ly insist upon its being laid
in some other one." At the same time Bonaparte, across the Channel,
was illustrating in almost identical phrase the indomitable energy
that was common to these two men, the exponents of the two opposing
and irreconcilable tendencies of their age. "If the British ministry
should intimate that there was anything the First Consul had not done,
because he was prevented from doing it, that instant he would do it."
"You have proved yourself too true a prophet," wrote an occasional
correspondent to Nelson, "for you have said ever since the peace that
it could not be of long duration." Jar after jar, as Bonaparte drove
his triumphal chariot over the prostrate continent, announced the
instability of existing conditions; and the speech from the throne on
the 16th of November, 1802, was distinctly ominous, if vague. Nelson
then seconded the address in the House of Peers, in words so
characteristic of his own temper, and of that then prevailing in the
nation, that they serve to explain the strong accord between him and
it, and to show why he was so readily and affectionately distinguished
as its representative hero. They are thus reported:--

"I, my Lords, have in different countries, seen much of the
miseries of war. I am, therefore, in my inmost soul, a man of
peace. Yet I would not, for the sake of any peace, however
fortunate, consent to sacrifice one jot of England's honour. Our
honour is inseparably combined with our genuine interest.
Hitherto there has been nothing greater known on the Continent
than the faith, the untainted honour, the generous public
sympathies, the high diplomatic influence, the commerce, the
grandeur, the resistless power, the unconquerable valour of the
British nation. Wherever I have served in foreign countries, I
have witnessed these to be sentiments with which Britons were
regarded. The advantages of such a reputation are not to be
lightly brought into hazard. I, for one, rejoice that his
Majesty has signified his intention to pay due regard to the
connection between the interests of this country and the
preservation of the liberties of Europe. It is satisfactory to
know, that the preparations to maintain our dignity in peace,
are not to be neglected. Those supplies which his Majesty shall
for such purposes demand, his people will most earnestly grant.
The nation is satisfied that the Govern