. Here they continued about
a week; and afterwards visited Mrs. Maurice Nelson, at Laleham, only two
miles distant from Staines. This unfortunate lady, relict of his
lordship's then recently deceased elder brother, has for many years been
afflicted with total blindness. Lord Nelson now kindly condoled with
her; and generously made up the small pittance left by his brother, whom
he most tenderly loved, a regular annuity of two hundred pounds, besides
providing for immediate exigences. It is greatly to be regretted, that
his lordship's repeated solicitations for Mr. Maurice Nelson's
advancement had been so little regarded, that this worthy gentleman,
though almost his whole life in the Navy Office, was only elevated to
the situation of a principal clerk about four months prior to his
decease.

With his health considerably improved by this rural excursion, Lord
Nelson returned to London; and, on dining with Mr. Addington, then
Chancellor of the Exchequer, was informed, by the minister, that nothing
could satisfy the people, who were in a state of continual alarm at
Bonaparte's immense preparations for the threatened invasion of our
country, but his lordship's immediately taking the home command. Though
the nature of the French armament, which consisted chiefly of
innumerable gun-boats, rendered the attack of their flotilla a species
of petty warfare apparently too trivial for the attention of our heroic
admiral, it was sufficient for him to be assured that his services were
requisite for the safety or welfare of his country, to obtain an
immediate acquiescence; however humble, hazardous, or unprofitable, the
nature of the proposed employ. His friends, however, were desirous that
he should receive, on the occasion, some positive benefit. His lordship
alledged, with great truth, that he was one of the worst negociators on
earth for himself, and seemed disinclined to tender any conditions; but
Lady Hamilton urging him to obtain, at least, an entailment of his
titles on the family, which would take nothing out of the national
purse, and yet preserve his merited honours to the most remote
posterity, he ventured, at length, to solicit that small favour, which
was very readily granted.

In consequence of this arrangement, Lord Nelson was appointed commander
in chief of a powerful squadron, employed between Orfordness and
Beachy-Head: together with the entire flotilla of gun-brigs, fire-ships,
bomb-ketches, and vessels of every