n against Egypt and the East, which was intended as a
stepping-stone toward the ultimate conquest of the English empire in
India, but his plans were frustrated by Nelson, who completely
defeated the French fleet at the battle of the Nile (1798).

With the assistance of Spain, Napoleon next prepared to invade
England, and was so confident of success that he caused a gold medal
to be struck, bearing the inscription, "Descent upon England." "Struck
at London, 1804." But the English warships drove the French and
Spanish fleets into the harbor of Cadiz, and Napoleon had to postpone
his great expedition for another year.[2] In the autumn of 1805, the
French and Spanish fleets sallied forth determined to win. But Lord
Nelson, that frail little man who had lost his right arm and the sight
of his right eye fighting his country's battles, lay waiting for them
off Cape Trafalgar,[3] near by.

[2] In 1801 Robert Fulton, of Pennsylvania, proposed to Napoleonthat
he should build warships propelled by steam. The proposal was
submitted to a committee of French scientists, who reported that it
was absurd. Had Napoleon acted on Fulton's suggestion, his descent on
England might have been successful.
[3] Cape Trafalgar, on the southern coast of Spain.

Two days later he descried the enemy at daybreak. Both sides felt
that the decisive struggle was at hand. With the exception of a long,
heavy swell the sea was calm, with a light breeze, but sufficient to
bring the two fleets gradually within range.

"As they drifted on their path
There was silence deep as death;
And the boldest held his breath
For a time."[4]

[4] Campbell's "Battle of the Baltic," but applicable as well to
Trafalgar.

Just before the action Nelson ran up this signal to the masthead of
his ship, where all might see it: "England explects Every Man to do
his Duty." The answer to it was three ringing cheers from the entire
fleet, and the fight began. When it ended, Napoleon's boasted navy
was no more. Trafalgar Square, in the heart of London, with its tall
column bearing aloft a statue of Nelson, commemorates the decisive
victory, which was dearly bought with the life of the great admiral.

The battle of Traflagar snuffed out Napoleon's projected invasion of
England. He had lost his ships, and their commander, in his despair,
committed suicide. The French Emperor could no longer hope to