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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15437-8.txt b/15437-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf443d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/15437-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4324 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady +Hamilton, Vol II., by Horatio Nelson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Vol II. + With A Supplement Of Interesting Letters By Distinguished Characters + +Author: Horatio Nelson + +Release Date: March 22, 2005 [EBook #15437] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, S.R.Ellison and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +THE + +Letters + +OF + +LORD NELSON + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON; + +WITH A + +SUPPLEMENT + +OF + +_INTERESTING LETTERS_, + +BY + +Distinguished Characters. + +IN TWO VOLUMES. + +VOL. II. + +London: Printed by Macdonald and Son, Smithfield, +FOR THOMAS LOVEWELL & CO. STAINES HOUSE, BARBICAN; +AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. + +1814. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +VOL. II. + +LETTERS FROM LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON. + + + LETTER XL. Page 5 + XLI. 10 + XLII. 21 + XLIII. 26 + XLIV. 29 + XLV. 34 + XLVI. 36 + XLVII. 39 + XLVIII. 48 + XLIX. 53 + L. 56 + LI. 62 + LII. 65 + LIII. 67 + LIV. 73 + LV. 77 + LVI. 79 + LVII. 83 + LVIII. 87 + LIX. 96 + LX. 100 + +SUPPLEMENT. + +_Letters from Lord Nelson to Miss Horatia Nelson Thomson, now Miss +Horatia Nelson, Lord Nelson's Adopted Daughter; and to Miss Charlotte +Nelson, Daughter of the present Earl_. + + LETTER to Miss Horatia Nelson Page 107 + to Miss Charlotte Nelson 109 + +_Letters from Alexander Davison, Esq. to Lady Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 113 + II. 115 + III. 119 + + +_Letter from Lady Hamilton to Alexander Davison, Esq. inclosing her +Ladyship's Verses on Lord Nelson_ + + Page 125 + + + +_Letter from Lady Hamilton to the Right Honourable Henry Addington, +now Viscount Sidmouth_ + + Page 131 + +_Letters from Sir William Hamilton, K.B. to Lady Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 137 + II. 140 + III. 143 + IV. 146 + V. 149 + VI. 150 + VII. 152 + VIII. 155 + IX. 157 + X. 160 + XI. 163 + XII. 166 + XIII. 169 + XIV. 171 + XV. 174 + XVI. 177 + XVII. 180 + + + _Letters from Sir William Hamilton, K.B. to Lord + Nelson._ + + LETTER I. Page 185 + II. 190 + III. 192 + IV. 194 + V. 197 + VI. 199 + VII. 200 + VIII. 205 + IX. 207 + X. 210 + XI. 216 + XII. 220 + + _Letters from Lord Nelson to Sir William Hamilton, + K.B._ + + LETTER I. Page 225 + II. 227 + III. 231 + IV. 233 + V. 240 + VI. 243 + VII. 245 + VIII. 247 + IX. 254 + X. 256 + XI. 258 + XII. 261 + + + + +THE + +Letters + +OF + +LORD NELSON + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +LETTER XL. + + + Victory, under Majorca, + January 13th, 1804. + +MY OWN DEAR BELOVED EMMA, + +I received, on the 9th, your letters of September 29th, October 2, 7, +10, 12, 17th, November 5th, 8th, to the 24th: and I am truly sensible +of all your kindness and affectionate regard for me; which, I am sure, +is reciprocal, in every respect, from your own Nelson. + +If that Lady Bitch knew of that person's coming to her house, it was a +trick; but which, I hope, you will not subject yourself to again. But, +I do not like it! + +However, it is passed; and, we must have confidence in each other: +and, my dearest Emma, judging of you by myself, it is not all the +world that could seduce me, in thought, word, or deed, from all my +soul holds most dear. + +Indeed, if I can help it, I never intend to go out of the ship, but to +the shore of Portsmouth; and that will be, if it pleases God, before +next Christmas. Indeed, I think, long before, if the French will +venture to sea. + +I send you a letter from the Queen of Naples. They call out, might and +main, for our protection; and, God knows, they are sure of me. + +Mr. Elliot complains heavily of the expence; and says, he will retire +the moment it is peace. He expected his family, when they would sit +down eleven Elliots! + +If, my dear Emma, you are to mind all the reports you may hear, you +may always be angry with your Nelson. + +In the first place, instead of eight days, Mr. Acourt; he came on +board one day, just before dinner, and left me next morning, after +breakfast. + +What pleasure people can have in telling lies! But, I care not what +they say; I defy them all. + +You may safely rely, that I can for ever repeat, with truth, these +words--for ever I love you, and only you, my Emma; and, you may be +assured, as long as you are the same to me, that you are never absent +a moment from my thoughts. + +I am glad you are going to Merton; you will live much more +comfortable, and much cheaper, than in London: and this spring, if you +like to have the house altered, you can do it. But, I fancy, you will +soon tire of so much dirt, and the inconvenience will be very great +the whole summer. + +All I request, if you fix to have it done, [is] that Mr. Davison's +architect, who drew the plan, may have the inspection; and, he must +take care that it does not exceed the estimate. + +If it is done by contract, you must not _alter_; or a bill is run-up, +much worse than if we had never contracted. Therefore, I must +either buy the materials, and employ respectable workmen, under the +architect; or, contract. + +I rather believe, it would be better for me to buy the materials, and +put out the building to a workman; but, you must get some good advice. + +With respect to the new entrance-- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * +* * * * * * + + + + +LETTER XLI. + + + Victory, March 14th, [1804] + off Toulon. + +Young Faddy, my Dearest Emma, brought me, two days ago, your dear and +most kind letter of November 26th, and you are sure that I shall take +a very early opportunity of promoting him; and he appears to be grown +a fine young man, but vacancies do not happen very frequently in this +station. However, if he behaves well, he may be sure of me. + +With respect to Mr. Jefferson, I can [neither] say nor do any thing. +The surgeon of the Victory is a very able, excellent man, and the ship +is kept in the most perfect state of health; and, I would not, if I +could--but, thank [God] I cannot--do such an unjust act, as to remove +him. He is my own asking for! and, I have every reason to be perfectly +content. + +Mr. Jefferson got on, by my help; and, by his own misconduct, he got +out of a good employ, and has seen another person, at Malta hospital, +put over his head. He must now begin again; and act with much more +attention and sobriety, than he has done, to ever get forward +again: but, time may do much; and, I shall rejoice to hear of his +reformation. + +I am not surprised, my dearest Emma, at the enormous expences of the +watering place; but, if it has done my own Emma service, it is well +laid out. A thousand pounds a year will not go far; and we need be +great economists, to make both ends meet, and to carry on the little +improvements. As for making one farthing more prize-money, I do not +expect it; except, by taking the French fleet: and, the event of that +day, who can foresee! + +With respect to Mrs. Græfer--what she has done, God and herself knows; +but I have made up my mind, that Gibbs will propose an hundred pounds +a year for her: if so, I shall grant it, and have done. I send you +Mrs. Græfer's last letter. + +Whilst I am upon the subject of Bronte, I have one word more--and your +good, dear, kind heart, must not think that I shall die one hour the +sooner; on the contrary, my mind has been more content ever since I +have done: I have left you a part of the rental of Bronte, to be first +paid every half year, and in advance. It is but common justice; and, +whether Mr. Addington gives you any thing, or not, you will want it. + +I would not have you lay out more than is necessary, at Merton. The +rooms, and the new entrance, will take a good deal of money. The +entrance by the corner I would have certainly done; a common white +gate will do for the present; and one of the cottages, which is in the +barn, can be put up, as a temporary lodge. The road can be made to +a temporary bridge; for that part of the _Nile_, one day, shall be +filled up. + +Downing's canvas awning will do for a passage. For the winter, +the carriage can be put in the barn; and, giving up Mr. Bennett's +premises, will save fifty pounds a year: and, another year, we can fit +up the coach-house and stables, which are in the barn. + +The foot-path should be turned. I did shew Mr. Haslewood the way I +wished it done; and Mr. ------ will have no objections, if we make it +better than ever it has been: and, I also beg, as my dear Horatia is +to be at Merton, that a strong netting, about three feet high, may be +placed round the Nile, that the little thing may not tumble in; and, +then, you may have ducks again in it. I forget, at what place we saw +the netting; and either Mr. Perry, or Mr. Goldsmid, told us where it +was to be bought. I shall be very anxious until I know this is done. + +I have had no very late opportunities of sending to Naples: but, _viâ_ +Malta, I wrote to Gibbs, to desire he would send over and purchase +the _amorins_. They will arrive in time. I hope, the watch is arrived +safe. + +The British Fair cutter, I hope, is arrived safe. She has three +packets, from me, to England, + +The expences of the alterations at Merton _you are_ not to pay from +the income. Let it all be put to a separate account, and I will +provide a fund for the payment. + +All I long for, just now, is to hear that you are _perfectly_ +recovered; and, then, I care for nothing: all my hopes are, to +see you, and be happy, at dear Merton, again; but, I fear, this +miscarriage of Pichegru's, in France, will prolong the war. It has +kept the French fleet in port, which we are all sorry for. + +Sir William Bolton was on board yesterday. He looks thin. The fag in +a brig is very great; and I see no prospect of his either making +prize-money, or being made post, at present: but, I shall omit no +opportunity. + +I wrote to Mrs. Bolton a few months ago; and gave her letter, +yesterday, to Bolton. He conducts himself very well, indeed. + +Ever, my dearest Emma, for ever, I am your most faithful, and +affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Although I cannot well afford it, yet I could not bear that poor blind +Mrs. Nelson should be in want in her old days, and sell her plate; +therefore, if you will find out what are her debts, if they come +within my power, I will certainly pay them. + +Many, I dare say, if they had commanded here, would have made money; +but, I can assure you, for prizes taken within the Mediterranean, I +have not more than paid my expences. However, I would rather pinch +myself, than she, poor soul, should want. Your good, angelic heart, +my dearest beloved Emma, will fully agree with me, every thing is very +expensive; and, even we find it, and will be obliged to economise, if +we assist our friends: and, I am sure, we should feel more comfort in +it than in loaded tables, and entertaining a set of people who care +not for us. + +An account is this moment brought me, that a small sum is payable to +me, for some neutral taken off Cadiz in May 1800; so that I shall not +be poorer for my gift. It is odd, is it not? + +I shall, when I come home, settle four thousand pounds in trustees +hands, for Horatia; for, I will not put it in my own power to have +her left destitute: for she would want friends, if we left her in this +world. She shall be independent of any smiles or frowns! + +I am glad you are going to take her home; and, if you will take the +trouble with Eliza and Ann, I am the very last to object. + +Tom, I shall certainly assist at college; and, I am sure, the Doctor +expects that I should do the same for Horace: but I must make my +arrangements, so as not to run in debt. + + April 9th. + +I have wrote to the Duke; but, by your account, I fear he is not +alive. I write, because you wish me; and, because I like the Duke, +and hope he will leave you some money. But, for myself, I can have +no right to expect a farthing: nor would I be a legacy hunter for the +world; I never knew any good come from it. + +I send you a letter from Mr. Falconet. I am afraid, they have made a +jumble about the _amorins_. And I send you a very impertinent letter +from that old cat. I have sent her a very dry answer, and told her, I +should send the sweetmeats to you. I always hated the old bitch! But, +was she young, and as beautiful as an angel, I am engaged; I am all, +soul and body, my Emmas: nor would I change her for all this world +could give me. + +I would not have Horatia think of a dog. I shall not bring her one; +and, I am sure, she is better without a pet of that sort. But, she is +like her mother, would get all the old dogs in the place about her. + + April 14th. + +I am so sea-sick, that I cannot write another line; except, to +say--God Almighty bless you, my dearest beloved Emma! prays, ever, +your faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XLII. + + + Victory, April 2d, 1804. + +I have, my Dearest Beloved Emma, been so uneasy for this last month; +desiring, most ardently, to hear of your well doing! + +Captain Capel brought me your letters, sent by the Thisbe, from +Gibraltar. I opened--opened--found none but December, and early in +January. I was in such an agitation! At last, I found one without a +date: which, thank God! told my poor heart, that you was recovering; +but, that dear little Emma was no more! and, that Horatia had been so +very ill--it all together upset me. + +But, it was just at bed-time; and I had time to reflect, and be +thankful to God for sparing you and our dear Horatia. I am sure, +the loss of one--much more, both--would have drove me mad. I was so +agitated, as it was, that I was glad it was night, and that I could be +by myself. + +Kiss dear Horatia, for me: and tell her, to be a dutiful and good +child; and, if she is, that we shall always love her. + +You may, if you like, tell Mrs. G. that I shall certainly settle +a small pension on her. It shall not be large, as we may have the +pleasure of making her little presents; and, my dearest Emma, I +shall not be wanting to every body who has been kind to you, be they +servants or gentlefolks. + +Admiral Lutwidge is a good man; and, I like Mrs. Lutwidge--and shall, +always more, because she is fond of you. + +Never mind the great Bashaw at the Priory. He be damned! If he +was single, and had a mind to marry you, he could only make you a +Marchioness: but, as he is situated, and I situated, I can make you a +Duchess; and, if it pleases God, that time may arrive! Amen. Amen. + +As for your friend Lady H----, she is, in her way, as great a pimp as +any of them. + +What a set! But, if they manage their own intrigues, is not that +enough! I am sure, neither you or I care what they do; much less, envy +them their _chere amies_. + +As for Lord S----, and the other, I care nothing about them; for I +have every reason, by my own feelings towards you, to think you care +only for your Nelson. + +I have not heard of your receiving the little box from Naples; +bracelets, I fancy, but I did not open them. + +I wish the _amorins_ may come in time for the conveyance of Captain +Layman; who has, most unfortunately, lost his sloop: he is strongly +recommended, by the governor and garrison of Gibraltar. But, perhaps, +he may not be able to obtain it. + +We have such reports about the King's health, that the present +ministry may be out; and, for what I know or care, another set may be +no better, for you or me. + +As for the Admiralty, let who will be in, they can neither do me any +great good or harm: they may vex me, a little; but, that will recoil +upon themselves. + +I hope, however, they will confirm Captain Layman; for he is attached +not only to me, but is a very active officer. But, it was his +venturing to know more about India than Troubridge, that made them +look shy upon him; and, his tongue runs too fast. I often tell him, +not to let his tongue run so fast, or his pen write so much. + + + + +LETTER XLIII. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + April 10th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I have received all your truly kind and affectionate letters, to +January 25th, by the Thisbe; and, last night, your letter of January +13th, by Naples. + +The _amorins_ will go under the care of Captain Layman; who, +unfortunately, lost his sloop: but, with much credit to himself, he +has been acquitted of all blame. + +I rejoice that dear Horatia is got well; and, also, that you, my +dearest Emma, are recovered of your severe indisposition. + +In our present situation with Spain, this letter, probably, may never +reach you. I have wrote fully; and intend to send them by the Argus, +who I expect to join every minute. + +Elphi Bey, I hear, has had all his fine things taken from him. He +escaped into the Desert, and is pursued; probably, his head is off, +long before this time. + +The French fleet came out on the 5th, but went in again the next +morning. + +Yesterday, a Rear-Admiral, and seven sail of ships, including +frigates, put their nose outside the harbour. If they go on playing +this game, some day we shall lay salt upon their tails; and so end the +campaign of, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and affectionate + + -------- + +I am glad to hear that you are going to take my dear Horatia, to +educate her. She must turn out an angel, if she minds what you say to +her; and Eliza and Ann will never forget your goodness. + +My health is _so, so_! I shall get through the summer; and, in the +winter, shall go home. + +You will readily fancy all I would say, and do think. + +My kind love to all friends. + + + + +LETTER XLIV. + + + Victory, April 19th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I had wrote you a line, intended for the Swift cutter; but, instead of +her joining me, I had the mortification, not only to hear that she was +taken, but that _all_ the dispatches and letters had fallen into the +hands of the enemy; a very pretty piece of work! + +I am not surprised at the capture; but am very much so, that any +dispatches should be sent in a vessel with twenty-three men, not equal +to cope with any row-boat privateer. + +As I do not know what letters of your's are in her, I cannot guess +what will be said. I suppose, there will be a publication. + +The loss of the Hindostan, was great enough; but, for importance, it +is lost, in comparison to the probable knowledge the enemy will +obtain of our connections with foreign countries! Foreigners for ever +say--and it is true--"We dare not trust England; one way, or other, we +are sure to be committed!" However, it is now too late to launch out +on this subject. + +Not a thing has been saved out of the Hindostan, not a second shirt +for any one; and it has been by extraordinary exertions, that the +people's lives were saved. + +Captain Hallowell is so good as to take home, for me, wine as by the +inclosed list; and, if I can, some honey. The Spanish honey is so +precious, that if [any one has] a cut, or sore throat, it is used to +cure it. I mention this, in case you should wish to give the Duke a +jar. The smell is wonderful! It is to be produced no where, but in the +mountains near Rosas. + +The Cyprus wine, one hogshead, was for Buonaparte. + +I would recommend the wine-cooper drawing it off: and you can send a +few dozens to the Duke; who, I know, takes a glass every day at two +o'clock. + +I wish, I had any thing else to send you; but, my dearest Emma, you +must take the will for the deed. + +I am pleased with Charlotte's letter; and, as she loves my dear +Horatia, I shall always like her. + +What hearts those must have, who do not! But, thank God, she shall not +be dependent on any of them. + +Your letter of February 12th, through Mr. Falconet, I have received. +I know, they are all read; therefore, never sign your name. I shall +continue to write, through Spain; but never say a word that can convey +any information--except, of eternal attachment and affection for you; +and that, I care not, who knows; for I am, for ever, and ever, your, +only your, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Poor Captain Le Gros had your note to him in his pocket-book, and that +was all he saved. + +Mr. Este left him at Gibraltar, and went to Malta in the Thisbe. + +Captain Le Gros is now trying. I think, it will turn out, that every +person is obliged to his conduct for saving their lives. + +She took fire thirteen leagues from the land. + + + + +LETTER XLV. + + + Victory, April 23,1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Hallowell has promised me, if the _Admiralty_ will give him leave to +go to London, that he will call at Merton. + +His spirit is certainly more independent than almost any man's I +ever knew; but, I believe, he is attached to me. I am sure, he has no +reason to be so, to either Troubridge or any one at the Admiralty. + +I have sent, last night, a box of Marischino Veritabile of Zara, which +I got Jemmy Anderson to buy for me, and twelve bottles of _tokay_. I +have kept none for myself, being better pleased that you should have +it. + +I am, ever, and for ever, your most faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Hallowell parted last night; but, being in sight, I am sending a +frigate with a letter to the Admiralty. + +May God Almighty bless you, and send us a happy meeting! + + + + +LETTER XLVI. + + + Victory, May 5, 1804. + +I find, my Dearest Emma, that your picture is very much admired by +the French Consul at Barcelona; and that he has not sent it to be +admired--which, I am sure, it would be--by Buonaparte. + +They pretend, that there were three pictures taken. I wish, I had +them: but they are all gone, as irretrievably as the dispatches; +unless we may read them in a book, as we printed their correspondence +from Egypt. + +But, from us, what can they find out! That I love you, most dearly; +and hate the French, most damnably. + +Dr. Scott went to Barcelona, to try to get the private letters; but, +I fancy, they are all gone to Paris. The Swedish and American Consuls +told him, that the French Consul had your picture, and read your +letters; and, Doctor thinks, one of them probably read the letters. + +By the master's account of the cutter, I would not have trusted a pair +of old shoes in her. He tells me, she did not sail, but was a good +sea-boat. + +I hope, Mr. Marsden will not trust any more of my private letters in +such a conveyance; if they choose to trust the affairs of the public +in such a thing, I cannot help it. + +I long for the invasion being over; it must finish the war, and I have +no fears for the event. + +I do not say, all I wish; and which, my dearest _beloved_ Emma--(read +that, whoever opens this letter; and, for what I care, publish it to +the world)--your fertile imagination can readily fancy I would say: +but this I can say, with great truth, that I am, FOR EVER, YOUR'S + + -------- + + + + +LETTER XLVII. + + + Victory, May 27th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Yesterday, I took Charles Connor on board, from the Phoebe, to try +what we can do with him. At present, poor fellow, he has got a very +bad eye--and, I almost fear, that he will be blind of it--owing to an +olive-stone striking his eye: but the surgeon of the Victory, who is +by far the most able medical man I have ever seen, and equally so as a +surgeon, [says] that, if it can be saved, he will do it. + +The other complaint, in his head, is but little more, I think, than it +was when he first came to Deal; a kind of silly laugh, when spoken to. +He always complains of a pain in the back part of his head; but, when +that is gone, I do not perceive but that he is as wise as many of his +neighbours. + +You may rely, my dear Emma, that nothing shall be wanting, on my part, +to render him every service. + +Capel--although, I am sure, very kind to younkers---I do not think, +has the knack of keeping them in high discipline; he lets them be +their own master too much. + +I paid Charles's account, yesterday; since he has been in the Phoebe, +one hundred and fifty-five pounds, fourteen shillings. However, he +must now turn over a new leaf; and I sincerely hope, poor fellow, he +will yet do well. + +I wrote you on the 22d, through Rosas, in Spain; and I shall write, in +a few days, by Barcelona: this goes by Gibraltar. + +I have wrote Admiral Lutwidge; Mrs. Lutwidge must wait, for I cannot +get through all my numerous letters: for, whoever writes, although +upon their own affairs, are offended if they are not answered. + +I have not seen young Bailey: I suppose, he is in the Leviathan. By +the parcel, I see, he is in the Canopus; and I can, at present, be of +no use to him. + + May 30th. + +Charles is very much recovered. + +I write you, this day, by Barcelona. Your dear phiz--but not the least +like you--on the cup, is safe: but I would not use it, for the world; +for, if it was broke, it would distress me very much. + +Your letters, by Swift, I shall never get back. The French Consul, +at Barcelona, is bragging that he has three pictures of you from the +Swift. + +I do not believe him; but, what if he had a hundred! Your resemblance +is so deeply engraved in my heart, that there it can never be effaced: +and, who knows? some day, I may have the happiness of having a living +picture of you! + +Old Mother L---- is a damned b----: but I do not understand what you +mean, or what plan. + +I am not surprised at my friend Kingsmill admiring you, and forgetting +Mary; he loves variety, and handsome women. + +You touch upon the old Duke; but, I am dull of comprehension: +believing you all my own, I cannot imagine any one else to offer, in +any way. + +We have enough, with prudence; and, without it, we should soon be +beggars, if we had five times as much. + +I see, Lord Stafford is going to oppose Mr. Addington; the present +ministry cannot stand. + +I wish Mr. Addington had given you the pension; Pitt, and hard-hearted +Grenville, never will. + +What a fortune the death of Lord Camelford gives him! + +Every thing you tell me about my dear Horatia charms me. I think I see +her, hear her, and admire her; but, she is like her dear, dear mother. + +I am sorry, if your account of George Martin's wife is correct; he +deserved a better fate. But, he is like Foley; gave up a great deal, +to marry the relation of a great man: although, in fact, she is no +relation to the Duke of Portland. + +I wish, I could but be at dear Merton, to assist in making the +alterations. I think, I should have persuaded you to have kept the +pike, and a clear stream; and to have put all the carp, tench, and +fish who muddy the water, into the pond. But, as you like, I am +content. Only take care, that my darling does not fall in, and get +drowned. I begged you to get the little netting along the edge; and, +particularly, on the bridges. + +I admire the seal; and God bless you, also! Amen. + +The boy, South, is on board another ship, learning to be a musician. +He will return soon, when he shall have the letter and money. I +hope, he will deserve it; but he has been a very bad boy: but good +floggings, I hope, will save him from the gallows. + +Mr. Falcon is a clever man. He would not have made such a blunder as +our friend Drake, and Spencer Smith. I hear, the last is coming, _viâ_ +Trieste, to Malta. Perhaps, he wants to get to Constantinople; and, if +the Spencers get in, the Smiths will get any thing. + +Mr. Elliot, I hear, is a candidate for it. He complains of the expence +of Naples, I hear; and, that he cannot make both ends meet, although +he sees no company. + +The histories of the Queen are beyond whatever I have heard from Sir +William. Prince Leopold's establishment is all French. The Queen's +favourite, Lieutenant-Colonel St. Clair, was a subaltern; La Tour, the +Captain in the navy; and, another! + +However, I never touch on these matters; for, I care not how she +amuses herself. + +It will be the upset of Acton; or, rather, he will not, I am told, +stay. + +The King is angry with her; his love is long gone by. + +I have only one word more--Do not believe a syllable the newspapers +say, or what you hear. Mankind seems fond of telling lies. + +Remember me kindly to Mrs. Cadogan, and all our mutual friends; and +be assured, I am, for ever, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and +affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +George Campbell desires me always to present his best respects; and +make mine to good Mr. Yonge. What can I write him? I am sure, he must +have great pleasure in attending you: and, when you see Sir William +Scott, make my best regards acceptable to him. There is no man I have +a higher opinion of, both as a public and private character. + +You will long ago have had my letter; with one to Davison, desiring he +will pay for the alterations at Merton. I shall send you a letter for +the hundred pounds a month, to the Bank. + + + + +LETTER XLVIII. + + + Victory, June 6th, 1804. + +Since I wrote you, my Dearest Emma, on the 30th and 31st May, nothing +new has happened; except our hearing the _feu de joie_ at Toulon, for +the declaration of Emperor. + +What a capricious nation those French must be! However, I think +it must, in any way, be advantageous to England. There ends, for a +century, all republics! + +By vessels from Marseilles, the French think it will be a peace; and +they say, that several of their merchant ships are fitting out. I +earnestly pray, that it may be so; and, that we may have a few years +of rest. + +I rather believe, my antagonist at Toulon, begins to be angry with me: +at least, I am trying to make him so; and then, he may come out, and +beat me, as he says he did, off Boulogne. + +He is the Admiral that went to Naples in December 1792, La Touche +Treville, who landed the grenadiers. I owe him something for that. + +I am better, my dear Emma, than I have been, and shall get through the +summer very well; and I have the pleasure to tell you, that Charles is +very much recovered. There is no more the matter with his intellects, +than with mine! Quite the contrary; he is very quick. + +Mr. Scott, who has overlooked all his things, says, his clothes, &c. +are in the highest order he has ever seen. + +I shall place him in the Niger, with Captain Hilliar, when he joins; +but, all our ships are so full, that it is very difficult to get a +birth for one in any ship. + +Would you conceive it possible! but, it is now from April 2d, since I +have heard direct from Ball. The average time for a frigate to go, and +return, is from six to seven weeks. + +From you, I had letters, April 5th, and the papers to April 8th, +received May 10th, with a convoy. + +This goes through friend Gayner. + +Sir William Bolton joined last night; and received his letters, +announcing his being called _papa_. He is got a very fine young man +and good officer. + +Lord St. Vincent has desired he may have the first Admiralty vacancy +for post; but nobody will die, or go home. + +_A-propos_! I believe, you should buy a piece of plate, value fifty +pounds, for our god-daughter of Lady Bolton; and something of twenty +or thirty pounds value, for Colonel Suckling's. + +But, my Emma, you are not to pay for them, let it rest for me; or, if +the amount is sent me, I will order payment. + +Remember me most kindly to Horatia, good Mrs. Cadogan, Charlotte, Miss +Connor, and all our friends at dear, dear Merton; where, from my soul, +I wish I was, this moment: then, I sincerely hope, we should have no +cause for sorrow. + +You will say what is right to Mr. Perry, Newton, Patterson, Mr. +Lancaster, &c. you know all these matters. God in Heaven bless and +preserve you, for ever! prays, ever, your's most faithfully, + + -------- + + + + +LETTER XLIX. + + + Victory, June 10th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I wrote to you, on the 6th, _viâ_ Rosas: this goes by Barcelona; to +which place I am sending Sir William Bolton, to fetch Dr. Scott, who +is gone there, poor fellow, for the benefit of his health! + +I have just had very melancholy letters from the King and Queen of +Naples, on account of General Acton's going to Sicily. + +The insolence of Buonaparte was not to be parried without a war; for +which they are unable, if unassisted. + +I have letters from Acton, May 28, on board the Archimedes, just going +into Palermo. He will probably return to Naples, unless new events +arise: and that may be; for a minister, once out, may find some +difficulty in renewing his post. He has acted with great and becoming +spirit. + +I am better, but I have been very unwell. It blows, here, as much as +ever. Yesterday was a little hurricane of wind. + +I dare say, Prince Castelcicala knows it by express; if not, you may +tell him, with my best respects. He, and every one else, may be sure +of my attachment to those good sovereigns. By this route, I do not +choose to say more on this subject. + +With my kindest regards to Horatia and your good mother, Charlotte, +Miss C. and all our friends, believe me, my dear Emma, for ever, your +most faithful and affectionate + + -------- + +I fear, Sardinia will be invaded from Corsica before you get this +letter. I have not small ships to send there, or any where else; not +in the proportion of one to five. + +You may communicate this to Mr. Addington, if you think that he does +not know it; but, to no one else, except Castelcicala, of what relates +to Naples. + +I have very flattering letters from the Grand Vizier, in the name of +the Sultan; and from Cadir, now Capitan Pacha. + + + + +LETTER L. + + + Victory, July 1st, 1804. + +Although I have wrote you, my dearest Emma, a letter, by Rosas, of +June 27th, not yet gone, the weather being so very bad, that ships +cannot get across the Gulph of Lyons, yet I will [not] miss the +opportunity of writing by Gibraltar. + +You must not, my Emma, think of hearing from me by way of Malta; it +takes as long to send a letter to Malta, as to England. + +The Monmouth, which you complain of not hearing by, I knew nothing of +her movements for some months before. The ships from Malta, with the +convoys, pick up our letters at Gibraltar. Therefore, do not hurt my +feelings, by telling me that I neglect any opportunity