Vice-Regal Saint: The Immortal Memory of Lord Nelson
Happy Birthday to Lord Viscount Horatio Nelson, Vice Admiral of the White, England's greatest hero born 250 years ago today.
ON THE 29TH SEPTEMBER 1758, the sixth child of Reverend Edmund and Catherine Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk. This child would grow up to be the most famous hero in British naval and imperial history. 
On leaving England for the last time to take up his station as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, the most prestigious command of the Royal Navy at that time, he wrote in his private journal, 13th September 1805:
The national emergency continuing, and the Combined Fleets of France and Spain having united and taken refuge in Cadiz, I have now been prevailed upon by the Prime Minister and all the Chief Officers of the State, to take command of a special force intended for their destruction. Friday night (Sept. 13), at half-past ten, I drove from dear, dear Merton; where I left all which I hold dear in this world, to go and serve my king and country.
May the great GOD, whom I adore, enable me to fulfil the expectations of my country! and if it is His good pleasure that I should return, my thanks will never cease being offered up to the throne of His mercy. If it is His good providence to cut short my days upon earth, I bow with the greatest submission; relying that he will protect those so dear to me whom I may leave behind! His will be done. Amen! Amen! Amen!
And what today would be considered another shocking piece of religious and patriotic puffery, Lord Nelson composed his final act on paper in his nightcabin in the early morning hours before the Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805:
May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my Country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious Victory; and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it; and may humanity after Victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet. For myself, individually, I commit my life to Him who made me, and may his blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my Country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen.
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6 comments:
What a most fitting tribute.
If only he were here this day to read it.
For I cannot help but feel he would be "rather taken" by all "the religious and patriotic puffery" on this blog.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Everyone knows "Kiss me Hardy" or "Nelson confides that every man will do his duty" (changed to England expects every man to do his duty when the signalman couldn't find a signal for "confides", suggesting "expects" instead and then some brave figure recommended to Nelson that he replace his name with "England"). My favourite however, is Nelson's prophetic farewell to one of his captains as they sailed into battle: "God bless you, Blackwell. I shall never see you again."
I can not help but feel unworthy to reah his words. He puts modern men to shame.
Here's something interesting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7641143.stm
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Thank God for his heroic acts.
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