Perhaps, the frequent repetition of this anecdote, and the admiration which the sweet simplicity of the child’s wonderful answer must naturally create in the bosom of every virtuous friend, had no small share in fixing his heroic character.  He had never seen fear, he knew not what it was.  What a reflection for an incipient hero, when he became capable of comprehending the full force of his own artless expression!  If he ever lived to see fear, it was only in the enemies of his country; if to know it, it was only by name.

There seems good reason to suppose, that his invincible spirit was visible at an early age, as well as his generally mild and amiable disposition.  He was a prodigious favourite with his indulgent mother:  who was herself a woman of considerable firmness and fortitude, though of a delicate habit, as well as of great meekness and piety:  and, in one of the little customary strifes of brothers, the present earl being his antagonist, when requested, by some friends, who were alarmed at the noise, to interfere in behalf of the youngest, is well recollected to have replied, with the utmost composure, and a very visible satisfaction depicted on her expressive countenance—­“Let them alone, little Horace will beat him; let Horace alone!”

The brother of Mrs. Nelson, Captain Maurice Suckling, married to a sister of the present Lord Walpole, was a naval commander of very considerable skill and bravery:  he frequently visited his sister; and was, also, particularly fond of Horatio.  He had, doubtless, heard the anecdote respecting fear; to which, in his own person, he felt himself as much a stranger as his little nephew:  and, probably, was the first friend to hail and encourage the future hero.

His sister, partial to the honourable profession of her brother, would naturally interpret every proof of her darling son’s attachment to his uncle’s person, his conversation, or even any of his professional habiliments, as well as each appearance of spirited resolution which he occasionally displayed, into an inclination, as well as fitness, for the service.  She, like the Holy Mary, “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart:”  but, she lived not to behold the accomplishment of her cherished hopes!

The principles of piety were carefully implanted in his infant mind, by the example, as well as precepts, of both parents; and, amidst all the tempestuous passions by which mankind is agitated during his progress through the various scenes of active life, these principles could never be eradicated from his bosom.

The celebrated grammar-school at Norwich, called the High School, of which a Mr. Symonds was then master, and which was afterwards superintended by the learned Dr. Parr, has the honour of having given him the first rudiments of a respectable education.  How long he continued at Norwich school is not now known, any more than the particular reason why he quitted it.  From thence, however, he went to the grammar-school at North Walsham; and was placed under the tuition of the Reverend Mr. Jones, whose abilities are said to have then acquired much celebrity.