gage in deadly conflict on the 1st of
August 1798, with not only national but world-wide interest pending on
the issue, for the battle of the Nile was one of the leading battles of
the world.

When Nelson perceived the position of the enemy, his fertile and active
mind at once evolved a characteristic course of action. Where there was
room, he said, for an enemy's ship to swing, there was room for one of
his to anchor. He therefore at once formed the plan of doubling on the
French ships, stationing one of his ships on the bow and another on the
quarter of each of the enemy.

Nelson immediately explained his intended course to his officers. It
had been his custom during the whole time he was engaged in searching
for the French fleet, to have his captains as frequently as possible on
board the _Vanguard_, when he explained to them his opinions as to the
best mode of attack in all the various positions in which it was
possible or probable that the enemy might be found. Hence they knew
their commander's tactics so well, that when the hour for action
arrived, no time was lost in the tedious operation of signalling orders.
He had such confidence in all his officers, that after thoroughly
explaining his intended plan of attack, he merely said to them, "Form as
is most convenient for mutual support, and anchor by the stern. First
gain the victory, and then make the best use of it you can."

When Captain Berry, perceiving the boldness of the plan, said, "If we
succeed, what will the world say?" Nelson replied, "There is no _if_ in
the case; that we shall succeed is certain: who may live to tell the
story is a very different question!"

Nelson possessed in an eminent degree the power of infusing into his men
the irresistible confidence that animated his own bosom. There was
probably not a man in the British fleet who did not sail into Aboukir
Bay on that memorable day with a feeling of certainty that the battle
was as good as gained before it was begun. The cool, quiet,
self-possessed manner in which the British tars went to work at the
beginning must have been very impressive to the enemy; for, as they
advanced, they did not even condescend to fire a shot in reply to the
storm of shot and shell to which the leading ships were treated by the
batteries on an island in the bay, and by the broadsides of the whole
French fleet at half gunshot-range, the men being too busily engaged in
furling the sails aloft, attending to