cret services, though very properly
concealed from the public, are well known to, and liberally acknowledged
by, several of the ablest and bravest commanders in the navy; and it was
thus, still more than by his unaffected and agreeable manners in private
life, that he endeared himself to our incomparable hero, who constantly
possessed the most exalted degree of genuine patriotism combined with
the truest and most unbounded loyalty. This sentiment must not be
overlooked in the contemplation of Lord Nelson's character. There
cannot, perhaps, be a single proof adduced of the hero's violently
strong attachment to any individual whatever, though he was a friend to
the whole human race, and to every description of worth, if he did not,
at the period of expressing his admiration and esteem, sincerely believe
the person a valuable coadjutor in some way assisting the prosperity of
his king and country. To this noble and virtuous source may be traced
the origin of all the friendships which he greatly cherished out of his
family; and even his family would have possessed less of his love, had
any of them ever been found deficient in loyalty. This was the great
bond of affectionate union which bound together so many brave hearts,
and rendered the whole fleet one uniformly compact and invincible body.
There was scarcely, perhaps, any single individual, among either
officers or men, of a truly valorous and loyal spirit, who would not
freely have yielded his own life, if necessary, to save that of the
adored commander.

Few were the hours which this exalted man was permitted to enjoy the
society of his beloved family and friends in his retreat at Merton. The
improvement of his house and grounds, though the latter had been
rendered delightful since the enlargement, were by no means even yet
compleated; and his lordship, who was ever generous to the full extent
of his ability, found it necessary, before he quitted England, to
dispose of many jewels, and other valuable presents, which were
purchased by Messrs. Rundell, Bridge, and Rundell, on Ludgate Hill, for
the purpose of paying debts, and providing the various requisites of his
present equipment. Even this was a state to which such a man should not
have been subjected. His income had been rendered considerable, it is
true: but the grandeur of his character had rendered him too great for
his income; it ought, therefore, to have been sufficiently enlarged. The
nation will never be ruine