perfect composure, "Oh no, I am not afraid of being too late." Subsequently one of the Girondin deputies said of her, "She has killed us, but she has taught all how to die."

[13] TROUBRIDGE'S BLUFF LETTER TO LORD NELSON.

"Pardon me, my Lord, it is my sincere esteem for you that makes me mention it. I know you have no pleasure in sitting up all night at cards; why then sacrifice your health, comfort, purse, ease, everything, to the customs of a country where your stay cannot be long? I would not, my Lord, reside in this country for all Sicily. I trust the war will soon be over, and deliver us from a nest of everything that is infamous, and that we may enjoy the smiles of our countrywomen.

"Your Lords.h.i.+p is a stranger to half that happens, or the talk it occasions; if you knew what your friends feel for you, I am sure you would cut all the nocturnal parties. Gambling of the people at Palermo is publicly talked of everywhere. I beseech your Lords.h.i.+p leave off. I wish my pen could tell you my feelings, I am sure you would oblige me.

"I trust your Lords.h.i.+p will pardon me; it is the sincere esteem I have for you that makes me risk your displeasure."

No reply, so far as is known, was ever sent to this outspoken letter.

[14] Castlereagh and Canning fought a duel. Canning was wounded by a bullet in the leg, and it prevented Castlereagh from being an unpopular figure. Indeed, he became for a time, in limited circles, popular. Percival was a.s.sa.s.sinated. Lord Liverpool was Prime Minister for fifteen years, and departed this life insane. Canning was brilliant, witty, and eloquent, and his outlook was large. It was said that he was spoiled by Pitt, and was consumed by vanity, and was broken by Tory calumniation. Political, commercial, or social intrigue success is always followed by the most deadly reaction on those who practise or encourage it, and I trust that a merciful Providence will s.h.i.+eld from the tragedies and maladies that came to some members of this former coalition those of the present, which apparently excels every other in its colossal efforts at doing harm. The best brains are needed now, not romancers.

[15] Subsequent information has proved this statement wanted confirmation.

[16] Captain John Clavell, then first lieutenant of the Royal Sovereign.

[17] The lamented Sir Peter Parker, Bart., who fell in the Chesapeake in 1814, when captain of the Menelaus, leading his men against the Americans.

[18] "Napoleon in Exile," vol. i. p. 56.

The Emporer Napoleon after his Accession

NAPOLEON AND HIS CONNECTION WITH THE WORLD-WAR (1914-1918)

NAPOLEON'S FAREWELL FROM THE FRENCH Farewell to the Land, where the gloom of my Glory Arose and o'ershadowed the earth with her name- She abandons me now-but the page of her story, The brightest or blackest, is fill'd with my fame.

I have warred with a world which vanquished me only When the meteor of conquest allured me too far; I have coped with the nations which dread me thus lonely, The last single Captive to millions in war.

Farewell to thee, France! when thy diadem crown'd me, I made thee the gem and the wonder of earth, But thy weakness decrees I should leave as I found thee, Decay'd in thy glory, and sunk in thy worth.

Oh! for the veteran hearts that were wasted In strife with the storm, when their battles were won- Then the Eagle, whose gaze in that moment was blasted, Had still soar'd with eyes fixed on victory's sun!

Farewell to thee, France!-but when Liberty rallies Once more in thy regions, remember me then,- The violet still grows in the depths of thy valleys; Though wither'd, thy tears will unfold it again- Yet, yet, I may baffle the hosts that surround us, And yet may thy heart leap awake to my voice- There are links which must break in the chain that has bound us, Then turn thee and call on the Chief of thy choice!

I