The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton Volume Ii Part 10

Yesterday, I wrote to you just in time to save the post: but, whether that letter, or even this, reach you, I have my doubts--if they do not, you have only yourself to blame; for I cannot, for the soul of me, make out the name of the place. You have been in such a hurry, when writing it, that it really is not legible; and I do not sufficiently know Norfolk, to guess at it.

I did yesterday, as I shall this--imitate your writing, leaving it to the Post-Office gentlemen to find it out.

I acquainted you, that I would take care to obey your wishes, and hold back your check on Coutts and Co. till such time as it would be quite convenient to yourself, and you tell me to send it for payment.

Your mind may be perfectly at ease on that score: as, indeed, it may in every thing in which you have to do with me--though we do, now and then, differ a little in trifles; but, not in essentials: having one, only one, object in mind, that of the comforts, and ultimate happiness, of our dear--_your_ beloved Nelson; for whom, what would you or I not do?

What a world of matter is now in agitation! Every thing is big with events; and soon, very soon, I hope to see--what I have long desired, and anxiously [been] waiting for--an event to contribute to the glory, the independency, of our Nelson.

I still hope, ere Christmas, to see him: that hope founded on the darling expectation of his squadron falling in with a rich _Spanish_ flotilla. I think, too, that the French fleet will _now_ come out.

I have written to our dear friend every information I have been able to collect, and have sent him a continuation of all the newspapers.

It affords me particular pleasure, to hear you feel so happy in Norfolk. How is it possible it can be otherwise! seated, as you are, in the midst of the friends of your best friend; enjoying every kindness and attention in their power to shew to the favourite of their brother.

I shall be very much rejoiced, when you come back, to talk over very interesting objects which our dear friend will _now_ have to pursue.

My best respects to your fire-side; and believe me, most sincerely, your's,

ALEX. DAVISON.

III.

Sat.u.r.day, 22d September 1804.

MY DEAR MADAM,

Ever obedient to your _lawful_ commands, I have implicitly obeyed your orders, in the purchase, this morning, of Messrs. Brans...o...b..and Co.

four quarter lottery-tickets--

{ No. 593.} { 10,376.} { 14,381.} { 20,457.}

Each, I hope, will come up prize; and be ent.i.tled to receive, at least, on the whole, twenty thousand pounds! I paid eighteen pounds eight s.h.i.+llings for them; and I have written upon the back of each--"_Property of Lord Nelson, 22d September 1804. A.D."_

When I have the pleasure of seeing you, I shall deliver the trust over to you, to receive the _bespoken_ said sum of twenty thousand pounds.

What a glorious receipt will it be!

I am glad you received my letters, though I could not make out the name of the place; the Post-Office runners are expert at it.

What do you say to a Spanish war? I think, now, the breeze begins to freshen; and that the flames, _at last_, will succeed.

I sent off, last night, a very long epistle to our dear Nelson. I am truly distressed at his not receiving my letters; though I can pretty well guess how to account for it, and in whose hands they were detained. Experience teaches us how better to guard against similar misfortunes; and, in future, I shall be cautious to whom I give my letters.

So that I know the Hero of heroes is well, I care the less about letters; knowing that writing, delivering, or receiving them, will not, either in him or me, make the least alteration, or lessen our attachment or affection.

I am pleased to see how happy you are in Norfolk. I wish you may not find it so fascinating, that the arrival of "Lord Nelson" at Merton would not induce you to [quit] the county!!!

I beg you will make my best respects acceptable to _every_ friend (real) of that invaluable man, Lord Nelson.

Your's, most truly, ALEX. DAVISON.

Letter

from

Lady Hamilton

TO

ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ.

INCLOSING

_Her Ladys.h.i.+p's Verses on Lord Nelson_.

Letter OF Lady Hamilton, &c.

Clarges Street, [_26th January 1805._]

I have been very ill, my Dear Sir; and am in bed with a cold, very bad cold indeed! But, the moment I am better, I will call on you.

I am invited to dine with Mr. Haslewood to-morrow, but fear I shall not be able to go.

I am very anxious about letters; but Admiral Campbell has told me, he thinks my dear Lord will soon be at home. G.o.d grant! for, I think, he might remove that stumbling-block, Sir John O! Devil take him!

That _Polyphemus_ should have been Nelson's: but, he is rich in great and _n.o.ble deeds_; which t'other, poor devil! is not. So, let dirty wretches get pelf, to comfort them; victory belongs to Nelson. Not, but what I think money necessary for comforts; and, I hope, _our_, _your's_, and _my_ Nelson, will get a little, for all Master O.

I write from bed; and you will see I do, by my scrawl.

I send you some of my bad Verses on my soul's Idol.

G.o.d bless you! Remember, you will soon be free; and let that cheer you, that you will come out with even more friends than ever. I can only say, I am your ever obliged, and grateful,

EMMA HAMILTON.

I long to see and know Nepean! Why will you not ask me to dine with, him _en famille?_

{Yes.} {_A.D._}