My Lord, we are dying off fast for want.  I learn that Sir William Hamilton says Prince Luzzi refused corn, some time ago, and Sir William does not think it worth while making another application.  If that be the case, I wish he commanded this distressing scene, instead of me.  Puglia had an immense harvest:  near thirty sail left Messina, before I did, to load corn.  Will they let us have any?  If not, a short time will decide the business.  The German interest prevails.  I wish I was at your Lordship’s elbow for an hour.  All, all, will be thrown on you:  I will parry the blow as much as in my power; I foresee much mischief brewing.  God bless your Lordship!  I am miserable, I cannot assist your operations more.  Many happy returns of the day to you (it was the first of the New Year).  I never spent so miserable a one.  I am not very tender-hearted, but really the distress here would even move a Neapolitan.

Shortly after he writes, again pouring out fresh woes:—­

I have this day saved thirty thousand people from starvation; but with this day my ability ceases.  As the Government are bent on starving us, I see no alternative but to leave these poor people to perish, without our being witness of their distress.  I curse the day I ever served the Neapolitan Government.  We have characters, my Lord, to lose; these people have none.  Do not suffer their infamous conduct to fall on us.  Our country is just, but severe.  Such is the fever of my brain this minute, that I assure you, on my honour, if the Palermo traitors were here, I would shoot them first, and then myself.  Girgenti is full of corn; the money is ready to pay for it; we do not ask it as a gift.  Oh! could you see the horrid distress I daily experience, something would be done.  Some engine is at work against us at Naples, and I believe I hit on the proper person.  If you complain, he will be immediately promoted, agreeably to the Neapolitan custom.  All I write to is known at the Queen’s.  For my own part, I look upon the Neapolitans as the worst of intriguing enemies; every hour shows me their infamy and duplicity.  I pray your Lordship be cautious; your honest open manner of acting will be made a handle of.  When I see you and tell you of their infamous tricks, you will be as much surprised as I am.  The whole will fall on you.

Nelson must have known the position set forth in this feverish communication from a man whose judgment and affection he had no reason to suspect.  It is a deplorable example of infatuation that every one who knew the Court and the rascals that surrounded it was aware of its shameless tricks except Nelson himself.  They protested that they had withdrawn the restrictions on the exportation of corn so far as they could, and he swallowed their lies with the simplicity of a child.  He must have been the victim of mesmeric influence not to see through their vile knavery in pleading poverty when they were asked