attack their floating batteries, &c., &c., as we find it convenient. It must have the effect of preventing a junction between the Russians, Swedes, and Danes, and may give us an opportunity of bombarding Copenhagen. A passage also, I am pretty certain, could be found for all our ships to the north of Southolm; perhaps it might be necessary to warp a small distance in the very narrow part. Supposing this mode of attack in| eligible, the passage of the Belt, I have no doubt, would be accomplished in four or five days, then the attack by Draco could be carried into effect, the junction of the Russians prevented, and every probability of success on the Danish floating batteries. What effect a bombardment might have I am not called upon to give an opinion, but I think the way would be cleared for the trial. Supposing us through the Belt, with the wind fresh westerly, would it not be feasible either to go with the fleet (or detach ten ships of two or three decks, with one bomb-two fire-ships, if they could be spared), to Revel, to destroy the Russian squadron of that place? I do not see the great risk of such a detachment, with the remainder to attempt the business of Copenhagen. The measure may be thought bold, but I am of opinion the holdest measures are the safest, and our country demands a most vigorous exertion of her forces directed with judgment. In supporting you through the arduous and important task you have undertaken, no exertion of head and heart shall be wanting, my dear Sir Hyde, from your most obedient and faithful servant, "NELSON AND BRONTE." In another letter, dated March 30th, nine o'clock at night, Lord Nelson thus describes the gallant manner the fleet passed the fortress of Cronenburg-which, like Sebastopol and Cronstadt at the present time, were then looked on as impregnable : "My dearest Friend, - We this morning passed the fancied tremendous fortress of Cronenburg, mounted with 270 pieces of cannon. More powder and shot, I believe never were thrown away, for not one shot struck a single ship of the British fleet. Some of our ships fired; but the Elephant did not return a single shot. I hope to reserve them for a better occasion. I have just been reconnoitring the Danish line of defence. It looks formidable to those who are children at war, but to my judgment, with ten sail-ofthe-line I think I can annihilate them; at all events, I hope to be allowed to try." On the 1st of April, Nelson's division removed to an anchorage about two leagues distant from Copenhagen, and off the northwest end of the shoal called the Middle Ground, which is about three-quarters of a mile distant from the city, and extends along its whole sea-front; between this shoal and the town there is a channel of deep water, denominated the "King's Channel;" and here the Danes had anchored their block-ships and other vessels forming their line of defence. Nelson spent the greater part of this day in company with Captain Riou, reconnoitring the enemy. When the vice-admiral returned to his squadron, the order was given to weigh anchor. The ships joyfully obeyed the signal from the Elephant, and about eight, P.M., of that day, just as it grew dark, the north-westernmost ship of Nelson's force anchored off Draco Point, two miles distant from the southernmost ship of the Danish line; which consisted of a formidable array of forts, ramparts, ships-of-the-line, gunboats, and floating batteries. Six sail-ofthe-line, eleven floating batteries, besides a number of bomb-ships and schooner gun-vessels, were moored in an external line, from a mile to a mile-and-a-half in length, to protect the entrance of the harbour, flanked by the two pile-formed Crown islands, on which 124 heavy cannon, nearly flush with the water, were mounted; and within the harbour, two sail-of-the-line, a 40-gun frigate, two 18-gun brigs, and several armed xebecks, with furnaces for heating shot, were moored across its mouth, which was also protected by a chain thrown across the entrance. In addition to the fire of these formidable defences, that of several gun and mortar batteries, along the shore of Amak Island, which lay a little to the southward of the floating line of defence, as also of the citadel, was concentric; thus presenting, in front of Copenhagen, a line of defence between three and four miles, supported by above 1,000 pieces of artillery. Neither was this the only obstacle the British fleet had to contend with: the approaches to the city were shoals, intricate and but little known; and to increase the difficulties, all the buoys had been removed. The garrison consisted of 10,000 men, and one spirit of defence and defiance animated the whole of Denmark. All ranks offered themselves for the defence of their country, and were formed into battalions; the university furnishing a corps of 1,200 youths. To buoy off the channel, and ascertain the soundings, the boats of finished about six in the morning, his lordthe fleet had been, under the special super- ship, who was previously up and dressed, intendence of Nelson, sedulously engaged breakfasted, and about