an application to Lady Hamilton would be beneficial? Parkinson
went to seek her; she was not to be seen on this occasion; but she was
present at the execution. She had the most devoted attachment to the
Neapolitan court; and the hatred which she felt against those whom she
regarded as its enemies, made her at this time forget what was due
to the character of her sex as well as of her country. Here, also, a
faithful historian is called upon to pronounce a severe and unqualified
condemnation of Nelson's conduct. Had he the authority of his Sicilian
majesty for proceeding as he did? If so, why was not that authority
produced? If not, why were the proceedings hurried on without it? Why
was the trial precipitated, so that it was impossible for the prisoner,
if he had been innocent, to provide the witnesses, who might have proved
him so? Why was a second trial refused, when the known animosity of the
president of the court against the prisoner was considered? Why was the
execution hastened, so as to preclude any appeal for mercy, and render
the prerogative of mercy useless? Doubtless, the British Admiral seemed
to himself to be acting under a rigid sense of justice; but to all
other persons it was obvious that he was influenced by an infatuated
attachment--a baneful passion, which destroyed his domestic happiness,
and now, in a second instance, stained ineffaceably his public
character.

The body was carried out to a considerable distance, and sunk in the
bay, with three double-headed shot, weighing 250 lbs., tied to its legs.
Between two or three weeks afterward, when the king was on board the
FOUDROYANT, a Neapolitan fisherman came to the ship, and solemnly
declared that Caraccioli had risen from the bottom of the sea, and was
coming as fast as he could to Naples, swimming half out of the water.
Such an account was listened to like a tale of idle credulity. The day
being fair, Nelson, to please the king, stood out to sea; but the ship
had not proceeded far before a body was distinctly seen, upright in the
water, and approaching them. It was soon recognised to be indeed the
corpse of Caraccioli, which had risen and floated, while the great
weights attached to the legs kept the body in a position like that of
a living man. A fact so extraordinary astonished the king, and perhaps
excited some feeling of superstitious fear, akin to regret. He gave
permission for the body to be taken on shore and receive Christian
burial. It pr