the English Channel and cover the crossing of the
French army. He naturally expected that, with England's
interests scattered all over the world, confusion and
distraction would arise from ignorance of the destination of the
French squadrons, and the English navy be drawn away from his
objective point. The portion of the field committed to Nelson
was the Mediterranean, where he watched the great arsenal of
Toulon and the highways alike to the East and to the Atlantic.
This was inferior in consequence to no other, and assumed
additional importance in the eyes of Nelson from his conviction
that the former attempts on Egypt would be renewed. Owing to
this persuasion he took at first a false step, which delayed his
pursuit of the Toulon fleet when it sailed under the command of
Villeneuve; and the latter was further favored by a long
continuance of fair winds, while the English had head winds. But
while all this is true, while the failure of Napoleon's
combinations must be attributed to the tenacious grip of the
English blockade off Brest, _as well as_ to Nelson's energetic
pursuit of the Toulon fleet when it escaped to the West Indies
and again on its hasty return to Europe, the latter is fairly
entitled to the eminent distinction which history has accorded
it, and which is asserted in the text. Nelson did not, indeed,
fathom the intentions of Napoleon. This may have been owing, as
some have said, to lack of insight; but it may be more simply
laid to the usual disadvantage under which the defence lies
before the blow has fallen, of ignorance as to the point
threatened by the offence. It is insight enough to fasten on the
key of a situation; and this Nelson rightly saw was the fleet,
not the station. Consequently, his action has afforded a
striking instance of how tenacity of purpose and untiring energy
in execution can repair a first mistake and baffle deeply laid
plans. His Mediterranean command embraced many duties and cares;
but amid and dominating them all, he saw clearly the Toulon
fleet as the controlling factor there, and an important factor
in any naval combination of the Emperor. Hence his attention was
unwaveringly fixed upon it; so much so that he called it "his
fleet," a phrase which has somewhat vexed the sensibilities of
French critics. This simple and accurate vi