sake of fighting me.
I have this day made George Elliot, post; Lieutenant Pettit, a master
and commander; and Mr. Hindmarsh, gunner's son, of the Bellerophon,
who behaved so well this day five year, a Lieutenant.
I reckon to have lost two French seventy-fours, by my not coming out
in the Victory; but I hope they will come soon, with interest.
This goes to Gibraltar, by Sutton, in the Amphion.
I shall write the Doctor in a day or two. I see, by the French papers,
that he has kissed hands.
With kindest regards to your good mother, and all at Merton, &c. &c.
&c. ever your's, most faithfully and affectionately,
NELSON & BRONTE.
LETTER XXXIV.
Victory, off Toulon,
August 10th, 1803.
MY DEAREST EMMA,
I take the opportunity of Mr. Acourt's going through Spain, with Mr.
Elliot's dispatches for England, to send this letter: for I would not,
for the world, miss any opportunity of sending you a line.
By Gibraltar, I wrote you, as lately as the 4th; but all our ways of
communicating with England, are very uncertain: and, I believe, the
Admiralty must have forgot us; for, not a vessel of any kind or sort
has joined us, since I left Spithead.
News, I absolutely am ignorant of: except, that a schooner, belonging
to me, put her nose into Toulon; and four frigates popped out, and
have taken her, and a transport loaded with water for the fleet.
However, I hope to have an opportunity, very soon, of paying them the
debt, with interest.
Mr. Acourt says, at Naples, they hope that the mediation of Russia
will save them: but, I doubt, if Russia will go to war with the French
for any kingdom; and they, poor souls! relying on a broken reed, will
lose Sicily.
As for getting any thing for Bronte, I cannot expect it; for, the
finances of Naples are worse than ever. _Patienza_, however; I will--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I see, many Bishops are dead. Is my brother tired of Canterbury? I
wish I could make him a Bishop. If you see him, or write, say that I
have not ten minutes to send away Mr. Acourt, who cannot be detained.
I hope Lord St. Vincent has sent out Sir William Bolton. As soon as I
know who is first Lord, I will write him.
LETTER XXXV.
MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,
Your friend's godson arrived safe yesterday afternoon; and I shall,
you know, always feel too happy in obeying your commands: for, you
never ask favours, but for your friends.
In short, in every point of view, from Ambassatrice to the duties of
domestic life, I never saw your equal!
That elegance of manners; accomplishments; and, above all, your
goodness of heart, is unparalleled: and only believe, for ever, and
beyond it, your faithful and devoted
NELSON & BRONTE.
Victory, August 24th, 1803.
LETTER XXXVI.
[_N.B. The Mysterious Letter appears to have been inclosed in this
Packet_.]
August 26th, 1803.
Wrote several days past.
MY DEAREST EMMA,
By the Canopus, Admiral Campbell, I have received all your truly kind
and affectionate letters, from May 20th to July 3d; with the exception
of one, dated May 31st, sent to Naples.
This is the first communication I have had with England since we
sailed.
All your letters, _my dear letters_, are so entertaining! and which
paint so clearly what you are after, that they give me either the
greatest pleasure or pain. It is the next best thing, to being with
you.
I only desire, my dearest Emma, that you will always believe, that
Nelson's your own; Nelson's _Alpha_ and _Omega_ is _Emma_! I cannot
alter; my affection and love is beyond even this world! Nothing can
shake it, but yourself; and that, I will not allow myself to think,
for a moment, is possible.
I feel, that you are the real friend of my bosom, and dearer to me
than life; and, that I am the same to you. But, I will neither have
P.'s nor Q.'s come near you! No; not the slice of Single Gloster! But,
if I was to go on, it would argue that want of confidence which would
be injurious to your honour.
I rejoice that you have had so pleasant a trip into Norfolk; and I
hope, one day, to carry you there by a nearer _tie_ in law, but not in
love and affection, than at present.
I wish, you would never mention that person's name! It works up your
anger, for no useful purpose. Her good or bad character, of me or
thee, no one cares about.
This letter will find you at dear Merton; where we shall one day meet,
and be truly happy.
I do not think it can be a long war; and, I believe, it will be much
shorter than people expect: and I shall hope to find the new
room built; the grounds laid out, neatly but not expensively; new
Piccadilly gates; kitchen garden; &c. Only let us have a plan, and
then all will go on well. It will be a great source of amusement to
you; and Horatia shall plant a tree. I dare say, she will be very
busy. Mrs. Nelson, or Mrs. Bolton, &c. will be with you; and time
will pass away, till I have the inexpressible happiness of arriving
at Merton. Even the thought of it vibrates through my nerves; for, my
love for you is as unbounded as the ocean!
