His deserved popularity had already acquired such a height, that the nation might be said to participate in his sufferings; and he received the most consoling civilities from the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Clarence, and other illustrious and noble characters.  Friends flocked around him.  His worthy relatives hastened to attend and console him, from the country; and Mr. Bolton, in particular, was his constant companion.

Besides the order of the Bath, and the gold medal, which he had received from his sovereign, in consequence of his important share in the victory of the 14th of February, he had also been presented with the freedom of the city of London in a gold box; and, in the month of October 1797, it was generously resolved, by his majesty, to recompence his services, and ameliorate his sufferings, by granting him a pension of one thousand pounds a year.

The indispensable custom of presenting a memorial to the sovereign, before any such grant can be issued, stating the nature of the services for which it is intended, gave rise to the following very singular recapitulation.

     “To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.

     “The Memorial of Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. and a Rear-Admiral in
     Your Majesty’s Fleet,

     “Sheweth—­

“That, during the present war, your memorialist has been in four actions with the fleets of the enemy:  viz. on the 13th and 14th of March 1795; on the 13th of July 1795; and, on the 14th of February 1797.  In three actions in boats, employed in cutting out of harbours; in destroying vessels; and, in taking three towns.  Your memorialist has also served on shore, with the army, four months; and commanded the batteries at the sieges of Bastia and Calvi.  That, during the war, he has assisted at the capture of seven sail of the line, six frigates, four corvettes, and eleven privateers of different sizes; and taken and destroyed near fifty sail of merchant vessels:  and, your memorialist has actually been engaged against the enemy upwards of one hundred and twenty times.  In which service, your memorialist has lost his right eye and arm, and been severely wounded and bruised in his body; all of which services, and wounds, your memorialist most humbly submits to your majesty’s most gracious consideration.

     “Horatio Nelson.”

The pension thus granted proved highly acceptable:  but his wound continued to torment him with unabated violence, till about the latter end of November; when, having one night experienced the unusual refreshment of a sound and lasting sleep, he was, on awaking, astonished to find, that his wound felt nearly free from pain.  Impatient to have it examined, he sent for his surgeon; and, to their mutual surprise, the silk instantly came away, at a single touch, without the smallest difficulty.  From this hour, the wound began to heal; and, with all that characteristic piety of disposition, and that sincere gratitude to Providence for signal deliverances, which he never failed to profess, he gave the late Reverend Mr. Greville, of St. George’s, Hanover Square, the following form of thanksgiving, to be read at that church during the time of divine service—­