Chapter X: Part 10

Even before Admiral Nelson's arrival at Naples, Lachavardiere, the French consul for Palermo, who had just escaped from Egypt, thus laments the decline of French influence, and announces the triumph of the English. "The French name," says he, "is heard here with horror. The king is arming eighty thousand men. The cabinet either refuses to answer, or answers with insolence, the notes presented by our Charge des Affaires, La Chaise, who is an excellent republican. The French are forbade to enter the country, and the most extravagant predilection prevails in favour of the English. The people of Sicily are still more incensed against us. Our vessels are driven out of their ports; and, wherever the French appear, the populace pelt them with stones, and sometimes fire on them. Not one French cockade is suffered. In a word, there only wants Frenchmen, in order to celebrate again Sicilian vespers. The day before yesterday"--(this letter is dated the 20th of September)--"two English vessels arrived; and Nelson himself is expected to-morrow, in a third. To give you some idea of the favour in which the enemies of our country are held here, you must know that, with my own eyes, I saw the King of Naples go more than two leagues to sea, to meet the English, to applaud and congratulate them. The two vessels which are arrived have brought two French officers with them, one of them is Vice-Admiral Blanquet." Lachavardiere also gives an account of the battle; which, however, contains nothing of peculiar importance. One circumstance, indeed, is sufficiently singular--"Admiral Brueys," he says, "was wounded in the head and the hand: but continued to command, till a cannon-ball cut him in two; and," adds this Frenchman, "_he lived a quarter of an hour afterwards!_"

The integrity of our heroic Nelson seems to have revolted at the characteristic falsehood and deceit so generally experienced in the French. He could not be prevailed on, by his friends at Naples, to visit Admiral Blanquet, who had his nose shot off, and was otherwise dreadfully wounded in the face. On this occasion, he seems to have adopted all the rough bluntness of a British tar. He had beaten him, he said, and would not insult him. "Seeing me," added the hero, "will only put him in mind of his misfortune. I have an antipathy to Frenchmen; which is so powerful, that I must, I think, have received it from my mother, at my birth."

He was, himself, at this period, though in excellent spirits, so corporeally weak and reduced, that he was obliged to be kept chiefly on ass's milk for some time after his arrival. Indeed, though excess of joy, at the first meeting of such friends as Admiral Nelson, and Sir William and Lady Hamilton, absorbed every other consideration, a most essential personal difference was manifest in the hero from that which had appeared on his former visit to Naples. It is to be recollected, that neither Sir William nor his lady had ever beheld him, prior to this period, except for a very few days, while the Neapolitan subsidiary troops were embarking for Toulon, when he was without any wound or disfigurement whatever, though always of a plain but pleasingly expressive countenance: he was now returned, in the short space of about four years, having atchieved victories which might have graced an age of absence; but, at what a price were they purchased! The vision of an eye had been completely extinguished, at Calvi; an arm totally lost, at Teneriffe; and a hideous wound, leaving it's indelible scar on his manly forehead, had recently been inflicted on their heroic friend, at the battle of the Nile. To say nothing of various slighter casualties; of the effect of climate; and of those incessant excessive cares, anxieties, and disappointments, which so soon and so deeply wrinkle the smoothest brow, and so cruelly furrow the comeliest countenance. If they were shocked, at reflecting what their incomparable but mutilated friend must have suffered, in the severe and disastrous fortune of war; they were enraptured to perceive him by no means impaired in any of those higher qualities which had given birth to their reciprocal attachments. Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, returning from his glorious victory off the Nile, was the same kind, affable, intelligent, and virtuous friend, as Captain Nelson had formerly been, when departing for Toulon. An amity thus founded on a union of superior intellect in the respective parties, could only be destroyed, however it might be envied, by the decay of that celestial principle which had served to cement it's origin.

The hero's birth-day occurring on the 29th, when he completed his fortieth year, a most splendid fête, with a ball and supper, were given by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, to the nobility and gentry of Naples, at which upwards of eighteen hundred persons are said to have been entertained. On this occasion, a grand rostral column was erected in the principal saloon, with the celebrated old Roman motto--

"VENI; VIDI; VICI!"

which was never more appropriately applied, since it's original adoption by Julius Cæsar.

It is to be regretted, that the harmony of this festival, which cost Sir William Hamilton two thousand ducats, was considerably deranged, towards it's conclusion, by the hero's son-in-law; who, it seems, so far forgot himself, as grossly to offend the very man whom every other person was delighting to honour. To such a height, indeed, was this young gentleman's intemperance unfortunately carried, that Captain Troubridge and another officer felt themselves under the absolute necessity of conducting him out of the room. This disagreeable occurrence, naturally agitating the breast of the worthy admiral, who was at that very period soliciting the indiscreet young man's preferment, in a letter then on it's way to England, occasioned a violent return of those internal spasms to which all excesses of the passions had constantly subjected him since the time when this grievance first commenced, while his anxious mind was occupied in vainly pursuing the French fleet: indeed, he always said, and it seems highly probable, that the disappointment, had it much longer continued, and his expectation of encountering them been finally frustrated, would certainly have "broke his heart." It is from no disrespect to Captain Nisbet that this affair is mentioned: nor is it for the sake of observing, what that gentleman must be sensible is the undoubted fact, that he was indebted for a reconciliation with his father-in-law, shortly after, to the kind interference of Sir William and Lady Hamilton; who, very properly representing it as solely the effect of a young man's pardonable inebriety on so joyous an occasion, again introduced him to favour at their rural villa in the vicinity of Naples. The fact, in itself, is trivial; but, on subjects of domestic or family delicacy, the minutest thread of verity may chance to have it's use in conducting through the intricate labyrinth by which the temple of truth is generally found to be environed.

