ERS OF ENGLISHMEN, THE DANES.

Lord Nelson has directions to spare Denmark, when no longer
resisting; but if the firing is continued on the part of
Denmark, Lord Nelson will be obliged to set on fire all the
floating batteries he has taken, without having the power of
saving the brave Danes who have defended them.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

It was in the preparation and despatch of this note that Nelson gave
another illustration, often quoted, of his cool consideration of all
the circumstances surrounding him, and of the politic regard to effect
which he ever observed in his official intercourse with men. It was
written by his own hand, a secretary copying as he wrote. When
finished, the original was put into an envelope, which the secretary
was about to seal with a wafer; but this Nelson would not permit,
directing that taper and wax should be brought. The man sent was
killed before he could return. When this was reported to the admiral,
his only reply was, "Send another messenger;" and he waited until the
wax came, and then saw that particular care was exercised to make a
full and perfect impression of the seal, which bore his own arms.
Stewart said to him, "May I take the liberty of asking why, under so
hot a fire, and after so lamentable an accident, you have attached so
much importance to a circumstance apparently so trifling?" Nelson
replied, "Had I made use of the wafer, it would still have been wet
when presented to the Crown Prince; he would have inferred that the
letter was sent off in a hurry, and that we had some very pressing
reasons for being in a hurry. The wax told no tales."

A flag of truce in a boat asks no cessation of hostilities, except so
far as the boat itself is concerned. As for the message sent, it
simply insisted that the Danes should cease firing; failing which,
Nelson would resort to the perfectly regular, warlike measure of
burning their ships. As the ships were beaten, this might not be
humane; but between it and leaving them under the guns of both
parties, the question of humanity was only one of degree. If Nelson
could extort from the Danes a cessation of hostilities by such a
threat, he had a perfect right to do it, and his claim that what he
demanded was required by humanity, is at least colorable. It must be
observed, however, that he makes no suggestion of truce or
armistice,--he demands that firing shall be discontinued, or he will
resort to certain steps.