ence of the people, liberty, and
constitution, of this kingdom, and our most gracious sovereign, with the
freedom of the city of Worcester." Lord Nelson, in a very masterly
speech, complimented the corporate body, on the polite manner in which
they had received him; and delicately expressed the pleasure which he
felt from the sentiments entertained of him by the civil power of so
ancient, so loyal, and so respectable a city, as that of Worcester. For
loyalty, his lordship remarked, they had always stood in the foremost
rank; and, to that patriotic spirit, he conceived, was to be ascribed
the high estimation in which they held his public and personal services.
He considered himself fortunate, that his exertions had been called
forth in such perilous and disastrous times; as, he flattered himself,
he had contributed to the protection of the best of constitutions, and
the best of kings. At the same time, he was bound to acknowledge that,
whatever honour might arise to himself, from his conduct in those trying
scenes in which he had been engaged, he had certainly been supported by
the most able, intrepid, and active officers, and by men of the most
undaunted and enterprising courage. The merit ascribed to him, was more
particularly due to the brave men who had been put under his orders; it
was to them that the country was indebted, he only had the good fortune
to command the heroes who had obtained those important successes. With
such assistance, aided by that Providence who watches over righteous
kings and states with paternal care, he did not hesitate to say, that
this kingdom rested on a safe and solid basis; that nothing could shake
it's foundation, but internal discord and divisions; that, as those whom
he had now the honour of addressing, on to him so pleasing and
flattering an occasion, had always, with such zeal and promptitude,
expressed their attachment to their sovereign, they would, he hoped,
persevere in that unanimity and order, which tend, as the best and most
solid security, to the preservation of all kings and states. He had now,
he said, the honour of being one of that body, as a public
acknowledgment of the approbation with which they regarded his former
services; and, should the exigence of the times, at any future period,
call them again into action, the remembrance of that attention for which
he had to thank them on the present occasion, would act as a stimulus to
the exercise, if possible, of more arden