right, appear the territories of Denmark; the islands of Saltholm
and Amak, with part of Zealand; and Copenhagen, the capital of the
kingdom, nearly in the front. The shore of Denmark presents a continued
succession of fertile plains, umbrageous woods, rich meadows, rural
mansions, neat villas, and embellished gardens; while the Swedish side
chiefly exhibits, with much excellent pasture, a mountainous and
picturesque coast. The island of Nuen, too, famous for the Observatory
of the celebrated Tycho Brahe, fails not to attract the attention of
every curious voyager: from whence the eye, looking back, perceives the
fortresses of Elsineur, Cronenberg, and Helsingberg, apparently unite,
bounding a vast lake to the north; but, on advancing, immediately
descries the ocean, and the whole extent of the plain of Copenhagen,
with it's capacious port crouded by vessels, and it's highly cultivated
environs. On the side next the sea, this city, which is visible at the
distance of several miles, presents itself in all it's magnificence; and
the Gothic towers, with which it abounds, greatly engage the attention
of every spectator, as well by the loftiness of their spires, as by the
variety of their pleasingly grotesque decorations. The fortresss of
Fredericstadt, supported on one side by the batteries of one of the
arsenals, defends the entrance of the harbour: where there is, also,
another battery; and where, as at this period, in case of necessity, a
number of flat-bottomed boats, and floating-batteries, may likewise be
stationed.

It appears that Sir Hyde Parker had, with the soundest discretion, now
left every thing, but the nominal chief command, to our hero; who, with
his usual alertness on all important occasions, lost not a single
moment in preparing for the grand attack of the Danish capital. "The
attempt," observes an ingenious eye-witness, said to be Mr. Fergusson,
surgeon of the Elephant, "was arduous in the extreme; no common mind
durst have conceived it, but it was suited to the exalted heroism of
his. As his was the invigorating spirit of the counsel that planned the
attack; so, in the execution, he only could have commanded success."
During the interval which preceded the battle, the passage to the scene
of action being very little known, and extremely intricate, his lordship
had the soundings accurately made under his own eye and observation, and
the several buoys laid which were to direct the passage of the fleet;
th