from even a laudable anxiety to prevent any national embroilment.  Nelson, on the spot, could better penetrate their artifices, than the judge on his distant bench of justice; and, fearing nothing, he spurned at every law subtlety which he perceived sanctioning fraud, to the present injury of his king, his country, and their brave defenders.  It was, ever, far less for himself, than for others, that he was solicitous.  In this very letter to Earl Spencer, he thus concludes—­“I am looking, anxiously, for the Foudroyant; and, also, for your lordship’s goodness to my son-in-law:  I, of course, wish he had a good frigate.”

Three days after, in another letter to Earl Spencer, the benignity of his excellent heart pleads powerfully for a son of the late Captain Faddy.  It’s perusal cannot fail to gratify every feeling reader.

     “Vanguard,
     at Sea,
     19th Sept. 1798.

     “MY LORD,

“Captain Faddy, of the marines, who was killed on board the Vanguard, has a family of small children:  his eldest son is now on board this ship, only fourteen years of age.  I beg to solicit your lordship for a commission in the marines for him.  I understand, it has been done; and the youth permitted to remain at school, till of a proper age to join the corps.  If, however, this should, in the present instance, be thought wrong, may I request that his name may stand as an eleve of the Admiralty, and Mrs. Faddy acquainted of it; which must give her some relief, under her present misfortune.

     “Ever your lordship’s most obedient servant,

     “Horatio Nelson.”

With his mind thus humanely and diligently employed, amidst the toil and bustle inseparable from an active naval commander, on the 22d, early in the morning, the hero approached within view of Naples.  No sooner was the Vanguard perceived, at the distance of several leagues, than upwards of five hundred boats and pleasure-barges, having been apprised of his coming, by the previous arrival of the Culloden and Alexander, on the 16th, immediately went out to meet him; with bands of music in most of them, and joy depicted on every countenance.  Sir William and Lady Hamilton, in their state-barge, accompanied by several of the Neapolitan nobility, led the way, and were consequently his first visitors.  The transports of Sir William, and his amiable lady, at seeing their friend return covered with laurels, and of the thus honoured hero, at once more beholding his estimable friends, can only be conceived by minds of equal susceptibility.  The interview, indeed, was exquisitely impressive, and even affecting, to all by whom it was witnessed.  While the company were partaking of some refreshment in his cabin, a small bird familiarly perched on his shoulder.  On the circumstance being remarked—­“It is,” said he, “a very singular thing; this bird came on board the day before the battle off the Nile:  and I have had other instances of