The weather changed so unmercifully, yesterday, that Lovel and I
both grew ill; and this makes me the more anxious to hear of our
too sensible and inestimable Queen. My warmest wishes--physical,
political, and moral--ever attend her.

B.

V.

Here is my cousin's answer, Dearest Emma--"_Io lo capisco_." Her
brother assured me, there is not the semblance of an insurrection;
and, that our dear, dear Queen, is misled by a set of scoundrels.

Send me word where you will be. Adieu!

VI.

Yesterday, we dined on Mount Vesuvius; to-day, we were to have dined
on its victim, Pompeii: but, "by the grace of God, which passeth all
understanding," since Bartolomeo himself, that weather-soothsayer, did
not foresee this British weather, we are prevented.

In the mean time, all this week and the next, is replete with projects
to Ischia, Procita, &c. &c. so God only knows when I can worship,
again, my Diana of Ephesus.

Write me word, explicitly, how you are, _what_ you are, and where you
are; and be sure that, wheresoever I am, still I am your's, my dearest
Emma.

VII.

Wednesday.

MY DEAREST EMMA,

The very unexpected intelligence, which Prince Augustus has most
delicately communicated to me, of poor Lord Hervey's _decease_, has
quite _bouleversee_ my already shattered frame.

I would not allow your friendly mind to learn an event so interesting
to me from any other hand than that of your affectionate and devoted
friend,

BRISTOL.

VIII.

MY EVER DEAREST LADY HAMILTON,

I should certainly have made this Sunday an holy day to me, and have
taken a Sabbath day's journey to Caserta, had not poor Mr. Lovel been
confined to his bed above three days with a fever.

To-day, it is departed; to-morrow, Dr. Nudi has secured us from its
resurrection; and, after to-morrow, I hope, virtue will be its own
reward, and that my friendship for Lovel will be recompensed with the
enjoyment.

This moment I receive your _billet-doux_, and very dulcet it is!

All public and private accounts agree, in the immediate prospect of a
general peace. It will make a delicious foreground in the picture of
the new year; many of which, I wish, from the top, bottom, and centre
of my heart, to the incomparable Emma--_quella senza paragona_!

_Dans ce moment, on m'assure que Mayence est prise. Je ne vous
garantis pas cette maudite nouvelle--mais je me flatte que la paix se
fait_.

IX.

EVER DEAR