attempt; for, where there is no difficulty, heroism is without an
object. His lordship had, therefore, not a moment to pause, with respect
to his ready acquiescence in the will of their majesties; but, from his
very imperfect knowledge of the Italian language, he expressed his
apprehensions that he might be subject to fatal deceptions, if he should
trust to the fidelity of any interpreter among a people so generally
corruptible. He did not, however, state the objection, without proposing
a remedy. If, his lordship said, Sir William and Lady Hamilton would
accompany him into the Bay of Naples, that he might have the assistance
of their able heads, and excellent hearts, to consult, correspond, and
interpret, on all occasions, he should not have the smallest doubt of
complete success in the business. Sir William, and his lady, were
accordingly requested, by the king and queen, to afford their requisite
aid on the occasion: to which they agreed, without a moment's
hesitation; and, in less than three hours from the time of his first
landing, such was the dispatch thought necessary, that her ladyship,
having packed up a few articles of the first necessity, proceeded in the
barge, with Sir William and his lordship, on board the Foudroyant, which
instantly sailed for the Bay of Naples.
Lord Nelson, it may be supposed, had received very full powers from
their Sicilian Majesties; with the advice of their equally brave, wise,
and skilful privy-counsellor, General Sir John Acton: but, such was the
delicacy of his lordship in the exercise of his almost limitless
authority, that no single instance can be with truth adduced, where he
ever interfered with the criminal jurisprudence of the country; except,
indeed, on the side of mercy, to which his excellent heart, it is well
known, constantly inclined.
On the 24th, they arrived in the Bay of Naples; where Lord Nelson saw a
flag of truce flying on board the Seahorse, Captain Foote, and also on
the Castles of Ovo and Nuovo. Having, on the passage, received
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