answer just received from General Acton on the subject: adding--"This
evening I saw the king; and he is exceedingly angry, to think that his
faithful Maltese subjects should want for any comforts or necessaries
which it is in his power to bestow." He addressed, at the same time, a
seasonable letter to the deputies of the Maltese people; containing,
also, a copy of General Acton's letter, with assurances of Captain
Ball's protection, and his own determination to afford them every
assistance in his power. In short, though his lordship execrated all
appearances of cowardice, he compassionated every species of distress.
Lord Nelson, in a letter, dated the beginning of this month, addressed
to Admiral then Commodore Duckworth, thus regrets the difficulty which
he experiences, in consequence of having lost his right arm, with regard
to writing--"I thank you, most truly, for your several very interesting
letters, and beg that I may be favoured with your correspondence
whenever opportunity offers. You will, I am sure, make allowance for a
left-handed man; but, my inclination to write longer letters is great. I
can get but slowly over the paper." This, added to the numerous
avocations necessarily arising from so widely extended a command as that
in which he was now engaged, will sufficiently account for any seeming
neglect of continued correspondence with old friends; whom, however, he
was not the man ever to forget. The truth of this observation more
particularly manifests itself in the following letter written to that
esteemed veteran, Captain Locker; who had sensibly felt the effect of
this difficulty, though not the last to congratulate his honoured pupil
on the success of his most splendid victory. This excellent letter has
been repeatedly published, but it well merits to be again printed.
"Palermo, 9th Feb. 1799.
"MY DEAR FRIEND,
"I well know, your own goodness of heart will make all due
allowances for my present situation; in which, truly, I have not
the time, or power, to answer all the letters I receive, at the
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