sealed to Nelson by his imperfect eyesight and inadequate mastery of
other tongues. The arm-chairs, lashed together, formed at times a
couch upon which the admiral "slept those brief slumbers for which he
was remarkable;" in those moments, doubtless, when anxiety about the
enemy's movements did not permit him to go regularly to bed.

In common with all those closely associated with Nelson, Dr. Scott was
particularly struck with the kindliness and cordiality of his bearing
and actions; which is the more to be noted, because no one, probably,
had more occasion to see the movements of irritability, of impatience,
which lay very near the surface, than did his secretaries, through
whom his most vexatious work must be done. That he was vehement to
express annoyance has appeared frequently in these pages. The first
Lord Radstock, who was senior to him in the service, and knew him
well, writing to his son, then a midshipman in the "Victory," is
constant and extreme in his admiration of Nelson; but he gives the
caution to be careful of impressions made upon a chief upon whom
advancement depends. Quick in all his ways, a moment's heedlessness,
possibly misunderstood or misrepresented, may produce lasting injury.
"Lord Nelson is of so hasty a temper, that in spite of all his natural
goodness, I should fear that he would too readily give ear to those
in whom he had placed his confidence. He is a man of strong passions,
and his prejudices are proportionate." "On many occasions," says
another writer, "Lord Nelson evinced an impatience that has been
considered as irreconcileable with magnanimity; but the secret
workings of his soul have not been received into the account or
analysis of character, for we find the same individual, while employed
in watching the French fleet off Toulon, display the most unexampled
patience and forbearance, and never betray the smallest symptom of
inquietude or disappointment."[71] Murray, the Captain of the Fleet,
when first offered his appointment, had hesitated to accept. Upon
Nelson urging him, he gave as his reason that the nature of the duties
often led to disagreements between the admiral and his chief of staff,
and that he was unwilling to risk any diminution of the regard
existing between him and his Lordship; a remark true enough in the
general, but clearly of somewhat special application. Nelson assured
him that, should anything go contrary to his wishes, he would waive
his rank and explain or