wards proposed to him to be second in command in the
Mediterranean; and suggested that Lord Collingwood would probably be
glad to surrender his charge to an officer who possessed the confidence
of the Admiralty; for that of late he had repeatedly expressed a desire
to be relieved from it on account of his declining health. But Sir
Edward, who was not aware of the actual condition of that distinguished
Admiral, declined the offer, for he could not be persuaded that Lord
Collingwood would resign a command which he filled so usefully and
honourably, as long as he could possibly hold it with advantage to his
country.

He did not remain long unemployed, though he never attempted to create
an interest in his favour by any indirect means. Political intrigue, he
has said, does not sit well on a sea-officer; and he would not attach
himself to the fortunes of any administration, or party. This, as it is
the most honourable, is also in the end the most successful path; but
the man who travels thus alone and unsupported, must be prepared for the
many attacks to which such a position will expose him. Some such
annoyance or interference may have prompted the following blunt avowal
of independence in a letter, of the 28th of July, 1810.

"I have no right to the favour of Mr. Percival, or any minister.--I have
never intrigued, nor ever will--and as to sneaking after such people, I
will not--and as to the command of the Channel fleet, be it Pole, or be
it Calder, I care not one straw--and whether I am on the shelf by any
new set, is equally indifferent--and for me, who am fifty-three, except
the heart-felt satisfaction of serving my country in such times, I will
never be at the trouble to write a letter to ask a favour of any
minister alive. I care not who comes in, or who goes out, and if they
send me on shore, well; and if not, it is the same."

In the spring of 1810 he hoisted his flag on board the _Christian VII_.
as commander in-chief in the North Sea. He rode at anchor with his fleet
all the summer, off the mouth of the Scheldt, just in sight of land;
while his smaller vessels were actively employed along the whole line of
coast. He frequently stood into the Scheldt in a cutter, that he might
reconnoitre the enemy's fleet in person. A gale from the eastward having
blown the fleet off the coast, it was at anchor in the Downs, when a
gun-brig arrived with intelligence that the enemy had dropped down to
the Western Scheldt, apparen