ll excesses of the passions had constantly subjected
him since the time when this grievance first commenced, while his
anxious mind was occupied in vainly pursuing the French fleet: indeed,
he always said, and it seems highly probable, that the disappointment,
had it much longer continued, and his expectation of encountering them
been finally frustrated, would certainly have "broke his heart." It is
from no disrespect to Captain Nisbet that this affair is mentioned: nor
is it for the sake of observing, what that gentleman must be sensible is
the undoubted fact, that he was indebted for a reconciliation with his
father-in-law, shortly after, to the kind interference of Sir William
and Lady Hamilton; who, very properly representing it as solely the
effect of a young man's pardonable inebriety on so joyous an occasion,
again introduced him to favour at their rural villa in the vicinity of
Naples. The fact, in itself, is trivial; but, on subjects of domestic or
family delicacy, the minutest thread of verity may chance to have it's
use in conducting through the intricate labyrinth by which the temple of
truth is generally found to be environed.

It was not till after Admiral Nelson's arrival at Naples, that he heard
of the capture of the Leander, with his dispatches for the Earl of St.
Vincent respecting the battle of the Nile; an event for which, as has
been seen, he had judiciously and almost prophetically prepared, by
transmitting copies to England. By letters from Corfu, he now learned
that, on the 16th of August, the Leander of fifty guns, Captain
Thompson, having Captain Berry on board, with the dispatches for the
Earl of St. Vincent, fell in with Le Genereux of seventy-four guns,
Captain Lejoille, Jun. one of the French ships which had escaped after
the battle of the Nile. The Leander, with eighty men short of it's
complement, and a number of wounded on board, being off the island of
Candia, was chased by Le Genereux under Neapolitan colours; which, on
approaching nearly within gun-shot, about eight in the morning, were
changed to French. Captain Thompson had not been deceived by this
artifice, but the Leander's inferiority of sailing rendered it
impossible to escape. At nine, being within half gun-shot of the
Leander's weather-quarter, Captain Thompson hauled up sufficiently to
bring his broadside to bear, and immediately commenced a vigorous
cannonade, which was powerfully returned. The ships continued nearing
each