and country, at this
moment, when I am going to fight their battle. May God bless my king
and country, and all those I hold dear! My relations it is needless to
mention; they will of course be amply provided for.

"NELSON AND BRONTE.

"WITNESS, ( HENRY BLACKWOOD.
( T.M.HARDY."

The child of whom this writing Speaks was believed to be his daughter,
and so, indeed, he called her the last time he pronounced her name. She
was then about five years old, living at Merton, under Lady Hamilton's
care. The last minutes which Nelson passed at Merton were employed
in praying over this child, as she lay sleeping. A portrait of Lady
Hamilton hung in his cabin; and no Catholic ever beheld the picture of
his patron saint with devouter reverence. The undisguised and romantic
passion with which he regarded it amounted almost to superstition; and
when the portrait was now taken down in clearing for action, he desired
the men who removed it to "take care of his guardian angel." In this
manner he frequently spoke of it, as if he believed there were a virtue
in the image. He wore a miniature of her, also, next his heart.

Blackwood went on board the VICTORY about six. He found him in good
spirits, but very calm; not in that exhilaration which he had felt upon
entering into battle at Aboukir and Copenhagen: he knew that his own
life would be particularly aimed at, and seems to have looked for death
with almost as sure an expectation as for victory. His whole attention
was fixed upon the enemy. They tacked to the northward, and formed their
line on the larboard tack; thus bringing the shoals of Trafalgar and St.
Pedro under the lee of the British, and keeping the port of Cadiz open
for themselves. This was judiciously done; and Nelson, aware of all the
advantages which it gave them made signal to prepare to anchor.

Villeneuve was a skilful seaman: worthy of serving a better master,
and a better cause. His plan of defence was as well conceived, and as
original, as the plan of attack. He formed the fleet in a double line;
every alternate ship being about a cable's length to windward of her
second ahead and astern. Nelson, certain of a triumphant issue to the
day, asked Blackwood what he should consider as a victory. That officer
answered, that, considering the handsome way in which battle was offered
by the enemy, their apparent determination for a fair trial of strength,
and the situation of the land, he thought it would be a