which he has already been mentioned. As
usual in the case of a wreck, a court-martial was held. This censured
the captain, much to Nelson's vexation; the more so because, at his
request, Layman had not produced before the court certain orders for
the night given by him, the proved neglect of which would have brought
a very heavy punishment upon the officer of the watch. In weighing the
admiral's words, therefore, allowance may be made for a sense of
personal responsibility for the finding of the court; but the letter,
which was addressed to the First Lord, contains expressions that are
most worthy of attention, not only because illustrative of Nelson's
temperament and mode of thought, but also for a point of view too
rarely taken in the modern practice, which has grown up in peace.

MY DEAR LORD,--Give me leave to recommend Captain Layman to your
kind protection; for, notwithstanding the Court Martial has
thought him deserving of censure for his running in with the
land, yet, my Lord, allow me to say, that Captain Layman's
misfortune was, perhaps, conceiving other people's abilities
were equal to his own, which, indeed, very few people's are.

I own myself one of those who do not fear the shore, for hardly
any great things are done in a small ship by a man that is;
therefore, I make very great allowances for him. Indeed, his
station was intended never to be from the shore in the straits:
and if he did not every day risk his sloop, he would he useless
upon that station. Captain Layman has served with me in three
ships, and I am well acquainted with his bravery, zeal,
judgment, and activity; _nor do I regret the loss of the Raven
compared to the value of Captain Layman's services, which are a
national loss_.[89]

You must, my dear Lord, forgive the warmth which I express for
Captain Layman; but he is in adversity, and, therefore, has the
more claim to my attention and regard. If I had been censured
every time I have run my ship, or fleets under my command, into
great danger, I should long ago have been _out_ of the Service,
and never _in_ the House of Peers.

I am, my dear Lord, most faithfully, your obedient servant,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

It is something to meet with the clear recognition that a man may be
of more value than a ship. As Clarendon said, it is not all of an
officer's duty to bring his ship safe home again.