New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-13


rascally przc-aGcnts. who contrved that Their
fighting should bring them in very little profit.
Even Nelson when at the height of his fame,
was outraged by the Admiralty in the dispatch
of new commander and squadron to cruise on
his prize-ground at the one moment when there
was some prospect of taking prizes. lie had been
on the station for two years, and Justly held that
his men were entitled 10 whatever going:
but there was some dirty job on foot at the Ad-
miralty, and ne thus insocntlY superseded.
continual struggle with the authorities was
going on even for the necessary supplies Of the
navy. and though the destiny of the Kingdom
might depend upon proper supply of guns, am
munition, sails, cOrdagc and spars. it was always
with the utmost difficulty that acquisitions for
thcsc INDISPENSABLE supplies were filed. Nelson
chafcd greatly under these drawbacks. but he
never suffered them 10 influence his fighting
programme That programme, as stated seems
simple almost 10 poverty, but the attentive
student OF his life will soon find that it is more
complex titan appears at first sight. He used to
assert that his only idea 10 90 straight at
the enemy, and no doubt the dash and fury of
his onset counted for much in his great victories
But Mr.. Russell is careful TO emphasize tine fact
that commander bestowed more thought in adj
vance upon all the possible contingencies of bat
tie II was his practice 20 walk the quarter
of evolution and every conceivable formation.
Surprising the encmys feet to he arranged thus
and So how best to attack it? This his
constant study. and it was because he had thought
out every combination beforehand. that when the
moment for action arrived lie was entirely
ready that his orders and movements took on the
aspect of approximations 1t is important to note
this, for il proves more that hard
work and steady work 60 10 the crca-
ton Of those splendid achievements
which popular fancy. in ascribing 10 genius too
commonly imagnes to be the results OF inspra-
ton and not reflection.
That Nelson always we'll seconded by
his captains and men, must be attributed not
only 10 their confidence in his judgment and
their admiration for his dashing gallantry, but 10
the personal affection which lie inspired among
all who served under him. Seldom has there been |
a great commander who possessed in large n
measure the love of his comrades and here we
touch the best traits in Nelson's character. IIo
was far in advance of his generation in regard .
for his interiors in station In an age distin- /
guished by the harshness of its military and /
naval discipline. he was noted for clelnency and .
consideratcncsS. Having been all through tho .
service grades he knew how and where to apply b
remedies for the worst abuses He was aversc
from severe punlShmcnts. He preferred TO main
tain discipline by kindness lie ever think
ing more of others than himself When wounded
he refused to allow the surgeon 10 leave a sea-
man, whose injuries he was dressing. to attend .
upon him. When a friend sent him quantity
Of dccacics. NE distributed them among other
ships whose officers and crews needed them more
than he did He was tender and considerable to
all young men. and watched over and taught
them, losing 10 opportunity OF advancing the
deserving and encouraging the timid. 80 his
men and officers alike came 10 love as well as
honor him. Yet he WAS not himself the best
example of submission 10 authority-fur when
the fighting sprit-thc BcTscrlir rage il might
be termcd-was upon him. he took the bit lie
tween his teeth. and carried on the action 10
suit himself, Indifferent Ia orders and to signals
His action at the battle of Copenhagen when he
refused 10 repeat the signal for withdrawal. Is
case III point II was not in his nature 10 re-
treat. once engaged and this desperate persist
encc helped him 10 win his battles.
Nhethcr he ever said \ Pccragc or Wc>tmin-
ster Abbey! Is, perhaps. more than doubtful;
but the principle implied in the phrase was as
suredy not alien 10 him. He NcarncG for fame:
not much for lis material rewards as for tho
intellectual glory Of eminent achievements lis
personal courage was unsurpassed. and If he said
that he had never known what fear was. he
spoke the truth. His wife once advised him
when he Wa rear-admlral TO leave Of his
practice of heading the boz riders Such pcrilouS
work. the good lady thought. might very well
be RENTED 10 his captains But Nelson could
not abandon his nature. and that nature led him
wherever there was dangerous work 70 tie done
Not that admirals who RETAINED from boarding
were much safer in those times Of yard-arm en-
GagementS. as Nelson's own death proved In /
those close engagements. the tops 81 the enemy
were always filed with sharpshootcrs. whose
function II was 10 pick oiT the officers on the quar-
tcrdcck, while the bclching broadsidcs fired but
a few yards away, would tear through the ships
sides and decks and stern ports in a way 10 eN-
tingush all distinctions Of rank and station
The best parts Of Mir. Russcll> book are his
vivid descriptions Of Nelson's famous cngagcments-
Cape St Vincent Copenhagen, the Nile and Ira
aar What naval warfare * to be- hereafter
no man knows. but IL is unlikely that any such
fighting as took pac" IN those battles will occur
again The engagement once opened there could ,
have been little or 10 direction The smoke rem
look out for herself In his fights with the
French and Spanards the superior rapdity Of
Nelson's fire was his strongest point and though .
the weight OF the bioadsidcS Of those days Was
not comparable to that Of the modern ronclads.
it was quite enough 10 tear 10 pieces everything
il encountered IN a wooden ship.