Such was the statement of the London Gazette, of the 27th Nov. 1805;
but in a subsequent number this was noticed as an error, there being, in
fact, _but nineteen_ sail of the line taken or utterly destroyed. I have
been assured by a gentleman who was at that period in Germany, that this
instance of the scrupulous veracity of the British government produced
an effect little less favourable to the British character than the news
of the victory itself.
I hope, however, that I may be forgiven for adhering to the first
report, particularly as these lines were written on the day I first
heard of the battle, and before the corrected statement came to my
knowledge.
It was a striking proof of Lord Nelson’s almost miraculous sagacity,
that just at the commencement of the action, he expressed his opinion
that twenty sail of the enemy would be taken.
St. XVI.
_Haul not your colour from on high,_
_Nor down the flags of victory lower:--_
_Give every streamer to the sky,_
_Let all your conquering cannon roar._
‘If any flag-officer shall die in actual service, his flag shall be
lowered half-mast, and shall continue so till he is buried; and at his
funeral the commanding officer present shall direct such a number of
minute-guns, not exceeding twenty-five, as he may think proper, to be
fired by every ship.’
_Naval Instructions, chap. 2, sec. 26._
These lines were written before the intentions of government as to the
hero’s funeral were known, or probably had been fixed; but I could not
refrain from expressing my hope that the usual cold and penurious
ceremonies should not disgrace an occasion so infinitely removed from,
and above all precedent; or that the grief of the navy and the nation
should be directed by chapter and section, and attested by twenty-five
minute-guns, and _no more_! After all, the funeral did no great credit
to our national taste; and I could wish, that the only memorial of it
which remains, I mean the pitiful and trumpery car on which the body was
carried, were returned from the Painted Hall at Greenwich, which it
disgraces, to the repository of the undertaker who built it. Shabby and
tasteless as it originally was, it is now much worse; for whatever was
costly about it has been removed, (particularly the plumes,) and cheap
_second hand_ finery substituted instead. To this almost incredible
meanness is added that of shewing this wretched vamped-up vehicle to the
visitors at Greenwich at _threepence_ each!!!
_IV.--SONG OF TRAFALGAR.--Page 79._