he regarded, with many other intelligent persons, as an experiment worthy the trial.  Of national honour, he conceived, nothing was sacrificed; and, except Malta, little was given up, which could be any just subject of regret.  Even Malta itself, of which he so well knew all the value, and which could probably never have been wrested from France without his lordship’s wonderful address and perseverance in obtaining aids for effecting it’s reduction, he declared was, in his estimation, scarcely worth the trouble and expence of preserving, could we be certain that it might never fall into the hands of our enemies.  The speeches of Lord Nelson, in parliament, on this and other popular topics, demonstrate great senatorial ability, with a profound knowledge of our political and even commercial interests.  Such a potent coadjutor was well worth cherishing, and Mr. Addington appears to have been very properly of that opinion.

Lord Nelson, on surveying his new domains, felt vastly desirous of filling up the moat, and extending the grounds on that side of the house where the space was so exceedingly contracted.  He had, accordingly, applied by letter, dated the 25th of October 1801, to William Axe, Esq. of Birchin Lane, London, who was proprietor of the small intervening field which alone separated Merton Place from the narrow lane at the end of the abbey wall, to be favoured with the purchase of it, on equitable terms; and though that worthy gentleman, in the handsomest manner, for which Lord Nelson ever after highly respected him, paid all possible attention to the wish of his lordship; a churlish farmer, who was Mr. Axe’s tenant, on lease, of the whole adjoining estate, where he had acquired a considerable fortune, opposed so many objections, and evinced so rude and unaccommodating a disposition, notwithstanding his lordship had condescendingly treated him with every courtesy, that the object was not accomplished till his lordship, about a year and half afterwards, purchased the whole farm, consisting of a hundred and fifteen acres; which Mr. Axe liberally consented to sell for the very moderate sum of eight thousand pounds.

In November, the Reverend Mr. Nelson came to Merton, on the pressing invitation of his ever duteous son.  The meeting was truly affecting; and terminated, as it ought, in a thorough conviction, that his lordship had been most shamefully slandered.  Indeed, on an entire eclaircissement, it became manifest that the grossest part of the slander which had been cruelly levelled against our hero was so self-evidently false, and really impracticable, that a very small degree of consideration made the worthy and venerable father blush for the credulity which had contributed to criminate our hero; whose private life, all circumstances duly considered, was to the full as unsullied as his public character.  He saw the happy family with whom his heroic son was so agreeably domesticated; and witnessed the pure felicity of those amiable friends,