Naples by the French under General Macdonald, who
succeeded to Championet; and, in consequence, was actually in
possession of all the capital, except the castles of St. Elmo, Ovo, and
Nuovo, the two latter of which were momentarily expected to fall. In
this state of things, with many doubts respecting the firmness rather
than the fidelity of the cardinal, and much apprehension with regard to
the pernicious effects of the imposing plausibility of several chiefs of
the numerous parties into which the distracted country was unhappily
divided, every precaution was considered necessary to be adopted that
human sagacity could contrive, and all the fortitude judged requisite to
be preserved that the most magnanimous bosom could exercise. Their
Sicilian Majesties well knew, that they had now before them a man,
devoted to their just interests, who possessed, in the supremest degree,
these rare and most estimable qualities. They intreated him, therefore,
to undertake the arduous task, which could not be securely committed to
any other hands than his own. His lordship was sensible of the
importance of the charge, and overwhelmed with generous sentiments for
the noble confidence expressed by the royal sufferers in his abilities
to render them those essential services which their peculiar situation
demanded. Difficulty could never deter the mind of Lord Nelson from any
attempt; for, where there is no difficulty, heroism is without an
object. His lordship had, therefore, not a moment to pause, with respect
to his ready acquiescence in the will of their majesties; but, from his
very imperfect knowledge of the Italian language, he expressed his
apprehensions that he might be subject to fatal deceptions, if he should
trust to the fidelity of any interpreter among a people so generally
corruptible. He did not, however, state the objection, without proposing
a remedy. If, his lordship said, Sir William and Lady Hamilton would
accompany him into the Bay of Naples, that he might have the assistance
of their able heads, and excellent hearts, to consult, correspond, and
interpret, on all occasions, he should not have the smallest doubt of
complete success in the business. Sir William, and his lady, were
accordingly requested, by the king and queen, to afford their requisite
aid on the occasion: to which they agreed, without a moment's
hesitation; and, in less than three hours from the time of his first
landing, such was the dispatch thought ne