The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-21

aim in order to save either ships or mon. An
Inhalation, he repeated. was his aim, and noth-
ing short OF II, and no doubtless regretted the
absence OF six ships Of the line which had been
despatched TO the Mediterranean on convoy ser
vice. Nelson awaited himself of Blackwoods
presence to have him, together with Hardy, wit
ness his signature to q paper In which no be-
queathod Lady Hamilton and the child Horatia
to tho caro- Of the nation, and which, consequent
ly, hos been styled n codicil to his will. Tho
place and hour of tho writing arc fixed by tho
words, I'm sight of tho combined fleets OF
France and Spain. distant about ten miles
In this codicil Nelson first recountod,
briefly but specifically, "the eminent serv-
ices Of Emma Hamilton" to the State on two oc-
casions, as believed by himself to have been rcn.
dered. Into tho actually Of these services
Capt. Mahan docs not deem 1t necdful to inquire.
He thinks It sufficient to say that Nelson's
knowledge of them could not have been gained
at first hand, and that the credcnco he unques-
tionably gave to them must have depended upon
the evidence of Others, probably Of Lady Hamil-
ton herself. in whom he felt and always express
cd the most unbounded confidence. Gould I
have rewarded these services" the pa
or concludes, IT would not now call
upon my country. But. as that has
not been in my power. I leave Emma, Lady
Hamilton, a legacy to my King and country,
that they will give her an ample position to
maintain her rank in life. I also leave to the
benefcence Of my country my adopted daugh-
ter, Horatia Nelson Thompson, and I desire she
will use in future the name OF Nelson only.
These are the only favors l ask of my King and
country at this moment when 1 am going to
fight their battle. May God bless my King and
country and all those whom I hold dear. My
! relations II is needless to mention; they will, of
course, be amply provided for"
The ViCt0ry did NOT cnu,a ,pder fire. until
1880 o'clock; toward IL Nelson went below to
the cabin. Shortly afterward the signal lieu
tenant, who had been by his side all the morning,
followed him. partly to make an official report,
partly to prefer q personal request. Entering
the cabin, he paused at the threshold, for Nelson
was on his knees, writing. The words, tho last
that he ever penned, wero written in the private
diary which he habitually kept, and in which
were noted observations and reflections upon
passing occurrences, mingled with occasional
self-communings. These followed on without
break Of space or paragraph upon tho last
incident recorded, and they ran thus: MAY
the great God whom I worship grant to my
country, and for the benefit OF Europe in gen.
eral, a great and glorious victory, and may no
misconduct In any one tarnish 1t, and may
humanity after a victory DO tho predominant
feature in the British feet. For myself, individ-
ually, l commit my life to Him who made me, |
e@ ANo pANoohhS Aibhb upou NY ChlCdNOTb
for serving my country faithfully. To Him I
resign myself and the just cause which it is In
trusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen
Going on deck, Nelson said to Blackwood, who
was still awaiting his final instructions, IL will
now amuse the fleet with a signal" After
musing awhile. he said: Suppose we telegraph,
Nelson confdes that every man will do his
duty" The officer to whom the remark was
made suggested England" instead of mel
ann " Nanf N4nhan aa-a NL.N a. ~ a. - |
could have made no difference. To them tho
two names meant the same thing; but Nelson
accepted tho change with delight. Mr..
Pasco," he called to the signal officer, II
wish to say to tho feet, England confdes
that every man will do his duty"
He added, You must be quick, for I have
one moro signal to make, which is for close &C
tion." Pasco answered. IF your Lordship will
permit me to substitute expects for 'confdes'
1t will be sooner completed. Because expects
is in the vocabulary and 'confides' must be
spelt-" Nelson. apparently satisfied, replied
hastily. That will do. Pasco; make 1t directly
But Capt. Mahan points out that the slightly
mandatory expects" is less representative of
the author of the renown sentence than the
cordial and sympathetic "conides."
1t In well known that Nelson was MORALLY
wounded by q sharpshooter ON the French ship
Redoubtable about twenty-five minutes past /.
4 " hiAAatSc Liz NlttoIS hUl ItCuOuOI-
able came together. as Nelson and Hardy were
walking forward and had nearly reached the
usual place Of turning, Nelson. who was on
Hardy's left, suddenly faced about. Hardy,
after taking a step further, turned also and saw
the Admiral in the act of falling on his knees
with his left hand touching the deck; then, tho
arm giving way. he fell on his left side. To
Hardy's exclamation that he hoped he was
not badly hurt. he replied: They have done
for ma af 1aat - md ,-han A. -.-l.
hope was repeated he said again: Eyes, my
backbone is shot through" ~ felt it break my
back" he told the surgeon a few minutes later.
The ball had struck him on the left shoulder, on
the forward part of the epaulette. piercing tho
lung. where 1t severed n largo artery, and then
passed through the spine from left to right,
lodging finally in the muscles OF the back.
Although there was moro than one mortal in
jury. the immediate and merciful cause of his
speedy death was the internal bleeding from the
artery. The stricken hero was at once carried
below, he himself covering his face and tho
decorations Of his coat with his hand
kerchief, that tho sight of their loss
might not affect the ships company at
this critical instant. Tho cockpit was already
numbered with the wounded and dying, but, tho
handkerchief falling from his face, the surgeon
recognized him and came at once to him.
You can do nothing for mo, Beatty" he
eoiu. 1 nave DuC a snort time to live"
A short examination convinced III. sur
geon that there was. indeed. no hope. doctor,
l am gone no said to the Rev. Mr.. Scott, tho
chaplain. who knelt beside him, and then added
in a low voice. II have to leave Lady Hamil-
ton and my adopted daughter, Horatia, as the
legacy to my country" Hardy, tho Captain
of tho Victory. who had been with Nelson
since the day Of st. Vincent, hurried to the
cockpit as soon as he was at liberty to quit
the deck. "Well. Hardy" said Nelson, "how
goes the battlef How goes the day with us -
Very well. my Lord" replied Hardy. I'VE have
got twelve or fourteen OF the enemy's ships In
our possession" Tho exact number proved to
be eighteen. THAT is well" said Nelson, ~ but"
he added. II bargained for twenty. hope" he ,
mono Of our ships have struck.
"No, my Lord" was the answer.
there is no fear Of that" Nelson then said, 1T
am a dead man. Hardy. lam going fast; It will