London, than Lord Nelson was at his bed-side: where the generously
humane hero continually visited him, during his confinement; and, soon
after, took him, in the Amphion, to the Mediterranean, on this
expedition. It is somewhat remarkable, that his lordship's regular
secretary, though no relation of this gentleman, should also be a Scott:
the former, the Rev. Mr. Alexander Scott; and the latter, John Scott,
Esq. So numerous were his lordship's correspondences, that both
secretaries were often fully employed: his lordship, from the time of
his having engaged Dr. Scott, constantly accompanying his original
letters to foreign courts, by translations into the respective
languages; a point of etiquette always highly gratifying to the power
addressed, and frequently attended with other beneficial consequences.
There was, in short, no point of probable advantage to his country,
however minute it might appear, which Lord Nelson ever thought unworthy
of his strict regard.

On the 17th of April, in the evening, the Amazon brought a confirmation
of the intelligence respecting the French fleet, from a vessel which had
seen, on the 8th at noon, eleven sail of the line, four frigates, and
three brigs, pass Gibraltar with their colours flying. To add to the
mortification, westerly winds, and a heavy sea, prevented the British
fleet's gaining any ground, either this or the following day. A vessel
five days from Cadiz, still to augment his lordship's distress, now also
informed the Amazon, that the Spanish squadron had joined the French,
and were gone with them to the westward. Having appointed the general
rendezvous at Gibraltar, his lordship sent every where to procure
additional frigates. He also dispatched the Active to Ireland, the
Channel fleet, and England, with an account of his intended pursuit of
the enemy. His passage to Gibraltar was prodigiously impeded by
continual foul winds, and heavy swells. "Nothing," writes his lordship,
at this anxious period, "can be more unfortunate, than we are in our
winds; but, God's will be done! I submit. Human exertions are absolutely
unavailing. What man could do, I have done. I hope that the wind will
come to the eastward. What ill fortune! but, I cannot help myself." Thus
did the hero complain, and thus did he console himself.

On the 1st of May, near the coast of Barbary, he was joined by the
Martin sloop, which sailed from Plymouth the 17th of April; and brought
his lordship a letter f