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            THE
           Letters
             OF
        LORD NELSON
             TO
       LADY HAMILTON;
           WITH A
         SUPPLEMENT
             OF
    _INTERESTING LETTERS_,
             BY
   Distinguished Characters.


       IN TWO VOLUMES.


          VOL. I.

         *       *       *       *       *

  London:

  Printed by Macdonald and Son, Smithfield,
  FOR THOMAS LOVEWELL & CO. STAINES HOUSE,
  BARBICAN;

  AND SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS.

                   1814.




ADVERTISEMENT.


In presenting to the Public the Letters of LORD NELSON to LADY
HAMILTON, something may justly be expected elucidatory of them.

Their mutual attachment is so generally known, that for the Editors
to have given notes, however desirable and explanatory, might not,
perhaps, have been deemed perfectly decorous.

They now stand on their own real merits. Some parts (though not very
numerous) have been suppressed, from the most honourable _feelings to
individuals_, as they would certainly have given pain.

That portion of Letters now offered to the BRITISH NATION, written
by the first of her _Naval Commanders_, will shew his most private
sentiments of _men_ and _measures_, of _countries_ and their _rulers_.

It is the duty of the Editors to state, that every letter has
been most accurately transcribed, and faithfully compared with the
_originals in their possession_.

Should our IMMORTAL HERO have expressed an erroneous opinion of some
individuals and of things, let us ever remember, they were written
(_often under the feelings of sickness and of disappointment_) by
him who so repeatedly fought, and almost as frequently bled, for _our
country_--for his "DEAR ENGLAND;" and let us never forget, that to him
we owe more than to any man for our existence as a great and powerful
Nation.

His country has truly honoured him; and it is not presumptuous in the
Editors to affirm, that his deeds will be remembered, not _only in
name_, but in _their consequences_, by our remotest posterity.

Were we to dedicate them, unto whom should we?--To the BRITISH NAVY;
as the genuine sentiments of a _true seaman_--the _first_ even of
their own _Heroes_; for NELSON could forego all private feelings, _all
selfish motives_, for that which will ever be the first object of a
truly great and brave man--the _glory and happiness of his country_.

Our task, which has, from various causes, been attended with more
difficulties than could be imagined, is thus far accomplished; and we
have the pleasure to inform the public, that a very large collection
of LORD NELSON'S _most important public and private correspondence_,
&c. with the most distinguished characters (_at home and abroad_) is
now in preparation for the press. Many of the documents will certainly
throw a light on political transactions at present _very imperfectly
understood_; and those which we intend to present to the world, we
doubt not, will be found more than usually interesting.




CONTENTS.

       *       *       *       *       *

VOL. I.

       *       *       *       *       *

LETTERS FROM LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON.

  LETTER I.  Page  3
        II.        7
       III.        9
        IV.       11
         V.       13
        VI.       15
       VII.       18
      VIII.       20
        IX.       23
         X.       28
        XI.       32
       XII.       34
      XIII.       39
       XIV.       44
        XV.       48
       XVI.       53
      XVII.       58
     XVIII.       60
       XIX.       65
        XX.       69
       XXI.       74
      XXII.       77
     XXIII.       82
      XXIV.       84
       XXV.       88
      XXVI.       89
     XXVII.       91
    XXVIII.       96
      XXIX.      101
       XXX.      104
      XXXI.      108
     XXXII.      113
    XXXIII.      124
     XXXIV.      130
      XXXV.      133
     XXXVI.      135
    XXXVII.      147
   XXXVIII.      152
     XXXIX.      155




  SUPPLEMENT.


  _Letters from Lord Nelson to Mrs. Thomson_.

  LETTER I. Page 173
        II.      175


  _Letters from Lady Hamilton to Lord Nelson_.

  LETTER I. Page 181
        II.      185


  _Letters from the Reverend Edmund Nelson, (Lord
  Nelson's Father) to Lady Hamilton_.

  LETTER I. Page 189
        II.      191


  _Letters from the Reverend Dr. Nelson, now Earl
  Nelson, to Lady Hamilton_.

