On the 23d, his lordship writes to Earl Spencer, from Leghorn, that he came thither to meet Lord Keith; and that they are going, together, to Palermo and Malta.  “If,” says his lordship, “Sir James St. Clair, or General Fox, had felt themselves authorized to have given us two thousand troops, I think that Malta, by this time, would have fallen; and our poor ships been released from the hardest service I have ever seen.  The going away of the Russians, has almost done me up; but the King of Naples has ordered two thousand six hundred troops from Sicily, to assist Graham, and they are to be under our command.  It is true, they are not good soldiers; but, they will ease our’s in the fatigues of duty.  The feeding the inhabitants of Malta, and paying two thousand of the people who bear arms, has been a continual source of uneasiness to my mind.  His Sicilian Majesty has done more than it was possible to expect he had the ability of performing; for the resources of his kingdom are hardly yet come round, and his demands are excessive from all quarters of his dominions.  Lord Keith will now be able to judge, with his own eyes and ears, and your lordship will see his report.  The loyalty and attachment of their Sicilian Majesties to our king and country is such, that I would venture to lay down my head to be cut off, if they would not rather lose their kingdom of Naples, than hold it on terms from Austria and the French, by a separation from their alliance with England.  There is not a thing which his majesty can desire, that their majesties of the two Sicilies will not have the greatest pleasure in complying with.  I have, before, ventured on the character of their Sicilian majesties.  The king is a real good man, but inclined to be positive in his opinion; the queen is certainly a great monarch, and a true daughter of Maria Theresa.  I am just favoured with your letter of December 12th; which, although so entirely contrary to my expectations, cannot alter my respect for all your kindness.  I am in debt, from my situation; but, time and care will get me out of it.  Since May 1798, I have had all the expence of a commander in chief, without even the smallest advantage.  Lord Keith,” concludes his lordship, “shall find, in me, an officer ever ready to anticipate his wishes, so long as my health permits.”

Though Lord Nelson does not absolutely complain of his then ill health, he was certainly much indisposed; and, but a few weeks before, had undergone a painful course of electricity, at Palermo, from which he entertained hopes of recovering the sight of his left eye.

On the 26th, his lordship sailed from Leghorn, and arrived safely at Palermo; from whence, in a few days, he proceeded to Malta, for the purpose of arranging the business of that important siege.