"Horatio Nelson."

This probably had the desired effect, and the business was afterwards
adjusted without having recourse to a court-martial, though not
without bringing upon Nelson a rap over the knuckles on his return to
England. In order to obtain the proper court, he had directed the
prince to take his ship to the Jamaica station on his way to Halifax
in Nova Scotia, and the following paragraph contains their lordships'
decision:--

"My lords are not satisfied with the reasons you have given for
altering the destination of the Pegasus, and for sending the
Rattler sloop to Jamaica; and that, for having taken upon you to
send the latter away from the station to which their lordships
had appointed her, you will be answerable for the consequence, if
the crown should be put to any needless expense upon that
account."

We must close this account of the frivolous court-martial with an
admirable letter from Nelson to the prince.

"Portsmouth _27th July, 1787_.

"If to be truly great is to be truly good, (as we are taught to
believe,) it never was stronger verified than in your Royal
Highness in the instance of Mr Schomberg. You have supported your
character, yet, at the same time, by an amiable condescension,
have saved an officer from appearing before a court-martial,
which ever must hurt him. Resentment, I know, your Royal highness
never had, or, I am sure, ever will bear any one. It is a passion
incompatible with the character of a man of honour. Schomberg was
too hasty, certainly, in writing his letter, but now you are
parted, pardon me, my prince, when I presume to recommend that
Schomberg may stand in your royal favour as if he had never
sailed with you; and that, at some future day, you will serve
him. There only wants this to place your character in the highest
point of view. None of us are without failings. Schomberg's was
being rather too hasty; but that, put in competition with his
being a good officer, will not, I am bold to say, be taken in the
scale against him."

There is one characteristic circumstance in this collection, namely,
the number of letters written by Nelson in recommendation of all who
have behaved well under his command. He was desirous of acting to
others as, he boasts in one of his letters with pride and exultation,