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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/15469-8.txt b/15469-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7be7144 --- /dev/null +++ b/15469-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4526 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady +Hamilton, Vol. I., 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. I. + With A Supplement Of Interesting Letters By Distinguished Characters + +Author: Horatio Nelson + +Release Date: March 26, 2005 [EBook #15469] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, Stephen 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. I. + + * * * * * + + London: + + Printed by Macdonald and Son, Smithfield, + FOR THOMAS LOVEWELL & CO. STAINES HOUSE, + BARBICAN; + + AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. + + 1814. + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +In presenting to the Public the Letters of LORD NELSON to LADY +HAMILTON, something may justly be expected elucidatory of them. + +Their mutual attachment is so generally known, that for the Editors +to have given notes, however desirable and explanatory, might not, +perhaps, have been deemed perfectly decorous. + +They now stand on their own real merits. Some parts (though not very +numerous) have been suppressed, from the most honourable _feelings to +individuals_, as they would certainly have given pain. + +That portion of Letters now offered to the BRITISH NATION, written +by the first of her _Naval Commanders_, will shew his most private +sentiments of _men_ and _measures_, of _countries_ and their _rulers_. + +It is the duty of the Editors to state, that every letter has +been most accurately transcribed, and faithfully compared with the +_originals in their possession_. + +Should our IMMORTAL HERO have expressed an erroneous opinion of some +individuals and of things, let us ever remember, they were written +(_often under the feelings of sickness and of disappointment_) by +him who so repeatedly fought, and almost as frequently bled, for _our +country_--for his "DEAR ENGLAND;" and let us never forget, that to him +we owe more than to any man for our existence as a great and powerful +Nation. + +His country has truly honoured him; and it is not presumptuous in the +Editors to affirm, that his deeds will be remembered, not _only in +name_, but in _their consequences_, by our remotest posterity. + +Were we to dedicate them, unto whom should we?--To the BRITISH NAVY; +as the genuine sentiments of a _true seaman_--the _first_ even of +their own _Heroes_; for NELSON could forego all private feelings, _all +selfish motives_, for that which will ever be the first object of a +truly great and brave man--the _glory and happiness of his country_. + +Our task, which has, from various causes, been attended with more +difficulties than could be imagined, is thus far accomplished; and we +have the pleasure to inform the public, that a very large collection +of LORD NELSON'S _most important public and private correspondence_, +&c. with the most distinguished characters (_at home and abroad_) is +now in preparation for the press. Many of the documents will certainly +throw a light on political transactions at present _very imperfectly +understood_; and those which we intend to present to the world, we +doubt not, will be found more than usually interesting. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + * * * * * + +VOL. I. + + * * * * * + +LETTERS FROM LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON. + + LETTER I. Page 3 + II. 7 + III. 9 + IV. 11 + V. 13 + VI. 15 + VII. 18 + VIII. 20 + IX. 23 + X. 28 + XI. 32 + XII. 34 + XIII. 39 + XIV. 44 + XV. 48 + XVI. 53 + XVII. 58 + XVIII. 60 + XIX. 65 + XX. 69 + XXI. 74 + XXII. 77 + XXIII. 82 + XXIV. 84 + XXV. 88 + XXVI. 89 + XXVII. 91 + XXVIII. 96 + XXIX. 101 + XXX. 104 + XXXI. 108 + XXXII. 113 + XXXIII. 124 + XXXIV. 130 + XXXV. 133 + XXXVI. 135 + XXXVII. 147 + XXXVIII. 152 + XXXIX. 155 + + + + + SUPPLEMENT. + + + _Letters from Lord Nelson to Mrs. Thomson_. + + LETTER I. Page 173 + II. 175 + + + _Letters from Lady Hamilton to Lord Nelson_. + + LETTER I. Page 181 + II. 185 + + + _Letters from the Reverend Edmund Nelson, (Lord + Nelson's Father) to Lady Hamilton_. + + LETTER I. Page 189 + II. 191 + + + _Letters from the Reverend Dr. Nelson, now Earl + Nelson, to Lady Hamilton_. + + LETTER I. 195 + II. 199 + III. 202 + IV. 206 + V. 210 + VI. 213 + + + _Letters from the Earl of St. Vincent to Lady Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 217 + II. 219 + III. 222 + IV. 225 + V. 227 + + + _Letters from Sir Alexander John Ball to Lady + Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 233 + II. 236 + + _Letters from the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry + in Ireland, to Lady Hamilton_. + + LETTER I. Page 241 + II. 243 + III. 245 + IV. 248 + V. 249 + VI. 250 + VII. 252 + VIII. 253 + IX. 255 + X. 257 + + + _Letter from the Honourable Charles Greville, Nephew + of Sir William Hamilton, to Lady Hamilton_. + + Page 265 + + + _Letters from Lady Hamilton to the Honourable + Charles Greville_. + + LETTER I. Page 269 + II. 273 + + + + + THE + Letters + OF + LORD NELSON + TO + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +THE Letters OF LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +LETTER I. + + + Vanguard, off Malta, + Oct. 24, 1798. + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +After a long passage, we are arrived; and it is as I suspected--the +ministers at Naples know nothing of the situation of the island. Not +a house or bastion of the town is in possession of the islanders; and +the Marquis de Niza tells me, they want arms, victuals, and support. +He does not know, that any Neapolitan officers are in the island; +perhaps, although I have their names, none are arrived; and it is very +certain, by the Marquis's account, that no supplies have been sent by +the governors of Syracuse or Messina. + +However, I shall and will know every thing as soon as the Marquis is +gone, which will be to-morrow morning. He says, he is very anxious to +serve under my command; and, by his changing his ship, it appears +as if he was so: however, I understand the trim of our English ships +better. + +Ball will have the management of the blockade after my departure; as, +it seems, the Court of Naples think my presence may be necessary, and +useful, in the beginning of November. + +I hope it will prove so; but, I feel, my duty lays at present in the +East; for, until I know the shipping in Egypt are destroyed, I shall +never consider the French army as completely sure of never returning +to Europe. + +However, all my views are to serve and save the Two Sicilies; and +to do that which their Majesties may wish me, even against my own +opinion, when I come to Naples, and that country is at war. I shall +wish to have a meeting with General Acton on this subject. + +You will, I am sure, do me justice with the Queen; for, I declare to +God, my whole study is, how to best meet her approbation. + +May God bless you and Sir William! and ever believe me, with the most +affectionate regard, your obliged and faithful friend, + + HORATIO NELSON. + +I may possibly, but that is not certain, send in the inclosed letter. +Shew it to Sir William. This must depend on what I hear _and see_; for +I believe scarcely any thing I hear. + +Once more, God bless you! + + + + +LETTER II. + + + [May 12, 1799.] + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter. Nobody writes so +well: therefore, pray, say not you write ill; for, if you do, I will +say--what your goodness sometimes told me--"You l--e!" I can read, and +perfectly understand, every word you write. + +We drank your and Sir William's health. Troubridge, Louis, Hallowell, +and the new Portuguese Captain, dined here. I shall soon be at +Palermo; for this business must very soon be settled. + +No one, believe me, is more sensible of your regard, than your obliged +and grateful + + NELSON. + +I am pleased with little Mary; kiss her for me. I thank all the house +for their regard. God bless you all! + +I shall send on shore, if fine, to-morrow; for the feluccas are going +to leave us, and I am sea-sick. + +I have got the piece of wood for the tea-chest; it shall soon be sent. + +Pray, present my humble duty and gratitude to the Queen, for all +her marks of regard; and assure her, it is not thrown away on an +ungrateful soil. + + + + +LETTER III. + + + Vanguard, May 19, 1799, + Eight o'Clock. Calm. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Lieutenant Swiney coming on board, enables me to send some blank +passports for vessels going to Procida with corn, &c. and also one for +the courier boat. + +To tell you, how dreary and uncomfortable the Vanguard appears, is +only telling you, what it is to go from the pleasantest society to a +solitary cell; or, from the dearest friends, to no friends. I am now +perfectly the _great man_--not a creature near me. From my heart, I +wish myself the little man again! + +You, and good Sir William, have spoiled me for any place but with you. +I love Mrs. Cadogan. You cannot conceive what I feel, when I call you +all to my remembrance. Even to Mira, do not forget your faithful and +affectionate + + NELSON. + + + + +LETTER IV. + + + May 20, 1799. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Many thanks to you and Sir William for your kind notes. You will +believe I did not sleep much, with all my letters to read, &c. &c. + +My letters from Lord St. Vincent are May 6th. He says--"We saw the +Brest squadron pass us yesterday, under an easy sail. I am making +every effort to get information to Lord Keith; who I have ordered +here, to complete their water and provisions. I conjecture, the French +squadron is bound for Malta and Alexandria, and the Spanish fleet for +the attack of Minorca." + +I must leave you to judge, whether the Earl will come to us. I think +he will: but, _entre nous_, Mr. Duckworth means to leave me to my +fate. I send you (_under all circumstances_) his letter. Never mind; +if I can get my eleven sail together, they shall not hurt me. + +God bless you, Sir William, and all our joint friends in your house; +Noble, Gibbs, &c. and believe me ever, for ever, your affectionate +friend, + + NELSON. + + + + +LETTER V. + + + February 3, 1800. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Having a Commander in Chief, I cannot come on shore till I have made +_my manners_ to him. Times are changed; but, if he does not come on +shore directly, I will not wait. + +In the mean time, I send Allen to inquire how you are. Send me word, +for I am anxious to hear of you. It has been no fault of mine, that I +have been so long absent. I cannot command; and, now, only obey. + +Mr. Tyson, and the Consul, have not been able to find out the +betrothed wife of the Priore; although they were three days in their +inquiries, and desired the Neapolitan Consul to send to Pisa. I also +desired the Russian Admiral, as he was going to Pisa, to inquire if +the Countess Pouschkin had any letters to send to Palermo; but, as I +received none, I take for granted she had none to send. + +May God bless you, my dear Lady; and be assured, I ever am, and shall +be, your obliged and affectionate + + BRONTE NELSON. + + + + +LETTER VI. + + + Off La Valette, Feb. 20, 1800. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Had you seen the Peer receive me, I know not what you would have done; +but, I can guess. But never mind! I told him, that I had made a vow, +if I took the Genereux by myself, it was my intention to strike my +flag. To which he made no answer. + +If I am well enough, I intend to write a letter to Prince Leopold, and +to send him the French Admiral's flag; which I hope you will approve +of, as it was taken on the coast of his father's kingdom, and by as +faithful a subject as any in his dominions. + +I have had no communication with the shore; therefore, have seen +neither Ball, Troubridge, or Graham: nor with the Lion; when I have, +I shall not forget all your messages, and little Jack. I only want to +know your wishes, that I may, at least, appear grateful, by attending +to them. + +My head aches dreadfully, and I have none here to give me a moment's +comfort. + +I send the packet to General Acton; as I think it may go quicker, and +he will be flattered by presenting the flag and letter to the Prince. + +Malta, I think, will fall very soon, if these other corvettes do not +get in. + +Pray, make my best regards acceptable to Mrs. Cadogan, Miss Knight, +little Mary Re Giovanni, Gibbs, &c. &c. and ever believe me your truly +faithful and affectionate + + BRONTE NELSON. + + + + +LETTER VII. + + + June 16, [1800.] Seven o'Clock. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +What a difference--but it was to be--from your house to a boat! + +Fresh breeze of wind, the ship four or five leagues from the mole; +getting on board into truly a hog-stye of a cabin, leaking like a +sieve, consequently floating with water. What a change! + +Not a felucca near us. I saw them come out this morning, but they +think there is too much wind and swell. + +Pray, do not keep the cutter; as I have not a thing, if any thing +important should arrive, to send you. + +Only think of Tyson's being left! + +May God bless you, my dear Lady; and believe me, ever, your truly +affectionate and sincere friend, + + NELSON. + +Lady Hamilton--Put the candlestick on _my_ writing-table. + + + + +LETTER VIII. + + + January 28, 1801. + +What a fool I was, my dear Lady Hamilton, to direct that your cheering +letters should be directed for Brixham! I feel, this day, truly +miserable, in not having them; and, I fear, they will not come till +to-morrow's post. + +What a blockhead, to believe any person is so active as myself! I +have this day got my orders, to put myself under Lord St. Vincent's +command: but, as no order is arrived to man the ship, it must be +Friday night, or Saturday morning, before she can sail for Torbay. +Direct my letters, now, to Brixham. + +My eye is very bad. I have had the physician of the fleet to examine +it. + +He has directed me not to write, (and yet I am forced, this day, +to write Lord Spencer, St. Vincent, Davison about my law-suit, +Troubridge, Mr. Locker, &c. but you are the only female I write to;) +not to eat any thing but the most simple food; not to touch wine or +porter; to sit in a dark room; to have green shades for my eyes--(will +you, my dear friend, make me one or two? Nobody else shall;)--and to +bathe them in cold water every hour. I fear, it is the writing has +brought on this complaint. My eye is like blood; and the film so +extended, that I only see from the corner farthest from my nose. What +a fuss about my complaints! But, being so far from my sincere friends, +I have leisure to brood over them. + +I have this moment seen Mrs. Thomson's friend. Poor fellow! he seems +very uneasy and melancholy. He begs you to be kind to her; and I have +assured him of your readiness to relieve the dear good woman: and +believe me, for ever, my dear Lady, your faithful, attached, and +affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I will try and write the Duke a line. My brother intended to have gone +off to-morrow afternoon; but this half order may stop him. + + + + +LETTER IX. + + + San Josef, February 8th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LADY, + +Mr. Davison demands the privilege of carrying back an answer to your +kind letter; and, I am sure, he will be very punctual in the delivery. + +I am not in very good spirits; and, except that our country demands +all our services and abilities, to bring about an honourable peace, +nothing should prevent my being the bearer of my own letter. But, my +dear friend, I know you are so true and loyal an Englishwoman, that +you would hate those who would not stand forth in defence of our King, +laws, religion, and all that is dear to us. + +It is your sex that make us go forth; and seem to tell us--"None but +the brave deserve the fair!" and, if we fall, we still live in the +hearts of those females. You are dear to us. It is your sex that +rewards us; it is your sex who cherish our memories; and you, my dear, +honoured friend, are, believe me, the _first_, the best, of your sex. + +I have been the world around, and in every corner of it, and never yet +saw your equal, or even one which could be put in comparison with you. +You know how to reward virtue, honour, and courage; and never to ask +if it is placed in a Prince, Duke, Lord, or Peasant: and I hope, one +day, to see you, in peace, before I set out for Bronte, which I am +resolved to do. + +Darby's is one of the ships sent out after the French squadron; I +shall, therefore, give the print to Hardy. I think, they might come by +the mail-coach, as a parcel, wrapped up round a stick; any print shop +will give you one: and direct it as my letters. The coach stops, for +parcels, at the White Bear, I believe, Piccadilly. + +Pray, have you got any picture from Mrs. Head's? I hope, Mr. Brydon +has executed the frames to your satisfaction; the bill, he is directed +to send to me. + +Only tell me, how I can be useful to you and Sir William; and believe, +nothing could give me more pleasure: being, with the greatest truth, +my dear Lady, your most obliged and affectionate friend, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I am told, the moment St. George arrives, that I am to be tumbled out +of this ship; as the Ville de Paris is going to Plymouth, to be paid, +and the Earl will hoist his flag here: and if I am as fortunate in +getting a fresh-painted cabin, (which is probable) I shall be knocked +up. At all events, I shall be made very uncomfortable by this hurry. + +It has been very good, and friendly, of Mr. Davison, to travel upwards +of two hundred miles, to make me a visit. + +I rather think, the great Earl will not much like his not having +called on him; but his manner of speaking of Mr. Davison, for his +friendship to me, in the matter of the law-suit, Lord St. Vincent +states to my solicitors as offensive to him. Why should it? only that +Mr. Davison wishes that I should have justice done me, and not to be +overpowered by weight of interest and money. + +Once more, God bless you and Sir William. + + N. & B. + +Sir Isaac Heard has gazetted Troubridge's, Hood, &c.'s honours; but +has not gazetted mine: and he has the King's orders for mine as much +as the others. + + + + +LETTER X. + + + No 2. San Josef, February 16th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Your letters have made me happy, to-day; and never again will I scold, +unless you begin. Therefore, pray, never do; My confidence in you is +firm as a rock. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + +I cannot imagine, who can have stopped my Sunday's letter! That it has +been, is clear: and the seal of the other has been clearly opened; but +this might have happened from letters sticking together. + +Your's all came safe; but the numbering of them will point out, +directly, if one is missing. I do not think, that any thing very +particular was in that letter which is lost. + +Believe me, my dear friend, that Lady A. is as damned a w---- as ever +lived, and Mrs. W---- is a bawd! Mrs. U---- a foolish pimp; eat up +with pride, that a P---- will condescend to put her to expence. Only +do as I do; and all will be well, and you will be every thing I wish. + +I thank you for your kindness to poor dear Mrs. Thomson. I send her a +note; as desired by her dear good friend, who doats on her. + +I send you a few Lines, wrote in the late gale; which, I think, you +will not disapprove. + +How interesting your letters are! You cannot write too much, or be too +particular. + + * * * * * + + Though ----'s polish'd verse superior shine, + Though sensibility grace every line; + Though her soft Muse be far above all praise. + And female tenderness inspire her lays: + + Deign to receive, though unadorn'd + By the poetic art, + The rude expressions which bespeak + A Sailor's untaught heart! + + A heart _susceptible_, sincere, and true; + A heart, by fate, and nature, torn in two: + One half, to duty and his country due; + The other, _better half_, to love and you! + + Sooner shall Britain's sons resign + The empire of the sea; + Than Henry shall renounce his faith, + AND PLIGHTED VOWS, TO THEE! + + And waves on wares shall cease to roll, + And tides forget to flow; + Ere thy true Henry's constant love, + Or ebb, or change, shall know. + +The weather, thank God, is moderating. + +I have just got a letter from the new Earl at the Admiralty, full of +compliments. But nothing shall stop my law-suit, and I hope to cast +him. + +I trust, when I get to Spithead, there will be no difficulty in +getting leave of absence. + +The letters on service are so numerous, from three days interruption +of the post, that I must conclude with assuring you, that I am, for +ever, your attached, and unalterably your's, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I shall begin a letter at night. + + + + +LETTER XI. + + + [March 1801.] + +You say, my Dearest Friend, why don't I put my Chief forward? He has +put me in the front of the battle, and Nelson will be first. I could +say more; but will not make you uneasy, knowing the firm friendship +you have for me. + +The St. George will stamp an additional ray of glory to England's +fame, if Nelson survives; and that Almighty Providence, who has +hitherto protected me in all dangers, and covered my head in the day +of battle, will still, if it be his pleasure, support and assist me. + +Keep me alive, in your and Sir William's remembrance. My last thoughts +will be with you both, for you love and esteem me. I judge your hearts +by my own. + +May the Great God of Heaven protect and bless you and him! is the +fervent prayer of your and Sir William's unalterable friend, till +death. + + + + +LETTER XII. + + + Friday Night, Nine o'Clock. + St. George. [March 1801.] + +Having, my truly Dearest Friend, got through a great deal of business, +I am enabled to do justice to my private feelings; which are fixed, +ever, on you, and about you, whenever the public service does not +arrest my attention. + +I have read all, all, your kind and affectionate letters: and have +read them frequently over; and committed them to the flames, much +against my inclination. There was one I rejoiced not to have read at +the time. It was, where you consented to dine and sing with * * * *. +Thank God, it was not so! I could not have borne it; and, now, less +than ever. But, I now know, he never can dine with you; for, you would +go out of the house sooner than suffer it: and, as to letting him hear +you sing, I only hope he will be struck deaf, and you dumb, sooner +than such a thing should happen! But, I know, it never now can. + +You cannot think how my feelings are alive towards you; probably, +more than ever: and they never can be diminished. My hearty endeavours +shall not be wanting, to improve and to give US NEW ties of regard and +affection. + +I have seen, and talked much with, Mrs. Thomson's friend. The fellow +seems to eat all my words, when I talk of her and his child! He says, +he never can forget your goodness and kind affection to her and his +dear, dear child. I have had, you know, the felicity of seeing it, and +a finer child never was produced by any two persons. It was, in truth, +a love-begotten child! I am determined to keep him on board; for, I +know, if they got together, they would soon have another. But, after +our two months trip, I hope, they will never be separated; and, then, +let them do as they please. + +We are all bustle and activity. I shall sail, on Monday, after your +letter arrives. Troubridge will send it, as an Admiralty letter. On +Tuesday I shall be in the Downs, if we have any wind; and Troubridge +will send, under cover to Admiral Lutwidge. + +It is not my intention to set my foot out of the ship, except to make +my take-leave bow to Admiral Milbank. I have been much pressed to dine +ashore: but, no; never, if I can help it, till I dine with you. + + Eleven o'Clock. + +Your dear letters just come on board. They are sympathetic with my own +feelings; and, I trust, we shall soon meet, to part no more! + +Monday, I shall be here for letters; Tuesday, at Deal. Recollect, +I am, for ever, your's; aye, for ever, while life remains, your's, +your's faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I charge my only friend to keep well, and think of her Nelson's glory. + +I have written to Lord Eldon, the Chancellor, as my brother desired. + +Pray, as you are going to buy a ticket for the Pigot diamond--buy the +right number, or it will be money thrown away. + +For ever, ever, your's, only your's. + +Kindest regards to my dear Mrs. Thomson, and my God Child. + + + + +LETTER XIII. + + + Deal--[Shall be on board the Medusa + before this letter go from the Downs]--July + 31, 1801. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Did not you get my letter from Sheerness on Thursday morning, telling +you I was just setting off for Deal; as I have no letter from you of +yesterday, only those of Wednesday, which went to Sheerness? It has +been my damned blunder, and not your's; for which I am deservedly +punished, by missing one of your dear letters. They are my comfort, +joy, and delight. + +My time is, truly, fully taken up, and my hand aches before night +comes. + +I got to bed, last night, at half past nine; but the hour was so +unusual, that I heard the clock strike one. To say that I thought of +you, would be nonsense; for, you are never out of my thoughts. + +At this moment, I see no prospect of my getting to London; but, very +soon, the business of my command will become so simple, that a child +may direct it. + +What rascals your post-chaise people must be! They have been paid +every thing. Captain Parker has one receipt for seven pounds odd, and +I am sure that every thing is paid; therefore, do not pay a farthing. +The cart-chaise I paid at Dartford. + +You need not fear all the women in this world; for all others, except +yourself, are pests to me. I know but one; for, who can be like my +Emma? I am confident, you will do nothing which can hurt my feelings; +and I will die by torture, sooner than do any thing which could offend +you. + +Give ten thousand kisses to my dear Horatia. + +Yesterday, the subject turned on the cow-pox. A gentleman declared, +that his child was inoculated with the cow-pox; and afterwards +remained in a house where a child had the small-pox the natural way, +and did _not_ catch it. Therefore, here was a full trial with the +cow-pox. The child is only feverish for two days; and only a slight +inflammation of the arm takes place, instead of being all over +_scabs_. But, do you what you please! + +I did not get your newspapers; therefore, do not know what promise you +allude to: but this I know, I have _none_ made me. + +The extension of the patent of peerage is going on; but the wording of +my brother's note, they have wrote for a meaning to. The patent must +be a new creation. First, to my father, if he outlives me; then to +William, and his sons; then to Mrs. Bolton, and her sons; and Mrs. +Matcham, and her's. Farther than that, I care not; it is far enough. +But it may never get to any of them; for the old patent may extend +by issue male of my own carcase: I am not so very old; and may marry +again, a wife more suitable to my genius. + +I like the Morning Chronicle. + +Ever, for ever, your's, only your, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Best regards to Mrs. Nelson, the Duke, and Lord William. + +I have totally failed for poor Madame Brueys. + +Bonaparte's wife is one of Martinique, and some plan is supposed to be +carried on. + + + + +LETTER XIV. + + + Sheerness, August 11th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I came from Harwich yesterday noon; not having set my foot on shore, +although the Volunteers, &c. were drawn up to receive me, and the +people ready to draw the carriage. + +Parker had very near got all the honours; but I want none, but what +my dear Emma confers. You have sense to discriminate whether they are +deserved or no. + +I came on shore; for my business lays with the Admiral, who lives in +a ship hauled on shore, and the Commisioner. Slept at Coffin's: and, +having done all that I can, am off for the Downs; to-day, if possible. + +As far as September 14th, I am at the Admiralty's disposal; but, if +Mr. Buonaparte do not chuse to send his miscreants before that time, +my health will not bear me through equinoctial gales. + +I wish that Sir William was returned; I would try and persuade him +to come to either Deal, Dover, or Margate: for, thus cut off from the +society of my dearest friends, 'tis but a life of sorrow and sadness. +But, _patienza per forza_! + +I hope you will get the house. If I buy, no person can say--this +shall, or not, be altered; and, you shall have the whole arrangement. + +Remember me most kindly to Mrs. Nelson, the Duke, and Lord William. +Write to me in the Downs. + +May the Heavens bless and preserve you, for ever and ever! is the +constant prayer of, my dear Emma, your most affectionate and faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +The Mayor and Corporation of Sandwich, when they came on board to +present me the freedom of that ancient town, requested me [to] dine +with them. I put them off for the moment, but they would not be let +off. Therefore, this business, _dreadful_ to me, stands over, and I +shall be attacked again when I get to the Downs. But I will not dine +there, without you say, approve; nor, perhaps, then, if I can get off. +Oh! how I hate to be stared at. + + + + +LETTER XV. + + + Deal, August 18th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your dear, good, kind, and most affectionate letters, from Saturday to +last night, are arrived, and I feel all you say; and may Heaven bless +me, very soon, with a sight of your dear angelic face. You are a +nonpareil! No, not one fit to wipe your shoes. I am, ever have been, +and always will remain, your most firm, fixed, and unalterable friend. + +I wish Sir William had come home a week ago, then I should have seen +you here. + +I have this morning been attending the funeral of two young Mids: a +Mr. Gore, cousin of Capt. Gore, and a Mr. Bristow. One nineteen, the +other seventeen years of age. + +Last night, I was all the evening in the Hospital, seeing that all was +done for the comfort of the poor fellows. + +I am going on board; for nothing should keep me living on shore, +without you were here. I shall come in the morning, to see Parker, and +go on board again directly. + +I shall be glad to see Oliver: I hope he will keep his tongue quiet, +about the tea-kettle; for, I shall not give it till I leave the +Medusa. + +You ask me, what Troubridge wrote me? There was not a syllable about +you in it. It was about my not coming to London; at the importance of +which, I laughed: and, then, he said, he should never venture another +opinion. On which, I said--"Then, I shall never give you one." This +day, he has wrote a kind letter, and all is over. + +I have, however, wrote him, in my letter of this day, as +follows--_viz._ "_And I am, this moment, as firmly of opinion as ever, +that Lord St. Vincent, and yourself, should have allowed of my coming +to town, for my own affairs; for, every one knows, I left it without a +thought for myself_." + +I know, he likes to be with you: but, shall he have that felicity, and +_he_ deprive me of it? No; that he shall not! + +But this business cannot last long, and I hope we shall have peace; +and, I rather incline to that opinion. But the Devil should not get me +out of the kingdom, without being some days with you. + +I hope, my dear Emma, you will be able to find a house suited for my +comfort. I am sure of being HAPPY, by your arrangements. + +I have wrote a line to Troubridge, about Darby. + +Parker will write you a line of thanks, if he is able. I trust in God, +he will yet do well! + +You ask me, my dear friend, if I am going on more expeditions? And, +even if I was to forfeit your friendship, which is dearer to me than +all the world, I can tell you nothing. + +For, I go out; [if] I see the enemy, and can get at them, it is my +duty: and you would naturally hate me, if I kept back one moment. + +I long to pay them, for their tricks t'other day, the debt of a +drubbing, which, surely, I'll pay: but _when, where, or how_, it is +impossible, your own good sense must tell you, for me or mortal man to +say. + +I shall act not in a rash or hasty manner; that you may rely, and on +which I give you my word of honour. + +Just going off. Ever, for ever, your faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Every kind thing to Mrs. Nelson. + + + + +LETTER XVI. + + + Medusa, Downs, August 31st, 1801. + +MY DEAR EMMA! DEAREST, BEST, FRIEND OF NELSON, + +Sir William is arrived, and well; remember me kindly to him. I should +have had the pleasure of seeing him, but for _one of my lords and +masters_, TROUBRIDGE; therefore, I am sure, neither you or Sir William +will feel obliged to him. + +The weather is very bad, and I am very sea-sick. I cannot answer +your letter, probably; but I am writing a line, to get on shore, if +possible: indeed, I hardly expect that your letter can get afloat. + +I entreat you, my dear friend, to work hard for me, and get the +house and furniture; and I will be so happy to lend it to you and Sir +William! + +Therefore, if you was to take the Duke's house, _a cake house_, open +to every body he pleases, you had better have a booth at once; you +never could rest one moment quiet. Why did not the Duke assist Sir +William, when he wanted his assistance? why not have saved you from +the distress, which Sir William must every day feel, in knowing that +his excellent wife sold her jewels to get a house for him; whilst his +own relations, great as they are in the foolish world's eye, would +have left a man of his respectability and age, to have lodged in the +streets. Did the Duke, or any of them, give him a house _then_? + +Forgive me! you know if any thing sticks in my throat, it must out. +Sir William owes his life to you; which, I believe, he will never +forget. + +To return to the house--The furniture must be bought with it; and the +sooner it is done, the better I shall like it. + +Oh! how bad the weather is! + +The devils, here, wanted to plague my soul out, yesterday, just after +dinner; but I would have seen them damned, before they should have +come in. The Countess Montmorris, Lady this, that, and t'other, came +along-side, a Mr. Lubbock with them--to desire they might come in. I +sent word, I was so busy that no persons could be admitted, as my time +was employed in the King's service. Then they sent their names, which +I cared not for: and sent Captain Gore, to say it was impossible; +and that, if they wanted to see a ship, they had better go to the +Overyssel (a sixty-four in the Downs.) They said, no; they wanted +to see me. However, I was stout, and will not be shewn about like a +_beast_! and away they went. + +I believe, Captain Gore wishes me out of his ship; for the _ladies_ +admire him, I am told, very much: but, however, no Captain could be +kinder to me than he is. These ladies, he told me afterwards, were his +relations. + +I have just got your letters; many thanks, for them! You do not say, +in the end, Sir William is arrived. + +I am glad, that you approve. You may rely, my dear friend, that I will +not run any unnecessary risk! No more boat work, I promise you; but, +ever, your attached and faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +To the Duke, and Lord William, say every thing which is kind; and to +Mrs. Nelson. + +I am so dreadfully sea-sick, that I cannot hold up my head! + + + + +LETTER XVII. + + + September 21st, [1801.] + Quarter past Ten o'Clock. + +MY DEAR EMMA, + +I wish you would send the letter to Mrs. Dod's, directly; for, +otherwise, he may, inadvertently. + +If done, and it comes to London, deliver some of the things. The +wardrobe is her's; and if any of her clothes are at Mr. Dod's, they +had better be separated from mine--and, indeed, what things are worth +removing--to have them directly sent to Merton. A bed, or two, I +believe, belong to my father; but, am not sure. + +I send you Dr. Baird's comfortable note, this moment received. + +You will [find] Parker is treated like an infant. Poor fellow! I +trust, he will get well, and take possession of his room at the farm. + +Ever your affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XVIII. + + + Amazon, September 26, 1801. + Eight o'Clock. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your kind letters came on board about six o'clock. + +You may rely upon one thing, that I shall like Merton; therefore, do +not be uneasy on that account. I have that opinion of your taste and +judgment, that I do not believe it can fail in pleasing me. We must +only consider our means; and, for the rest, I am sure, you will soon +make it the prettiest place in the world. + +I dare say, Mr. Hazelwood acted, like all lawyers, whose only +consideration was for their client: but, I am sure, you will do, for +me, all the civil things towards Mrs. Greaves. + +If I can afford to buy the Duck Close, and the field adjoining, it +would be pleasant; but, I fear, it is not in my power: but, I shall +know, when my accounts are settled, at New Year's Day. + +To be sure, we shall employ the trades-people of our village, in +preference to any others, in what we want for common use, and give +them every encouragement to be kind and attentive to us. + +From my heart, do I wish that I was with you: and it cannot be long; +for, to-day, I am far from well; violent head ache, and very cold; +but, it may be agitation. + +Whatever, my dear Emma, you do for my little charge, I must be pleased +with. Probably, she will be lodged at Merton; at least, in the spring, +when she can have the benefit of our walks. It will make the poor +mother happy, I am sure. + +I do not write to her to-day, as this goes through the Admiralty; but, +tell her all I would say. You know my unchangeable thoughts about her. + +I shall have the child christened, when I come up. + +Have we a nice church at Merton? We will set an example of goodness to +the under-parishioners. + +Would to God, I was with you at Laleham. I shall never forget our +happiness at that place. + +Mr. Davison will pay Mrs. Nelson fifty pounds, October 1st. I dare +say, Mr. Shakespeare has some orders about it. + +I had, yesterday, a letter from my father; he seems to think, that he +may do something which I shall not like. I suppose, he means, going to +Somerset Street. + +Shall I, to an old man, enter upon the detestable subject; it may +shorten his days. But, I think, I shall tell him, that I cannot go to +Somerset Street, to see him. But, I shall not write till I hear your +opinion. + +If I once begin, you know, it will _all out_, about her, and her +ill-treatment to her son. But, you shall decide. + +Our accounts of dear Parker, I fear, preclude all hopes of his +recovery. + +It was my intention to have gone ashore this morning, to have called +on Admiral Lutwidge: but, the wind's coming fresh from the S.W. I have +declined it; for, I doubt, if I could get off again. + +At ten o'clock, with your letters, came off Dr. Baird's note, to say +every hope was gone! I have desired, that his death should be sent, +by telegraph, to the Admiralty. They will, surely, honour his memory, +although they would not promote him. + +What are our feelings, my dear Emma! but, we must cheer up: and, with +best regards to Mrs. Nelson, believe me ever, for ever, your most +affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Best regards to Sir William. + +I send you the last report. Who knows! + + + + +LETTER XIX. + + + Amazon, October 8, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +I do not expect, although I am writing, that any boat can communicate +with us to-day. + +What can be the use of keeping me here? for, I can know nothing such +weather; and, what a change since yesterday! It came on, in one hour, +from the water like a mill-head, to such a sea as to make me very +unwell. If I had gone to make my visit, I could not have got off +again. I rejoice that I did not go. + +Until I leave the station, I have no desire to go on shore; for, Deal +was always my abhorrence. + +That Parker is a swindler. Langford owed our dear Parker twenty-five +pounds, of which there was no account; but Langford desired his agents +to pay Mr. Parker. Langford requested, that he would wait two or three +months, as it would be more convenient to him. To which the other +agreed--"Aye, as long as you please." He got one pound eleven +shillings and sixpence from Samuel, by casting his account wrong. The +first thing he does, is to desire Langford's agents to pay thirty-four +pounds for Langford, nine pounds more than the debt. He is worse than +a public thief. His conduct to me was, absolutely, the worst species +of thieving; for, it was under false pretences. He sent Dr. Baird on +board, to me, to say that, in London, his pocket book was stole, in +which was twenty pounds; and begged my assistance to get him home; and +that he had not a farthing to buy mourning for his dear son. At this +time, he had forty-seven pounds in his pocket, besides what he had +sold of his son's. He has behaved so unlike a gentleman, but very like +a blackguard, to both Captain Sutton, Bedford, and Hardy, I am +now clear that he never lost one farthing, and that the whole is +a swindling trick. So, you see, my dear friend, how good-nature is +imposed upon. I am so vexed, that he should have belonged to our dear +Parker! + +I have now done with the wretch, for ever. I hope he has got nothing +from you; and, if you have promised him any thing, _do not send it_. + + Ten o'Clock. + +Your kind letters are arrived. I rejoice that you have got into +Merton. I hope to get the letter on shore; but, it is very uncertain. + +Ministry, my dearest friend, think very differently of my services +from you! But, never mind; I shall soon have done with them afloat. + +Make my kindest regards to Sir William, and all our friends; and +believe me, ever, your faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I have just got a very kind letter from Captain Read. He says, he +will come and see me, be where it will. He inquired after you and Sir +William. + + + + +LETTER XX. + + + Amazon, Ten o'Clock, + October 12, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +This being a very fine morning, and smooth beach, at eight o'clock, +I went with Sutton and Bedford, and landed at Walmer; but found Billy +fast asleep: so, left my card; walked the same road that we came, when +the carriage could not come with us that night; and all rushed into +my mind, and brought tears into my eyes. Ah! how different to walking +with such a friend as you, Sir William, and Mrs. Nelson. + +Called at the barracks, on Lord George; but, he is gone to London. + +From thence to the Admiral's, found him up; and, waiting half an hour +to see Mrs. Lutwidge, who entreated me to stay dinner, came directly +on board. + +I did not even call to see poor Langford; who has been worse these few +days past, and God knows when he will be well. I am afraid it will be +a long time; for several pieces of bone are lately come away, and more +to come. + +But Troubridge has so completely prevented my ever mentioning any +body's service, that I am become a cypher, and he has gained a victory +over Nelson's spirit. I am kept here; for what, he may be able to +tell, I cannot: but long it cannot, shall not, be. + +Sutton and Bedford are gone a tour, till dinner time: but nothing +shall make me, but almost force, go out of the ship again, till I have +done; and the Admiralty, in charity, will be pleased to release me. + +I am, in truth, not over well. I have a complaint in my stomach +and bowels, but it will go off. If you was here, I should have some +rhubarb; but, as you are not, I shall go without. + +Sutton has sent into Yorkshire, for a cow that, in the spring, will +give fourteen pounds of butter a week; and, he has given Allen the +finest goat I ever saw. The latter, I am afraid, will be troublesome. + +Just as I was coming off, I received your packet; and thank you, from +my heart, for all your kindness. + +What can Reverend Sir want to be made a Doctor for? He will be laughed +at, for his pains! + +I thank you for the King's letters, I shall write a kind line to +Castelcicala, and answer the King's, very soon: and, write to Acton; +for he can make Bronte every thing to me, if he pleases. I dare say, +I did wrong, never to write him; but, as he treated Sir William +unkindly, I never could bring myself to it. + +I am glad the Duke has been to see you; and taking plants from him, is +nothing. Make my kindest remembrances to him. + +I would have every body like your choice; for, I am sure, you have as +fine a taste in laying out land, as you have in music. I'll be damned, +if Mrs. Billington can sing so well as you. She may have stage trick, +but you have pure nature. + +I always say every thing, for you and Sir William. I wish you had +translated the King's and Acton's letters, Banti cannot. + +I may be able to dispose of Charles, but not of the other, and he +would corrupt Charles. + +For ever yours, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Mrs. Lutwidge inquires always particularly after you. We all laugh, +and say she is more fond of soldiers than ever, since General Don has +shewn her how he would keep off the French! + + + + +LETTER XXI. + + + Amazon, October 15th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +I have received all your letters of yesterday, and the one sent from +the post at Merton; and, also, one mis-sent to Poole: but I do not +write direct to Merton, till I hear that mine to Sir William, sent +yesterday, gets to you before those by London. + +The Admiralty will not give me leave, till the 22d; and, then, only +ten days. What a set of beasts! + +My cold is now got into my head; and I have such dreadful pain in my +teeth, that I cannot hold up my head: but none of them cares a damn +for me or my sufferings; therefore, you see, I cannot discharge my +steward. + +And yet, I think, upon consideration, that I will send up all my +things, and take my chance as to their sending me down again. What +do you think? At all events, every thing except my bed. I have +table-spoons, forks, every thing; at least, I shall have, soon, two +hundred pounds worth. + +What a b---- that Miss Knight is! As to the other, I care not what she +says. + +My poor dear father is wrong. But more of this, when we meet: which +will be Friday, the 23d, at farthest; if possible, the 22d. But, the +Admiralty are hard upon me. + +I am sorry to hear, that you have been ill: and my cold is so +dreadfully bad, that I cannot hold up my head; and am so damned stupid +that you must, my dear friend, forgive my letter. + +Admiral Lutwidge is going to Portsmouth. Sir William Parker is going +to be tried, for something. + +Make my kindest respects to Sir William; and believe me, ever, your's +most faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I have wrote a line to Merton. + +Excuse my letter. + + + + +LETTER XXII. + + + Amazon October 16th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +It being a very fine morning, and the beach smooth, I went to call on +Admiral Lutwidge, and returned on board before ten o'clock. + +Mrs. Lutwidge is delighted with your present. Sutton, &c. were called +forth to admire it. She joins in abusing the Admiralty. She pressed me +very much to dine with them at three o'clock; but, I told her I would +not dine with the angel Gabriel, to be dragged through a night surf! + +Her answer was, that she hoped soon I should dine with an angel, for +she was sure you was one. In short, she adores you; but, who does not? +You are so good, so kind, to every body; old, young, rich, or poor, it +is the same thing! + +I called on poor Langford; who has a long time to look forward to, for +getting well; he told me your goodness, in writing him a line: and I +called upon Dr. Baird; he disapproves of rhubarb, and has prescribed +magnesia and peppermint: and I called on Mr. Lawrence. So, you see, I +did much business in one hour I was on shore. + +Civility to Lutwidge was proper for me; and, indeed, my duty. + +The moment I got your letters, off I came, and have read them with +real pleasure. They have made me much better, I think; at least, I +feel so. + +I admire the pigs and poultry. Sheep are certainly most beneficial to +eat off the grass. Do _you_ get paid for them; and take care that they +are kept on the premises all night, for that is the time they do good +to the land. They should be folded. Is your head man a good person, +and true to our interest? I intend to have a farming book. I am glad +to hear you get fish; not very good ones, I fancy. + +It is, I thank God, only six days before I shall be with you, and to +be shewn all the beauties of Merton. I shall like it, leaves or no +leaves. + +No person there can take amiss our not visiting. The answer from me +will always be very civil thanks, but that I wish to live retired. We +shall have our sea friends; and, I know, Sir William thinks they are +the best. + +I have a letter from Mr. Trevor, begging me to recommend a youngster +for him; but, none before your Charles. + +Banti, I suppose, must return; but, at present, we know not what ships +are to be kept in commission. + +I have a letter from a female relation of mine. She has had three +husbands; and he, Mr. Sherstone, three wives. Her brother, a Nelson, I +have been trying, ever since I have been in England, to get promoted. +The last and present Admiralty promised. I never saw the man; he is in +a ship in the North Seas, forty-five years of age. + +I have a letter from Troubridge, recommending me to wear flannel +shirts. Does he care for me? _No_; but, never mind. They shall work +hard, to get me back again. + +Remember me, kindly, to Sir William, the Duke, and all friends; and +believe me, ever, your most affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Do you ever see Castelcicala? He is a good man, and faithful to his +master and mistress. + + + + +LETTER XXIII. + + + Amazon, October 16th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +I send you a letter for Allen's wife; and one for Germany, which I +wish you would make Oliver put in the Foreign Post Office, and pay +what is necessary. + +I would send you the letter to which it is an answer, but it would +be over-weight. It is all compliments; and, the man says, it is all +truth. + +The wind is freshened cold, but very fine day. + +Best regards to Sir William, Mrs. Cadogan, Mr. Oliver, and all +friends. + +For ever, your's faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I have a letter from Reverend Doctor--he is as big as if he was a +Bishop; and one from the Bedel of the university, to say how well he +preached. I hope you ordered something good for him, for those big +wigs love eating and drinking. + + + + +LETTER XXIV. + + + Amazon, October 17th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Although my complaint has no danger attending it, yet it resists the +medicines which Dr. Baird has prescribed; and, I fancy, it has pulled +me down very much. + +The cold has settled in my bowels. I wish the Admiralty had my +complaint: but, they have no bowels; at least, for me. + +I had a very indifferent night, but your and Sir William's kind +letters have made me feel better. + +I send you a letter from Lord Pelham. I shall certainly attend; and +let them see, that I may be useful in council as I have been in the +field. We must submit; and, perhaps, these Admiralty do this by me, to +prevent another application. + +You may rely, that I shall be with you by dinner, on Friday; at half +past three, or four at farthest. + +I shall not dine with Pitt, as Mr. and Mrs. Long are staying there. +Not that I ever saw her in my life, nor care if I never do. + +I pray that I may not be annoyed, on my arrival: it is retirement with +my friends, that I wish for. + +Thank Sir William, kindly, for his letter; and the inclosure, which I +return. + +Sutton is much pleased with your letter; and, with Bedford, will +certainly make you a visit. They are both truly good and kind to me. + +Our weather has been cold these two days, but not bad. I have got a +fire in the cabin; and, I hope my complaint will go off. + +May Heaven bless you! + +I send this, through Troubridge, direct in Piccadilly. + +I shall, you may rely, admire the pig-stye, ducks, fowls, &c. for +every thing you do, I look upon as perfect. + +Dr. Baird has been aboard, to see me. He thinks, I shall be better; +and, that a few days on shore will set me up again. + +Make my kind remembrances to Sir William, the Duke, and all friends; +and believe me, ever, your most affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Bedford has made me laugh. Mrs. Lutwidge has been babbling, that she +will go to Portsmouth with the Admiral; who says, he shall be so fully +employed that he cannot be much with her. She whispered Bedford--"I +have many friends in the army there!" + +She will certainly marry a soldier, if ever she is disposable. But, +perhaps, you will agree with me, that no good soldier would take her. +I am sure, the purchase would be dear, even if it was a _gift_. Don't +call this a bull. + +Sutton's man was on the farm; and the sheep, when not belonging to the +farm, always paid so much sheep, so much lambs: but, I dare say, you +manage well. + +Sir William's letter has delighted me, with your activity and +prudence. + + + + +LETTER XXV. + + +The two letters would have been over-weight, so I send you the letter +I have answered. Pray, take care of it, it is a curiosity! + +Ever your faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + Amazon, 2 P.M. + +Yawkins is in great distress: his cutter paid off; and he, like many +others, very little to live upon. He begs his best respects to Sir +William. He breakfasted here this morning. + +Many very long faces at peace! + + + + +LETTER XXVI. + + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Hardy begs you will send the inclosed to Naples. + +I wish Tyson would come home; for many are pulling at him, and I want +to pay him. I will not be in his debt forty-eight hours after his +arrival. + +Hardy is just anchored, and his commodore gone on shore. + +Ever your most faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Mrs. Nelson had better direct her letters to me, unless I am on the +spot. You see, you paid postage, and it lays me open to their Post +Office conversation. + + + + +LETTER XXVII. + + + Amazon, October 19th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +What a gale we have had! But Admiral Lutwidge's boat came off; and, as +your letter was wrote, it got on shore: at least, I hope so; for the +boat seemed absolutely swallowed up in the sea. None of our boats +could have kept above water a moment; therefore, I could not answer +all the truly friendly things you told me in your letters, for they +were not opened before the boat was gone. + +I am sure, you did well to send Mrs. Lutwidge a gown, and she loves +you very much, but there is no accounting for taste. She admires +entirely red coats; you, true blue. + +They dine with Billy Pitt, to-day; or, rather, with Mr. Long; for Pitt +does not keep house, in appearance, although he asked me to come and +see him: and that I shall do, out of respect to a great man, although +he never did any thing for me or my relations. I assure you, my dear +friend, that I had rather read and hear all your little story of a +white hen getting into a tree, an anecdote of Fatima, or hear you +call--"Cupidy! Cupidy!" than any speech I shall hear in parliament: +because I know, although you can adapt your language and manners to +a child, yet that you can also thunder forth such a torrent of +eloquence, that corruption and infamy would sink before your voice, in +however _exalted_ a situation it might be placed. + +Poor Oliver! what can be the matter with him? + +I must leave my cot here, till my discharge, when it shall come to the +farm, as cots are the best things in the world for our sea friends. + +Why not have the pictures from Davison's, and those from Dodd's; +especially, my father's, and Davison's? + +_A-propos_! Sir William has not sat, I fear, to Beechey. I want a +half-length, the size of my father's and Davison's. + +I wonder your pictures are not come from Hamburg! You have not lost +the directions for unfolding them; nor the measure, that I may have +frames made for them? For, up they shall go, as soon as they arrive. +What, have your picture, and not hang it up? _No_; I will submit, in +the farm, to every order but _that_. + +The weather, to-day, is tolerable; but, I do not think I could well +get on shore: but Thursday, I hope, will be a fine day. + +I shall call on Mr. Pitt, make my visit at the Hospital, and get off +very early on Friday morning. + +My cold is still very troublesome, I cannot get my bowels in order. In +the night I had not a little fever. + +But, never mind; the Admiralty will not always be there. Every one has +their day. + +God bless you, my dear friend; and believe me, ever, your's most +faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Write on Wednesday. + +Your letters of yesterday are received. Reverend Doctor would like to +be a Bishop. + +I have sent poor Thomson's letter, and the distressed Mrs. ----, to +the Earl. Kindest regards to Sir William. + + + + +LETTER XXVIII. + + + Amazon, October 20th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +How could you think, for a moment, that I would be a time-server to +any Minister on earth! And, if you had studied my letter a little +closer, you would have seen that my intention was, to shew them that I +could be as useful in the cabinet as in the field. + +My idea is, to let them see that my attendance is worth soliciting. +For myself, I can have nothing; but, for my brother, something may be +done. + +Living with Mr. Addington a good deal; never, in your sense of the +word, shall I do it. What, leave my dearest friends, to dine with a +minister? Damn me, if I do, beyond what you yourself shall judge to be +necessary! Perhaps, it may be _once_; and _once_ with the _Earl_ but +that you shall judge for me. + +If I give up all intercourse--you know enough of Courts, that they +will do nothing: make yourself of consequence to them, and they will +do what you wish, in reason; and, out of reason, I never should ask +them. + +It must be a great bore, to me, to go to the House. I shall tell Mr. +Addington, that I go on the 29th to please him, and not to please +myself; but more of this subject, when we meet. + +Dr. Baird is laid up with the rheumatism; he will now believe, that +the cold may affect me. This is the coldest place in England, most +assuredly. + +_Troubridge_ writes me that, as the weather is set in fine again, he +hopes I shall get _walks_ on shore. He is, I suppose, laughing at me; +but, never mind. + +I agree with you, in wishing Sir William had a horse. Why don't you +send to the Duke, for a poney for him. + +I am just parting with four of my ships--Captains Conn, Rowley, +Martin, and Whitter--who are proceeding to the Nore, in their way to +be paid off. + +The surf is still so great on the beach, that I could not land dry, if +it was necessary, to-day; but, I hope, it will be smooth on Thursday: +if not, I must go in a boat to Dover, and come from thence to Deal. + +Sutton says, he will get the Amazon under sail, and carry me down; +for, that I shall not take cold: Bedford goes with a squadron to +Margate; so that all our party will be broke up. I am sure, to many of +them, I feel truly obliged. + +Make my kindest respects to Sir William; and believe me, ever, your +most faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I wish Banti was separated from Charles, for he is a knowing one. I +wish I could get him with a good Captain, who would keep him strict to +his duty. + +Hardy cannot get paid a hundred pounds he advanced for Mr. Williams's +nephew. + +Many thanks for Mrs. Nelson's letters. + +The Reverend Doctor likes going about. Only think of his wanting to +come up with an address of thanks! Why, [the] King will not receive +him, although he is a Doctor; and less, for being my brother--for, +they certainly do not like me. + + + + +LETTER XXIX. + + + Amazon, October 20th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Only two days more, the Admiralty could, with any conscience, keep me +here; not that I think, they have had any conscience. + +I dare say, Master Troubridge is grown fat. I know, I am grown lean, +with my complaint: which, but for their indifference about my health, +would never have happened; or, at least, I should have got well, long +ago, in a warm room, with a good fire, and sincere friends. + +I believe, I leave this little squadron with sincere regret, and with +the good wishes of every creature in it. + +How I should laugh, to see you, my dear friend, rowing in a boat; the +beautiful Emma rowing a one-armed Admiral in a boat! It will certainly +be caricatured. + +Well done, farmer's wife! I'll bet your turkey against Mrs. Nelson's; +but, Sir William and I will decide. + +Hardy says, you may be sure of him; and, that he has not lost his +appetite. + +You will make us rich, with your economy. + +I did not think, tell Sir William, that impudence had got such deep +root in Wales. I send you the letter, as a curiosity; and to have the +impudence to recommend a midshipman! + +It is not long ago, a person from Yorkshire desired me to lend him +three hundred pounds, as he was going to set up a school! + +Are these people mad; or, do they take me for quite a fool? + +However, I have wisdom enough to laugh at their folly; and to be, +myself, your most obliged and faithful friend, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Best regards to Sir William, Mrs. Cadogan, and all friends. + + + + +LETTER XXX. + + + Amazon, October 21st, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +It blows strong from the westward, and is a very dirty day, with a +good deal of surf on the beach; but Hardy and Sutton recommended my +going on shore this morning, as they believe it may blow a heavy gale +to-morrow. But, what comfort could I have had, for two whole days, at +Deal? + +I hope the morning will be fine: but I have ordered a Deal boat, as +they understand the beach better than our's; and, if I cannot land +here, I shall go to Ramsgate Pier, and come to Deal in a carriage. + +Has Mrs. Cadogan got my Peer's robe? for I must send for Mr. Webb, and +have it altered to a Viscount's. + +Lord Hood wrote to me, to-day, and he is to be one of my introducers. +He wanted me to dine with him the 24th; but I'll be damned if I dine +from home that day, and it would be as likely we should dine out the +23d. + +If you and Sir William ever wish me to dine with his brother, it must +be the time of a very small party; for it would be worse than death to +me, to dine in so large a party. + +I expect, that all animals will increase where you are, for I never +expect that you will suffer any to be killed. + +I am glad Sir William has got the Duke's poney; riding will do him +much good. + +I am sorry to tell you, that Dr. Baird is so ill, that I am told it is +very probable he may never recover. + +This place is the devil's, for dreadful colds: and I don't believe I +should get well all the winter; for both cough, and bowels, are still +very much out of order. + +You are now writing your last letter for Deal; so am I, for Merton, +from Deal: at least, I hope so; for, if I can help it, I will not +return to it. + +I have much to do, being the last day on board; but ever, my dearest +friend, believe me your truly affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I am literally starving with cold; but my heart is warm. + +I suppose I shall dine with Lutwidge: but I am not very desirous of +it; for I shall have Sutton, Bedford, and Hardy, with me. + +You must prepare Banti's mother, as it is a peace, for some other line +of life than the navy. Yesterday, he sold a pair of silver buckles; he +would soon ruin poor Charles, who is really a well-disposed boy. + +I never shall get warm again, I believe. I cannot feel the pen. + +Make my kindest regards to Sir William, Mrs. Cadogan, Oliver, &c. +Sutton, Hardy, and Bedford, all join in kind remembrances. + +As Monday is Horace's birth-day, I suppose I must send him a one pound +note. + + + + +LETTER XXXI. + + + May 22d, [1803.] + Eight o'Clock in the Morning. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +We are now in sight of Ushant, and shall see Admiral Cornwallis in an +hour. + +I am not in a little fret, on the idea that he may keep the Victory, +and turn us all into the Amphion. It will make it truly uncomfortable; +but, I cannot help myself. + +I assure you, my dear Emma, that I feel a thorough conviction, that we +shall meet again, with honour, riches, and health, and remain together +till a good old age. I look at your and my God's Child's picture; but, +till I am sure of remaining here, I cannot bring myself to hang +them up. Be assured, that my attachment, and affectionate regard, is +unalterable; nothing can shake it! And, pray, say so to my dear Mrs. +T. when you see her. Tell her, that my love is unbounded, to her and +her dear sweet child; and, if she should have more, it will extend +to all of them. In short, my dear Emma, say every thing to her, which +your dear, affectionate, heart and head, can think of. + +We are very comfortable. Mr. Elliot is happy, has quite recovered his +spirits; he was very low, at Portsmouth. George Elliot is very well; +say so, to Lord Minto. Murray, Sutton--in short, every body in the +ship, seems happy; and, if we should fall in with a French man-of-war, +I have no fears but they will do as we used to do. + +Hardy is gone into Plymouth, to see our Dutchman safe. I think, she +will turn out a good prize. + +Gaetano desires his duty to Miledi! He is a good man; and, I dare say, +will come back: for, I think, it cannot be a long war; just enough to +make me independent in pecuniary matters. + +If the wind stands, on Tuesday we shall be on the coast of Portugal; +and, before next Sunday, in the Mediterranean. + +To Mrs. Cadogan, say every kind thing; to good Mrs. Nelson, the +Doctor, &c. &c. + +If you like, you may tell him about the entailing of the pension: but, +perhaps, he will be so much taken up with Canterbury, that it will do +for some dull evening at Hilborough. + +I shall now stop, till I have been on board the Admiral. Only, tell +Mrs. T. that I will write her the first safe opportunity; I am not +sure of this. + +I shall direct to Merton, after June 1st. Therefore, as you change, +make Davison take a direction to Nepean; but, I would not trouble him +with too many directions, for fear of embroil. + + May 23d. + +We were close in with Brest, yesterday; and found, by a frigate, that +Admiral Cornwallis had a rendezvous at sea. Thither we went; but, to +this hour, cannot find him. + +It blows strong. What wind we are losing! If I cannot find the +Admiral by six o'clock, we must all go into the Amphion, and leave +the Victory, to my great mortification. So much for the wisdom of my +superiors. + +I keep my letter open to the last: for, I still hope; as, I am sure, +there is no good reason for my not going out in the Victory. + +I am just embarking in the Amphion; cannot find Admiral Cornwallis. + +May God in Heaven bless you! prays your most sincere + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Stephens's publication I should like to have. + +I have left my silver seal; at least, I cannot find it. + + + + +LETTER XXXII. + + + [July 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Although I have wrote letters from various places, merely to +say--"Here I am," and "There I am;"--yet, as I have no doubt but +that they would all be read, it was impossible for me to say more +than--"Here I am, and well:" and I see no prospect of any certain mode +of conveyance, but by sea; which, with the means the Admiralty has +given me, of small vessels, can be but seldom. + +Our passages have been enormously long. From Gibraltar to Malta, we +were eleven days: arriving the fifteenth in the evening, and sailing +in the night of the sixteenth--that is, three in the morning of the +seventeenth--and it was the twenty-sixth before we got off Capri; +where I had ordered the frigate, which carried Mr. Elliot to Naples, +to join me. + +I send you copies of the King and Queen's letters. I am vexed, that +she did not mention you! I can only account for it, by her's being a +political letter. + +When I wrote to the Queen, I said--"I left Lady Hamilton, the +eighteenth of May; and so attached to your Majesty, that I am sure she +would lay down her life to preserve your's. Your Majesty never had a +more sincere, attached, and real friend, than your dear Emma. You +will be sorry to hear, that good Sir William did not leave her in such +comfortable circumstances as his fortune would have allowed. He has +given it amongst his relations. But she will do honour to his memory, +although every one else of his friends call loudly against him on that +account." + +I trust, my dear Emma, she has wrote you. If she can forget Emma, I +hope, God will forget her! But, you think, that she never will, or +can. Now is her time to shew it. + +You will only shew the King and Queen's letters to some few particular +friends. + +The King is very low; lives, mostly, at Belvidere. Mr. Elliot had not +seen either him or the Queen, from the seventeenth, the day of his +arrival, to the twenty-first. On the next day, he was to be presented. + +I have made up my mind, that it is part of the plan of that Corsican +Scoundrel, to conquer the kingdom of Naples. He has marched thirteen +thousand men into the kingdom, on the Adriatic side; and he will take +possession, with as much shadow of right, of Gaeta and Naples: and, +if the poor King remonstrates, or allows us to secure Sicily, he will +call it war, and declare a conquest. + +I have cautioned General Acton, not to risk the Royal Family too +long; but Naples will be conquered, sooner or later, as it may suit +Buonaparte's convenience. + +The Morea, and Egypt, are likewise in his eye. An army of full seventy +thousand men are assembling in Italy. + +Gibbs and Noble are gone to Malta. + +I am, you may believe, very anxious to get off Toulon, to join the +fleet. + +Sir Richard Bickerton went from off Naples, the day I left Gibraltar. + +We passed Monte Christo, Bastia, and Cape Corse, yesterday; and are +now moving, slowly, direct for Toulon. + +What force they have, I know not; indeed, I am totally ignorant: some +say, nine sail of the line; some, seven; some, five. If the former, +they will come out; for we have only the same number, including +sixty-fours, and very shortly manned. + +However, I hope they will come out, and let us settle the matter. You +know, I hate being kept in suspence. + + [July 8th. + +I left this hole, to put down what force the French have at Toulon. +Seven sail of the line ready, five frigates, and six corvettes. One +or two more in about a week. We, to day, eight sail of the +line--to-morrow, seven; including two sixty-four gun ships. + +You will readily believe, how rejoiced I shall be to get one of your +dear, excellent letters, that I may know every thing which has passed +since my absence. + +I sincerely hope, that Mr. Booth has settled all your accounts. Never +mind, my dear Emma, a few hundred pounds; which is all the rigid gripe +of the law, not justice, can wrest from you. + +I thank God, that you cannot want; (although that is no good reason +for its being taken from you:) whilst I have sixpence, you shall not +want for fivepence of it! But, you have bought your experience, that +there is no friendship in money concerns; and, your good sense will +make you profit of it. + +I hope, the minister has done something for you. But, never mind, we +can live upon bread and cheese. + +Independence is a blessing; and, although I have not yet found out +the way to get prize money--what has been taken, has run into our +mouths--however, it must turn out very hard, if I cannot get enough to +pay off my debts, and that will be no small comfort. + +I have not mentioned my Bronte affairs to Acton, as yet; but, if +Naples remains much longer, I shall ask the question. But, I expect +nothing from them. I believe, even Acton wishes himself well, and +safely removed. + +I think, from what I hear, that the King's spirits are so much +depressed, that he will give up the reins of Naples, at least, to his +son, and retire to Sicily. Sir William, you know, always thought, +that he would end his life so. Certainly, his situation must be +heart-breaking! + +Gaetano returned in the frigate. I believe, he saw enough of Naples. +He carried his family money; and Mr. Falconet (Gibbs being absent) +will pay Mr. Greville's pension to Gaetano's family. I have now [sent] +Gaetano to the post: and he desires, to present his duty; and to tell +you, that Mr. Ragland, from Sir William's death, will not pay any more +pensions, without orders from Mr. Greville. + +Vincenzo has had none paid. He is very poor; keeps a shop. His son +wanted, I find, to come in the frigate to me. I cannot afford to +maintain him; therefore, I shall give no encouragement. + +Old Antonio was allowed a carline a day; that is, now, not paid. + +Sabatello lives with Mr. Elliot. + +Nicolo, and Mary Antonio, have left Mr. Gibbs, for some cause; Gaetano +says, he believes, for _amore_. + +Francesca has two children living, and another coming. She lives the +best amongst them, like _gallant homme_. + +Pasqual lives with the Duke Montelione; and Joseph, with the old +Russian. + +Your house is a hotel; the upper parts are kept for the Marquis, the +owner. + +Mr. Elliot has taken the house of the Baille Franconi, on the Chaia. + +Doctor Nudi inquired kindly after us; and all the women at Santa Lucia +expected, when they saw Gaetano, that you was arrived. + +Bread never was so dear; every thing else in plenty. The wages not +being raised, Gaetano says, the poor of England are a million times +better off. + +So much for Gaetano's news. He desires his duty to Signora Madre; and +remembrances to Mary Ann, Fatima, &c. + + [July 8th. + +We joined, this morning, the fleet. The men in the ships are good; but +the ships themselves are a little the worse for wear, and very short +of their complements of men. We shall never be better: therefore, let +them come; the sooner, the better. + +I shall write a line to the Duke, that he may see I do not forget my +friends; and I rely, my dearest Emma, on your saying every kind thing, +for me, to the Doctor, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Bolton, Mr. and Mrs. Matcham, +Mrs. Cadogan; whose kindness, and goodness, I shall never forget. + +You will have the goodness to send the inclosed, as directed; and be +assured, that I am, to the last moment of my life, your most attached, +faithful, and affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XXXIII. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + August 1, 1803. + + [I do not know that you will get this letter.] + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your letter of May 31, which came under cover to Mr. Noble, of Naples, +inclosing Davison's correspondence with Plymouth, arrived by the +Phoebe two days ago: and this is the only scrap of a pen which has +been received by any person in the fleet since we sailed from England. + +You will readily conceive, my dear Emma, the sensations which the +sight and reading even your few lines [occasioned.] They cannot be +understood, but by those of such mutual and truly sincere attachment +as your's and mine. Although you said little, I understood a great +deal, and most heartily approve of your plan and society for next +winter; and, next spring, I hope to be rich enough to begin the +alterations at dear Merton. It will serve to amuse you; and, I am +sure, that I shall admire all your alterations, even to planting a +gooseberry bush. + +Sutton joined me yesterday, and we are all got into the Victory; and, +a few days will put us in order. + +Every body gives a very excellent character of Mr. Chevalier, the +servant recommended by Mr. Davison; and I shall certainly live as +frugal as my station will admit. I have known the pinch, and shall +endeavour never to know it again. + +I want to send two thousand one hundred pounds, to pay off Mrs. +Greaves, on October 1st. But, I have not received one farthing; but, +I hope to receive some soon. But Mr. Haslewood promised to see this +matter kept right for me. + +Hardy is now busy, hanging up your and Horatia's picture; and I trust +soon to see the other two safe arrived from the Exhibition. I want +no others to ornament my cabin. I can contemplate them, and find new +beauties every day, and I do not want any body else. + +You will not expect much news from us. We see nothing. I have great +fear, that all Naples will fall into the hands of the French; and, if +Acton does not take care, Sicily also. However, I have given my final +advice so fully and strongly that, let what will happen, they cannot +blame me. + +Captain Capel says, Mr. Elliot cannot bear Naples. I have no doubt, +but that it is very different to your time. + +The Queen, I fancy, by the seal, has sent a letter to Castelcicala; +her letter to me is only thanks for my attention to the safety of the +kingdom. If Dr. Scott has time, and is able, he shall write a copy for +you. + +The King is very much retired. He would not see the French General, +St. Cyr; who came to Naples, _to settle the contribution for the +payment of the French army_. + +The Queen was ordered to give him and the French minister a dinner, +but the King staid at Belvidere. + +I think, he will give it up soon; and retire to Sicily, if the French +will allow him. + +Acton has never dared give Mr. Elliot, or one Englishman, a dinner. + +The fleet are ready to come forth; but, they will not come for the +sake of fighting me. + +I have this day made George Elliot, post; Lieutenant Pettit, a master +and commander; and Mr. Hindmarsh, gunner's son, of the Bellerophon, +who behaved so well this day five year, a Lieutenant. + +I reckon to have lost two French seventy-fours, by my not coming out +in the Victory; but I hope they will come soon, with interest. + +This goes to Gibraltar, by Sutton, in the Amphion. + +I shall write the Doctor in a day or two. I see, by the French papers, +that he has kissed hands. + +With kindest regards to your good mother, and all at Merton, &c. &c. +&c. ever your's, most faithfully and affectionately, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XXXIV. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + August 10th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I take the opportunity of Mr. Acourt's going through Spain, with Mr. +Elliot's dispatches for England, to send this letter: for I would not, +for the world, miss any opportunity of sending you a line. + +By Gibraltar, I wrote you, as lately as the 4th; but all our ways of +communicating with England, are very uncertain: and, I believe, the +Admiralty must have forgot us; for, not a vessel of any kind or sort +has joined us, since I left Spithead. + +News, I absolutely am ignorant of: except, that a schooner, belonging +to me, put her nose into Toulon; and four frigates popped out, and +have taken her, and a transport loaded with water for the fleet. +However, I hope to have an opportunity, very soon, of paying them the +debt, with interest. + +Mr. Acourt says, at Naples, they hope that the mediation of Russia +will save them: but, I doubt, if Russia will go to war with the French +for any kingdom; and they, poor souls! relying on a broken reed, will +lose Sicily. + +As for getting any thing for Bronte, I cannot expect it; for, the +finances of Naples are worse than ever. _Patienza_, however; I will-- +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + +I see, many Bishops are dead. Is my brother tired of Canterbury? I +wish I could make him a Bishop. If you see him, or write, say that I +have not ten minutes to send away Mr. Acourt, who cannot be detained. + +I hope Lord St. Vincent has sent out Sir William Bolton. As soon as I +know who is first Lord, I will write him. + + + + +LETTER XXXV. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Your friend's godson arrived safe yesterday afternoon; and I shall, +you know, always feel too happy in obeying your commands: for, you +never ask favours, but for your friends. + +In short, in every point of view, from Ambassatrice to the duties of +domestic life, I never saw your equal! + +That elegance of manners; accomplishments; and, above all, your +goodness of heart, is unparalleled: and only believe, for ever, and +beyond it, your faithful and devoted + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Victory, August 24th, 1803. + + + + +LETTER XXXVI. + + +[_N.B. The Mysterious Letter appears to have been inclosed in this +Packet_.] + + August 26th, 1803. + Wrote several days past. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +By the Canopus, Admiral Campbell, I have received all your truly kind +and affectionate letters, from May 20th to July 3d; with the exception +of one, dated May 31st, sent to Naples. + +This is the first communication I have had with England since we +sailed. + +All your letters, _my dear letters_, are so entertaining! and which +paint so clearly what you are after, that they give me either the +greatest pleasure or pain. It is the next best thing, to being with +you. + +I only desire, my dearest Emma, that you will always believe, that +Nelson's your own; Nelson's _Alpha_ and _Omega_ is _Emma_! I cannot +alter; my affection and love is beyond even this world! Nothing can +shake it, but yourself; and that, I will not allow myself to think, +for a moment, is possible. + +I feel, that you are the real friend of my bosom, and dearer to me +than life; and, that I am the same to you. But, I will neither have +P.'s nor Q.'s come near you! No; not the slice of Single Gloster! But, +if I was to go on, it would argue that want of confidence which would +be injurious to your honour. + +I rejoice that you have had so pleasant a trip into Norfolk; and I +hope, one day, to carry you there by a nearer _tie_ in law, but not in +love and affection, than at present. + +I wish, you would never mention that person's name! It works up your +anger, for no useful purpose. Her good or bad character, of me or +thee, no one cares about. + +This letter will find you at dear Merton; where we shall one day meet, +and be truly happy. + +I do not think it can be a long war; and, I believe, it will be much +shorter than people expect: and I shall hope to find the new +room built; the grounds laid out, neatly but not expensively; new +Piccadilly gates; kitchen garden; &c. Only let us have a plan, and +then all will go on well. It will be a great source of amusement to +you; and Horatia shall plant a tree. I dare say, she will be very +busy. Mrs. Nelson, or Mrs. Bolton, &c. will be with you; and time +will pass away, till I have the inexpressible happiness of arriving +at Merton. Even the thought of it vibrates through my nerves; for, my +love for you is as unbounded as the ocean! + +I feel all your good mother's kindness; and, I trust, that we shall +turn rich, by being economists. Spending money, to please a pack of +people, is folly, and without thanks. I desire, that you will say +every kind thing from me to her, and make her a present of something +in my name. + +Dr. Scott is gone with my mission to Algiers, or I would send you a +copy of the King and Queen's letter. I send you one from the Queen. +Both King, Queen, and Acton, were very civil to Sir William Bolton. He +dined with Acton. + +Bolton does very well in his brig; but, he has made not a farthing of +prize money. If I knew where to send him for some, he should go; but, +unless we have a Spanish war, I shall live here at a great expence: +although Mr. Chevalier takes every care, and I have great reason to be +satisfied. + +I have just asked William, who behaves very well, whether he chooses +to remit any of his wages to his father. It does not appear, he +_does_, at present. He is paid, by the King, eighteen pounds a year, +as one of my retinue; therefore I have nothing to pay. I have told +him, whenever he chooses to send any, to tell Mr. Scott, or Captain +Hardy, and he will receive a remittance bill; so, he may now act as he +pleases. + +_A-propos_ of Mr. Scott. He is very much obliged to you for your news +of Mrs. Scott's being brought to bed. No letters came in the cutter, +but to me, and he was very uneasy. He is a very excellent good man; +and, I am very fortunate in having such a one. + +I admire your kindness to my dear sister Bolton. I have wrote her, +that certainly I will assist Tom Bolton at college. It is better, as I +tell her, not to promise more than I am sure I can perform. It is only +doing them a injury. I tell her, if _vacancies_, please God, should +happen, that my income will be much increased. + +With respect to Mr. Bolton--every body knows, that I have no interest; +nobody cares for me: but, if he will point out what he wants, I will +try what can be done. But, I am sure, he will not be half so well +off as at present. Supposing he could get a place of a few hundreds +a year, he would be a ten times poorer man than he is at present. I +could convince you of it, in a moment; but, if I was to begin, then it +would be said, I wanted inclination to render them a service. + +I should like to see Sir H---- P----'s book. I cannot conceive how +a man that is reported to have been so extravagant of government's +money, to say no worse, can make a good story. + +I wrote to the old Duke, not long since. I regard him; but, I would +not let him touch you for all his money. No; that would never do! + +I believe Mr. Bennett's bill to be correct; but, it was not intended +you should pay that out of the allowance for Merton; and, how could +you afford to send Mrs. Bolton a hundred pounds. It is impossible, out +of your income. + +I wish Mr. Addington would give you five hundred pounds a year; then, +you would be better able to give away than at present. But your purse, +my dear Emma, will always be empty; your heart is generous beyond your +means. + +Your good mother is always sure of my sincerest regard; pray, tell her +so. + +Connor is getting on very well: but, I cannot ask Captain Capel +to rate him; that must depend upon the boy's fitness, and Capel's +kindness. I have placed another year's allowance of thirty pounds in +Capel's hands, and given Connor a present. + +What a story, about Oliver and Mr. Matcham buying an estate in +Holstein; and, to sell out at such a loss! I never heard the like. I +sincerely hope it will answer his expectations; it is a fine country, +but miserably cold. + +How can Tyson be such a fool! I sincerely hope, he will never want +money. I am not surprised at Troubridge's abuse; but, his tongue is no +scandal. You make me laugh, when you imitate the Doctor! + +I am quite delighted with Miss Yonge's goodness: and I beg you will +make my best respects to her and her good father; and assure Mr. +Yonge, how much obliged I feel for all his kind attentions to you. +Those who do that, are sure of a warm place in my esteem. + +I have wrote to Dumourier; therefore, I will only trouble you to say +how much I respect him. I fancy he must have suffered great distress +at Altona. However, I hope, he will now be comfortable for life. He +is a very clever man; and beats our Generals, out and out. Don't they +feel his coming? Advise him not to make _enemies_, by shewing he knows +more than some of us. Envy knows no bounds to its persecution. He has +seen the world, and will be on his guard. + +I put Suckling into a frigate, with a very good man, who has a +schoolmaster; he does very well. Bulkley will be a most excellent +sea-officer; it is a pity he has not served his time. I have answered +Mr. Suckling's letter. + +Gaetano is very well, and desires his duty. I think, sometimes, that +he wishes to be left at Naples; but, I am not sure. + +Mr. Denis's relation has been long in the Victory; but, if the +Admiralty will not promote my lieutenants, they must all make a +retrograde motion. But, I hope, they will not do such a cruel thing. +I have had a very affectionate letter from Lord Minto. I hope George +will be confirmed; but, the Earl will not answer his application. + +I shall send you some sherry, and a cask of paxoretti, by the convoy. +Perhaps, it had better go to Merton, at once; or, to Davison's cellar, +where the wine-cooper can draw it off. I have two pipes of sherry, +that is bad; but, if you like, you can send the Doctor a hogshead +of that which is coming. Davison will pay all the duties. Send it +entirely free, even to the _carriage_. You know, doing the thing well, +is twice doing it; for, sometimes, carriage is more thought of than +the prime cost. + +The paxoretti I have given to Davison; and ordered one hogshead of +sherry to Canterbury, and one to dear Merton. + + + + +LETTER XXXVII. + + + Victory, September 10th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +What can I send you, buffeting the stormy gulph of Lyons; nothing, but +my warmest affection, in return for all your goodness to me and mine! + +I have sent to Naples, to try and get some shawls from the King's +manufactory; and have requested Mr. Falconet to ask his wife to choose +some for you, and also some fine Venetian chains. I only wish, my dear +Emma, that I knew what you would like, and I would order them with +real pleasure; therefore, pray tell me. + +We have so very little communication with the Mediterranean world, +Malta and Toulon are in separate worlds. It takes, on the [average,] +six or seven weeks to get an answer to a letter: and, in fifteen to +twenty days, by the French papers, which we get from Paris, we have +news from London; not the best side of the question, you may be sure, +but enough to give us an idea of how matters go on. + +I am of opinion, that we shall have a peace much sooner than is +generally expected: and that will be, to me, the very highest pleasure +in this world; to return to Merton, and your dear beloved society. +Then, I agree with you, that "I would not give sixpence to call the +King my uncle!" + +I have wrote again to Gibbs, about my Bronte affairs; and [the copy +of a letter] to Mrs. Græfer I will send you, if I can; but you must +preserve it, for I have no other. It may be necessary, situated as I +am, to keep her in good humour; for a thousand pounds may be easily +sold off the estate, and I never the wiser. However, you will see what +I have said. + +I have wrote to Mr. Elliot about Sabatello. What a rascal he must be! +Gaetano is going to Naples, and I shall tell him; but, of course, he +would rather favour Sabatello, his brother-in-law, than Julia. + +I send you, my dearest Emma, an hundred pounds, which you will dispose +of as follows--a _present_ for yourself; and, if you like, a trifle +to the servants: something to the poor of Merton; something for +Mrs. Cadogan, Miss Connor, Charlotte, &c. &c. I only send this as a +trifling remembrance from me, whose whole soul is at Merton. + + September 16th. + +The day after I wrote the former part of this letter, Mr. Scott +received from Venice, and desired to present to you, two very handsome +Venetian chains, received from Venice. This I would not suffer; for I +allow no one to make my own Emma presents, but her Nelson. Therefore, +he will be paid for them; but, your obligation is not the less to +him. He is a very worthy, excellent, modest man, and an excellent +secretary. + +Dr. Scott is, at times, wrong in the head; absolutely, too much +learning has turned him. But we all go on very well. + +I had a letter from Gibbs about Bronte, and from Noble, which will +begin another letter; only, believe me, at all times, sides, and ends, +most faithfully your's, for ever, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XXXVIII. + + + September 26th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +We have had, for these fourteen days past, nothing but gales of wind, +and a heavy sea. However, as our ships have suffered no damage, I +hope to be able to keep the sea all the winter. Nothing, but dire +necessity, shall force me to that out of the way place, Malta. If I +had depended upon that island, for supplies for the fleet, we must all +have been knocked up, long ago; for, Sir Richard Bickerton sailed from +Malta, the same day I left Portsmouth. So that we have been a pretty +long cruise; and, if I had only to look to Malta for supplies, +our ships companies would have been done for long ago. However, by +management, I have got supplies from Spain, and also from _France_; +but it appears, that we are almost shut out from Spain, for they begin +to be very uncivil to our ships. However, I suppose, by this time, +something is settled; but, I never hear from England. My last letters +are July 6th, near three months. But, as I get French newspapers +occasionally, we guess how matters are going on. + +I have wrote Mr. Gibbs, again, a long history about Bronte; and, I +hope, if General Acton will do nothing for me, that he will settle +something: but, I know, whatever is settled, I shall be the loser. +Till next year, the debt will not be paid off; how-- + +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + + + + +LETTER XXXIX. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + October 18th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your truly kind and affectionate letters, from July 17th, to August +24th, all arrived safe in the Childers, the 6th of this month. + +Believe me, my beloved Emma, that I am truly sensible of all your +love and affection, which is reciprocal. You have, from the variety of +incidents passing before you, much to tell me; and, besides, you have +that happy knack of making every thing you write interesting. Here I +am, one day precisely like the other; except the difference of a gale +of wind, or not. + +Since September 1st, we have not had four fine days; and, if the +French do not come out soon, I fear, some of my ships will cry out. + +You are very good, to send me your letters to read. + +Mrs. D---- is a damned pimping bitch! What has she to do with your +love? She would have pimped for Lord B----, or Lord L----, or Captain +M'N----, * * * * of * * * *, or any one else. She is all vanity: +fancies herself beautiful; witty; in short, like you. She be damned! + +As I wrote you, the consulship at Civita Vecchia will not, in itself, +pay their lodgings; and, the bad air will tip her off. + +There will be no Lord Bristol's table. He tore his last will, a few +hours before his death. It is said, that it was giving every thing to +those devils of Italians about him. + +I wish he may have given Mrs. Denis any thing; but, I do not think it: +and, as for you, my dear Emma, as long as I can, I don't want any of +their gifts. + +As for old Q. he may put you into his will, or scratch you out, as he +pleases, I care not. + +If Mr. Addington gives you the pension, it is well; but, do not let it +fret you. Have you not Merton? It is clear--the first purchase--and my +dear Horatia is provided for: and, I hope, one of these days, that you +will be my own Duchess of Bronte; and, then, a fig for them all! + +I have just had a letter from Gibbs, of which I send you a copy. You +see what interest he is taking about Bronte. + +I begin to think, without some assistance like his, that I never +should have touched a farthing. It will be 1805, before I touch the +estate. Neither principal or interest of the seven thousand ounces +have been paid; and, it is now eight thousand ounces debt. + +You will see, Gibbs, at last, has fixed on sending his daughter home; +and I shall be glad of so good an opportunity of obliging him, as it +will naturally tie him to my interest. He was a great fool, not to +have sent the child with you, as you wished. + +I am glad to find, my dear Emma, that you mean to take Horatia home. +_Aye_! she is like her mother; will have her own way, or kick up a +devil of a dust. But, you will cure her: I am afraid I should spoil +her; for, I am sure, I would shoot any one who would hurt her. + +She was always fond of my watch; and, very probably, I might have +promised her one: indeed, I gave her one, which cost sixpence! But, +I go no where to get any thing pretty; therefore, do not think me +neglectful. + +I send you Noble's letter; therefore, I hope you will get your cases +in good order: they have had some narrow escapes. + +I am glad you liked South End. + +How that Coffin could come over, and palaver, Rowley, Keith, &c. and +Coffin to abuse the Earl! Now, I can tell you, that he is the Earl's +spy. + +It is Coffin, who has injured Sir Andrew Hammond so much: and his +custom is, to abuse the Earl, to get people to speak out; and, then, +the Earl takes his measures accordingly. + +To me, it is nothing. Thank God! there can be no tales told of my +cheating; or, I hope, neglecting my duty. Whilst I serve, I will serve +well, and closely; when I want rest, I will go to Merton. + +You know, my dear Emma, that I am never well when it blows hard. +Therefore, imagine what a cruize off Toulon is; even in summer time, +we have a hard gale every week, and two days heavy swell. + +It would kill you; and myself, to see you. Much less possible, to have +Charlotte, Horatia, &c. on board ship! + +And I, that have given orders to carry no women to sea in the Victory, +to be the first to break them! + +And, as to Malta, I may never see it, unless we have an engagement; +and, perhaps, not then: for, if it is _complete_, I may go home, for +three months, to see you; but, if you was at Malta, I might absolutely +miss you, by leaving the Mediterranean without warning. + +The other day, we had a report the French were out, and seen steering +to the westward. We were as far as Minorca, when the alarm proved +false. + +Therefore, my dearest beloved Emma! although I should be the happiest +of men, to live and die with you, yet my chance of seeing you is much +more certain by your remaining at Merton, than wandering where I may +never go; and, certainly, never to stay forty-eight hours. + +You cannot, I am sure, more ardently long to see me, than I do to be +with you; and, if the war goes on, it is my intention to get leave to +spend the _next winter_ in England: but I verily believe that, long +before that time, we shall have peace. + +As for living in Italy, that is entirely out of the question. Nobody +cares for us, there; and, if I had Bronte--which, thank God! I shall +not--it would cost me a fortune to go there, and be tormented out of +my life. I should never settle my affairs there. + +I know, my own dear Emma, if she will let her reason have fair play, +will say, I am right; but she is, like Horatia, very angry, if she +cannot have her own way. Her Nelson is called upon, in the most +honourable manner, to defend his country! Absence, to us, is equally +painful: but, if I had either stayed at home, or neglected my duty +abroad, would not my Emma have blushed for me? She could never have +heard of my praises, and how the country looks up. + +I am writing, my dear Emma, to reason the point with you; and, I am +sure, you will see it in its true light. But I have said my say, on +this subject, and will finish. + +I have received your letter, with Lord William's and Mr. Kemble's, +about Mr. Palmer: he is also recommended by the Duke of Clarence; +and, he says, by desire of the Prince of Wales. I have, without him, +twenty-six to be made Captains, and list every day increasing. It is +not _one_ whole French fleet that can get through it. + +I shall, probably, offend many more than I can oblige. Such is always +the case: like the tickets--those who get them, feel they have a right +to them; and those [who] do not get them, feel offended for ever. + +But, I cannot help it: I shall endeavour to do what is right, in every +situation; and some ball may soon close all my accounts with this +world of care and vexation! + +But, never mind, my own dear-beloved Emma: if you are true to me, +I care not--and approve of all my actions. However, as you say, I +approve of them, myself; therefore, probably, I am right. + +Poor Reverend Mr. Scott is, I fear, in a very bad way. His head has +been turned by too much learning, and the stroke of lightning will +never let him be right again. The Secretary Scott is a treasure; and I +am very well mounted: Hardy is every thing I could wish or desire. + +Our days pass so much alike that, having described one, you have +them all. We now breakfast by candlelight; and all retire, at eight +o'clock, to bed. + +Naples, I fancy, is in a very bad way, in regard to money. They have +not, or pretend not to have, enough to pay their officers; and, I +verily believe, if Acton was to give up his place, that it would +become a province of France. Only think of Buonaparte's writing to +the Queen, to desire her influence to turn out Acton! She answered, +properly: at least, so says Mr. Elliot, who _knows more of Naples_ +than any of us; God help him!--and General Acton has, I believe, more +power than ever. + +By Gibbs's letter, I see, he has sent over about my accounts at +Bronte. He can have no interest in being unfriendly to me. Why should +he? I want no great matters from him; and he can want nothing from me, +that it is not my duty to give his Sovereigns: therefore, why should +he be against us! For my part, my conduct will not alter, whether he +is or not. + +Our friend, Sir Alexander, is a very great diplomatic character; and, +even an Admiral must not know what he is negotiating about: although +you will scarcely believe, that the Bey of Tunis sent the man at my +desire. + +You shall judge--_viz_. "The Tunisian Envoy is still here, +negotiating. He is a moderate man; and, apparently, the best disposed +of any I ever did business with." Could even the oldest diplomatic +character be drier? I hate such parade of nonsense! But, I will turn +from such stuff. + +You ask me, Do you do right to give Charlotte things? I shall only +say, my dear Emma, whatever you do in that way, I shall always +approve. I only wish, I had more power than I have! But, somehow, my +mind was not sharp enough for prize-money. Lord Keith would have made +twenty thousand pounds, and I have not made six thousand. + +Poor Mr. Este, how I pity him! but, what shall I do with him? However, +if he comes, I shall shew him all the kindness in my power. + + October 22d. + +The vessel is just going off. I have not a scrap of news! Only, be +assured of my most affectionate regard. + +Remember me kindly to Charlotte. Shall always love those that are good +to Horatia. I will write her by another opportunity. + +Remember me to Mrs. Cadogan. + +You may be sure, I do not forget Charles, who has not been well; +Captain Capel is very good to him. + +I am, ever, for ever, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and +affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + SUPPLEMENT. + + * * * * * + + _INTERESTING LETTERS_, + + ELUCIDATORY + + OF + + Lord Nelson's Letters + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + * * * * * + + VOL. I. + + + + + Letters + + FROM + + LORD NELSON + + TO + + MRS. THOMSON. + + + + +Letters OF LORD NELSON, &c. + + + + +I. + +See LETTER X. Page 29. + + +I sit down, my Dear Mrs. T. by desire of poor Thomson, to write you a +line: not, to assure you of his eternal love and affection for you and +his dear child; but only to say, that he is well, and as happy as he +can be, separated from all which he holds dear in this world. He has +no thoughts separated from your love, and your interest. They are +united with his; one fate, one destiny, he assures me, awaits you +both. What can I say more? Only, to kiss his child for him: and love +him as truly, sincerely, and faithfully, as he does you; which is, +from the bottom of his soul. He desires, that you will more and more +attach yourself to dear Lady Hamilton. + + + + +II. + +See LETTER XXXVI. Page 135. + + +My Dearest Beloved * * * *, + +To say, that I think of you by day, night, and all day, and all night, +but too faintly express my feelings of love and affection towards you +* * * * * * * * * * unbounded affection. Our dear excellent, good * * +* * * * * is the only one who knows any thing of the matter; and she +has promised me, when you * * * * * * again, to take every possible +care of you, as a proof of her never-failing regard for your own dear +Nelson. Believe me, that I am incapable of wronging you, in thought, +word, or deed. No; not all the wealth of Peru could buy me for one +moment: it is all your's, and reserved wholly for you; and * * * +certainly * * * * * * * * * from the first moment of our happy, +dear, enchanting, blessed meeting. The thoughts of such happiness, my +dearest only beloved, makes the blood fly into my head. The call +of our country, is a duty which you would, deservedly, in the cool +moments of reflection, reprobate, was I to abandon: and I should feel +so disgraced, by seeing you ashamed of me! No longer saying--"This is +the man who has saved his country! This is he who is the first to go +forth to fight our battles, and the last to return!" And, then, all +these honours reflect on you. "Ah!" they will think; "what a man! what +sacrifices has he not made, to secure our homes and property; even the +society and happy union with the finest and most accomplished woman +in the world." As you love, how must you feel! My heart is with you, +cherish it. I shall, my best beloved, return--if it pleases God--a +victor; and it shall be my study to transmit an unsullied name. There +is no desire of wealth, no ambition, that could keep me from all my +soul holds dear. No; it is to save my country, my wife in the eye of +God, and * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * will tell you +that it is all right: and, then, only think of our happy meeting. + +Ever, for ever, I am your's, only your's, even beyond this world, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +For ever, for ever, your own NELSON. + +August 26th, [1803.] + + + + Letters + + FROM + + LADY HAMILTON + + TO + + LORD NELSON. + + + + +Letters OF LADY HAMILTON, &c. + + + + +I. + + + Naples, June 30th, 1798. + +DEAR SIR, + +I take the opportunity of Captain Hope, to write a few lines to you, +and thank you for your kind letter by Captain Bowen. + +The Queen was much pleased, as I translated it for her: and charges me +to thank you; and say, she prays for your honour and safety--victory, +she is sure you will have. + +We have still the regicide minister here, _Garrat_: the most impudent, +insolent dog; making the most infamous demands every day; and I see +plainly, the court of Naples must declare war, if they mean to save +their country. + +_Her Majesty_ sees, and feels, all you said in your letter to Sir +William, dated off the Faro di Messina, in its true light; so does +General Acton. + +But, alas! their First Minister, _Gallo_, is a frivolous, ignorant, +self-conceited coxcomb, that thinks of nothing but his fine +embroidered coat, ring, and snuff-box; and half Naples thinks him half +a Frenchman: and, God knows, if one may judge of what he did in making +the peace for the Emperor, he must either be very ignorant, or not +attached to his masters or the _cause commune._ + +The Queen and Acton cannot bear him, and consequently [he] cannot +have much power: but, still, a First Minister, although he may be a +minister of smoke, yet he has always something; enough, at least, to +do mischief. + +The Jacobins have all been lately declared innocent, after suffering +four years imprisonment; and, I know, they all deserved to be hanged +long ago: and, since Garrat has been here, and through his insolent +letters to Gallo, these pretty gentlemen, that had planned the death +of their Majesties, are to be let out on society again. + +In short, I am afraid, all is lost here; and I am grieved to the heart +for our dear, charming Queen, who deserves a better fate! + +I write to you, my dear Sir, in confidence, and in a hurry. + +I hope you will not quit the Mediterranean, without taking _us_. We +have our leave, and every thing ready, at a day's notice, to go: but +yet, I trust in God, and you, that we shall destroy those monsters, +before we go from hence. Surely, their reign cannot last long! + +If you have any opportunity, write to us; pray, do: you do not know +how your letters comfort us. + +God bless you, my dear, dear Sir! and believe me, ever, your most +sincerely obliged and attached friend, + + EMMA HAMILTON. + + + + +II. + + + Thursday Evening, June 12th, [1799.] + +I have been with the Queen this evening. She is very miserable; and +says, that although the people of Naples are for them, in general, +YET things will not be brought to that state of quietness and +subordination, till the fleet of Lord Nelson appears _off Naples_. +She therefore begs, intreats, and conjures you, my dear Lord, if it is +possible, to arrange matters so as to be able to go to Naples. + +Sir William is writing for General Acton's _answer_. + +For God's sake, consider it, and do! We will go with you, if you will +come and fetch us. + +Sir William is ill; I am ill: it will do us good. + +God bless you! Ever, ever, your's sincerely, + + E. HAMILTON. + + + + + Letters + + FROM THE + + REV. EDMUND NELSON + + (_Lord Nelson's Father_) + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF THE REV. EDMUND NELSON, _&c_. + + + + +I. + + +Madam, + +I am much favoured by your polite letter, and the very friendly regard +with which Sir William Hamilton and yourself always mention my dear +son; who is, certainly, a worthy, good, brave man, parental partiality +_apart_. But, I myself am by no means satisfied with his present +situation; as to its importance, its safety, or its merited rewards. +It [is] his to sow, but others reap the yellow harvests. All things, I +trust, however, will work together for good. + +Captain Parker's misfortune, I see, in every point of view, with a +friendly concern. Langford will quickly be upon his legs. + +Though the amusements of a dirty sea-port are not the most refined, +good health, and domestic cheerfulness, will be a happy substitute. + +I beg the whole party to accept this my remembrance; and assurance of +my regard, respect, and love: and am, Madam, your most humble servant, + + EDM. NELSON. + +Burnham, August 11th, [1801.] + + + + +II. + + +Madam, + +Your polite congratulation upon the entrance of a new year, I return +seven-fold to you, and the whole of the party now under the hospitable +roof of Merton Place. Time is a sacred deposit committed to our trust; +and, hereafter, we must account for the use we have made of it. To +me, a large portion of this treasure has already been granted, even +seventy-nine years. The complaint my dear son has felt is, I know, +very, very painful: and can be removed, only, with much care and +caution; not venturing, without a thick covering, both head and feet, +even to admire your parterres of snow-drops, which now appear in all +their splendour. The white robe which _January_ wears, bespangled with +ice, is handsome to look at; but we must not approach too near _her_. + +I shall be very glad to know the Lord of Merton is recovered. + +I am, Madam, your most humble servant, + + EDM. NELSON. + +Bath, January 7th, 1802. + + + + + Letters + + From The + + REV. DR. NELSON, + + NOW + + EARL NELSON, + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF EARL NELSON, &c. + + + + +I. + + + Hilborough, near Brandon, + Wednesday, March 4th, 1801. + +My Dear Lady, + +I have sent you, by this day's coach, a hunted hare; which, I hope, +will prove tender and good. It was killed yesterday. + +We are very much gratified by your kind and friendly letters: they +are very interesting to us, and they give an additional zest to our +breakfast; indeed, they are the only things give us any comfort, in +our absence. How unfortunate it was, we left town as we did! I had a +letter, yesterday morning, from my great and beloved Brother. He tells +me, he has sent my letter to the new Lord Chancellor; God grant it may +have the desired effect; but, they are all so engaged, that I fear it +much. At any rate, our good Friend has done what he can. He tells +me, he shall be at Yarmouth to-morrow or next day. A near relation +of our's, who has not seen my Lord since his return to England, +has offered to take me in his carriage: so, we set out on Sunday +afternoon; for we parsons can't go till the Sunday duty is over. We +sleep at Norwich, and hope to be at Yarmouth early on Monday. + +I have written to my Brother by this post; so that, if he is likely to +have sailed before Monday, he has time to stop us. Yarmouth is sixty +miles from hence. + +I have written you all these particulars; because, I know, you like to +know all about us. + +Mrs. Nelson does not go with us; so you must be charitable to her, and +give her a letter or two. We shall return by the following Sunday. + +I see, by the papers, the King was better on Tuesday. + +Mrs. Nelson is going out for a day; when she returns, she will +write. She will thank you to keep the _two_ guineas my Lord left for +Charlotte, till you hear from her; as she has thought of laying it out +in a frock for her. + +We both join in united regards to Sir William; and believe me, your +Ladyship's faithful and most obliged and affectionate friend, + + Wm. NELSON. + + + + +II. + + + Hilborough, March 29th, 1801. + +My Dear Lady, + +As I have duty to-day, both morning and afternoon, and to preach +_twice_, I have only time to scrawl a few lines to you between the +services. I will write to my deary to-morrow. + +I do not much wonder we have no news from the Baltic, considering the +state of the wind; and, unless it changes, it may be some time first. +Pray God it may be good, when it does arrive. + +I was rather surprised to hear _Tom Tit_ (that bad bird) had taken his +flight to town: but, he is a prying little animal, and wishes to know +every thing; and, as he is so small and insignificant, his movements +are not always observed. But, for God's sake, take care of him; and +caution our little jewel to be as much upon her guard as she can. I am +terribly afraid, this bird will endeavour to do mischief. He must be +watched with a hawk's eye. I almost wish some hawk, or _Jove's eagle_, +would either devour him or frighten him away. + +It is not very likely I should hear from Yarmouth before you, because +our Yarmouth letters generally go to London first; but if I +should, accidentally, your Ladyship shall depend on hearing from me +immediately. + +I am glad my little Horace looks so well; and that you think him so +like his great, his glorious, his immortal Uncle. Why should he not be +like him? Is it so very uncommon for such near relations to have some +similitude? They who say otherwise, only say it out of envy, malice +and hatred, and all uncharitableness; out upon all such miscreants! +say I. + +My love to deary, Charlotte, and the hereditary Duke of Bronte. + +God bless you, my dear Lady; and believe me, your's faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + +Tell me, in your next, whether you have seen that little bird, called +_Tom Tit_. + + + + +III. + + + Hilborough, August 23d, 1801. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I have written two long letters to my jewel, but I still seem to +have more to say. I can't find out whether a certain Viscountess is +expected at Burnham, or no. + +I am pleased that you propose bringing Mrs. Nelson to Hilborough. I +hope, Sir William will be able to amuse himself with fishing a little. +The weather is too hot for me to come to London, and I can't leave my +parish at this time. + +Tell my Brother, I should have great pleasure in seeing him; and will +go with him to Plymouth, or any where else, if he particularly +desires it. When you have seen Parker and Langford, you can give me a +particular account of the state of their wounds. I feel much for them. +I think it is better the _Cub_ did not speak to Mrs. N. It will save +some trouble. + +I wish you could get a comfortable house near London. + +You will find Mr. Nayler, of the Herald's Office, a pleasant +young man. I believe, he is my friend, and will readily give every +information in his power. + +If _Jove_ gets a higher title, perhaps things may be settled more to +our minds. Now we are already in the patent, as _Barons_; it will be +no difficult matter, in that case, to have our entails advanced to the +highest honour, if my brother wishes. + +This I only mention _entre nous_, without having a desire on the +subject. I am perfectly satisfied, that I am in the patent. I don't +mean to say more to my Brother. + +I am told, there are two or three very old lives, Prebends of +Canterbury, in the Minister's gift--near six hundred pounds a year, +and good houses. + +The Deans of Hereford, Exeter, Litchfield and Coventry, York, and +Winchester, are old men. + +Write from Deal, and tell me when you are likely to return to London. + +You can't come from thence nearer than London, unless my Brother lands +you on the other side of the river Thames, on the Essex or Suffolk +coasts. If that plan takes place, Mrs. Nelson had better send Sarah +home before you go. + +Compliments to Sir William, and all friends. Your's very faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + + + + +IV. + + + Sunday Morning, Sept. 6th, [1801.] + +My Dear Lady, + +To be sure, you did promise to write to me on Thursday last; and I was +very much disappointed at not receiving a letter yesterday, and sent +to the Post Office twice, to be certain there was no mistake: and, +now, this morning, comes your roguish, waggish letter, on a Sunday +morning, (amidst all my meditations for the good of my parishioners) +about love, courtship, marriage, throwing the stocking, going to bed, +&c. &c. &c.--quite shocking to write to a country parson, who can +have no idea of such _things_. It might do well enough for a King's +chaplain; or a church dignitary, who is supposed to have more +_learning_, and more knowledge of _things in general_. + +I wish you was here, and you should not laugh at me for nothing. I +would give you as good as you brought, at any time. + +I'll have no Emmas, at present. Stay till there comes one or two of +another sort, to keep the line of the Nelsons in the true name and +blood, without being obliged to go to others to assume a name +which scarcely belongs to them; and, then, as many Emmas, Elfridas, +Evelindas, and Evelinas, as you please. + +But, I hope to God, the present young Horatio will go on as we all +wish, and transmit a long race to posterity. + +I am delighted with Dr. Heath's letter to my Brother, and the +character he gives of him. My only fear is, that we shall spoil him +among us. + +I have not yet heard from him, how he felt himself. I should have +liked to have peeped slyly into his room, and seen how he acted on +first receiving the joyful intelligence. + +I don't know enough how to thank my Brother, for all his goodness to +me and mine; my heart overflows, whenever I think of it: but I can't +sit down, and write a formal letter of thanks; it would be too absurd +for _me_ to write, or _him_ to read. He well knows me; and I leave it +to your Ladyship, (my best and truest friend) to say every thing to +him, for and from me: it will come best from your lips, and adorned +with your eloquence. + +I wish my Brother had done with this business. I hope, a peace will +soon put an end to his toils and dangers. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * + + + + +V. + + + Hilborough, September 8th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I hope you will have received my long letter of Sunday's date, by this +time. I wonder you should accuse me of remissness, in not writing to +_you_. I told you then, and I repeat it now, that I would always give +you "_as good as you brought_:" and, upon looking back to the last +week's letters, I find I have always answered your's, whenever I had +one; and, generally, by the _same post_. + +As I wrote so much on Sunday, and you said--you thought you should +leave Deal on Tuesday or Wednesday, I said--I should write no more +till you got back to London. Nor should I now, was it not to rebut the +charge of remissness and inattention to you. + +I am glad Mrs. Nelson is likely to come home soon; but, I hear nothing +about your intentions. I shall write to her to-morrow, and direct my +letter to Piccadilly; where, I hope, it will find her: and, if this +letter travels to Deal, and follows you to London, it is no matter; +it is not worth having, when you get it. Only, I could not bear the +thoughts of the appearance of neglect, without deserving it. + +One or two letters I wrote to Mrs. Nelson last week, I gave public +notice, were intended, in a great degree, for the whole party. + +Mrs. Bolton is here for a day, to help my solitary life. I find Lady +N. has taken a house in Somerset Street, Portman Square. She, and my +Father, are to spend the winter in London; and, I am informed, he is +to pay half. Whether it is ready-furnished, or not, I can't tell. + +Mr. Edwards is this moment gone, and begs his compliments to you all. + +Believe me, your's most faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + +Compliments to Parker and Langford. + + + + +VI. + + + Canterbury, February 9th, 1805. + +Dear Lady Hamilton, + +I send you a small parcel; which I will thank you to forward to my +Brother, if you think there is a chance of his getting it before he +leaves the Mediterranean. But, if you have reason to expect him home +very soon, you will be kind enough to return it to me again; or, keep +it till I see you. + +The ceremony of electing the new Archbishop takes place on Tuesday +morning. I think it more than probable, we shall make choice of the +person his Majesty has recommended to us, in his letter, which the +Chapter received yesterday. + +Mrs. Nelson begs her love to you, Charlotte, Mrs. Bolton, &c. &c. + +Your's, very faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + +I received Mrs. Bolton's parcel safe on Friday. + + + + Letters + + FROM THE + + EARL OF ST. VINCENT + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, _&c._ + + + + +I. + + +My Dear Madam, + +The prodigies of valour performed by your new Chevalier have, I fear, +obliterated the memory of your ancient Knight. Nevertheless, I +beg your Ladyship will lay me at the feet of the Queen of the Two +Sicilies, and assure her Majesty of my profound respect for her +person, and that my life is devoted to the defence of it: and, for +yourself, accept every kind wish of your Ladyship's truly affectionate +and faithful Knight, + + ST. VINCENT. + + +Gibraltar, 18th October 1798. + + + + +II. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Ten thousand most grateful thanks are due to your Ladyship, for +restoring the health of our invaluable friend Nelson, on whose life +the fate of the remaining governments in Europe, whose system has +not been deranged by these devils, depends. Pray, do not let your +fascinating Neapolitan dames approach too near him; for he is made of +flesh and blood, and cannot resist their temptations. + +Lady St. Vincent will be transported with your attention to her. +I have sent the fan mounts for Lady Nelson and her, by Sir James +Saumarez; who, after seeing the French prizes safe moored in the +Tagus, conveys the Duke d'Hervie. He, poor man! although a Grandee +of Spain, having been driven out of that kingdom by the insolent +intrigues of Truguet. + +I have obeyed your Ladyship's commands respecting Tom Bowen, who is +now Captain of L'Aquilon, and gone to Lisbon to take possession of +her; and his brother William, who married a daughter of Sir William +Parker, I have appointed to the Caroline, the finest frigate I have, +and he is employed on the most advantageous service for filling his +pockets. Should your Ladyship have any other protegé, I desire you +will not spare me. + +I am very much penetrated with the condescension their Majesties of +the Two Sicilies have graciously shewn to me, through your Ladyship, +and I rely on your doing justice to my feelings upon the occasion. + +I have taken up my residence here for some months, that I may be ready +to afford succour to the detachments of the fleet I have the honour to +command, in the Levant and before Cadiz; and, when Sir William and you +arrive, I shall be able to give you some English mutton, in a plain +way. + +Continue to love me; and rest assured of the most unfeigned and +affectionate regard of, my dear Lady Hamilton, your faithful and +devoted Knight, + + ST. VINCENT. + + Admiral's House, Rosia, Gibraltar, + 28th October 1798. + + + + +III. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I have to thank you, which I do most kindly, for your obliging letters +of the 7th and 10th of November; and for the gracious letter which +your Ladyship had received from the charming, delightful Queen of the +Two Sicilies, at whose feet I am anxiously desirous to throw myself: +and, as I have relinquished my intention of returning to England, +(although in possession of leave to go) I hope the period is not far +distant. In the meanwhile, have the goodness to keep me alive in the +remembrance of her Majesty: assure her of my profound respect and +admiration for her as Queen--I dare not give utterance to what I feel +for her as one of the first and most lovely of her sex. + +Our possession of the island of Minorca will relieve her Majesty, and +the government, from one embarrassment, touching their last treaty +with France; as Lord Nelson will now be able to refit his squadron, +without committing an infraction of the treaty. + +Our excellent friend, General O'Hara, is very busy in erecting two +rooms for the accommodation of your Ladyship and Sir William, when +you visit this curious rock. He is among the most hospitable and +entertaining of men: and we live together as all commanders of his +Majesty's land forces and fleets ought to do; and, I hope, will do, +from the examples which have been shewn wherever I have acted with the +army--as Sir Charles Grey, the Governor of this garrison, and General +Stuart, will testify; and, if the immortal Wolfe could be conjured +from the grave, he would do so too. + +I hope soon to hear, our dear Lord Nelson is quite well, under your +fostering care; and, with my warmest wishes for every blessing to be +showered down upon you and your's, I have the honour to be, with the +truest respect, esteem, and regard, your Ladyship's very affectionate, +humble servant, + + ST. VINCENT. + + Rosia House, Gibraltar, + 7th Dec. 1798. + + + + +IV. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance and protection another +hero of the Nile, in Captain Darby, of the Bellerophon; who you will +find a pleasant, queer, and faithful Irishman. + +I also beg leave to interest you in favour of Mrs. Lock; a daughter +of the Duchess of Leinster, by Mr. Ogilvie. Her husband is appointed +Consul at Naples; which may occasion some difficulty in bringing her +forward, unless the etiquette is altered touching Consuls. + +God bless you, my dear Madam; and, be assured, I always am your +Ladyship's truly affectionate + + ST. VINCENT. + + Rosia House, Gibraltar, + 1st January 1799. + + + + +V. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I cannot sufficiently thank you, for sending me her Sicilian Majesty's +most gracious letter; the contents of which I feel, as becomes a good +royalist, and loyal subject: and for your goodness to Mrs. Lock; +who, poor thing! merits a more respectable situation than that of +Consuless. She is, certainly, a very comely woman, and truly amiable. + +The designation Sir William has in contemplation for him, will place +them in an honourable stile; and, I have no doubt, from the protection +they have at home, will lead to ministerial character. + +You are very good to my old friend Darby--who is a good-humoured, +blundering Irishman; and will make you laugh, in the midst of the +pangs your Ladyship must suffer for the destiny of the delightful city +and country to which you have so long contributed a large portion of +the gaiety and charming society of Sir William's hospitable mansion: +for, although I had not the good fortune to revisit Naples after Sir +William's return, all my travelling friends did ample justice to the +liberality of the representatives of our Royal Master and Mistress. +Mr. Preston was chargé, when I was at Naples with the Duke of +Gloucester; and, though a worthy gentleman, and since a pious Bishop, +he was certainly a dry comedian. + +Have the goodness to commend me to the Queen; continue to nurse my +excellent friend, Nelson; and, when I have the happiness to see Sir +William and your Ladyship here, I will pour the effusions of my heart +upon you both. The Governor has added two rooms to the convent, for +your accommodation; and Mrs. Grey, late Miss Whitbread, wife to the +Captain of the Ville de Paris, will contribute all that this house +affords for the entertainment of both. + +God bless you, my dear Lady Hamilton; and, be assured, no man respects +and esteems you more truly than your Ladyship's truly affectionate + + ST. VINCENT. + + Rosia House, + 27th February 1799. + + + + + Letters + + FROM + + SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, _&c_. + + + + +I. + + +My Dear Madam, + +I cannot help loving and esteeming you very much, although you have +proved such a false gipsey to me. Pray, do you recollect looking into +my hand, and telling me a pretty story of carrying home Sir William +and Lady Hamilton, &c. &c. However, I forgive you; as you did not take +money, and could only have in view giving me much pleasure. + +I beg leave to introduce to your Ladyship's notice the Abbé Savoye; +who is a sensible man, and the most polished here. He has great +influence with the Maltese. Pray, request Sir William to introduce him +particularly to Le Chevalier Acton. + +I shall have the pleasure of seeing you and Sir William Hamilton in +England, this summer. How very much I wished to be near you, when you +were reading the parliamentary effusions of gratitude and joy for the +services Lord Nelson has rendered his country! I would rather be Lord +Nelson, than any Duke--or, indeed, any man--in England; and you may +guess how very proud I am in having such a friend. Indeed, I feel, +that I owe more to him than any man in this world. I have written to +Sir William; God bless you both! + +I remain, with sincere respect and esteem, my dear Madam, your +Ladyship's most devoted and obliged humble servant, + + ALEXANDER JOHN BALL. + + Alexander, + 9th February 1799. + +Davidge Gould is sighing for Palermo; _alias_ Miss K----. I wish the +Admiral would let him recreate for a fortnight, and send Hardy to me +again. + + + + +II. + + +My Dear Madam, + +I had the honour of writing to your Ladyship and Sir William, by the +Vanguard; since which, I have read the few lines you had the goodness +to address to me at the bottom of Lord Nelson's letter of the 9th +inst. + +I cannot entertain any hopes of personally paying my respects to you +and Sir William, before your departure for England; but, be assured, +that I can never forget the very flattering attention you have both +been pleased to honour me with. + +You must wait a month longer, for the warm weather; otherwise, the +transition may be too great for Sir William. + +We are anxiously waiting for the Maltese deputies to return from +Palermo. The inhabitants are critically situated; but, I hope, all +will end well. Good news from you will determine it. + +I find, that you fascinate all the navy as much at Palermo as you +did at Naples. If we had many such advocates, every body would be a +candidate for our profession. + +God bless, and protect, you and Sir William. May prosperous gales +attend you! May you live a thousand years! + +Believe me, with sincere respect and esteem, my dear Madam, your +Ladyship's most devoted and obliged servant, + + ALEXANDER JOHN BALL. + +23d February 1799. + + + + + Letters + + FROM THE + + EARL OF BRISTOL, + + _Bishop of Derry, in Ireland_, + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF THE EARL OF BRISTOL, _Bishop of Derry, &c_. + + + + +I. + + + Naples, Sunday Morning, + [1795.] + +I return you the inclosed, my Dearest Emma, which does equal honour +to the excellent head and heart of the writer. I shall begin, for the +first time of my life, to have a good opinion of myself, after such +honourable testimonials. + +In the mean time, I send you an extraordinary piece of news, just +written me from Ratisbon--a courier from the Elector of Mentz, +desiring _the Empire_ to make a separate peace with France. + +Couriers have been sent from the Diet to Sweden and Denmark, desiring +their mediation: "and it is clear," says my letter, "_Somebody_ is at +the bottom of all this; the Elector of Mentz only lends his name." + +The suburbs of Warsaw taken; the capitulation of the city daily +expected. + +The King of Prussia totally retired beyond Potsdam, and supposed to be +at the eve of madness. + + Oh! Emma, who'd ever be wise, + If madness be loving of thee. + + B. + + + + +II. + + + Munich, 14th July 1795. + +Dearest Emma, + +Here is great news from England. My letters of the 26th June assure +me, seven thousand men are embarked for St. Pol de Leon, together with +an immense number of emigrés--that, the week before, a bishop, and +sixty priests, were most prosperously landed at the same place, and +received with the greatest acclamations--that six sail of the line +from Russia, were in sight, and the pilots gone to conduct them--that, +in Amsterdam, and other towns of Holland, there is the greatest +insurrections in favour of that fool the Stadtholder. All this, +however, can only tend to facilitate peace, but not at all to restore +that despicable, odious family of Bourbons--the head of which is now +at _Verona_, where we left him eating _two capons_ a day; ('tis a pity +the whole family are not _capons_!) and, what is more, dressing them +himself in a superb kitchen--the true chapel of a Bourbon Prince. + +Emma! if that dear Queen of Naples does not write, herself, to +Prince D'Oria, for me, I won't look at your beautiful face these six +months--"_coute qui coute_." + +To-morrow, for _Pyrmont_, near Hanover. Emma--adieu! + + + + +III. + + +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There is no doubt +but Don Luizi is implicated: that very circumstance, argues the extent +of the mischief; for so cautious a man, and one whose sentiments are +so publicly known, would not engage without good support. + +I have conversed with one of his intimates--one "who is no stranger +to his dearest secret." The evidence will be difficult; perhaps, +impracticable: unless his most confidential friends can be gained; and +that, I deem, impossible. + +But the character of the Garrison at Capua is of the most alarming +complexion; and, yet, is what I can best depend on. I think, _Wade_ +could tell much, if he would speak out. + +Adieu! + +Lovel and I were on Vesuvius. He goes, like a true parson, only to +eat the better. I foresee, he will once more fall into _Nudi's_ hands. +Procyta will be another _Duo_; for I hate large parties on such, and +especially females--unless they be Phoenixes, like yourself. + +It is a great discouragement to a Caserta party, to view the whole +town buried in a mist; and the Belvidere alone, like a buoy, to point +out the shoal. + +Sweet Emma--adieu! + +Every wish of my heart beats for the dear Queen. + + + + +IV. + + +Send me word, Dearest Emma! how the invaluable, adorable Queen, finds +herself. + +The weather changed so unmercifully, yesterday, that Lovel and I +both grew ill; and this makes me the more anxious to hear of our +too sensible and inestimable Queen. My warmest wishes--physical, +political, and moral--ever attend her. + + B. + + + + +V. + + +Here is my cousin's answer, Dearest Emma--"_Io lo capisco_." Her +brother assured me, there is not the semblance of an insurrection; +and, that our dear, dear Queen, is misled by a set of scoundrels. + +Send me word where you will be. Adieu! + + + + +VI. + + +Yesterday, we dined on Mount Vesuvius; to-day, we were to have dined +on its victim, Pompeii: but, "by the grace of God, which passeth all +understanding," since Bartolomeo himself, that weather-soothsayer, did +not foresee this British weather, we are prevented. + +In the mean time, all this week and the next, is replete with projects +to Ischia, Procita, &c. &c. so God only knows when I can worship, +again, my Diana of Ephesus. + +Write me word, explicitly, how you are, _what_ you are, and where you +are; and be sure that, wheresoever I am, still I am your's, my dearest +Emma. + + + + +VII. + + + Wednesday. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +The very unexpected intelligence, which Prince Augustus has most +delicately communicated to me, of poor Lord Hervey's _decease_, has +quite _bouleversée_ my already shattered frame. + +I would not allow your friendly mind to learn an event so interesting +to me from any other hand than that of your affectionate and devoted +friend, + + BRISTOL. + + + + +VIII. + + +MY EVER DEAREST LADY HAMILTON, + +I should certainly have made this Sunday an holy day to me, and have +taken a Sabbath day's journey to Caserta, had not poor Mr. Lovel been +confined to his bed above three days with a fever. + +To-day, it is departed; to-morrow, Dr. Nudi has secured us from its +resurrection; and, after to-morrow, I hope, virtue will be its own +reward, and that my friendship for Lovel will be recompensed with the +enjoyment. + +This moment I receive your _billet-doux_, and very dulcet it is! + +All public and private accounts agree, in the immediate prospect of a +general peace. It will make a delicious foreground in the picture of +the new year; many of which, I wish, from the top, bottom, and centre +of my heart, to the incomparable Emma--_quella senza paragona_! + +_Dans ce moment, on m'assure que Mayence est prise. Je ne vous +garantis pas cette maudite nouvelle--mais je me flatte que la paix se +fait_. + + + + +IX. + + +EVER DEAREST EMMA, + +I went down to your Opera box two minutes after you left it; and +should have seen you on the morning of your departure--but was +detained in the _arms_ of _Murphy_, as Lady Eden expressed it, and was +too late. + +You say nothing of the adorable Queen; I hope, she has not forgot me: +but, as Shakespeare says, "Who doats, must doubt;" and I verily deem +her the very best edition of a woman I ever saw--I mean; of such as +are not in _folio_, and are to be _had_ in _sheets_. + +I will come on Friday or Saturday; but our British colony are so +numerous, that my duties obstruct my pleasures. + +Ever, and invariably, dearest, dear Emma, most affectionately, your + + B. + +You see, I am but the second letter of your alphabet, though you are +the first of _mine_. + + + + +X. + + + Milan, 24th November 1798. + +I know not, Dearest Emma, whether friend Sir William has been able +to obtain my passport, or not; but this I know--that, if they have +refused it, they are damned fools for their pains: for, never was a +_Malta orange_ better worth squeezing or sucking; and if they leave me +to die, without a tombstone over me, to tell the contents--"_tant pis +pour eux_!" + +In the mean time, I will frankly confess to you, that my health most +seriously and urgently requires the balmy air of dear Naples, and the +more balmy atmosphere of those I love, and who love me; and that I +shall forego my garret with more regret than most people of my silly +rank in society forego a palace or a drawing-room. + +But I will augur better things from the justice of my neighbour; and +that they will not condemn, against all rules of probability, one of +their best friends, unheard: especially, one who, if he be heard, can +say so much. + +My project, then, in case I receive the passport, is to travel on +horseback as far as _Spalato_ in Dalmatia; and, from thence, cross +over to Manfredonia--a passage of a few hours--and which, in the year +1772, I performed with my horses on board; and, afterwards, had a most +delightful jaunt through that unexplored region, Dalmatia; where the +very first object that strikes both the eye and the imagination, is +a modern city built within the precincts of an ancient palace--for +Spalato stands within the innermost walls of Diocletian's palace. +For that wise Sovereign quitted the sceptre for the pleasures of +an architect's rule; and, when he had completed his mansion in that +delightful climate, enjoyed that, and life, to a most advanced old +age-- + + "The world forgetting, by the world forgot." + +_A-propos_ to _Spalato_! Do not fail hinting to Sir William, that +a most safe, convenient, and expeditious packet-boat, might be +established, in these perilous times, between that and Manfredonia: +by which all dispatches, and all travellers, either for business or +pleasure, might make a very short and safe cut between Naples and +Vienna, and Naples and the rest of Europe, without touching one palm +of any ground but Austrian and Neapolitan; and, of course, without the +risk of being ever stopped. + +The small towns, too, are in quick succession; and, the whole country +being a limestone rock, the roads will make themselves, and afterwards +pay themselves, by means of good turnpikes. + +Nothing can exceed the dreariness, gloominess, and humidity, of a +Milanese sky in winter; which, I conclude, under the _old regime_, +led to all the hospitality, and conviviality, practised here, by their +voluptuous but social nobility. + +Now, we have nothing left to _comfort_, but another _Nudi_--a son of +Esculapius, born in Italy; but an enthusiast for England, and all that +is English--an excellent physician, but a still better friend; and, +like Nudi, when he has a pint of Madeira in his belly, and the fumes +of it in his brain, a most cheerful and improving companion: for, I +protest to you that, during my convalescence, I made greater strides +to recovery by his Attic evenings, than by his morning potions, or +even his beef broth. + +Sweet Emma, adieu! Remember me in the warmest and most enthusiastic +stile, to your friend, and my friend, and the friend of human kind. + +If Sir William does not contrive to send me my passport, I will--I +will--excommunicate him, and send him to the devil before his time. + + + + + Letter + + FROM + + THE HONOURABLE + + CHARLES GREVILLE, + + _Nephew of Sir William Hamilton_, + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letter OF THE HONOURABLE CHARLES GREVILLE, _&c_. + + + August 18th, 1794. + +DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +You will, I am sure, be glad to hear, that a favourable change +has been announced to me; and that I am reinstated in the King's +household, and honoured with a gold key, as his Vice-Chamberlain--and +I hope, in a few days, to be in parliament. + +You have seen me in prosperity, and in adversity; and know how much I +estimate worldly concerns, according to their influencing the opinion +of my real friends. Friendship has borne me up in the most difficult +times; and the general satisfaction which my friends express, on my +promotion, renders me very happy at present: and, to make me more so, +I have anticipated to my own mind the sincere satisfaction with which +you will receive this news. + +I should not flatter myself so far, if I was not very sincerely +interested in your happiness; and, ever, affectionately your's, + + C.F.G. + + + + + Letters + + FROM + + LADY HAMILTON + + TO + + THE HON. CHARLES GREVILLE, + + _Nephew of Sir William Hamilton_. + + + + +Letters OF LADY HAMILTON, &c. + + + + +I. + + + 25th of February, [1800.] + +DEAR SIR, + +I received your letter by Mr. Campbell. He is lodged with us. We find +him a pleasant man; and shall write fully by him. He will tell you a +little how we go on, as to our domestic happiness. We are more united +and comfortable than ever, in spite of the infamous Jacobin papers, +jealous of Lord Nelson's glory, and Sir William's and mine. But we do +not mind them. Lord N. is a truly virtuous and great man; and, because +we have been fagging, and ruining our health, and sacrificing every +comfort, in the cause of loyalty, our private characters are to be +stabbed in the dark. First, it was said, Sir W. and Lord N. fought; +then, that we played, and lost. First, Sir W. and Lord N. live like +brothers; next, Lord N. never plays: and this I give you my word of +honour. So I beg you will contradict any of these vile reports. Not +that Sir W. and Lord N. mind it; and I get scolded by the Queen, and +all of them, for having suffered one day's uneasiness. + +Our fleet is off Malta: Lord Nelson has taken Le Genereux, and was +after the frigates; so the attempt to relieve Malta has failed. + +I have had a letter from the Emperor of Russia, with the Cross of +Malta. Sir William has sent his Imperial Majesty's letter to Lord +Grenville, to get me the permission to wear it. I have rendered some +services to the poor Maltese. I got them ten thousand pounds, and sent +corn when they were in distress. The deputies have been lodged in my +house; I have been their Ambassadress, so his [I.]M. has rewarded me. +If the King will give me leave to wear it abroad, it is of use to me. +The Q----n is having the order set in diamonds for me; but the one the +Emperor sent is gold. I tell you this little history of it, that you +may be _au fait_. Ball has it also, but I am the first Englishwoman +that ever had it. Sir W. is pleased, so _I am happy_. We are coming +home; and I am miserable, to leave my dearest friend, the Q----. She +cannot be consoled. We have sworn to be back in six months; and I will +not quit her, till Sir William binds himself to come back. However, +I shall have a comfort in seeing some of my old friends; and you, in +particular. We have also many things to settle. I think, I can situate +the person you mention about the Court, as a _Camerist_ to some of the +R. F----y, if her education _is good_. + +It is a comfortable situation _for life_; so, I will bring her out. +The Q. has promised me. Let this remain _entre nous_. + + + + +II. + + + [April 1803.] + +Lady Hamilton will be glad to know how long Mr. Greville can permit +her to remain in the house in Piccadilly, as she must instantly look +out for a lodging; and, therefore, it is right for her to know the +full extent of time she can remain there. She also begs to know, if he +will pay her debts, and what she may depend upon; that she may reduce +her expences and establishment immediately. + + +END OF VOL. I. + +Printed by Macdonald and Son, Cloth Fair, London. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady +Hamilton, Vol. I., by Horatio Nelson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + +***** This file should be named 15469-8.txt or 15469-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/6/15469/ + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, Stephen 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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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. I. + With A Supplement Of Interesting Letters By Distinguished Characters + +Author: Horatio Nelson + +Release Date: March 26, 2005 [EBook #15469] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, Stephen 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. I. + + * * * * * + + London: + + Printed by Macdonald and Son, Smithfield, + FOR THOMAS LOVEWELL & CO. STAINES HOUSE, + BARBICAN; + + AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. + + 1814. + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +In presenting to the Public the Letters of LORD NELSON to LADY +HAMILTON, something may justly be expected elucidatory of them. + +Their mutual attachment is so generally known, that for the Editors +to have given notes, however desirable and explanatory, might not, +perhaps, have been deemed perfectly decorous. + +They now stand on their own real merits. Some parts (though not very +numerous) have been suppressed, from the most honourable _feelings to +individuals_, as they would certainly have given pain. + +That portion of Letters now offered to the BRITISH NATION, written +by the first of her _Naval Commanders_, will shew his most private +sentiments of _men_ and _measures_, of _countries_ and their _rulers_. + +It is the duty of the Editors to state, that every letter has +been most accurately transcribed, and faithfully compared with the +_originals in their possession_. + +Should our IMMORTAL HERO have expressed an erroneous opinion of some +individuals and of things, let us ever remember, they were written +(_often under the feelings of sickness and of disappointment_) by +him who so repeatedly fought, and almost as frequently bled, for _our +country_--for his "DEAR ENGLAND;" and let us never forget, that to him +we owe more than to any man for our existence as a great and powerful +Nation. + +His country has truly honoured him; and it is not presumptuous in the +Editors to affirm, that his deeds will be remembered, not _only in +name_, but in _their consequences_, by our remotest posterity. + +Were we to dedicate them, unto whom should we?--To the BRITISH NAVY; +as the genuine sentiments of a _true seaman_--the _first_ even of +their own _Heroes_; for NELSON could forego all private feelings, _all +selfish motives_, for that which will ever be the first object of a +truly great and brave man--the _glory and happiness of his country_. + +Our task, which has, from various causes, been attended with more +difficulties than could be imagined, is thus far accomplished; and we +have the pleasure to inform the public, that a very large collection +of LORD NELSON'S _most important public and private correspondence_, +&c. with the most distinguished characters (_at home and abroad_) is +now in preparation for the press. Many of the documents will certainly +throw a light on political transactions at present _very imperfectly +understood_; and those which we intend to present to the world, we +doubt not, will be found more than usually interesting. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + * * * * * + +VOL. I. + + * * * * * + +LETTERS FROM LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON. + + LETTER I. Page 3 + II. 7 + III. 9 + IV. 11 + V. 13 + VI. 15 + VII. 18 + VIII. 20 + IX. 23 + X. 28 + XI. 32 + XII. 34 + XIII. 39 + XIV. 44 + XV. 48 + XVI. 53 + XVII. 58 + XVIII. 60 + XIX. 65 + XX. 69 + XXI. 74 + XXII. 77 + XXIII. 82 + XXIV. 84 + XXV. 88 + XXVI. 89 + XXVII. 91 + XXVIII. 96 + XXIX. 101 + XXX. 104 + XXXI. 108 + XXXII. 113 + XXXIII. 124 + XXXIV. 130 + XXXV. 133 + XXXVI. 135 + XXXVII. 147 + XXXVIII. 152 + XXXIX. 155 + + + + + SUPPLEMENT. + + + _Letters from Lord Nelson to Mrs. Thomson_. + + LETTER I. Page 173 + II. 175 + + + _Letters from Lady Hamilton to Lord Nelson_. + + LETTER I. Page 181 + II. 185 + + + _Letters from the Reverend Edmund Nelson, (Lord + Nelson's Father) to Lady Hamilton_. + + LETTER I. Page 189 + II. 191 + + + _Letters from the Reverend Dr. Nelson, now Earl + Nelson, to Lady Hamilton_. + + LETTER I. 195 + II. 199 + III. 202 + IV. 206 + V. 210 + VI. 213 + + + _Letters from the Earl of St. Vincent to Lady Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 217 + II. 219 + III. 222 + IV. 225 + V. 227 + + + _Letters from Sir Alexander John Ball to Lady + Hamilton._ + + LETTER I. Page 233 + II. 236 + + _Letters from the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry + in Ireland, to Lady Hamilton_. + + LETTER I. Page 241 + II. 243 + III. 245 + IV. 248 + V. 249 + VI. 250 + VII. 252 + VIII. 253 + IX. 255 + X. 257 + + + _Letter from the Honourable Charles Greville, Nephew + of Sir William Hamilton, to Lady Hamilton_. + + Page 265 + + + _Letters from Lady Hamilton to the Honourable + Charles Greville_. + + LETTER I. Page 269 + II. 273 + + + + + THE + Letters + OF + LORD NELSON + TO + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +THE Letters OF LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +LETTER I. + + + Vanguard, off Malta, + Oct. 24, 1798. + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +After a long passage, we are arrived; and it is as I suspected--the +ministers at Naples know nothing of the situation of the island. Not +a house or bastion of the town is in possession of the islanders; and +the Marquis de Niza tells me, they want arms, victuals, and support. +He does not know, that any Neapolitan officers are in the island; +perhaps, although I have their names, none are arrived; and it is very +certain, by the Marquis's account, that no supplies have been sent by +the governors of Syracuse or Messina. + +However, I shall and will know every thing as soon as the Marquis is +gone, which will be to-morrow morning. He says, he is very anxious to +serve under my command; and, by his changing his ship, it appears +as if he was so: however, I understand the trim of our English ships +better. + +Ball will have the management of the blockade after my departure; as, +it seems, the Court of Naples think my presence may be necessary, and +useful, in the beginning of November. + +I hope it will prove so; but, I feel, my duty lays at present in the +East; for, until I know the shipping in Egypt are destroyed, I shall +never consider the French army as completely sure of never returning +to Europe. + +However, all my views are to serve and save the Two Sicilies; and +to do that which their Majesties may wish me, even against my own +opinion, when I come to Naples, and that country is at war. I shall +wish to have a meeting with General Acton on this subject. + +You will, I am sure, do me justice with the Queen; for, I declare to +God, my whole study is, how to best meet her approbation. + +May God bless you and Sir William! and ever believe me, with the most +affectionate regard, your obliged and faithful friend, + + HORATIO NELSON. + +I may possibly, but that is not certain, send in the inclosed letter. +Shew it to Sir William. This must depend on what I hear _and see_; for +I believe scarcely any thing I hear. + +Once more, God bless you! + + + + +LETTER II. + + + [May 12, 1799.] + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter. Nobody writes so +well: therefore, pray, say not you write ill; for, if you do, I will +say--what your goodness sometimes told me--"You l--e!" I can read, and +perfectly understand, every word you write. + +We drank your and Sir William's health. Troubridge, Louis, Hallowell, +and the new Portuguese Captain, dined here. I shall soon be at +Palermo; for this business must very soon be settled. + +No one, believe me, is more sensible of your regard, than your obliged +and grateful + + NELSON. + +I am pleased with little Mary; kiss her for me. I thank all the house +for their regard. God bless you all! + +I shall send on shore, if fine, to-morrow; for the feluccas are going +to leave us, and I am sea-sick. + +I have got the piece of wood for the tea-chest; it shall soon be sent. + +Pray, present my humble duty and gratitude to the Queen, for all +her marks of regard; and assure her, it is not thrown away on an +ungrateful soil. + + + + +LETTER III. + + + Vanguard, May 19, 1799, + Eight o'Clock. Calm. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Lieutenant Swiney coming on board, enables me to send some blank +passports for vessels going to Procida with corn, &c. and also one for +the courier boat. + +To tell you, how dreary and uncomfortable the Vanguard appears, is +only telling you, what it is to go from the pleasantest society to a +solitary cell; or, from the dearest friends, to no friends. I am now +perfectly the _great man_--not a creature near me. From my heart, I +wish myself the little man again! + +You, and good Sir William, have spoiled me for any place but with you. +I love Mrs. Cadogan. You cannot conceive what I feel, when I call you +all to my remembrance. Even to Mira, do not forget your faithful and +affectionate + + NELSON. + + + + +LETTER IV. + + + May 20, 1799. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Many thanks to you and Sir William for your kind notes. You will +believe I did not sleep much, with all my letters to read, &c. &c. + +My letters from Lord St. Vincent are May 6th. He says--"We saw the +Brest squadron pass us yesterday, under an easy sail. I am making +every effort to get information to Lord Keith; who I have ordered +here, to complete their water and provisions. I conjecture, the French +squadron is bound for Malta and Alexandria, and the Spanish fleet for +the attack of Minorca." + +I must leave you to judge, whether the Earl will come to us. I think +he will: but, _entre nous_, Mr. Duckworth means to leave me to my +fate. I send you (_under all circumstances_) his letter. Never mind; +if I can get my eleven sail together, they shall not hurt me. + +God bless you, Sir William, and all our joint friends in your house; +Noble, Gibbs, &c. and believe me ever, for ever, your affectionate +friend, + + NELSON. + + + + +LETTER V. + + + February 3, 1800. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Having a Commander in Chief, I cannot come on shore till I have made +_my manners_ to him. Times are changed; but, if he does not come on +shore directly, I will not wait. + +In the mean time, I send Allen to inquire how you are. Send me word, +for I am anxious to hear of you. It has been no fault of mine, that I +have been so long absent. I cannot command; and, now, only obey. + +Mr. Tyson, and the Consul, have not been able to find out the +betrothed wife of the Priore; although they were three days in their +inquiries, and desired the Neapolitan Consul to send to Pisa. I also +desired the Russian Admiral, as he was going to Pisa, to inquire if +the Countess Pouschkin had any letters to send to Palermo; but, as I +received none, I take for granted she had none to send. + +May God bless you, my dear Lady; and be assured, I ever am, and shall +be, your obliged and affectionate + + BRONTE NELSON. + + + + +LETTER VI. + + + Off La Valette, Feb. 20, 1800. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Had you seen the Peer receive me, I know not what you would have done; +but, I can guess. But never mind! I told him, that I had made a vow, +if I took the Genereux by myself, it was my intention to strike my +flag. To which he made no answer. + +If I am well enough, I intend to write a letter to Prince Leopold, and +to send him the French Admiral's flag; which I hope you will approve +of, as it was taken on the coast of his father's kingdom, and by as +faithful a subject as any in his dominions. + +I have had no communication with the shore; therefore, have seen +neither Ball, Troubridge, or Graham: nor with the Lion; when I have, +I shall not forget all your messages, and little Jack. I only want to +know your wishes, that I may, at least, appear grateful, by attending +to them. + +My head aches dreadfully, and I have none here to give me a moment's +comfort. + +I send the packet to General Acton; as I think it may go quicker, and +he will be flattered by presenting the flag and letter to the Prince. + +Malta, I think, will fall very soon, if these other corvettes do not +get in. + +Pray, make my best regards acceptable to Mrs. Cadogan, Miss Knight, +little Mary Re Giovanni, Gibbs, &c. &c. and ever believe me your truly +faithful and affectionate + + BRONTE NELSON. + + + + +LETTER VII. + + + June 16, [1800.] Seven o'Clock. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +What a difference--but it was to be--from your house to a boat! + +Fresh breeze of wind, the ship four or five leagues from the mole; +getting on board into truly a hog-stye of a cabin, leaking like a +sieve, consequently floating with water. What a change! + +Not a felucca near us. I saw them come out this morning, but they +think there is too much wind and swell. + +Pray, do not keep the cutter; as I have not a thing, if any thing +important should arrive, to send you. + +Only think of Tyson's being left! + +May God bless you, my dear Lady; and believe me, ever, your truly +affectionate and sincere friend, + + NELSON. + +Lady Hamilton--Put the candlestick on _my_ writing-table. + + + + +LETTER VIII. + + + January 28, 1801. + +What a fool I was, my dear Lady Hamilton, to direct that your cheering +letters should be directed for Brixham! I feel, this day, truly +miserable, in not having them; and, I fear, they will not come till +to-morrow's post. + +What a blockhead, to believe any person is so active as myself! I +have this day got my orders, to put myself under Lord St. Vincent's +command: but, as no order is arrived to man the ship, it must be +Friday night, or Saturday morning, before she can sail for Torbay. +Direct my letters, now, to Brixham. + +My eye is very bad. I have had the physician of the fleet to examine +it. + +He has directed me not to write, (and yet I am forced, this day, +to write Lord Spencer, St. Vincent, Davison about my law-suit, +Troubridge, Mr. Locker, &c. but you are the only female I write to;) +not to eat any thing but the most simple food; not to touch wine or +porter; to sit in a dark room; to have green shades for my eyes--(will +you, my dear friend, make me one or two? Nobody else shall;)--and to +bathe them in cold water every hour. I fear, it is the writing has +brought on this complaint. My eye is like blood; and the film so +extended, that I only see from the corner farthest from my nose. What +a fuss about my complaints! But, being so far from my sincere friends, +I have leisure to brood over them. + +I have this moment seen Mrs. Thomson's friend. Poor fellow! he seems +very uneasy and melancholy. He begs you to be kind to her; and I have +assured him of your readiness to relieve the dear good woman: and +believe me, for ever, my dear Lady, your faithful, attached, and +affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I will try and write the Duke a line. My brother intended to have gone +off to-morrow afternoon; but this half order may stop him. + + + + +LETTER IX. + + + San Josef, February 8th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LADY, + +Mr. Davison demands the privilege of carrying back an answer to your +kind letter; and, I am sure, he will be very punctual in the delivery. + +I am not in very good spirits; and, except that our country demands +all our services and abilities, to bring about an honourable peace, +nothing should prevent my being the bearer of my own letter. But, my +dear friend, I know you are so true and loyal an Englishwoman, that +you would hate those who would not stand forth in defence of our King, +laws, religion, and all that is dear to us. + +It is your sex that make us go forth; and seem to tell us--"None but +the brave deserve the fair!" and, if we fall, we still live in the +hearts of those females. You are dear to us. It is your sex that +rewards us; it is your sex who cherish our memories; and you, my dear, +honoured friend, are, believe me, the _first_, the best, of your sex. + +I have been the world around, and in every corner of it, and never yet +saw your equal, or even one which could be put in comparison with you. +You know how to reward virtue, honour, and courage; and never to ask +if it is placed in a Prince, Duke, Lord, or Peasant: and I hope, one +day, to see you, in peace, before I set out for Bronte, which I am +resolved to do. + +Darby's is one of the ships sent out after the French squadron; I +shall, therefore, give the print to Hardy. I think, they might come by +the mail-coach, as a parcel, wrapped up round a stick; any print shop +will give you one: and direct it as my letters. The coach stops, for +parcels, at the White Bear, I believe, Piccadilly. + +Pray, have you got any picture from Mrs. Head's? I hope, Mr. Brydon +has executed the frames to your satisfaction; the bill, he is directed +to send to me. + +Only tell me, how I can be useful to you and Sir William; and believe, +nothing could give me more pleasure: being, with the greatest truth, +my dear Lady, your most obliged and affectionate friend, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I am told, the moment St. George arrives, that I am to be tumbled out +of this ship; as the Ville de Paris is going to Plymouth, to be paid, +and the Earl will hoist his flag here: and if I am as fortunate in +getting a fresh-painted cabin, (which is probable) I shall be knocked +up. At all events, I shall be made very uncomfortable by this hurry. + +It has been very good, and friendly, of Mr. Davison, to travel upwards +of two hundred miles, to make me a visit. + +I rather think, the great Earl will not much like his not having +called on him; but his manner of speaking of Mr. Davison, for his +friendship to me, in the matter of the law-suit, Lord St. Vincent +states to my solicitors as offensive to him. Why should it? only that +Mr. Davison wishes that I should have justice done me, and not to be +overpowered by weight of interest and money. + +Once more, God bless you and Sir William. + + N. & B. + +Sir Isaac Heard has gazetted Troubridge's, Hood, &c.'s honours; but +has not gazetted mine: and he has the King's orders for mine as much +as the others. + + + + +LETTER X. + + + No 2. San Josef, February 16th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Your letters have made me happy, to-day; and never again will I scold, +unless you begin. Therefore, pray, never do; My confidence in you is +firm as a rock. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + +I cannot imagine, who can have stopped my Sunday's letter! That it has +been, is clear: and the seal of the other has been clearly opened; but +this might have happened from letters sticking together. + +Your's all came safe; but the numbering of them will point out, +directly, if one is missing. I do not think, that any thing very +particular was in that letter which is lost. + +Believe me, my dear friend, that Lady A. is as damned a w---- as ever +lived, and Mrs. W---- is a bawd! Mrs. U---- a foolish pimp; eat up +with pride, that a P---- will condescend to put her to expence. Only +do as I do; and all will be well, and you will be every thing I wish. + +I thank you for your kindness to poor dear Mrs. Thomson. I send her a +note; as desired by her dear good friend, who doats on her. + +I send you a few Lines, wrote in the late gale; which, I think, you +will not disapprove. + +How interesting your letters are! You cannot write too much, or be too +particular. + + * * * * * + + Though ----'s polish'd verse superior shine, + Though sensibility grace every line; + Though her soft Muse be far above all praise. + And female tenderness inspire her lays: + + Deign to receive, though unadorn'd + By the poetic art, + The rude expressions which bespeak + A Sailor's untaught heart! + + A heart _susceptible_, sincere, and true; + A heart, by fate, and nature, torn in two: + One half, to duty and his country due; + The other, _better half_, to love and you! + + Sooner shall Britain's sons resign + The empire of the sea; + Than Henry shall renounce his faith, + AND PLIGHTED VOWS, TO THEE! + + And waves on wares shall cease to roll, + And tides forget to flow; + Ere thy true Henry's constant love, + Or ebb, or change, shall know. + +The weather, thank God, is moderating. + +I have just got a letter from the new Earl at the Admiralty, full of +compliments. But nothing shall stop my law-suit, and I hope to cast +him. + +I trust, when I get to Spithead, there will be no difficulty in +getting leave of absence. + +The letters on service are so numerous, from three days interruption +of the post, that I must conclude with assuring you, that I am, for +ever, your attached, and unalterably your's, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I shall begin a letter at night. + + + + +LETTER XI. + + + [March 1801.] + +You say, my Dearest Friend, why don't I put my Chief forward? He has +put me in the front of the battle, and Nelson will be first. I could +say more; but will not make you uneasy, knowing the firm friendship +you have for me. + +The St. George will stamp an additional ray of glory to England's +fame, if Nelson survives; and that Almighty Providence, who has +hitherto protected me in all dangers, and covered my head in the day +of battle, will still, if it be his pleasure, support and assist me. + +Keep me alive, in your and Sir William's remembrance. My last thoughts +will be with you both, for you love and esteem me. I judge your hearts +by my own. + +May the Great God of Heaven protect and bless you and him! is the +fervent prayer of your and Sir William's unalterable friend, till +death. + + + + +LETTER XII. + + + Friday Night, Nine o'Clock. + St. George. [March 1801.] + +Having, my truly Dearest Friend, got through a great deal of business, +I am enabled to do justice to my private feelings; which are fixed, +ever, on you, and about you, whenever the public service does not +arrest my attention. + +I have read all, all, your kind and affectionate letters: and have +read them frequently over; and committed them to the flames, much +against my inclination. There was one I rejoiced not to have read at +the time. It was, where you consented to dine and sing with * * * *. +Thank God, it was not so! I could not have borne it; and, now, less +than ever. But, I now know, he never can dine with you; for, you would +go out of the house sooner than suffer it: and, as to letting him hear +you sing, I only hope he will be struck deaf, and you dumb, sooner +than such a thing should happen! But, I know, it never now can. + +You cannot think how my feelings are alive towards you; probably, +more than ever: and they never can be diminished. My hearty endeavours +shall not be wanting, to improve and to give US NEW ties of regard and +affection. + +I have seen, and talked much with, Mrs. Thomson's friend. The fellow +seems to eat all my words, when I talk of her and his child! He says, +he never can forget your goodness and kind affection to her and his +dear, dear child. I have had, you know, the felicity of seeing it, and +a finer child never was produced by any two persons. It was, in truth, +a love-begotten child! I am determined to keep him on board; for, I +know, if they got together, they would soon have another. But, after +our two months trip, I hope, they will never be separated; and, then, +let them do as they please. + +We are all bustle and activity. I shall sail, on Monday, after your +letter arrives. Troubridge will send it, as an Admiralty letter. On +Tuesday I shall be in the Downs, if we have any wind; and Troubridge +will send, under cover to Admiral Lutwidge. + +It is not my intention to set my foot out of the ship, except to make +my take-leave bow to Admiral Milbank. I have been much pressed to dine +ashore: but, no; never, if I can help it, till I dine with you. + + Eleven o'Clock. + +Your dear letters just come on board. They are sympathetic with my own +feelings; and, I trust, we shall soon meet, to part no more! + +Monday, I shall be here for letters; Tuesday, at Deal. Recollect, +I am, for ever, your's; aye, for ever, while life remains, your's, +your's faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I charge my only friend to keep well, and think of her Nelson's glory. + +I have written to Lord Eldon, the Chancellor, as my brother desired. + +Pray, as you are going to buy a ticket for the Pigot diamond--buy the +right number, or it will be money thrown away. + +For ever, ever, your's, only your's. + +Kindest regards to my dear Mrs. Thomson, and my God Child. + + + + +LETTER XIII. + + + Deal--[Shall be on board the Medusa + before this letter go from the Downs]--July + 31, 1801. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Did not you get my letter from Sheerness on Thursday morning, telling +you I was just setting off for Deal; as I have no letter from you of +yesterday, only those of Wednesday, which went to Sheerness? It has +been my damned blunder, and not your's; for which I am deservedly +punished, by missing one of your dear letters. They are my comfort, +joy, and delight. + +My time is, truly, fully taken up, and my hand aches before night +comes. + +I got to bed, last night, at half past nine; but the hour was so +unusual, that I heard the clock strike one. To say that I thought of +you, would be nonsense; for, you are never out of my thoughts. + +At this moment, I see no prospect of my getting to London; but, very +soon, the business of my command will become so simple, that a child +may direct it. + +What rascals your post-chaise people must be! They have been paid +every thing. Captain Parker has one receipt for seven pounds odd, and +I am sure that every thing is paid; therefore, do not pay a farthing. +The cart-chaise I paid at Dartford. + +You need not fear all the women in this world; for all others, except +yourself, are pests to me. I know but one; for, who can be like my +Emma? I am confident, you will do nothing which can hurt my feelings; +and I will die by torture, sooner than do any thing which could offend +you. + +Give ten thousand kisses to my dear Horatia. + +Yesterday, the subject turned on the cow-pox. A gentleman declared, +that his child was inoculated with the cow-pox; and afterwards +remained in a house where a child had the small-pox the natural way, +and did _not_ catch it. Therefore, here was a full trial with the +cow-pox. The child is only feverish for two days; and only a slight +inflammation of the arm takes place, instead of being all over +_scabs_. But, do you what you please! + +I did not get your newspapers; therefore, do not know what promise you +allude to: but this I know, I have _none_ made me. + +The extension of the patent of peerage is going on; but the wording of +my brother's note, they have wrote for a meaning to. The patent must +be a new creation. First, to my father, if he outlives me; then to +William, and his sons; then to Mrs. Bolton, and her sons; and Mrs. +Matcham, and her's. Farther than that, I care not; it is far enough. +But it may never get to any of them; for the old patent may extend +by issue male of my own carcase: I am not so very old; and may marry +again, a wife more suitable to my genius. + +I like the Morning Chronicle. + +Ever, for ever, your's, only your, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Best regards to Mrs. Nelson, the Duke, and Lord William. + +I have totally failed for poor Madame Brueys. + +Bonaparte's wife is one of Martinique, and some plan is supposed to be +carried on. + + + + +LETTER XIV. + + + Sheerness, August 11th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I came from Harwich yesterday noon; not having set my foot on shore, +although the Volunteers, &c. were drawn up to receive me, and the +people ready to draw the carriage. + +Parker had very near got all the honours; but I want none, but what +my dear Emma confers. You have sense to discriminate whether they are +deserved or no. + +I came on shore; for my business lays with the Admiral, who lives in +a ship hauled on shore, and the Commisioner. Slept at Coffin's: and, +having done all that I can, am off for the Downs; to-day, if possible. + +As far as September 14th, I am at the Admiralty's disposal; but, if +Mr. Buonaparte do not chuse to send his miscreants before that time, +my health will not bear me through equinoctial gales. + +I wish that Sir William was returned; I would try and persuade him +to come to either Deal, Dover, or Margate: for, thus cut off from the +society of my dearest friends, 'tis but a life of sorrow and sadness. +But, _patienza per forza_! + +I hope you will get the house. If I buy, no person can say--this +shall, or not, be altered; and, you shall have the whole arrangement. + +Remember me most kindly to Mrs. Nelson, the Duke, and Lord William. +Write to me in the Downs. + +May the Heavens bless and preserve you, for ever and ever! is the +constant prayer of, my dear Emma, your most affectionate and faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +The Mayor and Corporation of Sandwich, when they came on board to +present me the freedom of that ancient town, requested me [to] dine +with them. I put them off for the moment, but they would not be let +off. Therefore, this business, _dreadful_ to me, stands over, and I +shall be attacked again when I get to the Downs. But I will not dine +there, without you say, approve; nor, perhaps, then, if I can get off. +Oh! how I hate to be stared at. + + + + +LETTER XV. + + + Deal, August 18th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your dear, good, kind, and most affectionate letters, from Saturday to +last night, are arrived, and I feel all you say; and may Heaven bless +me, very soon, with a sight of your dear angelic face. You are a +nonpareil! No, not one fit to wipe your shoes. I am, ever have been, +and always will remain, your most firm, fixed, and unalterable friend. + +I wish Sir William had come home a week ago, then I should have seen +you here. + +I have this morning been attending the funeral of two young Mids: a +Mr. Gore, cousin of Capt. Gore, and a Mr. Bristow. One nineteen, the +other seventeen years of age. + +Last night, I was all the evening in the Hospital, seeing that all was +done for the comfort of the poor fellows. + +I am going on board; for nothing should keep me living on shore, +without you were here. I shall come in the morning, to see Parker, and +go on board again directly. + +I shall be glad to see Oliver: I hope he will keep his tongue quiet, +about the tea-kettle; for, I shall not give it till I leave the +Medusa. + +You ask me, what Troubridge wrote me? There was not a syllable about +you in it. It was about my not coming to London; at the importance of +which, I laughed: and, then, he said, he should never venture another +opinion. On which, I said--"Then, I shall never give you one." This +day, he has wrote a kind letter, and all is over. + +I have, however, wrote him, in my letter of this day, as +follows--_viz._ "_And I am, this moment, as firmly of opinion as ever, +that Lord St. Vincent, and yourself, should have allowed of my coming +to town, for my own affairs; for, every one knows, I left it without a +thought for myself_." + +I know, he likes to be with you: but, shall he have that felicity, and +_he_ deprive me of it? No; that he shall not! + +But this business cannot last long, and I hope we shall have peace; +and, I rather incline to that opinion. But the Devil should not get me +out of the kingdom, without being some days with you. + +I hope, my dear Emma, you will be able to find a house suited for my +comfort. I am sure of being HAPPY, by your arrangements. + +I have wrote a line to Troubridge, about Darby. + +Parker will write you a line of thanks, if he is able. I trust in God, +he will yet do well! + +You ask me, my dear friend, if I am going on more expeditions? And, +even if I was to forfeit your friendship, which is dearer to me than +all the world, I can tell you nothing. + +For, I go out; [if] I see the enemy, and can get at them, it is my +duty: and you would naturally hate me, if I kept back one moment. + +I long to pay them, for their tricks t'other day, the debt of a +drubbing, which, surely, I'll pay: but _when, where, or how_, it is +impossible, your own good sense must tell you, for me or mortal man to +say. + +I shall act not in a rash or hasty manner; that you may rely, and on +which I give you my word of honour. + +Just going off. Ever, for ever, your faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Every kind thing to Mrs. Nelson. + + + + +LETTER XVI. + + + Medusa, Downs, August 31st, 1801. + +MY DEAR EMMA! DEAREST, BEST, FRIEND OF NELSON, + +Sir William is arrived, and well; remember me kindly to him. I should +have had the pleasure of seeing him, but for _one of my lords and +masters_, TROUBRIDGE; therefore, I am sure, neither you or Sir William +will feel obliged to him. + +The weather is very bad, and I am very sea-sick. I cannot answer +your letter, probably; but I am writing a line, to get on shore, if +possible: indeed, I hardly expect that your letter can get afloat. + +I entreat you, my dear friend, to work hard for me, and get the +house and furniture; and I will be so happy to lend it to you and Sir +William! + +Therefore, if you was to take the Duke's house, _a cake house_, open +to every body he pleases, you had better have a booth at once; you +never could rest one moment quiet. Why did not the Duke assist Sir +William, when he wanted his assistance? why not have saved you from +the distress, which Sir William must every day feel, in knowing that +his excellent wife sold her jewels to get a house for him; whilst his +own relations, great as they are in the foolish world's eye, would +have left a man of his respectability and age, to have lodged in the +streets. Did the Duke, or any of them, give him a house _then_? + +Forgive me! you know if any thing sticks in my throat, it must out. +Sir William owes his life to you; which, I believe, he will never +forget. + +To return to the house--The furniture must be bought with it; and the +sooner it is done, the better I shall like it. + +Oh! how bad the weather is! + +The devils, here, wanted to plague my soul out, yesterday, just after +dinner; but I would have seen them damned, before they should have +come in. The Countess Montmorris, Lady this, that, and t'other, came +along-side, a Mr. Lubbock with them--to desire they might come in. I +sent word, I was so busy that no persons could be admitted, as my time +was employed in the King's service. Then they sent their names, which +I cared not for: and sent Captain Gore, to say it was impossible; +and that, if they wanted to see a ship, they had better go to the +Overyssel (a sixty-four in the Downs.) They said, no; they wanted +to see me. However, I was stout, and will not be shewn about like a +_beast_! and away they went. + +I believe, Captain Gore wishes me out of his ship; for the _ladies_ +admire him, I am told, very much: but, however, no Captain could be +kinder to me than he is. These ladies, he told me afterwards, were his +relations. + +I have just got your letters; many thanks, for them! You do not say, +in the end, Sir William is arrived. + +I am glad, that you approve. You may rely, my dear friend, that I will +not run any unnecessary risk! No more boat work, I promise you; but, +ever, your attached and faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +To the Duke, and Lord William, say every thing which is kind; and to +Mrs. Nelson. + +I am so dreadfully sea-sick, that I cannot hold up my head! + + + + +LETTER XVII. + + + September 21st, [1801.] + Quarter past Ten o'Clock. + +MY DEAR EMMA, + +I wish you would send the letter to Mrs. Dod's, directly; for, +otherwise, he may, inadvertently. + +If done, and it comes to London, deliver some of the things. The +wardrobe is her's; and if any of her clothes are at Mr. Dod's, they +had better be separated from mine--and, indeed, what things are worth +removing--to have them directly sent to Merton. A bed, or two, I +believe, belong to my father; but, am not sure. + +I send you Dr. Baird's comfortable note, this moment received. + +You will [find] Parker is treated like an infant. Poor fellow! I +trust, he will get well, and take possession of his room at the farm. + +Ever your affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XVIII. + + + Amazon, September 26, 1801. + Eight o'Clock. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your kind letters came on board about six o'clock. + +You may rely upon one thing, that I shall like Merton; therefore, do +not be uneasy on that account. I have that opinion of your taste and +judgment, that I do not believe it can fail in pleasing me. We must +only consider our means; and, for the rest, I am sure, you will soon +make it the prettiest place in the world. + +I dare say, Mr. Hazelwood acted, like all lawyers, whose only +consideration was for their client: but, I am sure, you will do, for +me, all the civil things towards Mrs. Greaves. + +If I can afford to buy the Duck Close, and the field adjoining, it +would be pleasant; but, I fear, it is not in my power: but, I shall +know, when my accounts are settled, at New Year's Day. + +To be sure, we shall employ the trades-people of our village, in +preference to any others, in what we want for common use, and give +them every encouragement to be kind and attentive to us. + +From my heart, do I wish that I was with you: and it cannot be long; +for, to-day, I am far from well; violent head ache, and very cold; +but, it may be agitation. + +Whatever, my dear Emma, you do for my little charge, I must be pleased +with. Probably, she will be lodged at Merton; at least, in the spring, +when she can have the benefit of our walks. It will make the poor +mother happy, I am sure. + +I do not write to her to-day, as this goes through the Admiralty; but, +tell her all I would say. You know my unchangeable thoughts about her. + +I shall have the child christened, when I come up. + +Have we a nice church at Merton? We will set an example of goodness to +the under-parishioners. + +Would to God, I was with you at Laleham. I shall never forget our +happiness at that place. + +Mr. Davison will pay Mrs. Nelson fifty pounds, October 1st. I dare +say, Mr. Shakespeare has some orders about it. + +I had, yesterday, a letter from my father; he seems to think, that he +may do something which I shall not like. I suppose, he means, going to +Somerset Street. + +Shall I, to an old man, enter upon the detestable subject; it may +shorten his days. But, I think, I shall tell him, that I cannot go to +Somerset Street, to see him. But, I shall not write till I hear your +opinion. + +If I once begin, you know, it will _all out_, about her, and her +ill-treatment to her son. But, you shall decide. + +Our accounts of dear Parker, I fear, preclude all hopes of his +recovery. + +It was my intention to have gone ashore this morning, to have called +on Admiral Lutwidge: but, the wind's coming fresh from the S.W. I have +declined it; for, I doubt, if I could get off again. + +At ten o'clock, with your letters, came off Dr. Baird's note, to say +every hope was gone! I have desired, that his death should be sent, +by telegraph, to the Admiralty. They will, surely, honour his memory, +although they would not promote him. + +What are our feelings, my dear Emma! but, we must cheer up: and, with +best regards to Mrs. Nelson, believe me ever, for ever, your most +affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Best regards to Sir William. + +I send you the last report. Who knows! + + + + +LETTER XIX. + + + Amazon, October 8, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +I do not expect, although I am writing, that any boat can communicate +with us to-day. + +What can be the use of keeping me here? for, I can know nothing such +weather; and, what a change since yesterday! It came on, in one hour, +from the water like a mill-head, to such a sea as to make me very +unwell. If I had gone to make my visit, I could not have got off +again. I rejoice that I did not go. + +Until I leave the station, I have no desire to go on shore; for, Deal +was always my abhorrence. + +That Parker is a swindler. Langford owed our dear Parker twenty-five +pounds, of which there was no account; but Langford desired his agents +to pay Mr. Parker. Langford requested, that he would wait two or three +months, as it would be more convenient to him. To which the other +agreed--"Aye, as long as you please." He got one pound eleven +shillings and sixpence from Samuel, by casting his account wrong. The +first thing he does, is to desire Langford's agents to pay thirty-four +pounds for Langford, nine pounds more than the debt. He is worse than +a public thief. His conduct to me was, absolutely, the worst species +of thieving; for, it was under false pretences. He sent Dr. Baird on +board, to me, to say that, in London, his pocket book was stole, in +which was twenty pounds; and begged my assistance to get him home; and +that he had not a farthing to buy mourning for his dear son. At this +time, he had forty-seven pounds in his pocket, besides what he had +sold of his son's. He has behaved so unlike a gentleman, but very like +a blackguard, to both Captain Sutton, Bedford, and Hardy, I am +now clear that he never lost one farthing, and that the whole is +a swindling trick. So, you see, my dear friend, how good-nature is +imposed upon. I am so vexed, that he should have belonged to our dear +Parker! + +I have now done with the wretch, for ever. I hope he has got nothing +from you; and, if you have promised him any thing, _do not send it_. + + Ten o'Clock. + +Your kind letters are arrived. I rejoice that you have got into +Merton. I hope to get the letter on shore; but, it is very uncertain. + +Ministry, my dearest friend, think very differently of my services +from you! But, never mind; I shall soon have done with them afloat. + +Make my kindest regards to Sir William, and all our friends; and +believe me, ever, your faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I have just got a very kind letter from Captain Read. He says, he +will come and see me, be where it will. He inquired after you and Sir +William. + + + + +LETTER XX. + + + Amazon, Ten o'Clock, + October 12, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +This being a very fine morning, and smooth beach, at eight o'clock, +I went with Sutton and Bedford, and landed at Walmer; but found Billy +fast asleep: so, left my card; walked the same road that we came, when +the carriage could not come with us that night; and all rushed into +my mind, and brought tears into my eyes. Ah! how different to walking +with such a friend as you, Sir William, and Mrs. Nelson. + +Called at the barracks, on Lord George; but, he is gone to London. + +From thence to the Admiral's, found him up; and, waiting half an hour +to see Mrs. Lutwidge, who entreated me to stay dinner, came directly +on board. + +I did not even call to see poor Langford; who has been worse these few +days past, and God knows when he will be well. I am afraid it will be +a long time; for several pieces of bone are lately come away, and more +to come. + +But Troubridge has so completely prevented my ever mentioning any +body's service, that I am become a cypher, and he has gained a victory +over Nelson's spirit. I am kept here; for what, he may be able to +tell, I cannot: but long it cannot, shall not, be. + +Sutton and Bedford are gone a tour, till dinner time: but nothing +shall make me, but almost force, go out of the ship again, till I have +done; and the Admiralty, in charity, will be pleased to release me. + +I am, in truth, not over well. I have a complaint in my stomach +and bowels, but it will go off. If you was here, I should have some +rhubarb; but, as you are not, I shall go without. + +Sutton has sent into Yorkshire, for a cow that, in the spring, will +give fourteen pounds of butter a week; and, he has given Allen the +finest goat I ever saw. The latter, I am afraid, will be troublesome. + +Just as I was coming off, I received your packet; and thank you, from +my heart, for all your kindness. + +What can Reverend Sir want to be made a Doctor for? He will be laughed +at, for his pains! + +I thank you for the King's letters, I shall write a kind line to +Castelcicala, and answer the King's, very soon: and, write to Acton; +for he can make Bronte every thing to me, if he pleases. I dare say, +I did wrong, never to write him; but, as he treated Sir William +unkindly, I never could bring myself to it. + +I am glad the Duke has been to see you; and taking plants from him, is +nothing. Make my kindest remembrances to him. + +I would have every body like your choice; for, I am sure, you have as +fine a taste in laying out land, as you have in music. I'll be damned, +if Mrs. Billington can sing so well as you. She may have stage trick, +but you have pure nature. + +I always say every thing, for you and Sir William. I wish you had +translated the King's and Acton's letters, Banti cannot. + +I may be able to dispose of Charles, but not of the other, and he +would corrupt Charles. + +For ever yours, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Mrs. Lutwidge inquires always particularly after you. We all laugh, +and say she is more fond of soldiers than ever, since General Don has +shewn her how he would keep off the French! + + + + +LETTER XXI. + + + Amazon, October 15th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +I have received all your letters of yesterday, and the one sent from +the post at Merton; and, also, one mis-sent to Poole: but I do not +write direct to Merton, till I hear that mine to Sir William, sent +yesterday, gets to you before those by London. + +The Admiralty will not give me leave, till the 22d; and, then, only +ten days. What a set of beasts! + +My cold is now got into my head; and I have such dreadful pain in my +teeth, that I cannot hold up my head: but none of them cares a damn +for me or my sufferings; therefore, you see, I cannot discharge my +steward. + +And yet, I think, upon consideration, that I will send up all my +things, and take my chance as to their sending me down again. What +do you think? At all events, every thing except my bed. I have +table-spoons, forks, every thing; at least, I shall have, soon, two +hundred pounds worth. + +What a b---- that Miss Knight is! As to the other, I care not what she +says. + +My poor dear father is wrong. But more of this, when we meet: which +will be Friday, the 23d, at farthest; if possible, the 22d. But, the +Admiralty are hard upon me. + +I am sorry to hear, that you have been ill: and my cold is so +dreadfully bad, that I cannot hold up my head; and am so damned stupid +that you must, my dear friend, forgive my letter. + +Admiral Lutwidge is going to Portsmouth. Sir William Parker is going +to be tried, for something. + +Make my kindest respects to Sir William; and believe me, ever, your's +most faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I have wrote a line to Merton. + +Excuse my letter. + + + + +LETTER XXII. + + + Amazon October 16th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +It being a very fine morning, and the beach smooth, I went to call on +Admiral Lutwidge, and returned on board before ten o'clock. + +Mrs. Lutwidge is delighted with your present. Sutton, &c. were called +forth to admire it. She joins in abusing the Admiralty. She pressed me +very much to dine with them at three o'clock; but, I told her I would +not dine with the angel Gabriel, to be dragged through a night surf! + +Her answer was, that she hoped soon I should dine with an angel, for +she was sure you was one. In short, she adores you; but, who does not? +You are so good, so kind, to every body; old, young, rich, or poor, it +is the same thing! + +I called on poor Langford; who has a long time to look forward to, for +getting well; he told me your goodness, in writing him a line: and I +called upon Dr. Baird; he disapproves of rhubarb, and has prescribed +magnesia and peppermint: and I called on Mr. Lawrence. So, you see, I +did much business in one hour I was on shore. + +Civility to Lutwidge was proper for me; and, indeed, my duty. + +The moment I got your letters, off I came, and have read them with +real pleasure. They have made me much better, I think; at least, I +feel so. + +I admire the pigs and poultry. Sheep are certainly most beneficial to +eat off the grass. Do _you_ get paid for them; and take care that they +are kept on the premises all night, for that is the time they do good +to the land. They should be folded. Is your head man a good person, +and true to our interest? I intend to have a farming book. I am glad +to hear you get fish; not very good ones, I fancy. + +It is, I thank God, only six days before I shall be with you, and to +be shewn all the beauties of Merton. I shall like it, leaves or no +leaves. + +No person there can take amiss our not visiting. The answer from me +will always be very civil thanks, but that I wish to live retired. We +shall have our sea friends; and, I know, Sir William thinks they are +the best. + +I have a letter from Mr. Trevor, begging me to recommend a youngster +for him; but, none before your Charles. + +Banti, I suppose, must return; but, at present, we know not what ships +are to be kept in commission. + +I have a letter from a female relation of mine. She has had three +husbands; and he, Mr. Sherstone, three wives. Her brother, a Nelson, I +have been trying, ever since I have been in England, to get promoted. +The last and present Admiralty promised. I never saw the man; he is in +a ship in the North Seas, forty-five years of age. + +I have a letter from Troubridge, recommending me to wear flannel +shirts. Does he care for me? _No_; but, never mind. They shall work +hard, to get me back again. + +Remember me, kindly, to Sir William, the Duke, and all friends; and +believe me, ever, your most affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Do you ever see Castelcicala? He is a good man, and faithful to his +master and mistress. + + + + +LETTER XXIII. + + + Amazon, October 16th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +I send you a letter for Allen's wife; and one for Germany, which I +wish you would make Oliver put in the Foreign Post Office, and pay +what is necessary. + +I would send you the letter to which it is an answer, but it would +be over-weight. It is all compliments; and, the man says, it is all +truth. + +The wind is freshened cold, but very fine day. + +Best regards to Sir William, Mrs. Cadogan, Mr. Oliver, and all +friends. + +For ever, your's faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I have a letter from Reverend Doctor--he is as big as if he was a +Bishop; and one from the Bedel of the university, to say how well he +preached. I hope you ordered something good for him, for those big +wigs love eating and drinking. + + + + +LETTER XXIV. + + + Amazon, October 17th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Although my complaint has no danger attending it, yet it resists the +medicines which Dr. Baird has prescribed; and, I fancy, it has pulled +me down very much. + +The cold has settled in my bowels. I wish the Admiralty had my +complaint: but, they have no bowels; at least, for me. + +I had a very indifferent night, but your and Sir William's kind +letters have made me feel better. + +I send you a letter from Lord Pelham. I shall certainly attend; and +let them see, that I may be useful in council as I have been in the +field. We must submit; and, perhaps, these Admiralty do this by me, to +prevent another application. + +You may rely, that I shall be with you by dinner, on Friday; at half +past three, or four at farthest. + +I shall not dine with Pitt, as Mr. and Mrs. Long are staying there. +Not that I ever saw her in my life, nor care if I never do. + +I pray that I may not be annoyed, on my arrival: it is retirement with +my friends, that I wish for. + +Thank Sir William, kindly, for his letter; and the inclosure, which I +return. + +Sutton is much pleased with your letter; and, with Bedford, will +certainly make you a visit. They are both truly good and kind to me. + +Our weather has been cold these two days, but not bad. I have got a +fire in the cabin; and, I hope my complaint will go off. + +May Heaven bless you! + +I send this, through Troubridge, direct in Piccadilly. + +I shall, you may rely, admire the pig-stye, ducks, fowls, &c. for +every thing you do, I look upon as perfect. + +Dr. Baird has been aboard, to see me. He thinks, I shall be better; +and, that a few days on shore will set me up again. + +Make my kind remembrances to Sir William, the Duke, and all friends; +and believe me, ever, your most affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Bedford has made me laugh. Mrs. Lutwidge has been babbling, that she +will go to Portsmouth with the Admiral; who says, he shall be so fully +employed that he cannot be much with her. She whispered Bedford--"I +have many friends in the army there!" + +She will certainly marry a soldier, if ever she is disposable. But, +perhaps, you will agree with me, that no good soldier would take her. +I am sure, the purchase would be dear, even if it was a _gift_. Don't +call this a bull. + +Sutton's man was on the farm; and the sheep, when not belonging to the +farm, always paid so much sheep, so much lambs: but, I dare say, you +manage well. + +Sir William's letter has delighted me, with your activity and +prudence. + + + + +LETTER XXV. + + +The two letters would have been over-weight, so I send you the letter +I have answered. Pray, take care of it, it is a curiosity! + +Ever your faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + Amazon, 2 P.M. + +Yawkins is in great distress: his cutter paid off; and he, like many +others, very little to live upon. He begs his best respects to Sir +William. He breakfasted here this morning. + +Many very long faces at peace! + + + + +LETTER XXVI. + + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Hardy begs you will send the inclosed to Naples. + +I wish Tyson would come home; for many are pulling at him, and I want +to pay him. I will not be in his debt forty-eight hours after his +arrival. + +Hardy is just anchored, and his commodore gone on shore. + +Ever your most faithful + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Mrs. Nelson had better direct her letters to me, unless I am on the +spot. You see, you paid postage, and it lays me open to their Post +Office conversation. + + + + +LETTER XXVII. + + + Amazon, October 19th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +What a gale we have had! But Admiral Lutwidge's boat came off; and, as +your letter was wrote, it got on shore: at least, I hope so; for the +boat seemed absolutely swallowed up in the sea. None of our boats +could have kept above water a moment; therefore, I could not answer +all the truly friendly things you told me in your letters, for they +were not opened before the boat was gone. + +I am sure, you did well to send Mrs. Lutwidge a gown, and she loves +you very much, but there is no accounting for taste. She admires +entirely red coats; you, true blue. + +They dine with Billy Pitt, to-day; or, rather, with Mr. Long; for Pitt +does not keep house, in appearance, although he asked me to come and +see him: and that I shall do, out of respect to a great man, although +he never did any thing for me or my relations. I assure you, my dear +friend, that I had rather read and hear all your little story of a +white hen getting into a tree, an anecdote of Fatima, or hear you +call--"Cupidy! Cupidy!" than any speech I shall hear in parliament: +because I know, although you can adapt your language and manners to +a child, yet that you can also thunder forth such a torrent of +eloquence, that corruption and infamy would sink before your voice, in +however _exalted_ a situation it might be placed. + +Poor Oliver! what can be the matter with him? + +I must leave my cot here, till my discharge, when it shall come to the +farm, as cots are the best things in the world for our sea friends. + +Why not have the pictures from Davison's, and those from Dodd's; +especially, my father's, and Davison's? + +_A-propos_! Sir William has not sat, I fear, to Beechey. I want a +half-length, the size of my father's and Davison's. + +I wonder your pictures are not come from Hamburg! You have not lost +the directions for unfolding them; nor the measure, that I may have +frames made for them? For, up they shall go, as soon as they arrive. +What, have your picture, and not hang it up? _No_; I will submit, in +the farm, to every order but _that_. + +The weather, to-day, is tolerable; but, I do not think I could well +get on shore: but Thursday, I hope, will be a fine day. + +I shall call on Mr. Pitt, make my visit at the Hospital, and get off +very early on Friday morning. + +My cold is still very troublesome, I cannot get my bowels in order. In +the night I had not a little fever. + +But, never mind; the Admiralty will not always be there. Every one has +their day. + +God bless you, my dear friend; and believe me, ever, your's most +faithfully, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Write on Wednesday. + +Your letters of yesterday are received. Reverend Doctor would like to +be a Bishop. + +I have sent poor Thomson's letter, and the distressed Mrs. ----, to +the Earl. Kindest regards to Sir William. + + + + +LETTER XXVIII. + + + Amazon, October 20th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +How could you think, for a moment, that I would be a time-server to +any Minister on earth! And, if you had studied my letter a little +closer, you would have seen that my intention was, to shew them that I +could be as useful in the cabinet as in the field. + +My idea is, to let them see that my attendance is worth soliciting. +For myself, I can have nothing; but, for my brother, something may be +done. + +Living with Mr. Addington a good deal; never, in your sense of the +word, shall I do it. What, leave my dearest friends, to dine with a +minister? Damn me, if I do, beyond what you yourself shall judge to be +necessary! Perhaps, it may be _once_; and _once_ with the _Earl_ but +that you shall judge for me. + +If I give up all intercourse--you know enough of Courts, that they +will do nothing: make yourself of consequence to them, and they will +do what you wish, in reason; and, out of reason, I never should ask +them. + +It must be a great bore, to me, to go to the House. I shall tell Mr. +Addington, that I go on the 29th to please him, and not to please +myself; but more of this subject, when we meet. + +Dr. Baird is laid up with the rheumatism; he will now believe, that +the cold may affect me. This is the coldest place in England, most +assuredly. + +_Troubridge_ writes me that, as the weather is set in fine again, he +hopes I shall get _walks_ on shore. He is, I suppose, laughing at me; +but, never mind. + +I agree with you, in wishing Sir William had a horse. Why don't you +send to the Duke, for a poney for him. + +I am just parting with four of my ships--Captains Conn, Rowley, +Martin, and Whitter--who are proceeding to the Nore, in their way to +be paid off. + +The surf is still so great on the beach, that I could not land dry, if +it was necessary, to-day; but, I hope, it will be smooth on Thursday: +if not, I must go in a boat to Dover, and come from thence to Deal. + +Sutton says, he will get the Amazon under sail, and carry me down; +for, that I shall not take cold: Bedford goes with a squadron to +Margate; so that all our party will be broke up. I am sure, to many of +them, I feel truly obliged. + +Make my kindest respects to Sir William; and believe me, ever, your +most faithful and affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I wish Banti was separated from Charles, for he is a knowing one. I +wish I could get him with a good Captain, who would keep him strict to +his duty. + +Hardy cannot get paid a hundred pounds he advanced for Mr. Williams's +nephew. + +Many thanks for Mrs. Nelson's letters. + +The Reverend Doctor likes going about. Only think of his wanting to +come up with an address of thanks! Why, [the] King will not receive +him, although he is a Doctor; and less, for being my brother--for, +they certainly do not like me. + + + + +LETTER XXIX. + + + Amazon, October 20th, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +Only two days more, the Admiralty could, with any conscience, keep me +here; not that I think, they have had any conscience. + +I dare say, Master Troubridge is grown fat. I know, I am grown lean, +with my complaint: which, but for their indifference about my health, +would never have happened; or, at least, I should have got well, long +ago, in a warm room, with a good fire, and sincere friends. + +I believe, I leave this little squadron with sincere regret, and with +the good wishes of every creature in it. + +How I should laugh, to see you, my dear friend, rowing in a boat; the +beautiful Emma rowing a one-armed Admiral in a boat! It will certainly +be caricatured. + +Well done, farmer's wife! I'll bet your turkey against Mrs. Nelson's; +but, Sir William and I will decide. + +Hardy says, you may be sure of him; and, that he has not lost his +appetite. + +You will make us rich, with your economy. + +I did not think, tell Sir William, that impudence had got such deep +root in Wales. I send you the letter, as a curiosity; and to have the +impudence to recommend a midshipman! + +It is not long ago, a person from Yorkshire desired me to lend him +three hundred pounds, as he was going to set up a school! + +Are these people mad; or, do they take me for quite a fool? + +However, I have wisdom enough to laugh at their folly; and to be, +myself, your most obliged and faithful friend, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Best regards to Sir William, Mrs. Cadogan, and all friends. + + + + +LETTER XXX. + + + Amazon, October 21st, 1801. + +MY DEAREST FRIEND, + +It blows strong from the westward, and is a very dirty day, with a +good deal of surf on the beach; but Hardy and Sutton recommended my +going on shore this morning, as they believe it may blow a heavy gale +to-morrow. But, what comfort could I have had, for two whole days, at +Deal? + +I hope the morning will be fine: but I have ordered a Deal boat, as +they understand the beach better than our's; and, if I cannot land +here, I shall go to Ramsgate Pier, and come to Deal in a carriage. + +Has Mrs. Cadogan got my Peer's robe? for I must send for Mr. Webb, and +have it altered to a Viscount's. + +Lord Hood wrote to me, to-day, and he is to be one of my introducers. +He wanted me to dine with him the 24th; but I'll be damned if I dine +from home that day, and it would be as likely we should dine out the +23d. + +If you and Sir William ever wish me to dine with his brother, it must +be the time of a very small party; for it would be worse than death to +me, to dine in so large a party. + +I expect, that all animals will increase where you are, for I never +expect that you will suffer any to be killed. + +I am glad Sir William has got the Duke's poney; riding will do him +much good. + +I am sorry to tell you, that Dr. Baird is so ill, that I am told it is +very probable he may never recover. + +This place is the devil's, for dreadful colds: and I don't believe I +should get well all the winter; for both cough, and bowels, are still +very much out of order. + +You are now writing your last letter for Deal; so am I, for Merton, +from Deal: at least, I hope so; for, if I can help it, I will not +return to it. + +I have much to do, being the last day on board; but ever, my dearest +friend, believe me your truly affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +I am literally starving with cold; but my heart is warm. + +I suppose I shall dine with Lutwidge: but I am not very desirous of +it; for I shall have Sutton, Bedford, and Hardy, with me. + +You must prepare Banti's mother, as it is a peace, for some other line +of life than the navy. Yesterday, he sold a pair of silver buckles; he +would soon ruin poor Charles, who is really a well-disposed boy. + +I never shall get warm again, I believe. I cannot feel the pen. + +Make my kindest regards to Sir William, Mrs. Cadogan, Oliver, &c. +Sutton, Hardy, and Bedford, all join in kind remembrances. + +As Monday is Horace's birth-day, I suppose I must send him a one pound +note. + + + + +LETTER XXXI. + + + May 22d, [1803.] + Eight o'Clock in the Morning. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +We are now in sight of Ushant, and shall see Admiral Cornwallis in an +hour. + +I am not in a little fret, on the idea that he may keep the Victory, +and turn us all into the Amphion. It will make it truly uncomfortable; +but, I cannot help myself. + +I assure you, my dear Emma, that I feel a thorough conviction, that we +shall meet again, with honour, riches, and health, and remain together +till a good old age. I look at your and my God's Child's picture; but, +till I am sure of remaining here, I cannot bring myself to hang +them up. Be assured, that my attachment, and affectionate regard, is +unalterable; nothing can shake it! And, pray, say so to my dear Mrs. +T. when you see her. Tell her, that my love is unbounded, to her and +her dear sweet child; and, if she should have more, it will extend +to all of them. In short, my dear Emma, say every thing to her, which +your dear, affectionate, heart and head, can think of. + +We are very comfortable. Mr. Elliot is happy, has quite recovered his +spirits; he was very low, at Portsmouth. George Elliot is very well; +say so, to Lord Minto. Murray, Sutton--in short, every body in the +ship, seems happy; and, if we should fall in with a French man-of-war, +I have no fears but they will do as we used to do. + +Hardy is gone into Plymouth, to see our Dutchman safe. I think, she +will turn out a good prize. + +Gaetano desires his duty to Miledi! He is a good man; and, I dare say, +will come back: for, I think, it cannot be a long war; just enough to +make me independent in pecuniary matters. + +If the wind stands, on Tuesday we shall be on the coast of Portugal; +and, before next Sunday, in the Mediterranean. + +To Mrs. Cadogan, say every kind thing; to good Mrs. Nelson, the +Doctor, &c. &c. + +If you like, you may tell him about the entailing of the pension: but, +perhaps, he will be so much taken up with Canterbury, that it will do +for some dull evening at Hilborough. + +I shall now stop, till I have been on board the Admiral. Only, tell +Mrs. T. that I will write her the first safe opportunity; I am not +sure of this. + +I shall direct to Merton, after June 1st. Therefore, as you change, +make Davison take a direction to Nepean; but, I would not trouble him +with too many directions, for fear of embroil. + + May 23d. + +We were close in with Brest, yesterday; and found, by a frigate, that +Admiral Cornwallis had a rendezvous at sea. Thither we went; but, to +this hour, cannot find him. + +It blows strong. What wind we are losing! If I cannot find the +Admiral by six o'clock, we must all go into the Amphion, and leave +the Victory, to my great mortification. So much for the wisdom of my +superiors. + +I keep my letter open to the last: for, I still hope; as, I am sure, +there is no good reason for my not going out in the Victory. + +I am just embarking in the Amphion; cannot find Admiral Cornwallis. + +May God in Heaven bless you! prays your most sincere + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Stephens's publication I should like to have. + +I have left my silver seal; at least, I cannot find it. + + + + +LETTER XXXII. + + + [July 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Although I have wrote letters from various places, merely to +say--"Here I am," and "There I am;"--yet, as I have no doubt but +that they would all be read, it was impossible for me to say more +than--"Here I am, and well:" and I see no prospect of any certain mode +of conveyance, but by sea; which, with the means the Admiralty has +given me, of small vessels, can be but seldom. + +Our passages have been enormously long. From Gibraltar to Malta, we +were eleven days: arriving the fifteenth in the evening, and sailing +in the night of the sixteenth--that is, three in the morning of the +seventeenth--and it was the twenty-sixth before we got off Capri; +where I had ordered the frigate, which carried Mr. Elliot to Naples, +to join me. + +I send you copies of the King and Queen's letters. I am vexed, that +she did not mention you! I can only account for it, by her's being a +political letter. + +When I wrote to the Queen, I said--"I left Lady Hamilton, the +eighteenth of May; and so attached to your Majesty, that I am sure she +would lay down her life to preserve your's. Your Majesty never had a +more sincere, attached, and real friend, than your dear Emma. You +will be sorry to hear, that good Sir William did not leave her in such +comfortable circumstances as his fortune would have allowed. He has +given it amongst his relations. But she will do honour to his memory, +although every one else of his friends call loudly against him on that +account." + +I trust, my dear Emma, she has wrote you. If she can forget Emma, I +hope, God will forget her! But, you think, that she never will, or +can. Now is her time to shew it. + +You will only shew the King and Queen's letters to some few particular +friends. + +The King is very low; lives, mostly, at Belvidere. Mr. Elliot had not +seen either him or the Queen, from the seventeenth, the day of his +arrival, to the twenty-first. On the next day, he was to be presented. + +I have made up my mind, that it is part of the plan of that Corsican +Scoundrel, to conquer the kingdom of Naples. He has marched thirteen +thousand men into the kingdom, on the Adriatic side; and he will take +possession, with as much shadow of right, of Gaeta and Naples: and, +if the poor King remonstrates, or allows us to secure Sicily, he will +call it war, and declare a conquest. + +I have cautioned General Acton, not to risk the Royal Family too +long; but Naples will be conquered, sooner or later, as it may suit +Buonaparte's convenience. + +The Morea, and Egypt, are likewise in his eye. An army of full seventy +thousand men are assembling in Italy. + +Gibbs and Noble are gone to Malta. + +I am, you may believe, very anxious to get off Toulon, to join the +fleet. + +Sir Richard Bickerton went from off Naples, the day I left Gibraltar. + +We passed Monte Christo, Bastia, and Cape Corse, yesterday; and are +now moving, slowly, direct for Toulon. + +What force they have, I know not; indeed, I am totally ignorant: some +say, nine sail of the line; some, seven; some, five. If the former, +they will come out; for we have only the same number, including +sixty-fours, and very shortly manned. + +However, I hope they will come out, and let us settle the matter. You +know, I hate being kept in suspence. + + [July 8th. + +I left this hole, to put down what force the French have at Toulon. +Seven sail of the line ready, five frigates, and six corvettes. One +or two more in about a week. We, to day, eight sail of the +line--to-morrow, seven; including two sixty-four gun ships. + +You will readily believe, how rejoiced I shall be to get one of your +dear, excellent letters, that I may know every thing which has passed +since my absence. + +I sincerely hope, that Mr. Booth has settled all your accounts. Never +mind, my dear Emma, a few hundred pounds; which is all the rigid gripe +of the law, not justice, can wrest from you. + +I thank God, that you cannot want; (although that is no good reason +for its being taken from you:) whilst I have sixpence, you shall not +want for fivepence of it! But, you have bought your experience, that +there is no friendship in money concerns; and, your good sense will +make you profit of it. + +I hope, the minister has done something for you. But, never mind, we +can live upon bread and cheese. + +Independence is a blessing; and, although I have not yet found out +the way to get prize money--what has been taken, has run into our +mouths--however, it must turn out very hard, if I cannot get enough to +pay off my debts, and that will be no small comfort. + +I have not mentioned my Bronte affairs to Acton, as yet; but, if +Naples remains much longer, I shall ask the question. But, I expect +nothing from them. I believe, even Acton wishes himself well, and +safely removed. + +I think, from what I hear, that the King's spirits are so much +depressed, that he will give up the reins of Naples, at least, to his +son, and retire to Sicily. Sir William, you know, always thought, +that he would end his life so. Certainly, his situation must be +heart-breaking! + +Gaetano returned in the frigate. I believe, he saw enough of Naples. +He carried his family money; and Mr. Falconet (Gibbs being absent) +will pay Mr. Greville's pension to Gaetano's family. I have now [sent] +Gaetano to the post: and he desires, to present his duty; and to tell +you, that Mr. Ragland, from Sir William's death, will not pay any more +pensions, without orders from Mr. Greville. + +Vincenzo has had none paid. He is very poor; keeps a shop. His son +wanted, I find, to come in the frigate to me. I cannot afford to +maintain him; therefore, I shall give no encouragement. + +Old Antonio was allowed a carline a day; that is, now, not paid. + +Sabatello lives with Mr. Elliot. + +Nicolo, and Mary Antonio, have left Mr. Gibbs, for some cause; Gaetano +says, he believes, for _amore_. + +Francesca has two children living, and another coming. She lives the +best amongst them, like _gallant homme_. + +Pasqual lives with the Duke Montelione; and Joseph, with the old +Russian. + +Your house is a hotel; the upper parts are kept for the Marquis, the +owner. + +Mr. Elliot has taken the house of the Baille Franconi, on the Chaia. + +Doctor Nudi inquired kindly after us; and all the women at Santa Lucia +expected, when they saw Gaetano, that you was arrived. + +Bread never was so dear; every thing else in plenty. The wages not +being raised, Gaetano says, the poor of England are a million times +better off. + +So much for Gaetano's news. He desires his duty to Signora Madre; and +remembrances to Mary Ann, Fatima, &c. + + [July 8th. + +We joined, this morning, the fleet. The men in the ships are good; but +the ships themselves are a little the worse for wear, and very short +of their complements of men. We shall never be better: therefore, let +them come; the sooner, the better. + +I shall write a line to the Duke, that he may see I do not forget my +friends; and I rely, my dearest Emma, on your saying every kind thing, +for me, to the Doctor, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Bolton, Mr. and Mrs. Matcham, +Mrs. Cadogan; whose kindness, and goodness, I shall never forget. + +You will have the goodness to send the inclosed, as directed; and be +assured, that I am, to the last moment of my life, your most attached, +faithful, and affectionate, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XXXIII. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + August 1, 1803. + + [I do not know that you will get this letter.] + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your letter of May 31, which came under cover to Mr. Noble, of Naples, +inclosing Davison's correspondence with Plymouth, arrived by the +Phoebe two days ago: and this is the only scrap of a pen which has +been received by any person in the fleet since we sailed from England. + +You will readily conceive, my dear Emma, the sensations which the +sight and reading even your few lines [occasioned.] They cannot be +understood, but by those of such mutual and truly sincere attachment +as your's and mine. Although you said little, I understood a great +deal, and most heartily approve of your plan and society for next +winter; and, next spring, I hope to be rich enough to begin the +alterations at dear Merton. It will serve to amuse you; and, I am +sure, that I shall admire all your alterations, even to planting a +gooseberry bush. + +Sutton joined me yesterday, and we are all got into the Victory; and, +a few days will put us in order. + +Every body gives a very excellent character of Mr. Chevalier, the +servant recommended by Mr. Davison; and I shall certainly live as +frugal as my station will admit. I have known the pinch, and shall +endeavour never to know it again. + +I want to send two thousand one hundred pounds, to pay off Mrs. +Greaves, on October 1st. But, I have not received one farthing; but, +I hope to receive some soon. But Mr. Haslewood promised to see this +matter kept right for me. + +Hardy is now busy, hanging up your and Horatia's picture; and I trust +soon to see the other two safe arrived from the Exhibition. I want +no others to ornament my cabin. I can contemplate them, and find new +beauties every day, and I do not want any body else. + +You will not expect much news from us. We see nothing. I have great +fear, that all Naples will fall into the hands of the French; and, if +Acton does not take care, Sicily also. However, I have given my final +advice so fully and strongly that, let what will happen, they cannot +blame me. + +Captain Capel says, Mr. Elliot cannot bear Naples. I have no doubt, +but that it is very different to your time. + +The Queen, I fancy, by the seal, has sent a letter to Castelcicala; +her letter to me is only thanks for my attention to the safety of the +kingdom. If Dr. Scott has time, and is able, he shall write a copy for +you. + +The King is very much retired. He would not see the French General, +St. Cyr; who came to Naples, _to settle the contribution for the +payment of the French army_. + +The Queen was ordered to give him and the French minister a dinner, +but the King staid at Belvidere. + +I think, he will give it up soon; and retire to Sicily, if the French +will allow him. + +Acton has never dared give Mr. Elliot, or one Englishman, a dinner. + +The fleet are ready to come forth; but, they will not come for the +sake of fighting me. + +I have this day made George Elliot, post; Lieutenant Pettit, a master +and commander; and Mr. Hindmarsh, gunner's son, of the Bellerophon, +who behaved so well this day five year, a Lieutenant. + +I reckon to have lost two French seventy-fours, by my not coming out +in the Victory; but I hope they will come soon, with interest. + +This goes to Gibraltar, by Sutton, in the Amphion. + +I shall write the Doctor in a day or two. I see, by the French papers, +that he has kissed hands. + +With kindest regards to your good mother, and all at Merton, &c. &c. +&c. ever your's, most faithfully and affectionately, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XXXIV. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + August 10th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +I take the opportunity of Mr. Acourt's going through Spain, with Mr. +Elliot's dispatches for England, to send this letter: for I would not, +for the world, miss any opportunity of sending you a line. + +By Gibraltar, I wrote you, as lately as the 4th; but all our ways of +communicating with England, are very uncertain: and, I believe, the +Admiralty must have forgot us; for, not a vessel of any kind or sort +has joined us, since I left Spithead. + +News, I absolutely am ignorant of: except, that a schooner, belonging +to me, put her nose into Toulon; and four frigates popped out, and +have taken her, and a transport loaded with water for the fleet. +However, I hope to have an opportunity, very soon, of paying them the +debt, with interest. + +Mr. Acourt says, at Naples, they hope that the mediation of Russia +will save them: but, I doubt, if Russia will go to war with the French +for any kingdom; and they, poor souls! relying on a broken reed, will +lose Sicily. + +As for getting any thing for Bronte, I cannot expect it; for, the +finances of Naples are worse than ever. _Patienza_, however; I will-- +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + +I see, many Bishops are dead. Is my brother tired of Canterbury? I +wish I could make him a Bishop. If you see him, or write, say that I +have not ten minutes to send away Mr. Acourt, who cannot be detained. + +I hope Lord St. Vincent has sent out Sir William Bolton. As soon as I +know who is first Lord, I will write him. + + + + +LETTER XXXV. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Your friend's godson arrived safe yesterday afternoon; and I shall, +you know, always feel too happy in obeying your commands: for, you +never ask favours, but for your friends. + +In short, in every point of view, from Ambassatrice to the duties of +domestic life, I never saw your equal! + +That elegance of manners; accomplishments; and, above all, your +goodness of heart, is unparalleled: and only believe, for ever, and +beyond it, your faithful and devoted + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +Victory, August 24th, 1803. + + + + +LETTER XXXVI. + + +[_N.B. The Mysterious Letter appears to have been inclosed in this +Packet_.] + + August 26th, 1803. + Wrote several days past. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +By the Canopus, Admiral Campbell, I have received all your truly kind +and affectionate letters, from May 20th to July 3d; with the exception +of one, dated May 31st, sent to Naples. + +This is the first communication I have had with England since we +sailed. + +All your letters, _my dear letters_, are so entertaining! and which +paint so clearly what you are after, that they give me either the +greatest pleasure or pain. It is the next best thing, to being with +you. + +I only desire, my dearest Emma, that you will always believe, that +Nelson's your own; Nelson's _Alpha_ and _Omega_ is _Emma_! I cannot +alter; my affection and love is beyond even this world! Nothing can +shake it, but yourself; and that, I will not allow myself to think, +for a moment, is possible. + +I feel, that you are the real friend of my bosom, and dearer to me +than life; and, that I am the same to you. But, I will neither have +P.'s nor Q.'s come near you! No; not the slice of Single Gloster! But, +if I was to go on, it would argue that want of confidence which would +be injurious to your honour. + +I rejoice that you have had so pleasant a trip into Norfolk; and I +hope, one day, to carry you there by a nearer _tie_ in law, but not in +love and affection, than at present. + +I wish, you would never mention that person's name! It works up your +anger, for no useful purpose. Her good or bad character, of me or +thee, no one cares about. + +This letter will find you at dear Merton; where we shall one day meet, +and be truly happy. + +I do not think it can be a long war; and, I believe, it will be much +shorter than people expect: and I shall hope to find the new +room built; the grounds laid out, neatly but not expensively; new +Piccadilly gates; kitchen garden; &c. Only let us have a plan, and +then all will go on well. It will be a great source of amusement to +you; and Horatia shall plant a tree. I dare say, she will be very +busy. Mrs. Nelson, or Mrs. Bolton, &c. will be with you; and time +will pass away, till I have the inexpressible happiness of arriving +at Merton. Even the thought of it vibrates through my nerves; for, my +love for you is as unbounded as the ocean! + +I feel all your good mother's kindness; and, I trust, that we shall +turn rich, by being economists. Spending money, to please a pack of +people, is folly, and without thanks. I desire, that you will say +every kind thing from me to her, and make her a present of something +in my name. + +Dr. Scott is gone with my mission to Algiers, or I would send you a +copy of the King and Queen's letter. I send you one from the Queen. +Both King, Queen, and Acton, were very civil to Sir William Bolton. He +dined with Acton. + +Bolton does very well in his brig; but, he has made not a farthing of +prize money. If I knew where to send him for some, he should go; but, +unless we have a Spanish war, I shall live here at a great expence: +although Mr. Chevalier takes every care, and I have great reason to be +satisfied. + +I have just asked William, who behaves very well, whether he chooses +to remit any of his wages to his father. It does not appear, he +_does_, at present. He is paid, by the King, eighteen pounds a year, +as one of my retinue; therefore I have nothing to pay. I have told +him, whenever he chooses to send any, to tell Mr. Scott, or Captain +Hardy, and he will receive a remittance bill; so, he may now act as he +pleases. + +_A-propos_ of Mr. Scott. He is very much obliged to you for your news +of Mrs. Scott's being brought to bed. No letters came in the cutter, +but to me, and he was very uneasy. He is a very excellent good man; +and, I am very fortunate in having such a one. + +I admire your kindness to my dear sister Bolton. I have wrote her, +that certainly I will assist Tom Bolton at college. It is better, as I +tell her, not to promise more than I am sure I can perform. It is only +doing them a injury. I tell her, if _vacancies_, please God, should +happen, that my income will be much increased. + +With respect to Mr. Bolton--every body knows, that I have no interest; +nobody cares for me: but, if he will point out what he wants, I will +try what can be done. But, I am sure, he will not be half so well +off as at present. Supposing he could get a place of a few hundreds +a year, he would be a ten times poorer man than he is at present. I +could convince you of it, in a moment; but, if I was to begin, then it +would be said, I wanted inclination to render them a service. + +I should like to see Sir H---- P----'s book. I cannot conceive how +a man that is reported to have been so extravagant of government's +money, to say no worse, can make a good story. + +I wrote to the old Duke, not long since. I regard him; but, I would +not let him touch you for all his money. No; that would never do! + +I believe Mr. Bennett's bill to be correct; but, it was not intended +you should pay that out of the allowance for Merton; and, how could +you afford to send Mrs. Bolton a hundred pounds. It is impossible, out +of your income. + +I wish Mr. Addington would give you five hundred pounds a year; then, +you would be better able to give away than at present. But your purse, +my dear Emma, will always be empty; your heart is generous beyond your +means. + +Your good mother is always sure of my sincerest regard; pray, tell her +so. + +Connor is getting on very well: but, I cannot ask Captain Capel +to rate him; that must depend upon the boy's fitness, and Capel's +kindness. I have placed another year's allowance of thirty pounds in +Capel's hands, and given Connor a present. + +What a story, about Oliver and Mr. Matcham buying an estate in +Holstein; and, to sell out at such a loss! I never heard the like. I +sincerely hope it will answer his expectations; it is a fine country, +but miserably cold. + +How can Tyson be such a fool! I sincerely hope, he will never want +money. I am not surprised at Troubridge's abuse; but, his tongue is no +scandal. You make me laugh, when you imitate the Doctor! + +I am quite delighted with Miss Yonge's goodness: and I beg you will +make my best respects to her and her good father; and assure Mr. +Yonge, how much obliged I feel for all his kind attentions to you. +Those who do that, are sure of a warm place in my esteem. + +I have wrote to Dumourier; therefore, I will only trouble you to say +how much I respect him. I fancy he must have suffered great distress +at Altona. However, I hope, he will now be comfortable for life. He +is a very clever man; and beats our Generals, out and out. Don't they +feel his coming? Advise him not to make _enemies_, by shewing he knows +more than some of us. Envy knows no bounds to its persecution. He has +seen the world, and will be on his guard. + +I put Suckling into a frigate, with a very good man, who has a +schoolmaster; he does very well. Bulkley will be a most excellent +sea-officer; it is a pity he has not served his time. I have answered +Mr. Suckling's letter. + +Gaetano is very well, and desires his duty. I think, sometimes, that +he wishes to be left at Naples; but, I am not sure. + +Mr. Denis's relation has been long in the Victory; but, if the +Admiralty will not promote my lieutenants, they must all make a +retrograde motion. But, I hope, they will not do such a cruel thing. +I have had a very affectionate letter from Lord Minto. I hope George +will be confirmed; but, the Earl will not answer his application. + +I shall send you some sherry, and a cask of paxoretti, by the convoy. +Perhaps, it had better go to Merton, at once; or, to Davison's cellar, +where the wine-cooper can draw it off. I have two pipes of sherry, +that is bad; but, if you like, you can send the Doctor a hogshead +of that which is coming. Davison will pay all the duties. Send it +entirely free, even to the _carriage_. You know, doing the thing well, +is twice doing it; for, sometimes, carriage is more thought of than +the prime cost. + +The paxoretti I have given to Davison; and ordered one hogshead of +sherry to Canterbury, and one to dear Merton. + + + + +LETTER XXXVII. + + + Victory, September 10th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +What can I send you, buffeting the stormy gulph of Lyons; nothing, but +my warmest affection, in return for all your goodness to me and mine! + +I have sent to Naples, to try and get some shawls from the King's +manufactory; and have requested Mr. Falconet to ask his wife to choose +some for you, and also some fine Venetian chains. I only wish, my dear +Emma, that I knew what you would like, and I would order them with +real pleasure; therefore, pray tell me. + +We have so very little communication with the Mediterranean world, +Malta and Toulon are in separate worlds. It takes, on the [average,] +six or seven weeks to get an answer to a letter: and, in fifteen to +twenty days, by the French papers, which we get from Paris, we have +news from London; not the best side of the question, you may be sure, +but enough to give us an idea of how matters go on. + +I am of opinion, that we shall have a peace much sooner than is +generally expected: and that will be, to me, the very highest pleasure +in this world; to return to Merton, and your dear beloved society. +Then, I agree with you, that "I would not give sixpence to call the +King my uncle!" + +I have wrote again to Gibbs, about my Bronte affairs; and [the copy +of a letter] to Mrs. Graefer I will send you, if I can; but you must +preserve it, for I have no other. It may be necessary, situated as I +am, to keep her in good humour; for a thousand pounds may be easily +sold off the estate, and I never the wiser. However, you will see what +I have said. + +I have wrote to Mr. Elliot about Sabatello. What a rascal he must be! +Gaetano is going to Naples, and I shall tell him; but, of course, he +would rather favour Sabatello, his brother-in-law, than Julia. + +I send you, my dearest Emma, an hundred pounds, which you will dispose +of as follows--a _present_ for yourself; and, if you like, a trifle +to the servants: something to the poor of Merton; something for +Mrs. Cadogan, Miss Connor, Charlotte, &c. &c. I only send this as a +trifling remembrance from me, whose whole soul is at Merton. + + September 16th. + +The day after I wrote the former part of this letter, Mr. Scott +received from Venice, and desired to present to you, two very handsome +Venetian chains, received from Venice. This I would not suffer; for I +allow no one to make my own Emma presents, but her Nelson. Therefore, +he will be paid for them; but, your obligation is not the less to +him. He is a very worthy, excellent, modest man, and an excellent +secretary. + +Dr. Scott is, at times, wrong in the head; absolutely, too much +learning has turned him. But we all go on very well. + +I had a letter from Gibbs about Bronte, and from Noble, which will +begin another letter; only, believe me, at all times, sides, and ends, +most faithfully your's, for ever, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + +LETTER XXXVIII. + + + September 26th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +We have had, for these fourteen days past, nothing but gales of wind, +and a heavy sea. However, as our ships have suffered no damage, I +hope to be able to keep the sea all the winter. Nothing, but dire +necessity, shall force me to that out of the way place, Malta. If I +had depended upon that island, for supplies for the fleet, we must all +have been knocked up, long ago; for, Sir Richard Bickerton sailed from +Malta, the same day I left Portsmouth. So that we have been a pretty +long cruise; and, if I had only to look to Malta for supplies, +our ships companies would have been done for long ago. However, by +management, I have got supplies from Spain, and also from _France_; +but it appears, that we are almost shut out from Spain, for they begin +to be very uncivil to our ships. However, I suppose, by this time, +something is settled; but, I never hear from England. My last letters +are July 6th, near three months. But, as I get French newspapers +occasionally, we guess how matters are going on. + +I have wrote Mr. Gibbs, again, a long history about Bronte; and, I +hope, if General Acton will do nothing for me, that he will settle +something: but, I know, whatever is settled, I shall be the loser. +Till next year, the debt will not be paid off; how-- + +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * + + + + +LETTER XXXIX. + + + Victory, off Toulon, + October 18th, 1803. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +Your truly kind and affectionate letters, from July 17th, to August +24th, all arrived safe in the Childers, the 6th of this month. + +Believe me, my beloved Emma, that I am truly sensible of all your +love and affection, which is reciprocal. You have, from the variety of +incidents passing before you, much to tell me; and, besides, you have +that happy knack of making every thing you write interesting. Here I +am, one day precisely like the other; except the difference of a gale +of wind, or not. + +Since September 1st, we have not had four fine days; and, if the +French do not come out soon, I fear, some of my ships will cry out. + +You are very good, to send me your letters to read. + +Mrs. D---- is a damned pimping bitch! What has she to do with your +love? She would have pimped for Lord B----, or Lord L----, or Captain +M'N----, * * * * of * * * *, or any one else. She is all vanity: +fancies herself beautiful; witty; in short, like you. She be damned! + +As I wrote you, the consulship at Civita Vecchia will not, in itself, +pay their lodgings; and, the bad air will tip her off. + +There will be no Lord Bristol's table. He tore his last will, a few +hours before his death. It is said, that it was giving every thing to +those devils of Italians about him. + +I wish he may have given Mrs. Denis any thing; but, I do not think it: +and, as for you, my dear Emma, as long as I can, I don't want any of +their gifts. + +As for old Q. he may put you into his will, or scratch you out, as he +pleases, I care not. + +If Mr. Addington gives you the pension, it is well; but, do not let it +fret you. Have you not Merton? It is clear--the first purchase--and my +dear Horatia is provided for: and, I hope, one of these days, that you +will be my own Duchess of Bronte; and, then, a fig for them all! + +I have just had a letter from Gibbs, of which I send you a copy. You +see what interest he is taking about Bronte. + +I begin to think, without some assistance like his, that I never +should have touched a farthing. It will be 1805, before I touch the +estate. Neither principal or interest of the seven thousand ounces +have been paid; and, it is now eight thousand ounces debt. + +You will see, Gibbs, at last, has fixed on sending his daughter home; +and I shall be glad of so good an opportunity of obliging him, as it +will naturally tie him to my interest. He was a great fool, not to +have sent the child with you, as you wished. + +I am glad to find, my dear Emma, that you mean to take Horatia home. +_Aye_! she is like her mother; will have her own way, or kick up a +devil of a dust. But, you will cure her: I am afraid I should spoil +her; for, I am sure, I would shoot any one who would hurt her. + +She was always fond of my watch; and, very probably, I might have +promised her one: indeed, I gave her one, which cost sixpence! But, +I go no where to get any thing pretty; therefore, do not think me +neglectful. + +I send you Noble's letter; therefore, I hope you will get your cases +in good order: they have had some narrow escapes. + +I am glad you liked South End. + +How that Coffin could come over, and palaver, Rowley, Keith, &c. and +Coffin to abuse the Earl! Now, I can tell you, that he is the Earl's +spy. + +It is Coffin, who has injured Sir Andrew Hammond so much: and his +custom is, to abuse the Earl, to get people to speak out; and, then, +the Earl takes his measures accordingly. + +To me, it is nothing. Thank God! there can be no tales told of my +cheating; or, I hope, neglecting my duty. Whilst I serve, I will serve +well, and closely; when I want rest, I will go to Merton. + +You know, my dear Emma, that I am never well when it blows hard. +Therefore, imagine what a cruize off Toulon is; even in summer time, +we have a hard gale every week, and two days heavy swell. + +It would kill you; and myself, to see you. Much less possible, to have +Charlotte, Horatia, &c. on board ship! + +And I, that have given orders to carry no women to sea in the Victory, +to be the first to break them! + +And, as to Malta, I may never see it, unless we have an engagement; +and, perhaps, not then: for, if it is _complete_, I may go home, for +three months, to see you; but, if you was at Malta, I might absolutely +miss you, by leaving the Mediterranean without warning. + +The other day, we had a report the French were out, and seen steering +to the westward. We were as far as Minorca, when the alarm proved +false. + +Therefore, my dearest beloved Emma! although I should be the happiest +of men, to live and die with you, yet my chance of seeing you is much +more certain by your remaining at Merton, than wandering where I may +never go; and, certainly, never to stay forty-eight hours. + +You cannot, I am sure, more ardently long to see me, than I do to be +with you; and, if the war goes on, it is my intention to get leave to +spend the _next winter_ in England: but I verily believe that, long +before that time, we shall have peace. + +As for living in Italy, that is entirely out of the question. Nobody +cares for us, there; and, if I had Bronte--which, thank God! I shall +not--it would cost me a fortune to go there, and be tormented out of +my life. I should never settle my affairs there. + +I know, my own dear Emma, if she will let her reason have fair play, +will say, I am right; but she is, like Horatia, very angry, if she +cannot have her own way. Her Nelson is called upon, in the most +honourable manner, to defend his country! Absence, to us, is equally +painful: but, if I had either stayed at home, or neglected my duty +abroad, would not my Emma have blushed for me? She could never have +heard of my praises, and how the country looks up. + +I am writing, my dear Emma, to reason the point with you; and, I am +sure, you will see it in its true light. But I have said my say, on +this subject, and will finish. + +I have received your letter, with Lord William's and Mr. Kemble's, +about Mr. Palmer: he is also recommended by the Duke of Clarence; +and, he says, by desire of the Prince of Wales. I have, without him, +twenty-six to be made Captains, and list every day increasing. It is +not _one_ whole French fleet that can get through it. + +I shall, probably, offend many more than I can oblige. Such is always +the case: like the tickets--those who get them, feel they have a right +to them; and those [who] do not get them, feel offended for ever. + +But, I cannot help it: I shall endeavour to do what is right, in every +situation; and some ball may soon close all my accounts with this +world of care and vexation! + +But, never mind, my own dear-beloved Emma: if you are true to me, +I care not--and approve of all my actions. However, as you say, I +approve of them, myself; therefore, probably, I am right. + +Poor Reverend Mr. Scott is, I fear, in a very bad way. His head has +been turned by too much learning, and the stroke of lightning will +never let him be right again. The Secretary Scott is a treasure; and I +am very well mounted: Hardy is every thing I could wish or desire. + +Our days pass so much alike that, having described one, you have +them all. We now breakfast by candlelight; and all retire, at eight +o'clock, to bed. + +Naples, I fancy, is in a very bad way, in regard to money. They have +not, or pretend not to have, enough to pay their officers; and, I +verily believe, if Acton was to give up his place, that it would +become a province of France. Only think of Buonaparte's writing to +the Queen, to desire her influence to turn out Acton! She answered, +properly: at least, so says Mr. Elliot, who _knows more of Naples_ +than any of us; God help him!--and General Acton has, I believe, more +power than ever. + +By Gibbs's letter, I see, he has sent over about my accounts at +Bronte. He can have no interest in being unfriendly to me. Why should +he? I want no great matters from him; and he can want nothing from me, +that it is not my duty to give his Sovereigns: therefore, why should +he be against us! For my part, my conduct will not alter, whether he +is or not. + +Our friend, Sir Alexander, is a very great diplomatic character; and, +even an Admiral must not know what he is negotiating about: although +you will scarcely believe, that the Bey of Tunis sent the man at my +desire. + +You shall judge--_viz_. "The Tunisian Envoy is still here, +negotiating. He is a moderate man; and, apparently, the best disposed +of any I ever did business with." Could even the oldest diplomatic +character be drier? I hate such parade of nonsense! But, I will turn +from such stuff. + +You ask me, Do you do right to give Charlotte things? I shall only +say, my dear Emma, whatever you do in that way, I shall always +approve. I only wish, I had more power than I have! But, somehow, my +mind was not sharp enough for prize-money. Lord Keith would have made +twenty thousand pounds, and I have not made six thousand. + +Poor Mr. Este, how I pity him! but, what shall I do with him? However, +if he comes, I shall shew him all the kindness in my power. + + October 22d. + +The vessel is just going off. I have not a scrap of news! Only, be +assured of my most affectionate regard. + +Remember me kindly to Charlotte. Shall always love those that are good +to Horatia. I will write her by another opportunity. + +Remember me to Mrs. Cadogan. + +You may be sure, I do not forget Charles, who has not been well; +Captain Capel is very good to him. + +I am, ever, for ever, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and +affectionate + + NELSON & BRONTE. + + + + SUPPLEMENT. + + * * * * * + + _INTERESTING LETTERS_, + + ELUCIDATORY + + OF + + Lord Nelson's Letters + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + * * * * * + + VOL. I. + + + + + Letters + + FROM + + LORD NELSON + + TO + + MRS. THOMSON. + + + + +Letters OF LORD NELSON, &c. + + + + +I. + +See LETTER X. Page 29. + + +I sit down, my Dear Mrs. T. by desire of poor Thomson, to write you a +line: not, to assure you of his eternal love and affection for you and +his dear child; but only to say, that he is well, and as happy as he +can be, separated from all which he holds dear in this world. He has +no thoughts separated from your love, and your interest. They are +united with his; one fate, one destiny, he assures me, awaits you +both. What can I say more? Only, to kiss his child for him: and love +him as truly, sincerely, and faithfully, as he does you; which is, +from the bottom of his soul. He desires, that you will more and more +attach yourself to dear Lady Hamilton. + + + + +II. + +See LETTER XXXVI. Page 135. + + +My Dearest Beloved * * * *, + +To say, that I think of you by day, night, and all day, and all night, +but too faintly express my feelings of love and affection towards you +* * * * * * * * * * unbounded affection. Our dear excellent, good * * +* * * * * is the only one who knows any thing of the matter; and she +has promised me, when you * * * * * * again, to take every possible +care of you, as a proof of her never-failing regard for your own dear +Nelson. Believe me, that I am incapable of wronging you, in thought, +word, or deed. No; not all the wealth of Peru could buy me for one +moment: it is all your's, and reserved wholly for you; and * * * +certainly * * * * * * * * * from the first moment of our happy, +dear, enchanting, blessed meeting. The thoughts of such happiness, my +dearest only beloved, makes the blood fly into my head. The call +of our country, is a duty which you would, deservedly, in the cool +moments of reflection, reprobate, was I to abandon: and I should feel +so disgraced, by seeing you ashamed of me! No longer saying--"This is +the man who has saved his country! This is he who is the first to go +forth to fight our battles, and the last to return!" And, then, all +these honours reflect on you. "Ah!" they will think; "what a man! what +sacrifices has he not made, to secure our homes and property; even the +society and happy union with the finest and most accomplished woman +in the world." As you love, how must you feel! My heart is with you, +cherish it. I shall, my best beloved, return--if it pleases God--a +victor; and it shall be my study to transmit an unsullied name. There +is no desire of wealth, no ambition, that could keep me from all my +soul holds dear. No; it is to save my country, my wife in the eye of +God, and * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * will tell you +that it is all right: and, then, only think of our happy meeting. + +Ever, for ever, I am your's, only your's, even beyond this world, + + NELSON & BRONTE. + +For ever, for ever, your own NELSON. + +August 26th, [1803.] + + + + Letters + + FROM + + LADY HAMILTON + + TO + + LORD NELSON. + + + + +Letters OF LADY HAMILTON, &c. + + + + +I. + + + Naples, June 30th, 1798. + +DEAR SIR, + +I take the opportunity of Captain Hope, to write a few lines to you, +and thank you for your kind letter by Captain Bowen. + +The Queen was much pleased, as I translated it for her: and charges me +to thank you; and say, she prays for your honour and safety--victory, +she is sure you will have. + +We have still the regicide minister here, _Garrat_: the most impudent, +insolent dog; making the most infamous demands every day; and I see +plainly, the court of Naples must declare war, if they mean to save +their country. + +_Her Majesty_ sees, and feels, all you said in your letter to Sir +William, dated off the Faro di Messina, in its true light; so does +General Acton. + +But, alas! their First Minister, _Gallo_, is a frivolous, ignorant, +self-conceited coxcomb, that thinks of nothing but his fine +embroidered coat, ring, and snuff-box; and half Naples thinks him half +a Frenchman: and, God knows, if one may judge of what he did in making +the peace for the Emperor, he must either be very ignorant, or not +attached to his masters or the _cause commune._ + +The Queen and Acton cannot bear him, and consequently [he] cannot +have much power: but, still, a First Minister, although he may be a +minister of smoke, yet he has always something; enough, at least, to +do mischief. + +The Jacobins have all been lately declared innocent, after suffering +four years imprisonment; and, I know, they all deserved to be hanged +long ago: and, since Garrat has been here, and through his insolent +letters to Gallo, these pretty gentlemen, that had planned the death +of their Majesties, are to be let out on society again. + +In short, I am afraid, all is lost here; and I am grieved to the heart +for our dear, charming Queen, who deserves a better fate! + +I write to you, my dear Sir, in confidence, and in a hurry. + +I hope you will not quit the Mediterranean, without taking _us_. We +have our leave, and every thing ready, at a day's notice, to go: but +yet, I trust in God, and you, that we shall destroy those monsters, +before we go from hence. Surely, their reign cannot last long! + +If you have any opportunity, write to us; pray, do: you do not know +how your letters comfort us. + +God bless you, my dear, dear Sir! and believe me, ever, your most +sincerely obliged and attached friend, + + EMMA HAMILTON. + + + + +II. + + + Thursday Evening, June 12th, [1799.] + +I have been with the Queen this evening. She is very miserable; and +says, that although the people of Naples are for them, in general, +YET things will not be brought to that state of quietness and +subordination, till the fleet of Lord Nelson appears _off Naples_. +She therefore begs, intreats, and conjures you, my dear Lord, if it is +possible, to arrange matters so as to be able to go to Naples. + +Sir William is writing for General Acton's _answer_. + +For God's sake, consider it, and do! We will go with you, if you will +come and fetch us. + +Sir William is ill; I am ill: it will do us good. + +God bless you! Ever, ever, your's sincerely, + + E. HAMILTON. + + + + + Letters + + FROM THE + + REV. EDMUND NELSON + + (_Lord Nelson's Father_) + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF THE REV. EDMUND NELSON, _&c_. + + + + +I. + + +Madam, + +I am much favoured by your polite letter, and the very friendly regard +with which Sir William Hamilton and yourself always mention my dear +son; who is, certainly, a worthy, good, brave man, parental partiality +_apart_. But, I myself am by no means satisfied with his present +situation; as to its importance, its safety, or its merited rewards. +It [is] his to sow, but others reap the yellow harvests. All things, I +trust, however, will work together for good. + +Captain Parker's misfortune, I see, in every point of view, with a +friendly concern. Langford will quickly be upon his legs. + +Though the amusements of a dirty sea-port are not the most refined, +good health, and domestic cheerfulness, will be a happy substitute. + +I beg the whole party to accept this my remembrance; and assurance of +my regard, respect, and love: and am, Madam, your most humble servant, + + EDM. NELSON. + +Burnham, August 11th, [1801.] + + + + +II. + + +Madam, + +Your polite congratulation upon the entrance of a new year, I return +seven-fold to you, and the whole of the party now under the hospitable +roof of Merton Place. Time is a sacred deposit committed to our trust; +and, hereafter, we must account for the use we have made of it. To +me, a large portion of this treasure has already been granted, even +seventy-nine years. The complaint my dear son has felt is, I know, +very, very painful: and can be removed, only, with much care and +caution; not venturing, without a thick covering, both head and feet, +even to admire your parterres of snow-drops, which now appear in all +their splendour. The white robe which _January_ wears, bespangled with +ice, is handsome to look at; but we must not approach too near _her_. + +I shall be very glad to know the Lord of Merton is recovered. + +I am, Madam, your most humble servant, + + EDM. NELSON. + +Bath, January 7th, 1802. + + + + + Letters + + From The + + REV. DR. NELSON, + + NOW + + EARL NELSON, + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF EARL NELSON, &c. + + + + +I. + + + Hilborough, near Brandon, + Wednesday, March 4th, 1801. + +My Dear Lady, + +I have sent you, by this day's coach, a hunted hare; which, I hope, +will prove tender and good. It was killed yesterday. + +We are very much gratified by your kind and friendly letters: they +are very interesting to us, and they give an additional zest to our +breakfast; indeed, they are the only things give us any comfort, in +our absence. How unfortunate it was, we left town as we did! I had a +letter, yesterday morning, from my great and beloved Brother. He tells +me, he has sent my letter to the new Lord Chancellor; God grant it may +have the desired effect; but, they are all so engaged, that I fear it +much. At any rate, our good Friend has done what he can. He tells +me, he shall be at Yarmouth to-morrow or next day. A near relation +of our's, who has not seen my Lord since his return to England, +has offered to take me in his carriage: so, we set out on Sunday +afternoon; for we parsons can't go till the Sunday duty is over. We +sleep at Norwich, and hope to be at Yarmouth early on Monday. + +I have written to my Brother by this post; so that, if he is likely to +have sailed before Monday, he has time to stop us. Yarmouth is sixty +miles from hence. + +I have written you all these particulars; because, I know, you like to +know all about us. + +Mrs. Nelson does not go with us; so you must be charitable to her, and +give her a letter or two. We shall return by the following Sunday. + +I see, by the papers, the King was better on Tuesday. + +Mrs. Nelson is going out for a day; when she returns, she will +write. She will thank you to keep the _two_ guineas my Lord left for +Charlotte, till you hear from her; as she has thought of laying it out +in a frock for her. + +We both join in united regards to Sir William; and believe me, your +Ladyship's faithful and most obliged and affectionate friend, + + Wm. NELSON. + + + + +II. + + + Hilborough, March 29th, 1801. + +My Dear Lady, + +As I have duty to-day, both morning and afternoon, and to preach +_twice_, I have only time to scrawl a few lines to you between the +services. I will write to my deary to-morrow. + +I do not much wonder we have no news from the Baltic, considering the +state of the wind; and, unless it changes, it may be some time first. +Pray God it may be good, when it does arrive. + +I was rather surprised to hear _Tom Tit_ (that bad bird) had taken his +flight to town: but, he is a prying little animal, and wishes to know +every thing; and, as he is so small and insignificant, his movements +are not always observed. But, for God's sake, take care of him; and +caution our little jewel to be as much upon her guard as she can. I am +terribly afraid, this bird will endeavour to do mischief. He must be +watched with a hawk's eye. I almost wish some hawk, or _Jove's eagle_, +would either devour him or frighten him away. + +It is not very likely I should hear from Yarmouth before you, because +our Yarmouth letters generally go to London first; but if I +should, accidentally, your Ladyship shall depend on hearing from me +immediately. + +I am glad my little Horace looks so well; and that you think him so +like his great, his glorious, his immortal Uncle. Why should he not be +like him? Is it so very uncommon for such near relations to have some +similitude? They who say otherwise, only say it out of envy, malice +and hatred, and all uncharitableness; out upon all such miscreants! +say I. + +My love to deary, Charlotte, and the hereditary Duke of Bronte. + +God bless you, my dear Lady; and believe me, your's faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + +Tell me, in your next, whether you have seen that little bird, called +_Tom Tit_. + + + + +III. + + + Hilborough, August 23d, 1801. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I have written two long letters to my jewel, but I still seem to +have more to say. I can't find out whether a certain Viscountess is +expected at Burnham, or no. + +I am pleased that you propose bringing Mrs. Nelson to Hilborough. I +hope, Sir William will be able to amuse himself with fishing a little. +The weather is too hot for me to come to London, and I can't leave my +parish at this time. + +Tell my Brother, I should have great pleasure in seeing him; and will +go with him to Plymouth, or any where else, if he particularly +desires it. When you have seen Parker and Langford, you can give me a +particular account of the state of their wounds. I feel much for them. +I think it is better the _Cub_ did not speak to Mrs. N. It will save +some trouble. + +I wish you could get a comfortable house near London. + +You will find Mr. Nayler, of the Herald's Office, a pleasant +young man. I believe, he is my friend, and will readily give every +information in his power. + +If _Jove_ gets a higher title, perhaps things may be settled more to +our minds. Now we are already in the patent, as _Barons_; it will be +no difficult matter, in that case, to have our entails advanced to the +highest honour, if my brother wishes. + +This I only mention _entre nous_, without having a desire on the +subject. I am perfectly satisfied, that I am in the patent. I don't +mean to say more to my Brother. + +I am told, there are two or three very old lives, Prebends of +Canterbury, in the Minister's gift--near six hundred pounds a year, +and good houses. + +The Deans of Hereford, Exeter, Litchfield and Coventry, York, and +Winchester, are old men. + +Write from Deal, and tell me when you are likely to return to London. + +You can't come from thence nearer than London, unless my Brother lands +you on the other side of the river Thames, on the Essex or Suffolk +coasts. If that plan takes place, Mrs. Nelson had better send Sarah +home before you go. + +Compliments to Sir William, and all friends. Your's very faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + + + + +IV. + + + Sunday Morning, Sept. 6th, [1801.] + +My Dear Lady, + +To be sure, you did promise to write to me on Thursday last; and I was +very much disappointed at not receiving a letter yesterday, and sent +to the Post Office twice, to be certain there was no mistake: and, +now, this morning, comes your roguish, waggish letter, on a Sunday +morning, (amidst all my meditations for the good of my parishioners) +about love, courtship, marriage, throwing the stocking, going to bed, +&c. &c. &c.--quite shocking to write to a country parson, who can +have no idea of such _things_. It might do well enough for a King's +chaplain; or a church dignitary, who is supposed to have more +_learning_, and more knowledge of _things in general_. + +I wish you was here, and you should not laugh at me for nothing. I +would give you as good as you brought, at any time. + +I'll have no Emmas, at present. Stay till there comes one or two of +another sort, to keep the line of the Nelsons in the true name and +blood, without being obliged to go to others to assume a name +which scarcely belongs to them; and, then, as many Emmas, Elfridas, +Evelindas, and Evelinas, as you please. + +But, I hope to God, the present young Horatio will go on as we all +wish, and transmit a long race to posterity. + +I am delighted with Dr. Heath's letter to my Brother, and the +character he gives of him. My only fear is, that we shall spoil him +among us. + +I have not yet heard from him, how he felt himself. I should have +liked to have peeped slyly into his room, and seen how he acted on +first receiving the joyful intelligence. + +I don't know enough how to thank my Brother, for all his goodness to +me and mine; my heart overflows, whenever I think of it: but I can't +sit down, and write a formal letter of thanks; it would be too absurd +for _me_ to write, or _him_ to read. He well knows me; and I leave it +to your Ladyship, (my best and truest friend) to say every thing to +him, for and from me: it will come best from your lips, and adorned +with your eloquence. + +I wish my Brother had done with this business. I hope, a peace will +soon put an end to his toils and dangers. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * + + + + +V. + + + Hilborough, September 8th, 1801. + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I hope you will have received my long letter of Sunday's date, by this +time. I wonder you should accuse me of remissness, in not writing to +_you_. I told you then, and I repeat it now, that I would always give +you "_as good as you brought_:" and, upon looking back to the last +week's letters, I find I have always answered your's, whenever I had +one; and, generally, by the _same post_. + +As I wrote so much on Sunday, and you said--you thought you should +leave Deal on Tuesday or Wednesday, I said--I should write no more +till you got back to London. Nor should I now, was it not to rebut the +charge of remissness and inattention to you. + +I am glad Mrs. Nelson is likely to come home soon; but, I hear nothing +about your intentions. I shall write to her to-morrow, and direct my +letter to Piccadilly; where, I hope, it will find her: and, if this +letter travels to Deal, and follows you to London, it is no matter; +it is not worth having, when you get it. Only, I could not bear the +thoughts of the appearance of neglect, without deserving it. + +One or two letters I wrote to Mrs. Nelson last week, I gave public +notice, were intended, in a great degree, for the whole party. + +Mrs. Bolton is here for a day, to help my solitary life. I find Lady +N. has taken a house in Somerset Street, Portman Square. She, and my +Father, are to spend the winter in London; and, I am informed, he is +to pay half. Whether it is ready-furnished, or not, I can't tell. + +Mr. Edwards is this moment gone, and begs his compliments to you all. + +Believe me, your's most faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + +Compliments to Parker and Langford. + + + + +VI. + + + Canterbury, February 9th, 1805. + +Dear Lady Hamilton, + +I send you a small parcel; which I will thank you to forward to my +Brother, if you think there is a chance of his getting it before he +leaves the Mediterranean. But, if you have reason to expect him home +very soon, you will be kind enough to return it to me again; or, keep +it till I see you. + +The ceremony of electing the new Archbishop takes place on Tuesday +morning. I think it more than probable, we shall make choice of the +person his Majesty has recommended to us, in his letter, which the +Chapter received yesterday. + +Mrs. Nelson begs her love to you, Charlotte, Mrs. Bolton, &c. &c. + +Your's, very faithfully, + + Wm. NELSON. + +I received Mrs. Bolton's parcel safe on Friday. + + + + Letters + + FROM THE + + EARL OF ST. VINCENT + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, _&c._ + + + + +I. + + +My Dear Madam, + +The prodigies of valour performed by your new Chevalier have, I fear, +obliterated the memory of your ancient Knight. Nevertheless, I +beg your Ladyship will lay me at the feet of the Queen of the Two +Sicilies, and assure her Majesty of my profound respect for her +person, and that my life is devoted to the defence of it: and, for +yourself, accept every kind wish of your Ladyship's truly affectionate +and faithful Knight, + + ST. VINCENT. + + +Gibraltar, 18th October 1798. + + + + +II. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Ten thousand most grateful thanks are due to your Ladyship, for +restoring the health of our invaluable friend Nelson, on whose life +the fate of the remaining governments in Europe, whose system has +not been deranged by these devils, depends. Pray, do not let your +fascinating Neapolitan dames approach too near him; for he is made of +flesh and blood, and cannot resist their temptations. + +Lady St. Vincent will be transported with your attention to her. +I have sent the fan mounts for Lady Nelson and her, by Sir James +Saumarez; who, after seeing the French prizes safe moored in the +Tagus, conveys the Duke d'Hervie. He, poor man! although a Grandee +of Spain, having been driven out of that kingdom by the insolent +intrigues of Truguet. + +I have obeyed your Ladyship's commands respecting Tom Bowen, who is +now Captain of L'Aquilon, and gone to Lisbon to take possession of +her; and his brother William, who married a daughter of Sir William +Parker, I have appointed to the Caroline, the finest frigate I have, +and he is employed on the most advantageous service for filling his +pockets. Should your Ladyship have any other protege, I desire you +will not spare me. + +I am very much penetrated with the condescension their Majesties of +the Two Sicilies have graciously shewn to me, through your Ladyship, +and I rely on your doing justice to my feelings upon the occasion. + +I have taken up my residence here for some months, that I may be ready +to afford succour to the detachments of the fleet I have the honour to +command, in the Levant and before Cadiz; and, when Sir William and you +arrive, I shall be able to give you some English mutton, in a plain +way. + +Continue to love me; and rest assured of the most unfeigned and +affectionate regard of, my dear Lady Hamilton, your faithful and +devoted Knight, + + ST. VINCENT. + + Admiral's House, Rosia, Gibraltar, + 28th October 1798. + + + + +III. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I have to thank you, which I do most kindly, for your obliging letters +of the 7th and 10th of November; and for the gracious letter which +your Ladyship had received from the charming, delightful Queen of the +Two Sicilies, at whose feet I am anxiously desirous to throw myself: +and, as I have relinquished my intention of returning to England, +(although in possession of leave to go) I hope the period is not far +distant. In the meanwhile, have the goodness to keep me alive in the +remembrance of her Majesty: assure her of my profound respect and +admiration for her as Queen--I dare not give utterance to what I feel +for her as one of the first and most lovely of her sex. + +Our possession of the island of Minorca will relieve her Majesty, and +the government, from one embarrassment, touching their last treaty +with France; as Lord Nelson will now be able to refit his squadron, +without committing an infraction of the treaty. + +Our excellent friend, General O'Hara, is very busy in erecting two +rooms for the accommodation of your Ladyship and Sir William, when +you visit this curious rock. He is among the most hospitable and +entertaining of men: and we live together as all commanders of his +Majesty's land forces and fleets ought to do; and, I hope, will do, +from the examples which have been shewn wherever I have acted with the +army--as Sir Charles Grey, the Governor of this garrison, and General +Stuart, will testify; and, if the immortal Wolfe could be conjured +from the grave, he would do so too. + +I hope soon to hear, our dear Lord Nelson is quite well, under your +fostering care; and, with my warmest wishes for every blessing to be +showered down upon you and your's, I have the honour to be, with the +truest respect, esteem, and regard, your Ladyship's very affectionate, +humble servant, + + ST. VINCENT. + + Rosia House, Gibraltar, + 7th Dec. 1798. + + + + +IV. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance and protection another +hero of the Nile, in Captain Darby, of the Bellerophon; who you will +find a pleasant, queer, and faithful Irishman. + +I also beg leave to interest you in favour of Mrs. Lock; a daughter +of the Duchess of Leinster, by Mr. Ogilvie. Her husband is appointed +Consul at Naples; which may occasion some difficulty in bringing her +forward, unless the etiquette is altered touching Consuls. + +God bless you, my dear Madam; and, be assured, I always am your +Ladyship's truly affectionate + + ST. VINCENT. + + Rosia House, Gibraltar, + 1st January 1799. + + + + +V. + + +MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +I cannot sufficiently thank you, for sending me her Sicilian Majesty's +most gracious letter; the contents of which I feel, as becomes a good +royalist, and loyal subject: and for your goodness to Mrs. Lock; +who, poor thing! merits a more respectable situation than that of +Consuless. She is, certainly, a very comely woman, and truly amiable. + +The designation Sir William has in contemplation for him, will place +them in an honourable stile; and, I have no doubt, from the protection +they have at home, will lead to ministerial character. + +You are very good to my old friend Darby--who is a good-humoured, +blundering Irishman; and will make you laugh, in the midst of the +pangs your Ladyship must suffer for the destiny of the delightful city +and country to which you have so long contributed a large portion of +the gaiety and charming society of Sir William's hospitable mansion: +for, although I had not the good fortune to revisit Naples after Sir +William's return, all my travelling friends did ample justice to the +liberality of the representatives of our Royal Master and Mistress. +Mr. Preston was charge, when I was at Naples with the Duke of +Gloucester; and, though a worthy gentleman, and since a pious Bishop, +he was certainly a dry comedian. + +Have the goodness to commend me to the Queen; continue to nurse my +excellent friend, Nelson; and, when I have the happiness to see Sir +William and your Ladyship here, I will pour the effusions of my heart +upon you both. The Governor has added two rooms to the convent, for +your accommodation; and Mrs. Grey, late Miss Whitbread, wife to the +Captain of the Ville de Paris, will contribute all that this house +affords for the entertainment of both. + +God bless you, my dear Lady Hamilton; and, be assured, no man respects +and esteems you more truly than your Ladyship's truly affectionate + + ST. VINCENT. + + Rosia House, + 27th February 1799. + + + + + Letters + + FROM + + SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF SIR ALEXANDER JOHN BALL, _&c_. + + + + +I. + + +My Dear Madam, + +I cannot help loving and esteeming you very much, although you have +proved such a false gipsey to me. Pray, do you recollect looking into +my hand, and telling me a pretty story of carrying home Sir William +and Lady Hamilton, &c. &c. However, I forgive you; as you did not take +money, and could only have in view giving me much pleasure. + +I beg leave to introduce to your Ladyship's notice the Abbe Savoye; +who is a sensible man, and the most polished here. He has great +influence with the Maltese. Pray, request Sir William to introduce him +particularly to Le Chevalier Acton. + +I shall have the pleasure of seeing you and Sir William Hamilton in +England, this summer. How very much I wished to be near you, when you +were reading the parliamentary effusions of gratitude and joy for the +services Lord Nelson has rendered his country! I would rather be Lord +Nelson, than any Duke--or, indeed, any man--in England; and you may +guess how very proud I am in having such a friend. Indeed, I feel, +that I owe more to him than any man in this world. I have written to +Sir William; God bless you both! + +I remain, with sincere respect and esteem, my dear Madam, your +Ladyship's most devoted and obliged humble servant, + + ALEXANDER JOHN BALL. + + Alexander, + 9th February 1799. + +Davidge Gould is sighing for Palermo; _alias_ Miss K----. I wish the +Admiral would let him recreate for a fortnight, and send Hardy to me +again. + + + + +II. + + +My Dear Madam, + +I had the honour of writing to your Ladyship and Sir William, by the +Vanguard; since which, I have read the few lines you had the goodness +to address to me at the bottom of Lord Nelson's letter of the 9th +inst. + +I cannot entertain any hopes of personally paying my respects to you +and Sir William, before your departure for England; but, be assured, +that I can never forget the very flattering attention you have both +been pleased to honour me with. + +You must wait a month longer, for the warm weather; otherwise, the +transition may be too great for Sir William. + +We are anxiously waiting for the Maltese deputies to return from +Palermo. The inhabitants are critically situated; but, I hope, all +will end well. Good news from you will determine it. + +I find, that you fascinate all the navy as much at Palermo as you +did at Naples. If we had many such advocates, every body would be a +candidate for our profession. + +God bless, and protect, you and Sir William. May prosperous gales +attend you! May you live a thousand years! + +Believe me, with sincere respect and esteem, my dear Madam, your +Ladyship's most devoted and obliged servant, + + ALEXANDER JOHN BALL. + +23d February 1799. + + + + + Letters + + FROM THE + + EARL OF BRISTOL, + + _Bishop of Derry, in Ireland_, + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letters OF THE EARL OF BRISTOL, _Bishop of Derry, &c_. + + + + +I. + + + Naples, Sunday Morning, + [1795.] + +I return you the inclosed, my Dearest Emma, which does equal honour +to the excellent head and heart of the writer. I shall begin, for the +first time of my life, to have a good opinion of myself, after such +honourable testimonials. + +In the mean time, I send you an extraordinary piece of news, just +written me from Ratisbon--a courier from the Elector of Mentz, +desiring _the Empire_ to make a separate peace with France. + +Couriers have been sent from the Diet to Sweden and Denmark, desiring +their mediation: "and it is clear," says my letter, "_Somebody_ is at +the bottom of all this; the Elector of Mentz only lends his name." + +The suburbs of Warsaw taken; the capitulation of the city daily +expected. + +The King of Prussia totally retired beyond Potsdam, and supposed to be +at the eve of madness. + + Oh! Emma, who'd ever be wise, + If madness be loving of thee. + + B. + + + + +II. + + + Munich, 14th July 1795. + +Dearest Emma, + +Here is great news from England. My letters of the 26th June assure +me, seven thousand men are embarked for St. Pol de Leon, together with +an immense number of emigres--that, the week before, a bishop, and +sixty priests, were most prosperously landed at the same place, and +received with the greatest acclamations--that six sail of the line +from Russia, were in sight, and the pilots gone to conduct them--that, +in Amsterdam, and other towns of Holland, there is the greatest +insurrections in favour of that fool the Stadtholder. All this, +however, can only tend to facilitate peace, but not at all to restore +that despicable, odious family of Bourbons--the head of which is now +at _Verona_, where we left him eating _two capons_ a day; ('tis a pity +the whole family are not _capons_!) and, what is more, dressing them +himself in a superb kitchen--the true chapel of a Bourbon Prince. + +Emma! if that dear Queen of Naples does not write, herself, to +Prince D'Oria, for me, I won't look at your beautiful face these six +months--"_coute qui coute_." + +To-morrow, for _Pyrmont_, near Hanover. Emma--adieu! + + + + +III. + + +* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There is no doubt +but Don Luizi is implicated: that very circumstance, argues the extent +of the mischief; for so cautious a man, and one whose sentiments are +so publicly known, would not engage without good support. + +I have conversed with one of his intimates--one "who is no stranger +to his dearest secret." The evidence will be difficult; perhaps, +impracticable: unless his most confidential friends can be gained; and +that, I deem, impossible. + +But the character of the Garrison at Capua is of the most alarming +complexion; and, yet, is what I can best depend on. I think, _Wade_ +could tell much, if he would speak out. + +Adieu! + +Lovel and I were on Vesuvius. He goes, like a true parson, only to +eat the better. I foresee, he will once more fall into _Nudi's_ hands. +Procyta will be another _Duo_; for I hate large parties on such, and +especially females--unless they be Phoenixes, like yourself. + +It is a great discouragement to a Caserta party, to view the whole +town buried in a mist; and the Belvidere alone, like a buoy, to point +out the shoal. + +Sweet Emma--adieu! + +Every wish of my heart beats for the dear Queen. + + + + +IV. + + +Send me word, Dearest Emma! how the invaluable, adorable Queen, finds +herself. + +The weather changed so unmercifully, yesterday, that Lovel and I +both grew ill; and this makes me the more anxious to hear of our +too sensible and inestimable Queen. My warmest wishes--physical, +political, and moral--ever attend her. + + B. + + + + +V. + + +Here is my cousin's answer, Dearest Emma--"_Io lo capisco_." Her +brother assured me, there is not the semblance of an insurrection; +and, that our dear, dear Queen, is misled by a set of scoundrels. + +Send me word where you will be. Adieu! + + + + +VI. + + +Yesterday, we dined on Mount Vesuvius; to-day, we were to have dined +on its victim, Pompeii: but, "by the grace of God, which passeth all +understanding," since Bartolomeo himself, that weather-soothsayer, did +not foresee this British weather, we are prevented. + +In the mean time, all this week and the next, is replete with projects +to Ischia, Procita, &c. &c. so God only knows when I can worship, +again, my Diana of Ephesus. + +Write me word, explicitly, how you are, _what_ you are, and where you +are; and be sure that, wheresoever I am, still I am your's, my dearest +Emma. + + + + +VII. + + + Wednesday. + +MY DEAREST EMMA, + +The very unexpected intelligence, which Prince Augustus has most +delicately communicated to me, of poor Lord Hervey's _decease_, has +quite _bouleversee_ my already shattered frame. + +I would not allow your friendly mind to learn an event so interesting +to me from any other hand than that of your affectionate and devoted +friend, + + BRISTOL. + + + + +VIII. + + +MY EVER DEAREST LADY HAMILTON, + +I should certainly have made this Sunday an holy day to me, and have +taken a Sabbath day's journey to Caserta, had not poor Mr. Lovel been +confined to his bed above three days with a fever. + +To-day, it is departed; to-morrow, Dr. Nudi has secured us from its +resurrection; and, after to-morrow, I hope, virtue will be its own +reward, and that my friendship for Lovel will be recompensed with the +enjoyment. + +This moment I receive your _billet-doux_, and very dulcet it is! + +All public and private accounts agree, in the immediate prospect of a +general peace. It will make a delicious foreground in the picture of +the new year; many of which, I wish, from the top, bottom, and centre +of my heart, to the incomparable Emma--_quella senza paragona_! + +_Dans ce moment, on m'assure que Mayence est prise. Je ne vous +garantis pas cette maudite nouvelle--mais je me flatte que la paix se +fait_. + + + + +IX. + + +EVER DEAREST EMMA, + +I went down to your Opera box two minutes after you left it; and +should have seen you on the morning of your departure--but was +detained in the _arms_ of _Murphy_, as Lady Eden expressed it, and was +too late. + +You say nothing of the adorable Queen; I hope, she has not forgot me: +but, as Shakespeare says, "Who doats, must doubt;" and I verily deem +her the very best edition of a woman I ever saw--I mean; of such as +are not in _folio_, and are to be _had_ in _sheets_. + +I will come on Friday or Saturday; but our British colony are so +numerous, that my duties obstruct my pleasures. + +Ever, and invariably, dearest, dear Emma, most affectionately, your + + B. + +You see, I am but the second letter of your alphabet, though you are +the first of _mine_. + + + + +X. + + + Milan, 24th November 1798. + +I know not, Dearest Emma, whether friend Sir William has been able +to obtain my passport, or not; but this I know--that, if they have +refused it, they are damned fools for their pains: for, never was a +_Malta orange_ better worth squeezing or sucking; and if they leave me +to die, without a tombstone over me, to tell the contents--"_tant pis +pour eux_!" + +In the mean time, I will frankly confess to you, that my health most +seriously and urgently requires the balmy air of dear Naples, and the +more balmy atmosphere of those I love, and who love me; and that I +shall forego my garret with more regret than most people of my silly +rank in society forego a palace or a drawing-room. + +But I will augur better things from the justice of my neighbour; and +that they will not condemn, against all rules of probability, one of +their best friends, unheard: especially, one who, if he be heard, can +say so much. + +My project, then, in case I receive the passport, is to travel on +horseback as far as _Spalato_ in Dalmatia; and, from thence, cross +over to Manfredonia--a passage of a few hours--and which, in the year +1772, I performed with my horses on board; and, afterwards, had a most +delightful jaunt through that unexplored region, Dalmatia; where the +very first object that strikes both the eye and the imagination, is +a modern city built within the precincts of an ancient palace--for +Spalato stands within the innermost walls of Diocletian's palace. +For that wise Sovereign quitted the sceptre for the pleasures of +an architect's rule; and, when he had completed his mansion in that +delightful climate, enjoyed that, and life, to a most advanced old +age-- + + "The world forgetting, by the world forgot." + +_A-propos_ to _Spalato_! Do not fail hinting to Sir William, that +a most safe, convenient, and expeditious packet-boat, might be +established, in these perilous times, between that and Manfredonia: +by which all dispatches, and all travellers, either for business or +pleasure, might make a very short and safe cut between Naples and +Vienna, and Naples and the rest of Europe, without touching one palm +of any ground but Austrian and Neapolitan; and, of course, without the +risk of being ever stopped. + +The small towns, too, are in quick succession; and, the whole country +being a limestone rock, the roads will make themselves, and afterwards +pay themselves, by means of good turnpikes. + +Nothing can exceed the dreariness, gloominess, and humidity, of a +Milanese sky in winter; which, I conclude, under the _old regime_, +led to all the hospitality, and conviviality, practised here, by their +voluptuous but social nobility. + +Now, we have nothing left to _comfort_, but another _Nudi_--a son of +Esculapius, born in Italy; but an enthusiast for England, and all that +is English--an excellent physician, but a still better friend; and, +like Nudi, when he has a pint of Madeira in his belly, and the fumes +of it in his brain, a most cheerful and improving companion: for, I +protest to you that, during my convalescence, I made greater strides +to recovery by his Attic evenings, than by his morning potions, or +even his beef broth. + +Sweet Emma, adieu! Remember me in the warmest and most enthusiastic +stile, to your friend, and my friend, and the friend of human kind. + +If Sir William does not contrive to send me my passport, I will--I +will--excommunicate him, and send him to the devil before his time. + + + + + Letter + + FROM + + THE HONOURABLE + + CHARLES GREVILLE, + + _Nephew of Sir William Hamilton_, + + TO + + LADY HAMILTON. + + + + +Letter OF THE HONOURABLE CHARLES GREVILLE, _&c_. + + + August 18th, 1794. + +DEAR LADY HAMILTON, + +You will, I am sure, be glad to hear, that a favourable change +has been announced to me; and that I am reinstated in the King's +household, and honoured with a gold key, as his Vice-Chamberlain--and +I hope, in a few days, to be in parliament. + +You have seen me in prosperity, and in adversity; and know how much I +estimate worldly concerns, according to their influencing the opinion +of my real friends. Friendship has borne me up in the most difficult +times; and the general satisfaction which my friends express, on my +promotion, renders me very happy at present: and, to make me more so, +I have anticipated to my own mind the sincere satisfaction with which +you will receive this news. + +I should not flatter myself so far, if I was not very sincerely +interested in your happiness; and, ever, affectionately your's, + + C.F.G. + + + + + Letters + + FROM + + LADY HAMILTON + + TO + + THE HON. CHARLES GREVILLE, + + _Nephew of Sir William Hamilton_. + + + + +Letters OF LADY HAMILTON, &c. + + + + +I. + + + 25th of February, [1800.] + +DEAR SIR, + +I received your letter by Mr. Campbell. He is lodged with us. We find +him a pleasant man; and shall write fully by him. He will tell you a +little how we go on, as to our domestic happiness. We are more united +and comfortable than ever, in spite of the infamous Jacobin papers, +jealous of Lord Nelson's glory, and Sir William's and mine. But we do +not mind them. Lord N. is a truly virtuous and great man; and, because +we have been fagging, and ruining our health, and sacrificing every +comfort, in the cause of loyalty, our private characters are to be +stabbed in the dark. First, it was said, Sir W. and Lord N. fought; +then, that we played, and lost. First, Sir W. and Lord N. live like +brothers; next, Lord N. never plays: and this I give you my word of +honour. So I beg you will contradict any of these vile reports. Not +that Sir W. and Lord N. mind it; and I get scolded by the Queen, and +all of them, for having suffered one day's uneasiness. + +Our fleet is off Malta: Lord Nelson has taken Le Genereux, and was +after the frigates; so the attempt to relieve Malta has failed. + +I have had a letter from the Emperor of Russia, with the Cross of +Malta. Sir William has sent his Imperial Majesty's letter to Lord +Grenville, to get me the permission to wear it. I have rendered some +services to the poor Maltese. I got them ten thousand pounds, and sent +corn when they were in distress. The deputies have been lodged in my +house; I have been their Ambassadress, so his [I.]M. has rewarded me. +If the King will give me leave to wear it abroad, it is of use to me. +The Q----n is having the order set in diamonds for me; but the one the +Emperor sent is gold. I tell you this little history of it, that you +may be _au fait_. Ball has it also, but I am the first Englishwoman +that ever had it. Sir W. is pleased, so _I am happy_. We are coming +home; and I am miserable, to leave my dearest friend, the Q----. She +cannot be consoled. We have sworn to be back in six months; and I will +not quit her, till Sir William binds himself to come back. However, +I shall have a comfort in seeing some of my old friends; and you, in +particular. We have also many things to settle. I think, I can situate +the person you mention about the Court, as a _Camerist_ to some of the +R. F----y, if her education _is good_. + +It is a comfortable situation _for life_; so, I will bring her out. +The Q. has promised me. Let this remain _entre nous_. + + + + +II. + + + [April 1803.] + +Lady Hamilton will be glad to know how long Mr. Greville can permit +her to remain in the house in Piccadilly, as she must instantly look +out for a lodging; and, therefore, it is right for her to know the +full extent of time she can remain there. She also begs to know, if he +will pay her debts, and what she may depend upon; that she may reduce +her expences and establishment immediately. + + +END OF VOL. I. + +Printed by Macdonald and Son, Cloth Fair, London. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady +Hamilton, Vol. I., by Horatio Nelson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF LORD NELSON *** + +***** This file should be named 15469.txt or 15469.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/6/15469/ + +Produced by Steven Gibbs, Stephen 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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