ceeded, in the Lark lugger, to reconnoitre the enemy's defences. They were soon ascertained to be of the most formidable description. This led, in the evening, to a council of war: at which, as usual, much was urged to forego, or at least delay the attack; but Lord Nelson prevailed, and offered, with 10 sail of the line and all the small-craft, to carry the business through in a proper manner.

Admiral Parker, to his credit, cheerfully accepted the offer, and granted to his enterprising second two sail of the line more than he had asked; that is, two 50-gun ships, which, in these northern parts, are considered as of the line, partly because of their light draught of water as two-decked ships, and partly because a similar description of vessel is usually to be found in the opposite line. The detachment thus intrusted to Vice-admiral Lord Nelson, by the time the whole had joined, consisted of the

Bomb vessels, Discovery, Explosion, Hecla, Sulphur, Terror, Volcano, and Zebra.

Fire-ships, Otter and Zephyr.

Gun-Brigs, Cutters, &c.

The force at Copenhagen was not the only obstacle to be surmounted; the approach to it was by a channel extremely intricate, and little known. To increase the difficulty of navigating it, the Danes, very judiciously had removed or misplaced the buoys. On the same night, therefore, on which Sir Hyde had come to the happy decision of intrusting the affair to Lord Nelson, the latter, accompanied among others by Captain Brisbane of the Cruiser, proceeded in his boat to ascertain and

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