in the face and breast. Although the blow was so severe as to occasion a great flow of blood from my head, yet I, most fortunately, escaped, having only my right eye nearly deprived of its sight: it was cut down, but is so far recovered, as for me to be able to distinguish light from darkness. As to all the purposes of use, it is gone; however, the blemish is nothing, not to be perceived, unless told. The pupil is nearly the size of the blue part, I don't know the name. At Bastia, I got a sharp cut in the back. You must not think that my hurts confined me: no, nothing but the loss of a limb would have kept me from my duty, and I believe my exertions conduced to preserve me in this general mortality. I am fearful that Mrs. Moutray's son, who was on shore with us will fall a sacrifice to the climate; he is a Lieutenant of the Victory, a very fine young man, for whom I have a great regard. Lord Hood is quite distressed about him. Poor little Hoste is also extremely ill, and I have great fears about him; one hundred and fifty of my people are in their beds; of two thousand men I am the most healthy. Josiah is very well, and a clever smart young man, for so I must call him, his sense demands it. Yours, &c. HORATIO NELSON. CCXV. On July 15, 1795, Nelson was sent with a squadron to cooperate with the Austrian General De Vins, against the French on the coast of Genoa, and on August 11 he was appointed a Commodore. During the ensuing months he was chiefly employed in watching the Mediterranean coast line from Leghorn to Toulon. Commodore Nelson to Mrs. Nelson. Off Leghorn: August 2, 1796. Had all my actions, my dearest Fanny, been gazetted, not one fortnight would have passed during the whole war without a letter from me one day or other I will have a long Gazette to myself; I feel that such an opportunity will be given me. I cannot, if I am in the field for glory, be kept out of sight. Probably my services may be forgotten by the great, by the time I get home; but my mind will not forget, nor cease to feel, a degree of consolation and of applause superior to undeserved rewards. Wherever there is anything to be done, there Providence is sure to direct my steps. Credit must be given me in spite of envy. Even the French respect me: their Minister at Genoa, in answering a note of mine, when returning some wearing apparel that had been taken, said, 'Your Nation, Sir, and mine, are made to show examples of generosity as well as of valour, to all the people of the earth.' I will also relate another anecdote, all vanity to myself, but you will partake of it. A person sent me a letter, and directed as follows, Horatio Nelson, Genoa.' On being asked how he could direct in such a manner, his answer, in a large party, was, 'Sir, there is but one Horatio Nelson in the World.' The letter certainly came immediately. At Genoa, where I have stopped all their trade, I am beloved and respected, both by the Senate and lower order. If any man is fearful of his vessel being stopped, he comes and asks me; if I give him a Paper, or say, 'All is right,' he is contented. I am known throughout Italy; not a Kingdom, or State, where my name will be forgotten. This is my Gazette. Lord Spencer has expressed his sincere desire to Sir John Jervis, to give me my Flag. You ask me when I shall come home? I believe, when either an honourable peace is made, or a Spanish war, which may draw our Fleet out of the Mediterranean. God knows I shall come to you not a sixpence richer than when I set out. I had a letter a few days since from H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence, assuring me of his unalterable friendship. With kindest love to my father, believe me your most affectionate husband, HORATIO NELSON. CCXVI. Sir John Jervis' splendid fight off Cape St. Vincent took place on the most glorious Valentine's Day, 1797. Nelson's ship the 'Captain' was so much damaged that on the following day he shifted his Broad Pendant to the Irresistible;' and a week after he was appointed Rear-Admiral of the Blue. Nothing in naval warfare ever surpassed the action of Nelson's ship during this battle. It is said that a more glorious group was never witnessed than that of the 'Captain,' a wreck in hull and masts, with a tight grip on her two magnificent prizes, the 'St. Nicolas' and St. Josef.' Commodore Nelson to the Hon. Sir Gilbert Elliot. Irresistible: February 16, 1797. My dear Sir,-Your affectionate and flattering letter is, I assure you, a sufficient reward for doing (what to me was a pleasure) my duty. My Admiral and others in the Fleet think the same as you do of my conduct. To receive the swords of the vanquished, on the quarter-deck