Horatio Nelson

..the loss of a hero whose name will be immortal and his memory ever dear to his country

Time is everything, five minutes makes the difference between victory and defeat.

I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humour.

England expects that every man will do his duty.

The way Nelson handled his publicity and the reports of his battles was very shrewd. After a great battle in which he was involved, he would write down his own version of events. He would then send this to a friend in England, who would deliver it to the popular press.

There is no way of dealing with the Frenchman but to knock him down - to be civil to them is to be laughed at. Why they are enemies!

Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we must not interrupt him too soon.

Let me alone: I have yet my legs and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, so the sooner it's off the better.

I will take care that my name shall ever be most dear to you and Horatia, both of whom I love as much as my own life.

That foolish little fellow Nelson has sat to every painter in London. His head is turned by Lady Hamilton.

What has poor Horatio done, who is so weak, that he, above all the rest, should be sent to rough it out at sea? But let him come, and the first time we go into action, a cannon ball may knock off his head and provide for him at once.

He looks very old, has lost his upper teeth, sees ill of one eye and has a film coming over both of them.

Lord Nelson thinks of nothing but Lady Hamilton, who is totally occupied by the same subject

First gain the Victory and then make of it what you can

I have only one eye, I have a right to be blind sometimes...really I did not see the signal

My greatest happiness is to serve my gracious King and Country and I am envious only of glory; for if it be a sin to covet glory I am the most offending soul alive.

It is warm work; and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment. But mark you! I would not be elsewhere for thousands.

Firstly you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own regarding their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and thirdly you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil.

Bonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea and that his was kept in order and increasing by staying in port; but now he finds, I fancy, if Emperors hear the truth, that his fleet suffers more in a night than ours in one year.

We do not know whether we should mourn or rejoice. The country has gained the most splendid and decisive victory that has ever graced the naval annals of England; but it has been dearly purchased.

No man has had more trouble or illness on a station, than I have experienced: but, let me lay a balance on the other side...I am married to an amiable woman, that far makes amends for every thing. Indeed, till I married her, I never knew happiness. I shall have great pleasure in introducing her to you.

I am delirious with joy and assure you I have a fever caused by agitation and victory. Good God what a victory! Never, never has there been anything half so glorious…I should feel it a glory to die in such a cause. No, I would not like to die until I see and embrace the victor of the Nile.

I have…use of all my limbs except my left arm, which I can hardly tell what is the matter with it. From the shoulder to my fingers’ ends are if half dead…I most sincerely wish to be employed, and hope it will not be long.