In such estimation was this brave and worthy man held, even at that period, by those who had the best opportunities of judging, that the whole of his ship’s company offered, if he could get a ship, to enter for it immediately.  Nor can we wonder at this attachment, when we behold him, on shore, after the conclusion of their services, employing all his activity and address in attempts to get the wages due to his good fellows, as he kindly called them, for various ships in which they had served during the war.  The infernal plan of turning them over from ship to ship, he frequently declared, occasioned the chief disgust which seamen have to the navy; and both prevented them from being attached to their officers, and their officers from caring two-pence about them.

A few days after the Albemarle was paid off, Lord Hood introduced Captain Nelson at St. James’s; where he remarked that the king was exceedingly attentive to what his lordship said.  The beginning of the week following, he went to Windsor; and there took leave of the Duke of Clarence, who was then about to embark for the continent.

As Captain Nelson had now no thoughts of going to sea; his fortune not permitting him to live on board a king’s ship, to use his own words, “in such a manner as is going on at present;” after again visiting his family and friends in Norfolk, he agreed to reside a short time in France, with Captain Macnamara, for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the French language.

Sterne’s Sentimental Journey, he said, was the best description he could give of this tour.  He was highly diverted by looking what a curious figure the postillions, in their jack boots, and their rats of horses, made together.  He was told that they travelled en poste, but did not get on above four miles an hour.  Their chaises were without springs, and the roads paved like London streets.  They were shewn into an inn, as the Frenchmen called it; but he thought it more like a pig-stye:  there, in a room with two straw beds, they had two pigeons for supper, on a dirty cloth, with wooden handled knives.  “Oh!” exclaimed he, “what a transition from happy England!” But they laughed at the repast; and went to bed with a determination that nothing should ruffle their temper.  In their way to St. Omer’s, they passed through a very fine corn country, diversified with woods; and Captain Nelson, though a Norfolk man, acknowledged it to be the best place for game he had ever known.  Partridges, at Montrieul, were sold at two-pence halfpenny a brace, and pheasants and woodcocks in proportion.  On arriving at St. Omer’s, he was surprised to find it, instead of a dirty, nasty town, as he had always heard it represented, a large city, with good streets, well paved and lighted.