Tuesday 17 December 2013

Advent Calender 2013: Day 17



Admiral Nelson's Glorious Victory over the French Fleet off the Mouth of the Nile on the 1st Augt 1798. Manuscript Christmas Verse by Henry Vinicombe National Maritime Museum Greenwich

This print was made in November 1798 and just in case it is too tricky to make out on the image it reads:



Tis come the day of health, the saving morn,
The Son of God, the babe of love is born.
Behold all Heaven descends upon the wing,
And choiring angels, Glory glory sing
Glory to god, from whom such bounties flow
And peace on earth good will to men below
An honest man is the noblest work of god
Should some slight faults escape my pen
With candor yet approve
The boys can’t reach the feats of men
Im sure at least I strove

This Christmas verse is surrounded by images of Nelson's victory over the French outside the mouth of the Nile. We are shown images of Nelson and the Captain's involved in the conflict including Captain Westcott who was killed in the battle. A dramatic image of the french l'orient being blown up is also included. 

My favourite part of the print is the final image in the bottom right hand corner which shows 'Success to the jolly tofs of old England'  

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