It was not till after Admiral Nelson's arrival at Naples, that he heard of the capture of the Leander, with his dispatches for the Earl of St. Vincent respecting the battle of the Nile; an event for which, as has been seen, he had judiciously and almost prophetically prepared, by transmitting copies to England. By letters from Corfu, he now learned that, on the 16th of August, the Leander of fifty guns, Captain Thompson, having Captain Berry on board, with the dispatches for the Earl of St. Vincent, fell in with Le Genereux of seventy-four guns, Captain Lejoille, Jun. one of the French ships which had escaped after the battle of the Nile. The Leander, with eighty men short of it's complement, and a number of wounded on board, being off the island of Candia, was chased by Le Genereux under Neapolitan colours; which, on approaching nearly within gun-shot, about eight in the morning, were changed to French. Captain Thompson had not been deceived by this artifice, but the Leander's inferiority of sailing rendered it impossible to escape. At nine, being within half gun-shot of the Leander's weather-quarter, Captain Thompson hauled up sufficiently to bring his broadside to bear, and immediately commenced a vigorous cannonade, which was powerfully returned. The ships continued nearing each other till half past ten, under a constant and heavy fire; when the enemy, taking advantage of the disabled condition of the Leander, endeavoured to enter on the larboard bow: but the small party of marines, on the poop and quarter-deck, by a most spirited and well-directed fire, aided by a furious cannonade, repulsed them with great slaughter. A light breeze now springing up, enabled Captain Thompson to disentangle himself; and, soon after, he had the satisfaction to luff under Le Genereux's stern, and discharge every gun into that ship, at the distance of only ten yards. The action continued, within pistol-shot, till half past three in the afternoon; when Le Genereux, with a light breeze, passed the Leander's bows, and brought itself on the starboard side, where the guns had been all nearly disabled by the wreck of the spar, which had fallen on that side. This necessarily producing a cessation of the Leander's fire, the enemy hailed, to know if the ship had surrendered. Being now a complete wreck; the decks covered with killed and wounded; and Captain Thompson himself badly wounded, without the most distant hope of success; that brave officer asked Captain Berry, if it appeared that more could be done: who, agreeing that farther resistance would be in vain, they consented to submit. Le Genereux had on board nine hundred men; one hundred of whom were killed, and a hundred and eighty-eight wounded, in the action; the Leander had thirty-five killed, and fifty-eight wounded. The captain of Le Genereux, in an official letter of true French gasconade, describes the Leander as carrying "seventy-four guns, twenty-four, and thirty pounders on the lower deck, and twelve pounders on the upper!"

Captain Thompson and his officers no sooner arrived on board Le Genereux, than they were plundered of every article they had possessed, except the apparel which covered them. On this harsh treatment, they vainly expostulated with the captain, and reminded him of the different situation of the French officers made prisoners by Admiral Nelson. He coolly answered--"I am sorry for it; but, the truth is, that the French are good at plundering." Captain Berry expressed his wish to have a pair of pistols returned, and pointed out the man who had stolen them. Captain Lejoille, Jun. by immediately securing them for himself, proved the truth, in his own person, of what he had just observed respecting French expertness at pillage: for, though he told Captain Berry that he would give him, in return, a pair of French pistols, to protect him on his journey home, this mean French officer never performed his promise. To such a pitch, indeed, did these miscreants carry their cruelty and theft, that they purloined the English surgeon's instruments, while he was performing operations on the wounded; and nearly rendered mortal the wound of Captain Thompson, by forcibly obstructing his attendance. In short, the miseries suffered by this unfortunate crew, both before and after their arrival at Corfu, were greater than, it is to be hoped, for the honour of humanity, often occurs on such occasions; bad as the usage of the French is generally described to be--not, indeed, by English speculative writers; but by brave men, speaking from their own melancholy and repeated experience!

On the 2d of October, the Honourable Captain Capel arrived in England, with the joyful intelligence of Admiral Nelson's glorious victory off the Nile: a victory which, from the peculiar period at which it occurred, the extent of it's beneficial effects, and it's splendid and complete success, excited in every British bosom such rapturous sensations as had never, in the memory of any living person, been before felt by the nation. General illuminations, both in town and country, were continued for three days; and every other species of public rejoicing, demonstrative of universal admiration, affection, and gratitude, to the Hero of the Nile, and his brave associates in arms, prevailed for several weeks. Even infants were instructed to articulate the name of Nelson; and to clap their little hands, with transport, in rapturous applauses of the preserver and protector of innocence, from their threatened invaders, the corrupters and destroyers of the human race.

Subscriptions were immediately opened, for the relief of the widows and children of all those brave men who had lost their lives on this glorious occasion; and a large fund was soon established, by a committee at Lloyd's coffee-house, Cornhill, the beneficial effects of which have since been prodigiously extended.

On the 3d of October, at a court of common-council, the Lord-Mayor of London read the letter addressed to him by Admiral Nelson; and, when the tumult of applause had subsided, the sword of Vice-Admiral Blanquet was ordered, on the motion of Mr. Deputy Leeky, to be placed among the city regalia. The thanks of the court were then unanimously voted to Admiral Nelson, and to the officers and seamen under his command. The next day, having again assembled, the French admiral's sword was ordered to be placed in an elegant glass-case, in the most conspicuous part of the council-room, with an inscription expressive of the gift on a marble tablet. It was then resolved, that a sword of two hundred guineas value should be presented to Admiral Nelson from the city of London; and the freedom of the city, in a gold box worth one hundred guineas, to Captain Edward Berry: and the lord-mayor, Sir William Anderson, Bart, was requested to provide and present the said sword to the Hero of the Nile.

