The Boreas stationed at the Nore.

their duty by me, arose only from my close investigation of their conduct, which prevented their impositions from taking effect. Every artificer and seaman employed in the naval yard receives additional pay: and shall the officer who has the conducting of the whole business be the only one, in this instance, who is neglected? I trust in your lordship's answer it will not prove so. The trouble I was at in developing those frauds, it is most true, was no more than my duty: but, indeed, my lord, I little thought that the expences attending my going so often to St. John's, a distance of twelve miles, would have fallen upon my pay as captain of the Boreas."

With reference to this very subject, it has been well remarked, that it is not so much the honours that are at length liberally bestowed upon officers who are worn out in the service, which preserve a spirit of heroism and enterprize in our navy, as an attention to humble individuals, who, like Nelson, have only their integrity and zeal to bring them into notice, and whose valour has been disciplined in the rigid school of adversity.

As if to sharpen the feelings of disappointment which Nelson must have experienced on this occasion, the Boreas, immediately on her return from the West Indies, was actually kept at the Nore as a slop and receiving ship till the end of November. It is well known that Nelson deeply resented this indignity: indeed so keenly did he feel the unpleasant service imposed upon him, that, during this whole time, he seldom or never quitted his ship, or associated with his officers, carrying on the duty with stern and sullen attention. Orders were at length received to prepare the Boreas to be paid off. He expressed his joy at the circumstance to the senior officer commanding in the Medway, "which," he added with much emotion, "will release me for ever

E

Nelson visits the West of England.

from an ungrateful service; as it is my firm and unalterable determination never again to set foot in a king's ship. On my arrival in town, I shall immediately wait on the first lord of the Admiralty, and resign my commission." Arguments and expostulations were urged in vain to dissuade him from such a step; on which the officer, without loss of time, secretly employed his friendly interference with Lord Howe, and so successfully, that, on the 29th of November, the day before the Boreas was paid off, Captain Nelson received a kind letter from his lordship, intimating his wish to see him on his arrival in town. Nelson waited upon him accordingly, and was graciously received. The result of the interview proved satisfactory to both parties, and on the next levee-day Lord Howe presented him to his Majesty.

The health of Captain Nelson was at this time in a very precarious state. Dreading the effects of an English winter after so long a residence in the West Indies, he resolved to visit Bath, where he had himself formerly experienced great benefit, and where his father's infirmities had induced him to spend the winter, during many of the later years of his life. From Bath he proceeded with his wife to an uncle of her's near Bristol, and then to Exmouth. During his stay at the latter place, he paid a visit to Prince William Henry at Plymouth; and there also in May, 1788, he thus wrote to a friend: You have given up all the toils and anxieties of business, whilst I must still buffet the waves in search of what? Alas! that thing called honour is now thought of no more. My integrity cannot, I hope, be amended; but my fortune, God knows, has grown worse for the service so much for serving my country. But the devil, ever willing to tempt the virtuous — pardon this flattery of myself— has made me offer, if any ships should be sent to destroy his majesty of

66

Settles at Burnham Thorpe.

Morocco's ports, to be there; and I have some reason to think that, should any more come of it, my humble services will be accepted. I have invariably laid down and followed close a plan of what ought to be uppermost in the breast of an officer - that it is much better to serve an ungrateful country than to give up his own fame. Posterity will do him justice. A uniform course of integrity seldom fails of bringing a man to the goal of fame at last."

On leaving the beautiful scenery of Exmouth, Captain and Mrs. Nelson passed through town on their way to the parsonage of Burnham Thorpe, which he never could speak of, when absent from it, without being affected. They had no thoughts of residing there, but merely intended to pay a visit to his father, preparatory to going to France, where he purposed to make himself better acquainted with the French language an acquisition of essential utility to a naval officer. So overjoyed was the venerable rector at the sight of them, that he declared it had given him new life. 'But, Horace," exclaimed his father, "it would have been better that I had not been thus cheered, if I am to be so soon bereft of you again. Let me, my good son, see you while I can; age and infirmities increase, and I shall not last long." This appeal was irresistible; and Nelson and his wife took up their abode at the parsonage.

Though so far removed from his proper element and sphere of action, his mind, even in the quiet village of Burnham Thorpe, could not remain unoccupied. He was soon assiduously engaged in cultivating his father's garden, and in learning to farm the adjoining glebe: but the former was his favourite station. There he would often spend the greater part of the day, and dig, as if for the sake of wearying himself. At other times he would resume the pursuits of early youth, and, with a simplicity peculiar

Nelson's rural Occupations.

to him, when not engaged with the great objects of professional duty, would ramble for hours in the woods seeking birds' nests, accompanied, at his express desire, by Mrs. Nelson. Sometimes too he employed himself, when his eyes would admit of it, in reading, especially periodical works, in studying charts, and in writing, or drawing plans. Known and beloved by all the neighbouring gentry, he frequently joined in their field sports, and was particularly fond of coursing. In pointing a great gun at a ship, a castle, or a fort, he was scarcely to be equalled, and so universally was this talent known, that, ever after the expedition against San Juan, he was familiarly called the Brigadier. But he could make nothing of a hare, a partridge, or a pheasant. Carrying his fowling-piece at full cock, as though about to board an enemy, he let fly at a bird the moment it rose, without ever putting the gun to his shoulder; hence his having once killed a partridge is remembered by his family as a remarkable circumstance. Meanwhile, he acted the part of a true father to the little Josiah, whom he treated in every respect with the most indulgent tenderness. He had him carefully educated, and himself minutely inspected his progress. As he seemed early to evince a partiality for the naval service, Nelson, who had no prospect of issue by his wife, promised to take him as an only son under his own immediate protection.

Even in his retreat at Burnham, he was not destined to enjoy undisturbed quiet. He was again menaced with prosecutions by the Americans, whose ships he had seized in the West Indies. "I have written them word," he tells Captain Locker, “that I will have nothing to do with them, and they must act as they think proper. Government will, I suppose, do what is right, and not leave me in the lurch. We have heard enough lately of the consequence of

His last Annoyance from the American Captains.

the Act of Navigation to this country. They may take my person; but if sixpence would save me from a prosecution I would not give it."

It was at this time that he had one day gone to a neighbouring fair to buy a pony. During his absence two men abruptly entered the parsonage, and asked for Captain Nelson. Being informed that he had gone out, but that Mrs. Nelson was at home, they desired to see her. Having made her repeatedly declare that she was really and truly the captain's wife, they served her with a writ on the part of the American captains, who had laid their damages at £20,000, desiring her to give it to her husband on his return. Nelson, having bought his pony, came home with it in high glee. He called out his wife to admire his bargain, and began to enumerate all its excellent qualities, so that it was some time before she could apprize him of what had happened, and put the paper into his hand. His indignation was unbounded. This affront," he exclaimed, I did not deserve; but never mind — I'll be trifled with no longer. I will write immediately to the Treasury, and if government will not support me, I am resolved to leave the country." He accordingly wrote to communicate the circumstance to the Treasury, adding that, unless a satisfactory answer were sent by return of post, he should take refuge in France. His plan was arranged with his usual promptness; and it was settled that his elder brother Maurice should accompany Mrs. Nelson to the continent ten days after his departure. Fortunately for his country, a favourable answer was received, purporting that 'Captain Nelson was a very good officer, and needed be under no apprehension, for he would assuredly be supported by the Treasury.' This determination of government relieved him from all further annoyance on this subject.