ship of the line the Zealand, engaged not more than two-thirds of the line of defence committed to me; while the Trekroner—­or Three Crowns Battery—­and the block-ships Elephanten and Mars, with the frigate Hielperen, did not come at all into the action.

“In half an hour, the battle was general.  Ten ships of the line, among which was one of eighty guns, the rest chiefly seventy-fours, and from six to eight frigates, on the one side:  on the other, seven block-ships; of which, only one of seventy-four, the rest of sixty-four and under; two frigates; and six smaller vessels. This was the respective strength of the two parties.  The enemy had, on the whole, two ships to one:  and the block-ship Provesteen had, besides a ship of the line and the rear-admiral, two frigates against her; by which she was raked the whole time, without being able to return a shot.

“If I only recapitulate, historically, what your highness, and along with you a great portion of the citizens of Denmark and Europe, have seen, I may venture to call that an unequal combat, which was maintained, and supported, for four hours and a half, with unexampled courage and effect—­in which the fire of the superior force was so much weakened, for an hour before the end of the battle, that several of the English ships, and particularly Lord Nelson’s, were obliged to fire only single shots—­that this hero, himself, in the middle and very heat of the battle, sent a flag of truce on shore to propose a cessation of hostilities—­if I also add, that it was announced to me, that two English ships of the line had struck; but, being supported by fresh ships, again hoisted their flags—­I may, in such circumstances, be permitted to say, and I believe I may appeal to the enemy’s own confession, that in this engagement Denmark’s ancient naval reputation blazed forth with such incredible splendor, that I thank Heaven all Europe are the witnesses of it!

“Yet the scale, if not equal, did not decline far to the disadvantage of Denmark.  The ships that were first and most obstinately attacked, even surrounded by the enemy, the incomparable Provesteen, Wagner, and Jutland, fought till almost all their guns were dismounted; but these vessels were obliged to give way to superior force, and the Danish fire ceased along the whole line from north to south.

“At half past eleven, the Dannebrog ship of the line, which, lay along-side Admiral Nelson, was set on fire.  I repaired, with my flag, on board the Holstein, of the line, belonging to the north wing; but the Dannebrog long kept her flag flying, in spite of this disaster.  At the end of the battle, she had two hundred and seventy men killed and wounded.

“At half past two, the Holstein was so shattered, and had so many killed and wounded, and so many guns dismounted, that I then carried the pendant to be hoisted instead of my