The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton Volume I Part 19

VI.

Canterbury, February 9th, 1805.

Dear Lady Hamilton,

I send you a small parcel; which I will thank you to forward to my Brother, if you think there is a chance of his getting it before he leaves the Mediterranean. But, if you have reason to expect him home very soon, you will be kind enough to return it to me again; or, keep it till I see you.

The ceremony of electing the new Archbishop takes place on Tuesday morning. I think it more than probable, we shall make choice of the person his Majesty has recommended to us, in his letter, which the Chapter received yesterday.

Mrs. Nelson begs her love to you, Charlotte, Mrs. Bolton, &c. &c.

Your's, very faithfully,

Wm. NELSON.

I received Mrs. Bolton's parcel safe on Friday.

Letters

FROM THE

EARL OF ST. VINCENT

TO

LADY HAMILTON.

Letters OF THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, _&c._

I.

My Dear Madam,

The prodigies of valour performed by your new Chevalier have, I fear, obliterated the memory of your ancient Knight. Nevertheless, I beg your Ladys.h.i.+p will lay me at the feet of the Queen of the Two Sicilies, and a.s.sure her Majesty of my profound respect for her person, and that my life is devoted to the defence of it: and, for yourself, accept every kind wish of your Ladys.h.i.+p's truly affectionate and faithful Knight,

ST. VINCENT.

Gibraltar, 18th October 1798.

II.

MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,

Ten thousand most grateful thanks are due to your Ladys.h.i.+p, for restoring the health of our invaluable friend Nelson, on whose life the fate of the remaining governments in Europe, whose system has not been deranged by these devils, depends. Pray, do not let your fascinating Neapolitan dames approach too near him; for he is made of flesh and blood, and cannot resist their temptations.

Lady St. Vincent will be transported with your attention to her.

I have sent the fan mounts for Lady Nelson and her, by Sir James Saumarez; who, after seeing the French prizes safe moored in the Tagus, conveys the Duke d'Hervie. He, poor man! although a Grandee of Spain, having been driven out of that kingdom by the insolent intrigues of Truguet.

I have obeyed your Ladys.h.i.+p's commands respecting Tom Bowen, who is now Captain of L'Aquilon, and gone to Lisbon to take possession of her; and his brother William, who married a daughter of Sir William Parker, I have appointed to the Caroline, the finest frigate I have, and he is employed on the most advantageous service for filling his pockets. Should your Ladys.h.i.+p have any other protege, I desire you will not spare me.

I am very much penetrated with the condescension their Majesties of the Two Sicilies have graciously shewn to me, through your Ladys.h.i.+p, and I rely on your doing justice to my feelings upon the occasion.

I have taken up my residence here for some months, that I may be ready to afford succour to the detachments of the fleet I have the honour to command, in the Levant and before Cadiz; and, when Sir William and you arrive, I shall be able to give you some English mutton, in a plain way.

Continue to love me; and rest a.s.sured of the most unfeigned and affectionate regard of, my dear Lady Hamilton, your faithful and devoted Knight,

ST. VINCENT.

Admiral's House, Rosia, Gibraltar, 28th October 1798.

III.

MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,

I have to thank you, which I do most kindly, for your obliging letters of the 7th and 10th of November; and for the gracious letter which your Ladys.h.i.+p had received from the charming, delightful Queen of the Two Sicilies, at whose feet I am anxiously desirous to throw myself: and, as I have relinquished my intention of returning to England, (although in possession of leave to go) I hope the period is not far distant. In the meanwhile, have the goodness to keep me alive in the remembrance of her Majesty: a.s.sure her of my profound respect and admiration for her as Queen--I dare not give utterance to what I feel for her as one of the first and most lovely of her s.e.x.

Our possession of the island of Minorca will relieve her Majesty, and the government, from one embarra.s.sment, touching their last treaty with France; as Lord Nelson will now be able to refit his squadron, without committing an infraction of the treaty.

Our excellent friend, General O'Hara, is very busy in erecting two rooms for the accommodation of your Ladys.h.i.+p and Sir William, when you visit this curious rock. He is among the most hospitable and entertaining of men: and we live together as all commanders of his Majesty's land forces and fleets ought to do; and, I hope, will do, from the examples which have been shewn wherever I have acted with the army--as Sir Charles Grey, the Governor of this garrison, and General Stuart, will testify; and, if the immortal Wolfe could be conjured from the grave, he would do so too.

I hope soon to hear, our dear Lord Nelson is quite well, under your fostering care; and, with my warmest wishes for every blessing to be showered down upon you and your's, I have the honour to be, with the truest respect, esteem, and regard, your Ladys.h.i.+p's very affectionate, humble servant,

ST. VINCENT.

Rosia House, Gibraltar, 7th Dec. 1798.