Emma! good Emma! if there were more Emmas, there would be more Nelsons.  You have penetrated my thoughts.  I wish all you say, but was afraid to trust even myself with reflecting on the subject.  However, I will go to town.”  He went, accordingly, next morning, accompanied by her ladyship and his sisters.  They left him at the Admiralty, on the way to Lady Hamilton’s house in Clarges Street; and, soon after, received a note, informing them that the Victory was telegraphed not to go into port, and begging they would prepare every thing for his departure.  This is the true history of that affecting affair.  Her ladyship feels, most severely, that she was the cause of his going; but, as she loved his glory, she could not resist giving him such advice.  It is, however, the general opinion of those who best knew his lordship, that he would, in all probability, have fretted himself to death had he not undertaken this expedition.  His lordship’s services were “not only accepted at the Admiralty, but he was vested with powers less limited than had, perhaps, ever before been confided to any naval commander.  He was to send home Sir Robert Calder, who had joined Admiral Collingwood in blocking up the enemy off Cadiz harbour with twenty-six sail of the line, and to take on himself the chief command of all his majesty’s ships and vessels throughout the whole extent of the Mediterranean Sea; having full liberty to use his own discretion in following the enemy wherever he should think proper, without the slightest degree of censure or controul.

During the few days which he continued in England after being appointed to this important command, he so devoted the little leisure which his professional preparations allowed, to his beloved family and friends, that he refused all public visits, and dined only twice from Merton Place:  once, with his Grace the Duke of Queensberry, who is a near relation of the late Sir William Hamilton; and once with his esteemed friend Abraham Goldsmid, Esq. and family, at Morden.  On both these occasions, too, he was accompanied by Lady Hamilton and some of his own relations.  The Duke of Clarence, previously to Lord Nelson’s departure, took a dinner with him at Merton; when his lordship, pointing to his nephews, nieces, &c. who were seated at a separate table, observed:  to his royal highness, that the sight of these young persons associated under his roof constituted the chief bliss of his life.

Among this amiable and interesting group, was Miss Horatia Nelson Thompson, Lord Nelson’s adopted daughter, then an infant about five years of age.  What real affinity, if any, that charming child may bear to his lordship, is a secret at present known by few; and, as it should seem, by none who feel at liberty to divulge it.  She was, certainly, an object of his constant and most tender regard; and, though the family in general appear disinclined to believe her his daughter, it seems highly probable that she is so.  Should this prove to be the fact,