CHAPTER XIII.

THE BOULOGNE FLOTILLA.

(1801-2.)

The armaments for the invasion of England-The Boulogne FlotillaNelson appointed to defend the Coast-His plan for the defence of London-Attack on the Boulogne Flotilla, August 4th-The Sea Fencibles-Second attack and failure, August 15th-Nelson's distress at his losses-The boy midshipmen and dear young Parker -His attention and anxiety for Parker, and grief at his deathBlackmail-Attempt to intimidate Nelson-Correspondence with his father-Last letter from his father before his death-The Peace of Amiens-Return to Merton.

MELSON'S services were again imperatively demanded. After a brief rest at Merton, the residence which he had so lately purchased, he was called upon to meet the threatened invasion of England, by the flotillas of Buonaparte-he obeyed the call of duty.

"Buonaparte," says his French biographer, "delivered from all anxiety on the side of the continent by the treaty of Luneville, conceived the idea of transporting his legions to the British soil, and also threatened to conduct those soldiers who had twice conquered Italy to London. The port of Boulogne was to be the rendezvous of the enormous flotilla which he had ordered to be built in all the ports of the Channel. The invasion of England by means of gunboats and flat-boats had long been a favourite plan of the First Consul: he had suggested it in 1797; now adopted it in 1801, and three years later raised it to gigantic proportions. In the month of July, nine divisions of gunboats, and the troops they could embark, were assembled under