But, though the enchanter wove his spells to rouse the demon of fear, their one effect was to bring up once more, over against him, the defiant form of his arch-subverter.

Both the Prime Minister, Addington, and the First Lord of the Admiralty assured Nelson that his presence in charge of the dispositions for defence, and that only, could quiet the public mind.

"I have seen Lord St.Vincent," he wrote the former, "and submit to your and his partiality.

Whilst my health will allow, I can only say, that every exertion of mine shall be used to merit the continuance of your esteem." St.Vincent, writing to him a fortnight later, avowed frankly the weight attached to his very name by both friend and foe.

"Our negotiation is drawing near its close, and must terminate one way or another in a few days, and, I need not add, how very important it is that the enemy should know that _you_ are constantly opposed to him." The purpose of Bonaparte in 1801 is not to be gauged by the same measure as that of 1803-1805.