On the 6th of October, his majesty created Admiral Nelson a peer of Great Britain, by the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burnham-Thorpe in the county of Norfolk; and, at the meeting of parliament, in November, a message from the king was presented by Mr. Pitt, preparatory to the motion which he immediately afterwards made for a pension of two thousand pounds per annum, commencing on the 1st of August 1798, to be granted Admiral Lord Nelson of the Nile, and his two next successors in the title. General Walpole, who seconded the motion, having expressed an opinion, that Lord Nelson should also have a higher degree of rank; Mr. Pitt observed that, entertaining the highest sense of the transcendent merits of Admiral Nelson, he thought it needless to enter at any length into the question of rank. His fame, he added, must be coeval with the British name; and it would be remembered that he had obtained the greatest naval victory on record, when no man would think it worth his while to ask, whether he had been created a baron, a viscount, or an earl. Such a motion was not likely to be opposed; and the annuity recommended by his majesty was unanimously granted. It may be remarked, however, that General Walpole's opinion respecting higher rank, was certainly that of the public.

The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted, and ordered to be transmitted by the respective speakers, to the brave admiral, the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, for their resolute and intrepid conduct displayed on this glorious occasion.

A gold medal, of peculiar elegance and beauty, emblematical of the victory, executed by the inimitable Louis Pingo, Esq. principal engraver of the Royal Mint in the Tower of London, was struck on the occasion, by command of his majesty; who ordered one to be given, and in future worn by, each of the captains, all of whom afterwards received the honour of knighthood. The obverse of this medal displays a fine figure of Victory placing a laurel wreath on the head of Britannia, in a stile of the most chaste simplicity. The reverse incloses each respective name, which is engraved in the centre, with two branches, one of oak and the other of laurel. The motto--"In memory of the defeat of the French fleet on the coast of Egypt."

Various other medals were struck on this memorable occasion; and one, in particular, most liberally distributed at the expence of Alexander Davison, Esq. the valuable friend of Lord Nelson, has peculiar claim to attention. The obverse side of Mr. Davison's medal, to commemorate his friend's great victory, has the figure of Hope, crowned with laurel, standing on a rugged rock, with an olive-branch in her right hand; and supporting, with her left arm, the profile of Lord Nelson on a medallion, to which her fore-finger is evidently pointing. The motto to the medallion--"Europe's hope, and Britain's glory." The legend--"Rear-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson of the Nile." The reverse represents the French fleet at anchor in Aboukir Bay, with the British fleet advancing to the attack; the fortified islands in the enemy's van; the four frigates moored within their line, to cover their flank; the gun-boats near the islands; the setting-sun; the coast of Egypt; the mouth of the Nile; and, the castle of Aboukir. The legend--"Almighty God has blessed his majesty's arms." Beneath the view--"Victory of the Nile, August 1, 1798."

This handsome and valuable medal was presented, by Mr. Davison, struck in gold, to Admiral Lord Nelson, and every captain of the British squadron; in silver, to every other warrant officer; in gilt metal, to every petty officer; and, in copper, to every individual seaman and marine serving on board during the action. The whole, as it is said, at the expence of little less than two thousand pounds: an instance of private and patriotic munificence, as well as generous friendship, which has, perhaps, seldom been surpassed.

The government of Ireland, immediately on receiving the joyful intelligence of this glorious victory, passed a vote of thanks similar to that of the British parliament, and granted the hero an additional annuity of one thousand pounds during the same term.

The Honourable United East India Company, which felt so immediately benefitted on the occasion, unanimously voted him a gift of ten thousand pounds; the London Turkey Company, plate of very considerable value; and several other corporate bodies, as well in the metropolis as in our first provincial cities, the freedom of their respective corporations, in elegant gold boxes.

To these tributes of esteem from a grateful country, must be added, as by no means the least acceptable, the proof of affectionate regard prepared for their beloved commander, by those most honourable and brave associates in arms, the captains of his own squadron, whom he so emphatically denominates, "the band of brothers." By these worthy and valorous officers, was their revered chief, the Hero of the Nile, presented with a magnificent sword; the hilt of which most appropriately represented a crocodile, very finely executed in gold.

To enumerate the various epistolary plaudits and congratulations, and other demonstrations of admiration and applause, expressed by individuals, in England, of all ranks, to the hero and his friends, on account of this most splendid victory, is quite impracticable. The following extract of a letter, however, written by the worthy and venerable father of the immortal hero, to his friend the Reverend Mr. B. Allot, in answer to a very kind congratulatory epistle from that gentleman, is so exquisitely and amiably characteristic both of father and son, that it cannot, under any consideration, be omitted. It is, indeed, a charming picture of parental and filial affection.

