ondent, by long dwelling on his particular concern, saw its
danger and importance growing in his own eyes, and dwelt upon them
with greater emphasis in his letters. "Ball is sure they are going to
Egypt; the Turks are sure they are going to the Morea; Mr. Elliot at
Naples, to Sicily; and the King of Sardinia, to his only spot. Every
power thinks they are destined against them; but whatever the French
may intend to do," he concludes, with a quaint humor occasional with
him, "I trust, and with confidence, they are destined for _Spithead_."
He recognized, too, that Bonaparte himself was not wholly master of
his own projects when contending with such uncertain elements; and the
great master of War, in this instance as in many others, had placed
his force so centrally, in the heel of Italy, that he threatened with
equal facility in two opposite directions, to his own advantage and
his enemies' perplexity. "Circumstances may even make it necessary to
alter its destination by Buonaparte; Egypt or Ireland, and I rather
lean to the latter destination." Anything, indeed, is possible; for,
as winter approaches, "we can be sure of nothing in so short a
run,"--as to Sardinia or Sicily.

For a little while during February, 1804, he was further stirred up by
reports that the French were about to concentrate their naval forces,
from Brest and Ferrol, in the Mediterranean; and this he was inclined
to believe, unfavorable as the season would be for maritime operations
in that stormy sea, with the inexperienced crews of the enemy. In the
summer his conviction of the importance of the Mediterranean had fully
prepared him for such an attempt. "Naples, the Morea, and ultimately
Egypt, are in Buonaparte's view," he had then written. "With this
idea, I fully expect that the French fleet from Brest will assuredly
come into the Mediterranean, to protect this army across the water. I
shall try and fight one party or the other, before they form a
junction." "Much may be done before British reinforcements arrive," he
reminded St. Vincent. "Your Lordship knows what Admiral Bruix might
have done, had he done his duty, and they may buy their experience."
Now he says to Ball, "The Admiralty tells me nothing, they know
nothing; but my private letters say, that the Brest squadron, as well
as Ferrol,[62] is bound here--if so, we shall have work enough upon
our hands." Thirty thousand troops, also, were ready to embark in
Marseilles and Nice. The conclusio