noticed that self-reliance, never in any
man more justified, has tended to degenerate into boastfulness, and
restlessness under displeasing orders to become suspicion of the
motives prompting them. "They all hate me and treat me ill," he says,
speaking of Spencer's and St. Vincent's administrations. "I cannot, my
dear friend, recall to mind any one real act of kindness, but all of
unkindness." It must, of course, be remembered that, while such
expressions portray faithfully the working of the inner spirit, and
serve, by contrast, to measure the Nelson of 1801 against the Nelson
of 1796, they were addressed to the most intimate of friends, and do
not necessarily imply a corresponding bearing before the eyes of the
world.

An amusing story is told of a shrewd stratagem resorted to by Nelson,
on the passage to the Baltic, to thaw the barrier of frigidity in his
superior, which not only was unpleasant to him personally, as well as
injurious to the interests of the state, but threatened also to
prevent his due share in the planning and execution of the enterprise
in hand, thus diminishing the glory he ever coveted. The narrator,
Lieutenant Layman, was serving on board the "St. George," and happened
to mention, in Nelson's presence, that some years before he had seen
caught a very fine turbot on the Dogger Bank, over which the fleet
must pass on its way.

"This being a mere casual remark, nothing more would have been
thought of it, had not Nelson, after showing great anxiety in his
inquiries when they should be on the Dogger Bank, significantly said
to Mr. Layman, 'Do you think we could catch a turbot?' After a try or
two, a small turbot was caught. Lord Nelson appeared delighted, and
called out, 'Send it to Sir Hyde.' Something being said about the risk
of sending a boat, from the great sea, lowering weather, and its being
dark, his Lordship said with much meaning, 'I know the Chief is fond
of good living, and he shall have the turbot.' That his Lordship was
right appeared by the result, as the boat returned with a note of
compliment and thanks from Parker. The turbot having opened a
communication, the effect was wonderful. At Merton Mr. Layman told
Lord Nelson that a man eminent in the naval profession had said to
him, 'Do tell me how Parker came to take the laurel from his own brow,
and place it on Nelson's?' 'What did you say?' asked Nelson. 'That it
was not a gift,' replied Layman, 'as your Lordship had gained the
vic