In a letter written to Earl Spencer next day, the 28th, this exalted man, after observing that General Fox orders Colonel Graham not to incur any expence for stores, or any other articles but provisions, asks—­“What can this mean?  But I have told Troubridge, that the cause cannot stand still for want of a little money.  This would be, what we call—­penny wise, and pound foolish.  If nobody will pay it,” nobly adds our hero, “I shall sell Bronte, and the Emperor of Russia’s box; for I feel myself above every consideration, but that of serving faithfully.  Do not, my dear lord,” he most pathetically concludes, “let the Admiralty write harshly to me; my generous soul cannot bear it, being conscious it is entirely unmerited!” The reader of sensibility will not fail to feel this very affecting deprecation; and to lament, that it should ever have been necessary.

On the day following, however, Lord Nelson had the satisfaction of receiving eight thousand ounces from his Sicilian Majesty, for the relief of the poor Maltese; which his lordship immediately sent to Captain Ball, by the Perseus bomb; and, determined that nothing in his power should be wanted, he not only took on himself, from the discouraging circumstance of General Fox’s orders to Colonel Graham, to augment his numerous other occupations, by becoming a commissary for these troops, but actually pledged Bronte for twelve thousand ounces—­six thousand six hundred pounds—­should any difficulty arise in the payments.

On the 19th, Lord Nelson having been informed, by his friend Sir William Hamilton, that the principal inhabitants of Rome, and other professors and admirers of the fine arts, were about to erect, in that city, a grand monumental testimony of their gratitude to his lordship, for having delivered the country, as well as those valuable treasures of art and antiquity which had for ages formed it’s proudest boast, from the tyranny and rapacity of French cruelty and barbarism, he immediately addressed the following letter to Mr. Fagan, an ingenious artist at Rome, who had so handsomely made the communication of this pleasing intelligence, through Sir William, and with whom the design of that honourable intention appears to have chiefly originated.

     Palermo, 19th Dec. 1799.

     “DEAR SIR,

“Sir William Hamilton has been so kind as to communicate to me the distinguished honour intended me by the inhabitants, by you, and other professors and admirers of the fine arts at Rome, to erect a monument.  I have not words sufficient to express my feelings, on hearing that my actions have contributed to preserve the works which form the school of fine arts in Italy, which the modern Goths wanted to carry off and destroy.  That they may always remain in the only place worthy of them, Rome, are and will be my fervent wishes; together with the esteem of, dear Sir, your most obliged servant,

     “Bronte Nelson.”