From thence, therefore, if it came forth at all, the expedition would come.

"And what a forlorn undertaking!" said he: "consider cross tides, &c.

As for rowing, that is impossible.

It Is perfectly right to be prepared for a mad government; but with the active force which has been given me, I may pronounce it almost impracticable." That force had been got together with an alacrity which has seldom been equalled.

On the 28th of July, we were, in Nelson's own words, literally at the foundation of our fabric of defence, and twelve days afterwards we were so prepared on the enemy's coast that he did not believe they could get three miles from their ports.