The immense consequences involved in this single event could not then be foreseen; but it none the less caused mortification and regret to Nelson.

It was a cardinal principle with him, vehemently and frequently uttered, that not a single Frenchman should be allowed to return from Egypt; and here their commander-in-chief had passed successfully from end to end of the station, unseen by any British cruiser.

He did not, however, consider himself at fault, and his judgment may be allowed, although in his own case.

"If I could have had any cruisers, as was my plan, off Cape Bon, in Africa, and between Corsica and Toulon, Mr.Buonaparte could not probably have got to France." This he said to Earl Spencer.

Elsewhere he wrote: "I have regretted sincerely the escape of Buonaparte; but those ships which were destined by me for the two places where he would certainly have been intercepted, were, from the Admiralty thinking, doubtless, that the Russians would do something at sea, obliged to be at Malta, and other services which I thought the Russian Admiral would have assisted me in--therefore, no blame lies at my door." He took some comfort in contrasting the stealthy return of the French general, with the great armada that accompanied his departure.
"No Crusader ever returned with more humility--contrast his going in L'Orient, &c.