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Departure from Malta for Toulon 194 Emotions at the sight of Naples 194 Opinion on Malta's value to England 195 Strategic importance of Malta and Gibraltar 195 Nelson joins the fleet before Toulon 196 Bad condition of the ships 196 His skilful administration of the fleet 197 Difficulty of obtaining supplies 198 His attitude towards Spain 199 Importance of Sardinia in Nelson's eyes 200 The valuable anchorage at Madalena 201 Station taken by him off Toulon 202 Fears loss of Sardinia, and serious consequences 203 Significance of Napoleon's inactivity in the Mediterranean 204 The winter rendezvous of the fleet.—Number 97 205 Seamanlike care of ships and spars 206 Preserves health of seamen by constant activity 206 Sanitary conditions of the fleet 208 His personal health, and anxieties 209 Fears a break-down 210 Speculations as to French intentions 211 Characteristic distrust of Frenchmen 211 Increasing perplexities 212 Firmness of his resolution 213 The French manoeuvre outside Toulon 214 Nelson's tactical conclusions and arrangements 215 His care to impart his ideas to his officers 216 Methods of intercourse with them 217 Exasperation at a statement of Latouche Tréville 217 Endeavors to force or to lure the French to sea 219 Effect of worry upon his mind 221 His last promotion.—Vice-Admiral of the White 221 Wearing effect of protracted monotony 222 Refuses to let Lady Hamilton join him 223 The daily life on board 224 Account of Nelson's health and habits 225 Occupations in business hours 228 Diplomatic ability and conciliatory temper 229 Sharp reply to remonstrance about blockades 230 Difficulties with Algiers 230 Nelson's diligent pursuit of information 233 Interest in listening to conversations 233 Examination of foreign journals and captured letters 234 Kindliness in intercourse with others 236 Exercise of official patronage 239 Protection of British trade 241 Want of frigates and small cruisers 243 Collection and protection of convoys 244 Nelson applies for sick leave 245 Desire to return to the station afterwards 246 Leave is granted by the Admiralty 246 The Mediterranean Station divided 247 Sir John Orde given the portion west of Gibraltar 247 Nelson's dissatisfaction and complaints 247 His change of mind about going home 249 Learns Cornwallis's order to seize Spanish treasure-ships 251 Directs captains under his orders not to obey 251 Letter illustrative of the characteristics of his orders 252 Adequacy of his measures to the requirements of the case 254 Determines not to use his leave of absence 255 Orde arrives off Cadiz 256 Indications of the French fleet leaving Toulon 257 Nelson receives word of the seizure of Spanish ships 258 Promptness of his measures.—Reasons therefor 258 Rumors of French departure 260 Annoyances caused Nelson by Orde 261 The mission of the frigate "Amazon" 261 Nelson's hope of meeting the French fleet 263 Opinions on general subjects 263 Sympathetic insight into Bonaparte's purposes 265 The French fleet sails from Toulon 266   CHAPTER XX.   THE ESCAPE AND PURSUIT OF THE TOULON FLEET.—NELSON'S RETURN TO ENGLAND.   JANUARY-AUGUST, 1805.   Object of Napoleon's