On the 2d of October, the Honourable Captain Capel arrived in England, with the joyful intelligence of Admiral Nelson's glorious victory off the Nile: a victory which, from the peculiar period at which it occurred, the extent of it's beneficial effects, and it's splendid and complete success, excited in every British bosom such rapturous sensations as had never, in the memory of any living person, been before felt by the nation. General illuminations, both in town and country, were continued for three days; and every other species of public rejoicing, demonstrative of universal admiration, affection, and gratitude, to the Hero of the Nile, and his brave associates in arms, prevailed for several weeks. Even infants were instructed to articulate the name of Nelson; and to clap their little hands, with transport, in rapturous applauses of the preserver and protector of innocence, from their threatened invaders, the corrupters and destroyers of the human race.
Subscriptions were immediately opened, for the relief of the widows and children of all those brave men who had lost their lives on this glorious occasion; and a large fund was soon established, by a committee at Lloyd's coffee-house, Cornhill, the beneficial effects of which have since been prodigiously extended.
On the 3d of October, at a court of common-council, the Lord-Mayor of London read the letter addressed to him by Admiral Nelson; and, when the tumult of applause had subsided, the sword of Vice-Admiral Blanquet was ordered, on the motion of Mr. Deputy Leeky, to be placed among the city regalia. The thanks of the court were then unanimously voted to Admiral Nelson, and to the officers and seamen under his command. The next day, having again assembled, the French admiral's sword was ordered to be placed in an elegant glass-case, in the most conspicuous part of the council-room, with an inscription expressive of the gift on a marble tablet. It was then resolved, that a sword of two hundred guineas value should be presented to Admiral Nelson from the city of London; and the freedom of the city, in a gold box worth one hundred guineas, to Captain Edward Berry: and the lord-mayor, Sir William Anderson, Bart, was requested to provide and present the said sword to the Hero of the Nile.
On the 6th of October, his majesty created Admiral Nelson a peer of Great Britain, by the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burnham-Thorpe in the county of Norfolk; and, at the meeting of parliament, in November, a message from the king was presented by Mr. Pitt, preparatory to the motion which he immediately afterwards made for a pension of two thousand pounds per annum, commencing on the 1st of August 1798, to be granted Admiral Lord Nelson of the Nile, and his two next successors in the title. General Walpole, who seconded the motion, having expressed an opinion, that Lord Nelson should also have a higher degree of rank; Mr. Pitt observed that, entertaining the highest sense of the transcendent merits of Admiral Nelson, he thought it needless to enter at any length into the question of rank. His fame, he added, must be coeval with the British name; and it would be remembered that he had obtained the greatest naval victory on record, when no man would think it worth his while to ask, whether he had been created a baron, a viscount, or an earl. Such a motion was not likely to be opposed; and the annuity recommended by his majesty was unanimously granted. It may be remarked, however, that General Walpole's opinion respecting higher rank, was certainly that of the public.
The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted, and ordered to be transmitted by the respective speakers, to the brave admiral, the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, for their resolute and intrepid conduct displayed on this glorious occasion.
A gold medal, of peculiar elegance and beauty, emblematical of the victory, executed by the inimitable Louis Pingo, Esq. principal engraver of the Royal Mint in the Tower of London, was struck on the occasion, by command of his majesty; who ordered one to be given, and in future worn by, each of the captains, all of whom afterwards received the honour of knighthood. The obverse of this medal displays a fine figure of Victory placing a laurel wreath on the head of Britannia, in a stile of the most chaste simplicity. The reverse incloses each respective name, which is engraved in the centre, with two branches, one of oak and the other of laurel. The motto—"In memory of the defeat of the French fleet on the coast of Egypt."
Various other medals were struck on this memorable occasion; and one, in particular, most liberally distributed at the expence of Alexander Davison, Esq. the valuable friend of Lord Nelson, has peculiar claim to attention. The obverse side of Mr. Davison's medal, to commemorate his friend's great victory, has the figure of Hope, crowned with laurel, standing on a rugged rock, with an olive-branch in her right hand; and supporting, with her left arm, the profile of Lord Nelson on a medallion, to which her fore-finger is evidently pointing. The motto to the medallion—"Europe's hope, and Britain's glory." The legend—"Rear-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson of the Nile." The reverse represents the French fleet at anchor in Aboukir Bay, with the British fleet advancing to the attack; the fortified islands in the enemy's van; the four frigates moored within their line, to cover their flank; the gun-boats near the islands; the setting-sun; the coast of Egypt; the mouth of the Nile; and, the castle of Aboukir. The legend—"Almighty God has blessed his majesty's arms." Beneath the view—"Victory of the Nile, August 1, 1798."
This handsome and valuable medal was presented, by Mr. Davison, struck in gold, to Admiral Lord Nelson, and every captain of the British squadron; in silver, to every other warrant officer; in gilt metal, to every petty officer; and, in copper, to every individual seaman and marine serving on board during the action. The whole, as it is said, at the expence of little less than two thousand pounds: an instance of private and patriotic munificence, as well as generous friendship, which has, perhaps, seldom been surpassed.
The government of Ireland, immediately on receiving the joyful intelligence of this glorious victory, passed a vote of thanks similar to that of the British parliament, and granted the hero an additional annuity of one thousand pounds during the same term.
The Honourable United East India Company, which felt so immediately benefitted on the occasion, unanimously voted him a gift of ten thousand pounds; the London Turkey Company, plate of very considerable value; and several other corporate bodies, as well in the metropolis as in our first provincial cities, the freedom of their respective corporations, in elegant gold boxes.