."

The prince, he adds, who has shewn him every act of kindness that the
most professed friendship could bestow, was expected to leave the
country in June; and, by that time, himself hopes orders will arrive for
his returning to England. He wonders that any independent man will
accept the command of this station: "for," he concludes, "there is
nothing pleasant to be got by it."

In June 1787, accordingly, the term of three years usually allotted to
ships employed on such stations in times of peace being expired, he was
ordered home; and arrived at Portsmouth the beginning of July, with Mrs.
Nelson and her son.

From this place he writes, on the 3d instant, to his friend Captain
Locker; and, speaking of his "dear wife," says-- "I have no doubt you
will like her, on acquaintance; for, although I must be partial, yet she
possesses great good sense, and good temper."

In all these praises of his lady may be clearly discerned, that he
congratulated himself on having made, at least, a prudent choice. There
is little, however, of that rapturous extasy which issues from many a
finally most infelicitous husband, some days, weeks, or even months,
after the conjugal union.

It was not, certainly, on his side, a mercenary match. He would have
been incapable of marrying with so mean a motive. He is said, indeed, to
have given, about this period, a substantial proof of very much the
contrary disposition. This appears in the following anecdote, which has
been repeatedly published.

The President of Nevis had been so excessively displeased with his only
daughter, that he resolved to disinherit the young lady, and leave her
immense fortune to his niece, Mrs. Nelson: but Captain Nelson, most
generously, instead of widening the breach between them, actually made
use of all his interest with the president, who had the highest regard
for him, completely to close it, by bringing about a perfect
reconciliation; which, at length, to his unspeakable satisfaction, he
had the happiness of accomplishing.

Dr. Nesbit, Mrs. Nelson's first husband, was a native of Scotland. He
had, formerly, been an apothecary at Coventry; but, at Nevis, he
practised as a physician. He had not, however, acquired any very
considerable wealth. It has even been asserted, that Captain Nelson
received the widow and child without any present fortune whatever; and
that four thousand pounds, some years afterwards bequeathed Mrs. Nelson,
on the death of her father o