, he will retire
the moment it is peace. He expected his family, when they would sit
down eleven Elliots!

If, my dear Emma, you are to mind all the reports you may hear, you
may always be angry with your Nelson.

In the first place, instead of eight days, Mr. Acourt; he came on
board one day, just before dinner, and left me next morning, after
breakfast.

What pleasure people can have in telling lies! But, I care not what
they say; I defy them all.

You may safely rely, that I can for ever repeat, with truth, these
words--for ever I love you, and only you, my Emma; and, you may be
assured, as long as you are the same to me, that you are never absent
a moment from my thoughts.

I am glad you are going to Merton; you will live much more
comfortable, and much cheaper, than in London: and this spring, if you
like to have the house altered, you can do it. But, I fancy, you will
soon tire of so much dirt, and the inconvenience will be very great
the whole summer.

All I request, if you fix to have it done, [is] that Mr. Davison's
architect, who drew the plan, may have the inspection; and, he must
take care that it does not exceed the estimate.

If it is done by contract, you must not _alter_; or a bill is run-up,
much worse than if we had never contracted. Therefore, I must
either buy the materials, and employ respectable workmen, under the
architect; or, contract.

I rather believe, it would be better for me to buy the materials, and
put out the building to a workman; but, you must get some good advice.

With respect to the new entrance-- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * *

LETTER XLI.

Victory, March 14th, [1804]
off Toulon.

Young Faddy, my Dearest Emma, brought me, two days ago, your dear and
most kind letter of November 26th, and you are sure that I shall take
a very early opportunity of promoting him; and he appears to be grown
a fine young man, but vacancies do not happen very frequently in this
station. However, if he behaves well, he may be sure of me.

With respect to Mr. Jefferson, I can [neither] say nor do any thing.
The surgeon of the Victory is a very able, excellent man, and the ship
is kept in the most perfect state of health; and, I would not, if I
could--but, thank [God] I cannot--do such an unjust act, as to remove
him. He is my own asking for! and, I have every reason to be perfectly
content.

Mr. Jefferson got on, by my help; and, by his own misconduct, he g