My dear husband is reading a new book on Admiral Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, by Roy Adkins: Nelson's Trafalgar, The Battle that changed the World, published in the USA by Penguin. He read aloud Nelsons' last journal entry this morning, coffee in hand, the sun streaming in and the birds providing background sound:
At daylight saw the Enemy's Combined Fleet from East to E.S.E.; bore away; made the signal for Order of Sailing, and to Prepare for Battle; the Enemy with their heads to the Southward: at seven the Enemy wearing in succession. 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.(Oh joys of the world wide web: I found all of Nelson's journal entries on the internet after searching around a bit.)
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