many onions, in addition to the quantity allowed by the purser, as you and the Surgeon may deem necessary to remove any taint of the scurvy which may have introduced. itself among them. You are, during your stay at the Bay of Rosas, or Barcelona, as before mentioned, to purchase fifty head of good sheep for the use of the sick on board the different Ships, with a sufficient quantity of corn and fodder to last them for a month; and if it is possible to procure thirty thousand good oranges for the Flect, with onions, or any other vegetables, that will keep about eight or ten days, you will also purchase them, together with as many live bullocks for the Ships' Companies as you can conveniently stow, with fodder to last them during your passage. Having remained the above-mentioned time at anchor, and complied with the purport of this order, you are to return and join the Fleet on its present Rendezvous No. 100, with the utmost expedition, where you will find me, or orders for your further proceedings. You are to acquaint any of his Majesty's Ships or Vesse's which you may fall in with where I am to be found. You are to bring a sufficient quantity of good fresh vegetables for the Active's Company to serve them a fortnight at sea, after your leaving the anchorage.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

N.B.-In the event of your going to the Bay of Rosas, you will call upon Mr. Gayner, who was commissioned by Captain Staines to procure ten chords of wood for the Victory, and bring the whole of that quantity with you, or such part thereof as the Cameleon may have left, and you can conveniently

stow.

TO DOCTOR MOSELEY, CHELSEA HOSPITAL.

[From Harrison's "Life of Nelson," vol. ii. p. 118.]

Victory, 11th March, 1804.

My dear Dr. Moseley, Yesterday, I received the favour of the fourth 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

4 Vide vol. i. p. 7.

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 Franche, Barcelona, and Rosas; 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 Commanderin-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 cruise, but he has everything 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 six thousand 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 further 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.

His old friend (vide vol. i. p. 39) Admiral the Honourable William Cornwallis,

then commanded the Squadron off Ushant.

TO THE RESPECTIVE CAPTAINS AND COMMANDERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS AND VESSELS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION.

Memorandum.

[Order-Book.]

Victory, at Sea, 13th March, 1804.

When any of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my command is ordered to return to England, it is my most particular directions that they do not take away with them a greater proportion of provisions, or stores of any description, than may be necessary for the passage.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO LADY HAMILTON.

[From "Lord Nelson's Letters to Lady Hamilton," vol. ii. p. 10.]

Victory, March 14th, [1804,] off Toulon.

Young Faddy, my dearest Emma, brought me, two days ago, your dear and most kind letter of November 26th, and you are sure that I shall take a very early opportunity of promoting him; and he appears to be grown a fine young man, but vacancies do not happen very frequently in this station. However, if he behaves well, he may be sure of me. With respect to Mr. Jefferson, I can [neither] say nor do anything. The Surgeon of the Victory' is a very able, excellent man, and the Ship is kept in the most perfect state of health; and, I would not, if I could-but, thank [God] I cannot do such an unjust act, as to remove him. He is my own asking for; and, I have every reason to be perfectly content. Mr. Jefferson got on, by my help; and, by his own misconduct, he got out of a good employ, and has seen another person, at Malta Hospital, put over his head. He must now begin again; and act with much more attention and sobriety, than he has done, to ever get forward again: but, time may do much; and, I shall rejoice to hear of his reformation .... A thousand pounds a year will not go far; and, we need be

Son of Captain Faddy, of the Vanguard, who was killed at the Battle of the Nile. Vide vol. iii. pp. 54, 59, 127.

' Mr. Magrath, now Doctor Sir George Magrath, K.H. Vide vol. ii. p. 443.

great economists, to make both ends meet, and to carry on the little improvements. As for making one farthing more Prize-money, I do not expect it, except by taking the French Fleet: and, the event of that day, who can foresee? With respect to Mrs. Græfer-what she has done, God and herself knows; but I have made up my mind, that Gibbs will propose an hundred pounds a year for her: if so, I shall grant it, and have done. I send you Mrs. Græfer's last letter. Whilst I am upon the subject of Bronté I have one word more -and your good, dear, kind heart, must not think that I shall die one hour the sooner; on the contrary, my mind has been more content ever since I have done [it]: I have left you a part of the rental of Bronté, to be first paid every half-year, and in advance. It is but common justice; and, whether Mr. Addington gives you anything, or not, you will want it.

I would not have you lay out more than is necessary, at Merton. The rooms, and the new entrance, will take a great deal of money. The entrance by the corner I would have certainly done; a common white gate will do for the present; and one of the cottages, which is in the barn, can be put up, as a temporary lodge. The road can be made to a temporary bridge; for that part of the Nile, one day, shall be filled up. Downing's canvas awning will do for a passage. For the winter, the carriage can be put in the barn; and, giving up Mr. Bennett's premises, will save fifty pounds a year: and, another year, we can fit up the coach-house and stables, which are in the barn.

The foot-path should be turned. I did show Mr. Haslewood the way I wished it done; and Mr. will have no objections, if we make it better than ever it has been: and, I also beg, as my dear Horatia is to be at Merton, that a strong netting, about three feet high, may be placed round the Nile, that the little thing may not tumble in; and, then, you may have ducks again in it. I forget, at what place we saw the netting; and either Mr. Perry, or Mr. Goldsmid, told us where it was to be bought. I shall be very anxious until I know this is done. I have had no very late opportunities of sending to Naples: but, viâ Malta, I wrote to Gibbs, to desire he would send over and purchase the amorins. They will arrive in time. I hope the watch is arrived safe. The

British Fair Cutter, I hope, is arrived safe. She has three packets, from me, to England. The expenses of the alterations at Merton you are not to pay from the income. Let it all be put to a separate account, and I will provide a fund for the payment.... All I long for, just now, is to hear that you are perfectly recovered; and, then, I care for nothing: all my hopes are, to see you, and be happy, at dear Merton, again; but, I fear, this miscarriage of Pichegru's in France, will prolong the War. It has kept the French Fleet in Port, which we are all sorry for.

Sir William Bolton was on board yesterday. He looks thin. The fag in a Brig is very great; and I see no prospect of his either making Prize-money, or being made Post, at present: but, I shall omit no opportunity. I wrote to Mrs. Bolton a few months ago; and I gave her letter, yesterday, to Bolton. He conducts himself very well, indeed. Although, I cannot well afford it, yet I could not bear that poor blind Mrs. Nelson should be in want in her old days, and sell her plate; therefore, if you will find out what are her debts, if they come within my power, I will certainly pay them. Many, I dare say, if they had commanded here, would have made money; but, I can assure you, for Prizes taken within the Mediterranean, I have not more than paid my expenses. However, I would rather pinch myself, than she, poor soul, should want. Your good, angelic heart, my dearest beloved Emma, will fully agree with me, everything is very expensive; and, even we find it, and will be obliged to economise, if we assist our friends: and, I am sure, we shall feel more comfort in it than in loaded tables, and entertaining a set of people who care not for us. An account is this moment brought me, that a small sum is payable to me, for some Neutral taken off Cadiz in May 1800; so that I shall not be poorer for my gift. It is odd, is it not?

I shall, when I come home, settle four thousand pounds in trustees' hands, for Horatia; for I will not put it in my own power to have her left destitute: for she would want friends, if we left her in this world. She shall be independent of any smiles or frowns. I am glad you are going to take her home; and, if you will take the trouble with Eliza and Ann,'

His nieces and nephew, children of his sister, Mrs. Bolton.