her royal offspring, whose powerful
and sovereign protector was in a distant country, with weapons of war in
their hands; and positively declared, that his lordship would not hold
the smallest communication with them, unless every man demonstrated the
rectitude of his intentions, by immediately returning his arms to the
public arsenal. This was attended with all the desired effect: the
insurgents signified their acquiescence, by repeated shouts of
approbation; and instantly proceeded to deposit their arms in the place
from whence they had been so indiscreetly taken. The queen, and royal
family, in the mean time, being exceedingly terrified, retreated on
board the Alexander; from whence they landed in the night, and set off
for Florence, distant sixty-two miles, in their way to Ancona. His
lordship, and friends, followed next morning; the whole forming a train
of fourteen carriages, and three large baggage-waggons.

After remaining two days at Florence, where they also received the most
respectful attentions, they proceeded to Ancona, a journey of about four
days. Here they continued nearly a fortnight; and then embarked, in two
Russian frigates, for Trieste. After a voyage of four or five days, in
very boisterous weather, they arrived there on the 1st of August 1800;
being the second anniversary of his lordship's glorious victory off the
Nile.

At this, as well as every other place, they were received with universal
rejoicings, and experienced every mark of honour; but the queen and Sir
William Hamilton had both caught violent colds on board the Russian
ship, followed by a dangerous degree of fever, which confined them
upwards of a fortnight, and considerably alarmed their friends. From
Trieste, the queen, immediately on her recovery, departed for Vienna:
and Lord Nelson, with Sir William and Lady Hamilton, two days
afterwards; accompanied by Mr. Anderson, the British vice-consul, who
offered his services in conducting them thither, being perfectly
familiar with that particular route, through the provinces of Carniola,
Carinthia, Stiria, and into Austria.

His lordship, and friends, having travelled to Vienna, in about a week
from the time of leaving Trieste, were privately introduced to their
imperial majesties, by the Queen of Naples, who had arrived two days
before them. The empress afterwards held a grand circle, to receive her
royal mother publicly: when Lord Nelson, and Sir William Hamilton, were
also publicly