already stated, was involved. Troubridge, with touching
fidelity, pleads with him to shun the temptations by which he is
beset. "I dread, my Lord," he says, "all the feasting, etc., at
Palermo. I am sure your health will be hurt. If so, all their saints
will be damned by the Navy"; and then he goes on to say, "The King
would be better employed digesting a good Government; everything gives
way to their pleasures. The money spent at Palermo gives discontent
here; fifty thousand people are unemployed, trade discouraged,
manufactures at a stand. It is the interest of many here to keep the
King away; they all dread reform."[13] Troubridge was wellnigh driven
to distraction by the terrible straits he was put to at Naples. The
people were faced with the ravages of famine. Already there were
scenes of unspeakable misery. His appeals to the Sicilian Court to
send immediate relief was ignored. Nelson, to whom he had appealed,
was absorbed in his attentions to Lady Hamilton, and refused to see
the vicious indifference of the Court, who were hemmed round with a
set of knaves and vagabonds, if that be not too moderate a term to use
of them. Troubridge beseeches him to come to the rescue in the
following terms:--

My Lord, we are dying off fast for want. I learn that Sir
William Hamilton says Prince Luzzi refused corn, some time ago,
and Sir William does not think it worth while making another
application. If that be the case, I wish he commanded this
distressing scene, instead of me. Puglia had an immense harvest:
near thirty sail left Messina, before I did, to load corn. Will
they let us have any? If not, a short time will decide the
business. The German interest prevails. I wish I was at your
Lordship's elbow for an hour. All, all, will be thrown on you: I
will parry the blow as much as in my power; I foresee much
mischief brewing. God bless your Lordship! I am miserable, I
cannot assist your operations more. Many happy returns of the
day to you (it was the first of the New Year). I never spent so
miserable a one. I am not very tender-hearted, but really the
distress here would even move a Neapolitan.

Shortly after he writes, again pouring out fresh woes:--

I have this day saved thirty thousand people from starvation;
but with this day my ability ceases. As the Government are bent
on starving us, I see no alternative but to leave these poor
people t