of writing. + +Your letters of April 13th, 22d, and May 13th, through Mr. Falconet, +came safe, a few days ago. Mr. Falconet is the French banker; and he +dare not buy a little macaroni for me, or let an Englishman into his +house. + +Gibbs is still at Palermo: I fancy, he will make a good thing of my +estate; however, I wish it was settled. He wrote me, a short time +since, that he wished I would give him a hint (but without noticing +that it came from him) that I thought Mrs. Græfer and her child had +better go to England; on pretence of educating her daughter, &c. + +But I would have nothing to do with any such recommendation. It would +end in her coming to me, in England; and saying, that she could not +live upon what she had, and that I advised her to come to England, or +she should not have thought of it. + +In short, Gibbs wants to remove her. He is afraid of his pocket, I +fancy; and the daughter is, I fancy, now in some seminary at Palermo, +at Gibbs's expence. + +I wrote him word, fully, I would advise no such thing; she was to form +her own judgment. + +What our friends are after at Naples, they best know. The poor King is +miserable at the loss of Acton. + +The Queen writes me about honest Acton, &c. &c. and I hear, that she +has been the cause of ousting him: and they say--her enemies--that her +conduct is all French. That, I do not believe; although she is likely +to be the dupe of French emigrés, who always beset her. + +I doubt much, my dear Emma, even her constancy of real friendship to +you; although, in my letter to Acton, which Mr. Elliot says he read to +her, I mentioned the obligations she was under to you, &c. &c. in very +strong terms. + +What could the name of the minister signify! It was the letter which +was wanted to the Prime-Minister. + +But, never mind; with prudence, we shall do very well. + +I have wrote to Davison, by land: who, I am very sorry for; but, he +never would take a friend's caution, and he has been severely bit. + +Your accounts of Merton delight me; and you will long ago have known, +that I have directed the bills for the alterations to be paid. I never +could have intended to have taken it from the hundred pounds a month. + +You will not hear of my making prize-money. I have not paid my +expences these last nine months. + +I shall expect to eat my Christmas dinner at Merton; unless those +events happen which I can neither foresee nor prevent. + +I am not well: and must have rest, for a few months, even should the +country [want me;] which, very likely, they will not. News, I can have +none. April 9th, Leviathan sailed; so government don't care much for +us. + +Kiss my dear Horatia, for me! I hope you will have her at Merton; and, +believe me, my dear Emma, that I am, for ever, as ever, your attached, +faithful, and affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER LI. + + + Victory, August 12th, 1804. + +Although, my Dearest Emma, from the length of time my other letters +have been getting to you, I cannot expect that this will share a +better fate; yet, as the Childers is going to Rosas, to get us some +news from Paris--which is the only way I know of what is passing in +England--I take my chance of the post: but, I expect the Kent will +be in England before this letter; and by which ship I write to the +Admiralty relative to my health. + +Therefore, I shall only say, that I hope a little of your good +nursing, with ass's milk, will set me up for another campaign; should +the Admiralty wish me to return, in the spring, for another year: but, +I own, I think we shall have peace. + +The Ambuscade arrived this day fortnight, with our victuallers, &c. +and very acceptable they were. By her, I received your letters of May +14th, 22d, and 30th, _viâ_ Lisbon; and, of April 9th, 18, 15th, May +10th, 18th, 29th, June 1st, 5th, through, I suppose, the Admiralty. + +The box you mention, is not arrived; nor have I a scrap of a pen from +Davison. The weather in the Mediterranean seems much altered. In July, +seventeen days the fleet was in a gale of wind. + +I have often wrote to Davison, to pay for all the improvements at +Merton. The new-building the chamber over the dining-room, you must +consider. The stair window, we settled, was not to be stopped up. The +underground passage will, I hope, be made; but I shall, please God, +soon see it all. + +I have wrote you, my dear Emma, about Horatia; but, by the Kent, I +shall write fully. May God bless you, my dearest best-beloved Emma! +and believe me, ever, your most faithful and affectionate + + -------- + +Kind love, and regards, to Mrs. Cadogan, and all friends. God bless +you, again and again! + + + + +LETTER LII. + + + Victory, August 20th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +The Kent left us three days ago; and, as the wind has been perfectly +fair since her departure, I think she will have a very quick passage, +and arrive long before this letter. But, as a ship is going to Rosas, +I will not omit the opportunity of writing through Spain; as, you say, +the letters all arrive safe. + +We have nothing but gales of wind; and I have had, for two days, fires +in the cabin, to keep out the very damp air. + +I still hope that, by the time of my arrival in England, we shall have +peace. God send it! + +I have not yet received your muff; I think, probably, I shall bring it +with me. + +I hope, Davison has done the needful, in paying for the alterations at +Merton. If not, it is now too late; and we will fix a complete plan, +and execute it next summer. I shall be clear of debt, and what I have +will be my own. + +God bless you! Amen. Amen. + +George Elliot goes to Malta, for a convoy to England, this day. If you +ever see Lord Minto, say so. + + -------- + + + + +LETTER LIII. + + + Victory, August 31st, 1804--Say 30th, at Evening. Therefore, I + wrote, in fact, this Day, through Spain. + +MY EVER DEAREST EMMA, + +Yesterday, I wrote to you, through Spain; this goes by Naples. Mr. +Falconet, I think, will send it; although, I am sure, he feels great +fear from the French minister, for having any thing to do with us. + +Mr. Greville is a shabby fellow! It never could have been the +intention of Sir William, but that you should have had seven hundred +pounds a year neat money; for, when he made the will, the Income Tax +was double to what it is at present; and the estate which it is paid +from is increasing every year in value. + +It may be law, but it is not just; nor in equity would, I believe, be +considered as the will and intention of Sir William. Never mind! +Thank God, you do not want any of his kindness; nor will he give you +justice. + +I may fairly say all this; because my actions are different, even to a +person who has treated me so ill. + +As to ----, I know the full extent of the obligation I owe him, and +he may be useful to me again; but I can never forget his unkindness to +you. + +But, I guess, many reasons influenced his conduct, in bragging of his +riches, and my honourable poverty; but, as I have often said, and with +honest pride, what I have is my own; it never cost the widow a tear, +or the nation a farthing. I got what I have with my pure blood, from +the enemies of my country. Our house, my own Emma, is built upon a +solid foundation; and will last to us, when his house and lands may +belong to others than _his children_. + +I would not have believed it, from any one but you! But, if ever I go +abroad again, matters shall be settled very differently. + +I am working hard with Gibbs about Bronte, but the calls upon me are +very heavy. Next September, I shall be clear; I mean, September 1805. + +I have wrote to both Acton and the Queen about you. I do not think she +likes Mr. Elliot; and, therefore, I wish she had never shewn him my +letters about you. We also know, that he has a card of his own to +play. + +Dr. Scott, who is a good man--although, poor fellow! very often wrong +in the head--is going with Staines, in, the Cameleon, just to take +a peep at Naples and Palermo. I have introduced him to Acton, who is +very civil to every body from me. + +The Admiralty proceedings towards me, you will know much sooner than +I shall. I hope they will do the thing, handsomely, and allow of my +return in the spring; but, I do not expect it. + +I am very uneasy at your and Horatia being on the coast: for you +cannot move, if the French make the attempt; which, I am told, they +have done, and been repulsed. Pray God, it may be true! + +I shall rejoice to hear you and Horatia are safe at Merton; and happy +shall I be, the day I join you. _Gannam Justem._ + +Gaetano is very grateful for your remembrance of him. Mr. Chevalier is +an excellent servant. William says, he has wrote twice; I suppose, he +thinks that enough. + +This is written within three miles of the fleet in Toulon, who are +looking very tempting. Kind regards to Mrs. Cadogan, Charlotte, &c. +and compliments to all our joint friends; for they are no friends of +mine, who are not friends to Emma. + +God bless you, again and again! + +Captain Hardy has not been very well: and, I fancy, Admiral Murray +will not be sorry to see England; especially, since he has been +promoted * * * * * * * * * * * * * * he expects his flag may get up. + +God bless you, my dearest Emma; and, be assured, I am ever most +faithfully your's. + + ---------- + + + + +LETTER LIV. + + + Victory, September 29th, 1804. + +This day, my dearest Emma, which gave me birth, I consider as more +fortunate than common days; as, by my coming into this world, it has +brought me so intimately acquainted with you, who my soul holds most +dear. I well know that you will keep it, and have my dear Horatia to +drink my health. Forty-six years of toil and trouble! How few more, +the common lot of mankind leads us to expect; and, therefore, it +is almost time to think of spending the few last years in peace and +quietness! + +By this time, I should think, either my successor is named, or +permission is granted me to come home; and, if so, you will not long +receive this letter before I make my appearance: which will make us, I +am sure, both truly happy. + +We have had nothing, for this fortnight, but gales of easterly winds, +and heavy rains; not a vessel of any kind, or sort, joined the fleet. + +I was in hopes Dr. Scott would have returned from Naples; and that I +could have told you something comfortable for you, from that quarter: +and it is now seven weeks since we heard from Malta. Therefore, I know +nothing of what is passing in the world. + +I would not have you, my dear Emma, allow the work of brick and mortar +to go on in the winter months. It can all be finished next summer; +when, I hope, we shall have peace, or such an universal war as will +upset that vagabond, Buonaparte. + +I have been tolerable well, till this last bad weather, which has +given me pains in my breast; but, never mind, all will be well when I +get to Merton. + +Admiral Campbell, who is on board, desires to be remembered to you. +He does not like much to stay here, after my departure. Indeed, we all +draw so well together in the fleet, that I flatter myself the sorrow +for my departure will be pretty general. + +Admiral Murray will be glad to get home; Hardy is as good as ever; and +Mr. Secretary Scott is an excellent man. + +God bless you, my dearest Emma! and, be assured, I am ever your most +faithful and affectionate + + N. & B. + +Kiss dear Horatia. I hope she is at Merton, _fixed_. + + + + +LETTER LV. + + + Victory, October 7, [1804.] + 2 P.M. + +I wrote you, my Dearest Emma, this morning, by way of Lisbon; but +a boat, which is going to Torbay, having brought out a cargo of +potatoes, will I think get home before the Lisbon packet. I shall +only say--_Guzelle Gannam Justem_--and that I love you beyond all the +world! This may be read by French, Dutch, Spanish, or Englishmen; for +it comes from the heart of, my Emma, your faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I think the gentry will soon come out. I cannot say more by such a +conveyance. + + + + +LETTER LVI. + + + Victory, October 13, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +The dreadful effects of the yellow fever, at Gibraltar, and many parts +of Spain, will naturally give you much uneasiness; till you hear +that, thank God, we are entirely free from it, and in the most perfect +health, not one man being ill in the fleet. The cold weather will, I +hope, cure the disorder. + +Whilst I am writing this letter, a cutter is arrived from England with +strong indications of a Spanish war. + +I hope, from my heart, that it will not prove one. But, however that +is, my die is cast; and, long before this time, I expect, another +Admiral is far on his way to supersede me. Lord Keith, I think a very +likely man. + +I should, for your sake, and for many of our friends, have liked an +odd hundred thousand pounds; but, never mind. If they give me the +choice of staying a few months longer, it will be very handsome; and, +for the sake of others, we would give up, my dear Emma, very much of +our own felicity. If they do not, we shall be happy with each other, +and with dear Horatia. + +The cutter returns with my answers directly; therefore, my own Emma, +you must only fancy all my thoughts and feelings towards you. They are +every thing which a fond heart can fancy. + +I have not a moment; I am writing and signing orders, whilst I am +writing to my own Emma. + +My life, my soul, God in Heaven bless you! + +Your letter is September 16th, your last is August 27th. + +I have not made myself understood, about Mrs. Bolton's money. You give +away _too_ much. + +Kiss our dear Horatia a thousand times, for your own faithful Nelson. +I send two hundred pounds, keep it for your own pocket money. + +You must tell Davison, and Haslewood, that I cannot answer their +letters. Linton cannot be fixed; but you will know whether I come +home, or stay, from Mr. Marsden. + +God bless you! + +Tell my brother, that I have made Mr. Yonge a Lieutenant, into the +Sea-horse frigate, Captain Boyle. + +Once more, God bless my dearest Emma! + + ---------- + +Write your name on the back of the bill, if you send any person for +the money. + +I have scrawled three lines to Davison, that he should not think I +neglected him in his confinement. + +I have received the inclosed from Allen. Can we assist the poor +foolish man with a _character_? + + + + +LETTER LVII. + + + Victory, November 23,1804. + +As all our communication with Spain is at an end, I can now only +expect to hear from my own dear Emma by the very slow mode of +Admiralty vessels, and it is now more than two months since the John +Bull sailed. + +I much fear, something has been taken; for they never would, I am +sure, have kept me so long in the dark. However, by management, and a +portion of good luck, I got the account from Madrid in a much shorter +space of time than I could have hoped for; and I have set the whole +Mediterranean to work, and think the fleet cannot fail of being +successful: and, if I had had the spare troops at Malta at my +disposal, Minorca would at this moment have had English colours +flying. + +This letter, my dearest beloved Emma, goes--although in Mr. Marsden's +letter--such a roundabout way, that I cannot say all that my heart +wishes. Imagine every thing which is kind and affectionate, and you +will come near the mark. + +Where is my successor? I am not a little surprised at his not +arriving! A Spanish war, I thought, would have hastened him. Ministers +could not have thought that I wanted to fly the service, my whole +life has proved the contrary; and, if they refuse me now: I shall most +certainly leave this country in March or April; for a few months rest +I must have, very soon. If I am in my grave, what are the mines of +Peru to me! + +But, to say the truth, I have no idea of killing myself. I may, with +care, live yet to do good service to the state. My cough is very bad; +and my side, where I was struck on the 14th of February, is very +much swelled; at times, a lump as large as my fist, brought on, +occasionally, by violent coughing: but, I hope, and believe, my lungs +are yet safe. + +Sir William Bolton is just arrived from Malta. I am preparing to send +him a cruise, where he will have the best chance I can give him of +making ten thousand pounds. He is a very attentive, good, young man. + +I have not heard from Naples this age. I have, in fact, no small craft +to send for news. + +If I am soon to go home, I shall be with you before this letter. + +May God bless you! + +Thomson desires to be most kindly remembered to his dear wife and +children. He is most sincerely attached to them; and wishes to save +what he can for their benefit. + +As our means of communicating are cut off, I have only to beg that you +will not believe the idle rumours of battles, &c. &c. &c. + +May Heavens bless you! prays, fervently, my dear Emma, ever your most +faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER LVIII. + + + Victory, March 9th, 1805. + +I do assure you, my Dearest Emma, that nothing can be more miserable, +or unhappy, than your poor Nelson. + +From the 19th of February, have we been beating from Malta to off +Palma; where I am now anchored, the wind and sea being so very +contrary and bad. But I cannot help myself, and no one in the fleet +can feel what I do: and, to mend my fate, yesterday Captain Layman +arrived--to my great surprise--not in his brig, but in a Spanish +cartel; he having been wrecked off Cadiz, and lost all the dispatches +and letters. + +You will conceive my disappointment! It is now from November 2d, that +I have had a line from England. + +Captain Layman says--he is sure the letters are sunk, never to rise +again; but, as they were not thrown overboard until the vessel struck +the rock, I have much fear that they may have fallen into the hands of +the Dons. + +My reports from off Toulon, state the French fleet as still in port; +but, I shall ever be uneasy at not having fallen in with them. + +I know, my dear Emma, that it is in vain to repine; but my feelings +are alive to meeting those fellows, after near two years hard service. + +What a time! I could not have thought it possible that I should have +been so long absent; unwell, and uncomfortable, in many respects. + +However, when I calculate upon the French fleet's not coming to sea +for this summer, I shall certainly go for dear England, and a thousand +[times] dearer Merton. May Heavens bless you, my own Emma! + +I cannot think where Sir William Bolton is got to; he ought to have +joined me, before this time. + +I send you a trifle, for a birth-day's gift. I would to God, I could +give you more; but, I have it not! + +I get no prize-money worth naming; but, if I have the good fortune +to meet the French fleet, I hope they will make me amends for all my +anxiety; which has been, and is, indescribable. + +How is my dear Horatia? I hope you have her under your guardian wing, +at Merton. May God bless her! + +Captain Layman is now upon his trial. I hope he will come clear, with +honour. I fear, it was too great confidence in his own judgment that +got him into the scrape; but it was impossible that any person living +could have exerted himself more, when in a most trying and difficult +situation. + + March 10th. + +Poor Captain L. has been censured by the court: but, I have my own +opinion. I sincerely pity him; and have wrote to Lord Melville, and +Sir Evan Nepean, to try what can be done. All together, I am much +unhinged. + +To-morrow, if the wind lasts, I shall be off Toulon. + +Sir William Bolton is safe, I heard of him this morning. I hear, that +a ship is coming out for him; but, as this is only rumour, I cannot +keep him from this opportunity of being made post: and, I dare say, he +will cause, by his delay, such a tumble, that Louis's son, who I have +appointed to the Childers, will lose his promotion; and, then Sir +Billy will be wished at the devil! But, I have done with this subject; +the whole history has hurt me. Hardy has talked enough to him, to +rouze his lethargic disposition. + +I have been much hurt at the loss of poor Mr. Girdlestone! He was a +good man; but there will be an end of us all. + +What has Charles Connor been about? His is a curious letter! If he +does not drink, he will do very well. Captain Hilliar has been very +good to him. + +Colonel Suckling, I find, has sent his son to the Mediterranean; +taking him from the Narcissus, where I had been at so much pains to +place him. I know not where to find a frigate to place him. He never +will be so well and properly situated again. I am more plagued +with other people's business, or rather nonsense, than with my own +concerns, + +With some difficulty, I have got Suckling placed in the Ambuscade, +with Captain Durban, who came on board at the moment I was writing. + + March 31st. + +The history of Suckling will never be done. I have this moment got +from him your letter, and one from his father. I shall say nothing to +him; I don't blame the child, but those who took [him] out of the most +desirable situation in the navy. He never will get into such another +advantageous ship: but, his father is a fool; and so, my dear Emma, +that _ends_. + +The box which you sent me in May 1804, is just arrived in the Diligent +store-ship. + +I have sent the arms to Palermo, to Gibbs. The clothes are very +acceptable; I will give you a kiss, for sending them. + +God bless you! Amen. + + April 1st. + +I am not surprised that we should both think the same about the +kitchen; and, if I can afford it, I should like it to be done: but, by +the fatal example of poor Mr. Hamilton, and many others, we must take +care not to get into debt; for, then, we can neither help any of our +relations, and [must] be for ever in misery! But, of this, we [will] +talk more, when we walk upon the poop at Merton. + +Do you ever see Admiral and Mrs. Lutwidge? You will not forget me when +you do. + +To Mrs. Cadogan, say every thing that is kind; and to all our other +friends: and, be assured, I am, for ever and ever, your's, and only +your's, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +As I know that all the Mediterranean letters are cut and smoaked, +and perhaps read, I do not send you a little letter in this; but your +utmost stretch of fancy cannot imagine _more_ than I feel towards my +own dear Emma. + +God bless you! _Amen._ + + + + +LETTER LIX. + + + Victory, off Plymouth, September 17th, + [1805.] Nine o'Clock in the Morning. + Blowing fresh at W.S.W. dead foul + wind. + +I sent, my own Dearest Emma, a letter for you, last night, in a Torbay +boat, and gave the man a guinea to put it in the Post-Office. + +We have had a nasty blowing night, and it looks very dirty. + +I am now signalizing the ships at Plymouth to join me; but, I rather +doubt their ability to get to sea. However, I have got clear of +Portland, and have Cawsand Bay and Torbay under the lee. + +I intreat, my dear Emma, that you will chear up; and we will look +forward to many, many happy years, and be surrounded by our children's +children. God Almighty can, when he pleases, remove the impediment. + +My heart and soul is with you and Horatia. + +I got this line ready, in case a boat should get alongside. + +For ever, ever, I am your's, most devotedly, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Mr. Rose said, he would write to Mr. Bolton, if I was sailed; but, I +have forgot to give him the direction: but I will send it, to-day. I +think, I shall succeed very soon, if not at this moment. + + Wednesday, September 18th, + off the Lizard. + +I had no opportunity of sending your letter yesterday, nor do I see +any prospect at present. The Ajax and Thunderer are joining; but, it +is nearly calm, with a swell from the westward. Perseverance has got +us thus far; and the same will, I dare say, get us on. + +Thomas seems to do very well, and content. + +Tell Mr. Lancaster, that I have no doubt that his son will do very +well. + +God bless you, my own Emma! + +I am giving my letters to Blackwood, to put on board the first vessel +he meets going to England, or Ireland. + +Once more, Heavens bless you! Ever, for ever, your + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER LX. + + + Victory, October 1st, 1805. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +It is a relief to me, to take up the pen, and write you a line; for I +have had, about four o'clock this morning, one of my dreadful spasms, +which has almost enervated me. + +It is very odd! I was hardly ever better than yesterday. Freemantle +stayed with me till eight o'clock, and I slept uncommonly well; but, +was awoke with this disorder. My opinion of its effect, some one day, +has never altered. However, it is entirely gone off, and I am only +quite weak. The good people of England will not believe, that rest of +body and mind is necessary for me! But, perhaps, this spasm may not +come again these six months. I had been writing seven hours yesterday; +perhaps, that had some hand in bringing it upon me. + +I joined the fleet late on the evening of the 28th of September, but +could not communicate with them until the next morning. + +I believe, my arrival was most welcome; not only to the commander of +the fleet, but also to every individual in it: and, when I came to +explain to them the _Nelson touch_, it was like an electric shock. +Some shed tears, all approved--"It was new, it was singular, it was +simple!" and, from Admirals downwards, it was repeated--"It must +succeed, if ever they will allow us to get at them! You are, my Lord, +surrounded by friends whom you inspire with confidence." Some may +be Judas's; but the majority are certainly much pleased with my +commanding them. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + + + + +SUPPLEMENT. + +_INTERESTING LETTERS_, + +ELUCIDATORY + +OF + +Lord Nelson's Letters + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON, + +&c. + +VOL. II. + + + + +LETTERS + +FROM + +LORD NELSON, + +TO + +MISS HORATIA NELSON THOMSON, + +NOW + +MISS HORATIA NELSON, + +(_Lord Nelson's Adopted Daughter;_) + +AND + +MISS CHARLOTTE NELSON, + +(_Daughter of the present Earl._) + + + + +Letters + +OF + +LORD NELSON, &c. + +TO + +MISS HORATIA NELSON THOMSON. + + + + Victory, April 13th, 1804. + +MY DEAR HORATIA, + +I send you twelve books of Spanish dresses, which you will let your +guardian angel, Lady Hamilton, keep for you, when you are tired +of looking at them. I am very glad to hear, that you are perfectly +recovered; and, that you are a very good child. I beg, my dear +Horatia, that you will always continue so; which will be a great +comfort to your most affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +TO MISS CHARLOTTE NELSON. + + + Victory, April 19th, 1804. + +MY DEAR CHARLOTTE, + +I thank you very much for your kind letters of January 3d, and 4th; +and I feel truly sensible of your kind regard for that dear little +orphan, Horatia. + +Although her parents are lost; yet, she is not without a fortune: and, +I shall cherish her to the last moment of my life; and _curse_ +them who _curse_ her, and Heaven _bless_ them who _bless_ her! Dear +innocent! she can have injured no one. + +I am glad to hear, that she is attached to you; and, if she takes +after her parents, so she will, to those who are kind to her. + +I am, ever, dear Charlotte, your affectionate uncle, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTERS + +FROM + +ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +LETTERS OF ALEX. DAVISON, ESQ. &c. + + + + +I. + + + [1804.] + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +I have, equally with yourself, felt extremely uneasy all night, +thinking on _the_ letter, which is a very serious one; and, until we +receive our next dispatches, I shall still feel every day more and +more anxious. + +I rely on that kind Providence, which has hitherto sheltered him under +every danger, upon the occasion. + +He was on the eve of engaging, for protection--and preservation--It +is, indeed, an anxious moment! + +I have long thought, a plan was in agitation regarding the Toulon +fleet being given up; but, whether it was in contemplation at the +period the last letter was written, I know not. I am rather disposed +to think otherwise. + +The next packet will explain the whole; and, I trust, will relieve our +minds of that burden, hardly supportable at present. + +I shall, this evening, go quietly into the country, and return to town +about noon to-morrow: as I require air, and a little relaxation; for I +am, actually, overpowered with business. + + Your's, most truly, + ALEX. DAVISON. + Thursday Morning. + + + + +II. + + + [1804,] + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +Yesterday, I wrote to you just in time to save the post: but, whether +that letter, or even this, reach you, I have my doubts--if they do +not, you have only yourself to blame; for I cannot, for the soul of +me, make out the name of the place. You have been in such a hurry, +when writing it, that it really is not legible; and I do not +sufficiently know Norfolk, to guess at it. + +I did yesterday, as I shall this--imitate your writing, leaving it to +the Post-Office gentlemen to find it out. + +I acquainted you, that I would take care to obey your wishes, and hold +back your check on Coutts and Co. till such time as it would be quite +convenient to yourself, and you tell me to send it for payment. + +Your mind may be perfectly at ease on that score: as, indeed, it may +in every thing in which you have to do with me--though we do, now and +then, differ a little in trifles; but, not in essentials: having +one, only one, object in mind, that of the comforts, and ultimate +happiness, of our dear--_your_ beloved Nelson; for whom, what would +you or I not do? + +What a world of matter is now in agitation! Every thing is big with +events; and soon, very soon, I hope to see--what I have long desired, +and anxiously [been] waiting for--an event to contribute to the glory, +the independency, of our Nelson. + +I still hope, ere Christmas, to see him: that hope founded on the +darling expectation of his squadron falling in with a rich _Spanish_ +flotilla. I think, too, that the French fleet will _now_ come out. + +I have written to our dear friend every information I have been able +to collect, and have sent him a continuation of all the newspapers. + +It affords me particular pleasure, to hear you feel so happy in +Norfolk. How is it possible it can be otherwise! seated, as you +are, in the midst of the friends of your best friend; enjoying every +kindness and attention in their power to shew to the favourite of +their brother. + +I shall be very much rejoiced, when you come back, to talk over very +interesting objects which our dear friend will _now_ have to pursue. + +My best respects to your fire-side; and believe me, most sincerely, +your's, + + ALEX. DAVISON. + + + + +III. + + + Saturday, 22d September 1804. + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +Ever obedient to your _lawful_ commands, I have implicitly obeyed your +orders, in the purchase, this morning, of Messrs. Branscomb and Co. +four quarter lottery-tickets-- + + { No. 593.} + { 10,376.} + { 14,381.} + { 20,457.} + +Each, I hope, will come up prize; and be entitled to receive, at +least, on the whole, twenty thousand pounds! I paid eighteen pounds +eight shillings for them; and I have written upon the back of +each--"_Property of Lord Nelson, 22d September 1804. A.D."_ + +When I have the pleasure of seeing you, I shall deliver the trust over +to you, to receive the _bespoken_ said sum of twenty thousand pounds. +What a glorious receipt will it be! + +I am glad you received my letters, though I could not make out the +name of the place; the Post-Office runners are expert at it. + +What do you say to a Spanish war? I think, now, the breeze begins to +freshen; and that the flames, _at last_, will succeed. + +I sent off, last night, a very long epistle to our dear Nelson. I am +truly distressed at his not receiving my letters; though I can +pretty well guess how to account for it, and in whose hands they were +detained. Experience teaches us how better to guard against similar +misfortunes; and, in future, I shall be cautious to whom I give my +letters. + +So that I know the Hero of heroes is well, I care the less about +letters; knowing that writing, delivering, or receiving them, will +not, either in him or me, make the least alteration, or lessen our +attachment or affection. + +I am pleased to see how happy you are in Norfolk. I wish you may not +find it so fascinating, that the arrival of "Lord Nelson" at Merton +would not induce you to [quit] the county!!! + +I beg you will make my best respects acceptable to _every_ friend +(real) of that invaluable man, Lord Nelson. + + Your's, most truly, + ALEX. DAVISON. + + + + +Letter + +from + +Lady Hamilton + +TO + +ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. + +INCLOSING + +_Her Ladyship's Verses on Lord Nelson_. + + + + +Letter OF Lady Hamilton, &c. + + + Clarges Street, + [_26th January 1805._] + +I have been very ill, my Dear Sir; and am in bed with a cold, very bad +cold indeed! But, the moment I am better, I will call on you. + +I am invited to dine with Mr. Haslewood to-morrow, but fear I shall +not be able to go. + +I am very anxious about letters; but Admiral Campbell has told me, he +thinks my dear Lord will soon be at home. God grant! for, I think, he +might remove that stumbling-block, Sir John O! Devil take him! + +That _Polyphemus_ should have been Nelson's: but, he is rich in great +and _noble deeds_; which t'other, poor devil! is not. So, let dirty +wretches get pelf, to comfort them; victory belongs to Nelson. Not, +but what I think money necessary for comforts; and, I hope, _our_, +_your's_, and _my_ Nelson, will get a little, for all Master O. + +I write from bed; and you will see I do, by my scrawl. + +I send you some of my bad Verses on my soul's Idol. + +God bless you! Remember, you will soon be free; and let that cheer +you, that you will come out with even more friends than ever. I can +only say, I am your ever obliged, and grateful, + + EMMA HAMILTON. + +I long to see and know Nepean! Why will you not ask me to dine with, +him _en famille?_ + + {Yes.