At the time of Lord Nelson’s first conveying the King and Queen of Naples to Palermo, three Spanish ships had taken refuge in that port; two of them most immensely rich, being laden with quicksilver for the use of the South American mines, and the third a man of war to protect them.  There, however, from the period of his lordship’s arrival, they had continued snugly to remain; appearing rather disposed to rot in the mole, than venture out to sea with a certainty of being captured.  The Spanish commander was no stranger to Lord Nelson’s circumspection; who, it will be readily imagined, was often observed to cast a longing eye on such desirable booty:  and his lordship’s good-humoured remarks on the excessive politeness of the fearful Spaniard, whenever they met, were highly diverting to his friends.  About the 20th of April, however, just before his lordship sailed for Palermo, some strong indications had been manifested, of a design in these ships to attempt getting off.  He had, therefore, instantly, sent judicious instructions for intercepting them to the squadron at Minorca, as well as ordered express-boats on the spot to be sent in all directions with the necessary information for their being pursued, and had consequently little doubt that they must be immediately captured, should they happily venture to depart.

Lord Nelson, and his friends, on arriving at Malta, were received with the most rapturous joy.  The flag of Le Guillaume Tell was presented to his lordship, by the gallant captors; with a kindly affectionate address, on thus delivering the trophy which marked the completion of his glorious triumph over every French ship which had been encountered at the battle off the Nile:  and the grand illuminations which took place, on visiting Governor Ball’s villa at St. Antonia, where his lordship and friends remained two days, so greatly alarmed the French, who were unable to penetrate the cause, that they attempted to make a sortie, but were instantly driven back.

About the 8th of May, amidst these pleasing attentions of his gallant brethren in arms, and the grateful inhabitants who owed so much to his lordship’s protecting influence, he received letters from England which filled him with extreme concern.  He learned, by these, that his noble friend, the Earl of St. Vincent—­who had accepted a challenge sent by Sir John Orde, immediately after his return home, for having appointed his lordship, instead of himself, the senior officer, to the command of the squadron which had so successfully destroyed the French fleet; an intended duel, happily prevented by the interposition of the law, and the still stronger efficacy, it is said, of a positive royal injunction—­now made a claim to prize-money, as commander in chief, after having quitted the Mediterranean station on account of ill health.  His lordship, who always felt warmly, vehemently protested against the admission of this claim, in a powerful protest, addressed to his confidential friend, Mr. Davison.  It is to be lamented that this unfortunate affair, which was afterwards litigated, and finally decided against the earl, should have in any degree abated that ardent friendship which had, so much to their reciprocal honour and advantage, as well as to the benefit and glory of their country, heretofore subsisted between the two first naval heroes in the world!