take from me all opportunity of my rewarding merit and obliging my friends. Captain Broughton, from his merit, was to be amongst the first for being made Post, and I told Lord Keith so. I was happy to find that, as an Admiralty man, Captain Broughton stands very high in the long list they have given Lord Keith. I can assure you, my dear Admiral, that a more modest, excellent Officer does not exist; and it has been a hard case to be kept so long in a d-d Collier Bomb Vessel. We have been so long in hopes of the speedy fall of Malta, and, consequently, of my Ships,' the William Tell, and the Diane and Justice Frigates, that I doubt you will but little more than believe that I think we are nearer obtaining them than a year past, and then Captain Broughton had my promise of the Justice. Don't say I am selling the skin before I have killed the bear; but the bear shall be killed. As to my health, I believe I am almost finished. Many things, [some] of which you have felt in your time,' contribute towards it. I am now on my route to my friends at Palermo. I shall there rest quiet for two weeks, and then judge by my feelings whether I am able to serve well, and with comfort to myself. It is said the Combined fleet is coming this road, confiding it can escape as it did last year; but the pitcher never goes often to the well, but it comes home broke at last. They had better be d-d than come here, for Lord Keith owes them a grudge, which I trust, if that happens, I shall assist him in paying. Our dear friends, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, are as hospitable, as kind, and as good as ever, and

Broughton of the Strombolo Bomb, and flattered myself that I should have heard you had had an opportunity of giving him Post. Keep him in your mind's eye, and let it be so.

"They say here you are Rinaldo in the arms of Armida, and that it requires the firmness of an Ubaldo, and his brother Knight, to draw you from the Enchantress. To be sure 'tis a very pleasant attraction, to which I am very sensible myself. But my maxim has always been-Cupidus voluptatum, cupidior gloriæ. Be it as it will, health and happiness attend you, and believe me always yours, J. GOODALL. Remember me to Lady Hamilton and Sir William, and all my friends."—Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.

The Strombolo.

Because they had formed part of the French Squadron at the Nile.

Alluding to the mortification felt by Admiral Goodall at not being entrusted with the Mediterranean command, on the retirement of Admiral Hotham, in 1795. Vide vol. ii. p. 18.

you will join with me, they are nonpareils. I shall rejoice to see you, and it is possible it may be very soon. Be that as it may, ever believe me your obliged and affectionate friend, BRONTE NELSON.

Acton is married to his niece, not fourteen years of age; so you hear it is never too late to do well. He is only sixty

seven.

TO COMMODORE SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART.

[Letter-Book.]

Palermo, March 20th, 1800.

My dear Troubridge, We arrived here on the 16th, having had a very tedious passage. As yet it is too soon to form an opinion whether I ever can be cured of my complaint, which appears to me growing something like Oakes's. At present, I see but glimmering hopes, and probably my career of service is at an end, unless the French fleet shall come into the Mediterranean, when nothing shall prevent my dying at my post. I hope, my dear friend, that your complaints are better. Pray do not fret at anything. I wish I never had, but my return to Syracuse in 1798, broke my heart, which on any extraordinary anxiety now shows itself, be that feeling pain or pleasure.

I have agreed with Mr. Woodhouse, at Marsala, for 500 pipes of wine; and as I have fixed the price, no person has any occasion to think whether it is dear or cheap. I have wrote to Mr. Aldridge in answer to his letter about supplying beef at Malta, and have told him, that if his present price is not sufficient, for the Governor and other respectable inhabitants to fix a price, and I will agree to it; for fresh beef we must have, and Lord Keith does not seem to wish a constant competition-therefore it must be made worth some person's interest to supply us well who that person is I care not.

We have newspapers to January 28th, and I have a letter of February 17th from Bristol; but they contain nothing interesting. The Brest fleet were perfectly quiet: in short,

Sir John Acton had by this marriage three children; and, dying in 1811, was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Ferdinand Richard Edward Acton, Bart., born in 1801, father of the present Sir John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Bart.

man;

I am an infidel about their trusting themselves again in the Mediterranean. The Russians are certainly coming to Malta: the Squadron under Vice-Admiral K—, a good sort of the Troops, under Prince Volkonsky. You have so much my implicit confidence, that I need not say a word about them. All will be harmony with these Russians. You will have heard that Mr. Arthur Paget is daily expected, to replace, for the present, Sir William: Count Pouschkin is also superseded by Italinsky. In short, great changes are going on, and none that I see for the better. I have not yet seen General Acton; but I am led to believe that the King's not returning to Naples has been entirely owing to the General. At present, perhaps he has so much frightened him, that the act appears his own. We of the Nile are not equal to Lord

Keith in his estimation, and ought to think it an honour to serve under such a clever man. I wish you would send me an account of what money you have laid out for the King of Naples's service, and if they do not pay you, I will give an order for you to draw bills for it. I shall also, the first time I see this man, talk to him about the Roman prize-money, and of the King's intentions towards you. But Acton has, I am almost convinced, played us false. May God bless you, my dear Troubridge, and believe me ever your affectionate, BRONTE NELSON.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL LORD KEITH, K.B.

