lf the direction of
affairs: but Nelson, endeavouring to raise himself from his bed, replied
that he would command while he lived, and gave imperative orders to
anchor. It is supposed that he meant, in case of his surviving until all
resistance was over, he would anchor the ships and prizes, as the surest
means of saving them, should a gale of wind arise. Soon after this
the hero's gallant spirit fled: his last words, thrice repeated, were,
"Thank God, I have done my duty." The victory was complete; and Admiral
Collingwood, who now succeeded to the command of the fleet, and who had
largely contributed to gain the battle, distinguished himself no less
by his skill after it was gained, than by his undaunted bravery in the
action. The number of ships captured was nineteen; and Villeneuve and
two Spanish admirals fell into the hands of the British. One French ship
blew up after her surrender, two hundred of the crew of which were saved
by our tenders. The total number of prisoners taken amounted to nearly
12,000 men; the total British loss was 1,587, including many officers
and the gallant Nelson. Out of eighteen sail of the line the French
only preserved nine; and out of fifteen sail of the line the Spaniards
preserved only six. Most of the captured vessels, however, were
subsequently lost at sea through stress of weather; four only were saved
and carried to Gibraltar. "Our own infirm ships," says Collingwood,
"could scarce keep off the shore: the prizes were left to their fate;
and as they were driven very near the port, I ordered them to be
destroyed, that there might be no risk of their again falling into the
hands of the enemy." Thus ended the greatest naval victory recorded in
history, whether in ancient or modern times. By it England was rescued
from all chances of invasion, and left sole mistress of the seas. And
the moral effect of the victory was as great as the physical one; the
marine force of Napoleon might be said to be annihilated. It was, in
fact, a glorious set off to his successes on the continent; and deep
must have been his chagrin on hearing the news. In England the joy was
great, and was only damped by the consideration that posthumous honours
alone could be awarded to him who was instrumental in gaining the
victory. These honours were with gratitude heaped on his memory. His
brother was made an earl, with a grant of L6000 per annum; L10,000
were voted to each of his sisters; and L100,000 for the purchas