Lord Nelson, in a letter, dated the beginning of this month, addressed to Admiral then Commodore Duckworth, thus regrets the difficulty which he experiences, in consequence of having lost his right arm, with regard to writing—­“I thank you, most truly, for your several very interesting letters, and beg that I may be favoured with your correspondence whenever opportunity offers.  You will, I am sure, make allowance for a left-handed man; but, my inclination to write longer letters is great.  I can get but slowly over the paper.”  This, added to the numerous avocations necessarily arising from so widely extended a command as that in which he was now engaged, will sufficiently account for any seeming neglect of continued correspondence with old friends; whom, however, he was not the man ever to forget.  The truth of this observation more particularly manifests itself in the following letter written to that esteemed veteran, Captain Locker; who had sensibly felt the effect of this difficulty, though not the last to congratulate his honoured pupil on the success of his most splendid victory.  This excellent letter has been repeatedly published, but it well merits to be again printed.

     “Palermo, 9th Feb. 1799.

     “MY DEAR FRIEND,

“I well know, your own goodness of heart will make all due allowances for my present situation; in which, truly, I have not the time, or power, to answer all the letters I receive, at the moment.  But you, my old friend, after twenty-seven years acquaintance, know that nothing can alter my attachment and gratitude to you.  I have been your scholar.  It was you who taught me to board a Frenchman, by your conduct when in the Experiment.  It is you who always hold—­“Lay a Frenchman close, and you will beat him!” And my only merit in my profession is, being a good scholar.  Our friendship will never end, but with my life:  but, you have always been too partial to me.

     “Pray tell Kingsmill, that it was impossible I could attend to his
     recommendation.  Indeed, I had, not being a commander in chief, no
     power to name an agent.  Remember me kindly to him.

“The Vesuvian republic being fixed, I have now to look out for Sicily:  but revolutionary principles are so prevalent in the world, that no monarchical government is safe, or sure of lasting ten years.

     “I beg you will make my kindest remembrances to Miss Locker, and
     all your good sons; and believe me, ever, your faithful and
     affectionate friend,

     “Nelson.”

     “Lieutenant-Governor Locker,
     Royal Hospital, Greenwich.”

As the Vesuvian republic had been now formed on the ruins of the Neapolitan monarchy, under the protection of the French, and was consequently at war with Great Britain, Lord Nelson gave directions for the property of all persons who had not left this new state to be seized as lawful prize.  Application was again made to the emperor; a survey taken of the island, for the purpose of ascertaining it’s strength and security; and every endeavour used to obtain, during the war, a truce with Tunis and Tripoli.  The opinion of Lord Nelson, with regard to the safety of Sicily, is conveyed in the following letter to Sir John Acton, Bart, expressly on that subject.