formed, and forming, on principles certainly inimical to our present Constitution both in Church and State, of which our Dissenters are the head, and in this County they have great riches. Sorry am I to believe that others give a countenance to these Societies, who ought to conduct themselves otherwise.

In what way it might be in the power of such an humble individual as myself to best serve my King, has been matter of serious consideration, and no way appeared to me so proper as asking for a Ship; and on Saturday last Lord Chatham received my letter, asking for the command of one; but as I have hitherto been disappointed in all my applications to his Lordship, I can hardly expect any answer to my letter, which has always been the way I have been treated: but neither at sea, nor on shore, through the caprice of a Minister, can my attachment to my King be shaken; and which will never end but with my life.

I have been staying some time with my relation, Lord Walpole, near Norwich; at which place, and near it, the Clubs are supported by Members of the Corporation; and they avow that till some of the Nobles and others in Parliament are served as they were in France, they will not be able to get their rights.

In reply to a Letter which he had written to his friend Captain, afterwards Lord Collingwood, he received a long Letter, dated on the 14th of November, in which Collingwood said, “I am much obliged to you for your letter, which I received last month: it was particularly welcome to me, as it brought information of the good health of you and Mrs. Nelson. You must not be displeased that I was so long without writing to you. I was very anxiously engaged a great part of the time, and perhaps sometimes a little lazy but my regard for you, my dear Nelson, my respect and veneration for your character, I hope and believe will never lessen. God knows when we may meet again; unless some chance should draw us again to the Sea-shore. I, however, hope to have long the happiness of hearing of your welfare. "-Original, in the Nelson Papers.

Sir,

TO H. R. H. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE.

[Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.]

Burnham, 10th December, 1792.

I was honoured by your Royal Highness's letter last night ; and it shall ever be my pride to deserve your Royal Highness's kindness. Respecting my present situation with Lord Hood, I can readily and truly answer. We have not for a long time had any communication with each other. Our familiar correspondence ceased on a difference of opinion. In the Spanish armament, when almost the whole service were called forth, I asked Lord Hood to interest himself with Lord Chatham, that I might be appointed to a Ship.1 His Lordship having declined doing it, has prevented my troubling him again for his interest or influence. However, in consideration of our former intimacy, whenever I have gone to London, I have hitherto thought it right to leave my name at his Lordship's door. I certainly cannot look on Lord Hood as my friend; but I have the satisfaction of knowing, that I never gave his Lordship just cause to be my enemy.

His Royal Highness, in a Letter of the 6th of December, acknowledged the receipt of a Letter from Nelson, dated on the 3rd of that month; and after expressing in strong terms his displeasure at Lord Chatham's treatment of Nelson, and his opinion of the state of Affairs, he generously added, “Should matters between the two Countries grow serious, you must be employed. Never be alarmed, I will always stand your friend: I wish you would write me word how you and Lord Hood stand at present."

The cause of this coolness does not appear; but it was of very short dura tion; and Lord Hood's friendship for, and admiration of Nelson, was shown on every occasion during the remainder of his life. It was scarcely possible for two such Officers to have been long alienated from each other.

1 After these words, Nelson originally wrote," and made a speech never to be effaced from my memory, viz. that the King was impressed with an unfavourable opinion of me," but he struck out this remarkable passage, thinking, perhaps, that it was improper in a Letter to his Majesty's Son.

* Clarke and M'Arthur state, (vol. i. p. 121,) "That Nelson again applied to the Board for employment, on the 5th of December, and after earnestly requesting the command of a Ship, he added, Or, if your Lordships should be pleased to appoint me to a cockle-boat, I shall feel grateful;' but that Letter has not been found either at the Admiralty, or among the Nelson Papers. There is, however, the following Letter from the Secretary to the Admiralty to Nelson," Admiralty Office, 12th December 1792. Sir, I have received your Letter of the 5th instant, expressing your readiness to serve, and I have read the same to my Lords Conmissioners of the Admiralty.''

