2n'« S. N« 77., June 20. 'S?.] 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



499 



most brilliant day, the most so of any I know of in 

 the annals of England. Nelson's patent bridge for 

 boarding First-rates will be a saying never forgotten 

 in this fleet where all do me that justice I feel I de- 

 serve. The 'Victory,' and every ship in the fleet 

 passing the glorious group, gave me three cheers," 

 &c. [The action off Cape St. Vincent, was fought 

 on Feb. 14th.] 



197. Nelson. A.L.S., 1 page 4to., to Mrs. Suckling, 

 from Mr. French's collection. Nov. 18, 1800. 11. 10s. 



This letter, written with the left hand, is signed, 

 " Nelson of the Nile," a form of signature we 

 have but seldom seen. 



198. Nelson. A.L.s., 4 pages 4to., to Lady Hamilton. 

 Franked. Written with the left hand. [Feb. 16, 1801.] 

 2168. 



" Had I been Lord Spencer, I should have detached one 

 Nelson as a much more likely man to come up with 

 the enemy, and to beat them, than the man they 

 have sent — Sir Robert Calder." In a postscript he 

 says, " I would steal white bread rather than my 

 go'd-child should want — I fear saying too much. I 

 admire what 3'ou say of my god-child. If it is like 

 its mother, it will be ver}' handsome, for I think her 

 one, aye, the most beautiful woman of the age. Now 

 do not be angry at my praising this dear child's 

 mother, for I have heard people say she is very like." 



199. Nelson, A.L.s., 3 pages 4to., to Alex. J. Ball, Esq., 

 Commissioner of the Navy, written with the left hand. 

 June 4, 1801. H. lis. 6d. 



A very interesting friendly letter, commencing with 

 these apologetic remarks: "Although I may not 

 answer letters regularly or perform many other little 

 acts, which the world deems as of the very utmost 

 imp'Ttance, and for the omission of which it is ne- 

 cessary to cut each other's throats," &c. 



200. Nelson, A.L.s., 4 pages 4to., to Lady Hamilton, 

 written with the left hand. June 13, 1801. 21. 2s. 



Commences, "My dearest only true friend; and you 

 are true because I am, and I am because j'ou are ; we 

 have no dirtj' interests." He is anxious for the ar- 

 rival of Admiral Pole, that he may take his departure 

 homeward. " My nails are so long, not cut since 

 Februarj', that lam afraid of their breaking, but I 

 should have thought it treason to have cut them, as 

 long as there was a possibility of my returning for 

 my old dear friend to do the job for me." Speaking 

 of a projected journey into Wales, he says, "but in 

 the party there will be Mr. Greville, I am sure will be 

 a stop to many of our conversations, for we are used 

 to speak our minds freely of Kings and beggars, and 

 not fear being betraj'ed." Concludes, " best regards 

 to Mrs. Nelson." 



201. Nelson, A.L.s., 2 pages 4to., to Lady Hamilton, 

 written with the left hand. Medusa, off^ Calais, Aug. 4, 

 1801. 3/. 10s. 



Commences, " My dearest Emma, Your kind and truly 

 affectionate letters up to yesterday are all received. 

 Ten times ten thousand thanks for them, and for 

 your tender care of my dear little charge Horatia. I 

 love her the more dearlj', as she is in the upper part 

 of her face so like her dear good mother, who I love, 

 and always shall with the truest affection." 



202. Nelson, A.L.s., 3 pages 4to., to Lady Hamilton, 

 written with the left hand. Amazon, Sept. 23, 1801. 

 2/. 2s. 



Commences, "My dear Emma, I received your kind 

 letters last evening, and in many parts they pleased 

 and made me sad; so life is chequered, and if the 

 good predominates, then we are called happy. I 

 trust the farm will make you more so than a dull 

 London life. Make what use you please of it ; it is 



as much yours as if you bought it The vaga- 

 bond that stole j-our medal will probably be hanged 

 unless Mr. Varden will swear it is not worth forty 

 shillings, which I dare say he may do with a safe 

 conscience. I should not wish it to be brought into 

 a Court of Law, as the extraordinary nature of the 

 Medallion will be noticed. I am sure you will not 

 let any of the Royal blood into your house; they 

 have the impudence of the devil. His mother was a 

 bastard of my relation's Sir Edward Walpole." Re- 

 curring to the farm: — "Whatever you do about it 

 will be right and proper; make it the interest of the 

 man who is there to take care I am not cheated 

 more than comes to my share, and he will do it; 

 poco, poco, we can get rid of bad furniture, and buy 

 others : all will probably go to Bront^ one of these 

 daj's. I shall certainly go there whenever we get 

 peace." 

 203. Nelson, A.L.s., 3 pages 4to., to Lady Hamilton, 



written with the left hand. Amazon, Dungeness, Oct. 3, 



1801. 11. 16s. 

 " Your kind letters of Wednesday night and Thursday 

 morning I have just received, and I should be too 

 happy to come up for a day or two, but that will not 

 satisfy me, and only fill my heart with grief at sepa- 

 rating. Very soon I must give in, for the cold 

 weather I could not bear, besides, to say the truth, I 

 am one of those who really believe we are on the eve 



of peace I have had rather a begging letter 



from Norwich, but I cannot at present do anything, 

 for I have nothing; but, my Emma, for heaven's 

 sake never do you talk of having spent any money 

 for me, I am sure you never have to my knowledge, 

 and my obligations to you can never be repaid but 

 with my life. Ever, for ever, yours faithful till 

 death, Nelson and Bronte." 



205. Nelson, A.L.s., 4 pages 4to., to Lady Hamilton, 

 written with the left hand. Franked. Amazon, Oct. 13, 

 1801. 21. 



" Thank God there is no more than nine days to the 

 cessation of hostilities, after that they can have no 

 pretence. My complaint* is a little better, and you 

 cannot think how vexed I am to be unwell at a time 

 when I desire to come on shore, and to enjoy a good 

 share of health. . . . . I have this day received 

 a curious letter from the Order of Joachim, in 

 German}', desiring to elect me Knight Grand Com- 

 mander thereof. I shall send it to Mr. Addington, 

 that he may give me his opinion, and obtain, if pro- 

 per, the King's approbation : — this is very curious." 



In a postscript : " Mr. Pitt has just been on board, and 

 he thinks it is very hard to keep me now all is over. 

 He asked me to dine at Walmer, but I refused. I 

 will dine no where till I dine with you and Sir Wil- 

 liam. Ever, mj' dearest only friend, yours most 

 affectionately, N.' B." 



206. Nelson, A.L.s., 3 pages 4to., to Le Commandeur 

 Ivanowitz de Wittewode, written with the left hand. 

 Merton, Surrey, Feb. 22, 1802. U. 9s. 



" It was [with] his Majesty's full and entire approba- 

 tion and consent that I might receive the honour of 

 Knight Grand Commander of the Order of St. Joa- 

 chim. I have now therefore only to assure the Noble 

 Order that I am duly impressed with the great 

 honour conferred upon me, and that it shall be the 

 studj' of my life to endeavour by future actions to 

 merit the continuance of their good opinion." 



207. Nelson, A.L.s., 3 pages 4to., to Alex. J. Ball, Esq., 

 written with the left hand. Victory, Nov. 25, 1804. 

 2/. 2s. 



Desiring intelligence of the Algerine Fleet, which he is 

 anxious to waylay and destroy. ..." If you can 



