I am vain enough to feel the effects of my school.  Lord Keith sending me nothing, I have not, of course, a free communication.  I have wrote to him, for permission to return to England, when you will see a brokenhearted man!  My spirit cannot submit, patiently.  My complaint, which is principally a swelling of the heart, is at times alarming to my friends; but not to, my dear lord, your obliged and faithful

     Bronte Nelson of the Nile.

     “If I may again say it—­what would I feel, if my brother was a
     commissioner of the navy; for ever, grateful!”

     “Earl Spencer.”

The effect of this agreeable event on Lord Nelson’s spirits, had it been followed by other pleasing circumstances, might possibly have recruited his lordship’s health; but a long succession of felicity, was what he never on earth enjoyed.  In a few days, without any previous notice, his friend Sir William Hamilton was suddenly superseded by the arrival of Mr. Arthur Paget, as himself had recently been by Lord Keith.  This circumstance effectually determined him immediately to quit the station.  Resolved not to begin either with new men, or new measures, Mr. Paget had no sooner delivered his credentials, than his lordship, though still much indisposed, immediately sailed for Malta; with hopes of getting that business also brought to a conclusion before his return home.  Sir William and Lady Hamilton accompanied his lordship on this occasion; having agreed, that they would afterwards proceed to England together.  The Queen of Naples, it may be presumed, was greatly affected at thus beholding the cherished friends of herself, her family, and country, suddenly torn away from situations which they had filled with so much honour to themselves, and with such advantage to the interests of the two allied sovereigns.  Nor could the good sense of the king fail to feel some apprehensions, that a change might prove for the worst, which was not possible to be for the better; though his envious ministers are supposed to have inspired him with flattering hopes, which he was never afterwards happy enough to see realized.  Her majesty, indeed, felt such alarm, even for the safety of the country, under any other protectors than those whose abilities, zeal, and fidelity, had been so long and so beneficially experienced, that she determined to take her three daughters, with her son Prince Leopold, to their sister, the empress, at Vienna; and, accordingly, while her estimable friends were gone to Malta, the queen was making preparations for accompanying them, in their way to England, as far as that imperial city.