veral stations; the Admiral to visit all the Islands. My Lady and Miss left under the care of Lieutenant Gregory, who took possession of Constitution Hill The Boreas was sent to explore a harbour in the Island of Saint John's, one of the Virgin's.

You may be certain I never passed English Harbour without a call, but alas! I am not to have much comfort. My dear, sweet friend9 is going home. I am really an April day; happy on her account, but truly grieved were I only to consider myself. Her equal I never saw in any country or in any situation. She always talks of you, and hopes, if she comes within your reach, you will not fail visiting her. If my dear Kate goes to Bath next winter, she will be known to her; for my dear friend has promised to make herself known. What an acquisition to any female to be acquainted with: what an example to take pattern from. Moutray has been very ill: it would have been necessary he should have quitted this Country had he not been recalled. All my Children1 are well

9 Mrs. Moutray.

Nelson's treatment of his Midshipmen, whom he affectionately calls his Children, is thus described by Lady Hughes, from her own observation while a passenger in the Boreas, in a Letter to Mr. Matcham, dated Clifton, June 24th 1806:

"I was too much affected when we met at Bath to say every particular in which was always displayed the infinite cleverness and goodness of heart of our dearly beloved Hero. As a woman, I can only be a judge of those things that I could comprehend-such as his attention to the young gentlemen who had the happiness of being on his Quarter-Deck. It may reasonably be supposed that among the number of thirty, there must be timid as well as bold: the timid he never rebuked, but always wished to show them he desired nothing of them that he would not instantly do himself: and I have known him say-Well, Sir, I am going a race to the mast-head, and beg I may meet you there.' No denial could be given to such a wish, and the poor fellow instantly began his march. His Lordship never took the least notice with what alacrity it was done, but when he met in the top, instantly began speaking in the most cheerful manner, and saying how much a person was to be pitied that could fancy there was any danger, or even anything disagreeable, in the attempt. After this excellent example, I have seen the timid youth lead another, and rehearse his Captain's words. How wise and kind was such a proceeding! In like manner, he every day went into the School Room, and saw them do their nautical business, and at twelve o'clock he was the first upon deck with his quadrant. No one there could be behind-hand in their business when their Captain set them so good an example. One other circumstance I must mention which will close the subject, which was the day we landed at Barbadoes. We were to dine at the Governor's. Our dear Captain said, 'You must permit me, Lady Hughes, to carry one of my Aid-de-camps with me:' and when he presented him to the Governor, he said, Your Excellency must excuse me for bringing one of my

except one, young Andrews. He came out in the Unicorn: do you remember him? On the 11th of November last, he was forced by Mr. Stainsbury to fight a duel, which terminated fatally for the poor lad: the ball is lodged in his back, and whether he will ever get the better of it God knows. He has kept his bed ever since. His antagonist, and Mr. Oliver, his second, are in irons since the duel. They will stand a good chance of hanging if the youth should unfortunately die. Wallace, Dent, Jameson, Doctor, often ask after you, and are happy to hear of your safe arrival. Your singing friend, Powers, was discharged at Antigua. Dick Hughes 3 is on board, but I can neither make much of him or Suckling, but the latter is the best of the two. Lady H. and Miss sailed for Martinico two days ago. What a specimen of English beauty they are neither of them grown handsomer since you left them. The Admiral doesn't go: Unicorn has the Flag.

Come, I must carry you to our love scenes. Captain Sandys has asked Miss Eliot-refused. Captain Sterling was attentive to Miss Elizabeth E.; but never having asked the question, Captain Berkeley is, I hear, to be the happy man. Captain Kelly is attached to a lady at Nevis, so he says: I don't much think it. He is not steady enough for that passion to hold long. All the Eliot family spent their Christmas

Midshipmen, as I make it a rule to introduce them to all the good company I can, as they have few to look up to besides myself during the time they are at Sea. This kindness and attention made the young people adore him; and even his wishes, could they have been known, would have been instantly complied with. It was your wish, Sir, to have the above particulars: an abler pen might have described them better; but I hope my simple narration may, in a faint degree, describe his Lordship's excellent manner of making his young men fancy the attaining nautical perfection was much more a play than a task. Who is there but must allow these methods to be dictated by great skill, as well as great goodness of heart that never caused a fear or disgust to any one? How sincerely is such a loss to be lamented! But we have nothing to say, but- The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord."”—Original, in the Nelson Papers.

2

George Andrews; he survived the wound, became a Post-Captain in 1796; and is frequently mentioned: he died in July 1810.

Sir Robert Hughes' eldest son, who died a Post-Captain in 1810.

