in the usual form, they were asked whether he was "Guilty, or not
guilty?" the foreman, though he replied--"Guilty;" immediately
added--"but we earnestly recommend him to mercy, on account of his
former good character, and the services he has rendered his country." No
recommendation, however, the crime being so atrocious, and the guilt so
manifest, could reasonably be expected to avail. It is said, though such
disabolism can scarcely be credited, that attempts were made, on this
occasion, by secret enemies of his lordship in very high rank, to
prejudice characters still more elevated against him; and thus, as in
some other respects, vilely insinuating that his most honourable and
virtuous heart was tainted with the very vice which he ever held in the
greatest abhorrence. Among the various gross imputations against his
lordship, which the future historian may find registered in some of the
preserved licentious public journals of blended facts and falshoods, and
inconsiderately adopt, is that of the Hero of the Nile's having been so
addicted to gaming, that he lost, at a single sitting, the whole he had
gained, both pay and prize-money, during the year of that memorable
victory: whereas, in truth, his lordship was so extremely adverse to
this vice, that he had scarcely ever, in his life, entered any one of
the fashionable gaming-houses; nor ever, as he repeatedly assured his
friends, whom these base reports induced particularly to ask the
question, won or lost even the trifling sum of twenty guineas!
Notwithstanding this undoubted verity; there will, probably, always be
found weak heads firmly believing, and vicious hearts basely pretending
to believe, that this exalted man was actually of a gambling spirit. So
difficult is it entirely to eradicate the rank but fertile growth of
once disseminated calumny; which, sown in darkness, by the arch-enemy of
mankind, springs up, and spreads it's pernicious influence, to check the
fairer growth, and defeat the just hopes of the meritorious husbandman.

It has been already observed that, owing to the unaccommodating
disposition of a neighbouring farmer, Lord Nelson had been unable to
enlarge the grounds of his retirement at Merton, till he agreed to
purchase the whole of Mr. Axe's estate. This, however, had been so far
effected, at the latter end of the year 1802, that there wanted nothing,
but certain legal formalities, for the conclusion of that business. His
lordship and friends