The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-10-04

that the French had sailed, he pusned a"ei
them to the West Indies, and followed close
in their track both there and back. 1t mad
been the object of the French Emperor to get
him out of the way. in pursuit of this fleet,
was to return and thus get command of the
channel for some days, during which he
was to land in England at the head of
10000 men. But so great was the terror
which the name of Nelson inspired, and SO hot
was the pursuit, that the French feet dared not
return to the Atlantic ports of France, but
made directly for the coast of Spain. Falling
in with Sir Robert Caldersan indecisive action
took place, and Vileneuve shut himself up
in Cadiz, and being closely blockaded by the
English, the projected invasion was entirely
baffed. 1t has been said lately, that Calder's
action, for which he was oourt-martlalled,
must have prevented the invasion by driving
the French into Cadiz: but it was Nelson who
turned them off from the channel, and forced
them on the Spanish coast. He therefore, In
our view of the matter, is entitled to all the
credit.
Worn out with fatigue, Nelson resigned his
command and went home to recruit. The En-
gIish nation was in the utmost alarm still, for
the feet in Cadiz was formidable one. If it
could be destroyed everything would be well,
for it was necessary to cover the formidable
gun.boats which were prepared almost in sight
of England, to land $4,000 men on her coast.
But they had no confidence in their command
ing Admrals. At that moment, Nelson went
up TO London, and asked for the command. of
| the squadron blockadng Cadiz, which was
cheerfully granted him. A shout of joy ran
| throughout the couatry. Everybody consid
cred himself safe, because little feeble, ema-
cated man, worn down by fatigue and i'll
health, with but one eye, with the empty right
sleeve of his coat pinned to the left lapel, and
his face covered with scars, the leas, promising
looking man ia the world for a hero, was to
take command of the British fleet 1t was
known that he was to embark on board Of the
Victory, his flag ship, on the goth September,
his birthday, at Portsmouth. Never had so
great crowd assembled in that city, for he
was the darling of the English people. The
street before his inn was so blockaded, that
it was impossible to pass, and he left it by a
back way. When he arrived at the wharf,
however, he found it thronged by an immense
multitude, W no rent the air with their accla
nations He entered the boat that bore him
on board the Victory, which lay a short dis
lance off, and as she touched the sides of the
ship, took off his hat, turned round and
waved it in token of recognition. The multi
tude burst into one tumultuous shout Nelson
went on board the Victory, and that was the
last the nation ever saw of their favorte hero.
He was killed, as we all know, at the battle of
Trafalgar, three weeks after. And now comes
the dark part of the story.
By his intrigue with lady Hamilton, the
great blot on his character, he had become the
father of child Ia grl TO whom he was devo-
teddy attached. With his dying breath, he be-
queathed Lady Hamilton and h is child to his
country. Lady Hamlton's character was in
famous, it is true, but the poor little girl, only
| three years old, had been guilty of no offence.
So far from taking care Of either of them, the
mother was left to die, almost of starvation, in
an obscure garrett in Cadiz, while enquiry
having been made, three or four years ago, re-
specting the daughter, it was found that she was
the wife of a curate in distant county, who
received salary of f100, that she was per-
son of exemplary character, and the mother of
twelve children, whom she had assisted her
husband to support by the mos. untiring in
dustry.
The Parliament, in sudden fit of generosi-
ty, gave her pension of ESQ year.