I feel all your good mother's kindness; and, I trust, that we shall
turn rich, by being economists. Spending money, to please a pack of
people, is folly, and without thanks. I desire, that you will say
every kind thing from me to her, and make her a present of something
in my name.
Dr. Scott is gone with my mission to Algiers, or I would send you a
copy of the King and Queen's letter. I send you one from the Queen.
Both King, Queen, and Acton, were very civil to Sir William Bolton. He
dined with Acton.
Bolton does very well in his brig; but, he has made not a farthing of
prize money. If I knew where to send him for some, he should go; but,
unless we have a Spanish war, I shall live here at a great expence:
although Mr. Chevalier takes every care, and I have great reason to be
satisfied.
I have just asked William, who behaves very well, whether he chooses
to remit any of his wages to his father. It does not appear, he
_does_, at present. He is paid, by the King, eighteen pounds a year,
as one of my retinue; therefore I have nothing to pay. I have told
him, whenever he chooses to send any, to tell Mr. Scott, or Captain
Hardy, and he will receive a remittance bill; so, he may now act as he
pleases.
_A-propos_ of Mr. Scott. He is very much obliged to you for your news
of Mrs. Scott's being brought to bed. No letters came in the cutter,
but to me, and he was very uneasy. He is a very excellent good man;
and, I am very fortunate in having such a one.
I admire your kindness to my dear sister Bolton. I have wrote her,
that certainly I will assist Tom Bolton at college. It is better, as I
tell her, not to promise more than I am sure I can perform. It is only
doing them a injury. I tell her, if _vacancies_, please God, should
happen, that my income will be much increased.
With respect to Mr. Bolton--every body knows, that I have no interest;
nobody cares for me: but, if he will point out what he wants, I will
try what can be done. But, I am sure, he will not be half so well
off as at present. Supposing he could get a place of a few hundreds
a year, he would be a ten times poorer man than he is at present. I
could convince you of it, in a moment; but, if I was to begin, then it
would be said, I wanted inclination to render them a service.
I should like to see Sir H---- P----'s book. I cannot conceive how
a man that is reported to have been so extravagant of government's
money, to say no worse, can make a good story.
I wrote to the old Duke, not long since. I regard him; but, I would
not let him touch you for all his money. No; that would never do!
I believe Mr. Bennett's bill to be correct; but, it was not intended
you should pay that out of the allowance for Merton; and, how could
you afford to send Mrs. Bolton a hundred pounds. It is impossible, out
of your income.
I wish Mr. Addington would give you five hundred pounds a year; then,
you would be better able to give away than at present. But your purse,
my dear Emma, will always be empty; your heart is generous beyond your
means.
Your good mother is always sure of my sincerest regard; pray, tell her
so.
Connor is getting on very well: but, I cannot ask Captain Capel
to rate him; that must depend upon the boy's fitness, and Capel's
kindness. I have placed another year's allowance of thirty pounds in
Capel's hands, and given Connor a present.
What a story, about Oliver and Mr. Matcham buying an estate in
Holstein; and, to sell out at such a loss! I never heard the like. I
sincerely hope it will answer his expectations; it is a fine country,
but miserably cold.
How can Tyson be such a fool! I sincerely hope, he will never want
money. I am not surprised at Troubridge's abuse; but, his tongue is no
scandal. You make me laugh, when you imitate the Doctor!
I am quite delighted with Miss Yonge's goodness: and I beg you will
make my best respects to her and her good father; and assure Mr.
Yonge, how much obliged I feel for all his kind attentions to you.
Those who do that, are sure of a warm place in my esteem.
I have wrote to Dumourier; therefore, I will only trouble you to say
how much I respect him. I fancy he must have suffered great distress
at Altona. However, I hope, he will now be comfortable for life. He
is a very clever man; and beats our Generals, out and out. Don't they
feel his coming? Advise him not to make _enemies_, by shewing he knows
more than some of us. Envy knows no bounds to its persecution. He has
seen the world, and will be on his guard.
I put Suckling into a frigate, with a very good man, who has a
schoolmaster; he does very well. Bulkley will be a most excellent
sea-officer; it is a pity he has not served his time. I have answered
Mr. Suckling's letter.
Gaetano is very well, and desires his duty. I think, sometimes, that
he wishes to be left at Naples; but, I am not sure.
