been hoisted on either side, nor a gun fired, till our van ships were within half gun-shot. At this time the necessary number of our men were engaged aloft, in furling sails, and on deck in hauling the braces, and other requisite employments, preparatory to casting anchor. As soon as this took place, a most animated fire opened from the Vanguard, which ship covered the approach of those in the rear, who were following in a close line. The Minotaur, Defence, Bellerophon, Majestic, Swiftsure, and Alexander, came up in succession; and passing within hail of the Vanguard, took their respective stations, opposed to the enemy's line. All our ships anchored by the stern; by which means, the British line became inverted from van to rear. Captain Thompson, of the Leander, of fifty guns, with a degree of judgment highly honourable to his professional character, advanced towards the enemy's line on the outside, and most judiciously dropped his anchor athwart hawse of Le Franklin, raking her with great success; the shot from the Leander's broadside, which passed that ship, all striking L'Orient, the flag ship of the French commander-in-chief.

"The action commenced at sun-set, which was at thirty minutes past six, with an ardour and vigour which it is impossible to describe. In a few minutes every man stationed at the first six guns in the fore part of Vanguard's deck, was down, killed, or wounded; and one gun in particular was repeatedly cleared one of the midshipmen was just remarking the escapes he had experienced, when a shot came and cut him in two. At about seven o'clock, total darkness had come on, but the whole hemisphere was at intervals, illuminated by the fire of the hostile fleets. Our ships, as darkness came on, had all hoisted their distinguishing light, by a signal from the admiral.

:

"The van ship of the enemy, Le Guerrier, was dismasted in less than twelve minutes; and in ten minutes after, the second ship, Le Conquerant, and the third, Le Spartiate, very nearly at the same moment, experienced a similar fate, L'Aquilon, and Le Souverain Peuple, the fourth and fifth ships of the enemy's line, were taken possession of by the British at half past eight in the evening. Captain Berry, at that hour, sent Lieutenant Galway, of the Vanguard, with a party of marines, to take possession of the Spartiate; and that officer returned by the boat the French captain's sword, which Captain Berry immediately delivered to the admiral, who was then below, in consequence of the severe wound which he had received in the head during the heat of the attack."

This wound seems to have been inflicted by langridge shot, or a piece of iron; which cutting his forehead at right angles, the skin hung over his face. Captain Berry caught the admiral in his arms, and prevented him from falling. It was at first the universal opinion, that their beloved commander had been shot through the head. His appearance was rendered dreadfully alarming, by the hanging skin and copious effusion of blood. Not a man on board was now solicitous for his own life; every brave fellow was alone anxious for that of the worthy admiral. This, however, far from repressing their ardour, rendered them the more furious, and terrible was the carnage which ensued. On being carried into the cockpit, where several of his gallant crew were stretched with their shattered limbs and lacerated wounds, the surgeon, with the most respectful anxiety, quitted the poor fellow then under his hands, that he might instantly attend on the admiral. No," replied the heroic commander, with the utmost composure, "I will take my turn with my brave fellows." The agony of his wound in the mean time greatly increasing, he became satisfied that the idea which he had long indulged, of dying in battle, was now about to be accomplished. He desired to see his chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Conyn, and begged he would bear his remembrances to Lady Nelson, and as the last beneficial office that he conceived he should be åble to perform, he appointed Captain

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Hardy, of La Mutine, to be captain of the Vanguard. Having expressed a wish to see Captain Louis, of the Minotaur, Captain Berry had hailed that ship, and the commander came on board. The admiral was desirous of personally thanking him for the assistance which he had in the height of danger, been enabled to render the Vanguard. My dear Louis," said the Admiral, "farewell! I shall never, should I survive, forget the obligation I am under to you. Whatever may become of me, my mind is at peace." He then, with the most pious composure, seemed resigning himself to death. As soon as the surgeon had, according to the express instructions of the admiral, paid all necessary attention to every person previously wounded, he came forward to examine the wound of their commander. An awful silence prevailed; but it was of short duration, for the surgeon almost immediately pronounced the wound to be merely superficial, and of no dangerous consequence. The pleasing intelligence speedily circulated through the ship, and the excess of sorrow was instantaneously converted into the excess of joy: nor did the hero feel less delighted at hearing the grateful expressions of gladness from his generous crew, than at the unexpected announcement of his life being considered by the surgeon as in no sort of danger. This circumstance, indeed, tended greatly to alleviate his sufferings during the painful operation of dressing the wound.

