other of his child, and for whom
he had an unquenchable love, blinds him to all sense of propriety. It
puts a severe strain on our imagination to realize how a man could
composedly write such a request on the verge of the greatest naval
conflict in history. It is dated "21st of October, 1805, in sight of
the combined fleets of France and Spain, distant ten miles":--

Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, widow of the
Right Honourable Sir William Hamilton, have been of the very
greatest service to my King and country to my knowledge, without
ever receiving any reward from either our King and country;
First, that she obtained the King of Spain's letter, in 1796, to
his brother, the King of Naples, acquainting him of his
intention to declare war against England, from which letter the
Ministry sent our orders to the then Sir John Jervis, to strike
a stroke, if opportunity offered, against either the arsenals of
Spain or her fleets. That neither of these was done is not the
fault of Lady Hamilton; the opportunity might have been offered.
Secondly: The British fleet under my command could never have
returned the second time to Egypt, had not Lady Hamilton's
influence with the Queen of Naples caused letters to be wrote to
the Governor of Syracuse, that he was to encourage the fleets
being supplied with everything, should they put into any port in
Sicily. We put into Syracuse, received every supply; went to
Egypt, and destroyed the French fleet. Could I have rewarded
these services, I would not now call upon my country; but as
that has not been in my power, I leave Emma, Lady Hamilton,
therefore a legacy to my King and country, that they will give
her an ample provision to maintain her rank in life. I also
leave to the beneficence of my country my adopted daughter,
Horatia Nelson Thompson; and I desire she will use in future the
name of Nelson only. These are the only favours I ask of my King
and country at this moment when I am going to fight their
battle. May God bless my King and country, and all those I hold
dear! My relations, it is needless to mention, they will, of
course, be amply provided for.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

_Witness_,
HENRY BLACKWOOD.
T.M. HARDY.

It is of little importance whether this codicil was written at the
same time as the prayer or a couple of hours bef