ALAND THE BALTIC IN 1854. 179 



lost its inspiration : the names of the old battles 

 had still, for many, a stirring sound ; and the record 

 of the old deeds still said to many a heart, " Go 

 and do likewise." There were few who did not be- 

 lieve that the campaign would swell the old annals, 

 and add a glorious day or two to the calendar of 

 victories. 



Kioge Bay was the first rendezvous, and there the 

 rodomontade signal about sharpening cutlasses cast 

 the first shade of doubt over the general confidence. 

 It contrasted harshly with the old Nelson signal, so 

 expressive and so sublime in its simplicity, which had 

 been made so familiar to men's eyes and minds that 

 it seemed the national preparation for battle. But 

 the sight which the combined fleets of France and 

 England presented, when the ships assembled about 

 the middle of June, was one to dispel all doubt, and 

 place hope in the ascendant. Twenty-nine sail of 

 the line floated on the waters of the Baltic. Power- 

 ful steam frigates formed an advanced guard, and 

 a host of steamers went hither and thither to re- 

 connoitre, pilot, or blockade, as occasion required. 

 The gulfs were now open, reconnaissances had been 

 made along the shores, and the time for action 

 seemed near at hand. Expectation was at the high- 

 est pitch. Conjecture ranged over every possible and 

 impossible point of attack. The more ardent spirits 

 would be satisfied with nothing less than Cronstadt ; 

 others would have been content with Eevel or Bom- 



