oo, his lordship, at least, was certain of securing one
object, ever the first regard of his heart, that of preserving the
health of the men, without which no victory could be expected. His care,
in this respect, was most unremittingly employed; and the following
letter, written by Lord Nelson, at that period, to his friend and
physician, the celebrated Dr. Moseley, of Chelsea Hospital, who has
purposely favoured the biographer with a correct copy, will not only
evince his lordship's indefatigable attention, and his very great skill
and success, but prove otherwise considerably interesting.

"Victory, 11th of March 1804.

"MY DEAR DR. MOSELEY,

Yesterday, I received the favour of the 4th edition of your
invaluable work on Tropical Diseases, &c. and, with it, your most
kind letter: and, though I know myself not equal to your praises,
yet I feel that my honest intentions for the good of the service
have ever been the same; and, as I rise in rank, so do my
exertions. The great thing, in all military service, is health; and
you will agree with me, that it is easier for an officer to keep
men healthy, than for a physician to cure them. Situated as this
fleet has been, without a friendly port, where we could get all the
things so necessary for us; yet I have, by changing the cruizing
ground, not allowed the sameness of prospect to satiate the mind.
Sometimes, by looking at Toulon, Ville Tranche, Barcelona, and
Roses; then running round Minorca, Majorca, Sardinia, and Corsica;
and, two or three times, anchoring for a few days, and sending a
ship to the last place for _onions_--which I find the best thing
that can be given to seamen: having, always, good mutton for the
sick; cattle, when we can get them; and plenty of fresh water. In
the winter, it is the best plan to give half the allowance of grog
instead of all wine.

"These things are for the commander in chief to look to; but, shut
very nearly out from Spain, and only getting refreshments by
stealth from other places, my command has been an arduous one.

"Cornwallis has great merit for his persevering cruize; but he has
every thing sent him, we have nothing. We seem forgotten, by the
great folks at home. Our men's minds, however, are always kept up,
with the daily hopes of meeting the enemy. I send you, as a
curiosity, an a