ave fretted himself to death had he not undertaken this
expedition. His lordship's services were "not only accepted at the
Admiralty, but he was vested with powers less limited than had, perhaps,
ever before been confided to any naval commander. He was to send home
Sir Robert Calder, who had joined Admiral Collingwood in blocking up the
enemy off Cadiz harbour with twenty-six sail of the line, and to take on
himself the chief command of all his majesty's ships and vessels
throughout the whole extent of the Mediterranean Sea; having full
liberty to use his own discretion in following the enemy wherever he
should think proper, without the slightest degree of censure or
controul.

During the few days which he continued in England after being appointed
to this important command, he so devoted the little leisure which his
professional preparations allowed, to his beloved family and friends,
that he refused all public visits, and dined only twice from Merton
Place: once, with his Grace the Duke of Queensberry, who is a near
relation of the late Sir William Hamilton; and once with his esteemed
friend Abraham Goldsmid, Esq. and family, at Morden. On both these
occasions, too, he was accompanied by Lady Hamilton and some of his own
relations. The Duke of Clarence, previously to Lord Nelson's departure,
took a dinner with him at Merton; when his lordship, pointing to his
nephews, nieces, &c. who were seated at a separate table, observed: to
his royal highness, that the sight of these young persons associated
under his roof constituted the chief bliss of his life.

Among this amiable and interesting group, was Miss Horatia Nelson
Thompson, Lord Nelson's adopted daughter, then an infant about five
years of age. What real affinity, if any, that charming child may bear
to his lordship, is a secret at present known by few; and, as it should
seem, by none who feel at liberty to divulge it. She was, certainly, an
object of his constant and most tender regard; and, though the family in
general appear disinclined to believe her his daughter, it seems highly
probable that she is so. Should this prove to be the fact, it cannot
greatly affect his lordship's reputation; who, it is not to be
dissembled, though by no means ever an unprincipled seducer of the
wives and daughters of his friends, was always well known to entertain
rather more partiality for the fair-sex than is quite consistent with
the highest degree of Christian purity. Such im