"My great and good son," says this excellent and intelligent parent, "went into the world without fortune; but, with a heart replete with every moral and religious virtue. These have been his compass to steer by; and it has pleased God to be his shield in the day of battle, and to give success to his wishes to be of service to his country. His country seems sensible of his services: but, should he ever meet with ingratitude, his scars will cry out, and plead his cause--for, at the siege of Calvi, he lost an eye; at Teneriffe, an arm; on the memorable 14th of February, he received a severe blow on his body, which he still feels; and, now, a wound on the head! After all this, you will believe, his bloom of countenance must be faded; but the spirit beareth up, yet, as vigorously as ever. On the 29th of September, he completed his fortieth year: cheerful, generous, and good. Fearing no evil, because he has done none: an honour to my grey hairs; which, with every mark of old age, creep fast upon me."

While these various honours and gifts were preparing for the hero, in his native country, foreign nations, not less sensible of his worth, and in some instances scarcely less benefitted by his exertions and valour, were emulously pouring, with a laudable profusion, their richest presents before him, and investing him with their most distinguished dignities.

On the 8th of September, immediately after receiving information of the battle off the Nile, the Grand Signior directed a most superb diamond aigrette--called, by the Turks, a chelengk, or plume of triumph--taken from one of the imperial turbans, to be sent for our victorious admiral, with a rich pelisse of the choicest sable fur; and a purse of two thousand sequins, in cash, to be distributed among the wounded British seamen. A note, at the same time, was delivered to Mr. Spencer Smith, his majesty's minister at Constantinople, of which the following is given as a correct translation.

"It is but lately that, by a written communication, it has already
been made known, how much the Sublime Porte rejoiced at the first
advice received of the English squadron's having defeated that of
the French, off Alexandria, in Egypt. By recent accounts, however,
comprehending a specific detail of the action, it appears now more
positive, that his Britannic majesty's fleet has actually
destroyed, by that action, the best ships the French had in their
possession. This joyful event, therefore, laying this empire under
an obligation, and the service rendered by our much-esteemed
friend, Admiral Nelson, on this occasion, being of a nature to call
for public acknowledgment, his imperial majesty, the powerful,
formidable, and most magnificent Grand Signior, has destined as a
present, in his imperial name, to the said admiral, a diamond
aigrette, and a sable fur with broad sleeves; besides two thousand
sequins, to be distributed among the wounded of his crew: and, as
the English minister is constantly zealous to contribute, by his
endeavours, to the increase of friendship between the two courts,
it is hoped that he will not fail to make known this circumstance
to his court; and to solicit the permission of the most powerful
and august King of England, for the said admiral to put on, and
wear, the said aigrette and pelisse."

These presents were conveyed, under the care of Mahomet Kelim, an Effendi, or secretary of state, in a Turkish frigate, to Alexandria; from whence, on finding the hero had departed for Naples, the Effendi, and his suite, immediately followed, in the Alcmene frigate. The Turkish secretary, and his twelve associates, on their arrival, performed their parts with suitable solemnity and address. They put on their state robes in the hero's anti-chamber; and presented the aigrette, seated on cushions, after the oriental method. The pelisse was composed of the finest scarlet cloth, lined and enriched with the most beautiful sable fur imaginable. The aigrette, which is a sort of artificial plume, or feather, represents a hand with thirteen fingers, covered with diamonds; allusive to the thirteen ships taken and destroyed by the hero: and it's size is that of a child's hand, at the age of five or six years, when open. The centre diamond, and the four by which it is surrounded, are estimated at a thousand pounds each, and there are said to be at least three hundred diamonds of smaller sizes. This immensely rich and beautiful jewel is more particularly described in the following extract of a letter, said to have been written by the Grand Signior himself. In this letter, it it called, a chelengk, or plume of triumph: such as has been, on every famous and memorable success of the Ottoman arms, conferred on victorious Mussulmen, Seraskiers--"never, before, I believe," says the imperial writer, "on any disbeliever--as the _ne plus ultra_ of personal honour, separate from official dignity. The present is esteemed rich in it's kind; being a blaze of brilliants, crowned with a vibrating plumage, and a radiant star in the middle, turning on it's centre, by means of watch-work which winds up behind. This badge, actually taken from one of the imperial turbans, can hardly, according to the idea of such insignia here"--(the letter was dated, at Constantinople, October 3, 1798)--"be considered as less than equivalent to the first order of chivalry in Christendom: such, at least," concludes the imperial donor, "was my view in the indication."

By these remarks, added to the verbal communications of Mahomet Kelim, at the time of investiture, Lord Nelson was led to consider this honour as the Ottoman Order of Merit. It could, certainly, be nothing less; and the civilized world has to felicitate itself on the brilliance of our immortal hero's glory, which could, at length, dissipate the cloud of prejudice, that had so long obscured, from the sincerest followers of Mahomet, the lustre of every Christian virtue.

Even the Dowager Sultana, mother of the Grand Signior, caught the enthusiastic admiration of our hero from her generous and illustrious son, and sent his lordship the superb and flattering present of a very rich diamond ornament, in the form of a rose.

