yed expedition was thus, at last, sent forth; but Troubridge
little imagined in what scenes of misery he was to bear his part. He
looked to Sicily for supplies: it was the interest, as well as the duty
of the Sicilian government to use every exertion for furnishing them;
and Nelson and the British ambassador were on the spot to press upon
them the necessity of exertion. But, though Nelson saw with what a
knavish crew the Sicilian court was surrounded, he was blind to
the vices of the court itself; and resigning himself wholly to Lady
Hamilton's influence, never even suspected the crooked policy which
it was remorselessly pursuing. The Maltese and the British in Malta
severely felt it. Troubridge, who had the truest affection for Nelson,
knew his infatuation, and feared that it might prove injurious to his
character, as well as fatal to an enterprise which had begun so well,
and been carried on so patiently.

"My lord," said he, writing to him from the siege, "we are dying off
fast for want. I learn that Sir William Hamilton says Prince Luzzi
refused corn some time ago, and Sir William does not think it worth
while making another application. If that be the case, I wish he
commanded this distressing scene instead of me. Puglia had an immense
harvest; near thirty sail left Messina before I did, to load corn. Will
they let us have any? If not, a short time will decide the business. The
German interest prevails. I wish I was at your Lordship's elbow for an
hour. ALL, ALL, will be thrown on you!--I will parry the blow as much as
in my power: I foresee much mischief brewing. God bless your Lordship; I
am miserable I cannot assist your operations more. Many happy returns
of the day to you--(it was the first of the new year)--I never spent so
miserable a one. I am not very tender-hearted; but really the distress
here would even move a Neapolitan." Soon afterwards he wrote, "I have
this day saved thirty thousand people from starving; but with this day
my ability ceases. As the government are bent on starving us, I see no
alternative but to leave these poor unhappy people to perish, without
our being witnesses of their distress. I curse the day I ever served
the Neapolitan government. We have characters, my lord, to lose; these
people have none. Do not suffer their infamous conduct to fall on us.
Our country is just, but severe. Such is the fever of my brain this
minute, that I assure you, on my honour, if the Palermo traitors wer