gone to
Malta, the queen was making preparations for accompanying them, in their
way to England, as far as that imperial city.

At the time of Lord Nelson's first conveying the King and Queen of
Naples to Palermo, three Spanish ships had taken refuge in that port;
two of them most immensely rich, being laden with quicksilver for the
use of the South American mines, and the third a man of war to protect
them. There, however, from the period of his lordship's arrival, they
had continued snugly to remain; appearing rather disposed to rot in the
mole, than venture out to sea with a certainty of being captured. The
Spanish commander was no stranger to Lord Nelson's circumspection; who,
it will be readily imagined, was often observed to cast a longing eye on
such desirable booty: and his lordship's good-humoured remarks on the
excessive politeness of the fearful Spaniard, whenever they met, were
highly diverting to his friends. About the 20th of April, however, just
before his lordship sailed for Palermo, some strong indications had been
manifested, of a design in these ships to attempt getting off. He had,
therefore, instantly, sent judicious instructions for intercepting them
to the squadron at Minorca, as well as ordered express-boats on the spot
to be sent in all directions with the necessary information for their
being pursued, and had consequently little doubt that they must be
immediately captured, should they happily venture to depart.

Lord Nelson, and his friends, on arriving at Malta, were received with
the most rapturous joy. The flag of Le Guillaume Tell was presented to
his lordship, by the gallant captors; with a kindly affectionate
address, on thus delivering the trophy which marked the completion of
his glorious triumph over every French ship which had been encountered
at the battle off the Nile: and the grand illuminations which took
place, on visiting Governor Ball's villa at St. Antonia, where his
lordship and friends remained two days, so greatly alarmed the French,
who were unable to penetrate the cause, that they attempted to make a
sortie, but were instantly driven back.

About the 8th of May, amidst these pleasing attentions of his gallant
brethren in arms, and the grateful inhabitants who owed so much to his
lordship's protecting influence, he received letters from England which
filled him with extreme concern. He learned, by these, that his noble
friend, the Earl of St. Vincent--who had accepted