Southey on Nelson: The Life of Nelson by Robert Southey. Richard Holmes

Agamemnon sent to the Mediterranean–Commencement of Nelson’s acquaintance with Sir W. Hamilton–He is sent to Corsica to co-operate with Paoli–State of affairs in that island–Nelson undertakes the siege of Bastia, and reduces it–Takes a distinguished part in the siege of Calvi, where he loses an eye–Admiral Hotham’s action–The Agamemnon ordered to Genoa to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian forces–Gross misconduct of the Austrian General.

      ‘THERE are three things, young gentleman,’ said Nelson to one of his midshipmen, ‘which you are constantly to bear in mind:–First, you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting 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 do the devil.’ With these feelings he engaged in the Anti-Jacobin war. Josiah, his son-in-law, went with him as a midshipman.