Rightly judging that to be the quarter calling for the naval commander-in-chief, he was anxious to get away.

On the 24th of February he issued an order to Nelson to take charge of the blockade, and "to adopt and prosecute the necessary measures for contributing to the complete reduction of Malta." Short of the chief command, which he coveted and grudged, Nelson himself could not have contrived a position better fitted to crown his work in the Mediterranean.

Within the harbor of La Valetta, concentrating there the two objects that yet remained to be attained,--- Valetta itself being one,--was the "Guillaume Tell," the thirteenth ship, which alone was lacking now to complete the tale of the trophies of the Nile.

Yet the fair prospect of success, inevitable since the capture of the "Genereux" had destroyed the French hopes of relief, brought to Nelson nothing but dismay.

"My Lord," he replied the same day, "my state of health is such, that it is impossible I can much longer remain here.