Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Life Of The Right Honourable Baron Nelson Of The Nile, &C.
of siege , and the . conduct , of military enterprize , so that I feel myself fully warranted to declare Lord Nelson as ready and wise in the science of political knowledge , as he is brave and expert in the coiiduft of naval exploits . ' His private virtues are no less splendid than his professional aftions . The qualities of his heart are in unison with those of his head .- We will join one instance or two , byway of proof of what we assert ; for
we are not inclined to sacrifice truth to flattery , nor to become panegyrists at the expence of honour . Great men , like blazing comets , appear occasionally : the coruscations of the latter excite curiosity ,, the action- ; of the former allure investigation . We'feel a gratification ! in dwelling upon those features which charm at the . same . time they-: captive our senses . Parental piety , which the Romans esteemed as a cardinal virtue , as
well as conjugal tenderness and affection , the- principles of our social system , are conspicuous traits in Lord Nelson ' s character . His attention to his father was always remarkable : the old gentleman was accustomed , when the weather permitted ; to walk for an hour before dinner . The Admiral , however occupied , scarcely ever failed to accompany him . When , after the unsuccessful attempt at Santa . Cruz , his lordship lay ill , in consequence of the amputation of his right arm , * and it was uncertain what might be the event , it is said
that he was more anxious about his relations than himself ; and that hewrote to the Admiralty with his left hand , recommending Mr . Nesbit to their notice in case he should die . His attachment , however , to relations is not stronger than his regard for strangers in distress . He has ajustsense ofthe duties ofbenevolence , of which he gave a proof last winter , in sending down a large collection of blankets to his native villageto be distributed
, among the poor . And so strong are his feelings of friendship , that , when returned from a distant climate , he has been known to shedtears upon meeting an old Mend unexpectedly . To some these circumstances may appear trivial and li ght ; but to others , no less discerning , they will appear interesting , because feelings inseparable from magnanimity .
In respect to person , Lord Nelson is about the middle hei ght ; he is thin , and nature has not been so kind to the elegance of his fi gure ^ as she has been liberal in the endowments of his mind . But what are extrinsic graces when compared with the qualities of the heart ! The one may command admiration , but the other secures esteem . The amiable virtues are not always found united in the character of the hero ; wjien that is the case , contemplation loves to dwell upon the recollection of the man , rather than upon the transitory elegance of personal attraction .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Life Of The Right Honourable Baron Nelson Of The Nile, &C.
of siege , and the . conduct , of military enterprize , so that I feel myself fully warranted to declare Lord Nelson as ready and wise in the science of political knowledge , as he is brave and expert in the coiiduft of naval exploits . ' His private virtues are no less splendid than his professional aftions . The qualities of his heart are in unison with those of his head .- We will join one instance or two , byway of proof of what we assert ; for
we are not inclined to sacrifice truth to flattery , nor to become panegyrists at the expence of honour . Great men , like blazing comets , appear occasionally : the coruscations of the latter excite curiosity ,, the action- ; of the former allure investigation . We'feel a gratification ! in dwelling upon those features which charm at the . same . time they-: captive our senses . Parental piety , which the Romans esteemed as a cardinal virtue , as
well as conjugal tenderness and affection , the- principles of our social system , are conspicuous traits in Lord Nelson ' s character . His attention to his father was always remarkable : the old gentleman was accustomed , when the weather permitted ; to walk for an hour before dinner . The Admiral , however occupied , scarcely ever failed to accompany him . When , after the unsuccessful attempt at Santa . Cruz , his lordship lay ill , in consequence of the amputation of his right arm , * and it was uncertain what might be the event , it is said
that he was more anxious about his relations than himself ; and that hewrote to the Admiralty with his left hand , recommending Mr . Nesbit to their notice in case he should die . His attachment , however , to relations is not stronger than his regard for strangers in distress . He has ajustsense ofthe duties ofbenevolence , of which he gave a proof last winter , in sending down a large collection of blankets to his native villageto be distributed
, among the poor . And so strong are his feelings of friendship , that , when returned from a distant climate , he has been known to shedtears upon meeting an old Mend unexpectedly . To some these circumstances may appear trivial and li ght ; but to others , no less discerning , they will appear interesting , because feelings inseparable from magnanimity .
In respect to person , Lord Nelson is about the middle hei ght ; he is thin , and nature has not been so kind to the elegance of his fi gure ^ as she has been liberal in the endowments of his mind . But what are extrinsic graces when compared with the qualities of the heart ! The one may command admiration , but the other secures esteem . The amiable virtues are not always found united in the character of the hero ; wjien that is the case , contemplation loves to dwell upon the recollection of the man , rather than upon the transitory elegance of personal attraction .