  LETTER I.      195
        II.      199
       III.      202
        IV.      206
         V.      210
        VI.      213


  _Letters from the Earl of St. Vincent to Lady Hamilton._

  LETTER I. Page 217
        II.      219
       III.      222
        IV.      225
         V.      227


  _Letters from Sir Alexander John Ball to Lady
  Hamilton._

  LETTER I. Page 233
        II.      236

  _Letters from the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry
  in Ireland, to Lady Hamilton_.

  LETTER I. Page 241
        II.      243
       III.      245
        IV.      248
         V.      249
        VI.      250
       VII.      252
      VIII.      253
        IX.      255
         X.      257


  _Letter from the Honourable Charles Greville, Nephew
  of Sir William Hamilton, to Lady Hamilton_.

       Page      265


  _Letters from Lady Hamilton to the Honourable
  Charles Greville_.

  LETTER I. Page 269
        II.      273




       THE
     Letters
       OF
   LORD NELSON
       TO
  LADY HAMILTON.




THE Letters OF LORD NELSON TO LADY HAMILTON.




LETTER I.


  Vanguard, off Malta,
  Oct. 24, 1798.

MY DEAR MADAM,

After a long passage, we are arrived; and it is as I suspected--the
ministers at Naples know nothing of the situation of the island. Not
a house or bastion of the town is in possession of the islanders; and
the Marquis de Niza tells me, they want arms, victuals, and support.
He does not know, that any Neapolitan officers are in the island;
perhaps, although I have their names, none are arrived; and it is very
certain, by the Marquis's account, that no supplies have been sent by
the governors of Syracuse or Messina.

However, I shall and will know every thing as soon as the Marquis is
gone, which will be to-morrow morning. He says, he is very anxious to
serve under my command; and, by his changing his ship, it appears
as if he was so: however, I understand the trim of our English ships
better.

Ball will have the management of the blockade after my departure; as,
it seems, the Court of Naples think my presence may be necessary, and
useful, in the beginning of November.

I hope it will prove so; but, I feel, my duty lays at present in the
East; for, until I know the shipping in Egypt are destroyed, I shall
never consider the French army as completely sure of never returning
to Europe.

However, all my views are to serve and save the Two Sicilies; and
to do that which their Majesties may wish me, even against my own
opinion, when I come to Naples, and that country is at war. I shall
wish to have a meeting with General Acton on this subject.

You will, I am sure, do me justice with the Queen; for, I declare to
God, my whole study is, how to best meet her approbation.

May God bless you and Sir William! and ever believe me, with the most
affectionate regard, your obliged and faithful friend,

  HORATIO NELSON.

I may possibly, but that is not certain, send in the inclosed letter.
Shew it to Sir William. This must depend on what I hear _and see_; for
I believe scarcely any thing I hear.

Once more, God bless you!




LETTER II.


  [May 12, 1799.]

MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,

Accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter. Nobody writes so
well: therefore, pray, say not you write ill; for, if you do, I will
say--what your goodness sometimes told me--"You l--e!" I can read, and
perfectly understand, every word you write.

We drank your and Sir William's health. Troubridge, Louis, Hallowell,
and the new Portuguese Captain, dined here. I shall soon be at
Palermo; for this business must very soon be settled.

No one, believe me, is more sensible of your regard, than your obliged
and grateful

  NELSON.

I am pleased with little Mary; kiss her for me. I thank all the house
for their regard. God bless you all!

I shall send on shore, if fine, to-morrow; for the feluccas are going
to leave us, and I am sea-sick.

I have got the piece of wood for the tea-chest; it shall soon be sent.

Pray, present my humble duty and gratitude to the Queen, for all
her marks of regard; and assure her, it is not thrown away on an
ungrateful soil.




LETTER III.


  Vanguard, May 19, 1799,
  Eight o'Clock. Calm.

MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON,

Lieutenant Swiney coming on board, enables me to send some blank
passports for vessels going to Procida with corn, &c. and also one for
the courier boat.

To tell you, how dreary and uncomfortable the Vanguard appears, is
only telling you, what it is to go from the pleasantest society to a
solitary cell; or, from the dearest friends, to no friends. I am now
perfectly the _great man_--not a creature near me. From my heart, I
