sittart's report had then been received. It represented
the Danish government as in the highest degree hostile, and their state
of preparation as exceeding what our cabinet had supposed possible;
for Denmark had profited with all activity of the leisure which had so
impoliticly been given her. "The more I have reflected," said Nelson to
his commander, "the more I am confirmed in opinion, that not a moment
should be lost in attacking the enemy. They will every day and every
hour be stronger; we shall never be so good a match for them as at this
moment. The only consideration is, how to get at them with the least
risk to our ships. Here you are, with almost the safety, certainly with
the honour of England, more entrusted to you than ever yet fell to the
lot of any British officer. On your decision depends whether our country
shall be degraded in the eyes of Europe, or whether she shall rear her
head higher than ever. Again, I do repeat, never did our country depend
so much upon the success of any fleet as on this. How best to honour her
and abate the pride of her enemies, must be the subject of your deepest
consideration."

Supposing him to force the passage of the Sound, Nelson thought some
damage might be done among the masts and yards; though, perhaps, not one
of them but would be serviceable again. "If the wind be fair," said
he, "and you determined to attack the ships and Crown Islands, you must
expect the natural issue of such a battle--ships crippled, and perhaps
one or two lost for the wind which carries you in will most probably
not bring out a crippled ship. This mode I call taking the bull by the
horns. It, however, will not prevent the Revel ships, or the Swedes,
from joining the Danes and to prevent this is, in my humble opinion, a
measure absolutely necessary, and still to attack Copenhagen." For this
he proposed two modes. One was to pass Cronenburg, taking the risk
of danger; take the deepest and straightest channel along the middle
grounds, and then coming down to Garbar, or King's Channel, attack
the Danish line of floating batteries and ships as might be found
convenient. This would prevent a junction, and might give an opportunity
of bombarding Copenhagen. Or to take the passage of the Belt, which
might be accomplished in four or five days; and then the attack by Draco
might be made, and the junction of the Russians prevented. Supposing
them through the Belt, he proposed that a detachment of the fleet s