s gradually relaxed, so far as to
permit neutrals to leave the port in ballast; but none entered. The
trade of the place was destroyed. Nelson hoped, and for a time
expected, that the populace, accustomed to a thriving commerce, and
drawing their livelihood from its employments, would rise against the
feeble garrison, whose presence entailed upon them such calamities;
but herein, of course, he underestimated the coercive power of a few
resolute men, organized for mutual support, over a mob of individuals,
incapable of combined action and each uncertain of the constancy of
his fellows.

The Austrian preparations in the Tyrol gradually matured as the month
of July wore on. Towards its end Marshal Wurmser, the successor of
Beaulieu, advanced for the relief of Mantua and the discomfiture of
Bonaparte, whose numbers were much inferior to his opponents. The
projected movement was of course known to the British, and its first
results in raising the siege of Mantua, and throwing reinforcements
into the place, gave them great hopes. Amid the conflicting rumors of
the succeeding days, the wonderful skill and success of Bonaparte, who
overthrew in detail forces greatly superior in the aggregate to his
own, escaped notice for the time; the superficial incidents of his
abandoning his previous positions alone received attention, and
nothing less than his retreat in confusion was confidently expected.
Nelson, justly estimating the importance of Leghorn, and over-sanguine
of the support he might hope from the inhabitants, projected a sudden
assault upon the town, by troops to be drawn from the garrisons in
Corsica, supported by seamen of the squadron. Speaking of the steady
intercourse between, that island and the mainland by way of Leghorn,
he says: "The only way is to cut at the root, for whilst Leghorn is
open, this communication must constantly be going on. This moment
brings to my eyes a body of about 200 men, with the Corsican flag
carrying before them; they are partly from Nice, and joined by
Genoese, &c., on the road. The time approaches," he rightly forecasts,
"when we shall either have to fight them in Corsica or Leghorn." The
imminence of the danger was evident. "Our affairs in Corsica are
gloomy," he had already written to the Duke of Clarence. "There is a
very strong republican party in that island, and they are well
supported from France; the first favourable moment, they will
certainly act against us."

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