At this time it appeared that victory had already declared itself in our favour; for, though L'Orient, L'Heureux, and Le Tonnant, were not taken possession of, they were considered completely in our power: which pleasing intelligence Captain Berry had likewise the satisfaction of communicating in person to the admiral.

A few minutes after nine, a fire was discovered to have broken out in L'Orient, and which speedily communicated to the other part of the ship. The circumstance being related to Nelson, he managed to crawl upon deck, and gave immediate orders for every exertion to be made to prevent the flames extending to the British ships. The fire, however, continued to rage while an incessant shower of shot was poured into her from the English ships; still the French admiral sustained the honour of his flag with heroic firmness, till a period was put to his exertions by a cannon ball which cut him asunder. He had before received three desperate wounds, one on the head and two in his body, but could not be persuaded to quit his station. His captain fell by his side. Several of the officers and men, seeing the impracticability of extinguishing the fire, which had now extended itself along the upper decks, and was flaming up the masts, jumped overboard. Shot flying in all directions, dashed many of them to pieces, while others supporting themselves on broken spars and pieces of wreck, pushed off from the burning vessel.

The expected explosion of such a ship as L'Orient was to be dreaded as involving all around in certain destruction; the situation, therefore, of the Alexander and the Swiftsure became perilous in the extreme; twice the fire of the enemy communicated to the Alexander, and the commanders were under the necessity of moving to a greater distance. The whole hemisphere now became reddened, the pale moon beams adding to the grandeur and solemnity of the spectacle. An explosion was expected every moment, yet the poor wretches on the lower deck, either careless of the danger that threatened them, or impelled by the last paroxyms of despair and vengeance, continued to fire their guns. At length the fire communicated to the magazine, and with a tremendous sound and tremulous motion shaking the bottom of each ship, L'Orient blew up. A death-like silence instantly followed, only broken by the crash of her broken masts and masses of burning matter falling on the decks and rigging of the surrounding ships. Fortunately no material damage was the consequence. A port fire fell into the main royal of the Alexander, but by the spirited exertions of her commander, the flames were soon extinguished. Two large pieces of the wreck

likewise dropped into the main and fore tops of the Swiftsure, from which the men, however, had fortunately withdrawn.

As if struck with horror at this terrible event, the contending squadrons forgot their hostile rage! Every heart was appalled at the terrific sight. The sky became darkened by thick clouds of smoke, and for the space of fifteen minutes not a single gun broke the death-like stillness! The Franklin, which now bore the French commander's flag, was the first to recommence firing. The Swiftsure, being disengaged from her late formidable adversary, directed her whole fire into the ship that had thus presumed to break the common silence; and in a very short time, by the steady and well directed fire of the Swiftsure, with the Defence and Leander, the Franklin was compelled to call for quarter, and struck to a superior force.

The only British ships now engaged, were the Alexander, the Majestic, and occasionally the Swiftsure. Most of the English ships were so dreadfully cut up in their masts and rigging, that they were scarce able to move from their stations. About three o'clock in the morning the firing abated, but at the dawn of day the Alexander and the Majestic recommenced the action with the Tonnant, Guillaume Tell, Genereux, and Timoleon. The Mercure and Heureux, having fallen out of the line, anchored at a considerable distance to leeward.

