e French, not to admit
any British ship; but no dread of hostilities could prevent the brave
admiral from resolutely anchoring in the road.

In a letter, written this very day, dated on board the Vanguard, St.
Peter's Island. Sardinia, May 24, 1798, and addressed to Lady Nelson, he
thus describes the effect produced on his mind by the dangers just
escaped.

"MY DEAREST FANNY,

"I ought not to call what has happened to the Vanguard, by the cold
name of accident: I believe, firmly, it was the Almighty's
goodness, to check my consummate vanity. I hope it has made me a
better officer, as I feel it has made me a better man. I kiss, with
all humility, the rod. Figure to yourself, on Sunday evening, at
sun-set, a vain man, walking in his cabin, with a squadron around
him, who looked up to their chief, to lead them to glory; and in
whom their chief placed the firmest reliance, that the proudest
ships, of equal numbers, belonging to France, would have bowed
their flags; and, with a very rich prize lying by him--Figure to
yourself, on Monday morning, when the sun rose, this proud,
conceited man, his ship dismasted, his fleet dispersed, and himself
in such distress that the meanest frigate out of France would have
been an unwelcome guest. But it has pleased Almighty God to bring
us into a safe port; where, although refused the rights of
humanity, yet the Vanguard will, in two days, get to sea again as
an English man of war."

This is the letter of a truly Christian hero, as well as of a most
affectionate and tender husband. It will not be hastily believed, by the
reflecting part of mankind, that he who possessed so high a sense of all
the relative duties as the immortal Nelson, had not afterwards good
reasons for being separated from the wife whom he could once consent
thus to address. What those reasons were, the reader will, probably, in
the sequel, be enabled to form a tolerably correct judgment.

Notwithstanding the unfavourable reception encountered at St. Peter's
Island, as hinted in the above letter, the resources of British seamen,
which are seldom known to fail, enabled them soon to surmount most of
their difficulties. Captain Berry, with the very able assistance which
he received from Sir James Saumarez and Captain Ball, contrived to
equip the Vanguard with a jury foremast, jury main and mizen topmasts,
and to fish the bowspri