he conditions, it is
the property of ordinary men, in times of danger, to see difficulties
more clearly than advantages, and to shrink from steps which involve
risk, however promising of success. The Neapolitan Government, though
cheered by the appearance of the British fleet, had to consider danger
also on the land side, where it relied upon the protection of Austria,
instead of trusting manfully to its own arms and the advantages of its
position, remote from the centre of French power. Austria had pledged
herself to support Naples, if invaded without just cause; but it was
not certain that she would interfere if the cause of attack was the
premature admission of British ships into the ports of the kingdom,
beyond the number specified in the still recent treaties with France.
The Emperor was meditating war, in which he expected to assist Naples
and to be assisted by her; but he did not choose to be hurried, and
might refuse aid if an outbreak were precipitated.

Actually, what Naples did mattered little. Under some contingencies,
such as Nelson was contemplating when he wrote his letter, it might
have mattered much whether he received the abundant support of small
armed vessels which he indicated; but in the end supplies only were
required, and those he had orders from Jervis to exact at the mouth of
his cannon from all powers,--friends or neutrals,--Sardinia only
excepted. The fleet passed the Straits of Messina on the 20th of June,
and continued south, keeping close to the Sicilian shore in hope of
information, until the 22d, when it was off Cape Passaro, the
southeastern extremity of the island. There a Genoese brig was spoken,
which had left Malta the previous day. From her Nelson learned that
Malta had surrendered to the French on the 15th, a week before, which
was correct; but the information further stated, that, after landing a
garrison, the expedition had sailed again on the 16th--it was thought
for Sicily. This last news was untrue, whether by intention or not,
for Bonaparte remained in Malta till the 19th; but upon it Nelson had
to act. Had he seen the captain of the stranger himself, he might have
found out more, for he was a shrewd questioner, and his intellect was
sharpened by anxiety, and by constant dwelling upon the elements of
the intricate problem before him; but the vessel had been boarded by
the "Mutine," three hours before, and was now beyond recall.

At this season the winds in the Mediterranean