[2] In the _Rerum Italicarum Scriptores_, tom. xxii. col. 947.,
the passage stands thus: "Fu mandato Bartolomeo Valori, _hom
giudeo_, el qual vivea di cambi." Two late copies of Sanuto,
formerly in the Guildford collection, and now in the British
Museum, MS. _Add._ 8575, 8576, read, "Bartoli Valori, hom iudio."
* * * * *
LETTERS OF LORD NELSON'S BROTHER IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BATTLE OF
TRAFALGAR.
[The following letters will be best illustrated by a few words
derived from the valuable life of our great naval hero lately
published by Mr. Pettigrew. Besides his last will, properly so
called, which had been some time executed, Lord Nelson wrote and
signed another paper of testamentary character immediately before
he commenced the battle of Trafalgar. It contained an enumeration
of certain public services performed by Lady Hamilton, and a
request that she might be provided for by the country. "Could I
have rewarded those services," Lord Nelson says, "I would not now
call upon my country; but as that has not been in my power, I
leave Emma Hamilton, therefore, a legacy to my king and country,
that will give her ample provision to maintain her rank in life."
He also recommended to the beneficence of his country his adopted
daughter. "My relations," he concludes, "it is needless to
mention; they will of course be amply provided for."
This paper was delivered over to Lord Nelson's brother, together
with his will. "Earl Nelson, with his wife and family, were then
with Lady Hamilton, and had indeed been living with her many
months. To their son Horatio, afterwards Viscount Trafalgar, she
was as attentive as a mother, and their daughter had been almost
exclusively under her care for education for six years. The
Earl kept the codicil in his pocket until the day 120,000l. was
voted for him by the House of Commons. On that day he dined with
Lady Hamilton in Clarges Street, and learning at table what had
been done, he brought forth the codicil, and throwing it to
Lady Hamilton, coarsely said, she might now do with it as she
pleased."--Pettigrew's _Memoirs of Nelson_, ii. 624, 625. Lady
Hamilton took the paper to Doctors' Commons, where it stands
registered as a codicil to Nelson's will. A knowledge of these
circumstances is necessary to the full understanding of our
correspondents communication.]
Sir,--The following letters may be found interesting as illustrative
of the private history of Lord Nelson, to which public attention has
been strongly drawn of late by the able work of Mr. Pettigrew. The
letters were addressed by Earl Nelson to the Rev. A.J. Scott, the
friend and chaplain of the fallen hero.
18, Charles Street, Berkeley Square,
Dec. 2. 1805.
Dear Sir,--I am this day favoured with your obliging letter of
October 27.[3] The afflicting intelligence you designed to prepare
me for had arrived much sooner; but I am duly sensible of the kind
motive which inducted this mark of your attention and remembrance.
The King has been pleased to command that his great and gallant
servant shall be buried with funeral honours suitable to the
splendid services he rendered to his country, and that the body
shall be conveyed by water to Greenwich, in order to be laid in
state. For myself I need not say how anxious I am to pay every
tribute of affection and of respect to my honoured and lamented
brother's remains. And it affords me great satisfaction to learn
your intention of accompanying them till deposited in their last
earthly mansion. The coffin made of the L'Orient's mast will be
sent to Greenwich to await the arrival of the body, and I hope
there to have an opportunity of making my acknowledgments in
person.
Believe me, dear Sir,
Your faithful friend, and obedient humble servant,
NELSON.
{37}
I beg the favour of your transmitting to me by the first safe
opportunity such of my dear brother's papers (not of a public
nature) as are under your care, and of making for me (with my
sincere regards and kind compliments) to Captain Hardy the like
request.
Please to let me hear from you the moment you arrive at Portsmouth
and direct to me as above, when I will send you any further
directions I may have received from ministers.