} + {_A.D._} + + * * * * * + +EMMA TO NELSON. + + I think, I have not lost my heart; + Since I, with truth, can swear, + At every moment of my life, + I feel my Nelson there! + + If, from thine Emma's breast, her heart + Were stolen or flown away; + Where! where! should she my Nelson's love + Record, each happy day? + + If, from thine Emma's breast, her heart + Were stolen or flown away; + Where! where! should she engrave, my Love! + Each tender word you say? + + Where! where! should Emma treasure up + Her Nelson's smiles and sighs? + Where mark, with joy, each secret look + Of love, from Nelson's eyes? + + Then, do not rob me of my heart, + Unless you first forsake it; + And, then, so wretched it would be, + Despair alone will take it. + + + + +Letter + +from + +Lady Hamilton + +TO THE + +RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON, + +NOW + +VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH. + + + + +Letter of Lady Hamilton, &c. + + + April 13th. [1803.] + +SIR, + +May I trouble you, and but for a moment, in consequence of my +irreparable loss; my ever-honoured husband, Sir William Hamilton, +being no more! I cannot avoid it, I am forced to petition for a +portion of his pension: such a portion as, in your wisdom and noble +nature, may be approved; and so represented to our most gracious +Sovereign, as being right. For, Sir, I am most sadly bereaved! I am +now in circumstances far below those in which the goodness of my dear +Sir William allowed me to move for so many years; and below those +becoming the relict of such a public minister, who was proved so very +long--no less than thirty-six years--and, all his life, honoured so +very much by the constant friendly kindness of the King and Queen +themselves: and, may I mention--what is well known to the then +administration at home--how I, too, strove to do all I could towards +the service of our King and Country. The fleet itself, I can truly +say, could not have got into _Sicily_, but for what I was happily able +to do with the Queen of Naples, and through her secret instructions so +obtained: on which depended the refitting of the fleet in Sicily; and, +with that, all which followed so gloriously at the Nile. These few +words, though seemingly much at large, may not be extravagant at all. +They are, indeed, true. I wish them to be heard, only as they can be +proved; and, being proved, may I hope for what I have now desired? + +I am, Sir, with respect more than I can well utter, your obedient +servant, + + EMMA HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters + +FROM + +SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. _&c._ + + + + +I. + + + Persano, [Wednesday] + Jan. 4, 1792. + +We arrived here, yesterday, in little more than five hours, and had +nearly began with a disagreeable accident; for the King's horse took +fright at the guard, and his Majesty and horse were as near down as +possible. However, all ended well; and he was as gay as possible, +yesterday. + +Our first _chasse_ has not succeeded; though there were two wolves, +and many wild boars, in the _Mena_: but the king would direct how we +should beat the wood, and began at the wrong end; by which the wolves +and boars escaped, and we remained without shooting power. However, +ten or twelve boars have been killed, some how or other, and some +large ones. + +The King's face is very long, at this moment; but, I dare say, +to-morrow's good sport will shorten it again. + +I was sorry, my dear Em. to leave you in affliction: you must harden +yourself to such little misfortunes as a temporary parting; but, I +cannot blame you for having a good and tender heart. Believe me, you +are in thorough possession of all mine, though I will allow it to be +rather tough. + +Let us study to make one another as comfortable as we can; and +"_banish sorrow, till to-morrow_:" and so on, every day. + +You are wise enough to see the line it is proper for you to take; and +have, hitherto, followed it most rigorously: and I can assure you, +that I have not the least doubt of your continuing in it. + +Amuse yourself as well as you can, as I am doing, whilst we are +separate; and the best news you can give me is, that you are well and +happy. + +My cold is already better for having passed the whole day in the open +air, and without human _seccatura_. + +Adieu! my dear, dear Emma. I am, with my love to your good mother, +your's ever, and faithfully, + + W.H. + + + + +II. + + + Persano, Thursday, + [Jan. 5th, 1792.] + +We got home early, and I have not yet received your Daily Advertiser. + +No sport, again! In the midst of such a quantity of game, they have +contrived to carry him far off, where there is none. He has no other +comfort, to-day, than having killed a wild cat; and his face is a yard +long. + +However, his Majesty has vowed vengeance on the boars to-morrow, and +will go according to his own fancy; and, I dare say, there will be a +terrible slaughter. + +The last day, we are to keep all we kill; and, I suppose, it will be +night before we get home. + +Yesterday, the courier brought the order of St. Stephano, from the +Emperor, for the Prince Ausberg, and the King was desired to invest +him with it. As soon as the King received it, he ran into the Prince's +room; whom he found in his shirt, and without his breeches: and, +in that condition, was he decorated with the star and ribbon by his +Majesty, who has wrote the whole circumstance to the Emperor. + +Leopold may, perhaps, not like the joking with his first order. Such +nonsense should, certainly, be done with solemnity; or it becomes, +what it really is, a little tinsel, and a few yards of broad ribbon. + +The Prince, _entre nous_, is not very wise; but he is a good creature +and we are great friends. + +I have wrote to Mrs. Dickinson. I forget whether you have, or not: if +not, pray do it soon; for, you know, she is a good friend of your's. + +I have just received your good letter. I am glad they have taken the +Guarda patana's son-in-law. I insist upon Smith's letting the Regent +of the Vicaria know of his having stabbed my porter. He ought to go +to the gallies; and my honour is concerned, if this insult offered my +livery is unnoticed. The girl had better cry, than be ill-used, and +her father killed. + +Adieu, my sweet Em. Your's, with all my heart, + + W.H. + + + + +III. + + + Persano, Friday Evening. + [Jan. 6th, 1792.] + +I Inclose our friend Knight's admirable letter to you. I could not +refrain reading it; and, I am sure, it was his intention I should do +so, having left it unsealed. He is a fine fellow; it was worth going +to England, to secure such a sensible friend. + +You will probably have seen General Werner last night; this is Friday +night, and he will have told you I am well. + +We have been out all day in the rain; I killed none, and the King and +party but few. Such obstinate bad weather I really never experienced, +for so long a time together. + +You did perfectly right in buying the lamps; and I am glad the Prince +asked to dine with you. I am sure, he was comfortably received by you. + +You see what devils [there are] in England! They wanted to stir +up something against me; but our conduct shall be such as to be +unattackable: and I fear not an injustice from England. Twenty-seven +years service--having spent all the King's money, and all my own, +besides running in debt, deserves something better than a dismission! + +The King has declared, he will return to Naples next Saturday +se'n-night; so you know the worst, my dear Emma. Indeed, I shall +embrace you most cordially; for I would not be married to any woman, +but yourself, on earth, for all the world. + +Lord A. Hamilton's son, you see, recommends a friend of his; who, I +suppose, is arrived: if so, receive him well. + +Adieu, again! Your's, ever, + + W.H. + + + + +IV. + + + Persano, Saturday Night, + [January 7th, 1792.] + +This has been one of the cruel days which attend the King's _chasse_. +All the posts--except the King's, Prince Ausberg, D'Onerato, and +Priori--bad. + +We have been out all day, in cold rain, without seeing a boar. The +King has killed twenty-five, and a wolf; and the other good posts, in +proportion. + +Why not rather leave us at home, than go out with the impossibility of +sport? But we must take the good and bad, or give it up. + +Lamberg is too delicate for this business; he has been in bed, with a +slight fever, all to-day. + +You will have another boar, to-day; which boar being a _sow_, I have +made a _bull_! The sows are much better than the boars; so you may +keep some to eat at home, and dispose of the rest to your favourite +English. + +I am glad all goes on so well. I never doubted your gaining every soul +you approach. + +I am far from being angry at your feeling the loss of me so much! +Nay, I am flattered; but, believe me, the time will soon come, that we +shall meet. Years pass seemingly in an instant; why, then, afraid of a +few days? + +Upon the whole, we are sociable here; but we go to bed at nine, and +get up at five o'clock. I generally read an hour, to digest my supper; +but, indeed, I live chiefly on bread and butter. + +Salandra desires his compliments to you, as does Lamberg and Prince +Ausberg. + +Adieu, my dear Emma! Ever your's, and your's alone, + + W.H. + + +I send you back your two letters. Dutens was very satisfactory. I send +the papers to Smith; who will give them to you first, if you have not +read them. + +The cold and fatigue makes my hand something like your's--which, by +the bye, you neglect rather too much: but, as what you write is good +sense, every body will forgive the scrawl. + + + + +V. + + + Sunday Night, [Jan. 8th, 1792.] + +We are come in late; and I have but a moment to tell you we are well, +and I have killed three large boars, a fox, and four woodcocks. + +Nothing pleases me more, than to hear you do not neglect your singing. +It would be a pity, as you are near the point of perfection. + +Adieu, my dearest Emma! Your's, with my whole soul, + + W.H. + + + + +VI. + + + Persano, [Monday] + January 10th, [9th] 1792. + +Your letter of yesterday, my Sweet Em. gave me great pleasure; as, I +see, all goes on perfectly right for you at Naples. + +Your business, and mine, is to be civil to all, and not enter into any +party matters. If the Wilkinsons are not content with our civilities, +let them help themselves. + +We have had a charming day, and most excellent sport. More than a +hundred wild boars, and two wolves, have fallen. I killed five boars, +truly monsters! and a fox. + +Vincenzo could not follow me to-day; he cannot walk two steps, without +being out of breath. However, I load the guns myself; and, with the +peasant I brought from Caserta, and another I hire here, I do very +well. I fear, poor Vincenzo will not hold long. If he chooses it, I +mean to send him to Naples, to consult Noody [Nudi.] + +General Werner, Prince of Hesse, and Count Zichare, are here since +last night; they brought me your compliments. Lamberg is still +confined. + +Amuse yourself, my dearest Emma, and never doubt of my love. Your's, +ever, + + W.H. + + + + +VII. + + + Persano, [Tuesday] + Jan. 10th, 1792. + +The day has been so thoroughly bad, that we have not been able to stir +out; and the King, of course, in bad humour. I am not sorry to have a +day's repose, and I have wrote my letters for to-morrow's post. + +Lamberg is still in bed with a fever, and Prince Ausberg's eyes are +a little inflamed with cold and fatigue. My cold was renewed a little +yesterday; but a good night's rest, and quiet to-day, has set all to +rights again. + +Vincenzo was so bad, yesterday, that he could not follow me, and was +blooded. He is better, to-day; but he will never serve more, except to +load my guns at the post. He cannot walk a mile, without being out of +breath. + +I am glad you have been at the Academy, and in the great world. It is +time enough for you to find out, that the only real comfort is to be +met with at home; I have been in that secret some time. + +You are, certainly, the most domestic young woman I know: but you are +young, and most beautiful; and it would not be natural, if you did not +like to shew yourself a little in public. + +The effusion of tenderness, with regard to me, in your letter, is very +flattering; I know the value of it, and will do all I can to keep it +alive. We are now one flesh, and it must be our study to keep that +flesh as warm and comfortable as we can. I will do all in my power to +please you, and I do not doubt of your doing the same towards me. + +Adieu, my dearest Emma! Having nothing interesting to write, and as +you insist upon hearing from me every day, you must content yourself +with such a stupid letter as this. + +Your Ladyship's commands shall always be punctually obeyed by, dear +Madam, your Ladyship's most obedient and faithful servant, + + W. HAMILTON. + + + + +VIII. + + + Persano, Wednesday, + 11th Jan. [1792.] + +I have just received your letter--and, as I always do--with infinite +pleasure. + +I hope you received twelve wood-biddies, to-day; and, to-morrow, you +will have a wild boar: all left to your discretion. + +No talk of returning, yet. We must complete sixteen days shooting, and +one day has been lost by bad weather. + +We had a good day, and tolerable sport. I have killed two, and one the +largest boar I have seen yet here. + +Vincenzo, they say, will be well in a day or two, as it is only a +cold; I fear, it is more serious. + +The King has killed twenty-one boars to-day, and is quite happy. + +The Germans all drink tea with me every evening. Lamberg is better. + +Adieu, my ever dear Emma! We are always in a hurry; though we have, +absolutely, nothing to do, but kill, examine, and weigh, wild boars. + +I assure you, that I shall rejoice when I can embrace you once more. A +picture would not content me; your image is more strongly represented +on my heart, than any that could be produced by human art. + +Your most affectionate husband, + + W.H. + + + + +IX. + + + Persano, Thursday Night, + [Jan. 12th, 1792.] + +Never put yourself in a hurry, my dear Emma. + +I have got your two kind letters. Send for Gasparo; and give your +orders, that the servants attend your call: and let him discharge +them, if they do not. You are my better half, and may command. +Translate this part of the letter to him. + +We have had good sport to-day, though the bad weather came on at +eleven o'clock. Fifty-four wild boars have been killed, I had seven +shot; and killed five, three of which are enormous. Dispose of the +boar I send you to-day as you think proper. + +I always thought Ruspoli a dirty fellow; but what has he done of late? + +As to your mother's going with you to the English parties, very well; +but, believe me, it will be best for her, and more to her happiness, +to stay at home, than go with you to the Neapolitan parties. + +The King is in good humour to-day, as I foretold. We continue to dine +at eight at night, and have nothing from breakfast to that hour. But +I give tea and bread and butter, of which Prince Ausberg and Lamberg +partake with pleasure. The Prince, having no opportunity of making +love, does nothing but talk of his new flame, which is Lady A. Hatton. +I put him right; for he thought she spelt her name with two _rr_, +instead of two _tt_. + +I rejoice at your having Aprile again; pray, tell him so: for I know +the rapid progress you will make under his care. + +My cold is near gone. The worst is, my room smokes confoundedly; and +so do all the other rooms, except the King's. + +Adieu, my dear Emma! Amuse yourself as well as you can; and believe +me, ever, your's alone, with the utmost confidence, + + W.H. + + + + +X. + + + Persano, Friday Night, + [Jan. 13th, 1792.] + +We have had a miserable cold day, but good sport. I killed two boars, +and a doe; the King, nineteen boars, two stags, two does, and a +porcupine. He is happy beyond expression. + +I send you Charles's letter; but do not lose it, as I will answer it +when I return. You see, the line we have taken will put it out of the +power of our enemies to hurt us. I will give up my judgment of worldly +matters to no one. + +I approve of all you do in my absence; but it would be nonsense, +and appear affected, to carry your scruples too far. Divert yourself +reasonably. I am sure of your attachment to me, and I shall not easily +be made to alter my opinion of you. + +My cold is better, notwithstanding the weather. + +I have no time to _in'gler_; so, adieu! my dearest wife. + +Your's, + + W.H. + +_P.S._ Let Gasparo pay thirty ducats, for the vase, to D. Andrea. + +By way of charity, we may give thirty ounces to that shabby dog, +Hadrava; though he knows the picture is not worth more than ten at +most. His writing to you in such a stile is pitiful indeed. You will +often have such letters, if you do not tell him, now, that it is for +once and all. + + + + +XI. + + + Persano, Saturday, + 14th Jan. [1792.] + +MY DEAR EMMA, + +I have received a letter from Douglass; with one inclosed, from Mr. +Durno; who, to my surprise, says, he has not received my order on +Biddulph, Cockes, and Co. for one thousand five hundred and ninety +pounds; which, you know, I sent from Caserta. + +I find, in my book of letters, 20th of December, that I wrote, that +day, a letter to Mr. Burgess, to deliver to Messieurs Biddulph and +Co.--to Lord Abercorn--and to Mr. Durno, with the order inclosed. + +Pray, send for Smith; and ask him, if he remembers having put such +letters in the post, and let him inquire at the Naples post about +them: and let him send the inclosed, by Tuesday's post, to Rome. + +I certainly will not give another order until this matter is cleared +up. I fear some roguery. + +We have had a fine day, and killed numberless boars; a hundred +and fifty, at least. I have killed four, out of six shot; and am +satisfied, as one is a real monster--the King, thirty--D'Onerato, +eighteen,--and so on, the favoured shooters. + +Vincenzo is rather better, but not able to serve me. + +My best compliments to Alexander Hamilton. You did well, to invite +Copley. + +Adieu! my sweet Em. Ever your's, in deed and in truth, + + W.H. + + + + +XII. + + + Persano, Sunday, + Jan. 15, 1792. + +You did admirably, my Dear Em. in not inviting Lady A.H. to dine with +the Prince; and still better, in telling her, honestly, the reason. I +have always found, that going straight is the best method, though not +the way of the world. + +You did, also, very well, in asking Madame Skamouski; and not taking +upon you to present her, without leave. + +In short, consult your own good sense, and do not be in a hurry; and, +I am sure, you will always act right. + +We have been at it again, this morning, and killed fifty boars; but +were home to dinner, at one o'clock: and this is the first dinner +I have had, since I left you; for I cannot eat meat breakfasts or +suppers, and have absolutely lived on bread and butter and tea. + +As the Prince asked you, you did well to send for a song to +Douglass's; but, in general, you will do right to sing only at home. + +The King is very kind to me, and shews every one that he really loves +me: and he commends my shooting; having missed but very few, and +killed the largest of the society. Only think of his not being +satisfied with killing more than thirty, yesterday! He said, if the +wind had favoured him, he should have killed sixty at least. + +We must be civil to Mr. Hope, as recommended by Lord Auckland; and +also to Monsieur de Rochement, and Prince Bozatinsky, as recommended +by my friend Saussure. I inclose his letter, as you are mentioned in +it; also Knight's, as you desire. God knows, we have no secrets; nor, +I hope, ever shall. + +We have much business between this and Saturday: and we are to shoot, +Saturday morning; so that we shall arrive late. + +What say you to a feet washing that night? _O che Gusto_! when your +_prima ora_ is over, and all gone. + +Adieu, my sweet Emma! Ever your's, + + W.H. + + + + +XIII. + + + Persano, Monday Night, + [Jan. 16th, 1792.] + +For your long and interesting letter, I can only write a line, to tell +you I am well. + +We have been out, till an hour in the night, from day-break; and I +have fired off my gun but once, having had a bad post. The King, and +favoured party, have diverted themselves. To-morrow will, probably, be +a good day for me. + +Pray, let Smith get orders for the Museum, &c. for Lord Boyle and Mr. +Dodge, as they are recommended by Mr. Eden. + +Adieu, my lovely Emma! Let them all roll on the carpet, &c. provided +you are not of the party. My trust is in you alone. + +Your's, ever, + + W.H. + + + + +XIV. + + + Persano, Tuesday Night, + [Jan. 17, 1792.] + +I told you, my Dear Em. that I expected good sport to-day! I have +killed five boars, and two great ones got off after falling; two +bucks; six does; and a hare: fourteen in all. + +By the bye, I must tell you, that _accept_ and _except_ are totally +different. You always write--"I did not _except_ of the invitation;" +when, you know, it should be "_accept_." It is, only, for want of +giving yourself time to think; but, as this error has been repeated, I +thought best to tell you of it. + +Pray, write a very kind letter to our friend the Archbishop; and +convince him, that Emma, to her friends, is unalterable. Do not say a +word about the telescope; for, I must try it, first, against mine. If +it should be better, I cannot part with it, as you know how much use +we make of a telescope. + +The King has killed eighty-one animals, of one sort or other, to-day; +and, amongst them, a wolf, and some stags. He fell asleep in the +coach; and, waking, told me he had been dreaming of shooting. One +would have thought, he had shed blood enough. + +This is a heavy air; nobody eats with appetite, and many are ill with +colds. + +We shall be home on Saturday; and, indeed, my sweet Emma, I shall be +most happy to see you. + +To-morrow, we go to a mountain; but no great expectation of sport. + +Your's, ever, my dear wife, + + W.H. + + + + +XV. + + + Persano, Wednesday, + [Jan. 18th, 1792.] + +It was not your white and silver, alone, that made you look like an +angel, at the Academy. Suppose you had put it on nine parts out of ten +of the ladies in company, would any one have appeared angelic? + +I will allow, however, that a beautiful woman, feeling herself well +dressed, will have a sort of confidence, which will add greatly to the +lustre of her eye: but take my word, that, for some years to come, +the more simply you dress, the more conspicuous will be your beauty; +which, according to my idea, is the most perfect I have yet met with, +take it all in all. + +It is long-faced day with the King. We went far; the weather was bad; +and, after all, met with little or no game: I did not fire off my gun. + +Yesterday, when we brought home all we killed, it filled the house, +completely; and, to-day, they are obliged to white-wash the walls, to +take away the blood. There were more than four hundred; boars, deer, +stags, and all. + +To-morrow, we are to have another slaughter; and not a word of reason +or common sense do I meet with, the whole day, till I retire to my +volumes of the old Gentleman's Magazine, which just keeps my mind from +starving. + +Except to-day, on a mountain, I have never felt the least appetite; +there, I eat the wings of a cold chicken with pleasure. + +Hamilton is delighted with your civilities. He has wrote me a long +letter. I do not mean to keep pace with him in writing; so, send him a +line or two, only, in answer. + +I do not recollect the name of Marino Soolania; and, if I received a +letter from him, it was in the hurry of my arrival, and is lost: so +that Smith may desire the Dutch Consul to desire him to write again, +and I will answer. + +I always rejoice when I find you do not neglect your singing. I am, I +own, ambitious of producing something extraordinary in you, and it is +nearly done. + +Adieu! my sweet Em. I rejoice that the time of our re-union is so +near--_Saturday night_! + + W.H. + + + + +XVI. + + + Venasso, Friday, + 27th January 1794. + +MY DEAR EM. + +By having grumbled a little, I got a better post to-day; and have +killed two boars and a sow, all enormous. I have missed but two shot +since I came here; and, to be sure, when the post is good, it is noble +shooting! The rocks, and mountains, as wild as the boars. + +The news you sent me, of poor Lord Pembroke, gave me a little twist; +but I have, for some time, perceived, that my friends, with whom I +spent my younger days, have been dropping around me. + +Lord Pembroke's neck was very short, and his father died of an +apoplexy. + +My study of antiquities, has kept me in constant thought of the +perpetual fluctuation of every thing. The whole art is, really, to +live all the _days_ of our life; and not, with anxious care, disturb +the sweetest hour that life affords--which is, the present! Admire +the Creator, and all his works, to us incomprehensible: and do all +the good you can upon earth; and take the chance of eternity, without +dismay. + +You must tell the Archbishop, that he will have the Leyden gazettes +a week later; as I cannot read them time enough to send by this +messenger. + +The weather is delightful; and, I believe, we shall have done all our +business, so as to return on Thursday. + +Pray, find out if the Queen goes to Caserta. Here, all is a profound +secret. + +I must work hard, myself, at translating, when I return; for I believe +the language-master totally incapable of it. + +I dined, this morning, at nine o'clock; and, I think, it agreed better +with me than tea. I found myself growing weak, for want of a good +meal, not daring to eat much at supper. + +Adieu, my sweet love! adieu. Divert yourself--I shall soon be at you +again. Your's, ever, + + W.H. + + + + +XVII. + + + Burford, Eighty Miles from London. + Saturday Night, [July 27th, 1801.] + +Here we are, my Dear Emma, after a pleasant day's journey! No +extraordinary occurrence. Our chaise is good, and would have held the +famous "_Tria juncta in Uno_," very well: but, we must submit to the +circumstances of the times. + +Sir Joseph Bankes we found in bed with the gout: and, last night, his +hot-house was robbed of its choicest fruit--peaches and nectarines. + +Amuse yourself as well as you can; and you may be assured, that I +shall return as soon as possible, and you shall hear from me often. + +Ever your's, my dear Emma, with the truest affection, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + +My kindest love to my Lord, if he is not gone. + +_P.S._ Corn, at this market, fell fifteen pounds a load to-day. + + + + +Letters + +FROM + +SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. + +TO + +LORD NELSON. + + + + +Letters OF SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. &c. + + +I. + +[_Written before LORD NELSON'S Elevation to the Peerage._] + + Naples, March 26th, 1796. + + MY DEAR SIR, + +The moment I received your letter of the 11th of March from Leghorn, +I went with it to General Acton: and, although I could not, from your +letter only, in my Ministerial character, demand from this Court +the assistance of some of their xebecs, corvettes, &c. that are the +fittest for going near shore; as I think, with you, that such +vessels are absolutely necessary on the present occasion, I told his +Excellency--that I trusted, as this government had hitherto shewn +itself as sanguine in the good cause, and more so, than any of the +allies of Great Britain, that he would lay your letter before the King +at Naples; and, without waiting for the demand which I should probably +receive soon from Sir John Jervis, send you such small armed vessels +as his Excellency thought would be proper for the service on which you +are employed. + +The General, without hesitation, said--that orders should be +immediately given for the preparing of such a flotilla, which should +join you as soon as the weather would permit. At present, indeed, it +is not very encouraging for row-boats. + +We wait a courier from Vienna, to decide the march of eight thousand +eight hundred infantry, and artillery included, intended to join the +Emperor's army in Italy: and, although the Grand Duke of Tuscany +has refused the permission for these troops to march through his +dominions, the King of Naples has told his son-in-law that, whenever +the safety of Italy should require it, he would, nevertheless, march +them through Tuscany; a liberty which the Emperor would likewise take, +whenever the good of the service required it. + +However, the thousand cavalry sent from hence have taken their route, +by Loretto, through the Pope's state. + +We have had, as I suppose you know, the Admirals Hotham and Goodall +here, for some weeks. I can, _entre nous_, perceive that my old friend +Hotham is not quite awake enough for such a command as that of the +King's fleet in the Mediterranean, although he appears the best +creature imaginable. + +I did not know much of your friend Lord Hood, personally; but, by +his correspondence with me, his activity and clearness was most +conspicuous. + +Lady Hamilton and I admire your constancy, and hope the severe service +you have undergone will be handsomely rewarded. + +When I reported to Lord Grenville, in my last dispatch, the letter I +received from you lately, I could not help giving you the epithet of +"_that_ _brave officer, Captain Nelson._" If you do not deserve it, I +know not who does. + +With our love to Sam, I am, ever, dear Sir, your's, sincerely, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +II. + + + Palermo, February 13th, 1799. + + MY LORD, + +Having received an application from this government, that they might +be supplied with lead from on board the British merchants ships in +this harbour, that have that article on board--and that, without the +help of about a hundred _cantarra_ of lead, this country, and the +common cause, would be much distressed--I am to beg of your Lordship +to use your kind endeavours that this urgent want may be supplied +as soon as possible: well understood, that the proprietors of this +article should be perfectly satisfied with this government, as to the +price of the lead, freight, &c. + +I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and +most humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +III. + + + Palermo, Sunday Night late, + near winding-up-watch hour, + May 19th, 1799. + +MY VERY DEAR LORD, + +Ten thousand thanks for your kind attention in sending us Hallowell's +letter to Troubridge. It comforts us in one respect, as it flatters +us with Commodore Duckworth's four ships joining you soon. But, I +must own, from the junction of five Spanish ships and frigates, I now +think, something more than going into Toulon is intended, and that +your Lordship may have a brush with them. + +God send you every success, that your unparalleled virtues and bravery +so well merit. + +Adieu, my dear Lord! Your Lordship's truly affectionate, and eternally +attached, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +IV. + + + Palermo, May 26th, 1799. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +Whilst Emma was writing to your Lordship, I have been with Acton, to +get a felucca, to send Ball's dispatch to you. It is of so old a date, +that I make no doubt of Ball's having joined you before his dispatch +reaches. + +I send your Lordship an interesting letter I have just received from +our Consul at Trieste: and Acton's answer to my yesterday's letter +communicating your kind resolution of taking care of their Sicilian +Majesties and their kingdoms; and which, your Lordship will see, gives +them great satisfaction. + +As to the fleet having been seen by the Towers near Messina, and to +the westward--I believe, it was your squadron. + +I send you, likewise, a strange rhapsody from Lord Bristol: but +something may be collected from it; or, at least, it will amuse you, +and you have leisure enough on board, which I have not on shore. Be +so good as to send back that letter, and Graham's, by the first +opportunity. + +Above all, take care of your health; that is the first of blessings. +May God ever protect you! We miss you heavily: but, a short time must +clear up the business; and, we hope, bring you back to those who love +and esteem you to the very bottom of their souls. + +Ever your affectionate friend, and humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +V. + + + Palermo, June 17th, 1799. