the command of the Princess
Charlotte; by which, his lordship feelingly observes, in a letter of the
7th, to Captain Ball, "poor Hardy was consequently turned adrift." He
had, at this time, too, received a mortifying letter from General Sir
James St. Clair Erskine: mentioning, that the twenty-eighth regiment was
ordered to England; and that he was sure General Fox, who was every
moment expected, would not, on any consideration, break his orders, for
any object. With this disagreeable information, his lordship could not
bring his mind yet to acquaint Captain Ball. On the contrary, he affects
to anticipate, in the letter above mentioned, that he expects the answer
from Minorca will be unfavourable to both their wishes; and expresses
his intention of going to Naples, for assistance from the Russians and
his Sicilian Majesty. He then, with exquisite kindness and address,
introduces the extract of a letter from Earl Spencer; which liberally
states, that Captain Ball, by his unparalleled vigilance and exertion,
had indeed shewn himself worthy of the friendship with which Lord Nelson
had honoured him. "I only send this, my dear Ball," says his lordship,
"to shew that I do not forget my friends: as to honouring you, that is
not in my power; but to render you justice, is my duty."

In the mean time, his lordship had, on the preceding day, thus expressed
himself to Earl Spencer, on the subject of attention to orders, in
consequence of this refusal of troops from Minorca--"Much, my dear
lord, as I approve of strict obedience to orders--even to a
court-martial, to enquire whether the object justified the measure--yet,
to say that an officer is never, for any object, to alter his orders, is
what I cannot comprehend. The circumstances of this war so often vary,
that an officer has almost every moment to consider--What would my
superiors direct, did they know what is passing under my nose? The great
object of the war is--_Down, down, with the French!_ To accomplish
this, every nerve, and by both services, ought to be strained. My heart
is," says this excellent man and true hero, "I assure you, almost broke,
with that and other things." Then, speaking of the state of the
blockade, he says--"If the enemy get supplies in, we may bid adieu to
Malta. This would compleat my misery; for, I am afraid, I take all
services too much to heart. The accomplishing of them is my study, night
and day."

It is a singular circumstance, and merits high