1802

MRS. CODRINGTON.

39

great and abiding charm was the lofty, and at the same time, loving expression of the noble countenance. They were indeed most fitly matched. She was for many years the cherished centre of a circle bound up in her by a bond of love and veneration: and when she died, the halo of that love shone over that circle with a glow that has never been dimmed.

Blessed is her memory to all who ever had the privilege of knowing, and loving, and being loved by her.

CHAPTER III.

PRIVATE LETTERS TO MRS. CODRINGTON.

From August 8, 1805, to November 1806.

IN May, 1805, Captain Codrington was appointed to command H.M.S. 'Orion,' 74, and proceeded to the Mediterranean to take part in the service of that eventful year. This being the first time of his leaving his married home, it is here that the private correspondence begins which, in all times of absence from that dearly loved home, was his chief solace, and the great support of mind and heart under the anxiety and labour of very arduous work.

It was, I think, in 1844 that I promised my father, in accordance with his expressed wish, that I would after his death put together his papers and letters as a memoir of the services in which he had been engaged. I at once began making extracts from his private letters to my mother while on service abroad; and as the mass grew under my hand, I placed each batch of extracts before him for his approval.—In August, 1845, I wrote to him asking whether I had used the materials too freely as to the expressions of private feeling, and received his answer dated August 25th. I have entered the note in this place out of date and order, because I am anxious, before entering upon his correspondence, to show that I have not in my extracts from the private letters strained the confidence placed in me by the writer of them. These words of his are my sanction and warrant; and in addition to them the

1805

EXTRACTS FROM PRIVATE LETTERS.

41

packets of extracts are endorsed in his own handwriting— 'Read over by me, 1845. E. C.' After his death I was prepared to carry out the work thus undertaken; and should have set about it at once, had not circumstances prevented my doing so. August 25, 1845.

There is no feeling of objection whatever on my part to your extracting expressions such as you refer to: the high estimation which drew forth those expressions of affection which were due to your mother when living, are equally due to her memory now, as evidence of that conduct on her part which so justly and so naturally excited them: and I am as fully alive to them now as I was when my pen recorded them.-E. C.

H.M.S. Orion.' Torbay, August 8, 1805.

Two nights have passed away without my writing one line to my dearest Jane in readiness for an opportunity of sending it. Neither of those two nights, however, has gone by without my wishing to pay her that little tribute of affection; but I dare not indulge it for fear of the weakness it might leave behind! Even now that we are decisively separated, I cannot detach myself from the desire of being with you in spite even of the impossibility; and so much faster do my thoughts fly than my pen moves, that I must confine myself to a bare journal, and not unman, or, rather, uncaptain myself by attempting to detail them.

August 10.

I shall be very comfortable, I doubt not, by-and-bye, respecting my cabin, my officers, and ship's company-and not less so, I trust in my ship-but I have another home to which my heart will lean, and I cannot properly enjoy the advantages I possess. I want a letter, a little short line, to say those are well who are so dear to me; and I fancy that with that comfort, now and then, I should be satisfied. Do not, however, suppose me weak and inefficient in my business; on the contrary, I never felt myself better equal to it, and everything comes to my hand as if I had not been disused to it. On the quarter-deck I am the captain: in my cabin I am the husband and the father, with a full sense of the blessing of being so.

Off Plymouth: August 16.

Yesterday we were joined by Lord Nelson; and he, I find, obtained leave to go home directly, leaving the rest of his squadron here; but we know no more than our glasses tell us, except by accidental or stolen information.

August 21.

In sight of Cape Ortegal. The 'Naiad' joined us yesterday, and told us of her having been chased by a French fleet of twenty-six sail of the line and ten frigates, the shot from one of which passed over her, and, as they made the signal for her to show her number, it is clear that they have got possession of our signal book; this, however, is of no consequence, as they do not appear to have our private signals, and the others can be all changed by one signal from the admiral. It is a noble and most animating scene, which I wish you could witness for a moment: eighteen sail of the line and but two frigates under every sail they can possibly set so as to keep together, in chase of so superior a force. The day before yesterday I was expressing my wish that the fleet might be out before we got to Ferrol, in order to have this very cruise we are now taking. Our object now is, I conclude, to look into Cadiz Bay, and from thence proceed according to further information. The Gut of Gibraltar would be a fine place for the event which I ardently hope may take place; and though the labour may be Herculean, I trust the success may be as complete as his was. 'Orion,' dear old 'Orion,' sailed yesterday I think better than anything excepting 'Revenge,' whose superiority is very conspicuous. To-day she ('Orion') is under a press of sail, from having been suffered to fall astern in the night; which my morning's lecture will, I doubt not, in future prevent. But she likes a little more wind than old Boreas chose last night to allow her; and when once a ship has dropped astern, it is very difficult for her to regain her station. The ship's company answer truly the description I had of them from the two captains who formerly commanded them; being in no sort of order whatever : they are, however, convinced of my determination to have them otherwise, and I dare say we shall make daily advances, with such a stimulus as we have before us.

1805

FLEET OFF CADIZ.

43

Lord Nelson's squadron (of which we have now eight sail with us) seems to be in very high order indeed; and although their ships do not look so handsome as objects, they look so very warlike, and show such high condition, that when once I can think 'Orion' fit to manoeuvre with them, I shall probably paint her in the same manner.

August 29.

We this day joined Admiral Collingwood, with, I believe, six or seven sail of the line, and were afterwards joined by Sir R. Bickerton, with three more, and we have since detached Admiral Louis with four sail; so that we remain about twenty-three or four to watch about thirty now in Cadiz; unless Admiral Louis is merely forming an advanced squadron, I fear it will be dull blockading work; but still it is foreign service, and more to my fancy than being off Brest.

September 4.

We have got into the clutches of another stay-on board Admiral (Collingwood), who never communicates with anybody but upon service; and so, unless Buonaparte orders his fleet out, we stand a very good chance of forgetting that anything like society is known amongst men. I could not exactly count the Cadiz fleet yesterday (when we were close enough in to see them); but I doubt not our in-shore squadron know them thoroughly. I have no idea, however, of their coming out whilst we are in readiness for them, even were they double their number. It would be very annoying to my feelings to see an inferior fleet of an enemy challenging that of the nation to which I belonged, even under the very walls of its principal harbour. The old Spanish pride, if there is any left, must be galled by it; but the French I dare say console themselves under the knowledge that our fleet is wearing itself out whilst theirs is repairing. Is Lord Nelson coming out to us again? I anxiously hope he may that I may once in my life see a commander-in-chief endeavouring to make a hard and disagreeable service as palatable to those serving under him as circumstances will admit of, and keeping up by his example that animation so necessary for such an occasion.

be;