pencer, a few days before, thus states
the difference between the Russian and Turkish commanders in chief. "The
Russian admiral," says he, "has a polished outside, but the bear is
close to the skin: he is jealous of our influence; and thinks, whatever
is proposed, that we are at the bottom. The Turk, who is by no means a
fool, on the contrary, has more natural sense than the other; is our
brother; and, I am sure, there is not a thing that we could desire him
to do, which he would not instantly comply with. I make use of the word
_we_," adds his lordship; "because Sir William and Lady Hamilton have
more merit in gaining the affection and implicit confidence of Cadir
Bey, and his officers, than I have."

On the 12th, Lord Nelson writes to Rear-Admiral Duckworth--"The Russian
admiral has told me, his ships _cannot_ keep the sea in winter; and I
see no _desire_ to go to sea in summer." Then, mentioning the state of
some of the ships at Minorca, reported to be unfit for active service,
his lordship says--"To keep them lying at Mahon, appears to me to be a
waste of public money. My mind," proceeds this great and most
considerate commander, "is fixed, that I will not keep one ship in the
Mediterranean, that is not fit for _any_ service during the winter;
those half fit, drain us of all the stores, and render us all useless:
you have acted on this principle, in sending the Aurora and Dolphin; and
it is my _particular_ desire, that you continue it. I beg you will write
to the Admiralty, of my intentions to keep no ships but what are fit
for service in the Mediterranean; and, I am sure, the king will save by
the measure being adopted on stations so near England. I am aware of the
argument, which may be used against my plan; viz. our seamen get no good
by going to England: to which, I perfectly agree. But, the ships left
here with me are beyond all common refit; nor can they be furnished with
stores, not having any foundation to be kept up: and what would be an
ample supply to keep up a squadron, is really nothing in our situation."

To Sir James St. Clair Erskine, also at Minorca, in a letter of the
13th, his lordship writes--"I see, with pleasure, that you do not envy
me my good fortune. The field of glory is a large one, and was never
more open to any one, than at this moment to you. Rome would throw open
her gates, and receive you as her deliverer; and the pope would owe his
restoration to the papal chair to a _heretic_. This