The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton Volume I Part 23

Sweet Emma, adieu! Remember me in the warmest and most enthusiastic stile, to your friend, and my friend, and the friend of human kind.

If Sir William does not contrive to send me my pa.s.sport, I will--I will--excommunicate him, and send him to the devil before his time.

Letter

FROM

THE HONOURABLE

CHARLES GREVILLE,

_Nephew of Sir William Hamilton_,

TO

LADY HAMILTON.

Letter OF THE HONOURABLE CHARLES GREVILLE, _&c_.

August 18th, 1794.

DEAR LADY HAMILTON,

You will, I am sure, be glad to hear, that a favourable change has been announced to me; and that I am reinstated in the King's household, and honoured with a gold key, as his Vice-Chamberlain--and I hope, in a few days, to be in parliament.

You have seen me in prosperity, and in adversity; and know how much I estimate worldly concerns, according to their influencing the opinion of my real friends. Friends.h.i.+p has borne me up in the most difficult times; and the general satisfaction which my friends express, on my promotion, renders me very happy at present: and, to make me more so, I have antic.i.p.ated to my own mind the sincere satisfaction with which you will receive this news.

I should not flatter myself so far, if I was not very sincerely interested in your happiness; and, ever, affectionately your's,

C.F.G.

Letters

FROM

LADY HAMILTON

TO

THE HON. CHARLES GREVILLE,

_Nephew of Sir William Hamilton_.

Letters OF LADY HAMILTON, &c.

I.

25th of February, [1800.]

DEAR SIR,

I received your letter by Mr. Campbell. He is lodged with us. We find him a pleasant man; and shall write fully by him. He will tell you a little how we go on, as to our domestic happiness. We are more united and comfortable than ever, in spite of the infamous Jacobin papers, jealous of Lord Nelson's glory, and Sir William's and mine. But we do not mind them. Lord N. is a truly virtuous and great man; and, because we have been f.a.gging, and ruining our health, and sacrificing every comfort, in the cause of loyalty, our private characters are to be stabbed in the dark. First, it was said, Sir W. and Lord N. fought; then, that we played, and lost. First, Sir W. and Lord N. live like brothers; next, Lord N. never plays: and this I give you my word of honour. So I beg you will contradict any of these vile reports. Not that Sir W. and Lord N. mind it; and I get scolded by the Queen, and all of them, for having suffered one day's uneasiness.

Our fleet is off Malta: Lord Nelson has taken Le Genereux, and was after the frigates; so the attempt to relieve Malta has failed.

I have had a letter from the Emperor of Russia, with the Cross of Malta. Sir William has sent his Imperial Majesty's letter to Lord Grenville, to get me the permission to wear it. I have rendered some services to the poor Maltese. I got them ten thousand pounds, and sent corn when they were in distress. The deputies have been lodged in my house; I have been their Amba.s.sadress, so his [I.]M. has rewarded me.

If the King will give me leave to wear it abroad, it is of use to me.

The Q----n is having the order set in diamonds for me; but the one the Emperor sent is gold. I tell you this little history of it, that you may be _au fait_. Ball has it also, but I am the first Englishwoman that ever had it. Sir W. is pleased, so _I am happy_. We are coming home; and I am miserable, to leave my dearest friend, the Q----. She cannot be consoled. We have sworn to be back in six months; and I will not quit her, till Sir William binds himself to come back. However, I shall have a comfort in seeing some of my old friends; and you, in particular. We have also many things to settle. I think, I can situate the person you mention about the Court, as a _Camerist_ to some of the R. F----y, if her education _is good_.

It is a comfortable situation _for life_; so, I will bring her out.

The Q. has promised me. Let this remain _entre nous_.

II.

[April 1803.]

Lady Hamilton will be glad to know how long Mr. Greville can permit her to remain in the house in Piccadilly, as she must instantly look out for a lodging; and, therefore, it is right for her to know the full extent of time she can remain there. She also begs to know, if he will pay her debts, and what she may depend upon; that she may reduce her expences and establishment immediately.

END OF VOL. I.