would certainly not be led towards
the main body of the enemy. Concentration of purpose, singleness of
aim, was more than ever necessary, now that time pressed and a
decision had been reached; but the sneer of the French officer
reproduces the idle chatter of the day in London streets and
drawing-rooms. These, in turn, but echoed and swelled the murmurs of
insubordination and envy in the navy itself, at the departure from the
routine methods of officialism, by passing over the claims of
undistinguished seniors, in favor of one who as yet had nothing but
brilliant achievement, and yet more brilliant promise, to justify
committing to him the most momentous charge that in this war had
devolved on a British admiral. A letter from one of the puisne lords
of the Admiralty was read publicly on board the "Prince George,"
flagship of Sir William Parker,--the same who had the controversy with
Nelson about the Battle of St. Vincent,--denouncing Lord St. Vincent
in no very gentle terms for having sent so young a flag-officer.[61]
"Sir William Parker and Sir John Orde have written strong
remonstrances against your commanding the detached squadron instead of
them," wrote St. Vincent to Nelson. "I did all I could to prevent it,
consistently with my situation, but there is a faction, fraught with
all manner of ill-will to you, that, unfortunately for the two
Baronets, domined over any argument or influence I could use: they
will both be ordered home the moment their letters arrive." It will be
seen how much was at stake for Nelson personally in the issue of these
weeks. Happy the man who, like him, has in such a case the clear light
of duty to keep his steps from wavering!

The night after Nelson made sail for Alexandria the two hostile bodies
crossed the same tract of sea, on divergent courses; but a haze
covered the face of the deep, and hid them from each other. When the
day dawned, they were no longer within range of sight; but had the
horizon of the British fleet been enlarged by flanking frigates,
chasing on either side, the immunity of the French from detection
could scarcely have continued. For some days not a hundred miles
intervened between these two foes, proceeding for the same port. On
the 26th, being two hundred and fifty miles from Alexandria, Nelson
sent the "Mutine" ahead to communicate with the place and get
information; a single vessel being able to outstrip the progress of a
body of ships, which is bound to the spe