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

III.

Palermo, Sunday Night late, near winding-up-watch hour, May 19th, 1799.

MY VERY DEAR LORD,

Ten thousand thanks for your kind attention in sending us Hallowell's letter to Troubridge. It comforts us in one respect, as it flatters us with Commodore Duckworth's four s.h.i.+ps joining you soon. But, I must own, from the junction of five Spanish s.h.i.+ps and frigates, I now think, something more than going into Toulon is intended, and that your Lords.h.i.+p may have a brush with them.

G.o.d send you every success, that your unparalleled virtues and bravery so well merit.

Adieu, my dear Lord! Your Lords.h.i.+p's truly affectionate, and eternally attached,

Wm. HAMILTON.

IV.

Palermo, May 26th, 1799.

MY DEAR LORD,

Whilst Emma was writing to your Lords.h.i.+p, I have been with Acton, to get a felucca, to send Ball's dispatch to you. It is of so old a date, that I make no doubt of Ball's having joined you before his dispatch reaches.

I send your Lords.h.i.+p an interesting letter I have just received from our Consul at Trieste: and Acton's answer to my yesterday's letter communicating your kind resolution of taking care of their Sicilian Majesties and their kingdoms; and which, your Lords.h.i.+p will see, gives them great satisfaction.

As to the fleet having been seen by the Towers near Messina, and to the westward--I believe, it was your squadron.

I send you, likewise, a strange rhapsody from Lord Bristol: but something may be collected from it; or, at least, it will amuse you, and you have leisure enough on board, which I have not on sh.o.r.e. Be so good as to send back that letter, and Graham's, by the first opportunity.

Above all, take care of your health; that is the first of blessings.

May G.o.d ever protect you! We miss you heavily: but, a short time must clear up the business; and, we hope, bring you back to those who love and esteem you to the very bottom of their souls.

Ever your affectionate friend, and humble servant,

Wm. HAMILTON.

V.

Palermo, June 17th, 1799.

MY DEAR LORD,

I am happy to receive the packet from Major Magra, and which I shall instantly send to General Acton.

Nothing has happened, worth telling you, since the few hours we have been separated.

G.o.d bless you, my very dear friend; and my mind tells me, that you will soon have reason, either by good news, or by a proper reinforcement sent to you, to be in a much happier state of mind than you could possibly be when you left us this morning. All looks melancholy without you.

Ever, my dear Lord, your truly attached friend,

Wm. HAMILTON.

VI.

Palermo, June 20th, 1799.

Eight o'Clock at Night.

MY DEAR LORD,

Having wrote fully by the felucca to-day, that went off at three o'clock--and have not yet General Acton's answer, with respect to what the Court would wish you to do when you hear how the French fleet is disposed of--I have nothing to write by the transport.

G.o.d bless you! And I hope, somehow or other, we shall meet again soon.

My dear Lord, your's, most sincerely,

Wm. HAMILTON.

VII.

Piccadilly, February 19th, 1801.

MY DEAR LORD,

Whether Emma will be able to write to you to-day, or not, is a question; as she has got one of her terrible sick head-achs. Among other things that vex her, is--that we have been drawn in to be under the absolute necessity of giving a dinner to ****** on Sunday next.

He asked it himself; having expressed his strong desire of hearing Banti's and Emma's voices together.

I am well aware of the danger that would attend ******* frequenting our house. Not that I fear, that Emma could ever be induced to act contrary to the prudent conduct she has. .h.i.therto pursued; but the world is so ill-natured, that the worst construction is put upon the most innocent actions.

As this dinner must be, or ****** would be offended, I shall keep it strictly to the musical part; invite only Banti, her husband, and Taylor; and, as I wish to shew a civility to Davison, I have sent him an invitation.

In short, we will get rid of it as well as we can, and guard against its producing more meetings of the same sort.