proclaimed,
while a nation mourned, "His body is buried in peace, but his Name
liveth for evermore." Wars may cease, but the need for heroism shall
not depart from the earth, while man remains man and evil exists to be
redressed. Wherever danger has to be faced or duty to be done, at cost
to self, men will draw inspiration from the name and deeds of Nelson.

Happy he who lives to finish all his task. The words, "I have done my
duty," sealed the closed book of Nelson's story with a truth broader
and deeper than he himself could suspect. His duty was done, and its
fruit perfected. Other men have died in the hour of victory, but for
no other has victory so singular and so signal graced the fulfilment
and ending of a great life's work. "Finis coronat opus" has of no man
been more true than of Nelson. There were, indeed, consequences
momentous and stupendous yet to flow from the decisive supremacy of
Great Britain's sea-power, the establishment of which, beyond all
question or competition, was Nelson's great achievement; but his part
was done when Trafalgar was fought. The coincidence of his death with
the moment of completed success has impressed upon that superb battle
a stamp of finality, an immortality of fame, which even its own
grandeur scarcely could have insured. He needed, and he left, no
successor. To use again St. Vincent's words, "There is but one
Nelson."

FOOTNOTES:

[132] The name Thompson was spelled by Nelson indifferently with or without
the "p", which, as Nicolas observes, confirms the belief that it was
fictitious. The fact is singular; for, from a chance remark of his, it
appears that he meant it to be Thomson. (Morrison, Letter No. 569.)

[133] The author is indebted for this anecdote to Mr. Edgar Goble, of
Fareham, Hants, whose father, Thomas Goble, then secretary to Captain
Hardy, was present at the table.

[134] One sixty-four, the "Africa," had separated to the northward during
the night, and joined in the battle by passing alone along the enemy's
line, much of the time under fire. She belonged, therefore, to Nelson's
column, and cooperated with it during the day.

[135] Nelson in his journal wrote: "The enemy wearing _in succession_." As
the allies' order was reversed, however, it is evident that he meant merely
that the ships wore one after the other, from rear to van, but in their
respective stations, each waiting till the one astern had, to use the old
phrase, "marked her manoeuvre,"--a p