fully prepared to impart the particulars of the incomparable mode of
attack which he had projected for the occasion, in all that force and
vigour of genius which flashes irresistible conviction on the heart,
and fills it, at once, with admiration, esteem, and astonishment, his
lordship communicated, next morning, with the different commanders; whom
he ordered on board the Victory, to be made acquainted with the
particulars of his intended plan. "I believe," writes his lordship, "my
arrival was most welcome; not only to the commanders of the fleet, but
also to every individual in it; and, when I came to explain to them the
_Nelson touch_, it was like an electric shock. Some shed tears, all
approved. It was new, it was singular, it was simple; and, from admirals
downwards, it was repeated--"It must succeed, if ever they will allow us
to get at them! You are, my lord, surrounded by friends whom you inspire
with confidence."--"Some," adds his lordship, "may be Judas's, but the
majority are certainly much pleased with my commanding them." The letter
from which this is extracted, was dated the 1st of October; on which
morning, about four o'clock, our hero had been suddenly seized with a
violent fit of those dreadful spasms which often so alarmingly afflicted
him, "It is," says his lordship, "very odd! I was hardly ever better,
than yesterday. Freemantle staid with me till eight o'clock; and I slept
uncommonly well, but was awoke by this disorder. My opinion of it's
effect, some one day, has never altered! However, it is entirely gone
off, and I am only quite weak. The good people of England will not
believe, that rest of body and mind is necessary for me! But, perhaps,
this spasm may not come again these six months. I had been writing seven
hours yesterday; perhaps, that had some hand in bringing it upon me."
Thus lightly does he speak of his own sufferings, thus good-humouredly
notice the little consideration of the country for his individual ease.

The Euryalus had been immediately stationed close off the harbour of
Cadiz, for the purpose of watching every motion of the enemy, and
instantly communicating whatever intelligence might be obtained; a
service for which, Lord Nelson was persuaded, there could not possibly
be a better officer than his friend the Honourable Captain Blackwood. At
a more remote distance, but still within sight of the port, a detachment
of a few ships of the line was placed in constant readiness to act