"The victory of Trafalgar was celebrated, indeed, with the usual
forms of rejoicing, but they were without joy; for such already
was the glory of the British Navy through Nelson's surpassing
genius, that it scarcely seemed to receive any addition from the
most signal victory that ever was achieved upon the sea; and the
destruction of this mighty fleet, by which all the maritime
schemes of France were totally frustrated, hardly appeared to add
to our security or strength, for while Nelson was living to watch
the combined squadrons of the enemy, we felt ourselves as secure
as now, when they were no longer in existence.
"There was reason to suppose from the appearances upon opening the
body, that in the course of nature he might have attained, like
his father, to a good old age. Yet he cannot be said to have
fallen prematurely whose work was done; nor ought he to be
lamented, who died so full of honours, and at the height of human
fame. The most triumphant death is that of a martyr; the most
awful, that of the martyred patriot; the most splendid, that of
the hero in the hour of victory; and if the chariot and the horses
of fire had been vouchsafed for Nelson's translation, he could
scarcely have departed in a brighter blaze of glory.
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