seven, made the during the preceding night and day. The night of the 1st of April was an anxious and important one to Nelson. The Honourable Colonel Stewart relates, that "as soon as the fleet was at anchor, the gallant Nelson sat down to table with a large party of his comrades in arms. He was in the highest spirits, and drank to a leading wind, and to the success of the ensuing day. Captains Foley, Hardy, Fremantle, Riou, Inman; his lordship's second in command, Admiral Graves, and a few others to whom he was particularly attached, were of this interesting party; from which every man separated with feelings of admiration for their great leader, and with anxious impatience to follow him to the approaching battle. The signal to prepare for action had been made early in the evening. All the captains retired to their respective ships, Riou excepted, who with Lord Nelson and Foley arranged the order of battle, and those instructions that were to be issued to each ship on the succeeding day. These three officers retired between nine and ten to the after-cabin, and drew up those orders that have been generally published, and which ought to be referred to as the best proof of the arduous nature of the enterprise in which the fleet was about to be engaged. From the previous fatigue of this day, and of the two preceding, Lord Nelson was so much exhausted while dictating his instructions, that it was recommended to him by us all, and, indeed, insisted upon by his old servant Allen, who assumed much command on these occasions, that he should go to his cot. It was placed on the floor, but from it he still continued to dictate. Captain Hardy returned about eleven, and reported | the practicability of the channel, and the depth of water up to the ships of the enemy's line. Had we abided by this report in lieu of coufiding in our masters and pilots, we should have acted better. The signal for all captains to come on board the flag-ship. The instructions were delivered to each by eight o'clock; and a special command was given to Captain Riou to act as circumstances might require. The land forces and a body of 500 seamen were to have been united under the command of Captain Fremantle and the Honourable Colonel Stewart; and as soon as the fire of the Crown battery should be silenced, they were to storm the work, and destroy it. The division under the commander-in-chief was to menace the ships at the entrance of the harbour; the intricacy of the channel would, however, have prevented their entering; Captain Murray in the Edgar was to lead." The morning of the 2nd of April broke cheerfully on the British fleet. The wind was favourable for the attacking squadron, being from the south-east. As the clouds cleared away, the city of Copenhagen presented itself to the eye of the spectator in all its grandeur. The gothic towers on its buildings were seen rising majestically above the town, sparkling in the early sunlight, and rendered attractive by their beauty of ornament as well as by their great height. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is situ. ate on the east shore of the isle of Zealand, in a bay of the Baltic Sea, about 24 miles from the Sound, 160 miles N.E. of Hamburg, and 240 S.W. of Stockholm. It is one of the best built cities of the north; the palaces of the nobility are, in general, splendid, and ornamented after the Italian style. The new parts of the town, raised by Frederick V., in particular, are very handsome; they consist of an octagon, containing four uniform palaces, with two pavilions to each, occupied by the royal family; and of four broad streets leading to it in opposite directions; in the middle of this area is a noble equestrian statue of Frederick, in bronze. Among the numerous edifices and public establishments are distinguished the arsenal, orders were completed about one o'clock, the royal library, the university (founded in when half-a-dozen clerks in the foremost 1475), the royal college of surgeons, and cabin proceeded to transcribe them. Lord the royal academy of sciences and fine arts. Nelson's impatience again showed itself; for Its port, called Christianhaven, which can instead of sleeping undisturbedly, as he contain 500 vessels, is usually crowded, and might have done, he was every half-hour the streets are intersected by canals, which calling from his cot to these clerks to hasten bring the merchandise close to the waretheir work, for that the wind was becoming houses that line the quays. Contiguous to fair. He was constantly receiving a report the harbour, which is formed by an arm of of this during the night. Their work being the sea running between Zealand and the 1 1 island of Amak, are several islands called Holms, upon which are dock-yards, containing everything necessary for the building and equipment of ships of war. Its citadel is a strong fortification, has five bastions, a double ditch full of water, and several advanced works. At this time Copenhagen contained upwards of 80,000 inhabitants. By the time the light was sufficient for objects to be distinguished, the signal was