erranean command, Lord Nelson was soon superceded by the arrival of
Lord Keith; and, when Sir Hyde Parker returned home, after the battle of
Copenhagen, his lordship almost immediately followed. On neither of
these occasions, nor in the subsequent affair of Boulogne, so soon
succeeded by peace, could he derive much advantage as a commander in
chief: and, though he had now held the Mediterranean command more than
two years, the terror of his name, by confining the enemy to their
ports, prevented it's being very profitable; while the peculiar nature
of his situation, with regard to the difficulties of obtaining
intelligence, as well as requisite supplies and refreshments, occasioned
private expences which considerably abridged his emoluments. It is true
that, as far as related to himself, he might have contrived to live in
retirement on his pension and half-pay; but he could by no means make
any suitable provision for those whom he conceived to have claims on his
protection. This expedition, he trusted, would enable him, at length, to
accomplish the wish of his heart, by placing all who were most dear to
him in situations of easy independence. If he should survive, the
brilliance of the glorious victory which he anticipated, might probably
qualify himself sufficiently to exalt them; if he should fall, he would
not permit himself to doubt, that the generous nation which he loved,
and in whose just cause his last blood would be so freely shed, could
ever hesitate a moment amply to provide for every beloved object of his
anxious regard, with this confident hope bequeathed to the benign
protection of his king and country.

On Friday, the 13th of September, the Victory having been compleatly
prepared, dropped down to St. Helen's, ready for the hero's reception.
To his lordship and friends, this was a terrible day. Some of his
relatives had previously left Merton, that they might escape the dreaded
agonies of so painful a separation. Mr. and Mrs. Matcham continued to
the last; and sustained, with their best fortitude, the severe shock of
such a parting. His lordship, kindly affectionate to all, had repeatedly
declared that, from the first prize-money which he should be fortunate
enough to obtain, amounting to thirty thousand pounds, he would make a
present of five thousand to his brother, and the same sum to each of his
two sisters: and, on Mr. Matcham's expressing a wish that his lordship
might retain Mrs. Matcham's share, he r