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Analysis and discussion of this paper 126 St. Vincent's sagacious views on national defence 131 Apparent divergence between him and Nelson 131 Nelson hoists his flag again 133 His tact and courtesy towards others 134 Activity of his movements 135 Satisfied that there can be no invasion 136 Boat attack upon the vessels before Boulogne 137 Its disastrous failure 138 Nelson's distress 138 His exasperation at being kept afloat 138 His alienation from Troubridge 140 Annoyances of his situation 142 Death of Commander Parker.—Nelson's grief 143 His liberality in money matters 143 Pecuniary embarrassments 144 Signature of the preliminaries of peace 144 Nelson's satisfaction at the prospect of release 144 His indignation at the excessive elation of others 144 Receives leave of absence and goes home 145   CHAPTER XVIII.   RELEASE FROM ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE PEACE OF AMIENS.—HOME LIFE AT MERTON.—PUBLIC INCIDENTS.   OCTOBER, 1801—MAY, 1803.   Nelson makes his home with the Hamiltons 146 His letter of final severance to his wife 146 His relations to his stepson, Josiah Nisbet 147 Desire to have a home of his own 149 Lady Hamilton selects Merton for him 150 The purchase effected, and the Hamiltons reside with him 150 Position of Sir William and of Lady Hamilton in the house 151 Differences between them 152 Minto's account of the household at Merton 154 Reminiscence of the same by Nelson's nephew 155 Incident narrated by Lieutenant Layman 157 Recollections of Nelson by the vicar's daughter 159 Nelson's strong religious sense of Divine Providence 159 Takes his place in the House of Lords 160 His controversy about rewards for the Battle of Copenhagen 161 His action justified 165 Nelson's warm and avowed sympathy with his followers 165 His consistent maintenance of the ground assumed 166 His interest in public questions 168 Dissatisfaction with the general conduct of the Admiralty 169 His sense of neglect 170 Embarrassment in money matters 171 Inadequacy of his pension to his services 171 His doubts as to the continuance of peace 172 His antagonism to Bonaparte illustrated 172 Speech in seconding the address to the throne 173 Designated for the Mediterranean in case of war 174 Volunteers his services 174 Hoists his flag in the "Victory," and sails 175 Breaks in his home-ties during this period 176 Death of his father 176 Death of Sir William Hamilton 177 Hamilton's expressed confidence in Nelson 178 Relations of Nelson's family to Lady Nelson and to Lady Hamilton 178   CHAPTER XIX.   COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.—THE LONG WATCH OFF TOULON.—OCCUPATIONS OF A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.   MAY, 1803—JANUARY, 1805.   Changed political conditions in the Mediterranean 179 Attitude of the Great Powers 180 Situation of Spain and Portugal 181 Policy of the Italian States 181 Nelson's sense of the importance of the Mediterranean 182 Bonaparte's policy 184 The course advocated by Nelson 185 Accuracy of his general forecast 187 Impatience to reach his station 188 Unwilling detention off Ushant 188 Quits the "Victory," and proceeds in a frigate 189 Momentary stop in Gibraltar 189 Arrival at Malta 190 Extensive correspondence 190 Policy as regards the Two Sicilies 191 His impatience with blind observance of orders