en who not unworthily enjoyed
a high degree of their sovereign's confidence and favour. No
considerations of private friendship could ever induce him to unite in
any systematic opposition of his majesty's ministers. He was, he said,
the King's servant; and would, in every way, defend him with his best
abilities. His lordship joined not in any condemnation of the peace;
which he regarded, with many other intelligent persons, as an experiment
worthy the trial. Of national honour, he conceived, nothing was
sacrificed; and, except Malta, little was given up, which could be any
just subject of regret. Even Malta itself, of which he so well knew all
the value, and which could probably never have been wrested from France
without his lordship's wonderful address and perseverance in obtaining
aids for effecting it's reduction, he declared was, in his estimation,
scarcely worth the trouble and expence of preserving, could we be
certain that it might never fall into the hands of our enemies. The
speeches of Lord Nelson, in parliament, on this and other popular
topics, demonstrate great senatorial ability, with a profound knowledge
of our political and even commercial interests. Such a potent coadjutor
was well worth cherishing, and Mr. Addington appears to have been very
properly of that opinion.

Lord Nelson, on surveying his new domains, felt vastly desirous of
filling up the moat, and extending the grounds on that side of the house
where the space was so exceedingly contracted. He had, accordingly,
applied by letter, dated the 25th of October 1801, to William Axe, Esq.
of Birchin Lane, London, who was proprietor of the small intervening
field which alone separated Merton Place from the narrow lane at the end
of the abbey wall, to be favoured with the purchase of it, on equitable
terms; and though that worthy gentleman, in the handsomest manner, for
which Lord Nelson ever after highly respected him, paid all possible
attention to the wish of his lordship; a churlish farmer, who was Mr.
Axe's tenant, on lease, of the whole adjoining estate, where he had
acquired a considerable fortune, opposed so many objections, and evinced
so rude and unaccommodating a disposition, notwithstanding his lordship
had condescendingly treated him with every courtesy, that the object was
not accomplished till his lordship, about a year and half afterwards,
purchased the whole farm, consisting of a hundred and fifteen acres;
which Mr. Axe liberally co