Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/168

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156
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

of England to the Baltic, there can be no doubt that those ships which unfortunately took the ground would have reached the several stations assigned to them, and thus been spared the mortification of remaining exposed to the fire from the Crown-batteries, without being able to render that effectual support to their companions which they wished.

On the 4th of April Lord Nelson landed at Copenhagen, accompanied by Captains Freemantle and Hardy, and received all possible attention from the Crown Prince. A strong guard secured his Lordship’s safety, and appeared necessary to keep off the mob, whose rage, although mixed with admiration at his thus trusting himself amongst them, was naturally to be expected. The events of the 2d, had plunged the whole town into a state of terror, astonishment, and mourning: the oldest inhabitant had never before seen a shot fired in anger at his native country. The battle of that day, and the return of the wounded to the care of their friends on the 3d, were certainly not events that could induce the Danish nation to receive their conqueror with much cordiality. It perhaps savoured of rashness in Lord Nelson thus early to risk himself amongst them; but with him his country’s cause was paramount to all personal consideration.

Sir Hyde Parker, having left those ships which were the most disabled in the late conflict, under the care of Lord Nelson, whose flag was again flying on board the St. George, proceeded with the rest of his fleet up the Baltic, for the purpose of chastising the Russians and Swedes. The sudden death of the Emperor Paul, however, which was immediately followed by pacific overtures from his successor, the present Czar, prevented the farther effusion of blood; and early in the month of May, Sir Hyde resigned the command to Nelson, who subsequently visited Revel and Rostock, at which latter place he received a visit from the Duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, brother to the consort of his late Majesty. The bad state of his Lordship’s health, however, compelled him to apply for leave to return to England; and, about the middle of June, he was succeeded in the command of the Baltic fleet by his worthy friend Sir C. M. Pole, who remained on that station till the latter end of July; when, there being no longer