Captain Miller perceiving the unequal contest, bore down to assist his friends, and opened a most furious cannonade on the enemy. The Theseus had received little damage in her masts or rigging, and that little had been completely repaired by her captain. L'Artemise frigate, fired a broadside at her, and then struck her colours, and such was the treacherous conduct of her captain, that having thus surrendered, he set fire to the frigate, and with his crew escaped to the shore. About eight the Heureux and Mercure surrendered, the Timoleon was ashore, and the Tonnant rendered a complete wreck, and the French admiral perceiving the inability of the English to join in a pursuit, and dreading the fate which inevitably awaited him, cut his cables, and stood out for sea; it was not long ere his example was followed by Le Genereux, with the two frigates, La Justice and La Diane. Nelson immediately gave orders for the Zealous to intercept them, but unfortunately not another ship to windward was able to second the attempt, and the signal of recall was reluctantly given. Had the frigates been with Nelson, not one of these fugitives would have escaped, and unfortunately the Culloden, in standing in for battle, got aground, and notwithstanding the able exertions of Captain Trowbridge, she could not be got off till the following morning; had it been otherwise, more havoc would have been made with the enemy's fleet, and Admiral Villeneuve missed his chance of running away.

The 2d of August was employed by Nelson, his officers and men, in securing the prizes, and in repairing the damages sustained by the fleet. It will be readily conceived that the mind of the admiral would be sufficiently engaged with the issue of his conquest, but we find from the following memorandum, that other thoughts also engaged his attention; it was written on the morning of the 2nd. Almighty God having blessed his Majesty's arms with victory, the admiral intends returning public thanksgiving for the same at two o'clock this day, and he recommends every ship doing the same as soon as convenient." It is said, that this solemn act of gratitude to Heaven, seemed to make a very deep impression on several of the prisoners, both officers and men: some of the former remarked, "that it was no wonder such order and discipline were preserved in the British navy, when the minds of our men could be impressed with such sentiments after a victory so great, and at a moment of such seeming confusion."

On the evening of that memorable day, the Arabs and Mamelukes, who,

during the battle had lined the shore, illuminated the whole coast and country, as far as the eye could reach, in celebration of the victory. On the 3d, there remained in the bay only the Timoleon and Tonnant of the French line that were not taken or destroyed. As these vessels were both dismasted, they were the last of which the conquerors took possession: the former being aground near the coast, the captain, with his crew, escaped in their boats, after setting her on fire; and in a short time she blew up. The Tonnant having had her cable cut, drifted ashore, but by the activity of Captain Miller, she was soon got off again, and secured in the British line. This completed the glorious conquest, and the flag of England waved triumphant on the Egyptian

seas.

The dispatch of Nelson to Lord St. Vincent, was couched in the following

terms:

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Almighty God has blessed his Majesty's arms in the late battle, by a great victory over the fleet of the enemy, whom I attacked at sun-set on the 1st of August, off the mouth of the Nile. The enemy were moored in a strong me of battle for defending the entrance of this bay (of shoals), flanked by numerous gun-boats, four frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on an island in their van; but nothing could withstand the squadron your lordship did me the honour to put under my command. Their high state of discipline is well known to you and with the judgment of the captains, together with their valour, and that of the officers and men of every description, it was absolutely irresistible. Could anything from my pen add to the character of the captains, I would write it with pleasure; but that is impossible. I have to regret the loss of Captain Westcott of the Majestic, who was killed early in the action: but the ship was continued to be so well fought by her first lieutenant, Mr. Cuthbert, that I have given him an order to command her till your lordship's pleasure is known. The ships of the enemy, all but their two rear ships, are nearly dismasted; and those two, with two frigates, I am sorry to say, made their escape; nor was it, I assure you, in my power to prevent them. Captain Hood most handsomely endeavoured to do it, but I had no ship in a condition to support the Zealous, and I was obliged to call her in. The support and assistance I received from Captain Berry cannot be sufficiently expressed. I was wounded in the head, and obliged to be carried off the deck, but the service suffered no loss by the event: Captain Berry was fully equal to the important service then going on, and to him I must beg leave to refer for every information relative to the victory; he will present you with the flag of the second in command, that of the commander-in-chief being burnt in the Orient. Herewith I transmit you lists of the killed and wounded, and the line of battle of ourselves and the French."

