ed, would both cut them off, and rescue any of their own fleet
that might have been overpowered. Bickerton's orders were to remain
due south from Port Cros, one of the Hyeres, at a distance such that,
with the upper canvas furled, his ships could not be seen from the
islands, but could keep the main division in sight from their
mastheads. In all cases of anticipated battle, Nelson not only took
his measures thus thoughtfully, but was careful to put his
subordinates in possession both of his general plans, and, as far as
possible, of the underlying ideas. Thus, in a memorandum issued about
this time to the captains, he says: "As it is my determination to
attack the French fleet in any place where there is a reasonable
prospect of getting fairly alongside of them, I recommend that every
captain will make himself, by inquiries, as fully acquainted as
possible with the following places, viz., Hieres Bay, [with its three
entrances], Gourjean Bay, (of which I send a chart from the latest
surveys made,) Port Especia, and, in particular the northern Passage
into Leghorn Roads, from which side it is only, in my opinion,
possible to attack an enemy's fleet to advantage; and with the Gulf of
Ajaccio." To these instructions he adds some details of practical
preparation for anchoring under fire, and the reasons therefor. In the
same spirit, when expecting the Brest fleet in the Mediterranean, he
says: "I am perfectly prepared how to act with either a superior or an
inferior force. My mind is firm as a rock, and my plans for every
event fixed in my mind." No man ever was served better than Nelson by
the inspiration of the moment; no man ever counted on it less.

In communicating his ideas to his subordinates Nelson did not confine
himself to official intercourse; on the contrary, his natural
disposition impelled him rather to familiar conversation with them on
service subjects. "Even for debating the most important naval
business," we learn through his confidential secretary at this period,
"he preferred a turn on the quarter-deck with his captains, whom he
led by his own frankness to express themselves freely, to all the
stiffness and formality of a council of war."[63] An interesting
instance of these occasional counsels has been transmitted to us by
one of his captains, then little more than a youth, but the last to
survive of those who commanded ships under him. "Throughout the month
of October, 1804, Toulon was frequently reconn