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HORATIO NELSON
Ranald Macaulay
Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) was born the year before both William Wilberforce and Charles Simeon, thus making him their almost exact contemporary; something I’d known vaguely but which only impressed itself on me when I borrowed my father’s copy of Carolla Oman’s biography shortly before I visited the States the end of October. I was glad to have it with me for it eased the monotony of travel. It also filled in lots of historical blanks.
The three were completely different of course and the juxtaposition is awkward for a number of reasons. Nelson’s relationship with Lady Hamilton and subsequent marriage break-up, for example, sullied his reputation even as the others were initiating a successful ‘reformation of manners’ in British society. But Nelson, the son of a vicar in Norfolk, held steadfastly to his Christian convictions.
The French were astonished that divine service should be held, at his insistence, immediately after the triumph of Aboukir Bay. And his written prayers towards the end are deeply moving. But in a unique way, too, he had become a living legend long before his victory at Trafalgar in 1805. Wherever he went he was mobbed. When he embarked at Portsmouth the last time he tried to slip out of a back door unnoticed. Someone recognised him and cheering crowds followed him to the water’s edge and even into the water. As they rowed away he turned to Hardy saying, ‘before (earlier) I had their hurrahs, now I have their hearts’.
One thing, however, drew my attention more than anything else – and this they certainly had in common: Nelson’s loyal and costly commitment. With increasing frequency as he matured, his private and public correspondence, particularly in his exhortations to fellow captains, included the striking challenge: there can be no place for ‘self’ to which was added in his final year the single word ‘entirely’.
‘There can be no place for self entirely…’
The words surprised me. I hadn’t expected them in such a context, but they have been a helpful reminder. And I hope they will encourage you in your own contexts of discomfort, battle and confusion to give loyal service to the King.
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Ranald Macaulay, 23/01/2003 |
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