Collingwood-A friend in need, is a friend indeed."

On the promotion of officers in 1799 captain Collingwood was raised to the rank of rear-admiral of the White, and was employed in the channel-fleet, but had no further opportunity of distinguishing himself during the remainder of the war. In the interval of the peace of Amiens, admiral Collingwood passed a year in the bosom of his family, on the recommencement of hostilities in 1803 resumed his station in the channel-fleet, and was for some time employed in the blockade of Brest. From this station he was called in May, 1805, to a more active service, having been detached with a reinforcement to the blockading fleet at Ferrol and Cadiz. In the immortal action of which I have just recorded the particulars, it fell to the lot of admiral Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign, to lead his own column into action, and first to break through the enemy's line; which he performed in a style commanding the admiration of both fleets, and drew from lord Nelson this warm and honorable testimony to the skill and bravery of the partner of his glory, "Look at that noble fellow! Observe the style in which he carries his ship into action." At this glorious moment admiral Collingwood with equal justice to the skill and valor of his friend, was enjoying the proud honor of his situation, and saying to those about him, "What would Nelson give to be in our situation?" On the death of lord Nelson the command of his conquering fleet and the completion of the victory devolved on admiral Collingwood, who, as he had often done in the early part of his life, now succeeded to the rank and appointment of his friend.

His exertions immediately subsequent to the battle of Trafalgar, though little calculated to display the prowess and intrepidity of the accomplished seamen, were highly creditable to his talents, his prudence, and his tactical experience. On the 22nd the weather was still unfavorable, but on the following day the gale increased and the sea ran so high that many of the captured ships drifted on shore. Towards the afternoon, ten sail of the combined fleet, which

had not been much engaged, pushed out from Cadiz, in hopes of attacking with advantage, the damaged and scattered English ships. In this attempt however they were completely frustrated by the determined countenance of admiral Collingwood, who collecting the least injured of his fleet, not only protected his own disabled vessels but took possession of one (the El Rayo) belonging to the enemy. Admiral Gravina's own slip, the Prince of Asturias, being dismasted by the violence of the galė, he returned with his squadron to Cadiz. On the 24th and 25th the storm so much increased that orders were issued for the captured French and Spanish ships to be destroyed. Five of these vessels were sunk or burnt by the victors among which was the Santissima Trinidada of 140 guns, nine were entirely wrecked on different parts of the coast by the violence of the storm, many with their whole crews on board. L'Achille, a French 74, blew up during the action, and four by the almost incredible efforts of the British officers and seamen were carried into Gibraltar. The Santa Anne and nine more of the enemy's vessels escaped into Cadiz in a battered condition, and out of that number five had struck, but were abandoned by the English, in consequence of the violence of the gale.

In return for his important services, on the 9th of November, 1805, admiral Collingwood was created a peer of the realm, by the title of baron Collingwood of Caldburne and Hethpoole, in the county of Northumberland; and the two houses of parliament in addition to their vote of thanks, concurred in the grant of £2000 a year for his own life, £1000 of which descended to his lady, and £500 per annum to each of his two daughters. The corporation of London, the patriotic fund, and other public bodies voted him honorary rewards.

At the close of the battle of Trafalgar, the French admiral Dumanoir with four sail of the line escaped to the southward. Their respite however from sharing the fate of their companions was of short. duration. On the night of the 2nd of November cruizing off Ferrol with four ships of the

line and three frigates, rear admiral sir Richard Strachan fell in with the fugitives and pursued them all night, and during the whole of the next day. Early in the morning of the 4th, the Santa Margarita and Phoenix frigates, which had outsailed the ships of the line, gallantly commenced the action by firing upon the enemy's rear, and considerably retarded their flight. The action soon after became close and general, and continued nearly three hours and a half, the enemy fighting with the greatest resolution and obstinacy, when their four ships struck, after being rendered quite unmanageable. They proved to be the Formidable of 80 guns, captain Dumanoir, and the Duguai Truin, Mont Blanc, and Scipion, of 74 guns each. The loss of the French was severe their admiral was wounded, and one of their captains killed the loss on board the English ships was comparatively trifling. By this exploit of sir Richard Strachan, the last remnants of the French and Spanish combined fleets, amounting to 35 vessels of the line, were brought into an English port; and of the whole of that formidable armament only three disabled ships remained to the enemy. A result so glorious to the skill, the courage, and the perseverance of our officers and seamen, contributed in a material degree to sooth the mortification and alleviate the depression excited by the contemplation of foreign affairs, and tended to counterbalance the effects of the mighty victories and splendid successes of the French on the continent of Europe. It was even hoped that 1805. the conduct of Prussia might cooperate with the glorious intelligence of the battle of Trafalgar, to reanimate the exertions of the minor powers, and give stability and effect to the measures adopted by the emperor of Russia.

