The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-01-06

ary force the renewal of men and sup
plies upon which depended not only the
prosecution of the undertaking, but eV en-
the maintenance of the position already
achieved.
The influence of the battle of the Nile
was more far-reaohing still; the CONT
nent of Europe became convulsed from
end to end AS soon As the news was re-
ceived. Elated by Bonaparte's career of
victory in Italy, and by the submission
of Austria to terms of peace, the French
government had entered upon course
of arrogant aggression toward other
countries-of which the unproyoked
Egyptian expedition was only one ex-
ample-that bad aroused the wrath of all
nations. Even the United States was
forced from it's attitude of benevolent
neutrality, which had depended upon the
tradition of the war of independence and
the adoption by France Of republican in
situations.
The general resentment in Europe WAS,
however, cUrbed by experience OF the
might Of tho French revolutionary move
ment, and of the French armies when
welded by man like Bonaparte, and
there was wanting the demonstration OF
some power capable Of imposing an abso-
lutte cneck upon their future progress.
The battle OF the Nils gave such demon
stretion. As Nelson said 1t was more
than victory; itAwas catastrophe. The
French feet was annfhilatod, 1.-The Medi-
terranean passed into the absolute con-
trol of Great Britain, the flower of the
French army and the invincible Bona
parte were cut off hopelessly from Francs
Turkey, previously overawed BY the feet.
declared war in month. Austria, Kus-
STA and Naples had already drawn to-
gether in coalition. They were embol-
,,ened, as the permanenoe Of the cOndi.
tions due to the battle became evident,
to pursue their military enterprises upon
a scale which brought. the republic to the
brink of ruin, from which it was saved
only by the UNEXPECTED and fortuitous
return of Bonaparte, and his accession 10
supreme power, year later. Before the
year 1898 expired, combined Russian
and Turkish feet entered the Mediter.
ranean from the Black sen, and under
took to wrest the Ioniau Islands from
France. In India the movements against
the British domination which had been
fomented by French negotiations, aud
which Bnnaparte expected to foster, fell
still. Eoru when the disaster became
known there. Nelson, aware of tho i'm
portance of the news to British interests,
had at once dispatched a special messen-
ger overland to Bombay.
The general satisfaction, not to say ex-
ultation, was shown by the honors and
rewards showered from all sides upon
the victor. Jhe sultan and the ozar, the
kings of Sardinia and of the honors and
rewards showered from all. sides upon the
kings of sSardinia and of the Two
Sicilies, sent messengers of congratula-
tion and rich presents, the czar accom-
panying his with an autograph letter.
On the part of his own country the two
houees Of parliament voted their thanks
and pension Of 1900 pounds q year.
The East India Company by gift OF
10, 00u pounds acknowledged the security
gained for the. Indian possessions. Other
individual corporations took appropriate
notice of tie great event; instances SO
far apart as the cities of London and
Palermo and the island of Zante showing
how widespread was the sense of relief.
In titular rank Nelson WAS raised to the
lowest grade of the peerage as Baron
Nelson of the Nile. Indignant comment
was made in some quarters upon the
inadequacy of this advancement to the
brilliancy and Importance of the service
done The ministry justified its action
upon DHG UtCuHlGbl RIOUEkl buat, uAUuRH
no superior was within two thousand
miles of Aboukir, Nelson was neverthe-
less q subordinate flag officer, not COM
mander-in .cbief.
Not less gratifying to him, with his
sensitive appreciation Of friendship and
susceptibility to fattery, must have been
the numerous letters of congratulation he
received from friends in and out of the
service and especially from men whose
eminence and professional standing
made their praise a sound criterion for
the calm after Judgment of mankind. Be-
sides many other officers of character
and reputation, the three great admirals,
Lords Howe Hood and st. Vincent, the
leaders of tho navy in rank and distin-
gushed service. wrote to him in the
strongest terms of admiration. The lat
ter two did not hesitate to style the bat
lie the greatest achievement that history
could produce, while Howe's language
moro measured. wns so only because, like
himself, it was more precise in charac-
terizing tho special m orits Of the action,
and was therefore acknowledged by Nell
son with particular expressions of pleas
ure