CHAPTER VIII.

CONTENTS.

Sir Hyde Parker is recalled, and Nelson appointed Commander. He goes to Revel.-Settlement of affairs in the Baltic.-Unsuccessful Attempt upon the Flotilla at Boulogne.-Peace of Amiens.-Nelson takes the Command in the Mediterranean on the Renewal of the War.-Escape of the Toulon fleet.-Nelson chases them to the West-Indies, and back; delivers up his Squadron to Admiral Cornwallis, and lands in England.

WHEN Nelson informed Earl St. Vincent that the armistice had been concluded, he told him also, without reserve, his own discontent at the dilatoriness and indecision which he witnessed, and could not remedy. "No man,” said he, “but those who are "on the spot, can tell what I have gone "through, and do suffer. I make no scruple

in saying that I would have been at

"Revel fourteen days ago! that, without "this armistice, the fleet would never have “gone, but by order of the admiralty; and "with it, I dare say, we shall not go this "week. I wanted Sir Hyde to let me, at "least, go and cruise off Carlscrona, to "prevent the Revel ships from getting in. "I said I would not go to Revel, to take 66 any of those laurels which I was sure "he would reap there. Think for me, my "dear lord;—and if I have deserved well, "let me return: if ill, for Heaven's sake “supersede me, for I cannot exist in this "state."

Fatigue, incessant anxiety, and a climate little suited to one of a tender constitution, which had now for many years been accustomed to more genial latitudes, made him, at this time, seriously determine upon réturning home. "If the northern business were not settled," he said, "they must send more admirals; for the keen air of the northı "had cut him to the heart." He felt the want of activity and decision in the commander in chief more keenly; and this

affected his spirits, and, consequently, his health, more than the inclemency of the Baltic. Soon after the armistice was signed, Sir Hyde proceeded to the eastward, with such ships as were fit for service, leaving Nelson to follow with the rest, as soon as those which had received slight damages should be repaired, and the rest sent to England. In passing between the isles of Amak and Saltholm, most of the ships touched the ground, and some of them stuck fast for a while no serious injury, however, was sustained. It was intended to act against the Russians first, before the breaking up of the frost should enable them to leave Revel; but learning, on the way, that the Swedes had put to sea to effect a junction with them, Sir Hyde altered his course, in hopes of intercepting this part of the enemy's force. Nelson had, at this time, provided for the, more pressing emergencies of the service, and prepared, on the 18th, to follow the fleet, The St. George drew too much water to pass the channel between the isles without being lightened; the guns were

therefore taken out, and put on board an American vessel: a contrary wind, however, prevented Nelson from moving; and on that same evening, while he was thus delayed, information reached him of the relative situation of the Swedish and British fleets, and the probability of an action. The fleet was nearly ten leagues distant; and both wind and current contrary: but it was not possible that Nelson could wait for a favourable season, under such an expectation. He ordered his boat immediately, and stept into it. Night was setting in one of the cold spring nights of the North--and it was discovered, soon after they had left the ship, that, in their haste, they had forgotten to provide him with a boat cloak. He, however, forbade them to return for one: and when one of his companions offered his own great coat, and urged him to make use of it, he replied; "I thank you very much-but, to tell you "the truth, my anxiety keeps me sufficiently 66 warm at present."

"Do you think," said he, presently,

"that our fleet has quitted Bornholm? If

it has, we must follow it to Carlserona.” About midnight he reached it, and once more got on board the Elephant. On the following morning the Swedes were discovered: but they, as soon as they perceived the English approaching, retired, and took shelter in Carlscrona, behind the batteries on the island, at the entrance of that port. Sir Hyde sent in a flag of truce, stating, that Denmark had concluded an armistice, and requiring an explicit declaration from the court of Sweden, Whether it would adhere to, or abandon, the hostile measures which it had taken against the rights and interests of Great Britain? The commander, Vice-Admiral Cronstadt, replied, "that he "could not answer a question which did "not come within the particular circle of "his duty; but that the king was then "at Malmoe, and would soon be at Carl"scrona." Gustavus shortly afterwards arrived, and an answer was then returned to this effect: "That his Swedish majesty

would not, for a moment, fail to fulfil,