inspiration from the barber, to learn the road to glory, whilst he was being powdered and curled.

And now to come back to this irregular battle, "As the mode of our attack was universal, so the structure of his line was new. (See Collingwood's beautiful dispatch.) I take it the apparently "double line convexing to leeward," was altogether accidental, that insisting on close order in the ships, not well in hand, or at least not familiar with each other's paces. The fleet got somewhat clubbed-one luffing up and another keeping away to prevent being run into, and thus assuming a double line. The van ships where there was room was as straight as a flight of wild geese. Moreover a single line as Villeneuve must have well known would be better for mutual support than a double line.

6

When Collingwood in the 'Royal Sovereign' broke through a stern of the St. Anne,' and brought her to close action, the ship to leeward of her, was, I believe, the 'San Juan,' at least I shall suppose the San Juan,' she could only fire at the Royal Sovereign,' with the risk of her shot going through and over her, into her own friend. Had the line been single and the Saint Juan,' close astern of the 'St. Anne,' she might have pushed ahead, raked the Royal Sovereign' and passing her starboard side, as quickly as she could, hove up in the wind across her bows, and raked her for awhile with good effect-in the double line (as it actually existed, she could not have done this, for had the 'St. Juan' pushed ahead for the purpose, she would have been hampered with her second ahead, nor could the Achille.' (I am not sure of the names, but any two ships will do). Next astern of the St. Anne' have done as I suppose the San Juan' to do, for she could find the 'San Juan' in her way, and would obstruct her fire.

I believe, therefore, that this double line was altogether accidental, affording another instance of what I have before insisted upon. How often the profound combinations of historians are in this category of accident. However we have no cause to object to the formation of the line-no other could have been more glorious to our arms— nor produced more fame to those "who fought with us upon St. Crispin's day." And yet what a lottery fame is-if fortune be blind-fame is at least near sighted.

"A circumstance occurred during the battle which strongly marks the gallantry of British seamen, when contending with the enemies of their country, that I cannot resist the pleasure I have in making it known to their lordships.

"The

Temeraire' was boarded by accident or design by a French ship on one side and a Spanish on the other; the conflict was severe, but in the end the combined ensigns were torn from their poops and the British hoisted in their stead."-(See Collingwood's Dispatch.

Now nothing on earth, or rather on the waters under the earth could have behaved more nobly than the Temerare,' but a dozen other ships did as well (all tried but at least a dozen had the opportunity). If I were to select the most seamanlike act I witnessed I should name the Neptune' rounding to on the quarter of the 'Santissima Trinidada,' and keeping the ship in command till she brought down her huge opponents three masts altogether, but above them all was placed the 'Temeraire,' two ships had dropped on board of her, and she must take them or they her, and well she did the former, I do not believe the ships were fresh, but still it was a brilliant finish. Why the noblest act and why will it stand out preeminent in the glories of Trafalgar, as long as the English language shall be spoken on the earth?

After the gale which succeeded the battle was over our ship which bore the Admiral's flag found ourselves close to the Temeraire' who had been thrown over the ropes and was shifting for herself.

I

suppose her boats would not swim, fer I was ordered as youngster of the watch to take the jolly boat and bring the Captain of the 'Temeraire' to the Admiral.

Now the Captain of a three decker speaking freely to a green boy was out of all rule, but this gallant officer told me of his exploits and fought the Temeraire's' share of the battle over again, so that I felt him to be of unknown condescension, and a sort of nautical Amadis de Gaul, of course he did not hide his light under a bushel when he put it on Collingwood's table, and as he saw no other Captain till his dispatches were written Temeraire,' shines the brightest star of the Trafalgar constellation. Our Captain also was honourably mentioned, but I am persuaded not at his own. instigation. This great battle was brought on by the exertions and watchfulness of the first Sir Henry Blackwood, who was singularly unboastful, and I don't think there was a man in the Fleet who said less about his doings than he himself did. Nor in praising Blackwood could any jealousy be produced; he commanded the inshore squadron, and Prowse and Dundas, and Capel, and Mundy, obeyed his orders, and did not exercise any independent functions--they shared the triumph of their leader, but if any were mentioned he was clearly the one. In the case of the Temeraire' there were twenty-six competitors for fame, all fishing off their own hook, and when honourable mention was made of her alone, the rest were reduced to unhonoured insignificance, and she alone stood preeminent over all. The Victory' and the Royal Sovereign' and the Neptune' and the Spartiate' and the Belleisle,' the Bellerophon,' and the