[47] Seeing that, had Howe sunk the grain convoy and then been totally destroyed himself, the Revolution would still have come to nothing from starvation, this French view of the matter is intelligible enough and also very reasonable. [48] It was in connection with this engagement that Nelson wrote, “Had I commanded our fleet on the 14th, either the whole of the French fleet would have graced my triumph, or I should have been in a confounded scrape.” Also, commenting on Hotham’s, “We must be contented, we have done very well”--“Now, had we taken ten sail and allowed the eleventh to escape, when it had been possible to have got at her, I could never have called it well done.” [49] _Nelson_, by J. K. Laughton. [50] _The British Tar in Fact and Fiction._ [51] The title of “delegates” seems quaintly enough to have led Parker and his friends into trouble. The men got hold of the word as “_delicates_,” and interpreted it more or less literally as a claim to superiority. [52] For a very interesting detailed account, see _Ships and Men_, by David Hannay. [53] Fincham. [54] Troude. [55] He, at the same time, sent a private message to Nelson that if he wished to continue, he was at liberty to do so. The telescope to his blind eye was merely a little jest on Nelson’s part, and in no way disobedience of orders. Parker’s whole object in making the signal to withdraw was to intimate to Nelson that if he deemed himself defeated, he (Parker) would accept responsibility. [56] Paul had just been murdered, and Alexander changed his policy. [57] Compare with the similar delay of the Spanish Armada. [58] Actually never exceeded 93,000.--_Campaign of Trafalgar._--Corbett. [59] Six was sometimes twelve, sometimes longer periods still. The most reasonable explanation is that Napoleon’s _real_ intentions were to use the army to invade England, if luck and chance threw the opportunity in his way; but otherwise to use it only as a threat. [60] It was here that he recorded in his diary that he went on shore on July 20th--the first time for close on two years! [61] His orders were to go to Brest; but having been frightened by some purely mythical news of a British fleet of twenty-five sail (sent him _via_ a neutral ship), he went to Cadiz. As, had he got to Brest, he would have found Cornwallis with thirty-five ships of the line, this piece of precaution (which incidentally led to Trafalgar) saved him for a while. [62] Rodjestvensky, seeking to inspire the Baltic fleet on its way to Tsushima, is a close modern parallel. [63] _The British Tar in Fact and Fiction_, Commander Robinson, R.N. [64] _Vide_ Anson’s boat’s crew in his trip up to Canton. Some captains spent a good deal of money in providing white shirts for their boat’s crews. Others indulged in purely fanciful attires. [65] A year or two ago a famous Royal Academy picture showed a fleet of Dreadnoughts cruising at sea with the steam trial water tanks on board!