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +I am happy to receive the packet from Major Magra, and which I shall +instantly send to General Acton. + +Nothing has happened, worth telling you, since the few hours we have +been separated. + +God bless you, my very dear friend; and my mind tells me, that +you will soon have reason, either by good news, or by a proper +reinforcement sent to you, to be in a much happier state of mind +than you could possibly be when you left us this morning. All looks +melancholy without you. + +Ever, my dear Lord, your truly attached friend, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +VI. + + + Palermo, June 20th, 1799. + Eight o'Clock at Night. + + MY DEAR LORD, + +Having wrote fully by the felucca to-day, that went off at three +o'clock--and have not yet General Acton's answer, with respect to what +the Court would wish you to do when you hear how the French fleet is +disposed of--I have nothing to write by the transport. + +God bless you! And I hope, somehow or other, we shall meet again soon. + +My dear Lord, your's, most sincerely, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +VII. + + + Piccadilly, February 19th, 1801. + + MY DEAR LORD, + +Whether Emma will be able to write to you to-day, or not, is a +question; as she has got one of her terrible sick head-achs. Among +other things that vex her, is--that we have been drawn in to be under +the absolute necessity of giving a dinner to ****** on Sunday next. +He asked it himself; having expressed his strong desire of hearing +Banti's and Emma's voices together. + +I am well aware of the danger that would attend ******* frequenting +our house. Not that I fear, that Emma could ever be induced to act +contrary to the prudent conduct she has hitherto pursued; but the +world is so ill-natured, that the worst construction is put upon the +most innocent actions. + +As this dinner must be, or ****** would be offended, I shall keep +it strictly to the musical part; invite only Banti, her husband, and +Taylor; and, as I wish to shew a civility to Davison, I have sent him +an invitation. + +In short, we will get rid of it as well as we can, and guard against +its producing more meetings of the same sort. + +Emma would really have gone any lengths, to have avoided Sunday's +dinner. But I thought it would not be prudent to break with ******; +who, really, has shewn the greatest civility to us, when we were last +in England, and since we returned: and she has, at last, acquiesced to +my opinion. + +I have been thus explicit, as I know well your Lordship's way of +thinking; and your very kind attachment to us, and to every thing that +concerns us. + +The King caught cold at the Chapel the other day, and there was +no levee yesterday; and, to-day, the Queen alone will be at the +drawing-room: and, I believe, the new ministry will not be quite +fixed, until the levee-day next week. + +As to my business--I have done all I can to bring it to a point. + +The pension recommended by Lord Grenville was only like Walpole's--a +nominal two thousand pounds. I have represented the injustice of +that--after my having had the King's promise of not being removed +from Naples, but at my own request; and having only empowered Lord +Grenville to remove me, on securing to me a nett income of two +thousand pounds per annum. + +Lord Grenville has recommended to the Treasury, the taking my +extraordinary expences into consideration. + +I have fully demonstrated, to Lord Grenville and Treasury, that +eight thousand pounds is absolutely necessary for the clearing off my +unfunded debt, without making up for my losses. + +Upon the whole, then, I do not expect to get more than the nett +annuity above mentioned, and the eight thousand pounds. But, unless +that is granted, I shall, indeed, have been very ill-used! I hope, in +my next, to be able to inform your Lordship that all has been finally +settled. + +I am busy in putting in order the remains of my vases and pictures, +that you so kindly saved for me on board the Fourdroyant; and the sale +of them will enable me to go on more at my ease, and not leave a debt +unpaid. But, unfortunately, there have been too many picture sales +this year, and mine will come late. + +Adieu! my very dear Lord. May health and success attend you, wherever +you go! And, I flatter myself, this political jumble may hasten a +peace, and bring you back soon. + +Your Lordship's ever obliged, and most sincerely attached, friend and +servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +VIII. + + + Piccadilly, February 20th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +You need not be the least alarmed, that Emma has commissioned me to +send you the newspapers; and write you a line, to tell you that she is +much better--having vomited naturally, and is now purposing to take a +regular one of tartar emetic. + +All her convulsive complaints certainly proceed from a foul stomach; +and I will answer for it, she will be in spirits to write to you +herself to-morrow. + +Adieu! my very dear Lord. I have not a moment to lose, as the bell is +going. + +Your ever attached and obliged humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +IX. + + + Piccadilly, March 7th, 1801. + +MY VERY DEAR LORD, + +I wish it was in my power to profit of your kind invitation; you would +soon see me and Emma on board the St. George: but I am now totally +occupied in preparing for the sale of my pictures, and what I have +saved of my vases. + +To my great satisfaction, I have found some of the most capital +vases; and which I thought, surely, lost on board the Colossus. It has +comforted me much. + +We remain in the same cruel state with respect to the King's recovery. +There can be no doubt, but that his Majesty is better. However, if my +conjectures are true, the Regency must soon take place: as it may be +long before his Majesty could be troubled with business, supposing +even his _fever_ to have totally subsided; and, the times admit of no +delays. + +We see, now, the certainty of the French squadron's being in the +Mediterranean. God knows, how all this will end! But I hope it will be +your Lordship's lot to bring Paul to his senses. + +God send you every success; and send you home, safe and well, crowned +with additional laurels! And then, I hope, you will repose your +shattered frame; and make your friends happy, by staying with them. + + Emma + +Emma is certainly much better, but not quite free from bile. + +Ever, my dear Lord, your Lordship's most attached, and eternally +obliged, humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +X. + + + Piccadilly, April 16th, 1801. + +What can I say, my Dear Lord! that would convey the smallest idea of +what we felt yesterday, on receiving the authentic letters confirming +your late most glorious victory: and read, in your own hand, that God +had not only granted you complete success against the enemies of our +country; but, in the midst of such perils, prevented your receiving +the smallest scratch! + +We can only repeat what we knew well, and often said, before--that +Nelson _was_, _is_, and to the _last_ will ever be, _the first_. + +However, we all agree that, when we get you safe home once more--that +you should never more risk your shattered frame. + +You have done enough, and are well entitled to the motto of Virgil-- + + "_Hic Victor cæstus artemque repono_." + +The famous Broughton, after he had beaten every opponent, that dared +to measure hard blows with him, set up an ale-house--the Broughton's +Head--in London, with the above verse of Virgil under it. Some years +after, he was persuaded to accept the challenge of a coachman, and was +beaten. + +Not that I mean to convey, that any such thing could happen to your +Lordship; but, you have done enough. Let others follow your examples; +they will be remembered to the latest posterity. + +It appeared to me most extraordinary, that the 6th inst. the date of +your last letter to Emma, the death of the Emperor Paul (which we have +no doubt of here) should not be known at Copenhagen! + +It appears to us that, as soon as that great event is known in Sweden +and Denmark, with the severe blow you have just given the latter, the +formidable giant, Northern Coalition, will of itself fall to pieces; +and that we shall have the happiness of embracing you again here, in a +very short time. + +You would have laughed to have seen what I saw yesterday! _Emma_ did +not know whether she was on her head or heels--in such a hurry to tell +your great news, that she could utter nothing but tears of joy and +tenderness. + +I went to Davison yesterday morning; and found him still in bed, +having had a severe fit of the gout, and with your letter, which +he had just received: and he cried like a child! But, what was very +extraordinary, assured me that, from the instant he had read your +letter, all pain had left him, and that he felt himself able to get up +and walk about. + +Your brother, Mrs. Nelson, and Horace, dined with us. Your brother +was more extraordinary than ever. He would get up suddenly, and cut +a caper; rubbing his hands every time that the thought of your fresh +laurels came into his head. + +In short, except myself, (and your Lordship knows that I have some +phlegm) all the company, which was considerable, after dinner--the +Duke, Lord William, Mr. Este, &c.--were mad with joy. But, I am sure, +that no one really rejoiced more, at heart, than I did. I have lived +too long to have _extacies_! But, with calm reflection, I felt for +my friend having got to the very summit of glory!--the "_Ne plus +ultra!_"--that he has had another opportunity of rendering his country +the most important service; and manifesting, again, his judgment, his +intrepidity, and humanity. + +God bless you, my very dear Lord, and send you soon home to your +friends. Enemies you have none, but those that are bursting with envy; +and such animals infest all parts of the world. + +The King, be assured, is (though weak) getting well fast. Lord +Loughborough told Livingston, who has just been here, that he was with +the King the day before yesterday, before and after delivery of the +seals, and that he was perfectly calm and recollected. + +Ever your sincerely attached, and truly obliged, humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +XI. + + + Milford, August 12th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +Emma has constantly given me every possible intelligence relative to +your Lordship, and the important operations you are about at this most +interesting moment. + +You have already calmed the minds of every body with respect to +the threatened French invasion. In short, all your Lordship does is +complete; like yourself, and nobody else. But still, I think, there is +no occasion for the Commander in Chief to expose his person as much +as you do. Why should you not have a private flag, known to your fleet +and not to the enemy, when you shift it and go reconnoitring? + +Captain Hopkins, going from hence in the Speedwell cutter to join your +Lordship, will be happy to introduce himself to you by presenting this +letter himself. They give him a good character in this country, but my +acquaintance with him is but of two days. + +I was yesterday with Captain Dobbins, in the Diligence cutter. We +sailed out of this glorious harbour; and, the day being fine, sailed +out some leagues, and examined the Crow Rock, which is reckoned the +greatest danger as to entering the harbour. But the two light-houses +lately erected take off all danger in the night; and [it] is visible +in the day-time, except a short time in spring tides. + +I am delighted with the improvements at Milford. It will surely be a +great town, if we have peace, in three years; the houses rising up, +like mushrooms, even in these difficult times. We allow any one to +build--at their own expence--at an easy ground-rent, and to fall in at +the expiration of three lives, or sixty years. + +You may judge that, having two thousand acres all round the town, +these inhabitants will want land for cows and horses, and gardens, &c. +and, of course, I must be a gainer in the end. + +I visited the two light-houses, and found them perfectly clean, and in +good order: and I never could conceive the brilliant light that they +give; one has sixteen reflected lights, and the other ten. + +To-day, I go upon my last visit to Lord Milford; and, on Saturday, set +out for Piccadilly: and where I am not without hopes of meeting your +Lordship; as I think, in the manner you dispatch business, you will +have completed all by Wednesday next, the day I shall probably be in +London. + +Charles Greville's kind compliments. The name of Nelson is in every +mouth; and, indeed, we owe every thing to your judgment and exertions. + +Adieu! God bless you. Ever your Lordship's affectionate friend, and +obliged humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +XII. + + + Piccadilly, April 28th, 1802. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +Emma says--I must write a letter to you, of condolence for the heavy +loss your Lordship has suffered. + +When persons, in the prime of life, are carried off by accidents or +sickness--or what is, I believe, oftener the case, by the ignorance +and mistakes of the physicians--then, indeed, there is reason to +lament! But as, in the case of your good Father, the lamp was suffered +to burn out fairly, and that his sufferings were not great; and that, +by his Son's glorious and unparalleled successes, he saw his family +ennobled, and with the probability, in time, of its being amply +rewarded, as it ought to have been long ago--his mind could not be +troubled, in his latter moments, on account of the family he left +behind him: and, as to his own peace of mind, at the moment of his +dissolution, there can be no doubt, among those who ever had the +honour of his acquaintance. + +I have said more than I intended; but dare say, your Lordship had +nearly the same thoughts--with the addition of the feelings of a +dutiful Son, for the loss of a most excellent Father. + +It is, however, now--as your Lordship is the Father of your +Family--incumbent upon you to take particular care of your own health. +Nay, you are, by the voice of the nation, its first prop and support. + +Keep up your spirits; and, that you may long enjoy your well-earned +honours, is the sincere wish of your Lordship's affectionate friend, +and attached humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters + +FROM + +LORD NELSON + +TO + +SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. + + + + +Letters OF LORD NELSON, &c. + + +I. + + Bastia, May 24th, 1794. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Will you have the goodness to forward the inclosed to Mr. Brand, and +to present my letter to Lady Hamilton? + +Every lover of his country will rejoice in our great and almost +unexampled success, to the honour of my Lord Hood, and to the shame of +those who opposed his endeavours to serve his country. + +General Stewart, I am happy to say, is just arrived. + +We shall now join, heart and hand, against Calvi. When conquered, I +shall hope to pay my respects to your Excellency at Naples; which will +give real pleasure to your very faithful, and obliged, + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +II. + + + Agamemnon, Leghorn, + March 11th, 1796. + +SIR, + +Mr. Wyndham having communicated to Mr. Udney the conversation of the +French minister with the Tuscans, I cannot, being intrusted by the +Admiral with the command of the small squadron in the Gulph of Genoa, +but think it right for me to beg that your Excellency will apply +for such vessels of war belonging to his Sicilian Majesty, as may be +judged proper to cruize in the Gulph of Genoa, and particularly off +the point of the Gulph of Especia. Xebecs, corvettes, and frigates, +are the fittest to cruize; and the first have the great advantage of +rowing, as well as sailing, I am told, very fast. + +General [Acton] knows, full as well as myself, the vessels proper to +prevent the disembarkation of troops on this coast; therefore, I shall +not particularly point them out. + +Last campaign, the word _flotilla_ was misunderstood. I can only say, +that all vessels which can sail and row must be useful; and, for small +craft, Port Especia is a secure harbour. + +Whatever is to be done, should be done speedily; for, by Mr. Wyndham's +account, we have no time to lose. + +If we have the proper vessels, I am confident, the French will not be +able to bring their ten thousand men by sea; and; should they attempt +to pass through the Genoese territories, I hope the Austrians will +prevent them: but, however, should all our precautions not be able to +prevent the enemy's possessing themselves of Leghorn, yet we are not +to despair. Fourteen days from their entry, if the allied powers +unite heartily, I am confident, we shall take them all prisoners. I am +confident, it can--and, therefore, should such an unlucky event take +place, as their possessing themselves of Leghorn, I hope, will--be +done. I have sent to the Admiral. + +I am, very lately, from off Toulon; where thirteen sail of the line, +and five frigates, are ready for sea, and others fitting. + +With my best respects to Lady Hamilton, believe me, dear Sir, your +Excellency's most obedient servant, + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +III. + + + Vanguard, Syracuse, July 20th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +It is an old saying, "The devil's children have the devil's luck." I +cannot find--or, to this moment learn, beyond vague conjecture--where +the French fleet are gone to. All my ill fortune, hitherto, has +proceeded from want of frigates. + +Off Cape Passaro, on the twenty-second of June, at day-light, I saw +two frigates, which were supposed to be French; and it has been said, +since, that a line-of-battle ship was to leeward of them, with the +riches of Malta on board. But it was the destruction of the enemy, and +not riches for myself, that I was seeking: these would have fell to +me, if I had had frigates; but, except the ship of the line, I regard +not all the riches in this world. + +From my information off Malta, I believed they were gone to Egypt: +therefore, on the twenty-eighth, I was communicating with Alexandria +in Egypt; where I found the Turks preparing to resist them, but knew +nothing beyond report. + +From thence I stretched over to the coast of Caramania; where, not +speaking a vessel who could give me information, I became distressed +for the kingdom of the Two Sicilies: and, having gone a round of six +hundred leagues, at this season of the year, (with a single ship, with +an expedition incredible) here I am, as _ignorant_ of the situation of +the enemy as I was twenty-seven days ago! + +I sincerely hope, the dispatches, which I understand are at Cape +Passaro, will give me full information. I shall be able, for nine or +ten weeks longer, to keep the fleet on active service, when we shall +want provisions and stores. I send a paper on that subject, herewith. + +Mr. Littledale is, I suppose, sent up by the Admiral to victual us, +and I hope he will do it cheaper than any other person: but, if I +find out that he charges more than the fair price, and has not the +provisions of the very best quality, I will not take them; for, as no +fleet has more fag than this, nothing but the best food, and greatest +attention, can keep them healthy. At this moment, we have not one sick +man in the fleet. + +In about six days, I shall sail from hence: and, if I hear nothing +more of the French, I shall go to the Archipelago; where, if they are +gone towards Constantinople, I shall hear of them. + +I shall go to Cyprus; and, if they are gone to Alexandretta, or any +other part of Syria or Egypt, I shall get information. + +You will, I am sure, and so will our country, easily conceive what +has passed in my anxious mind; but I have this comfort, that I have no +fault to accuse myself of: this bears me up, and this only. + +I send you a paper, where a letter is fixed for different places: +which I may leave at any place; and, except those who have the key, +none can tell where I am gone to. + + + July 21. + +The messenger is returned from Cape Passaro; and says, that your +letters for me are returned to Naples. What a situation am I placed +in! As yet, I can learn nothing of the enemy: therefore, I have no +conjecture but that they are gone to Syria; and, at Cyprus, I hope to +hear of them. + +If they were gone to the westward, I rely that every place in Sicily +would have information for me; for it is too important news to leave +me in one moment's doubt about. + +I have no frigate, or a sign of one. The masts, yards, &c. for the +Vanguard, will I hope be prepared directly: for, should the French +be so strongly secured in port that I cannot get at them, I shall +immediately shift my flag into some other ship, and send the Vanguard +to Naples to be refitted; for hardly any person but myself would have +continued on service so long in such a wretched state. + +I want to send a great number of papers to Lord St. Vincent; but I +durst not trust any person here to carry them, even to Naples. + +Pray, send a copy of my letter to Lord Spencer; he must be very +anxious to hear of this fleet. + +I have taken the liberty of troubling your Excellency with a letter +for Lady Nelson. Pray, forward it for me; and believe me, with the +greatest respect, your most obedient servant, + + HORATIO NELSON. + +Sent on shore, to the charge of the Governor of Syracuse. + + + + +IV. + + + Vanguard, Syracuse, July 22d, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have had so much said about the King of Naples's orders only to +admit three or four of the ships of our fleet into his ports, that I +am astonished! I understood, that private orders, at least, would have +been given for our free admission. If we are to be refused supplies, +pray send me, by many vessels, an account, that I may in good time +take the King's fleet to Gibraltar. Our treatment is scandalous, for a +great nation to put up with; and the King's flag is insulted at every +friendly port we look at. + +I am, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant, + + HORATIO NELSON. + +_P.S._ I do not complain of the want of attention in individuals, for +all classes of people are remarkably attentive to us. + + +Sent on shore, to the charge of the Governor of Syracuse. + + + + +V. + + + Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile, + August 8th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Almighty God has made me the happy instrument in destroying the +enemy's fleet; which, I hope, will be a blessing to Europe. + +You will have the goodness to communicate this happy event to all the +courts in Italy; for my head is so indifferent, that I can scarcely +scrawl this letter. + +Captain Capel, who is charged with my dispatches for England, will +give you every information. Pray, put him in the quickest mode of +getting home. + +You will not send, by post, any particulars of this action, as I +should be sorry to have any accounts get home before my dispatches. + +I hope there will be no difficulty in our getting refitted at Naples. +Culloden must be instantly hove down, and Vanguard all new masts and +bowsprit. Not more than four or five sail of the line will probably +come to Naples; the rest will go with the prizes to Gibraltar. + +As this army never will return, I hope to hear the Emperor has +regained the whole of Italy. + +With every good wish, believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged and +affectionate + + HORATIO NELSON. + + 9th August. + +I have intercepted all Buonaparte's dispatches going to France. This +army is in a scrape, and will not get out of it. + + + + +VI. + + + August 12th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +As the greater part of this squadron is going down the Mediterranean, +we shall not want the quantity of wine or bread ordered; therefore, +what is not already prepared had better be put a stop to. I will +settle all the matter, if ever I live to see Naples. + +I have the satisfaction to tell you, the French army have got +a complaint amongst them--caused by the heat, and nothing but +water--which will make Egypt the grave of the greatest part. + +Ever your's, faithfully, + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +VII. + + + Vanguard, off Malta; + October 24th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am just arrived off this place; where I found Captain Ball, and the +Marquis de Niza. From those officers, I do not find such an immediate +prospect of getting possession of the town as the ministers at Naples +seem to think. All the country, it is true, is in possession of the +islanders; and, I believe, the French have not many luxuries in the +town; but, as yet, their bullocks are not eat up. + +The Marquis tells me, the islanders want arms, victuals, mortars, +and cannon, to annoy the town. When I get the elect of the people +on board, I shall desire them to draw up a memorial for the King of +Naples, stating their wants and desires, which I shall bring with me. + +The Marquis sails for Naples to-morrow morning. Till he is gone, I +shall not do any thing about the island; but I will be fully master of +that subject before I leave this place. + +God bless you! is the sincere prayer of + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +VIII. + + + Vanguard, off Malta, + October 27th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +Although I believe I shall be at Naples before the cutter, yet +I should be sorry to omit acknowledging your kind letter of the +twenty-sixth. + +When I come to Naples, I can have nothing pleasant to say of the +conduct of his Sicilian Majesty's ministers towards the inhabitants +of Malta, who wish to be under the dominion of their legitimate +Sovereign. The total neglect and indifference with which they have +been treated, appears to me _cruel_ in the extreme. + +Had not the English supplied fifteen hundred stand of arms, with +bayonets, cartouch-boxes, and ammunition, &c. &c. and the Marquis +supplied some few, and kept the spirit of those brave islanders from +falling off, they must long ago have bowed again to the French yoke. + +Could you, my dear Sir William, have believed, after what General +Acton and the Marquis de Gallo had said, in our various conversations +relative to this island, that nothing had been sent by the Governor of +Syracuse--_secretly_ (was the word to us) or openly--to this island? +And, I am farther assured, that the Governor of Syracuse never had any +orders sent him to supply the smallest article. + +I beg your Excellency will state this, in confidence, to General +Acton. I shall, most assuredly, tell it to the King! The justice I +owe myself, now I feel employed in the service of their Sicilian +Majesties, demands it of me; and, also, the duty I owe our gracious +King, in order to shew that I am doing my utmost to comply with his +royal commands. + +As I have before stated, had it not been for the English, long, long +ago, the Maltese must have been overpowered. Including the fifteen +hundred stand of arms given by us, not more than three thousand are in +the island. I wonder how they have kept on the defensive so long. + +The Emerald will sail--in twenty-four hours after my arrival--for +Malta; at least, two thousand stand of small arms complete, +ammunition, &c. &c. should be sent by her. This is wanted, to defend +themselves: for offence, two or three large mortars; fifteen hundred +shells, with all necessaries; and, perhaps, a few artillery--two +ten-inch howitzers, with a thousand shells. The Bormola, and all +the left side of the harbour, with this assistance, will fall. Ten +thousand men are required to defend those works, the French can only +spare twelve hundred; therefore, a vigorous assault in many parts, +some one must succeed. + +But, who have the government of Naples sent to lead or encourage these +people? A very good--and, I dare say, brave--old man; enervated, and +shaking with the palsy. This is the sort of man that they have sent; +without any supply, without even a promise of protection, and without +his bringing any answer to the repeated respectful memorials of these +people to their Sovereign. + +I know, their Majesties must feel hurt, when they hear these truths. I +may be thought presuming; but, I trust, General Acton will forgive an +honest seaman for telling plain truths. _As for the other minister, +I do not understand him_; we are different men! He has been bred in +a court, and I in a rough element. But, I believe, my heart is as +susceptible of the finer feelings as his, and as compassionate for the +distress of those who look up to me for protection. + +The officer sent here should have brought supplies, promises of +protection, and an answer from the King to their memorials: he should +have been a man of judgment, bravery, and _activity_. He should be the +first to lead them to glory; and the last, when necessary, to retreat: +the first to mount the walls of the Bormola, and never to quit it. +This is the man to send. Such, many such, are to be found. If he +succeeds, promise him rewards; my life for it, the business would soon +be over. + +God bless you! I am anxious to get this matter finished. I have sent +Ball, this day, to summon Goza; if it resists, I shall send on shore, +and batter down the castle. + +Three vessels, loaded with bullocks, &c. for the garrison, were taken +yesterday; from Tripoli ten more are coming, but we shall have them. + +I had almost forgot to mention, that orders should be immediately +given, that no quarantine should be laid on boats going to the coast +of Sicily for corn. At present, as a matter of favour, they have +_fourteen_ days only. Yesterday, there was only four days bread in the +island. Luckily, we got hold of a vessel loaded with wheat, and sent +her into St. Paul's. + +Once more, God bless you! and ever believe me, your obliged and +affectionate + + HORATIO NELSON. + +This day, I have landed twenty barrels of gunpowder (two thousand +eight hundred pounds) at Malta. + + + + +IX. + + + Palermo, January 10th, 1800. + +SIR, + +Your Excellency having had the goodness to communicate to me a +dispatch from General Acton; together with several letters from +_Girganti_, giving an account that a violence had been committed, +in that port, by the seizing, and carrying off to Malta, two vessels +loaded with corn--I beg leave to express to your Excellency my real +concern, that even the appearance of the slightest disrespect should +be offered, by any officers under my command, to the flag of his +Sicilian Majesty: and I must request your Excellency to state fully to +General Acton, that the act ought not to be considered as any intended +disrespect to his Sicilian Majesty; but as an act of the most absolute +and imperious necessity, either that the island of Malta should have +been delivered up to the French, or that the King's orders should be +anticipated for these vessels carrying their cargoes of corn to Malta. + +I trust, that the government of this country will never again force +any of our Royal Master's servants to so unpleasant an alternative. + +I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's +most obedient and faithful servant, + + B.N. + + + + +X. + + + March 8th, 1800. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +I thank you kindly for all your letters and good wishes. It is my +determination, _my health requiring it_, to come to Palermo, and to +stay two weeks with you. + +I must again urge, that four gunb-oats may be ordered for the service +of Malta; they will most essentially assist in the reduction of the +place, by preventing small vessels from getting in or out. + +I think, from the enemy, on the night of the fourth, trying and +getting out for a short distance, a very fast-sailing polacca, that +Vaubois is extremely anxious to send dispatches to France, to say he +cannot much longer hold out: and, if our troops, as Captain Blackwood +thinks, are coming from Gibraltar and Minorca, I have no idea the +enemy will hold out a week. + +I beg General Acton will order the gun-boats. + +Troubridge has got the jaundice, and is very ill. + +As I shall so very soon see you, I shall only say, that I am ever, +your obliged and affectionate + + BRONTE NELSON. + + + + +XI. + + + Palermo, March 30th, 1800. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +As, from the orders I have given, to all the ships under my command, +to arrest and bring into port all the vessels and troops returning +by convention with the Porte to France--and as the Russian ships have +similar orders--I must request that your Excellency will endeavour to +arrange with the government of this country, how in the first instance +they are to be treated and received in the ports of the Two Sicilies: +for, it is obvious, I can do nothing more than bring them into port; +and, if they are kept on board ship, the fever will make such ravages +as to be little short of the plague. + +It is a very serious consideration for this country, either to receive +them, or let them pass; when they would invade, probably, these +kingdoms. In my present situation in the King's fleet, I have only to +obey; had I been, as before, in the command, I should have gone one +short and direct road to avert this great evil: _viz._ to have sent a +letter to the French, and the Grand Vizir, in Egypt, that I would not, +on any consideration, permit a single Frenchman to leave Egypt--and I +would do it at the risk of even creating a coldness, for the moment, +with the Turks. + +Of two evils, choose the least; and nothing can be so horrid, as +permitting that horde of thieves to return to Europe. + +If all the wise heads had left them to God Almighty, after the bridge +was broke, all would have ended well! For I differ entirely with +my Commander in Chief, in wishing they were permitted to return to +France; and, likewise, with Lord Elgin, in the great importance of +removing them from Egypt. No; there they should perish! has ever been +the firm determination of your Excellency's most obedient and faithful +servant, + + BRONTE NELSON OF + THE NILE. + + + + +XII. + + + Palermo, April 10th, 1800. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +Reports are brought to me, that the Spanish ships of war in this port +are preparing to put to sea; a circumstance which must be productive +of very unpleasant consequences, to both England and this country. + +It is fully known, with what exactness I have adhered to the +neutrality of this port; for, upon our arrival here, from Naples, in +December 1798, from the conduct of his Catholic Majesty's minister, I +should have been fully justified in seizing those ships. + +We know, that one object of the Spanish fleet, combined with the +French, was to wrest entirely from the hands of his Sicilian Majesty +his kingdoms of the Two Sicilies. + +The Spaniards are, by bad councils, the tools of the French; and, of +course, the bitter enemy of his Sicilian Majesty and family. + +The conduct I have pursued towards these ships, circumstanced as they +are, has been moderate, and truly considerate towards his Sicilian +Majesty. + +The time is now come--that, profiting of my forbearance, the Spanish +ships are fitting for sea. It is not possible, if they persist in +their preparations, that I can avoid attacking them, even in the port +of Palermo; for they never can, or shall, be suffered to go to sea, +and placed in a situation of assisting the French, against not only +Great Britain, but also the Two Sicilies. + +I have, therefore, to request, that your Excellency will convey my +sentiments on this very delicate subject to his Sicilian Majesty's +ministers, that they may take measures to prevent such a truly +unpleasant event happening; which would be as much against my wish as +it can be against their's: and I request that your Excellency will, +through its proper channel, assure his Sicilian Majesty, that his +safety and honour is as dear to me as that of our Royal Master. + +I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, my dear Sir +William, your Excellency's most affectionate, humble servant, + + BRONTE NELSON OF + THE NILE. + + +THE END. + + + Printed by Macdonald and Son, Cloth Fair, London. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady +Hamilton, Vol II., by Horatio Nelson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + +***** This file should be named 15437-8.txt or 15437-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/3/15437/ + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, S.R.Ellison and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/15437-8.zip b/15437-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d805a73 --- /dev/null +++ b/15437-8.zip diff --git a/15437.txt b/15437.