t to hear from my own dear Emma by the very slow mode of
Admiralty vessels, and it is now more than two months since the John
Bull sailed.

I much fear, something has been taken; for they never would, I am
sure, have kept me so long in the dark. However, by management, and a
portion of good luck, I got the account from Madrid in a much shorter
space of time than I could have hoped for; and I have set the whole
Mediterranean to work, and think the fleet cannot fail of being
successful: and, if I had had the spare troops at Malta at my
disposal, Minorca would at this moment have had English colours
flying.

This letter, my dearest beloved Emma, goes--although in Mr. Marsden's
letter--such a roundabout way, that I cannot say all that my heart
wishes. Imagine every thing which is kind and affectionate, and you
will come near the mark.

Where is my successor? I am not a little surprised at his not
arriving! A Spanish war, I thought, would have hastened him. Ministers
could not have thought that I wanted to fly the service, my whole
life has proved the contrary; and, if they refuse me now: I shall most
certainly leave this country in March or April; for a few months rest
I must have, very soon. If I am in my grave, what are the mines of
Peru to me!

But, to say the truth, I have no idea of killing myself. I may, with
care, live yet to do good service to the state. My cough is very bad;
and my side, where I was struck on the 14th of February, is very
much swelled; at times, a lump as large as my fist, brought on,
occasionally, by violent coughing: but, I hope, and believe, my lungs
are yet safe.

Sir William Bolton is just arrived from Malta. I am preparing to send
him a cruise, where he will have the best chance I can give him of
making ten thousand pounds. He is a very attentive, good, young man.

I have not heard from Naples this age. I have, in fact, no small craft
to send for news.

If I am soon to go home, I shall be with you before this letter.

May God bless you!

Thomson desires to be most kindly remembered to his dear wife and
children. He is most sincerely attached to them; and wishes to save
what he can for their benefit.

As our means of communicating are cut off, I have only to beg that you
will not believe the idle rumours of battles, &c. &c. &c.

May Heavens bless you! prays, fervently, my dear Emma, ever your most
faithful and affectionate

NELSON & BRONTE.

LETTER LVIII.

Vict