To this dispatch is added a list of the killed and wounded, &c., from which it appears that the force under the command of Admiral Brueys, consisted of thirteen ships of the line together with four frigates, carrying twelve hundred guns, and from ten to eleven thousand men. Nine sail of the line were taken, two burned, and two escaped. Of the frigates, one was sunk, another burned, and two escaped. The loss of men was calculated at nearly eight thousand; but the prisoners and wounded were all restored, on condition of not serving against England till exchanged. Of the British squadron, twelve only were engaged, and a fifty-gun ship, carrying little more than a thousand guns and eight thousand men. Nine hundred of the English were slain and wounded. Nelson was ever of opinion that if he had only been provided with small craft, he could have rendered this important victory still more complete, by destroying all the storeships and transports then in the port of Alexandria. want of these means harassed his mind greatly, as he knew their value. In his dispatch to the Admiralty, he writes, " Were I to die at this moment, want

The

of frigates would be found stamped on my heart. No words of mine can express what I have suffered, and am suffering, for the want of them."

Shortly after the battle, Sir Horatio received a singular present from one of his captains. When the Orient blew up, part of her mainmast was picked up by the Swiftsure, and her captain (Hallowell) ordered the carpenter to make a coffin out of it, the nails as well as the wood being taken from the wreck of the Orient. When the coffin was completed, Captain Hallowell sent it to Nelson, with the following letter,

“Sir,

"I have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin made from the mainmast of the Orient; that when you have finished your naval career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies. But that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of your sincere friend,

"BENJAMIN HALLOWELL."

Nelson received the coffin with much gratification; and for a considerable time he had it placed upright in his own cabin. But, finding it unpleasant to his guests, and his friends persuading him to have it removed, he afterwards consented to have it placed below, but with particular charge that the greatest care should be taken of it.

This, however, was not the only testimony of gratitude and affectionate esteem which he received. The following memorial was drawn up on the 3d of August on board the Orion, and was signed by all the captains.

The captains of the squadron under the command of Rear-admiral Nelson, K.B., desirous of testifying the high sense they entertain of his prompt decision and intrepid conduct, in the attack of the French fleet, in Bequieres Road, off the Nile, August 1st, 1798, request his acceptance of a sword; and, as a further proof of their esteem and regard, they hope that he will permit his portrait to be taken, and hung up in the room belonging to the Egyptian Club, now established in commemoration of that glorious day."

Admiral Nelson sent the following letter to the Lord Mayor of London, together with Admiral Blanquet's sword :—

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"My Lord,

Having the honour of being a freeman of the city of London, I take the liberty of sending to your lordship the sword of the commanding admiral, Monsieur Blanquet, who survived after the battle of the 1st, off the Nile; and I request that the city or London will honour me by the acceptance of it, as a remembrance, that Britannia still rules the waves, which, that she may ever do,. is the fervent prayer of your lordship's obedient servant,

"HORATIO NELSON."

The first congratulation which Nelson received upon the events of the battle of the Nile, was from the Grand Seignior, by whose orders the following communication was made to Mr. Smith, our Ambassador at the Ottoman Porte

"It is but lately that by a written communication it has been made known, how much the Sublime Porte rejoiced at the first advice received of the English squadron in the White Sea having defeated the French at Alexandria in Egypt. By recent accounts, comprehending a specific detail of the action, it appears now more positive that his Britannic Majesty's fleet has actually destroyed by that action, the best ships the French had in their possession. This joyful event, therefore, laying this empire under an obligation, and the service rendered by our much esteemed friend, Admiral Nelson, on this occasion, being of a nature