he 19th he sailed with these three
for Naples, which he had from the first intended to visit, in order to
give them the complete overhauling they imperatively needed. On and
after the 13th of August several frigates had joined him. Three of
these, with three ships-of-the-line, were left with Captain Hood, to
conduct the blockade of Alexandria, and to suppress the enemy's
communications by water along the coasts of Egypt and Syria.

FOOTNOTES:

[60] The author is indebted to the present Lord De Saumarez for a copy of
the opinion of Sir James Saumarez, written on board the "Vanguard" at this
meeting:--

"The French fleet having left Malta six days ago, had their destination
been the Island of Sicily there is reason to presume we should have
obtained information of it yesterday off Syracuse, or the day before in
coming through the Pharo of Messina--under all circumstances I think it
most conducive to the good of His Majesty's service to make the best of our
way for Alexandria, as the only means of saving our possessions in India,
should the French armament be destined for that country.

"Vanguard, at sea, 22d June 1798. JAMES SAUMAREZ."

[61] Clarke and M'Arthur's Life of Nelson, vol. ii. p. 100.

[62] That is, counting from May 19, when Bonaparte left Toulon, to June 7,
when Troubridge's squadron joined, and pursuit began.

[63] Nelson to Lord Howe.

[64] G. Lathom Browne's Life of Nelson, p. 198.

[65] An interesting example of the illuminating effect of a sound maxim
upon different phases of a man's life and actions, and one illustrative of
the many-sidedness of this motto of Nelson's, occurs later in his career,
and not long before his death. When the frigates "Phoebe" and "Amazon" were
ordered to cruise before Toulon in October, 1804, "Lord Nelson gave
Captains Capel and Parker several injunctions, in case they should get an
opportunity of attacking two of the French frigates, which now got under
way more frequently. The principal one was, that they should not each
single out and attack an opponent, but 'that both should endeavour together
to take one frigate; if successful, chase the other; but if you do not take
the second, still you have won a victory, and your country will gain a
frigate.'" (Phillimore's Last of Nelson's Captains, p. 122.) When
summarized, this again is--Victory first; afterwards the results, as
circumstances may permit.

[66] Author's italics.

[67] Author's italics.

[68] "Rank" d