hoisted on board the Elephant for all captains to repair on board the flag-ship, who, as soon as assembled, received their instructions for the attack. Each ship and vessel had a special duty assigned it. The Amazon, Blanche, Alcmène, Arrow, and Dart, with the two fire-ships under Captain Riou, were to co-operate in the attack on the ships stationed at the harbour's mouth. The bomb-vessels were to station themselves outside the British lines, so as to throw their shells over it into the town; and the Jamaica, with the brigs and gun-vessels, was to take a position for raking the southern extremity of the Danish line. A flat-bottomed boat, well-manned and armed, was stationed on the off-side of each ship, to act as occasion might require; another detachment of boats, from the ships not in action, was ordered to keep as near the Elephant as possible, but not within the line of fire. Four of the ships' launches, with anchors and cables in them, were in readiness to act and render assistance to ships grounding or getting on shore. The 49th regiment, under Colonel Stewart, and 500 seamen under Captain Fremantle, were to storm the batteries on the Crown islands the instant the cannonades from the ships had silenced them. At half-past nine, A.M., the signal was made to weigh in succession. In consequence of the obstacles thrown in the way by the pilots, and their indecision about the shoals and the exact line of deep water, Mr. Brierly took upon himself the important task of pilot, and went on board the Edgar for that purpose. Captain Riou had two frigates, two sloops, and two fire-ships placed under his command, to be used as circumstances might require. The Edgar led the van, the Agamemnon (Nelson's old ship) followed, but unfortunately could not weather the shoal, and was obliged to anchor. The Poly and the admiral, perceiving the condition of the two grounded ships which had just preceded him, ordered the Elephant's helm to starboard, and passed to the westward, or along the larboard beam; thus guiding the course of the consecutive ships, or those astern of the Elephant. Each ship, as she arrived nearly opposite to her appointed station, let her anchor go by the stern, and presented her broadside to the enemy. The distance of each ship from the others was about half a cable, and their line of battle was nearly a cable's length from the enemy. Admiral Parker's eight ships took up a position nearer to the mouth of the harbour, but too distant to do more than menace the northern defences. At five minutes after ten, the cannonade began. In nearly the first half-hour, the principal British ships engaged were the Polyphemus, Isis, Edgar, Ardent, and Monarch. At about half-past eleven, the Glatton, Elephant, Ganges, and Defiance reached their stations, when the battle became general. On account of the strength of the current, the Jamaica and squadron of gun-brigs could not get near enough to be of any service; and, from this cause, only two of the bomb-vessels could reach their station. Riou, with his frigates, took his appointed post direct against the Crown batteries-a service in which three ships-ofthe-line had been directed to co-operate; but the three vessels having grounded, he was deprived of their assistance. Though Nelson was deeply agitated by the loss of the assistance of the grounded ships, the action no sooner commenced than his countenance brightened, and he appeared animated and joyous. The cannonade soon became tremendous. The action was kept up, on both sides, with unabated vigour. At the end of three hours, the battle had not taken a decisive turn on either side. Sir Hyde Parker, now fearful of the result, from the loss of the grounded ships, and that the enemy's fire remained unslackened, made a signal for retreat. When this occurred, Nelson, in all the excitement of action, was pacing the quarterdeck. At that moment, the signal-lieutenant called out, that No. 39 (the signal for discontinuing the action) had been made by nuing to walk the deck, appeared not to phemus and the Isis came next, and took the commander-in-chief. Nelson, conti their berths. The Bellona and Russell, in their way into action, took the ground, notice the announcement. The signaland lay exposed to the fire of the Crown officer met him at the next turn, and asked batteries. Nelson's flag-ship next followed; if he should repeat it. "No," replied Nelson; "acknowledge it." He now paced | difficult to take possession of them, because the deck, moving the stump of his lost arm the Crown batteries, and those on Amak in a manner which always indicated great Island protected them, and an irregular fire emotion; when, addressing Captain Foley, was kept up from the ships and batteries "What think you, Foley?" said he: "the themselves as the boats approached for the admiral has hung out No. 39." Then, purpose. This unexpected renewal of hos shrugging his shoulders, he said, "Leave off action?" "damn me if I do! You know, Foley, as I have only one eye, I have a right to be blind sometimes." And then, putting the glass to his blind eye, in that mood of