tain laid them on board; and Captain Berry, who served as a volunteer, entered at the head of the boarders, and Commodore Nelson followed immediately, and took possession of them both. The crippled state of these ships, and the Captain, entangled as they were, and that part of the enemy's fleet which had been kept off in the morning -as described in the public letter-joining at the instant, it became necessary to collect the squadron, to resist an attempt to wrest these ships, the Salvador del Mundo, and San Ysidro, from us, which occasioned the discontinuance of the action."

Previously and subsequently to the action off the Nile, Admiral Nelson suffered much inconvenience, and the service was much impeded, from not having any frigates attached to his squadron; a deficiency which has occurred in other instances, with similar bad consequences. In a private letter to Lord Spencer, which is throughout worthy of notice, he commences by referring to this circumstance:

"MY LORD,

"Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1798, "Were I to die this moment, want of frigates would be found stamped on my heart. No words of mine can express what I have suffered, and am suffering, for want of them. Having only La Mutine brig, I cannot yet send off Captain Capel, which I am very anxious to do: for, as an accident may happen to Captain Berry, it is of some importance, I think, for your lordship to be informed of our success as speedily as possible. If the King of Naples had joined us, nothing at this moment could prevent the destruction of the store ships, and all the transports, in the port of Alexandria ; four bomb vessels would burn the whole in a few hours: but, as I have not the means, I can only regret the circumstance. I send you a pacquet of intercepted letters, some of them of great importance; in particular, one from Bonaparte to his brother. He writes such a scrawl, as no one not used to it can read: but, luckily, we have got a man who has wrote in his office to decypher it. Bonaparte has differed with his generals here: and he did want-and, if I understand his meaning, does want, and will strive to be, the Washington of France. "Ma mere is evidently meant for " my country." But, I beg pardon all this is, I have no doubt, well known to administration. I believe, our victory will, in it's consequence, destroy this army; at least, my endeavours shall not be wanting. I shall remain here for some time. I have thought it right to send an officer (by Alexandretta, Aleppo, and Bussorah) over land, to India, with an account of what I have gathered from these dispatches: which, I hope, will be approved. I have sent a copy of my letter to the Board of Controul, that they may give the necessary directions for paying the officer's bills. If it should have gone to the East India Company, I hope that board will forward it. Ever believe me, your lordship's most obliged and obedient servant,

"HORATIO NELSON.” The deplorable state of public affairs at Naples in 1798 is thus depicted also in a letter to Lord Spencer :

• I see

I see the finest country in the world, full of resources; yet, without enough to supply the public wants all are plundering, who can get at public money or stores. In my own line, I can speak. A Neapolitan ship of the line would cost more than ten English ships hitting out. Five sail of the line must ruin the country. Every thing else is, I have no doubt, going on in the same system of thiev. ing: I could give your lordship so many instances of the greatest mal-conduct of persons in office, and of those very people being re. warded. If money could be placed in the public chest at this moment, I believe it would be well used: for the sad thing in this country is, that although much is raised, yet very little reaches the public chest. I will give you a fact-When the order of Jesuits was suppressed in this country and Sicily, they possessed very large estates: although these, with every other part of their property, were seized by the crown; yet, to this moment, not one farthing has reached the public chest. On the contrary, some years, the pretended expence of management was more than the produce. Taxes have been sold for sums of money; which, now, are five times more than when sold.'

When Lord Nelson was at Hamburgh, on his return to England,

A venerable clergyman, apparently between seventy and eighty years of age, was perceived one morning by his lordship, with a large book under his arm, anxiously looking towards the door of his apart. ment, with the most expressive solicitude depicted in his countenance. His lordship, immediately, with his ever prompt kindness and huma nity, desired Mr. Oliver to enquire what was the object of his wish. Having learned, that he was the pastor of a place forty miles distant, who had travelled thus far with his parochial bible, in the first leaf of which he wanted the immortal hero to inscribe his name, his lordship instantly admitted him into his presence; readily complied with his request; and then, taking him kindly by the hand, heartily wished the patriarchal and spiritual shepherd a safe return to his rural flock. The aged and pious minister suddenly dropped on his knee: fervently imploring Heaven to bless his lordship, for so generously condescending to indulge his wish; and solemnly declaring that he should now be happy till it pleased God to call him, when he would die contented, having thus done homage to, and obtained favour from, "the Saviour of the Christian World."

