his friend, Sir William Hamilton, and enrolling his name among the illustrious chiefs in the Kymin Naval Temple, he returned his most heartfelt acknowledgments.  They were preceded, on their way into town, by the bands of the Monmouth and Brecon militia, playing “God save the King!”—­“Rule, Britannia!” and other popular tunes.  After dinner, his lordship paid his respects to Thomas Hollings, Esq. the mayor; and then walked out in the town, for the purpose of viewing whatever seemed worthy of notice, constantly surrounded by innumerable spectators, all anxious to behold the hero, and pay him their tributary acknowledgments.  His lordship being engaged, for next day, at Crickhowell, with his friend Admiral Gell, was under the necessity of declining the kind invitation of the mayor and corporation, to dine with them on Monday; but promised to pass a day at Monmouth on his return, of which they should have previous notice.

After spending the day with Admiral Gell, they went on to Brecon, where the joy of the people surpassed all description.  The deputation of farmers was affecting.  They said, addressing the hero—–­“My lord, you have saved us.  While you was losing your limbs, and shedding your blood, for us, we slept soundly with our wives; and our lands, and children, were protected by your brave vigilance.  Accept our thanks; these tears will tell you that we feel!” and the men wept like children.  The town was illuminated; and one man exclaimed—­“Now, I could die in peace; I have seen our saviour, and brave defender!”

Nothing particular occurred to the party, after leaving Brecon, till they arrived at Milford; where the hero of the Nile, and his friends, were received with enthusiastic rapture.  Sir William Hamilton had not, for many years, visited his numerous tenants; and they were proud to behold their paternal friend leagued in so strict an amity with the first hero in the world.  Sir William was delighted to see his dear friend at Milford, and to shew him off to every body; and every body was charmed with the pleasing affability of the illustrious hero.  Lord Nelson often mentioned his progress through South Wales to Milford, as an affecting contrast of the genuine enthusiasm of natural character, to the cold expression of ministerial approbation by which his reception had been marked on his return from the Mediterranean, when Lord Keith was sent to take the chief command of the fleet in those seas.  The corporate towns, villages, nobility, and gentry, on the line through which his route was directed, vied with each other to detain him, that their neighbours might participate in the joy they felt on the arrival of the hero.  In many places, it was not possible to avoid their generous importunity; and these kind attentions, which so honourably testified national gratitude, were accepted, by his lordship, as the most gratifying recompences of his public service.