Horatio Nelson Nelson

During the short period of the Peace of Amiens (1802-3), Nel son, in company with Sir William and Lady Hamilton, lived at his house and estate that he had purchased at Merton in Surrey. Here he passed his days in quiet country pursuits, and his happi ness was added to by a reconciliation with his father who had at first found it impossible to overlook his son's association with Lady Hamilton. This, probably the happiest period of his life, was all too short. War reopened in May, and Nelson was at once selected for the Mediterranean Command.

The Mediterranean Command, 1803.

He arrived off Tou lon in July 5803, and instituted a strict blockade of that port. The French under Latouche-Treville continually tried to lure him into indecisive actions in which, by damaging some of his ships, they might force him to withdraw, but Nelson consistently refused such offers and the French Admiral, writing to Napoleon, stated that he had offered battle but the English had withdrawn. Nelson declared that if he captured Treville he would make him eat the letter, but he never had the chance to fulfil his boast, even figuratively, for Treville died and was succeeded by Villeneuve.

In the spring of 1805 the French eluded the blockade and made for the West Indies. This move was part of a large scheme di rected towards the invasion of England and its details are too numerous for discussion. The series of naval movements arising from it are known as the Trafalgar Campaign, and the whole matter will be found fully dealt with under the title NAPOLEONIC WARS. Nelson, after searching the Mediterranean, decided, more by intuition than anything else, that Villeneuve had gone to the West Indies, and thither he followed him. On hearing of his enemy's arrival, Villeneuve returned precipitately to Europe. again pursued by Nelson, and got into Ferrol and then into Cadiz where he was blockaded by Collingwood, Nelson having mean while gone home on leave to enjoy again the rural delights of Merton. His enjoyment was indeed brief. No sooner had the news reached England that the allied fleet was in Cadiz than, with the approval and encouragement of Lady Hamilton, he offered his services, "to give M. Villeneuve a drubbing." They were immediately accepted, and he left Merton for the last time Zealand Company in 1842.