Nelson watched it with unremitting and almost unexampled perseverance.

The station off Toulon he called his home.

"We are in the right fighting trim," said he: "let them come as soon as they please.

I never saw a fleet altogether so well officered and manned; would to God the ships were half as good! The finest ones in the service would soon be destroyed by such terrible weather.

I know well enough that if I were to go into Malta I should save the ships during this bad season; but if I am to watch the French I must be at sea; and if at sea, must have bad weather; and if the ships are not fit to stand bad weather, they are useless." Then only he was satisfied and at ease when he had the enemy in view.