., 'The Tunisian envoy is
still here, negotiating. He is a moderate man; and, apparently, the
best disposed of any I ever did business with.' Could even the oldest
diplomatic character be drier? I hate such parade and nonsense."

Captain Hillyar, who commanded one of the frigates that were ever
coming and going, writes in his journal: "If extreme kindness and
attention could render me happy, I have this day experienced both from
our revered and good commander-in-chief. How can I repay his kindness?
By obeying his injunctions 'not to be in a hurry to get married,'[72]
or by a continued perseverance in discharging those duties with
alacrity and honour, which he is more immediately concerned in?" "Lord
Nelson talked a great deal against matrimony yesterday, and I feel
will not trust me at Malta, while we are capable of remaining at sea.
It was all, however, in a good natured way. He is going to charge me
with two of his boys [midshipmen], I am pleased that an opportunity is
offered for showing my gratitude in a small degree for his almost
fatherly kindness. I wish you knew him; if he has failings,
reflections on his virtues cause them to be forgotten, and the mind
dwells with pleasure on a character where bravery, generosity, and
good nature, are joined to a heart that can feel for the woes of
others, and delights in endeavouring to alleviate them." Hillyar was
experiencing what Radstock had remarked: "Gain his esteem, and there
is nothing he will not dash through to put you forward." "Gain his
esteem, and you will have nothing to fear, for I know not a more
honourable man existing, or one who would more readily do you justice
in all respects." "I am well aware," wrote another young captain to
Nelson himself, "of the good construction which your Lordship has ever
been in the habit of putting on circumstances, although wearing the
most unfavourable appearances.... Your Lordship's good opinion
constitutes the summit of my ambition, and the most effective spur to
my endeavours."

Nelson loved to bestow promotion, when deserved, on the spot, to give
a man his spurs, if it might be, on the field of battle; but vacancies
would not always offer at the happy moment. A brother of Hillyar's was
a midshipman in one of two boats, sent to visit a suspicious vessel.
A sudden and staggering fire killed the lieutenant in command,
besides disabling a number of the boats' crews. The men hesitated; but
the lad, left in charge, cheered them