mind which sports with bitterness, he added: "I really don't see the signal. Keep mine for closer battle flying! - that's the way I answer such signals. Nail mine to the mast." Admiral Graves and the other ships -whether by fortunate mistake, or by a brave intention-looking only to Nelson's signal, continued the action. About this time Lord Nelson was walking the starboard side of the quarter-deck, conversing with the Honourable Colonel Stewart: a shot passing through the mainmast, sent a number of splinters about, when, turning to his companion, Nelson remarked with a smile-" It is warm work, and this day may be the last to any of us in a moment; but mark me," he added, "I would not be elsewhere for thousands." Riou's little squadron had bravely undertaken the service which the disabled line-ofbattle ships were to have performed. When the signal to discontinue the action was made by Sir Hyde Parker, Riou reluctantly obeyed, exclaiming, as he withdrew, "What will Nelson think of us?" Captain Riou had received a wound in the head, and was seated on a gun encouraging his men, when just as the Amazon presented her stern to the battery, his clerk was shot by his side; another shot carried off several marines, and a third cut the brave Riou in two.* About half-past one the fire of the Danes slackened; and a little before two, it ceased along nearly the whole of their line. At this time the six sail-of-the-line, and the eleven floating batteries struck; but it was tilities compelled the English ships to renew their fire. To relieve the unhappy Danes from their forlorn condition, and prevent unnecessary slaughter, Nelson, who was as humane as he was brave, withdrew to his cabin, and wrote thus to the Crown Prince:"Vice-admiral Lord Nelson has directions to spare Denmark, when she no longer resists. The line of defence which covered her shores has struck to the British flag; but if firing is continued on the part of Denmark, he must set on fire all the prizes he has taken, without having the power of saving the men who have so nobly defended them. The brave Danes are the brothers, and should never be the enemies of the English." Having finished his letter, an aide-decamp presented him with a wafer. "No," said the hero, "this is no time to appear hurried and informal; they will think us afraid; let us have a candle, and seal it with wax."+ Having affixed a larger seal than that ordinarily used, he dispatched his aide-de-camp with the letter and a flag of truce to the Crown Prince. In the meantime, the destructive cannon ade still kept up by the Defiance, Monarch, and Ganges, and the approach of the Ramillies and Defence, from Sir Hyde's division, which had been worked up near enough to alarm the enemy, silenced the remainder of the Danish line to the eastward of the Crown batteries. Those batteries, remaining comparatively uninjured, still continued their fire; but on the approach of the Danish adjutantgeneral, Lindholm, with a flag of truce, to Lord Nelson, the firing ceased. The mes- | sage from the Crown Prince was to inquire the object of the British admiral's note. The reply was :-" Lord Nelson's object in was sitting on a gun encouraging the sailors. He was grieved at being obliged to retreat; and while he was sitting on the gun, a number of his men being shot by his side, he exclaimed "Come, then, my boys, let us die altogether." The words had scarcely passed his lips, when a raking shot passing over his ship, nearly cut him in two. Nelson, writing of Riou's death, said-" A better officer or man never existed." + He afterwards assigned as his reason, -"The wafer would have been still wet when presented to • The " gallant, good Riou," was one of the most chivalrous of Nelson's favourite captains. He obtained his lieutenancy in 1780. In 1791 he was promoted to the rank of commander, and made post-captain. In 1793 he commanded the Rose, and afterwards was engaged in some distinguished service in the West Indies. From there he was sent home, in consequence of a severe illness, in 1795. Having recovered his health, he was appointed to the Amazon in 1799. He was killed by a shot from the Trekroner battery, off Copenhagen, and a monument the Crown Prince, and he would have inferred we is erected to his memory in St. Paul's cathedral. had reason for being in a hurry; the wax tells Captain Riou, having been wounded by a splinter, I no tales." sending the flag of truce was humanity: he therefore consents that hostilities shall cease, and that the wounded Danes may be taken on shore. And Lord Nelson will take his prisoners out of the vessels, and burn or carry off his prizes, as he shall think fit. Lord Nelson, with humble duty to his royal highness the prince, will consider this the greatest victory he has ever gained, if it may be the cause of a happy reconciliation and union between his own most gracious sovereign and his majesty the King of Denmark." On receipt of this reply, the Danish adjutant-general was again dispatched to the British admiral for a conference on this overture. In the meantime, as the British vessels were much