My dear Lord,

[Letter-Book.]

Palermo, 20th March, 1800.

You will know, by the Speedy, of my coming to this place, where I arrived on the 16th. It is too soon to form any judgment of what effect it may have on my health; but on the 18th, I had near died, with the swelling of some of the vessels of the heart. I know the anxiety of my mind, on coming back to Syracuse in 1798, was the first cause; and more people, perhaps, die of broken hearts, than we are aware of. The Foudroyant sails to-morrow, and will return here in about a fortnight, by which time I hope some decisive turn will take place in my complaint. The weekly report

from Malta, which I directed to be sent by Girgenti, is not yet arrived, but probably it may before this letter can go; for I have no conveyance to you but by post. The Valiant transport is arrived with Lieutenant England from Larnica, in Cyprus; but sailing one day later than the Cameleon. I shall, of course, send Lieutenant England to you as soon as his quarantine is performed, and send the Transport to Mahon. I have agreed with Mr. Woodhouse, at Marsala, for 500 pipes of wine, to be delivered to our Ships at Malta, at 1s. 5d. per gallon; and as Mr. Woodhouse runs all risks, pays all freights, &c., I don't think it a bad bargain. The wine is so good that any gentleman's table might receive it, and it will be of real use to our seamen.

I hope from the reports by the Penelope, that Sir Charles Stuart is coming to Malta, which will relieve our Ships from a very tedious, and has been hard, service. I put into this, Sir Sidney Smith's letter to me. I cannot exactly approve of his interference as an English Officer with the disputes between the Ottoman Government and the Pacha of Acre, and without much farther communication with Lord Elgin, I should never consent to our attaching Acre; but I have formed an opinion on this subject, and I dare say it will agree with yours. Our friends, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, are tolerable; and I am ever, my dear Lord, your faithful and obedient, BRONTE NELSON.

TO CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BERRY, H. M. SHIP FOUDROYANT. [Order-Book. The Foudroyant sailed from Palermo on the 24th of March, when Lord Nelson's flag was removed to a Transport.]

Foudroyant, Palermo, 21st March, 1800. You are hereby required and directed to proceed with His Majesty's Ship Foudroyant, under your command, to the Island of Malta, taking your route by Maritimo; from thence, towards Cape Bon, and, if the wind will permit, to pass between the Island of Pantaleria and Linosa; and, on your arrival at Malta, you will put yourself under the orders of Commodore Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bart. On Sunday, 6th of April, you are to sail from Malta for Palermo, in order to receive me: and, for so doing, this shall be your order. BRONTE NELSON.

MEMORANDUM.

[Order-Book.]

By my Patent of Creation, I find that my Family name of Nelson has been lengthened by the words, of the Nile.' Therefore, in future my signature will be,

'Bronté Nelson of the Nile.'

Given on board the Foudroyant, at Palermo, 21st March, 1800.

BRONTE NELSON OF THE NILE.

To the respective Captains, &c.

TO HIS HIGHNESS THE DEY OF ALGIERS.

[Letter-Book.]

Palermo, March 24th, 1800.

Sir,

I must again call to your Highness's recollection the very particular case of the Brigantine Nostra Signora della Grazia, Semetre Cesare, Master; for although I have no doubt but that all the Vessels furnished with my passports will be given up, yet this Vessel sailed from this place expressly at my desire, and with a cargo of corn for Malta, absolutely under the powerful protection of his Britannic Majesty—therefore, the Vessel and cargo is absolutely the property of the English Government, and of course the seizure is not only censurable, but almost an act of hostility. Therefore, Nelson of the Nile, who has always endeavoured to prove himself the sincere friend of your Highness, hopes that this Vessel, or her value, with the Cargo, will be immediately given up. This act will mark the justice of your Highness. That health may ever attend your Highness is the sincere prayer of your most obedient servant,

BRONTE NELSON OF THE NILE.

VOL. IV.

P