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e54ad50 --- /dev/null +++ b/15437.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4324 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady +Hamilton, Vol II., by Horatio Nelson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Vol II. + With A Supplement Of Interesting Letters By Distinguished Characters + +Author: Horatio Nelson + +Release Date: March 22, 2005 [EBook #15437] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, S.R.Ellison and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +THE + +Letters + +OF + +LORD NELSON + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON; + +WITH A + +SUPPLEMENT + +OF + +_INTERESTING LETTERS_, + +BY + +Distinguished Characters. + +IN TWO VOLUMES. + +VOL. II. + +London: Printed by Macdonald and Son, Smithfield, +FOR THOMAS LOVEWELL & CO. STAINES HOUSE, BARBICAN; +AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. + +1814. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +VOL. II. + +LETTERS FROM LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON. + + + LETTER XL. Page 5 + XLI. 10 + XLII. 21 + XLIII. 26 + XLIV. 29 + XLV. 34 + XLVI. 36 + XLVII. 39 + XLVIII. 48 + XLIX. 53 + L. 56 + LI. 62 + LII. 65 + LIII. 67 + LIV. 73 + LV. 77 + LVI. 79 + LVII. 83 + LVIII. 87 + LIX. 96 + LX. 100 + +SUPPLEMENT. + +_Letters from Lord Nelson to Miss Horatia Nelson Thomson, now Miss +Horatia Nelson, Lord Nelson's Adopted Daughter; and to Miss Charlotte +Nelson, Daughter of the present Earl_. + + LETTER to Miss Horatia Nelson Page 107 + to Miss Charlotte Nelson 109 + +_Letters from Alexander Davison, Esq. to Lady Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 113 + II. 115 + III. 119 + + +_Letter from Lady Hamilton to Alexander Davison, Esq. inclosing her +Ladyship's Verses on Lord Nelson_ + + Page 125 + + + +_Letter from Lady Hamilton to the Right Honourable Henry Addington, +now Viscount Sidmouth_ + + Page 131 + +_Letters from Sir William Hamilton, K.B. to Lady Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 137 + II. 140 + III. 143 + IV. 146 + V. 149 + VI. 150 + VII. 152 + VIII. 155 + IX. 157 + X. 160 + XI. 163 + XII. 166 + XIII. 169 + XIV. 171 + XV. 174 + XVI. 177 + XVII. 180 + + + _Letters from Sir William Hamilton, K.B. to Lord + Nelson._ + + LETTER I. Page 185 + II. 190 + III. 192 + IV. 194 + V. 197 + VI. 199 + VII. 200 + VIII. 205 + IX. 207 + X. 210 + XI. 216 + XII. 220 + + _Letters from Lord Nelson to Sir William Hamilton, + K.B._ + + LETTER I. Page 225 + II. 227 + III. 231 + IV. 233 + V. 240 + VI. 243 + VII. 245 + VIII. 247 + IX. 254 + X. 256 + XI. 258 + XII. 261 + + + + +THE + +Letters + +OF + +LORD NELSON + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +LETTER XL. + + + Victory, under Majorca, + January 13th, 1804. + +MY OWN DEAR BELOVED EMMA, + +I received, on the 9th, your letters of September 29th, October 2, 7, +10, 12, 17th, November 5th, 8th, to the 24th: and I am truly sensible +of all your kindness and affectionate regard for me; which, I am sure, +is reciprocal, in every respect, from your own Nelson. + +If that Lady Bitch knew of that person's coming to her house, it was a +trick; but which, I hope, you will not subject yourself to again. But, +I do not like it! + +However, it is passed; and, we must have confidence in each other: +and, my dearest Emma, judging of you by myself, it is not all the +world that could seduce me, in thought, word, or deed, from all my +soul holds most dear. + +Indeed, if I can help it, I never intend to go out of the ship, but to +the shore of Portsmouth; and that will be, if it pleases God, before +next Christmas. Indeed, I think, long before, if the French will +venture to sea. + +I send you a letter from the Queen of Naples. They call out, might and +main, for our protection; and, God knows, they are sure of me. + +Mr. Elliot complains heavily of the expence; and says, he will retire +the moment it is peace. He expected his family, when they would sit +down eleven Elliots! + +If, my dear Emma, you are to mind all the reports you may hear, you +may always be angry with your Nelson. + +In the first place, instead of eight days, Mr. Acourt; he came on +board one day, just before dinner, and left me next morning, after +breakfast. + +What pleasure people can have in telling lies! But, I care not what +they say; I defy them all. + +You may safely rely, that I can for ever repeat, with truth, these +words--for ever I love you, and only you, my Emma; and, you may be +assured, as long as you are the same to me, that you are never absent +a moment from my thoughts. + +I am glad you are going to Merton; you will live much more +comfortable, and much cheaper, than in London: and this spring, if you +like to have the house altered, you can do it. But, I fancy, you will +soon tire of so much dirt, and the inconvenience will be very great +the whole summer. + +All I request, if you fix to have it done, [is] that Mr. Davison's +architect, who drew the plan, may have the inspection; and, he must +take care that it does not exceed the estimate. + +If it is done by contract, you must not _alter_; or a bill is run-up, +much worse than if we had never contracted. Therefore, I must +either buy the materials, and employ respectable workmen, under the +architect; or, contract. + +I rather believe, it would be better for me to buy the materials, and +put out the building to a workman; but, you must get some good advice. + +With respect to the new entrance-- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * +* * * * * * + + + + +LETTER XLI. + + + Victory, March 14th, [1804] + off Toulon. + +Young Faddy, my Dearest Emma, brought me, two days ago, your dear and +most kind letter of November 26th, and you are sure that I shall take +a very early opportunity of promoting him; and he appears to be grown +a fine young man, but vacancies do not happen very frequently in this +station. However, if he behaves well, he may be sure of me. + +With respect to Mr. Jefferson, I can [neither] say nor do any thing. +The surgeon of the Victory is a very able, excellent man, and the ship +is kept in the most perfect state of health; and, I would not, if I +could--but, thank [God] I cannot--do such an unjust act, as to remove +him. He is my own asking for! and, I have every reason to be perfectly +content. + +Mr. Jefferson got on, by my help; and, by his own misconduct, he got +out of a good employ, and has seen another person, at Malta hospital, +put over his head. He must now begin again; and act with much more +attention and sobriety, than he has done, to ever get forward +again: but, time may do much; and, I shall rejoice to hear of his +reformation. + +I am not surprised, my dearest Emma, at the enormous expences of the +watering place; but, if it has done my own Emma service, it is well +laid out. A thousand pounds a year will not go far; and we need be +great economists, to make both ends meet, and to carry on the little +improvements. As for making one farthing more prize-money, I do not +expect it; except, by taking the French fleet: and, the event of that +day, who can foresee! + +With respect to Mrs. Graefer--what she has done, God and herself knows; +but I have made up my mind, that Gibbs will propose an hundred pounds +a year for her: if so, I shall grant it, and have done. I send you +Mrs. Graefer's last letter. + +Whilst I am upon the subject of Bronte, I have one word more--and your +good, dear, kind heart, must not think that I shall die one hour the +sooner; on the contrary, my mind has been more content ever since I +have done: I have left you a part of the rental of Bronte, to be first +paid every half year, and in advance. It is but common justice; and, +whether Mr. Addington gives you any thing, or not, you will want it. + +I would not have you lay out more than is necessary, at Merton. The +rooms, and the new entrance, will take a good deal of money. The +entrance by the corner I would have certainly done; a common white +gate will do for the present; and one of the cottages, which is in the +barn, can be put up, as a temporary lodge. The road can be made to +a temporary bridge; for that part of the _Nile_, one day, shall be +filled up. + +Downing's canvas awning will do for a passage. For the winter, +the carriage can be put in the barn; and, giving up Mr. Bennett's +premises, will save fifty pounds a year: and, another year, we can fit +up the coach-house and stables, which are in the barn. + +The foot-path should be turned. I did shew Mr. Haslewood the way I +wished it done; and Mr. ------ will have no objections, if we make it +better than ever it has been: and, I also beg, as my dear Horatia is +to be at Merton, that a strong netting, about three feet high, may be +placed round the Nile, that the little thing may not tumble in; and, +then, you may have ducks again in it. I forget, at what place we saw +the netting; and either Mr. Perry, or Mr. Goldsmid, told us where it +was to be bought. I shall be very anxious until I know this is done. + +I have had no very late opportunities of sending to Naples: but, _via_ +Malta, I wrote to Gibbs, to desire he would send over and purchase +the _amorins_. They will arrive in time. I hope, the watch is arrived +safe. + +The British Fair cutter, I hope, is arrived safe. She has three +packets, from me, to England, + +The expences of the alterations at Merton _you are_ not to pay from +the income. Let it all be put to a separate account, and I will +provide a fund for the payment. + +All I long for, just now, is to hear that you are _perfectly_ +recovered; and, then, I care for nothing: all my hopes are, to +see you, and be happy, at dear Merton, again; but, I fear, this +miscarriage of Pichegru's, in France, will prolong the war. It has +kept the French fleet in port, which we are all sorry for. + +Sir William Bolton was on board yesterday. He looks thin. The fag in +a brig is very great; and I see no prospect of his either making +prize-money, or being made post, at present: but, I shall omit no +opportunity. + +I wrote to Mrs. Bolton a few months ago; and gave her letter, +yesterday, to Bolton. He conducts himself very well, indeed. + +Ever, my dearest Emma, for ever, I am your most faithful, and +affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Although I cannot well afford it, yet I could not bear that poor blind +Mrs. Nelson should be in want in her old days, and sell her plate; +therefore, if you will find out what are her debts, if they come +within my power, I will certainly pay them. + +Many, I dare say, if they had commanded here, would have made money; +but, I can assure you, for prizes taken within the Mediterranean, I +have not more than paid my expences. However, I would rather pinch +myself, than she, poor soul, should want. Your good, angelic heart, +my dearest beloved Emma, will fully agree with me, every thing is very +expensive; and, even we find it, and will be obliged to economise, if +we assist our friends: and, I am sure, we should feel more comfort in +it than in loaded tables, and entertaining a set of people who care +not for us. + +An account is this moment brought me, that a small sum is payable to +me, for some neutral taken off Cadiz in May 1800; so that I shall not +be poorer for my gift. It is odd, is it not? + +I shall, when I come home, settle four thousand pounds in trustees +hands, for Horatia; for, I will not put it in my own power to have +her left destitute: for she would want friends, if we left her in this +world. She shall be independent of any smiles or frowns! + +I am glad you are going to take her home; and, if you will take the +trouble with Eliza and Ann, I am the very last to object. + +Tom, I shall certainly assist at college; and, I am sure, the Doctor +expects that I should do the same for Horace: but I must make my +arrangements, so as not to run in debt. + + April 9th. + +I have wrote to the Duke; but, by your account, I fear he is not +alive. I write, because you wish me; and, because I like the Duke, +and hope he will leave you some money. But, for myself, I can have +no right to expect a farthing: nor would I be a legacy hunter for the +world; I never knew any good come from it. + +I send you a letter from Mr. Falconet. I am afraid, they have made a +jumble about the _amorins_. And I send you a very impertinent letter +from that old cat. I have sent her a very dry answer, and told her, I +should send the sweetmeats to you. I always hated the old bitch! But, +was she young, and as beautiful as an angel, I am engaged; I am all, +soul and body, my Emmas: nor would I change her for all this world +could give me. + +I would not have Horatia think of a dog. I shall not bring her one; +and, I am sure, she is better without a pet of that sort. But, she is +like her mother, would get all the old dogs in the place about her. + + April 14th. + +I am so sea-sick, that I cannot write another line; except, to +say--God Almighty bless you, my dearest beloved Emma! prays, ever, +your faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XLII. + + + Victory, April 2d, 1804. + +I have, my Dearest Beloved Emma, been so uneasy for this last month; +desiring, most ardently, to hear of your well doing! + +Captain Capel brought me your letters, sent by the Thisbe, from +Gibraltar. I opened--opened--found none but December, and early in +January. I was in such an agitation! At last, I found one without a +date: which, thank God! told my poor heart, that you was recovering; +but, that dear little Emma was no more! and, that Horatia had been so +very ill--it all together upset me. + +But, it was just at bed-time; and I had time to reflect, and be +thankful to God for sparing you and our dear Horatia. I am sure, +the loss of one--much more, both--would have drove me mad. I was so +agitated, as it was, that I was glad it was night, and that I could be +by myself. + +Kiss dear Horatia, for me: and tell her, to be a dutiful and good +child; and, if she is, that we shall always love her. + +You may, if you like, tell Mrs. G. that I shall certainly settle +a small pension on her. It shall not be large, as we may have the +pleasure of making her little presents; and, my dearest Emma, I +shall not be wanting to every body who has been kind to you, be they +servants or gentlefolks. + +Admiral Lutwidge is a good man; and, I like Mrs. Lutwidge--and shall, +always more, because she is fond of you. + +Never mind the great Bashaw at the Priory. He be damned! If he +was single, and had a mind to marry you, he could only make you a +Marchioness: but, as he is situated, and I situated, I can make you a +Duchess; and, if it pleases God, that time may arrive! Amen. Amen. + +As for your friend Lady H----, she is, in her way, as great a pimp as +any of them. + +What a set! But, if they manage their own intrigues, is not that +enough! I am sure, neither you or I care what they do; much less, envy +them their _chere amies_. + +As for Lord S----, and the other, I care nothing about them; for I +have every reason, by my own feelings towards you, to think you care +only for your Nelson. + +I have not heard of your receiving the little box from Naples; +bracelets, I fancy, but I did not open them. + +I wish the _amorins_ may come in time for the conveyance of Captain +Layman; who has, most unfortunately, lost his sloop: he is strongly +recommended, by the governor and garrison of Gibraltar. But, perhaps, +he may not be able to obtain it. + +We have such reports about the King's health, that the present +ministry may be out; and, for what I know or care, another set may be +no better, for you or me. + +As for the Admiralty, let who will be in, they can neither do me any +great good or harm: they may vex me, a little; but, that will recoil +upon themselves. + +I hope, however, they will confirm Captain Layman; for he is attached +not only to me, but is a very active officer. But, it was his +venturing to know more about India than Troubridge, that made them +look shy upon him; and, his tongue runs too fast. I often tell him, +not to let his tongue run so fast, or his pen write so much. + + + + +LETTER XLIII. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + April 10th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I have received all your truly kind and affectionate letters, to +January 25th, by the Thisbe; and, last night, your letter of January +13th, by Naples. + +The _amorins_ will go under the care of Captain Layman; who, +unfortunately, lost his sloop: but, with much credit to himself, he +has been acquitted of all blame. + +I rejoice that dear Horatia is got well; and, also, that you, my +dearest Emma, are recovered of your severe indisposition. + +In our present situation with Spain, this letter, probably, may never +reach you. I have wrote fully; and intend to send them by the Argus, +who I expect to join every minute. + +Elphi Bey, I hear, has had all his fine things taken from him. He +escaped into the Desert, and is pursued; probably, his head is off, +long before this time. + +The French fleet came out on the 5th, but went in again the next +morning. + +Yesterday, a Rear-Admiral, and seven sail of ships, including +frigates, put their nose outside the harbour. If they go on playing +this game, some day we shall lay salt upon their tails; and so end the +campaign of, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and affectionate + + -------- + +I am glad to hear that you are going to take my dear Horatia, to +educate her. She must turn out an angel, if she minds what you say to +her; and Eliza and Ann will never forget your goodness. + +My health is _so, so_! I shall get through the summer; and, in the +winter, shall go home. + +You will readily fancy all I would say, and do think. + +My kind love to all friends. + + + + +LETTER XLIV. + + + Victory, April 19th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I had wrote you a line, intended for the Swift cutter; but, instead of +her joining me, I had the mortification, not only to hear that she was +taken, but that _all_ the dispatches and letters had fallen into the +hands of the enemy; a very pretty piece of work! + +I am not surprised at the capture; but am very much so, that any +dispatches should be sent in a vessel with twenty-three men, not equal +to cope with any row-boat privateer. + +As I do not know what letters of your's are in her, I cannot guess +what will be said. I suppose, there will be a publication. + +The loss of the Hindostan, was great enough; but, for importance, it +is lost, in comparison to the probable knowledge the enemy will +obtain of our connections with foreign countries! Foreigners for ever +say--and it is true--"We dare not trust England; one way, or other, we +are sure to be committed!" However, it is now too late to launch out +on this subject. + +Not a thing has been saved out of the Hindostan, not a second shirt +for any one; and it has been by extraordinary exertions, that the +people's lives were saved. + +Captain Hallowell is so good as to take home, for me, wine as by the +inclosed list; and, if I can, some honey. The Spanish honey is so +precious, that if [any one has] a cut, or sore throat, it is used to +cure it. I mention this, in case you should wish to give the Duke a +jar. The smell is wonderful! It is to be produced no where, but in the +mountains near Rosas. + +The Cyprus wine, one hogshead, was for Buonaparte. + +I would recommend the wine-cooper drawing it off: and you can send a +few dozens to the Duke; who, I know, takes a glass every day at two +o'clock. + +I wish, I had any thing else to send you; but, my dearest Emma, you +must take the will for the deed. + +I am pleased with Charlotte's letter; and, as she loves my dear +Horatia, I shall always like her. + +What hearts those must have, who do not! But, thank God, she shall not +be dependent on any of them. + +Your letter of February 12th, through Mr. Falconet, I have received. +I know, they are all read; therefore, never sign your name. I shall +continue to write, through Spain; but never say a word that can convey +any information--except, of eternal attachment and affection for you; +and that, I care not, who knows; for I am, for ever, and ever, your, +only your, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Poor Captain Le Gros had your note to him in his pocket-book, and that +was all he saved. + +Mr. Este left him at Gibraltar, and went to Malta in the Thisbe. + +Captain Le Gros is now trying. I think, it will turn out, that every +person is obliged to his conduct for saving their lives. + +She took fire thirteen leagues from the land. + + + + +LETTER XLV. + + + Victory, April 23,1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Hallowell has promised me, if the _Admiralty_ will give him leave to +go to London, that he will call at Merton. + +His spirit is certainly more independent than almost any man's I +ever knew; but, I believe, he is attached to me. I am sure, he has no +reason to be so, to either Troubridge or any one at the Admiralty. + +I have sent, last night, a box of Marischino Veritabile of Zara, which +I got Jemmy Anderson to buy for me, and twelve bottles of _tokay_. I +have kept none for myself, being better pleased that you should have +it. + +I am, ever, and for ever, your most faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Hallowell parted last night; but, being in sight, I am sending a +frigate with a letter to the Admiralty. + +May God Almighty bless you, and send us a happy meeting! + + + + +LETTER XLVI. + + + Victory, May 5, 1804. + +I find, my Dearest Emma, that your picture is very much admired by +the French Consul at Barcelona; and that he has not sent it to be +admired--which, I am sure, it would be--by Buonaparte. + +They pretend, that there were three pictures taken. I wish, I had +them: but they are all gone, as irretrievably as the dispatches; +unless we may read them in a book, as we printed their correspondence +from Egypt. + +But, from us, what can they find out! That I love you, most dearly; +and hate the French, most damnably. + +Dr. Scott went to Barcelona, to try to get the private letters; but, +I fancy, they are all gone to Paris. The Swedish and American Consuls +told him, that the French Consul had your picture, and read your +letters; and, Doctor thinks, one of them probably read the letters. + +By the master's account of the cutter, I would not have trusted a pair +of old shoes in her. He tells me, she did not sail, but was a good +sea-boat. + +I hope, Mr. Marsden will not trust any more of my private letters in +such a conveyance; if they choose to trust the affairs of the public +in such a thing, I cannot help it. + +I long for the invasion being over; it must finish the war, and I have +no fears for the event. + +I do not say, all I wish; and which, my dearest _beloved_ Emma--(read +that, whoever opens this letter; and, for what I care, publish it to +the world)--your fertile imagination can readily fancy I would say: +but this I can say, with great truth, that I am, FOR EVER, YOUR'S + + -------- + + + + +LETTER XLVII. + + + Victory, May 27th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Yesterday, I took Charles Connor on board, from the Phoebe, to try +what we can do with him. At present, poor fellow, he has got a very +bad eye--and, I almost fear, that he will be blind of it--owing to an +olive-stone striking his eye: but the surgeon of the Victory, who is +by far the most able medical man I have ever seen, and equally so as a +surgeon, [says] that, if it can be saved, he will do it. + +The other complaint, in his head, is but little more, I think, than it +was when he first came to Deal; a kind of silly laugh, when spoken to. +He always complains of a pain in the back part of his head; but, when +that is gone, I do not perceive but that he is as wise as many of his +neighbours. + +You may rely, my dear Emma, that nothing shall be wanting, on my part, +to render him every service. + +Capel--although, I am sure, very kind to younkers---I do not think, +has the knack of keeping them in high discipline; he lets them be +their own master too much. + +I paid Charles's account, yesterday; since he has been in the Phoebe, +one hundred and fifty-five pounds, fourteen shillings. However, he +must now turn over a new leaf; and I sincerely hope, poor fellow, he +will yet do well. + +I wrote you on the 22d, through Rosas, in Spain; and I shall write, in +a few days, by Barcelona: this goes by Gibraltar. + +I have wrote Admiral Lutwidge; Mrs. Lutwidge must wait, for I cannot +get through all my numerous letters: for, whoever writes, although +upon their own affairs, are offended if they are not answered. + +I have not seen young Bailey: I suppose, he is in the Leviathan. By +the parcel, I see, he is in the Canopus; and I can, at present, be of +no use to him. + + May 30th. + +Charles is very much recovered. + +I write you, this day, by Barcelona. Your dear phiz--but not the least +like you--on the cup, is safe: but I would not use it, for the world; +for, if it was broke, it would distress me very much. + +Your letters, by Swift, I shall never get back. The French Consul, +at Barcelona, is bragging that he has three pictures of you from the +Swift. + +I do not believe him; but, what if he had a hundred! Your resemblance +is so deeply engraved in my heart, that there it can never be effaced: +and, who knows? some day, I may have the happiness of having a living +picture of you! + +Old Mother L---- is a damned b----: but I do not understand what you +mean, or what plan. + +I am not surprised at my friend Kingsmill admiring you, and forgetting +Mary; he loves variety, and handsome women. + +You touch upon the old Duke; but, I am dull of comprehension: +believing you all my own, I cannot imagine any one else to offer, in +any way. + +We have enough, with prudence; and, without it, we should soon be +beggars, if we had five times as much. + +I see, Lord Stafford is going to oppose Mr. Addington; the present +ministry cannot stand. + +I wish Mr. Addington had given you the pension; Pitt, and hard-hearted +Grenville, never will. + +What a fortune the death of Lord Camelford gives him! + +Every thing you tell me about my dear Horatia charms me. I think I see +her, hear her, and admire her; but, she is like her dear, dear mother. + +I am sorry, if your account of George Martin's wife is correct; he +deserved a better fate. But, he is like Foley; gave up a great deal, +to marry the relation of a great man: although, in fact, she is no +relation to the Duke of Portland. + +I wish, I could but be at dear Merton, to assist in making the +alterations. I think, I should have persuaded you to have kept the +pike, and a clear stream; and to have put all the carp, tench, and +fish who muddy the water, into the pond. But, as you like, I am +content. Only take care, that my darling does not fall in, and get +drowned. I begged you to get the little netting along the edge; and, +particularly, on the bridges. + +I admire the seal; and God bless you, also! Amen. + +The boy, South, is on board another ship, learning to be a musician. +He will return soon, when he shall have the letter and money. I +hope, he will deserve it; but he has been a very bad boy: but good +floggings, I hope, will save him from the gallows. + +Mr. Falcon is a clever man. He would not have made such a blunder as +our friend Drake, and Spencer Smith. I hear, the last is coming, _via_ +Trieste, to Malta. Perhaps, he wants to get to Constantinople; and, if +the Spencers get in, the Smiths will get any thing. + +Mr. Elliot, I hear, is a candidate for it. He complains of the expence +of Naples, I hear; and, that he cannot make both ends meet, although +he sees no company. + +The histories of the Queen are beyond whatever I have heard from Sir +William. Prince Leopold's establishment is all French. The Queen's +favourite, Lieutenant-Colonel St. Clair, was a subaltern; La Tour, the +Captain in the navy; and, another! + +However, I never touch on these matters; for, I care not how she +amuses herself. + +It will be the upset of Acton; or, rather, he will not, I am told, +stay. + +The King is angry with her; his love is long gone by. + +I have only one word more--Do not believe a syllable the newspapers +say, or what you hear. Mankind seems fond of telling lies. + +Remember me kindly to Mrs. Cadogan, and all our mutual friends; and +be assured, I am, for ever, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and +affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +George Campbell desires me always to present his best respects; and +make mine to good Mr. Yonge. What can I write him? I am sure, he must +have great pleasure in attending you: and, when you see Sir William +Scott, make my best regards acceptable to him. There is no man I have +a higher opinion of, both as a public and private character. + +You will long ago have had my letter; with one to Davison, desiring he +will pay for the alterations at Merton. I shall send you a letter for +the hundred pounds a month, to the Bank. + + + + +LETTER XLVIII. + + + Victory, June 6th, 1804. + +Since I wrote you, my Dearest Emma, on the 30th and 31st May, nothing +new has happened; except our hearing the _feu de joie_ at Toulon, for +the declaration of Emperor. + +What a capricious nation those French must be! However, I think +it must, in any way, be advantageous to England. There ends, for a +century, all republics! + +By vessels from Marseilles, the French think it will be a peace; and +they say, that several of their merchant ships are fitting out. I +earnestly pray, that it may be so; and, that we may have a few years +of rest. + +I rather believe, my antagonist at Toulon, begins to be angry with me: +at least, I am trying to make him so; and then, he may come out, and +beat me, as he says he did, off Boulogne. + +He is the Admiral that went to Naples in December 1792, La Touche +Treville, who landed the grenadiers. I owe him something for that. + +I am better, my dear Emma, than I have been, and shall get through the +summer very well; and I have the pleasure to tell you, that Charles is +very much recovered. There is no more the matter with his intellects, +than with mine! Quite the contrary; he is very quick. + +Mr. Scott, who has overlooked all his things, says, his clothes, &c. +are in the highest order he has ever seen. + +I shall place him in the Niger, with Captain Hilliar, when he joins; +but, all our ships are so full, that it is very difficult to get a +birth for one in any ship. + +Would you conceive it possible! but, it is now from April 2d, since I +have heard direct from Ball. The average time for a frigate to go, and +return, is from six to seven weeks. + +From you, I had letters, April 5th, and the papers to April 8th, +received May 10th, with a convoy. + +This goes through friend Gayner. + +Sir William Bolton joined last night; and received his letters, +announcing his being called _papa_. He is got a very fine young man +and good officer. + +Lord St. Vincent has desired he may have the first Admiralty vacancy +for post; but nobody will die, or go home. + +_A-propos_! I believe, you should buy a piece of plate, value fifty +pounds, for our god-daughter of Lady Bolton; and something of twenty +or thirty pounds value, for Colonel Suckling's. + +But, my Emma, you are not to pay for them, let it rest for me; or, if +the amount is sent me, I will order payment. + +Remember me most kindly to Horatia, good Mrs. Cadogan, Charlotte, Miss +Connor, and all our friends at dear, dear Merton; where, from my soul, +I wish I was, this moment: then, I sincerely hope, we should have no +cause for sorrow. + +You will say what is right to Mr. Perry, Newton, Patterson, Mr. +Lancaster, &c. you know all these matters. God in Heaven bless and +preserve you, for ever! prays, ever, your's most faithfully, + + -------- + + + + +LETTER XLIX. + + + Victory, June 10th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I wrote to you, on the 6th, _via_ Rosas: this goes by Barcelona; to +which place I am sending Sir William Bolton, to fetch Dr. Scott, who +is gone there, poor fellow, for the benefit of his health! + +I have just had very melancholy letters from the King and Queen of +Naples, on account of General Acton's going to Sicily. + +The insolence of Buonaparte was not to be parried without a war; for +which they are unable, if unassisted. + +I have letters from Acton, May 28, on board the Archimedes, just going +into Palermo. He will probably return to Naples, unless new events +arise: and that may be; for a minister, once out, may find some +difficulty in renewing his post. He has acted with great and becoming +spirit. + +I am better, but I have been very unwell. It blows, here, as much as +ever. Yesterday was a little hurricane of wind. + +I dare say, Prince Castelcicala knows it by express; if not, you may +tell him, with my best respects. He, and every one else, may be sure +of my attachment to those good sovereigns. By this route, I do not +choose to say more on this subject. + +With my kindest regards to Horatia and your good mother, Charlotte, +Miss C. and all our friends, believe me, my dear Emma, for ever, your +most faithful and affectionate + + -------- + +I fear, Sardinia will be invaded from Corsica before you get this +letter. I have not small ships to send there, or any where else; not +in the proportion of one to five. + +You may communicate this to Mr. Addington, if you think that he does +not know it; but, to no one else, except Castelcicala, of what relates +to Naples. + +I have very flattering letters from the Grand Vizier, in the name of +the Sultan; and from Cadir, now Capitan Pacha. + + + + +LETTER L. + + + Victory, July 1st, 1804. + +Although I have wrote you, my dearest Emma, a letter, by Rosas, of +June 27th, not yet gone, the weather being so very bad, that ships +cannot get across the Gulph of Lyons, yet I will [not] miss the +opportunity of writing by Gibraltar. + +You must not, my Emma, think of hearing from me by way of Malta; it +takes as long to send a letter to Malta, as to England. + +The Monmouth, which you complain of not hearing by, I knew nothing of +her movements for some months before. The ships from Malta, with the +convoys, pick up our letters at Gibraltar. Therefore, do not hurt my +feelings, by telling me that I neglect any opportunity of writing. + +Your letters of April 13th, 22d, and May 