“An officer desires to return thanks to Almighty God, for his
     perfect recovery from a severe wound; and, also, for the many
     mercies bestowed on him.”

     “December 8th 1797; for next Sunday.”

The original of the above thanksgiving, in his own hand-writing, is still carefully preserved by the present Reverend Mr. Greville, son and successor of the venerable clergyman to whom it was delivered by Sir Horatio Nelson.

On the 13th of December, having been pronounced fit for service, by his surgeons, he made his appearance at court; and his majesty received him in the most gracious and tender manner:  expressing, with peculiar marks of sensibility, his excessive sorrow for the loss which Sir Horatio had suffered, and the regret which he felt at beholding him in a state of health apparently so far reduced as to deprive the country of his future services.  The brave admiral, however, immediately replied to his sovereign, with the most respectful but dignified tone of expression, in the following energetic and affectionate speech—­“May it please your majesty, I can never think that a loss, which the performance of my duty has occasioned; and, while I have a foot to stand on, I will combat for my king and country!”

His majesty appeared deeply affected by this manly and loyal answer; and, in consequence, on the 19th, only six days after, Sir Horatio Nelson received orders to hoist his flag on board the Vanguard, and again proceed to the Mediterranean, as soon as that ship could be properly equipped for the voyage.

Not having been before in England since he lost, at Calvi, the sight of his right eye, it was about this period that he went, accompanied by Mr. Bolton, to receive a year’s pay, as smart-money; that being the customary allowance, in the navy, on losing an eye or a limb:  but could not obtain payment, for want of the formality of a certificate from the faculty, to testify that the sight was actually extinguished.  Vexed, for a moment, at what he considered as a superfluous and almost impertinent requisition, it’s loss being sufficiently notorious, though by no means apparent, he not only immediately procured the desired certificate; but, from whimsical pleasantry, humorously requested, and actually obtained, at the same time, a certificate from his surgeons of the loss of his arm, which was sufficiently obvious:  asserting—­with much propriety, in his particular instance, at least—­that one might just as well be doubted as the other.  On going, afterwards, to receive the sum, which was the annual pay of a captain only, that being his rank when he sustained the loss, the clerk observed that he thought it had been more.  “Oh, no!” jocosely replied the hero, “this is only for an eye:  in a few days, I shall come for an arm; and, in a little time longer, God knows, most probably, for a leg!”

Accordingly, he soon after went again to the office, accompanied by the same gentleman as before; and, with perfect good-humour, exhibited the supererogatory certification of the loss of his arm.