No sooner were the honours conferred on our hero by the Grand Signior, and his wish respecting the wearing them, made known to his majesty, than the imperial desire was immediately complied with, and the following royal grants and concessions were also published in the London Gazette--

"The king has been graciously pleased to give, and grant, to the
Right Honourable Horatio Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of
Burnham-Thorpe in the county of Norfolk, Rear-Admiral of the Blue
Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet, and K.B. in consideration of the
great zeal, courage, and perseverance, manifested by him on divers
occasions, and particularly of his able and gallant conduct in the
glorious and decisive victory obtained over the French fleet, at
the mouth of the Nile, on the 1st of August last, his royal licence
and authority, that he, and his issue, may bear the following
honourable augmentations to his armorial ensign: viz. "A chief,
undulated, argent--thereon, waves of the sea; from which, a
palm-tree issuant, between a disabled ship on the dexter, and a
ruinous battery on the sinister; all proper." And, for his crest,
"On a naval crown, or; the chelengk, or plume of triumph, presented
to him by the Grand Signior, as a mark of his high esteem, and of
his sense of the gallant conduct of the said Horatio Baron Nelson
in the said glorious and decisive victory; with the motto--_Palmam
qui meruit ferat_:" and, to his supporters, being a sailor on the
dexter, and a lion on the sinister, the honourable augmentation
following; viz. "In the hand of the sailor, a palm branch, and
another in the paw of the lion, both proper, with the addition of a
tri-coloured flag and staff in the mouth of the latter;" which
augmentations to the supporters are to be borne by the said Horatio
Nelson, and by those to whom the said dignity shall descend in
virtue of his majesty's letters patent of creation; and, that the
same may be first duly exemplified, according to the laws of arms,
and recorded in the Herald's Office: and, also, to order that his
majesty's said concession, and especial mark of his royal favour,
be registered in his College at Arms."

The above most appropriate motto was adopted by the express desire of his majesty: who, also, with the utmost possible propriety, fixed the honourable plume of triumph on the hero's crest; a circumstance which could not fail to afford the Grand Signior a pleasing proof, that his present had been duly appreciated both by the hero and his sovereign.

The Emperor Paul, of Russia, wrote Lord Nelson a congratulatory epistle, with his own hand, and accompanied it by a valuable portrait of himself, superbly surrounded with brilliants, and a gold box set with diamonds, estimated at two thousand five hundred pounds. The King of Sardinia also sent him a letter, and a gold box richly ornamented with diamonds; the King and Queen of Naples made him many valuable presents; from Palermo, he received a gold box and chain, brought on a silver waiter, containing the freedom of that city, which also conferred on him the honour of being a grandee of Spain; and even the island of Zante, in grateful remembrance that they had happily been liberated from French cruelty by the good effects of the battle of the Nile, sent the illustrious hero their epistolary acknowledgments, with a valuable gold-headed sword and cane.

Numerous other presents were received by, and honours conferred on, the immortal hero of the Nile, as well at Naples, as elsewhere, for a considerable time after this splendid victory; which, from it's brilliant success, and important consequences, had powerfully attracted the attention and admiration of all mankind, in every quarter of the globe not contaminated by French principles.

During the period while these honours were universally soliciting the acceptance of this exalted man, his great and active mind, amid every corporeal lassitude and fatigue, was unceasingly engaged in pursuits calculated to merit additional renown, and consequently to augment their acquisition.

With an eye to the recapture of Malta, which the Neapolitans seemed rather to expect from our hero's prowess than their own exertions, he had, immediately on his arrival at Naples, detached the Terpsichore to that island, for the purpose of gaining such intelligence as might enable him to form the best plan for effectually accomplishing this purpose; and, a few days afterwards, sent Captain Ball, in the Alexander, with a frigate and sloop, to cruise off Malta, which was then under the blockade of the Portuguese squadron.

On the 9th of October, writing to Lord Spencer, he says--"Three weeks, I admit, is a long time to refit a fleet after a battle; but, when it is considered that nearly every mast in the fleet has taken much more time than if they had been new; that Naples Bay is subject to a heavy swell, of which we have felt the inconvenience; and that we go to sea victualled for six months, and in the highest health and discipline; I trust, some allowance will be made for me." He adds, with an almost prophetic foresight--"Naples sees this squadron no more--except the king calls for our help; and, if they go on, and lose the glorious moments, we may be called for _to save the persons of their majesties_." Of General Mack, who was then at Naples, for the purpose of taking under his command the Neapolitan army, which had been recently raised to oppose the French, he thus expresses his predictive apprehensions--"General Mack cannot move without five carriages. I have formed my opinion--I heartily pray, I may be mistaken."

On the Tuesday following the date of this letter, General Mack arrived at Caserta; and Lord Nelson, the next Thursday, accompanied by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, went to meet him at dinner with the King and Queen of Naples. Their majesties introduced them to each other, with every expression of esteem and regard. The queen, however, could not help saying--"General, be to us, by land, what my hero Nelson has been at sea!" The emperor, it seems, had desired the King of Naples to begin, and promised that he would support him. At this interview, Mack said he would march in ten days; and, by his conversation and address, seems to have temporarily withdrawn our hero from the contemplation of his actions, that unerring criterion of character. The judgment which Lord Nelson had first formed of General Mack, on this principle, has since appeared to be just. With such a general as Mack, and such a minister as our hero describes the Marquis De Gallo to have been, in a letter to Earl Spencer, we can scarcely wonder at any misfortunes which might befal the amiable sovereigns with whose welfare they were fatally entrusted.

"This Marquis De Gallo," says our hero, "I "detest. He is ignorant of common civility. Sir William Hamilton has just found out, that a messenger sets out for London within an hour; yet, I was with this minister for an hour last night. He admires his ribbon, ring, and snuff-box, so much, that an excellent _petit-maître_ was spoiled, when he was made a minister. The sentiments of my heart have flown from my pen, and I cannot retract them."

After observing, that he has not, owing to the above circumstance, time to write what he wished, he concludes, with the most perfect good-humour--"Pray excuse this short letter, and abuse of the Marquis De Gallo."

