him thither. Sir William Hamilton interpreted between Lord Nelson and
Cardinal Ruffo, till he was almost exhausted with fatigue. The dispute
lasted about two hours, and frequently ran very high; the cardinal,
however, proved more than a match for Sir William and his lordship
together in volubility, though far from equal to either in true
eloquence. The venerable Sir William, at length, vexed and wearied,
calmly seated himself; and requested his lady, though less loquacious
than the generality of her sex, to assist their honourable friend, who
continued pacing the cabin with the most determined perseverance, in
conducting this war of words. The pleasingly persuasive voice of her
ladyship, delivering the manly sentiments of his lordship, made no
impression on the cardinal. He would not submit to reason, nor his
lordship to any thing else: so that the lady was in a fair way of
becoming soon as desirous to desist as Sir William had been before her,
and for the same reason too, if Lord Nelson had not suddenly put an end
to the argument, by observing that, since he found an admiral was no
match for a cardinal in talking, he would try the effect of writing. He
wrote, therefore, the following opinion, which he immediately delivered
to Cardinal Ruffo--

"Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson, who arrived in the Bay of Naples on the
24th of June, with the British fleet, found a treaty entered into
with the rebels; which, he is of opinion, ought not to be carried
into execution, without the approbation of his Sicilian
Majesty--the Earl of St. Vincent--Lord Keith."

Thus terminated the interview: the cardinal retired in disgust; and the
rebels, after having notice of his lordship's resolve, persisted in
coming out of the castles, which were immediately occupied by the
marines of the squadron.

Much has been said, by weak persons, respecting the justice of thus
annulling a truce which had been actually signed before his lordship's
arrival. They know little of this great and honourable man, the glory of
human nature, as well as of his country, who can for a moment conceive
that any part of Lord Nelson's character, public or private, need shrink
from the severest scrutiny to which the actions of terrestrial beings
may with justice be subjected. He was, it is maintained, among the best,
as well as the bravest, among the most just, as well as the most
judicious, of mankind. With regard to the right which his lordship
poss