4 Afterwards married to Lord Le Despencer.

"Captain Nelson was, however, mistaken, for Captain Kelly did marry the lady, who was a near relation of Mrs. Nesbit, afterwards Mrs. Nelson.

at Constitution Hill-came up in Latona. The Boreas, you guessed right, at English Harbour. Rosy has had no offers: I fancy she seems hurt at it. Poor girl! you should have offered. I have not gallantry enough. A niece of Governor Parry's has come out. She goes to Nevis in the Boreas; they trust any young lady with me, being an old-fashioned fellow. My paper draws towards an end: to business. You may be assured I will keep you upon the Books as long as I can, but it depends entirely upon the Admiral, and we are not upon the very best terms; but as I feel I am perfectly right, you know upon those occasions I am not famous for giving up a point. Should inclination or opportunity bring you here again, towards the latter end of the Station, I shall be happy to receive you. You will do as you please in that business. God bless you. Adieu, and believe I am, your affectionate brother,

HORATIO NELSON.

Remember me kindly to Charles Boyles. The Wells Club must be strong this winter. Noisy, I'll answer, with you and

him.

[In continuation.]

Boreas, St. Kitts, March 16th, 1785.

My dear Brother.-Not having an opportunity of sending my letter which was wrote at Barbadoes, I have added a new cover, to acknowledge the receipt of yours of January 1st. Come whenever you please, I shall be happy to receive you; but I charge you, do not attempt to bring anything except a few books, for I will not receive them. Do as you please about the tickets. There is an Irish lottery. Whatever you do I shall approve. My sweet amiable friend sails the 20th for England. I took my leave of her with a heavy heart, three days ago. What a treasure of a woman. God bless her. She always asks after you. She thinks you should have stayed with Dorothea. When the twelve months are expired I will send your Certificate. I am not quite certain about the paying you; for the Muster-Master has checked you absent with leave, since the

1st of October, nor can I help it. All on board desire to be kindly remembered. Farewell.

Yours affectionately,

HORATIO NELSON.

I shall not write to our Father this Packet, as I have done it to you and Kate. Give my kind love.

TO WILLIAM LOCKER, ESQ., WEST MALLING.

[Autograph, in the Locker Papers.]

My dear Friend,

Boreas, St. Kitts, March 16th, 1785.

Since my last, I have been at Prince Rupert's Bay, and with great difficulty reached the house which Admiral Parry7 built upon his land. The house is levelled with the ground, nor should I have known it was anything but a wood, had not my guide told me this was the estate. I made every inquiry it was possible for me to do as to worth, or what could be done with it: from the whole I have heard it is not possible to sell or let it. If you claim it, the taxes are far more than it is worth in its present state, and they have proclamations for giving the Loyalists land gratis, so much do they want settlers for the Island. The soil is bad, so much so, that several mulattoes settled upon the cleared part after Admiral Parry left it, and lived in the house, but at last they abandoned it, not being able to get roots to grow in it. Governor Stewart & has an estate at Prince Rupert's, but quite in another situation; am told he wishes for the money he has laid out upon it.

And now let me tell you a very extraordinary anecdote of Dominica. When the English first took possession of it, they thought it a fine sugar Island; they built by far the best works of any Island in our possession, but time has proved that the soil is not proper for sugar, as it takes some hundred gallons of juice to make a hogshead more than at any other Island. Cotton and coffee are the only commodities it will produce in

7 Vide p. 113.

9 William Stewart, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of Dominica.

perfection. If ever I go to Rosseau, I will ask Governor Stewart if anything can be done, and I will do what is right in the business; but from what I have said, little can be expected. News from this ill-fated corner you will not expect. Moutray is gone home a few days ago, so that I lose my only valuable friend in these Islands. Every day convinces [me] how superior the Jamaica Station is to this: everything is extravagantly dear, and no comforts. All the Navy are very unpopular, from the Governor downwards, for hindering the American Ships from trading to the Islands. I seldom go on shore, hardly once a month. Mr. and Mrs. Georges are the only people I know upon this Island. How have you been this winter? quite stout, I hope, and all your children. Collingwood recommends Lady Twisden, he says you ought to marry her; what a charming good man-he is a valuable member of society. Little CS is as usual-likes a cup of grog as well as ever. I think the chance is much against his return to England. He has been paying his addresses to a young lady at Antigua-but is refused. She used to strike him speechless every night. What a pity he should have that failing there is not a better heart in the world.

Our Admiral with his family are just making the tour of the Islands; they find, probably, more satisfaction in visiting them than I do, for they are a sad set. Yesterday being St. Patrick's day, the Irish Colours with thirteen stripes in them was hoisted all over the Town. I was engaged to dine with the President, but sent an excuse, as he suffered those Colours to fly. I mention it only to show the principle of these vagabonds. How does Mrs. B. and Mrs. Dyne? Remember me kindly to all that good family. Your wine is well, and I will get some rum for you. I suppose duty must be paid for everything, as your friend Mr. Pitt has set his face so much against smuggling. God bless you-farewell; and believe I am ever, your affectionate humble Servant, HORATIO NELSON. Collingwood desired me to make his compliments. March

18th.

9

• Apparently Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Waldash, and widow of Sir Roger Twisden, who died in October, 1779, nine months after his marriage. Lady Twisden survived until February 1833.