crippled, and their course lay immediately under the guns of the Crown batteries, he issued orders to weigh and slip in succession, in order to remove • There can be no doubt that if Nelson had not possessed the boldness to disobey the signal of his; admiral, the battle fought off Copenhagen would not have occupied the proud position it does in the naval annals of Great Britain. When Nelson returned home, in a conversation he had with Mr. Addington relative to this great victory, the prime minister re☐☐ marked that he was a bold man to disregard the orders of his superior: to this Nelson replied, that ☐☐ any one might be depended on under ordinary circumstances; but that the man of real value was he that would persevere at all risks, and under the heaviest responsibility: but he added, "In the midst of it all I depended upon you; for I knew that, happen what might, if I did my duty, you would stand by me." Mr. Addington is said to have been highly pleased with this reply of Nelson, and to have remarked, "that he felt the confidence thus reposed in him, by such a man on such an occasion, as one of the highest compliments he had 1 ever received." No thing put Lord Nelson in such good spirits as hard fighting. In the heat of battle, an attempt to board, or in a chase, his countenance became animated, his eyes sparkled, he spoke in hurried short sentences; and whilst he strode up and down the quarter-deck, his manner bespoke the intense excitement and impatience of his mind. Lieutenant Parsons who was one of Lord Nelson's officers, and was with him in several engagements-in a work of considerable spirit, entitled Nelsonian Reminiscences, gives the following lively account of Nelson's quick impatient manner when in chase of the Généreux, a 74-gun ship. In the course of the month of February, 1800, a squadron, consisting of the Généreux, a frigate, and several transports, having 4,000 troops on board, had sailed from Toulon, and approached Malta with the view of ☐☐ relieving the garrison, but being discovered by the Foudroyant and Northumberland, chase was immediately given. ""Deck there! the stranger is evidently a manof-war-she is a line-of-battle-ship, my lord, and going large on the starboard tack.' "Ah! an enemy, Mr. Staines. I pray God it may be Le Généreux. The signal for a general chase, Sir Ed'ard (the Nelsonian pronunciation of the fleet out of the shoal and intricate channel while the wind continued fair. The Monarch, which had received twentysix shots between wind and water, and had not a shroud standing, led the way, and touched on a shoal; but the Ganges, taking her midships, pushed her over it; the Glatton went clear, but the Defence and the Elephant grounded about a mile from the Crown batteries. The Désirée frigate, also, at the other end of the line, became fast. With these exceptions the whole of the fleet effected a junction with Sir Hyde Parker in the middle of the Straits. When the Elephant grounded, Nelson proceeded in the London to meet Lindholm. As he quitted the Elephant, "Well," said he, "I have fought contrary to orders, and I shall perhaps be hanged. Never mind-let them."* It was speedily agreed that there should be a suspension of Edward, addressed to Sir Edward Berry), make the Foudroyant fly!' "Thus spoke the heroic Nelson; and every exertion that emulation could inspire was used to crowd. the canvas, the Northumberland taking the lead, with the flag-ship close on her quarter. ""This will not do, Sir Ed'ard; it is certainly Le Généreux, and to my flag-ship she can alone surrender. Sir Ed'ard, we must and shall beat the Northumberland. ""I will do the utmost, my lord; get the engine to work on the sails-hang butts of water to the stays-pipe the hammocks down, and each man place shot in them-slack the stays, knock up the wedges, and give the masts play-start off the water, Mr. James, and pump the ship. The Foudroyant is drawing ahead, and at last takes the lead in the chase. The admiral is working his fin (the stump of his right arm); do not cross his hawse, I advise you.' "The advice was good, for at that moment Nelson opened furiously on the quarter-master at the conn. I'll knock you off your perch, you rascal, if you are so inattentive. Sir Ed'ard, send your best quartermaster to the weather-wheel.' "A strange sail ahead of the chase, called the look-out man. "Youngster, to the mast-head. What! going without your glass, and be d-d to you? Let me know what she is immediately. "A sloop-of-war, or frigate, my lord,' shouted the young signal midshipman. "Demand her number.' "The Success, my lord.' "Captain Peard; signal to cut off the flying enemy-great odds, though-thirty-two small guns to eighty large ones.' "The Success has hove to, athwart hawse of the Généreux, and is firing her larboard broadside. The Frenchman has hoisted his tri-colour with a rearadmiral's flag.' "Bravo! Success at her again!" ""She has wore round, my lord, and firing her starboard broadside. It has winged her, my lordher flying kites are flying away altogether. The enemy is close on the Success, who must receive her |