e, which gives reasons for
continuing the cardinal at the head of affairs in this country. My
opinion of him has never altered. He is now only lieutenant-general of
the kingdom; with a council of eight, without whose consent no act is
valid: but, we know, the head of every board must have great weight.
This man must soon be removed; for all about him have been, and are, so
corrupt, that there is nothing which may not be bought. Acton, and
Belmonte, seem to me the only uncorrupted men in the kingdom."

Lord Nelson's opinion of Cardinal Ruffo has been already seen, in his
letter to Captain Troubridge: his lordship used facetiously to
denominate him, the Great Devil who commanded the Christian Army; and,
though he did not seriously think him a traitor, he probably considered
him as not altogether incorruptible. To an ambitious cardinal, the tiara
might have proved a dangerous temptation.

Captain Louis, who had been sent to the French governor of the fortress
of Gaieta, with the terms of capitulation entered into between Lord
Nelson and the commandant of Capua for the surrender of Gaieta, was to
have immediate possession of the gates; and, within twenty-four hours,
to embark the garrison. Some objections, however, being raised by the
governor, which he expressed in writing, Captain Louis was induced to
send them to his lordship; who instantly returned, for answer, that he
was hurt, and surprised, the capitulation had not been complied with.
"It shall be," said his lordship, "and the commander has agreed to it. I
have not read your paper inclosed. You will execute my orders, or attack
it. The Fellow ought to be kicked, for his impudence."

This French governor, it seems, with true Gallic insolence, had the
audacity to require, among other unreasonable conditions, that they
should embark horses for France, as well as carry away all the pillaged
property; but Lord Nelson was not thus to be trifled with. "The greatest
care," said his lordship, in a letter of the 3d of August, to Captain
Darby, "is to be taken that no property, which they did not bring with
them into the country can be theirs, or is suffered to be carried away.
We are to send them to France: and will, properly; but, not as they
dictate. As to horses, it is nonsense; as well might they say--_We will
carry a house_! If the fellow is a scoundrel, he must be threshed."

A letter of this date, however, from Captain Louis, informed his
lordship that the matter was