der of the Bath, I cannot but express how much I feel
gratified that it should have fallen to my lot to be directed to
confer this justly merited honour and special mark of royal favour
upon you; for I cannot but reflect, that I was an eye-witness of
your high merit, and distinguished gallantry, on the memorable 2d
of April, and for which you are now so honourably rewarded. I hope
that these honours conferred upon you, will prove to the officers
in the service, that a strict perseverance in the pursuit of
glorious actions, and the imitation of your brave and laudable
conduct, will ever ensure them the favours and rewards of our most
gracious sovereign, and the thanks and gratitude of our country."

"At the conclusion of this speech, the procession retired in the
same manner as it came; except that the new knight went first,
making one reverence to Lord Nelson, and three to the throne.

"The moment the ribbon had been placed over Sir Thomas Graves's
shoulder, the signal being made preparative, the whole fleet fired
a salute of twenty-one guns; when the ceremony was finished, the
standard was hauled down. The troops and marines, on hoisting it,
had presented their arms, and the drums beat a march. The troops
kept their arms presented during the ceremony; and, on the
standard's being hauled down, a march was likewise beat."

A few days after, having concluded his epistolary correspondences, and
arranged other requisites, both with the fleet and on shore, his
lordship resigned the command to Admiral Sir Charles Morice Pole, who
had been sent out to relieve him, and immediately sailed for England.
On the day preceding his departure, however, Lord Nelson took leave of
the fleet, by issuing the following public orders--

"St. George, in Kioge Bay,
18th June 1801.

"Lord Nelson has been obliged, from the late very bad state of his
health, to apply to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for
leave to return to England, which their lordships have been pleased
to comply with. But Lord Nelson cannot allow himself to leave the
fleet, without expressing to the admirals, captains, officers, and
men, how sensibly he has felt, and does feel, all their kindnesses
to him: and, also, how nobly and honourably they have supported him
in the hour of battle, and the readiness which they