THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN. 75 



heads. The following is a list of presents bestowed on him for his services in the Mediterra- 

 nean between October, 1798, and October, 1799 : 



From his king and country, a peerage of Great Britain and gold medal. 



From Parliament, for his own life and two next heirs, per annum, 2,000. 



From the Parliament of Ireland, per annum, 1,000. 



From the East India Company, 10,000. 



From the Turkey Company, a piece of plate of great value ; from the City of London, a magnificent sword. 



From the Grand Signer, a diamond aigrette and rich pelisse, valued at 3,000. 



From the Grand Signer's mother, a rose set with diamonds, valued at 1,000. 



From the Emperor of Russia, a hox set with diamonds, valued at 2,500. 



From the King of the Two Sicilies, a sword richly ornamented with diamonds, valued at 5,000. 



From the King of Sardinia, a hox set with diamonds, valued at 1,200. 



In addition to these, all accompanied by complimentary addresses or letters, he received 

 presents from the Island of Zante, the city of Palermo, and private individuals. Had he not 

 attained a " Gazette of his own ? " 



The battle of Copenhagen made Nelson's talents, in some respects, even more conspicuous. 

 The Danes were admirably prepared for defence. Upwards of a hundred pieces of cannon 

 were mounted on the Crown Batteries at the entrance of the harbour, while a line of twenty-five 

 two-deckers, frigates, and floating batteries were moored across its mouth. A Dane who came 

 on board during the ineffectual negotiations which preceded hostilities, having occasion to 

 express his proposals in writing, found the pen thick and blunt, and holding it up, sarcastically 

 said, " If your guns are not better pointed than your pens, you will make little impression on 

 Copenhagen." Nelson himself said that of all the engagements in which he had borne a part, 

 this was the most terrible. He had with him twelve ships of the line, besides frigates and 

 smaller craft, the remainder of the fleet being with Sir Hyde Parker, the Commander-in-chief, 

 four miles off. Three of his squadron grounded, and, owing to the fears of the masters and 

 pilots, the anchors were let go nearly a cable's length from the enemy, whereas, had they 

 proceeded a little further, they would have reached deeper water, and the victory would have 

 been effected in half the time. The fight, which commenced at ten o'clock in the morning, was 

 by no means decided at one in the afternoon, when Sir Hyde Parker signalled for the 

 action to cease. It was reported to Nelson, who took no notice of it. The signal-lieutenant 

 meeting him at the next turn, asked him if he should repeat it. "No," answered Nelson, 

 " acknowledge it." Shortly afterwards he called after him to know if the signal for close 

 action was still hoisted, and being answered in the affirmative, said, "Mind you keep it so." 

 He now rapidly paced the deck, moving the stump of his right arm in a manner which always 

 denoted great agitation; for the Commander-in-chief still signalled "leave off action." At 

 last, turning to the captain, he said, " You know, Foley, I've only one eye, and I have a 

 right to be blind sometimes," and he ordered his signal for closer battle to be nailed to the mast. 

 Admiral Graves disobeyed the Commander-in-chief in similar manner, but the squadron of 

 frigates moved off. About two o'clock great part of the Danish line had ceased to fire, some 

 of their lighter ships were adrift, and some had struck. It was, however, difficult to take 

 possession of them, as they were protected by the batteries of an island, and they them- 

 selves fired on the English boats as they approached. This irritated Nelson : " We must 

 either/' he said, " send on shore and stop these irregular proceedings, or send in fire-slp'ps 



