pparently as an attache. He speaks in
the same way of Nelson himself, but with less forbearance for Lady
Hamilton; and he confirms the impression that Nelson at this time had
lost interest in the service. Writing to his father, he says: "Nelson
personally is not changed; open and honest, not the least vanity about
him. He looks very well, but seems to be in no hurry to sail again. He
told me he had no thoughts of serving again." "Lord Nelson and the
Hamiltons dined here the other day; it is really disgusting to see her
with him." A few days later there was a ball at Prince Esterhazy's,
where Fitzharris was present. "Lady Hamilton is without exception the
most coarse, ill-mannered, disagreeable woman I ever met with. The
Princess had with great kindness got a number of musicians, and the
famous Haydn, who is in their service, to play, knowing Lady Hamilton
was fond of music. Instead of attending to them she sat down to the
Faro table, played Nelson's cards for him, and won between L300 and
L400. In short, I could not disguise my feeling, and joined in the
general abuse of her."[10] The impression that Nelson would decline
further service had been conveyed to other friends. Troubridge, who
had meanwhile returned to England, wrote two months later to a young
lieutenant who wished to get on board the admiral's next ship: "Lord
Nelson is not yet arrived in England, and between ourselves I do not
think he will serve again."

Both Lady Minto and Fitzharris have recorded an account given them by
Nelson, of his motives for action at the Battle of the Nile. "He
speaks in the highest terms of all the captains he had with him off
the coast of Egypt," writes the former, "adding that without knowing
the men he had to trust to, he would not have hazarded the attack,
that there was little room, but he was sure each would find a hole to
creep in at." In place of this summary, her nephew gives words
evidently quite fresh from the speaker's lips. "He says, 'When I saw
them, I could not help popping my head every now and then out of the
window, (although I had a d----d toothache), and once as I was
observing their position I heard two seamen quartered at a gun near
me, talking, and one said to the other, 'D----n them, look at them,
there they are, Jack, if we don't beat them, they will beat us.' He
says, 'I knew what stuff I had under me, so I went into the attack
with only a few ships, perfectly sure the others would follow me,
although