as never entered your lordship's
head; but my heart, as it ought to be, is warm to my gallant
friends.

"Ever your lordship's most faithful and obedient

"Nelson."

So anxious was Lord Nelson for his gallant friend Troubridge, and the
other brave officers of the Culloden, that he thus urges, at the same
time, in a letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, the subject which occupied
his feeling heart. "I received, yesterday," writes he, "a private letter
from Lord Spencer; saying, that the first lieutenants of all the ships
engaged would be promoted. I sincerely hope, this is not intended to
exclude the first of the Culloden. For Heaven's sake, for my sake, if
it be so, get it altered! Our dear friend Troubridge has suffered
enough; and no one knows, from me, but Culloden was as much engaged as
any ship in the squadron. His sufferings were, in every respect, more
than any of us. He deserves every reward which a grateful country can.
bestow on the most meritorious sea-officer of his standing in the
service. I I have felt his worth every hour of my command. I have before
wrote you, my dear lord, on this subject; therefore, I place Troubridge
in your hands."

Of his own disappointment, at not having obtained higher rank, he writes
nothing to his commander in chief; but, among his most intimate friends,
he is known to have freely expressed his grief and indignation at
receiving the title of baron only. Had they left him as he was, he has
been heard repeatedly to say, he would not have complained; but, he
thought, his services merited more than a barony. It would, perhaps, be
difficult to find any substantial objection against his having been
made, at least, a viscount; which would still have left the commander in
chief his superior in rank. Indeed, on such peculiarly great and
glorious occasions, there need be little dread respecting precedents. No
minister would have been impeached, who had even advised his being
created a duke; and, most assuredly, the country would have rejoiced at
his merited elevation to that dignity. Why should not the navy possess
honours equal to those of a military Marlborough? and, when do we
expect to behold the hero on whom they may with more propriety be
bestowed?

It is a positive fact, that Lord Nelson would never wear his own gold
medal, till he had obtained one for his friend Captain Troubridge; who,
by the strictness of official etiquette, without any actual blame in
a