of a Spanish First-rate, can seldom fall to the good fortune of any man. Miller is doing for you two sketches of the action, sufficient, I am sure, to please you, from your knowledge of its correctness. You will now, I am sure, think me an odd man, but still I hope you will agree with me in opinion, and if you can be instrumental in keeping back what I expect will happen, it will be an additional obligation, for very far is it from my disposition to hold light the Honours of the Crown; but I conceive to take hereditary Honours without a fortune to support the dignity, is to lower that Honour it would be my pride to support in proper splendour. On the 1st of June, 12th of April,2 and other glorious days, Baronetage has been bestowed on the Junior Flag Officers: this Honour is what I dread, for the reasons before given, and which I wish a friend to urge for me to Lord Spencer, or such other of his Majesty's Ministers as are supposed to advise the Crown. There are other Honours, which die with the possessor, and I should be proud to accept, if my efforts are thought worthy of the favour of my King. May health and every blessing attend you, and I pray for your speedy passage and a happy meeting with Lady Elliot and your family. And believe me ever, Your most obliged and faithful, CCXVII. During the unsuccessful attack on the town of Santa Cruz, in the Island of Teneriffe, on July 24, 1797, Nelson had his right arm shot off; and we may gather from the three short letters which follow, the Admiral apprehended that, minus an eye and an arm, he would be 'shelved' on his return to England. 1 June 1, 1794, Lord Howe's victory off Ushant. 2 April 12, 1782. Lord Rodney's victory over the Comte de Grasse. 1 Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B., to Admiral Theseus July 27, 1797. My dear Sir, I am become a burthen to my friends, and useless to my Country; but by my letter wrote the 24th you will perceive my anxiety for the promotion of my son-in-law, Josiah Nisbet. When I leave your command, I become dead to the World; I go hence, and am no more seen. If from poor Bowen's loss, you think it proper to oblige me, I rest confident you will do it; the Boy is under obligations to me, but he repaid me by bringing me from the Mole of Santa Cruz. I hope you will be able to give me a frigate, to convey the remains of my carcase to England. God bless you, my dear Sir, and believe me, your most obliged and faithful, HORATIO NELSON. You will excuse my scrawl, considering it is my first attempt. CCXVIII. Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B., to Admiral Theseus: August 16, 1797. My dear Sir, I rejoice once more in sight of your Flag, and with your permission will come on board the Ville de Paris, and pay you my respects. If the Emerald has joined, you know my wishes. A left-handed Admiral will never again be considered as useful, therefore the sooner I get to a very humble cottage the better, and make room for a better man to serve the State; but whatever be my lot, believe me, with the most sincere affection, ever your most faithful HORATIO NELSON. Nelson appointed a Knight of the Bath, March, 1797. CCXIX. Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B., to Lady Nelson. My dearest Fanny,-I am so confident of your affection, that I feel the pleasure you will receive will be equal, whether my letter is wrote by my right hand or left. It was the chance of war, and I have great reason to be thankful; and I know that it will add much to your pleasure in finding that Josiah, under God's Providence, was principally instrumental in saving my life. As to my health, it never was better; and now I hope soon to return to you; and my Country, I trust, will not allow me any longer to linger in want of that pecuniary assistance which I have been fighting the whole war to preserve to her. But I shall not be surprised to be neglected and forgot, as probably I shall no longer be considered as useful. However, I shall feel rich if I continue to enjoy your affection. The cottage is now more necessary than You will see by the papers, Lieutenant Weatheraead is Poor fellow! he lived four days after he was shot. I shall not close this letter till I join the Fleet, which seems distant; for it's been calm these three days past. I am fortunate in having a good surgeon on board; in short, I am much more recovered than I could have expected. I beg neither you or my father will think much of this mishap: my mind has long been made up to such an event. God bless you, and believe me ever. gone. Your most affectionate husband, CCXX. Some of Nelson's most characteristic letters were written more of him.' |