On Monday, the 15th of October, being ready to sail from Naples, at eight o'clock in the morning, the King and Prince Leopold, as well as Sir William and Lady Hamilton, went on board the Vanguard, to breakfast with Lord Nelson. At ten, the British squadron, consisting of the Vanguard, Minotaur, Audacious, Goliath, and La Mutine brig, weighed anchor; and, at eleven, the royal and illustrious visitors quitted the ship, taking an affectionate leave of their heroic protector and friend--"The king expressed himself," says Lord Nelson, in a letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, dated off Marsala, the West End of Sicily, October 22, 1798, "in the most flattering manner towards me. His majesty had all the respect paid him, by the squadron, which our situation would admit of, and which it was not only our duty, but so much our inclination, to pay him. The king," he observes, "having desired my return to Naples in the first week in November, I shall, after having arranged the blockade of Malta, return to Naples, and endeavour to be useful in the movements of their army. In thus acquiescing in the desire of the King of Naples, I give up my plan; which was, to have gone to Egypt, and attended to the destruction of the French shipping in that quarter: but, I hope, before Captain Hood quits his station, both the Turks and Russian squadron will be on that coast; when all will be right, I hope: although I own myself not willing to trust any of our allies to do that which we could do ourselves. I have reason for thinking, that a strong wish for our squadron's being on the coast of Naples is, that in case of any mishap, their majesties think their persons much safer under the protection of the British flag, than under any other." After observing, that the Culloden would be ready for sea about the time mentioned, and that he had directed Captain Troubridge to wait his arrival, with the transports which he had at first intended to take to Syracuse, he concludes with remarking that he had not a sick man in the squadron.

On the 24th, Lord Nelson arrived off Malta; when he immediately wrote the following letter to Sir William Hamilton.

"Vanguard,
off Malta,
24th Oct. 1798.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I am just arrived off this place, where I found Captain Ball and
the Marquis De Niza: from these officers, I do not find such an
immediate prospect of getting possession of the town, as the
minister at Naples seems to think. All the country, it is true, is
in possession of the islanders; and, I believe, the French have not
many luxuries in the town: but, as yet, their bullocks are not eat
up. The marquis tells me, the islanders want arms, victuals, and
mortars and cannon to annoy the town. When I get the elect of the
people on board, I shall desire them to draw up a memorial for the
King of Naples, stating their wants and desires, which I shall
bring with me. The marquis sails for Naples to-morrow morning. Till
he is gone, I shall not do any thing about the island; but I will
be fully master of that subject, before I leave this place. God
bless you! is the sincere prayer of your affectionate

Horatio Nelson."

The very next day, he sent into Malta, by Captain Ball, the following admirable and most spirited letter, addressed to the French General and Admiral commanding in the town of Valetta and fort of Malta. It breathes, throughout, that liberal and manly spirit which so highly distinguishes our hero, and which conveys to the heart such irresistible proofs of honour and veracity.

"His Britannic Majesty's Ship Vanguard,
off Malta,
25th Oct. 1798.

"GENTLEMEN,

"In addressing to you this letter, containing my determination
respecting the French now in Malta, I feel confident that you will
not attribute it either to insolence or impertinent curiosity, but
a wish of my sentiments clearly understood. The present situation
of Malta is this: the inhabitants are in possession of all the
island; except the town of Valetta, which is in your
possession--that the islanders are in arms against you--and, that
the port is blockaded by a squadron belonging to his Britannic
majesty. My objects are, to assist the people of Malta in forcing
you to abandon the island, that it may be delivered into the hands
of it's lawful sovereign; and, to get possession of Le Guillaume
Tell, La Diane, and La Justice. To accomplish these objects as
speedily as possible, I offer that, on the delivery of the French
ships to me, all the troops and seamen, now in Malta and Goza,
shall be landed in France, without the condition of their being
prisoners of war; that I will take care that the lives of all those
Maltese who have joined you shall be spared, and I offer my
mediation with their sovereign for the restoration of their
property. Should these offers be rejected; or the French ships make
their escape, notwithstanding my vigilance; I declare, that I will
not enter, or join, any capitulation, which the general may
hereafter be forced to enter into, with the inhabitants of Malta;
much less will I intercede for the forgiveness of those who have
betrayed their duty to their country. I beg leave to assure you,
this is the determination of a British admiral; and I have the
honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

Though this notice was not successful to the full extent of his wish, it seems to have accelerated the surrender of Goza. In the mean time, all possible aid was given to the Maltese; who, it appears, had been shockingly neglected by the Neapolitan government. In a letter of the 27th, addressed to Sir William Hamilton, the indignant hero enlarges on this topic with a feeling and energy incomparably expressive of his heroic and independent character.