• Another circumstance, of still greater singularity, occurred at Hamburgh, relative to a wine-merchant. This gentleman, who was likewise more than seventy years of age, and of a very respectable ap pearance, had requested to speak with Lady Hamilton. Her ladyship, accordingly, condescendingly admitted him to a private audience; when he informed her, through the medium of Mr. Oliver, who interpreted for both parties, that he had some excellent old Rhenish wise, of the vintage of 1625, and which had been in his own possecsion more than fifty years. This, he said, had been preserved for some very extraordinary occasion; and one had now arrived, far beyond any he could ever have expected. In short, he flattered himself

the,

that, by the kind recommendation of her ladyship, the great and glorious Lord Nelson might be prevailed on to accept six dozen bottles of this incomparable wine: part of which, he observed, would then have the honour to flow with the heart's blood of that immortal hero; a reflection which could not fail to render himself the most fortunate man in existence, during the remainder of his days. His lordship, being informed of these curious particulars, immediately came into the apartment, and took the old gentleman kindly by the hand. but politely declined his present. He was, however, finally persuaded to accept of six bottles, on condition that the worthy wine-merchant should dine with him next day. This being readily agreed, a dozen bottles were sent; and his lordship, jocosely remarking that he yet hoped to have half a dozen more great victories, protested he would keep six bottles of his Hamburgh friend's wine, purposely to drink a bottle after each. This his lordship did not fail to remember, on coming home, after the battle of Copenhagen; when he "devoutly drank the donor." It is said, that this wine-merchant, soon after Lord Nelson had first taken him by the hand, happening to meet with an old friend, who was about to salute him in a similar way, immediately declined the intended kindness, and said he could not suffer any person to touch the hand which had been so highly honoured by receiving that of Lord Nelson. Certain it is, that this man felt so overcome by his excessive sensibility, that he literally shed tears of joy during the whole time he was in our hero's presence.'

The subsequent relations also prove the Admiral's benevo lence of heart and openness of purse:

At a grand public breakfast, given to Lord Nelson and his frends, by Baron Breteuil, formerly the French ambassador at the court of Naples, the celebrated General Dumourier was introduced to his lordship. Lord Nelson, notwithstanding his general aversion to Frenchmen, had a favourable opinion of this able and intelligent officer; and said to him, that he hoped they should both, in future, fight hand in hand for the good cause: adding, as there was then some prospect of General Dumourier's being employed in the British service, that there was no person, if we were to have joint operations by sea and land, with whom he would sooner act. The General was so overpowered by this generosity and grandeur of soul in our hero, that he could only articulate-"Great Nelson! brave Nelson! I am unable to speak. I cannot make any reply to your goodness!" His lordship, finding the circumstances of General Dumourier very humble, for a man of his merits, kindly sent him a weighty purse, next day, by Mr. Oliver, to whom the General feelingly expressed the utmost thankfulness.

While Lord Nelson remained at Hamburgh, he received, one morning, a very extraordinary visit. An Englishman, of gentlemanly address, called on his lordship, and requested to speak with him in private. Sir William Hamilton, conceiving the stranger's appearance to be suspicious, particularly as he held one hand under his coat, advised his lordship not to withdraw. Our hero replied that, though he had never before differed with Sir William in opinion, he must de

cidedly

cidedly do so now. He felt conscious, he said, that he had done no ill; and, therefore, dreaded none. He then, with firmness, bade the stranger follow him into another apartment; who soon gave his lordship to understand, that he was no less a personage, than the famous Major Semple, of swindling notoriety. With a considerable degree of feeling, he detailed his miserable situation: an outcast from society; in the deepest distress; avoided, and despised, by every body. Lord Nelson protested, that he had not expected the honour of such a visit; but, nevertheless, returning to Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and mentioning who it was, kindly asked-" What shall we do for the poor devil?" They accordingly gave him, between them, a purse of twenty guineas: his lordship tenderly remarking, that he seemed a man of talents; who had, probably, from some first error of early life, unchecked by friendly advice or assistance, finally sunk into a state of, perhaps, irrecoverable ignominy.'

