the most
virtuous, loyal, and truly brave character, I have ever met with.
God bless him! and shame fall on those who do not say--_Amen_."

The moment his lordship learned that Sir William Hamilton's physicians
declared him to be in danger, he never once quitted him: but, during six
nights, constantly sat up with his friend; who died, in the arms of Lady
Hamilton, and with Lord Nelson's hand in his, on the 6th of April 1803.
A few moments before Sir William's decease, he said to his
lordship--"Brave and great Nelson, our friendship has been long, and I
glory in my friend. I hope you will see justice done to Emma, by
ministers; for you know how great her services have been, and what she
has done for her country. Protect my dear wife; and may God bless you,
and give you victory, and protect you in battle!" Then, turning to his
lady--"My incomparable Emma," said he, "you have never, in thought,
word, or deed, offended me; and let me thank you, again and again, for
your affectionate kindness to me, all the time of our ten years happy
union." Lord Nelson could scarcely be torn from the body of his friend.
He requested Mrs. Nelson, now the Countess Nelson, immediately to take
apartments for him: and begged her to tell Lady Hamilton, that it would
not be right, now his friend was dead, to be an inmate of her ladyship's
house; for it was a bad world, and her grief for the loss of her husband
might not let her think of the impropriety of his continuing there. His
lordship, accordingly, removed that evening to lodgings in Piccadilly.

It is remarkable that, the very day of Sir William's death, Captain
Macnamara, Lord Nelson's old fellow-traveller when he visited France the
latter end of the year 1783, killed Colonel Montgomery, and was himself
shot through the left side by his antagonist, in a duel near Primrose
Hill, Hampstead. They had been riding in Hyde Park, that morning, with
each a Newfoundland dog; in whose first quarrelling and fighting,
originated the dispute which so fatally terminated in the evening.
Captain Macnamara was tried at the Old Bailey, on the 22d of the same
month; but Lord Nelson, as well as his friends Lord Minto, Lord Hood,
and Lord Hotham, giving him a most excellent character, though Judge
Heath directed the jury to find a verdict of manslaughter, both from the
evidence and the captain's own admission, they resolutely pronounced
him--"Not guilty!"

Lord Nelson had not, now, been quite ei