. He is ignorant of
common civility. Sir William Hamilton has just found out, that a
messenger sets out for London within an hour; yet, I was with this
minister for an hour last night. He admires his ribbon, ring, and
snuff-box, so much, that an excellent _petit-maitre_ was spoiled, when
he was made a minister. The sentiments of my heart have flown from my
pen, and I cannot retract them."

After observing, that he has not, owing to the above circumstance, time
to write what he wished, he concludes, with the most perfect
good-humour--"Pray excuse this short letter, and abuse of the Marquis De
Gallo."

On Monday, the 15th of October, being ready to sail from Naples, at
eight o'clock in the morning, the King and Prince Leopold, as well as
Sir William and Lady Hamilton, went on board the Vanguard, to breakfast
with Lord Nelson. At ten, the British squadron, consisting of the
Vanguard, Minotaur, Audacious, Goliath, and La Mutine brig, weighed
anchor; and, at eleven, the royal and illustrious visitors quitted the
ship, taking an affectionate leave of their heroic protector and
friend--"The king expressed himself," says Lord Nelson, in a letter to
the Earl of St. Vincent, dated off Marsala, the West End of Sicily,
October 22, 1798, "in the most flattering manner towards me. His majesty
had all the respect paid him, by the squadron, which our situation would
admit of, and which it was not only our duty, but so much our
inclination, to pay him. The king," he observes, "having desired my
return to Naples in the first week in November, I shall, after having
arranged the blockade of Malta, return to Naples, and endeavour to be
useful in the movements of their army. In thus acquiescing in the desire
of the King of Naples, I give up my plan; which was, to have gone to
Egypt, and attended to the destruction of the French shipping in that
quarter: but, I hope, before Captain Hood quits his station, both the
Turks and Russian squadron will be on that coast; when all will be
right, I hope: although I own myself not willing to trust any of our
allies to do that which we could do ourselves. I have reason for
thinking, that a strong wish for our squadron's being on the coast of
Naples is, that in case of any mishap, their majesties think their
persons much safer under the protection of the British flag, than under
any other." After observing, that the Culloden would be ready for sea
about the time mentioned, and that he had directed Capta