Lord Keith sending me nothing, I have not, of course, a free
communication. I have wrote to him, for permission to return to
England, when you will see a brokenhearted man! My spirit cannot
submit, patiently. My complaint, which is principally a swelling of
the heart, is at times alarming to my friends; but not to, my dear
lord, your obliged and faithful

Bronte Nelson of the Nile.

"If I may again say it--what would I feel, if my brother was a
commissioner of the navy; for ever, grateful!"

"Earl Spencer."

The effect of this agreeable event on Lord Nelson's spirits, had it been
followed by other pleasing circumstances, might possibly have recruited
his lordship's health; but a long succession of felicity, was what he
never on earth enjoyed. In a few days, without any previous notice, his
friend Sir William Hamilton was suddenly superseded by the arrival of
Mr. Arthur Paget, as himself had recently been by Lord Keith. This
circumstance effectually determined him immediately to quit the station.
Resolved not to begin either with new men, or new measures, Mr. Paget
had no sooner delivered his credentials, than his lordship, though still
much indisposed, immediately sailed for Malta; with hopes of getting
that business also brought to a conclusion before his return home. Sir
William and Lady Hamilton accompanied his lordship on this occasion;
having agreed, that they would afterwards proceed to England together.
The Queen of Naples, it may be presumed, was greatly affected at thus
beholding the cherished friends of herself, her family, and country,
suddenly torn away from situations which they had filled with so much
honour to themselves, and with such advantage to the interests of the
two allied sovereigns. Nor could the good sense of the king fail to feel
some apprehensions, that a change might prove for the worst, which was
not possible to be for the better; though his envious ministers are
supposed to have inspired him with flattering hopes, which he was never
afterwards happy enough to see realized. Her majesty, indeed, felt such
alarm, even for the safety of the country, under any other protectors
than those whose abilities, zeal, and fidelity, had been so long and so
beneficially experienced, that she determined to take her three
daughters, with her son Prince Leopold, to their sister, the empress, at
Vienna; and, accordingly, while her estimable friends were