On the 16th the Active spoke a vessel from Marseilles, who reported that seven thousand troops had embarked on board the French fleet." It was in Madalena Roads that the long-expected summons came at last.
In the afternoon of January 19, 1805, blowing a heavy gale of wind from the northwest, the two lookout frigates from off Toulon came in sight, with the signal flying that the French fleet was at sea.

At 3 P.M.they anchored near the "Victory." Three hours later Nelson had left Madalena forever.
FOOTNOTES: [59] This sentence refers to the governor; not to Villettes, as the construction might indicate.
[60] Unfit for sea, and kept at Naples for political reasons.
[61] The Honourable Mr.Waldegrave, afterwards Admiral Lord Eadstock.
[62] Five French ships-of-the-line, returning from the West Indies, had taken refuge in Ferrol.
[63] Life of Rev.A.J.Scott, p.

124.
[64] Phillimore's Last of Nelson's Captains, p.122.A portion of this incident has before been quoted, in another connection (vol.i.p.

355, note).

It is repeated, because again applicable, to illustrate a different trait of Nelson's character.
[65] The letter of this gentleman, Dr.Gillespie, from which a quotation has already been made, was published in the London "Times" of October 6, 1894.
[66] This incidental remark may be noted, as bearing upon the statement, now rejected, that his orders were put on especially for battle.
[67] There is here no mention of smoking; nor has any allusion to it, or to tobacco, caught the author's eye in Nelson's letters.
[68] Dr.Beatty's Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson.