resentment, did not, in reality, pass the bounds of ardent and romantic admiration: a passion which the manners and accomplishments of Lady Hamilton, fascinating as they were, would not have been able to excite, if they had not been accompanied by more uncommon intellectual endowments, and by a character which, both in its strength and in its weakness, resembled his own. It did not, therefore, require much explanation to reconcile him to his son; an event the more essential to Nelson's happiness, because, a few months afterwards, the good old man died at the age of seventy-nine.

Soon after the conclusion of peace, tidings arrived of our final and decisive successes in Egypt: in consequence of which, the common council voted their thanks to the army and navy for bringing the campaign to so glorious a conclusion. When Nelson, after the action of Cape St.Vincent had been entertained at a city feast, he had observed to the lord mayor, " that, if "the city continued its generosity, the na

66 vy would ruin them in gifts." To which the lord mayor replied, putting his hand upon the admiral's shoulder: "Do you find "victories, and we will find rewards." Nelson, as he said, had kept his word,― had doubly fulfilled his part of the contract, but no thanks had been voted for the battle of Copenhagen; and, feeling that he and his companions in that day's glory, had a fair and honourable claim to this reward, he took the present opportunity of addressing a letter to the lord mayor, complaining of the omission and the injustice. "The smallest services," said he, "rendered by the army or navy to the "country, have always been noticed by the 66 great city of London with one exception : "the glorious 2nd of April:-a day, "when the greatest dangers of navigation

were overcome; and the Danish force, "which they thought impregnable, totally "taken or destroyed, by the consummate "skill of our commanders, and by the un"daunted bravery of as gallant a band as a ever defended the rights of this country.

"For myself, if I were only personally con"cerned, I should bear the stigma, at"tempted to be now first placed upon my "brow, with humility. But, my lord, I "am the natural guardian of the fame of all "the officers of the navy, army, and marines, "who fought, and so profusely bled, un"der my command on that day. Again, "I disclaim for myself more merit than 66 naturally falls to a successful commander; “but when I am called upon to speak of "the merits of the captains of his majesty's "ships, and of the officers and men, whe"ther seamen, marines, or soldiers, whom "I that day had the happiness to command, "I then say, that never was the glory "of this country upheld with more deter"mined bravery than on that occasion: "—and if I may be allowed to give an ❝opinion as a Briton; then I say, that CC more important service was never ren❝dered to our king and country. It is (6 my duty, my lord, to prove to the brave "fellows, my companions in danger, that I "have not failed, at every proper place, to

"represent, as well as I am able, their "bravery and meritorious conduct."

Another honour, of greater import, was witheld from the conquerors. The king had given medals to those captains who were engaged in the battles of the 1st of June, of Cape St. Vincent, of Camperdown, and of the Nile. Then came the victory at Copenhagen; which Nelson truly called, the most difficult atchievment, the hardest fought battle, the most glorious result, that ever graced the annals of our country. He, of course, expected the medal: and, in writing to Earl St. Vincent, said: "He longed to have it, and would not give it

66

up to be made an English duke." The medal, however, was not given :-"For "what reason," said Nelson, "Lord St. "Vincent best knows:"-Words plainly implying a suspicion, that it was witheld by some feeling of jealousy: and that suspicion estranged him, during the remaining part of his life, from one who had at one time been essentially, as well as sincerely, his friend; and of whose professional

abilities he ever entertained the highest opinion.

The happiness which Nelson enjoyed in the society of his chosen friends, was of no long continuance. Sir William Hamilton, who was far advanced in years, died early in 1803. He expired in his wife's arms, holding Nelson by the hand; and almost in his last words left her to his protection; requesting him that he would see justice done her by the government, as he knew what she had done for her country. He left him her portrait in enamel, calling him his dearest friend; the most virtuous, loyal, and truly brave character he had ever known. The codicil, containing this bequest, concluded with these words: "God bless him, "and shame fall on those who do not say 66 amen." Sir William's pension, of £1200 a year, ceased with his death. Nelson applied to Mr. Addington in Lady Hamilton's behalf, stating the important service which she had rendered to the fleet at Syracuse : and Mr. Addington, it is said, acknowledged that she had a just claim upon the gratitude