ion
of my real friends. Friendship has borne me up in the most difficult
times; and the general satisfaction which my friends express, on my
promotion, renders me very happy at present: and, to make me more so,
I have anticipated to my own mind the sincere satisfaction with which
you will receive this news.

I should not flatter myself so far, if I was not very sincerely
interested in your happiness; and, ever, affectionately your's,

C.F.G.

Letters

FROM

LADY HAMILTON

TO

THE HON. CHARLES GREVILLE,

_Nephew of Sir William Hamilton_.

Letters OF LADY HAMILTON, &c.

I.

25th of February, [1800.]

DEAR SIR,

I received your letter by Mr. Campbell. He is lodged with us. We find
him a pleasant man; and shall write fully by him. He will tell you a
little how we go on, as to our domestic happiness. We are more united
and comfortable than ever, in spite of the infamous Jacobin papers,
jealous of Lord Nelson's glory, and Sir William's and mine. But we do
not mind them. Lord N. is a truly virtuous and great man; and, because
we have been fagging, and ruining our health, and sacrificing every
comfort, in the cause of loyalty, our private characters are to be
stabbed in the dark. First, it was said, Sir W. and Lord N. fought;
then, that we played, and lost. First, Sir W. and Lord N. live like
brothers; next, Lord N. never plays: and this I give you my word of
honour. So I beg you will contradict any of these vile reports. Not
that Sir W. and Lord N. mind it; and I get scolded by the Queen, and
all of them, for having suffered one day's uneasiness.

Our fleet is off Malta: Lord Nelson has taken Le Genereux, and was
after the frigates; so the attempt to relieve Malta has failed.

I have had a letter from the Emperor of Russia, with the Cross of
Malta. Sir William has sent his Imperial Majesty's letter to Lord
Grenville, to get me the permission to wear it. I have rendered some
services to the poor Maltese. I got them ten thousand pounds, and sent
corn when they were in distress. The deputies have been lodged in my
house; I have been their Ambassadress, so his [I.]M. has rewarded me.
If the King will give me leave to wear it abroad, it is of use to me.
The Q----n is having the order set in diamonds for me; but the one the
Emperor sent is gold. I tell you this little history of it, that you
may be _au fait_. Ball has it a