JET. 41.]

LETTERS.

183

jwsitive in his opinion : the Queen is certainly a greatMonarch and a true daughter of Maria Theresa . I am justfavoured with your letter of December 12th, which, althoughso entirely contrary to my expectations, cannot alter myrespect for all your kindness. 2 I am in debt, from my situation;but time and care will get me out of it. Since May 1798, Ihave had all the expense of a Commander-in-Chief, withouteven the smallest advantage. Lord Keith shall find in me anOfficer ever ready to anticipate his wishes, so long as my healthwill permit. With every sentiment of regard, believe me, mydear Lord, your obliged,

Bronte Nelson.

TO VICE-ADMIRAL LORD KEITH, K.B.

[Letter-Book. “ Sunday, 25th JanuRry. At £ past 12, weighed and made sail,Queen Charlotte, Thalia, and>Minorca brig in company.”— Journal. They arrivedat Palermo in the afternoon of the 3rd of February.]

My dear Lord, At Sea , January 20th, 1800.

I send you my last orders respecting Malta , with my letterto Ball in consequence—at that time he being Commanding

* Lord Spencer’s letter of the 12th of December, 1799, has not been found. Theconveyance which brought it, probably brought also the annexed letter from hisFather:—

“ My dear Ilor.,—You are too prudent to judge either of things or persons byappearances, and too good to believe that the few letters you receive from me conhappen from any cause except the insecure conveyances which offer, or that indo-lence, which I find is in the train of infirmities, which accompany those years whenwe shall say in the morn, would the even was come, that I may rest; and at nightwe arc weary before the twilight returns. This is too often my cose, even in themidst of blessings; and allow me to say, that yourself, under Providence, are thecause of many of these. Your public merit every mouth proclaims : your privatevirtues every day are experienced. A recent generous act has made your familyhappy by so handsome a present of £000 each, Bolton’s more especially; he liasoccasion Jor all. The boy George is got so gay—I hope a happy omen. There isanother boy, whom I hove desired to be kept at school two years longer, and thenbrought forward. I have hoped he may be got to the East Indies. This wasintended for a very long letter, but [1] must curtail it: the courier is going offdirectly. Our hopes of seeing you are one day revived, another destroyed : all Tcan say, you know best, and, in the end, will do what is right. If honour is yourobject, all men say you hove enough; if riches, you are too generous to heap upmany; if the amor patriee, you have shown it. If your dearest friends arc to begratified, they are, no doubt, very much so, by hearing of your health and prosperity,which pleasure can be increased only by seeing you. Memento, your father isseventy-seven years of age, December 15th, 1799. God bless you!—E dm. Nelsoh "•—Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.