Yesterday, I received the favour of the 4th edition of your invaluable work on Tropical Diseases, &c. and, with it, your most kind letter:  and, though I know myself not equal to your praises, yet I feel that my honest intentions for the good of the service have ever been the same; and, as I rise in rank, so do my exertions.  The great thing, in all military service, is health; and you will agree with me, that it is easier for an officer to keep men healthy, than for a physician to cure them.  Situated as this fleet has been, without a friendly port, where we could get all the things so necessary for us; yet I have, by changing the cruizing ground, not allowed the sameness of prospect to satiate the mind.  Sometimes, by looking at Toulon, Ville Tranche, Barcelona, and Roses; then running round Minorca, Majorca, Sardinia, and Corsica; and, two or three times, anchoring for a few days, and sending a ship to the last place for onions—­which I find the best thing that can be given to seamen:  having, always, good mutton for the sick; cattle, when we can get them; and plenty of fresh water.  In the winter, it is the best plan to give half the allowance of grog instead of all wine.

     “These things are for the commander in chief to look to; but, shut
     very nearly out from Spain, and only getting refreshments by
     stealth from other places, my command has been an arduous one.

“Cornwallis has great merit for his persevering cruize; but he has every thing sent him, we have nothing.  We seem forgotten, by the great folks at home.  Our men’s minds, however, are always kept up, with the daily hopes of meeting the enemy.  I send you, as a curiosity, an account of our deaths, and sent to the hospital, out of 6000 men.  The fleet put to sea on the 18th of May 1803, and is still at sea; not a ship has been refitted, or recruited, excepting what has been done at sea, You will readily believe, that all this must have shaken me.  My sight is getting very bad; but I must not be sick, until after the French fleet is taken, Then, I shall soon hope to take you by the hand, and have farther recourse to your skill for my eye.

“I am always glad to hear good accounts of our dear Lady Hamilton.  That she is beloved, wherever she is known, does not surprise me; the contrary would, very much.  I am sure, she feels most sincerely all your kindness.

     “Believe me, for ever, my dear doctor, your much obliged friend,

     Nelson and Bronte

     Dr. Moseley, Chelsea Hospital.”

The account of the very few persons who had died, or been on the sick list, transmitted as a curiosity in the above letter, having been unfortunately lost by Dr. Moseley, their exact number cannot be ascertained.