"When I come to Naples, I can have nothing pleasant to say of the
conduct of his Sicilian majesty's ministers towards the inhabitants
of Malta, who wish to be under the dominion of their legitimate
sovereign. The total neglect and indifference with which they have
been treated, appears to me cruel in the extreme. Had not the
English supplied fifteen hundred stand of arms, with bayonets,
cartouch boxes, and ammunition, &c. and the marquis supplied some
few, and kept the spirit of those brave islanders from falling off,
they must long ago have bowed to the French yoke. Could you, my
dear Sir William, have believed, after what General Acton and the
Marquis De Gallo had said, in our various conversations relative to
this island, that nothing had been sent by the governor of
Syracuse--_secretly_, was the word used to us--or openly, to this
island! and I am further assured, that the governor of Syracuse
never had any orders sent him, to supply the smallest article. I
beg your excellency will state this, in confidence, to General
Acton. I shall most assuredly tell it the king. The justice I owe
myself, now I feel employed in the service of their Sicilian
majesties, demands it of me; and also the duty I owe our gracious
king, in order to shew that I am doing my utmost to comply with his
royal commands. As I have before stated, had it not been for the
English, long, long ago, the Maltese must have been overpowered.
Including the fifteen hundred stand of arms given by us, not more
than three thousand are in the island. I wonder how they have kept
on the defensive so long. At least, two thousand stand of small
arms complete, ammunition, &c. should be sent by the Emerald. This
is wanted, to defend themselves; for offence, two or three large
mortars, fifteen hundred shells, with all necessaries; and,
perhaps, a few artillery. The Bormola, and all the left side of the
harbour, with this assistance, will fall. Ten thousand men are
required to defend those works, the French can only spare twelve
hundred; therefore, a vigorous assault being made in many parts,
some one must succeed. But, who have the government of Naples sent,
to lead or encourage these people? A very good, and I dare say
brave, old man; enervated, and shaking with the palsy. This is the
sort of man that they have sent; without any supply, without even a
promise of protection, and without his bringing any answer to the
repeated respectful memorials of these people to their sovereign. I
know their majesties must feel hurt, when they hear these truths. I
may be thought presuming; but, I trust, General Acton will forgive
an honest seaman for telling plain truths. _As for the other
minister, I do not understand him._ We are different men. He has
been bred in a court; and I, in a rough element: but, I believe, my
heart is as susceptible of the finer feelings as his, and as
compassionate for the distress of those who look up to me for
protection."

Having thus very justly and indignantly censured the Neapolitan government; particularly, the then first minister, the Marquis De Gallo; he proceeds most judiciously and forcibly to state, not only what ought to have been done, but what still should be attempted. In doing this, he has admirably sketched the characteristic outlines of a good commander.

"The officer sent here should have brought supplies, promises of
protection, and an answer from the king to their memorials. He
should have been a man of judgment, bravery, and _activity_. He
should be the first to lead them to glory; and the last, when
necessary, to retreat: the first to mount the wall of the Bormola,
and never to quit it. This is the man to send. Such, many such, are
to be found. If he succeeds, promise him rewards: my life for it,
the business would soon be over.

"God bless you! I am anxious to get this matter finished. I have
sent Ball, this day, to summon Goza; if it resists, I shall send on
shore, and batter down the castle. Three vessels, loaded with
bullocks, &c. for the garrison, were taken yesterday, from Tripoli:
ten more are coming, but we shall have them. I had almost forgot to
mention, that orders should be immediately given, that no
quarantine be laid on boats going to the coast of Sicily for corn.
At present, as a matter of favour, they have fourteen days only.
Yesterday, there was only fourteen days bread in the island;
luckily, we got hold of a vessel loaded with wheat, and sent her
into St. Paul's. Once more, God bless you! and ever believe me,
your obliged and affectionate

"Horatio Nelson.

"This day I have landed twenty barrels of gunpowder--two thousand
eight hundred pounds--at Malta."

The Island of Goza, in consequence of the summons mentioned in this letter, surrendered to his majesty's arms: and Admiral Nelson, in the evening of the 30th, having received particulars of the capitulation from Captain Ball, sailed again for Naples; leaving that excellent officer, the present Sir John Alexander Ball, Governor of Malta, to continue the blockade, with the same ships as were before employed on that service.

These particulars were, on the 2d of November, forwarded to the commander in chief; with the following letter, by which they are here preceded.

"Vanguard,
at Sea,
1st Nov. 1798.

"MY LORD,

"I have the honour to transmit to you a letter received from
Captain Ball, dated October 30th, together with the capitulation of
the Castle of Goza, and a list of ordnance, &c. found in it. The
prisoners are embarked in the Vanguard and Minotaur, till I can get
a vessel to send them to France. Captain Ball, with three sail of
the line, a frigate, and fire-ship, is entrusted with the blockade
of Malta, in which are two sail of the line and three frigates
ready for sea; and, from the experience I have had of Captain
Ball's zeal, activity, and ability, I have no doubt that, in due
time, I shall have the honour of sending you a good account of the
French in the town of Valetta. I am, with the greatest respect,
your lordship's most obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson." "Earl of St. Vincent."

"Alexander,
off Malta,
30th Oct. 1798.

"SIR,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, that the commandant of the
French troops in the Castle of Goza signed the capitulation on the
28th inst. which you had approved. I ordered Captain Cresswell of
the Marines to take possession of it in the name of his Britannic
Majesty, and his majesty's colours were hoisted. The next day, the
place was delivered up, in form, to the deputies of the island, his
Sicilian Majesty's colours hoisted, and he acknowledged their
lawful sovereign.

"I embarked, yesterday, all the French officers and men who were on
the Island of Goza, amounting to two hundred and seventeen. I
inclose the Articles of Capitulation, and an Inventory of the Arms
and Ammunition found in the Castle; part of which, I directed to be
sent to the assistance of the Maltese who are in arms against the
French. There were three thousand two hundred sacks of corn in the
castle; which will be a great relief to the inhabitants, who are
much in want of that article. I have the honour to be, &c.

"Alex. John Ball."

"Rear-Admiral Sir H. Nelson, K.B."

"_Articles of Capitulation, between Alexander John Ball, Esq.
Captain of his Majesty's Ship the Alexander, appointed to conduct
the Blockade of Malta, under Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B.
on the Part of Great Britain; and Lieutenant-Colonel Lockey, Aju.
de Battailon, Commander of the French Troops in the Castle of
Goza_.

