128

LETTERS.

[1785.

perfection. If ever I go to Rosseau, I will ask GovernorStewart if anything can be done, and I will do what is rightin the business; but from what I have said, little can be ex-pected. News from this ill-fated corner you will not expect.Moutray is gone home a few days ago, so that I lose my onlyvaluable friend in these Islands . Every day convinces [me] howsuperior the Jamaica Station is to this: everything is extrava-gantly dear, and no comforts. All the Navy are very unpopu-lar, from the Governor downwards, for hindering the AmericanShips from trading to the Islands . I seldom go on shore, hardlyonce a month. Mr. and Mrs. Georges are the only people Iknow upon this Island. How have you been this winter?quite stout, I hope, and all your children. Collingwood re-commends Lady Twisden,9 he says you ought to marry her;what a charming good man—he is a valuable member of

society. Little C-S-is as usual—likes a cup of

grog as well as ever. I think the chance is much against hisreturn to England. He has been paying his addresses to a younglady at Antigua —but is refused. She used to strike himspeechless every night. What a pity he should have thatfailing: there is not a better heart in the world.

Our Admiral with his family are just making the tour of theIslands ; they find, probably, more satisfaction in visitingthem than I do, for they are a sad set. Yesterdaybeing St. Patrick’s day, the Irish Colours with thirteenstripes in them was hoisted all over the Town. 1 was engagedto dine with the President, but sent an excuse, as he sufferedthose Colours to fly. I mention it only to show the principleof these vagabonds. How does Mrs. B. and Mrs. Dyne ?Remember me kindly to all that good family. Your wine iswell, and I will get some rum for you. I suppose duty mustbe paid for everything, as your friend Mr. Pitt has set hisface so much against smuggling. God bless you—farewell;and believe I am ever, your affectionate humble Servant,

Horatio Nelson .

Collingwood desired me to make his compliments. March18th.

9 Apparently Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Waldash, and widow of Sir UogerTwisden, who died in October, 1779, nine months after his marriage. LadyTwis-den survived until February 1833.