JET. 28.] MISSION TO PORTUGAL. 343 



have had the appearance of being less harsh, and 

 might also have kept the fire of discontent alive for a 

 length of time, caused great injury to the service, and 

 led to loss of life both in quelling the mutiny and in 

 the punishments necessary to be inflicted upon its 

 ringleaders. 



One of the most remarkable instances of his prompt 

 decision, as well as his ignorance of the word " im- 

 possible," was that which really gained the battle of 

 St Vincent, and had all the important effects of both 

 quelling the mutiny and relieving us from the appre- 

 hension of invasion. Intelligence was brought over- 

 land to Lisbon, where he lay with his fleet, that from 

 clear indication the Spanish fleet was immediately to 

 sail. He ordered his fleet to be instantly got ready; 

 and when his captains who were assembled said that 

 under five or six days this could not be done, he said 

 it must be done in six hours, and he would not hear 

 of a moment longer. They were in great consterna- 

 tion, but they knew their man, and that the fleet must 

 put to sea in the time specified. It did so ; and the 

 victory was gained with less than half the enemy's 

 force. A day or two later and the Spanish fleet 

 would have escaped them, raised the blockade of 

 Brest, swept the Channel, and led to the invasion of 

 Ireland. This was the plan which Napoleon after- 

 wards complained of Villeneuve for having failed in 

 enabling him to execute, when he drew off the army 

 of England (as he called it) to gain the victory at 

 Ulm. 



