sufficiently thank you for all your goodness and kindness to me, a forlorn outcast, except in your generous soul. My health I have represented to the Admiralty in such terms that I have no doubt but an Admiral has sailed to take my place. The Harpy has carried a stronger letter than any of the former. This vessel states that I do not know that I shall go to sea again, as my health requires the shore, and gentle exercise, and so it does, and really if the Admiralty had allowed me to go home, and in the event of hostilities being renewed in the Baltic, I might perhaps, in that case, have been able to command the fleet, but the Baltic folks will never fight me if it is to be avoided. In my humble opinion, we shall have peace with the Northern Powers, if we are just in our desires. Will you have the goodness to carry the inclosed after you have sealed it to Mrs. Maurice Nelson, and your own dear generous heart will say every kind thing for me. She shall be fixed where she pleases, and with every comfort in this world, and ever be considered as my honoured sister-in-law. I feel my dear brother's confidence, and she shall feel he has not mistaken me. Tell Mrs. William Nelson how much I esteem her for all her kindness, and that I shall never forget her complying with my request and staying with you, although I hope it has been truly pleasant to herself.

"Ever yours truly,

"NELSON AND BRONTÉ."

He gave to his brother's widow an annuity of £100. per annum, which she received until his death, and she was afterwards assisted by Lady Hamilton. She died about 1810 or 1811.

To the Earl of St. Vincent on the 24th he wrote, "The death of my dear brother, which I received only yesterday, has naturally affected me a good deal; and if I do not get some repose very soon, another will go-six sons are gone out of eight; but I hope yet to see you, and to cheer up once

On the twenty-fourth he reached Rostock, and remained there until June 1st. Colonel Stewart draws a picture of Nelson's mode of life, whilst with his fleet. After alluding

Clarke and McArthur, Vol. ii. p. 286.

to his manner of keeping it alert, of supplying it with proper provisions, preserving the health of all, economising its resources, &c. he says, "His hour of rising was four or five o'clock, and of going to rest about ten; breakfast was never later than six, and generally nearer to five o'clock. A Midshipman or two were always of the party; and I have known him send during the middle watch, to invite the little fellows to breakfast with him, when relieved. At table with them he would enter into their boyish jokes, and be the most youthful of the party. At dinner he invariably had every officer of his ship, in their turn, and was both a polite and hospitable host. The whole ordinary business of the fleet was invariably dispatched, as it had been by the Earl of St. Vincent, before eight o'clock. The great command of time which Lord Nelson thus gave himself, and the alertness which this example imparted throughout the fleet, can only be understood by those who witnessed it, or who know the value of early hours."

Lord Nelson despatched the Speedwell on the morning of the 25th. The following letter must therefore have been written on the 26th:

"My dearest Friend,

"St. George, Bay of Rostock.

Although I wrote you late last night by the Speedwell all my proceedings to that time, I yet should think myself a great beast if I was to omit an opportunity of writing to you a line by way of Hamburgh, where I am sending off an express to Sir James Crawfurd. I wrote to the Admiralty yesterday that I did not think I should be able to write any more letters to them, for the stooping so many hours hurts me very much. I trust yet to being in London before June 12th. If the new Admiral would arrive, I should certainly sail in two hours. I have directed the London to be the show ship, for I will have no visitors here that I can help. It is said that the Duke or Prince of Mecklenburg intends to come here to see the fleet, but nothing, you may rely, shall force me to go on shore. The hock I ordered to be sent by the waggon. The Harpy will arrive, I hope, to-morrow. The Speedwell will have a good passage. I have ten millions of

things to say to you, and I long so to let all out. If Ministers had really thought highly of me they should have given me the command in February, not in May, when I can do no good. I am sure you will comfort poor blind Mrs. Nelson. Whatever you do, I will confirm; and there is an old black servant, James Price, as good a man as ever lived, he shall be taken care of, and have a corner in my house as long as he lives. My uncle left him £20. a-year.

"Ever yours,

"NELSON AND BRONTÉ.

"This day comes on my great cause against the Earl. May the just gain it. I am glad to hear of your determination not to leave London 'till my arrival."