13th, through Mr. Falconet, +came safe, a few days ago. Mr. Falconet is the French banker; and he +dare not buy a little macaroni for me, or let an Englishman into his +house. + +Gibbs is still at Palermo: I fancy, he will make a good thing of my +estate; however, I wish it was settled. He wrote me, a short time +since, that he wished I would give him a hint (but without noticing +that it came from him) that I thought Mrs. Graefer and her child had +better go to England; on pretence of educating her daughter, &c. + +But I would have nothing to do with any such recommendation. It would +end in her coming to me, in England; and saying, that she could not +live upon what she had, and that I advised her to come to England, or +she should not have thought of it. + +In short, Gibbs wants to remove her. He is afraid of his pocket, I +fancy; and the daughter is, I fancy, now in some seminary at Palermo, +at Gibbs's expence. + +I wrote him word, fully, I would advise no such thing; she was to form +her own judgment. + +What our friends are after at Naples, they best know. The poor King is +miserable at the loss of Acton. + +The Queen writes me about honest Acton, &c. &c. and I hear, that she +has been the cause of ousting him: and they say--her enemies--that her +conduct is all French. That, I do not believe; although she is likely +to be the dupe of French emigres, who always beset her. + +I doubt much, my dear Emma, even her constancy of real friendship to +you; although, in my letter to Acton, which Mr. Elliot says he read to +her, I mentioned the obligations she was under to you, &c. &c. in very +strong terms. + +What could the name of the minister signify! It was the letter which +was wanted to the Prime-Minister. + +But, never mind; with prudence, we shall do very well. + +I have wrote to Davison, by land: who, I am very sorry for; but, he +never would take a friend's caution, and he has been severely bit. + +Your accounts of Merton delight me; and you will long ago have known, +that I have directed the bills for the alterations to be paid. I never +could have intended to have taken it from the hundred pounds a month. + +You will not hear of my making prize-money. I have not paid my +expences these last nine months. + +I shall expect to eat my Christmas dinner at Merton; unless those +events happen which I can neither foresee nor prevent. + +I am not well: and must have rest, for a few months, even should the +country [want me;] which, very likely, they will not. News, I can have +none. April 9th, Leviathan sailed; so government don't care much for +us. + +Kiss my dear Horatia, for me! I hope you will have her at Merton; and, +believe me, my dear Emma, that I am, for ever, as ever, your attached, +faithful, and affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER LI. + + + Victory, August 12th, 1804. + +Although, my Dearest Emma, from the length of time my other letters +have been getting to you, I cannot expect that this will share a +better fate; yet, as the Childers is going to Rosas, to get us some +news from Paris--which is the only way I know of what is passing in +England--I take my chance of the post: but, I expect the Kent will +be in England before this letter; and by which ship I write to the +Admiralty relative to my health. + +Therefore, I shall only say, that I hope a little of your good +nursing, with ass's milk, will set me up for another campaign; should +the Admiralty wish me to return, in the spring, for another year: but, +I own, I think we shall have peace. + +The Ambuscade arrived this day fortnight, with our victuallers, &c. +and very acceptable they were. By her, I received your letters of May +14th, 22d, and 30th, _via_ Lisbon; and, of April 9th, 18, 15th, May +10th, 18th, 29th, June 1st, 5th, through, I suppose, the Admiralty. + +The box you mention, is not arrived; nor have I a scrap of a pen from +Davison. The weather in the Mediterranean seems much altered. In July, +seventeen days the fleet was in a gale of wind. + +I have often wrote to Davison, to pay for all the improvements at +Merton. The new-building the chamber over the dining-room, you must +consider. The stair window, we settled, was not to be stopped up. The +underground passage will, I hope, be made; but I shall, please God, +soon see it all. + +I have wrote you, my dear Emma, about Horatia; but, by the Kent, I +shall write fully. May God bless you, my dearest best-beloved Emma! +and believe me, ever, your most faithful and affectionate + + -------- + +Kind love, and regards, to Mrs. Cadogan, and all friends. God bless +you, again and again! + + + + +LETTER LII. + + + Victory, August 20th, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +The Kent left us three days ago; and, as the wind has been perfectly +fair since her departure, I think she will have a very quick passage, +and arrive long before this letter. But, as a ship is going to Rosas, +I will not omit the opportunity of writing through Spain; as, you say, +the letters all arrive safe. + +We have nothing but gales of wind; and I have had, for two days, fires +in the cabin, to keep out the very damp air. + +I still hope that, by the time of my arrival in England, we shall have +peace. God send it! + +I have not yet received your muff; I think, probably, I shall bring it +with me. + +I hope, Davison has done the needful, in paying for the alterations at +Merton. If not, it is now too late; and we will fix a complete plan, +and execute it next summer. I shall be clear of debt, and what I have +will be my own. + +God bless you! Amen. Amen. + +George Elliot goes to Malta, for a convoy to England, this day. If you +ever see Lord Minto, say so. + + -------- + + + + +LETTER LIII. + + + Victory, August 31st, 1804--Say 30th, at Evening. Therefore, I + wrote, in fact, this Day, through Spain. + +MY EVER DEAREST EMMA, + +Yesterday, I wrote to you, through Spain; this goes by Naples. Mr. +Falconet, I think, will send it; although, I am sure, he feels great +fear from the French minister, for having any thing to do with us. + +Mr. Greville is a shabby fellow! It never could have been the +intention of Sir William, but that you should have had seven hundred +pounds a year neat money; for, when he made the will, the Income Tax +was double to what it is at present; and the estate which it is paid +from is increasing every year in value. + +It may be law, but it is not just; nor in equity would, I believe, be +considered as the will and intention of Sir William. Never mind! +Thank God, you do not want any of his kindness; nor will he give you +justice. + +I may fairly say all this; because my actions are different, even to a +person who has treated me so ill. + +As to ----, I know the full extent of the obligation I owe him, and +he may be useful to me again; but I can never forget his unkindness to +you. + +But, I guess, many reasons influenced his conduct, in bragging of his +riches, and my honourable poverty; but, as I have often said, and with +honest pride, what I have is my own; it never cost the widow a tear, +or the nation a farthing. I got what I have with my pure blood, from +the enemies of my country. Our house, my own Emma, is built upon a +solid foundation; and will last to us, when his house and lands may +belong to others than _his children_. + +I would not have believed it, from any one but you! But, if ever I go +abroad again, matters shall be settled very differently. + +I am working hard with Gibbs about Bronte, but the calls upon me are +very heavy. Next September, I shall be clear; I mean, September 1805. + +I have wrote to both Acton and the Queen about you. I do not think she +likes Mr. Elliot; and, therefore, I wish she had never shewn him my +letters about you. We also know, that he has a card of his own to +play. + +Dr. Scott, who is a good man--although, poor fellow! very often wrong +in the head--is going with Staines, in, the Cameleon, just to take +a peep at Naples and Palermo. I have introduced him to Acton, who is +very civil to every body from me. + +The Admiralty proceedings towards me, you will know much sooner than +I shall. I hope they will do the thing, handsomely, and allow of my +return in the spring; but, I do not expect it. + +I am very uneasy at your and Horatia being on the coast: for you +cannot move, if the French make the attempt; which, I am told, they +have done, and been repulsed. Pray God, it may be true! + +I shall rejoice to hear you and Horatia are safe at Merton; and happy +shall I be, the day I join you. _Gannam Justem._ + +Gaetano is very grateful for your remembrance of him. Mr. Chevalier is +an excellent servant. William says, he has wrote twice; I suppose, he +thinks that enough. + +This is written within three miles of the fleet in Toulon, who are +looking very tempting. Kind regards to Mrs. Cadogan, Charlotte, &c. +and compliments to all our joint friends; for they are no friends of +mine, who are not friends to Emma. + +God bless you, again and again! + +Captain Hardy has not been very well: and, I fancy, Admiral Murray +will not be sorry to see England; especially, since he has been +promoted * * * * * * * * * * * * * * he expects his flag may get up. + +God bless you, my dearest Emma; and, be assured, I am ever most +faithfully your's. + + ---------- + + + + +LETTER LIV. + + + Victory, September 29th, 1804. + +This day, my dearest Emma, which gave me birth, I consider as more +fortunate than common days; as, by my coming into this world, it has +brought me so intimately acquainted with you, who my soul holds most +dear. I well know that you will keep it, and have my dear Horatia to +drink my health. Forty-six years of toil and trouble! How few more, +the common lot of mankind leads us to expect; and, therefore, it +is almost time to think of spending the few last years in peace and +quietness! + +By this time, I should think, either my successor is named, or +permission is granted me to come home; and, if so, you will not long +receive this letter before I make my appearance: which will make us, I +am sure, both truly happy. + +We have had nothing, for this fortnight, but gales of easterly winds, +and heavy rains; not a vessel of any kind, or sort, joined the fleet. + +I was in hopes Dr. Scott would have returned from Naples; and that I +could have told you something comfortable for you, from that quarter: +and it is now seven weeks since we heard from Malta. Therefore, I know +nothing of what is passing in the world. + +I would not have you, my dear Emma, allow the work of brick and mortar +to go on in the winter months. It can all be finished next summer; +when, I hope, we shall have peace, or such an universal war as will +upset that vagabond, Buonaparte. + +I have been tolerable well, till this last bad weather, which has +given me pains in my breast; but, never mind, all will be well when I +get to Merton. + +Admiral Campbell, who is on board, desires to be remembered to you. +He does not like much to stay here, after my departure. Indeed, we all +draw so well together in the fleet, that I flatter myself the sorrow +for my departure will be pretty general. + +Admiral Murray will be glad to get home; Hardy is as good as ever; and +Mr. Secretary Scott is an excellent man. + +God bless you, my dearest Emma! and, be assured, I am ever your most +faithful and affectionate + + N. & B. + +Kiss dear Horatia. I hope she is at Merton, _fixed_. + + + + +LETTER LV. + + + Victory, October 7, [1804.] + 2 P.M. + +I wrote you, my Dearest Emma, this morning, by way of Lisbon; but +a boat, which is going to Torbay, having brought out a cargo of +potatoes, will I think get home before the Lisbon packet. I shall +only say--_Guzelle Gannam Justem_--and that I love you beyond all the +world! This may be read by French, Dutch, Spanish, or Englishmen; for +it comes from the heart of, my Emma, your faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I think the gentry will soon come out. I cannot say more by such a +conveyance. + + + + +LETTER LVI. + + + Victory, October 13, 1804. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +The dreadful effects of the yellow fever, at Gibraltar, and many parts +of Spain, will naturally give you much uneasiness; till you hear +that, thank God, we are entirely free from it, and in the most perfect +health, not one man being ill in the fleet. The cold weather will, I +hope, cure the disorder. + +Whilst I am writing this letter, a cutter is arrived from England with +strong indications of a Spanish war. + +I hope, from my heart, that it will not prove one. But, however that +is, my die is cast; and, long before this time, I expect, another +Admiral is far on his way to supersede me. Lord Keith, I think a very +likely man. + +I should, for your sake, and for many of our friends, have liked an +odd hundred thousand pounds; but, never mind. If they give me the +choice of staying a few months longer, it will be very handsome; and, +for the sake of others, we would give up, my dear Emma, very much of +our own felicity. If they do not, we shall be happy with each other, +and with dear Horatia. + +The cutter returns with my answers directly; therefore, my own Emma, +you must only fancy all my thoughts and feelings towards you. They are +every thing which a fond heart can fancy. + +I have not a moment; I am writing and signing orders, whilst I am +writing to my own Emma. + +My life, my soul, God in Heaven bless you! + +Your letter is September 16th, your last is August 27th. + +I have not made myself understood, about Mrs. Bolton's money. You give +away _too_ much. + +Kiss our dear Horatia a thousand times, for your own faithful Nelson. +I send two hundred pounds, keep it for your own pocket money. + +You must tell Davison, and Haslewood, that I cannot answer their +letters. Linton cannot be fixed; but you will know whether I come +home, or stay, from Mr. Marsden. + +God bless you! + +Tell my brother, that I have made Mr. Yonge a Lieutenant, into the +Sea-horse frigate, Captain Boyle. + +Once more, God bless my dearest Emma! + + ---------- + +Write your name on the back of the bill, if you send any person for +the money. + +I have scrawled three lines to Davison, that he should not think I +neglected him in his confinement. + +I have received the inclosed from Allen. Can we assist the poor +foolish man with a _character_? + + + + +LETTER LVII. + + + Victory, November 23,1804. + +As all our communication with Spain is at an end, I can now only +expect to hear from my own dear Emma by the very slow mode of +Admiralty vessels, and it is now more than two months since the John +Bull sailed. + +I much fear, something has been taken; for they never would, I am +sure, have kept me so long in the dark. However, by management, and a +portion of good luck, I got the account from Madrid in a much shorter +space of time than I could have hoped for; and I have set the whole +Mediterranean to work, and think the fleet cannot fail of being +successful: and, if I had had the spare troops at Malta at my +disposal, Minorca would at this moment have had English colours +flying. + +This letter, my dearest beloved Emma, goes--although in Mr. Marsden's +letter--such a roundabout way, that I cannot say all that my heart +wishes. Imagine every thing which is kind and affectionate, and you +will come near the mark. + +Where is my successor? I am not a little surprised at his not +arriving! A Spanish war, I thought, would have hastened him. Ministers +could not have thought that I wanted to fly the service, my whole +life has proved the contrary; and, if they refuse me now: I shall most +certainly leave this country in March or April; for a few months rest +I must have, very soon. If I am in my grave, what are the mines of +Peru to me! + +But, to say the truth, I have no idea of killing myself. I may, with +care, live yet to do good service to the state. My cough is very bad; +and my side, where I was struck on the 14th of February, is very +much swelled; at times, a lump as large as my fist, brought on, +occasionally, by violent coughing: but, I hope, and believe, my lungs +are yet safe. + +Sir William Bolton is just arrived from Malta. I am preparing to send +him a cruise, where he will have the best chance I can give him of +making ten thousand pounds. He is a very attentive, good, young man. + +I have not heard from Naples this age. I have, in fact, no small craft +to send for news. + +If I am soon to go home, I shall be with you before this letter. + +May God bless you! + +Thomson desires to be most kindly remembered to his dear wife and +children. He is most sincerely attached to them; and wishes to save +what he can for their benefit. + +As our means of communicating are cut off, I have only to beg that you +will not believe the idle rumours of battles, &c. &c. &c. + +May Heavens bless you! prays, fervently, my dear Emma, ever your most +faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER LVIII. + + + Victory, March 9th, 1805. + +I do assure you, my Dearest Emma, that nothing can be more miserable, +or unhappy, than your poor Nelson. + +From the 19th of February, have we been beating from Malta to off +Palma; where I am now anchored, the wind and sea being so very +contrary and bad. But I cannot help myself, and no one in the fleet +can feel what I do: and, to mend my fate, yesterday Captain Layman +arrived--to my great surprise--not in his brig, but in a Spanish +cartel; he having been wrecked off Cadiz, and lost all the dispatches +and letters. + +You will conceive my disappointment! It is now from November 2d, that +I have had a line from England. + +Captain Layman says--he is sure the letters are sunk, never to rise +again; but, as they were not thrown overboard until the vessel struck +the rock, I have much fear that they may have fallen into the hands of +the Dons. + +My reports from off Toulon, state the French fleet as still in port; +but, I shall ever be uneasy at not having fallen in with them. + +I know, my dear Emma, that it is in vain to repine; but my feelings +are alive to meeting those fellows, after near two years hard service. + +What a time! I could not have thought it possible that I should have +been so long absent; unwell, and uncomfortable, in many respects. + +However, when I calculate upon the French fleet's not coming to sea +for this summer, I shall certainly go for dear England, and a thousand +[times] dearer Merton. May Heavens bless you, my own Emma! + +I cannot think where Sir William Bolton is got to; he ought to have +joined me, before this time. + +I send you a trifle, for a birth-day's gift. I would to God, I could +give you more; but, I have it not! + +I get no prize-money worth naming; but, if I have the good fortune +to meet the French fleet, I hope they will make me amends for all my +anxiety; which has been, and is, indescribable. + +How is my dear Horatia? I hope you have her under your guardian wing, +at Merton. May God bless her! + +Captain Layman is now upon his trial. I hope he will come clear, with +honour. I fear, it was too great confidence in his own judgment that +got him into the scrape; but it was impossible that any person living +could have exerted himself more, when in a most trying and difficult +situation. + + March 10th. + +Poor Captain L. has been censured by the court: but, I have my own +opinion. I sincerely pity him; and have wrote to Lord Melville, and +Sir Evan Nepean, to try what can be done. All together, I am much +unhinged. + +To-morrow, if the wind lasts, I shall be off Toulon. + +Sir William Bolton is safe, I heard of him this morning. I hear, that +a ship is coming out for him; but, as this is only rumour, I cannot +keep him from this opportunity of being made post: and, I dare say, he +will cause, by his delay, such a tumble, that Louis's son, who I have +appointed to the Childers, will lose his promotion; and, then Sir +Billy will be wished at the devil! But, I have done with this subject; +the whole history has hurt me. Hardy has talked enough to him, to +rouze his lethargic disposition. + +I have been much hurt at the loss of poor Mr. Girdlestone! He was a +good man; but there will be an end of us all. + +What has Charles Connor been about? His is a curious letter! If he +does not drink, he will do very well. Captain Hilliar has been very +good to him. + +Colonel Suckling, I find, has sent his son to the Mediterranean; +taking him from the Narcissus, where I had been at so much pains to +place him. I know not where to find a frigate to place him. He never +will be so well and properly situated again. I am more plagued +with other people's business, or rather nonsense, than with my own +concerns, + +With some difficulty, I have got Suckling placed in the Ambuscade, +with Captain Durban, who came on board at the moment I was writing. + + March 31st. + +The history of Suckling will never be done. I have this moment got +from him your letter, and one from his father. I shall say nothing to +him; I don't blame the child, but those who took [him] out of the most +desirable situation in the navy. He never will get into such another +advantageous ship: but, his father is a fool; and so, my dear Emma, +that _ends_. + +The box which you sent me in May 1804, is just arrived in the Diligent +store-ship. + +I have sent the arms to Palermo, to Gibbs. The clothes are very +acceptable; I will give you a kiss, for sending them. + +God bless you! Amen. + + April 1st. + +I am not surprised that we should both think the same about the +kitchen; and, if I can afford it, I should like it to be done: but, by +the fatal example of poor Mr. Hamilton, and many others, we must take +care not to get into debt; for, then, we can neither help any of our +relations, and [must] be for ever in misery! But, of this, we [will] +talk more, when we walk upon the poop at Merton. + +Do you ever see Admiral and Mrs. Lutwidge? You will not forget me when +you do. + +To Mrs. Cadogan, say every thing that is kind; and to all our other +friends: and, be assured, I am, for ever and ever, your's, and only +your's, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +As I know that all the Mediterranean letters are cut and smoaked, +and perhaps read, I do not send you a little letter in this; but your +utmost stretch of fancy cannot imagine _more_ than I feel towards my +own dear Emma. + +God bless you! _Amen._ + + + + +LETTER LIX. + + + Victory, off Plymouth, September 17th, + [1805.] Nine o'Clock in the Morning. + Blowing fresh at W.S.W. dead foul + wind. + +I sent, my own Dearest Emma, a letter for you, last night, in a Torbay +boat, and gave the man a guinea to put it in the Post-Office. + +We have had a nasty blowing night, and it looks very dirty. + +I am now signalizing the ships at Plymouth to join me; but, I rather +doubt their ability to get to sea. However, I have got clear of +Portland, and have Cawsand Bay and Torbay under the lee. + +I intreat, my dear Emma, that you will chear up; and we will look +forward to many, many happy years, and be surrounded by our children's +children. God Almighty can, when he pleases, remove the impediment. + +My heart and soul is with you and Horatia. + +I got this line ready, in case a boat should get alongside. + +For ever, ever, I am your's, most devotedly, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Mr. Rose said, he would write to Mr. Bolton, if I was sailed; but, I +have forgot to give him the direction: but I will send it, to-day. I +think, I shall succeed very soon, if not at this moment. + + Wednesday, September 18th, + off the Lizard. + +I had no opportunity of sending your letter yesterday, nor do I see +any prospect at present. The Ajax and Thunderer are joining; but, it +is nearly calm, with a swell from the westward. Perseverance has got +us thus far; and the same will, I dare say, get us on. + +Thomas seems to do very well, and content. + +Tell Mr. Lancaster, that I have no doubt that his son will do very +well. + +God bless you, my own Emma! + +I am giving my letters to Blackwood, to put on board the first vessel +he meets going to England, or Ireland. + +Once more, Heavens bless you! Ever, for ever, your + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER LX. + + + Victory, October 1st, 1805. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +It is a relief to me, to take up the pen, and write you a line; for I +have had, about four o'clock this morning, one of my dreadful spasms, +which has almost enervated me. + +It is very odd! I was hardly ever better than yesterday. Freemantle +stayed with me till eight o'clock, and I slept uncommonly well; but, +was awoke with this disorder. My opinion of its effect, some one day, +has never altered. However, it is entirely gone off, and I am only +quite weak. The good people of England will not believe, that rest of +body and mind is necessary for me! But, perhaps, this spasm may not +come again these six months. I had been writing seven hours yesterday; +perhaps, that had some hand in bringing it upon me. + +I joined the fleet late on the evening of the 28th of September, but +could not communicate with them until the next morning. + +I believe, my arrival was most welcome; not only to the commander of +the fleet, but also to every individual in it: and, when I came to +explain to them the _Nelson touch_, it was like an electric shock. +Some shed tears, all approved--"It was new, it was singular, it was +simple!" and, from Admirals downwards, it was repeated--"It must +succeed, if ever they will allow us to get at them! You are, my Lord, +surrounded by friends whom you inspire with confidence." Some may +be Judas's; but the majority are certainly much pleased with my +commanding them. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + + + + +SUPPLEMENT. + +_INTERESTING LETTERS_, + +ELUCIDATORY + +OF + +Lord Nelson's Letters + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON, + +&c. + +VOL. II. + + + + +LETTERS + +FROM + +LORD NELSON, + +TO + +MISS HORATIA NELSON THOMSON, + +NOW + +MISS HORATIA NELSON, + +(_Lord Nelson's Adopted Daughter;_) + +AND + +MISS CHARLOTTE NELSON, + +(_Daughter of the present Earl._) + + + + +Letters + +OF + +LORD NELSON, &c. + +TO + +MISS HORATIA NELSON THOMSON. + + + + Victory, April 13th, 1804. + +MY DEAR HORATIA, + +I send you twelve books of Spanish dresses, which you will let your +guardian angel, Lady Hamilton, keep for you, when you are tired +of looking at them. I am very glad to hear, that you are perfectly +recovered; and, that you are a very good child. I beg, my dear +Horatia, that you will always continue so; which will be a great +comfort to your most affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +TO MISS CHARLOTTE NELSON. + + + Victory, April 19th, 1804. + +MY DEAR CHARLOTTE, + +I thank you very much for your kind letters of January 3d, and 4th; +and I feel truly sensible of your kind regard for that dear little +orphan, Horatia. + +Although her parents are lost; yet, she is not without a fortune: and, +I shall cherish her to the last moment of my life; and _curse_ +them who _curse_ her, and Heaven _bless_ them who _bless_ her! Dear +innocent! she can have injured no one. + +I am glad to hear, that she is attached to you; and, if she takes +after her parents, so she will, to those who are kind to her. + +I am, ever, dear Charlotte, your affectionate uncle, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTERS + +FROM + +ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +LETTERS OF ALEX. DAVISON, ESQ. &c. + + + + +I. + + + [1804.] + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +I have, equally with yourself, felt extremely uneasy all night, +thinking on _the_ letter, which is a very serious one; and, until we +receive our next dispatches, I shall still feel every day more and +more anxious. + +I rely on that kind Providence, which has hitherto sheltered him under +every danger, upon the occasion. + +He was on the eve of engaging, for protection--and preservation--It +is, indeed, an anxious moment! + +I have long thought, a plan was in agitation regarding the Toulon +fleet being given up; but, whether it was in contemplation at the +period the last letter was written, I know not. I am rather disposed +to think otherwise. + +The next packet will explain the whole; and, I trust, will relieve our +minds of that burden, hardly supportable at present. + +I shall, this evening, go quietly into the country, and return to town +about noon to-morrow: as I require air, and a little relaxation; for I +am, actually, overpowered with business. + + Your's, most truly, + ALEX. DAVISON. + Thursday Morning. + + + + +II. + + + [1804,] + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +Yesterday, I wrote to you just in time to save the post: but, whether +that letter, or even this, reach you, I have my doubts--if they do +not, you have only yourself to blame; for I cannot, for the soul of +me, make out the name of the place. You have been in such a hurry, +when writing it, that it really is not legible; and I do not +sufficiently know Norfolk, to guess at it. + +I did yesterday, as I shall this--imitate your writing, leaving it to +the Post-Office gentlemen to find it out. + +I acquainted you, that I would take care to obey your wishes, and hold +back your check on Coutts and Co. till such time as it would be quite +convenient to yourself, and you tell me to send it for payment. + +Your mind may be perfectly at ease on that score: as, indeed, it may +in every thing in which you have to do with me--though we do, now and +then, differ a little in trifles; but, not in essentials: having +one, only one, object in mind, that of the comforts, and ultimate +happiness, of our dear--_your_ beloved Nelson; for whom, what would +you or I not do? + +What a world of matter is now in agitation! Every thing is big with +events; and soon, very soon, I hope to see--what I have long desired, +and anxiously [been] waiting for--an event to contribute to the glory, +the independency, of our Nelson. + +I still hope, ere Christmas, to see him: that hope founded on the +darling expectation of his squadron falling in with a rich _Spanish_ +flotilla. I think, too, that the French fleet will _now_ come out. + +I have written to our dear friend every information I have been able +to collect, and have sent him a continuation of all the newspapers. + +It affords me particular pleasure, to hear you feel so happy in +Norfolk. How is it possible it can be otherwise! seated, as you +are, in the midst of the friends of your best friend; enjoying every +kindness and attention in their power to shew to the favourite of +their brother. + +I shall be very much rejoiced, when you come back, to talk over very +interesting objects which our dear friend will _now_ have to pursue. + +My best respects to your fire-side; and believe me, most sincerely, +your's, + + ALEX. DAVISON. + + + + +III. + + + Saturday, 22d September 1804. + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +Ever obedient to your _lawful_ commands, I have implicitly obeyed your +orders, in the purchase, this morning, of Messrs. Branscomb and Co. +four quarter lottery-tickets-- + + { No. 593.} + { 10,376.} + { 14,381.} + { 20,457.} + +Each, I hope, will come up prize; and be entitled to receive, at +least, on the whole, twenty thousand pounds! I paid eighteen pounds +eight shillings for them; and I have written upon the back of +each--"_Property of Lord Nelson, 22d September 1804. A.D."_ + +When I have the pleasure of seeing you, I shall deliver the trust over +to you, to receive the _bespoken_ said sum of twenty thousand pounds. +What a glorious receipt will it be! + +I am glad you received my letters, though I could not make out the +name of the place; the Post-Office runners are expert at it. + +What do you say to a Spanish war? I think, now, the breeze begins to +freshen; and that the flames, _at last_, will succeed. + +I sent off, last night, a very long epistle to our dear Nelson. I am +truly distressed at his not receiving my letters; though I can +pretty well guess how to account for it, and in whose hands they were +detained. Experience teaches us how better to guard against similar +misfortunes; and, in future, I shall be cautious to whom I give my +letters. + +So that I know the Hero of heroes is well, I care the less about +letters; knowing that writing, delivering, or receiving them, will +not, either in him or me, make the least alteration, or lessen our +attachment or affection. + +I am pleased to see how happy you are in Norfolk. I wish you may not +find it so fascinating, that the arrival of "Lord Nelson" at Merton +would not induce you to [quit] the county!!! + +I beg you will make my best respects acceptable to _every_ friend +(real) of that invaluable man, Lord Nelson. + + Your's, most truly, + ALEX. DAVISON. + + + + +Letter + +from + +Lady Hamilton + +TO + +ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ. + +INCLOSING + +_Her Ladyship's Verses on Lord Nelson_. + + + + +Letter OF Lady Hamilton, &c. + + + Clarges Street, + [_26th January 1805._] + +I have been very ill, my Dear Sir; and am in bed with a cold, very bad +cold indeed! But, the moment I am better, I will call on you. + +I am invited to dine with Mr. Haslewood to-morrow, but fear I shall +not be able to go. + +I am very anxious about letters; but Admiral Campbell has told me, he +thinks my dear Lord will soon be at home. God grant! for, I think, he +might remove that stumbling-block, Sir John O! Devil take him! + +That _Polyphemus_ should have been Nelson's: but, he is rich in great +and _noble deeds_; which t'other, poor devil! is not. So, let dirty +wretches get pelf, to comfort them; victory belongs to Nelson. Not, +but what I think money necessary for comforts; and, I hope, _our_, +_your's_, and _my_ Nelson, will get a little, for all Master O. + +I write from bed; and you will see I do, by my scrawl. + +I send you some of my bad Verses on my soul's Idol. + +God bless you! Remember, you will soon be free; and let that cheer +you, that you will come out with even more friends than ever. I can +only say, I am your ever obliged, and grateful, + + EMMA HAMILTON. + +I long to see and know Nepean! Why will you not ask me to dine with, +him _en famille?_ + + {Yes.