The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Vol. I. | Page 3

me to my fate. I send you (under all circumstances) his letter. Never mind; if I can get my eleven sail together, they shall not hurt me.
God bless you, Sir William, and all our joint friends in your house; Noble, Gibbs, &c. and believe me ever, for ever, your affectionate friend,
NELSON.

LETTER V.
February 3, 1800.
MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,
Having a Commander in Chief, I cannot come on shore till I have made my manners to him. Times are changed; but, if he does not come on shore directly, I will not wait.
In the mean time, I send Allen to inquire how you are. Send me word, for I am anxious to hear of you. It has been no fault of mine, that I have been so long absent. I cannot command; and, now, only obey.
Mr. Tyson, and the Consul, have not been able to find out the betrothed wife of the Priore; although they were three days in their inquiries, and desired the Neapolitan Consul to send to Pisa. I also desired the Russian Admiral, as he was going to Pisa, to inquire if the Countess Pouschkin had any letters to send to Palermo; but, as I received none, I take for granted she had none to send.
May God bless you, my dear Lady; and be assured, I ever am, and shall be, your obliged and affectionate
BRONTE NELSON.

LETTER VI.
Off La Valette, Feb. 20, 1800.
MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,
Had you seen the Peer receive me, I know not what you would have done; but, I can guess. But never mind! I told him, that I had made a vow, if I took the Genereux by myself, it was my intention to strike my flag. To which he made no answer.
If I am well enough, I intend to write a letter to Prince Leopold, and to send him the French Admiral's flag; which I hope you will approve of, as it was taken on the coast of his father's kingdom, and by as faithful a subject as any in his dominions.
I have had no communication with the shore; therefore, have seen neither Ball, Troubridge, or Graham: nor with the Lion; when I have, I shall not forget all your messages, and little Jack. I only want to know your wishes, that I may, at least, appear grateful, by attending to them.
My head aches dreadfully, and I have none here to give me a moment's comfort.
I send the packet to General Acton; as I think it may go quicker, and he will be flattered by presenting the flag and letter to the Prince.
Malta, I think, will fall very soon, if these other corvettes do not get in.
Pray, make my best regards acceptable to Mrs. Cadogan, Miss Knight, little Mary Re Giovanni, Gibbs, &c. &c. and ever believe me your truly faithful and affectionate
BRONTE NELSON.

LETTER VII.
June 16, [1800.] Seven o'Clock.
MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,
What a difference--but it was to be--from your house to a boat!
Fresh breeze of wind, the ship four or five leagues from the mole; getting on board into truly a hog-stye of a cabin, leaking like a sieve, consequently floating with water. What a change!
Not a felucca near us. I saw them come out this morning, but they think there is too much wind and swell.
Pray, do not keep the cutter; as I have not a thing, if any thing important should arrive, to send you.
Only think of Tyson's being left!
May God bless you, my dear Lady; and believe me, ever, your truly affectionate and sincere friend,
NELSON.
Lady Hamilton--Put the candlestick on my writing-table.

LETTER VIII.
January 28, 1801.
What a fool I was, my dear Lady Hamilton, to direct that your cheering letters should be directed for Brixham! I feel, this day, truly miserable, in not having them; and, I fear, they will not come till to-morrow's post.
What a blockhead, to believe any person is so active as myself! I have this day got my orders, to put myself under Lord St. Vincent's command: but, as no order is arrived to man the ship, it must be Friday night, or Saturday morning, before she can sail for Torbay. Direct my letters, now, to Brixham.
My eye is very bad. I have had the physician of the fleet to examine it.
He has directed me not to write, (and yet I am forced, this day, to write Lord Spencer, St. Vincent, Davison about my law-suit, Troubridge, Mr. Locker, &c. but you are the only female I write to;) not to eat any thing but the most simple food; not to touch wine or porter; to sit in a dark room; to have green shades for my eyes--(will you, my dear friend, make me one or two? Nobody else shall;)--and to bathe them in cold water every hour. I fear, it is the writing has brought on this complaint. My eye is