I have previously alluded to the misconception of the Emperor of Russia as to the visit of Nelson in the Revel Roads. On the 26th a Russian lugger brought a reply to the letter of Nelson to Count Pahlen upon his departure. It apologized for the mistake, and expressed an anxious desire for the restoration of peace, and gave an invitation to Nelson to Petersburgh in any way most agreeable to himself. In his reply to this invitation he says, "His Imperial Majesty's justice has filled the idea I had formed of his excellent heart and head; and I am sure the handsome manner in which the embargo has been taken off the British shipping will give the greatest pleasure to my good and gracious Sovereign." He added, "I am truly sensible of the great honour done me by the invitation of his Imperial Majesty, and at a future time I hope to have the pleasure of presenting my humble duty. I have now only to pray, that a permanent (which must be honourable) peace may be established between our gracious Sovereigns, and that our august Masters reigns may be blessed with every happiness which this world can afford." When the lugger departed with the reply she fired a salute, upon which Colonel Stewart says Lord Nelson observed to his Secretary, upon his return from the shore, "Did you hear that little fellow salute? Well,

1 Letter Book. Dispatches and Letters, Vol. iv. p. 393. VOL. II.

G

now there is peace with Russia, depend upon it: our jaunt to Revel was not so bad after all."

The following was to Lady Hamilton :

"St. George, Rostock, May 27th, 1801.

"My dearest Friend, "A Russian lugger has this moment brought me a letter from the Russian Minister announcing that the Emperor, to mark the effect of my letter of the 16th of May, had instantly taken off the embargo from the English shipping in all the ports of Russia. This, my dear Friend, is such a strong proof of peace in the Baltic that this fleet must be home in a very short time; but I trust that another Admiral is arrived, or nearly so, by this time, when I shall set off in two hours. All the world is come to Rostock to see me, and are much disappointed at the finding that I do not either go on shore, or permit them to come on board the St. George. No, never, I have said so, and would not break my word for all the world. The London is the show ship. The General of the troops sent off to desire to make me a visit; my answer was, that I had no right to expect that honour, as I was unable to return his visit. However, yesterday, the old General and three Aides-de-camp came, walked over the ship, such a one as they had never seen, and went on shore again. I have announced to the Duke of Mecklenburgh the impossibility of my going on shore, therefore, he may come or not, as he pleases, for nothing shall make me go on shore unless to set off for England, if the Admiralty are unkind enough to refuse me a ship-of-war to carry me home, as the late Board didbut never mind.

"Yours ever,

"NELSON AND BRONTÉ.

"Best regards to Sir William, the Duke, Mr. Beckford, and all our friends. I have just had a deputation of the Senate to invite me on shore, but No."

On the 1st of June Lord Nelson was visited by the Duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, the brother of Queen Charlotte.

To Lady Hamilton he writes:

66

"My dearest Friend,

"St. George, Rostock, June 1st, 1801.

"I was in hopes my successor would have been arrived long before this time, and why he is not I cannot imagine, unless it is wished to kill me; for a pistol put to my head would be charity to keeping me here dying a lingering death. I feel the cruelty of the measure, for everybody knows my readiness to serve when I am able, and there is anything to be done, but in the Baltic there can be nothing, and in fourteen days I believe we shall not have a ship in the Baltic, for all will be peace. May God send me safe amongst my friends, who will nurse and cherish me. I am going to Kioge Bay, there to wait my successor's arrival, for he cannot be many hours. Two days ago I had sailed from this place for Kioge Bay, when, being obliged to anchor with a fine wind, I received a letter from his Highness the Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz, brother to the Queen, saying that he was arrived at Rostock to see me, and desired I would appoint the time for his coming on board the St. George. I was therefore obliged to return to this anchorage, and wrote, expressing my sorrow that my ill health would not allow of the possibility of my going on shore to wait upon him. Yesterday was a bad day, to-day fine, and I hope the old gentleman will come off, sixty-one years of age, and the moment he is gone the anchor shall be at the bows. Not all the princes in Europe should make me go on shore. I have said it, and that is sufficient. My word is my bond. There is one comfort, my dearest friend, they cannot keep this fleet when it comes peace, which will take place in ten days at farthest. I do not write all I could, as my letter goes by way of Hamburgh, and will most probably be read. "Believe me ever yours,

"NELSON AND BRONTÉ.

"Best regards to Sir William. Hardy, Parker, Stewart, all desire their respects."

"My dearest Friend,

"St. George, June 1st, 1801, 8 A.M.

"I have been annoyed to death for an hour this day. The Duke of Mecklenburgh, with his whole Court, men, women,