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icularly of the sea…officers。 Had I known that there had been this claimant； some of my own lieutenants must have given way to such a name； and he should have been placed in the VICTORY： she is full； and I have twenty on my list； but； whatever numbers I have； the name of Rodney must cut many of them out。〃 Such was the proper sense which Nelson felt of what was due to splendid services and illustrious names。 His feelings toward the brave men who had served with him are shown by a note in his diary； which was probably not intended for any other eye than his own： 〃Nov。 7。 I had the comfort of making an old AGAMEMNON； George Jones； a gunner into the CHAMELEON brig。〃
When Nelson took the command； it was expected that the Mediterranean would be an active scene。 Nelson well understood the character of the perfidious Corsican； who was now sole tyrant of France； and knowing that he was as ready to attack his friends as his enemies； knew； therefore； that nothing could be more uncertain than the direction of the fleet from Toulon； whenever it should put to sea。 〃It had as many destinations；〃 he said； 〃as there were countries。〃 The momentous revolutions of the last ten years had given him ample matter for reflection； as well as opportunities for observation： the film was cleared from his eyes； and now； when the French no longer went abroad with the cry of liberty and equality； he saw that the oppression and misrule of the powers which had been opposed to them； had been the main causes of their success； and that those causes would still prepare the way before them。 Even in Sicily； where； if it had been possible longer to blind himself； Nelson would willingly have seen no evil； he perceived that the people wished for a change； and acknowledged that they had reason to wish for it。 In Sardinia the same burden of misgovernment was felt； and the people； like the Sicilians； were impoverished by a government so utterly incompetent to perform its first and most essential duties that it did not protect its own coasts from the Barbary pirates。 He would fain have had us purchase this island （the finest in the Mediterranean） from its sovereign； who did not receive L5000 a year from it after its wretched establishment was paid。 There was reason to think that France was preparing to possess herself of this important point； which afforded our fleet facilities for watching Toulon； not to be obtained elsewhere。 An expedition was preparing at Corsica for the purpose； and all the Sardes； who had taken part with revolutionary France； were ordered to assemble there。 It was certain that if the attack were made it would succeed。 Nelson thought that the only means to prevent Sardinia from becoming French was to make it English； and that half a million would give the king a rich price； and England a cheap purchase。 A better； and therefore a wiser policy； would have been to exert our influence in removing the abuses of the government； for foreign dominion is always； in some degree； an evil and allegiance neither can nor ought to be made a thing of bargain and sale。 Sardinia； like Sicily and Corsica； is large enough to form a separate state。 Let us hope that these islands may one day be made free and independent。 Freedom and independence will bring with them industry and prosperity；and wherever these are found； arts and letters will flourish； and the improvement of the human race proceed。
The proposed attack was postponed。 Views of wider ambition were opening upon Buonaparte； who now almost undisguisedldy aspired to make himself master of the continent of Europe； and Austria was preparing for another struggle； to be conducted as weakly and terminated as miserably as the former。 Spain； too； was once more to be involved in war by the policy of France： that perfidious government having in view the double object of employing the Spanish resources against England； and exhausting them in order to render Spain herself finally its prey。 Nelson； who knew that England and the Peninsula ought to be in alliance； for the common interest of both； frequently expressed his hopes that Spain might resume her natural rank among the nations。 〃We ought；〃 he said； 〃by mutual consent； to be the very best friends； and both to be ever hostile to France。〃 But he saw that Buonaparte was meditating the destruction of Spain； and that； while the wretched court of Madrid professed to remain neutral； the appearances of neutrality were scarcely preserved； An order of the year 1771； excluding British ships of war from the Spanish ports； was revived； and put in force： while French privateers； from these very ports； annoyed the British trade； carried their prizes in； and sold them even at Barcelona。 Nelson complained of this to the captain…general of Catalonia； informing him that he claimed； for every British ship or squadron； the right of lying； as long as it pleased； in the ports of Spain； while that right was allowed to other powers。 To the British Ambassador he said： 〃I am ready to make large allowances for the miserable situation Spain has placed herself in； but there is a certain line； beyond which I cannot submit to be treated with disrespect。 We have given up French vessels taken within gunshot of the Spanish shore； and yet French vessels are permitted to attack our ships from the Spanish shore。 Your excellency may assure the Spanish government that； in whatever place the Spaniards allow the French to attack us； in that place I shall order the French to be attacked。〃
During this state of things； to which the weakness of Spain； and not her will； consented； the enemy's fleet did not venture to put to sea。 Nelson watched it with unremitting and almost unexampled perseverance。 The station off Toulon he called his home。 〃We are in the right fighting trim；〃 said he： 〃let them come as soon as they please。 I never saw a fleet altogether so well officered and manned； would to God the ships were half as good！ The finest ones in the service would soon be destroyed by such terrible weather。 I know well enough that if I were to go into Malta I should save the ships during this bad season； but if I am to watch the French I must be at sea； and if at sea； must have bad weather； and if the ships are not fit to stand bad weather； they are useless。〃 Then only he was satisfied and at ease when he had the enemy in view。 Mr。 Elliot； our minister at Naples； seems at this time to have proposed to send a confidential Frenchman to him with information。 〃I should be very happy；〃 he replied； 〃to receive authentic intelligence of the destination of the French squadron； their route； and time of sailing。 Anything short of this is useless； and I assure your excellency； that I would not upon any consideration have a Frenchman in the fleet； except as a prisoner。 I put no confidence in them。 You think yours good； the queen thinks the same； I believe they are all alike。 Whatever information you can get me I shall be very thankful for； but not a Frenchman comes here。 Forgive me； but my mother hated the French。〃
M。 Latouche Treville； who had commanded at Boulogne； commanded now at Toulon。 〃He was sent for on purpose；〃 said Nelson； 〃as he BEAT ME at Boulogne； to beat me again； but he seems very loath to try。〃 One day； whi