[90]. The story of this attack and its repulse is given by Chevalier, Hist. de la Marine Française sous la Première République, pp. [41] seq.
[91]. It has, of late years, been so persistently stated that black silk handkerchiefs were introduced into the navy as a mark of mourning for Nelson, that it is most refreshing to meet with this very positive contradiction of the story.
[92]. Charles Cunningham, at this time commander of the Speedy brig, was not a captain till some months later, and was then posted to the Unité. The captain of the Lowestoft was William Wolseley—Cf. D.N.B.
[93]. This is an allusion to the absurd story—which Gardner seems to have believed—that James was American by birth. See D.N.B. In consequence of his very free comments on the conduct of naval officers, James was far from being a favourite in the service; and it must have been still fresh in Gardner’s memory that he had been severely caned by Sir John Phillimore.
[94]. Nelson wrote to his uncle, William Suckling, that, in his opinion, we ought to have taken them—men of war and convoy; and if ‘we had given the Bey 50,000l. he would have been glad to have put up with the insult offered to his dignity.’
[95]. Bagrada is the classical name; the river is now called Mejerda.
[96]. In 1758.
[97]. For the story of these very remarkable sea fights, see Smith’s Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography &c.; U.S. Mag., Oct. 1889, pp. 690–1.
[98]. The fresco is attributed to Nardo Daddi. See Kugler’s Handbook of Painting, Italian Schools (5th Edit), pp. [111], 112, where there is a drawing of ‘The Last Judgment.’
[99]. Smollett, so called by Sterne in A Sentimental Journey. It is, however, a much disputed point whether he was not buried at Leghorn. See Notes and Queries (1898, i.), IX. i. pp. [201], 309, 510; but it will be noticed that the monument Gardner saw was earlier than that at Leghorn, and his mention of the ‘remains’ at Montenero is of earlier date than any evidence yet quoted in support of the Leghorn claim.