Mr. Denis's relation has been long in the Victory; but, if the
Admiralty will not promote my lieutenants, they must all make a
retrograde motion. But, I hope, they will not do such a cruel thing.
I have had a very affectionate letter from Lord Minto. I hope George
will be confirmed; but, the Earl will not answer his application.
I shall send you some sherry, and a cask of paxoretti, by the convoy.
Perhaps, it had better go to Merton, at once; or, to Davison's cellar,
where the wine-cooper can draw it off. I have two pipes of sherry,
that is bad; but, if you like, you can send the Doctor a hogshead
of that which is coming. Davison will pay all the duties. Send it
entirely free, even to the _carriage_. You know, doing the thing well,
is twice doing it; for, sometimes, carriage is more thought of than
the prime cost.
The paxoretti I have given to Davison; and ordered one hogshead of
sherry to Canterbury, and one to dear Merton.
LETTER XXXVII.
Victory, September 10th, 1803.
MY DEAREST EMMA,
What can I send you, buffeting the stormy gulph of Lyons; nothing, but
my warmest affection, in return for all your goodness to me and mine!
I have sent to Naples, to try and get some shawls from the King's
manufactory; and have requested Mr. Falconet to ask his wife to choose
some for you, and also some fine Venetian chains. I only wish, my dear
Emma, that I knew what you would like, and I would order them with
real pleasure; therefore, pray tell me.
We have so very little communication with the Mediterranean world,
Malta and Toulon are in separate worlds. It takes, on the [average,]
six or seven weeks to get an answer to a letter: and, in fifteen to
twenty days, by the French papers, which we get from Paris, we have
news from London; not the best side of the question, you may be sure,
but enough to give us an idea of how matters go on.
I am of opinion, that we shall have a peace much sooner than is
generally expected: and that will be, to me, the very highest pleasure
in this world; to return to Merton, and your dear beloved society.
Then, I agree with you, that "I would not give sixpence to call the
King my uncle!"
I have wrote again to Gibbs, about my Bronte affairs; and [the copy
of a letter] to Mrs. Græfer I will send you, if I can; but you must
preserve it, for I have no other. It may be necessary, situated as I
am, to keep her in good humour; for a thousand pounds may be easily
sold off the estate, and I never the wiser. However, you will see what
I have said.
I have wrote to Mr. Elliot about Sabatello. What a rascal he must be!
Gaetano is going to Naples, and I shall tell him; but, of course, he
would rather favour Sabatello, his brother-in-law, than Julia.
I send you, my dearest Emma, an hundred pounds, which you will dispose
of as follows--a _present_ for yourself; and, if you like, a trifle
to the servants: something to the poor of Merton; something for
Mrs. Cadogan, Miss Connor, Charlotte, &c. &c. I only send this as a
trifling remembrance from me, whose whole soul is at Merton.
September 16th.
The day after I wrote the former part of this letter, Mr. Scott
received from Venice, and desired to present to you, two very handsome
Venetian chains, received from Venice. This I would not suffer; for I
allow no one to make my own Emma presents, but her Nelson. Therefore,
he will be paid for them; but, your obligation is not the less to
him. He is a very worthy, excellent, modest man, and an excellent
secretary.
Dr. Scott is, at times, wrong in the head; absolutely, too much
learning has turned him. But we all go on very well.
I had a letter from Gibbs about Bronte, and from Noble, which will
begin another letter; only, believe me, at all times, sides, and ends,
most faithfully your's, for ever,
NELSON & BRONTE.
LETTER XXXVIII.
September 26th, 1803.
MY DEAREST EMMA,
We have had, for these fourteen days past, nothing but gales of wind,
and a heavy sea. However, as our ships have suffered no damage, I
hope to be able to keep the sea all the winter. Nothing, but dire
necessity, shall force me to that out of the way place, Malta. If I
had depended upon that island, for supplies for the fleet, we must all
have been knocked up, long ago; for, Sir Richard Bickerton sailed from
Malta, the same day I left Portsmouth. So that we have been a pretty
long cruise; and, if I had only to look to Malta for supplies,
our ships companies would have been done for long ago. However, by
management, I have got supplies from Spain, and also from _France_;
but it appears, that we are almost shut out from Spain, for they begin
to be very uncivil to our ships. However, I suppose, by this time,
something is settled; but, I never hear from England. My last letters
are July 6th, near three months. But, as I get French newspapers
occasionally, we guess how matters are going on.
