have known,
that I have directed the bills for the alterations to be paid. I never
could have intended to have taken it from the hundred pounds a month.

You will not hear of my making prize-money. I have not paid my
expences these last nine months.

I shall expect to eat my Christmas dinner at Merton; unless those
events happen which I can neither foresee nor prevent.

I am not well: and must have rest, for a few months, even should the
country [want me;] which, very likely, they will not. News, I can have
none. April 9th, Leviathan sailed; so government don't care much for
us.

Kiss my dear Horatia, for me! I hope you will have her at Merton; and,
believe me, my dear Emma, that I am, for ever, as ever, your attached,
faithful, and affectionate,

NELSON & BRONTE.

LETTER LI.

Victory, August 12th, 1804.

Although, my Dearest Emma, from the length of time my other letters
have been getting to you, I cannot expect that this will share a
better fate; yet, as the Childers is going to Rosas, to get us some
news from Paris--which is the only way I know of what is passing in
England--I take my chance of the post: but, I expect the Kent will
be in England before this letter; and by which ship I write to the
Admiralty relative to my health.

Therefore, I shall only say, that I hope a little of your good
nursing, with ass's milk, will set me up for another campaign; should
the Admiralty wish me to return, in the spring, for another year: but,
I own, I think we shall have peace.

The Ambuscade arrived this day fortnight, with our victuallers, &c.
and very acceptable they were. By her, I received your letters of May
14th, 22d, and 30th, _via_ Lisbon; and, of April 9th, 18, 15th, May
10th, 18th, 29th, June 1st, 5th, through, I suppose, the Admiralty.

The box you mention, is not arrived; nor have I a scrap of a pen from
Davison. The weather in the Mediterranean seems much altered. In July,
seventeen days the fleet was in a gale of wind.

I have often wrote to Davison, to pay for all the improvements at
Merton. The new-building the chamber over the dining-room, you must
consider. The stair window, we settled, was not to be stopped up. The
underground passage will, I hope, be made; but I shall, please God,
soon see it all.

I have wrote you, my dear Emma, about Horatia; but, by the Kent, I
shall write fully. May God bless you, my dearest best-beloved Emma!
and believe me, ever, your most faithful and aff