poor soldiers. I feel, very much, my dear general, for your situation,
in the invaluable possession which your excellent judgment placed under
the dominion of his majesty; and, believe me, I shall have the greatest
pleasure in doing every thing you can wish me." After observing that his
force is merely nominal, and repeating his intentions, as expressed to
Commodore Duckworth, his lordship concludes--"The Vanguard is at
Palermo, their Sicilian Majesties desiring me not to leave them; but,
the moment you want me, I fly to your assistance."
The fact is, that Lord Nelson did not entertain apprehensions of any
serious attack on Minorca; and, therefore, without weakening more
essential service, prudently kept merely an eye to the remote
possibility of such an event; nor did his lordship's judgment, on this
occasion, prove to be less judicious than usual.
On the 8th, our hero received a most flattering encomium, indeed, from
England; which, certainly, could not fail fully to compensate for every
temporary mortification which he might have experienced. This was
nothing less than an elegant complimentary and congratulatory epistle,
written to his lordship by Earl Howe, expressive of that noble and
illustrious veteran's high admiration of the glorious victory off the
Nile. What his lordship may be supposed to have felt at the perusal of
this most acceptable testimonial to his transcendent merits, cannot be
more effectually impressed than by reading the following admirable
answer, which he appears to have instantly written, while his heart was
overflowing with gratitude.
"Palermo, 8th Jan. 1799.
"MY LORD,
"It was only this moment, that I had the invaluable approbation of
the great, the immortal, Earl Howe; an honour the most flattering a
sea-officer could receive, as it comes from the first and greatest
sea-officer the world has ever produced. I had the happiness to
command a band of brothers; therefore, night was to my advantage.
Each knew his duty; and, I was sure, each would feel for a French
|