I have wrote Mr. Gibbs, again, a long history about Bronte; and, I
hope, if General Acton will do nothing for me, that he will settle
something: but, I know, whatever is settled, I shall be the loser.
Till next year, the debt will not be paid off; how--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LETTER XXXIX.
Victory, off Toulon,
October 18th, 1803.
MY DEAREST EMMA,
Your truly kind and affectionate letters, from July 17th, to August
24th, all arrived safe in the Childers, the 6th of this month.
Believe me, my beloved Emma, that I am truly sensible of all your
love and affection, which is reciprocal. You have, from the variety of
incidents passing before you, much to tell me; and, besides, you have
that happy knack of making every thing you write interesting. Here I
am, one day precisely like the other; except the difference of a gale
of wind, or not.
Since September 1st, we have not had four fine days; and, if the
French do not come out soon, I fear, some of my ships will cry out.
You are very good, to send me your letters to read.
Mrs. D---- is a damned pimping bitch! What has she to do with your
love? She would have pimped for Lord B----, or Lord L----, or Captain
M'N----, * * * * of * * * *, or any one else. She is all vanity:
fancies herself beautiful; witty; in short, like you. She be damned!
As I wrote you, the consulship at Civita Vecchia will not, in itself,
pay their lodgings; and, the bad air will tip her off.
There will be no Lord Bristol's table. He tore his last will, a few
hours before his death. It is said, that it was giving every thing to
those devils of Italians about him.
I wish he may have given Mrs. Denis any thing; but, I do not think it:
and, as for you, my dear Emma, as long as I can, I don't want any of
their gifts.
As for old Q. he may put you into his will, or scratch you out, as he
pleases, I care not.
If Mr. Addington gives you the pension, it is well; but, do not let it
fret you. Have you not Merton? It is clear--the first purchase--and my
dear Horatia is provided for: and, I hope, one of these days, that you
will be my own Duchess of Bronte; and, then, a fig for them all!
I have just had a letter from Gibbs, of which I send you a copy. You
see what interest he is taking about Bronte.
I begin to think, without some assistance like his, that I never
should have touched a farthing. It will be 1805, before I touch the
estate. Neither principal or interest of the seven thousand ounces
have been paid; and, it is now eight thousand ounces debt.
You will see, Gibbs, at last, has fixed on sending his daughter home;
and I shall be glad of so good an opportunity of obliging him, as it
will naturally tie him to my interest. He was a great fool, not to
have sent the child with you, as you wished.
I am glad to find, my dear Emma, that you mean to take Horatia home.
_Aye_! she is like her mother; will have her own way, or kick up a
devil of a dust. But, you will cure her: I am afraid I should spoil
her; for, I am sure, I would shoot any one who would hurt her.
She was always fond of my watch; and, very probably, I might have
promised her one: indeed, I gave her one, which cost sixpence! But,
I go no where to get any thing pretty; therefore, do not think me
neglectful.
I send you Noble's letter; therefore, I hope you will get your cases
in good order: they have had some narrow escapes.
I am glad you liked South End.
How that Coffin could come over, and palaver, Rowley, Keith, &c. and
Coffin to abuse the Earl! Now, I can tell you, that he is the Earl's
spy.
It is Coffin, who has injured Sir Andrew Hammond so much: and his
custom is, to abuse the Earl, to get people to speak out; and, then,
the Earl takes his measures accordingly.
To me, it is nothing. Thank God! there can be no tales told of my
cheating; or, I hope, neglecting my duty. Whilst I serve, I will serve
well, and closely; when I want rest, I will go to Merton.
You know, my dear Emma, that I am never well when it blows hard.
Therefore, imagine what a cruize off Toulon is; even in summer time,
we have a hard gale every week, and two days heavy swell.
It would kill you; and myself, to see you. Much less possible, to have
Charlotte, Horatia, &c. on board ship!
And I, that have given orders to carry no women to sea in the Victory,
to be the first to break them!
And, as to Malta, I may never see it, unless we have an engagement;
and, perhaps, not then: for, if it is _complete_, I may go home, for
three months, to see you; but, if you was at Malta, I might absolutely
miss you, by leaving the Mediterranean without warning.
The other day, we had a report the French were out, and seen steering
to the westward. We were as far as Minorca, when the alarm proved
false.
Therefore, my dearest beloved Emma! although I should be the happiest
of men, to live and die with you, yet my chance of seeing you is much
more certain by your remaining at Merton, than wandering where I may
never go; and, certainly, never to stay forty-eight hours.
