d royal family, until _all is safe_. and their future plans are
_perfectly_ and securely settled. On every occasion," adds his lordship,
"I only wish for opportunities of proving to their majesties my desire
to shew my gratitude for the numerous favours, honours, and magnificent
presents, they have heaped upon me." Lord Nelson now first heard of the
attempt on our sovereign's life, by Hatfield, the lunatic, who fired a
pistol at the king from the pit of Drury Lane Theatre, on the 15th of
May 1800. "The Queen of Naples," says his lordship, writing to Lord
Keith, on the 18th of June, "waits here, with impatience, news from the
armies; for, if the French beat, I have only to return with my sacred
charge: but, a very few days must decide the question. What a sad
thing," feelingly exclaims our hero, "was the attempt on our good king's
life! But, from what I hear, it was not a plan of any Jacobin party, but
the affair of a madman."

After remaining about a month at Leghorn, his lordship was called early
out of bed, one morning, by a message from the palace, informing him of
an insurrection of the people. The French army being then at Lucca, only
twenty-four miles distant, the populace had assembled in great force,
with arms snatched from the arsenal, and expressed their determination
to secure the queen and royal family, for the purpose of detaining Lord
Nelson also; as they knew, they said, that he would not depart without
her majesty, and they wanted him to lead them against the French, whom
they were resolved to attack under the command of the invincible hero.
It was with the utmost difficulty, that his lordship, with Sir William
and Lady Hamilton, could force their way to the palace, through the
assembled multitude; where the queen, and royal offspring, appeared in a
balcony, anxious for the approach of their friends and protectors. Lady
Hamilton, however, had the address to gain over one of the ringleaders;
by assuring him that Lord Nelson was their friend, and wished to deliver
his sentiments as soon as he could reach the palace, where the queen
waited his arrival. Having, at length, by this man's assistance,
penetrated to the balcony of the palace, Lady Hamilton, at the request
of Lord Nelson, who was unable to speak the Italian language, addressed
the populace in his lordship's name. Her ladyship began, accordingly, by
remonstrating on the impropriety of thus violently surrounding an
amiable and illustrious queen, and