got safely into
Cadiz. All this, however, was nothing to him; "Let the man trudge it,
who has lost his budget!" gaily repeated his lordship. But, amid all
this _allegro_ of the tongue, to his friends at Merton Place, Lady
Hamilton observed that his countenance, from that moment, wore
occasional marks of the _penseroso_ in his bosom. In this state of mind,
he was pacing one of the walks of Merton garden, which he always called
the quarter-deck, when Lady Hamilton told him, that she perceived he was
low and uneasy. He smiled, and said--"No! I am as happy as possible."
Adding, that he saw himself surrounded by his family; that he found his
health better since he had been at Merton; and, that he would not give a
sixpence to call the king his uncle. Her ladyship replied, that she did
not believe what he said; and, that she would tell him what was the
matter with him. That he was longing to get at these French and Spanish
fleets; that he considered them as his own property, and would be
miserable if any other man but himself did the business; that he must
have them, as the price and reward of his long watching, and two years
uncomfortable situation in the Mediterranean: and finished, by
saying--"Nelson, however we may lament your absence, and your so
speedily leaving us, offer your services, immediately, to go off Cadiz;
they will be accepted, and you will gain a quiet heart by it. You will
have a glorious victory; and, then, you may come here, have your _otium
cum dignitate_, and be happy." He looked at her ladyship for some
moments; and, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed--"Brave Emma! good Emma!
if there were more Emmas, there would be more Nelsons. You have
penetrated my thoughts. I wish all you say, but was afraid to trust even
myself with reflecting on the subject. However, I will go to town." He
went, accordingly, next morning, accompanied by her ladyship and his
sisters. They left him at the Admiralty, on the way to Lady Hamilton's
house in Clarges Street; and, soon after, received a note, informing
them that the Victory was telegraphed not to go into port, and begging
they would prepare every thing for his departure. This is the true
history of that affecting affair. Her ladyship feels, most severely,
that she was the cause of his going; but, as she loved his glory, she
could not resist giving him such advice. It is, however, the general
opinion of those who best knew his lordship, that he would, in all
probability, h