n command, was thus seeking to escape
infelicity, by a separation from his lady, which he had fully resolved
should be brought to a conclusion previously to his return from this
expedition; his old friend, Sir Hyde Parker, the commander in chief, was
equally desirous of securing happiness, prior to his departure, by the
immediate possession of a young wife. This difference in the state of
their respective domesticities by no means operated to disturb their
harmony; though, doubtless, his lordship was rather in the greatest
hurry to be gone. The few days while Lord Nelson remained in London were
chiefly engaged at the Admiralty; where, happily, his mind was so much
absorbed by the consideration of public affairs, and the formation of
due professional arrangements, that his domestic concerns found fewer
intervals for their unwelcome intrusion. Even while at the house of his
friend Alexander Davison Esq. in St. James's Square, transacting his own
private business, so intent was his lordship on the public service that,
when he mentioned, at the first proposal of the Copenhagen expedition,
his intended going under Sir Hyde Parker--"If," added his lordship, "I
had the chief command, I know well enough what I would do." Then,
observing that his knowledge of the Cattegat was rather imperfect, and
that he should therefore wish to see a correct chart, he requested Mr.
Davison would immediately send for one to Mr. Faden's shop at Charing
Cross. This being done, he said that government could spare only twelve
ships for the purpose; and, after examining the chart a very few
minutes, he positively marked on it the situations of those twelve ships
exactly as they were afterwards placed on that memorable occasion. This
extraordinary anecdote of Lord Nelson, his biographer had the honour to
receive from Mr. Davison's own lips, in the very parlour where the
circumstance occurred; and it affords an admirable proof of our hero's
wonderful promptness and decision, as well as of his ardent zeal for the
service of his country.

His lordship's flag had been shifted to the St. George, a second rate of
ninety-eight guns; the San Josef, which he left at Torbay, being unfit
for the intended service in the north seas. After joining part of the
squadron at Spithead, they proceeded to Yarmouth, where the whole
armament, consisting of fifty-two sail of various descriptions,
unfortunately lessened by the loss of the Invincible of seventy-four
guns, whi