Our Lord Lieutenant has summoned a meeting of the Norfolk Justices on Tuesday next, the 11th; and I have no doubt but they will resolve to do collectively, what none of them chose to do individually-to take away the licenses from those public-houses who allow of improper Societies meeting at them, and to take up those incendiaries who go from ale-house to ale-house, advising the poor people to pay no taxes, &c. In this neighbourhood, a person of the name of Priestley,3 a clergyman, has held this language to a circle of ten miles round him; and, a few days past, I asked a Justice of the Peace, Why, as such a man's conduct was known, that he was not taken up? His answer was, 'that no Justice would render himself unpopular at this time, by being singular; for that his life and property were gone, if the mob arose: but that when the Justices all agreed to act in an uniform manner, this man should certainly be taken hold of, if he went on with such conduct.'

That the poor labourer should have been seduced by promises and hopes of better times, your Royal Highness will not wonder at, when I assure you, that they are really in want of everything to make life comfortable. Part of their wants, perhaps, were unavoidable, from the dearness of every article of life; but much has arose from the neglect of the Country Gentlemen, in not making their farmers raise their wages, in some small proportion, as the prices of necessaries increased. The enclosed paper will give your Royal Highness an idea of their situation. It is most favourable; but I have been careful that no Country Gentleman should have it in his power to say, I had pointed out the wants of the poor greater than they really are. Their wages have been raised within these three weeks, pretty generally, one shilling a week: had it been done some time past, they would not have been discontented, for a want of loyalty is not amongst their faults; and many of their superiors, in many instances, might have imitated their conduct with advantage. The wise precautions of Government have certainly given a vigour to the loyal of the Nation, who are most undoubtedly by far the majority;

3 The celebrated Dr. Joseph Priestley.

• Nelson originally wrote,

Hunger is a sharp thorn, and they are not only in want of food sufficient, but of clothes and firing."

and the disaffected join them at present, for fear of being suspected; therefore I have no doubt but our tranquillity will be restored.

I am, &c.

HORATIO NELSON.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE EARNINGS

AND

EXPENSES OF A LA

BOURER IN NORFOLK, WITH A WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN, SUPPOSING THAT HE IS NOT TO BE ONE DAY KEPT FROM LABOUR IN THE WHOLE YEAR.

[Enclosed in the preceding Letter to the Duke of Clarence.]

One pair of Man's shoes, 7s., one pair of Women's, 4s. 6d., one pair for each of the three Children, 10s. 6d., and £1 1s. for mending.

Shoes and Mending

Shirts, two

Breeches or Jacket

Woman's and Children's clothes
Soap, 12 lbs.

Candles, 6 lbs,

Coals, one chaldron and a half
House Rent

£. s. d.

230

From Oct. 10th to March 31st, at 9s. per week. 11 14 0 From March 31st to June 30th, at 8s. per week 5 4 0 From June 30th to Aug. 24th, turnip-hoeing and

£. S. d.

Earnings
Clothes, &c.

23 1 0

8 13 10

For food, five people, 14 7 2

Not quite twopence a day for each person; and to drink nothing but water, for beer our poor labourers never taste, unless they are tempted, which is too often the case, to go to the Alehouse.

TO MRS. NELSON.

[From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. i. p. 123.]

London, 7th January, 1793.

Post nubila Phœbus:-After clouds comes sunshine. The Admiralty so smile upon me, that really I am as much surprised as when they frowned. Lord Chatham yesterday made many apologies for not having given me a Ship before this time, and said, that if I chose to take a Sixty-four to begin with, I should be appointed to one as soon as she was ready; and whenever it was in his power, I should be removed into a Seventy-four. Everything indicates War.5 One of our Ships, looking into Brest, has been fired into: the shot is now at the Admiralty. You will send my Father this news, which I am sure will please him. Love to Josiah, and believe me

Your most affectionate,

HORATIO NELSON.

* War with France was declared on the 11th of February 1793.

The Childers sloop, commanded by Captain, afterwards Admiral Sir Robert Barlow, G,C.B., was fired upon by the batteries at Brest, and one shot struck her.