"1.

"The French troops shall march out of the Castle of Goza with the
honours of war, and shall lay down their arms as they get out of
the gate.

"2.

"The Castle of Goza, with all the military implements and stores,
shall be delivered up to the British officer appointed to take
charge of them.

"3

"The French officers and troops shall be protected in their persons
and effects, and the officers allowed to retain their side-arms.
They shall be embarked, immediately, on board his Britannic
majesty's ships; and sent to France, in transports, at the expence
of the French government They are not to serve against his
Britannic majesty, or his allies, during the war, till regularly
exchanged.

"Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. has entered into articles
with the inhabitants of Goza, that if the French surrender to the
British, they shall be considered as under their protection, and
they will not offer them the smallest insult or molestation.

"Signed, 28th Oct.
1798.

"Alexander John Ball,
Captain of his Britannic Majesty's
Ship Alexander.

"Approved,

"Lockey, Aju. de Battailon.
Horatio Nelson."

"_Extract of Articles found in the Castle of Goza, the 28th of
October_ 1798.

"Fifty barrels of powder, nine thousand ball-cartridges, one
thousand musket-cartridges without ball, one thousand flints,
thirty-eight eighteen-pound cartridges filled, one hundred and
forty twelve-pound ditto, four hundred and fifty six-pound ditto,
two hundred and sixty-eight four-pound ditto, twenty-five
three-pound ditto, eighty-eight two-pound ditto, eighteen good
eighteen-pounder guns and two hundred shot, two good twelve-pounder
guns and nine hundred shot, four good six-pounders and two thousand
nine hundred and eighty-five shot, four hundred hand-grenades
filled, ninety-nine pikes, ninety halberts, and three thousand two
hundred sacks of corn.

"N.B. No small-arms, except those laid down by the French troops."

On the 12th of November, Admiral Nelson, having a few days before arrived safely at Naples, went to the camp at St. Germaine's, in consequence of a request from his Sicilian Majesty, to meet General Mack and General Acton, at a grand review of the whole Neapolitan army; and Sir William and Lady Hamilton, with all the English nobility and gentry then at Naples, accompanied our hero, where they joined the king, queen, and royal family. The account of this meeting, and it's results, including an intended attack of Leghorn, are sufficiently explained in the following very interesting letter to Earl Spencer: which is farther remarkable for being the first epistle that our hero appears to have ever signed with the omission of his Christian name, in consequence of being advanced to the peerage; of which honour he had, even yet, it should seem, by what will be seen hereafter, no official information from the noble earl to whom he was writing, though he must certainly have received some regular previous information on the subject.

"Camp,
St. Germaine's,
13th Nov. 1798.

"MY LORD,

"A desire from his majesty called me here yesterday, to concert
with General Mack and General Acton the commencement of the war.
Thirty thousand of--_Mack says--"La plus belle d'armie d'Europe_,"
was drawn out, for me to see; and, as far as my judgment goes in
these matters, I agree, that a finer army cannot be. In the
evening, we had a council; and it was settled, that four thousand
infantry, and six hundred cavalry, should take possession of
Leghorn. The infantry--(having stopped Captain Troubridge's
squadron for Corfu)--I shall embark in the Vanguard, Culloden,
Minotaur, two Portuguese ships, (if I can get them ready, not that
I see they have any wants) and the Alliance storeship. A Neapolitan
ship brings the cavalry, in a convoy, after us. The king's order
for the destination was to be given to me; and, when at sea, I was
to give it to the general commanding the troops: who was to be
totally ignorant, that Leghorn was the object, and not Malta;
which, as a secret, was communicated to him. His majesty approved
of this plan, and Mack was to march--I repeat it with
pleasure--"with thirty thousand of the finest troops in Europe," on
Saturday, the 17th, to Rome; and keep advancing, trusting to the
support of the emperor. Every hour, the French are increasing their
Italian army, and two new generals are arrived at Rome. Thus I went
to bed last night; and, at six this morning, came to take leave of
their majesties. I found them in great distress. The courier who
left London on the 4th, has not brought any assurance of support
from the emperor. M. Turget is evasive; and wishes, he says, the
French to be the aggressors. It is aggression, if this court
knows--all the world knows--that the French are collecting an army
to over-run Naples; in a week, destroy the monarchy; plunder, and
make it a republic. As this is fully known; surely, it is an
aggression of the most serious nature. The emperor's troops have
not yet been in the habits of retaking kingdoms; and it is easier
to destroy, than restore. I ventured to tell their majesties,
directly, that one of the following things must happen to the King,
and he had his choice--"Either advance, trusting to God for his
blessing on a just cause, to die with _l'epée a la main_; or remain
quiet, and be kicked out of your kingdom." The king replied, that
he would go on, and trust in God; and desired me to stay till noon,
to consult with Mack on this new face of affairs.

"November 15. I came from the king after dinner; and their
majesties both told me, that things stood precisely as they did
before the receipt of the dispatches from London and Vienna. There
was, evidently, a great disappointment at not getting money from
England. That they want, is certain; nor do the ministers, I
believe, know how to get it. Their paper money is at forty per
cent. discount. I long ago told the queen, I did not think Mr. Pitt
would go to parliament, and ask money of the country, in the
present moment; that, if England saw every exertion made, in this
country, to save themselves, John Bull was never backward in
supporting his friends in distress. Good God, my lord, can the
emperor submit to this!