d it is revolting to see a man like
Nelson, naturally high-toned and always liberal, forced to the
undignified position of urging--and in vain--for the equal
remuneration that should have been granted spontaneously long before.

In his criticisms of the Admiralty's general course, it does not
appear whether Nelson, who was hereafter to be the greatest sufferer
from St. Vincent's excessive economies, realized as yet the particular
injury being done by them to the material of the Navy. In his passion
for reform, the veteran seaman obstinately shut his eyes to the
threatening condition of the political atmosphere, and refused to
recognize the imminent danger of a renewal of the war, because it
necessarily would postpone his projected innovations. Assuming the
continuance of peace with all the violence of a prejudice, he
permitted the strength and resources of the Navy to deteriorate
rapidly, both by direct action and by omission to act. "Lord St.
Vincent," wrote Minto in November, 1802, "is more violent than anybody
against the war, and has declared that he will resign if ministers
dare go to war. His principal reason is, I believe, that the ships are
so much out of repair as to be unfit for service." "Lord Nelson," he
says at the same period, "has been with me a long time to-day. He
seems much of my mind on material points, but especially on the
necessity of being better prepared than we now are." The admiral's own
letters at this time make little allusion to the measures, or the
neglects, which were rapidly undermining the efficiency of the fleet;
but a year after leaving England he wrote, "With all my personal
regard for Lord St. Vincent, I am sorry to see that he has been led
astray by the opinion of ignorant people. There is scarcely a thing he
has done since he has been at the Admiralty that I have not heard him
reprobate before he came to the Board."

Much as he enjoyed his home and desired peace, Nelson had never felt
assured of its continuance. Like Great Britain herself during this
repose, he rested with his arms at his side, ready for a call. The
Prime Minister, Addington, has transmitted a curious story of the
manner in which he exemplified his ideas of the proper mode of
negotiating with Bonaparte. "It matters not at all," he said, taking
up a poker, "in what way I lay this poker on the floor. But if
Bonaparte should say it _must_ be placed in this direction," suiting
the action to the word, "we must instant