tuted
against him for the seizure of the American vessels, and it is likely
enough that some intimation of what was coming reached him before
leaving the "Boreas." Scanty thanks, liberal blame, and the prospect
of an expensive lawsuit based upon his official action, constituted,
for a poor man lately married, causes of disturbance which might well
have upset his equanimity.

Lord Howe, who was then at the head of the Admiralty, though formal
and unbending in outward bearing, was a just and kind man, and one
fully appreciative of professional worth. A mutual friend acquainted
him with Nelson's irritation, and Howe wrote a private letter asking
that he would call upon him as soon as he came to town. Though quick
to resent, Nelson was easily soothed by attention and pleased by
compliment, even when it rose to flattery,--which Howe's was not
likely to do. A short interview gave the First Lord a clearer idea
than he before had of the extent, value, and wholly voluntary
character of the services rendered by the young captain in the West
Indies; and he indicated the completeness of his satisfaction by
offering to present him to the King, which was accordingly done at the
next levee. George III. received him graciously; and the resentment of
Nelson, whose loyalty was of the most extreme type, melted away in the
sunshine of royal favor.

Thus reconciled to the service, and convinced, as in his less morbid
moods he often said, that gratitude and honor, though long deferred,
were sure to follow upon steadfast performance of duty, he speedily
renewed his efforts to bring to light the frauds practised in the
colonies. His letters on the subject to Mr. Pitt, the Prime Minister,
had been turned over to the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. George
Rose, and upon the latter Nelson now called. Rose received him at
first with that courteous nonchalance which is the defensive armor of
the beset official,--the name of his visitor, and the business with
which it was connected, had for the moment slipped his mind. Nelson's
mastery of his subject, however, and his warmth in it, soon roused the
attention of his hearer, who, being then pressed for time, asked to
see him again the next day, stipulating only that the interview should
be early, before office hours. "It cannot be too early for me,"
replied Nelson, whose habit, in his career as admiral, was to get
through his correspondence before eight o'clock,--"six o'clock, if
you please."

The