You cannot, I am sure, more ardently long to see me, than I do to be
with you; and, if the war goes on, it is my intention to get leave to
spend the _next winter_ in England: but I verily believe that, long
before that time, we shall have peace.
As for living in Italy, that is entirely out of the question. Nobody
cares for us, there; and, if I had Bronte--which, thank God! I shall
not--it would cost me a fortune to go there, and be tormented out of
my life. I should never settle my affairs there.
I know, my own dear Emma, if she will let her reason have fair play,
will say, I am right; but she is, like Horatia, very angry, if she
cannot have her own way. Her Nelson is called upon, in the most
honourable manner, to defend his country! Absence, to us, is equally
painful: but, if I had either stayed at home, or neglected my duty
abroad, would not my Emma have blushed for me? She could never have
heard of my praises, and how the country looks up.
I am writing, my dear Emma, to reason the point with you; and, I am
sure, you will see it in its true light. But I have said my say, on
this subject, and will finish.
I have received your letter, with Lord William's and Mr. Kemble's,
about Mr. Palmer: he is also recommended by the Duke of Clarence;
and, he says, by desire of the Prince of Wales. I have, without him,
twenty-six to be made Captains, and list every day increasing. It is
not _one_ whole French fleet that can get through it.
I shall, probably, offend many more than I can oblige. Such is always
the case: like the tickets--those who get them, feel they have a right
to them; and those [who] do not get them, feel offended for ever.
But, I cannot help it: I shall endeavour to do what is right, in every
situation; and some ball may soon close all my accounts with this
world of care and vexation!
But, never mind, my own dear-beloved Emma: if you are true to me,
I care not--and approve of all my actions. However, as you say, I
approve of them, myself; therefore, probably, I am right.
Poor Reverend Mr. Scott is, I fear, in a very bad way. His head has
been turned by too much learning, and the stroke of lightning will
never let him be right again. The Secretary Scott is a treasure; and I
am very well mounted: Hardy is every thing I could wish or desire.
Our days pass so much alike that, having described one, you have
them all. We now breakfast by candlelight; and all retire, at eight
o'clock, to bed.
Naples, I fancy, is in a very bad way, in regard to money. They have
not, or pretend not to have, enough to pay their officers; and, I
verily believe, if Acton was to give up his place, that it would
become a province of France. Only think of Buonaparte's writing to
the Queen, to desire her influence to turn out Acton! She answered,
properly: at least, so says Mr. Elliot, who _knows more of Naples_
than any of us; God help him!--and General Acton has, I believe, more
power than ever.
By Gibbs's letter, I see, he has sent over about my accounts at
Bronte. He can have no interest in being unfriendly to me. Why should
he? I want no great matters from him; and he can want nothing from me,
that it is not my duty to give his Sovereigns: therefore, why should
he be against us! For my part, my conduct will not alter, whether he
is or not.
Our friend, Sir Alexander, is a very great diplomatic character; and,
even an Admiral must not know what he is negotiating about: although
you will scarcely believe, that the Bey of Tunis sent the man at my
desire.
You shall judge--_viz_. "The Tunisian Envoy is still here,
negotiating. He is a moderate man; and, apparently, the best disposed
of any I ever did business with." Could even the oldest diplomatic
character be drier? I hate such parade of nonsense! But, I will turn
from such stuff.
You ask me, Do you do right to give Charlotte things? I shall only
say, my dear Emma, whatever you do in that way, I shall always
approve. I only wish, I had more power than I have! But, somehow, my
mind was not sharp enough for prize-money. Lord Keith would have made
twenty thousand pounds, and I have not made six thousand.
Poor Mr. Este, how I pity him! but, what shall I do with him? However,
if he comes, I shall shew him all the kindness in my power.
October 22d.
The vessel is just going off. I have not a scrap of news! Only, be
assured of my most affectionate regard.
Remember me kindly to Charlotte. Shall always love those that are good
to Horatia. I will write her by another opportunity.
Remember me to Mrs. Cadogan.
You may be sure, I do not forget Charles, who has not been well;
Captain Capel is very good to him.
I am, ever, for ever, my dearest Emma, your most faithful and
affectionate
NELSON & BRONTE.
SUPPLEMENT.
* * * * *
_INTERESTING LETTERS_,
ELUCIDATORY
OF
Lord Nelson's Letters
TO
LADY HAMILTON.
* * * * *
VOL. I.
Letters
FROM
LORD NELSON
TO
MRS. THOMSON.
Letters OF LORD NELSON, &c.
I.
See LETTER X. Page 29.