the life of horatio lord nelson-第56章
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ermined bravery than on that occasion： and if I may be allowed to give an opinion as a Briton； then I say； that more important service was never rendered to our king and country。 It is my duty； my lord； to prove to the brave fellows； my companions in danger； that I have not failed at every proper place to represent； as well as I am able； their bravery and meritorious conduct。〃
Another honour； of greater import； was withheld from the conquerors。 The king had given medals to those captains who were engaged in the battles of the 1st of June； of Cape St。 Vincent； of Camperdown； and of the Nile。 Then came the victory at Copenhagen； which Nelson truly called the most difficult achievement； the hardest…fought battle； the most glorious result that ever graced the annals of our country。 He； of course； expected the medal； and in writing to Earl St。 Vincent； said； 〃He longed to have it； and would not give it up to be made an English duke。〃 The medal； however； was not given：〃For what reason；〃 said Nelson； 〃Lord St。 Vincent best knows。〃 Words plainly implying a suspicion that it was withheld by some feeling of jealousy； and that suspicion estranged him； during the remaining period of his life； from one who had at one time been essentially； as well as sincerely； his friend； and of whose professional abilities he ever entertained the highest opinion。
The happiness which Nelson enjoyed in the society of his chosen friends was of no long continuance。 Sir William Hamilton； who was far advanced in years； died early in 1803； a mild； amiable； and accomplished man； who has thus in a letter described his own philosophy： 〃My study of antiquities；〃 he says； 〃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； and not with anxious care disturb the sweetest hour that life affordswhich is the present。 Admire the Creator； and all His works； to us incomprehensible； and do all the good you can upon earth； and take the chance of eternity without dismay。〃 He expired in his wife's arms； holding Nelson by the hand； and almost in his last words； left her to his protection； requesting him that he would see justice done her by the government； as he knew what she had done for her country。 He left him her portrait in enamel； calling him his dearest friend； the most virtuous； loyal； and truly brave character he had ever known。 The codicil； containing this bequest； concluded with these words； 〃God bless him； and shame fall on those who do not say amen。〃 Sir William's pension of L1200 a year ceased with his death。 Nelson applied to Mr。 Addington in Lady Hamilton's behalf； stating the important service which she had rendered to the fleet at Syracuse； and Mr。 Addington； it is said； acknowledged that she had a just claim upon the gratitude of the country。 This barren acknowledgment was all that was obtained； but a sum； equal to the pension which her husband had enjoyed； was settled on her by Nelson； and paid in monthly payments during his life。 A few weeks after this event； the war was renewed； and the day after his Majesty's message to Parliament； Nelson departed to take the command of the Mediterranean fleet。 The war he thought； could not be long； just enough to make him independent in pecuniary matters。
He took his station immediately off Toulon； and there； with incessant vigilance； waited for the coming out of the enemy。 The expectation of acquiring a competent fortune did not last long。 〃Somehow；〃 he says；〃my mind is not sharp enough for prize…money。 Lord Keith would have made L20；000； and I have not made L6000。〃 More than once he says that the prizes taken in the Mediterranean had not paid his expenses； and once he expresses himself as if it were a consolation to think that some ball might soon close all his accounts with this world of care and vexation。 At this time the widow of his brother； being then blind and advanced in years； was distressed for money； and about to sell her plate； he wrote to Lady Hamilton； requesting of her to find out what her debts were； and saying that； if the amount was within his power； he would certainly pay it； and rather pinch himself than that she should want。 Before he had finished the letter； an account arrived that a sum was payable to him for some neutral taken four years before； which enabled him to do this without being the poorer； and he seems to have felt at the moment that what was thus disposed of by a cheerful giver； shall be paid to him again。 One from whom he had looked for very different conduct； had compared his own wealth； in no becoming manner； with Nelson's limited means。 〃I know；〃 said he to Lady Hamilton； 〃the full extent of the obligation I owe him； and he may be useful to me again； but I can never forget his unkindness to you。 But； I guess many reasons influenced his conduct in bragging of his riches and my honourable poverty； but； as I have often said； and with honest pride； what I have is my own： it never cost the widow a tear； or the nation a farthing。 I got what I have with my pure blood； from the enemies of my country。 Our house； my own Emma； is built upon a solid foundation； and will last to us； when his houses and lands may belong to others than his children。〃
His hope was that peace might soon be made； or that he should be relieved from his command； and retire to Merton； where at that distance he was planning and directing improvements。 On his birthday he writes； 〃This day； my dearest Emma； I consider as more fortunate than common days； as by my coming into this world it has brought me so intimately acquainted with you。 I well know that you will keep it； and have my dear Horatio to drink my health。 Forty…six years of toil and trouble！ How few more the common lot of mankind leads us to expect！ and therefore it is almost time to think of spending the few last years in peace and quietness。〃 It is painful to think that this language was not addressed to his wife； but to one with whom he promised himself 〃many many happy years； when that impediment；〃 as he calls her； 〃shall be removed； if God pleased； and they might be surrounded by their children's children。〃
When he had been fourteen months off Toulon； he received a vote of thanks from the city of London for his skill and perseverance in blockading that port； so as to prevent the French from putting to sea。 Nelson had not forgotten the wrong which the city had done to the Baltic fleet by their omission； and did not lose the opportunity which this vote afforded of recurring to that point。 〃I do assure your lordship；〃 said he； in his answer to the lord mayor； 〃that there is not that man breathing who sets a higher value upon the thanks of his fellow…citizens of London than myself； but I should feel as much ashamed to receive them for a particular service marked in the resolution； if I felt that I did not come within that line of service； as I should feel hurt at having a great victory passed over without notice。 I beg to inform your lordship； that the port of Toulon has never been blockaded by me； quite the reverse。 Every opportunity has been offered the enemy to put to sea； for it is there that we hope to realise the hopes and expectations of our country。〃 Nelson then remarked that the junior flag…officers of his fleet had been omitted in this vote of thanks； and his surprise at the omission was expressed with more asperity； perhaps； than an offence so entirely and manifestly unintentional deserved； but it arose from that generous regard for the feelings as well as the interests of all who were under his command； which made him as much beloved in the fleets of Britain as he was dreaded in those of the enemy。
Never was any commander more beloved。 He governed men by their reason and their affections； they knew that he was incapable of caprice or tyranny and they obeyed him with alacrity and joy； because he possessed their confidence as well as their love。 〃Our Nel；〃 they used to say； 〃is as brave as a lion and as gentle as a lamb。〃 Severe discipline he detested； though he had been bred in a severe school。 He never inflicted corporal punishment if it were possible to avoid it； and when compelled to enforce it； he； who was familiar with wounds and death； suffered like a