The ministers of Austria, Russia, and England, at the court of Berlin, were not slow in representing the danger to what remained independent in Europe from the restless spirit of encroachinent, by which the ruler of the French nation was constantly actuated, or to amplify the probabilities there existed of entire success,

should Prussia join her arms to those of the new confederacy. In vain, however was every art of persuasion to move the cold and selfish councils of the court of Berlin, to take any part but that of putting the troops upon a war establishment, filling the magazines, and providing the different corps with camp-equipage; thus maintaining a neutrality indeed, but an armed and a suspicious one, ready to act on either side, as interest and opportunity should suggest. When hostilities were inevitable, and the Austrian and Russian forces had begun to move, the emperor Alexander made an effort, in person, to prevail upon the king to adopt a more generous aud noble, and, perhaps, a wiser part; but, although the former was received at Berlin with every demonstration of personal respect and esteem, and with a splendor and consideration worthy of his exalted rank and character, the imperial guest was equally unsuccessful with the ministers of the allied powers, and he was obliged rapidly to return, baffled and disappointed, to place himself at the head of his armies, then advancing in aid of Austria.

But in the course of the campaign, an event occurred, which, had it produced those consequences which Europe had a right to expect, would have materially altered the face of affairs, and most probably have determined the war to a far different issue. I have already alluded to the direct violation of the Prussian neutrality, by a French corps, which marched through the Prussian territory of Anspach, from Wurtzburgh to the Danube. This step was totally unexpected by the Austrian commander-inchief, who, conceiving that the force in question was destined for Bohemia, took his measures accordingly. Nor indeed was it to be supposed that at such a juneture, Buonaparte would run the risk of provoking the king of Prussia to hostilities, by an insult so pointed and glaring, as the infraction of one of the first laws of neutrality. This portion of country, however, which had devolved to the Prussian crown, by the act of the last margrave, was interposed between Wurtzburgh and

The surprise and indignation of all ranks of people throughout the Prussian dominions, at this bold and unprecedented step, was extreme, and vengeance for the insult was demanded from every quarter. The hopes of the allies were revived, and fresh solicitations were poured in upon the king, to declare himself a party in the war and thus avenge himself for so gross an injury. The British government lost no time in despatching lord Harrowby to the court of Berlin, on a special mission, to negotiate a treaty, and offer subsidies in case of co-operation. And even the government of Prussia itself seemed roused by this flagrant breach of public law, to some sense of its dignity and its wrongs. Immediate preparations were made for hostilities, the garrisons of Berlin and Potzdam were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to take the field, and the regular troops were ordered to the

VOL. I.

frontiers. Scarcely however, had these demonstrations of energy been made, before the capture of Ulm, and the discomfiture of Mack, disposed the Prussian monarch to pass over the affront received; count Haugwitz, the strenuous advocate of France, was despatched to treat with Buonaparte at his head-quarters; and an accommodation was immediately effected.

The intervention of the Russian emperor in the cause of the degraded and insulted states of Europe originated in the purest and most disinterested motives, and his subsequent conduct was distinguished by every quality of the head and heart. Having superintended the arrangements and preparations necessary for sending three great armies into the field, he proceeded on the 26th of October to Berlin, where he gained all hearts by his affable and engaging inanners. On the fatal day of the battle of the three emperors, on the plains of Moravia, he evinced the greatest personal courage and magnanimity. When the fortune of the day became decidedly adverse to the allies, he charged the enemy three times successively at the head of his guards, and by his gallantry not only secured the retreat of the remander of the army, which would otherwise have been cut to pieces, but rescued and carried off the whole of the Russian artik lery, previously captured by the French.

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