Admiral Hotham commended him for what he had done; and the attention of government was awakened to the injury which the cause of the allies continually suffered from the frauds of neutral vessels.

"What changes in my life of activity!" said the indefatigable man.

"Here I am, having commenced a co-operation with an old Austrian general, almost fancying myself charging at the head of a troop of horse! I do not write less than from ten to twenty letters every day; which, with the Austrian general and aides-de-camp, and my own little squadron, fully employ my time.

This I like; active service or none." It was Nelson's mind which supported his feeble body through these exertions.

He was at this time almost blind, and wrote with very great pain.