Lord N.'s departure on his final cruize is stated to have been preceded by the following circumstances:

Lord Nelson had, at this period (August 1805), no intention of again going speedily to sea. All his stores had been brought up from the Victory; and he was, he said, resolved to enjoy a little leisure, with his family and friends, in the delightful shades of Merton. The Honourable Captain Blackwood, a few days afterward, brought intelligence that the combined fleets, reinforced by two more Spanish squadrons, and now amounting to thirty-four sail of the line, had left Ferrol, and got safely into Cadiz. All this, however, was nothing to him; "Let the man trudge it, who has lost his budget!" gaily repeated his lordship. But, amid all this allegro of the tongue, to his friends at Merton Place, Lady Hamilton observed that his countenance, from that moment, wore occasional marks of the penseroso in his bosom. In this state of mind, he was pacing one of the walks of Merton garden, which he always called the quarter-deck, when Lady Hamilton told him, that she perceived he was low and uneasy. He smiled, and said "No! I am as happy as possible." Adding, that he saw himself surrounded by his family; that he found his health better since he had been at Merton; and, that he would not give a sixpence to call the king his uncle. Her Ladyship replied, that she did not believe what he said; and, that she would tell him what was the matter with him. That he was longing to get at these French and Spanish fleets; that he considered them as his own property, and would be miserable if any other man but himself did the business; that he must have them, as the price and reward of his long watching, and two years uncomfortable situation in the Mediterranean and finished, by saying "Nelson, however we may lament your absence, and your so speedily leaving us, offer your services, im. mediately, to go off Cadiz; they will be accepted, and you will gain a quiet heart by it. You will have a glorious victory; and, then, you may come here, have your otium cum dignitate, and be happy.' He looked at her ladyship for some moments; and, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed-" "Brave Emma! good Emma! if there were more Emmas, there would be more Nelsons, You have penetrated my

thoughts,

thoughts. I wish all you say, but was afraid to trust even myself with reflecting on the subject. However, I will go to town." He went, accordingly, next morning, accompanied by her ladyship and his sisters. They left him at the Admiralty, on the way to Lady Hamilton's house in Clarges Street; and, soon after, received a note, informing them that the Victory was telegraphed not to go into port, and begging they would prepare every thing for his departure. This is the true history of that affecting affair. Her ladyship feels, most severely, that she was the cause of his going; but, as she loved his glory, she could not resist giving him such advice. It is, however, the general opinion of those who best knew his lordship, that he would, in all probability, have fretted himself to death had he not undertaken this expedition.'

Relative to the battle at Copenhagen, we are furnished with some private accounts, and an interesting correspondence between the English Vice-Admiral and the Danish AdjutantGeneral Lindholm, but they are too long for us to quote. Lord Nelson's disobedience of the Commander in chief's signal is unequivocally stated: but it is denied that our fleet would have suffered a repulse if the flag of truce had not taken effect; and M. Lindholm admits that the final result was a defeat on their side, though not an inglorious one. We do not consider it as yet ascertained that the issue would have been similar if the action had been continued.

Another instance of the amiable feelings of Nelson occurs in his conduct towards Sir Robert Calder, whom he had orders to send home from the Mediterranean for an inquiry into his conduct in a previous action with the enemy; and it is much to be lamented, for Sir Robert's sake, and probably for the public cause, that Lord N.'s generous and judicious advice was not followed. Mr. Harrison thus states the circum

stance:

• On Lord Nelson's arrival in the Mediterranean, he had felt it his most difficult task to send home Sir Robert Calder. "I had never," said his lordship, speaking on this subject to his confidential friends, "but two enemies in the profession, that I know of, Sir Robert Calder and Sit John Orde; nor do I feel conscious of having ever given any of them any just cause of offence. However," added this excellent and exalted man, "I will, at least, endeavour to make Sir Robert love me." Accordingly, on communicating his orders to this unfortunate commander, he earnestly advised him not to return home immediately; but to serve with himself on the expected glorious occa sion, after which, there could be nothing to apprehend from any trivial enquiry respecting what might previously have happened. Sir Robert, however, though he could not but feel sensible of his lordship's kindness, was resolved by no means to protract his justification; and Lord Nelson, finding him determined to go home, as a last proof of tenderness and respectful consideration for a brother officer thus disagreeably