} + {_A.D._} + + * * * * * + +EMMA TO NELSON. + + I think, I have not lost my heart; + Since I, with truth, can swear, + At every moment of my life, + I feel my Nelson there! + + If, from thine Emma's breast, her heart + Were stolen or flown away; + Where! where! should she my Nelson's love + Record, each happy day? + + If, from thine Emma's breast, her heart + Were stolen or flown away; + Where! where! should she engrave, my Love! + Each tender word you say? + + Where! where! should Emma treasure up + Her Nelson's smiles and sighs? + Where mark, with joy, each secret look + Of love, from Nelson's eyes? + + Then, do not rob me of my heart, + Unless you first forsake it; + And, then, so wretched it would be, + Despair alone will take it. + + + + +Letter + +from + +Lady Hamilton + +TO THE + +RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON, + +NOW + +VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH. + + + + +Letter of Lady Hamilton, &c. + + + April 13th. [1803.] + +SIR, + +May I trouble you, and but for a moment, in consequence of my +irreparable loss; my ever-honoured husband, Sir William Hamilton, +being no more! I cannot avoid it, I am forced to petition for a +portion of his pension: such a portion as, in your wisdom and noble +nature, may be approved; and so represented to our most gracious +Sovereign, as being right. For, Sir, I am most sadly bereaved! I am +now in circumstances far below those in which the goodness of my dear +Sir William allowed me to move for so many years; and below those +becoming the relict of such a public minister, who was proved so very +long--no less than thirty-six years--and, all his life, honoured so +very much by the constant friendly kindness of the King and Queen +themselves: and, may I mention--what is well known to the then +administration at home--how I, too, strove to do all I could towards +the service of our King and Country. The fleet itself, I can truly +say, could not have got into _Sicily_, but for what I was happily able +to do with the Queen of Naples, and through her secret instructions so +obtained: on which depended the refitting of the fleet in Sicily; and, +with that, all which followed so gloriously at the Nile. These few +words, though seemingly much at large, may not be extravagant at all. +They are, indeed, true. I wish them to be heard, only as they can be +proved; and, being proved, may I hope for what I have now desired? + +I am, Sir, with respect more than I can well utter, your obedient +servant, + + EMMA HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters + +FROM + +SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. + +TO + +LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. _&c._ + + + + +I. + + + Persano, [Wednesday] + Jan. 4, 1792. + +We arrived here, yesterday, in little more than five hours, and had +nearly began with a disagreeable accident; for the King's horse took +fright at the guard, and his Majesty and horse were as near down as +possible. However, all ended well; and he was as gay as possible, +yesterday. + +Our first _chasse_ has not succeeded; though there were two wolves, +and many wild boars, in the _Mena_: but the king would direct how we +should beat the wood, and began at the wrong end; by which the wolves +and boars escaped, and we remained without shooting power. However, +ten or twelve boars have been killed, some how or other, and some +large ones. + +The King's face is very long, at this moment; but, I dare say, +to-morrow's good sport will shorten it again. + +I was sorry, my dear Em. to leave you in affliction: you must harden +yourself to such little misfortunes as a temporary parting; but, I +cannot blame you for having a good and tender heart. Believe me, you +are in thorough possession of all mine, though I will allow it to be +rather tough. + +Let us study to make one another as comfortable as we can; and +"_banish sorrow, till to-morrow_:" and so on, every day. + +You are wise enough to see the line it is proper for you to take; and +have, hitherto, followed it most rigorously: and I can assure you, +that I have not the least doubt of your continuing in it. + +Amuse yourself as well as you can, as I am doing, whilst we are +separate; and the best news you can give me is, that you are well and +happy. + +My cold is already better for having passed the whole day in the open +air, and without human _seccatura_. + +Adieu! my dear, dear Emma. I am, with my love to your good mother, +your's ever, and faithfully, + + W.H. + + + + +II. + + + Persano, Thursday, + [Jan. 5th, 1792.] + +We got home early, and I have not yet received your Daily Advertiser. + +No sport, again! In the midst of such a quantity of game, they have +contrived to carry him far off, where there is none. He has no other +comfort, to-day, than having killed a wild cat; and his face is a yard +long. + +However, his Majesty has vowed vengeance on the boars to-morrow, and +will go according to his own fancy; and, I dare say, there will be a +terrible slaughter. + +The last day, we are to keep all we kill; and, I suppose, it will be +night before we get home. + +Yesterday, the courier brought the order of St. Stephano, from the +Emperor, for the Prince Ausberg, and the King was desired to invest +him with it. As soon as the King received it, he ran into the Prince's +room; whom he found in his shirt, and without his breeches: and, +in that condition, was he decorated with the star and ribbon by his +Majesty, who has wrote the whole circumstance to the Emperor. + +Leopold may, perhaps, not like the joking with his first order. Such +nonsense should, certainly, be done with solemnity; or it becomes, +what it really is, a little tinsel, and a few yards of broad ribbon. + +The Prince, _entre nous_, is not very wise; but he is a good creature +and we are great friends. + +I have wrote to Mrs. Dickinson. I forget whether you have, or not: if +not, pray do it soon; for, you know, she is a good friend of your's. + +I have just received your good letter. I am glad they have taken the +Guarda patana's son-in-law. I insist upon Smith's letting the Regent +of the Vicaria know of his having stabbed my porter. He ought to go +to the gallies; and my honour is concerned, if this insult offered my +livery is unnoticed. The girl had better cry, than be ill-used, and +her father killed. + +Adieu, my sweet Em. Your's, with all my heart, + + W.H. + + + + +III. + + + Persano, Friday Evening. + [Jan. 6th, 1792.] + +I Inclose our friend Knight's admirable letter to you. I could not +refrain reading it; and, I am sure, it was his intention I should do +so, having left it unsealed. He is a fine fellow; it was worth going +to England, to secure such a sensible friend. + +You will probably have seen General Werner last night; this is Friday +night, and he will have told you I am well. + +We have been out all day in the rain; I killed none, and the King and +party but few. Such obstinate bad weather I really never experienced, +for so long a time together. + +You did perfectly right in buying the lamps; and I am glad the Prince +asked to dine with you. I am sure, he was comfortably received by you. + +You see what devils [there are] in England! They wanted to stir +up something against me; but our conduct shall be such as to be +unattackable: and I fear not an injustice from England. Twenty-seven +years service--having spent all the King's money, and all my own, +besides running in debt, deserves something better than a dismission! + +The King has declared, he will return to Naples next Saturday +se'n-night; so you know the worst, my dear Emma. Indeed, I shall +embrace you most cordially; for I would not be married to any woman, +but yourself, on earth, for all the world. + +Lord A. Hamilton's son, you see, recommends a friend of his; who, I +suppose, is arrived: if so, receive him well. + +Adieu, again! Your's, ever, + + W.H. + + + + +IV. + + + Persano, Saturday Night, + [January 7th, 1792.] + +This has been one of the cruel days which attend the King's _chasse_. +All the posts--except the King's, Prince Ausberg, D'Onerato, and +Priori--bad. + +We have been out all day, in cold rain, without seeing a boar. The +King has killed twenty-five, and a wolf; and the other good posts, in +proportion. + +Why not rather leave us at home, than go out with the impossibility of +sport? But we must take the good and bad, or give it up. + +Lamberg is too delicate for this business; he has been in bed, with a +slight fever, all to-day. + +You will have another boar, to-day; which boar being a _sow_, I have +made a _bull_! The sows are much better than the boars; so you may +keep some to eat at home, and dispose of the rest to your favourite +English. + +I am glad all goes on so well. I never doubted your gaining every soul +you approach. + +I am far from being angry at your feeling the loss of me so much! +Nay, I am flattered; but, believe me, the time will soon come, that we +shall meet. Years pass seemingly in an instant; why, then, afraid of a +few days? + +Upon the whole, we are sociable here; but we go to bed at nine, and +get up at five o'clock. I generally read an hour, to digest my supper; +but, indeed, I live chiefly on bread and butter. + +Salandra desires his compliments to you, as does Lamberg and Prince +Ausberg. + +Adieu, my dear Emma! Ever your's, and your's alone, + + W.H. + + +I send you back your two letters. Dutens was very satisfactory. I send +the papers to Smith; who will give them to you first, if you have not +read them. + +The cold and fatigue makes my hand something like your's--which, by +the bye, you neglect rather too much: but, as what you write is good +sense, every body will forgive the scrawl. + + + + +V. + + + Sunday Night, [Jan. 8th, 1792.] + +We are come in late; and I have but a moment to tell you we are well, +and I have killed three large boars, a fox, and four woodcocks. + +Nothing pleases me more, than to hear you do not neglect your singing. +It would be a pity, as you are near the point of perfection. + +Adieu, my dearest Emma! Your's, with my whole soul, + + W.H. + + + + +VI. + + + Persano, [Monday] + January 10th, [9th] 1792. + +Your letter of yesterday, my Sweet Em. gave me great pleasure; as, I +see, all goes on perfectly right for you at Naples. + +Your business, and mine, is to be civil to all, and not enter into any +party matters. If the Wilkinsons are not content with our civilities, +let them help themselves. + +We have had a charming day, and most excellent sport. More than a +hundred wild boars, and two wolves, have fallen. I killed five boars, +truly monsters! and a fox. + +Vincenzo could not follow me to-day; he cannot walk two steps, without +being out of breath. However, I load the guns myself; and, with the +peasant I brought from Caserta, and another I hire here, I do very +well. I fear, poor Vincenzo will not hold long. If he chooses it, I +mean to send him to Naples, to consult Noody [Nudi.] + +General Werner, Prince of Hesse, and Count Zichare, are here since +last night; they brought me your compliments. Lamberg is still +confined. + +Amuse yourself, my dearest Emma, and never doubt of my love. Your's, +ever, + + W.H. + + + + +VII. + + + Persano, [Tuesday] + Jan. 10th, 1792. + +The day has been so thoroughly bad, that we have not been able to stir +out; and the King, of course, in bad humour. I am not sorry to have a +day's repose, and I have wrote my letters for to-morrow's post. + +Lamberg is still in bed with a fever, and Prince Ausberg's eyes are +a little inflamed with cold and fatigue. My cold was renewed a little +yesterday; but a good night's rest, and quiet to-day, has set all to +rights again. + +Vincenzo was so bad, yesterday, that he could not follow me, and was +blooded. He is better, to-day; but he will never serve more, except to +load my guns at the post. He cannot walk a mile, without being out of +breath. + +I am glad you have been at the Academy, and in the great world. It is +time enough for you to find out, that the only real comfort is to be +met with at home; I have been in that secret some time. + +You are, certainly, the most domestic young woman I know: but you are +young, and most beautiful; and it would not be natural, if you did not +like to shew yourself a little in public. + +The effusion of tenderness, with regard to me, in your letter, is very +flattering; I know the value of it, and will do all I can to keep it +alive. We are now one flesh, and it must be our study to keep that +flesh as warm and comfortable as we can. I will do all in my power to +please you, and I do not doubt of your doing the same towards me. + +Adieu, my dearest Emma! Having nothing interesting to write, and as +you insist upon hearing from me every day, you must content yourself +with such a stupid letter as this. + +Your Ladyship's commands shall always be punctually obeyed by, dear +Madam, your Ladyship's most obedient and faithful servant, + + W. HAMILTON. + + + + +VIII. + + + Persano, Wednesday, + 11th Jan. [1792.] + +I have just received your letter--and, as I always do--with infinite +pleasure. + +I hope you received twelve wood-biddies, to-day; and, to-morrow, you +will have a wild boar: all left to your discretion. + +No talk of returning, yet. We must complete sixteen days shooting, and +one day has been lost by bad weather. + +We had a good day, and tolerable sport. I have killed two, and one the +largest boar I have seen yet here. + +Vincenzo, they say, will be well in a day or two, as it is only a +cold; I fear, it is more serious. + +The King has killed twenty-one boars to-day, and is quite happy. + +The Germans all drink tea with me every evening. Lamberg is better. + +Adieu, my ever dear Emma! We are always in a hurry; though we have, +absolutely, nothing to do, but kill, examine, and weigh, wild boars. + +I assure you, that I shall rejoice when I can embrace you once more. A +picture would not content me; your image is more strongly represented +on my heart, than any that could be produced by human art. + +Your most affectionate husband, + + W.H. + + + + +IX. + + + Persano, Thursday Night, + [Jan. 12th, 1792.] + +Never put yourself in a hurry, my dear Emma. + +I have got your two kind letters. Send for Gasparo; and give your +orders, that the servants attend your call: and let him discharge +them, if they do not. You are my better half, and may command. +Translate this part of the letter to him. + +We have had good sport to-day, though the bad weather came on at +eleven o'clock. Fifty-four wild boars have been killed, I had seven +shot; and killed five, three of which are enormous. Dispose of the +boar I send you to-day as you think proper. + +I always thought Ruspoli a dirty fellow; but what has he done of late? + +As to your mother's going with you to the English parties, very well; +but, believe me, it will be best for her, and more to her happiness, +to stay at home, than go with you to the Neapolitan parties. + +The King is in good humour to-day, as I foretold. We continue to dine +at eight at night, and have nothing from breakfast to that hour. But +I give tea and bread and butter, of which Prince Ausberg and Lamberg +partake with pleasure. The Prince, having no opportunity of making +love, does nothing but talk of his new flame, which is Lady A. Hatton. +I put him right; for he thought she spelt her name with two _rr_, +instead of two _tt_. + +I rejoice at your having Aprile again; pray, tell him so: for I know +the rapid progress you will make under his care. + +My cold is near gone. The worst is, my room smokes confoundedly; and +so do all the other rooms, except the King's. + +Adieu, my dear Emma! Amuse yourself as well as you can; and believe +me, ever, your's alone, with the utmost confidence, + + W.H. + + + + +X. + + + Persano, Friday Night, + [Jan. 13th, 1792.] + +We have had a miserable cold day, but good sport. I killed two boars, +and a doe; the King, nineteen boars, two stags, two does, and a +porcupine. He is happy beyond expression. + +I send you Charles's letter; but do not lose it, as I will answer it +when I return. You see, the line we have taken will put it out of the +power of our enemies to hurt us. I will give up my judgment of worldly +matters to no one. + +I approve of all you do in my absence; but it would be nonsense, +and appear affected, to carry your scruples too far. Divert yourself +reasonably. I am sure of your attachment to me, and I shall not easily +be made to alter my opinion of you. + +My cold is better, notwithstanding the weather. + +I have no time to _in'gler_; so, adieu! my dearest wife. + +Your's, + + W.H. + +_P.S._ Let Gasparo pay thirty ducats, for the vase, to D. Andrea. + +By way of charity, we may give thirty ounces to that shabby dog, +Hadrava; though he knows the picture is not worth more than ten at +most. His writing to you in such a stile is pitiful indeed. You will +often have such letters, if you do not tell him, now, that it is for +once and all. + + + + +XI. + + + Persano, Saturday, + 14th Jan. [1792.] + +MY DEAR EMMA, + +I have received a letter from Douglass; with one inclosed, from Mr. +Durno; who, to my surprise, says, he has not received my order on +Biddulph, Cockes, and Co. for one thousand five hundred and ninety +pounds; which, you know, I sent from Caserta. + +I find, in my book of letters, 20th of December, that I wrote, that +day, a letter to Mr. Burgess, to deliver to Messieurs Biddulph and +Co.--to Lord Abercorn--and to Mr. Durno, with the order inclosed. + +Pray, send for Smith; and ask him, if he remembers having put such +letters in the post, and let him inquire at the Naples post about +them: and let him send the inclosed, by Tuesday's post, to Rome. + +I certainly will not give another order until this matter is cleared +up. I fear some roguery. + +We have had a fine day, and killed numberless boars; a hundred +and fifty, at least. I have killed four, out of six shot; and am +satisfied, as one is a real monster--the King, thirty--D'Onerato, +eighteen,--and so on, the favoured shooters. + +Vincenzo is rather better, but not able to serve me. + +My best compliments to Alexander Hamilton. You did well, to invite +Copley. + +Adieu! my sweet Em. Ever your's, in deed and in truth, + + W.H. + + + + +XII. + + + Persano, Sunday, + Jan. 15, 1792. + +You did admirably, my Dear Em. in not inviting Lady A.H. to dine with +the Prince; and still better, in telling her, honestly, the reason. I +have always found, that going straight is the best method, though not +the way of the world. + +You did, also, very well, in asking Madame Skamouski; and not taking +upon you to present her, without leave. + +In short, consult your own good sense, and do not be in a hurry; and, +I am sure, you will always act right. + +We have been at it again, this morning, and killed fifty boars; but +were home to dinner, at one o'clock: and this is the first dinner +I have had, since I left you; for I cannot eat meat breakfasts or +suppers, and have absolutely lived on bread and butter and tea. + +As the Prince asked you, you did well to send for a song to +Douglass's; but, in general, you will do right to sing only at home. + +The King is very kind to me, and shews every one that he really loves +me: and he commends my shooting; having missed but very few, and +killed the largest of the society. Only think of his not being +satisfied with killing more than thirty, yesterday! He said, if the +wind had favoured him, he should have killed sixty at least. + +We must be civil to Mr. Hope, as recommended by Lord Auckland; and +also to Monsieur de Rochement, and Prince Bozatinsky, as recommended +by my friend Saussure. I inclose his letter, as you are mentioned in +it; also Knight's, as you desire. God knows, we have no secrets; nor, +I hope, ever shall. + +We have much business between this and Saturday: and we are to shoot, +Saturday morning; so that we shall arrive late. + +What say you to a feet washing that night? _O che Gusto_! when your +_prima ora_ is over, and all gone. + +Adieu, my sweet Emma! Ever your's, + + W.H. + + + + +XIII. + + + Persano, Monday Night, + [Jan. 16th, 1792.] + +For your long and interesting letter, I can only write a line, to tell +you I am well. + +We have been out, till an hour in the night, from day-break; and I +have fired off my gun but once, having had a bad post. The King, and +favoured party, have diverted themselves. To-morrow will, probably, be +a good day for me. + +Pray, let Smith get orders for the Museum, &c. for Lord Boyle and Mr. +Dodge, as they are recommended by Mr. Eden. + +Adieu, my lovely Emma! Let them all roll on the carpet, &c. provided +you are not of the party. My trust is in you alone. + +Your's, ever, + + W.H. + + + + +XIV. + + + Persano, Tuesday Night, + [Jan. 17, 1792.] + +I told you, my Dear Em. that I expected good sport to-day! I have +killed five boars, and two great ones got off after falling; two +bucks; six does; and a hare: fourteen in all. + +By the bye, I must tell you, that _accept_ and _except_ are totally +different. You always write--"I did not _except_ of the invitation;" +when, you know, it should be "_accept_." It is, only, for want of +giving yourself time to think; but, as this error has been repeated, I +thought best to tell you of it. + +Pray, write a very kind letter to our friend the Archbishop; and +convince him, that Emma, to her friends, is unalterable. Do not say a +word about the telescope; for, I must try it, first, against mine. If +it should be better, I cannot part with it, as you know how much use +we make of a telescope. + +The King has killed eighty-one animals, of one sort or other, to-day; +and, amongst them, a wolf, and some stags. He fell asleep in the +coach; and, waking, told me he had been dreaming of shooting. One +would have thought, he had shed blood enough. + +This is a heavy air; nobody eats with appetite, and many are ill with +colds. + +We shall be home on Saturday; and, indeed, my sweet Emma, I shall be +most happy to see you. + +To-morrow, we go to a mountain; but no great expectation of sport. + +Your's, ever, my dear wife, + + W.H. + + + + +XV. + + + Persano, Wednesday, + [Jan. 18th, 1792.] + +It was not your white and silver, alone, that made you look like an +angel, at the Academy. Suppose you had put it on nine parts out of ten +of the ladies in company, would any one have appeared angelic? + +I will allow, however, that a beautiful woman, feeling herself well +dressed, will have a sort of confidence, which will add greatly to the +lustre of her eye: but take my word, that, for some years to come, +the more simply you dress, the more conspicuous will be your beauty; +which, according to my idea, is the most perfect I have yet met with, +take it all in all. + +It is long-faced day with the King. We went far; the weather was bad; +and, after all, met with little or no game: I did not fire off my gun. + +Yesterday, when we brought home all we killed, it filled the house, +completely; and, to-day, they are obliged to white-wash the walls, to +take away the blood. There were more than four hundred; boars, deer, +stags, and all. + +To-morrow, we are to have another slaughter; and not a word of reason +or common sense do I meet with, the whole day, till I retire to my +volumes of the old Gentleman's Magazine, which just keeps my mind from +starving. + +Except to-day, on a mountain, I have never felt the least appetite; +there, I eat the wings of a cold chicken with pleasure. + +Hamilton is delighted with your civilities. He has wrote me a long +letter. I do not mean to keep pace with him in writing; so, send him a +line or two, only, in answer. + +I do not recollect the name of Marino Soolania; and, if I received a +letter from him, it was in the hurry of my arrival, and is lost: so +that Smith may desire the Dutch Consul to desire him to write again, +and I will answer. + +I always rejoice when I find you do not neglect your singing. I am, I +own, ambitious of producing something extraordinary in you, and it is +nearly done. + +Adieu! my sweet Em. I rejoice that the time of our re-union is so +near--_Saturday night_! + + W.H. + + + + +XVI. + + + Venasso, Friday, + 27th January 1794. + +MY DEAR EM. + +By having grumbled a little, I got a better post to-day; and have +killed two boars and a sow, all enormous. I have missed but two shot +since I came here; and, to be sure, when the post is good, it is noble +shooting! The rocks, and mountains, as wild as the boars. + +The news you sent me, of poor Lord Pembroke, gave me a little twist; +but I have, for some time, perceived, that my friends, with whom I +spent my younger days, have been dropping around me. + +Lord Pembroke's neck was very short, and his father died of an +apoplexy. + +My study of antiquities, has kept me in constant thought of the +perpetual fluctuation of every thing. The whole art is, really, to +live all the _days_ of our life; and not, with anxious care, disturb +the sweetest hour that life affords--which is, the present! Admire +the Creator, and all his works, to us incomprehensible: and do all +the good you can upon earth; and take the chance of eternity, without +dismay. + +You must tell the Archbishop, that he will have the Leyden gazettes +a week later; as I cannot read them time enough to send by this +messenger. + +The weather is delightful; and, I believe, we shall have done all our +business, so as to return on Thursday. + +Pray, find out if the Queen goes to Caserta. Here, all is a profound +secret. + +I must work hard, myself, at translating, when I return; for I believe +the language-master totally incapable of it. + +I dined, this morning, at nine o'clock; and, I think, it agreed better +with me than tea. I found myself growing weak, for want of a good +meal, not daring to eat much at supper. + +Adieu, my sweet love! adieu. Divert yourself--I shall soon be at you +again. Your's, ever, + + W.H. + + + + +XVII. + + + Burford, Eighty Miles from London. + Saturday Night, [July 27th, 1801.] + +Here we are, my Dear Emma, after a pleasant day's journey! No +extraordinary occurrence. Our chaise is good, and would have held the +famous "_Tria juncta in Uno_," very well: but, we must submit to the +circumstances of the times. + +Sir Joseph Bankes we found in bed with the gout: and, last night, his +hot-house was robbed of its choicest fruit--peaches and nectarines. + +Amuse yourself as well as you can; and you may be assured, that I +shall return as soon as possible, and you shall hear from me often. + +Ever your's, my dear Emma, with the truest affection, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + +My kindest love to my Lord, if he is not gone. + +_P.S._ Corn, at this market, fell fifteen pounds a load to-day. + + + + +Letters + +FROM + +SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. + +TO + +LORD NELSON. + + + + +Letters OF SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. &c. + + +I. + +[_Written before LORD NELSON'S Elevation to the Peerage._] + + Naples, March 26th, 1796. + + MY DEAR SIR, + +The moment I received your letter of the 11th of March from Leghorn, +I went with it to General Acton: and, although I could not, from your +letter only, in my Ministerial character, demand from this Court +the assistance of some of their xebecs, corvettes, &c. that are the +fittest for going near shore; as I think, with you, that such +vessels are absolutely necessary on the present occasion, I told his +Excellency--that I trusted, as this government had hitherto shewn +itself as sanguine in the good cause, and more so, than any of the +allies of Great Britain, that he would lay your letter before the King +at Naples; and, without waiting for the demand which I should probably +receive soon from Sir John Jervis, send you such small armed vessels +as his Excellency thought would be proper for the service on which you +are employed. + +The General, without hesitation, said--that orders should be +immediately given for the preparing of such a flotilla, which should +join you as soon as the weather would permit. At present, indeed, it +is not very encouraging for row-boats. + +We wait a courier from Vienna, to decide the march of eight thousand +eight hundred infantry, and artillery included, intended to join the +Emperor's army in Italy: and, although the Grand Duke of Tuscany +has refused the permission for these troops to march through his +dominions, the King of Naples has told his son-in-law that, whenever +the safety of Italy should require it, he would, nevertheless, march +them through Tuscany; a liberty which the Emperor would likewise take, +whenever the good of the service required it. + +However, the thousand cavalry sent from hence have taken their route, +by Loretto, through the Pope's state. + +We have had, as I suppose you know, the Admirals Hotham and Goodall +here, for some weeks. I can, _entre nous_, perceive that my old friend +Hotham is not quite awake enough for such a command as that of the +King's fleet in the Mediterranean, although he appears the best +creature imaginable. + +I did not know much of your friend Lord Hood, personally; but, by +his correspondence with me, his activity and clearness was most +conspicuous. + +Lady Hamilton and I admire your constancy, and hope the severe service +you have undergone will be handsomely rewarded. + +When I reported to Lord Grenville, in my last dispatch, the letter I +received from you lately, I could not help giving you the epithet of +"_that_ _brave officer, Captain Nelson._" If you do not deserve it, I +know not who does. + +With our love to Sam, I am, ever, dear Sir, your's, sincerely, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +II. + + + Palermo, February 13th, 1799. + + MY LORD, + +Having received an application from this government, that they might +be supplied with lead from on board the British merchants ships in +this harbour, that have that article on board--and that, without the +help of about a hundred _cantarra_ of lead, this country, and the +common cause, would be much distressed--I am to beg of your Lordship +to use your kind endeavours that this urgent want may be supplied +as soon as possible: well understood, that the proprietors of this +article should be perfectly satisfied with this government, as to the +price of the lead, freight, &c. + +I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and +most humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +III. + + + Palermo, Sunday Night late, + near winding-up-watch hour, + May 19th, 1799. + +MY VERY DEAR LORD, + +Ten thousand thanks for your kind attention in sending us Hallowell's +letter to Troubridge. It comforts us in one respect, as it flatters +us with Commodore Duckworth's four ships joining you soon. But, I +must own, from the junction of five Spanish ships and frigates, I now +think, something more than going into Toulon is intended, and that +your Lordship may have a brush with them. + +God send you every success, that your unparalleled virtues and bravery +so well merit. + +Adieu, my dear Lord! Your Lordship's truly affectionate, and eternally +attached, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +IV. + + + Palermo, May 26th, 1799. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +Whilst Emma was writing to your Lordship, I have been with Acton, to +get a felucca, to send Ball's dispatch to you. It is of so old a date, +that I make no doubt of Ball's having joined you before his dispatch +reaches. + +I send your Lordship an interesting letter I have just received from +our Consul at Trieste: and Acton's answer to my yesterday's letter +communicating your kind resolution of taking care of their Sicilian +Majesties and their kingdoms; and which, your Lordship will see, gives +them great satisfaction. + +As to the fleet having been seen by the Towers near Messina, and to +the westward--I believe, it was your squadron. + +I send you, likewise, a strange rhapsody from Lord Bristol: but +something may be collected from it; or, at least, it will amuse you, +and you have leisure enough on board, which I have not on shore. Be +so good as to send back that letter, and Graham's, by the first +opportunity. + +Above all, take care of your health; that is the first of blessings. +May God ever protect you! We miss you heavily: but, a short time must +clear up the business; and, we hope, bring you back to those who love +and esteem you to the very bottom of their souls. + +Ever your affectionate friend, and humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +V. + + + Palermo, June 17th, 1799. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +I am happy to receive the packet from Major Magra, and which I shall +instantly send to General Acton. + +Nothing has happened, worth telling you, since the few hours we have +been separated. + +God bless you, my very dear friend; and my mind tells me, that +you will soon have reason, either by good news, or by a proper +reinforcement sent to you, to be in a much happier state of mind +than you could possibly be when you left us this morning. All looks +melancholy without you. + +Ever, my dear Lord, your truly attached friend, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +VI. + + + Palermo, June 20th, 1799. + Eight o'Clock at Night. + + MY DEAR LORD, + +Having wrote fully by the felucca to-day, that went off at three +o'clock--and have not yet General Acton's answer, with respect to what +the Court would wish you to do when you hear how the French fleet is +disposed of--I have nothing to write by the transport. + +God bless you! And I hope, somehow or other, we shall meet again soon. + +My dear Lord, your's, most sincerely, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +VII. + + + Piccadilly, February 19th, 1801. + + MY DEAR LORD, + +Whether Emma will be able to write to you to-day, or not, is a +question; as she has got one of her terrible sick head-achs. Among +other things that vex her, is--that we have been drawn in to be under +the absolute necessity of giving a dinner to ****** on Sunday next. +He asked it himself; having expressed his strong desire of hearing +Banti's and Emma's voices together. + +I am well aware of the danger that would attend ******* frequenting +our house. Not that I fear, that Emma could ever be induced to act +contrary to the prudent conduct she has hitherto pursued; but the +world is so ill-natured, that the worst construction is put upon the +most innocent actions. + +As this dinner must be, or ****** would be offended, I shall keep +it strictly to the musical part; invite only Banti, her husband, and +Taylor; and, as I wish to shew a civility to Davison, I have sent him +an invitation. + +In short, we will get rid of it as well as we can, and guard against +its producing more meetings of the same sort. + +Emma would really have gone any lengths, to have avoided Sunday's +dinner. But I thought it would not be prudent to break with ******; +who, really, has shewn the greatest civility to us, when we were last +in England, and since we returned: and she has, at last, acquiesced to +my opinion. + +I have been thus explicit, as I know well your Lordship's way of +thinking; and your very kind attachment to us, and to every thing that +concerns us. + +The King caught cold at the Chapel the other day, and there was +no levee yesterday; and, to-day, the Queen alone will be at the +drawing-room: and, I believe, the new ministry will not be quite +fixed, until the levee-day next week. + +As to my business--I have done all I can to bring it to a point. + +The pension recommended by Lord Grenville was only like Walpole's--a +nominal two thousand pounds. I have represented the injustice of +that--after my having had the King's promise of not being removed +from Naples, but at my own request; and having only empowered Lord +Grenville to remove me, on securing to me a nett income of two +thousand pounds per annum. + +Lord Grenville has recommended to the Treasury, the taking my +extraordinary expences into consideration. + +I have fully demonstrated, to Lord Grenville and Treasury, that +eight thousand pounds is absolutely necessary for the clearing off my +unfunded debt, without making up for my losses. + +Upon the whole, then, I do not expect to get more than the nett +annuity above mentioned, and the eight thousand pounds. But, unless +that is granted, I shall, indeed, have been very ill-used! I hope, in +my next, to be able to inform your Lordship that all has been finally +settled. + +I am busy in putting in order the remains of my vases and pictures, +that you so kindly saved for me on board the Fourdroyant; and the sale +of them will enable me to go on more at my ease, and not leave a debt +unpaid. But, unfortunately, there have been too many picture sales +this year, and mine will come late. + +Adieu! my very dear Lord. May health and success attend you, wherever +you go! And, I flatter myself, this political jumble may hasten a +peace, and bring you back soon. + +Your Lordship's ever obliged, and most sincerely attached, friend and +servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +VIII. + + + Piccadilly, February 20th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +You need not be the least alarmed, that Emma has commissioned me to +send you the newspapers; and write you a line, to tell you that she is +much better--having vomited naturally, and is now purposing to take a +regular one of tartar emetic. + +All her convulsive complaints certainly proceed from a foul stomach; +and I will answer for it, she will be in spirits to write to you +herself to-morrow. + +Adieu! my very dear Lord. I have not a moment to lose, as the bell is +going. + +Your ever attached and obliged humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +IX. + + + Piccadilly, March 7th, 1801. + +MY VERY DEAR LORD, + +I wish it was in my power to profit of your kind invitation; you would +soon see me and Emma on board the St. George: but I am now totally +occupied in preparing for the sale of my pictures, and what I have +saved of my vases. + +To my great satisfaction, I have found some of the most capital +vases; and which I thought, surely, lost on board the Colossus. It has +comforted me much. + +We remain in the same cruel state with respect to the King's recovery. +There can be no doubt, but that his Majesty is better. However, if my +conjectures are true, the Regency must soon take place: as it may be +long before his Majesty could be troubled with business, supposing +even his _fever_ to have totally subsided; and, the times admit of no +delays. + +We see, now, the certainty of the French squadron's being in the +Mediterranean. God knows, how all this will end! But I hope it will be +your Lordship's lot to bring Paul to his senses. + +God send you every success; and send you home, safe and well, crowned +with additional laurels! And then, I hope, you will repose your +shattered frame; and make your friends happy, by staying with them. + + Emma + +Emma is certainly much better, but not quite free from bile. + +Ever, my dear Lord, your Lordship's most attached, and eternally +obliged, humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +X. + + + Piccadilly, April 16th, 1801. + +What can I say, my Dear Lord! that would convey the smallest idea of +what we felt yesterday, on receiving the authentic letters confirming +your late most glorious victory: and read, in your own hand, that God +had not only granted you complete success against the enemies of our +country; but, in the midst of such perils, prevented your receiving +the smallest scratch! + +We can only repeat what we knew well, and often said, before--that +Nelson _was_, _is_, and to the _last_ will ever be, _the first_. + +However, we all agree that, when we get you safe home once more--that +you should never more risk your shattered frame. + +You have done enough, and are well entitled to the motto of Virgil-- + + "_Hic Victor caestus artemque repono_." + +The famous Broughton, after he had beaten every opponent, that dared +to measure hard blows with him, set up an ale-house--the Broughton's +Head--in London, with the above verse of Virgil under it. Some years +after, he was persuaded to accept the challenge of a coachman, and was +beaten. + +Not that I mean to convey, that any such thing could happen to your +Lordship; but, you have done enough. Let others follow your examples; +they will be remembered to the latest posterity. + +It appeared to me most extraordinary, that the 6th inst. the date of +your last letter to Emma, the death of the Emperor Paul (which we have +no doubt of here) should not be known at Copenhagen! + +It appears to us that, as soon as that great event is known in Sweden +and Denmark, with the severe blow you have just given the latter, the +formidable giant, Northern Coalition, will of itself fall to pieces; +and that we shall have the happiness of embracing you again here, in a +very short time. + +You would have laughed to have seen what I saw yesterday! _Emma_ did +not know whether she was on her head or heels--in such a hurry to tell +your great news, that she could utter nothing but tears of joy and +tenderness. + +I went to Davison yesterday morning; and found him still in bed, +having had a severe fit of the gout, and with your letter, which +he had just received: and he cried like a child! But, what was very +extraordinary, assured me that, from the instant he had read your +letter, all pain had left him, and that he felt himself able to get up +and walk about. + +Your brother, Mrs. Nelson, and Horace, dined with us. Your brother +was more extraordinary than ever. He would get up suddenly, and cut +a caper; rubbing his hands every time that the thought of your fresh +laurels came into his head. + +In short, except myself, (and your Lordship knows that I have some +phlegm) all the company, which was considerable, after dinner--the +Duke, Lord William, Mr. Este, &c.--were mad with joy. But, I am sure, +that no one really rejoiced more, at heart, than I did. I have lived +too long to have _extacies_! But, with calm reflection, I felt for +my friend having got to the very summit of glory!--the "_Ne plus +ultra!_"--that he has had another opportunity of rendering his country +the most important service; and manifesting, again, his judgment, his +intrepidity, and humanity. + +God bless you, my very dear Lord, and send you soon home to your +friends. Enemies you have none, but those that are bursting with envy; +and such animals infest all parts of the world. + +The King, be assured, is (though weak) getting well fast. Lord +Loughborough told Livingston, who has just been here, that he was with +the King the day before yesterday, before and after delivery of the +seals, and that he was perfectly calm and recollected. + +Ever your sincerely attached, and truly obliged, humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +XI. + + + Milford, August 12th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +Emma has constantly given me every possible intelligence relative to +your Lordship, and the important operations you are about at this most +interesting moment. + +You have already calmed the minds of every body with respect to +the threatened French invasion. In short, all your Lordship does is +complete; like yourself, and nobody else. But still, I think, there is +no occasion for the Commander in Chief to expose his person as much +as you do. Why should you not have a private flag, known to your fleet +and not to the enemy, when you shift it and go reconnoitring? + +Captain Hopkins, going from hence in the Speedwell cutter to join your +Lordship, will be happy to introduce himself to you by presenting this +letter himself. They give him a good character in this country, but my +acquaintance with him is but of two days. + +I was yesterday with Captain Dobbins, in the Diligence cutter. We +sailed out of this glorious harbour; and, the day being fine, sailed +out some leagues, and examined the Crow Rock, which is reckoned the +greatest danger as to entering the harbour. But the two light-houses +lately erected take off all danger in the night; and [it] is visible +in the day-time, except a short time in spring tides. + +I am delighted with the improvements at Milford. It will surely be a +great town, if we have peace, in three years; the houses rising up, +like mushrooms, even in these difficult times. We allow any one to +build--at their own expence--at an easy ground-rent, and to fall in at +the expiration of three lives, or sixty years. + +You may judge that, having two thousand acres all round the town, +these inhabitants will want land for cows and horses, and gardens, &c. +and, of course, I must be a gainer in the end. + +I visited the two light-houses, and found them perfectly clean, and in +good order: and I never could conceive the brilliant light that they +give; one has sixteen reflected lights, and the other ten. + +To-day, I go upon my last visit to Lord Milford; and, on Saturday, set +out for Piccadilly: and where I am not without hopes of meeting your +Lordship; as I think, in the manner you dispatch business, you will +have completed all by Wednesday next, the day I shall probably be in +London. + +Charles Greville's kind compliments. The name of Nelson is in every +mouth; and, indeed, we owe every thing to your judgment and exertions. + +Adieu! God bless you. Ever your Lordship's affectionate friend, and +obliged humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +XII. + + + Piccadilly, April 28th, 1802. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +Emma says--I must write a letter to you, of condolence for the heavy +loss your Lordship has suffered. + +When persons, in the prime of life, are carried off by accidents or +sickness--or what is, I believe, oftener the case, by the ignorance +and mistakes of the physicians--then, indeed, there is reason to +lament! But as, in the case of your good Father, the lamp was suffered +to burn out fairly, and that his sufferings were not great; and that, +by his Son's glorious and unparalleled successes, he saw his family +ennobled, and with the probability, in time, of its being amply +rewarded, as it ought to have been long ago--his mind could not be +troubled, in his latter moments, on account of the family he left +behind him: and, as to his own peace of mind, at the moment of his +dissolution, there can be no doubt, among those who ever had the +honour of his acquaintance. + +I have said more than I intended; but dare say, your Lordship had +nearly the same thoughts--with the addition of the feelings of a +dutiful Son, for the loss of a most excellent Father. + +It is, however, now--as your Lordship is the Father of your +Family--incumbent upon you to take particular care of your own health. +Nay, you are, by the voice of the nation, its first prop and support. + +Keep up your spirits; and, that you may long enjoy your well-earned +honours, is the sincere wish of your Lordship's affectionate friend, +and attached humble servant, + + Wm. HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters + +FROM + +LORD NELSON + +TO + +SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B. + + + + +Letters OF LORD NELSON, &c. + + +I. + + Bastia, May 24th, 1794. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Will you have the goodness to forward the inclosed to Mr. Brand, and +to present my letter to Lady Hamilton? + +Every lover of his country will rejoice in our great and almost +unexampled success, to the honour of my Lord Hood, and to the shame of +those who opposed his endeavours to serve his country. + +General Stewart, I am happy to say, is just arrived. + +We shall now join, heart and hand, against Calvi. When conquered, I +shall hope to pay my respects to your Excellency at Naples; which will +give real pleasure to your very faithful, and obliged, + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +II. + + + Agamemnon, Leghorn, + March 11th, 1796. + +SIR, + +Mr. Wyndham having communicated to Mr. Udney the conversation of the +French minister with the Tuscans, I cannot, being intrusted by the +Admiral with the command of the small squadron in the Gulph of Genoa, +but think it right for me to beg that your Excellency will apply +for such vessels of war belonging to his Sicilian Majesty, as may be +judged proper to cruize in the Gulph of Genoa, and particularly off +the point of the Gulph of Especia. Xebecs, corvettes, and frigates, +are the fittest to cruize; and the first have the great advantage of +rowing, as well as sailing, I am told, very fast. + +General [Acton] knows, full as well as myself, the vessels proper to +prevent the disembarkation of troops on this coast; therefore, I shall +not particularly point them out. + +Last campaign, the word _flotilla_ was misunderstood. I can only say, +that all vessels which can sail and row must be useful; and, for small +craft, Port Especia is a secure harbour. + +Whatever is to be done, should be done speedily; for, by Mr. Wyndham's +account, we have no time to lose. + +If we have the proper vessels, I am confident, the French will not be +able to bring their ten thousand men by sea; and; should they attempt +to pass through the Genoese territories, I hope the Austrians will +prevent them: but, however, should all our precautions not be able to +prevent the enemy's possessing themselves of Leghorn, yet we are not +to despair. Fourteen days from their entry, if the allied powers +unite heartily, I am confident, we shall take them all prisoners. I am +confident, it can--and, therefore, should such an unlucky event take +place, as their possessing themselves of Leghorn, I hope, will--be +done. I have sent to the Admiral. + +I am, very lately, from off Toulon; where thirteen sail of the line, +and five frigates, are ready for sea, and others fitting. + +With my best respects to Lady Hamilton, believe me, dear Sir, your +Excellency's most obedient servant, + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +III. + + + Vanguard, Syracuse, July 20th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +It is an old saying, "The devil's children have the devil's luck." I +cannot find--or, to this moment learn, beyond vague conjecture--where +the French fleet are gone to. All my ill fortune, hitherto, has +proceeded from want of frigates. + +Off Cape Passaro, on the twenty-second of June, at day-light, I saw +two frigates, which were supposed to be French; and it has been said, +since, that a line-of-battle ship was to leeward of them, with the +riches of Malta on board. But it was the destruction of the enemy, and +not riches for myself, that I was seeking: these would have fell to +me, if I had had frigates; but, except the ship of the line, I regard +not all the riches in this world. + +From my information off Malta, I believed they were gone to Egypt: +therefore, on the twenty-eighth, I was communicating with Alexandria +in Egypt; where I found the Turks preparing to resist them, but knew +nothing beyond report. + +From thence I stretched over to the coast of Caramania; where, not +speaking a vessel who could give me information, I became distressed +for the kingdom of the Two Sicilies: and, having gone a round of six +hundred leagues, at this season of the year, (with a single ship, with +an expedition incredible) here I am, as _ignorant_ of the situation of +the enemy as I was twenty-seven days ago! + +I sincerely hope, the dispatches, which I understand are at Cape +Passaro, will give me full information. I shall be able, for nine or +ten weeks longer, to keep the fleet on active service, when we shall +want provisions and stores. I send a paper on that subject, herewith. + +Mr. Littledale is, I suppose, sent up by the Admiral to victual us, +and I hope he will do it cheaper than any other person: but, if I +find out that he charges more than the fair price, and has not the +provisions of the very best quality, I will not take them; for, as no +fleet has more fag than this, nothing but the best food, and greatest +attention, can keep them healthy. At this moment, we have not one sick +man in the fleet. + +In about six days, I shall sail from hence: and, if I hear nothing +more of the French, I shall go to the Archipelago; where, if they are +gone towards Constantinople, I shall hear of them. + +I shall go to Cyprus; and, if they are gone to Alexandretta, or any +other part of Syria or Egypt, I shall get information. + +You will, I am sure, and so will our country, easily conceive what +has passed in my anxious mind; but I have this comfort, that I have no +fault to accuse myself of: this bears me up, and this only. + +I send you a paper, where a letter is fixed for different places: +which I may leave at any place; and, except those who have the key, +none can tell where I am gone to. + + + July 21. + +The messenger is returned from Cape Passaro; and says, that your +letters for me are returned to Naples. What a situation am I placed +in! As yet, I can learn nothing of the enemy: therefore, I have no +conjecture but that they are gone to Syria; and, at Cyprus, I hope to +hear of them. + +If they were gone to the westward, I rely that every place in Sicily +would have information for me; for it is too important news to leave +me in one moment's doubt about. + +I have no frigate, or a sign of one. The masts, yards, &c. for the +Vanguard, will I hope be prepared directly: for, should the French +be so strongly secured in port that I cannot get at them, I shall +immediately shift my flag into some other ship, and send the Vanguard +to Naples to be refitted; for hardly any person but myself would have +continued on service so long in such a wretched state. + +I want to send a great number of papers to Lord St. Vincent; but I +durst not trust any person here to carry them, even to Naples. + +Pray, send a copy of my letter to Lord Spencer; he must be very +anxious to hear of this fleet. + +I have taken the liberty of troubling your Excellency with a letter +for Lady Nelson. Pray, forward it for me; and believe me, with the +greatest respect, your most obedient servant, + + HORATIO NELSON. + +Sent on shore, to the charge of the Governor of Syracuse. + + + + +IV. + + + Vanguard, Syracuse, July 22d, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have had so much said about the King of Naples's orders only to +admit three or four of the ships of our fleet into his ports, that I +am astonished! I understood, that private orders, at least, would have +been given for our free admission. If we are to be refused supplies, +pray send me, by many vessels, an account, that I may in good time +take the King's fleet to Gibraltar. Our treatment is scandalous, for a +great nation to put up with; and the King's flag is insulted at every +friendly port we look at. + +I am, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant, + + HORATIO NELSON. + +_P.S._ I do not complain of the want of attention in individuals, for +all classes of people are remarkably attentive to us. + + +Sent on shore, to the charge of the Governor of Syracuse. + + + + +V. + + + Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile, + August 8th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Almighty God has made me the happy instrument in destroying the +enemy's fleet; which, I hope, will be a blessing to Europe. + +You will have the goodness to communicate this happy event to all the +courts in Italy; for my head is so indifferent, that I can scarcely +scrawl this letter. + +Captain Capel, who is charged with my dispatches for England, will +give you every information. Pray, put him in the quickest mode of +getting home. + +You will not send, by post, any particulars of this action, as I +should be sorry to have any accounts get home before my dispatches. + +I hope there will be no difficulty in our getting refitted at Naples. +Culloden must be instantly hove down, and Vanguard all new masts and +bowsprit. Not more than four or five sail of the line will probably +come to Naples; the rest will go with the prizes to Gibraltar. + +As this army never will return, I hope to hear the Emperor has +regained the whole of Italy. + +With every good wish, believe me, dear Sir, your most obliged and +affectionate + + HORATIO NELSON. + + 9th August. + +I have intercepted all Buonaparte's dispatches going to France. This +army is in a scrape, and will not get out of it. + + + + +VI. + + + August 12th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +As the greater part of this squadron is going down the Mediterranean, +we shall not want the quantity of wine or bread ordered; therefore, +what is not already prepared had better be put a stop to. I will +settle all the matter, if ever I live to see Naples. + +I have the satisfaction to tell you, the French army have got +a complaint amongst them--caused by the heat, and nothing but +water--which will make Egypt the grave of the greatest part. + +Ever your's, faithfully, + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +VII. + + + Vanguard, off Malta; + October 24th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am just arrived off this place; where I found Captain Ball, and the +Marquis de Niza. From those officers, I do not find such an immediate +prospect of getting possession of the town as the ministers at Naples +seem to think. All the country, it is true, is in possession of the +islanders; and, I believe, the French have not many luxuries in the +town; but, as yet, their bullocks are not eat up. + +The Marquis tells me, the islanders want arms, victuals, mortars, +and cannon, to annoy the town. When I get the elect of the people +on board, I shall desire them to draw up a memorial for the King of +Naples, stating their wants and desires, which I shall bring with me. + +The Marquis sails for Naples to-morrow morning. Till he is gone, I +shall not do any thing about the island; but I will be fully master of +that subject before I leave this place. + +God bless you! is the sincere prayer of + + HORATIO NELSON. + + + + +VIII. + + + Vanguard, off Malta, + October 27th, 1798. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +Although I believe I shall be at Naples before the cutter, yet +I should be sorry to omit acknowledging your kind letter of the +twenty-sixth. + +When I come to Naples, I can have nothing pleasant to say of the +conduct of his Sicilian Majesty's ministers towards the inhabitants +of Malta, who wish to be under the dominion of their legitimate +Sovereign. The total neglect and indifference with which they have +been treated, appears to me _cruel_ in the extreme. + +Had not the English supplied fifteen hundred stand of arms, with +bayonets, cartouch-boxes, and ammunition, &c. &c. and the Marquis +supplied some few, and kept the spirit of those brave islanders from +falling off, they must long ago have bowed again to the French yoke. + +Could you, my dear Sir William, have believed, after what General +Acton and the Marquis de Gallo had said, in our various conversations +relative to this island, that nothing had been sent by the Governor of +Syracuse--_secretly_ (was the word to us) or openly--to this island? +And, I am farther assured, that the Governor of Syracuse never had any +orders sent him to supply the smallest article. + +I beg your Excellency will state this, in confidence, to General +Acton. I shall, most assuredly, tell it to the King! The justice I +owe myself, now I feel employed in the service of their Sicilian +Majesties, demands it of me; and, also, the duty I owe our gracious +King, in order to shew that I am doing my utmost to comply with his +royal commands. + +As I have before stated, had it not been for the English, long, long +ago, the Maltese must have been overpowered. Including the fifteen +hundred stand of arms given by us, not more than three thousand are in +the island. I wonder how they have kept on the defensive so long. + +The Emerald will sail--in twenty-four hours after my arrival--for +Malta; at least, two thousand stand of small arms complete, +ammunition, &c. &c. should be sent by her. This is wanted, to defend +themselves: for offence, two or three large mortars; fifteen hundred +shells, with all necessaries; and, perhaps, a few artillery--two +ten-inch howitzers, with a thousand shells. The Bormola, and all +the left side of the harbour, with this assistance, will fall. Ten +thousand men are required to defend those works, the French can only +spare twelve hundred; therefore, a vigorous assault in many parts, +some one must succeed. + +But, who have the government of Naples sent to lead or encourage these +people? A very good--and, I dare say, brave--old man; enervated, and +shaking with the palsy. This is the sort of man that they have sent; +without any supply, without even a promise of protection, and without +his bringing any answer to the repeated respectful memorials of these +people to their Sovereign. + +I know, their Majesties must feel hurt, when they hear these truths. I +may be thought presuming; but, I trust, General Acton will forgive an +honest seaman for telling plain truths. _As for the other minister, +I do not understand him_; we are different men! He has been bred in +a court, and I in a rough element. But, I believe, my heart is as +susceptible of the finer feelings as his, and as compassionate for the +distress of those who look up to me for protection. + +The officer sent here should have brought supplies, promises of +protection, and an answer from the King to their memorials: he should +have been a man of judgment, bravery, and _activity_. He should be the +first to lead them to glory; and the last, when necessary, to retreat: +the first to mount the walls of the Bormola, and never to quit it. +This is the man to send. Such, many such, are to be found. If he +succeeds, promise him rewards; my life for it, the business would soon +be over. + +God bless you! I am anxious to get this matter finished. I have sent +Ball, this day, to summon Goza; if it resists, I shall send on shore, +and batter down the castle. + +Three vessels, loaded with bullocks, &c. for the garrison, were taken +yesterday; from Tripoli ten more are coming, but we shall have them. + +I had almost forgot to mention, that orders should be immediately +given, that no quarantine should be laid on boats going to the coast +of Sicily for corn. At present, as a matter of favour, they have +_fourteen_ days only. Yesterday, there was only four days bread in the +island. Luckily, we got hold of a vessel loaded with wheat, and sent +her into St. Paul's. + +Once more, God bless you! and ever believe me, your obliged and +affectionate + + HORATIO NELSON. + +This day, I have landed twenty barrels of gunpowder (two thousand +eight hundred pounds) at Malta. + + + + +IX. + + + Palermo, January 10th, 1800. + +SIR, + +Your Excellency having had the goodness to communicate to me a +dispatch from General Acton; together with several letters from +_Girganti_, giving an account that a violence had been committed, +in that port, by the seizing, and carrying off to Malta, two vessels +loaded with corn--I beg leave to express to your Excellency my real +concern, that even the appearance of the slightest disrespect should +be offered, by any officers under my command, to the flag of his +Sicilian Majesty: and I must request your Excellency to state fully to +General Acton, that the act ought not to be considered as any intended +disrespect to his Sicilian Majesty; but as an act of the most absolute +and imperious necessity, either that the island of Malta should have +been delivered up to the French, or that the King's orders should be +anticipated for these vessels carrying their cargoes of corn to Malta. + +I trust, that the government of this country will never again force +any of our Royal Master's servants to so unpleasant an alternative. + +I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's +most obedient and faithful servant, + + B.N. + + + + +X. + + + March 8th, 1800. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +I thank you kindly for all your letters and good wishes. It is my +determination, _my health requiring it_, to come to Palermo, and to +stay two weeks with you. + +I must again urge, that four gunb-oats may be ordered for the service +of Malta; they will most essentially assist in the reduction of the +place, by preventing small vessels from getting in or out. + +I think, from the enemy, on the night of the fourth, trying and +getting out for a short distance, a very fast-sailing polacca, that +Vaubois is extremely anxious to send dispatches to France, to say he +cannot much longer hold out: and, if our troops, as Captain Blackwood +thinks, are coming from Gibraltar and Minorca, I have no idea the +enemy will hold out a week. + +I beg General Acton will order the gun-boats. + +Troubridge has got the jaundice, and is very ill. + +As I shall so very soon see you, I shall only say, that I am ever, +your obliged and affectionate + + BRONTE NELSON. + + + + +XI. + + + Palermo, March 30th, 1800. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +As, from the orders I have given, to all the ships under my command, +to arrest and bring into port all the vessels and troops returning +by convention with the Porte to France--and as the Russian ships have +similar orders--I must request that your Excellency will endeavour to +arrange with the government of this country, how in the first instance +they are to be treated and received in the ports of the Two Sicilies: +for, it is obvious, I can do nothing more than bring them into port; +and, if they are kept on board ship, the fever will make such ravages +as to be little short of the plague. + +It is a very serious consideration for this country, either to receive +them, or let them pass; when they would invade, probably, these +kingdoms. In my present situation in the King's fleet, I have only to +obey; had I been, as before, in the command, I should have gone one +short and direct road to avert this great evil: _viz._ to have sent a +letter to the French, and the Grand Vizir, in Egypt, that I would not, +on any consideration, permit a single Frenchman to leave Egypt--and I +would do it at the risk of even creating a coldness, for the moment, +with the Turks. + +Of two evils, choose the least; and nothing can be so horrid, as +permitting that horde of thieves to return to Europe. + +If all the wise heads had left them to God Almighty, after the bridge +was broke, all would have ended well! For I differ entirely with +my Commander in Chief, in wishing they were permitted to return to +France; and, likewise, with Lord Elgin, in the great importance of +removing them from Egypt. No; there they should perish! has ever been +the firm determination of your Excellency's most obedient and faithful +servant, + + BRONTE NELSON OF + THE NILE. + + + + +XII. + + + Palermo, April 10th, 1800. + +MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, + +Reports are brought to me, that the Spanish ships of war in this port +are preparing to put to sea; a circumstance which must be productive +of very unpleasant consequences, to both England and this country. + +It is fully known, with what exactness I have adhered to the +neutrality of this port; for, upon our arrival here, from Naples, in +December 1798, from the conduct of his Catholic Majesty's minister, I +should have been fully justified in seizing those ships. + +We know, that one object of the Spanish fleet, combined with the +French, was to wrest entirely from the hands of his Sicilian Majesty +his kingdoms of the Two Sicilies. + +The Spaniards are, by bad councils, the tools of the French; and, of +course, the bitter enemy of his Sicilian Majesty and family. + +The conduct I have pursued towards these ships, circumstanced as they +are, has been moderate, and truly considerate towards his Sicilian +Majesty. + +The time is now come--that, profiting of my forbearance, the Spanish +ships are fitting for sea. It is not possible, if they persist in +their preparations, that I can avoid attacking them, even in the port +of Palermo; for they never can, or shall, be suffered to go to sea, +and placed in a situation of assisting the French, against not only +Great Britain, but also the Two Sicilies. + +I have, therefore, to request, that your Excellency will convey my +sentiments on this very delicate subject to his Sicilian Majesty's +ministers, that they may take measures to prevent such a truly +unpleasant event happening; which would be as much against my wish as +it can be against their's: and I request that your Excellency will, +through its proper channel, assure his Sicilian Majesty, that his +safety and honour is as dear to me as that of our Royal Master. + +I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, my dear Sir +William, your Excellency's most affectionate, humble servant, + + BRONTE NELSON OF + THE NILE. + + +THE END. + + + Printed by Macdonald and Son, Cloth Fair, London. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady +Hamilton, Vol II., by Horatio Nelson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + +***** This file should be named 15437.txt or 15437.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/3/15437/ + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, S.R.Ellison and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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