Therefore, I shall only say, that I hope a little of your good nursing, with ass’s milk, will set me up for another campaign; should the Admiralty wish me to return, in the spring, for another year:  but, I own, I think we shall have peace.

The Ambuscade arrived this day fortnight, with our victuallers, &c. and very acceptable they were.  By her, I received your letters of May 14th, 22d, and 30th, via Lisbon; and, of April 9th, 18, 15th, May 10th, 18th, 29th, June 1st, 5th, through, I suppose, the Admiralty.

The box you mention, is not arrived; nor have I a scrap of a pen from Davison.  The weather in the Mediterranean seems much altered.  In July, seventeen days the fleet was in a gale of wind.

I have often wrote to Davison, to pay for all the improvements at Merton.  The new-building the chamber over the dining-room, you must consider.  The stair window, we settled, was not to be stopped up.  The underground passage will, I hope, be made; but I shall, please God, soon see it all.

I have wrote you, my dear Emma, about Horatia; but, by the Kent, I shall write fully.  May God bless you, my dearest best-beloved Emma! and believe me, ever, your most faithful and affectionate

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Kind love, and regards, to Mrs. Cadogan, and all friends.  God bless you, again and again!

LETTER LII.

  Victory, August 20th, 1804.

MY DEAREST EMMA,

The Kent left us three days ago; and, as the wind has been perfectly fair since her departure, I think she will have a very quick passage, and arrive long before this letter.  But, as a ship is going to Rosas, I will not omit the opportunity of writing through Spain; as, you say, the letters all arrive safe.

We have nothing but gales of wind; and I have had, for two days, fires in the cabin, to keep out the very damp air.

I still hope that, by the time of my arrival in England, we shall have peace.  God send it!

I have not yet received your muff; I think, probably, I shall bring it with me.

I hope, Davison has done the needful, in paying for the alterations at Merton.  If not, it is now too late; and we will fix a complete plan, and execute it next summer.  I shall be clear of debt, and what I have will be my own.

God bless you!  Amen.  Amen.

George Elliot goes to Malta, for a convoy to England, this day.  If you ever see Lord Minto, say so.

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LETTER LIII.

    Victory, August 31st, 1804—­Say 30th, at Evening.  Therefore, I
    wrote, in fact, this Day, through Spain.

MY EVER DEAREST EMMA,

Yesterday, I wrote to you, through Spain; this goes by Naples.  Mr. Falconet, I think, will send it; although, I am sure, he feels great fear from the French minister, for having any thing to do with us.