sire it, I remain
for her security. No consideration of my own health shall make me
abandon my honourable post, in which you have placed me. A
parliament is called here: the queen has her doubts about their
temper; and I have promised, under my hand, not to leave her;
unless by her desire. Let me thank you, for your goodness to
Captain Nisbet. I _wish_ he may deserve it; the thought half kills
me! My dear lord, there is no true happiness in this life; and, in
my present state, I could quit it with a smile. May God Almighty
bless you with health, happiness, and long life! is the fervent
prayer of your affectionate friend,

"Nelson."

To the intelligent reader, here is ample scope for reflection, in a very
short compass. Felt gratitude, warmly expressed, to the Earl of St.
Vincent, for his kind and generous attentions; lofty eulogiums of his
lordship's royal and illustrious friends on the conduct of the noble
earl; severe mention of his friend Sir Sidney; complaint of ill health;
firm attachment to the royal family at Palermo; fearful apprehensions
for a beloved son-in-law, whom he had brought tenderly up with all the
anticipatory hopes of the fondest paternal affection, and for whose
future conduct he seems, by some untoward circumstances, to have been
now filled with all a feeling father's anxieties and alarms; and,
lastly, as the consequence of defeated expectations, a desponding
willingness to relinquish even life, from an experienced conviction that
it affords no permanent or perfect felicity.

On the 3d, his lordship received, through the Earl of St Vincent, the
thanks of the House of Peers of Ireland, to himself, and the captains,
officers, seamen, and marines, of the detached squadron under his
command at the battle off the Nile, and immediately returned a
respectful answer by the same channel. He also wrote the following true
sailor's letter to the earl, respecting Malta.

"Palermo, Feb. 3, 1799.

"MY DEAR LORD,

"The Incendiary is just come from
Ball, off Malta; and has brought me information,
that the attempt to storm the city of Valette had
failed, from--(I am afraid, I must call it)--cowardice.
They were over the first ditch, and retired,
_damn them_! But, I trust, the zeal, judgment, and
bravery, of my friend Ball, and his gallant party,
will overcome all difficulty. The cutter just going
off prevents my being more particular. Ever your
mo