ord Nelson thus laments, to
Commodore Troubridge, the situation in which he finds himself. "Our
joint exertions," he says, "have been used, to get the king to go to
Naples; but, of no avail; the Austrians will be there before him. I do
not expect any of the Russian troops this some time to come. I am,
indeed, sick and tired of this want of energy; and, when I find the
impossibility of being longer useful, I will retire from this inactive
service." He complains, also, to Lord Spencer, in a letter written about
this time, of the uncomfortableness of his situation: for, he says,
plain common sense points out that the king should return to Naples;
but, nothing can move him. "Believe me," his lordship adds, "I shall do
my best, in all circumstances. But, I am almost blind; and, truly, very
unwell; and, which does not mend matters, I see no king in Europe really
assisting these good monarchs, but our gracious sovereign."

In this unenviable state of mental anxiety, and corporeal lassitude, was
our justly renowned hero, at the period of those preparations being
completed, which were calculated to display him, in the view of an
enraptured people, as the greatest and most felicitous of mortals; nor
did his admirable heart, amidst all it's oppressions, reject a temporary
participation in the bliss which was so amply provided for his
enjoyment,

On the 3d of September, their Sicilian Majesties gave their splendid
Fete Champetre in the royal gardens at Palermo, to celebrate the
recovery of the kingdom of Naples under the auspices of Lord Nelson. A
grand temple of Fame was erected, on this occasion; in which were three
figures, the size and exact resemblance of life, beautifully modelled
in wax. The centre figure represented Admiral Lord Nelson, Duke of
Bronte, dressed in a full British uniform; as conducted, by a figure of
Sir William Hamilton, to receive from the hand of a third, resembling
Lady Hamilton in the character of Victory, the laurel wreath of triumph
which adorned the hero's brow. Before the steps of this temple, their
Sicilian Majesties, with all the royal family, stood ready to receive
the three illustrious characters thus represented; and, on their
approach, after publicly embracing them, the king, with his own hand,
took the laurel wreath from the wax figure, and placed it on the head of
the real hero, who wore it during the whole of the entertainment. Sir
William, and his lady, were also presented with similar inv