The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton Volume I Part 17

Though the amus.e.m.e.nts of a dirty sea-port are not the most refined, good health, and domestic cheerfulness, will be a happy subst.i.tute.

I beg the whole party to accept this my remembrance; and a.s.surance 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; G.o.d 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 Ladys.h.i.+p'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 G.o.d it may be good, when it does arrive.

I was rather surprised to hear _Tom t.i.t_ (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 G.o.d'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 Ladys.h.i.+p 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.